HAUNTED

Chapter 4 – Breaking Point

It was 10 AM when Alex walked into the Planet and immediately saw Angela and Marina at a table in the corner. She shook her head. Living with your sister was one thing. Having your girlfriend be close friends with your sisters almost girlfriend was another. It meant that no matter where Alex turned there her sister was. She remembered at first it had been ***** learning to live with her sister. It had started when they were kids. Angel had been jealous of all the attention Alex was getting being the new girl in the family. And Alex had been envious of the golden spoon Angel had had stuck in her mouth since birth. Their entire childhood and adolescence consisted of sibling rivalry. One always trying to outdo the other, whether it was scholastically, athletically, professionally or personally. Things had culminated when Angel had decided to move in with her, Nicky and Steve. But over the years she had mellowed. And fortunately now they had a pretty decent relationship. Meaning that she didnt want to strangle her sister all the time. Just some of the time.

Marina saw Alex walk through the door and waved at her. Alex waved back at her and her sister. She scouted the room and spotted Nicky sitting at a table on the far side of the room and sauntered over. Nicky looked up from her paper when Alex dumped a stack of paperwork on the table.

Hey. Im done, Alex plopped down on her seat. Shed finally finished Nickys business plan and she had to admit Nicky had put a lot of thought into it. Nicky was watching Alex with anticipation.

Its going to be a lot of work, Alex warned.

So youre going to do it? Alex nodded. Nicky bounded out of her chair and started hugging her.

Excellent. This is going to be great. Partners. Fifty-fifty. Right? Alex couldnt help but smile at her friends beaming face. She hoped Nicky was right. And if it wasnt her thing she could always slink into the background as a silent partner. But she had to admit Nickys plans were solid. She would get a loan from the bank to pay for her half. And Alex could dip into her trust fund. The location of the restaurant was smack in the middle of West Hollywood. Alex already had some ideas for contractors and decorators. There was just one thing she wasnt completely sure about.

Nick Are you sure you want to open a vegetarian restaurant? I mean we are living in the land of hamburgers, spare ribs, hot wings and barbeques.

Completely positive, Nicky said fervently bobbing her head up and down.

In fact, Ive already found our chef. Alex looked up at this. Nicky had been really busy. And obviously certain that shed manage to convince Alex to join her in her little adventure.

Shes working at the country club, but I think we might be able to entice her away. Shes brilliant. Alex was looking at Nicky with amusement watching her gush about this new chef of hers. If Nicky was this much in awe she must be something else. After about five minutes Nicky glanced at her watch and shot up.

Oh *****, Im supposed to meet her in twenty minutes. Gotta go. Here, and she handed Alex more papers she pulled from her bag. Read it. We need to set up some contracts too. Ill ask Angel. Before Alex could say anything, she was already out the door rushing to the fabulous chef.

Alex turned back to the paperwork and started pouring through it. Her mind went back to her conversation with Shane. Shed known the questions would come sooner or later. But usually she just dodged them. Making up a funny story or quickly changing the subject. Then again usually the person who asked her wasnt in a relationship with her. Shed never thought opening up would be so hard. It wasnt just that she was scared of how Shane would react. But not talking about them was also a way of self preservation. Thinking about it just brought all those feelings back to the surface. And talking about it made it even worse.

Her hand involuntarily moved to her back and traced part of the scars under her shirt. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander. Within seconds she was back in that house. Breathing in she smelt the musty odor that always used to linger in the hallways. Hesitantly she saw herself stepping through the door. She was only a child. Five or six maybe. Shed been naughty and had run away when shed heard Tommy screaming. Shed stayed out as long as she could, but had gotten scared when it became darker and colder. Finally she had had to go back. But maybe if she was quiet, he wouldnt notice. Slowly she made her way to the stairs. Holding her breath she started up the stairs not letting it out till shed reached the top.

Relieved she quickly walked to the room she shared with the others. Her hand reached for the doorknob. It was almost within reach when suddenly someone yanked her from behind.

You lying, cheating, stealing little *****!!! He was yelling at her. She cringed away from him. He was yelling in her face now. She could smell the alcohol. Hed been drinking. She held her hands outwards trying to protect herself, but it was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. It only seemed to anger him more. He was ranting like a maniac. When she felt the first blow to her face and the blood trickle down her chin, she knew it was going to be bad. But she wouldnt beg. And she wouldnt cry. Shed never cry again.

With a start Alex was back in the present. She hated these little trips down memory lane. Lately theyd been sneaking up on her more often than usual. And shed started getting the nightmare again as well. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe she should talk to a professional. Alex shook her head trying to block out the bad thoughts and tried to focus on the papers Nicky had given her.

