7

-"José, you must be tired," I say.

This conversation has already gone as far as it should. We both need a break, and thinking about it, I haven't had a break since the first hour of the day!

-"You're right," he agrees. José takes a hundred dollar bill out of his pocket and leaves it on the counter.

-"I need to rest," he murmurs. He stands up and I repeat his gesture, standing up too.

-"I would really appreciate a ride," José says.

I would never deny him a ride, especially when he's drunk and shaken up like he is.

-"and I would be more than happy to make it available to you," I murmur. He extends his arm to me and I link my arm through his.

-"I appreciate it, Annie," he says as we walk out of the bar.

●●

As soon as I arrive at Escala, I leave my bag and boots in the lobby. I can't describe how sore my feet are.

The lights in Ethan's office are still on.

I also take off my blazer before heading to the office. After the fabric is off my body, I leave it on the couch.

I walk to the office door. The door is open, but the man inside is completely closed off from work.

Ethan is sitting in his armchair while typing on his laptop. He looks handsome in his black suit pants and fine white linen shirt.

I could spend hours watching him work. The sight of my husband like this, doing something trivial, is sexy. And even though he's relaxed, he still exudes control.

God! I love this man.

-"Hi," I whisper. Ethan stops typing and gives me a blank look.

-"Angelic" he greets.

I walk towards him in slow steps. He turns in his chair, leaving enough space for me to sit down.

-"Is the photographer okay?" He asks.

I crawl into his lap and rest my head on his chest.

-"Yes..." I say. That's a topic that can wait.

Ethan goes back to typing on his laptop. He runs the fingers of his left hand down my back while he types with the other.

-"Are you going to tell me about Elena now?" I ask softly. I decide that I won't pressure him, at some point he'll be willing to tell me.

-"No," he answers dryly. I feel his body tense beneath me. Elena is not his favorite subject, and neither is mine! We don't have to make something simple so complex.

-"Okay," I whisper.

Ethan kisses the top of my head, and that's the last thing I notice before I close my eyes and drift into a deep sleep.

●●

When I open my eyes again, I'm no longer in Ethan's lap, but in our bed.

My jeans and tank top were traded in for a gray silk camisole.

I look around the room and find my husband sitting in the armchair next to the bed. He is now wearing his pajama pants and a white t-shirt.

-"Hi," he says quietly. I rub my eyes with the back of my left hand.

-"How long have I been asleep and how long have you been seeing me?" I ask.

-"You slept for around nine hours and I brought you, but I've only been watching you sleep for a short time" he replies.

Ethan gets up from the armchair and lies down next to me. He pulls me into his arms, like he does every night. I lay my head comfortably on his chest.

-"There was something serious in your family, which somehow affects me," I whisper.

Either way, he will know, so he should be as cautious as possible. And let it be for me, since it won't be for José.

-"My family? Does this also concern the photographer?" He asks. Sigh.

Jose is not like a friend to Ethan, and from now on it will be even worse.

-"That's why I went to see José," I explain.

-"Angelic, don't be mysterious. Just tell me what the fuck happened" Ethan yells. Christ! I got his bipolarity totally out of whack for me.

-"Calm down, Donneli, I just don't want to throw this shit at you without you being prepared," I say.

-"Shit?" He asks. I lean down and rest my chin on his chest, so I can look him in the eyes.

-"It was a betrayal" I say before I think. Ethan holds my shoulders and slides millimeters away from me

-"A betrayal? And does that involve you?" He asks, looking into my eyes. His expression doesn't tell me anything good, and it couldn't either, I threw a bomb at him inappropriately.

-"No, not me. Kate and José" I say quickly.

-"For a moment my world stopped spinning and fell into free fall just thinking about that photographer or anyone else touching you" Ethan says. He pulls me back into his arms.

-"Joseph and Kate slept together last night. That's what he said."

-"Is she still with my brother?" He asks indifferently.

-"They had a fight. But yes, they're still together, for now," I reply.

This matter doesn't directly involve us, and Ethan knows that, so there's no reason to be upset.

-"I don't have the right to tell Elliot anything, but tell your friend that she should do it," he says.

-"José seemed remorseful, Kate must be the same way" I try to defend my friend... and my friend.

