Both
Alexis and Emily were on pins and needles waiting for the men to
call. They’d eaten a snack together, played a little chess,
and tried a discussion that had subsided into awkward silences.
Then finally Alexis had given up and told Emily she was going to
wait upstairs in her room.
That was no better. For she spent at least half an hour staring
at the bed and remembering what she and Sonny had done earlier that
evening. Their lovemaking had been more than explosive. She closed
her eyes, reliving it, and feeling somewhat guilty that she’d
taken pleasure with him in the midst of this situation. But on the
other hand feeling grateful that she’d had Sonny to hold on
to.
She had told Emily oh so calmly and bravely that she would simply
give up Sonny when this was all over and they had their daughter
back. She would simply walk away again. But walking away had nearly
killed her the last time. Something warm and trusting and open had
died in her when Sonny had gone back to his family. Could she stand
to watch him do it again? And all the while knowing that she would
still have to spend time with him…as he was her daughter’s
father?
The ringing of the phone interrupted her reverie. Alexis snatched
up the receiver anxiously.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Davis.”
It was not a voice she wanted to hear. Carly.
“Sonny isn’t here. May I give him a message?”
Carly’s laugh was somewhat hysterical. “Are you crazy?
I would never leave a message for MY husband with you.”
Alexis felt acid rise in her throat. She gritted her teeth and replied.
“Carly, I know you’re aware of what’s going on with
my daughter. So you know that I have to keep this line open. Say
what you need to say.”
“Feisty, aren’t you?” the woman simpered, her words
decidedly slurred. “Sonny’s lovemaking always has that
effect. Makes you think you have his heart.”
A sick feeling assailed Alexis’ stomach. “I don’t
know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do, you lying w-witch. I know already. I sent him
to you, you know. I told him I’m not putting up with his friendship
with you this time. I told him he acts as if he’s already having
an affair with you, so he should go ahead and have sex. We talked
yesterday and that’s what I said. So you should be thanking
me cuz I’m sure he took my advice.”
With every word, Alexis felt dirtier. She stared at the bed now
her face flaming. Had he really come to her because his wife had
pushed him to it?
No, he wouldn’t do that, she decided a moment later. He’d
wanted her as much as she’d wanted him. It hadn’t been
about some revenge thing against Carly. This woman had just spent
the night in some bar lamenting her and Sonny’s squabbles.
Alexis was not going to be party to that nonsense anymore.
“You’re drunk, Carly,” she told her bluntly. “Go
somewhere and sleep it off, and this conversation will be like a
bad dream tomorrow.”
“I’m not drunk, you condescending old hag!” Carly
yelled. “I just called to say I hope you enjoy the runner up
spot again.”
“Look,” Alexis groaned, “Sonny is married to you.
Even if he has a child with me, he is married and committed to you.
I can’t begin to understand why, but he is. So let’s just
leave this tête-à-tête where it is and say goodbye.
I’ll thank you never to call me again, and I damn sure won’t
call you.”
“Come on, Alexis, this doesn’t have to be so nasty,”
the woman jeered. “You’ve won…for the time being.
Last time, Sonny was messed up from our divorce and he was missing
me, and you moved right in and got him into bed. This time, Sonny’s
missing his daughter and worried sick about her safety, and you
moved right in and got him into bed again. Plus I pissed him off
and TOLD him to sleep with you. See the pattern? All I’m sayin’
is don’t be so cocky, cuz without a crisis he won’t want
you anymore. He’ll be at my door again, just like always. Like
always, you—”
Alexis disconnected the call. Then she sat there for a long time,
pain slashing through her like a hot knife through a block of butter.
The rational part of her knew that she should not listen to a word
out of the mouth of that histrionic brat. But there was a secret
part of her…the part that Helena had brutalized…that had
listened to Carly.
Though most people saw her as the tough, unruffled attorney who
moved with ease in elite circles, those people did not see the fragile
almost broken part of her within. A child could only be told she
was nothing so many times before she started to accept it to some
degree. So there was a portion of Alexis’ heart that did not
believe she could ever be Sonny Corinthos’ choice.
Carly had succeeded in her mission. She had planted in Alexis the
seeds of doubt.
