Summary: Kathryn repays a debt while Cecil thinks she's about to get everything she wants. However a strange twist leads her world upside down.
Authors Note: I finished the last chapter to Time After Time at school only before I could edit it and send it out the computers got shut down for the week for repairs so I won't be able to update it for a few days. In the meantime I'll try and get this story updated a few times. Another thing, this story will be fourteen chapters long (all named after the different songs from the CI soundtrack so if some of the chapter titles seem odd there's a reason) and when I called Kathryn EVIL in the last A/N that was an understatement. She'll look practically wholesome in my other stories compared to what she does in this one. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Colorblind
* Kathryn *
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes" Blaine greeted me as casually as could be. It had been four years since we'd seen one another but he acted as if it was only yesterday.
Standing in the hallway outside of his apartment I asked "well are you going to invite me in or are we going to stand here all day?"
After giving me a final once over with his hesitant eyes Blaine moved aside and offered "come on in Kathryn."
Smiling I removed my sunglasses as I walked past him into the apartment. The last time I had visited Blaine he had been living at his parents place right outside the city. However his new place which was located a couple blocks from my own townhouse was pretty swank. Exquisitely decorated in mostly modern pieces, with art decorating the walls that only a gay man would pick. Walking around the room knowing Blaine was watching my every move I commented "nice place Blaine. It appears you're doing okay. The pharmaceutical industry must we doing well."
He leaned against a heavy wood desk in the living room as I made myself comfortable on one of his couches. "Yeah I do all right, some of this was even obtained legally if you can believe it."
I chuckled "are you telling me you got a normal job?"
"Please" he huffed "don't even joke about that. No when daddy kicked the bucket last year I came into a sizable inheritance."
"Must be nice" I murmured as I thought back to my own supposed inheritance. When my father, who I barely knew had died of an early heart attack I hadn't been terribly upset. Besides I knew he had arranged for me to be taken care of financially for the rest of my life. However that plan fell through when my own mother decided to screw me over and steal what was rightfully mine. I knew even if that fucking journal had never come out she would have found a way to take my cut of the family fortune.
"Well you don't look like you're doing too bad" Blaine commented waking me from my thoughts. "Still if you're here for another loan..."
"No actually I'm here to repay my debt." Getting to my feet I pulled a check out from my clutch and handed it to him. I then walked over to the mirror and examined my reflection while watching Blaine react to the sizable fortune I just handed him. "That should about cover it, right?"
Blaine's usual blasé expression vanished as his mouth fell open and his usual quick tongue fumbled for words "um...yeah this should...Kathryn this has a few more zeros attached to it than we discussed."
Turning back to him I pretended to take it from him as I suggested "well I could take it back and make it the $200,000 we discussed if you prefer."
Holding on to the piece of paper tightly he laughed "no, no this will be fine."
"Good"
"So not to be an asshole Kathryn but where did you get money like this to throw around? I mean is it legal?"
I nodded "completely."
"Oh then it must be one hell of a sugar daddy you have."
I rolled my eyes at the suggestion and hissed "no moron the money is all mine. I earned it all by myself."
Looking at me skeptically he asked "how?"
"Take a look at the name on the check."
He did and read out loud "Liuetrem Corporation. I don't get it, you work for them or something?"
"No" I explained patiently "I own it. Kathryn Tourvelle" I explained holding out my hand as if meeting him for the first time.
Shaking my hand he muttered "holy shit. Are you meaning to tell me you took that measly $200,000 I gave you and turned it into multi-million dollar company?"
"Of course not. I only used your money to get the hell out of here so I could start over fresh. I got the money to start my company using much more creative ways that I'll just leave to your imagination."
Blaine nodded his head in approval as he put the check into a desk drawer. "I must admit I'm very impressed. Valmont probably would be too."
Frowning I said "do me a favor and don't mention his name any more, okay?"
He studied my curiously before shrugging his shoulders as if it was no big deal "sure. Now not to sound ungrateful or anything but I get the feeling you're after something else. What is it?"
