Episode 5, "From the Frying Pan to the Fire" (Printable Version)

Scene 1- Veritas Building

The sun slowly sunk behind the horizon, as stars to appeared in the night sky as if they were popcorn kernels being popped in a microwave. 

Candace huffed feeling the effects from a long day at work and the heavy party during the fashion show as she impatiently waited for the elevator that took it's precious time getting back to the 40th floor.

In her right hand was a tan folder, inside that folder held the fate of Veritas Inc and Sterling Clothing for this quarter. It was the sells from the day after the fashion show. Both her father and Veritas' competitor Demetrius, took the outcome from the sells as a sign of who would do better at the end of the quarter.

"What the hell is taking so long?" she whined, checking the time on her white gold watch. It was one of the last presents her ex- Randy Sterling gave to her before he cheated on her.

Candace and her uncle Brad, Veritas' President was set to meet tonight to talk about the figures in that folder.

On the 42nd floor, Brad didn't seem to care too much for Candace's delay, he had other things on his mind like locking lips with his wife Sharon in his office.

Sharon smiled at him giggling, "Don't you have a meeting?" she asked kissing him again softly.

"Yeah, but I'm not done with meeting I'm in now." he stated returning the kiss with a grin.

Sharon laughed a bit, she loved Brad's charm it was one of the reasons why she left Randy for him., "I bet, but I have to go." she whispered adjusting his black and white tie. "Plus I have dinner plans with Joshlynne at the bistro."

"I don't want you to go. Can't that wait?" he protested firmly grasping her bottom.

 Sharon jumped a bit popping his hand as if he was a child who just stole a toy, with a giggle "I've told you about your hands sir." she warned playfully.

"Plus I'm already late."

Sharon ruffled her hair and grabbed her purse. "I'll see you at the house, Mr. Spellman." she said strutting towards the door.

"Likewise, Mrs. Spellman."

Sharon turn blew a kiss to her husband, then turn and opened the door to reveal Candace who was getting ready to knock.

Sharon smiled at Candace, "Oh hi Candace, great to see you."

"Wish I could say the same!" Candace responded coldly passing by Sharon as if she were invisible.

Candace was a person to hold grudges and she held a big one against Sharon. Sharon stole Randy away from her weeks before they were supposed to get married, then she left Randy for Brad. Ruining both their lives in the process.

Sharon smiled at Candace to shake the feeling of awkwardness. "Well honey I'll see you later." she stated closing the door.

Brad crossed his arms upset by Candace's performance, "Candace, I wish you wouldn't act that way."

Ignoring her uncle's comment Candace handed him the tan folder. "I think you need to see this!"

Putting on his glasses Brad opened the documents and frown, "Jonathan isn't going to like this!"

Scene 2- The Morrowian Bistro

Melanie pulled her black long wool jacket closer to her body as she entered the bistro. She received a noticed from one of the nurses to meet Demetrius at the bistro, for a private celebration. Melanie search around for her husband but and frown in disappointingly when she didn't see him, she figure he was running late so she walked over to the hostess' stand where her granddaughter Jackie was standing.

"Hi, Jack I didn't know you we're working today?" Melanie said approaching Jackie.

"Oh Hey MeMa." Jackie exclaimed hugging her from the hosting post.

"Neither did I, one of the girls called in sick today and Paul called me in."

Melanie smiled, proud of her granddaughter, "Goodness" she exclaimed laughing.

Jackie smiled looking at the reservation list, "MeMa did you know you had a table?"

Melanie nodded, "Yeah I was looking for your grandfather, have you seen him?"

Jackie shook her head, looking around him, "No, Ma'am but your table is over there." she explained pointing at the empty table near the fireplace.

"I could have someone bring you something to drink."

Melanie smiled, "Ok that'll be lovely. Ginger Ale, please."

As Melanie walked over to her table, Joshlynne hurried into the bistro and stopped at the hosting desk.

"Hi Welcome to the Morrowian Bistro, Can I help you?" Jackie said with a light grin.

