Dangerous Liaisons

Chapter 3:

Once Upon a Time


The persons of their world lived in an atmosphere of faint implications and pale delicacies, and the fact that he and she understood each other without a word seemed to the young man to bring them nearer than any explanation would have done - "The Age of Innocence"


It was not love at first site. When Sebastian first laid eyes on Kathryn the world did not stop. He didn't hear music, there were no fireworks, or mesmerizing glances. In fact when he first saw her he didn't think anything of her at all. He barely noticed her existence. He was ten.

At this point in time girls were not a part of his life. The fairer sex had yet to register on his radar as his hormones were still waiting to kick in. Instead Sebastian spent his time reading everything from Nietzsche to Shakespeare and spending long hours thinking and philosophizing more that any ten year old had a right to. He also spent time studying art or anything else with any cultural relevance he could find in the city. Sebastian was an exceptionally smart young man and if his parents had bothered to pay the slightest bit of attention to him they might have noticed how gifted their only child was.

It was perhaps on account of their lack of involvement in his life that lead him to act the way he did. Then again perhaps it was the fact that he had practically memorized "The Prince" by the time he was eight that attributed to Sebastian's almost frightening ability to cause trouble. He spent a better part of his youth terrorizing his parents, teachers and fellow students. It was his nannies however he enjoyed making miserable the most. Sebastian had resented the fact that his mother hired glorified retards to watch over him so he took immense pleasure in getting each of them fired or driving them to the point of insanity. Each time his methods got more and more creative. Finally Natasha gave up and stopped hiring them when one girl ended up at Shadybrooke after a failed suicide attempt. Some of Sebastian's best work.

For all intents and purposes his interest in books and art along with his strong desire to cause mischief should have made him a social leper. On the contrary he was one of the most popular boys at his private school Oakwood. Most of the children in his social circle had known one another since they were in diapers and therefor they were use to some of Sebastian's more eccentric qualities. Besides which he was a Valmont and they were always to be respected no matter how much of a terror they may be.

Although Sebastian was popular and accepted among the students it wasn't necessarily a position he strove to be in. He deplored most of his fellow students and absolutely refused to join anyone's clique. He had one genuine friend, Blaine Tuttle who also never seemed to make it his life mission to fit in. Sebastian viewed everyone else as sheep to be looked down upon. Seeing as she was practically their leader Sebastian despised Kathryn Merteuil most of all.

Everyone loved her so naturally he hated her. She was pretty, she was smart, she was athletic and most of all she was sweet. Always willing to stay after class to help a teacher or help someone with their assignment, to everyone who mattered she was the epitome of perfection. Sebastian however saw right through her facade. He knew this girl wasn't for real and the only reason she acted this way was to garner more popularity points. She was a phony and Valmont hated phonies. He went out of his way to be even more condescending and mean towards her than he did anyone else. He called her names, ignored her completely when she addressed him and would use each and every opportunity to humiliate her.

As it turned out Kathryn did not feel the same way towards Sebastian. In fact she had a crush on him since she was eight. Much like him she viewed her fellow students the same way. She saw them as sheep and therefor she wanted to be their shepherdess. She wanted to control and manipulate all of them to her will. No one more than Sebastian. He was the only one who didn't adore her and buy into her act which is why she probably liked him most of all. She invited him to parties, he never came. She tried to talk to him during recess, he ignored her. She walked past him in the hallway, he sneered. Kathryn rather liked his sneer.

"Sebastian I was wondering-"

"No"

"You don't even know what I was going to ask you."

"I don't care. I don't have any desire to spend a moment of my valuable time doing anything that might have anything to do with you whatsoever."

"I'm having a party. It's for my birthday. Will you please come? EVERYONE will be there."

"Oh. Everyone? Even you?"

"Yes"

"Then no. Fuck off"

Sebastian continued on ignoring her existence until one afternoon Kathryn made the gigantic error of correcting him in front of everyone. They were in English class when the teacher called on Sebastian. He let out a big put upon sigh before delivering in his most condescending tone the correct answer or what he thought was the correct answer. Thinking she could impress him with her smarts Kathryn raised her hand before the teacher could correct the young man, and gave her the right answer. Everyone in class chuckled because Sebastian was never wrong and here was a girl of all people correcting him. He did not take kindly to this minor humiliation and quickly began plotting how to bring down Kathryn.

The opportunity presented itself a week later at the school awards assembly. Kathryn was to be honored with the student of the year award. Again. Sebastian had happened to catch a late night viewing of the film Carrie and had gotten an idea. With Blaine's assistance the two boys rigged a bucket of pig's blood above on the rafter and when Kathryn went on stage to accept her award they triggered the bucket and it went spilling all over her. Kathryn's cream colored dress was completely covered in blood as was the rest of her. The audience was stunned into silence but it was quickly broken by Sebastian who burst into laughter. He was soon followed by a good part of their class. To worsen the situation even more he started to baw like a sheep at her and several other people in the audience followed suit.

