Sunday, November 14, 2010

 Rafina, Greece

Cassadine Estate: Bedroom

She blinked once and then twice because she didn’t immediately recognize her surroundings. And in fact, the second time she opened her eyes, she was even less sure where she was. She pressed a hand to her aching head and turned it just slightly to find an elderly woman seated at her bedside.

“It’s about time you woke up,” the woman said coldly. She snapped her fingers. “Andreas, fetch the doctor.”

She cleared her throat. “What’s…what’s going on?” she asked. She blinked again. Where was she? Who was this woman?

The woman in questioned leaned forward, her blue eyes flat and mean. “You have caused a great deal of trouble, you know.”

“Trouble?” She shook head. “I don’t understand.” She licked her lips. “Who are you?”

“Who am I?” The woman sat back and stared at her. For a long moment, a tense silence reigned. And then, a change came over her so quickly it didn’t seem real. The woman’s eyes warmed, a smile spread across her face. “My darling, I am your grandmother. And I have been so worried about you.”

“My grandmother?” she repeated. That didn’t feel right—it didn’t sound right. “My grandmother?”

“I am Helena Cassadine,” the woman declared. “We are in Greece. You were born here, but your parents took you to the States where you were raised.” She paused. “In New…Jersey.”

New Jersey? That didn’t feel right either.

“Your parents died and I became your guardian,” Helena continued. “Your name is Maia Cassadine. You are thirty years old.” Her eyes glinted strangely. “And you are single.”

“Maia,” she repeated. But that didn’t feel any more right than having grown up in New Jersey or this woman being her family.

She wasn’t Maia Cassadine, she knew that for sure. But of course, the question remained…

Who was she?

Saturday, July 27, 2024

 

Morgan Home: Cameron’s Bedroom

It was still somewhat early when Jake pushed open his older brother’s door. He hadn’t been able to sleep, knowing Amalia was just down the hall.

He’d handled everything completely wrong — he’d known that almost from the second it happened. But damn it, how was someone supposed to reject someone they didn’t really want to reject? Jake was ashamed to admit to himself that if Amalia had been a year or two older, he wouldn’t have pushed her away.

And that would have been even worse.

Cameron wasn’t sleeping either. He was tapping away at his computer, but stopped when he heard the door creak open. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Jake leaned against the closed door. “Why are you up?”

“Working on my application to intern at a law firm in Boston next fall,” Cameron said. “I don’t have to ask you why you’re awake.” He tapped his finger against the keyboard for a moment. “It’s not that I don’t think you were right to push her away. Lia’s too young–”

“It’s not even that,” Jake scowled, dropping onto on the end of Cameron’s bed. “She’s just wrapped up in all the crap that’s going on with her parents. Her mom’s getting married, and her dad’s not stopping it. She would have hated me if I didn’t stop her.”

“Also…she’s fourteen,” Cameron responded dryly.

“That, too.” Jake sighed. “I probably could have been nicer about it.”

“Obviously.”

“I panicked.”

“Clearly.”

Jake glared. “Where’s the support? You’re supposed to be on my side.”

Cameron swiveled in his chair and leveled a steady look at his younger brother. “I am on your side. And I think that you were right to push her away, but you and I both know that Amalia Zacchara is a little damaged. Not through any fault of her own, you know, but thanks to her immature parents, she’s not exactly the most stable girl we know.”

“She’s not damaged,” Jake argued. “She just doesn’t know her own self-worth, okay? She probably thought that me sleeping with her would prove something about her, but it would have made things worse.” He paused. “Plus I bet Johnny Zacchara would castrate me.”

“I don’t say damaged in a bad way, okay? I just think her parents have messed with her psyche so much that she doesn’t know what to do. You said her mom’s getting remarried, that’s probably not helping.

“Her mom is marrying Nikolas,” Jake said, “and I don’t think Nadine intends to move Amalia to London, which just means to Lia that her mom doesn’t want her. Plus, she’s been trying to figure out how to get her parents back together.”

