It was time for the Spectra fashionshow. Everything was set but Sally was nervous after seeing the Forrester showing. She was sure it would be a big failure since Eric and Ridge had been tending to Stephanie after she came back from the dead. How they had managed to come up with so many beautiful designs was beyond Sally. But she knew she still had the chance. Nathan´s designs together with Clarke´s were just as good as the Forresters. The question was whose designs the buyers would prefer...
C.J. had invited Emma over to Spectra for their showing. Sean was also there with them. Amber was working at the Café Russe and couldn´t attend. Nick arrived there with his young sister Esther to look at their father´s designs for the first time in years. Ava was still at the hospital after the caraccident but had ordered Grace to tape it for her. Nick and Esther took their seats next to Sean, Emma and C.J. Esther was introduced to her brother´s friends.
Stephanie and Eric arrived too. Eric, not so happy to be there. He would rather be home. But Stephanie had forced him to go. Why, he didn´t know. But she looked forward to it. It didn´t make sence to him, but very little about his wife made sence to him lately.
Sally and Clarke was backstage, giving their models a peptalk. Macy walked in and wished her mother good luck. She informed them that she and Jude would be sitting in the audience. An audience full of buyers and photographers and reporters, like always. But also friends and family. Macy left to meet up with Jude.
Nathan and Taylor arrived. They decided to sit backstage during the whole showing since the media was there. And they didn´t want the media to find out about their relationship. Not yet, anyway.
The showing began. En Vouge´s My lovi´n came on as three models headed out on the catwalk. The Spectra showing was filled with sparkles and colors. Dresses, suits, skirts, blouses... The designs was in 80´s theme mixed with new lines on the clothes. Some details of the 70´s too. The crowd cheered. Eric rolled his eyes. He couldn´t believe it. He didn´t like the designs at all. Or maybe he didn´t let himself. He couldn´t believe that Spectra could win fair and sqare. Not in a million years. C.J. smirked at him. Now, it was finally the time for Spectra to stand as the winner on the trone. Emma didn´t think much of it. She had never felt the competition of the two companies herself. She had heard lots about it, but always thought the media blowned it out of propotion.
The showing went on, the crowd, except some..., was amazed by the designs. As the showstopper was next, the lights were dimmed as a model wearing a fairtale weddingdress walked out. It was magical. The dress sparkled and everyone in the crowd, except for Eric, almost lost their breaths at what whey saw. Eric admitted it to be a beautiful dress, but that was about it. He couldn´t understand why Stephanie wasn´t upset. Anyone would be if the competition seemed to be more successful. As the showing ended, Sally came out from backstage and said a few words to the audience.
Sally: Thank you everybody! What you have just seen was the magic of Spectra. And by our two designers Clarke Garrison and Nathan Bennett. I am so proud of what my company has accomplished this year. As you all know, we´ve been in the hot water more than once, and I can say that the trend is changing. We are back in business and tougher than ever! Watch out for Spectra Fashions! Sally finnished and was overwhelmed with the applauding crowd and all the wild flashing from the cameras. She had only seen that once - on a Forrester showing. But now, it was all hers! She enjoyed every moment of it and thrived in the success. Sally walked off the stage and headed over to Eric and Stephanie. She smiled as soon as she saw the look in Eric´s eyes. He knew they had lost to Spectra and was pissed. She couldn´t see Stephanie´s look as she stood behind Eric. Sally prepared herself for a mean insult by the queen herself by laughing quietly to herself. Sally actually looked forward to whatever insult Stephanie could come up with. It would only show just how beaten she was. As Sally got closer, she saw a smile on Stephanie´s lips and was confused by it. Must be a mistake... Sally walked up to them.
Stephanie: Sally... Congratulations!
Sally: I know. Thank you..., she was insecure if Stephanie was faking or waiting for the perfect moment to say something nasty.
Stephanie: You deserved it. It was a great showing.
Sally: Stephanie... Is that all you have to say? No insults? No putdowns?
Stephanie: What? No. Why would I do that?
Sally: Ummm. I don´t know. Thank you. It means a lot. Especially coming from you.
Stephanie: You deserve all credits. You and Clarke and Nathan. Give them my regards, would you?, Stephanie smiled and left Sally. Eric followed her, even more surprised and shocked than Sally. Now he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
Sheila: Mike! Come here. Look at this!
Sheila handed him a paper of numbers. A bankpaper, it looked like. Mike took it and read but saw nothing wrong with it.
