"Of course I'll be right over." Daniel said before disconnecting the line.
Elena laid the cordless down and wiped away her tears.
"Jesus, how can he be so charming one minute and such a bastard the next?" Elena asked herself out loud.
Elena had just put the photo album away and was thinking about the hell she'd catch if Erin found out about Daniel coming over, when the buzzer sounded.
"It's me, Lena." Daniel purred.
"Right. C'mon up." Elena replied.
All the butterflies she felt before she opened the door seemed to vanish as soon as she looked into his blue eyes. Everything that had happened the night before was forgotten when he smiled at her.
"Mmmm, Lena." he whispered as he embraced her.
"Daniel." She managed to whisper as she melted in his arms.
"Darling, you look a mess. Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, fine. I just had a very long day." Elena replied.
"I think I know just what you need then." Daniel purred in her ear.
Elena felt powerless as his warm breath and soft lips touched her neck.
"Daniel....wait." she said breathlessly.
"What, luv?" he asked.
"Why did you call me tonight?" She asked.
"I wanted to see you, of course." Daniel answered.
"Why? Because you're really sorry for last night, or because you just wanted to get me in bed?" Elena questioned.
"A bit of both I suppose...Lena, you know how good we are when we're together." Daniel said with a smile.
"It's not funny at all. I want to be more than just someone you have great sex with." Elena sighed.
"Lena, luv...what's wrong with us having great sex? We do have more than just great sex you know. We also appear to be very good at fighting. Your flying vodka bottle almost got me." He laughed.
"It's not funny, dammit. You keep making promises and breaking promises." She said.
"Ah, the mini break to Paris." he said.
"Yes, the mini break you've promised, but we've never taken." Elena mumbled.
"Right. Well, when would you like to go?" he asked.
"Daniel, don't do this to me." Elena said in a harsh tone.
"Do what, luv?" he teased.
"Dangle this trip in front of my face, when you're not at all serious about going." Elena explained.
"Oh, I am serious." he said as he slowly began to kiss her neck.
"When then?" she asked.
"When what?" he questioned.
"When shall we go? This weekend, next....when?" she asked.
"Errr, I don't have a definite date luv, but we will go." he said.
Elena pulled away from Daniel. Handsome or not, she'd had it.
"Awww, come back Lena." he purred playfully.
"Forget it...this whole thing is bullshit and not only are you a right bastard, but you're a liar too." Elena yelled.
"What on earth are you talking about, Lena?" he asked.
"You know good and bloody well what I'm talking about. All this talk about taking a mini break is a lie. A lie concocted once again to land me in bed." Elena said through clenched teeth.
"Lena, calm down." Daniel said, moving closer to her.
"I will not calm down. To believe I honestly thought you were sorry and miserable without me. I must've been insane to think that." she said.
"You're entirely too tense...I know just what will calm you." he replied.
"No, I know what will calm me down. It's something I should've done a long time ago." she said in a determined voice.
"What's that?" he asked.
"You leaving.' she answered.
"Yes, maybe that's a good idea. You can get settled and we can meet for dinner tomorrow night." he suggested.
"No, Daniel. I mean you leaving for good and not coming back. I can't do this anymore, or rather I won't do this anymore." Elena said, feeling in control for once.
"Lena, I think we just need to calm down and think about this." Daniel said.
"I am calm and I've thought about this. For once we're going to do something that I want to do." she said.
" I can't believe you're doing this." Daniel sighed.
"Belive it...Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, Daniel. We had some good times, but I want something you just can't offer me." Elena explained.
"What's that?" he asked.
"A stable relationship. I want someone who'll keep their word and their promises to me. You're just not that person, Daniel. I wish you were, but you're not." She said as she opened the door.
"Can I call you?" he asked.
"No, I'd prefer you didn't. Bye Daniel." she said as she closed the door.
Elena engaged the dead bolt and glanced around her flat. She was alone, but feeling rather happy. She'd actually stood up to Daniel and ended it, but she wasn't sad for some reason. Elena picked up the cordless and dialed a number.
"'Allo?" A sleepy voice answered.
"Erin...you're not going to believe what I just did." Elena said.
"Well, are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?" Erin asked.
"Right, sorry. I ummm....ended things with Daniel." Elena said.
