Part 1
"Sara?" Mackenzie said over the intercom. "Can you get me the layout for the Fourth of July website? I left it in my car."
"Sure thing Mackenzie." Sara answered. Mac got up from her desk and looked out at the beautiful Phoenix skyline when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in." she said turning around surprised to see Nicholas Newman standing before her.
"Well, well." he said. "Looks like the waitress has done alot of growing up."
"Nick?" Mackenzie said.
"Yup, the one and only." he replied. "How are you Mackenzie?"
"I'm fine, but what are you doing here? Wait!" she said before he could answer. "I know, you are setting up a "Crimson Lights" on the west coast right?"
"Well not exactly, Crimson Lights has already expanded to the west coast with shops in California, we don't have any here in Arizona yet, but I am not here on Crimson Lights business."
"Then what business are you here on?" Mac asked.
"Newman Enterprises business." Nick replied with a smile.
"Newman Enterprises?" she asked.
"Yeah Newman Enterprises in regards to "Brash and Sassy" business." Nick said. "So have you been keeping up with what's been happening in Genoa City?"
"Yeah I talk regularly with my grandmother and occasionally with some of my friends who still live there. Why do you ask?"
Walking around her desk Nick replied, "So you don't really know what's going on between Newman Enterprises and Jabot?" 'Jabot,' she though to herself every time she heard that word it reminded her of him, the one who had brought sunshine into her days in Genoa City. 'No,' she thought to herself. 'Don't get yourself thinking about him, you know that he's moved on with Brittany from what you've heard, just leave it alone.' "Mackenzie? Mackenzie, are you still with me?" Nick asked. "I'm sorry, I was just remembering the old days."
"Were they good memories?"
"Some were, some weren't." she stated turning her head towards the window to hide the pain in her eyes. Regaining her composure she stood and walked over to where Nick was on the couch. "So what has been going on?"
"I am glad you asked. You know that before you left, Phyllis Summers was the webmaster for Brash and Sassy, right?"
"I remember." she stated.
"Well two years ago Phyllis's contract expired. All the time she was working for us she was dating Jack. Jack told her he couldn't be serious about an employee of my father's. So Phyllis decided once her contract with us was up she was going to go back to Jabot. Sure enough, the last day of her contract was up she was caught inside Jabot about to sign back on with them. There was one problem, Phyllis forgot that under her contract if she did not resign from Newman she had to wait six months before signing a new contract. You know Phyllis, she couldn't wait according to the contract so she had to wait two years before that contract could be considered legal and now her two years is almost up." He said as he got up and walked toward the window.
"So what does that have to do with me?"
"Since she left two years ago we have been looking for someone to take her place, and none of them have worked out. We even tried having the Newman Enterprises webmaster handle both tasks but it was way too much for him and my father started a committee to start looking for the best cosmetic websites out there. Across our search we found out about the "For You Cosmetics" and a terrific website, one of the best out there. Doing some more digging, we found out that this webmaster is the hottest one out there, someone everyone is looking at. Well you know my dad, and he thought how can we lure this webmaster here? During all of our search we thought the webmaster was a guy cause one of our workers had the name of Marcus, but we found out it was my favorite little waitress and the granddaughter of my mother's best friend." Turning around and facing her with a big smile on his face he said, "So I have a question to ask you..." Looking into his eyes and standing up, Mackenzie already knew the question.
"You want me to come to work for you, right?"
"Bingo!" he said.
*****Billy and Mac don't meet until a little later*****
"I don't think I can." stated Mac walking back to her desk.
"Yes you can, we know for a fact that your contract with 'For You Cosmetics' is up and you haven't resigned yet. My father is prepared to offer you 5 times what your being paid, a penthouse apartment, a Mercedes Benz of any color or kind you want, plus stock options in the company. Besides, you would finally be able to be around your family and friends more." Nick's argument was so convincing but Mackenzie couldn't help but think about "For You Cosmetics".
"I just can't leave 'For You Cosmetics' Nick. I owe them everything, without their belief in me I wouldn't be this hot commodity."
"I know," replied Nick. "But maybe it's time you move on. Did you plan on spending your whole career here and so far away from your family?"
"Well no not rea....."
"That's what I'm talking about," he said. "The time is now, it will be easier to leave now just after 4 years than after another couple of years have passed."
'I guess it will,' she thought standing again.
"Mac if the things my father is prepared to offer you isn't enough then think what it will be like to spend as much time as you want to around your family and your terrific friends like me and Sharon. Not to mention Cassie, who when she heard that you might be coming back, couldn't wait to see you again. So what do you say Mackenzie?"
'Can I actually handle being in the same city with him again?' she thought. 'Wait a minute, why should I base my life and career decisions on him? He's nothing to me anymore so what's holding me back?'
Looking out at the sunny blue sky, Mackenzie turned her head and replied, "So the Benz can be any color?"
That meeting with Nick was a week ago and now as Mac pulled into her condo which was for sale, she thought about how much stuff she had done in the last seven days. She gave her notice at "For You Cosmetics" and they threw her a party earlier today in which she cried her eyes out thinking of how she was going to miss them so much. During that time also she had put her condo on the market and it looked like she would have a buyer by the time her flight landed in Genoa City tomorrow. 'Tomorrow,' she thought as she closed her car door and headed inside to finish packing. She was selling the condo with the furniture included. The penthouse Mr. Newman had for her was being decorated right now by the decorator Mr. Newman had flown down two days ago to show her samples and for her to pick what she wanted. When she called and told her grandmother she was coming home, her grandmother shouted for joy and demanded that she stay with her until the penthouse was ready. Mackenzie loved her grandmother with all her heart but she didn't want to move back in cause she knew her grandmother wouldn't let her leave. That's why when the decorator flew out, Mac got her guarantee that the place would be done by the time her flight touched down. Heading upstairs to make sure she hadn't left anything in her closet the phone on her nightstand started ringing. 'I wonder who it is?' thought Mac.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mac," said a familiar voice. "What time does your flight land cause your grandmother is demanding that the whole family meet you there?" It was Katie Valentine Mac's grandmother's maid. Over the years Mac and Katie had grew close even when she moved away they kept in touch regularly.
