Revenge, LA-Style

[MissJr]

BRAVA! Giovanna, I am SO loving your fan fiction, girl!

I am intrigued that Shane actually has a twin and came from a wealthy family. I am so looking forward to Shawn having his revenge on the scumbag who treated his brother's remains worse than garbarge! Thank you so much for tying up this loose end. It's always angered me that no one bothered to give any thought to Shane's family or friends on the show.

I love that Taylor has moved on with young Mark. Work it, girl! She also seems to have worked through her demons. What a dilemma! Will she do the right thing by Brooke and Nick?

How like Ridge to install cameras in Brooke's house to spy on her! How like him to once again trick her out of her shares. He doesn't trust Brooke and Nick; meanwhile, he can lay up with a model. GRRRRRR! Please let Brooke get wise to this pig before it's too late!

Bridget seems to have matured and I like what she wants to do with the money. I'm looking forward to seeing what Amber does in your story. I'm also looking forward to Deacon's return!

Great story and I can't wait to read the next installment!

[GIOVANNA]

Well, since you guys insist...he, he....

Forrester Creations, a few hours later..

Ridge stretched and yawned as he sipped his coffee. He was supposed to meet Logan for dinner, but he was really tired, what with his meeting with the PI and making love to that model. He wondered if Brooke would even suspect anything, but then realized that she wouldn't. She was too excited about the upcoming wedding to doubt him, plus they were rediscovering themselves nonstop since he had walked out on Taylor. Besides, even if she did, she couldn't really begrudge him one last fling, could she? After all, they weren't married, so he wasn't committing adultery.

Ridge smiled to himself as he thought about how well his life was going. Not only was he marrying Brooke, but he also had convinced her to divvy up her shares. Then with the shares he had from RJ, plus the ones he had from his mother and father, they could easily vote her out. Eric and Stephanie had forty-five, which they had ten percent each, where he had fifteen and Thorne and Felicia had five apiece. So if Brooke were ever incapacitated, it would be, "Good-bye, tramp from the valley."

Ridge wasn't concerned with any of Brooke's children, as he viewed Rick as a whiny brat, and he could get Bridgette to vote his way, as she always understood him. As for Deacon, he would just buy him out, as that scum would do anything for money. And Nick was a loser, anyway, he would give up his shares without a fight. After all, he wasn't refined enough to understand fashion.

Ridge frowned as he thought about his half-brother and how much he hated him. Nick was rude and didn't treat him with the proper deference that he deserved. There were times that Thorne gave him lip as well, but in the end, he usually caved and settled into his role as the loser who could never do anything right.

Nick was another matter. Not only did he sass Ridge, but he never caved like Thorne did. Not only that, the guy was a boor who couldn't dress.

However, he and Brooke had two children together. It never ceased to amaze Ridge that he had never been able to father a child with Brooke, in spite of them doing it all the time. But this boor from Seattle managed to do it.

[GIOVANNA]

A High-Rise Apartment
Evening

Donna Logan curled up on her sofa with a cup of hot cocoa. She sighed as she wrapped the luxurious robe around her, a gorgeous pink robe from Victoria's Secret and a present to herself for celebrating her sixth month at Vale's Marketing Concepts. After that hateful witch had fired her from HER sister's company, she had decided to hit the pavement. And she had gotten lucky, as there was an entry-level position at this prestigious ad agency. She had wanted to work at Eye on Fashion so that she could drop little hints to Jared about what the Forresters were really like, but the pay wasn't very much. This new job paid pretty well, and she was able to move out of Brooke's mansion and get her own place. Her new apartment wasn't as large as she liked, as she wanted a dog, but she figured it was a start. Plus it was preferable to her watching her older sister play house with Ridge.

Donna sighed and shook her head. Why Brooke, who could have any man in LA, would want Ridge was a mystery to her. He was nasty and rude, plus his mother was hell on wheels. Plus he wasn't even hot! And it irked Donna that Brooke was resigning from her job. For so long she had busted her tail at that company, now she was happy playing June Cleaver for Ridge? Go figure.

