Chapter 25 Wed Afternoon
Awkward.
The adjective provided the most apt description of the dynamic between Max and Victoria. After gathering the courage to knock on the brunette's door, neither girl was quite sure how to broach the subject of the fight that morning. While taking in the sight of the other, neither spoke a word after making eye contact, before looking away when their nerves had gotten the better of them.
"Hey..." the blonde said meekly before Max had opened the door further in gesture for her to enter.
Making her way in the room, Victoria grimaced after glancing over at the bed. The sight of which conjured the memories of their fight, and long with it, an image of chalk outlines of where they had each been. The memory caused butterfly's in the blonde's stomach as though she had just walked past a crime scene. Eventually settling on the couch, a silence hung in the air as each girl waited for the other girl to start. Desperately searching for anything to focus on, other than the person sitting next to them, each stared intently at the floor. The tension in the air was on the verge of becoming palatable when amid the silence, Victoria's phone went off.
BZZZ...BZZZ...BZZZ...
"Are you going to check that?" The brunette asked, having to force the words out of her month; mercifully bring an end to the silence.
"No... This is more important..." Victoria answered, with neither girl attempting to make eye contact with the other.
"V... I was scared... scared I'd ruin things between us..."
"I know Max... I… I freaked out... but I'm afraid that you trying to use me to replace her."
Victoria's last words brought Max's train of thought to a halt. The possibility that she was using the blonde to get over her feelings for Chloe hadn't been given serious consideration. The brunette felt as though her feelings for Victoria were genuine, but her mind struggled to come up with a rationale to convince the blonde of that fact. Regardless of the circumstance, the late-night excursions clearly indicated that she was currently unable to let go of the blunette. With the onset of guilt over her feelings for Chloe, panic swept through Max as she faced the possibility that their relationship was over.
"I want something real between us... and I don't know if you can give that right now..." Victoria stated with a deflated look on her face. Taking note of the blank expression on the brunettes face had done little to alleviate her concerns. "I don't want to be your second choice..."
"V... you're not... I'm not..." Max stammered out, unable to form complete thought.
"Max... maybe you need some time to think… this is just happening so fast..." the blonde interrupted with tears in her eyes.
In a state of disbelief over the suggestion, the brunette offered nothing in response, having progressed from tears to complete sobbing over the idea. With her statement met with silence, Victoria collected herself in preparation to depart, having become frustrated by Max's inability to provide a clear answer. Her world seemingly falling apart around her, the brunette was distraught over the prospect of losing someone she had come to depend on over the last few days. Resolute in her decision, Victoria said goodbye before making her way to the door. As the blonde slipped through her grasp, the brunette's actions became driven by a mix of desperation and determination after deciding to not give up without a fight.
"Victoria... wait!"
"What is it, Max?" the blonde asked after turning to reveal that she also had lost control of her emotions.
"This...this is real. I can feel it...and I know you can to."
"Max... I do... I just don't know if this is the right time..."
"V... you're right... I'm not over Chloe... but this is real and I'm not letting this go..."
While in the midst of her desperate attempt to keep Victoria from leaving, Max realized that actions would speak louder than any words. That had been the case earlier, as her silence had been indicative to Victoria that she wasn't ready to move on. As a result, the brunette was determined to not repeat that mistake and demonstrate her feelings through action. Having closed the gap between them during the conversation, the brunette looked the other girl in the eyes after taking her hands.
"...and I'm not going to let you go."
At the end of the proclamation, Max leaned up on her tip toes before pulling Victoria in for a kiss. Initially starting slowly, the kiss slowly built in intensity as feelings of unease and worry where replaced by euphoria. Slowly moving their way back into the room, Victoria paused after having backed the brunette against the bed. Pausing before pulling away, the blonde flashed a mischievous smirk before playing pushing Max on the bed.
"I can't believe you almost let me leave... You're going to pay for that."
