Summary: Sebastian comes to a startling realization about the true nature of Kathryn's feeling for Jackson.
Authors Note: It was incredibly stupid (not to mention not very creative) for me to give the male characters in both this story and The Tribunal with such similar names. I'll try not to confuse Jackson and Joshua again.
Chapter 5: People Don't Change Over Night
"Valmont, have you ever considered seeking professional help?" Blaine Tuttle inquired as he played with the plastic straw poking out of his diet soda.
Glancing up from the steel binoculars which were currently keeping my attention I explained distractedly "yeah I did, but it's a lot less time consuming to bring you along instead. Besides you usually know how to keep your mouth shut."
"No, no that's not what I meant" he snickered shaking his head. "I was referring to help of the psychological nature. You know maybe look into this obsessive compulsive trait of yours."
Slamming the hard metal object onto the linoleum counter top I nearly yelled "I am not the one who needs help! Kathryn's the one who needs her head examined! Three weeks ago she was completely normal but as soon as she came back from her trip with Jack she's like a god damn Stepford wife!"
"Okay calm down" Blaine whispered as he quickly glanced around at the other patrons who were occupying the pizza parlor. My little outburst had attracted more than a few stares but I didn't give a damn. I was so agitated I felt like I was going to burst. First there was having to deal with my father who I caught sneaking one of his mistresses out of the house this morning. Then Kathryn calls me and canceled our lunch so she could go out with Jackson and now Blaine telling me I was the one who needed help! Jesus fucking Christ had it been anyone else who said that to me I probably would have smacked him but seeing as it was Blaine and I did need him to help me with my latest plan, I tried to stay cool.
"I'm calm" I assured him as I picked the binoculars back up and fiddled with the lens. "There's just no way I'm going to loose this bet."
I could feel Blaine's eyes on me as he watched me curiously. Then with a sigh he said "well at the risk of another outburst I have to ask, are you worried about loosing the bet or Kathryn?"
"Blaine" I explained calmly avoiding his eyes. "I told you what the terms of the wager were. If...WHEN I win I get Kathryn and then I'll have the added pleasure of revealing to Jackson that his supposed relationship with her was all a scam."
"Oh so none of this has to do with you developing feelings for Kathryn?"
Shooting him a glare I replied "no of course not. Kathryn's...just another girl and when I'm done with her she'll be just another conquest."
Sipping his drink loudly Blaine chuckled to himself as she sat back in his seat. "Whatever you say Valmont."
"Meaning?" I grumbled starting once again to become irritated.
He gave me one of his all knowing smirks, "all I'm saying is you don't see Kathryn hiding across the street with a pair of binoculars spying on you and your date, do you?"
I knew he had a point but I wasn't about to admit it. Instead I snarled at him "correct me if I'm wrong Blaine but I don't believe I'm paying you for your running commentary am I?"
Blaine's confident smile fell as he sighed "no you're not but-"
"Good" I lamented. "Now did you find that phone number I asked you to get?"
He nodded reaching into the front pocket of his sweater vest. Blaine pulled out a piece of paper with this neat penmanship scrawled out on the front. "I got it, are you going to make the call?"
"No you are"
He let out a sigh of disgust "me? Why don't you do it?"
"Because moron his agent knows me" I explained as if talking to a two year old. Shaking my head at him I went on "besides you're really good at that crap and I'm pretty sure he's a fag so just charm him and shit."
"Right" Blaine sighed "well to charm him and shit, it's going to cost you extra."
I rolled my eyes wondering why I didn't just hire a professional. If I had I wouldn't have had to put up with incessant whining and comments on how I run my life. Still I was desperate and it was too late to find anyone else to aid me. Reaching into my coat I pulled out a few hundreds and tossed them carelessly at Blaine. "That should about do it, make the call.'
As Blaine pulled out his cell phone and started dialing I got to my feet taking the binoculars with me. Glancing up at me he asked "where are you going?"
"I'm going to get a better look" I called back as I pushed my way past the glass door and walked out onto the busy city sidewalks. Walking to the corner I raised the binoculars to my eyes and aimed them across the street towards Bryant park where Kathryn and her date were currently residing. Yes I'll admit it was a little pathetic for me to be spying in such a manor but at the moment my curiosity far out weighted my pride.
I couldn't get over the fact that Blaine thought I was the one who was developing feelings when it was so obviously Kathryn who was letting herself get emotionally involved. It was just a bet according to her and yet she had barely left Jackson's side ever since they officially began dating. Normally I would think she was just doing it to drive me crazy but no, there was definitely more to it. I saw the way she looked at him and it was genuine no matter how much she denied other wise.
