Secrets? Never.

14. Appearances Are Deceptive

Twenty-four hours earlier
"So you want me to help you make Emily pay for what now? It would seem my motives for such an act would be crystal clear, but yours decidedly less so, Mr.Ross." Lydia mused, sipping a martini as she settled back into her seat. "Ah, so you don't know," Nolan surmised. "Well clearly," she quipped in return. "Well it's simple really; Emily Thorne, or Grayson, as even after all these years I am not quite used to calling her that, is guilty of a crime much more heinous than what you're imagining. She brought about the death of one of the great loves if my life, and for that, I have never forgiven her. Her name was Padma Lahari, she was my CFO at Nolcorp, and I feel as though she's the only person that's ever walked the earth who really understands me. I began to plot my own vengeance as I helped her complete her own, all the while citing her weaknesses and strengths. It was only when she fled to Paris with Daniel that I had to postpone my plans, then she returned and I began to pick up the proverbial baton and continue with my plans. Then you came along, and in you I saw an unlikely ally." "Unlikely being the operative word. How do I know I can trust you?" "Because I know the best way to hurt her, and I think you know too, but you've just been avoiding it." "Victoria" they murmured in unison.

"I believe I've come up with the best way for both of us to get our revenge; you write a book detailing all of the Graysons' scandalous doings, how you were completely coerced, and how Emily came into play after everything else (I can help with that one if you're a little foggy on the details), and I'll publish it. They'll all be ruined." Nolan smirked. Lydia looked back at him and reciprocated, giggling deviously "Nolan Ross, I love the way you think."

"What do you think happens to us when we die? More to the point, where do you think we go when we're dead?" Daniel asked, a he and Emily sat in the couch opposite the roaring fire one evening. She smiled to herself, thinking of her father, an replied in a whisper, "I think there must be something beyond this existence. You know, somewhere we've come from, somewhere we must return to once we've done what we needed to do down here. When we get there, I believe we are reunited with everyone who's been and gone, parents, grandparents, and we all become these infinite beings who watch over everyone we've left behind, while we wait for them to join us."

Daniel looked into her eyes, realising how brief their time was, and made a decision, "Let's take a trip. Just us two. Leave the kids, and reconnect." Emily laughed, not even considering it, "I don't know if I could leave Danny; he's not even one yet." Daniel kept on at it though, like a dog with a bone, making compromises, "It doesn't have to be far away, maybe just as far as South Fork. I really feel like we could use some quality time to get back to where we were." Still not considering it, Emily continued to giggle at his foolishness, "That's about as likely to happen as someone describing the colour red without using the word 'red'!"

Daniel smirked, knowing what to do almost immediately, having quite an extensive knowledge of her love of melodramatic displays of affection (at least; when they're not public) "When I dip you in the middle of the dance floor, it is the colour of your dress." "Don't even try" she scolded playfully. "When you whisper in my ear, it is the colour of your lips. When we make love, it is the trace I want you to leave all over my body. When you place your palm over my heart, it is the colour that comes to the surface as your fingertips trail like a sentence that can never be finished. When I smash the vase in the hall, it is the colour that threatens me to abandon the shattered pieces. When I scream at the top of my lungs, it is the colour that pierces the atmosphere. When you hear me, it is the colour of your pulse. When I look into your eyes for the last time, it is the colour of my heart falling to my knees; but it is not the colour I see when you're gone." "Well, I was not expecting that." "So is that trip looking a little more likely?" "As a matter of fact, it's looking like you'll even get an advance on this trip, provided the baby stays asleep long enough..." "I like where you're going with this Mrs Grayson" he smiled before she kissed him, taking his head in her hands.

© Sarah Egan 2014 - 2015. All rights reserved. This story is subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the author.