The Ultimate Deception

Summary: Sebastian begins his malevolent plot to destroy Kathryn

Chapter 3: Setting A Trap

"And I would like to say a special thanks to all the contributors who have helped fund this organization which means so much to all of us and the community at large. With your help and support we are sure to make a difference" she took a pause for dramatic effect before adding "thank you all."

The crowd around Sebastian burst into applause as he shook his head in disgust. It was pathetic really how they all worshipped this girl who none of them really knew. He wondered what the society crowd would think of their beloved Kathryn if they knew what she did behind closed doors. Something told him they wouldn't all be rushing to kiss her collective ass as they were now.

A few days after Sebastian made the pact with Annette he stood under a large tree in Central Park observing his prey. After hearing from one of Tiffani's secretaries that Kathryn would be heading this charity event in her mothers absence, he had made it a point to show up. So far Sebastian had remained inconspicuous choosing instead to study Kathryn before making his move.

It was funny that as he watched Kathryn move gracefully among the crowd he could recall easily what attracted him to her in the first place. It was that poise and confidence she possessed that no other girl he had ever met, including Annette could touch. Sebastian smiled faintly at the act she put on, it was something he had always pretended to be unimpressed with but in actuality he use to admire it. He admired the fact that she could lie and manipulate so easily and he admired the way she could make anyone, even him at times believe what she wanted.

However his feelings of admiration for her were no more. Those traits which he use to find so appealing were now what he hated most about her because he had the seen the ugly side of them. When he use to look at Kathryn he saw a beautiful, seductive temptress but now he saw her for the soulless snake she was. Kathryn didn't care for anyone least of all him as she had proven. Well now she was going to find out what a nasty boomerang affect her nastiness had.

After a few minutes of playing the dutiful debutante Kathryn pulled away from the crowd and headed to the bar. Sebastian observed her as the phony smile disappeared off her face and was replaced by a scowl. From his position a few feet away he could hear her order a martini. While the bartender fixed her drink he watched somewhat fascinated as Kathryn let her head rest on her hand and she closed her eyes. Sebastian wondered if she was tired or possibly just needed another coke fix.

With her drink in hand Kathryn was about to return to the party when something caught her eye. Standing just beyond the bar, under a large oak tree was Court and Cecile looking very chummy. The young innocent laid against Court's back while he played with her dark tresses and whispered things in her ear. It was an intimate scene and judging by the look on Kathryn's face a surprising one.

Sebastian was filled at that moment with the childish need to go over there and taunt her. Didn't you know Kathryn? Cecile and Court are dating, I've even heard they're attending homecoming together. It would be cruel and hopefully hurtful to her but that wasn't part of the plan.

Wiping the smirk from his face Sebastian came up from behind her and whispered "it still hurts doesn't it?"

"What does?" she asked coolly not bothering to turn and face him.

"Seeing Court with Cecile. I mean after all your hard work to keep them apart and now look at them." Taking a sip of his champagne he asked "what happened with her and Ronald?"

"She's fucking him behind Court's back which of course he doesn't mind so long as no one finds out" she explained bitterly.

Unable to help himself he commented "well I guess you taught her well then." Kathryn turned to him and gave him a look of pure ice before walking away. Sebastian quickly followed after her, grabbing her arm as he told her "I was just kidding. You use to have a sense of humor."

"I use to have a lot of things" she grumbled as she started walking away again. "What are you doing here anyway Sebastian? And where's the old ball and chain?"

"Annette couldn't make it."

Kathryn stopped as she gave him a smirk "afraid she'd embarrass you with her Kmart dress and down home morals?"

It was taking everything in him not to rush to Annette's defense but Sebastian knew he couldn't. Instead he said simply "she had something to do at Manchester. My father insisted I come to show family support and all that other crap but actually I needed to talk to you."

She sighed "about?"

"I wanted to apologize for what I said to you the other night."

Sebastian would have done anything at that moment for a camera. Kathryn was obviously shocked at the statement. After a minute she said "you wanted to apologize?"

"Yes I did. Look Kathryn I know we haven't been on the best of terms as of late-"

"You think?"