Kathryn was humiliated to her very core. She could never stand anyone laughing at her and here she was being heckled to death by all her peers who were being led by the boy she liked more than anybody. Kathryn had dashed off stage the whole time willing herself not to cry. The teachers quickly followed after her trying to clean her up and comfort her. She barely acknowledged them and instead stood their shaking until Sebastian and a few others suddenly appeared back stage.

"What's the matter, little Miss perfect upset that her dress got ruined?"

"Shut up, nobody laughs at me"

"Oh they're laughing now. Didn't you like my little joke? Didn't you find it funny?"

"Y-you did this?!"

"Of course, who else around here could pull off such a stroke of genius? Certainly not any of your little sheep Bo Peep."

"I hate you"

"Promise?"

From that point on Kathryn loathed Sebastian Valmont and vowed someday she would pay him back for this humiliation. Over the next three years the two made sure to keep a careful distance from one another. Sebastian happily continued on in his ways completely oblivious to the fact that he had very much pissed off the wrong girl, a girl who very much knew how to hold a grudge and get revenge.

By the time he entered junior high Sebastian's hormones had officially kicked in and along with them came his appreciation of the female form. While most of the boys in their grade were going through the typical awkward phase he seemed to blossom. By far the most attractive boy in school he came to realize he could use his looks to his advantage and had no problem using this new found weapon.

It was at the start of eighth grade when Sebastian began to see his old nemesis in a different light. Every year for the summer Kathryn went away for four months with her parents to some exotic local. This time when she came back she looked different to him. Her hair seemed shinier. She had developed curves that weren't there before. Her smile which had always seemed too big for her face suddenly seemed so perfect. She was perfect and suddenly his years of hatred melted into deep desire. Sebastian wanted her badly.

Kathryn however seemed oblivious to him. She continued on ignoring him like she always had during the past three years. He was a little annoyed she didn't immediately notice him back in the same way but he figured she was just too vapid and wrapped up in herself to notice anything beyond her nose. It never occurred to him she might still despise him for his little prank so he had no problem asking her to the homecoming dance.

"Well?"

"You want me to go to the dance with you?"

"That's generally what was implied when I asked would you like to go to the dance."

"Hmm"

"It's not rocket science, yes or no Merteuil?"

"Tell me why should I want to go with you again?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're hot and I am by far the best looking guy in this school"

"And modest too"

"Look do you want to take some loser who's going to breath on you and try to cop a field at the end of the night?"

"As opposed to you who will act like a perfect gentleman right?"

"I make no promises"

"Hmm"

"Oh come on Kathryn, eighth graders aren't allowed to go without a date anyway and I know you want to go. You live for this shit. You mine as well go with me."

"I suppose you have a point. All right I'll meet you outside the dance at seven. I already have two tickets, you can pay me back later."

Sebastian was so excited that she agreed he didn't even stop to wonder why she didn't want him to pick her up at home. He should have taken note at the word 'meet' as he would later come to regret that oversight.

The junior high students were allowed to attend Manchester's homecoming dance but only if they brought a date. Some sort of old tradition. Sebastian usually despised these types of events but he was using it as an excuse to get close to Kathryn who even though agreed to go out with him still ignored him completely at school.

The night of the dance came and Sebastian waited outside the ballroom where the festivities was already underway. He waited for a half hour and she never showed up. Standing pathetically out in the hall he watched as couples danced together closely. Suddenly he noticed Kathryn was already inside and talking to someone. Confused he entered the ball room, ignoring the chaperones who were demanding his ticket, and stalked after her. He was stunned when he watched her walk straight into another guys arms. He was taller and most definitely older than them. Still Sebastian didn't get intimidated easily so he walked up to her and demanded to know what was going on.

"Oh hello Sebastian"

"What are you doing? You were suppose to meet me out front?"

"Meet you out front, why would I do that?"

"Because you're my date!"

"I don't think so twerp, she came with me."

"Really Valmont why would I ever agree to go out with you? No offense but you're not exactly my type."

"You god damn bitch"

From there on it got very ugly. Kathryn's date, who Sebastian later discovered was a junior on the football team, punched him out. The chaperones immediately flanked to his aid until they realized he was there without a ticket and promptly dragged his ass out. The whole time Kathryn just stood on the sidelines snickering as did many of the other couples. This humiliation however was nothing compared to what was to come Monday morning at school. It quickly got around what happened at the dance but it had been embellished to the point where people were saying Sebastian was in love with Kathryn and stalking her. Blaine informed him that the latest rumor was she had a restraining order against him.

