The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
AFFLICTION
BY TROG |
CHAPTER
7 |
CHAPTER 7
Tea was shaking as she made her way back toward Carlotta’s room. The sight of Todd surrounded by his wife and children felt like a right hook to her stomach and she felt winded and drained of all her energy. Pretending to be the happy newlywed and maintaining a positive attitude for Carlotta’s sake were taking a toll on her emotionally and suddenly she felt overcome by a profound exhaustion, like some dark, heavy presence had invaded her body and her soul was weighed down with the awesome burden of it all. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes, needing to refuel--to reignite--though the vision of Todd holding his infant son would be a difficult one to forget.
“I think somebody needs a hug,” said a husky, masculine voice beside her.
Tea opened her eyes, startled by the familiar sound.
“Aaron,” she said, smiling as she walked into her husband’s waiting arms.
Tea let him hold her and she collapsed in his embrace as her loneliness and exhaustion overtook her. He held her tightly, securely, closing his eyes and enjoying the familiarity of her softness and warmth which he missed so much when he was away from her.
As Todd came around the corner he saw them. Stopping suddenly he stared at the site of her in this stranger’s arms as the pain inside him seemed to rise up from his belly to tear his heart out. This must be Aaron Blackmoor, he thought, the man who had taken his place in Tea’s life. In Tea’s arms. In Tea’s bed. He was handsome--a perfect specimen--like a flawless mannequin in the display window of some fine men’s boutique. Towering above Tea at about 6‘5‘, she seemed to disappear in his embrace. He looked hard and Aryan, like a nazi--perfect and efficient-- with his well cut blonde hair, chiseled features and perfect skin. A blond Clark Kent. A Superman. A Superhusband. His suit was gray pin-striped and very expensive and on his manicured hands Todd saw the thick, shiny wedding band, a warning beacon that caught the light as his fingers stroked Tea’s silky hair.
When Aaron opened his steely blue eyes he noticed a pale and disheveled man in dark clothing watching him with intense hostility from a few yards away as their eyes met for an instance. A silent confrontation. Aaron noticed the back of his hand was bleeding as he raked it through his unkept hair. His gaze was antagonistic, almost demented, a look of confusion and disappointment in his strange, hazel eyes, and Aaron wondered if he was a mental patient as he watched the man turn quickly and disappear around the corner.
“I’m so glad your here, Aaron...you’re exactly what I needed,” she said smiling up at him as his lips came down and took hers softly. Tea pulled herself up to his enormous height and kissed her husband back only more intensely, wanting to feel loved and comforted. “What are you doing here?”
Aaron pulled slightly away and looked down at his lovely, petite bride and smiled.
“I have to go to Japan for a week. The company that contracted me sent a private jet, so I made them take a quick detour to Llanview before I have to leave. I have a few hours and I thought we could have dinner...or something. You look exhausted, darling, are you okay?”
Tea stroked his jacket affectionately.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve been with Carlotta night and day, trying to keep her spirits up. Her prognosis isn’t that encouraging Aaron...I don’t know if she’s going to make it,” she said, her eyes tearing up.
He stroked her face lovingly.
“Well, I’m sure she appreciates having you here...but I don’t. I miss you, my sweet,” he said, kissing her again and taking her in his arms.
Tea settled into his arms and let him love her as she always did. His embrace was expansive and she felt small and fragile inside it, but it felt good. It felt safe. It was a gentle, quiet love for her, nothing like the passion Todd ignited in her with his touch--an incendiary passion that consumed her--but a more comfortable love, gratifying and easy.
“Hey, come on in and say hello to Carlotta. She’ll love seeing you again,” said Tea, pulling him through the doorway much to the disappointment of the nurses at the corner station who were enjoying their view of this tall, handsome stranger.
When they entered the room Carlotta was sitting up, reading a magazine. Her eyes opened widely at Aaron’s approach and she noticed how lovely they looked together, she with her dark, exotic looks, he fair and handsome like a prince in a fairytale.
“Carlotta, I must say you’re looking very well under the circumstances,” he said warmly, leaning down and kissing her cheek politely.
“How wonderful to see you. Having Tea here has certainly helped to speed up my recovery,” she said, taking Tea’s hand lovingly. “I’m sorry I’m keeping her away from you, though...I’m sure you’d rather have her at home.”
Aaron took Tea’s other hand.
“That’s true...but I know Tea wouldn’t be happy if she wasn’t here with you right now. And I live to make her happy,” he said, kissing her hand.
Carlotta smiled with joy. This man was so in love with Tea and he treated her like a queen, though she was a little worried about her friend. Tea didn’t seem herself, or to share her husbands obvious enthusiasm in wedded bliss.
“Anyway, Carlotta, I just stopped by for a few hours because I have to leave the country for a while on business...and I thought she might share a last supper with her lonely husband.”
