Chapter 6: Sometimes You Gotta Go Home

          After Giselle’s funeral, Yuri became paranoid and stressed.  Elliott took on the job of trying to make her feel better and to try and get her to realize that she needed to talk to someone.  So, within a week of Giselle’s death, Yuri went to Dr. Elizabeth Grimes’ office of Psychiatry and began therapy.  She hated the way Dr. Grimes stared at her and then wrote on her pad.  She felt like she could see through her.  Dr. Grimes continued to remind Yuri that she wasn’t there to judge her.  Still, Yuri felt like she shouldn’t tell the doctor everything.  One thing was for sure, that Yuri realized that the myth wasn’t a myth at all.  They really do ask you about your mother or at the very least...your parents.  Talking about Teresa was a sore spot.  She and Teresa hadn’t spoken since she was assaulted.  Yuri knew the flowers she received that day were from her, but she still never got a formal apology.   She knew she might not ever get one either.  Yuri knew that the only thing that kept her mother from totally disowning her was her dad.  Daniel was her guardian angel growing up and though she’d felt betrayed by him, she knew he would never let Teresa do her harm.  Dr. Grimes had been very helpful with the things she could fill her in on in such a short period.  In only a couple of week’s time, they had ventured into the realm of Yuri’s dark side.  Yuri intimated that she had done some reprehensible things, and Dr. Grimes became curious and asked questions.  Yuri however just wanted to get to the bottom of things.  Time was of the essence and she could not let Drake catch her sleeping.  She needed to relieve some of the mental burden so she could get back on top of her game.  Drake was way too close, and she needed to get a grip so she could handle him fittingly.  In the last few weeks since their conversation in the yard, Drake had continued to harass her.  Even though he stopped requesting her sexually, the threats on her freedom were unending.  Drake always managed to call when Elliott was around.  She and Elliott were stronger than ever in spite of Drake’s efforts to hurt their relationship.  He was there for her all the way.  He couldn’t have believed he would ever support or seemingly condone murder, but Yuri had a way with him that no other woman could claim.  He loved her so deeply that he was willing to sacrifice his own well being to make her life better.

Besides therapy and a renewed relationship, Elliott and Yuri had made another leap.  Within the past month, Elliott moved out of his apartment and into Yuri’s loft.  It was big enough to accommodate them, so it made the most sense.  Yuri had been wearing her ring even though the two hadn’t quite announced it to the world.  When Teresa got wind of Elliott’s proposal, her horns sprouted up again, and she decided that she could re-pitch the society induction to Yuri.  She knew she couldn’t go about it the way she had, so she hatched a plan to cater to Yuri’s sensitive disposition.  Knowing that Yuri was grieving Giselle, she decided with the help of Serene, to establish an art school scholarship in Giselle’s name.  Teresa also decided to plan an engagement party for Yuri.  Breeya was enlisted, to her own chagrin and so was Bethany.   Now, all Teresa needed was for someone to convince Yuri to attend a “gathering” at the family’s home to lure her there for the surprise party.  It took Teresa ONE week to throw together the affair.  The best food, wine, music and decorations were purchased in a flash to celebrate the daughter of Daniel and Teresa Hart’s impending marriage.  Teresa called in favors from all her closest associates and some of Daniel's family to drop what they were doing and attend the special event.  Daniel was enthusiastic because he wanted for his ladies to mend fences.  Ever since he’d come home, he and Teresa had agreed to work on their own marriage.  He wanted his family together again...so any monies Teresa needed to fund this party, he gave.

“I don’t think Yuri is going to come here, Daniel.  She is so stubborn.” Teresa said to Daniel over breakfast.  “Well if you’d apologized in person sincerely and not with an anonymous bouquet of flowers, she might consider it.” He responded, cutting her a look.  Ever since she had attacked Yuri, and Daniel had chided her about it, Teresa had been demure and less bitchy.  It didn’t hurt that for effect, Daniel had taken a picture of Yuri’s face and sent it to Teresa’s email address.  She was so ashamed of what she had done, that she’d barely spoken a word for nearly a week following.  “What good what that have done to tell Yuri I was sorry?  She hates me.  Yuri is never going to forgive me.”  “Well, we won’t know that will we, until you actually try to apologize.” Daniel said.  He got up from the table and kissed his wife goodbye and said, “Don’t worry Tee, if Breeya cannot convince her I will take it upon myself to get her here.  You just make this the best party you can for our little girl’s engagement, ok?”  She nodded yes as Daniel picked up his briefcase and walked out the house.  Teresa had the table filled with all the plans for the party.  She only had a couple more days before the affair was to take place.  She wanted it to be the best social gathering of the year.  Impressing Yuri was top priority.  She had kept it to herself, but she missed Yuri, dragging her from event to event.  Having her in attendance was always comforting.  Not having her around in the past several weeks was her secret agony.  She had no answers for the sisters in the society when they asked where Yuri was.  Yet...as embarrassing as it should’ve been for her, she was more sad than ashamed.  She never really knew how much she loved and adored Yuri until they weren’t on speaking terms.  She also realized just how proud she was of her youngest daughter.  She admired the gallery, the online business...even her completion of college and her maverick attitude.  She admired Yuri’s guts to live to her own standards.  No matter how hard she’d been on her, Yuri stuck to her guns about the life she wanted to lead.  Teresa wanted this party to be one big apology to her daughter...and maybe even get on her good side long enough to change her mind about being sponsored into the Black Lioness Society.  Now, who would Teresa be to not at least TRY to work her own personal angle?  After all, Yuri was about to be married, before 30...all the specifications she swore she would never fulfill.   Yuri could be a lioness, Teresa thought.  Teresa smirked to herself that she was so close to getting what she’s always wanted...Yuri in her spitting image.  The only thing missing was Teresa’s devil horns and the evil-intended-clichéd rubbing of the hands.

