Part 3: updated 05/10/2017
Chapter 36
Beverly Hills
Since she came back, she hasn't been sleeping well. How could she when the brunette is missing? How could she, not knowing who has the video? It's also because of the numerous phone calls she received from her managers and friends, helicams flying outside of her house, trying to get a picture of her, and paparazzis staking outside, waiting to get answers to the questions that became the topic of every celebrity gossip articles. She wondered how long the paparrazzis will stick around. She can't stay inside the house forever either. Seven months of hiding did nothing but got them more interested. It seems that the only way to end this is if she quits. If it gets out, then I'll quit.
It has been months since she saw Blythe. She apologized for not returning the calls, although she did IM her, letting her know that she's doing well. But in the condition she's in, with the lack of sleep, her look of worry might seem like she has been lying to her. She expected Blythe to ask how she's been and she did. But she didn't expect her to ask about Alexis. She hasn't seen or talk to Alexis but she did find out at 40,000 feet high who Alexis is. Somehow when giving the brunette the details of their past, she recalled that moment in Paris. That was Alexis the brunette kissed years ago. She had thought that they were pretending to be ex-lovers. At that moment, she couldn't control herself from getting upset and demanded to know what their relationship is and was, not that it matter anymore but she still would like to know.
"Why?"
"I just want to know how she's doing."
From the way Blythe shrugged her shoulders, with a small smile that quickly faded followed by a glance down on the floor, Alyson sensed that she's still thinking about David. She reached out and held her hand with the intention to comfort her but she later understood Blythe's intention for mentioning David.
"He wouldn't want to see you like this."
Seeing her eyes filled with tears, she could only apologize in silence for not being able to tell her the truth.
"He loved you. He would've done anything to save you."
Not just her. She has no doubt in her mind that Lucy would have done the same if it happened to someone else.
"So you need to be strong. You need to forget. I know it's difficult…but…David…he…"
Blythe was having a difficult time in getting her point across. Alyson understood why. How could she tell her to forget about the assault and remember what David did for her at the same time?
"You're going to get thru this. It's going to get better. Okay?"
If I could tell you what happened, I would. Maybe someday, I'll tell you who he is. What she could tell her though is not to worry about her but that obviously didn't work because it's not the first time she told her that. Getting a visit from Blythe who flew from NY just to visit her is unexpected. What she also didn't expect is getting a visit from her ex who has been honking outside for more than a minute. She didn't want to let him in but he said it's urgent.
With his unshaven face, the lines under his eyes, his fatigue is noticeable. Urgent? She realized it was only an excuse when he again told her how much he missed her, how much he cared for her, everything that she heard before including his willingness to sacrifice himself if he could turn back time.
"Lucas…please…" She didn't want to be rude to him. He doesn't deserve this but it's the only way to make him understand. But before she could say anything else, his explanation of what he has been doing caught her attention, but it was the object he is holding in his hand that caused her heart to pound and her body to tremble as she extended out her hand.
"This is the last copy. I'll destroy it and no one will ever know."
She expected Lucas to give it to her but realizes that he has no intention of doing so when he took one step back. "Lucas, give it to me."
"It's over now. Forget everything. No one can hurt you anymore. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. We can leave this place. We can go somewhere…."
"Lucas!" She didn't want to yell but it was necessary to stop him from proposing again. They've only dated for less than a year. She didn't think he would be that type who can't let go. "…I'm sorry, I can't. Please…just give it to me…"
"Why?"
Why? She couldn't think of a good reason either for wanting to see the video. Any victim wouldn't want to see or remember the assault. That's what she thought Lucas was referring to until he asked why she can't leave this place. Telling him the truth will only hurt him, so she didn't respond to his question and instead asked about the video. "Who did you get this from?" It didn't work. While Lucas continued on trying to persuade her, she continued with her own questions. "Where did you get this?" All he said was he had been contacted by someone just like her mother and her. "How much did you pay for this?" It wasn't a question she wanted to ask but she had to say something to distract him.
"No! What are you doing?! No…stop!"
She didn't think CJ is listening. Apparently she is otherwise she wouldn't have appeared at the right moment into the living room to snatch the flash drive from his hand from behind.
"Don't…do this…"
Seeing his knees on the floor, his look of pain and sympathy, his hand being twisted behind his back, and his body being forced down by CJ, she apologized again. Taking the flash drive from CJ, she doesn't have to see the video to know that it's not the video of her intimacy, because if it is he wouldn't have tried to hide it from her.