I smiled knowingly "you're right there is something else I need your help on but first there's the little matter of a certain car. You still have it don't you?"
He laughed as he opened up a small decorative box sitting on the desk. Blaine pulled out the shiny keys and handed them over "but of course."
With the cold metal finally in my hand I smiled. Aside from my revenge, the jag had been the other reason I had been desperate to get back to New York. Sebastian's prized car finally belonged to me after all these years. Twirling the keys in my hand I looked up at him excitedly like a kid at Christmas and asked "where is it?"
We left the apartment and headed down to the underground parking garage. Filled with mustangs, Mercedes, a Porsche and several town cars I couldn't spot my car until Blaine pulled out a remote that opened up another hidden garage. As the door opened my smile widened when I saw the 1956 jaguar roadster come into view. It looked shiny and new as if nothing had touched it in four years.
As we approached it I ran my hands across the surface as I admired my new baby. "God it's even more gorgeous than I remember."
"Yeah, it's just a car" Blaine sighed looking at it the same way people look at an ordinary sofa.
Rolling my eyes at his lack on enthusiasm I asked "did any one know you had it?"
"Not a soul. A few days after you took off blondie came by asking about it but I played innocent and told her I hadn't seen you or the car."
"Good boy" I praised him. "I can't wait to see the look on that bitches face when she sees me in it."
"You mean you're sticking around town?"
"Of course and I'm not leaving until I see Annette and all those other people who fucked with me go down. One by one."
"Well it's good to have goals" Blaine laughed then stopped when a sudden realization played out over his face. "Wait a minute, you wouldn't happened to have something to do with Reynolds taking a header into that tree last week would you?"
Looking up at him my eyes locked with him as I coldly said "what if I did?"
Blaine shrugged completely unfazed "hey what do I care if some bigoted, beer guzzling, asshole croaks. I'm just curious about how serious you are concerning this revenge plot, because you know I might enjoy being let in on some of it."
Laughing I walked over to him and whispered in his ear "well then you're in luck because the favor I need involves my next victim."
"What is it?" Blaine asked the excitement evident in his voice.
"Do you happen to be in touch with any of Ronald Clifford's friends who might be able to assist me with something?"
* Annette *
I hated funerals. I mean of course most people do but I was only twenty two and already I had been to more than my fair share. It was hard and painful even when you weren't particularly fond of the deceased as was the case with Court's funeral.
It had been held at a cemetery in the city where all the rest of the Reynolds men had been buried including Garrett Reynolds, his father. Court's mother and step father, along with his two older brothers, several friends, the Caldwells, and Cecile and I had attended. Surprisingly it had been a nice day and after the priest had finished his summon all of us got back into the limo's and headed to the Reynolds townhouse where the reception was being held.
The sudden accident that had claimed Court's life had come as a shock to everyone but most of all Cecile. It was no secret that Court frequently abused drugs and alcohol but according to Cecile he had gotten clean a few months ago and was planning on having a new start with their marriage. Apparently she had thought wrong and now Court was permanently in the ground.
Cecile had been the only one to cry at the funeral and I had done my best to try and comfort her. While her parents left in their own car we rode to the reception in another limo by ourselves. With a sympathetic arm around her I tried my best to make her feel better as she cried on my shoulder "I know how upset you are Cecile but you have to remember you have so much to live for."
"No I don't!" She sobbed loudly "I was going to be Court's wife but now I have nothing! My life is over."
"Oh Cecile" I sighed. Maybe she was being just a tad over dramatic but that was Cecile for you. No matter what, the girl could never downplay her emotions and I suppose that was what I loved about her. "Honey, I promise you, you have so much more to look forward to. You have school, and your family and friends. I know it seems like you'll never meet anyone again but one day you will and-"
"Oh my god!" Cecile said suddenly bolting from my shoulder the tears ceasing. "Annette, how could I have forgotten? Ronald!"
"What?" I asked a little confused by her sudden mood shift "what about Ronald?"
