 Delta Rho - The Next Morning
Jim wheeled himself into Sammy Jo's study where he heard a noise. “Well good morning beautiful!” He stated as he entered before he realized it wasn't Sammy Jo. “Well good morning, how are you feeling beautiful?” Steven asked sarcastically not looking up. “Fine, what the hell are you doing here?” Jim asked approaching the desk Steven stood behind. 
“Everything you can't!” Steven looked up and smiled. “Where's Sammy Jo?” Jim asked afraid of what might be the answer. “She'll be out soon. She got a bit of a late start this morning” Steven chuckled. “What the hell are you up to Carrington?” Jim screamed trying to get up. “I'm just protecting the people I love” Steven answered. “You have no right to be here!” Jim hollered back. “You are the one who's trespassing, you and I both know I'm the father of those babies and Sammy Jo will never be yours, not as long as I live” Steven threatened. “Is that a threat Carrington, you don't scare me. Money isn't everything and that's all you ever were able to give Sammy Jo. Sammy Jo deserves a real man, one who impregnated her” Jim attacked back. “You are as delusional as your step daughter,” Steven laughed. 
“Steven did you find the invoice?” Sammy Jo entered cutting their argument. “Good morning Sammy Jo” Jim turned to look at her. “Good morning Jim, how are you feeling?” Sammy Jo asked kissing his cheek. 
Steven looked at her. She certainly didn't greet him this way this morning. He returned last night hoping to talk to her but she was fast asleep. He stayed and watched her. Apparently, he fell asleep because the next thing he remembers is Sammy Jo poking him. He screamed as Sammy Jo stated, “You're real” Then she pushed off the bed. Steven touched his head as Sammy Jo looked up at him. She smiled. “Well Jim you better get ready, the nurse will be here soon” Sammy Jo told him and Steven came back to reality. “Yeah Jim, we want you to walk fast so you can walk out of here” Steven added. Sammy Jo shot him an angry look. She wanted to slap him but realized she had something in her hand. “Oh Steven, you forgot your watch in the bathroom, here” Sammy Jo handed it to him. Jim nostrils flared as Steven smiled viciously at him. “Thanks! Now let's get down to business, I have to be in the office soon” Steven stated realizing his behavior was turning Sammy Jo against him. “Alright let me show you what’s going on” Sammy Jo stood next to him glad their argument was over. She didn't like what she saw but there wasn't much she could do. “See you” Jim said as he wheeled himself out. He had to do something to show Sammy Jo he's the good guy and Steven is the bad guy. But what could he do?  Alexis’s penthouse
Amanda took a deep breath before the elevator doors slid open and she entered her mother’s penthouse. It was time that she talked to her. She had to confess her lie and she needed to tell her about Dex and Sable, because Alexis could run into them any minute. But how was she going to take it? She had just been released from jail and was busy trying to prove her innocence. Amanda hated the idea of causing her mother any more pain, but it was inevitable. Alexis was talking to her lawyer on the phone when Amanda entered, but finished her call as she saw her daughter. “Hello, mother” Amanda exclaimed. “Are you very busy or do you have a few minutes for me?” She asked, stepping down into the sunken den. 
“Sure, darling” Alexis replied, putting the receiver down and approaching her daughter. The two embraced before Amanda took a seat on the couch, motioning for her mother to sit down next to her. “I can’t stay long. But there’s something I need to talk to you about, and I wanted to stop by and make sure that you’re okay.” She explained. “I’m fine.” Alexis assured her. “The terrible hours in prison are almost forgotten.” She lied. “I’m so glad you got out on bail. Why did Caress do that to you?” Amanda wondered. How in god’s name could one person be so calculating and cruel? This question pushed Alexis to the wall, since she couldn’t tell her daughter the whole truth. “Well, Caress and I never had a very good sisterly relationship. All her life, even when we were children, she was jealous of me, and every time anything went wrong in her life, she blamed me for it. For instant she came up with this wild accusation that I’m responsible for her conviction, which is completely ridiculous.” Alexis tried to explain. “She committed suicide just to see you in jail? That’s insane!” Amanda observed. That was the only point in Caress’s revenge plan Alexis still hadn’t figured out. Why did she kill herself? “She hated me. I knew she would do almost anything to hurt me, but I still can’t believe that she went that far.” She said. But actually Alexis didn’t want to go into it and tried to change the subject. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?” She asked, hoping it was about something else. “No.” Amanda replied. She didn’t quite know how to start to say what she had to say. She collected her thoughts, before she went on. “I love you and I would give anything to not have to tell you, but I want you to hear it from me and not from somebody else.” She paused again. “It’s about Dex.” “What about him?” Alexis was curious. “He is back in Denver.” “He is?” 