Part 2
The large chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling was the first thing Amy noticed when she entered the double doors with Bobby by her side. Having been in similar events of this type, she's not surprised to see how beautiful the setup is but she is confused with the requirements as well as the display inside the room which is bigger than she expected with about 35 round tables with white table cloths, fabric covered chairs, a bottle of champagne and a small bouquet on the center of each table, 2 LCD tvs on each wall, a stage and a dance floor in the front. Everyone is dressed elegantly for the event; men in tuxedos, some in suits and women in dresses with lengths that allowed them to safely walk across the carpeted floor to their seats. Security staffs, also dressed in suits, could be seen standing at the entrance, another side door and various places. Security is tighter than she expected but why? The question came from the inexperienced young agent Jane.
"…times have changed…" Petrie didn't explain any further and expected her to know why they were required to walk thru a metal detector.
Many things have changed including the one sitting next to her. "I'm going to look around." Having been seated for 5 minutes, Amy hoped that Lucy gets the hint that she wants her to do the same so they can talk privately. But it didn't work because Bobby and everyone else were ordered to survey the area so she has no choice and left the table with Bobby following from behind. "I'm going to the ladies' room." She thought she made it clear but that didn't stop Bobby from following her which made her wonder if he had been ordered to do so. "…stop following me..."
"I've got orders."
She was surprised that he admitted but at the same time was confused with why she was allowed to come if Petrie didn't trust her. "Could you stop…" She stopped when she noticed the surveillance cameras on the ceiling in the distance. There may be noises but it's possible that their conversation could be heard by whoever is in the surveillance room. So she continued walking to the ladies room and deliberately took longer than usual and was disappointed to find Bobby still waiting outside after she's done. Feeling the need to take a breather as well as to talk to him in private, she exited the function room and scanned the area for a spot where they can talk privately. The stairs will have to do. But before she reached the door to the stairway, Bobby's question changed her mind. What happened last night is none of his business. She's not sure why he's still asking about it. She whispered her last warning into his ear where nobody not even the ones behind the surveillance camera could hear. She's hoping to get thru to him, to make him believe what Lucy said could be possible. He doesn't have to quit. All he has to do is pretend to be sick and leave before anything happens. What's going to happen? She's not sure herself but hearing Lucy's speech an hour ago, the same feeling she had years ago ran thru her, a feeling of uncertainty but knowing that the choice she's making now is not what she wants to do…just like when she followed Hannah into the secluded wooded area.
After the host made her speech and champagne was poured into each glass by a hotel staff, everyone is surprised when Lucy spoke. "Are you sure you want to drink that?" Everyone else on the other tables is drinking after the host made a toast. Bobby is about to do the same but stopped. Not only him, Amy is confused when Lucy picks up the wine glass and takes a sip. Not only champagne, but the food as well. "Are you sure you want to eat that?" The warning was given to Jane, yet Lucy herself didn't seem to care if the food had been tampered with. It might have convinced Bobby, Jane and others but it's not going to work with me. Amy took the fork, picked up a potato and put it into her mouth with everyone staring at her. She's not hungry but took another bite, then another to prove her point.
I'm not going to leave you. Lucy.
"You still have a chance." The warning wasn't given to her but to everyone else who didn't drink or eat.
All eyes fixated at Petrie to see what she will do. Do you really think they are going to poison 280 people? It didn't make sense to Amy and she's not sure why Petrie would consider that as a possibility. Food poisoning by accident is possible but intentionally?…in a hotel?
While dancers are performing on the dance floor, Amy has her eyes on the disguised brunette. If she didn't come in late, she would've been sitting next to her instead of 2 seats away from her. She was hoping to get a chance to talk to her but it doesn't seem possible with Bobby following her everywhere. Lucy, I love you… She hoped to send the message telepathically thru the noise but it didn't seem to work because Lucy, like the rest of them, is paying attention to the front.
After the performance is over, Amy expected another performance or another speech describing how the donations will be used because that's what usually happens in a charity function but what she didn't expect is an auction, not auctioning artwork, jewelry, or someone else's property but human.
"Is this legal?" Jane asked but didn't get a response from Petrie who doesn't seem surprised.
It's not illegal. In fact, human auction is very popular in a fundraising event but Amy didn't think this would be used tonight. Did she know about this? She couldn't tell from Lucy's lack of reaction.