For days everyone snickered at him when he walked by and all the respect he had garnered over the years seemed to disappear entirely. It didn't help any that Kathryn really seemed to play up how pathetic he was, telling anyone that would listen that he wouldn't stop calling and harassing her. Sebastian finally snapped when he overheard her telling someone in the cafeteria that he was only pursuing her so he could be popular. It was his life long dream.

Grabbing her by the arm he forced her outside and screamed at her for fucking with his life. The whole time she just stared back at him completely emotionless as if he was boring her. When he demanded an explanation she reminded him about the prank he pulled on her.

"That's why you're doing all this? You're completely destroying my rep because of some little prank I pulled in elementary school?! Are you mental?"

"I was completely humiliated! People laughed at me for weeks because of you!"

"It was fifth grade Kathryn get over it!"

"Well we'll see if you get over this in three years. You think your rep is damaged now, just wait until I get through with you!"

"I wouldn't count on it bitch. Maybe I'll spread a few rumors around myself. How about the one where I saw you giving Chris Adams head in the boys lavatory? When I'm done you'll have a sluttier rep than your mother!"

She didn't respond well to that threat. Turning around Kathryn picked up a particularly large rock and chucked it at him with surprising force. Sebastian quickly ducked however the rock whizzed right over his head and into the glass window behind him. The two of them barely noticed and continued arguing loudly. A few minutes later the dean came out and demanded to know which one of them threw the rock. Without even thinking Sebastian quickly took the blame. It was hard to tell who was more shocked, himself or Kathryn. As the dean lead him back to his office he wondered why he was taking the blame for something he didn't do all on account of saving Kathryn's ass.

Respect, that's what he boiled it down to. The little witch had screwed him over good and it was completely deserved. Kathryn had always liked him, he knew this and yet he had humiliated her just to smooth his own fragile pride. Even though he would die before admitting it to her, he knew his comeuppance was completely earned. It was also executed quite brilliantly. He was impressed therefor she had earned his respect.

The dean had suspended Sebastian for two days and notified his parents. He could care less about his punishment since having a few days off from school was more of a reward and he knew his parents wouldn't care in the slightest about this latest bought of trouble. As he was leaving the school that afternoon he noticed Kathryn standing out beside her limo. He considered just ignoring her but he was curious. Sebastian walked up to her and before he could get a word out Kathryn stepped forward and kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, her lips pressed lightly against his as her left hand touched his cheek.

It happened so fast Sebastian didn't have time to respond. Kathryn pulled away, gave him a slight smile and then got into her limo. As the car drove off he stood there frozen on the pavement touching his mouth. He couldn't believe what just happened. Further more he couldn't explain it. He always considered himself pretty acknowledgeable about human nature and wasn't easily surprised. After that incident he was fucking stunned.

Following his two day 'vacation' Sebastian returned to school to find his bad boy reputation was now firmly intact. It seemed everyone had forgotten about the business with Kathryn, everyone that is except for Valmont. For two days all he could think about was that kiss and the girl who gave it to him. He spent hours laying back on his bed thinking about her mouth on him and his mind began to run amok with sexual thoughts and feelings. Sebastian couldn't figure out why he felt this way, it wasn't like he hadn't kissed girls before but this seemed different somehow.

Kathryn had once again taken to ignoring him at school and this bothered him further. He wanted to kiss her again and he quickly went about plotting a way to make it happen. It didn't take long for a brilliant idea to come to him. Sebastian waited around after French club one afternoon and confronted her with a proposition.

"Valmont I believe this is what they call blackmail."

"No I believe they call it a win-win situation. You get something out of it and I get something out of it."

"Yes and what exactly are you expecting to get?"

"Look I'll get you excused from gym class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in exchange you agree to meet me during that time in the third floor lavatories."

"And what is it you want to do to me in the vacant lavatory?"

"I don't know, I'm sure I'll think of something."

"I'm sure you will."

After much prodding and threatening Kathryn eventually agreed to his proposal. Using some stationary he swiped from the deans desk Sebastian forged a note and got her exempt from class and in exchange she met him upstairs. The third floor lavatory was deemed off limits to students after Freddie Tyler and his juvenile delinquent buddies took off all the stall doors and refused to tell anyone where the hid them. It had now become the spot everyone went when they wanted to mess around. However Sebastian made sure no one was around when he met Kathryn up there.

For the rest of the school year she continued to meet him as promised. They would spend the whole hour making out against the stall, barely saying a word to each other. They kissed until their lips were bruised and their tongues were limp. Sebastian had made out with more than his fair share of girls but it was different with Kathryn. For starters they never did it the same way. Sometimes he would be the aggressor, sometimes it was her. They made out in the stalls pressed up against the metal walls, against the sink, on top of the sink, along the window and once on the floor.