“I could have told you that wouldn’t work.”

“So what do I do now?” Jake asked. “How am I supposed to make her understand?”

“Just sit her down and force her to listen.” Cameron shrugged. “Look, I don’t have all the answers. I barely know what Molly is thinking half the time, much less other girls.”

Juliet pushed Cameron’s door open and glared at Jake. “What did you say to Lia?” she demanded. “She wouldn’t talk to me last night and I just woke up and she was gone.”

“Great,” Jake muttered. “How am I supposed to fix this now?”

Zacchara Home: Amalia’s Bedroom

Amalia tapped her pen against the desk and stared out across the backyard, trying to think of the words she wanted to say.  It was important to get it out right the first time, because she wasn’t going to get another chance.

She glanced at the bottle of Valium she’d nicked from her mother’s locked medicine cabinet. As if a lock would keep Claudia Zacchara’s niece out of something. Claudia. Her aunt Claudia.

Amalia reached for her cell phone and hit the speed dial, knowing that it was near the end of the day in Italy where Claudia Zacchara had lived for the past fifteen years. She’d met her aunt only a few times — Claudia never came to the States and Nadine was reluctant to go near her sister-in-law, so it had fallen to Johnny to forge those family ties and it had never struck him as important.

But it’d been vital to Amalia, because Claudia Antonia Zacchara was the only person in the world that didn’t treat her like damaged, unwanted goods, like someone to watch very carefully in case she’d break. Even Amalia’s best friend, Juliet knew there was something lurking beneath her best friend’s exterior that she wanted nothing to do with.

But to Claudia, like recognized like.

“You’ve reached Claudia Zacchara. If I’m not answering the phone, I hope it’s because I’ve caught the attention of a very athletic Italian.”

Amalia smiled faintly at the familiar message. “Hey, Aunt Claudie. I just…I just called to tell you I love you.” She clicked the phone off and set it aside. She returned her attention to the letter in front of her and was able to finish it now.

She folded it neatly and slipped into an envelope, setting it in a prominent position on her desk. She’d printed Mom and Dad in neat and bold letters with a black marker so that no one could miss it.

It’d be rude not to let her parents know exactly why she was doing this.

Amalia checked her makeup in the mirror and made sure her hair was brushed. Aunt Claudia always emphasized appearances above anything else. She sat on her bed and kicked off her shoes.

She picked up the glass of water and with the other hand, dumped the half-filled bottle of Valium out onto the desk. One by one, she swallowed each pill. When they were gone, she set her water down, neatly capped the pill bottle and set it in front of the letter.

Amalia Maria Zacchara believed in setting the scene.

She lay back on her bed, folded her hands neatly across her abdomen and closed her eyes.

And she waited for it all to go away.

Jacks Home: Backyard

“When will your parents be back?” Mal asked, dropping onto the sun lounger next to Cecily’s.

Cecily yawned and slowly turned over to lie on her back. Another half hour of sun, she decided. That would keep her tan at just the right levels. She disliked having to go to the tanning salon and preferred the natural look. “They’re out to lunch and then they’re going to the hotel for a while. They’re trying to keep busy until Jason gets back with Elizabeth.”

“Yeah, it seems like the whole town is going nuts over that.” Mal stared at the string that knotted Cecily’s bikini top together and wondered if she’d let him untie it today. “It’s pretty wild, you know. Her coming back from the dead.”

“Nah,” Cecily replied, not opening her eyes. “My mom came back from the dead once. And Morgan’s dad did it like twice.” She peeked at him. “Your grandparents do it. The only way this would be weird if she’d actually died or something.”

“Good point.” Mal shifted. “So Morgan’s not home either?”

“Nope. He’s with Kristina, Cam and Molly.” Cecily’s eyes popped open and she looked at him suspiciously. “Why?”

“Well,” Mal drawled out, “you know, we’re alone. And we can…”

“What?” Cecily sat up and arched an eyebrow. “We can go upstairs and fuck like bunnies?” she snorted. “You’ve got a one track mind, asshole.” She got to her feet and crossed to patio doors that led into the kitchen.

