The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
AFFLICTION
BY TROG |
CHAPTER
24 |
CHAPTER 24
Todd looked around at the hundreds of mourners outside St. James and wondered how they’d all fit in the small church. Everyone looked grim and serious dressed in shades of respectable gray and appropriate black. Vicki stood nearby, flanked by Kevin, Joey and Jessica who held their frail and dejected mother. Vicki wore a small, black hat with a mesh veil that partially hid her face, but Todd could see her sobbing quietly beneath it.
He looked around at the usual suspects. Renee and Asa, now estranged, stood near-by with Bo, Hank Gannon and Nora. Blair stood awkwardly by in a tight, short dress trying to sidle in with the family though Todd barely acknowledged her presence and she wandered around rather aimlessly, hoping for some attention and acknowledgment at being Mrs. Todd Manning. Max Holden and Gabriel were also around, never missing an opportunity to ingratiate themselves with Llanview high society, alive or dead. Anyone who was anyone wanted to be present at any social event that involved Victoria Lord Riley Buchanan Carpenter Davidson, even if it was her husband’s funeral.
In the midst of all this hypocritical fanfare and sincere mourning Todd noticed the Vega family. Cristian and Antonio were wheeling Carlotta down the sidewalk toward the entrance when he noticed Tea walking beside them. Many acknowledged Carlotta politely, but the one they all notice was Tea Delgado, beautiful and scandalous, specially Blair who’s mouth dropped open at the site of her.
Todd watched her as she got closer in her simple elegance, wearing a tailored, sleeveless black dress with a delicate strand of pearls and a black shawl with tiny red roses embroidered on it draped softly over her shoulders and her hair neatly pinned up. In the midst of all this grief and death, among all this somber pomp and circumstance, he was astounded at his desire for her, struggling to keep from running to her and kissing her ripe, red mouth, that skilled and beautiful mouth that had driven him into virtual madness only a few hours earlier. He noticed the small, red embroidered roses on her shawl, a touch of beauty in the blackness, like the blanket of red roses covering the ebony coffin that Ben Davidson laid in--life and death.
Tea tried not to look in his direction but when their eyes met they held their gaze just a little too long, too longingly, and it didn’t go without notice. RJ Gannon who stood by with Lindsay noticed it immediately and turned his back on them with a bitter sneer. Andrew Carpenter who stood by the church door in his purple, ceremonial stole saw that look between them, that look that had once destroyed his own happiness with Tea and he felt a twinge of jealousy and regret in his all too human heart. But it was Blair who was most aware of their exchange.
Todd’s eyes lit up as Tea got closer and before Tea looked away from him Blair noticed something between them, a flash of intimacy that should not have been there. Todd was dumped by Tea...he should have been angry at seeing her, but it was obvious that he was not surprised by her presence, but only too comfortable with it. Suddenly Todd’s desire for a quickie divorce seemed to make perfect sense to her.
As the Vegas and Tea approached Vicki to pay their respects, Vicki reached down and hugged Carlotta. Todd noticed Tea’s eyes filling with tears as Vicki embraced her, her guilt over Ben’s death clearly on her mind as she stood there trying to comfort Vicki. Todd walked a little closer wanting to hold her hand and comfort her, unable to bear seeing her in any pain, but they had decided to play it this way, to play estranged ex-lovers.
Blair came up beside Todd and tried to take his arm but he yanked it away viciously from her giving her a menacing look, one that advised her not to try that move again. Blair crossed her arms angrily, tapping her spiked, black heel and staring at Tea who was speaking to Vicki and holding her hand. Finally, when Tea looked up, she noticed Blair’s eyes on her and a small, triumphant smile playing on Blair’s face, an ugly, gloating sneer that said “I have Todd...and I have his children....and you have nothing.” Tea looked away from her but a powerful wave of bitterness and jealousy ran through her body and she felt herself tremble as she pulled her shawl more tightly around her.
Sam tapped Todd on the shoulder and he, along with the other pallbearers pulled the shiny, black casket with its elegant, brass cornices from the limousine and slowly made their way toward the entrance of the church before everyone followed them in.
