Episode 12, Black Balloon (Printable Version)

Scene 1- The Sterling Mansion

In the basement, Carmella woke up from a very uncomfortable sleep, she tired to move her arms but remembered she was tied to a chair. She began to cry realizing that she this wasn't a bad dream after all. She had really been kidnapped.

"I thought you would never wake up." Marsha said calmly approaching Carmella from out of the darkness.

Carmella glared at Marsha, "Why do you have me here? Let me go!" she pleaded trying to wiggle free.

Marsha sighed growing frustrated with Carmella's failed attempts, "Why don't you just stay still. It's easier that way. Now I have some things that we need to get done."

"Let me go. I'm not doing anything to help you hurt the Sterlings!" Carmella shouted kicking at Marsha.

Marsha smiled kneeling down to Carmella, "Sweetie listen, stop being such a behavior problem. This will go a whole lot faster if you'll just cooperate."

"and what if I don't?" Carmella asked testing Marsha's authority rising up to Marsha as far as she could.

Marsha pulled out her gun and cocked it, "I think you know the answer." she whispered pushing the gun in Carmella's mouth, sitting her back down in the chair.

Carmella eyes flared open and whimper horrified.

"Now are going to follow directions?" Marsha asked beaming sweetly, while she batted her eyes.

Melanie walked into the kitchen, concerned about the whereabouts of Carmella. It wasn't like her to not keep in touch for more than a day, if she was off. She smiled weakly as Jasmine entered.

"Mom are you okay?"

Melanie shook her head distracted, "Carmella hasn't called since she left for Knightdale." Melanie stated, "I hoped she is okay."

Jasmine laughed to herself, "Mom don't worry you know Carmella is probably with her family having a ball.

Melanie nodded figuring that Carmella is probably having to much fun to call, "I guess you're right."

"Right about what?" Randy asked trotting putting on his white Hanes t-shirt.

"Mother was worried about Carmella." Jasmine said, as she poured herself a glass of orange juice.

Randy walked over to his mother and kissed her on the cheek, "Everything is fine. Stop worrying."

"You how Carmella gets when she gets excited. She forgets everything."

Melanie rolled her eyes with grin, she often wondered how could she produce such great human beings, no thanks to her husband.

"Are Travis and Gloria coming to eat breakfast with us?" Jasmine inquired taking a bit out of a Granny Smith apple.

Melanie shrugged wondering the same thing herself, "Jasmine, only one person know the answer to that question and he's not saying anything. I just wish those two would finally get along."

"We'll just have to wait see." Randy said as he snatched Jasmine's apple away from then taking a huge bite from it.

Scene 2- The Sterling Building

Joshlynne sat in the break room drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper, as Felicia slowly staggered in and over to the coffee machine. Joshlynne frowned smelling the strong scent of alcohol, "Coming into work intoxicated isn't professional. Especially when she's the Vice President." Joshlynne chortled taking a sip from her cup.

Felicia turned and looked at Joshlynne trying to focus her drunken eyes at her, "Says the woman who's desperately chasing after a man who doesn't notices her." she slowly replied coldly.

Joshlynne laughed overcome with joy that Felicia thought she had the upper hand in their race for Demetrius. Pretty soon Joshlynne was going to throw Felicia a curve ball with those sultry pictures of her and Demetrius.

"That's ok, Felicia. He's going to notice me soon." she assured. "Now if you'll excuse me...I have a meeting with that same man we're talking about."

Felicia huffed as Joshlynne made a swift exit.

"Hey mom I got my tux for the prom." exclaim Duane with a smiled as he walked into the break room. He frowned smelling the alcohol also. "Mom you've have been drinking?" he asked growing worried.

"What is going on with you?"

Felicia staggered over to the table and sat down covering her face in her hands, "So whaaat! Don't judge me if I want to have an alcoholic beverage every now and then."

"Look like it's all the time now."

 Duane crossed her arms examining his mother, "Dad told us what happen."

Felicia looked up at her son with a glare, "Aren't you suppose to be in school?"

Duane laid his book bag down as he eased in seat beside Felicia, "Mom, talk to me. Tell me what's going on with you. Sarah and I are worried. Is this how you get through your problems now? With a liquor bottle?" he interrogated growing frustrated.