-"That doesn't change the facts and events," Ethan gushes his indifference. Kate and José are not the best people for him.

We remain silent for a few seconds. It's a complicated situation for everyone.

-"Good night," I say. The last thing I want is to lose my well-deserved rest over a mess that doesn't involve me.

-"Good night, dear," Ethan murmurs softly.

I know how it goes from wrong and right

Silence and sound

Did they ever hold each other tight, like us?

Did they ever fight, like us?

We don't want to be like them

We can make it 'till the end

Nothing can come between you and I 

Not even the gods above

Can separate the two of us

(I know how it goes from wrong to right

The silence and the noise

Have they ever held each other tight, like we do?

Have they ever fought, like we do?

We don't want to be like them

We can make it 'til the end

Nothing can come between you and me

Not even the gods above

Can keep us two apart)

●●

I wake up to the sound of knocking on the door. I open my eyes and unconsciously slide my hands to the side of the bed, looking for my Fifty, but the place is empty.

-"Mrs. Donneli," I hear Mrs. Jones' voice call.

-"yes" I answer sleepily.

-"Miss Kavanaugh came to see you," she murmurs.

Kate!

-"yes... thank you! Give me a minute" I ask.

-"yes, ma'am" she says.

I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I take off my nightgown and take a relaxing, but short, shower.

After taking a shower, I dry my hair and tie it up in a messy bun. I put on a long-sleeved blouse, a white midi skirt and some pumps.

I leave the room and before I even get to the living room, I find Kate pacing back and forth. She's red, but not flushed, just desperate.

-"Kate" I call her. She hears my voice and practically jumps on me, squeezing me in a suffocating hug.

-"Angelic, something terribly bad has happened," she says.

Holy shit! I've seen Kate cry before, and it's never been for trivial reasons!

-"Want some tea?" I ask. Tea is Ray's solution to everything, and I opt for that route.

-"No. I just want a light, a path, a solution" she whispers. She hugs me tightly, I return her hug and slide my hands on her back.

-"It's okay..." I try to reassure her.

I suspect why she's here, possibly for the same reason I left my house to go see José yesterday.

-"I'll get you some water," I say. She reluctantly lets go of me.

-"okay" Kate says tearfully, however she doesn't let the tears fall.

My BlackBerry starts playing the song 'your love is King', a song reserved exclusively for Ethan. I answer it as I walk to the kitchen.

-"Angelic, who's with you?" He says as soon as I answer.

For God's sake! How many bewildered people are around me?

-"Kate. Can't I see you?" I ask. I open the refrigerator and take out a glass jar containing water.

-"Yes, you can. Lough called me saying that Gail allowed a woman in," he explains.

This Elena thing is driving Ethan crazy. Does he want me trapped and alone here? If he would tell me what the problem is, I would help him.

-"I won't be trapped and alone in your fortress, Donneli," I say playfully, but my joke has a grain of truth.

-"It would be nice, but I can't do that. Angelic, just stay safe until I get there, okay? I'm looking out for your safety, so call me before you have anyone over." He asks. Okay, I can stay safe away from his eyes.

-"Yes, I will. But don't interrupt your work day to discipline me," I joke. I walk back into the living room holding Kate's water bottle.

She is sitting on the U-shaped sofa while staring absentmindedly at the horizon.

-"Kisses. I have to go" I say and hang up before he answers.

-"Well, Kate, what happened?" I ask. She looks away at me and sighs.

-"Ellit and I had a fight..." she begins, but I hold up my hands and stop her before she can continue.

-"José told me, I'm sorry" I say and she lowers her head with, I don't know, shame? Of me?

-"that's not the worst" my God! What could be worse?

-"Isn't that the worst?" I ask. She shakes her head in denial.

-"I'm pregnant" she says in a whisper.

I feel the blood drain from my face.

-"pregnant" I'm looking for the meanings of the word. Pregnant? Kate with children?

-"Yes, six or seven weeks. I was going to tell Elliot, but we had a fight and he left before I could tell him. Soon after, José arrived and what you already know happened." She says.

I walk over to her and hand her the water. Personally, I wouldn't know what to do in her place. I put my arms around her shoulders and hug her affectionately.

-"Oh, Kate, you can't hide a child from him," I whisper in her ear.