Mal frowned. Her words made it sound like she wasn’t particularly interested but then why had she gone into the house? He was getting sick of the ice princess routine. Everyone knew Carly Jacks had slept with everything that moved in her day, so he couldn’t understand why Cecily was pretending she was any better.

He followed her into the house and found her in the kitchen, pouring a glass of iced tea. “What’s your deal anyway?”

“My deal?” Cecily repeated. “My deal is I’m fifteen years old. I have the rest of my life to have sex.” She flicked her dark eyes at him, scornfully. “My mother screwed every guy that fell in her path, including after she met my father. She used sex like a weapon to get what she wanted and I’m not gonna do that. Maybe I’m like her in a lot ways, Mal. I got her looks, her attitude and her selfish demeanor. But I’m not going to be a slut.” She sipped her drink and set it on the counter before looking at him directly. “So if you’ve been dating me because I’m Carly’s daughter and I should be a sure thing, then you’ve been wasting your time.”

“I—” Mal stopped, because really how was he supposed to respond to that? Of course, the major reason he’d asked her out was because he’d wanted to lose his virginity and he’d assumed Carly’s daughter wouldn’t necessarily have any morals. He should have remembered that Cecily was Jax’s daughter, too.

“You’re such an asshole, Mal.” Cecily looked down at the floor and stared hard at the linoleum. He would not see her cry, she told herself. She would never give him that satisfaction. When she was sure she had herself back under control, she raised her head and tossed her hair over her shoulder in a classic Carly gesture. “You would think with what your mother has had to live with her whole life that you would take sex seriously.”

Mal clenched his fists. “You’d better not be calling my mother a whore,” he snarled. “Your mother—”

“Oh, please,” Cecily cut in.  “Your mother made one dumb mistake a lifetime ago and now she has to take all those pills and watch her health like a hawk. I’m only saying that I thought she would have taught you that sex is serious. It’s not something you just jump into because you think you’re ready. Go ask Dr. Robin, Mal, and ask her if she thinks I’m being a prude.” She arched an eyebrow. “Because I know that’s what you’re thinking and what you’re going to tell all the guys. If you bother to tell the truth, but you’ll probably just tell them that you nailed me.” She slammed her glass on the counter. “Whatever. I don’t care.”

“That’s the problem with chicks,” Mal returned hotly. “You all think that sex should be some stupid declaration of love. Yeah, my mom taught me about safe sex and if you’d think I’d touch you without protection and the pill, you’re fucking out of your mind. Who knows where you’ve been—”

Whatever insult Mal had been throwing at her was abruptly cut off as Morgan stepped out of the hallway next to the kitchen, and shoved Mal against the wall, cutting off his air supply with a grip of the hand.

“Morgan—” Cecily began.

“You better have been talking to someone else,” Morgan growled. “Because I know you weren’t talking to my sister.”

“Look, dude,” Mal choked out.

“No one talks to my sister like that, you little bastard.” With his other hand, Morgan opened the sliding glass door. “If I hear one word about her that even sounds out of line, I’ll come for you. Do you get me?”

With just the one hand, Morgan tossed the teen through the window and Mal sprawled out over the patio. “You’ve got one minute to get your shit together before I drown you in the pool.”

Mal scrambled to his feet, gasping for air. “I’m going to press charges—”

“Go ahead,” Morgan shrugged. “Because you know, I bet Cece’s cousin, Lucky will want to hear all about what you’ve done today. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to tell your parents that you were assaulted for pressuring a girl into sex.” He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve got thirty seconds.”

Mal scowled, but gathered his clothes and shoes and disappeared down the driveway.

Morgan closed the door and turned back to his sister. “I know you’re mad—oof!” he broke off when Cecily launched herself at him and hugged him. “Hey.”

“I know I should be royally pissed,” Cecily sniffed, “but it was so awesome seeing you toss him around like a twig.”

