Finding Consort Ch 13

2. Finding Consort Ch 13 No, you're not seeing things. Welcome to Finding Consort Ch 13 after months of delay and in a brand new format! I'm not going to waste time with excuses - It's been long enough and you guys don't care, right? Just one word of caution (or several, actually): if you have no idea who any of the people pictured to the left are or if you don't remember what went on, I'd recommend that you read the other chapters. I do a brief plot overview, but I don't go into details. Also, this chapter takes place four years from when you saw Veronica last. ...What? Don't look at me like that; I needed a way to advance the plot. :P That's all for now. Enjoy.

3. It was nighttime in Veronaville, very late. Though some could be found out on the streets downtown, it was quiet in this section of Bluewater's business district. Perhaps, though, that was because this was the only house on this side of town.

4. The term house was a bit of an understatement. It was more like a mansion, a wealthy millionaire's pad. The place was empty, not just because it was night, but because the resident lived alone and she liked the quiet. Or so she said.

5. In truth, the plush halls only magnified her discomfort. Sure she had nice things, acquired through years of hard work and determination. But she was alone - completely isolated, and she wasn't quite sure how it got that way. Okay, she did. She had pushed everyone away. Too concerned with achieving success, she neglected the things - the people - that once mattered most to her. So now that she had 'made it,' so to speak, she was unhappy. Because, except for one optimistic, persistent soul, she now had no one important in her life. And that subject, her loneliness, was the subject of many of her thoughts and dreams, nightmares more like, including the one she was having now.

6. She had been tossing and turning for some time now, the faces of her past haunting her in her sleep. Each had their own grievance, usually neglect. They questioned her idea of friendship, they asked her why she abandoned them when they needed her, when she needed them. A few faces stood out from the rest though. One was young with storm grey eyes and arched black eyebrows. His eyes constantly pleaded with hers as he professed his love. She wanted to believe him, to trust him... to love him. But another face held her back. Angular and jagged with silver streaks, this was the face that filled her with guilt and regret. Though this one never said a word, she couldn't help but feel as if her whole life was a betrayal to her first love. She was the reason he died. What right did she have to be happy?

7. But could she ever be happy? The last face, blond and devious, was what made these dreams nightmares. She had seen this face, one that caused her so much pain, die. But the face haunted her nonetheless, waiting in the shadows to burn all her hopes and dreams. And that was the way the dream always ended. She saw her husband crying out in agony, burning to death, asking her why she did this to him, all the while the blonde, blue-eyed face, Dagmar's face, laughed maniacally in the background. Only this time was different. Ravi was burning, too.

8. ***** I woke in a start. I'd had that dream again. Some things were new, but others were the same. It's been four years, but I was still shaken to my core, afraid that some psycho townie would rise from the dead and ruin my life as I knew it. As I got out of bed I tried to convince myself that I was being silly, that all that drama was over and done with. In my past. But I never believed myself.

9. I made my bed dutifully before I collapsed back on it, head in hand. How did things get this way? I asked myself that almost every night. And yet, I still couldn't believe it all started with a little food flinging incident. Yeah, you read right readers. My first night in a new town, I went out with some townies. This chick called me, offered to introduce me around. During dinner, I threw some of my crepes suzette at her, a move I'd always regret. Because Dagmar Philippine would prove herself to be the psycho townie who could not let go.

10. Yup, that one little incident led to a crush. I told her I wasn't interested, but she tried to kiss me anyway. And yeah, maybe I overreacted, cowplanting her. But I brought her back to life! And so what if she had to be Denise Jacquet's live-in maid? Being a playable is far better than the nomadic life of the townie. Everyone says so. And we would have let her go... Eventually. But she didn't see things that way, reacting in a manner that still blows my mind. She brewed a love potion to make Gilbert fall in love with her, then killed his mom when her plans were discovered. Then she crashed my wedding, killed my husband of four hours, and still expected to marry me. The nerve.

11. But she was gone now. She had to be. I saw her die in front of my eyes from a lightning bolt KB called down from the sky. There was no logical reason to be so afraid, yet I was. I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't done skewing up my life. Maybe that's why I pushed everyone away. To protect them. From a ghost.

