Author: Tanya
Category: Dreamer - AU w/out Aliens
Rating: Adult
Summary: When Liz Parker breaks Max Evans' heart she thinks that's the last time she'll ever see him again. Now, a simple letter gives her that one last chance before it's too late to win him back.
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, but this story is. I am once again dusting off the characters and taking them on a little journey.
A/N - This is yet another story I had to dust off...I started this in 2007 and it was originally posted on Chronicles sneak peeks section under a different name, I think I only had 3 parts up there. This has been edited and has been a story that has been keeping me up because it wanted to be written. This will be updated Thursday's. I hope you enjoy.
Special Thanks to Raychelxluscious for editing this part for me...
Banner by Me
Prologue
Maybe
Present Day
If I had one single wish
I’d go back to the moment I kissed you goodbye
No matter how hard I try
I can’t live without you in my life
Maybe you’ll say you still want me
Maybe you’ll say that you don’t
Baby I can’t let you go
THE rain continued to pelt the windshield of her old Volkswagen as the shaky wipers squeaked loudly over the smooth surface of the glass. How long had she been sitting there? It felt as though an eternity had passed, but she knew better. She blinked rapidly, suppressing the burning tears that threatened.
How had she ended up there, at that very spot? The place she hadn’t set foot outside in six years. So many thoughts ran rampant through her mind at that very moment. At the forefront was the first day she’d seen the mansion, the world famous mansion, she amended to herself. It was just as intimidating now as it was then.
As the thunder rumbled loudly outside, the lightning provided sufficient light for her to take in the true masterpiece that was the Diaevans Estate. The light gray brick, the cathedral ceilings she knew lay right beneath the massive peaks of the roof and the enormous windows that provided an average person a glimpse of what they were missing from the outside. She wondered for a moment if people who viewed the home in magazines knew that if they stood in front of it, that it would seem as though they were standing on top of a very tall building, at least five stories, looking down on the small world below.
That view however was nothing compared to the land that lay right behind the gargantuan beauty. The lavish gardens, pools and other unique landscaping features are what she found to be the hidden beauty of the property. How she missed running through the maze of trees, with him hot on her heels, gasping to drag much needed air into her starved lungs.
A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She hadn’t let herself think about those private moments, which were all but a distant memory. Great memories were all she had left.
She had driven for five days, wondering how her car survived the trip, but it did. Something she was quite thankful for and made her wonder if maybe it was a sign. That was one thing she believed in, more so than miracles. Signs. After all, had this trip not confirmed for her what she already knew? That the situations and the people you meet in life, all add up. They all point in the same direction, but it’s up to the person to decide which way to turn. The signs were there, one just needed to learn to read them properly.
Taking in a cleansing breath, she reached out and tilted the rearview mirror down. Giving herself the once over, she pushed her hair away from her face, and reached for her purse. She hoped she had placed her lip-gloss in there in lieu of her suitcase which was in the trunk. With a thankful smile she plucked the small tube from her purse and applied it lightly. She was trying to make an impression, not that she thought it would even matter. After one last glance she tried to smile, despite the ache in her heart. What did she have to smile about? What if he wasn’t even inside? She hadn’t known if he still resided there, but it was the address on the letter she received two weeks prior, she reminded herself.
She reached into her backseat to withdraw her umbrella, what little good it would do. By the time she made the trek up to the front gate she knew she would be soaking wet. It was worth it though. This was, after all, her last chance.
Slinging the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she braced herself for the short, cold, wet walk that awaited her. Her soft pink, open toed sandals hit the pavement with a slosh; thankful that she hadn’t worn stockings, she walked up the long drive where sat thick iron gates.
Her steps were light, as the puddles splashed the cold water onto her exposed legs. Why had she worn a dress, she wondered at that moment. But then she answered her own rhetorical question: to make the very best impression she could. It had been so long since he’d seen her, and she looked different and wanted him to take notice right away. Finally, she arrived at the thick wrought iron gates.
She stood staring up at them, and memories began to flashback to her but at that very moment, the thunder echoed through the night sky causing her to jump with the force.
Pressing the button to alert the guard that someone was at the gate, she watched him through the rain as he reluctantly left his booth and made his way outside. The scowl on his faced made it very clear he was not happy about someone arriving so late unannounced. Especially someone on foot.