She immediately realized that her thoughts were counterproductive, as she had a legal form in front of her that needed reading. Since Storm was dead, someone had to look after Brooke's legal affairs. Granted Donna was no lawyer, but she had a business degree and had taken a business law class. And no way was she going to let Brooke use that doddering ambulance chaser, Jonathon. He was too loyal to those idiots her sister thought were her family. No, Donna was going to look over the stock forms and make damn sure to call a REAL lawyer. Not that she didn't trust Brooke, but her older sister was shockingly naive about the Forresters. She seemed to forget the way they tried to trick her out of belief, and whenever Donna reminded her of this, Brooke just shook her head and said that it was in the past.

Indeed.

She picked up the form and decided to read it. It was probably nothing, but when she had had lunch with Brooke earlier that week, her sister was going on and on about how devoted Ridge was, making sure that she had time for her family that he had drawn up papers. Donna's BS antennae perked up and she asked to see the papers. She knew the history Ridge and his horrible family had of screwing Brooke over, and she had this gut feeling that the jerk was going to screw her over again.

[TINA (soapsecretary)]

How could you end the segment like this and just leave us hangin'?

You cruel woman!!!

[GIOVANNA]

Starbucks
The Next Day

Donna sat at her favorite table, sipping her coffee, then rubbed her head. She was exhausted, but this couldn't wait. She had been up pretty damn late reading the legal form, and she smelled a rat-actually two.


Stephanie and Ridge.

According to this document, they had forty-five percent of the company. Well, Stephanie had ten percent, along with Eric and the two brats, Thorne and Felicia, only had five percent apiece. So far, so good, as Brooke still had the majority of the company, but Ridge had fifteen percent. And with RJ's shares, if Brooke were to lose it, he would have twenty-six. With RJ's shares, the majority of the company would be in the Forresters' hands, and Brooke would be at their mercy.

Donna shuddered at the thought. She had heard from Storm of the numerous times the Forresters had tried to screw Brooke over, and it looked like they were planning to do it again.

Vipers.

She gritted her teeth in anger. There was no way in hell she was going to let Brooke sign this document, so she had called Connor Davis. At first he didn't like being woken up, but she stated her fears to him, and he agreed to clear out his morning.

Donna took a break from her angry thoughts and thought about Connor. He was hot, and she wondered if he was married. Her cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She picked it up.

Donna: Hello, Connor?

Taylor: No, Donna, it's Taylor. Can you talk?

Donna exhaled.

Donna: Actually, no, I can't. I have a meeting, and then I have
to work.

Taylor: This is important. Has Brooke-signed anything?

Donna: Well, she has this form that Ridge gave her, but no, she
hasn't.

Taylor: Listen to me, under no circumstances does Brooke need
to sign anything. What kind of form is it?

Donna: Some legal form about the stocks.

Taylor: Where is it?

Donna: I have it. I'm meeting with a lawyer. Look, if you want
to meet with me, it will have to be tomorrow. I need
to go, the lawyer is here. Later.

She hangs up.

[simmiem2]

Wait...did Taylor just try to give Brooke and Donna heads up? Well thats new!!

[GIOVANNA]

Taylor's Mansion
Same Day

Taylor clicked off her cell phone and frowned, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Even though she had come to terms with Brooke in her own way, Ridge was still her former husband and the father of her children. But the notion of keeping quiet about this made her uneasy. She probably should be calling Nick or Brooke, but Nick was a wild card and there was no telling how he would react. And she wasn't sure if Brooke would believe her, because of their history. She figured Brooke would not listen to her, but she might listen to Donna.

Mentally Taylor kicked herself, wondering why she left that paper, as it was proof. But suppose Mark noticed its absence? She sighed, thinking about what she could have done.

Starbucks
Twenty Minutes Later

Donna and Connor sat at the table. He sipped his latte.

Connor: Does Brooke know about your suspicions?