"Duh! Now that Court is dead we can finally be together! I mean he's not seeing anyone and he told me he loves me." Wiping her wet face she smiled giddily as she explained "no way can my parents keep us apart, especially since, you know they feel bad for me now. It's like that time after my hamster died and then I accidentally broke mom's vase but I didn't get in trouble cause they felt too guilty to yell at me. This is just like that!"
Gawking at her I tried my best to hide how appalled I was at what she was saying. "Cecile, I know you might be hurting right now and going to Ronald might seem like an easy solution to get over Court but it won't make you feel better."
She laughed happily "that's now what I'm doing. I love Ronald and I always have. Now that Court is dead we can be together and live happily ever after!"
"Well don't you think you should spend a little time mourning Court before getting back together with Ronald?"
"No" she said with an annoyed sigh as she began to fix her make up. "I mean what if some other girl gets to him before me? Besides Court is dead so what does it matter if I sit around talking about it forever."
"I guess" I replied not sure what to say. It of course was completely insane, not to mention a little unfeeling for her to just run back to Ronald but I knew there was no stopping her. Plus I had to remind myself that this was Cecile and she had a much different upbringing that I did. Lets just say spoiled is putting it lightly.
Cecile seemed to pay little mind to what I was saying to her. Instead she called back to the limo driver "can you stop here please? I'm getting out."
"Cecile" I said utterly exasperated. "What about the reception? People are expecting you to be there."
"Well can't you, like, make up an excuse for me or something? Please Annette!! I really, really need to see Ronald now!"
A part of me wanted to tell her no and to make her go to that reception but I knew if I did that Cecile would just act obnoxious the whole time anyway. Relenting I sighed "okay fine I'll tell them something."
"Yes!" Pulling me into a tight hug suddenly she gushed "thank you Annette, you are the best friend in the entire world! I'll call you later and tell you everything that happens."
"Okay" I said forcing a smile as the door opened and she got out of the car. "See you later Cecile."
Without another word she slammed the door and was gone. I sighed shaking my head at her. She was young and hopefully she would either grow up soon or grow out of her immature phase. Hopefully.
Since Cecile wasn't going to the reception I didn't really see the point in me going. Like I said I wasn't too fond of Court or his family for that matter. Instead, I decided to go see Owen. As the car started back up I pulled out my cell phone and dialed my husband. It took him a while before he picked up "hello?"
"Hey honey it's me" I told him trying my hardest to sound chipper. "I just got back from the funeral. It was so awful and Cecile was so upset."
"Uh huh" he replied sounding bored.
"Well anyway I'm skipping the reception so I think I'm going to have some dinner with Owen and I'll call you later-"
"Owen?" Her interrupted "you're having dinner with him? I thought you were coming home."
"Oh Richard" I sighed "don't be mad. He's my friend that's all."
As soon as I said it I remembered that kiss from the previous day. So maybe there was more than friendship between us but I refused to let anything come between me and my husband, including my feelings for my oldest friend.
There was a long pause of silence on his end before he came back on sounding surprisingly pleasant. "You know you're right baby, I'm sorry I over reacted."
I began to relax a little as I told him "that's okay I forgive you."
"Good, so if you don't mind I'm having Victoria over for dinner, since you won't be here."
"Victoria?" I echoed as I thought of the knock out blond he worked with who was always all over him. "Rich I'm not sure that's-"
"Well I have to go Annette, I'll see you when you get back."
Before I could protest I was met with a dial tone. I listened to it for a moment before pulling the phone from my ear and closing it while images of Richard and Victoria ran through my head. It wasn't that I didn't trust him but things had been strained between us lately and this was only adding to it.
I decided then instead of going to Owen's that I would head back to the hotel to get my things then go back to Maine. No matter how I felt towards Owen my marriage came first.
* Cecile *
"Oh Ronald I'm so happy!" I exclaimed as I threw my arms around him.
He laughed and pulled me against his chest, kissing the top of my head "so am I baby, so am I."
