Summary: Gwendolyn gives Sebastian some answers.
Chapter 11: To Tell the Truth
"Then who the hell is she?"
"Got me Sebastian" Christian said the picture of cool "why? Did she say we were seeing each other?"
Sebastian's eyes remained completely fixated on Gwendolyn as he muttered "something like that." Turing to Christian suddenly he asked "are you sure you don't know her?"
"A women who looks like that? Trust me I'd remember" he answered with a smirk. "I wonder why she would tell you that."
"I'm about to find out" Sebastian grumbled as he made his way over to Blaine and his new friend. As he approached them he noticed how Gwendolyn's expression remained totally passive as if she didn't have a care in the world.
"Hey Valmont" Blaine said in a slightly inebriated tone "I was just talking with Ms.Jeff-
Ignoring his friend Sebastian quickly grabbed Gwendolyn by the arm and hissed "we need to talk, now."
"What are you doing?" She asked still completely calm but a little perturbed as he dragged her out of the ballroom and into the hotel entranceway which was vacant.
Once out of ear shot he nearly yelled "who the fuck are you?"
She pulled out of his grasp and sighed "oh I think you're well aware of who I am."
"Yes you're Christian's ex and now supposed mistress but here's the funny thing...he's never laid eyes on you before. Care to explain?"
Gwendolyn raised her eyebrows at him more curious than alarmed. "He said that?" When Sebastian nodded she shrugged carelessly "well then he's lying."
Sebastian wondered how long she was going to just stand there and deny it even though he now knew she was obviously lying. "Yeah see I don't think so. You're the one who's lying now I want to know who you are and why you've been fucking with my life."
Still completely unfazed by his line of questioning she asked "how can you be so sure he's not lying and I am?"
"Ok first thing Kathryn's in there walking around with an engagement ring the size of a god damn tennis ball and you haven't batted an eye. Second Christian would never cheat with you just for sex because he has Kathryn. I think it's safe to say that anything you could do for him in the sack Kathryn can do ten times better."
"My loyal to a fault aren't we?" Gwendolyn mused.
"And third" he went on ignoring her "if a guy like Christian were fucking some hot chick on the side trust me he would be bragging about it."
She stared him down for a moment with a sly smile on her face as if she was considering whether to tell him the truth or not. Finally she sighed and in a bored tone replied "fine you got me I'm not his mistress or ex girlfriend. Truth of the matter is I've never even met the man."
Looking at her standing across from him as calm as could be made him want to strangle her. If they weren't in public he just might. In a controlled but edgy voice Sebastian demanded "then who the hell are you Gwendolyn? If that's even your fucking name!"
"Yes it's my name and to answer your question I'm a private investigator. I was hired to photograph you and Ms. Merteuil in some...private moments and then use the evidence to black mail you under the allusion that it was to break up Kathryn and Christian."
Sebastian's head was starting to spin as he tried to figure out what was going on. Rubbing his temples trying to soothe his head ache he asked her "who? Who hired you and why? Why the fuck would anyone want to break them up so badly?"
Gwendolyn watched him in curiosity. She was getting quite a rush at seeing the poor little rich boy in front of her try to figure this all out. "Well it never really was about breaking them up. It was a lot more complicated then that darling and I'm sorry but I can't reveal my client. It would hardly be ethical."
At that Sebastian went into a rage. He charged at Gwendolyn full forced pinning her to the wall. "Ok listen up bitch I have had about enough fun and games for one evening" he hissed at her while pinning her arm to the wall with the other one wrapped around her throat. "I am sick of being fucked with so I want answers. Who hired you and why? You don't spill and I swear you're not going to like what I do."
He was hurting her but she remained cool "so what you're going to hurt me is that it? Give me a few bumps and bruises."
"Oh I wouldn't dream on it sweetheart" he snarled "see I get the feeling it wouldn't make a dent. However I do have enough power and money to make sure whatever business you're running gets shut down within the week." At that Gwendolyn's eyes went large and for the first time that evening she appeared startled. Sebastian smiled coldly "yeah I thought that might do it. After all whatever would you do if you couldn't afford those Gucci pumps you like so much?" Glancing down at her shoes he snickered "or the cheap knock off's anyway."