12. I'd call KB and ask for reassurance like I used to do, but she and I weren't speaking anymore. No, she never really cared about me, I was just an experiment to her. ...Okay, so that's not exactly fair, but that's how it felt, okay? I felt like I was always being manipulated, being lied to. For once in my life, I wanted to call the shots. So I cut her out of my life. Just like everyone else. I didn't really mean to, but how could I trust anyone, after what I'd been through? And who knew what being friends with me might lead to? After all, Consort died just for loving me.

13. I didn't cut everyone out of my life on purpose, though, honest. I was so busy building up my businesses, I forgot to return phone calls, to show up at parties, to, well, be a good friend. I must see Carla and Marylena every other day, but I hardly know them anymore. I hardly speak to anyone anymore if it doesn't involve my businesses or making a sale. That's right, simmers, I had achieved my dream of five top businesses a couple of months ago. Two night clubs, a fitness center, a music store, and a salon all ranked #10. I could show you pictures, but really, who wants to see that? And frankly, those years were the loneliest of my life. No one's close to me anymore. I, the big idiot that I am, pushed them all away. Well, almost all of them. There was still Ravi.*Sigh* Ravi.

14. Just thinking about him makes me feel uneasy. You see readers, a lot has happened since I last talked to you - at least between Ravi and me. After my epic fail on my first business, I had went home to mope. It wasn't pretty; I thought I'd never leave home again. But somehow I mustered up the determination. Using my last genie wish, I turned the bed store into a night club. And surprise, surprise it was successful. It helped that I already had a few ranks. Anyway, I earned enough dough to open a new store. And by then I needed a new manager... which is where Ravi came in.

15. He said he had some student loans to pay back and really needed a job. *Rolls Eyes* I didn't know it then, but it was a lie. Turns out Carla and Marylena noticed me becoming more distant as we worked together and thought that maybe Ravi could get through to me. And that's how Ravi became my shadow for the past four years.

16. *Sigh* He was supposed to be a manager at one of my stores. I trained him like all my other employees, only he never left. He insisted on accompanying me to the next project, helping out on every venture. He went from manager to personal assistant. I could trust him with anything, and it was... comforting... to have someone so familiar by my side. And we spent a lot of time together... A lot. And would you know it? All those times Marylena and the girls teased Ravi about having a crush on me? Well, they weren't lying. And over the years, I had started to notice that... that well... that Ravi was- was-

17. Well, Ravi was hot. *Blushes* Please, readers, don't make me admit that again - I feel bad enough. I mean, after what happened to Consort, I don't deserve Ravi. And how could I ever love again? That would be a slap in the face to Consort and everything he went through. ...And what if something happened to him? To Ravi, I mean. I'd never forgive myself if I let another person I loved die for, well, loving me. Oh, crap, did I just admit I love Ravi? I didn't mean that- I mean, at least I don't think I did- I don't- I can't- It's just- UGH!

18. Are you guys getting the gist of my problem yet? A part of me feels totally guilty for even thinking about being with someone other than Consort, for having such success after his death. I should be miserable. And yet another part can't deny feeling attracted to Ravi and can't help but wonder… It started so innocently. As my assistant, we used to have business lunches. He'd update me about what was going on in the stores and help me plan and stuff. Go over facts, figures, and bills. We'd talk about the most mundane things, but then the daydreaming started....

19. He'd talk about something completely serious and all I could do was stare in his eyes and dream about leaping across the table to plant one on him. Well, he must have noticed me looking because- because - well, it started with some flirting, then some hand-holding, and then... and then, well…

20. We were sneaking kisses after the store closed and the lunches turned into dates and...

21. There was a lot of kissing. Oh, don't look at me like that! You'd fall, too, if you were staring in his dreamy grey eyes day after day.

22. And I had fallen. I thought I would never feel this way again, and I can't say what I feel is the exact same way I felt with Consort, but the reality is I feel something, and then I look at this wedding ring that's still on my finger and I feel like the biggest jerk. And that's only the half of it.

23. I guess you could say that Ravi and I have been seeing each other for several months now. Okay, okay, about two years, if you want to be technical. We never - okay, I never - wanted to put labels on anything. I couldn't, without feeling guilty about it. But when I look back on things... it's been two years since Ravi first kissed me, two years since we've been sort of seeing each other. And though we aren't gushy or overly romantic, I can't deny Ravi's been a big part of my life. ...He's been my rock, so to speak. So you can imagine how I felt when he asked me to marry him yesterday. YEAH. Told ya a lot's happened. Anyway, flashback to two months ago.

