Lie To Me Fan Fiction ❯ Josh and Reva--The Chase ❯ Waking Up ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

R&J Chapter 4: Waking Up

Flowery fragrances floated through the air as Reva strolled arm in arm with Dr. Christopher Langham. They easily chatted about work and life without any pressure or boundaries. It was freeing for both of them. Reva was relaxed even though she was about to face her ex-husband, her former love, Joshua Lewis. She pushed the thought away and tried to pretend that it hadn't nagged at the back of her psyche for the last few days.

“Your daughter could not be graduating on a more gorgeous day” Chris noticed. He smiled down into Reva's face glowing in her direction.

Reva flushed a bit. It had been a while since someone was enamored with her. Even Noah--he loved her but like Josh, was always trying to change her. It was nice to just be herself and that be alright.

“I couldn't agree more this is weather is truly a gift. Thanks again for coming with me.”

“Oh I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Meeting your family is an honor for me.” Chris said smoothly. He smiled warmly, radiating calmness and security. Reva liked this and wanted more of it. She wondered if he would accept a dinner invitation from her next week.

As she thought her attention was taken--

“Mom!” Shane shouted across the courtyard. Reva looked over to be met with her grinning son. She was so blessed to have him. She waved over to Shane and began to walk in his direction. Chris was glad to continue their promenade together and allowed Reva to steer him through the crowd.

Reva began to tense as she approached her son who was flanked by Olivia and Josh. Chris felt her unease. He leaned over to Reva's ear and whispered “Easy now, lady. You are not alone.” He pulled back and smiled glad that he could offer her comfort.

Josh on the other hand was barely containing his fury. Where the hell had she been for the past 3 days? Who is this person with her?

His jaw clenched, Josh approached his former wife wanting an explanation for her behavior.

`Uh-Oh' Reva thought. She knew that look. It was the “you're in for it” look. She set her face as blandly as possible, ready for the onslaught Josh was about to heave at her.

“Reva” Josh said stiffly
“uhh Josh. We should probably get to our seats. Oh by the way this is Dr. Christopher Langham. He will be a guest on my show soon.”
“And you brought him hear?” Josh prodded. “Why?”
“Well why not?” Reva replied nonchalantly.
Josh ran his hand over his face trying to wipe away his frustration.
“Look it is nice to meet you doctor but I would like to have a word with Reva if you don't mind” Impulsively he took Reva's elbow gently and tried to lead her into a corner so they could speak privately.

Reva's feet were rooted to the spot. She did not want to be alone with him. She wanted to get on with her life without him. “I'm sure it's nothing that can't wait.”
“I disagree” Josh growled.

“If I may, Mr. Lewis” Chris spoke up. “Obviously Reva is an adult and if she doesn't want to talk now, perhaps you should respect that.”

Josh turned a death stare on the good doctor. “Excuse me but I'm sure Reva can answer for herself and--”
“And I say that we can talk later.” Reva cut in. She reclaimed her arm from Josh and led Chris over to Shane.

Josh was left standing there in disbelief. She was so detached. He turned to say something but was confronted with Olivia.

“What was that about?” she asked.
Josh could tell the truth on this one. “I wanted to talk to Reva about her whereabouts these last few days. The children have been worried.”
Olivia scoffed. “You know she is quite selfish and egocentric Josh. Maybe there was some crisis that she again put before her family. Isn't that why you left her in the first place--to get rid of the chaos she created?”

Josh was slapped with his own words. He didn't realize how ugly they truly were until this moment. He sighed and closed his eyes as Olivia hugged him close. “We better get to our seats, hmm?” she said to a still stunned Josh.

Reva had already taken Shane into the auditorium. She was seated between Shane and Chris talking animatedly about Zombies. It was Shane's new favorite subject and Reva loved to use her imagination. With Chris' help they were concocting an alternate reality where Alan Spaulding was made to eat human flesh. Josh watched as they giggled. Reva's laugh tinkled through the air. He remembered when he made her laugh.

“Darling, can we sit please?” interrupted Olivia.
Josh turned his attention to his current wife and guided her to her seat.
************************************************************* **************

Throngs of family and well-wishers emptied the building in search of their newly graduated senior. There were hugs and many pictures taken on this joyous occasion. Josh proudly stood with Marah as Olivia photographed them together.

“Now that's one for the record books” said Olivia. Marah had to fight not to roll her eyes at her manipulative step-mother. Instead she thought she'd stick it to her a little.

“Mom! Mom please come over and get a picture with me and Dad!” she pleaded. Reva paled visibly. She'd rather not but she couldn't make her daughter unhappy.

She fretted for a second, unclear on how to proceed until Chris whispered, “Hey you can do this. Remember clear boundaries, alright? And I will be near if you need me.” Reva smiled into his face grateful to have a friend to understand and support her as she broke the ties that bound her to Josh. She hadn't told the doctor too much detail but he knew that being in Josh's presence made her uncomfortable.

Reva took a deep breath and walked over to her daughter's side much to the disappointment of Olivia. `Great now I have to take a picture of this tramp and my husband' she groused silently.

Marah took Reva's hand and beamed at her mother. She was happy her parents weren't fighting for once. Josh looked over at Reva hoping to catch her eye but she wouldn't look his way. His daughter put her arms around both her parents pulling them close. Josh placed his arm around Marah's back, accidentally touching Reva. At the moment of contact Reva flinched noticeably. Fear raged within her trying to get out as Josh rubbed her arm to soothe her.

`Please let this be over quickly. I have to get away from him' Reva prayed silently. Reva tried to keep the slight tremor in her body from becoming an earthquake as she passed the agonizing seconds.