Breeya hadn’t spoken to Yuri in a long time.  She attributed her MIA cousin to new-found love, business, love-lost, smoky affair, tragic loss of friend, and love renewed.  She herself had a man, so time away from the very neurotic Yuri was a breath of fresh air.  She missed her though.  She wanted to be filled in on all the things that she’d missed in their very sporadic and short conversations over the phone.   The only thing about this visit was that it was Teresa-inspired.  She dreaded doing her aunt’s grunt work, but she knew that Yuri deserved to be catered to and invited back into the family she loved dearly.  She wanted Yuri to be happy for once and seeing her celebrate her and Elliott’s love was exactly what was needed.  So, she sucked it up and invited Yuri to their hideout, “The Cocoa Café” where everything was either made from chocolate or was spiked with it.  She ordered for Yuri knowing she would most likely get the chocolate-laced coffee stirred with a cinnamon stick.  Just as the coffees and almond croissants were arriving, Yuri walked through the door.  She was dressed in denim pedal pushers and a flowing floral print halter with a white jacket.  She had on her white Chloe shades and had a white Coach bag.  Though she looked pretty, Breeya could see the stress written on her face.  She wasn’t very good at hiding it.  Yuri always thought she was, but Breeya could always read her well.  It was probably why and how Breeya became her sole confidante growing up.  Breeya stood up and greeted her cousin with a huge tight hug.  They then sat down and Yuri said, “Oooh...thanks for the cinny chock.”  Breeya smiled and said, “Now, come on...it hasn’t been that long since we were here.”  “It seems like it.  I’m sorry that I’ve been busy and what not...” Yuri began.  NO, don’t even do it.  You’ve had a lot on your plate Ms. Yuri.  I understand.  Family is not bought, we are paid in full.  We are yours for life.”  Yuri almost got teary-eyed.  “Yes, I have been swamped with one thing after another.  GiGi’s death has taken a toll on me...I wake up in a cold sweat a lot.”  Yuri's voice drifted for a second, snapping out of it with Breeya’s touch on her arm.  “Talk to me Yuri.  Do you need to talk?  I’m here for you always Smurf.”  Yuri smiled at Bree’s childhood name for her.  “I will be ok...life must go on.  I have to deal with Corrine now, because she is acting in GiGi’s behalf with the gallery and she doesn’t know a single thing about art.  Thank God, she and I get along well or I would be up a shit’s creek.”  Breeya just listened as Yuri filled her in on some of the latest events.  The ONE thing Yuri made sure to leave out was the way GiGi died.  She wasn’t ready to come to terms with that.  Breeya had been there for her when she killed Jon and Stone, and had even suspected that the handsome banker named Hanley had gone missing at her hands.  This one though was not for her ears.  Breeya would call her a head case for sure.  Once Breeya had sat through a quick updating, she decided to throw in the thing that was behind her invite in the first place.  “Well, I know that you’ve been going through a rough time, Yuri.  So much has happened to you in the past few months.  Why don’t you do yourself a favor and take your mind off of everything?”  Yuri raised one eyebrow and said, “So what do you have in mind, because it seems your intentions are showing.”  Breeya smiled.  “Look, my mother asked me to attend a social function with her for charity.  She bailed at the last minute and now, I am holding two invitations to something I didn’t sign up for in the first place.”   “What is the function about and where is it?” Yuri asked, sipping on her cinny chock.  She looked at Breeya from over the rim of her mug and saw a familiar look on her face.  Then it dawned on Yuri, this was Teresa-bound.  “Oh, no.  I know you aren’t going to ask me to go to something planned by my mother.  Please tell me Breeya that this function you're speaking of isn’t my mom’s project.”  She said.  Breeya put up both her hands and said, “Wait...before you come to a conclusion, please hear me out.”  Yuri bit her lip and gestured for Breeya to state her case.  “This particular function isn’t just ANY function, Smurf.  Aunt Tee is throwing this affair in honor of Giselle.  She wants to set up a scholarship for art school in Giselle's name...and I know she would appreciate you showing up.”  Breeya’s eyes were sincere and Yuri could feel that Breeya was not comfortable with asking her for a favor this big.  “Why is she doing this?  I mean, she barely knew GiGi.  She can’t be doing this for me we’re not even on speaking terms.” Yuri pondered.  “She IS doing this for YOU dimwit.” Breeya laughed.  “Aunt Tee is trying to make amends.  She wants to do something to show you she is concerned...so what if it IS self-serving, and she comes off looking altruistic.” They both laughed knowing that there was always an ulterior motive where Teresa Hart was concerned.  “I am having a hard time believing that even though my mom loves to throw bashes and call them functions or charities that she would think to do anything for ME.  