24. We were having lunch and going over some accounts, you know, the usual, when Ravi interrupted my story about my interview with SimFortune. "Listen, Veronica, I think it's time we talked. ...I never really said anything before because I know how busy you were with the businesses - I know how much it means to you to be able to say you're successful and independent. But... well, it's been a few months since you've topped the last business, and now that things are slowing down, I think we can finally talk about something other than a store.”

25. "W-What do mean?“ "Well, we've been dating for about two years now-” "No we haven't!“ “...Veronica, then what would you call this?“ "Call what?“

26. *Sigh* "V, come on. You're a smart woman. I think it's pretty clear by now that we're dating, even if you don't want to admit it. And moreover, I think it's fairly clear that I'm really serious about you. I love you, V, and I want something more than... than whatever it is we have now. I want a real relationship. And someday, I'd like to marry you.” "Marry me?!” “Yes... Is that really so surprising?"

27. "Ravi, you can't want to marry me - I- I'm not good for you. And you're a lot younger than I am-“ "Oh, come on, you're not seriously going to try that, are you? The age difference between us is a lot less than the one that was between you and Consort.” At the mention of Consort, an odd silence overcame us."Oh, my Plumbbob, you're still not over him, are you?”

28. I shook my head. "Ravi, you don't understand- Consort died for me, because of me. How could I possibly betray-“ "You wouldn't be betraying him, you'd be moving on with your life!" He grew quiet and just looked at me. “He'd want you to be happy, V," he whispered. "After all this time, all the success you've had, can you honestly say you're happy? Being alone?" He fell silent again, but he didn't seem to be expecting an answer because he continued. “...But don't you realize- couldn't you say that you're happy... when you're with me?"

29. I looked down at the papers strewn across the table in between the plates of food. I just couldn't look him in the eye. He was right but... But I couldn't. "I-I just need some time okay? To think about things. Give me some time, please?" Silently he nodded. And to his credit he did give me some time. Like I said, all that was two months ago. For two months I completely avoided the subject, the llama in the room, so to speak. I ignored everything until he wouldn't let me. Until yesterday.

30. I had just gotten back from a business trip when Ravi dropped by. "Ravi, what brings you here?" I asked with a smile. We may have been close, but I was still surprised to see him there- I rarely saw anyone at my home. I almost never invited anyone over. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a mansion - no one to show it off to - but I digress. "Look, V, I've tried to be understanding, but..." He ran a hand through his scalp. "Look I can't take this anymore," He blurted out.

31. "It's been two months since I asked you for a relationship – a relationship. Just to be able to tell people we're dating and to take you out on a real, official, honest-to-Plumbbob date." "Ravi-" "But you've been avoiding me. I loved you for a long time, V. I think I know you better than most. So I've tried to be understanding. I gave you your space, didn't pressure you, let you grow into your feelings and realize things for yourself. You've been hurt before and I get that. But enough's enough- I- V, I love you. I've always loved you and I want to marry you. And I want an answer."

32. "R-Right ...now?" "Veronica, I understand if you might not be ready to think about marriage right now, but if after two years you can't even tell me if you want to date me or not... Well, then, I just don't know what I'm doing here.“ I was a little stunned. A lot of thoughts raced through my head as I fought to figure out something to say. No matter what, I didn't want to lose Ravi - he was the only one I had left.

33. "Ravi... It's just... there's been a lot of things in my life that you don't under-" "You know what those are, Veronica? Excuses. You're always finding a reason why we can't be together or why you can't feel something for me. But I want the truth- I wanna know where this is going." "But what if-" "Do love me, Veronica?" "What?" "I wanna know how you feel about me. No more games, no more stalling. Tell me right now, do you love me?"

34. "I-" Once again I was shocked. Completely unprepared for the current conversation. "Ravi, I-”

35. "You see, this what drives me crazy about you! We both know how you feel about me and you still can't admit it." "How can you be so sure?" "Come on, V, think. Why would you allow me to get so close to you if you didn't feel that way? Why would I still be here if we didn't care about each other?" "It's not that simple..."