Sheila: Look here, Sheila pointed towards a line of a number.
Mike: And?
Sheila: Don´t you find that strange? Especially if you take a look at this...
Sheila pointed towards her laptop and Mike read it.
Mike: Wow... OK, I see. And I guess this is how you plan to get rid of Eric?
Sheila: Exactly. Now, we only miss Stephanie. And she should be here any moment now.
Eric returned to his office after giving Megan the bad news. She was going to inform Brooke about the Spectra showing as soon as she came back. Eric closed his door and picked up the phone to call Stephanie´s doctor.
Eric: I´m telling you, there is something wrong.
Doctor: There may not be. Maybe your wife realized that life is too short to argue and fight. It´s not unusual with patients who has suffered as much as Stephanie has these last months. I´m not the one you should talk to about this. Have you tried her psychologist?
Eric: No, I couldn´t reach her. But I guess I can try once more. Thank you, doctor.
Eric hung up and called Stephanie´s psychologist. No answer. Eric had tried to reach her 5 times. No answer... He felt it was strange. Little did he know that she didn´t exist and Sheila was Stephanie´s ‘psychologist’...
Sean had left. C.J. and Emma was ready to start the celebrationparty.
Emma: Come on, Nick. Let´s go.
Nick: No, I can´t. I have to take my sister home and I have lots of schoolwork to do for next week.
Emma: What? You´re actually turning down a party to do schooljob??
Nick: Yes, I am.
Emma: But this is your father´s big day! I´m sure he wouldn´t mind...
Nick: I know he wouldn´t. But there will be more showings to celebrate.
Emma: OK, Mr. Boring. I´ll see you later.
Nick took Esther and left. Emma chuckled at Nick.
Emma: You know, C.J... It can´t be healthy to be so dedicated to school.
C.J: Maybe not. But Nick is in lawschool. I think he knows what he is doing.
Emma: Too bad for him. He is missing out on his youth. Come on, let´s celebrate!
Stephanie knocked on the door and Mike let her in.
Stephanie: What was so urgent?
Sheila: I think there is something you need to know about your sweet husband...
Stephanie looked confused.
Sheila: I suspected something when I met Don Hernandez... So I decided to look it up. And I was right. There is something you should know. Your husband payed him off.
Stephanie: What? Eric?? How? Why?
Sheila: 15.000 dollars times 5. That is 75.000 dollars, went from Eric´s bankaccount to Don´s bankaccount several years ago. Take a look.
Sheila showed Stephanie what she had come up with.
Stephanie: This can´t be... Eric payed Don to leave town...
Sheila: And you.
Stephanie: Now I understand. It was Eric who made him leave like he did. I never understood why he left until now. Damn it!
Sheila: See what your husband did! He made him leave. Your best friend!
Stephanie: How could he do that to me??
Sheila: Because he didn´t care that he hurt you. He was selfish, thinking of only himself. Is this the man you want to be married to. A man who divorced you for another woman. You constantly cheated on you? A man who left you alone with your young children to go off, travelling the world. Maybe together with other women...
Stephanie: No... He will pay for this!
Sheila: You have to kick him out! Before he hurts you again.
Stephanie: I know. Thank you, Sheila. I can really count on you.
Sheila: Of course you can. I´m your only true friend, aren´t I?
Stephanie: You are my only true friend..., Stephanie replied looking hypnotised.
Sheila: You know what you need to do. Go do it now!
Stephanie: Yes... Bye.
Stephanie left. Sheila laughed at another triumph.
Nick and Esther had returned home. Esther wanted to call her mother and Nick allowed her to.
Ava: Hi, honey. How was the fashionshow?
Esther: It was great. Daddy was successful.
Ava: That´s great! I´m so happy for him. Is he home with you?
Esther: No, he is still at Spectra.
Ava: OK. Honey, could you tell him that I would like to see him as soon as he can?
Esther: I will. I love you mommy.
Ava: I love you too. See you later. Bye bye...
Ava hung up the phone and smiled. She felt blessed. Blessed to have survived, but also for her family. For her children and Nathan. She was finally getting him back...
Macy couldn’t help but look at Jude and Jason with Georgina. She seemed to be a loving, kind person. Maybe she wouldn’t be thrilled that Jude was seeing someone, but they could over-come it. This was so ridiculous, she thought. And Jude was acting like a jerk. Just then Darla came into the café and went over to Macy.
