The Affair

Protection Required

“Boss, he doesn’t believe it’s John and Marlena. He thinks it’s all an act.

“Turn it off for now. But by the time I’m through with him…he’ll know the truth…that his precious Marlena is in love with John Borne. After he sees the next part…he won’t be able to deny it’s really them.”

“What happens if he still won’t help you after he finds out the truth?”

“Bart, you should know me better than that. I’m not depending on Roman’s need for revenge against John. I have something or should I say someone else in mind to help me carry out my plan. This is just phase one.” Stefano looked at his watch. “I think it’s time for lunch. Bring it to him.”

Stefano watched as Roman continued screaming into the camera.

***********************************

After a slow start…her morning flew by. Before she realized it…it was time for lunch. She stopped in the cafeteria, picked up a sandwich and headed to John’s room. Marlena was pleasantly surprised when she opened the door and saw Victor standing there and John holding Boaty in his arms. She immediately picked up on the tension in the room between John and Victor.

“Hello Victor,” she said as kissed his cheek. “Am I interrupting something?”

“I’m glad you’re here…you can help me persuade John.”

“Persuade him to do what?”

“Victor…now is not the time,” said John.

“How can you say that? This concerns Marlena just as much as you and Boaty.”

“What are you two talking about,” she asked as she placed her sandwich on the table next to his bed.

“Nothing…it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“John, I’m only trying to help and you know I’m right.”

“Will somebody please tell me what’s going on?” She was getting tired of them talking around her.

Victor and John stared at one another…neither one saying a word…until finally Victor spoke, “After John is released from the hospital, I want him to stay at my estate while he recuperates and he’s fighting me on this.”

“I don’t understand…why won’t you stay with Victor?”

“Doc, if Bo is right and I’m a target, the last thing I want to do is put my son in danger. If something happens to Boaty because of me, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”

“But that’s not going to happen,” said Victor. “I won’t allow it.”

“You can’t guarantee me my son’s safety.”

“John, I have a plan…and if you just give me a chance to explain it to you, I think you’ll understand and agree with me.”

“You know what,” interjected Marlena, “I don’t think Boaty needs to hear all of this. Why don’t I take him out of the room while you two discuss Victor’s plan.”

“You’re right,” agreed Victor, “but you need to hear this also…after all it involves you too. Boaty’s nanny is right outside.” He took Boaty from John. “I’ll be back in about five minutes.”

As soon as the door closed, Marlena spoke up, “He’s only trying to help. Why are you fighting him on this? I know you trust him…if you didn’t you wouldn’t let him take care of Boaty. Just hear him out and if I don’t like what he says, I’ll side with you.”

“Doc, I just don’t want anyone I love, including you, to get hurt because of me.”

“So what are you saying? Are you planning on leaving?”

“Would that be such a bad idea?” He held up his hand before she could say anything, “I mean I could disappear for a little while…just until whoever is behind this is caught.”

“And what happens if they’re never caught…what then? Do you just stay away…forever? What happens to the life we planned together?”

“Doc, that won’t happen.”

“To quote you, you can’t guarantee that. How many times have we been close to catching Stefano? Yet, somehow he always manages to get away.” Marlena sat on the edge of the bed, placed his face in her hands, and pulled him close until they were only inches apart. “I will not let you leave us.” Their eyes were locked onto one another.

Neither one heard Victor enter the room. “I, uh hate to interrupt…but…”

Marlena pulled back and answered for both of them, “That’s alright Victor…we’re ready to hear your plan.”

“Good, I think you’re going to like it.”

*************************************

Realizing Stefano wouldn’t respond to his tirade, Roman sat back down. He ate the tray of food and waited for Stefano to appear.

It wasn’t long before Stefano was standing before him. “Roman, I see you’ve finally calmed down enough so we can talk.”

“Stefano, you can’t honestly believe I think that’s Doc with John. If you think this little charade of yours is going to make me help you, than you’ve wasted a lot of money and time.”

“Roman, I assure you, everything you’ve seen is real. That is your precious Marlena with her lover.”

“There’s nothing you can do or say that will ever make me believe that.”

“I knew you would need more proof.” He spoke into a small radio. “Bart, begin the tape in one minute. You will believe me, once you see this…there’s no way I could have this if it weren’t true.”