“Damn it,” she muttered to herself. She should have thought better of the time. It was nearly midnight; they would not be expecting anyone at this hour. Taking a second to rethink her timing, she decided she had nothing to lose.
“May I help you?” asked the well dressed, but currently drenched guard. She hadn’t recognized him straightaway, but then as he drew even closer, familiarity played over her eyes.
“Miss Parker? What brings you at this hour?” Recognition ignited in the guard’s eyes as well, and Liz couldn’t help but divert her gaze. Surely, if Roger remembered her, he would have remembered how she had fled the manor six years ago, ironically in a storm as bad as the one currently pouring down around them.
“I need to see him,” she practically begged and chastised herself for sounding so desperate.
“It’s late, you know?” The question was inane, but she nodded nevertheless.
“I didn’t see you,” he mumbled with a hint of a smile, for which she was grateful. She watched him walk back to his booth and unlocked the gates.
“Thank y—” she said as she made her way past him.
“Don’t thank me yet. Good luck.” Roger winked at her and she felt her nerves settle just a little. It was a sign, or was it?
Squaring her shoulders, she opted to walk up the drive, rather than get back in her car. Maybe it would make her chances of not getting turned away better, or so she hoped.
The umbrella was not holding up against the torrential downpour that decided to fall from the sky at that moment. It was pointless; she already looked like a puppy drowned twice over.
Her heart pounded ruthlessly in her chest as she reached the front doors. Finally, she thought. She should just ring the doorbell, but that would definitely wake the entire house, instead she opted for a loud knock. Lifting her hand to the oversized doorknocker, she rolled her eyes; did everything have to be so flamboyant?
She took a second to push back her drenched locks of hair. She hoped that her mascara didn’t run, or she’d surely look like the living dead. That was not the impression she was hoping for. If only she had a mirror, she mumbled under her breath.
Too late, she thought, as the sounds of heavy footsteps reached the door a minute or so later. Luckily there was a large overhang above the doors, giving her the opportunity to wring out the bottom of her hair quickly, just as the doors were pulled open.
“Miss Park—Oh goodness dear, come inside quickly! You’ll catch pneumonia!” Liz smiled at the petite older woman, Rosa, the maid. Roger must have already announced her from the front gate.
She was ushered into the entranceway. Liz jumped slightly at the sound of the solid oak hitting the doorframe with a loud thump.
“Come, we have to warm you up.” Rosa practically dragged her into the sitting room. Liz didn’t want to sit and ruin the furniture, but Rosa insisted, so she did.
Bringing her towel and a blanket, Liz accepted and smiled graciously at Rosa. Liz thought Rosa looked the same, but older. Her thin petite frame, her glasses hanging from the chain around her neck…everything about her brought back memories for her. A slight blush crept up her cheeks at the thought of Rosa finding her in a compromising position in one of the many bedrooms upstairs. Her eyes roamed towards the long staircase leading to the first level of the home. Was he up there? Was he making his way down to her?
“Is that better?” Rosa asked as she took a seat in front of her.
“Yes. Thank you. I’m sorry to come by so late, but I needed to see him.” Liz pleaded with her eyes and almost allowed the tears to fall when she saw the crestfallen expression cross the older woman’s face.
“Is he…not here?” Liz asked hesitantly, when she received no response.
“No, he is but…” she trailed off and Liz’s heart sank. She already knew the answer; she didn’t need to hear it. She was sure that his parents wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.
“Please,” she begged as she stood. If they weren’t going to let her upstairs she would find another way to get his attention.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Rosa, you know me. I need to see him. This is my last chance…” She managed to say as the tears finally came. It was futile to stop them, and she didn’t want to anymore. She was at the end of the line. If she didn’t see him tonight, it would be too late.
“What is going on?” came a strong sturdy, yet gruff voice from doorway.
“Rosa, what is she doing here?” Phillip Evans, Liz cringed. It wasn’t that she feared the man. In fact she had much respect for him, after all he was extremely successful, and was a great father, but he held grudges – of that she knew too well.
“Mr. Evans, I need to see him…please,” she pleaded, snaking her way past Rosa and Phillip. Unfortunately the second she was in the clear she slipped on the marble floors, landing on her bottom with a soft thud.