“Oh, please Aaron, take her out of here. I’ve been telling her she doesn’t need to be with me every minute. Besides, Antonio and Cris will be by soon. So, querida, why don’t you run along, have a lovely dinner with your husband and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Tea smiled.
“Alright, mi amiga, but I’ll be here first thing in the morning, okay,” she said , giving her a hug.
“Carlotta, I wish you a speedy recovery and when you’re well, come and stay with us in New York for a while, we’d love to have you. Take care,” he said, kissing her good by.
“Manana,” said Tea.
“Manana,” called Carlotta as they walked out the door hand in hand. She smiled at finally seeing her friend in such a good relationship...but it disturbed her that Tea didn’t seem completely happy. Her eyes didn’t have that spark that she used to remember. Tea’s eyes were like luminous barometers of happiness and they would sparkle like jewels when she was happy--like on her wedding day to Todd. Even though it turned into a disaster, she remembered the flame of joy in her eyes when they said their vows and she hadn’t seen it since. Now they looked darker, duller, like the flame inside them had faded to a flicker hiding a weak and anemic spirit.
Todd Manning had something to do with it...she was sure of it, but she hoped he wouldn’t interfere in Tea’s life as he had always done in the past. Aaron was so wonderful...so handsome and kind. He was perfect, just as Tea had described him. Perfect.
“So where shall we eat?” asked Tea as she and Aaron headed for the elevators, hand in hand.
“Well...I was thinking perhaps we’d go back to your hotel...and order some room service,” he said smiling as the doors opened and they stepped in.
“Sounds delicious,” said Tea , as Aaron began kissing her and the elevator doors shut leaving a couple of nurses gawking with envy as they ate their stale donuts and wrote on their dull charts.
**********
“Your brother is nothing but trouble, Vicki!” said Ben Davidson, as he took a sip of his white wine.
The Palace grill was crowded as he and Vicki waited for a table at the bar.
“Oh, Ben, he can’t help being ill. Besides, he’s just not in a very happy place right now. I hoped he’d be happy with Blair and their children, but I just don’t know...maybe it’s just not meant to be.”
“Todd is a malcontent. He will sabotage every relationship that comes his way, Vicki. Deep down your brother doesn’t want to be happy,” said Ben, taking another drink.
“You’re wrong, Ben! Todd does want to be happy...he just doesn’t believe he deserves to be. And , quite frankly, I don’t think he’ll ever be happy with Blair. He’s not in love with her. And it gets more complicated...Tea’s back in town.”
Ben put his wine down.
“You’re kidding me! Well, I hope she has the good sense to stay away from Todd!”
“Well...she’s married. And she’s only in town for a few weeks...to help Carlotta. She really is a lovely young woman--so intense, so brilliant, so passionate--she’s a lot like Todd really.”
Ben looked at Vicki, shaking his head.
“Vicki, I hope you’re not encouraging your brother to pursue her!”
“Of course, not! I told Todd that Tea has moved on and he should work things out with Blair, but Ben when two people loved each other the way Todd and Tea did...well, that’s hard to get over. And in the end....I wonder if they’ll be able to stay away from each other.”
“Well, for Tea’s sake, I hope she can. Your brother will ruin her life if he’s given half the chance...”
Vicki rolled her eyes playfully at her cynical husband when she noticed Tea walking near by with a handsome blond man on her arm.
“Tea!” Vicki called out.
Tea turned and walked over toward the bar with Aaron behind her.
“Vicki, Ben...how are you. Uh...this is my husband, Aaron Blackmoor. And Aaron, this is Vicki and Ben Davidson.”
“Nice to meet both of you,” said Aaron shaking Vicki’s hand, then Ben’s.
Ben stared at him intensely, having the impression that he had seen him before. Aaron turned his cool, steely gaze to Ben with a hint of recognition, but he just smiled politely and said nothing as Ben continued to watch him curiously.
“Are you here for dinner? We’d love it if you’d join us,” said Vicki.
“Another time, perhaps, Vicki, Aaron is leaving the country on business in a few hours so we’re just going to relax and order in, but thanks anyway, goodnight,” said Tea.
“Nice meeting you,” said Aaron, looking directly at Ben, “Perhaps we’ll meet again soon.”
As they walked away Ben took another sip of his drink trying to recall where he’d seen that face before.
“Well, have you ever seen a more handsome man? He looks like a marble statue. What a handsome couple they make...don’t you think?”
Ben looked deep in thought.
“Ben? Don’t you think they’re a handsome couple?”
“Sure...not as handsome as you and me...but they’re okay,” said Ben, kissing her cheek playfully.
“Oh, you,” said Vicki, girlishly, as a waiter came up to them and escorted them to their table.
As Ben got off the barstool he noticed Aaron Blackmoor standing in the doorway watching him coldly, then moving away quickly and disappearing through the entrance.
to be continued...
2001 Copyright by Trog
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