Sebastian had liked that best of all even though Kathryn complained about it messing up her hair. He liked the feeling of his body resting on hers. The downside however was it made it harder to hide his erection. When Kathryn felt it pushing against her abdomen she demanded to know what was poking her. Sebastian realized then that she was a virgin. He found himself quite delighted by this discovery seeing as he was also still a virgin.

Once she realized what she was dealing with Kathryn used it to her advantage. She made sure to grind her lower half into him when ever she could. It amused her when he would gasp in surprised and at the same time she found it strangely arousing. She began to get moist between her legs every time he would start to slide his warm hand up her stomach. Sebastian would feel her up or move his fingers against her panties but it never went any further than that.

Neither had really ever broached the subject of things going further. After all they weren't really a couple, they still ignored each other in the halls and the only person who knew about their bathroom trysts was Blaine. They were both fine with the status of their relationship until the school year started to come to a close and they realized they wouldn't have an excuse to be together. Not knowing how she felt about that exactly Kathryn stopped meeting him in the bathroom and Sebastian didn't go out of his way to peruse her.

However everything changed when Marcus Bennington returned from his semester long stay in England. At his welcome home party he told anyone who would listen that he lost his virginity to some hot French girl. As far as anyone knew Marcus was the only person in their social circle that was no longer a virgin. This was something Sebastian and Kathryn just would not stand for. They always prided themselves of being more sophisticated then their peers so to discover that a moron like Marcus was more knowledgeable about something like sex was horrifying. That was something that would not be tolerated. Their pride would not allow it.

When Kathryn turned fourteen a few weeks later her parents through her a lavish birthday party as they did every year. Like every year before she invited Sebastian but this time he actually showed up. As everyone talked and danced he sat sulking in a nearby chair until Kathryn came by. When no one was looking he gave her a present and a quick kiss. She surprised him by taking his hand and discreetly leading him upstairs to her room.

As soon as the door closed behind them Kathryn bluntly announced that she wanted to have sex. Sebastian was surprised but none the less thrilled seeing as he had been dying for months to fuck her. He half heatedly asked if she was sure before proceeding to take off his jacket and tie. She was more than sure stating she knew they were both adamant that they would not enter high school as virgins. He agreed. They both made a vow that this didn't mean anything. They weren't boyfriend/girlfriend and they weren't in love. After some awkward fumbling getting their clothes off they got into bed with each other and proceeded from there.

"Does it hurt?"

"A l-little bit"

"Do you want me to stop?"

"N-no just keep going."

"Tell me if this feels better"

"Ah! Yeah that feels nice. Keep your hand there."

"Kathryn open your eyes"

"Why?"

"I like looking at you"

The first time had been a little awkward and more than a little painful but they both enjoyed it enough to try again. This time things went a little smoother and they both were able to reach orgasm. Afterwards they laid in bed talking intimately with one another about their family, boredom with their peers and the importance of their mutual reputations. Sebastian came to realize just how much Kathryn and he were alike. Up until then it wasn't something he ever really considered.

They both dressed and then said their good-bye's. As was typical Kathryn was going away with her parents for the summer. They agreed they were free to see other people and they had no commitments. While Kathryn was off sunning herself in Tahiti Sebastian spent the summer turning his rep from bad to horrid. Before that summer he was called a bad boy but the word playboy had never been used to describe him. A few months later it was the only word used to describe him.

Kathryn's was not the only virginity he took that summer. The next four months Sebastian hopped from one bed to the next. Many of the girl he slept with wanted to loose their virginity some others however took convincing and it was then that he began to build his skills at seduction. All that knowledge he had acquired from books and people over the years was suddenly put to much better use than he ever imagined. Soon sleeping with girls wasn't so much the objective as getting a reluctant girl to bend to his will. That almost became more important than the sex.

Still with all the experience he was gaining there was no girl that measured up to his first time. The night with Kathryn had been truly unique and special. Sebastian started to realize that no girl would ever measure up to Kathryn in his eyes. He couldn't be sure though if it was because she was his first or because he had developed feelings for her.

When Kathryn returned after the summer Sebastian was eager to pick up where they left off. However she quickly made it known that wouldn't be happening. She informed him while she was happy he managed to further his rep she wasn't about to put her own in jeopardy by getting involved with him. Sebastian had been more than a little put off by this announcement, even more so when he learned the real reason why she refused him.

"Besides I'm sort of seeing someone"

"Who? School just started."

"Yes well we met while we were away. Our parents are very good friends and introduced us. Court is-

"Court? You're dating Court fucking Reynolds?"