The smile on my face just wouldn't leave but I couldn't help it. This morning when I woke up I had been so sad thinking about Court but then I remembered what Annette said about being happy. Well there was only one thing that made me happy and that was Ronald!
Yeah it was sad about Court dying and all, I mean I would miss him but Ronald was the real love of my life. After the funeral I went home and called him up. I told him I needed to see him right away and ten minutes later he was at my front door. We talked for a little while about Court then I kissed him and asked him to make love to me. Ronald seemed a little hesitant at first until I told him this is what I wanted so he took me to bed.
So here we were laying wrapped up together in my bed totally happy. He was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and now I could. Now Ronald and I could live happily ever after just like the princesses and their princes in the fairy tales.
After awhile I noticed Ronald wasn't talking. Pulling away I sat up on my elbow and asked "what's wrong, why are you so quiet?"
"It's nothing" he smiled kindly. "Just, as much as I want to be with you Cecile, I'm not sure it's going to happen?"
I frowned at him as a nervous flutter entered my stomach "what do you mean? You don't want to be with me?"
"Oh course I do" he replied touching my cheek softly. "I love you Cecile, you're my girl but your parents will never let this happen."
"Yes that will!" I yelled at him "and even if they don't like it, I don't care. I'm a grown women and they can't tell me what to do!"
He nodded as he sat up a little covering himself with my Little Pony sheets. "Yeah but they do still pay your bills."
"So I could get a job."
Ronald laughed "doing what?"
"I don't know" I answered softly, slightly embarrassed for getting laughed at. "You don't think I'm smart enough to get a job?"
"No baby it's not that" he smiled cupping my face. "I just think we have to look at this realistically not to mention the fact that your fiancee just died."
I knew he was right but I didn't care. I loved Ronald and he loved my so why should we wait? Throwing my arms around him I yelled "I don't care, I just want to be with you forever!"
He tried to say something else but I cut him off with a kiss. Ronald returned it and soon we were once again rolling around in my bed. However just as it was getting to the good part my bedroom door flew open and mother and daddy can in. "Cecile what the hell is going on!" My mother yelled loudly "and what are you doing with HIM?"
"Mother!"
"Mrs. Caldwell, Mr.Caldwell this isn't what you think" Ronald said grabbing at his clothes that were on the floor.
"Oh it most certainly is!" Mother hissed "how could you do this to her you pig? Her future husband just died and already you are perverting her with-"
"Mom it wasn't him. I asked him to come over and I took him to my bed!" I called out as I slipped my nightgown back on. My father who was standing by the door quietly said nothing as usual. I think he was too afraid of my mother to speak up.
As she gawked at me in shock Ronald put on his shoes quickly and told me "I think I should be leaving."
"That's probably a good idea" my father told him as he moved aside so Ronald could exit.
Watching him walk out the door yet again I began to cry. "No Ronald please!" However he didn't listen and instead left. Feeling suddenly angry I looked over at my mother and yelled "I love Ronald and there is nothing you can do to keep us apart. I am almost twenty years old, I'm an adult!"
My mother laughed cruelly "don't be ridiculous Cecile, you're still a child. That boy is only using you for your money and status."
"He loves me and we are going to get married!"
"You most certainly will not" she huffed as she stormed over and grabbed my shoulders roughly. "As long as you are living under my roof and I am paying your bills you will do as I and your father say young lady is that understood? That includes who you date."
I pushed her away and stormed over to my closet. One of my suitcases from the last trip I took to the Hamptons was still in there. I grabbed it and threw it on my bed. "Fine then I'm not living here anymore. I'm leaving!"
For once my mother was completely speechless. Finally in a softer voice she spoke "you don't mean that."
Holding my head up I replied "yes I do. I'll go stay at Ronald's house."
The softness that was on her face quickly vanished. Instead of giving in like I thought she would she told me "okay have it your way Cecile. But know if you walk out that door you won't be able to walk back in. If you leave then you're no longer welcomed back."