"Here is our first volunteer. Put your hands together for Katie." The clapping of hands and music could be heard as a young redhead in medium length red sleeveless dress appeared from the side of the stage. "Katie is 22, just graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in marine biology. She thinks that sea creatures are interesting but unfortunately, her first job out of college as a researcher doesn't pay the bills. Currently, she is doing a little modeling on the side so if anyone likes what you see, please give her a call…."
This is a charity event not a beauty competition. Not only Jane, Amy too is confused with the way the speaker spoke. Hearing the description, she came to understand why the young college graduate volunteered. But is it really this simple? Is she looking for a job or a wealthy mate?
"Oh…by the way...she doesn't do nude modeling…" Laughter echoed thru the room. Sounds of 'awwww' could also be heard. Even though the speaker successfully induced laughter into the crowd, Amy still didn't like the idea. Every woman here came with a male partner. Whoever suggested this, does he actually think that men will bid with their female partner sitting by his side?
"We got our first bid. $10,000."
What? Amy quickly turned to the right to see who the guy is.
"$20,000…Thank you, sir."
Amy then snapped her head to the left to the second bidder and came to the conclusion that he did so because his female partner is not with him at the moment. $20,000 is not a lot for a donation but it makes her wonder what he is expecting the woman to do other than a day of doing house chores. Katie got off the stage, then another young woman came on but her reason for volunteering made Amy wonder if she gets paid for doing this because she didn't hide the fact that she is currently in school and is looking for a part-time job to pay for tuition. Sounds like she's looking for a sugar daddy. When the third volunteer walked to the center of the stage, Amy noticed how different she is from the first 2 girls by the way she walks with confidence. Not only her smile, it's also her short silver shiny minidress that captured her attention and probably everyone else. Unlike the previous girls, this young woman is several years older and doesn't have a college degree. What she has is a dream.
"She wants to be a comedian or an actress if nobody finds her funny." Many laughed at the comment made by the speaker. Amy found it funny as well until Lucy raised her hand after the first bidder.
"$20,000, thank you…"
"What are you doing?" That's what Amy wanted to ask before Petrie beat her to it.
"$30,000 from table 2. Thank you, miss. You're not going to regret this. She knows how to cook too."
"$40,000 from the gentlemen in table 9."
Amy wanted to go over to where Lucy is but didn't want to attract more attention than Lucy already has.
"Where are you going to get $40,000?" Petrie said in a whisper and Amy heard. But that's not what Amy wants to know.
"...you…"
"Are you crazy? I don't have $40,000." Petrie's frustration is visible but she kept her voice low so people in the other tables would not be able to hear.
"…we need her, do you understand?" Her jaws clenched tight. Her look of frustration and seriousness could be seen. It took a short moment for Petrie to understand and didn't ask any more questions when Lucy again raised her hand.
"$100,000…anyone else…"
Amy wanted to wait but couldn't control herself from wanting to know. She leaned forward across Jane's partner and whispered as softly as she could. "Do you know her?" Lucy might not have given her a response but the expression on her face told her that she does. Now it's clear why she didn't want me to come. It's not only for my safety, it's because she didn't want me to see this. Who is she?
"…going once, going twice, sold to the gentleman with the beard on table 7!" After the speaker said in excitement, her hand with the mic is immediately grabbed onto.
"…Not sold!...she didn't mean sold!…"
"…sorry, I got carried away…"
"… it's just one date, okay?..."
With everyone laughing except for the ones on her table and all the attention directed to Lucy, Lucy played along and smiled with a nod.
Keeping her eyes at her lover, Amy knows that she shouldn't feel this way. Now isn't the time to feel jealous. Now it's the time to find out why. But it's difficult to control the emotions within her. Seeing the blonde walking off the stage, she couldn't help but think of that woman's past with her lover. It hurts. It doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense. Why is she here? Lucy, why? But she realized what she is thinking could be wrong when Petrie was told to do the same.
"Why?"
"…just do it…" The tone in which Lucy spoke showed her frustration. Lucy, what are you doing? The way she stood up without an explanation caused Petrie to grab her hand.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to pee…" Lucy said in an obvious tone as if she's the one in charge. "..Do as I say, otherwise I can't help you." Lucy pulled her hand back which Petrie reluctantly let go.
