Chapter Fifty Six - The Begining of a very long night
 
 
 
 

**6:12 PM**

"Bzzz….Bzzzzz….."

"Esther! Esther! Oh dear god in heaven, who can that be so early?"

Catherine Chancellor descended quickly down the stairs, and hurried toward the door.
Esther, as usual, was no where to be seen when she was actually needed.

Catherine took a suspicious peek through the window and opened the door when she realized who was standing outside.

Catherine called out "Nikki my dear, what are you doing here?"
Nikki, freezing, escaped inside, shivering "Is that how you greet an old friend who came over early to give you a hand with the party? You make her wait 5 whole minutes in Wisconsin’s January and then act as you’ve never seen her before?"
Catherine stared "But Nikki… everything is ready! I can’t think of anything that you can do to help in any way! You didn’t have to bother yourself and come this early, I know you must have wanted to go with your family"
The smile disappeared from Nikki’s face, she grabbed Catherine’s hand and stared at her intensely and whispered "You have to do me a favor"
Catherine startled and flinched, "What kind of favor?"

Nikki said in a hushed tone "When my family arrive, should anyone ask, and I’m sure someone will, tell them you have a catering disaster, and you called me because you needed my help, and it was urgent, and that’s why I’m here early"
Catherine didn’t understand "But nothing like that happened"
Nikki rolled her eyes in desperation "Oh Catherine, why do you have to be this difficult?! I know it didn’t happen, but this is what I want you to say to my family, when they arrive, say you’ll do it"
Catherine eyed Nikki up and down, and got extremely worried.
Nikki did not look like a woman celebrating her son’s release from prison. She looked like a woman carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, she looked worried and pale, and the desperation in her voice had alarmed Catherine greatly.

Nikki looked at Catherine expectantly, but Kay wasn’t about to give in so soon "Nikki why? Why do you want me to lie for you and what are you doing here now instead of arriving with your family?"
Nikki said, a frantic edge to her voice "I can’t explain it to you, I can’t! There’s a lot you don’t know and a lot I can’t get into with you now, and I don’t know if I ever could… all I need from you is to promise me you won’t tell Victor that it was my idea to come ahead of time"

Understanding flashed in Catherine’s eyes "Ahhh…Victor. I should have known this latest mess involved him"
Nikki shook her head in despair "I don’t want to hear this! I don’t want to hear this! All I want is that you’ll promise and that’s it! Nothing more, nothing less… and no more questions"
Catherine stared at Nikki in confusion and concern, "What in the name of god has gotten into you?"
Nikki, ignoring her questions, took Catherine’s hands in hers and held them in her palms and practically begged "Catherine, We’ve been friends forever, do this one thing for me, and I won’t ask you for anything ever again, I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t have good reason"

Catherine asked her "Good reason’s in whose eyes, Nikki? You do realize that Victor would know instantly if I’m lying, don’t you?"
Nikki refused to hear "You are a very good liar, Catherine, and Victor trusts you,  I’m sure that if you try Victor would believe you!"
Catherine looked at her for another moment and then sighed said "Alright then…"
Nikki breathe out a sigh of relief "Oh thank you"
Catherine, not knowing what to think, pulled Nikki into her arms to motherly hug, her eyes darting from side to side, trying to make sense of what was going on.
Nikki rested her head on her shoulder and felt like crying, she hated asking her to do this, but she had to.
Finally she pulled back and wiped her eyes and tried to smile to Catherine "Don’t look at me like that, I’m fine"
Catherine replied "No you’re not…but we don’t have to discuss this now…now, let me see how you look, take that coat off"
Nikki, feeling herself slightly better, took the coat of and showed Catherine her new dress with a quiet sort of smile…"So, what does the fashion critique think?"
Catherine declared "I think you are going to absolutely spin heads at this party tonight…"
Nikki couldn’t help smiling at her, she was trying to cheer her up.
She could see Catherine was worried and confused and didn’t understand what was going on with her, and she couldn’t possibly… Nikki just wanted for this party to be over, and she wondered what was going on at the ranch, after her family found her note….
 