Donna: No. And I couldn't voice them to her, as she would just
dismiss them. She has this big, ol blind spot where Ridge
is concerned, and she would just say that this was all
Stephanie's doing.

Connor: Probably. But even if this is Stephanie's idea, he is
choosing to go along with it.

Donna: So I was right to call you?

Connor: Absolutely. If Brooke signs this, then the second they
suspect she is incompetent, they can move in for the
kill.

Donna: God! I love my sister, but she is so naive where these
people are concerned.

Connor: Does she know you have this?

Donna: Yeah, she does.

Connor: Does she want it back any time soon?

Donna: She wants it before the wedding, which is about six
months away.

Connor: Well, you need to keep her from signing this. Keep it
as long as you can.

Donna: Why don't you keep it? Maybe you can find a loophole.

Connor: Ok, I will. Does anyone else know about this?

Donna: Ridge, Brooke, Rick, and Bridgette know, as far as I
know. She just hasn't signed it.

Connor: I saw you on the phone. Who were you talking to?

Donna: Can I trust you not to say anything?

Connor: Of course.

Donna: Taylor. God knows what she wants.

Connor: What did she say?

Donna: Oh, just that Brooke shouldn't-oh, my God.

Connor: What?

Donna: Maybe she knows something.

[GIOVANNA]

Dec 11, 2008 17:39:10 GMT -5 MissJr said:

BRAVA! Giovanna, I am SO loving your fan fiction, girl!

I am intrigued that Shane actually has a twin and came from a wealthy family. I am so looking forward to Shawn having his revenge on the scumbag who treated his brother's remains worse than garbarge! Thank you so much for tying up this loose end. It's always angered me that no one bothered to give any thought to Shane's family or friends on the show.

I love that Taylor has moved on with young Mark. Work it, girl! She also seems to have worked through her demons. What a dilemma! Will she do the right thing by Brooke and Nick?

How like Ridge to install cameras in Brooke's house to spy on her! How like him to once again trick her out of her shares. He doesn't trust Brooke and Nick; meanwhile, he can lay up with a model. GRRRRRR! Please let Brooke get wise to this pig before it's too late!

Bridget seems to have matured and I like what she wants to do with the money. I'm looking forward to seeing what Amber does in your story. I'm also looking forward to Deacon's return!

Great story and I can't wait to read the next installment!

Hi, and thanks for your comments. Like you, I was angry at the way Shane was treated in the aftermath of his death. It was especially galling the way people referred to him as a drifter or a loser, as if that mitigated what Ridge had done.

And Ridge is true to form. He will do anything to get his hands on Brooke's shares, even fix the paternity results of a small child. But don't worry, the second RJ's true paternity comes out, Ridge will only have that measly fifteen percent, while Nick will have twenty-two.

[MissJr]

I'm glad you have Donna looking out for Brooke's interests, but she needs to be careful. She can be a little hot-headed and impulsive and I'm glad that she contacted Connor and also gave some thought to that call from Taylor. She cracks me up, too! So, she's interested in Connor? This might be a good thing. ;D

I think Taylor did the right thing. Brooke will probably dismiss her outright and she's right to be worried about Nick's reaction. Hopefully, she won't let on to Mark that she knows what's up.

Your story is shaping up greatly and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[GIOVANNA]

Dec 14, 2008 15:20:47 GMT -5 MissJr said:

I'm glad you have Donna looking out for Brooke's interests, but she needs to be careful. She can be a little hot-headed and impulsive and I'm glad that she contacted Connor and also gave some thought to that call from Taylor. She cracks me up, too! So, she's interested in Connor? This might be a good thing. ;D

I think Taylor did the right thing. Brooke will probably dismiss her outright and she's right to be worried about Nick's reaction. Hopefully, she won't let on to Mark that she knows what's up.

Your story is shaping up greatly and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I am glad you are enjoying Donna. Come to think of it, Donna is reacting to Brooke's mental state the way I probably would if she were my sister and making the decisions she is making. And I enjoy JG as a performer, as she can vamp it up with such relish. I savored her crack to Hag about jumping out of a cake for Eric, and I figured with her moxie, she would be a natural for advertising.