Besides, how is it that she is so concerned with founding something in GiGi’s name, when she never ONCE picked up the phone to check on me when she died?  My father was the concerned party there.” Yuri stated bitterly.  Breeya knew she had a point, but the truth was that she wasn’t here to state the obvious.  She needed to convince her cousin to show up at the Hart mansion in two days.  “Ok, I know Aunt Tee isn’t the most maternal creature...but she IS doing this for you.  She knows that she hasn’t apologized for hurting you or been supportive about many things, but this is her way of making amends or at least trying to.  Please come with me Saturday?” Breeya batted her eyelashes mockingly.  Yuri said, “Ok, fine.  I will go with you.  Do you think you can finagle an extra invite for Elliott, because I don’t seriously believe I could get through a night of bullshit without him.  He has become my rock.”  “No problem, Yuri.  I promise you Elliott is welcome.  You two dress formally and meet me at my place at 7pm.  We will show up on time a half hour later.  Is that okay with you?” Breeya asked.  Yuri sighed in concession to her cousin’s pleas. “Sure...your place at 7pm sharp.  I will have Ell in his best threads all to impress the head lioness.”  They talked a little more and shared a few more chocolate infused treats and then went their separate ways.

Yuri had walked to the café to enjoy the day.  She had been in such a funk, but when Breeya had called to invite her to coffee, she instantly felt lighter and decided to take in the day.  Walking back towards the gallery, Yuri got a bad feeling.  With the way life had been surprising her she didn’t know what she’d find if she looked into the direction of where her skin was chilling.  Reluctantly, she looked over her shoulder and saw Drake cruising slowly along the block watching her.  She ducked inside a shop to shake him.  The bell signaled her entry as a she heard a polite voice say, “Welcome to Nyla’s Keepsakes.  My name is Rayne, may I help you?” she said.  Rayne was a tall woman of at least 5’10 with piercing hazel-grey eyes and brown skin.  Her curly locks bounced as she spoke and for a second, Yuri had forgotten why she was there.  “Uh, no...I was just browsing the shops.  I am not really looking.” Yuri said, looking back at the door.  She had never allowed anyone to shake her up like this, but lately her nerves of steel had become jelly.  “Well, we are having a sale on crystal.  Everything crystal is 60% off of the ticketed price.  So, if you do see anything or need help let me know and I will be happy to assist you.” Rayne said cheerfully.  It was annoying to Yuri because she just wanted to hide.  She perused the aisle where the crystal was and came upon a beautiful crystal figurine.  It was shaped like a bloomed rose and was frosted.  She picked it up without looking at the price and turned to take it to the counter.  Yuri bumped right into Drake.  “So, you think it’s going to be easy, huh?  Do you think I am going to let you go?  Okay, so you called my bluff...but I could’ve used that evidence against you.” Drake said.  “I don’t want to talk to you, Drake.  You are not who I love and I don’t care what you think you have on me, I will not return to your bed.”  Drake grabbed her arm and said, “Don’t fucking talk to me like I am some kind of stalker.  I am a decorated detective.  This isn’t puppy love Yuri.  I am in love with you.  I know you felt something between us...say you did.” He begged.  “Even if I HAD felt something in the beginning that feeling died the moment you began blackmailing me for sex.”  “Well you weren’t cooperating Yuri.  You thought you had me pegged.  Once you’d slept with me, you thought I would stop investigating you.  Isn’t that why you slept with me in the first place?  You just wanted to make sure I didn’t suspect you for Hanley Mill’s disappearance...right?”  Yuri knew it was true.  She had seduced this man to keep her freedom and now she was judging him for using that DVD to keep her around.  Either way, her freedom was on the bargaining table.  “Look, I have to go.  Please let loose my arm so I can pay for my item and leave?” she said in an asking tone.  Drake let go of her arm and said, “I’m not trying to hurt you.  You can go.”  Yuri walked around Drake and paid for her crystal rose.  Once she got outside and walked a few paces, she heard Drake say, “It’s not over, Yuri.  Count on the fact that I get what I want.”  She never looked back...she walked to the gallery and cried in the safety of her office.  She cried for Jon, Hanley and Giselle.  She cried for the lies she’d told and for the lives she’d taken.  Her heart was burdened with the spirits of these people.  Last but not least, she cried for how she had gotten into this predicament with Drake Price.  Ever since he’d walked through the doors of her gallery, he’d become a problem.  She prayed that things wouldn’t get worse, but somehow she knew that was improbable.  She had too much to answer for.