 

**8:05 PM**

"Cole, It is highway B we’re driving on"
"So?"
"You could try and drive a little faster, you know"
"Vicki, I’m driving the speed limit"
‘Well, we’re late, Dad is already miles ahead, and there’s no cops here in that hour"
"Victoria, I’m not going to risk our lives by driving recklessly"
"Risk our lives? I’m asking you to drive a little faster, that’s all, It’s highway B, it’s a long deserted straight road!"

Sharon and Nicholas, who were sitting in the back seat of Victoria’s new red Jeep, looked at each other in frustration.
Victoria and Cole haven’t stopped bickering since the moment they left the ranch, and things were even worse since Cole was driving, and his slow driving was getting on Victoria’s nerves, she hasn’t stopped making comments about it since the moment they started moving.

Nicholas sighed and whispered to Sharon "Now I know why dad drove in his own car, I should have done the same"

Sharon smiled sympathetically at him and said out loud,  "I’ve never been at Mrs. Chancellor’s house, I heard it’s huge"
Cole looked at her through the mirror and laughed "That’s one word for it, she’s got how many rooms in there?"
Vicki smiled "42, I think… lets just say that if you ever thought the ranch was big, Sharon, wait till you see the mansion, it’s very…"
Nick suggested "Showy?"
Vicki giggled "Don’t let Catherine hear you say that"

Victoria’s mood lightened, she glanced at her husband with feelings of remorse and gave him a peck on the cheek.
Cole looked at her "What was that for?"
Vicki answered, smiling a little smile "Don’t ask questions, just drive"
Cole grinned, "Yes Ma’am"

Sharon said, "Your father was sure in a hurry to get going"
Nicholas said "Yea, I think he wanted to talk to mom about something, he said so when I saw him earlier"
Vicki turned to look at him "Really? Do you know what it was about?"
Nicholas shrugged "No clue…just that he wanted to talk to her"
Victoria shook her head "This whole day has just been so bizarre, mom wasn’t home all day, than she doesn’t come with us to the party, and dad’s reaction…"
She asked the family "Don’t you feel like there’s something going on we’re totally missing?"
Sharon asked, "If there is, what could it be?"
Victoria sighed and replied softly "I wish I knew…"

As they reached Catherine’s house Vicki said, "Wow, Catherine is throwing a huge party, look how many cars…"

They got out of the car and walked toward the entrence.
 

**7:47 PM**

 

"Catherine, everything look lovely." said Jack as he approached the host, who was standing in a remote corner of the room, looking at her guest with pleasure.

Catherine smiled "Well did you doubt it?"
Jack grinned "Not for a moment"
Catherine said, "Good, by the way, where is your beautiful wife?"
Jack pointed toward the entrance, where Luan was standing, chatting with Jill "Right there"
Catherine eyed her for a moment and observed "Jack, is she feeling okay? She looks a little pale"
Jack forced himself to lie "She’s recuperating from a cold, so we may not stay the entire night…I just really wanted to give my wishes to Nikki, and of course Nicholas… So where is the Newman clan?"
Catherine responded "Well, Nikki’s here, and the rest of the family hasn’t arrived yet"

Jack looked at her, surprised "Nikki’s here? Where?"
A voice tinkled behind him "Right here"
Jack turned around with a smile as he saw Nikki "Well there you are" and hugged her.
Nikki, trying to put up a happy face hugged him back "Hey Jack"

Catherine, hoping Jack succeed where she so miserably failed, left the two alone,

As Jack hugged her, he could feel how tense and rigid she was, not at all like he usual self.
He pushed her slightly back, and eyes her up and down.
Nikki self-consciously smoothed back her hair "What? Something wrong with my dress"
Jack waved his hand dismissive "Of course not, you look stunning but…" His eyes narrowed as he looked at her "Is everything alright?"
Nikki replied, her eyes cold "Why wouldn’t it be?"
Jack said, uncertain "I, don’t know… but you don’t look like a happy mother whose son is out of jail"
Nikki responded angrily "Well, forgive me if I don’t fit into your standards of motherhood, Jack"

Jack was taken aback and raised his arms defensively "Hey, I didn’t mean to insult you"
Nikki closed her eyes, sighed… and said in her normal voice "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you"
Jack put his hands up defensively "Hey, Nik, I was just trying to make sure everything is fine"
Nikki replied "It is, it has just been a very long day, okay?"
Jack said skeptically "If you say so. So, where’s the rest of the family?"
Nikki said, "They’ll be here soon"
Changing the subject, she asked "So, where’s Luan?"
Jack looked around the room, when he couldn’t find his wife he shrugged "Oh, she’s here somewhere"
 
"Then why don’t you go find her, Jacko?" Said Brad as he approached the two "And give the lady and me a chance to catch up…"

He has been standing watching Nikki and Jack for a while now, admiring the way the red dress clung to her every curve. Her family wasn’t there, he could see there was some tension in her conversation with Jack and it was a perfect opportunity to talk to her.