"Calm down Sebastian, you're starting to sound like a jealous boyfriend"

"I am not and stop laughing at me damnit! I'm Court is an utter idiot and completely unworthy of you"

"I'm not arguing that."

"Are you sleeping with him?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you should dump him immediately."

"And what date you?"

"It would shock people wouldn't it?"

"Valmont I'm not about to throw everything I've worked for all these years away just because of your desire to fuck with people's heads."

"So I take it you won't be meeting me in the lavatory during gym?"

"Afraid not but don't worry I doubt you'll have any trouble finding a replacement."

"Hmm, and here I thought you were irreplaceable."

During their first year at Manchester Kathryn and Court became the most popular couple in school. Every dance, every school event they attended hand in hand. Just like in elementary school Kathryn once again set out on her one woman campaign for popularity. Once again she had no problem reaching her goal. By the end of the semester everyone loved and respected her. They all thought her to be a sweet, good natured loving girl. Sebastian was the only one who knew the real Kathryn.

It was during this time that the two became actual friends of sorts. No longer did they ignore each other in the halls. Instead they greeted each other at Sebastian's locker each morning and he would walk her to first period. They had study hall together and they spent the time talking only with each other. To most this friendship seemed a little odd but almost everyone just chalked it up to Kathryn habit of being polite and friendly with everyone. No one had any idea that in actuality Sebastian was her salvation, he was the one person in the world she could be herself with. The same was true of Sebastian. While he slept with many girls Kathryn was the only one he could actually talk with. For months they continued on as platonic friends but that didn't stop him from making advances towards her.

"Come on you can't honestly tell me you that half wit satisfies you."

"He gets the job done"

"Obviously not well enough or you wouldn't be hanging out with me all the time."

"I only hang out with you because I feel sorry for you Valmont. The only friends you have is that drugged out fag and those bimbos you call conquests."

"Excuses, excuses"

"Get your hand out of there"

"Why? I think you're enjoying it. Does it remind you of our night together?"

"Get over it Valmont. Trust me you weren't that good."

Things continued on this way until one afternoon when Sebastian was waiting for Trisha Martin in the back stacks of the library. Trisha never came but Kathryn did. Without saying a word she seemingly appeared from out of nowhere, pushed him back against the rows of books and started kissing him. Seeing as he had been waiting for this all year Sebastian wasn't about to protest but he was curious what brought on this sudden change of heart. Kathryn refused to give him a straight answer when he asked and he didn't push for one.

They continued on in this pattern. Kathryn continued to date Court while she would randomly meet up with Sebastian at some hidden location where they would make out. It never went beyond this and he never question her motives. It was frustrating yes but he was glad to have even a small part of her so he wasn't going to push for more.

Then a few weeks later the news broke. It came out during so and so's party that Kathryn and Court had broken up. It was unclear who broke up with who but apparently it had happened weeks ago. Sebastian was shocked at the news but wasn't sure weather to be thrilled or hurt that she didn't bother to tell him. Comforting her after school he demanded some answers which as usual weren't easy to come by.

"I just want to know why you broke up with him."

"It's private Sebastian"

"Private? Last week you made me give you a blow by blow account of my encounter with Mrs. Richards. I shared with you now it's your turn."

"No"

"Oh come on Kathryn what did he do? Did you catch him fucking another girl or-"

"HE broke up with ME! Happy now?"

"No just pleasantly surprised. What did you do princess? He didn't find out about us did he?"

"Don't worry Valmont your ass is safe."

"Are you sleeping with someone else?"

"I'm not sleeping with anyone that's the problem."

"I'm sorry what?"

"Wipe that stupid smug smile off your face Valmont! You heard me I never slept with Court or anyone else. Unlike you I didn't spend the whole summer fucking everything that moved. Perhaps I should have. Court dumped me because I wouldn't sleep with him. I'm not kidding wipe that god damn grin off your face now before I smack it off!"

"Why wouldn't you sleep with him? Was I so good you were afraid he wouldn't measure up?"

"No actually I think you just turned me off sex all together"

"You're such a pathetic liar"

"Shut up Valmont"

"Oh come on he didn't deserve you anyway. You should be with someone who can appreciate the real you."

"Like?"

"Me for example."

They had slept together again that night. Kathryn didn't give any further explanation as to why she had never had sex with anyone else. Sebastian wondered if perhaps her feelings for him went deeper than he knew. As for himself he realized his feelings for Kathryn were far from just friendly and more than just lust but he wasn't quite sure how else to define them.

After Kathryn's fifteenth birthday she was set to leave once again with her parents but this time Sebastian didn't want her to go. He suggested she stay on in the city so they could spend the summer with each other. Kathryn had balked at the idea at first but she hated the thought of Sebastian hooking up with random sluts all summer while she was stuck on some other continent. She told her parents that she wanted to stay in New York for the summer on account of a new charity she was organizing that was sure to bring their family even more respect and recognition. They had quickly agreed to let her stay.