And yes, IMO, Brooke will probably excuse Ridge, thinking that Taylor is trying to break them up, or she will just act as if Stephanie is manipulating Ridge, who "Wants to do the right thing," but can't, due to his evil mommy.

Thanks again for your comments!

[MontanaLindy]

I finally got a chance to catch up....good story! ;D I am glad to see Deacon is back...and I actually am interested in what Taylor will do in the long run...so keep 'em coming! This is getting really good! ;D

[GIOVANNA]

Dec 15, 2008 18:52:25 GMT -5 MontanaLindy said:

I finally got a chance to catch up....good story! ;D I am glad to see Deacon is back...and I actually am interested in what Taylor will do in the long run...so keep 'em coming! This is getting really good! ;D

Ok, will do. BTW, I haven't figured how Hag will be dealt with in this Fan Fiction. Do you think Shawn will be gunning for her as well?

[GIOVANNA]

The Same Day
Forrester Creations

Ridge sat at his desk, looking at his drawing pad. He had some time before his mother showed up, and he wasn't sure what he should do until then.

As if on cue, Stephanie entered his office and walked over to his desk. He stood up and hugged her warmly.

Stephanie: Hello, Honey.

Ridge: Hello, Mother.

Stephanie: How are you? You look a little tired.

Ridge: I'm fine.

Stephanie: Are you sure? Are you getting enough sleep or is that
tramp wearing you out with her insatiable demands?

Ridge: No, I wasn't with Brooke last night.

Stephanie's ears perked up at that, as any woman would be better for her little man than that tramp. But then she realized what was at stake and she started to worry, as if Brooke called off the wedding, getting her to sign that form would be that much trickier. She and Ridge had come to a conclusion about when they tried to trick Brooke out of belief all those years ago, and that conclusion was that they should have let Ridge marry Brooke to secure her signature. Instead, Ridge led Brooke on, only to pull out, and when Brooke realized that she had been duped, she came at the three of them with both barrels. Stephanie shuddered at the memory of Brooke gaining control of THEIR company and swore that it would not happen again.

Despite Stephanie's battle cry about the company being trashed by having Brooke at the helm, she ignored the money that Brooke had made for them. Instead, she convinced herself that the company would be more profitable than ever once Brooke was ousted.

Stephanie: Who was she?

Ridge: Oh, that new model I hired. I didn't catch her name.

Stephanie: Did anyone see you?

Ridge: No, we did it in my office. Brooke doesn't suspect a
thing.

Stephanie smiled. So Brooke was being cheated on! That thought made her perk up. Who knows, once Ridge dumped Brooke, after he got her shares, this new girl would be as pliable as Taylor.

Stephanie: Did you get Brooke to sign that form?

Ridge: No, not yet. But she will, when I tell her that there
will be no wedding until she does.

Stephanie: I really don't know why Brooke is dragging her feet
on this. Do you think she and Nick are betraying you?

Ridge: I don't know. But I don't trust Donna.

Stephanie: Oh, dear, is she still living with you?

Ridge: No, but I am still pissed at the way she treated me
when she was living with us. She kept giving me
dirty looks, and when I suggested one last fling
before I married Brooke, she slapped me.

[GIOVANNA]

The Next Day
Insomnia

Shawn sat at a table, looking over his notes. He wondered what Amber Moore, fashion's new IT girl, knew about the killer. He knew that she had been married to Rick Forrester twice, and that she worked for the company, but what did she know about Ridge? Was she a former fling?

Amber walked into Insomnia with the confidence of a woman who knew what she wanted. Instead of her usual attire of hot pink tempered by black, she was wearing a beige trench coat with sunglasses and a fedora that covered her blond hair. She noticed the man at the booth and did a double take. Amber had her choice of suitors, but she had been celibate for a better part of the year, as she didn't want any distractions from her passion, her company. But this man made her take notice. She thought of her former husband, Rick Forrester, and mentally compared him to this fine specimen. Rick was a great guy and good-looking, but he wasn't rough around the edges and he was more of a tux-clad guy, she couldn't see him in leather. This man definitely looked like a leather-type. And he looked like he was no stranger to struggling.