Drake walked around the corner and got back into his car.  Simone said, “Did you get her to admit anything?”  “No, she is too smart.  She hasn’t gotten this far because she’s dumb.  She knows just what to say and how much.”  Drake had enlisted Simone in his get back plan to catch Yuri.  If she didn’t want him then Elliott couldn’t have her either, but now he had to reconfigure things to make his investigation look legit.   He had crossed the code of ethics when he slept with her, so he had to find proof that no one could refute.  Drake knew that Yuri had said enough to make someone suspect her, but he wasn’t so sure about taking down the woman of his dreams with the woman who was pregnant with his child.  He didn’t want to give Simone too much information before he could process everything and decide how far he wanted to take this.  He only wanted to scare Yuri into reconsidering her feelings...and somehow that made sense to him.  Simone said, “We have to find out how she could’ve gotten hold of that drug she used to poison GiGi.  I mean, scopolamine isn’t exactly something you get over-the-counter, Drake.  Did Carlene tell you what sources that scopolamine is found in?”  Drake said, “It comes from the belladonna plant...the deadly nightshade.  It’s a wild plant that grows in some parts of Northwest America.”  Simone thought about at it and said, “Do you think she is smart enough, to take the plant and convert into an indigestible poison?  I mean, does she have an underground lab or something?”  Simone’s humor was masking her frustration.  Drake then said, “You’re over-thinking it Monie.  Carlene says she could’ve easily squashed the berries of the plant and gotten the same deadly results.”  Simone nodded and ran her hand over her neat ponytail.  “Ok...well let’s start looking around the places she could’ve happened upon this plant.  I can get a picture of it and we can search around her residence, the parks near it, and even check near the homes of her closest relatives and friends.  You know...my Aunt Mallory has a huge garden, you saw it.  GiGi and Yuri were there a lot.  Let me check there too.” Simone suggested.   Drake could hear the hunger in her voice.  The ultimate desire to apprehend the woman suspected of killing her cousin.  Knowing that the tea was made for her was even more of a reason to get on it.  Drake was still daydreaming about Yuri.  Simone had gotten a call and was preoccupied.  Then Drake was startled out of his thoughts.  “OH MY GOD, Drake.   That was my cousin Corrine.  She says that Teresa Hart sent an invite to attend a surprise engagement party and joint fundraiser for a scholarship named for GiGi.  This is on Saturday.  We have got to go.  We can get close enough to her family and ask some pertinent questions about your little Yuri.” She said sarcastically.  “Then it’s a date.  We will get all formal just to show up and blow the lid off of Ms. Hart’s ruse.” Drake said.  He just made the statement to seem gung ho, but he dreaded seeing his Yuri on the arm of Elliott.  Every time he saw them his heart sank and he felt the desire to shoot him.  “You and I back together again, solving crimes.  We have got to make it worth the trouble.  This chick is crazy and no one knows it.  I want to either lock her ass up for life or have the honor of putting a bullet in her.” Simone said with eagerness.  Drake wasn’t excited one bit...because he had a different plan than Monie’s and she knew nothing about it.  His plan was self-serving and quite permanent.  He wanted to make sure there were no holes in his plan...Elliott’s death had to look good.  Once the mission was completed, then and only then could he prove to Yuri how much he loved her.  There would be no way she could deny him once Elliott was out of the picture.

Saturday arrived with Yuri very nervous.  She had purchased a new dress for the evening and had made sure that Elliott had his suit.  She knew that all the Beaumonts had been invited, so she realized there was a very real possibility of her running into Simone...and by association, Drake.  She had rehearsed in her head over and over the way she would handle both pains in her ass.  Elliott had insisted though that she make the best of the opportunity to be close to her family...her mother especially.  Yuri on the other hand was very skeptical of any potential she and her mother had for any cozy moments.  Teresa was a slick character.  Where there was a will there was only HER way...so Yuri knew there was an agenda for tonight.  “Baby, can you tie this for me?” Elliott asked, giving over his tie to Yuri.  “I can’t tell if you men NEED us to do this, or if you just like it.” She said.  “Anytime I can get to feel your hands on me are moments of NEED for me.  Just tie my tie woman!” Elliott laughed.  She tied his tie in a perfect bow and kissed him.  “How do I look baby?” she asked.  She modeled her strapless empire dress.  The dress stopped right above her knee to show her shapely gams and she had on a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes with a sequined T-strap.  “You look so damn sexy baby.  You might not make it to this party.” He threatened.  “Let’s go, so we can be on time...my mother despises lateness.” Yuri said.  She picked up her sequined purse and sheer wrap sprinkled with small sparkles.  They left the house and made their way to Breeya's house.  Breeya and Keith lived in a cute 3-bedroom cottage style home not 5 minutes away from the Hart mansion.  Breeya and Keith stepped out of the house dressed sharply.  Breeya was wearing a pale yellow dress with several flowing layers.  The straps were twisted and right in the middle of her sweetheart neckline was a crystal brooch.  She sported a pair of pale yellow tie-up shoes with a rose at the toe.  Breeya had hair twice as long as Yuri’s and wore it in a slick pulled back ponytail with a yellow rose clip.  Keith had on a simple but chic chocolate brown suit.  “WOW...you look gorgeous Breeya.  You're not too shabby either Keith.” Yuri said smiling.  Keith thanked her and commented on how beautiful she looked.  Keith and Elliott shook hands and spoke as the girls introduced them.  Breeya said, “Yes, you do look damned good yourself, Ms. Yuri.  You look perfect for the night’s festivities.”  Yuri looked at her with a raised eyebrow and said in her mind that something was not being said about the party.  She just prayed that it wasn’t a surprise induction into the Lioness Society.  “Well, let’s go people...time is a-ticking.” Elliott said.  The couples got into Elliott’s 300C and drove the block to the entrance of Yuri’s family home.  They got out and parked the car in the huge garage meant for family vehicles and walked to the house.  There were so many cars that Yuri wondered for a second if this was all about the charity.  If so, this was a wonderful turnout and could really build press for the foundation dedicated to Giselle’s memory.

