Behind the Scenes

S: Holding Ground

Two Months Ago

Sara Winters

I got into the condo and kicked off my heels as I turned on the lights. I've been casually dating a few guys here or there but nothing was sticking out for me. All I was asking for was another Jason. That was it. That was all I wanted. To find a Jason that was ready for marriage and kids. But the dating pool was shallow and I was exhausted.

I got to the kitchen and took the box of orange juice from the fridge, putting it to my lips. I took the box to the living room as I threw down my bag and placed my feet on the table, turning on the TV.

I dialed Adam's number from my phone and waited till he picked up.

"Ms. Winters." he greeted. It was our routine call.

"Hi Adam. How did the day go?" I asked

"It went well. We had a few meetings but nothing too drastic.

"Did Jason close the law firm?" I asked as I skipped through the channels.

"No, they're playing hard to get. But he's one of the best. He will get it soon enough." Adam replied.

"Yes, he will." I agreed.

Adam was the secretary Jason hired after Katherine got back her old job. I was happy Jace didn't hire another woman for the position. For the past few years, I would call Adam to find out what time Jace would be coming home since he never informed me himself. How was always polite and informative. I always left my messages for Jace with Adam, and only Adam. It was the only way to ensure that he would get them.

After the incident at Lizzy's where I finally cut things off between us to an extent, I've been calling Adam for regular updates on him. He was my baby no matter what and I needed to make sure everything was alright. After the first few weeks, it was hard for him. But then he picked up like nothing happened, and he was more focused on his work than ever. He's been working on the law firm deal along with a large wedding arrangement. From what I was hearing, he was in charge of everything for the event. It was all he worked on and it seemed it was bringing in the big bucks. I heard it was for someone important and famous and every detail had to be handled properly.

I was happy he had work to distract him. I just wish I had something to distract me. Nothing new was happening at the bank and since Lizzy stopped working, I've been a one woman show.

"Well thank you Adam. I'll check back in later."

"Okay Ms. Winters."

He hung up and I sunk lower in my couch wondering if I was destined to end up alone. Right as I began to think about my lonely future, someone knocked on my door. I opened the door and looked down the empty hallway. I picked up the package that was left at my doorstep and closed the door, locking it.

In the box, I found a long white one shoulder dress with lace, mesh, and sequin.

"The limo's outside," I read on the simple gold card. I turned the card over and found nothing else. No name, nothing. I had a good idea who it was, which brought a smile to my face. I just came off a bad day and I had nothing else planned. I found a pair of heels that went perfectly with the dress, took a shower, got ready, and was in the lobby in forty-five minutes.

A man dressed in a standard black and white suit opened the door for me and I thanked him, entering the empty limo.

The ride to the venue was quiet and nerve racking because I haven't seen Jace in such a long time. I pressed down the sides of my short cut hair and glanced out the window with a glass of Champaign in my hand. I sipped it, biting the rim of the glass occasionally. My light pink lip gloss smudge against it in the shape of my lips.

When I arrived at the hall, the entrance was empty except for Jace as he stood waiting for the limo. He looked clean, professional, and handsome. His hair was slicked back, and his right hand remained in his pocket as he opened the door for me.

"Ms. Winters." he breathed, taking me in.

"Mr. Redman." I greeted as he took my hand and kissed the back of it gently.

"You look... unbelievable." He smiled lazily and I looked away slightly.

"You have good taste."

"I wasn't referring to the dress." he walked me inside the hall and it opened up to a private event.

"Why did you send for me?"

"I'm nervous." He muttered when I stopped him to fix his tie. "You're my good luck charm, baby." He flicked under my chin and I turned when he came in for a kiss.

"It won't be that simple." I shook my head, examining the room. "But I'm here for you."

He sighed as he stared at me for a long thirty seconds, then continued into the hall where he began to shake hands. I hung to his side, greeting people as well, making jokes and making him look good.

When we took our seat, I felt his hand rest on my knee. It wasn't s****l, but homely. When he laughed, his fingers tightened around my knee as he turned his head to me.

"Do it." he muttered.

"Do what?"

"Our thing. I'm about to go up for a speech."

"Jace." I sighed.

"Please, Cici." He pouted. This was where Zach got the idea to call me Cici. Jace would constantly say it around him until he eventually picked it up.

I rested my hand on his, kissed his cheek and then his forehead, before kissing his lips. I was going in for something quick, but he held my hair, pushing his tongue into my mouth. Surprisingly I welcomed it, missing the feel for it for over a month now.

"Jason Redman." They announced and the room full of fifty or so people began to applaud. The spot light focused on us within seconds. Jace didn't move. He still had his tongue down my throat, turning me on.

"Jace, they're waiting." I managed to mutter

"I've missed you, Cici." He moaned, coming in for another kiss.

I pecked his lips and then turned and smiled at the watching crowd. "Jace."

He sighed and his fake businesslike smile graced his lips. He stood up, buttoned his jacket, and finally walked up to the stage.

Some eyes still remained on me but majority of them turned to him.

"Thank you," he shook the hand of the man on stage and took the mic. "Sorry about that," he said to the audience. "I just can't get enough." He winked at me and I melted into my seat. "Even though Mr. Carter couldn't make it tonight, he told me to tell you thank you for considering our firm for this award. My wife and I have been talking about this day." he turned to me and I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

Yes, we have been talking about this day and how amazing it would be to have the company acknowledged by such a worldwide organization. But it seemed like he was taunting me, throwing the wife title in my face.

The joke stopped being funny on our four year anniversary when I thought he was hinting at the ring. When the fifth year rolled by and the ring still didn't come, I brushed it off and told myself it was soon.

Now it was just pathetic and tiring. I got up quietly and hurried to the exit, making as little sound as possible. Before I could reach the road to call a cab, he gripped my arm and spun me around.

"Again Sara? You can't keep sneaking out on me." he was furious but so was I. The pain was written all over his face and I could tell he cut his speech short to run after me.

"I shouldn't have came."

"Why are you doing this?" He cried softly, his head hung.

"Why have you done this to me?!" I bellowed into the dark air instead of answering his question. "I don't deserve this. I deserve someone who loves me and wants forever with me!"

"I want forever with you."

"But you don't want the commitment. You f****d me up Jace." I was fuming. I ran to the street and waved at the approaching cab.

"How have I f****d you up?" he asked

"No one can compare to you. I'm so in love with you I don't know what's good for me anymore. Doing this, being away from you is the worse pain I've felt in a very long time." I was crying now, tears rolling.

"It's always about you Sara. I can't keep running on your schedule anymore."

I hoped into the taxi but he held the door open. "That's great because now you don't have to."

"Don't do this." He was fighting against me closing the door but I wasn't giving up.

"Why did you even invite me?" I wondered.

"We talked about attending for weeks."

"And that's the only reason?"

"of course that's not the only f*****g reason. You're my life, Cici. I can't keep watching you walk away like this."

"Then close your eyes." I muttered, successfully closing the door. "Drive." I instructed as I sunk lower into the cab seat.