“Yes, but he didn’t come back alone ...” Alexis’s inquiring look prompted her to continue. “He returned together with Sable ... and they’re going to get married.” She said straight out. Alexis was visibly confused. “Wedding Dex and Sable ...” It hit her all over again. The look on Alexis’s face suggested that she was deeply hurt by this. Amanda felt for her. Both of them were silent for the next few seconds. Alexis couldn’t believe it. Why on earth would Sable take Dex back, after he had cheated on her even before they were married? “I can’t believe that Sable forgave him.” Alexis finally stated. “Well, actually she didn’t do it.” Amanda said. “I don’t understand. Didn’t you tell me that it was over between them, and that Sable didn’t want Dex in her life anymore?” Alexis asked and looked at her youngest daughter, awaiting an answer. “Look, I’m sorry that I lied to you, but I thought what I did was for you’re and Dex’s best ...” “What” “Please, let me explain. Dex believed that Sable tried to disillusion him and make him stop searching for her and Cameron. He had giving up already when Jeff and I found Sable in Paris and discovered that Monica was behind that plot. Sable was still in coma and ...” Alexis cut her off. “Wait a minute. Does that mean you lied to him too?” Amanda was ashamed. “I know it was a bad idea, but please try to understand why I did it. He was really down when he left Rome; and you were unhappy too. I thought when Dex and you would spend some time together ...” Alexis was angry at Amanda, but at the same time was touched by what she had done in attempt to re-united her with Dex. She just shook her head with slight resignation. “Illusion never changes into something real, darling.” “I still believe you two are meant to be together.” Amanda stated. She looked at Alexis and the sadness in her eyes was unmistakable. “Things can never be the same between Dex and me.” She said, brushing a stray blonde hair out of her daughter’s face. “It’s okay, I’m over him.” Amanda felt relieved. This conversation had been long overdue, but she couldn’t help but disbelieve. Krystina and Kyle’s apartment “Good morning!” Kyle called when he entered the kitchen and found Krystina cooking. He came up behind her and kissed her on neck, causing Krystina to jump in her place. “Kyle! You frightened me!” “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean too. What are you cooking?” he asked, smelling pasta’s cooking in the air. “I’m not cooking yet, just trying. I talked to Janette earlier and took the recipe. I just hope it will be as good as hers.” “I’m sure it will be. You talked with your mom as well?” Kyle asked as he opened the fridge and took out the milk. “No, but I told Janette I’ll visit later. I have to talk to my father today” “About what?” he asked while fixing himself coffee. “Want some?” 
“No. I’m going to tell him about us today, Kyle” she said and Kyle put the coffee cup on the table and turned to her. “No, you can’t tell him yet” “He has to know, Kyle. I can’t pretend anymore and lie to him. It’s time I faced him with the truth, and who knows? Maybe he will understand this time and even help us” “Help us, hmm, you kidding, right?” “No, we need money, Kyle. Mr. Cohen will kick us out of here tonight if we won’t pay him!” “And you think your father will save us, hmm?” “He loves me. He won’t let me sleep in the streets!” “Of course not, he’ll tell you to come back home, and what about me? I’ll stay alone in the streets?” he replied angrily, took a chair and sat down at the table. Krystina joined him and caressed his hair. “Oh, honey, of course not. Don’t be like that. Everything will work out. You’ll see” “No. I don’t need any favors from you family, okay? I can handle things myself” “Kyle, you tried! Nobody called you back, stop diluting yourself!” “I’ll go to the bank, maybe they’ll agree to give me a loan“ “Based on what?” “I don’t know, but I have to try. I’ll talk to the manager, try to explain him the situation” “He’ll laugh in your face!” she said in contempt. Kyle hated this. She may have left the mansion and lived with him, but she still had this arrogant behavior, exactly like her father. He rose up. “Thank you for the confident, Krystina” he walked out. “Kyle, where you going?” she stood up and went after him in the living room. 