The service was solemn and depressing as Andrew struggled to make everyone believe that Ben was in a better place. Vicki fought to maintain composure but her grief was overwhelming and her cries often escaped from her uncontrollably, agonizing whimpers giving voice to her pain. Todd sat beside her and held her as Kevin looked on with slight annoyance, watching Todd usurp his mother’s attention once again. Kevin reached over and took his mother’s hand, clasping it tightly to make his presence on her other side known, still competing for his mother’s love like the spoiled, privileged brat he’d always been and the insignificant and selfish man that he’d become.
As the morbid service continued and the church choir sang a solemn hymn that everyone seemed to know accept Todd, Blair kept craning her neck to look back at Tea who sat a few rows behind her, her curiosity at the breaking point. She also noticed that Todd turned around a few times, his eyes seeking Tea out periodically before turning back to Vicki.
As the ceremony came to an end, everyone stood and followed the coffin out. Ben was to be buried at Llanfair, in the family cemetery at Vicki’s request. She wanted him near. Everyone followed the long funeral cortege to Llanfair along the old main streets of Llanview and through the lovely grounds of this great estate to the ancient graveyard at the end of the property. The sun filtered through the rows of fine, old oak trees and the wind rustled the growing grass as Andrew lead the funeral procession to the place where Ben would reside for eternity.
As they stood around the grave and Andrew finished reciting burial rites, Todd and Jessica lead Vicki back to the house, fearing she would collapse if she remained any longer. Much of the crowd dispersed but many went back to the house to take some refreshments and express their condolences to the widow of Ben Davidson, wanting to be remembered and held in good favor with the mistress of Llanfair.
People walked around aimlessly with coffee and pastry as Vicki sat in a drained stupor on the sofa, comforted by Ben‘s mother, Renee. Jessica performed her task as hostess with the same style and grace as her mother and Todd observed her with admiration and affection. He had been trying to get close to Tea all morning but the Vegas were always around her and Blair was hovering around suspiciously. Todd noticed Antonio and Tea walking out onto the terrace and Blair had disappeared so he quickly followed them.
As Antonio and Tea disappeared behind some tall shrubbery, Todd looked around and followed them.
Antonio and Tea were whispering something when they noticed Todd approaching. Todd rushed past Antonio and took Tea’s hand standing very closely to her, his face touching hers and whispering softly.
“Are you okay?” he asked, kissing her hand.
She touched his face lovingly.
“I’m fine, amor. I just...it hurt to see Vicki in so much pain...I feel so responsible,” she whimpered as tears rose to her eyes.
Todd pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair.
“No...you‘re not...it‘s not your fault,” he whispered comfortingly.
Antonio watched them quietly, their tenderness so intimate it made him feel awkward, and out of place. It seemed strange to watch two people he thought he knew so well behaving so differently with one another.
“Uhm..uhm,” moaned Antonio, clearing his throat. “We got the ballistics report back on Ben Davidson.”
Todd and Tea turned to Antonio.
“Well...what did it say,” asked Todd.
Antonio looked around quickly.
“Some really funky stuff. Apparently, the bullet was coated with...gold.”
Todd nodded as Tea turned away.
“And something else. It was an unusual pistol. It only uses one bullet...one shot.”
Tea gasped and looked back at Antonio.
“What did you say?”
“One shot. It’s a pistol that’s frequently used by arrogant, extremist sportsmen who only allow themselves one shot to kill their prey. This gun is unusual...German...and made to order.”
Tea looked up at Todd.
“Aaron...he always uses that phrase...ONE SHOT. He always says you have one shot at everything in life...and you have to take it He...he asked me to marry him the moment we met...he said it was his one shot at me.”
Todd walked over to her and held her as she trembled.
“So...it seems Aaron Blackmoor IS indeed Goldenboy, or Klaus Herzog...so now what?” asked Todd.
“Now I go to Bo...I need to let him know what we’ve found out.”
“NO! We don’t have enough and you know it, Antonio.”
“Well, what the hell are we suppose to do, Todd...ask him nicely and hope he confesses?” said Antonio angrily.
“We need to get some proof,” said Tea, “and I’m the only one who can get it.”
“You’re not going near him, Tea,” said Todd.
“Yes...I am. There’s no other way, Todd. When he arrives tomorrow...I’ll tell him that I need some space...some time. I’ll tell him that I still have feelings for you and I’m confused. That way I won’t push him away completely, but I won’t have to live with him either. Now that I know what he is...maybe I can find something out. Maybe he’ll let something slip.”
Antonio walked right up to her.
“Do you have any idea how dangerous this game is that you’re playing, Tea. This man killed Ben Davidson without a second thought.”