Felicia grabbed Duane's cheeks roughly and pulled him close to her, "Don't you take that tone with me, Browser! I'm mother and you are the son!"

"I have everything under control...EVERYTHING!"

Scene 3- St. Marks Memorial Hospital

"Scott, I'm telling you. We were suppose to win that game." Alex argued walking out of the operating room and over to the sink beginning to was his hands.

Scott chuckled exiting the operating room taking off his Playtex gloves, "I guess Alex, the Lakers just aren't in it this year. That's ok though. Better luck next year."

Alex laughed to himself shaken his head, "There's always hope!"

"Yeah you're right. Have you heard anything on the body they believed that could be Nathan?" Scott asked drying his hands.

Alex frowned shaking his head becoming doubtful, "No, all we know is that it wasn't my nephew."

Scott leaned against the sink, feeling sympathy for his best friend, "Your nephew will turn up soon man. Don't worry."

"It's hard not to." Alex expressed coldly, "Sometime I...."

"Excuse me Dr. Smith" one the nurses interrupted in a urgent tone. "We have a young male suffering from a gun wound  to the chest. He's going to need an emergency surgery."

Scott and Alex quickly slipped on another pair of Playtex gloves preparing for another surgery, "Where is he?" Alex asked fearing it could be Nathan.

"He's already in the operating room." the nurse answered.

"Can you call my sister? She has my cell phone." Alex instructed

"Right away." she replied quickly rushing out.

Alex dashed into the operating room tying his mask around his head, he stopped dead in his tracks realizing that his nightmare had finally come true. It was Nathan laying on the table struggling to breath.

Scene 4- St Marks Memorial Hospital

Ashley and James hurried into the emergency room lobby, franticly searching for Alex or a doctor. Tears streamed down Ashley's face as if it was rain coming down a window pain, who on earth would want to hurt her baby boy. Not able to find anybody, Ashley sat down in her chair overcome with fear that her son would perish.

"Daddy! What's going to happen to my son?" she whispered.

Hiding his fear of Nathan dying for his daughter, James sat down beside Ashley and hugged her tightly. "Alex won't let anything happen to Nathan." she answered as a tear slowly fell off his cheek.

Ashley looked up and glared noticing Folarin at the front desk, "I can't believe Alex would call Nathan's father!" she exclaimed, storming over to him.

"Ashley come back." James called out to Ashley. Anytime Ashley and Folarin were in the same building it was WWIII.

"Why the hell are you here?" Ashley requested of Folarin coldly, pushing him.

Folarin turned around and faced Ashley, "Why wouldn't I be here?" he replied by asking her a question bitterly. "He's my son too!"

"You never cared about our son. The only thing on your mind is that little DRUG KARTEL of yours!" she screamed becoming overwhelmed with anger. "JUST LEAVE FOLARIN!"

Folarin snatched Ashley's armed and pulled her closed to him, "Listen Ash, Nathan is just as much my son as he is yours. I have a right to be here. FYI trick, I do care. It's called tough love!" he explained unsparingly.

"Is everything alright?" James asked in attempt to break up their argument, as he walked over to the quarrelling pair.

"Yes, Mr. Smith. Sorry to see you under these circumstances." Folarin noted, letting go of Ashley.

James nodded annoyed by Folarin charm. "Come on Ashley, I think it's best if we wait for Alex in the lobby area."

"I just want this to be over!" moaned Ashley storming off into the lobby area, growing tired of the whole situation already.

James made eye contact with Folarin, "I can't tell you to leave but I think it's best if you stay away from each other. Our main concern should be Nathan. Good knows what might happen to that boy."

Scene 5- Veritas Inc

Brad slowly crept into his dark office, he didn't want to be seen by Jonathan. It had been almost a month sense they talked, Jonathan sent his little brother to Hollywood to bribe a few producers into using their designs for future productions. Brad was unsuccessful in getting this task done and hated the thought of explaining himself to Jonathan.

"Damn it Jonathan, why do you keep putting me in these situations?" he complained turning on the lights.

Brad walked over to his chair and sat down and placed his face in his hands.

"I hope the reason you didn't tell you were back was because you didn't know how to tell me that you got the job done." Jonathan asked standing at the door.

Brad groaned looking up at his brother, "You have a very vivid imagination." he replied mocking his brother. "And no Johnny I didn't get the job done."