“To the bank!” he said and walked out of the apartment, leaving her desperate and alone.  The Carrington mansion – Dining room
Blake was still asleep, when Krystle crept out of the bedroom and went downstairs. She wanted to talk to Jeff, before he left for the office. She found him in the dining room, reading the newspaper and sipping his coffee. "Good morning, Jeff." "Krystle, Good morning," Jeff replied and gave her a smile. “You’re up early. Is everything ok?" “Oh yes, but I wanted to talk to you before you go to the office," Krystle replied. She threw a glance at the stairs to check to see if Blake was coming down the stairs and hear everything. She sat down and sighed. “What is it Krystle? Is there something wrong with Blake?" “No, Blake is fine, it’s just...” Krystle hesitate. She felt like she was going behind Blake’s back and betraying him. But she knew she couldn’t handle it alone. She knew that Blake would get upset when he found out about the pending retirement “Jeff, I can’t do this any longer. I have to tell Blake about what the doctor said and that he has to retire. With every day that passes and I don’t tell him, I feel worse and I see how Blake is looking forward to return to Denver Carrington. I just don’t know how to tell him." Jeff saw how worried Krystle was and he understood her very well. It wasn’t going to be easy. "Is there anything I can do for you?" 
“Well, yes actually. I hoped that you and I would talk to Blake. I know he trusts you and values your opinions. He thinks I’m overprotective. “ Jeff sighed. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Through all those years he had known Blake and learned to respect and value him as a friend and businessman. He knew how stubborn the old man could be when family matters and business were involved. He also knew how much Blake loved to work and how much energy he put in it. But Jeff shared Krystle’s opinion that Blake’s health had to be priority now, even if Blake wouldn’t understand it. "Don’t worry," Jeff said and put his hand on Krystle’s. “I’ll certainly help wherever I can. I will think of the best way to tell Blake. We have to make him understand that Denver Carrington won’t crumble a bit when he retires and that his family will take the best care of the company. That might make it easier for him to accept the retirement." Jeff knew that Blake wouldn’t be worried about his health in the first place, but his company. "Thank you Jeff, I appreciate your help," Krystle said. “How is Lauren? We heard the screaming last night” she explained. 
“Oh, I’m sorry for that. She is driving us crazy. We really don’t know what to do with her” Jeff said. “Well you can ask Blake, he had the same problems with Fallon in her age” she advised him. “No, this is nothing like Fallon. You should have seen her last night, she was totally drunk!” “Really” “Yep, I guess some of her friends took her to an bar or something or some party, I swear to you if I’ll find those boys who did this to her –“ “It won’t help. You and Fallon have to talk with her, maybe you should spent some more time together as a family” “Maybe, but somehow I got the feeling it won’t help” Jeff answered.  Denver Memorial hospital, Zach’s room
Zach was still in intensive care, and the doctors had no news. He had been unconscious ever since he was brought to the hospital, and nobody could say if he would ever recover. Alexis was sitting in a chair besides Zach’s bed. Everything in the room was silent, except for the sound of the respirator and the consistent beeping of the monitor that controlled his heartbeat. She needed him. No one else could confirm that she was innocence of the charges against her. She took Zach’s hand into hers as she leaned over him and talked to him. “Zach, it’s me, Alexis. Can you hear me? Please wake up, Zach.” Alexis was convinced he could hear her; even there were no signs of reaction. “I need you.” She whispered. She examined his face. His skin was pale, and he looked weak and aged. He was but a shadow of his former self; there was nothing left that reminded her of the charming and powerful man he used to be. It scared Alexis. But he was alive. There was still hope. The Carrington mansion – Garage It took Blake a long time to decide, whether he should call Patricia or not. But eventually he had realized that there was still some unfinished business between him and Patricia. And he wanted to find out why Patricia had left him and never contacted him again, up until now that was. "Thank you for calling me and inviting me here today," Patricia said smiling, when they walked into the little park behind the house. "It means a lot to me." 
