Title: Eve’s Challenge Response

Author: Juliette Street

 

„This couldn’t be happening to me, not after all those years of waiting!", Parker sobbed and tried to wish away the tears with the back of her hand. She was sitting on the edge of the bathtub, watching herself in the mirror - pale and tired.
After all her years with the Centre, she had managed to escape it, but still one thing ripped at her horribly. That was why she sat at the edge of her bathtub wiping away her tears. She was absolutely in love with a man she knew she couldn't have. He'd never let her close. he was frightened to get near her, but she loved him to death. His soft black hair, his smile, the way he said her name when they were together. She craved his attention and love, but their last conversation she had told him she wanted to be with him, to run away with him somewhere. The answer she had wanted just simply didn't come. She wanted to hear, "Parker, I love you." but she didn't. From the man she grew up with and told her mother she would marry. He simply said "why can't you leave me alone. It's all trick to get me back to the Centre! just leave me alone Parker." she didn't know how to go on, she simply couldn't. God, she hated crying, especially like this. and worst of all crying over Jarod? no, she was in love with him. She had the right to cry over the man she loved, didn't she? she wiped her eyes one more time and picked up her cell phone. no one answered on the other line. She simply left a message. "Hi. It's me. Just wanted to know why the first man I ever kissed would turn me down. Love, Madeleine."

 

(End Part 1)

 

A message came back the next morning from Jarod. That morning Parker came into the living room hearing a voice over the answering machine. "Jarod! wait!" she yelled. As if he could hear her.. before she could reach for the phone, he'd hung up. She listened to his message. She knew he wouldn't leave her hanging, wondering if he still loved her. He had trust issues. Rightfully so that he didn't trust her!
5 years of running and chasing had definitely taught him to be wary of her. She had to find him and be with him.
Somewhere in hiding...Jarod paced wondering what to do and why she'd left that sad message on his voice mail on his cell. Had she gotten away from the Centre? or was it a trap to get him back?
He didn't care. he had to see her. but he'd have to find a way for them to meet up.
He called her back a few moments later. They made plans to meet. That night both left their places and headed
for their destination where they'd meet and hopefully be together from now on. Parker drove out in the black
town car and Jarod in his convertible thanks to Centre funds. Parker wiped the tears from her eyes. Her future was looking up! she corrected herself. their future. together. Jarod also wondered what the future held. That would have to wait until they made it to the hotel they'd be meeting at.

(ok, I'll leave ya hanging right there, write more in a little bit, I'll include Britt's sleep challenge in the next part!!)

 

(End Part 2)

 

Jarod arrived at the hotel. He was told it was five star.. that must mean something...and what it meant
he wasn't sure, but he guessed it was good. He arrived at the front desk. He had told Ms. Parker in their arrangement that they would pretend to be husband and wife for the time being.
"Excuse me." he tried to stop one of the employees at the counter. He finally got some attention.
"Has my wife arrived yet?" He asked, smiling, he liked the sound of my wife when he thought about Ms. Parker.
"Your name sir?" the man asked. "come on a name, think of something.." he yelled mentally at himself.
"Uhh.. Jarod Russell. my wife is Madeleine." he took a deep breath. that was over. "No sir, she hasn't arrived yet"
"Thank you." Jarod replied quickly and walked over, sitting down in a chair in the lobby waiting for her.
A few minutes later, an out of breath, exhausted Madeleine Parker walked into the lobby. Sitting in a chair was the love of her life. god he was handsome!! Just as she walked up to him, he turned and noticed her. He stood from his chair and rushed over to her as she nearly jumped into his arms. The two embraced.
"Maddy.." Jarod took in everything about her he had missed, he loved her and it was finally enough to know that she loved him. "Jar.. I've missed you." she looked up into his eyes and then pulling a file from her bag, she handed it to him. "Let's go somewhere and talk, I've brought the information you need to know about who you are I took it when I left the Centre. Screw them for keeping our lives secret from us." Jarod took her hand and led her upstairs to the hotel room and ordered in pizza for dinner and a bottle of champagne.
Later that night, Jarod took the woman he loved into his arms and held her, she cried on his shoulder, falling asleep in his arms.

(End of part 3)