Darla: Hi Mace, how are you doing?
Macy: Not so good. Look at Jude.
Darla: Yeah?
Macy: She’s his mother.
Darla: Oh, so “the wicked witch of the west” is here?
Macy: Mm. But she doesn’t seem so bad.
Darla: Come on now, Mace. No one knows his mother as good as the son. If Jude says she can’t handle this, then you have to believe in him.
Macy: Why thanks Darla, for being so supportive of my thoughts.
Darla: I’m sorry. I just don’t think you should ask me for advice. Just look at how I’ve done in the love department.
Macy: Well… you haven’t been that bad, have you?
Darla looked her best friend in the eyes. Macy started laughing.
Macy: OK, you have been THAT bad. But things will change for you.
Darla: And what, prey tell, makes you say that?
Macy: A feeling I have.
Darla: OK, this isn’t any advice at all, but it is a feeling.
Macy: What?
Darla: Jude loves you. A lot, it seems. Maybe he really is afraid to loose you.
Macy: You’re right. I shouldn’t be so fast to judge him.
Darla: What, did I say that? No advice remember. I don’t wanna be the one who gets blamed if something goes wrong.
Macy: Don’t worry, Darla, it won’t.
Darla: Really?
Macy: U-huh. It can’t. Not when me and Georgina have gotten really close.
Darla: Oh… so you are planning on making friends with her.
Macy: Is it THAT shocking?
Darla: No. But Mace… you’re as sweet and endearing as a mouse. What if she really is the snake Jude says she is?
Macy: Then I guess I’ll have to run like hell! Or send you after her.
Reese, Julian and Megan were waiting anxiously for Quentin to tell them what was going on. He’d called Megan earlier and said he had something important to tell them. At first, she had been surprised by his call, but then realized she shouldn’t have been. Things were great between the two, but it still just felt strange to have him back in her life.
Reese: OK, Quentin, you’ve kept us in suspense long enough. What is going on, honey?
Quentin: Well, something’s happened. Something really big.
Megan: Is it good or bad?
Quentin: Both. You don’t know how happy I am that you’re back in the family, Meg.
Reese and Megan looked at each other.
Megan: I’m happy too, Quentin.
Julian: What’s going on, bro?
Quentin: Aunt April called from Dallas yesterday.
Reese: Is she all right?
Quentin: Yeah, she’s fine. She actually asked me to come to Dallas.
Reese: “Come to Dallas”?
Quentin: To live with her, mom.
Megan: What?
Quentin: She’s bought a ranch.
Megan: You always loved horses and cattle. It would be perfect for you.
Reese: But you’re not going, Quentin. Are you?
Quentin: Yeah, mom, I’m going.
Reese: I’m going to wring the neck of my sister.
Quentin: Mom…
Reese: I’m sorry, sweetie. I know this is something you’ve always dreamed of. I remember how you used to love to read about horses. You always wanted me to buy you one when you were little.
Megan: He wanted to be a cowboy.
Julian: Yeah, he would always ride on my back.
Quentin: Well, now I’ve gotten the chance to ride for real. I would help aunt April out at the ranch and I could study at the same time in Dallas. This could be the oppurtunity of a lifetime.
Reese: I know. If you want to go, then you should go. I’m just really gonna miss you.
Quentin: I’ll miss you too. ALL of you. It feels wrong to leave now when the family have finally gotten together.
Megan: Hey, don’t feel like that. You deserve this. Dallas… yeah, it could really be something for you, little brother.
Quentin: You really think so? – Megan nodded – Thanks, sis. But there’s something I have to ask of you if I leave.
Julian: What?
Quentin: I can’t leave without knowing that our family will BE a family. I want that more than anything. It doesn’t matter where I am, I need us to be a family. Mom, Megan… Can’t you please try to work things out?
Reese looked at her daughter with hope in her eyes. Was it impossible?
Megan: I can’t promise anything, Quentin. But I’ll try. This animosity isn’t good for any of us.
Reese’s face lit up. Of course, she knew Megan had agreed to try for Quentin’s sake, but it was better than nothing. Now it was up to her to sort everything out with her daughter. If she was just determined enough, it would work, she told herself.
Felicia starred at Zach for at least a minute before realizing it was really HIM. She had to try and think that he’d come to see Taylor, so she wouldn’t be too disappointed. But then again, why would he be there if he wanted to see Taylor? Zach smiled at her surprised expression and smiled. He gave her a hug. It really made her ease down a bit. Recognizing his cologne, she knew it was him. Tears were forming in her eyes, and there was nothing she could nor wanted to do about it. This was the man she’d loved for years, the man she’d lived with. They’d had the best times together.