"Well Katie, my flight lands at 2:00 p.m. but I don't want my arrival to be so big so can you tell my dad to somehow talk my grandmother out of calling out the Mayor to welcome me back?"
"I'll try Mac, but she is so set on doing everything so grand to make your return a memorable event. I think she even had my mom call the media."
"Katie please make sure my return is quiet and unknown. I don't want anyone to know that I'm back in town, ok?"
"Sure thing Mac, but that's not the only reason I called."
"Then what is?"
"I've been seeing somebody for awhile now."
"Who?"
"I can't tell you not yet, but once you get here we are planning on getting everyone together to announce our engagement and something else." Katie said to Mac.
"You have to tell me who this guy is and why are you just mentioning him to me!"
"Look Mac, I'll explain it to you soon. I just wanted to give you a heads up ok?"
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow." said Mac, hanging up the phone wondering who the mysterious guy was that Katie was seeing.
**********
Billy Abbott walked in Crimson Lights and took a seat at the table near the patio. It felt good not to be in a suit and tie. Every since he got out of college he had been working none stop at Jabot. After a talk with his brother Jack, Billy finally decided to take some R&R. 'I wonder where she is?' thought Billy. She told him to be here at 5 and here it was 5:30 and she still wasn't there. Looking up from the table he saw a small commotion at the door. 'She's here,' he thought. Even though she was not the spokesmodel for Jabot anymore, Brittany Hodges still sometimes caused a commotion.
"There you are," she stated giving him a kiss on the cheek and sitting across from him. "Billy, did you see those people flocking at me like I'm still a huge star?"
"Sure," he replied rubbing his eyes. "So how was your day?"
"Oh a typical day for me, had lunch at the country club and did some shopping."
"Are you going to ask me how my day was?" he asked.
"How was it?"
"Well Phillip and I played a game of basketball, watched some videos and caught up with what's going on with each other. So did you call about that job in marketing at Jabot?"
"Now Billy, don't start on me about a job. I told you I don't like to work, I like to socialize."
"Well why don't you become a spokesmodel again?" he asked.
"That is so beneath me now." replied Brittany looking at her watch.
"Is there somewhere you have to be?"
"Yeah mother set up an appointment with Mr. Jacobson, the wedding planner from Chicago tonight and I don't want to be late."
"Brittany," Billy whispered harshly. "We haven't set a wedding date. Why are you meeting with a planner?"
"Billy it's never too early to start planning. I've been planning my wedding since my mom bought me Ken to go with Malibu Barbie. Besides we have been engaged for two and a half years, it's time to set a date."
"I know, I know." he grumbled.
"I'm leaving now Billy and oh yeah by the way, mom and I are flying to Paris to look at some wedding gowns tomorrow night. We should be back by Friday or whenever. I better get out my sunglasses or I won't ever be able to leave. Ta-Ta." she said as she left. 'Great, just great.' he thought, more pressure about the wedding in which he didn't need. Standing up from the table he turned and ran smack dab into a body.
"I'm sorry." he said.
"Sure." replied the familiar voice.
Looking down Billy said, "Raul is that you? I barely recognize you man, how have you been?" exclaimed a happy Billy.
"It has been 4 or 5 years Billy." replied Raul.
"How's Rianna, are you two still together?"
"Yeah we are, we're getting married in September."
"That's really good to hear man." Billy wanted to ask about Mac, but how could he ask Raul. Raul was probably still protective of her. "So what are you doing now?"
"I work at Newman Enterprises as their webmaster."
"Whoa, I bet it's a great job!"
"It is, now if you will excuse me I came to get myself some coffee." stated Raul as he picked up his coffee and hurried out of the coffeehouse. 'Well,' thought Billy. 'I guess he still hates me but what's new. All my high school friends hate me.'
**********
Opening the door to his apartment he heard his phone ringing.
"Yeah." he answered.
"Hey, whatcha doing Thursday?" asked Phillip. Phillip Chancellor was Billy's nephew from Billy's older brother Phillip who he never knew. Billy and his nephew had a two year difference.
"Nothing much, what do you have planned?"
"I want you to leave it open cause I'm having a get together."
"I don't know Phil...."
"Look Billy, I'm not asking you I'm telling you to be there."
"Hey now, don't you forget who the uncle is." said Billy.
"Do you always have to bring that up?"
"Yup sure do, so you won't forget. So what do you want me to bring?"
"Your butt in a suit and tie and no Brittany. Can you do that?"
"I think I can on both issues."
"What?" asked Phillip. "Won't Brat be going crazy cause she's not invited?"
"She probably would if she was in town, but she's gone."
"For good?"
"No not for good."
"Dang, I'll see you Thursday okay?"
"Sure will." he replied hanging up. Looking around his apartment Billy couldn't imagine Brittany living here with him. Of course she didn't want to live here, she wanted to find a big house for them to live in. 'But am I ready to be married?' No matter how hard he tried he couldn't picture spending the rest of his life with Brittany he thought stepping out of his clothes and getting into the shower. Years ago he imagine spending his life with someone, h*ll even now he could imagine himself spending the rest of his life with her. Billy thought back to the days when he couldn't imagine spending a day without her in his life and now thinking how he could had spent 7 years without her. How did he ever do it? 'How the h*ll can I imagine spending the rest of my life with her but I can't barely imagine spending another day with Brittany?' "Mackenzie!" he said aloud as the water from the showerhead dripped down his body. "Where are you and why in the h*ll after 7 years are you still invading my thoughts?"