No such charity however was ever formed. Instead Kathryn spent the next four months spending almost every waking hour with Sebastian. Although they claimed to anyone who would listen that they weren't dating. However next to no one was convinced. Every party they attended together, at every gathering they stuck to one another side and every night they spent in each others bed. Whenever a girl approached Sebastian he turned her down flat. The same went with Kathryn.

They claimed not to care what others thought of them and for once it was true. They were in their own little universe where only each other existed. Every night that summer they spent fucking in every room of the Merteuil townhouse. During the day they spent their time amusing themselves between shopping trips and museum visits by playing little games on their classmates. They sharpened their claws so to speak on anyone who crossed their path. Sebastian would flirt with a random girl he slept with before and get her to give him the keys to her fathers Porsche under the guise that he would pick her up for a date. He never would pick her up but rather take Kathryn out to the country where they would mess around at his aunts estate. He'd give the keys back to the girl the next day with a cruel, unfeeling apology.

Kathryn also delighted in tormenting the boys who flocked around her. She would tease and get them worked up before agreeing to meet them some place private under the assumption she would give herself to them. However she would never show up and instead she would screw Sebastian in the next room and they would wager how long the guy would wait for her before giving up.

It was towards the end of their summer together when Sebastian began to realize something he had long suspected. It was something he feared actually and would never dream of voicing to Kathryn. The sad truth of the matter was he knew he was falling in love with Kathryn.

This was something that both claimed to want no part of. They prided themselves on being above such mushy sentiments. After all they were much smarter than all their idiot love struck classmates. Surely they would never be stupid enough to let themselves be controlled by their emotions in such a way. Sebastian vowed he would bottle up what he felt for her and never tell another soul. His love for her was his and his alone and he had no intention of sharing it with anyone even her. However things suddenly changed one evening when he came to her after having a fight with his father.

"I hate him! I hate that evil fuck!"

"What did daddy dearest do this time?"

"He was suppose to take my mother to Barbados for their anniversary. She's been planning it for weeks. Tonight he suddenly called it off on account of work. Now she's home crying her eyes out because of him!"

"Well maybe he really has to work."

"No he's staying home because his girlfriend from Connecticut is coming down. He wants to spend the weekend fucking that slut. He doesn't give a damn about my mother. When I called him on what a gigantic prick he is he told me I was over reacting. All men have needs and he's no different. He said I should cut him some slack given my reputation. The son of a bitch actually tried to bond with me over it."

"Charming"

"Well I will never be like him! I will never treat someone I claim to love like he treats my mother. I could never treat you like that. It's so-"

"Wait what did you say?"

"Nothing. Stop interrupting me."

"It sounded like you implied you were in love with me."

"Well you're mistaken."

"So you don't love me?"

"If I say yes will you let me continue on with my rant?"

"Perhaps"

"Fine I love you, now as I was saying-"

"Valmont?"

"WHAT?!"

"I love you too"

"Good to know."

As their sophomore year started up they made no secret of their relationship. To everyone is seemed an odd match up seeing as Sebastian had the worst rep in school and Kathryn was considered the nicest most classy girl at Manchester. A majority of the people in their social circle assumed that Sebastian was using her in some way and tried to warn her. Kathryn would always smile politely and assure them she knew what she was doing before turning and rolling her eyes.

It seemed both their reps suffered a little on account of their new relationship status but neither cared for they were very much in love. It was a first for both these manipulators that they were allowed to let their guard down in such a way. In some ways they were just like any other fifteen year olds in love, however their relationship was anything but common place. For starters they never held hands in school or made romantic declarations unless they were completely alone. They made sure to never fight in public thus giving anyone the pleasure of thinking they might have been right when they speculated it would never last. Also they always made it a point to never be too overly affectionate in public because Kathryn was fearful of people thinking her a slut.

However when they were alone things were very different. They did fight, usually loudly and with thrown objects. Mostly it was on account of stupid things or minor spats of jealousy. Although she claimed to trust him Kathryn got jealous whenever a girl even talked with Sebastian. For his part he had no problem trusting her completely because he was safe in the knowledge that he had been her first and only. Then during Christmas break when he was completely stoned Blaine let it slip that Kathryn had given him head when they were thirteen. Apparently her no sex policy didn't extend to oral sex because according to Blaine Kathryn had blown half the males in their class. Sebastian had been furious and overcome with rage at this news. They had one hell of a blow out that night.

"How many?"

"I don't know I never took a head count."

"What is that suppose to be funny? God why the hell didn't you ever tell me about this?"