"What?" Erin yelled, now wide awake.
"I did! I told him it was all over and that we shouldn't see each other anymore." Elena replied.
"When did this happen?" Erin asked.
"Just a few minutes ago, actually." Elena said.
"Wait, did you call him?" Erin asked.
"Ummmm...no. He called me, apologised for last night and told me he was useless without me. I had a momentary lapse of stupidity and asked him to come over." Elena said sheepishly.
"You did what? Ele, please tell me you didn't do anything stupid." Erin pleaded.
"Well, he was very charming and sweet, as per usual, but I began asking about our trip and he said we'd go away, but he couldn't tell me when. He was more interested in getting me in bed...that's when it all became very clear to me." Elena explained.
"What became clear? The fact he's a prat?" Erin laughed.
"Yes, that among other things. Erin, I told him to his face that he's a liar. Then I told him to leave for good when he tried to seduce me again." Elena said.
"You didn't!" Erin squealed.
"I did! I opened the door, said bye and closed it on him for good." Elena yelled.
"I'm so proud of you, Ele. I knew you'd get fed up one day and see Daniel for what he really is." Erin said.
"Yeah, pity it took so damn long, eh? I've wasted all this time on Daniel when I could've been out there finding *the one*." Elena said.
"Ele, there's plenty of time for that. You don't have to be attached to be happy. Enjoy being single and dating for a bit, eh? Erin replied.
"Yeah, I suppose. My mum will be happy, but now she'll be trying to set me up with what she considers proper boyfriend material. I wouldn't put it past her to push me toward Mark again." Elena sighed.
"Ah, don't worry about your mum, just live your own life and be happy." Erin said.
"Definitely happy now." Elena laughed.
"Good, I'm glad to hear it." Erin yawned.
"Oh God! I'm sorry, Erin...I didn't even realise what time it was getting to be." Elena said.
"S'alright. You know I'm here or you--whenever you need me."
"I know and I appreciate it and love you for it. Look, get some sleep and I'll see you at the office." Elena said.
"Right. Goodnight, Ele."
"Goodnight, Erin."
Elena laid the cordless down, switched off the telly and curled up in her bed....alone, but happy.
"Erin! Wait up." Elena called.
"Oh my God Ele! You look great!" Erin exclaimed.
"Thank you. My new happy look you know." Elena laughed.
"Whatever it is, it works for you." Erin replied as they entered the lift.
The two friends exited the lift and walked to Elena's office, making their plans for lunch.
"Oh my God!" Erin yelled as Elena opened the door.
"Wha...." Elena began to say before she turned and saw the huge boquet of flowers on her desk.
"Where did these come from?" Erin asked.
"I've no idea." Elena said as she searched for the card.
"Uh-oh, I'll bet I know." Erin mumbled.
"What?" Elena asked as she pulled the card out. "Bloody hell!" She yelled.
"What is it, Ele?" Erin asked.
"Bloody Daniel...thinks sending an obscene amount of flowers will get him back into my good graces." Elena fumed.
"Ele, don't let this get to you. Happy, remember?" Erin asked.
"Yes, happy." Elena repeated.
"Good, keep thinking positive." Erin said.
"I will." Elena smiled.
"What about the flowers?" Erin asked.
"Oh sod it...get rid of them. Give them to someone else for all I care." Elena said.
"Sure thing." Erin said as she collected the flowers.
"Thanks, Erin. See you for lunch, yeah?"
"I'll meet you here 'round noon." Erin replied.
*********************
"Elena Touchstone." she said with a yawn as she answered the phone.
"Elena dear..you sound dreadful." chirped her mother, Patsy, on the
other end of the line.
"Aw jeez Mum...not now." Elena sighed.
"Alright, alright. I was just calling to see if you still planned on
coming to dinner tomorrow night.Your Father would love to see you."
"I don't now Mum...I've had a really bad week...and."
"Was it Daniel again? I honestly don't know why you ever left Mark for
that man...I mean really, Elena.."
"Bye Mum." Elena said curtly as she slammed down the phone.
Her head was throbbing and it seemed as if 5 o'clock would never get
there.
"Fuck this." she mumbled as she grabbed her coat and bag and made her
way to the door of her office.