Joshlynne rolled her eyes, she wasn't in the mood for a lot of small talk, "Yes a table would be nice!" she replied sharply.

Jackie frowned her face annoyed, "Well there's a table over by the...."

"...okay whatever!" interrupted Joshlynne storming over to the table. She sigh taking off her brown peacock. She had a very bad day at work, having lunch with her friend Sharon was a means of getting away from it all.

She looked around to see who was in the area and smirked noticing Melanie sitting by herself, then she remembered the note she found in the break room. She peeped in her bag and found a 5X7 photo of Demetrius and Felicia making love.

As Melanie stood up greeting Demetrius with a kiss, a devilish grin came across Joshlynne's face. Phase II was going as planned.

Scene 3- Sterling Building

Frustrated and angry, Regina walked into the break room and took a seat. This was the first time she was able to take a seat. Today was her first day at work, she learnt fast that Sterling Clothing was much more intense than the last cosmetic company she worked for back in North Carolina.

She closed her eyes enjoying the taste of her snickers bar she found under the cabinet earlier today.

"I see you found my wife's candy stash." Jeffery acknowledged with a grin. As he entered into the break room closing the folder.

Regina chuckled a bit, "Oh gosh, I didn't know. Would you believe me if I told this was the highlight of my day."

Seeing Jeffery's Crest whiting smile, intrigued Regina. Every time she saw him she wonder how could god create a man so perfect.

"Yeah I would. The media paints a very vivid image of Sterling being a peaceful and easy going place." Jeffery explained taking a seat across from her.

"But the truth is it's more like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire."

Regina laughed uncontrollably, "I better get out while I still can." she joked.

Jeffery laughed a bit, "No.....you can't!"

"The board meeting is in a couple of days and the interview with Katrina and Gloria is tomorrow."

Regina placed her mug down confused, "Interview? What's that about?" she inquired.

Jeffery sat back in his chair crossing his arms, "Yeah, Someone from Sterling and someone from Veritas sits down with California's Number One reporter Eva Morrow and give their thoughts on the fashion show...at the same time."

"Last year my little brother Brad and I sat down with Eva and it cost KIOU a camera and it's cameramen."

Regina gasped, "Really? I read in the papers that Jonathan and Brad forced you out of Veritas."

Jeffery nodded, "Yeah and they say keep your enemies closers than you friend, but they don't say anything about your family." he uttered frowning.

Scene 4- The Morrowian Bistro

Joshlynne sat back in her chair taking a sip from her glass of water as she watched Demetrius and Melanie who seemed having a great time with their dear friend Paul, owner of the bistro.

Marie walked up to Joshlynne with a pitcher of water and refilled her glass, "Are you ready to order now?"

"Umm no I'm still waiting on my friend." she replied with a dull face. Joshlynne was too busy spying on Demetrius and Melanie. She wanted to see the look on his face when he received his copy of the picture of him and Felicia having sex.

"Oh okay, Well I be over by the host's stand if you need anything." Marie advised with a pleasant smile.

Joshlynne nodded becoming annoyed, "alright well can you just leave me to my water!" she replied quickly.

Marie rolled her eyes walking off toward the host's stand.

Marie gave a quick smile to her boss Paul who heading into his office in the back.

Paul stopped at the door remember the kiss between his daughter in law Paige and his son's best friend Maurice. Paul watched his son, Gino leave, he grinned realizing how proud he was of him. He laughed to himself heading around the corner to go to the kitchen to take care of the fuse that went out in the stove. He stop dead in his tracks seeing Paige, his daughter in law and Maurice in the middle of what seem to a kiss.

The look of disgust made itself known on Paul's face as he entered into his office, where his wife, Leona was sitting at his desk filling out checks and money orders to pay the bills this month. She sighed writing up the last money order to send off.

"You know Demetrius pays me to do this. I think you should too." she playfully stated.

Looking up at Paul, Leona frown noticing the look on his face "Paul, what wrong?" she asked as she got up walking to the front of the desk.