“Stefano, I don’t believe a word you say.”

“Watch the tape.” Stefano pulled up a chair and sat down.

As if on cue, the tape began again. This time, however, Marlena was upstairs in what he could only assume was John’s bedroom. He watched as Marlena stood in the room and looked at herself in the mirror. Her clothes were torn…there were bite marks and scratches on her body. She looked like she had been attacked. Even though he knew this wasn’t his Marlena, he couldn’t help but feel anger…wanting to kill whoever did this.

“What kind of monster are you?” His question was directed at Stefano. “How could you do this to her?”

“I had nothing to do with this…you’ll see and then you’ll believe me.”

Roman turned back to the screen and watched as she sat on the bed and dialed a number. He heard her say, “Captain Boaty, please. Yes, I’ll hold.” He didn’t know what Stefano was up to but a feeling of dread began to overtake his body. After waiting a few minutes, she said, “Roman, it’s Marlena. It looks like I’m going to be longer than I thought. Do you think you can pick up the kids from your parents for me and I’ll meet you at home?”

All the color drained from his face…his heart stopped…he remembered having that exact conversation with Marlena. Please, please don’t let this be happening. He didn’t want to see or hear anymore but he couldn’t stop himself. He had to know the truth. The only part of the conversation he could hear was Marlena’s…but he didn’t need to hear his part…he remembered what he said. He remembered thinking she was acting strange and now he knew why. She had been attacked. Stefano would never get his hand’s on John, he would kill him first…with his bare hands. Roman remembered everything. She told him she was still shopping and running late. She asked if he could pick up the kids from his parents. He wanted to talk that night…she didn’t…in fact she got angry for no apparent reason.

As he continued to watch he saw John enter the room. Why didn’t she leave when she had the chance? Why didn’t she say anything to him? She was afraid…afraid he would kill John. She was protecting him…she shouldn’t have. She should have told him the truth. There was only one other explanation for her staying there…this wasn’t his wife…she was an actress hired by Stefano.

Roman watched John walk over to Marlena and whisper something in her ear. The bastard must have threatened her while she was talking to him because she nodded her head in agreement. John Borne was a dead man.

What he saw next, made him violently ill. He watched as his wife allowed John Borne, her r****t, to kneel down before her, place her legs over his shoulder and then…he couldn’t watch. Roman ran to the bathroom and threw up everything he had in stomach. There had to be some mistake, it wasn’t Marlena; somehow Stefano must have found a way to bug his phone and record their conversation. He stood there…in the bathroom…running cold water over his head…trying to make sense of what he just witnessed.

The minute Roman ran from the room, Stefano ordered Bart to stop the tape. He wanted there to be no doubt in Roman’s mind that this was his wife. He would make him watch everything, even if it meant he had to handcuff him to the chair and pry his eyes open.

“Roman, you might as well come back…or are you afraid what I’ve been saying is the truth? Are you afraid to find out the truth? If you’re so sure this is just some creation of mine, come back and prove me wrong.”

It had to be a lie…and somehow he would prove it. Doc was in love with him…not John and even if it was her…then that could only mean one thing…John r***d her and threatened her somehow. Roman turned the water off and walked back to his chair. He would watch everything because the first chance he got…he would kill John Borne…even if it meant spending the rest of his life in prison. John would never hurt Marlena again.

The tape resumed playing; he watched in silence, his hands balled into tight fists. He watched as John slipped his tongue in and out of her while she talked to him on the phone. The camera zoomed in on her face…he saw her close her eyes…he watched her pelvis began to move to the rhythm of his tongue…he heard her say, “This is not the time to discuss this.” He remembered what happened next…before it played out on the screen before him: he asked her when they would have time and her saying she didn’t know and hearing the phone slam down in his ear. Now he knew why…he watched has her hand grabbed John’s hair and held his head in place…and finally he watched as she exploded into ecstasy…with John. This was Marlena…his wife…there was no doubt in his mind.