-"I don't know what to do," she confesses.

Kate squeezes my silhouette in a tight hug. I hear her teeth grinding as she tries to hold back the tears.

-"Our engagement was so good, so perfect" she says through painful tears. I can feel her pain.

-"Kate, I'm here, I always will be" I comfort my friend and stroke her disheveled hair.

-"Angelic, thank you," she whispers. Well, now I'm the one who needs a drink. The latest news, which could easily be called a bombshell, was not dropped on me lightly.

-"I'm going to get myself a drink," I say. She nods.

I get up and head to the kitchen.

There are things that are simply unbelievable. Katherine Kavanaugh being pregnant is unexpected, to say the least.

I open the fridge and grab a red wine.

-"What the hell" I say. I bring the bottle closer to my lips and tilt the glass to my mouth.

The taste of the wine slides down my throat in a striking way. I am at a heightened level of concern. I am literally freaking out!

I take two more sips of wine and leave it on the kitchen counter.

I return to the living room just as the elevator doors open, revealing Ethan. Right behind him is Taylor.

They both look at a Kavanagh sitting, and crying, on the couch, but she doesn't seem to mind their presence.

Ethan leaves his tie on the couch and walks deeper into the silent space of the living room.

-"Hello, Kate" he greets her.

-"Ethan," she says formally.

He approaches me and kisses my lips chastely.

-"Hi," he whispers. Not satisfied with a chaste kiss, he grabs my waist and pulls me into a deep kiss. His tongue invades my mouth in a ravishing way. I grab his hair and bring him closer to me.

-"Get a room, or would you rather put on a show for us?" We separate when Elliot speaks.

Holy crap

I almost choke at the sight of Elliot, so oblivious to the recent events. It's not like he knows the whole truth.

-"Don't stop because of me, I just came to get my fiancée" Elliot murmurs looking at Kate.

I give Ethan a pleading look. He didn't need my words to understand me.

-"Elliot, I have important matters to talk to you about," Ethan says. This is exactly the time Kate needs to clear her head, and it's all the time she has.

-"Sure, let's go," Elliot murmurs. They head to the office. As soon as they both disappear from my field of vision, I run to Kate's side.

-"I'm not ready to face him" she says, scared.

-"You have no choice" I say.

-"What do you want me to do?" She asks.

How could I help her? I've never been through anything like this!

-"Tell the truth. The truth is always the best way" I say.

Kate sighs. It's not easy for her, and it won't be easy for Elliot either!

-"I know, but I don't..." she stops talking when Elliot comes back into the room with Ethan.

Couldn't it have taken another five fucking minutes?

-"Kate, can we talk?" Elliot asks.

-"Yes, but I prefer Angelic and Ethan to stay." She answers quickly.

Damn.

Ethan walks over to me and rests his hand on the small of my back.

-"I don't think this is good, Kate, in fact, I don't approve of the idea of you discussing this in my house" Ethan says.

I know him well enough to say he's fed up with this subject.

-"I agree with Chris, this is not the place for this" Elliot says.

Kate stares at me painfully. Her only option now is to talk and tell the truth.

-"so..." Kate stands up.

-"let's go" she says.

She walks up to me and hugs me quickly.

-"Goodbye Angelic and Ethan" Elliot murmurs.

●●

I throw myself onto the couch seconds after the troubled couple leaves. Ethan sits down next to me and puts his hand on mine to get my attention.

-"Have you eaten today?" He asks. Damn! With all this I forgot to eat.

Ethan takes my silence as an answer. His heavy expression tells me he is not at all pleased.

-"Damn it, Angelic, am I going to have to hire someone just to feed you while I'm gone?" He snaps, making me shiver.

-"no" I whisper.

-"Angelic" Ethan slides closer to me and holds my face between his hands.

-"Please take care of yourself" he asks.

-"I'll try hard," I say. He seals my lips with a long kiss.

-"I have reason to celebrate with you. How long will it take for you to be ready?" Ethan says. He stands up and extends his hand to me.

-"Soon. Take a shower with me?" I ask. I take his outstretched hand and stand up.

-"I couldn't deny it" he says.

Now, I'm gonna love you

'Til the heaven stops the rain

'Til the stars fall from the sky

For you and I

Now, touch me, babe