After allowing a moment for the two of them to get reacquainted, Victoria unveiled the good news she had teased previously. Earlier that day, the blonde had received an invitation from Kristine Prescott to a private service for Nathan, occurring tomorrow afternoon at the families Estate. The family had opted for a private service after considering the extent of the media attention the town was still being subjected to. Shock over the incident still radiated throughout Arcadia Bay and Sean Prescott had orchestrated the preceding with the intent of minimizing the effect of the publicity on his business operations. Therefore, having the service at the family estate provided a measure of control over the proceedings.
"This could be a perfect opportunity for get some intel," Victoria suggested, with barely contained excitement.
"You're right," Max admitted, "this could be big."
Clearly pleased with herself, Victoria boasted, "See, I told you I'm resourceful."
"You're right," Max replied with feint sincerity, "I knew there was a reason I keep you around."
"Aww, I hope that's not the only reason," Victoria countered suggestively.
"Maybe… I can think of one… maybe two others," Max replied before obviously looking the girl up and down followed by an exaggerated wink. The awkwardness over the mornings revelation still hung in the air between them, but they both seemed intent on not letting it get in the way.
Attending the service was the most promising lead she'd had since returning to the dark room, but the brunette couldn't shake the bad feeling over the idea. "You'll have to go alone though," Max reminded, turning the conversation back to a serious tone, "I wouldn't be there to back you up."
"I know," Victoria countered. "Bringing the best friend of the girl their son killed would probably raise a few eyebrows huh?"
Max winced at the tone behind the blondes words. There was nothing more important to the brunette and Victoria's cavalier attitude suggested that she wasn't taking it as such. "V… this is serious," Max said chiding the other girl, "We're talking about a man who's likely in bed with someone that has drugged, kidnapped, and photographed dozens of girls. If he catches you…"
"I know, Max," Victoria answered sheepishly, "You're right… sorry… I'm just trying to keep the mood light since this is some seriously fucked up shit here."
After establishing an understanding on the seriousness of the situation, Max and Victoria began to hash out the details of the plan. On Victoria's side, the plan was pretty simple; attempt to gain as much intel as possible. Although, it wasn't in the what, but rather, the how in which the blonde's role became difficult. Victoria had to able to engage with the Prescott's without the underlying intent being obvious. Therefore, they had decided to forego any direct inquires, in favor of a subliminal approach, that Victoria could employ under the context of offering assistance. Together, they had brainstormed several different proposals along with some roleplay to simulate possible situations that could occur. However, they both agreed that the roleplay had largely been a waste of time as each of them suggested other situations that called for roleplay. While formulating their strategy, Victoria had been insistent over the prospect of searching the estate for clues should the opportunity presented itself, a notion Max steadfastly opposed.
"V… I'm not going to be there to rewind if you get caught," Max reminded her. "We can't afford them finding out that we're on to them. If they get spooked, they could destroy any evidence they might still have."
Slightly dejected but Victoria knew she was right, but the blonde couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement of the mission.
Having established the objectives for Victoria, consideration was given to the brunette's role. A few options were feasible, although most of which involved breaking and entering places owned by those in attendance at the service. After some deliberation however, it was agreed that any such option posed an unnecessary risk of detection, which would subsequently force Max to rewind in order to escape. Despite being willing to employ its use, Max was reluctant to rewind if other alternatives existed. Although, the brunette felt a temptation to test the limits of her abilities, as she had felt they had improved since first discovering them. Given the avenues available, it was decided that Max would serve largely in a support role. That enabled the brunette to offer guidance should it be required, in addition to providing further information on any leads that may be uncovered.
Feeling the plan had come together nicely, Victoria cried out in celebration, "Alright! Operation Drain the Swamp is a go!"
"Drain the Swamp?" Max asked curiously.
"What? You don't like it?" Victoria asked, with disappointment evident in her tone.
"No… I like it," Max replied, before leaning in for a kiss, "I like it a lot."