“I thank you for coming. I must say I was really surprised. I couldn’t believe it at first." "I was always good for surprises, wasn’t I?" Patricia said half joking, and half bitterly. Blake shook his head, “You always were. Now tell me, what have you been doing all these years?" Patricia sighed. Now that she could tell Blake everything, she didn’t know where to start. “Well, I have moved to New Zealand and worked for one of my father’s wine companies after he had died. I had enough of California and the traveling, so I went back to where I actually have my roots." Patricia was born and raised in New Zealand where her American father had met her mother and married her. When Patricia turned five, they all moved to California where Joshua Harrison started to build an empire. Together with his brother, he had bought a few vineyards and within a successful year the Harrison label became a well-known and respected name in the wine business. Joshua later bought more vineyards, all over the world, Australia, Switzerland, South Africa and New Zealand. "I also married once, but it didn’t last too long," Patricia continued. "I guess I always get cold feet when it gets serious." Blake stopped walking. “Is that why you left me, without saying anything? Because you got cold feet?" he asked. Patricia sighed and looked down. "Yes...I guess so," she lied. She shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Blake. I never meant to hurt you, but I suddenly felt like I wasn’t sure anymore what I wanted. I loved you very much, you have to believe me, but I was afraid you wouldn’t understand me if I told you." “I would have understood you, if you only had talked to me. I once told you, that I would always help you if you needed me." 
“I know. I made a big mistake and I hurt many people," Patricia said. She looked up in the sky and then turned her head to Blake again. “But if I hadn’t left, you wouldn’t be married to your wife now. And you wouldn’t have a daughter with her." "I guess you’re right," Blake said and had to think of Krystle and Krystina, whom he loved so dearly, and they were the two most important people in his life. "I just hope, you don’t hate me, and if you do, I beg you to forgive me." “I don’t hate you Patricia. I was very disappointed and sad for a long time, yes, but as you said its long time ago and we have our lives now. But I appreciate that you came to solve this long lost mystery." After Patricia had left Denver without a word, Blake started to look for her. He had even hired a private detective, but Patricia couldn’t be found. But no one not her friend’s, or her family knew where she was. That was at least, what they told him. The last thing he had heard from his private detective was that she had left the country but he lost her track in Spain. Eventually he gave up and started to accept that Patricia was gone. But it had still remained a mystery to him. "So, how long are you planning to stay in Denver?" “I’m not sure. I’ll have to fly back soon to New Zealand. I actually came to the States to meet some friends that could help me." Blake frowned. “Why help? Are you in trouble?" “Well, the business isn’t doing so well. Because of a few bad storms we suffered a big loss of our harvest this and last year. I already took a few loans at the banks, but it hardly covers half of the damage. And if I don’t get help soon, I might lose everything. Everything for what my father and I worked so hard for. I couldn’t stand it," Patricia said and held back her tears. She didn’t want to look weak or cry in front of Blake. "Is there anything I can do for you, Patricia?" Blake asked. Patricia looked at him. She knew he wouldn’t let her down and she was happy to see that Blake obviously was still the same man she had once known, a trustful and decent man. The man she had once fallen in love with so much. “Oh, no, it’s okay. But thank you. I’ll know where to call if I’ll need help” she smiled.  ColbyCo, Alexis Colby’s office
Alexis and Steven had a meeting with the private detective they had charged with the investigation on Caress and her former lawyer Kenneth Maher. Alexis sat at her desk and read the private detective’s report aloud, while the two men stood in front of her desk and listened. The paper said in detail where Caress had been and what she had done for the past 15 years before she had returned to Denver. She had lived in Europe, most of the time in Italy where she had been married to Giovanni Fincini, a very wealthy publisher who had died back in 1996 and had left Caress with everything. When Alexis came to the part about her former brother-in-law, the private detective interrupted her. “It seems your sister’s husband died of AIDS related complications.” He added. Alexis looked up at him “AIDS?” “Well, Fincini had a well-known reputation as playboy.” He explained. Alexis shook her head in disgust, before closing the file. Most of the information she had known already; and nothing in this report was really of any help. “What do you have about Kenneth Maher?” Steven asked. Caress’s former lawyer was the star prosecution witness. “Nothing major” He stated. “Then you didn’t look hard enough!” Alexis said slightly annoyed. 