**********
"You won't believe who I ran into tonight." said Raul.
"Who honey?" replied the voice on the phone.
"Billy Abbott."
"Billy," exclaimed Rianna. "Where did you see him at?"
"I saw him at Crimson Lights. He asked me about you and I and then I saw it."
"Saw what honey?"
"That look he has when Mac's on his mind."
"Did he ask about her?"
"Thankfully he didn't ask, but I could tell he definitely wanted to ask."
"Sweetie you didn't tell him that she's coming back, did you?"
"No it's none of his business." Raul grumbled.
"Are you still mad at him?" asked Rianna.
"How can I not still be, it's been 7 years since we all graduated and she has not been back since, not even to visit her family on the holidays cause of him."
"I know, but don't you see that if she is coming back then maybe she is ready to deal with him."
"Yeah maybe, but I don't want him to be giving her any kind of ideas."
"But Brittany and him are engaged from what my mom has told me, so I don't think we have to worry about him."
"I hope so," replied Raul. "I love you."
"I love you too." she replied hanging up the phone.
**********
'Where is she,' thought Katie. She was looking out the window trying to see if Mac's limo had pulled up. After their phone conversation, Katie and Brock, Mac's father, had persuaded Mrs. Chancellor not to make a big deal out of her return and just send a limo to pick her up.
"Calm down sweetie," said Esther, Katie's mother. "I'm sure she will be here any minute." Just then the doorbell rung.
"I'll get it." stated Mrs. Chancellor, running to the door. "Mackenzie my darling, get in here!" she exclaimed grabbing her granddaughter into a hug.
"Hi Grandma," she replied. "Where's dad at?"
"I'm right here sweetheart." answered Brock giving her a hug.
"It's so good to see you!" cried Mrs. Chancellor.
"Grandma, please no tears. It's just me."
"I know sweetheart but it has been forever since I saw you!"
"Not really, you and dad came out to visit me last Christmas."
"I know that darling, but we have barely seen you in the last 7 years. If we didn't come to visit you in Phoenix then we would had never saw you."
"I know Grandma," replied Mac. "But you know that I didn't want to come back here."
"So is the penthouse ready?" asked Brock.
"Yeah dad it is. I wanted to stop by here before I went there."
"You're not leaving so soon are you?" exclaimed Mrs. Chancellor.
"Yes Grandma. I'm so tired after the flight and I just want to go to sleep, besides I live here now you'll get to see me as much as you want. Wait a minute, maybe I shouldn't have said as much as you want, but you will get to see me more than you have."
"I'm holding that to you sweetie." replied a tearful Mrs. Chancellor walking back into the living room.
"Sweetie can we get together for lunch this week?" asked Brock.
"Of course dad, just call me and let me know when. Hey Katie, do you want to come with me to my new place? I could use your help with some stuff."
"Sure Mac. Mom, I'll be back later."
"You two take as much time as you need. Mackenzie, it's so good to have you back." said Esther giving Mac a hug and returning to the kitchen.
"So," said Mac as she and Katie climbed inside the limo. "What's this big news that you have to tell me?"
**********
"Ok." said Mac the following morning. She and Katie had talked all night long and Katie ended up spending the night. "You told me how great this guy is and how sweet he is, but who is he?" Mac asked.
"Well you promise you won't tell a soul?" replied Katie.
"I promise."
"Phillip Chancellor."
"You mean Phillip as in Jill's grandson?"
"Yup the one and only and I know what you are going to say, but he and Jill are not that close."
"I know that, but I thought you two were just best friends?"
"Well we were until we found out we were in love with each other." she replied brushing her hair into a ponytail.
"Is there more to this story?" asked Mac pulling out of her clothes for the day.
"Well what are you doing Thursday?" asked Katie.
"Why?"
"Well Phillip and I are planning a dinner for the family."
"Where is it going to be at?"
"Oh somewhere special."
"Fine." answered Mac grabbing her things and heading into the bathroom. As Mac was in the shower getting dressed the phone rung.
"Hello?" said Katie.
"Hi this is Connie from Newman Enterprises. Is this Ms. Browning?"
"No I'm a friend. Is there any message you want to leave for her?"
"Yes tell her that Mr. Newman wants to see her today at 5:00 p.m. okay?"
"Sure thing." replied Katie hanging up the phone.
Walking out of the bathroom in her robe Mac asked, "Who was that on the phone?"
"That was Connie from Newman Enterprises. She says that Mr. Newman wants to see you today at 5."
**********
'Calm down,' Mackenzie thought to herself as she stepped off the elevator at Newman Enterprises. 'It's just Nick's father nothing to worry about,' she thought as she approached the desk.
"Hi I'm Miss...." she stated as the lady stood.
"I know your Miss Browning, everyone is inside waiting on you, just go on in." As Mackenzie grabbed the door knob she smoothed down the white suit and hoped that her skirt wasn't too short by Mr. Newman's standard. 'Here goes nothing,' she thought opening the door.
"Well here she is." said Nick arising from his seat at the table. Walking over towards Mackenzie he stopped and turned to everyone in the room. "Mackenzie, I would like to introduce you to the Newman Enterprises top executives and the Brash & Sassy team. Standing over there by the window is Neil Winters."
"Hello," said Neil. "Welcome to the team."
"In the corner over there sitting is Ryan McNeil."
"Welcome aboard Mackenzie!" replied Ryan.
"Next to Neil over there you know my sister Victoria."