Nikki turned around…she had completely forgotten he was suppose to be there tonight, she wasn’t prepared to see him now…
In front of her stood a man that was in love with her, and possibly fathered her child -  She didn’t want him to be any of these things,  but Brad Carlton was still a friend, and at least he didn’t have his mind all caught up in an ex wife….unlike other people she knew.

She blurted out a soft "Brad.. hey…"
Jack looked at her, surprised, that was the nicest tone of voice he heard from her all evening, and it rather frightened him it was reserved to Brad. He rolled his eyes, it could only mean she fought with Victor.

Brad smiled a million-dollar smile "Nikki, it’s good seeing you, you look beautiful"
Nikki smiled "Thank you, like wise"
Brad laughed "I look beautiful?"
Nikki grinned, "Well, very handsome"
Brad smiled "Why thank you"

Jack said in a disgusted tone of voice "I think I’m going to look for my wife, excuse me…"
Brad looked at him walking off and said, satisfied, "Well I can’t believe it"
Nikki asked him confused "What?"
Brad replied "That man finally learned when he is in the way"
Nikki slapped his shoulder "Behave yourself!"
Brad smiled at her "You look a lot better than the last time I saw you, I bet your happy Nicholas is out"
Nikki smiled "I’m thrilled, it’s so good to have him home"
Brad said "And now your life could get back to normal…"

Nikki’s smile disappeared and she whispered "Yes… back to normal…"

Brad couldn’t possibly know how wrong he was, the way she saw it, life might never go back to normal, not if she was carrying Brad’s baby, not if Victor still had feelings for Hope.

Brad noticed her expression changing and that her mind wandered elsewhere and asked softly "Nikki?"
Nikki shook up "What?"
Brad asked with curiosity "Are you okay?"
Nikki nodded weakly "Yea, yes, I’m fine…"
She asked him "So, how are things with you?"
Brad shrugged "Rather boring I’m afraid"
Nikki replied seriously " It shouldn’t be this way.  You are a handsome, charming man, you should have a lot going on for you"
Brad laughed bitterly "Interesting words from the woman who dumped me"
Nikki sighed "Bradley…I only want what’s best for you"
Brad said with all seriousness "You’re what’s best for me"
Nikki said, shaking her head "Brad…don’t do this"
Brad responded "I can’t control my feelings for you"
Nikki stared at him, not knowing what to say…

Nikki was suddenly distracted by a familiar voice, and turned around to see Victor, standing near the door, greeting Catherine hello.
She watched them as Catherine affectionately brushed the snowflakes from his coat, and Esther took it away from him to hang in the closet.
Her eyes closed in pain, he looked so good… standing there in his Tuxedo…"God," She thought, "How could everything go so wrong in a day?"

Brad eyed her and grimaced when he saw on whom her eyes lingered "Just when I had your undivided attention"
Nikki turned back at him and asked tiredly "I’m sorry, what did you say?"
Brad took her hands in his, the gesture took her by surprise and she didn’t have time to resist.
Brad told her intensely "I’m not going to give up on you, on us…so you might as well get used to it"
His eyes rested on her ear lobs and a smile lit up in her eyes when he realized she was wearing his present to her.

He touched her right ear lob with his finger "They look beautiful on you, just like I thought they would be"
Nikki didn’t realize what he was talking about until she sent a hand to her ear to feel the earrings.
When she hastily got dressed before she left the house she just put on a pair of earrings that went with her dress.
She didn’t even remembered they were Brad’s Christmas gift, the one he gave her when he showed up at the ranch on Christmas eve, the same gift that got Victor all would up.
She didn’t pay attention and most definitely didn’t put them on deliberately as Brad obviously thought.
 

