Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER TWELVE: Robert

Anita's face twists in distain at Robert's voice, "what are you doing here?" she questions. She couldn't stand him, he always looked down on her because he was from a high end in London and belittled her for the way she talks. She had never liked him, but in the past, she had put up with him for Janice's sake long before Alan had even come in to the picture.

"Can't I visit my fiancé?" he throws right back, placing his hand on his chest as if she was making a big deal out of nothing. Anita tries to contain her anger, "not since you put that thing that you call your dick into another woman". Robert inhales sharply through his teeth, "now, now there's no need to bring up the past. You wouldn't like it if I brought up yours, now would you?".

"That's different and you know it" she spits. Robert leans against the door, crossing his arms "that might be so, but I think that you should keep your nose out". Anita felt her heart pump hard with fury, "you broke her heart" she whispers angrily. "You broke her heart, stomped and spat on it. You have no idea what you put her through, after everything she's done for you!" she adds hot headedly. "Anita?" she hears Janice call from inside of the house, "is that you?". Anita broke out of her serious tone and lightens, "yeah, it's me Jan". Bill sniffs at Robert's shoes and gives out a small sneeze. Janice stands there, nervous as she edges closer to the door. Robert straights, uncrossing his arms as he puts his hand behind Janice's back and rubs it in a small motion.

"Would you like to come in?" Janice offers, rubbing her hand on her chest. Anita gives her a warm smile, "of course". Janice and Robert step aside as Anita and Bill crosses the threshold. Anita walks into her living room, Bill guides her around Janice's coffee table and Anita reaches out and feels the leather couch. She sits and waits patiently; she could faintly hear hushed whispers exchanged between Robert and Janice.

"I think it'll be best if you go" Janice whispers.

"Fine, but I'll be back tomorrow" Robert says sternly.

"Alright" she says, waiting for him to walk out of the door and gently closes the door behind him. She sighs, her hand still on the handle as she says, "I know, it's not what it looks like". Janice walks over and sits on the chair beside the couch. Anita strokes the top of Bill's head, Bill in which was happily sitting and looking around the room. Anita sucks in her breath, "please tell me that's true". Janice holds her breath for a second, "well..." she starts, trying to think of how she's going to explain herself.

"I'm sorry I've been distant, he came around not that long ago and... well he's been begging me to take him back and, I told him no and that if he really wanted to be with me, he wouldn't do what he did" Janice says, her voice strained. Anita raises her brows but doesn't say a word. "Ok, ok I told him I'd think about it" Janice admits. "So, what led you to tell him you'd think about it?" Anita asks, sitting forward. Janice scratches her ear and gives out a nervous cough. "He came around with flowers not long after coming here drunk, but I threw them in his face" Janice laughs, Anita chuckles "and then?". Janice leans forward, her hands on her knees "then he came back a couple of days later, with a dozen roses and a box of chocolates...".

"No! seriously?" Anita presses.

"and he proposed again to me" Janice confirms.

"He proposed again?" Anita says, surprised. Janice nods her head, "yes, he did, and I told him I would think about it". Anita sits back, taking in this new situation. "Are you ok?" Anita asks after a moment passes by. "I'm fine, it's just a lot all at once you know?". Anita nods, "I know Hun".

"I know I shouldn't take him back" Janice says sadly. "Did he make you happy?" Anita asks, giving her a small smile. Janice shakes her head, her voice breaking "no, we were fine at first and after... it wasn't long and then he grew distant from me and then he did what he did". Tears began streaming down her face, Janice lets out a sob and wipes her eyes with her fingers. "I'm sorry" she cries, desperately trying to get rid of her tears. Anita lets go of Bill and shuffles in her direction, holding out her hand for Janice. Janice accepts her hand, Anita brushes her thumb against her palm. "I love you Jan, I just don't want you to get hurt" she eases. Janice nods and with her free hand she wipes more of her tears away, "I know it's just so hard, you know how much I love him". Anita moves forward, opening her arms as Janice moves in closer. Accepting her embrace, Anita rubs her back and in a soothing voice she says, "you deserve better Hun, you deserve the world".