Now it's her chance. Seeing the opportunity, Amy quickly lifted herself off the chair with the intention to follow Lucy but was quickly prevented from doing so by Bobby sitting next to her.
"Where are you going?"
Amy quickly moved to the seat that is previously occupied by Jane's partner who left to follow Lucy. Keeping her voice low, Amy expressed her concern to Petrie. "Look at this place.…cameras, metal detector, no cell phones, the security guards…and what's up with these masks? Don't you find these requirements a bit strange?" If she does, Petrie should too. "I'm going to find out what's going on." After waiting for a command from Petrie for 5 seconds, she couldn't wait any longer. What could Petrie possibly do to her if she disobeyed? The answer is nothing. Amy left the table without an explanation while knowing that the only thing Petrie can do is have Bobby follow her. She walked as quickly as she could in her black midi dress and thick heeled shoes but the sight in front of her caused her to immediately stop. She's not positive at what she saw since it's difficult to recognize anyone with masks on. What she saw is a blonde, not the same blonde who was up on the stage a moment ago, but another woman who is now talking to Lucy with Jane's partner standing next to her. Who's that? There is no way anyone would be able to recognize Lucy in her disguise, at least she didn't think so. Seeing Lucy entering the men's restroom and the woman heading towards her, she turns to Bobby.
"You have something on your shoulder." As long as she can remember, Bobby is never smart enough to know when a signal is given. She did wink once but realized that Bobby missed it.
"What?"
"Don't move…" Amy pretended to wipe something off Bobby's tux.
"Excuse me…"
Blocking the woman's path is her intention. Getting her to speak is also her intention but she failed to recognize that voice, that body, that face under the mask. There is only one thing she could do. Wait for Lucy to come out of the restroom. But it was useless because Lucy completely ignored her as if she doesn't exist. Once seated, she didn't have to provide an explanation to Petri because Jane's partner did by shaking his head once which made her wonder what he just witnessed.
"You…just cost me $150,000…Is there anything you want to tell me or do you want to surprise me?"
Amy listened carefully but Lucy remained silent throughout the event until the end. Noises became louder as everyone got up and applauded at the last performance by a group of dancers. Some left already during the performance. For those who stayed, Amy wondered if they're here for the same reason. But there are so many…
"Let's go."
"I would appreciate it if you give me a little heads up."
From the way Petrie is grabbing onto her hand again, Amy noticed Petrie's frustration as well as Lucy's who pulled her hand away.
"I suggest you follow along and stop asking questions."
Most people are heading out. Some stayed behind to chat with others. Many took their masks on.
"Keep the mask on." Lucy ordered as Bobby is about to take his mask off.
"Why?"
"I said stop asking…"
Everyone became confused when Lucy suddenly grabbed Bobby's hand and flipped it from front to back and did the same to the other. "Where is your stamp?"
"What?"
Bobby is clueless and so is everyone else until Petrie showed it to her.
"What…the fuck…did you do?"
Part 3
Whatever it is, it made Lucy very upset. Amy still has no clue why since Lucy didn't explain. Whatever it is she's blaming Petrie for, the need to know is in the back of their minds as they're escorted to the penthouse floor.
What…the…hell? It doesn't look anything like hell. To a man, a straight man, it could be considered as heaven. Women, lots of them in bikinis could be seen frolicking in a state of the art in-ground pool, a few in hot tub spas, others at the bar stool appear to be having fun as they drink with each other. Another room of women in skimpy clothing could be seen thru a glass wall playing a game of pool with men in masks. This might look like a pool party, but Amy is certain that sex is what every man here is thinking of.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?"
The question came from the young blonde hotel staff who previously introduced herself as Vanessa, director of something. Amy would have heard what she's director of if she wasn't frustrated with Lucy who again tried to persuade Petrie in preventing her from coming along moments ago. She let Petrie know that she's not leaving. She let Lucy know that she's not leaving no matter what.
"What do you think?"
Disgusting. That's what she is thinking of but isn't sure what she would have said if the question is directed to her. Lucy? She could see Lucy looking from left to right with a visible smile. Not only her, Bobby is the same way as if their minds have been taken control of. Lucy! Focus!
"Would you like to join them?"
"…maybe later…"
Bobby! You're not supposed to say anything. That was the orders from Lucy which she disagreed with. Wouldn't she find us suspicious if we don't say anything?
"…this way..."