“Oh Miss! Are you okay?” Rosa covered the short distance and bent down to help Liz to her feet.
“Liz,” came Phillip’s soft voice filled with empathy, as he stood before her.
“I know I ruined it…him…us, but I need to see him. Look,” she quickly reached for her purse and fished out the letter she received one week ago. She thrust it at Mr. Evans with shaky hands.
“Liz, its done and over.” His sad gaze made her cry harder; her petite shoulders shook with a great force. Liz knew that Phillip Evans was a very serious businessman, as much as he was protective of his family. Liz thought with a tinge of guilt, she used to be a part of that very same family. In fact, she thought with even graver despair, it would have been her family in name as well.
“You don’t understand. He said he was letting me go. That he was moving on and…” her tears muffled her words making it impossible for her to be understood.
“Liz, he has moved on. Long ago. I’m sorry.” Phillip turned to Rosa giving her a look that could not be mistaken. It was time for Liz to go and she knew it.
It was all for nothing.
Sometimes people didn’t deserve second chances, she thought humbly.
“I’ll go. I’m sorry to disturb you.” Liz straightened her damp dress and jacket, gave a final nod to both Phillip and Rosa and as gracefully as possible, held her head high and made her way to the front door.
“Liz!”
She spun on her heels, almost losing her balance when she heard his voice. Her heart nearly stopped in her chest and her breath escaped in a jarring gasp.
“Max,” she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Maxwell,” Phillip’s firm voice filled in the entranceway.
“No Dad, I should be the one to tell her.” Max turned to face Liz once again as he descended the stairs quickly. She watched him carefully, for it might be the last time she ever saw him again.
He moved fluidly and in a matter of seconds he was standing before her. He was just as handsome, if not more so than she last remembered. He appeared to be older, more mature and she smiled internally when his eyes danced over her features. At least she didn’t repulse him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice just above a whisper. He didn’t seem angry with her, but there was something in his eyes that told her this was a mistake.
“I came because I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and, I got your letter…” She lifted her right hand to show him the water-drenched pages. An unreadable expression fell over his face and he reached to grab the sheets of paper.
“Liz, you shouldn’t have. That was my goodbye,” he explained softly. So softly, that her shoulders began to shake once again and the tears cascaded in big thick drops from her brown eyes.
“No. It’s not our goodbye, Max. That…it can’t be. I drove all the way here just to see you…to tell you…”
“To tell me what?” he asked in a gentle voice. All she wanted was for him to wrap his arms around her and hold her until he fell in love with her again. In love, like she was with him, as she always had been.
“I want a second chance. I deserve one and if I ever meant anything to you, you’d let me try,” she pleaded with a shaky voice.
“Try to what? Break my heart again? I can’t, Liz. I told you…in the letter…I can’t. I’ve moved on and my heart can’t love you again. It’s too late.” He looked away from her penetrating gaze, but it wasn’t quick enough. Not for Liz, because if she knew anything at all, she knew all of Max Evans’ expressions.
“It’s not too late for us,” she implored, reaching out her hand to grasp his forearm.
“Six years is too late. I tried to give you a chance, more than one, but you refused me each and every time. God! You acted like I was the one that left you. I can’t do this, Liz, maybe then…but not now. I’m sorry,” he said with a shaky voice. Breaking him of his emotions was a tough feat, and she had at one point mastered it, but that was then. And now, Liz had no idea how to reach him.
“Is it true?”
“Is what true?” his patience with her was wearing, from the tone of his voice and the rigid demeanor he held, she could easily tell.
“What you wrote…in the letter?” She froze at the sadness that touched his features at her question.
“You should go,” came his soft reply and his quiet retreat to the sitting room.
Standing alone for a moment, she watched as both Phillip and Rosa pretended to have avoided overhearing the conversation, but she knew they heard it all. Wiping the tears from her face, she mustered up her courage to turn and leave, again.
Maybe, signs were just that, signs. Not meant to be read at all. Maybe she was wrong about his feelings.
As she stepped back into the rainfall, she looked up and allowed the rain to pelt her face and in that moment a spark of hope formed. Max Evans might have moved on, but she wouldn’t. Not until she got what she wanted from him.
Forever.
TBC…
Lyrics: Enrique Iglesias - Maybe
