HAUNTED

Chapter 9 – The Right Thing

You did what? Marina looked at her sister incredulously. She had tried to be understanding towards her siblings. It had come as a shock to all of them when their father had made Marina CEO of the family business. Especially to Marina who had cut all her ties to her family a long time ago. It had pained her, but at the time it had seemed like the only way to be able to live her life. Saying goodbye to her mother had been the hardest thing Marina had ever done and she hadnt thought they would ever be a part of her life again. Then her father had passed away and in a last attempt to make peace with his daughter and her lifestyle he had bequeathed the family empire to her. Accepting his offer was the second hardest decision Marina had made in her life. She did not condone the business dealings of her family but she had convinced herself that she could turn things around and make the Ferrer name something to be proud of.

But now she was no longer so sure that she would succeed. If it hadnt been for the support of her mother and brother Franco and her friends back in LA, Marina would not have been able to hang in there. But mainly it was the thought of her father and the trust he had in her that kept her going. Every attempt she made to cut ties with those parts of the business she saw as reprehensible, met with grave opposition from her siblings. At first she had tried to find ways to compromise with them, but it was as if they did not know the meaning of the word compromise. Both Angelina and Paolo had openly tried to sabotage her. Finding out that either Angelina or Paolo or both were siphoning money from the business, had been the final straw though. Either she would have to find a way to get them on her side, or she would have to find a way to remove them from the business altogether.

I told you we are no longer going to be doing business with that that delinquente, Marina said sharply. She was trying very hard to control her temper. Angelina looked at her sister smugly.

Uncle Constantin is a good businessman and a close friend of the family, Angelina said. You need him.

The man is a cold blooded murderer, Marina said exasperatedly. She looked at her sister who didnt seem the slightest bit bothered by this. The two women glared at each other. Although they were twins, their physical appearance was where the similarity between the women ended. To Marina it was inexplicable that her sister could not see why it was a bad thing to do business with a criminal. But perhaps this had something to do with the fact that her sister was as much a criminal as Constantin.

No, he needs me. My decision is final, Marina said turning away from Angelina and sat down behind her desk and started going through her papers silently dismissing her sister. Angelina stayed rooted to her spot. Marina looked up at her.

Either you get with the program or you leave. Angelina smiled at this and walked towards the door.

No, darling sorella, either you get with the program or you will be forced to leave, she said her voice dripping with unveiled hate before she left closing the door of Marinas office behind her.

Marina cursed under her breath. She was not really worried about the contract her sister had signed with Constantin. It would not hold up under legal scrutiny, because her sister did not have the authority to make such contracts. Her lawyer would be able to deal with the matter swiftly. And Marina was fairly certain Constantin would have to bide by her decision, because he would not be able to fight a powerful industry such as hers. What did bother her however was the fact that her siblings were becoming bolder. Their underhanded attempts at sabotaging her were becoming blatant. They were no longer hiding their intentions or their hatred. She now saw that they would never come round to her way of thinking. They had grown up in the world her father had created for them. Slowly they had turned into the people she had grown to despise. Her brother Franco had miraculously been saved this fate. Perhaps it was because his disposition was more like their mothers who had also abhorred her fathers practices but had eventually made peace with them and him.

Finding a way to deal with both Angelina and Paolo was not going to be easy though. She would have to sanitize the business as a whole instead of the incremental changes she had been trying to accomplish. She was going to need help. Marina picked up the phone and dialed a number she now knew by heart.

Its Marina. I need your help, she said when the person on the other end of the line answered.

*****

Shane had just finished telling Steve about Steven Jaffe and his family when Alex joined them again. She had left out some of the details, but had told him enough for Steve to be able to guess the rest. Instinctively Shane reached out and took hold of Alex hand. When Alex didnt pull away, she took that as a positive sign.

I hate to ask the obvious, but if you knew what this guy was like why did you sign a contract with him, Steve asked.

I didnt know. Nicky took care of everything. Im just the money man Alex said. She sounded nonchalant, but Steve was right. She should have checked. Maybe if she had, Nicky wouldnt be lying in that hospital bed right now. Shane squeezed her hand and when Alex looked at her she saw her smiling at her encouragingly.

So now what? Steve said just as a beautiful nurse was walking past them. She nodded at Alex and Alex smiled back. Both Steve and Shane watched the nurse walk away. Alex looked at both of them and shook her head.

Could you guys please stay focused and keep it in your pants? Steve cleared his throat a little embarrassed.

Its a reflex, he said sheepishly. Alex glared at him. That was the second time that day someone had said that to him.

What would you do if an ex girlfriend you didnt want anything to do with, kissed you out of the blue? she suddenly asked. Alex felt Shane let go of her hand and she looked at her sideways. Shane was looking very uncomfortable. Steve looked at Alex a little confused.

Uhm what do you mean?

Just that. Steve thought about this for a minute.

I guess I would just kiss her back.

A reflex? Alex asked mockingly. Shed been giving this a lot of thought. Mainly what she would have done if she had been in Shanes shoes. And she had to admit that although she was still very angry at Shane for kissing Cherie, she wasnt so sure she wouldnt have done the same. After all you do kind of respond to anyone kissing you, let alone someone you were close to. Perhaps even in love with.

Yeah I guess you could call it a reflex, Steve said. Alex nodded.

So would I, she said softly. Shane looked up at her in surprise.

Do you mean that? she asked feeling hopeful that she hadnt screwed things up completely. Steve watched the exchange between the two and cleared his throat.

Im going to see if I can find out how Nickys doing, he said and started down the corridor.

Steve, could you call Shelly as well shed want to be here. Steve nodded and left.