It hurt to think my own mother would banish me but I didn't care. All I cared about was Ronald and without her standing in the way we could finally be happy. Tears were falling down my face but I wiped them away. "I don't care, I'm leaving for GOOD mom." Before she could say anything more I went to the bathroom, slammed the door and began to cry.
* Ronald *
Later that night I sat in my apartment staring out at window deep in thought. Of course as usual I was thinking about Cecile. As long as I had known her, I had loved her. She was beautiful but there was this innocence and sweetness to her that I just adored. Most New York girls, especially the one's from the upper east side were so jaded and boring but there was something special about Cecile.
However she was also incredibly naive. I knew it was impossible for us to be together, it was a fact I had accepted long ago but she didn't seem to understand. She was determined to make it work no matter the consequences.
Now like I said I did love her but I also did have a life outside of her that I valued. My music and my Juliard scholarship were very important to me and I knew with just one phone call the Caldwells could take it from me. That's why I began to realize that maybe keeping my distance from her was for the best.
I was just about to call her to try to let her down gently when there was someone at my door. I lived in a comfortable apartment close to Juliard but I rarely had people over. There was really too much going on in my life to bother with partying so I was surprised that I was getting a visitor this late at night. Opening the door I was greeted my one of my teachers who I had last year. "Mr. Phillips, this is a surprise."
He smiled at me in his usual casual way. Wes, as he made everyone call him, was one of the youngest teachers and everyone, including myself looked up to him. Kind, patient and an all around good guy he helped me a lot not just with music but with my studies as well. "Hello Ronald, I'm sorry to just pop in on you but I was across the street having dinner and I remembered you lived over here. I thought I would come up to see how you were doing."
Smiling I moved aside "well come on in, you're welcomed any time you know that."
He came in and we talked for a little while about music and our lives. I tried to not bring up Cecile but about twenty minutes into the conversation Wes asked "so how is that girl you were involved with before? You still seeing her?"
Wincing I replied "yeah sort of, it's complicated."
"Well tell me about it" walking over to the kitchen he pointed to a bottle of wine I had out that someone gave me as a gift. "Do you mind?"
"No go ahead. In fact can you pour me a glass, I could use it."
"Sure"
As he got our drinks I told him about Cecile. "I really love her and I probably always will but her parents man, I mean they'll never let it happen but she can't see that. It's not like I grew up in the projects for Christ's sake, my father is a doctor for crying out loud! They just can't get past the skin thing."
"That's too bad" he commented sympathetically.
Just then the phone rang and I picked it up "hello?"
"Ronald it's me" Cecile's voice answered sounding more than a little upset.
"Hey baby, what's wrong?"
"I finally did it, I left the house!"
"What?" I asked surprised.
"Yeah I left so I'm on my way over now. I told you we would be together."
"Yeah" was all I could manage too shocked my this sudden turn to say much more.
"My taxi is here. I'll see you soon, I love you Ronald."
"Me too" I answered before hanging up the phone.
Wes came back in and handed me my glass. Without thinking I downed it quickly and he watched me with concern "everything all right?"
"Cecile's on her way over to move in." Sitting down on the couch I muttered "what am I going to do?"
"Tell her the truth, that you aren't ready for it to happen."
"Yeah but what am I...what should I...sorry I'm feeling a little drowsy."
He nodded as he sipped his wine calmly "well you drank that wine awfully fast."
"I guess" suddenly the room seemed to start to spin and my eyes got heavy. Letting my head fall back against the couch the only thing I remembered was Wes standing over me before I passes out.
* * * * * *
Something was happening to me. As I began to regain consciousness my eyes opened but my vision was still incredibly blurry. How ever that wasn't what worried me. My face was crushing into the pillow and I was being held up somehow on my knees. I could feel myself rocking but more importantly I could feel something invading my body. Hard, big and very painful.