Kind of like her.

She shook these thoughts out of her mind and walked over.

Amber: Mr. Greene, I assume?

Shawn smiled and stood up, extending his hand.

Shawn: Ms. Moore?

Amber held her finger up to her lips.

Amber: Shh. Secrecy, remember?

She shook his hand and put her purse on the floor. He pulled out her chair for her and she sat down. He sat opposite her.

Shawn: So. You have something for me?

Amber giggled.

Amber: About Ridge Forrester? I certainly do. However, I am very
thirsty. Can we order first?

Twenty Minutes Later

Shawn looked at the picture of the ugly man hovering over the unconscious young woman and shook his head in disgust.

Shawn: Let me get this straight, he thought this girl was his
daughter, then finds out that she is his sister, and
FINALLY finds out that they aren't really related?

Amber: Yep.

Shawn: And so that excuses him sticking his tongue in her
mouth?

Amber: Well, according to those two, it isn't incest.

Shawn snorted.

Shawn: How did you get ahold of this?

Amber: Well, I was involved with his son, and he didn't
approve. He thought that I was too old, and he didn't
view me as good enough.

Shawn: A man who kisses a girl he thought was his daughter
the way one would kiss a lover thinks he is in a
position to sit in moral judgement of a woman his son
gets involved in?


Amber: Oh, pretty much. He wanted a virgin debutante for his
son. Instead he got me.

She giggled.

Amber: I am nobody's debutante.

[Horsey]

Great story Giovanna!

I have complete faith that Ridge will FINALLY get what is coming to him.

[GIOVANNA]

Insomnia
Early Evening

Donna sat in the corner booth, sipping her latte and thinking about her meeting. She had originally planned on meeting Taylor the next day, but when she mentioned that Brooke not sign any forms, Donna's BS radar perked up. What, exactly, did she know? Had Ridge discussed the stock forms with her? True, he had sworn Brooke to secrecy, but it would be just like the Mick Jagger wanna-be to discuss it with Taylor. Donna narrowed her eyes at her sister's so-called fiancee and how predictable he was. Do as I say, not as I do. She was so not looking forward to having to tolerate him and the way he was always ogling her. And she hated the way he acted as if she was some ditz. When she had dinner with him and Brooke recently, he boasted that Brooke was going to step down and had agreed to discontinue the bedroom line. Which made no sense, as this line was wildly profitable. Donna mentioned this and politely asked if the company could afford to scrap a sure-fire money maker. Ridge scoffed, looked down at her with his pointy nose and arrogantly informed her that it was a matter of principal, "Not that you'd understand, Donna. After all, you only have a degree from a community college." Then he went on to say, "The only reason your sister started that line was to seduce me. Now that we're finally getting married, it served its' purpose."

Jackass.

It burned Donna up.

She pushed thoughts of Ridge to the side and noticed Taylor enter. Donna had never really known Taylor, but she found her intimidating, with her medical degree and the way she always looked so well-put together.

Today she looked different. She was wearing a green sweater that brought out the color of her eyes and she was wearing jeans, a far cry from the polished woman she had seen in the press.

Taylor immediately went to Donna's table and sat down.

Donna: Hello, Taylor. How are you?

Taylor: Well, thank you. And you?

Donna: Busy, busy, busy.

Taylor: Yes, I heard. Advertising, right?

Donna: Yep.

Taylor: Work agrees with you. And your firm is a prestigious
one.

Donna: I like it.

(The waiter came over.)

Taylor: A carmel macchiato, please.

(The waiter walked off.)

Donna: So. What is it you wanted to talk about?

Taylor: I feel funny saying this.

Donna: (Gestured) Shoot.