36. *Sigh* "Look, V, I love you. And I'll always love you. And if you love me we can get through anything, we can get over whatever it is you're so scared off. You can't keep living like this- too afraid to admit what you feel. ...And I can't keep wondering if the woman I love will ever love me back. I need to know. I'm asking you to marry me, Veronica, and if that's not going to happen, then..." "Then what?"

37. *Sigh* "Well, then I guess I need to move on. I want answer by the end of the week, V, and if you can't give me one then it's over between us. Everything. I'd resign." "Wha- Ravi, don't- you can't, I-" "I'm sorry, V, but I couldn't keep working with you, knowing what I want is so close but always out of reach. I'd never get over you. I hope I don't have to leave, but... But if you don't want me, then there's no reason for me to stay."

38. Looking back on everything, I realize I didn't say much. It's because I didn't know what to say. And I'm still speechless. Every time I try to imagine what a future between me and Ravi would look like, I see Consort in flames and Dagmar's laughing face. What if that happens to Ravi? What if I'm cursed? What if I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life? *Sigh* I wish there was someone who could tell me what to do, give me some advice. Someone I could talk to, sort out my feelings with. But the only one I've stayed close with over the years is Ravi and I can't talk to him.

39. And even if I did call Marylena or Gilbert or Carla or whoever, I'd still have to backtrack, explain everything, tell how I feel and I'm not even sure I know how I feel. I just wish there was someone I could go to, someone who knows me so well, who could just take one look at me and just get it. Suddenly I knew where I had to go, who I had to see.

40. I hadn't talked to her for years, but maybe it was time. Hell, everything else was changing. Besides, it was past time I stopped hiding in my mansion. I had to get my life back, get my friends back. The only way I could ever move forward was if I laid past demons to rest. Going to see her, I knew, would be the first step in the right direction.

41. By the time I got to Sim State, it was mid-morning. I was a jumble of nerves - I didn't know what to say, or how she'd react, but I knew this must be done. KB was just one of the many people I'd have to talk to if I ever wanted my life back. It's funny saying that phrase, that I need my life back. I had had a lot of success over the years, but I realized now that I was a lot happier back on Mendoza Lane with a ton of friends around me. Hopefully, I could get that feeling back.

42. I walked up to the door and rang the bell. For a second, I thought she wouldn't answer - that she wouldn't be home - but soon I heard footsteps approach and then I saw her through the glass door.

43. "Took you long enough," she said as she opened the door. "Come on, I made hot chocolate," and with a wave of her hand, she abruptly turned around and headed toward the kitchen. That was it. I hadn't seen her in four years and the first thing she wanted to do was have a cup of hot chocolate? Whatever. I shrugged and went inside.

44. Sitting down at the counter, I took a sip from the cup she passed me. She took a seat beside me and we sat there drinking silently. It was awkward. We were once so close I used to hear her thoughts in my head. Now, neither of us knew what to say, it seemed. I took a deep breath. Okay, V, it's now or never.

45. "I'm sorry," we both blurted out at the same time, then laughed. "What are you sorry for?" I asked after a beat. She raised her brows. "...You were right, V. The way I treated you wasn't right. I shouldn't have gotten so involved in your life. I realize that now. I made a mistake." I was silent for a moment, then asked "What are you?”

46. "...I'm really not supposed to tell you this- fourth wall breakage and all that... But I guess you could say that I'm an orchestrator of events. I have some measure of control over what happens to some sims. But I made a mistake with you, V. I shouldn't have interfered, gotten involved. It's a mistake I'll never make again. I have to keep myself out of the-" She stopped, looking shamefully into her cup. "The story?" I finished for her.

47. "Right," she said. "Look, I'm sorry for taking too much control in your life. I guess what I was trying to teach you was that... That even though we all go through tough times, even though we all endure tragedy and it's heart breaking for us and we wish we don't have to go through it... It makes us stronger in the end. No life is perfect. We can only adapt to the changes and pull through." "You think I'm stronger?" I asked skeptically.

48. "Of course," she smiled. "Look at you, Miss Five-Top-Businesses. There's hardly a magazine in the store without your face in it. And next fall, there's going to be a new economics course about you." "Really?!" "Yup; it's all about studying your business plans. Turns out all the top moguls mentioned in SimFortune every month were a bunch of phonies. They can't run a business without running in the red and going bankrupt in a couple of months." "Hmm.”

