Beautiful Disaster (The Bet)

by Francette Phal

  As Maddie heard the distinct wails of sirens off in the distance, a cool sense of tranquility swept over her, putting a stop to her tormented thoughts. And as though another person took over her being, she pushed the blood soaked gun to where Tony sat. "Here, I think it's about time you took your own advice, Tony."

  Tony's lips curled in a vicious snarl, his scowl prominent as he clasped his hands around the Glock and aimed at Maddie’s head. "Self-righteous bitch."

  Click. Click.Click.

  The cacophony of the sirens silenced what would've been the resounding blast of the gun had there been bullets in the chamber. Maddie opened eyes she'd slammed shut in dreaded anticipation of the bullet splitting her flesh open. It never came. What ensued was the pounding of booted feet hitting the ground as the EMT's and cops filled the foyer of the mansion.

  "FREEZE!" The police officers aimed cocked guns at Tony, who guiltily held the Glock in his hands, still aimed at Maddie. When he threw the gun and attempted to run, the cops descended on him, like predators on a defenseless prey. Desperation fueled Tony and despite that he was wounded, he fought like a demon out of hell. Flailing, snarling, pure adrenaline had him throwing off three men before they finally tackled him to the ground. One had an unrelenting knee pushing down between the corded blades of his shoulders while another smashed the side of his face to the marbled floor. When they were through they slapped the cuffs on him and read him his rights.

  "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney during interrogation; if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you." The police officer above him loudly huffed as he hoisted Tony to his feet.

  While all this took place, Nicholas and an unconscious Matt were being lifted onto stretchers. Medical jargon passed between the emergency medical technicians as they hastened to stabilize the grievously wounded dark haired teen.

  "I need to go with him!" Maddie pleaded once both patients had been loaded into the humming ambulance. Not having a moment to waste, the woman she spoke to nodded and stepped aside to allow her access. Once the doors closed, the blaring sirens pierced the quiet suburban air. Curious neighbors peeked through curtains, while others, the bolder ones, came out of their homes to watch the pageantry of ambulance, fire trucks and police cars drive into the night.

  Nicholas has been shot.

  The conversation replayed in Ellie's mind like a scratched CD, over and over and over again. A repetition of words Ellie had never wanted strung together. Never with Nicholas' name. Christ!

  When Maddie had called, Ellie had been with her family, including Ronnie. They'd been watching a movie and the second the phone rang, a chill had worked its way down Ellie's spine. She'd blamed it on the weather.

  She'd rushed to the kitchen to answer it. The call had been unexpected but not at all unwelcomed as Ellie babbled on about her relief in finally hearing from the estranged red-head. Maddie had interrupted her then, tactlessly delivering the news in that overused voice of hers and Ellie had nearly dropped the phone. But she’d hung on to Maddie’s every word, wishing like hell that she was being tricked.

  Maddie had told Ellie the name of the hospital where they were keeping Nicholas and had hung up soon after, with the excuse of needing to grab something to drink.

  That had been twenty minutes ago and now Ellie was on her way to St. Elizabeth’s, the nearest hospital in Cedar Falls. Having coaxed the keys from Ellie's nerveless fingers after she'd told him the news, Gabe took the wheel. The way she'd looked after that phone call told him that she wasn't in any mind to drive. He'd done it for purely selfish reasons; the last thing Gabe wanted was to see her in a hospital bed, too.

  Ronnie had agreed to stay with Sophie until they returned. Gabe adored that woman a little more each day.

  "Ellie?" She'd remained in this withdrawn, pensive state since they had entered the car and Gabe was plagued with concern.

  "He's going to be okay." Ellie stated firmly, listlessly staring out the window. The cold, dreary night a perfect reflection to how she felt.

  "Of course he is." The answer was the predictable watered down version of what any caring parent would tell his aching child, Gabe was no different.

  Ellie did not respond, choosing to remain silent until they arrived at the impressive three winged, and four story high hospital located downtown of the small town. Gabe had to lengthen his strides to keep up with the fast pace Ellie set. At the front desk they were directed to the third floor, left wing, intensive care unit. The elevator ride was torturous in its steady ascension to the desired floor and once it opened, Ellie couldn't have shot out fast enough. She was speed walking, practically running as she searched for the Nicholas’ room.

