"Mom?" Grace doesn't even hear the voice until she feels a touch on her arm. "Mom, is that you?"
She turns round and finds her face to face with Marlena's eldest daughter. "Samantha. Uh... hi there." She is a little surprised to see the young woman at the shopping mall in the middle of the day, she had assumed that everyone Marlena knows, would be at work.
"Wow, Mom, you look..." Sami searches for a word to describe her mother's appearance, "...great. It's different, but I really like it."
Marlena has on a lime-green halter-top sundress that finishes somewhere halfway up her toned thighs. The outfit clings to her curves while accentuating her lithe body. Her eyes are hidden behind expensive-looking sunglasses and her hair is wound up into a kind of French twist. It's a style that Sami is not sure she has seen Marlena wear before and the entire effect is absolutely stunning. Or would be if it was not quite so disconcerting.
"Thanks," Grace removes her sunglasses in a practiced sweep of her arm and looks down at the bags by her feet. "A little retail therapy. I thought it wouldn't go amiss."
"Do you think it's a good idea?" Sami's concern shines in her eyes as she surveys the bruise on Marlena's temple. It's concealed by make-up, but not entirely. Still, the smoky eyes and the pale, pouting lips do more than enough to draw attention away from any imperfections. "Um, I mean since you had that accident yesterday and all. Don't you think you should be home resting?"
"I'm just fine, Sami," she pauses, remembering long ago conversations with Stefano about Marlena. The woman is devoted to her family and she loves her children to distraction, that much is evident from the little Grace has seen in the penthouse. She strikes Grace as the kind of woman who is fond of sugary endearments and although the thought makes her want to gag, Grace realizes she has to behave as much like Marlena as she can. For now.
Sami looks askance at her mother, wondering just what is going on.
"Honestly Sami," Grace laughs lightly. "Honey, I'm just fine. It was just a tiny bump. Nothing to get worried about."
"Didn't sound like that when John called us," Sami raises fair brows. "He was distraught."
"Yes, well," Grace stiffens slightly at the mention of Marlena's husband. "Maybe he felt he had reason to be upset."
"Mom?" Sami feels a chill shudder through her body. "What's wrong?"
"Wrong?" Grace reaches to brush the hair out of Samantha's eyes and she smiles easily. "What makes you think anything is wrong, sweetheart?"
"Sami!" They are interrupted as Austin trots up to the two women. "Hi Dr. Evans."
"Why, hi there Austin," Grace smiles appreciatively as she takes in Austin's appearance. He's wearing a t-shirt but she can see the definition of his muscles under the damp grey-marl cotton. And, she notices, he's definitely noticing her too. She can see the bob of his Adams apple as he swallows convulsively and she catches his eyes with a glance that is little more than an invitation.
Austin clears his throat nervously, hoping Sami hasn't seen him staring at her mother. Dr. Evans has always been a very attractive woman, but today there's just something about her that is incredibly sexy. But she's a married woman and she's Sami's mother. He can't think of her like that. It's not right.
"Uh, Sami are you going to pick up Will?" He tries to keep his gaze from wandering back to the woman beside him, but he's unsuccessful and he sneaks another glance at her. The silky fabric of the dress is clinging to her body and although it's modest in it's coverage, somehow it's also revealing.
She doesn't appear to notice his glance as Sami answers him without taking her own eyes from her mother. "Yeah. I need to talk to Mom first though."
"Sure," Austin nods. "Um, I'd like to come with you if that's okay."
"Sure."
"Right well," Austin bobs his head again, trying to avoid looking at Marlena once more. "I'll, um, I'll wait over by Ballistix."
"Austin honey, you don't have to go," Grace lays a hand on his arm, her voice mellifluous and quite bewitching. She doesn't want to have this conversation with Samantha, it's too risky.
"*Mom*," Sami appears frustrated. "I talked to Belle. She told me that John didn't stay at the penthouse last night. What the heck is going on?"
"Sweetheart," Grace starts.
"Mom, don't give me that crap about everything being okay," Sami cuts her off. "You had an accident and John isn't hanging around the penthouse like a bad smell? I'm not going to buy it."
"Samantha," Grace is a little amused by Sami's chutzpah but she doesn't think Marlena would be in her place and so she disciplines her reaction. "I really would rather not talk about it now, all right?"
"But Mom-"
"No Sami, *no* buts," Grace stops her firmly. "I told you, I don't want to discuss it. If you want to know the details, then maybe you should find John and ask him."
"Okay, okay," Sami held up her hands. "I'm sorry, I was concerned about you." She eyes her mother suspiciously. "I still am."
"I'll be fine," Grace looks at her watch and then slips her sunglasses back on. "You'd better go and pick up your son. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay," Sami nods but she remains dubious. "Listen Mom, if you don't want to talk now, can we catch up later?"
"Sure thing honey," Grace leans over and presses her cheek to Sami's. She has no intention of talking to the girl, but it doesn't hurt to play along. "Take care baby girl." The endearment comes a little more easily to her lips than Grace would like and she is lucky that Samantha misses her grimace.
"I will. You too Mom."
Grace nods and picks up her shopping bags. As she is walking away, she turns to find Austin is still watching her.
It is late afternoon by the time Grace makes it back to the penthouse and she scatters packages behind her on the way through the living room of the apartment. Stopping only to mix herself a martini, she mounts the stairs with two bags still in her clutch and makes her way to the bedroom.
She sets the glass down on the dresser and drops the bags on the bed, shaking the contents onto the floral comforter. She opens one box to reveal lingerie so flimsy as to barely exist. She fingers the silk and lace teddy with pleased fingers and she sighs.
In another box a silk gown nestles among an abundance of tissue. She pulls it out and the luxurious fabric tumbles to the ground in a waterfall of ice blue. She smiles ravishingly as she picks up her martini again. It might not be the couture she is used to, but the items she's found today are passable. Better than what is languishing in the armoire anyway.
She turns as the phone shrills and raises a well-defined brow. She's in no hurry to answer it, but the phone is still ringing as she lifts the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Marlena? Honey, look I know you don't want to talk to me, but can you just hear me out?" John's voice sounds tired and miserable on the other end of the line and it warms Grace's cool heart to hear him so devastated.
"You're right, I don't want to talk to you," she returns caustically. "Didn't I ask you to give me some space?"
"Doc, I'm miserable without you," he blurts out. "I can't bear knowing I've hurt you. Please, *please* let me make it up to you."
"Why is this all about what *you're* feeling and what *you* want?" she asks icily. "What *I* want is for you to leave me alone. So if you *ever* want me to talk to you again, I suggest you do just that."
Grace hangs up abruptly, her amber eyes flashing. It takes her a moment and then she lets the laughter ripple through her. What a weak, pathetic fool you married, Marlena. Well, don't worry; I'll take care of that for you.
Her delighted smile remains throughout her shower and her preparations for dinner. She piles her hair into a loose bun and lets a few delicate strands sweep her slender neck before she slides her legs into expensive silk stockings. Sliding the dress over her curves, she smoothes it around the low-cut neckline and smiles. Stefano will certainly approve.
After careful application of her make-up, she pulls out a selection of Marlena's jewelry. It has been a pleasant surprise to realize that John and Marlena have money and it makes the prospect of living Marlena's life somewhat more bearable.
She chooses diamonds to drape around her neck and her wrist and diamonds dangle from her ears. A new pair of strappy heels in the same ice blue as the dress, and studded with cut crystal, completes her look and she slips into them just as the doorbell chimes.
She makes her way downstairs, refusing to be rushed and she opens the door to find Stefano's driver waiting for her. With a smile, she collects her purse and her keys and closes the door of the penthouse behind her.