Once they reached the huge double doors, they opened as if someone was expecting them...which of course they all were.  Keith and Breeya entered first and then stood by the sides of Daniel and Teresa, Serene and Trenton, and Joel and Camilla.  Everyone seemed to be in attendance that had any community connections with the Harts...but there was also a lot of family there as well.  Breeya’s mom was there, but so were a lot of Daniel’s family.  Yuri spotted her dad’s siblings, her Uncle Allen and Aunt Maura.  Her first cousin April was there who she hadn’t seen in years as well as April's husband, April's brother Allen Jr. and his wife, Cheyenne.  They were Uncle Allen’s children.  Aunt Maura had a set of twins only, and they were there also...Kaiyah and Keeyah.  Before she could ask what was going on, Daniel answered her thoughts.  “Yuri Loren...this is unmistakably more than a dedication to Giselle Beaumont’s memory.  As well as raising money and founding the scholarship in her name, we are also celebrating yours and Elliott’s engagement.  We felt you deserved to have your love celebrated and your family and friends gathered to congratulate you and Elliott on your upcoming nuptials with this party in honor of you and the very special and missed Giselle.” He said with the pride of a lion.  His chest was heaved and he had a champagne glass in one hand and the other placed on the small of Teresa’s back.  Yuri was stunned to speechlessness and almost back-pedaled.  She wanted to run away, because it looked like the scene of a cult movie...the kind where the rich, well-dressed people try and get you to join them.  Something had to be wrong as far as Yuri was concerned...no way her mother would do all of this for her.  Just then Teresa walked over to her and Elliott and handed them both champagne.  “To Yuri and Elliott on a wonderfully short engagement and an exceptionally long marriage.” Teresa said as they held their glasses up and then drank.  Yuri sipped hers and looked at Teresa with suspicious eyes.  Teresa caught on and tried to smile with her eyes to make Yuri more comfortable.  Yuri did see her effort and returned the softness.  Daniel spoke, ending the stare between the two women.  “Say something, Yuri...Elliott...come lovebirds, don’t keep us in suspense.  When is the big day?”  Yuri and Elliott looked at one another with confusion.  They hadn’t even discussed it.  They had been fine as of late with simply being together and living in the same space.  Elliott decided to take the lead since Yuri was still processing the shock.  “Well, Daniel...Teresa...family and friends...we appreciate this celebration of our love.  We hadn’t set a concrete date yet, because we are still enjoying the newness of us.  Though, we have considered a winter wedding, we are looking at pushing that up and getting married in the fall.” He said.  Everyone’s voices clamored and people clapped. Teresa beamed at being in plan overload, pushing ahead for a September wedding.  It was 3 months away, but she could do it with her hands tied behind her back.  “Well, I am on board for any planning that you need help with.” Teresa offered.  Daniel said, “Come on Yuri, say something.”  Yuri felt pressure creep in on her temples, and Elliott could tell she was stressing.  He whispered in her ear, letting her know he was there.  She took the floor.  “I just want to say thank you for the many friends and family that took out time to come to support me and Elliott’s love.  I also want to thank those who are here to help support the Giselle Beaumont-Lewis Foundation for Art Scholarship.  This means a lot to me and I know she would be honored to have kids go to school in her name.  She was so very special and she will be missed.” Yuri said those last words choking back tears.  She ended up running off to the bathroom to collect herself after the applause ensued.  Elliott excused himself and went to check on Yuri.  Daniel announced, “Everyone, I think Yuri isn’t used to all of this attention.  She will be fine.  In the meanwhile, enjoy the food and wine, and don’t forget that there are platters circulating where you can place your cash and check donations for Giselle’s foundation.  Everyone began to circle the house mingling and eating hors d'oeuvres and drinking expensive drinks.  Meanwhile, Elliott caught up to Yuri in the bathroom with Breeya in close pursuit.  “Yuri, open the door baby, it’s me.”  “I’m ok Elliott...just give me a moment to catch my breath.  Go talk with my dad.” Yuri suggested.  Elliott wasn’t about to leave her like that.  “NO, Yuri, open the door.  I want to talk to you.” He demanded.  Yuri relented and opened the door.  Breeya arrived just in time, but Yuri told her she would be ok.  Breeya felt bad, because she begged her to come under false pretenses and was worried that she may have injured her cousin’s fragile psyche by springing this all on her so soon after Giselle had died.  “Baby, are you ok?” Elliott asked sitting on the edge of the tub.  Yuri was trying real hard not to smudge her make-up.  She said, “I feel like a fraud, standing there speaking on behalf of Giselle and I am the reason she is dead.  She would be alive and enjoying her new marriage if it weren’t for me.”  Elliott stood up and held her while she cried.  She pulled back to check if there was make-up on his shirt.  “Look, Yuri...for what it’s worth, you didn’t mean to kill her.  You couldn’t have known that Simone would bring those teas along with her to the hotel room.  We both know that what you did wasn’t right, but we also know it wasn’t aimed at GiGi.” He said.  Yuri pulled back again and said a little louder than Elliott had hoped for, “DOES IT MATTER THAT I DIDN’T AIM AT HER?  SHE IS DEAD, ELLIOTT.  GIGI IS DEAD AND IT’S BECAUSE I AM CRAZY AND SELFISH!” Yuri yelled.  Elliott shook her and said, “HEY, stop it Yuri.  You are getting help.  You're taking a step towards help and accountability.  It will take time for you to get there, to the point where you are able to forgive yourself, but you will.  The best thing you can do right now, is try not to do anything else to compromise your heart and spirit.  Go out there and represent the best way you can.  The rest will have to wait.  Right now there is a room full of people who are here to give in GiGi’s name and you are the reason why they are here.”  He looked at her as if to ask if she understood and she said, “Ok, ok baby...we will go out there and represent her.  She knows I didn’t mean it.”  “Right, she knows baby.  GiGi knows.” he replied. Elliott gave her a hug, she fixed her make-up and they went back out to the party.  As soon as she rounded the corner to the dining room, Teresa spotted Yuri and pulled her to the side.  Yuri fully expected a tongue lashing but got sympathy instead.  “Yuri, I know losing Giselle has been hard on you.  I want you to know how sorry I am for not being there for you...and for...for hurting you.  There, I said it.  I am sorry for what I’ve done to you.” Teresa said.  Yuri broke down.  She fell into Teresa’s arms and bawled like a baby.  Teresa walked her into her office and sat her down.  They didn’t get a chance to talk further, because Daniel came in insisting they join the party.  Yuri choked back all her emotions, because she didn’t want her father to see.  He would swear it was something Teresa did.  “Ok, daddy...we’re coming.” Yuri said.  The two women stood up with Teresa taking Yuri’s hand and leading them both back to the great room.  For the first time since she was very small, Yuri felt Teresa’s love as a mother.  Teresa felt the love also...she could feel that things were looking up for her and Yuri.

When they entered the great room, people were nodding and stopping Yuri to give her congratulations and hugs.  She had never been the center of attention before, so this was all so overwhelming.  She found Elliott’s face in the crowd, and felt a sigh of relief.  He walked over to her and hugged her, whispering in her ear, “You look beautiful my love.  Let’s stick together tonight, ok?”  Yuri nodded and kissed him gently.  Yuri saw the flash of cameras and realized that she and Elliott had just given the newspaper a photo op.  She just smiled lovingly at her fiancé and allowed the moment to be beautiful.

An hour or so into the bash, Yuri had already spoken to every well-wisher...twice!  She heard her mother and father dedicate the scholarship to Giselle, and hand off a certificate honoring Giselle to her parents.  Yuri was beginning to enjoy her and Elliott’s party, when she spotted Drake and Simone.  She tried to prepare her mind for a conversation with the two of them, but with Drake and Simone, it was always a mind-numbing experience.  Drake walked up to Yuri and said, “Congratulations, Yuri.  You and Idiot...I mean ELLIOTT must be pretty happy.”  Yuri knew Drake was sarcastic so she just tried to ignore his conspicuousness to be quite the jackass.  “Yes we are...Elliott and I are VERY happy.  He knows how to love a woman without holding a gun to her head to get that in return.”  Drake’s ego took a blow.  Her words stung and made him feel powerless...powerless to make her fall in love the way Elliott had.  “You don’t know anything about love, Yuri.  The way I feel for you is beyond anything that Elliott can promise you.” Yuri shook her head in awe for the fantasy this man was having about a one way obsession.  There was no question that he was unbalanced.  How did he believe he came close to measuring up to a man that loved her enough to know her deeds and not hold them against her?  She looked at him and felt pity for his mangled mind and said, “YOU need to turn that statement around on yourself, for it is YOU who knows nothing of love.  Enjoy the evening Drake.  Try the shrimp canapés, they’re really good.” Yuri strutted away; walking into Elliott’s waiting arms.  The two of them continued to mingle.  Drake’s face was a clear expression of what he was thinking.  He wanted to kill Elliott and possess Yuri.   “Hey, what is it? What are you thinking about? Did she say anything else about the night the teas were poisoned? Simone interrupted his thoughts.   Drake looked at Yuri one last time and said to Simone, “No, she didn’t say anything.  I’m gonna look around and see what I can find interesting.”  “Be careful, Drake.  I’m going to mingle and see what I can dig up from these people.  There has GOT to be something I can get from this family.” Simone said as she slapped Drake on the back, held her pregnant stomach and prepared to grill the guests under the guise of a grieving pregnant family member of Giselle’s.  Drake watched her waddle away, exaggerating the burden of her pregnancy and then skulked off to tour the home’s more private areas.