Her assistant Jude looked up as she came out.
"Everything alright Ms. Touchstone?" she asked genuinely concerned.
"Yeah fine, Jude. I just have a miserable headache and am just gonna go
on home."
"Ok then. Have a good night."
"Thanks you too." Elena called as she walked towards the lift.
Elena entered her flat, tossed her keys on the table and headed toward the kitchen for some asprin. She'd just downed the pills when the door buzzer sounded.
"Ele, it's me." Erin said.
"Hang on, I'll buzz you in."
Elena opened the door to let Erin in. Erin greeted her with a basket of goodies and a hug.
"Are you ok?" Erin asked.
"I'm fine. Just a hellish day, that's all."
"Well then, this should help." Erin said, handing Elena the basket.
"What's this?" Elena asked.
"Bad day supplies."
"Aw, Erin...you didn't have to do this." Elena said as she unloaded wine, nibbles, candles and bath salts.
"Gotta take care of my friend. Tell me what happened." Erin said, taking a seat.
"Well" Elena began "First it was the flowers, then Daniel has the nerve to call...then the icing on the cake was my mum calling."
"He called you?"
"Umm-hmm."
"What did he have to say? Did you tell him to sod off?" Erin asked.
"I didn't actually talk to him. He left a message on the answer phone. All I heard was a bunch of apologies, but it's all crap." Elena sighed.
"Oh Ele, I'm sorry." Erin said in a sympathetic tone.
"Ah, it's ok. His calling didn't bother me as much as mum's call. She told me I sounded dreadful, she asked me to come out to dinner tomorrow night and she gave her opinion on Daniel and Mark."
"Are you going to dinner then? You know if you don't go there, she'll come here." Erin said.
"I know, I know...but I don't think I can handle her barrage of questions or her telling me I should've never left Mark in the first place."
"Maybe she won't, and if she does, your dad will be there to help out."
"Erin, once mum gets on a roll, nobody can stop her. You know that."
"This is true." Erin chuckled.
"Hey...why don't you come out with me? You haven't been out to mum and dad's with me in a long time. I think you're due for a visit, don't you?" Elena asked.
"I like your sneaky methods, but I dunno if I should." Erin replied.
"Please Erin. Do this for me." Elena pleaded.
"Oh, alright....I'll go. You know you didn't have to bed, I'd have gone anyway." Erin laughed.
"Oh my God! I can't believe you just let me keep going on, knowing you were going to go anyway." Elena squealed.
"Only because I love you." Erin said.
"Yeah, well, I love you too, but you're twisted!" Elena laughed.
"Twisted, yes, but I've managed to cheer you up and make you laugh." Erin replied.
"Yes, you have and I appreciate it."
"Now, you go enjoy your basket whilst you soak in a hot bath. I'm going to get some take away and go home." Erin said.
"I will really enjoy my soak in the bath....Call me later."
"I will and if you-know-who calls, please don't get sucked in and talk to him. It would just make things worse."
"I know." Elena groaned.
"G'night. I'll see you tomorrow, we'll ride in my car to your parent's house."
"Ok, see you tomorrow." Elena said as she closed the door behind her friend.
Elena was enjoying her soak in a hot bath and sipping her wine when the phone began to ring. She slowly got out of the tub, wrapped her robe around herself and walked into the living room to find a message on her answer phone.
"Why?" she yelled as soon as she heard Daniel's voice.
Elena was in the middle of a rant, cursing Daniel when the phone rang again.
"What?!" she yelled into the reciever.
"Ele?" Erin said.
"Oh God Erin, I'm sorry."
"Something wrong?" Erin asked.
"I'd bloody well say so...Daniel just called and left a message after I told him not to call me and that we're through." Elena seethed.
"Jesus...what did he say, Ele?"
"Just the same lies. I miss you, I need you. The usual bullshit."
"I'm sorry. Are you ok?" Erin asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. He just pisses me right off."
"I know, Ele. I just wanted to let you know I was home...call me if you need me."
"Thanks, I will." Elena said.
"G'night, Ele."
"G'night. See you tomorrow."
Elena disconnected the call and held the phone for a long while. She finally dialed her parent's number. She would accept her mum's invitation but was going to keep Erin a surprise.