"I'm worried about Anthony?" he admitted.

Leona crossed her arms concerned the last time she checked everything was going ok from him, his career was fine and his marriage to Paige seem to be getting back on track.

"What do you mean? I talked to him earlier and everything seemed fine." Leona argued.

Paul sighed, "Not everything."

"The other night at the fashion show, I saw Paige and Maurice kissing by the kitchen door."

Leona gasped in disbelief, "Paul, are you sure?"

Paul nodded slowly, he could only the imagine the pain that Anthony would suffer if he ever found out about his wife affair with his best friend. Almost everything Anthony did was for Paige, his whole life practically revolves around that woman.

Leona pursed her lips remembering walking up on the argument between Paige and Maurice.

"Hold on wait, this isn't making sense at all." exclaimed Leona.

"When I approached Paige that night to ask her where Anthony was, she was in a heated argument about with Maurice."

Paul sighed not wanting to discuss the situation anymore, "I'm not sure honey but this is something Anthony is going to have to figure out. And we are going to stay out of it okay?"

Leona looked away, she couldn't promise that she was going to stay out of her son's business.

Paul crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at his wife, "I didn't hear you say okay."

Leona rolled her eyes, "OK whatever Paul. Fine I'll stay out of it!"

He grabbed her hand, glad she'd agree to stay out of this situation, "Come on, Demetrius wants us to join him and Melanie at the table."

Leona nodded, "Ok, I'll be there in a few, I need to finish filling out this last check." she lied.

Paul kissed her softly on the cheek, "Ok, don't be too long." he whispered before walking out.

Worried Leona frowned she knew this would hurt her son and feared he could become dangerous he if ever found out. She decided it was time she took matters into her own hands.

Scene 5- Veritas Building

An enraged, red faced Jonathan placed his reading glasses on Brad's desk, then closed the folder. He couldn't believe this happened to him again. Sterling Clothing was on top yet again.

"HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPENED?" he demanded, glaring at Brad and Candace.

"I just knew cutting up their dresses would set them back. But instead IT HELPED THEIR SORRY ASSES!"

Candace crossed her arms, fearing her father may have gone off the deep end. She looked at her uncle, who frowned.

"Come on Johnny you need to calm down." advised Brad.

Pacing around the office, Jonathan tried figuring out a solution to this on going problem. He slowly trotted up to Brad, placing his arms behind his back, tilting his head down making eye contact with him.

"Calm down?" he asked.

"Brad I can't calm down, THOSE PIG HEADED SMUCKS ACROSS THE STREETS ARE CELEBRATING WHILE WE SLOWLY SINK LIKE THE TITANIC!"

Brad squinted his face as if there was a lurking smell, not certain if he should speak or remain silent.

Jonathan eyes widen realizing his daughter was in the room, he didn't want her to see him angry. He turned and looked Candace. "uhh...can you give me and Brad minute? Better yet just go on home."

Candace growled not wanting to leave "Alright." She walked over to him and kissed his cheek then left.

"Behave."

Jonathan waited for the door to shut then stormed back over to Brad, "We need to find a way fix this mess."

"Got any ideas?" bluntly asked Brad crossing his arms annoyed by his brother being over dramatic.

"As a matter of fact I do." he replied with a smirk.

"How would you like to take a trip?"

Scene 6- Sterling Building

Regina looked Jeffery, she noticed the look on his face when she mentioned his brothers. "You still don't talk to your brothers?" she asked resting her head on her hands.

Jeffery sighed getting up out of his chair, "Unfortunately, I don't." he explained walking over to the counter.

"Jonathan can't be trusted, he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. Even if it means stepping over his own family."

"that sounds terrible, sometimes you can't even trust the ones you love." stated Regina.

Jeffery looked at her, "Sometimes."

"But I got Gloria, my daughter Marie and the Sterlings have accepted me. I never really had a problem with them."

Paige walked in quickly, "Well hey you two. Regina how was your first day on the job? she asked joining Regina at the table.