Drake slipped into a room that looked like a French room.  He marveled in the style and elegance of its décor, never having been inside someone’s home with so much money to blow.  He looked around the piano-shaped desk and deduced that he was standing in Mrs. Hart’s office.  Black Lioness Society crap was neatly placed across the desk in fancy beige suede portfolios with a paw print embossed on the front.  He opened a few pages, skimming through.  Just some boring take on people’s lives meant to make them look good for initiation into a self-important group of black folk.  He left after looking around a little more not feeling like the room held any clues to his case.  He decided to move upstairs.  He looked around all the rooms, stopping in front of a closed door with a golden “Y” on the door.  He turned the knob and stepped into Yuri’s adolescent room.  A sense of discovery fell over him and he realized that he was in the heart of Yuri.  The room was pale lavender with white crowning. Her bedspread was cream silk and she had gold, lavender and cream pillows on her bed.  He went and sat down on the bed and laid back.  He looked around at the white bookcase with the myriad of books, stuffed animals and figurines.  The pictures on the wall were clearly her own.  The room was very neat and obviously hadn’t been lived in for a while.  It was clean, but then it was too clean.  He got up, opened the drawers to the desk and dressers, finding nothing.  He opened the closet only to find a few fancy dresses and a few other items hanging up.  The bottom of the closet was clean and so was the top.  He thought for a moment that the search was becoming a dead end...until he went to the window.  He looked outside and saw the beautiful gardens that had been landscaped professionally.  His eyes were stuck though, on a line of pretty lavender flowers growing wildly along the fence line.  He scrambled for the picture that was in his back pocket and looked at it and the foliage outside.  He moved quickly to go downstairs and when he opened the door, he walked right into Yuri.  “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?” she screamed.  He was genuinely thrown off and said, “I...I was just looking around.  It’s a beautiful house and I was taking in the scenery.  Why, is there something you don’t want me to find?” Drake asked, looking to throw her a curve ball.  “NO...there isn’t anything you would find that would make or break this case of yours.  I just think it’s rude to go through people’s things and sneak around their homes.” Yuri said.  Drake decided to toy with her a while longer.  “Your room is pretty, Yuri.  Would you like to go inside with me and recreate some high school memories?”  “GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!  JUST TAKE YOUR PREGNANT BITCH AND LEAVE MY PARENT’S HOME!” she said.   He said, “sure thing, Yuri...no problem.”  He headed straight downstairs and began looking for Simone.  He spotted her by the punch bowl talking to her cousin, Corrine.  He spoke to Corrine and asked her to excuse them and pulled Simone to a corner.  He opened the picture of the belladonna plant and said, “I think I saw this plant in the backyard...and guess whose room window I saw it from.”  Simone’s eyes lit up and she said, “Ok, let’s go.  Let’s check it out.  Carlene will want a sample of it to run through the lab.”  He kissed Simone on the cheek and they both walked swiftly to the nearest patio door.  Just before they reached the exit to the yard, a brawny man of 6’5” stopped them and said, “Hey, you (pointing at Drake) and YOU (pointing at Simone) are no longer appreciated at Ms. Yuri’s party.  I will escort you both off the premises, with two other guards.  Turn around quietly and walk towards the door.”  Simone was furious.  She said, “What the hell is this?  Giselle Beaumont-Lewis was my cousin...this is her dedication as well.  I am family, I am supposed to be here.”  “Ms. Yuri and her fiancé have expressed discomfort in having you here...you HAVE to go.  To the door please.” He said as he ushered them towards the foyer.  Drake went with the flow and instructed Simone to go with the flow as well.  When they got outside, Drake thought that the guard would close the door behind them and they could sneak behind the house and take a peek at the plant...but the guard named, Yusef, took them ALL the way out the security gate and closed it.  Since no guest cars were parked beyond the gate, there was no excuse for them to be left there.  Drake’s plan went up in smoke really fast.  He knew his only way in was to be invited or to get a warrant.   He decided to fill Simone in on all that he had found.  He also shared his and Yuri's exchange.  That pissed Simone off; because she felt that had he not baited her, Yuri may have not moved to get them both bounced out of the party. She had told him to be careful.  Now, they would have to collect evidence some other way.