****

Hi. Alex looked up to see a tall good-looking brunette standing in front of her. She looked to be in her forties. Alex couldnt help but admire her form. The woman looked incredibly athletic. She had deep brown eyes and full luscious lips. Alex felt a bolt of desire shoot through her. She grinned. Just because she was taken, didnt mean shed gone blind. She leaned back lazily and looked the woman up and down letting her gaze linger a little longer on her full ***** before resting it on her face. Her mouth curved into an appreciating grin.

Hey. The woman looked visibly uncomfortable. Probably never picked up a woman before Alex thought. This could be fun. Alex was a big ***** flirt, taken or not. And she didnt feel guilty about it, because she knew Shane was the same. It actually amused her to watch women drool over her delectable girlfriend and to watch Shane play them. She knew on some level it was a little cruel, but neither she nor Shane let it go any further than playful flirting. And the women never seemed to mind their attention, especially not if they double teamed them.

Can I sit down?. Alex nodded and waved at the chair opposite her. The woman pulled it out and sat down. She was fidgeting with her purse and then decided to put it on the floor. Nervously she folded and unfolded her hands. Alex knew she should put this woman out of her misery and say something, but her discomfort was slightly amusing. Usually Alex reputation, just as Shanes, proceeded her and the women who got up the nerve to hit on her, would come on to her full force. This woman was obviously new to the scene. Suddenly the woman blurted out,

Im your mother!. For a moment Alex was speechless. She had definitely not seen that coming. She didnt know whether to laugh or call the loony bin. The woman bent down and pulled a piece of paper from her purse. She held it in her hands for a moment and then slid it across the table to Alex. Suddenly Alex didnt feel like laughing anymore. It couldnt be She picked up the paper and suddenly it was like the breath was being choked out of her. She dropped it as if it was contagious or something. What the ***** it couldnt be could it?

Alex stared at the woman in front of her. Now that she knew what she was looking for, it was obvious. The dark brown eyes. The set of her jaw. The fullness of her lips. She definitely took after her mother. For a moment she was lost for words. Her mind flashed back to all those times as a child she had prayed her mother would come save her. And now here she was in the flesh. But Alex didnt feel any joy. Nor did she feel any anger. All she felt was indifference, which saddened her more than anything. Her gaze shifted to the piece of paper in front of her. Her birth certificate. Birth mother Lucy Croft. Birth father unknown. She looked back up at the woman.

What do you want?, her voice flat. Lucy looked startled. Shed expected questions. Shed expected curiosity. Perhaps even anger. But she was unprepared for the total lack of interest her daughter was displaying. She nervously reached for a sugar packet and started grinding it between her thumb and forefinger. Struggling for words she reprimanded herself. Keep your eye on the ball, Lucy.

Its not for me. I mean, her voice faltered. She had no right asking this woman, her daughter, for anything but she didnt have a choice. Taking a deep breath she ploughed on.

My daughter, shes twelve, shes sick. I need you to donate your, she started but her voice failed her when she saw the stormy look in Alex eyes. Alex was struggling to hold on to her temper when she callously heard this woman making demands on her. No explanations. No apologies for what she had put her through. She didnt know why she felt so angry. She should have expected this from someone too self involved to not even bother to take care of their own child. Or even to make sure their child was in good hands.

Get out. Alex voice came out strained. She got up and crossed her arms defiantly. Her face was contorted in anger. Lucy stayed glued to her chair unable to get up. The sudden change in mood had thrown her completely. She couldnt understand where this rage was coming from.

GET OUT!!!, Alex practically yelled leaning her hands on the table her face mere inches away from this womans. The other patrons were staring at the two of them now. Marina and Angela had gotten up from their table and were casting each other worried glances. Angel had only seen Alex lose control like this a few times, but only in violent or threatening situations. She started to walk towards her sister.

Alex, Lucy tried again speaking softly as not to aggravate Alex further, but she was having none of it.

GET OUT!!!, Alex yelled once more and she gripped the table from underneath and threw it over with such force it crashed into the table next to theirs sending cups of coffee and cappuccino crashing to the floor.

NOW!!!. Marina and Angel rushed over keeping their distance not knowing whether to step in or not. The woman looked startled. Then she picked up her purse and got up. Halfway to the door she looked back one more time, but when she saw the hatred in Alex face, she felt fear. Quickly she walked to the door and left.

Alex was visibly shaking. She was having trouble containing her anger. Then all the other emotions came flooding through her body. Fear. Hope. Despair. Loneliness. She tried to fight back the tears, but it was too late. Pandoras box had been opened and would not be closed so easily. She sank down on her chair and let it all out. Angel rushed over and wrapped her arms around her sister. Cradling her shaking body as Alex cried all the tears, she had kept inside her for so long.