Blayne had hung up the phone, after speaking with Diana, and sat down behind her desk.
Gabriella… She thought as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Traitor! How could you leave me like this? Damn you! Damn you!
Blayne felt an incredible pain in her chest and breathed deeply. She could almost hear Gabriella calling her name. "I don't want this. I don't want this!" She got up quickly and picking up her briefcase walked out of her office.
"I don't understand. How? I mean…"
"My mother knew him in Cuba," Gabriella said as she looked down. She felt tired and didn't really want to go into all the details now, but she also knew that there was really no choice now. Joseph would not let up until he knew everything.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It all happened so fast. You were away. I…. I'm still not sure about anything, Joseph. " She trailed off.
"Are you his daughter or not?"
"Jesus! Leave me alone!" Gabriella began pacing. "I'm so confused right now I don't know whether I'm coming or going. Stop! Just stop okay?"
"Gabriella, calm down," he said as he came closer to her. "Let's take this one step at a time."
"Why don't you listen?" She asked sadly. Joseph seemed confused and she continued. "Why can't you know what I need? Why don't you see me?" Tears rolled down her face.
He was completely taken aback by her emotional outbreak. "I…. I don't understand. Of course I understand you. Look, we don't have to talk about his right now if you don't want to."
He walked up to her and she went into his arms with a desperation that frightened her. She buried her face into his chest and searched for that oneness that she so desperately needed. "Hold me Joseph…please hold me. I'm so lost. Please…hold me." His arms went around her and held her closer. Her face went up to him and her lips sought his mouth. Her mouth met his hungrily and opened offering him her passion and when his lips failed to give her what she so desperately wanted she pushed him away from her.
"What the hell is wrong now?" He tried reaching for her and she began crying all the harder. "What's going on Gabriella?"
"Leave me alone Joseph, please. Just leave me alone." She begged as she turned her back to him.
"We can't go on like this." He threatened. "You come on to me then you push me away. We hardly ever have sex anymore. I still want you, Gabriella" he said uncharacteristically.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"I'll go pick up the children at your mother's. Shall I pick up some dinner?" The conversation turned as it always did into the normalcy of denial.
She nodded quietly.
He walked out of the studio and left her holding herself. Suddenly all her desire and shame became pain and she doubled over and fell to the floor.
"Blayne…. Blayne…." She cried.
Blayne sat back and let her head fall back on the seat. The flight to London would give her the distance that she desperately sought. Her eyes closed and as they did she held back a word that she longed to say.
She sat up and looked out the window and saw the distance growing and suddenly she could no longer stop from whispering the one word that her heart could not stop saying over and over again. "Gabriella." She said it softly, reverently and she allowed her self to savor it.
She turned on the music in her headphones trying to change her thoughts but was caught prisoner by the melody playing and instead of turning it off she listened. The melody was old and sweet and she brazed herself for the words that she knew would touch her soul.
Yesterday by the Beatles
Yesterday… all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they are here to stay, Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly…. I'm not half the man I used to be. There is a shadow hanging over me. Oh yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say. I said something wrong now I long for yesterday….
Yesterday…… love was such an easy game to play. Now I need a place to hideaway. Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say. I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday…..
Yesterday…… love was such an easy game to play Now I need a place to hideaway I believe in yesterday
"Gabriella…" her eyes filled with unshed tears, she didn't care who saw her and allowed them to fall down her face. She turned off the music. She closed her eyes and tried to find some peace in the darkness.
Elena pulled out an old box that had been put away years ago. She opened it and allowed herself to look inside. There were old photos and letters that had turned yellow with the passing of time wrapped in a pink ribbon. She opened a book of poetry by Jose Angel Buesa and gently touched the dried flowers folded within. Tears ran down her face as she remembered all the promises made and all the promises broken.
"Mother, have you spoken to your attorney?" Chaz broke Abigail's concentration. She had been looking out happily at the garden. There were so many memories in the house. The children had grown up there…Arthur and she had spent most of their married life together there as well. She needed good memories these days. She needed to hang onto something beautiful in view of the sadness that filled her every time she remembered that Arthur would soon be gone.
"Why Chaz?" She turned to face her son.
"Don't you think that it would be wise…. I mean, father is not in a good state of mind right now. And who knows what he might decide to do."
Abigail stared at her son in disbelief. "Your father would not cheat you, Chaz. I dare say he will make provisions for Gabriella and her children but you will certainly be well taken care of. And besides darling, you have your own money that your father left you." Abigail tried to reassure him.
"How can you just allow this? I don't understand you mother. You just let his bastard stroll into this house!"
"Chaz! Your father is dying…please try and remember that," she said as her eyes filled with tears. She walked out of the room obviously distraught.
Chaz saw her leave and sat down in deep thought. Apparently he was the only one that this mattered to. He remembered how soft Gabriella felt when he took her in his arms. And who would have known what might have happened if Blayne hadn't stuck her nose where it didn't belong. She was always there before him, she was faster, smarter; she had all the things that he wanted, even Gabriella. Had they? Yes, Blayne had probably already been in Gabriella's bed. The thought of that infuriated him. She always got there first. But, this time he would be the winner no matter what it cost.
"You must be joking!" Blayne could not believe what she was hearing. "You can't honestly believe that I would agree to this."
"Blayne, I want to try and settle as much as possible. At least he is showing some intent," Arthur argued.
She shook her head in disbelief as she sat down behind her desk.
"Arthur…" she tried a different approach. "Where could I possibly put him so as to cause the least damage possible?"
"Blayne, I want him at the headquarters. Make him one of your VP's. Give him a real chance."
"No!"
Arthur decided not to challenge her at this time. He had been doing everything wrong lately where Blayne was concerned so he opted for caution.
"Why don't we talk about it when you get back," he said.