Inside, Yuri had pulled Elliott into her mom’s office and filled him in on Drake’s snooping.  She was worried about what he had found.  After that she had excused herself to catch her bearings.  She knew he couldn’t have found much.  Yuri was really curious as to what Drake had found.  She wondered if his sudden exit out of her room was propelled by a finding...but what?  Yuri knew there wasn’t any paper evidence, but there was a lot at the Hart manse, that had helped her get rid of Stone and had ended Giselle’s life unintentionally.  As for Hanley...well, she had blacked out and opened her eyes to Hanley’s throat cut and tongue missing.  She snapped out of her spell to find the kitchen knife in her hand...but what she did with the body was her most clever move to date.  She knew her mother had contracted landscapers to come in and redo her garden area...so the night she killed Hanley, she drove out to this house and buried his body under the wonderful pear tree that was to be planted a few days later.  She took the body, dragging it, struggling with it all the way out here to the house.  She dug a few more feet down and dropped Hanley in the hole.  She covered it up with some of the dirt...and when the tree was planted; all evidence of Hanley's murder was buried along with it.  That was a secret she had yet to divulge to Elliott.  Where Hanley was buried wasn’t anything she wanted to talk about.  Once Yuri was sure that Simone and Drake were safely off of the house’s property, she went back up to her room.  She stood at the same window that Drake had.  She could see the belladonna from there.  She had taken the berries and made juice from them and had taken the leaves and flowers and had steeped them and combined the belladonna tea with the berries.  She had done this more than once.  She had even thought on more than one occasion to drink the concoction herself to end her miseries.   Her mother had cautioned her several times while growing up, to be very careful in her choice of “flowers” to pick from the huge garden...all pretty petals weren’t to be handled.  Knowing that Yuri and Joel were particularly curious eaters, she had told them that the berries on the plant would make them very ill.  In her rage and discovery of Stone’s disrespectful intentions toward her, she decided to make him drink the berry juice.  She had heard him more than once say how much he loved to drink, so she didn’t think he would notice the taste of anything new...he was a lush.  Yuri, though...wasn’t the type of girl to simply take instruction, so reading up on the deadly nightshade plant that dwelled in her yard was a must.  When she found out that the plant’s venom didn’t just make people ill, but also killed...she knew it was the perfect plan.  Stone deserved to die...he was a blatant example of why women hated men, and she wanted him to pay for his indiscretions.

Yuri must've been missing too long, because Elliott found her in the window with her thoughts.  “Where the hell have you been, baby?  Everyone is looking for you.  You’ve been gone for over a half hour…So Drake and Simone got escorted out?” he asked. Yuri turned around and said.  “I caught Drake in here nosing or on his way out from nosing.  He rubbed me the wrong way and I asked Yusef to oust him and his bitch...but I was only up here reminiscing.  Looking around my childhood room.” She said.  Elliott took a look at the room for the first time and said, “Nice, Yuri.  This is a nice room babe...but truth be told, it looks more like your mom’s taste.” He laughed.  “Yes...” Yuri said sitting on her bed.  “...my mother wouldn’t let me or Serene decorate our own rooms.  She got a designer to come in and “sense” who we were and decorate from that.”  Elliott then said, “I know your taste” as he sat beside her with a wanting look in his eye.  They began kissing and caressing and before they could go any further, Serene barged in.  They jumped up and fixed their clothes and Yuri said, “Still don’t know how to knock, huh Serene?”  Serene rolled her eyes and said, “Look, mom and dad are looking for you.  They want to cut the cake and serve before the actual wedding.”  She turned on her heels and the frisky couple followed laughing and acting like kids.

They cut the cake and drank more champagne and was even invited to stay overnight at the mansion to forgo driving.  The next morning, breakfast was served and Elliott and Yuri returned to their home.  Elliott planned for the day to be all about them...but what he really needed was for him and Yuri to plan what they were going to do in the case that Drake found something in the house.  Yuri was on edge about it, but she knew that HER solution to the problem wouldn’t be Elliott’s.  Elliott had never hurt anyone in his life, so she knew he wouldn’t agree with her tactics.  It was quite possible that how she handled the two cops in her life, however extreme...may be a solo act.  Elliott asked her, “What do you think will happen if they found out about the plant? You HAVE to ask these questions Yuri.  Drake may know by now.”  Yuri paced the floor and said, “I am not going to let Drake and Simone ruin our lives.  I’ve thought about it and maybe if they weren’t who they were and I hadn’t slept with Drake and knew Simone’s cousin...maybe I would be scared enough to confess...but these two people are just as twisted as I am.  They have their own agendas and I don’t want to give myself over to them.” She said in tears.  Elliott rubbed her thigh and shoulder and said, “Don’t talk like that...you aren’t giving yourself over to ANY one.  You and I can figure a way out to make the blow softer.  Until we can talk to Dr. Grimes and decide what’s best for you, we aren’t making any moves.  Do you understand me?”  She nodded her head yes...hoping that Elliott’s plan would see the light of day and she wouldn’t have to do to Drake and Simone what she had in store for them.  They settled into the day and were doing fine, when the phone rang.  Elliott was sleep so Yuri answered.  “Hello.”  “Go to your window and look down.” Drake said.  She hopped off her bed and sprinted to the window.  When she got there, Drake was standing there holding a branch of the belladonna plant.  Her mind went blank.  She wondered where he got it from...but, it didn’t matter because he knew what had killed Simone.  Yuri thought in her mind right then and there, Elliott’s way, whatever it was...would never work.