Jonathan laughed in anger rubbing his hands, he exhaled remembering the information he learned from Gloria.

"Bradley, We don't them anymore anyway." he reveal smirking as he took a seat on the other side of the table.

"Why?"

Jonathan grinned sitting up, "Demetrius has made the biggest mistake in his life, he promoted his dress designer and you'll never guess what he promoted her to?" he teased.

Brad tapped his finger on the desk annoyed by his brother's mind games, "So are you going to tell me or not?"

Jonathan rolled his eyes at his little brother for messing up the moment, "Vice President."

Brad stared in belief, then began to laugh realizing this could be their chance to get back at their older brother Jeffery and Demetrius all at the same time.

"Little brother with these careless decision we will be on top for sure!" Jonathan explained smiling.

"So what's are next move?" Brad asked intrigued.

Scene 6- The Sterling Mansion

Jasmine hung up the phone disappointed, "That was Gloria, she said she doesn't want to be in the same room as you, Travis." she explained sitting down at the breakfast table.

Travis snorted cutting opening a biscuit, "Guess that's more food for us." he stated not giving damn about his pouting sister.

Melanie glared at her inconsiderate son, "Travis did you forget that's your sister?"

"If you're going to preach to me mother I'm going to leave."

Melanie frowned, "All I'm going to say is that when this backfires on you, you're still going to have to face your sister."

Randy nodded agreeing with Melanie, "Remember she's the one who talk daddy into promoting you."

Angry Travis stood up from the table, "I TOLD YOU...."

The ringing from the telephone interrupted Travis' outburst, everyone looked around neither Jasmine, Randy or Travis wanted to answer the phone.

"Don't worry I'll get it." Melanie dryly volunteered as she got up to answer the phone.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hello, Mrs. Sterling?" Carmella hesitantly replied over the phone.

Melanie smiled hearing Carmella's voice, "Carmella! It's great to hear from you how is your family? How's Knightdale."

"They're...they're okay!" she answered trying to sound happy but the fear in her began to take over as Marsha jabbed the phone closer to head. "Listen, Mrs. Sterling I have bad news."

Melanie frowned growing upset, "Carmella what's wrong, you know you can tell me anything?"

"Mrs. Sterling, I have to quit." Carmella slowly stated as tears began to creep down her face, "My nephew is really sick and my...my assistance is needed here." she whimpered feeling the cold barrel of the gun against the side of her head.

Melanie nodded becoming sad but she understood, "Well things like that happens at time. Carmella please call us if you need anything."

"Thank you Mrs. Sterling. I will never forget you."

Melanie smiled wiping a tear away from her face hanging up the phone.

"She hung up." Carmella told Marsha closing her eyes in fear that no one would never know she was being held captive.

Marsha smiled evilly pulling the gun away from Carmella's head, "Great job! I might just keep you for another 24 hours."

Scene 7- The Sterling Building

"Felicia let him go!" Shaugnessy angrily instructed storming into the break room.

Duane struggled to get free of his mother's grip on his face and the scent of whiskey on her breath, "Mom what are you doing?" he groaned.

"I'm busting my ass for my family and all you can do is complain?" she exclaimed letting go of his face. "You, your father and your sister are going to appreciate me...NO MATTER WHAT I DO!"

Shaugnessy crossed her arms, "No matter what you do? Felicia what are you doing?" she asked. Shaugnessy realized Felicia was drunk and was beginning to talk a little too much.

"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Felicia defended standing up.

Duane stood up and inched to the door holding his jaw, "Ma what the hell has gotten into you?"

Felicia stumbled over to the counter and began to cry feeling the effect of the whiskey and realizing that she almost hurt son in the mist of this chaos.

Shaugnessy placed a hand on her nephew's shoulder, "Leave me and your mother alone for a minute...we need to talk." she said softly.

Duane walked over to his mother and kissed her on her forehead, "Mom, we are going to get through this."

As Duane exited the room Shaugnessy walked over to Felicia, "Feeling the effects from being Demetrius' mistress, huh?"

Felicia slowly lifted head up, "get out of here before I have you escorted out!"

Shaugnessy laughed to herself, who was going to believe an old drunk. She shook her head disgusted with her sister in law.

"Let know how it goes, when everything comes crashing down." Shaugnessy whispered in Felicia's ear before walking out.