"You are unbelievable Valmont. It's perfectly fine that you've nailed half the girls in Manchester but god forbid I sucked off a few guys."

"Just give me a number Kathryn"

"Ahh! Fine I don't know, forty?"

"Forty! Jesus fucking Christ how could you keep this from me?"

"Oh just let it go Sebastian."

"I will not. Hey stop that!"

"Why? I think you like it."

"Fuck! I'm still angry with you."

"Sure you are."

Nearly every argument they had ended with sex of some kind. As the school year continued on their sex life became more and more interesting. They rarely limited their excursions to the bedroom and the missionary position. Seeing as their mutual hormones were constantly in overdrive they often found themselves getting turned on in the strangest places.

They'd do it up against the stacks in the back of the library, in the front seat of Sebastian's new jag, in empty classrooms and in one particular instance up against the back of the stage minutes before Kathryn was expected to make her first speech to the class as student body president. He wasn't sure what possessed them but the next thing he knew he was pumping into Kathryn against the dusty wall, her legs wound tightly around him as the headmaster was calling out her name. They came a split second later and as she went out and delivered her speech she could still feel the remnants of their orgasm dripping down her thigh.

On her sixteenth birthday Sebastian plucked her last remaining flower. As they laid exhausted both bent over the side of the bed Kathryn mused aloud about the stangeness of their relationship.

"Do you think most sixteen year olds have sex like this?"

"Baby I'm sure most sixteen year olds don't even know this kind of sex exists."

"Too bad, it's quite relaxing."

"Relaxing? That's not what you were saying a half an hour ago."

"You're a very bad boy Valmont."

"You're even worse princess. You know sometimes I think you and I are just two halves. Two halves of the same person."

"I think you're right"

Their antics however amusing got them into trouble a few weeks later. While her parents were away Kathryn thought it would be fun to take Sebastian up to their bedroom and fuck him. This turned out to be a very bad idea indeed because her parents came home early and were shocked to find their own daughter mid orgasm going at it with her boyfriend all over their thousand dollar sheets. Needless to say they weren't in the missionary position. The elder Merteuil's were not pleased.

Kathryn's parents had never been fond of her relationship with Sebastian. Point in fact they hated it. Although Sebastian was wealthy and came from an upstanding family his reputation alone was enough to taint him in their eyes. This latest episode was the last straw and they told their daughter she was not to see him again. Kathryn tried everything in her power to get them to understand and give Sebastian another chance but they refused to budge.

However neither had ever listened to a god damn word their parents ever said before so they weren't about to start now. They continued to see one another albeit in secret. Everybody believed they broke up but in fact they were still as committed to each other as ever

Then towards the end of the summer things started to change. Kathryn started pulling away from him and acting distant. When he called her up to meet somewhere she would make up excuses and she would avoid going to bed with him. Sebastian had no idea what was going on. It seemed so sudden and it didn't make any sense that Kathryn would pull such an about face. Briefly he wondered if perhaps she was seeing someone else behind his back but he knew this wasn't it. She'd tell him if she was fucking someone else.

Kathryn came to him one day not her usual confident self. She wouldn't look him in the eye or give him a straight answer when he asked what was going on with her. For possibly the first time in his life Sebastian was afraid. He loved her so much and he couldn't stand the thought of losing her.

"Kathryn will you just tell me what the fuck is going on?"

"It's just I was thinking...maybe we should take a break."

"Take a break?! What the fuck does that mean? We're not even technically dating anymore so how the fuck can we take a break?"

"Sebastian stop making this more difficult than it has to be."

"I'm in love with you Kathryn and up to a few weeks ago I thought you felt the same way. What's changed?"

"Nothing! I still love you Valmont, I always will..."

"But?"

"Look my parents-"

"You're parents! I should have known."

"They're making it impossible for me at home. They're monitoring my every move and having the help spy on me. I can't have a moments piece. It's just getting too hard Sebastian."

"So you want to break up with me?"

"Of course not!"

"Then what do you want?

"I want things to go back to how they were two weeks ago. I want you to be my boyfriend again. I want-"

"I want that too!"

"But it can't happen anymore."

"The fuck it can't, lets get out of here."

"What?"

"I mean it let's just go. I can clean out about half my trust fund. Let's just get the hell out of here, get away from your fucked up family and mine."

"Where would we go?"

"Does it matter? Please Kathryn, please just come with me. I can't be apart from you any longer or I'll go insane. I refuse to be apart from you. I love you more than anything else in my whole miserable life. We're two halves remember? Forever and always. Please just leave with me."

"All right lets go."

They quickly made plans after that to leave the country. Sebastian's family own a villa in Italy and he was sure they could stay there for awhile until they figured out where they wanted to stay permanently. He knew this was an insane idea (and if he didn't Blaine told him enough times) but he couldn't think past a future with Kathryn. He had meant what he said about her being the only good thing in his life and he was going to be damned if he gave her up.