Walking towards Mackenzie, Victoria exclaimed, "Mackenzie you don't know how much it means to me that you decided to take the job."
"Over there with his head buried in the computer I believe is a friend of yours, Raul." said Nick. "Mac's here."
"Huh?" Raul replied looking up from the screen. "Mackenzie you're here?" he said getting up and giving Mac a huge hug.
"When did you start working here?" asked Mac. "Rianna told me awhile ago that you got a new job but she never said where."
"Well to fill you in, I'm Newman Enterprises webmaster."
"You see," Nick said to Mac. "I told you we tried to use Raul to do both but it's just he couldn't manage both, so we had to find our own webmaster."
"And that my dear," stated a voice behind Mac. "Is the reason why we hired you."
"Oh yeah, last but not least Mackenzie," said Nick turning towards the voice. "Is my father Victor Newman."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Newman." exclaimed Mackenzie.
"No the pleasure is mine." said Victor.
"Well since the introductions are over," stated Victoria. "I say lets get down to business."
"Mackenzie," asked Ryan. "Do you have any ideas of where you want to start?"
"Actually yeah." she said walking over towards the computer and pulling out a disk from her purse.
"Hot diggity dog, the girl still is a good worker." exclaimed Nick with a huge smile.
"Whoa," said Neil. "We have a good one here."
"Yes we do," replied Raul. "When you hired Mac, you get pure talent and hard working, nothing less."
"Yes Miss Mackenzie will be a huge assest to our company." stated Mr. Newman.
"Thank you." replied Mac with a grin. "Now about that layout I thought that we could....."
**********
"Are we all here?" asked Jack Abbott walking into Jabot's board room.
"We are all here." replied Ashley.
"Good," said Jack. "I got some information that Brash & Sassy hired a new webmaster."
"I want to make it clear," said Nikki Newman. "That I did not give Jack this information. My husband and I don't discuss what's going on in each other's business. So don't any of you get any ideas of starting some rumor."
"Who cares Nikki?" moaned Jill.
"Knock it off Jill." said John.
"Why should I? Nikki has an inside track of what's going on, it's about time she used it to give us a heads up."
"This is the last time I will say it Jill, knock it off!" warned John.
"We agree," said Brad and Ashley. "It's not fair for us to try and make Nikki spy for us."
"Thank you." spoked a heated Nikki.
"I think if they did hire a webmaster then I think we need to find out who they are and how much competition will we be in."
"Can I say something?" asked Billy.
"Sure you can sweetie." replied Jill.
"Cut the cute names mom. Jack are you sure this info is correct, cause we could be stressing about nothing?"
"Well," replied Jack. "My source hasn't let me down for the past couple of years, so I highly doubt that this info is wrong. The person they hired is supposed to be the best out there."
"Well Phyllis is coming back right Jack?" asked Jill.
"In another month, but she has been out of the game for awhile."
"It's only been 2 years!" whined Jill.
"Yes, but 2 years in this business is like 20 years." replied Jack.
"I have someone in mind." said Ashley.
"Who?" they all inquired.
"I have been doing some research and one of the hottest webmasters out is an old employee of ours."
"Well who is this person?" asked Billy.
"It's your friend Mackenzie Browning." smiled Ashley as Billy's eyes bugged out.
"Mackenzie?" asked Jill. "You mean Katherine's little runt of a granddaughter."
"I take offense to that," replied Nikki. "Mackenzie is a wonderful person unlike you Jill."
"Well, well." exclaimed Jack. "I'll be darn." Getting up from the table and grabbing the folders behind her, Ashley began explaining how she came across the information.
"I found out that she works for 'For You Cosmetics'." said Ashley.
"I've heard of that company," stated Jill. "It just started a couple of years ago. The President told me last year that their webmaster was the key to their success and you're telling me it was Mackenzie? I'm sorry, I just can't believe that."
"Well I can believe it," said Jack looking at Billy who still had his mouth open from when Ashley said it was Mac. "Billy do you have anything to say cause your mouth has been hanging open for the past couple of minutes?"
"Oh no, I was just thinking." he replied.
"Yeah, thinking with your mouth open." remarked Brad. Standing up from his chair, John got the group back on the subject.
"So do you think that she would actually be willingly to work for us?"
"I don't see why not. Her contract at 'For You Cosmetics' is up and she enjoyed working for us before, so I'm sure she would love the opportunity. I don't see any type of a problem." stated Ashley.
"I do sis," said Jack. "And it's sitting right next to Nikki."
"Me?" asked Billy looking strangely at Jack. "Why would I be a problem?"
With her nose in the air Jill spoke, "Surely Mackenzie doesn't still have a thing for Billy?"
"Of course she doesn't still have a thing for me. She's got to have a boyfriend or something."
"Look Billy," said Jack. "I know you think that no one can resist your charms, but what I'm talking about is the last time she was here. I believe you two weren't really getting along."
"It's been 7 years Jack," replied Billy. "I'm sure she is no longer upset with me, besides we would only be dealing with each other on business, right?"
"Ok if you can handle it, but what about you Jill?"
"As long as she stays away from me, I don't see a problem."
"Good," said Ashley. "I'll make a phone call to her office." Turning around to the others after her phone call Ashley told them what she learned. "Her secretary says she no longer works for 'For You Cosmetics'. I asked her to give me her home number and she told me that Mackenzie no longer lives there. She said she moved."
"She moved back here, right?" stated a worried Billy.
"Bingo brother."
"That's great news," said Jack. "I'm going to call Katherine and see what's going on. Hello? Esther this is Jack is Mrs. Chancellor in? She's not well I was just calling cause I was looking at some old Glow By Jabot stuff and I saw Mackenzie and I got to thinking about her. So how is she doing? Really? Where at? That's good, well look tell Mrs. Chancellor I'll talk to her later okay? Bye."