  "Ellie!"

  Maddie's voice instantly pulled Ellie to her and before Maddie could be the wiser, Ellie enveloped her in a fierce hug that was so welcoming that Maddie couldn't help but reciprocate. They held each other, taking whatever comfort they could reap and giving what they could in turn. Gabe stood at a distance, allowing them their moment until they parted, then he made his introductions. He excused himself soon after to grab them something to drink.

  "How is he? Any word?" Ellie asked hesitantly.

  Maddie sighed, running a hand threw her dirty hair. "I don't know. He's still in surgery and no one wants to tell me anything!"

  "What happened?" Ellie took in the splotches of dried blood on Maddie's shirt and jeans. Her eyes roving across sallow skin, she frowned at the sight of dark bruises that formed a path from her face to her exposed arms. Ellie's frown only deepened as she reached out and took hold of Maddie's arm.

  There was a myriad of protruding greenish purple bruises on the inner portion of her elbow. It continued down her forearm, stopping at her inner wrist. The reason for the discoloration Ellie found were the three collapsed veins that appeared as though someone had repeatedly stabbed into them. Ellie's fears were well-founded as realization struck her hard.

  "You've been mainlining, Maddie?" Ellie's hold remained firm on her friend's arm when she began to pull away.

  "It's nothing." She said defensively, managing to snatch her arm back.

  "Like hell, Maddie!" Ellie yelled and had the good grace to look abashed when a few nurses turned to glare at her. "You've been doing heroin." Ellie accused her, taking a step towards Maddie. "Why? How? Where'd you get it?"

  There's no time like the present, Maddie inwardly thought. Steeling herself she took a deep breath and dove in. "From Tony Carlyle."

  The answer was far from what Ellie had expected and she took a momentary step back, her stomach clenching like fists.

  "What?"

  "Tony? You know, your ex-boyfriend? Sophie's father."

  Ellie blinked owlishly. "You know Tony?"

  Maddie nodded, pulling Ellie inside an empty room behind them. "Yeah, I know Tony," was her bitter reply. "I know Tony on the same levels you know him."

  "And you know that he's bad news? Do you know that he almost killed me and his daughter for some drugs?"

  Maddie crossed her arms over her chest. "It's not like you were any different, Ellie, you would've killed your daughter too, if you kept on using."

  "If I kept on using! And I haven't used for a very long time. I stopped because of my daughter!"

  "Well, we all can't be as good and courageous as you." She said with just a hint of malice.

  With the initial shock wearing off, Ellie approached Maddie. "Look Maddie, I'm not going to stand here and tell you how to live your life, but Tony is bad news. Do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from him before things get really bad."

  Maddie scoffed. "Too late for that."

  "What do you mean? Maddie, talk to me, please!"

  "He made everything so perfect and easy. The first couple of times I saw him, he had the compliments coming. He made me feel better about the stupid little stuff I hated about myself." She turned away from Ellie, her folded arms t
ightening a little bit more across her chest.

  "Maddie…"

  "Tony was there for me after Nicholas rejected me. He offered me understanding and companionship. He told me Nicholas was a loser and that if he didn't know what a great catch I was, then he didn't deserve me." She gave a humorless laugh. "Tony's really great with words," Maddie looked over her shoulder at Ellie. "As you're probably well aware."

  "He's a sick man."

  "I don't exactly remember when the drugs came into the picture...everything is still so fuzzy, but I know that we started a relationship, one that in the beginning was clearly not healthy. I was pining for a man who slept with me for a stupid bet and he was still very much fixated on you and your daughter. I was so jealous of you, Ellie, so envious of everything you had. Nicholas' love, his admiration, his lust. I wanted to be you.

  I wanted to hate you and I prayed he'd find out some dirty little secret about you so that he'd see you weren't good enough for him. So I went to Tony and asked for his help to try to break you up. He wanted the same thing, so our objective became to separate you and Nicholas. We came up with this plan to accuse Nicholas of …" she trailed off, nearly chocking on her words, the tears made it impossible to continue.