49. "You know those are really your plans." "Oh?" KB tried to act innocent. I snorted. "Don't be so modest, KB, you know I would have crashed and burned if you hadn't talked my ear off and crammed my head with business mumbo jumbo... I never would have made it this far without you," I admitted quietly. "I would have failed if you hadn't taught me that stuff before... before we fought. When things started to go south... I thought I was out of options, but then I remembered your advice, and well, everything worked like a charm, then."

50. KB just shrugged. "You knew didn't you?" "Knew what?" "That we'd fight. That's why you tried to teach me stuff... Right?" "Right." "But why?" She laughed softly. "Why wouldn't I, V? I told you I had your back.“ "So what else do you know?”

51. "...I won't lie to you. I know a lot. Often, I know what you're going to do before you know what you're going to do. So yes, I did know we'd fight, and I knew about Consort, and I knew about the house thing and-" "Did you know about Dagmar? That she'd fall in love with me?" "No." I just looked at her. "What? Sometimes my vision is cloudy, so to speak."

52. "Uh, huh. So if you know all this stuff, how do you sleep at night? Doesn't your head just explode with information?" We both laughed at that one. "Look, I promise that from now on, V, I'll let you figure things out on your own - no matter what I know or don't know. No more interfering. Deal?" "Deal." I smiled.

53. "So if you know everything, you probably know why I'm here..." "To get advice about a certain special someone?" She teased, wiggling her eyebrows. I blushed. "Yeah..." "But I can't do that. I just promised you I'd butt out." "But you have to give me advice - I'm completely lost here! Tell me what to do! Please?" But KB just shook her head. "I can't tell you what to do. I will tell you one thing, though: follow your heart."

54. "Oh, come on! You gotta give me more than that!" KB laughed. "Think for yourself. You know me pretty well. What do you think I'd tell you to do?" I stared into my cup for a while. "I guess the first thing you'd tell me, after you told me to follow my heart of course, was to stop lying to myself and admit how I really feel." "And how do you feel?”

55. "I feel like I can't tell you how I feel." "Veronica..." "But KB, I can't be falling for Ravi, I just can't!" KB nodded sagely. "You're right." "I am?!" "Mmhmm. You can't be falling for Ravi because you've already fallen." "WHAT?”

56. "Ok, V. Let's break things down. What's holding you back?" I sighed. "I guess I just feel like I shouldn't love anyone else again, because, well, of what happened to Consort. I shouldn't love anyone else because I loved him." "Oh, V," KB took a sip of chocolate. "Sometimes I wonder how you got so screwed up. I know *I* didn't make you that way.“ "Hey!" "V, what do you think Consort would really want? Don't you think he'd want you to be happy?”

57. "Hmm, you know Ravi was saying something along those lines..." "And don't you think he was right? Consort would want you to be happy." "I am happy!" KB gave me a look. "Okay, okay, so I'm a bit... lonely. I guess right about now you'd launch into a rant about how I've pushed everyone away and neglected my social life for my businesses and how I've barely spoken to anyone except Ravi." "Mmm." "And then you'd make me tell you how I really felt about Ravi, about what really happened between us." "And?"

58. I put my cup down and got up to pace the room for a few minutes. Eventually, though, I turned back to face KB. "Things between us are..." I waved my arms around; KB'd understand. "But it's supposed to be professional, just business. I mean, I only hired him because I thought he had to pay off his student loans... Not cuz I was interested..." "...But now you are." KB prompted with a raised brow. I just sighed. "But what about Consort?"

59. "What about him, V? He's dead." "But-" "Don't you see, Consort wouldn't want you to live this way - you're going through the exact same thing HE went through before he died." "How so?" I asked, confused.

60. "Veronica, Consort lived most of his last few years alone, and, consequently, unhappy. And you know why?" I shook my head. "Because everyone around him - his children, grandchildren, and everyone he cared most about - expected him to honor his wife's memory by staying single. You think the Capps made a big deal about you and Consort because of your age, but don't you see? They never would have accepted him marrying anyone else, even if he found someone his own age. He wanted to move on with his life, but his family wouldn't let him; they couldn't let go of Contessa. As a result, he was miserable.”