"Well?" asked John.
"She's a resident of Genoa City once again," and turning to look at his little brother he stated, "And Billy she's your neighbor."
"My neighbor? What do you mean?"
"I mean that she lives in Parkview Towers just like you do."
"So what's the plan?" grumbled Jill.
"I think it would be a nice thing if we as old friends pays her a visit." grinned Jack.
"I'll go." eagerly replied Ashley.
"Don't even think about asking me." mumbled Jill.
"Wasn't planning on asking you anyway," Jack voiced.
"Well Nikki and I can't do it," remarked Brad. "We are trying to tie up some loose ends on our aging creme."
"I have a doctor's appointment," said John. "But I want at least 3 of you to go." Everyone turned their heads towards Billy.
"Why is everyone looking at me? Dad I know you don't want me to go, she probably doesn't want to see me right now so send someone else."
"Billy there isn't no one else to send. I want a board member to go and you're the only other one available to go. Besides if she decides to work here you have to learn to open the lines of communication with her, and that's all on this matter. If there is not anymore business, this meeting is adjorned." he said walking out. As everyone left the room Jack pulled Billy aside.
"Billy you are the key to this whole thing. If Mackenzie decides to work with us, you have to at least talk to her a little bit. Think about it, okay?" he stated walking out. 'Great, just great.' thought Billy to himself. 'Just what I need when once again she is invading my thoughts. How am I going to do this? Seeing her here everyday not to mention the possibilty of running into her at home, is there any hope for me? I know she has a boyfriend so the guy probably has a sports car who thinks he is the world. Is she engaged? Man, why is she always in my thoughts? I bet she never even thinks about me while I spend hours just dreaming of her smell!' he thought closing the door.
"What is it now?" she said opening the door finding Jack, Ashley, and Billy standing there. Jack was the first one to speak.
"Hello kiddo, long time no see."
"Hi Mackenzie." stated Ashley. Billy stood back with a worried look on his face.
"Can we come in?"
"Sure." replied Mac stepping aside.
"Nice place you have here." said Jack looking around the huge penthouse.
"Thanks, how did you find out I was here?"
"Well," replied Jack taking a seat. "I called Esther and she told me."
"I'm sorry, I don't know where my manners are. Please have a seat." she said motioning towards the couch for Ashley and Billy to sit down on.
"Once we heard you were back in town we wanted to stop by." said Ashley.
"Oh, but I feel that's not the only reason that you are here."
"I see that you haven't lost good intution, but no that's not the only reason we have came by. We came here to talk to you about a job." started Jack.
"A job?"
"Yes, we heard of how you did such a wonderful job at 'For You Cosmetics' and we are here to offer you a job at Jabot." remarked Ashley.
"Wait a minute," said Mackenzie rising from the seat she taken. "Are you guys serious?"
"As serious as they come," replied Jack rising from his seat. "Look Mackenzie, we know the kind of work you are capable of and we saw it first hand when you did our webcast for New Year's 7 years ago. So what about it?"
"I....I can't."
"Oh I understand," said Ashley. "You probably want to enjoy your time off, but you won't have to start now you can start when you're ready."
"That's not the problem Ashley. The reason I can't do it is because I already have a job."
"I thought you left 'For You Cosmetics'?" asked Jack.
"I did."
"Then where do you work?" Jack asked looking worried.
"I work for Brash & Sassy."
"No, how can this be possible?" asked Jack.
"Well last wekk they came out to Phoenix to see me and they knew my contract was up, so they offered me a position and I took it. They offered me a huge raise, this penthouse and so many other things that if I had turned it down I would have been a fool."
"How the....." began Jack when Ashley cut him off.
"There is nothing that we can do now?"
"Have you signed on yet?" asked a weary Jack.
"I did earlier today. But I don't understand why you guys want me? Don't you have Phyllis?"
"Well..." began Jack before Mackenzie stopped him.
"Jack I'm sorry for interrupting but I want to hear this from the silent wonder over there, the one who hasn't said a word since I opened the door."
"You want to hear it from me?" asked Billy.
"Yes you. You're the only mute one in the room."
"Well," he began. "Due to some legal circumstances Phyllis has not been able to work as a webmaster for the past 2 years, so we felt that she be out of sync. We need somebody who was hot and fresh to be our webmaster."
"I agree," said Mackenzie returning to her seat on the couch. "Missing 2 years in this business does set you back cause things change steadily."
"So now you see why we wanted you?" said Ashley.
"I'm sorry. Maybe I recommend some people to you?"
"Will they be as good as you?" stated Jack.
"I don't know."
"Maybe we can get someone who's not really a webmaster but who knows alot about computers." said Jack.
"What about that old friend of yours and Mackenzie's, Billy?" asked Ashley.
"You mean Raul?" Billy remarked.
"Yeah him, what's he doing?"
"He works at Newman." replied Billy and Mac together.
"I can't believe this!" screamed an angry Jack.
Walking towards Mac, Ashley murmured, "I guess we can use those names now."
Leaving the apartment Billy turned to Ashley and Jack, "So what do we do now?"
"We pray that my wife hasn't lost her ability or we are going down."
**********
"So what you're telling us is that once again Victor has upstaged us?" asked Jill inside of the Jabot board room the next day.
"Apparently so," replied Ashley. "He even has Raul working for him."
"Raul that little runt who used to be Mackenzie's boyfriend?" asked Jill.
"Mom no name calling," said a distraught Billy. "Raul was my best friend so don't even try to disrespect him while I'm around, besides Raul is one of the best webmasters out there."
"Why in the h*ll does Victor have two webmasters?" asked Jill.
