Well, that was fast. Marie thought as William King’s velvety voice wafted to the room Steven and Marie were. Steven, who looked more stunned than excited, tried to get up and run to meet his father when Marie remembered that she hadn't had the time to warn him. Desperate to warn him before he saw William, she did the only logical (or not) thing she could think of. Pushing him back to the sofa, Marie took her halter neck top off and stood before a wide-eyed Steven King whose mouth had fallen open.“Just a minute to make ourselves decent, Mr. King. ” Marie called out, causing William King, who was about to round the corner to where they stood, to halt.“Are you out of your mind?” Steven half yelled, as he stood up and shoved the top to her.“I’m not. I did it to buy some time. We need to talk.”“Marie, I don't know if you’ve noticed but my dad's here. It's going to take more than you in a fancy bra to stop me from going to see him.”Rolling her eyes, Marie said,“I don't want to stop
Steven King's heart tumbled in his chest as he watched his father’s eyes skim through the menu. They hadn't said a word to each other since they sat down, making Steven feel like a kid in the principal’s office.Why was he acting like a bunch of nerves before his dad? The same person he had desperately longed to see for so long.“I think I'll have the pancake, eggs and orange juice. It is freshly squeezed, I hope?”“Yes Dad.” Steven answered as he beckoned on Stefan to take their order. “Wow, Dad. It's good to see you. How did you manage to get in? I thought this was just for married couples?”“It is. I brought my wife, Serena.”His wife? “Wow… That's… Congratulations, Dad! I'm happy… I had no idea you remarried.”“I didn't. Oh, you should have seen your face, Steven.” William said, slamming the table with his bare palm as he laughed. Steven, who wasn’t sure what the joke was, laughed along with him.“ Hiring a wife is so easy these days. In my time, it was a loooot harder. It's a
Marie’s heart thundered in her chest as he heard the two men coming to the room. She had just spoken with James who had told her that he was calling to give Steven updates on the prank caller. Marie had told him Steven was visiting with father and she had been pleased to hear the wariness in his response. It pleased her to know that not everyone was fooled by William's smoothness. They had spoken some more before Marie told James she would get Steven to call him back. Marie heard the door swing open as the two men walked into the suite. Feigning disinterest, she picked up Steven’s book, the one he had been reading and stretched out on the bed. “What are you doing?” He asked, looking pointedly at the book.“Just some light reading.”Shaking his head, Steven said,“I do not like creases or dog ears on my books.”“Yes, Sir.” Marie answered in a syrupy voice which didn't fool Steven.He headed to the wardrobe and opened it, bringing out his box. Marie watched from behind her book as he
Marie's heart all but sang in anticipation as she ate her breakfast. She had been so eager to get started on her mission that she woke up at the crack of dawn and had been brainstorming ways to achieve her goal without arousing his suspicion. She had waited for him to wake up but he must have been so exhausted because it was nearing 12PM and he had only stirred twice but not woken up.As she dug into her chicken and vegetable wrap, Marie closed her eyes to savor the explosion of flavors in her mouth. For the umpteenth time that morning, she doubted if success in her mission was possible and if Steven was going to appreciate it. However, she knew she didn't want things to go back to how they had been before. She would not allow things to go back to how they had been before.After she finished off her breakfast, she overheard an elderly couple talking behind her.“Oh come on, Thomas. You do know everything about me. We’ve been married forty years. The answers will come. There's so many
Steven’s eyes fluttered open as he heard hushed voices conversing around him. Marie hovered over him, her face looking flushed and our eyes wild with concern. Without thinking, he reached out and stroked her cheek.“Steven? Doctor, he’s awake!”As she leaned into his touch, Marie smiled down at him. He couldn't remember anyone ever smiling at him like that ever. Her smile made him feel needed.“Can I have a moment with the patient?” The Doctor asked, looking around. Marie made to get up and excuse them like Dana, Stefan and everyone else in the room but Steven shook his head.“Oh, your wife can stay. I meant everyone else.” Oh yeah. She was his wife, his fake wife. His fake wife whom he really really wanted to touch. His head felt clogged but he tried to focus on what the doctor was saying.“Can you sit up, Mr King?” The doctor asked as Marie’s hands came around him in support. This was the thing with Marie, she was always there to help, to support, to fix things. He couldn't rememb
How could she have been so loose-tongued?Her heart couldn't take it? How was that any of his concern? She couldn't reveal her feelings yet! Not until she was absolutely sure that Steven wasn't going to shut her down without giving them a chance. She had barely given him a chance to say anything before she walked out. What if he had fell over again? What if he needed something? Now was not the time to obsess over her embarrassment. Without saying a word, she made her way back to their suite. When she got into the suite, she dialed room service and ordered lunch. She laid out on the sofa and picked up the book she had been reading earlier. He turned to face her but said nothing. Marie hoped he wasn't in pain. He was looking very pale, so pale that she became worried. After the doctor had left, she had thought color was returning to his face but now he looked ready to pass out again. Scared, she put down the bed and came to stand beside him. Instead of scowling at her like he normall