Finally the *click* of the digital camera released her from bondage. She yanked her arm out of Josh's grasped and cut him a deadly look. Josh blanched at the anger coming off in waves from his ex.

Fixing her attention now on her beautiful daughter, Reva basked in Marah's happiness. After a hug she watched as her first born ran off to chat excitedly with her friends. She breathed a sigh of relief. She was finally part of something good for her children and that gave her a bit of peace. Reva never forgave herself for driving off that pier when her children need her most.

In the midst of her revelry she felt a bit of a nudge on her left. She hoped to hell it wasn't Josh. Looking over, she found Chris. A smile blossomed across her face as she met his cool blue eyes. “I'm very proud of how you handled yourself, Reva. This has to be a very stressful situation for you.” assessed Chris.

“Thanks but it was with your help” said Reva while giving his arm a squeeze.

“Oh I don't know if I can take that kind of credit but I will settle for cake” he fished. Chris wanted to be invited to spend more time with this fascinating woman.

“Aren't you in luck doctor? We happen to have a divine assortment waiting for the family at home. Care to come along?”

“I would love to” he accepted.

Watching from about fifteen feet away, Josh Lewis fumed. Reva looked so easy and warm when talking to this doctor friend. He was too close to Reva; touching her arm, rubbing her hand. Josh ground his teeth and bit back the torrent of jealousy permeating his system.

“Hey Josh! Little brother, hello in there” called Billy.
Josh blinked and turned toward his brother. Finally he had someone he could trust to have a conversation with. “Hi there, Billy” Josh answered.

“Sorry to have missed Marah's big day but something came up and you'll be interested.” said Billy in a conspiratorial tone.

“You mean...”

“Uh-huh” Billy affirmed.

Josh's mouth went dry. He could tell the news was bad by Billy's stony face. There was no way to avoid this, he decided to take his medicine and his brother would help him.

Josh closed his eyes and in a near whisper said “My office, ten minutes, ok?”

“Sure little brother”

“Make sure the bourbon and branch is available, I think I'll need it”

Billy nodded gravely and stepped away.

************************************************************* ************************
Fifteen minutes later the Lewis brothers were seated in Josh's office. Billy had his laptop out and was preparing a video. Josh found some bourbon to help keep his fear of this new information concerning Olivia in check.

“Now Josh, “Billy began, “this video was taken a couple nights ago when we were working with the Staples Center people. Remember that?
Josh nodded. He remembered that the Staples deal was huge, and had many ramifications for their company. He was proud to have talked to them and to attain a verbal understanding concerning future projects.

“Are you sure you want to watch this...it's not pretty lil' brother.”

“Oh Billy just show me the damn video” Josh demanded with false bravado. He took his place next to his brother and watched as he clicked `play'.

The screen was dim but he could make out Olivia going over some plans. `Why was she doing that in near darkness.' his mind questioned. While trying to ascertain the logic of the situation, Alan Spaulding appeared.

“Well, well Olivia, I see you are making plans to finish the harbor project in San Cristobel” said Alan grandly. He stepped around the desk and leaned over Olivia. He was very close--too close.

Olivia had a smirk upon her beautiful face. “Was there ever any doubt, Alan?” She walked her fingers up Alan's arm while turning towards him turning their “too close” situation to “dangerously close.”

“My dear when it comes to your business acumen I am always surprised and delighted” Alan was a beat away from Olivia's inviting lips.

“What are you doing here?” she breathed.

“You know why I am here. To make you happier than Josh ever could.”

She pushed Alan back playfully and stood up with a slight giggle. “Oh really? How is that exactly?”

Alan grabbed her arm and jerked her close. “He's a small player in a very big pond, Olivia. I can give you more than he could ever possibly imagine. Money, power, position and an equal partner. He can't handle a woman like you, Olivia.”

Olivia closed the gap between their faces and whispered “Alan, bedding you would be so easy. I could just close my eyes and picture it was Josh I was with and not you--like I did last time”

Pushed far enough Alan threaded his hand into Olivia's hair, fisting it. “You will leave your eyes open and know with whom you are dealing.” he said in a very low and dangerous growl. With that, he cleared the desk in one swipe and pushed Olivia back onto it. Olivia's hands were eagerly taking off Alan's jacket and tie. Alan hastily pulled up her skirt, hiking it to her waist.

“Oh, no underwear today you brazen woman?”
Olivia licked her lips as she undid his belt and pants. “Always be prepared is my motto, you never know what you may encounter.” She pulled Alan into a passion filled kiss, ready to take him inside her.

“ENOUGH!” Josh screamed. He closed the laptop so hard that Billy could hear the tell-tale crunching of his now broken screen.

Josh's chest was heaving. He was so furious and disappointed at the same time. Not with Olivia, but with himself. `How could he have been so stupid?' he wondered.

Billy approached his lost brother wanting to comfort him. Josh shook off his arm. He didn't deserve comfort. “Josh...”

“Billy, please” Josh choked on the verge of rage coupled with deep sadness. “Just keep gathering information, that is how you can help me, ok?”

Billy nodded. He stood next to Josh and said “I love you lil' brother, don't you ever forget that.” Josh took a shuddering breath as he watched his brother leave his office.

Once alone, Josh began to cry the most heart wrenching cry in his recent memory. He remembered what he had before Olivia, what he walked away from for what? He slammed his fist into his desk. For order? For quiet? For predictability? He put his head in his hands and continued to weep broken-heartedly for not only Olivia's betrayal but in regret for his blind decision making that caused his children and Reva so much pain..

Josh stumbled over to his office window hoping to find answers in the picturesque view. He couldn't go back, how would he go forward alone?