"Let's just say, there's no place like home." he stated calmly.

Jeffery, Paige and Regina began to laugh, as Jeffery's phone rang.

"Hello."  he answered. After hearing who it was Jeffery covered the phone. "Excuse me, I need to take this." he whispered before darting out.

Regina smiled imaging herself in his arms.

Paige giggled a bit recognizing Regina's smile, "I know that look."

Regina blushed, covering her face with a napkin, "Oh my god, Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah sort of." Paige replied, "Word of advice, I'd forget those feelings, after all he is a married man."

Scene 7- The Morrowian Bistro

Demetrius stood up and tapped his glass loud enough to get everyone's attention in the bistro, as the volume of the music toned down, he smiled with excitement.

"I would like to announce, that Sterling Clothing has sold almost 500,000 dresses since last night, beating Veritas' sells by 100,000." he exclaimed.

The place exploded with cheers and applauds as Demetrius sat down.

"Honey that's great." Melanie said hugging him then following up with a passionate kiss.

Across the bistro, Sharon who continued to rant about the small run in she had with Candace. "Joshlynne I can't believe she still has a grudge against me." she whined.

"Who knows." Joshlynne responded not really paying attention. She was too busy spying on Demetrius and Melanie.

Joshlynne smiled weakly at Sharon, "Excuse me, I'm going to go to the little girls room."

"Ok" Sharon said nodding her head.

Joshlynne got up from her table and headed towards the bathroom, she turned back to see if Sharon wasn't watching and darting to a table where she couldn't be spotted by Sharon, nor Demetrius.

"Now for the task at hand." she said to herself focusing her attention on Demetrius and Melanie.

Demetrius smiled running his hands through Melanie's hand, "Mel are you ready?"

"Whenever you are?" she replied.

"Hold on I'll go get your check." Leona said getting up.

As Leona hurried off to the back, Paul leant closer to Melanie and Demetrius, "Ok now that she's gone I wanted to share something you with guys."

Intrigued Melanie grinned, "Paul what do you have schemed up now."

Paul chuckled a bit, Melanie knew him and Leona both all too well. "Leona wants to renew our vows this year in Jamaica late fall. Leona doesn't know we're going to there yet."

Demetrius laughed, "So where do we play in to all of this?" he asked.

Paul grinned, "Well I was hoping you would be my best man and Melanie you would be Leona's maid of honor?"

Demetrius and Melanie looked at each other surprised, then nodded.

"Of course, Leona's my best friend I'd do anything for her." Melanie exclaimed.

"Yep, this will be a big shock for Leona." stated Demetrius.

Leona came back with the check for the bill and a small white envelope. "Demetrius, someone left this for you." she said handing him the small white envelope.

  Confused Demetrius took it, he opened the envelope while Melanie went with Paul and Leona to pay the bill.

Demetrius gagged from seeing the photo of himself and Felicia making love.

"Who the hell could've done this!!"

He quickly put the photo back in the envelope as Melanie approached the table.

"My god honey are you ok? All of sudden you look pale." Melanie pointed out, touching his forehead.

"I'm not sure I think it was something I ate" Demetrius decided to play into Melanie's concerns and fake sick.

"We need to get home quick, I feel nauseated." he stated which was the truth Demetrius feared that this was the beginning of the end of his relationship to Melanie. He had to figure who was doing this and fast.

By the bathroom, Joshlynne laughed to herself watching Demetrius and Melanie hurry out of the bistro. Realizing that her plan could work heading back to join Sharon with a bright smile on her face.

Sharon crossed her arms curious to know what put a smile on Joshlynne's face, "Where did this leap of joy come from, a minute ago you look like you wanted to kill someone."

Joshlynne chuckled a bit taking a sip her glass, "Let's just say that things are starting to look up for me."

Sharon smiled, "Oh well that's great!"

Joshlynne raised her glassed, "that it is."

...Forever Never Seems That Long...

Next Time on Forever & A Day

 Anthony tries to rebuild his relationship with Paige.

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