The next day, Steven was shocked to find that Marie was asleep beside him on the bed. He tried to remember if anything had happened after he had made her run to the bathroom no doubt to cry. But he was sure nothing had. The meds he had been given had knocked him out flat. He glanced over to where she lay. After she had come out of the bathroom yesterday, she hadn't said a word to him but he knew she had been crying. Why had she been crying? Was it because she had been embarrassed by what he said? She had neither confirmed nor denied her affections so he had just decided to go along with his gut and warn her. Nothing could ever go on between them. Except he fired her or she quit and Steven had no idea where he was going to get an Executive Assistant like her. He kicked off the covers and headed to the shower. He had a nice, long soak and just laid in the tub, recovering his strength. It wasn't until a loud knock jarred him from his peace and quiet that he realized he had been hogging
Steven’s hand shot up in the air as the moderator of the couple's contest asked the next question. “Cardigans. That's the one thing my wife CANNOT live without.” Steven said as he chuckled at the answer he had written on the sheet he now held over his head.“Wow! Mr. King. Let's find out what Mrs. King has penned down. Would you look at that? Mr. King does know his wife after all. Thirty points for the Kings.”Steven beamed in pleasure. So far, Marie hadn't missed a single question either. She knew everything about him, down to his favorite color of socks.“And now for the last question for the husbands… What is your wife's one true scent?”Steven watched Marie's eyes widen. This was the very question they had skipped that day at his house. It was also the winning question to set him above the tie with an elderly couple. He had nothing against them but he really wanted to win this and have that dinner with Mr. Kaito.With a flourish, he wrote down “Lavender” and waited for Marie to
“What?” Steven asked in a voice so phony that everyone turned to stare at him.“Is that blood, uncle Steve? It is. There's blood on your shirt.”“Shhhhh, buddy. Don't make a big deal about it. I cut myself.”“You did? Cool! Let me see.” Rick exclaimed, as though he was being given front row tickets to a fun show.“Richard! Get back to class!”“But granny…”“Now!” Amelia boomed as a disgruntled Rick turned in his heel and headed towards the stairs, waving to Steven as he went.“You may want to get that cleaned up before leaving.” Alden said to him as he wheeled himself into his room.“Hand it to me.” Amelia said.“Oh? I didn't actually cut myself.”“I know. I’m not stupid. Alden keeps sneaking off in his wheelchair and I've seen some funny looking characters hanging around. I don't want to know what all this is about but I hope you're both not being stupid. And he's finally getting the exercise ”“Ah.” Steven replied as he took off his shirt and handed it to Amelia. He walked with Stev
Maybe it was the fact that the guy was a psychopath who had put his wife in a coma or the fact that he had such a punchable face but Steven didn't stop until Smith stopped laughing and started to cough.“Oh, I could go on for hours. I'm only just getting started.”“Kill me, please. I’d love to see how you get the answers you want.” Smith saidSteven snarled as he shook his knuckles.“Oh, make no mistake, Smith. You are going to die. You're going to pay for what you did to Cadence. I’ll make sure about that even if it's the last thing I do.”“I keep telling your stupid old man. I didn't kill Cadence Steele.”“The same way you didn't run my wife over?”“Exactly. I mean I know about it, make no mistake. But I neither authorized nor did it.”“You know what Smith, you're full of crap and I'm tired of doing this with you, so start talking. There's no use stalling too because you're not getting out of this till I'm satisfied.”“Look, I know you think I'm the one you’re looking for but I'm no
“What do you mean?”“I mean I've never seen you so affected by anything, Alden. Not even when your own son got into an accident.”Alden’s eyes hardened as he grunted.“That wasn't an accident. It was a stupid decision made by someone who should have known better.”Steven fought the urge to roll his eyes. Of course Alden would say that about his father. Alden had never cut him any slack.“Right, but you're deflecting the question. Why do you act like she means so much to you? What's this about?”“The only person that can give you the answers you want us is your wife, Steven.”What did that mean? Was there something about Alden and Marie he didn't know?“I don't understand what you mean, Alden.”“Are you ready to leave now?” Alden asked, pushing his chair backwards as he averted his eyes from Steven. Steven sighed and walked ahead of his grandfather. It was funny that Alden would rather die than let Steven touch his wheelchair while he allowed Amelia to help him all the time. He also kn