Now struggling in his grasp she told him "I can't tell you. However if your a good boy and let me go I'll give you a hint." Giving her slender neck one final squeeze Sebastian reluctantly let her go. Coughing slightly she glared up at him "that wasn't necessary."
"Who hired you?"
"Who the hell do you think?" Gwendolyn screamed at him for the first time. "Who in your life would go through all this trouble just to screw with your head?"
As soon as she said it Sebastian's head screamed, no. No way was she implying who he thought. Studying Gwendolyn for perhaps the first time that night Sebastian tried to figure out what her game was. She had to be up to something because there was just no way she was speaking the truth. Finally he asked in a low voice "who are you talking about?"
She smiled "I think you know who. The only person you know who's twisted enough not to mention rich enough to pay me to do her dirty work." Sebastian turned away from her and looked back at the party. Standing amongst a crowd of socialites was Kathryn showing off her large rock. Gwendolyn came up behind him and whispered in his ear "she really is a lovely girl I could see why you fancy her. It's too bad you don't really know her."
At that Sebastian spun around and yelled "do you really expect me to believe that Kathryn wanted me to break up her and Christian? There's no fucking way! Why would she do that?"
Tilting her head as a sign of pity she purred "why do you think? She's in a relationship with a dangerous criminal that she has no way of getting out of so she comes back to New York, seduces you only to find out you're still devoted to your fiancé. When you still refuse to chose her over Annette she decided to torture you a little. She plays the innocent while you're suffering from a guilty conscience all the while thinking you're falling in love with her." Gwendolyn tossed her blond tresses in thought "I think it was about that time she decided she would marry Christian after all. Although she was getting a kick out of playing with your head, you were starting to get a little too emotional on her. And I don't think she was really pleased about your little chat with Christian. So you see this was just another game and you were but another pawn" Gwendolyn finished with a satisfied smile.
Sebastian thought he was going to be sick. Glaring at the blond in front of him he asked "do you actually expect me to buy this shit? Kathryn would never-"
"But she would and she did. Think about it Sebastian how did I get that video and photographs in the first place? It was taken inside the room so somebody with access to the room had to plant it there. She had motive and means darling it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure it out."
He was shaking now "you're lying!"
Stepping closer to them she caressed his cheek and whispered "you're everything I've ever wanted." As Sebastian's breath caught and he thought back to the last time he said those words he realized she just might be telling the truth. He had said those exact words to Kathryn not to long ago. How else could she know if Kathryn didn't tell her?
Laughing slightly she told him "she had a good laugh about that one. Never dreamed she could have you so completely pussy whipped."
Sebastian quickly pushed her hand away. The last time he felt this weak and defenseless was when Kathryn was bragging to him about how she out smarted him. She called him a toy and that's just what he was. He always has been. Glaring into Gwendolyn's vapid, superior face he decided well not anymore.
Getting himself together Sebastian said nothing to her as he turned away and headed back to the party. There would be plenty of time to deal with Gwen later. He was thinking calls to the better business bureau were in order but that would come later. Now he had to find Kathryn and get some answers. Stalking around the party, pushing past guests he overheard a couple of women discussing Kathryn's engagement. "Have you seen Kathryn?"
The women looked up at him in surprise then annoyance that he was barging into there conversation so rudely. Finally one of them answered "she and her fiancé left a couple of minutes ago."
Sebastian nodded dully and turned away. She got away but not for long. They were going to have a talk and when they did the truth was going to come out one way or the other.
* * * * * *
The following afternoon Sebastian was once again waiting anxiously for Kathryn at her apartment. The previous night he had not slept a wink as he kept going over in his head what Gwendolyn had told him. At first it seemed so preposterous but then again most things Kathryn did were. The more and more he though about it the more it seemed completely logical that she could have gone through all this trouble just to get to him. Just to win some game he had given up on years ago.
Several time during the night he had considered calling her but he stopped himself each time. He had to do this face to face, it was too easy for her to lie over the phone. So here he was it much the same predicament he was only a week ago. Thinking back he was bitter about how awful he felt about what he had to do. How guilty he felt about hurting her, lying to her when all along it was possible she was just setting him up.