Taylor: (Exhaled) Well, I have reason to believe that Ridge has
been lying to your sister.

Donna: Lying, how?

Taylor: Your nephew, RJ.

Donna: What about him?

Taylor: I have a strong reason to believe that Ridge isn't his
father, Nick is.

Donna: Come on, I talked to my sister. They had a test run.

Taylor: By Mark Garrison, right?

Donna: Yeah.

Taylor: I have been seeing Mark.

Donna: And?

Taylor: I looked through his papers and came across a note
and a check for two million dollars. Donna, the note and
the check were both from Ridge. He admitted that he
owed Mark big time, that no way was Nick getting his
hands on Brooke's stock.

Donna: Sonofabitch. Are you sure?

Taylor: Donna, I was married to the man, I know his
handwriting.

Donna: So why tell me? Why not tell Brooke?

Taylor: I am not sure that she would believe me with our
history. Besides, I have no proof.

Donna: But that note.

Taylor: I don't have it. I left before Mark could see me
snooping.

Donna: Well, I believe you, as I know that you are more loyal
to Ridge than my sister and I doubt if you would
this up. Brooke, however, has her head so far up his
ass, she can't see straight. Can you get this note?
They probably have the returned check, but she would
just assume that Ridge is being charitable.

Taylor: Oh, probably. I am seeing Mark later.

[MissJr]

This is getting good!

I have to give another thumbs up to Taylor--she ordered my favorite espresso drink: a caramel macchiato. YUM!

That conversation between Ridge and his mother was just plain creepy. Why don't they just skip the preliminaries and sleep together? What kind of man openly brags to his mother that he's cheating on his fiancee even if his mother hated the woman? And what kind of mother approves? I look forward to you bringing this incestuous, vile duo down.

Amber is a trip! No, she is, indeed, no one's debutante. It will be interesting if she and Shawn actually hooked up, but business first.

Keep the installments coming!

[GIOVANNA]

The Next Day
Forrester Creations, Ridge's Office

Brooke Logan entered, wearing a peach-colored, silk dress that fit her figure like a glove. She looked at her watch and noticed that it was eleven-fifteen, making her about forty minutes early. She sighed, but figured, better early than late, as she and Ridge were going to have lunch. He had a meeting, and she wanted to attend, but he told her it wasn't necessary, as she was leaving the company.

She sat down on the couch and dusted her dress off. She had to admit, it was gorgeous, but she had wanted to wear her green dress that resembled a cape. However, Ridge had insisted on this one. Brooke was proud of her figure, but she favored more commanding attire, like the green dress, or the white silk blouse and the black skirt, as it made her feel more empowered. But Ridge kept telling her that she didn't have to dress like a businesswoman, and besides, didn't she like the feeling she got when men watched her?

Brooke sighed, as she liked dressing for her man as much as the next woman, but she also liked to dress for herself, and it seemed like she was doing less of the latter these days. Was it her imagination, or was Ridge making most of their decisions these days? Where to eat, what she should wear. She liked an expensive meal as well as anyone, but she also liked to relax, and it seemed like the dinners she and Ridge attended these days were more for show. She hadn't been to Spago for a year, and she missed it. Then she pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind, as she chalked them up to wedding jitters. She reached for her purse when she noticed a flash on the couch.

That's odd, she thought. She squinted and reached for it, picking up a small object. She gasped as she brought it closer.

A ruby earring, and a large one at that. She looked at it closely and wondered whose it was. It wasn't hers, as she tended to favor diamonds and emeralds. Emeralds were the color of nature, green, which reflected her earthy personality. Red was a bit overpowering for her taste. She frowned, then wondered where it was from. It looked like it was custom-made.

The phone rang, and she snapped out of her thoughts to answer it.

Brooke: Hello?

Caller: Hello, is Ridge Forrester there?

Brooke: I-no, he isn't.

Caller: Well, this is Lauren, from Cartier. I was wondering how
he liked the ruby earrings.

Brooke: Oh, fine.