61. “V, I know Consort wouldn't have wanted that for you. If he really loved you, he wouldn't want you to experience the same pain he did. He'd want you to move on when you were ready.” "I don't know... I just don't think Consort would want me to find someone else..." "So you think he'd want you to sit around feeling guilty for wanting to move on after his death?" "Well, no..." "You think he'd want you to be alone and miserable?”

62. "No... But I don't have to be in a relationship to be happy, you know!" "V, I do think Consort - and everyone else - would be happy if you were truly happy alone - we'd all be okay with it because *you* were okay with it. But you're not. Truly happy, that is. Consort wouldn't want you stay alone just because of him. His children expected that of him and it wounded him deeply. I didn't know Consort as well as you, V, but I would think that he be okay with it if you found someone that made you as happy as you made him after his first wife died."

63. "Yeah?" "Yeah." I let all that sink in as I rocked back on my heels. Maybe... Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if- KB must have been able to tell my mind was changing, because she interrupted my thoughts to ask: "So how do you really feel about Ravi?" She nudged me. "And no lies.”

64. “I'm thinking... I'm thinking that I just might love him." Damn. It still makes me blush to admit that. "And?" She prompted. "And... I'm thinking that I would like to be married some day. Have kids and stuff," I mumbled as I traced a floor tile with my shoe. "With who?" She prompted again. *Sigh* "With Ravi..." I admitted in a tiny voice. "Are you going to keep making me admit stuff? I think you just like making me blush."

65. "Almost done. Now keep thinking; what else?" *SIGH* "Um... I thinking that I should probably go tell Ravi how I feel before I lose him forever." "Doing great!" KB gave a big smiled. "Now last one." "...And I guess I should go apologize to my friends for being such a moron and not keeping in touch for the past few years?" I asked hesitantly. "You got it. You see? You don't need me to tell you what to do; you've learned well, grasshopper."

66. "I learned from the best," I said, giving KB a quick hug goodbye. "Thanks for everything, KB. I'm sorry for overreacting and cutting you out of my life even though you're always trying to help me and even though I made a bit of a mess with my friendships I'm gonna turn my life around again and things will be good this time and-" "You're welcome!" KB cut me off. "It's good to have you back, V. You're gonna be fine." "Thanks."

67. "And the best part is, I don't have to worry about some psycho coming around and screwing things up again!" "Um, right." "Oh my Plumbbob, I'm so excited - I gotta go find Ravi. Later, KB!" With that, I rushed back to Bluewater. I was right, talking with KB always made me feel better, even if she only told me things I already knew, and now my life was finally back on the right track. I wasn't cursed; I could have my cake and eat it too. I'd have my success AND the right guy.

68. ***** "Oh, crap. Should I tell her? But I told her I wouldn't mettle, that I'd stay out of her life..." You see dear readers, there was something Veronica had to be worried about. Or rather, someone. Someone who didn't die, who was very much alive living a lot closer than anyone realized... *****

69. What Veronica didn't know - what no one knew, really - was that there was a woman living in the woods of Veronaville. Out in this tiny cabin, she had everything she needed and had no cause to contact anyone. “Oh my love,” the woman sang to her plants. She could be as loud as she wanted out here. No one was around for miles and miles. "Please don't cry," she continued. "I'll wash my bloody hands and, we'll start a new life!"

70. Singing to her plants was one of her favorite things to do. It soothed her when she got restless."I ripped out... His throat… And called you on the telephone to… Take off... My disguise… Just in time to hear you cry..."

71. And she got restless often. It wasn't easy, lying in wait, pondering when was the right time to strike and dish out revenge, taking back what was rightfully hers. “When you... You mourn the death of your bloody valentine… The night he died… You mourn the death of your bloody valentine… One... Last... Time… Singin'...” Plus plotting revenge got dull sometimes and she had to keep herself amused with only the bare necessities out here.

72. Though how she got electricity and plumbing out here with no one noticing is just one of those mysteries of the sim world. "Oh my love… Please don't cry… I'll wash my bloody hands and… We'll start a new life… I don't know much at all… I don't know wrong from right… All I know is that I love you tonight..."