**8:10 PM**

Victor hugged Catherine and let Esther take his Jacket.
After the cordial hello greetings he asked her, looking around the room "I see you got through your disaster rather well, Catherine. Everything looks magnificent"

Catherine, remembering well what Nikki told her, responded "Oh, yes, yes, with Nikki’s help, everything went very smoothly, she has talent for those things"
Victor nodded, eyeing her carefully "Aha, I see…so Nikki’s here?"
Catherine nodded nervously, "Well yes, she’s been here for hours, helping me out"
Victor wore a skeptic expression "As a woman who thrown countless parties in her life, each more grander than the other,   I would expect you to handle things…by yourself. It must have been a big problem, what exactly went wrong?"
Catherine stammered "Oh well, hmm… you see…the orders for the party… just, oh, I don’t know, the Catering company had some sort of a problem, Nikki talked to them and straightened them out, she can be a tough cookie when she wants to be, you know that"
Victor said pointedly "I do know, she picked it up from you…which makes me wonder why you couldn’t handle it yourself, and had to call Nikki here. You must have known she would rather go with her son – this is only Nicholas’s second day out of jail you know"

Catherine wore a rather miffed expression, she hated to be in the middle between those two, but she gave Nikki her word and wouldn’t break it.
"Victor Newman, I do not appreciate being interrogated like that, after all those years, you should know better. I needed Nikki’s help and she agreed to land me a hand, end of story"
Victor’s expression grew colder and he said, his eyes narrowing "You’re lying to my face just now, you and I both know it, and I don’t like it, I don’t like it one damn bit!"

Catherine, tense and agitated, responded stiffly "Well, that’s your problem Victor, and yours alone! Now, Excuse me, because I have guests to entertain"
And she walked away from him, not waiting a response.

Pausing to take a deep breath behind a corner, Catherine turned around to secretly watch Victor.
He was standing where she left him, and the expression on his face showed confusion more than it did anger… her gaze wandered around the room to look for Nikki, she was standing there, talking to Brad…
As Much as she tried, Catherine couldn’t figure out what happened.
 

 

Just as Catherine turned to find Nikki, Victor turned around and inspected the room himself, looking for her.

And then his eyes rested on her and his breath caught in his throat…

Wearing an off shoulder, deep Burgundy colored dress with her thick, long blond mane curled and resting on her back freely, caught behind her ear in a diamond clip – Nikki looked nothing less than a goddess.

And she was speaking with Brad Carlton.

Victor felt the searing twinges of the jealousy creeping in he watched their conversation.
From the slight tilt of her head, almost unseen to the inexperienced eyes, the way Brad touched her hand, the way she was talking - even though he couldn’t hear her... he could see they were discussing something personal.
Is that why she was shutting him out? Did Nikki still had feelings for Brad? Feelings she hasn’t dealt with?

Nikki stammered "Brad, I love the earrings, but..."
Brad completed the sentence for her "You didn’t put them on just to please me"
Nikki simply stated "No, I didn’t"
Brad smiled a sad smile "At least you’re being honest"

That one went under the belt, and Nikki visibly winced. There are so much lies and so much many half truths told in this past month, and now it felt as if it all came crashing down on her....Not telling Brad all this time it was over for good between them was the wrong thing to do, she saw it now, but in the position she was in - that she might be carrying his child - she just couldn’t bring herself to do it, she had to know for sure first!

Her thought were interrupted by the feeling of goose-bumps on her skin, and the distinct feeling someone was watching her from afar.
Without turning around, Nikki knew whose eyes rested on her, she could practically feel his gaze resting on her.

Her eyes rose to meet Brad’s guiltily, and he glanced to the left and saw Victor standing there, looking at them.
Brad made a face "You know, it creeps me out the way he keeps staring at us, and it creeps me out even more than you can tell he’s there without looking"
Nikki ignored his last sentence and just said, "Brad..." The plea evident in her voice.
Brad raised his hands defensively "Alright, I’m going... but this evening isn’t over yet"
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm "Not by a long shot"
He sent Victor a long look, rolled his eyes, and and left the remote corner Nikki and him were standing in...

Left alone, Nikki took a deep breath to compose herself, She braced herself, slowly turned around and looked up...her eyes meeting Victor’s from across the room.