  "Of what?"

  "Of rape. We came up with the idea that if I cried rape and said I got pregnant because of it, Nicholas's father would force him to marry me. We threatened to go to the press with allegations. Nicholas's father hates the press and would do almost anything to keep his name out of them. It all sounds so stupid and childish now, but at the time, under the influence of the drugs I was so desperate and raw with jealousy that I would've done anything! I believed that Nicholas was meant to be with me and our baby." Maddie set her hand on her lower abdomen and met Ellie's gaze. "I'm pregnant Ellie, and Nicholas…Nicholas is the father."

  Shocked couldn’t even begin to describe the way Ellie felt in that current moment. This dreary, cold and horrible day was hands down the worse day of her life.

  "How do I even begin to respond to that?” she asked incredulously. “I...I can't even stand to look at you right now."

  "Ellie, please, please I'm sorry---"

  "Shut up!"

  The emotions were running too high. Ellie wanted nothing more than to walk over to the girl she once believed to be her best friend and smack her. She wanted to have Nicholas here so that she could kick him a few times for being such a dumb ass. Ellie wanted to lay blame on both their doorsteps, but she knew that would accomplish nothing. She couldn't stand the sight of Maddie in her current state, but that would pass. This hurt, anger and sadness at her core would eventually subside and then maybe, maybe, she could muster enough self-control to listen to Maddie's apology.

  "Ellie…"

  "Just stay away from me for a while."

  Ellie was out of the room before anymore words could be exchanged.

  The hours ticked away as they sat in the OR waiting room. They had yet to hear news on Nicholas' condition and Maddie's earlier confession only added to the tension crackling in the air. Once or twice Maddie had made the attempt to get Ellie's attention, but was blatantly ignored. Ellie instead chose to give her undivided attention to Gabe, in who she had yet to confide. After a while, Maddie stopped trying and sat a few chairs away from them. Sleep did not come easy. It wasn't for another three hours before someone came in to talk to them

  "Excuse me are you all here for Nicholas Grayson?" Ellie was the first on her feet when the doctor entered the waiting room.

  "How is he?"

  "My name is Dr. Thomas and I was one of the surgeons who operated on Nicholas. I'm here to let you all know that he made it out of surgery successfully and is in recovery right now. He’s lost a lot of blood so he’ll be very weak and will remain so for a few days."

  Ellie's body sagged with relief. That's all that mattered. As long as Nicholas was healthy and breathing, everything else seemed inconsequential.

  "When can we see him?"

  "Not ever if I have anything to say on the matter." The hard edged voice caused the four occupants of the room to turn around and look at the newest arrival.

  It was as if Ellie was getting a glimpse of Nicholas years into the future and she didn't know whether she liked what she saw. Perfectly stoic, painfully rigid and impossibly formidable, the Grayson patriarch took in his surroundings with critical eyes. He was a self-possessed man with salt and pepper hair, cut stylishly short to his head. The suit he wore, undoubtedly tailored cost more than what the average person earned in a year, Ellie was sure.

  He had sharp features, angular, that gave him the appearance of cruelty. The aureate topped mahogany cane at his side seemed more out of fashion than necessity as he ambled into the room. Remembering the stories Nicholas had told her about this man, Ellie fully understood Nicholas's hatred for his father.

  "I expect, Dr. Thomas that you are not divulging what should be personal medical information to people who hold no kin to my son. Because I assure you that if you are your job will immediately be forfeited and given to someone who can keep their mouth shut."

  It wasn't so difficult to hate this man, Ellie was discovering.

  Dr. Thomas seemed pinned against the wall as he began to fidget and helplessly look from Ellie to Charles.

  Ellie stepped forward, Gabe not far behind as she attempted to make peace, she held out her hand and dragged up a smile. "My name is Ellie---"

  He peered down at her hand as though it were the vilest thing in the world, his lips curled and Ellie saw vein etched hands tighten around the head of the cane. "Holbrook, yes I am well aware of who you are."