Felicia: I can’t believe you’re here…
Zach: Neither can I. Well, this place sure hasn’t changed.
Felicia: Maybe not the house, but some things are different.
Zach: Not you. You’re the same.
Felicia smiled at the sweet tone in his voice. He was such a sweetheart, always had been. Now, Casey and Kristen had realized they’d gotten company and moved out to them.
Kristen: Zach?
Zach: Kristen! Hey there.
They hugged, Casey didn’t understand a thing.
Kristen: It’s good to see you.
Zach: You too. You look great.
Kristen: Well, I’m feeling great these days.
Her look went over to Casey as a smiled entered her lips. Casey still didn’t understand who this guy was. A long lost cousin? Or someone they went with to school? Felicia saw his confused face.
Felicia: Oh I’m sorry. Casey, this is Zach Hamilton. Zach, this is Casey Mitchum.
The two men choke hands.
Felicia: Casey is Kristen’s boyfriend and Zach is Tayl…
Kristen interrupted.
Kristen: Zach is Felicia’s ex-boyfriend. It is “ex”, right?
Zach and Felicia looked at each other. Their “reunion”, so to speak, might have been friendly, but Zach knew he had some explaining to do soon.
Felicia: Yes, Kristen, it is.
Zach: Casey, it was nice meeting you. Kristen, a pleasure as always. I should get going. I wanna go see Taylor.
Casey: Taylor Forrester?
Zach: Yes, she’s my sister.
Casey: Oh… I had no idea.
Felicia: Why don’t I go with you, Zach.
Zach: Is it a long ride?
Suddenly being alone with her scared him a bit.
Felicia: No, not usually.
“Usually”!!??
Brooke knocked on the door that was slightly opened. She could see Francesca lying on the bed reading a magazine. The news that Paula Stevens was now joining “Passions” seemed to be really big.
Francesca: Hi.
Brooke: Hi. Can I come in?
Francesca: Sure. How was your “meeting” with Antonio?
Brooke: As good as can be expected. But I don’t want to talk about him. He’s out of my life, and more importantly he’s out of my daughter’s life.
Francesca: You want to talk about it?
Brooke: I want to talk. But about you.
Francesca: Me?
Brooke: You have your memory back. It must be strange.
Francesca: Very strange.
Brooke: Do YOU want to talk?
Francesca: I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. I’m so confused. I remember who I am and what I’ve been. What I’ve done… Brooke, I’m not such a nice person. I think you should know that. Normally I wouldn’t tell anyone about myself, what’s going on inside of me, but you’re such a good friend. My only friend.
Brooke: You’re going to make a lot of friends soon.
Francesca: I don’t know. People tend to not like me that much. You know… when I was shot there were at least 8 people who hated me enough to want to pull the trigger. I can’t deny that they all had reason to. I think I somehow lost my memory on purpose. I didn’t want to remember what I’ve done.
Brooke listened closely.
Francesca: I wasn’t always bad. I was really sweet when growing up. I wanted to get married and have children. Then I met Phillip. We got married and I loved him. But I didn’t experience true love until I met Cole.
Brooke: Yes… Ant… Antonio told me everything.
Francesca: I don’t regret the jewel thieving. I was in on it. It was such a rush. I loved what I did. But I wanted to do it with Cole. Phillip but an end to that. After that I stopped him completely. So… when I met Cole again and saw his wife, Caitlin, and his son, Trey… I was so jealous. I wanted that. Still, my dream about the perfect relationship was there. Phillip knew and that’s what killed him.
Brooke: You don’t blame yourself for what happened to your husband, do you?
Francesca: No. Phillip was an awful man. I think he deserved to die. I couldn’t live alone. Not without Cole. So, I did everything to try and get him. Every scheme I ever thought out… everything I ever did had the goal that I would get him. But I didn’t.
Brooke remembered all the years she’d spent trying to win Ridge and felt sympathy with her friend. Love was hard.
Francesca: I may think now that what I did was wrong. But there’s something that the “new” me, the Teresa in me, that still is there. I think I deserved Cole. I still think so. Teresa still thinks so. Doesn’t that make me a terrible person?
Brooke: No. Absolutely not. You are wonderful.
They hugged and both smiled at having such a good friend.
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