Morgan squared his shoulders and felt about ten feet tall. “Well.” He wrapped his long arms around his sister and squeezed. “We’ve got to stick together, you and me, kid. We’ve got a lot of parentage issues to live with.”

“I was so stupid,” Cecily drew away and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I figured he just wanted sex, but I didn’t really think it was because of Mom.”

“I’m sorry,” Morgan murmured. “It’s hard to live with it sometimes. With Dad’s shadow, and Mom’s…colorful reputation, it doesn’t make it easy to be normal.”

“I know Mom’s not like that anymore.” Cecily took a deep breath. “And that people just like to gossip about how she used to be. I know Daddy swept her off her feet and made her like herself without all that, but…” She shrugged. “People still look at me and it’s like they think they need to hide their sons because I’ll trick them into marriage with a baby.”

“And people look at me and wonder when blood will tell,” he replied. “When I’ll join Uncle Jason and follow in my father’s footsteps.” He slid his fingers under her chin and tilted her face to look at him. “But we both know they’re all full of shit and one day, they’re going to look at us and they’re only going to see the scandals we create all on our own.”

Cecily giggled and swatted his hand away. “Thanks a lot!”

Kelly’s: Courtyard

“I don’t understand why he can’t just load her on a plane and come home,” Carly muttered, trailing Jax as they walked into the courtyard of Kelly’s diner.

Jax laughed and slipped his arm around her waist. “Because Jason does not live his life to please you, darling.”

“Well, he should,” Carly huffed. “Haven’t those kids gone long enough without their mother? Elizabeth needs to come home and then it can all go back to the way it used to be.”

Jax glanced down at her, a sober expression filling his light blue eyes. “It would be nice if that were a possibility, but we both know that’s not going to happen. Elizabeth had amnesia for over a decade.”

Carly stopped and folded her arms underneath her breast. “I know that. And I know that even Jason understands that it won’t ever be the way it was before. But it doesn’t seem fair, okay? I may not have been her biggest fan in the beginning.” She paused. “Or even after they got married and Jules was born. Or even, really, when she disappeared. I was still never quite sure if she was what Jason needed.”

“Carly–”

“But she was what Jason wanted and after everything I’d ever done to him, it only seemed fair that he got what he wanted, so I was willing to put it up with it all. Until he left town and we had to raise those kids for an entire year. Jake and Jakes are barely old enough to remember, but Cam…” Her voice thickened. “Cameron remembered his mother more than they did. And he needed me to tuck him in and make him feel safe. And you know, he asked me once — he asked me if it was maybe something he did that made his mother go away.” She stared at the ground for a long moment.

“I just want her home so her kids can see her. So she can look at them, and maybe remember them. So that the hole in their lives will be gone. It won’t be filled in exactly the same way as before — you know, Elizabeth won’t fit perfectly. But it’s better than a large, gaping hole in the middle of your heart, isn’t it?” Carly demanded.

“You know…” Jax smoothed his hand over the back of her long blonde hair. “Anyone who just listened to you would know exactly why I’ve been married to you for seventeen years.”

Carly smirked. “It’s a shame Alexis wasn’t here.”

Jax laughed and pulled open the door to Kelly’s. Immediately, his wife made a beeline for her cousin, seated with one of the nurses from the hospital.

“Lucky!” Carly said, thumping him on the shoulder. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Lucky grinned and leaned back in his chair. “In my family’s diner? Sure is a surprise.”

“I didn’t realize you and Leyla were friends.” Carly shot the nurse a look that some might mistake as friendly, but Leyla knew better. It was a female that scented prey. She knew Lucky and Carly weren’t necessarily close, but they were family and Carly was a beast when it came to family.

“We’re not really,” Leyla said softly. “We just…” She looked at her companion for some help, unsure if she was to supposed say anything.

“I was asking Leyla which lawyer she used in her divorce from Pete,” Lucky said finally, because there was never any point in keeping a secret from Carly. “Sam’s making noises about Chloe again. My threats aren’t working and my last lawyer didn’t get any real results.”