73. Anyway, she'd been planning for a long time and for the first time, she was excited because it was almost time to strike. Her prey was just where she wanted her. Dagmar smiled as she bellowed over the stove: "There was police and… Flashing lights… The rain came down so hard that night and the… Headlines read… A lover died… No tell-tale heart was left to find… When you..."

74. Suddenly, she paused her singing to taste her chili. She smiled, mouth wide with satisfaction. Perfection. She continued singing: "You mourn the death of your bloody valentine… The night he died… You mourn the death of your bloody valentine… One... Last... Time… Singin'..."

75. Anyway, Veronica was finally done building up her businesses. And, since the blue-eyed beauty had the good sense to become reclusive all on her own, no one would be suspicious if she moved from the center of town to someplace more remote. "Oh my love… Please don't cry… I'll wash my bloody hands and… We'll start a new life." Dagmar smiled again. Only a few more weeks now, after Veronica finished completely isolating herself, cutting off her friendships and shutting herself up in that fabulous mansion of hers.

76. A mansion that would soon become hers, she thought, sighing wistfully. Dagmar could see her happy face reflected in the soap bubbles. That place was great, but she'd have to sell it, of course. It was no place to raise children, which both she and Veronica would want - after they toured the world a bit. Half dreaming, Dagmar couldn't keep the grin off her face as she continued her song: "I don't know much at all… I don't know wrong from right… All I know is that I love you tonight...”

77. Yes, it was almost time to strike. Then she and Veronica would live happily ever after. She sighed blissfully. "He dropped you off, I followed him home..." she sang softly now. The eerie words coming out her mouth contrasted greatly with the picture of afternoon sunshine coming through the window, giving off a creepy chill. “Then I... Stood outside his bedroom window... Standing over him, he begged me not to do... What I knew... I had to do... 'Cuz I'm so in love with you!"

78. Dagmar giggled to herself. “Well, it didn't quite happen like that, but close enough,” she said to herself. “Things didn't go as planned that night, but I won't make that mistake again. This time around, things are going to go perfectly. Hell, it had better after four years of planning...” After a quick lunch and a change of clothes, Dagmar went back to work. Mornings she spent outside in her garden while afternoons were spent in her workroom practicing her craft.

79. Another secret of hers. And should anyone ever stumble upon this place, they'd never find the secret rooms she worked in. Not long after she faked her death and escaped up here, she discovered a spell that let her scry and peek upon anyone in the present. Problem was, the spell was really beyond her limited magical abilities. She was powerful, but she had no teachers, learning magic and spells by instinct and the few ancient books she'd smuggled with her to the cabin. And since she had but so much magic, she could only scry every few months or so, and the longer she looked, the more power the spell drained.

80. Thus, she hadn't checked up on Veronica in a long time, only allowing herself a few glimpses now and then to make sure her love was okay and that everything was going according to plan. This way, when the time was right to strike, she'd have enough power to scry as long as she wanted and set up her plans accordingly. Excited to get a peak at her love, Dagmar said the incantation and made the necessary gestures over the mirror on the table in front of her. "No more mistakes..." she whispered to herself as the spell began taking effect and the mirror started to get cloudy. White smoked swirled within the glass until the scene eventually settled.

81. Concerned now, she peered closely at the image before her, curious about what she was seeing. While she couldn't keep a constant eye on Veronica like she wanted, she thought she knew a lot about her life. After all, what was the internet for, if not for learning every single detail of other people's lives? Anyway, she couldn't help being surprised at the scene in front of her. She wasn't entirely shocked to see Ravi; she knew he was one of her managers. But she didn't know why they were meeting in Veronica's living room. She was sure that Veronica didn't have many visitors, if any. But her confusion was short lived. It turned to rage as she tuned into the conversation and realized what the pair was discussing.

82. ***** In her living room, Veronica was in the middle of baring her soul to Ravi. "Right, so as to why I called you over here... I guess that after all that I realized... I could finally see that..." Ravi raised his brow and waited for her to finish, a blank expression on his face.

83. Veronica swallowed and took a deep breath. "I realized that she was right – that you were right - that everyone was right and I... I do have feelings for you Ravi. And I think that after all this time... I really do love you," Veronica said softly, looking up at him. *****

84. "WHAT?" Dagmar screamed, dumbfounded. "She- He- But-" she sputtered for a minute.