"He doesn't have two mom, Mackenzie is Brash & Sassy's webmaster while Raul is Newman Enterprises webmaster."
"Well," stated Nikki. "What about those names Mackenzie gave you?"
"We tried them all and no one available."
"So we have to use Jack's useless wife, unbelieveable. This company has hit an all time low. We are doomed." grumbled Jill.
**********
Walking into his office Billy let out a breath. 'Whoa,' he thought to himself. 'Did I dodge a bullet. I can't imagine having to see her again everyday. Last night was a little too much.' Just saying her name made his heart do flips. 'G*d didn't she know how good she looked last night? Even more beautiful than I remember. I'm surprised she didn't catch me staring at her last night. Then she puts me on the spot by calling me a mute, how was I suppose to talk when she was walking around looking so beautiful. My brain was nothing but mush but she wanted me to talk. Thank G*d I formed some words or I would have just looked plain stupid. Why do I still have these feelings? If it wasn't obivious before it sure was last night that she doesn't return not one ounce of what I feel. I have to move on, I'm with Brittany engaged to be married. But why isn't that enough to keep her out of my heart and mind? Mac and I ended a long time ago. I just have to figure out a way to get her out of my head.' Just then the phone rang.
"Abbott."
"Billy," said Phillip. "Glad I caught you. The dinner I talked to you about earlier in the week is going to be held at the Colonade Room. No time to talk I'll see you there at 7, bye."
"Phillip, Phillip!" Billy said into the phone. 'Great, just great.' thought Billy.
**********
"How did it go?" Katie asked Phillip as he hung up the phone.
"Perfect sweetie. Did you tell Mac?"
"Yup and I told her formal wear."
"Good."
"Do you think that this will work?" asked Katie.
"Honey they both haven't moved on really."
"But Billy is engaged to Brittany!"
"Not for long my sweetie," said Phillip planting a kiss on Katie's forehead. "Not for long."
**********
Stepping out of her new silver Benz, Mackenzie wondered why Katie was having dinner at the Colonade room.
"Why couldn't she just have it at his apartment?" she spoke out loud talking to herself.
"Because I wanted the party here." said a voice.
"Phillip, what are you doing here? Give me a hug!"
"Sure thing doll, you know I never turn down hugs from beautiful women." Stepping back he looked at her dress. "Whoa, aren't you hot tonight!" Mackenzie was wearing a light blue dress that tied around the neck and crisscrossed down the back, on both sides of the dress were splits. She had on matching blue sandals with diamond earrings on.
"You don't think it's too much?" she asked.
"No," answered Phillip. "I would be honored to escort you in."
"Lead the way."
**********
"Where did Phillip go?" asked Billy looking around the Colonade Room.
"I'm sure he will be back here soon." replied Katie coming up to Billy. "My Billy, you look nice." Billy was wearing a black long jacket & a black shirt that was unbuttoned at the top.
"Thanks Katie, you're a show stopper tonight in that dress." Katie was wearing a peach strapless dress with a split up the front.
"Billy you really know how to flatter a girl."
"I wish Phillip would hurry up and come back, he promised to introduce me to his mystery girlfriend tonight. For months he's been telling me about her and now he's hiding so he doesn't have to. Look at me talking, I know that as his best friend you probably don't know either, I say we beat him up if he doesn't tell us tonight."
"Well," said Katie grabbing Billy's hand and pulling him to the side. "I'll let you in on a little secret."
"What?"
"Well I know who she is."
"Who?"
"It's me Billy!" replied a smiling Katie.
"Oh my G*d, why didn't you guys say something?"
"Well we weren't for sure at first and then as things progressed we didn't want to jinx it, so we just kept it hush hush."
"I'm so happy for you, wait a minute you guys just didn't rent the Colonade Room just to say you're a couple!"
"Alright Billy, that's not all. The surprise is that we're engaged!"
"Congratulations!" said Billy grabbing Katie into a hug.
"Thanks, well I better go find out where Phillip is." stated Katie. Billy turned towards the stairs and saw Phillip but on his arm was her. The one Billy couldn't get out of his head. The one who he knew now that he loved more than life itself. Mackenzie. Who locked eyes with Billy at that exact moment.
(In this story Nina and Tomas are married and have never left and Paul and Christine are still married, also Ryan and Tricia are divorced.)
**********
'Oh my G*d,' thought Mackenzie. 'He looks so....'
"Mackenzie we are so happy to see you here." said a voice below her. Looking down the stairs she saw Rianna and Raul standing there together. Coming down the stairs she gave both of them hugs.
"Mac you look incredible," stated Rianna. "I'm so happy you are back cause now you can be the maid of honor at our wedding."
"You want me to be the maid of honor?"
"Of course we do!" grinned Raul. "We didn't ask anyone else. We only wanted you to do it. If you hadn't moved back here we were thinking about flying out to Phoenix to get married there just so you would be in the wedding." Wiping away a small tear Mac grabbed them both back into a hug.
"You guys are wonderful. I would love to be the maid of honor."
"So..." asked Rianna. "Did you meet anyone yet?"
"Ri, I have only been here for a few days."
"Well since you haven't met anyone, there is this guy who lives down the...."
"Sweetie didn't you promise me no match making tonight." replied Raul.
"Yeah but...."
"Come on Ri, you promised me a dance. Mac we'll talk to you later." he said pulling Rianna towards the dance floor giving a wink to Mac.
"Well kiddo you sure are a sight for an old man eyes." stated Jack coming up to Mac.
"I don't think you're old Jack." she replied giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"I know that, I was just hoping that I could steal a kiss from a princess."
"Oh Jack you are still a charmer!"
"No really, you have mouths watering over you."
"No I don't." she said blushing.