He smiled "and I know I'm partly to blame but it occurred to me shortly after you left that we can't keep going on living like this."

"Did this occur to you before or after you started smashing things?"

"After actually. You and I use to be close and I don't see why that should end now that I'm with Annette."

Kathryn scoffed "yes why should we let out loathing and disgust for one another stand in the way of a great friendship." Shaking her head she continued "are you high or just delusional? You just expect me to forgive and forget everything you've done to me this past summer?"

"Yes I want to put the past behind us, including what you did to me. I'm willing if you are" he said with complete sincerity.

She studied him a moment before asking "did Annette put you up to this? It seems it would be her style to try to make nice and I bet she sent you to do her bidding."

"No this is all me." Sebastian brought his hand to her face and gently touched it "come on Kathryn, I'm trying to make an effort."

Kathryn stared into his eyes a moment and he could tell she was trying to figure out what his angle was. For a brief second he thought she would give in but instead she swatted his hand away and said icily "not interested."

As she stormed away back to the party Sebastian sighed. All in all it wasn't a complete loss, he got her attention after all. Sebastian would give the little bitch this, she was smart. Kathryn knew him well enough to know that he did nothing without an ulterior motive. However as smart and cunning as his step sister may be, he was better. He intended on proving that to her.

* * * * * *

Kathryn took a final bump off her coke spoon before collapsing back in her bed. It had been an exhausting day filled with annoying people. God she hated those stupid charity events this those idiotic women who relentlessly kissed her ass while secretly scrutinizing her. Their perverted husbands were even worse. They would make an excuse to slid up close to her, touch her ass or look down her dress. Some of the more brazen one's would discreetly try to get her alone and proposition her but she was too smart for them and always politely refused. Kathryn played the good girl but in reality she hated them all, every last one of them.

If all that wasn't bad enough she had gotten an eye full of Court and Cecile together. Jesus it made her sick to her stomach that he would prefer that mousy, nit wit to her. Well apparently there was no accounting for taste. Kathryn spent a good deal of the party thinking up ways to destroy their happiness but every thing she could come up with would eventually lead back to her. As much as she hated the society ingrates she wasn't about to throw away their devotion to her anytime soon. After all it was better to loved than reviled.

This of course reminded her about the other thought that had been running through her head all day. Sebastian and his sudden need to be buddies with her again. She had to admit it had thrown her completely when he apologized for what he had done and said to her. Even back when they did get along Sebastian never apologized for anything which made her definitely doubt his sincerity. She was positive that he was up to something and possibly that idiot girlfriend of his was in on it with him.

Still there was a part of Kathryn, all be it a small part, that hoped it wasn't a trick. Although she would never admit it to him or anyone else she did miss Sebastian and there relationship. After all he was the only guy or person for that matter that ever understood and excepted her, the real her. At least he did until he fell for that virgin and decided he needed to better himself. Well she didn't like the new Sebastian, he was a jerk. So was the old Sebastian but at least he was fun and didn't look at her like she was some sort of demonic slut.

If he ever stopped to think about it he might realize why she did all the shit she did. It was really all for him. Soon after they made that stupid bet Kathryn could tell she was losing him and she refused to let that happen. So she played a few head games assuming Sebastian would come to his senses and leave Annette and he did only she could still tell he was in love with her. It had turned her stomach and made her incredibly pissed when he showed up with his tear streaked face and demanded she put out. Was that really what he thought of her, that she was just another débutante he could fuck and leave? No way.

She had promptly put him in his place and assumed everything would go back to normal but she was wrong. A little while after their fight Kathryn noticed Sebastian had left and later one of the drivers told her they saw him hanging outside of an apartment building on the other side of the park. She knew right away what he was doing and it made her furious. Without a second thought she called Ronald and told him all about Sebastian and Cecile along with a story about him hitting her.

Kathryn never intended for Sebastian to get hurt no matter how indifferent she acted about it. She told him she didn't care if he had almost died but truthfully she got scared after Ronald told her what happened. Kathryn could deny it all she wanted but she didn't know what she would do without Sebastian in her life. However she didn't think she could go on seeing him with that farm girl either.

God she needed a drink.