***********************************

“John, I know your main concern is Boaty and Marlena and I think I can help you with that…in fact I know I can. Bo thinks you’re a target, I called him earlier…and I’m inclined to agree with his assessment. I also think you need round the clock protection, but I know you’re not happy with the policeman standing outside your door. I pitched this idea to Bo and Abe…at first they weren’t happy, but I convinced them…told them how stubborn you are, how you would probably ditch him the first chance you got and it would be a complete waste of man hours that could be used for something else. After thinking it over, they agreed with me and once we’re finished with conversation and you agree…I’ll make a call and your police protection will be withdrawn. You will still have protection, just not the police…it’ll be someone on my staff…someone who can be trusted and someone who can be discreet.”

“John, that doesn’t sound bad.”

He nodded his head in agreement, “But what about Boaty and Marlena. I still can’t be around them.”

“I’m getting to that. Since I have to go overseas on Titan business, Boaty can come with me. Before you go ballistic, let me finish. I’ll probably be gone about 3 weeks. While I’m gone, you can stay at the mansion. You’ll have round the clock security, and the entire staff will be at your disposal. While you’re there, Marlena can visit you anytime you want and you won’t be disturbed. As I said, my staff is discreet…they’re well paid and they’re extremely loyal. By the time Boaty and I get back, you should be on your feet and we can go from there.”

John and Marlena looked at one another.

Victor sensed they needed to talk it over…alone. “Tell you what…I have a little hospital board business to take care of while I’m here, so I’ll leave you two alone. I should be back in about half an hour, forty-five minutes…talk it over and let me know.” He turned to leave.

John spoke up, “Victor, I’ll take you up on the private protection right now. Make the phone call. By the time you get back, I…I mean, we’ll have an answer for you on the rest of your ideas.”

Two minutes later, the police officer outside his door, stepped in and said, “Mr. Borne, I’ve been ordered back to the station.” Without saying another word, he was gone.

Marlena walked over and looked out the door. Standing right outside, was a big guy dressed in a suit. He didn’t move or say anything….he just stood there, staring straight ahead. Victor didn’t waste any time.

“Before you say anything Doc, I’m going to take Victor up on his offer.”

“Well that was easy…I thought it would take a little convincing before you agreed.” She looked at suspiciously, “What are you up to? I mean you don’t usually give in so easily.”

“Victor made perfect sense and besides, I knew you wouldn’t let it go until I agreed. This way I can save us a little time.”

“There is an up side to this you know…I can visit you anytime I want while you’re recuperating and no one will bother us.”

“You know I didn’t say anything before but I’ve been meaning to ask you…when did you tell Victor about us?”

“I didn’t…he guessed. It was the day you were shot. I was sitting outside your room crying and he sat next to me. Without actually saying the words, he let me know he knew and that he was okay with it. He loves you just like you were his own son.”

“I know Victor has his dark side, but he’s been good to me and Boaty.” He motioned for her sit next to him on the bed. “So now that that’s been taken care of…we still have a while before Victor gets back. What do you want to do?”

“I want to hear all about your morning,” she said as she sat next to him on the bed. “Did you have any tests done?”

“A couple…nothing too strenuous…but I do have something to show you.”

“What’s that?”

“Watch.” John threw the covers off him and climbed out the other side of the bed. He was standing before she realized it. “Ta da” He took a few steps before turning back around. “How about that?”

“John, you shouldn’t be pushing yourself this hard. Now get back in bed…right now.”

“Doc, relax…its ok. I feel fine.” Still, he heeded her warning and climbed back into bed.

“I know you hate to be cooped up but why are you in such a hurry?”

“Because, Dr. Evans…the sooner I can out of this bed…the sooner I can get you into bed.”

Marlena laughed, “Has anyone ever told you…you have a one track mind.”

“Once or twice…but that’s not my fault…it’s yours.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well,” he began, “the problem is you’re all I think about…I love making love to you. I love when you close your eyes whenever I do this.” He leaned in and kissed her neck. “I love how you hold your breath when I whisper in your ear.” He leaned in again and whispered in her ear and watched as Marlena automatically held her breath, “just like that. I love everything about making love to you.”

“Well then, I guess that makes us even because that’s all I think about…making love to you.”

John held Marlena’s hands, brought them slowly to his lips and kissed than gently. “So now that you see I’m stronger,” he said as he looked into her eyes, “any ideas on when we can get what we both want.”