**********************
It was a cold, grey, Friday morning that Elena awoke to.The only thing
good about it she could see was that it was Friday...she really needed a
peaceful weekend.
The commute to work gave her time to think about the possible mess
having dinner with her parents could be. Her mother was a strange
creature.
It was just before 4 o'clock when Jude buzzed in.
"Ms. Touchstone. I hate to disturb, but you have a visitor."
"Who is it Jude?"
"Uh..it's Mr. Cleaver. Should I send him in or not?"
"Fuck." Elena mumbled under her breath. She knew if she didn't let him
in he would stand out in reception and cause a scene.
"Yeah fine Jude. Send Mr. Cleaver in."
"Very well Ms. Touchstone."
Elena stood up and watched as Daniel came through the door, looking like
a wounded puppy...and gorgeous as ever.
"What is it Daniel? I've got a lot I have to get done before 5."
"Lena...I am so sorry.Won't you please forgive me? I've been going crazy
without you."
"Jesus Daniel..Can't you just let it go? It's over. I can't keep doing
this." Elena said
"I know you don't believe me Lena. And why should you really? I have
been a right bastard more times than I can count."
"You've got that right." Elena said coolly.
"I really just wanted to give you these. Take the weekend and think
about it." Daniel reached in his coat pocket and pulled out 2 airline
tickets.
"They are for 2 weekends from now. Just think about it and let me know."
Daniel said as he stepped forward and put them in Elenas' hand.
He bent and softly kissed her lips, then turned and walked out of the
office.
Elena sat stunned, until Erin coming in her office door, broke her
thoughts.
"You won't believe this." Elena said to her best friend.
"Won't believe what?" Erin asked taking the seat on the other side of
the desk.
"This." Elena said as she laid the air line tickets down on the desk for
Erin to see.
"What are these for?" Erin asked.
"They're for flying to Paris."
"Obviously, but you have 2 plane tickets."
"You'll never guess where they came from." Elena said.
"Ummm....they came from the airline, internet or airport." Erin laughed.
"I'm serious, smartass." Elena said.
"Right, sorry. Hmmm, they came from your parents who know you need a holiday? Your parents are sending us to Paris?"
"Not exactly...Daniel gave them to me. They're for 2 weekends from now." Elena explained.
"Wait, Daniel the prat? Daniel the bastard? The same Daniel that you told it was all over? Did he courier them over to try to win you back?"
"No, he delivered them in person, along with a very sincere apology. He told me to think about it over the weekend."
"Ele, you're not really considering it, are you?"
"I don't know. I'm still in shock, I think."
"I can't believe you're actually going to think about it...after everything that's happened?"
"I know, but I'm crazy about Daniel...you know that. Don't be upset with me, Erin."
"I'm not upset, just surprised. You know I"m behind you and that I'll support any decision you make."
"I know you do." Elena said as her eyes filled with tears.
"Oh Ele, don't cry. You'll be a right mess."
"I won't, I'm fine." Elena replied.
"For now you are. Remember, dinner at your parent's tonight."
"Ok, I was fine till you mentioned that. I'm not in the mood for this. You know my mum's relentless when she gets started on me about Daniel and Mark."
"I know, Ele. You'll be fine. You'll have me and a large bottle of wine there with you."
"Thank God. My best friend and a bottle of wine. What could be better?" Elena asked.
"Are you ready? My car's waiting outside."
"Yeah, let's get this over with." Elena groaned.
"Buck up, old girl. It's going to be alright." Erin chuckled.
"I know, just pretend I'm having a great time."
"Right. Let's go then."
"I'm right behind you." Elena said as she shut off the lights and closed her office door.
They left the building, got in Erin's car and made their way to Elena's parents, talking and laughing the whole way.
"Are you ready?" Erin asked as she turned the car off.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Elena said, opening her door.
They exited the car, made their way to the door and knocked before entering.
"Elena." her mum, Patsy said.
"Hi mum." Elena replied, looking helplessly at Erin.
"Oh, you brought Erin with you. Hello dear." Patsy said.
"Hello, Mrs. Touchstone." Erin replied.
"Well, come in. Let's not stand outside all day." her mum said as she led them in the house.