“Sam,” Carly huffed. “Always causing trouble wherever she goes.” She folded her arms and glared at Jax. “I blame you.”

“Me?” Jax said, his eyebrows shooting up. “How is this my fault?”

“Because you brought that woman to town twenty years ago,” Carly snarled. She jabbed him in the chest. “And just look at all the damage’s she done!”

“Ah, Carly–” Lucky began.

“Don’t you worry, Lucky,” Carly told him. “I’ll call Diane and get the name of best family lawyer in the country. No, the world! And money is no objection! You should have Chloe here, with your family and the people that love you. I am sick of people losing their kids and their parents–” She broke off. “I’ll take care of this.”

And with that threat, Carly strode out of the diner. Lucky turned to Jax, panicked. “Jax–when Carly takes care of things–”

“I’ll fix this,” Jax patted his shoulder. “She’s just emotional right now, with Elizabeth and Jason…you understand. She doesn’t know how to do anything in half measures.” He nodded to Leyla and followed his wife.

“Oh, dear,” Leyla murmured. “Setting Carly on Sam seems…” she paused and her lips curved into an amused smile.  “Well, almost deserving, I might say.”

Zacchara Home: Front Porch

 

Jake scowled when he received no answer after ringing the doorbell three times. There were no cars in the drive, so Nadine was probably at work. Juliet told him that Amalia was not with her, she wasn’t answering her cell phone (or she was probably just ignoring his calls), and he wasn’t able to find her at any of her usual haunts.

And Jake highly doubted Amalia had trotted off to Crimson Pointe with her father.

All of that meant that she was probably holed up in her room, pissed at the world, her parents and him in particular.

Jake stepped off the front porch and took a quick glance around the neighborhood. Not finding any curious neighbors who might call the police, he slowly moved towards to the backyard. He found the gate locked, so he hopped over.

If he remembered the layout of the house correctly, there was a trellis of roses that climbed the side of the house. Jake eyed it, and then looked over at the window that he knew to be Amalia’s. He could climb to the roof, inch over to the side and try that.

After a few false starts, he hauled himself to the top and slowly made his way to Amalia’s window, telling himself not to look down. After all, if a girl could climb the tree in his backyard, he could surely manage this.

He glanced inside the window and found his suspicions confirmed. While he’d been out searching for her everywhere, the little brat was taking a comfortable nap on her bed.

Jake tapped the window lightly, but when there was no movement from the bed, he frowned and tapped harder. Still no movement. He scowled and glanced around, hoping no one could see him in the surrounding yards. He banged on the wooden pane next to the glass, and still…Amalia didn’t move.

Jake narrowed his eyes. She didn’t even shift in her sleep. No movement whatsoever. He rapped on the glass as hard as he could without breaking it. And still, Amalia remained still. Very still.

“Lia!” he called, rapping the glass again.  She didn’t move.

Jake was getting a little worried and then he caught something out of the corner of his eye. He dragged his gaze from Amalia to the desk next to her bed and saw what looked to him to be a pill bottle.

Sitting in front of an envelope.

A chill raced down his spine and then Jake knew why the usually light sleeping Amalia had not responded to the doorbell or to the window knocks. She’d swallowed a bottle of something.

He pounded on the glass and shouted her name. “Amalia!” Still getting no response, he tried to pry the window up, but found it locked. “Fuck,” he swore. Jake leaned back and then closing his eyes, he shoved his elbow into the glass, wincing as shards bit into his skin.

He hurriedly unlocked, shoved it up and then all but fell into her room. Jake sprinted across the space and took her by the shoulders, shaking. “God damn you, wake up!”

Amalia’s head lolled back and Jake dropped her, horrified. He grabbed her wrist and almost passed out from relief at finding a pulse. A weak, faint pulse, but it was there. He grabbed the pill bottle and found it empty, as he’d suspected. Valium.

“Lia!” Jake shook her again and then grabbed his cell phone to call for an ambulance. “God damn it, you better wake up!”

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