Chapter 87: The Ex

After a few minutes of crying quietly in Zak's arms, I managed to pull myself together and gently pulled back from him.

I took some Kleenex out of my clutch and, as politely as possible, blew my nose.

God…I hope my makeup is still intact… I thought.

"We're sorry for upsetting you, but Emily really wanted you to know how she feels," Michael said softly.

I shook my head slightly as I carefully wiped my eyes with another Kleenex.

"No, it's okay. I'm glad you told me. All of this is just overwhelming," I said softly.

I felt Zak gently rub my back.

Marti gave me a reassuring smile.

"I can only imagine. But we know you'll be a wonderful addition to the show," Marti said.

I smiled at her.

It was nice to hear some feedback from someone other than Cheryl, Ashley, and the guys.

"I hope so," I said softly.

"You are," Zak said softly, rubbing my back still.

I smiled at him and then looked at Michael and Marti, suddenly thinking of something.

"May I ask a question?" I asked.

They both nodded.

"Of course," Michael answered.

"Is…or was there…anyone else here with us?" I asked.

Michael shook his head slightly.

"Just your sister. Why do you ask?" Michael replied.

I frowned a bit.

"We lost our parents in a car accident two years before Emily died…I've seen Emily constantly since then, but I've never seen my parents…I was just hoping…" I trailed off.

I could feel myself become emotional again.

"That doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been around. I've met several people who have loved ones around them, but they were unaware," Michael said.

"Really..?" I asked.

"Absolutely," Michael responded.

That made me feel a bit better.

All my life I always wondered why I could see Emily, but never saw my parents. I often worried that they blamed me for the accident, and that was the reasoning for why I never saw them.

"I'm sure they're very proud of you, either way," Marti said.

I smiled.

"We still don't understand the paranormal and how exactly things work. Some spirits show themselves to us, some don't. It might be because, for one reason or another, they can't, or they feel they don't need to," Michael commented.

I nodded in understanding.

"Did you…get any sort of sense that Emily's not at peace? I've often wondered if I don't see my parents because they found peace…and Emily hasn't…" I said.

Zak continued to rub my back soothingly.

"No, I didn't pick up on any sort of pain or unease. Your parents may have found peace, if we are to believe that spirits do 'enter a light' or such, but that doesn't necessarily mean that spirits around us are not at peace," Michael replied.

"Some spirits seem to be more at peace hanging around in our world, maybe that's the case with Emily," Zak suggested.

I nodded slightly.

"I hope so," I said softly.

Zak rested his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it in reassurance.

"Michael, we should probably get going," Marti commented, glancing at her watch. "We have an early flight tomorrow," she added.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to keep you," I said, standing up along with Zak, as Michael and Marti stood up as well.

"Don't worry, it's quite alright," Michael said, smiling at me.

"Thank you guys for coming out," Zak said, as he walked around the table and shook Michael's hand, and gave Marti a brief hug.

"Our pleasure," Marti said. "It was nice to meet you Alicia," she added, as her and I hugged.

I smiled as I pulled back.

"It was nice to meet you too, thank you again for meeting with us," I replied, briefly hugging Michael as he hugged me.

"It was no problem at all. If you ever have any other questions, feel free to contact us," Michael said as he pulled back.

I smiled.

"I will, thank you," I replied.

"Have a safe flight guys," Zak said, as Michael and Marti started to step away from the table.

"Thank you. Good luck on the rest of the season!" Marti replied.

Zak and I both smiled.

"Thanks," Zak and I said in unison, causing all four of us to chuckle.

"See you again," Michael remarked, before he and Marti headed for the stairs leading to the first level.

"Bye, thank you again!" I replied.

"So, did that help at all?" Zak asked, as we moved back to the side of the table we had been sitting on.

"It did I think…I feel a bit more at ease about it. Thank you for contacting them," I replied, as I folded up the drawings and put them back into my clutch.

Zak smiled and rubbed my back a bit.

"No problem doll. I'm glad it helped," Zak replied.

I smiled and went to sit back down in my seat, but stopped part way and stood back up.

"I'm going to go to the ladies room and make sure I don't have raccoon eyes," I said, picking my clutch up from the table.

Zak laughed.

"You don't, you look beautiful as always," Zak said.

I felt my face flush a bit.

"Thank you…but I'll feel better if I go freshen up anyway," I replied.

Zak smiled and nodded, stepping aside to let me walk past him.

"Alright, but hurry back," Zak said.

I smiled as I stepped out of our sectioned area.

"I will," I replied, heading for the stairs.

I could feel Zak's eyes on me the entire time.

Roughly ten minutes later…

After I used the facilities and checked my makeup in the mirror, I walked out of the ladies room and headed back to the stairs.

Just as I was about to reach them, I heard an unfamiliar, female voice call my name over the music.

"Alicia Wilde?"

I turned around and knew my expression went blank at who I saw standing there.

Shannon McPhee, Zak's ex-girlfriend.

What in the hell is she doing here?

I felt uncomfortable looking at her, not only because she once dated Zak, but because of how she was dressed.

Her platinum blonde hair was down, and she had on more than enough makeup.

She was wearing a red dress – very, very low cut, and very, very short.

I could feel the little self esteem I had plummeting.

At my stunned silence, Shannon smiled sweetly as she stepped closer to me, holding out her hand.

"I'm Shannon McPhee. I used to date Zak," She said proudly, as if it was some award winning accomplishment.

I was still stunned, but managed to force myself to shake her hand.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming a member of the crew, you must be so excited!" She exclaimed happily, but I knew it was fake happiness.

Regardless, I kept my composure.

"Un...thank you…and yes, I've very excited," I replied politely.

She practically beamed at me, but once again, I sensed the fakeness behind it.

"So, where is Zak?" She asked, with an air of expectancy.

What the- had Zak invited her…?

"He's upstairs…" I replied, seemingly emotionless.

But inside I felt like I was falling apart.

All my insecurities and negative thoughts about myself were coming to the surface.

"Oh, I should of figured. The shy little boy," She said teasingly, and started to walk past me toward the stairs.

I stood there in silence, unsure of how to react.

"Oh, by the way," Shannon said, turning to look back at me.

I turned to look at her.

"I don't mean to pry…but it was kind of obvious in that sneak peek and promo that you have feelings for Zak," she started.

What?!

"And I don't mean to be rude…but sweetheart, you're just not his type," Shannon said, smiling sympathetically at me.

I stared at her in stunned silence again.

"It's so obvious to me just from meeting you, that you're the quiet, shy type. Zak likes women who are…more outgoing," she said, smiling to one side. "More willing to be sexy...and show a little more skin," She added bluntly, looking me up and down, clearly thinking my outfit for the night wasn't good enough.

I felt like I was going to be sick.

It was like she knew all my insecurities and was throwing them in my face.

I opened my mouth to say something – anything – to tell her that she was wrong, that Zak had changed.

But no words came to me.

"I just thought I'd mention it…don't want you to end up with a broken heart, like so many other girls have," Shannon said with a smile, as if she was doing me a favour. "It was nice to meet you!" She added, all friendly like, before she walked over to the security guard stationed at the bottom of the stairs – who immediately started to fall under her spell.

Oh god…

I immediately turned and quickly made my way through the crowd of people, heading for the entrance.