At first it hurt so bad and I felt light headed to a point that I couldn't concentrate. I also found that I couldn't move my body. It was rocking but not by me. After a few minutes with a feeling of absolute terror I realized what was happening to me. I was being fucked.
The sound of heavy breathing and grunting filled the room that was most definitely male. Unable to turn my head to see who my assailant was I listened to the voice muttering "yeah...uh...yes..."
It was Wes, one of my most trusted mentors was fucking my ass. When I realized the truth I tried to call out and get away but I couldn't. My body wouldn't cooperate and when I called out it was barely more than a whimper. Upon hearing me make such a sound Wes moaned and laughed "oh yeah, that a boy."
Once again I tried to move but got nowhere. It hurt so bad I nearly wanted to cry not only from the pain but from the utter humiliation. As the fog began to lift from my brain I tried to figure out a way to stop my rape.
However the horror only continued when moments later I heard my front door open and Cecile call out "Ronald, where are you? I'm home!"
I prayed to god she wouldn't come in and see me like this but my prayers went unanswered. A second later the bedroom door swung open and Cecile came in. Her beautiful mouth fell open as tears formed in her brown eyes. I desperately tried to plead with her but nothing came out of my mouth but grunts and whimpers. It was as if my mouth was full of cotton balls.
"Roanld...oh my god!"
Wes continued to fuck me but I heard him call out to her as he thrust "sweetheart do you mind? We're kind of in the middle of something."
Her eyes fell upon mine as she yelled "how could you do this to me...this is why you didn't want to be with me!"
Overcome with tears she ran out of the room as I attempted to yell after her. I some how managed to get out her name clearly but she was already gone. I myself wanted to cry but my body wouldn't even allow that. All I could do was lay there and take it.
* Cecile *
My life was over. I thought Ronald was in love with me and wanted to be with me but I was wrong! Not only did he not want me but he was gay! I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in on him and that other man. It was disgusting but most of all it hurt that he rather be with him than with me.
If all of that wasn't bad enough I now had nowhere to go. My parents told me when I left the house I wouldn't be welcomed back. However it was late and I didn't know where else to go so I got a taxi back home thinking that they would just forget about what they said.
When I arrived back at the house the door man wouldn't let me pass. "Mrs. Caldwell said you are no longer welcome and I am not to let you up."
"But-but that's my home!"
The old cranky doorman just scowled and replied "that's not my problem ma'am. I was told you weren't allowed up so I can't let you in."
Sighing I told him "well can I at least talk to them and they can-"
"They left for the evening miss."
I thought about trying to sneak past him but what was the point? My parents didn't want me anymore. Turning away I tried to think of where else to turn. My other friends in the city would never let me stay with them especially if they found out my parents disowned me. Then I had a sudden realization, Annette! She would let me stay with her.
Remembering she was staying at the Pennsylvania across from the train station I got another taxi and went over right away. However when I went to the front desk to find out which room she was in the receptionist told me "she checked out this afternoon ma'am."
"Oh" I replied defeated. Now truly having nowhere to turn I opened my wallet to get out some money thinking maybe I could get a room. It took me a moment to realize my parents made me give them my credit cards when I left and I had only $5 in cash on me.
Turning away I walked back outside where it was raining hard. I started to cry when I realized I was truly all alone. No friends, no family and no Ronald. The city was big and dark and I had nowhere to turn. Dropping my suitcases onto the ground, I slumped against the building and slid down onto the hard, wet pavement.
Sitting their for what seemed like hours I cried while people walked by me completely unfazed like they would a homeless person. Well now I was homeless person! I began to cry even harder at the realization, when a limo pulled up to the sidewalk. At first I thought it might have been my mother until a pair of slim legs stepped out. A women got out of the car wearing a long black jacket with a hood. She walked up to me then kneeled down. Pulling her hood back I nearly gasped in shock when I saw it was Kathryn!
Smiling she said "hello Cecile."
"Kathryn" I whispered as my mouth hung open "what are you doing here?"
Her face full of kindness she said "I'm here to help you."
- to be continued (Please Review)