*****

Lucy looked at the blonde man walking past her before her gaze was drawn again to the two women further down the corridor.

*****

Alex turned to Shane again. She was still feeling angry, but realized this was a bit irrational considering she would have done it too. So why was she still feeling this way?

Does this mean you forgive me? Shane asked moving towards Alex. She stopped their faces mere inches apart. Alex closed her eyes. Shanes presence still had an overwhelming effect on her even though they had been dating for some time now. She felt Shanes breath on her cheeks moments before she felt her lips on hers. Alex wrapped her arms around Shanes neck. When they finally pulled apart Alex felt dizzy and breathless.

Do you still love her, Shane? Alex asked deciding not to beat around the bush. Shane looked at Alex shocked. She shook her head vigorously.

No, of course I dont love her. She paused thinking for a moment. Im not sure it really was love. I guess I just wanted to feel like I belonged. Alex nodded. She could understand that. She had fought long and hard to find a place where she belonged. And it wasnt until she had met Shane that she had realized that until then there had always been something missing despite of the love of her friends and her family.

I feel like I belong with you, Shane said putting her hands around Alex face. Alex let out a breath she hadnt even realized shed been holding. It was what she had wanted to hear. What she had needed to hear. The last few months had been amazing, but a bit terrifying as well. For both of them it was their first real relationship in a long time. And they were both scared they were going to mess it up not quite knowing how to go about things.

Then I forgive you, Alex finally said smiling. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Shanes lips. Shane smiled too now. She wrapped her arms around Alex waist and pulled her closer as her lips took possession of Alex lips. She trailed Alex bottom lip with her tongue. Alex moaned softly and parted her lips. Their tongues met in a heated explosion as their hands started exploring each others bodies.

Shane and Alex broke apart when they heard someone loudly clearing their throat right next to them. Alex turned around smiling expecting to see Steve. When she saw Lucy her face fell. Shane watched curiously. Then she smirked to herself. It would serve her right if after kissing Cherie Alex would now get accosted by one of her exes.

Hi, Lucy said. It had taken her all her courage to walk up to Alex, but the thought of her daughter hooked up to all those tubes had made it an easy decision. She would do whatever it took to save her, even if it meant facing someone who obviously hated her.

Hey, Alex said her voice carefree as if the episode in the Planet had never even happened. Lucy nodded at Shane.

Hey, Shane McCutcheon, Shane said holding out her hand deciding to introduce herself since it didnt look like Alex was going to do the honors. Lucy took her hand.

Lucy Croft. Hearing the name Shane realized why Alex had grown so silent. So this was her mother. Now that she knew she could see the resemblance. Their faces had the same shape. The eyes were the dead giveaway though. Shane felt Alex grip on her tighten. Although her face didnt show it, Shane could sense Alex was tensing up.

I was just here with my daughter, Lucy said pointing vaguely behind her. She needed to find a way to reach this young woman. Maybe if she saw the bad state her daughter was in, she might be willing to consider helping her. Alex just nodded. She already knew this is where Lucys daughter was. In fact shed already seen her. Shed also taken a look at her chart and she knew that her sister wasnt doing too well.

I know, Alex simply said. Lucy was taken a bit aback by this, but she recovered quickly seeing an opportunity.

Would you like to see her? Alex shook her head.

I already have.

Oh, Lucy said staring into the distance now. She didnt quite know how to broach the subject, but Alex saved her the trouble.

Im a match. Lucy turned her look back to Alex at this. Shane looked at Alex in surprise. Shed had no idea Alex had even gotten herself tested. In fact Alex hadnt even told her yet what was wrong with her sister.

You you are? Lucy stammered. She hadnt expected to hear this. Her first impulse was to just hug the life out of Alex. She moved forward but Alex stepped back.

I have a few conditions, she said. Lucy felt a sliver of fear. She should have known better than to think it was going to be so easy.

Im not doing this for you. Im doing this because its the right thing to do. It doesnt mean I want anything to do with you or your family. After this is done, I dont want anything to do with you or your family ever again. Are we clear on this? Lucy didnt quite know what to say to this. Of all the things its not what she had expected. And she felt a pang of regret. After seeing Alex she had felt the need to get to know her better. She wanted to tell her that she hadnt wanted to give her up. She needed to understand why Alex had reacted to her the way she had. But now it sounded like she wouldnt get that chance anymore. She wondered if she would be willing to talk her around, but Alex looked quite resigned so Lucy merely nodded.

Ok, if thats what you want, but

It is, Alex interrupted her. Now if youll excuse us, we need to go see to our friends. Ill come and find you later to discuss the details. Before Lucy could say anything, Alex had already pulled Shane with her and they were walking away from her.

The moment they rounded the corner Alex leaned against the wall and she felt her knees buckle under her. If Shane hadnt caught her, she was certain she would have ended up on the floor. Shane looked at Alex in worry.

Are you okay? Alex took a few deep breaths, while Shane held her softly stroking her back and murmuring words into her ear she couldnt understand her mind still reeling from seeing her birthmother again.

You okay, dude? Shane asked again when she felt Alex relaxing against her. Alex nodded.

Yeah, Im alright, she said smiling at her reassuringly. Shane caressed her cheek.

Why did you decide to help her?

Because I couldnt not help her I know it sounds weird. Shane shook her head.

No it doesnt, I knew you would do the right thing. Alex starting laughing at this. Shane looked at her questioningly.

I thought I was the one who was supposed to be reading YOUR mind, Alex explained still laughing letting Shane wrap her in her arms and her laughter slowly turned into sobs. Shane just held Alex as she let her emotions take over and let her tears run freely. She really needed to stop breaking down like this, Alex thought.