Getting up from her bed she opened her door and started for the kitchen when the sound of Sebastian's voice stopped her in her tracks. "What do you mean where was I? I told you I had to go to that party this afternoon. You remember the one you thought you were too good for?"

Could it be, Kathryn wondered. Was there trouble in paradise? A slow smile spread across her face as she quietly stepped to his room and let her ear lean against the door. There was a long pause before he continued with the same angry tone. "Look I didn't mean...stop getting so emotional...no I was not flirting with other girls. Don't you trust me?"

Kathryn practically giggled with delight. This was all music to her ears. "Fine whatever you want...do we have to do this now? I don't care what your father says...call be back when you grow up a little!"

The angry parting was followed by a loud smash that Kathryn presumed was the receiver not quite hitting the cradle. She considered ignoring what she just heard but her curiosity got the best of her. After a minute she smoothed out her negligée and softly knocked on the door before entering. Sebastian had his back turned to her as he gazed out the window. Kathryn was about to say something when he spun around and yelled "what?!"

She walked into the room trying to contain her smile "problems between you and blondie? I could hear you clear across the hall."

He rolled his eyes as he turned back around and hissed "fuck off Kathryn I'm not in the mood."

"Whatever you say" she told him as she turned around and headed for the door.

Kathryn was all most out of the room when Sebastian called out "wait. I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you."

Curiously Kathryn turned back around. "Well that makes the second apology in one day. What gives?"

He took a seat behind his desk as he told her with a sigh "I don't know, things with Annette are just...not what I thought."

"Meaning what exactly?"

Sebastian eyed her for a moment as she came around and sat on the desk in front of him. "Well for starters Annette and I come from two different worlds."

Turing her nose up she huffed "you're just realizing this now?"

He rolled his eyes "of course not. It's just I never really thought it would be a problem. I thought she could adjust but apparently I was kidding myself." Gazing off he said "about a lot of things actually. I love her but...I don't know it's harder than I thought. We can't connect anymore."

"Hmm, well I hate to say I told you so..."

Sebastian smirked at her "since when?"

Kathryn grinned back at him "good point. If you ask me she's not worth it. Why should you have to change yourself just to be the guy she wants you to be."

"Your right" he told her. "Thanks for reminding me."

"Any time" she said.

Slowly Sebastian got up from his seat and let his hand rest on her thigh. Kathryn looked up at him curiously wondering where he was going with this . She got her answer when he leaned down slowly and tried to kiss her. His lips barely brushed hers when she pulled away quickly and jumped off the desk. "What are you doing?" She demanded her body shaking slightly.

"I-I'm sorry I thought you wanted-"

"Oh bullshit!" She interrupted "you knew exactly what you were doing. What the fuck is going on with you Sebastian? A few days ago you couldn't get away from me fast enough and now you're trying to kiss me? What are you up to?"

"Nothing!" He yelled back "I just-"

"You just what?"

"I missed you ok!"

Kathryn recoiled from shock. She tried to contain her surprise but couldn't. Finally she said "you missed me? Since when?"

"Since always. God Kathryn I hate fighting with you, I just want things to be like they were" Sebastian told her as he slowly approached her.

Kathryn stepped back cautiously as she said "right." She then turned back around and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To bed. Good night Sebastian" she said before stepping out the door. As soon as the door closed behind her Kathryn leaned against the heavy wood. Her head was starting to spin from the cocaine and from what he just told her. He missed her. It was a lie of course, she knew it. But then again she couldn't help wondering, what if it wasn't?

A second after Kathryn left the room Sebastian's frown turned into a wicked grin of triumph. His plan was working out just as he hoped, Kathryn was falling into his trap. He had faked an argument with Annette knowing Kathryn would rush in to hear all the gory details and he hadn't been disappointed.

Leaning back in his chair Sebastian looked out at the night sky and considered his next plan of attack. He had already succeeded in confusing Kathryn. The look on her face when he went to kiss her had been priceless although he had to say he was a little surprised she hadn't let him kiss her. Oh well it would only make it that much sweeter when she finally gave into him and judging by the look in her eyes she wanted to. Yes soon he would have her, then he would destroy her. For good.

- to be continued (Please Review)