“But you’re forgetting one thing, Antonio...he loves me. He trusts me. He won’t hurt me.”
“Not as long as he doesn’t suspect. But this man makes his living reading people...I don’t think you can fool him,” said Antonio.
“I can! I know him.”
“You don’t know him at all,” said Todd.
Todd and Tea looked at one another as Antonio shook his head.
“I hate this. I have a lousy feeling about this whole thing,” said Antonio.
“Yeah...so do I,” said Todd.
“There’s no other way,” said Tea.
“Alright, Tea...I’ll give you a couple of days...then I’m going to Bo. As a cop...I can’t do this anymore. Two days...that’s it! Now...I’m going to take mommy back to the hospital. You call me Tea! You let me know what the hell is going on,” said Antonio, kissing her quickly under Todd’s watchful eye and then disappearing around the tall bushes.
“Mi amor, don’t fight me on this. I know you want to protect me...but I can take care of myself. I want you to trust me...trust my instincts. I know what I’m doing.”
Todd caressed her face and her lips.
“I’m scared Tea. Not only for your safety...but...maybe when he comes back to you...you’ll change your mind about....us. About me.”
“I love you...that won’t change. But querido...I need to do this. For myself...and I owe it to Vicki...”
Todd nodded slowly and let his lips graze hers as they stood there, leaning against one another, longing for one another in the light of the early afternoon.
“Well, well...isn’t this cozy!”
Todd and Tea were startled by the familiar, sharpness of the voice. When they turned Blair was standing there and they parted anxiously.
“Go away, Blair!” said Todd.
“Why? So I can let this Puerto Rican whore seduce my husband and steal my life again?”
Todd looked at her with contempt as he approached her.
“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” said Tea as she began to walk away.
“What’s the matter, Tea...can’t take a little competition?”
Tea stopped dead in her tracks and turned around with fire in her eyes, letting her gaze trail up Blair’s inappropriate dress.
“I don’t consider you competition, Blair,” she said with a confidence that made Blair squirm and tug at her dress.
“Really? I’m the only mother of Todd Manning’s children...two children. What the hell are you?”
“Shut the fuck up, Blair!” warned Todd.
“I won’t shut up! This adulterous bitch is fucking my husband and taking the father of my children...I have a right to fight for what’s mine!”
“Don’t humiliate yourself, Blair,” said Todd. “I don’t want you. I don’t want to touch you or be anywhere near you...don’t you get it? We‘re through!”
Tea tried to be strong, but Blair’s ugly accusations had the desired affect. She felt guilty taking Todd away from his children and so she remained silent. Todd saw her face, reading the conflict and guilt in her eyes.
He walked over to her, took her in his arms and kissed her passionately right in front of Blair, as if she were as insignificant as a shrub, or a tree.
“I love you, Tea. That will never change. Why don’t you go and let me handle this with Blair. I’ll see you later...okay.”
Tea nodded and pulled away from him, surprised by his actions but proud of his strength and glad that the kiss had silenced Blair. Blair just stood there, seething with jealousy at the way Todd kissed Tea and saying nothing as Tea walked away.
“How can you kiss that whore right in front of me.”
“You call Tea that just one more time Blair and I won’t responsible for what happens next,” he hissed between clenched teeth, approaching her quickly, causing Blair to move back fearfully and fall against the bushes. As she struggled to hold on to the flimsy branches she fell to the ground. Todd walked over and put his foot on her stomach, pressing her into the black dirt, preventing her from getting up as her arms and legs flailed awkwardly.
“I want a divorce. I don’t care what I have to do to get it. I love Tea! I’ve always loved Tea! I will always love Tea! I don’t want you...you and I were a huge mistake...a sad attempt at recapturing something we never really had together. And don’t even think of contesting this divorce...or I’ll make sure you get nothing...that includes our children.”
Todd moved his foot and she struggled to her knees, finally getting up and tugging at her dress.
“I will not give you a divorce! I like being Mrs. Todd Manning! And we have two children to raise!”
“Do we, Blair? Do we have two children together? Is Jack mine? Do you even know for sure?”
Blair jutted her chin out, but said nothing.
“I want a divorce. There’s nothing you can do about it!” said Todd as he turned quickly and walked away.
“We’ll see, Todd. We’ll see.”
to be continued...
2002 Copyright by Trog
FanFiction Home
Home