Kathryn still was acting distant towards him but he tried to push that from his mind. Sebastian told himself she would start acting like herself once they were far away from her parents. On the night they were scheduled to leave Sebastian had one last thing he had to do. Before he would leave for good he wanted to say one last good bye to his father. One last fuck you was more like it. He wanted to tell him once and for all what he really thought of his dear old dad.

Charging down towards his fathers bedroom he didn't bother to knock before throwing the door open. He wished to god he had. His father wasn't alone. There was a naked young girl sitting on his lap. A girl with dark shiny hair, green eyes and a smile he had loved since he was thirteen years old. Sebastian's heart permanently broke the day he found Kathryn in bed with his father.

He didn't say anything and he couldn't for the life of him remember if his father said anything. The only thing he remembered was the look on Kathryn's face. It was completely cold and emotionless. The maid could have found them fucking for all she cared. As he gasped her name she casually got up from the bed and closed the door without a word.

Sebastian stood on the other side of the door trying to grasp what was going on. He honestly felt ill like he was going to throw up. Every ugly emotion he tried to surpress since he was ten years old suddenly rose to the surface. He was angry, hurt and utterly destroyed. Sebastian fell back against the bedroom door and began to pound on it.

"WHY?! Why the fuck would you do this to me?! How could you? With him! I thought you loved me I thought I-I meant more. God damnit Kathryn please open the door! Please talk to me! KATHRYN! KATHRYN! KATHRYN!"

He had pounded on that door for what seemed like hours but was really only minutes. He was crying and it seemed as if his sanity had forever left him never to return. He couldn't think, he could barely breath. All he could do was choke on her betrayal.

Eventually Kathryn came out fully dressed. Sebastian was propped up against the opposite wall, tears running down his usually proud face. She looked back down at him coldly before turning and heading down the hall. He quickly followed after her and grabbed her arm demanding answers.

"Just tell me why? What did I do that would make you betray me in such a way?"

"It's beyond my control."

"What? What does that mean? Kathryn please! I love you and I know you love me!"

"It's beyond my control."

"Stop it! Stop acting like this! I-If you didn't want to leave with me all you had to do was tell me. How the fuck could you do this? With him! Him! You know how much I hate-"

"Sebastian let go of me."

"Not until you tell me why you did this!"

"It was never going to work out between us Valmont. You had to know that. People like you are I aren't meant to fall in love."

"I DO love you"

"Well I don't love you. I would think that would be obvious to you by now. Then again you were never as smart as you thought you were Valmont. Always thinking you were so much smarter than everyone with your philosophy books and literature. In the end you're nothing more than another rich boy who gets lead around by his dick."

"Stop"

"Why? I thought you wanted to here the reasons I chose to fuck your father rather than you. Would you like to learn how you two stack up against each other?"

"Shut up"

"Stop crying Valmont it's a sign of weakness. Once upon a time you use to be a man to be reckoned with. Now you're nothing more than a sniveling, whimpering little boy."

"Do you want me to tell you I hate you."

"I don't care what you do. I'm leaving."

"Where are you going? Kathryn where are you going!? KATHRYN!"

She never did answer him. Turning away she strode down the hall ignoring him as he called out for her and crumpled to the ground. Any bit of good Sebastian had left in him died that day. From that moment on he would never trust another person and he certainly would never give his heart to anyone again.

He found out later that Kathryn had moved to Europe with her parents. For a long while after she left he wondered why it was she betrayed him. Was it her parents pressuring her? Was she really in love with someone else? Or perhaps the scariest scenario of all, she never loved him to begin with. As the years past he began to not care what her reasons were for pushing him away. All that mattered was she betrayed him and whatever the reason was, it could never be good enough. Sebastian had closed the book on Kathryn Merteuil and there was no way he was ever going to open it again.

- to be continued (Please Review)


A/N: I swear I meant to make this chapter shorter but damn it just got away from me. Yeah I also changed the title of the chapter because I was going to use a quote from a Coldplay song but scraped it at the last minute.

Now what Kathryn did was pretty bad was it not? Rest assured though she had her reasons though they won't be explained for awhile. To answer your question Bebeluvspikey, the truth along with a healthy dose of sacrifice will be the only thing to get Sebastian to even consider taking her back. Annette, while not exactly a saint in this story (she'll be exacting some revenge in the next chapter) will be largely sympathetic, especially in the larger scheme of things. As for Steven he most definitely has a purpose and you'll be seeing him quite a bit in upcoming chapters. Okay, that's all please review and tell me what you think.

Next Chapter 4: A Dish Best Served Cold