As he sat glued to the couch seething in anger he suddenly heard her front door open. A moment later Kathryn walked into the room dressed in a black designer suit and balancing shopping bags in both hands. She looked instantly surprised to see him there but then relaxed and said "what do you have a key now? What are you doing here Sebastian?"
Sebastian didn't answer her he just got up slowly and calmly. He came up to her and placed his hands on her face forcing her to look up at him. "Do you love me?"
Her eyes went wide "what?"
"Do...you...love...me?" He asked her pronouncing each word slowly.
"I...I don't believe in it" she said voice slightly shaky.
Sebastian pushed her away as he turned around and said with a sneer "what else is new?"
Kathryn touched her cheek and hissed back "have you been drinking?"
"No" he said turning back to face her "but you can say I've sobered up to some things."
Rolling her eyes she asked "jesus does any of this have a point? Cause if not I have-"
"How do you do it?" Sebastian interrupted shaking his head in disgust.
"Do what?"
"Pretend to act like a human when the rest of the time you're this soulless bitch. I mean don't you ever get sick of it?"
For a second he almost regretted saying it. She recoiled slightly from him and he saw what looked like pain flash across her face momentarily. However it was quickly replaced with ice. "How dare you. You're one to talk. Where is Annette by the way? Off putting the finishing touches on your wedding while you're screwing around behind her back."
"I have no intention of touching you much less sleeping with you again."
She scoffed "oh believe me after this neither do I. Now get the fuck out!"
"No. I want you to tell me about Gwendolyn."
Kathryn didn't flinch she only sighed and asked "who?"
"Oh come on Kathryn you are a better liar than that. I know all about it and I have to admit at first I even thought it was too twisted to be believed." Turing toward the bar he poured himself some water. "But the more I got to thinking about it the more it all seemed to make sense. Well not to an average person but to someone who knows you so well and knows what you're capable it fits."
Arms folded over her chest it was taking all her self control not to throw something at him. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
He spun around to face her equally as angry "you know damn well what I'm talking about! You paid that bimbo to video tape us all so you could turn around and black mail me into breaking up you and Christian. All so you could get me back for choosing Annette over you. That's what this all comes down to."
At this point Kathryn was pretty much staring at his slack jawed. Snapping out of it she asked once again this time in a lower voice, much like a child's "what?"
Sebastian let out a loud frustrated yell "stop with the innocent act Kathryn I'm not buying it! This is classic you! You don't get what you want so you destroy everything in your path. Now I'm not leaving here until I hear the truth so what's it going to be?"
Kathryn said nothing as she turned around and walked over to the piano. Sebastian awaiting one of her triumphant speeches that he just knew was seconds away from coming out of her mouth. However something else came his way. Letting out a loud yell Kathryn chucked a glass vase at him. "You fucking prick! Pull your head out of your ass and think about what you just said. Does any of it make any god damn sense?"
This was not what he expected. Where was the gloating, the speech, the insults? He didn't expect flying objects and pure fury. Still he wasn't about to back down "it all makes sense Kathryn. Look what you did to me and Annette a few years ago. Where was the sense it that?"
"That was two years ago get over it! Do you really think my life is so empty that I would hire someone with such a moronic plan? Let alone some one who would go and tell you about it?"
"I-"
Stepping closer to him she hissed "if I had done this Sebastian I would be rubbing it in your face. God you still think so little of me that you would assume I would do this because some stranger told you? You believe anyone's word over mine. How can you tell me you love me when you don't even trust me?"
Her face no longer held it's icy glare put one of pain. It was then Sebastian realized that she wasn't the same Kathryn who stood before his two years ago declaring war. She had grown up maybe she hadn't necessarily learned the errors of her ways but she had changed. She had a heart and a soul and it was very capable of breaking. Suddenly he felt like the world's biggest moron. Stepping closer to her he said "you've never even met Gwendolyn have you?"
"No" Kathryn whispered.