"If you don't believe me then just look at my kid brother over there. I swear you still make his brain mush. Why don't you go over there so I can get some laughs out. I want to see if he will ever pick up his tongue."
"Okay I'll go over there and say hello." Billy saw her heading over towards him.
'Oh my goodness she's coming over here,' he thought. 'Calm down, act natural.'
"Hello Billy."
"Hi Mackenzie." he replied in a squeamish voice.
"Hormones haven't kicked in yet Billy?" she grinned.
"Very funny. You look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself. So is Brittany here?"
"Um no."
"Well I hear that congratulations are in order."
"Huh?" said Billy just staring at Mackenzie.
"I said congratulations on your enagement."
"Yeah." he mumbled. "So are you...."
"Excuse me," said the maitre'd in a loud voice. "Dinner is served."
"May I escort you to the table?" asked Billy.
"No, I'm sure that I can walk over there by myself." she said grinning. At the table sat Phillip's mother Nina, her husband Tomas, his father Ryan, Christine and Paul Williams, Jack, Ashley, Katherine Chancellor, Katie's mom Esther, Nikki, Raul and Rianna. Grabbing Katie's hand Phillip cleared his throat.
"Katie and I have an annoucement to make...."
"Well what is it sweetie?" asked Nina.
"We know that you're anxious to find out what the announcement is, but you are going to wait until after dinner." stated Phillip.
"You can't do that," exclaimed Rianna. "I'm too curious, I have to know now!"
"Yeah!" the rest of the table joined in.
"Okay, okay." grinned Phillip. "Katie you can tell them the first part and I'll do the second."
"Okay you all heard that Phillip and I were seeing someone that we both have kept a secret about. Today we decided to reveal their identity."
"Well I'm glad to hear that." remarked Ryan.
"Phillip and I have been seeing each other for the past couple of months." stated Katie.
"I knew it was her!" exclaimed Christine to Ryan. "I knew they would make a cute couple."
"That is so sweet!" exclaimed Rianna. "Two best friends finding love together. It's like a fairytale!"
"Wait a minute," Phillip remarked. "We aren't done yet."
"I know, what is it?" asked Tomas. "You two decided to move in together?"
"Sort of," Phillip remarked looking at Katie. "We're getting married!"
"Congratulations son!" remarked Ryan giving Katie and Phillip both a hug.
"Looks like I finally have a daughter." said Nina giving Katie a hug.
"Mom?" asked Katie. "Don't you have anything to say?"
"I'm sorry," Esther replied grabbing a tissue from her purse and standing up. "You don't know how happy I am for you. I can't believe my baby is getting married." She grabbed Katie into a big hug.
"Mom, mom! I can't breathe!"
"Oh I'm sorry." she replied sitting back down.
"So when is the big date?" asked Jack.
"Well," said Phillip wrapping his arms around Katie. "We didn't want to have a long engagement so we decided to get married on July 17th."
"What?" exclaimed Nina. "That's barely a month away!"
"We know mom, but we want to do it as soon as possible."
"Are you sure you two want to be stressed?" asked Esther.
"Well mom we won't be that stressed cause the maid of honor and the best man will be helping us with all the planning."
"Who is the maid of honor and best man?" asked Mrs. Chancellor.
Looking at Billy Phillip said, "Billy's my best man."
"And Mac's my maid of honor." stated Katie. "So what do you two say?"
"Yeah Katie and I will handle most of the stuff while you two can just take care of the small stuff." replied Mac.
"I'm in." stated Billy looking down at the table at Mackenzie.
"Are you sure?" asked Katie.
"Sure!" replied Mac. "Just tell me what you want me to do."
"Perfect!" remarked Katie looking at Phillip.
**********
Outside on the balcony Mackenzie was thinking to herself. 'This shouldn't be so bad. I mean we both have moved on and besides I won't have to see him until the wedding. I can handle this', she thought leaning over the balcony rail.
"Don't do it," said a voice from behind her. "I know you think working with me will be bad, but I promise I won't make you feel uncomfortable."
"Billy," said Mac turning around. "Why do you even think that you were on my mind? Are you still so full of yourself after all these years?" she asked grinning.
"Well I am the man on all the ladies minds. So if it wasn't me on your mind then who was it?"
"Nobody you know." whispered Mac.
"Are you sure?"
"Yup, I'm definitely sure." she said turning around and facing him.
"Oh yeah so you know I don't have a problem with working with you for the wedding. The problems we had 7 years ago are in the past. We both have moved on so there isn't no point on why we can't be friends."
Sticking out her hand she said, "To a new start." Touching her hand he felt that same electrial current he always felt when he touched her. "Well I think I'll go back inside." stated Mac turning and walking inside while Billy watched. Meanwhile watching them from inside were Phillip and Katie.
"At least their not arguing." stated Phillip.
"Yeah, but are you sure that we should be doing this?"
"Look, these two have been putting off their happiness since my grandmother started hasseling her about her mother. Ever since then they have kept their feelings to themselves so no one gets hurt. What they don't realize is that they are only hurting themselves. It's time that somebody offered them the happiness they deserve."
Looking at Mac take her seat at the table Katie whispered, "I would hate for our wedding day to be ruined if things don't go like you want them too."
"Trust me sweetie," he replied looking at Mac looking around trying not to turn towards the balcony doors, while Billy stood at the balcony door looking at her. "Those two are just as much as in love as we are or maybe even more."
**********
A week has passed since Phillip and Katie's engagement dinner. Mackenzie sat at her desk at Brash & Sassy setting up the new campaign she had thought of, when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in." she said not raising her head from the computer.
"Hey you remind me of myself." stated Raul coming into her office.
"Are you done for the day?" Mac asked.