She hung up, then opened Ridge's desk and picked up a piece of paper. She gasped when she saw that it was a sales slip from Cartier, for a pair of ruby earrings for twenty-thousand dollars. Then she read the signature and started coughing.

Ridge Forrester.

[MissJr]

What a disturbing picture Brooke is right now. It's bad enough (but kind of understandable) that she defers to Ridge in business. But evidently, she is so besotted with that buffoon that she allows him to dictate how she should dress. Boy, will I be glad when she gets her head out of the clouds!

It's disturbing that she dismisses her concerns as wedding day jitters. It would be understandable except that she's been here way too many times already. Hopefully, she'll start thinking more clearly and that jewelry may be a good way to start. Whoever that jewelry is for, I would bet my bottom dollar, the buffoon didn't purchase it for Brooke.

[GIOVANNA]

Insomnia
Shawn and Amber

Shawn looked at the picture again and felt ill. Then he got down to business.

Shawn: How much do you want for this?

Amber: Excuse me?

Shawn: This is the kind of dirt I am looking for.

Amber exhaled. She hated Ridge, but she had to admit that she enjoyed discussing business with Brooke. It had taken a lot of persuading on Amber's part, but it looked like the bad blood was finally behind them, and if she let this picture become public knowledge, it would hurt their relationship. She wanted to see Ridge suffer, but not enough to hurt Brooke or Bridgette.

Amber: This picture is not for sale.

Shawn: Excuse me?

Amber: Look, I understand where you're coming from, really I do.
But if you use this picture, both Bridgette and Brooke get
hurt.

Shawn: Well, I can keep you out of it.

She reached for the picture and put it in her purse.

Amber: Morgan DeWitt.

Shawn: What?

Amber: She and Ridge had an affair a while ago. The rumor was,
he got her pregnant and his mother arranged for her to
have an abortion.

Shawn: That's ancient history. This story intrigues me.

Amber: Well, I know Bridgette was pretty close to CJ Garrison
during that period. Maybe he knows something.

Shawn mentally cursed and realized that when he bugged Ridge's office, he did the right thing. Not only had he bugged it, but he installed a video camera. It looked like that he was going to have to rely on that for his dirt.

[GIOVANNA]

Forrester Creations
Ridge's Office

Brooke clutched the desk and sat down. She was so unnerved that she didn't notice that her breathing had increased.

Twenty thousand dollars....

And this sales slip was from yesterday, so this wasn't some gift to an old girlfriend.

Her first instinct was to walk out of there and call the wedding off, but she had so many people counting on her. Hope, RJ, and her family. Plus the press had covered it. Normally she was impulsive and went with her gut, but she didn't want to do anything too hasty.

She thought for a minute about confronting Ridge, but she had a gut feeling that he would lie, or bawl her out for going through his desk. Then she felt a chill.

How many other lies has he told me?

Oh, quite a few, girlfriend, said the voice in her head.

She gasped as she remembered belief and the way he had lied to her, promising to be there for her, only to walk out after he had tricked her into signing away her creation.

Stop!

She stood up, shaking. She had to talk to someone, her mind was working overtime. No way was she waiting around for Ridge.

A small one-bedroom across town..

Shawn watched the blond woman as she obviously fretted on his surveillance camera. He was willing to bet that she was upset over the earring that was the size of an egg that she had picked up.

His heart went out to her as she fought back the tears. His first instinct was to rush over there, but he realized he couldn't without blowing his cover.

Then he reached for the picture of the killer and his whore in bed together. Shawn noticed that she was wearing a pair of ruby earrings, and decided to do a little math for the blond who was obviously putting two and two together.

[GIOVANNA]

Ridge's Office
Twenty Minutes Later

Ridge sauntered into his office, feeling quite smug. Even though Brooke had not signed that form, he was sure that she would have, after their lunch. He tossed his briefcase on the couch and looked around.

Ridge: Logan?

Damn, she was late. But hadn't Megan told him that she was waiting in his office? He sat down in his chair. He would give her ten minutes.