"Fuck" he mumbled "god I fucked up. You had nothing to do with this. She told me that because she knew you didn't have anything to do with this but that I would believe you did. She set me up."
"You'll forgive me if I don't really care."
"Kathryn I didn't mean-"
Sebastian was cut off suddenly by a hard hit across the face followed by a swift kick to the balls. Tumbling to the hard floor he looked up to see Kathryn staring down at him with pure rage. "You've been lying to me for weeks, you tried to destroy my relationship with Christian then feed me some bull shit story about it being for my own good when really it was just to make sure your precious wedding stayed on track. If that wasn't bad enough you come over here, insult me and accuse me of setting up this whole thing and then have the gall to try to apologize. Well guess what I'm not falling for it this time." Leaning down closer to him she said in an eerily calm voice "so here's how it is, you are going to marry Annette. I'm going to go away with Christian and if I ever hear from you again I'll not only tell you're darling wife everything that happened between us I'll also tell Christian. Do we understand each other?"
He wanted to argue with her, tell her there was no way he would agree to that. He loved her, he always would but somehow he knew it wouldn't work this time. No amount of I love you's and I'm sorry's was going to get him out of this. Looking into her face all he could do was nod.
"Good then it's done" she whispered as she left him behind to bleed on her floor.
* * * * * *
"Ok so tell me one thing were you smoking something before hand?" Blaine inquired later that night.
Taking another sip of his drink he sighed "no I was completely lucid. I mean it seemed to make sense at the time."
"Look I know you and Kathryn don't have the most trusting relationship but come on Valmont did you really think she would go through all that trouble just to get one up on you?"
"Yes" he exclaimed although at this point he was trying to convince himself more than anything that there was a good reason for his blatant stupidity. "She knew shit about us and stuff I told Kathryn in private."
"Sebastian the women got video of your screwing I don't think it would be that hard for her to record a conversation or look up some dirt on you. The question is who hired her in the first place?"
Sebastian took another sip of his drink finishing it off. It was his sixth of the night. That along with some of Blaine's quality stash had helped to ease the pain of the day. Also this was suppose to be his supposed bachelor party.
Slamming his drink down he groaned "oh I don't care any more. Let Gwendolyn, Gwen, whatever the fuck she calls herself play her little mind games I'm through. I'm just going to marry Annette and live happily ever after or some shit like that."
Blaine watched with a twinge of concern as Sebastian poured himself another drink. "What about Kathryn? Where does she factor into this?"
At the sound of her name he winced and grabbed his head. "She hates me" he whispered. "I suppose at this point I don't really blame her. All I do is hurt her and she hurts me back. We're very good at it you see. So good we don't know how to do anything else."
Blaine reached over and took the bottle away from Sebastian. "All right you've had enough you're not really making too much sense now. So do you love her?"
"Who?"
He rolled his eyes "Kathryn asshole."
Sebastian smiled faintly "yes more than ever." Shaking the thought away he muttered "but I'm marrying Annette and that's all there is to it. Now I have to get going. You still coming to the wedding?"
"I suppose. You ok to drive?"
"Sadly yes I'll see you later" he said waving as he turned to leave. Before reaching the door he spun around "oh, if you see Kathryn don't tell her about this."
Blaine smiled "wouldn't dream of it." He watched as Sebastian left the room and waited until he heard the familiar sound of the heavy front door closing before calling out "so what do you think?"
Kathryn walked out of the room adjoining the bedroom with a scowl on her face. "Sebastian getting shit faced doesn't change anything."
"Well you have to admit it does lend some sympathy to the boy. He really does feel awful about doubting you. He loves you Kathryn."
Crossing her arms to her chest she huffed "big fucking deal. I really don't care what he feels." Turning back to where he left she asked in a softer tone "do you think you should of let him drive home by himself?"
Blaine laughed "yeah right you feel nothing for him."
"I don't! However I don't necessarily want him dead either."
"Right that's why you threaten to tell Christian about you two if he came near you again."
"I wasn't going to. Anyway Sebastian's not why I came here."
He looked up at her curiously "go on."
"I need you to find me everything you can on Gwendolyn Jefferies and who she is working for."
- to be continued (Please Review)