Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Part 16 - Chapter 2 - The Choice for Love

"Amanda, there you are. I wondered where you disappeared to," Andrew said as he returned to the front of the office. When she turned around and faced him with an angry glare he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Do you even have to ask?" she snapped.

Andrew sighed heavily. "Can't you just be happy? This promotion wasn't the one we were hoping for, but it's good news for us. Soon we'll be able to afford a house of our own and we can start thinking about having a baby."

Amanda shrugged, reluctant to agree with him.

"And like I said before, better Lawrence than Hector. By the way, where is Burgess?"

"He stormed out of the office as soon as he heard the news."

After Hector left the office, he started walking. Blinded by his fury and disappointment, he didn't think about where he was going. He just walked.

Eventually he found himself at the lighthouse at the edge of the bay with nowhere else to go, unless he wanted to swim out to sea, an idea that wasn't completely unappealing to him at the moment. Instead he flopped down on a nearby bench and stared numbly across the water.

He felt sick as he thought back over all of the things he had done to get ahead. He had tried everything, and none of his efforts had gotten him anywhere. He was still in the same place he had started while everyone else was running past him. Nothing he had done had mattered. How had everything gotten to this point? How had it gone so wrong?

"Hi."

Chad looked up from where he was lounging on the couch to see Audrey standing in the doorway. He raised himself to a sitting position. "Audrey. What are you doing here?"

"Justin told me you were staying with the Burgess family. I wanted to stop by and see how you were feeling."

Chad motioned for Audrey to take the seat next to him. "I'm fine. The doctors didn't want to send me home alone in case I had a concussion or something, but I'm doing ok. How about you?"

Audrey sighed and managed a slight smile as she sat down next to Chad. "I'm just glad that this whole ordeal is finally over."

"Yeah, I heard the police finally caught Lauren. Apparently, she's caused problems in the past with other people and had a few restraining orders put against her, but nothing that's gone this far. They're going to send her to a maximum security mental institution."

"Good." Audrey frowned. "Let's not talk about it. I just want to put this whole thing behind me."

Chad turned to Audrey and looked at her affectionately. "Then what do you want to talk about?"

"I just wanted to see how you were. Since I've done that, I should go." She started to stand.

"Hey, wait. Why don't you stay? I'm supposed to take it easy for awhile and I could use some company more than anything."

"I would, but I've got to get to the office and try to reschedule the appointments I missed."

"Well, I'm glad you came by. It reminds me of the way things were between us . . ."

"When I said I forgive you, that doesn't mean I've forgotten all about the past."

"The past wasn't all bad, we had some good times, remember? And it would still be good if I didn't let things get out of control. That's not going to happen again. I'm done with the drugs and the partying for good. I want to give us a second chance."

Audrey rose from the couch. "I don't know, Chad. I don't know if I can do that again. I've got to go." She walked to the door without looking back.

"Eileen, is that you?" Arthur called out as he heard someone enter the house.

A moment later Eileen walked into the living room. "Hi, Dad. I didn't know you were home. I thought you would still be at the office."

Arthur frowned and changed the subject. "Where have you been?"

"I went over to Lucy's to see the baby." She paused hesitantly. "We talked a little about her father and the company . . .She seemed upset about it coming out in the papers. I think you should talk with her."

Arthur mumbled an noncommittal reply. He knew she was right, but he didn't have the energy to talk about what had happened.

"I'll see you later, Dad," Eileen said as she started out of the room.

"You're going out again? It seems like you're never home."

"I just stopped by to get my books. I have to go to class."

"Eileen, wait a minute. I've been meaning to talk to you about this. I've noticed you've been going out a lot late at night."

"I've been meeting with friends to study," she answered nervously and moved towards the door. "I've got to go. I'm already running late. I'll see you this evening."

Hector hesitated before walking back into the office. He hoped he could sneak back to his desk without seeing anyone, but he wasn't so lucky. Andrew and Lawrence were standing near the entrance talking when he came in.

He braced himself and tried to walk past without a confrontation, but Andrew wouldn't let him pass.

"There he is. Where did you disappear to?" Andrew taunted. "You left without congratulating us."

"Shut up," Hector mumbled and continued walking.

Andrew looked amused. "Is that all you have to say?"

Hector stopped abruptly and glared at Andrew. He opened his mouth to speak, but Lawrence cut him off.

"Andrew, why don't you start moving into your new office and let Hector get back to what he was doing."

Andrew shrugged. "Sure."

Hector glared at Andrew as he walked away, vengeful thoughts in his mind. When he turned around Lawrence was watching him sternly. Hector let out a sigh of frustration. Feeling trapped, he went back to his desk and got back to work.

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