Donna's Apartment
Ten Minutes Later

Donna sat at the dinner table, typing up some possible ad lines on her computer. She had asked if she could work at home since there were no meetings at the office. Besides, she could concentrate better, and she was waiting for Taylor's call. If Taylor came through for her on this, she was willing to do an ad campaign for her at a discount. And she was sure she could sell it to her boss, as Taylor Hayes was a celebrity and having her as a client would be a plus. She could see the ad, "Taylor Hayes, making the psychiatric profession look good," with an airbrushed photo.

The phone rang and she picked it up.

Donna: Hello?

Brooke: Oh, Donna, thank God you're there. Are you busy?

Donna: No, I'm not, actually-Brooke, what's wrong?

Brooke: I know it's a lot to ask, but I need to stay with you for a few days.

Donna: I-sure. What about Hope and RJ?

Brooke: They're with Mom. God, I-can't go home.

Donna: Are you okay? Where are you?

Brooke: Outside your gate.

[GIOVANNA]

Dec 19, 2008 11:44:10 GMT -5 MissJr said:

What a disturbing picture Brooke is right now. It's bad enough (but kind of understandable) that she defers to Ridge in business. But evidently, she is so besotted with that buffoon that she allows him to dictate how she should dress. Boy, will I be glad when she gets her head out of the clouds!

It's disturbing that she dismisses her concerns as wedding day jitters. It would be understandable except that she's been here way too many times already. Hopefully, she'll start thinking more clearly and that jewelry may be a good way to start. Whoever that jewelry is for, I would bet my bottom dollar, the buffoon didn't purchase it for Brooke.

Oh, she'll get her head out of the clouds, all right. This earring is a trigger for a lot of the crap she has been through. However, when she finds out the depths of Ridge's depravity, she is going to make sure she has all her bases covered before she lets him have it.

[newestconvert]

This is great Giovanna. Really enjoying your story! Please keep it coming!

[GIOVANNA]

Donna's Apartment
Ten Minutes Later

Donna opened the door and let her sister in. She moved closer to hug her sister, and noticed that her normally serene, put-together sister had been crying. She led her over to the sofa.

Donna: Brooke, honey, what's wrong? Do you want me to call Ridge?

Brooke shook her head wordlessly and sat down.

Brooke: God, Donna, I've been such a fool!

Donna: What? It's Ridge, isn't it? What did he do? Did he call off the wedding?

Brooke: No, I didn't even talk to him. I was supposed to meet him for lunch.

Donna: And?

Brooke reached in her purse and handed her sister the offending earring. Donna gasped.

Brooke: I found this on the couch. And I found a sales slip.

Donna: Brooke, you're not making any sense.

Brooke: This earring isn't for me. I never wear rubies. He bought it for someone else. I came across the sales slip, and it was for twenty grand! I found it on the couch, they must've been doing it on the couch. No way does one lose an earring that size and not notice it's missing unless they were very busy!

Donna: Oh, Sweetie, I'm so sorry.

Brooke: I was going to confront him, but then I remembered about belief and I started having flashbacks of all the other times he lied to me, and I started shaking. I-just had to get out of there, so I went home and took the kids to Mom's. I left a note saying we were leaving for a few days, but I didn't leave a number.

Donna handed her a tissue.

Brooke: I know you think I'm being foolish, as I have wanted Ridge for so long and this wedding should be my dreams coming true, but-I-

Donna: No, Brooke, it's okay.

Brooke stared at her.

Donna: You did the right thing. Actually, that form he wants you to sign.

Brooke: Oh, I had forgotten about that.

Donna: Well, I took it to a lawyer, and if you sign it, then if Ridge declares you incompetent, he can step up as the proxy for RJ.

Brooke stared at her.

Donna: With RJ's shares, he will have twenty-six percent of the company, which means that a majority of the company will be in the hands of the Forresters.

Donna paused.

Donna: Do you honestly think Ridge is going to side with you if it comes to that?

Brooke covered her mouth.