Scene 8- St Marks Memorial Hospital

Ashley sat by the window biting her fingernails, eager to her something from a doctor on the condition of her son.

"Get those fingers out of your mouth." Carolyn instructed softly sitting down beside her daughter to comfort her.

"Mother!" Ashley exclaimed hugging Carolyn tightly as she began to wept, "Someone shot my baby." she sobbed.

Carolyn sighed rubbing Ashley's arm as she held her in her arm, "It's ok darling. Trust everything is going to be ok." she assured Ashley giving James a doubtful look.

"I still can't believe Folarin is here!" Ashley complained to her parents.

"It wouldn't surprise YOU if he had something to do with it!" she shouted at Folarin as he joined them in the lobby.

"I see you're still quick to point the finger." Folarin snapped back.

"Listen! Why don't you just..."Ashley rudely screamed but quickly silenced herself as Scott slowly walked into the lobby closing Nathan's medical chart with a concerned sighed.

Ashley hoped up and ran over to Scott, "Is my son going to be ok? Please tell me, Scott!" Ashley sadly demanded.

Discourage Scott tried not to make contact with Ashley or anyone else in the room, "Nathan has loss a lot of blood, and has a lot of damaged tissue. Alex did a really good job in saving your son's life."

Ashley and Carolyn sighed with relief hugging each other, "uh, Scott. Where is he now?" James asked touching his wife shoulder.

"I.C.U. right now, he's recovering. Alex is in there right now, in about an hour you all can visit him one at a time." Scott explained. "But let me explain something to you, Nathan is not out of the woods yet."

Scene 9- The Sterling Building

Beginning to sober up, Felicia sat down at the table and cried to herself, "How could I let this situation get so bad?" she asked herself. She never meant for anyone to get hurt or for her marriage to turn bad, all she wanted was the affection of Demetrius and a little power. She closed her eyes remembering someone else knew her secret...

...Felicia laughed from excitement, ripping it open, there was a white piece of paper in the envelope she took it out handing it to Sharon the envelope.

"Now three of us know." she read aloud.

Felicia looked down at the picture of her and Demetrius making love horrified.

Coming back to reality, Felicia found Tiffany standing at the doorway staring at her with winning smile, "Can I help you with something?" Felicia rudely asked

"Well I guess it is true, you really are drunk." Tiffany snorted placing her hands on her hips.

Felicia stood up and tried to leave the room but Tiffany stepped in the way of her, "I can't fire you yet considering this would be your warning. But there's a document on your desk that I advise you to read. Sleeping with co-workers will not be tolerated here!!"

Growing upset and embarrassed, Felicia attempted to walked around Tiffany but Tiffany stepped in front of her again. "Now if I find out that you're screwing my brother you are OUT of here! Are we clear?" she whispered sternly.

Felicia nodded, struggling to hold back her tears she ran off in the direction of her office.

Tiffany exhaled crossing her arms, pleased that she was taking the steps to take back Sterling Inc and put it in the right direction. She didn't want it to come to this but if her intuition was true she would have to have her brother removed as CEO and Felicia fired.

Scene 10- St Marks Memorial Hospital

Alex walked into Nathan's room and sat down by his bedside, "Nathan, I promise you're going to come out of this." he whispered struggling to hold his composure.

Folarin stood outside of Nathan's room watching Alex sit by Nathan's bedside, an evil grin melted on his face satisfied with the lesson he taught Nathan. "Nathan, son you won't ever take anything else away from me again."

"Dad come on please I won't do again!!" Nathan begged holding his hands on up his knees, "Dad please forgive!"

Folarin pulled out a silver 9mm and pointed at his son, "I know you won't!" he said darkly before putting two bullets into Nathan's chest.

Nathan tears streamed down his face as he slowly fell to the ground gasping for air.

"Call 911" Folarin instructed to his body guard as he walked up the stairs.

Nathan's eyes began to flutter as his heart monitor rapidly beeped, Alex franticly ran out of the room for help "I'M GOING TO NEED SOME ASSISTANCE IN ROOM 405!" he called running down the hall.

Ashley ran into Nathan's room and fell to her knees overcome with grief and fear that her son may die.

...Forever Never Seems That Long...

Next Time on Forever & A Day

Nathan fights for his life.

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