“There are two payments he got from your sister within the last week before her death, each over $ 250 000. But that’s not illegal; after all she was his client.” He explained. “Half a million for a lie that will get me life sentence” Alexis remarked angrily, pushing her chair back and standing up. Steven’s and the PD’s eyes followed her as she walked over to the window. “Dig deeper Find all old skeletons this man has in his closet.” She said, turning around to face the private detective. “We need something against him; something that will force him to retract his false testimony.” The man nodded. “I understand, Mrs. Colby. But it could take some time ...” Alexis cut him off. “We don’t have much time. We need it as soon as possible, Mr. Jackson.” She said impatiently. “Alright, you’ll hear from me.” He said and left the office. Steven approached his mother. He saw the look of frustration and disillusion in her eyes. “I’m sure somewhere Caress made a mistake and the truth will come out.” He assured her; even through he was not sure himself. Alexis forced herself to show some optimism. “Probably you’re right, darling.” Krystina and Kyle’s apartment Krystina was already sleeping on the sofa in the living room, when Kyle entered the apartment. He strolled over to her, kissed her head and was about to go To the bedroom, when she opened her eyes. “Hey… I didn’t mean to wake you” he whispered. “It’s okay… what time is it?” “Almost eight o’clock. You fell asleep, hmm?” “Yes” she said and woke up. “Where have you been all day? I was worried about you know. You didn’t answer your cell phone” “The company must have shut it off, I didn’t pay the bill,” he said quietly and bended his face down. The look on his face said it all. “What happened? You talked with the manager?” “Yes. He wasn’t too happy to see me. I tried to explain him the situation and make him understand, but nothing. He told me to come back after I find a job” “I’m sorry” “I’m sorry too. I went to some human resources over the city hall and left my resume again, but I am not expecting any calls. You were right. Nobody will hire an ex criminal. I’m nothing” he sat down next to her with a sad look in his eyes. He really tried to find a decent job. He didn’t want to take a cent from Krystina’s family, and she knew that. She wasn’t too anxious of the idea herself, but she hoped that at least Blake would accept her husband and help them find a job. “Oh, honey. Don’t say that. It’s not true. You are wonderful man and you are very talented, I’m sure someone will hire you eventually” “Yes, sure, as a murderer maybe. This is the only experience I have, Krystina. With hurting people and make their life miserable!” he said desperately. “No. You are nothing like Woo or those lunatic people he hired. And even if chose the wrong path in the past – you have changed. And you will find the right way eventually, we will win together, you’ll see. I’ll talk to my parents; they will help us find a job” “You still don’t get that, hmm? Your father hates me Krys. The moment you’ll tell him about our marriage he’ll do everything he could to break us up!” “I have to try” “It won’t help. Besides, we need to pack, Mr. Cohen should come soon” “He already been here, we have one more day” “Really, how – “ “You should give me more credit, you know” “Oh, baby… you know I do. I love you and I believe in you exactly as you believe in me” he took her hand and she smiled. “And I’m sorry for walking out on you this morning; I just don’t want to ask money from your family” “Don’t worry about that… I won’t take money from them, but they are still my family. And they will help us somehow” “I don't know about that, Krys – “ “Stop worrying, Kyle. Everything will work out for the best. I’ll talk with my father tomorrow, and he will understand. You’ll see. Now come here and give me a kiss” she smiled at him. He wanted to try to convince her not to talk with Blake, but he knew how stubborn she was. Instead, he kissed her on the lips, lay on her and began undressing her shift. Krystina closed her eyes and joined him with the act of love… Click Here to continue... |