  Ellie dropped her arm, her hand falling back at her side; she tried not to glare up at the sneering face so reminiscent of Nicholas. "Nicholas is a friend of ours."

  "Yes, the miscreants who are the cause of his presence here, incapacitated and fighting for his life. Be lucky that I press no charges for your involvement in all of this. Heed my warning Ms. Holbrook and steer clear of my son or I will not hesitate in inviting the law in this situation."

  Ellie had to hold Gabe back when he lunged for Charles's throat. "He's not worth it!"

  "And you," he pinned Maddie with cool grey eyes. "I highly doubt that you carry the Grayson seed in your womb, but in the off chance that you are, I will arrange for my attorneys to pay you and your grandmother a visit tomorrow morning."

  Three weeks later and Ellie was only now beginning to understand how depraved people were. She felt like a pawn in a chess game, being moved around by the selfish whims of others. After Charles had left them in the waiting room, Maddie’s conscience finally kicked in and through a deluge of tears she’d divulged everything. Telling Ellie of her obsession with Nicholas and the hand she’d played in splitting them apart.

  The trip to the cabin, the strategically placed cameras hidden in each room, the idea to expose them to the entire school and make it seem like it'd all been Nicholas's idea. It’d all been perfectly planned, a set up that she and Nicholas had naively fallen into. Maddie had told her everything; nothing and no one had been spared. She’d begged for forgiveness soon after, but Ellie, far too hurt to even look at her so called best friend hadn’t been able to provide it.

  Now she smiled ruefully through the haze of tears trailing her cheeks.

  Nicholas had tried to warn her and Ellie had shunned him, choosing instead to once again foolishly put faith and devotion in a person who'd only ended up hurting her in the end.

  It was sickening to imagine all three of them, Matt, Tony and Maddie, sitting around discussing and plotting her demise. They'd executed a plan that was meant to break her, break her resolve, and break the fledgling love she had for a man whose only fault was the encompassing need to love and protect her. They'd almost succeeded too. Her faith, her love had faltered when it’d counted most. Doubts had clouded her judgment and instead of trusting Nicholas, she'd pushed him away with suspicion. Had she listened, had she invited Nicholas in from the rain and she
ltered him within her arms to rationally discuss the situation, he wouldn't have been hell-bent on seeking revenge. He wouldn't have raced to Matt's house...and...and...

  Ellie closed her eyes tightly against the guilt and sorrow eating away at her. It was her fault that Nicholas was in that hospital room. She hadn't pulled the trigger, but she might as well have. Her rejection, her faithlessness had been the driving force in all of this. Had she listened to him, forgiven him, Nicholas would've been here now, holding her, comforting her.

  Charles Grayson had remained true to his words in barring her access to his bedridden son. The hulking security officers placed in front of the hospital room kept a constant vigil, making it impossible for Ellie to even sneak in. It felt like a mortal wound not knowing how he was doing. Had he gotten worse? Was he better and out of bed? Did he blame her for what happened? Was his father filling his head with lies? Even more importantly, was he aware of Maddie's pregnancy?

  The questions were endless, the answers, elusive. Every second Ellie became ill with not knowing.

  God! Maddie was pregnant with Nicholas's child.

  No matter how many times Ellie tried to refute the fact it gnawed away at her, jealousy and betrayal warred constantly in her mind. She'd trusted her, had believed Maddie incapable of harm and yet Maddie had proven Ellie wrong when the opportunity presented itself.

  "You can't keep doing this to yourself, Ellie." Gabe flooded the room with light the minute he stepped into her room. Cautiously he approached the bed, the mattress dipped as he sat down. "It's not healthy and it's not going to make Nicholas heal any faster. He isn't even dead for Heaven's sake!"

  "Gabe!" Ronnie chided with Sophie in her arms. "How can you be so insensitive?" Gabe didn't immediately see the anger on her too pretty features, but found himself abashed as he looked into Hunter green eyes. There weren't many he could recall who had that sort of power of him, which was why Ronnie was special.