By Mezzo
mezzosmelodramas@msn.com
Copyright © 2002 by Mezzo. All Rights Reserved.
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Installment Eleven
The meal was finished and everyone
got up to go into the living room. Many
had not seen each other in years and were looking forward to catching up with
one another.
Tori and Brett tried many
times to get to each other. Every time steps were made to close the gap,
someone would intercept them and pull them aside to find out how life had been
treating them.
Brett had heard from Lauren
that Tori had changed. She told Brett
many times she was concerned for Tori and wished that she would find someone to
make her happy. This comment never fell
on deaf ears. However, looking at Tori
now, she did not see what her sister was talking about. If it was at all possible, Tori looked even
more beautiful to her.
After Brett had tried for
what seemed like an eternity to talk to Tori, she finally decided she needed to
get some air. She stepped out on to the
veranda off the living room and took in a cleansing breath. To her surprise, she felt arms close around
her waist and a low seductive voice filled her ears, “Hello little one. It’s so
good to see you.” Brett felt chills go
up her spine. Brett turned around in the embrace and met with the eyes she had
always loved. “Tori. Oh god! It is so
good to see you also.” She returned the
embrace lavished in the feel of warmth she had not felt in years.
The two melted into each
other and stood like that for a long, quiet moment.
Tori was the first to break
the silence. “Life seems to be agreeing with you little one. You look
amazing. It actually took me a moment to
recognize it was you when I first walked in.”
Brett felt the blush seep
across her face and felt the warmth that was making itself known in her belly.
With a wink and a smile she
answered, “Uh, thanks Tori. I see you can still charm your way around….. you
old heartbreaker. Of course you know you always looked beautiful to me.” Take that Tori. Brett thought as she
stepped back to see if her words were having any effect. They did.
She’s flirting with me. I
cannot believe she’s flirting with me. Trying to get back her composure, Tori
quickly averted the attention away from herself. “If you say so. So Brett….. I‘m sure you hear this all the time,
but I’m a really huge fan of yours.
I’ve been following your writing career and I’m totally hooked on your
series. What you’re able to do with words is nothing short of amazing.”
Brett was not really
expecting this admission. It’s not
every day that the person you base one of your main characters on up and admits
they’ve read your work.
******
In her series, a young blond
haired, green-eyed reporter named, Nicole Haledon finds herself in many
dangerous situations. Determined to
make a difference by getting the inside scoop and expose the criminal element
that plagues the city, she without regard for herself, willingly places herself
in danger to draw out the enemy.
Marina Masterson plays the
Unexpected Knight: A tall, beautiful blue eyed brunette, who just happens to be
the daughter of one of the CIA’s top undercover agents. Her father is a very powerful
and successful business executive and is never suspected of working for the
government. This allows him the
opportunity to take on many international cases, taking down many an
unsuspecting international criminal.
When all is said and done, they find themselves in jail never knowing
what hit them.
Ever since Marina was a
little girl, her father taught her everything he had learned. From running an
international business, to being an undercover CIA agent: giving her the skills
of an expert assassin and the fine subtleties of a beautiful heiress. Hoping upon hope that one day she might want
to take over the family business.
Marina just happened to be
around during one of Nicole’s first stories. On this particular story, Nicole
was witness to a brutal murder and was well on her way to becoming a victim
when Marina came to her rescue.
Since then Marina kept close
tabs on Nicole and waited patiently until she was needed again. With Nicole’s penchant for trouble, she
never had to wait very long. As time
goes on, Nicole and Marina are pushed together with every case.
Helpless to stop, they find
they are both in danger of losing their lives and hearts to one another.
*******
Brett’s mind was reeling. Is
it possible that Tori knows how I feel for her? I mean….how could Tori not see herself in the stor? Tori IS Marina in so many ways and I’m so
much like Nicole. The physical
description alone was a dead give away.
Tori watched as a plethora of
emotions ran across Brett’s face. Not
wanting to embarrass Brett anymore, she continued. “ I’ve always had a weakness
for creative people. You’ve absolutely captured me with your writing.” Okay what was that! Now I’m babbling. Tori thought.
This would be a good time
to say something, thought Brett to
herself. Okay breath. That’s right. Engage the brain. Okay. Now speak.
“Well, if you keep that up Miss Hull, there won’t be enough room on this
veranda for you and my huge head.”
Tori laughed and took Brett
in her arms again. God how I’ve missed you Brett. Using all of her will
power, she released Brett enough so she could see the writer’s face. “So tell
me where are you living now? Are you
still in Michigan?”
“No. I live here in the city
with Alexi, Adrian, and Lauren.”
“Really? You’re not living
with Jenna anymore?”, Tori uttered trying not to be too obvious.
“No. I haven’t been with her
for about four years now. Things didn’t
work out… I could tell you the whole sorted story someday. It’s really too long
to go over in such a short amount of time.
Maybe you and I could get together the next time you come back to the
states. You’re still in London right?”
“I was. But I’m going to be living here now.”
Brett’s head snapped up in
attention, “Really? When did this happen?”
“Actually today. I mean, I’ve
been planning to come back for a couple of months. But I literally just arrived today. My suit cases are still in the trunk of the limo.”
With a power that didn’t
match her size, Brett flung herself headlong into Tori’s arms. “Oh Tori. That is so wonderful. I can’t tell you how much you’ve been
missed. Not just by me. But all of
us. This news is really going to make
everyone’s Thanksgiving.”
Feeling a joy that she had
not felt in years, Tori held Brett to her with equal enthusiasm. “Well, thank
you. You don’t know how much that means to me Brett. I feel like I’ve been away for so long. Everyone has changed and yet it feels like home. You don’t now how much I’ve missed
this.” She felt Brett shiver. Thinking it was due to the November
evening. “Oh my goodness. Where are my
manners. Here it is freezing out here
and I’m talking your ears off. Come on
before you catch a cold and your father whips my butt.” Taking Brett’s hand, they made their way
back inside.
The truth was neither of them
really felt the cold. The warmth of their connection had actually surrounded
them and for the first time in years, everything seemed right in the world.
All eyes turned to them as
they walked in. Knowing looks graced everyone’s face. No one could deny the
fact that Tori and Brett made a stunning couple with light and dark
complementing each other in subtle but beautiful contrast. Gordon and Richard nodded to one another
practically giving each other an imaginary high five. It was wonderful when a plan came together. There just might be a
union between the Hulls and the Montgomerys yet. Yes, Gordon thought. There is much to be thankful for. And this
year…… everyone’s home.