"No, I decided to take off early today to take Ri out for lunch. On my way out I thought I would pay you a visit. So how has the first week been?"
"Great! Look at this office," she said rising from her desk. "It's two times the size of my office back in Phoenix. I have my own bathroom, not to mention that big comfy sofa over there and the view what can I say, it' so beautiful." Walking towards her Raul looked out the window behind her desk.
"It's a great view. I must say working for the Newman's does have its perks. So what is your idea for the new campaign?"
"Well I was thinking of how Jabot has the young generation and we tend to have the older generation and I thought why not make a campaign that both can benefit from. So I thought that we should have a contest with a winner every month. For a week they can have a Brash & Sassy treatment, facial, make-up, pictures, and a hotel stay here in Genoa City. We determine the winners by how many times they buy things and visit on the website. The more they buy the more the entries they will have. At the end of every month we will draw a name and they will win the Brash & Sassy treatment. After 12 months of doing this the 12 winners names will be put in another raffle and the winner from that will be featured in our next photo layout campaign."
"Whoa," stated Raul. "That's a great idea! Did Mr. Newman approve it?"
"Yeah he wants it up immediately. Look at the time, I'm making you late for your lunch with Ri."
"No don't worry about it. So how does it feel to be in two weddings?"
"What do you mean how does it feel, you're in two weddings too! Yours and Rianna's plus Katie's and Phillip's."
"Well I'm just a groomsmen in Phillips, but in both weddings your the maid of honor."
"I can handle it," she grinned. "Tell Ri I'll call her later."
"Sure, bye." Sitting back down at her desk the phone began ringing.
"Hello?"
"Mackenzie?"
"Yeah it's me."
"Good," stated Katie. "I didn't want to leave this message with your secretary."
"What message?"
"I can't meet with you later with the florist."
"Why can't you?"
"The caterer just called Phillip and he demanded to meet with us both tonight. It's the only night he is open to discuss the wedding. His next free evening is after the wedding."
"Well who is going to help me with the florist when I meet her tonight?"
"Phillip called Billy and he agreed to go. I have to go so I'll talk to you later. Bye!" Turning around in her chair Mac looked out the window and thought to herself, 'I can do this. Billy is just a friend. What's wrong with two friends meeting to plan a wedding?'
**********
Sitting at his table at Gina's, Billy hoped that Katie had reached Mac. He didn't want her coming there and believing that this was his idea.
"Billy," said Mackenzie coming up to the table. "The florist just called me, she said that she can't have the meeting here, but that we have to meet her at the shop. So we have to leave now or we won't make it." Standing up from the table and turning towards her Billy headed for the door.
Once out of the door and in the parking lot Billy turned to her and asked, "Who's driving?"
"We'll take my car." answered Mac.
"Nice car."
"Thank you, that's the car Victor, Victoria, and Nick bought for me for signing the contract."
"That's cool. They must really like you alot."
Getting inside the car and sitting next to Billy, "Yeah." Mac replied pulling out of the parking lot. "I hope they do." Billy watched as Mac kept her concentration on the road.
"I know you probably had to cancel dinner plans with someone tonight."
"No, I've been too involved in my career to date, but I might start again once I get the first project done. So when does Bratt....I mean Brittany get back in town?"
"She is supposed to come in tomorrow."
"I know that you will be glad she's coming back."
"I will be but not for the reason you think. We have alot of talking to do."
"About the wedding?"
"Yeah. So have Katie and you picked out the bridesmaid and maid of honor dresses?"
"Yeah but Katie hasn't made it definite until I see the tuxes. She says she loves Phillip but their taste collide, so she wants to make sure they go together."
"Can I ask you what color the dresses are?"
"Yeah they're royal blue." she answered pulling into the florist parking lot.
**********
Back at Gina's Billy and Mac were seated back at the table where Billy was sitting earlier. Looking at Billy in the face she looked up at him dead in the face.
"Thank you for telling me to pick out the white lilies. They were the best ones."
"Sure it was no problem." he replied. After having some coffee both of them walked out of the parking lot together.
Opening her door she spoke, "I hope you don't have to drive far, it looks like bad weather is coming."
"No, I just like a couple blocks away."
"Oh really? And where is this?"
"The exact same place you live."
Regaining her voice Mac mumbled, "We're neighbors?"
"Yup afraid so." Getting into his car and pulling it along side of hers, he rolled his window down when she motioned for him to.
"So I guess I'll be seeing you around, right neighbor?"
"Yeah." he replied. He rolled up his window and followed her out of the parking lot. Thinking to himself he mumbled, 'Hopefully soon!'.
**********
The next morning Billy was looking out of his bedroom window listening to the radio, when the DJ came across and said, "This song is dedicated to a couple who have been apart for sometime. This is dedicated to you guys in hopes that you will find your way back to each other's hearts. It goes out to you from your best friends, so here are the Backstreet Boys singing 'Back To Your Heart'."
It's not that I can't live without you
It's just that I don't even want to try
Every night I dream about you
Ever since that day you said goodbye
If I wasn't such a fool
Right now I'd be holding you
There's nothing that I wouldn't do
Baby if I only knew
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart
I don't know how it go so crazy
But I'll do anything to set things right
'Cause your love's so amazing
Baby you're the best thing in my life
Let me prove my love is real
And make you feel the way I feel
If you only tell me girl
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart
Give me one more chance, to give my love to you
'Cause no one on this earth loves you like I do, tell me
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart
I turn back time
To make you mine
And find a way back to your heart
I beg and plead
Fall to my knees
To find a way back to your heart
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart
As AJ sung the last line of 'Back To Your Heart', Billy turned towards the radio and thought out loud. "That song was a sign for Mac and me. Someway and somehow I have to find a way back into Mackenzie's heart."