Following Petrie from behind, Amy is starting to feel unsafe about this place. With the modern interior design, the area may not look creepy but it's the silence, the path that they're taking with nobody else around and the surveillance cameras she found unsettling. The turns around the corners got her all confused which made her wonder if the director intentionally did so to confuse them after being brought to yet another elevator. At this moment, knowing that Petrie's staff is waiting outside doesn't make her feel any better.
"Here we are…."
From the space between the doors, she could imagine how big the rooms are. It wouldn't be a regular size hotel room, that's for sure. Amy is expecting a key card and for her to say the next line 'If there's anything you need, please let me know.', but when she didn't do neither, she suspected what's inside could be the reason Lucy didn't want her to come. Lucy? She is still not certain not even after Lucy spoke in a deep voice.
"I'll let you know when I'm done."
Those words were directed to Petrie. That was to let her know not to do anything foolish. At least, that's what Amy took it as. But what Lucy said next to Bobby surprised her and it seemed to have caused the blonde director to immediately cleared her throat while taking a few steps away, no longer smiling but looking away in embarrassment, pretending not to be listening.
"…Have fun…but don't fuck it up this time..."
That was to let the blonde director know who's in charge and it's not Bobby or Petrie. Amy couldn't see Bobby's full face expression under that mask nor could she tell if Petrie understood the hidden meaning behind her lover's warning. Even she doesn't fully understand until she was let inside the room which she noticed has the same number as the number on the back of Lucy's hand. She's hoping what she's thinking of isn't true but seeing the young blonde in a robe walking towards them, she realizes what she witnessed half an hour ago is what it looks like, an auction for sex.
Lucy?
Amy wanted to say something but took the firm squeeze of Lucy's hand as a signal to be quiet. There was no introduction as if they know what they're here for. There were no words spoken, only a gaze as if they've met before. Lucy, what are you doing? Jealousy bubbled up seeing her lover being kissed by someone else even if it is only a kiss on the cheek. She might not have initiated it, but still. She might be pretending to enjoy it, but still.
"Will she be joining us?"
Amy's not sure before but now it's becoming clearer that the young woman who wants to be a comedian and an actress is nothing more than a high-class escort, one who knows what to say to make others laugh to get the highest bid of the night, $100,000 a night. Seeing Lucy's eyes fixated at her for a moment, she followed with hesitation towards the humungous size bed behind the see-thru white curtain with the hope that her thinking is wrong. But with the dimming of the lights and the shades automatically closing with the push of a button, the younger blonde standing 6 feet away from the end of the bed, seductively taking off her robe, exposing her sexy body with white laced bra and panties, Amy realized she might not be wrong this time. Lucy, no...She willed herself to hold her emotions in. But it was difficult to do so seeing another woman crawling on top of her lover, touching her lover's face, kissing her lover who willingly and hungrily reciprocated…Lucy, stop... As if her thoughts could be heard, the younger blonde did stop. She has kissed a woman before while undercover but the idea of kissing a woman who has just kissed her lover disgusted her so she immediately jerked back and got off the bed without thinking this thru, avoiding the kiss from the escort. Is there a need to go thru with this? She's a prostitute. This place, the charity event is nothing more than a cover up for a prostitution ring. Those who didn't bid might not know, but those who did must know. Getting the prostitute to get off her lover is easy. All she has to do is to say 'excuse us…give us a moment…' but she didn't think getting Lucy to go with her to the bathroom and to stop playing along would be that difficult. Once inside the bathroom, before she could say anything, she was pushed back against the wall which surprised her.
"What are you doing?"
What she wants to know is why continue but she didn't expect Lucy to suddenly press her lips against hers. It wasn't gentle, in fact, it hurts to the point where she has to push her away. Is there a need to pretend anymore? There are no cameras in here. At least, she couldn't see any, unless the large mirror is a transparent one. "Don't do this…" Can't you see what this is? Can't you see why your father kept this from you? Begging her to stop didn't work. Telling her that she loves her didn't either.
"It's over. You understand? We're over."
It wasn't loud, it was a whisper, but it was clear. It's the reason she didn't want me to come. It's the reason she was ignoring me and she knows...that this will be the reason I wouldn't want to be with her.
Nothing she says could convince her. Seeing the door closed, she stood alone, not knowing what to do. Hearing sounds of moaning from outside, she quickly covered her ears with her hands and shut her eyes tight as her back slid down against the wall and onto the floor while trying to suppress her tears from flowing down and her heart from aching but it was useless.