85. "When the hell did that happen?!" She finally managed to get out. "I can't believe it. I turn my back for one second and she's already involved with someone else." She shook her head. "I can't believe this! And how could I not have seen it? I must have scryed for her a hundred times and I never saw a thing! I've been upstaged by a moron again! AND it just had to be that stupid, conniving backstabber. He's so going to pay for this. Most definitely. Why I'll-" And Dagmar went on like that for a while, completely drowning out Ravi's response. *****

86. He had simply smiled at Veronica and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm glad you finally realized that. Does this mean I finally get to take you out to dinner now?" "No..." Ravi leaned back in surprise. "No?"

87. "Well, not, 'no,' no- I mean of course we can, but-" Veronica rushed to explain. "It's just I've been thinking a lot. A lot a lot. About what you said - about us having been sort of dating for two years - and well, I don't think I - we - need to do all that again. The dating and courtship, I mean. It just seems... silly. Why wait, you know?"

88. Ravi paused before asking, "Veronica, what are you saying?" He looked a bit confused. "I-I'm saying that..." She took a breath. "Wow, I don't think I've ever been this nervous." She paused again. She tried to relax; Ravi would wait for her to get her words out. "I'm saying that... that I'd like to marry you..."

89. "That is, um, if you'll still have me?" At this she shut her eyes tight and winced, waiting for a response. *****

90. "Wha? Oh, you got to be kidding me." Dagmar had finally tuned back to the scene before her. She realized now that the two had a relationship that went far deeper than she thought. Apparently, her scrying had left a lot of stuff out. Mouth hanging wide open in shock at Veronica's words, she gripped the sides of the mirror, hoping, praying, that Ravi would say no. *****

91. But of course he didn't. Ravi waited for Veronica to open her eyes, then flashed her a huge grin. "V, there's nothing I'd like more." With that, he pulled her in close and kissed her. *****

92. "AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!" Shards of glass flew everywhere as Dagmar's fist beat against the mirror. She was bleeding, but she didn't care. "No," growled. "Not again. How many flippin' weddings do I have to crash?! I can't lose - I won't. I. Will. Not. Lose. Veronica WILL be mine," She grounded out through clenched teeth. She was breathing heavy now, and a maniacal gleam appeared in her eyes.

93. "I CANNOT LOSE! I WILL NOT LOSE TO A BUNCH OF MORONS!" She yelled again, her rage bouncing off the cabin walls. Everything she hoped for - all her dreams and fantasies began to fade, filling her with an irrational fear.

94. Dagmar tried to calm herself. "I can still do this," she reassured herself. "Things can still work out - I just have to speed things up a bit... And add one more step to my plans. Get rid of one more nuisance. Eradicate one more anomaly."

95. Looking over her shoulder, she glanced at one of her many spellbooks. Then her eyes cast up over to a shelf filled with various bottles and vials. Smiling, she knew exactly what need to be done, how to get what she wanted. She had several years worth of magical potions and spells under her belt this time. The two would never know what hit them. "No more mistakes," she whispered to herself as she took down a vial. ***** The End. For Now.

96. Look at Dagmar, so happy Finding Consort's back. Sorry this update took so long, but supposedly that means it's extra good right? I also apologize if this update was a bit different than before and/or confusing. One of these days I'll write a sim story where you can see a couple fall in love from start to finish. Anyway, I’ll probably be using this format from now on, as the exchange isn’t working for me.

97. V: “Bleh, Bleh!” R: “Uh, Veronica… What are you doing? V: “Pretending to be a vampire, duh.” R: “Okay, then…” So I hope you liked the this chapter and found it full of good stuff. One note: the song Dagmar was singing is "My Bloody Valentine" by Good Charlotte. Kinda morbid, I know, but I thought it fit Dagmar's situation. And sorry I fast forwarded to the future, but honestly, it would have made the story unnecessarily long and it was giving me a headache thinking about how to write about topping five businesses in a interesting, fresh way. So I skipped it. :)

98. Finally, I hope you liked all the makeovers, especially this guy’s. R: “Gah, enough with the pictures!” Aw, Ravi, don’t be so shy. Anyway, I do plan on finishing this story; expect 2-3 more chapters, hopefully out sooner than this one. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, sign my guestbook or find me at BoolProp.com under the same name. Happy reading. Later Simmers.