“Where are you?”“Hello to you too, Alden.” Steven said as he honked at the driver in front of him. Did people drive with their brains turned off these days?“I'm at your house and Dr. Terence tells me you’re not here.” The accusation in his tone spoke volumes but Steven chose to ignore it.“If you’d let me know you were coming over, perhaps I may have been ready to receive you.” Steven answered in a cool tone.“When you asked for this leave, you did say it was so you could remain at your wife's side, not gallivant around town.”“What do you want, Alden?”“No, listen to me young man. You're the one who’ll get down here fast if you want to hear what I have to say.” He answered before hanging up the phone. Steven exhaled as he massaged his temple. The last thing he wanted was Alden sticking his nose into how he was caring for Marie. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the house and headed to the room where Marie was. Alden was in conversation with Dr. Terrence and didn't notice at firs
Dr. Terrence met him outside Marie's room and was about to say something but Steven held up his hand to forestall any comment.“I need everyone to leave for a few moments.”“Okay, Mr.King but if I may…”“Now, please.” Steven repeated as frazzled nurses began filing out of the room. He wasn't sure if he could stomach any more bad news so whatever Dr. Terrence had to say would have to wait.Dr. Terrence nodded and exited the room. Steven looked down at Marie and smiled at her. Even in a coma, her beauty took his breath away.He let out a long sigh and sat beside her bed before taking her hand in his.“You know, for the past few weeks, Marie. I’ve been mad at myself. Thinking about where I went wrong and how I could have failed you so much.”He squeezed her hand and checked to see if there was any reaction on her face. Her eyes remained blank and unfocused as they had been.“I’ve been mad at myself for letting you go through so much pain. For the fact that you're stuck somewhere between
Steven's mind whirled with thoughts as he heard the sound of Zed Norton's car backing out of his driveway.He ran a hand through his hair as he thought about what had transpired between Sandra and him. How on earth was he going to explain this to Marie when she came out of the coma? He could just imagine the look on his face.“You know when you were stuck in a coma fighting for your life? Yeah well, I slept with your best friend. And I don't even remember doing it.”He let out another curse and Sarah tossed him a concerned glance. He let out a sigh and plunked into the chair.“Any special orders for lunch, Sir? The chef wants to know…” She askedThe thought of having any food right now made him want to puke. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Cadence lying in a pool of her own blood.“I'm not hungry, Sarah. I’ll head out and probably eat something.”“Okay, Sir. Do I make any provisions for Ms.Rakes?”“No, Ms. Rakes wouldn't be returning anymore.” Steven replied as she
“What are you doing?” Steven whispered as he jerked away from Sandra. His head was reeling from pain. Had she really kissed him?“Sorry. I don't know what happened…You looked so sad and I wasn't thinking.” She said as she abruptly got on her feet and cleared her plate. She grabbed the glass and was about to take the bottle of wine with her when Steven dragged it from her.“You can't drink the whole bottle, Steven.” She said in a quiet voice.“Get out.” He said, in a voice harsher than he intended. She glared at him for some seconds before wilting and walking out of the room.He took a swig of the bottle and sighed. Did she deserve such hostility from him for a mistake? She had only been trying to help him after all. It seemed all he was capable of these days was messing up on a grand scale. His actions kept hurting the people he called friends and family even when he didn't intend for them too. Tomorrow, he'd apologize for being bitchy to her. For now, he had only one thing on his min
“Thank you for calling me. I’ll drive him home. The last couple of weeks have been very hard with his wife being in a coma, you know.”Steven could hear Sandra talking to someone. He tried to remember calling her. Had he done that himself or had Tony called her? What time was it? She was looking at him now with something akin to disappointment on her face. Well, he didn't bloody care.“Come on, let's get you home.” She said, as she tried to help him to his feet. Steven chuckled as the both fell back on the leather seat. What was she thinking? That her tiny body could support his weight?“Is something funny, Steven King? You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re drunk. No one's been able to reach you all afternoon. James and Joanna left after breakfast and have been trying to get across to you. Your cell was switched off. And then I get a call that you're wasted in a bar!”“Arghhh. Stop talking in my face.” He mumbled. Her voice was beginning to give him a headache. He wasn't that drun
After Steven got off the call with the 911 operator, he thought about what to do next. He couldn't go home to Marie in this state, knowing that her suffering was caused by him. Nor was he in the mood to face either James or Joanna. He couldn't go to Alden's as that meant endless lectures he wasn't ready for. He knew the only thing likely to get him through the next couple of hours. He turned off his cell phone and drove off. Thirty minutes later, he parked outside Ziggler’s. The tiny, nondescript bar was exactly as he remembered it. He hesitated for a minute before heading in. He had promised James that he wasn't ever coming back here and for over ten years he had kept that promise. But there was no turning back now. A woman was dead because of him, another was in a coma fighting for her life. He needed this, if only for a few minutes. He opened the door, alighted and walked in before he could lose courage. Inside the tiny bar was exactly as he remembered it. How long since he had sat