After a few minutes of spying and coming up empty I began to think maybe they hadn't gone to the park as Kathryn had revealed. The more I got to thinking about it the more I began to realize she had probably given me a false location just to throw me off track. Kathryn after all was quite the crafty bitch and I wouldn't put it past her to do something like that.
Then just as I started to turn and leave I noticed that familiar head of dark silky hair. Sure enough as I lifted the binoculars up to my eyes and focused, Kathryn came into view. Dressed in a lacy white sun dress she looked as lovely as ever but unfortunately she had Jackson attached to her mouth.
Yanking the spy gear away from my face in disgust I scowled wondering not for the first time what exactly it was that drew her to him. They weren't having sex so it wasn't a physical thing and to my knowledge Kathryn didn't really crave much else in a man outside of what he could give her in the bedroom. Also Jackson was famous but I didn't really see that boosting her reputation any. What else could she want?
As I pondered this query I felt a presence behind me and without turning to see who it was I asked "did you do it?"
"Yeah" came Blaine's short response "I called and fed him the story. Looks like this is Charlotte's lucky day."
I nodded suddenly regaining my confident smile. "Well with any luck mine is right around the corner."
* * * * * *
"Wow Sebastian your place is amazing" Guinevere cooed into my ear later that night.
Taking her by the hand I guided her down the marble floor that led to my bedroom. I wasn't interested in what she thought of my home, all I wanted was to take her back to my bed and tare off that tiny dress that was barely covering her body.
Pulling me back to her with surprising force she giggled "what's the hurry?"
I pressed myself into her thereby trapping Guinevere firmly against the wall. "No hurry" I assured her in a low voice as my fingers traced over her beautiful face. "It's just we spent all night in that loud club and now I would really like to get you alone so we could...talk."
Her smile widening she repeated "talk? Look Sebastian I may be a model but I'm not an idiot."
"Of course you're not" I played along. "If you were you would have told me no when I asked you out today."
She laughed at this, tossing back her long blond hair. Wrapping her arms around my neck she murmured "I guess you have a point."
Knowing I needn't say any more I drew her mouth towards mine and kissed her hungrily. There was no longer any need for foreplay so why bother? We both knew she was a sure thing and that romantic sentiments were pointless. When I began slowly pulling her dress up around the waist I wasn't met with any protest, just a soft moan of approval.
Strangely enough when I grabbed Guinevere more forcefully and we started to stumble back towards my bedroom I wasn't the least bit excited. Yeah I was hard and everything, it just didn't seem like that big of deal. The anticipation I had that night at Jackson's party when I thought I was about to fuck her was gone. Now it was just like going to bed with any other girl.
I thought when I made this date with Guinevere it would help me take my mind of the wager. It seemed to be working until right after we finished dancing, she casually asked me if Jackson had mentioned her at all. I realized then the real reason she had eagerly agreed to go out with me. For once in my life it was I who was getting used. How utterly pathetic. Still I assured myself I would get my revenge when I tossed her out of my bed as soon as I got my fill of her.
Guinevere continued on giggling as we fell against my hard door. With my free hand I tried to open the door and it took a few tries before I got it. "There we go" I laughed as we stumbled into the room.
I continued kissing my way down her neck as I pawed at her breasts. It took me a moment to realize that Guinevere wasn't responding. Looking up at her I noticed her attention was else where, behind me to be more specific. "Looks like you have company" she told me softly.
Spinning around I saw Kathryn sprawled out across my bed as if she belonged there. Wearing a sexy black dress she gave me a sly smile "hey."
My eyes narrowed suspiciously at her, "what are you doing here?"
Looking down at her watch she asked "you told me eleven thirty didn't you?"
"Huh?"
"Um, Sebastian if you had plans...." Guinevere said pulling away from me uncomfortably.
However I pulled her back taking her by the hand. "No, no I don't" I assured her throwing a questioning glance to Kathryn. "Someone must have gotten her wires mixed up."
"I don't think so" Kathryn replied as she began to crawl to the end of the bed. Resting a hand on my shoulder she purred "this must be Guinevere, she's a lot prettier than you described. This is going to be a fun night."
"Fun night?" the model repeated. "Sebastian what is she talking about?"
Before I could explain some sort of excuse for Kathryn's behavior the brunette asked me "didn't you tell her? God Sebastian you are unbelievable! How many times do I have to tell you to clear it with them ahead of time?"
"Clear what?" Guinevere demanded
"A threesome honey" Kathryn explained plainly. "He is always in such a hurry to get the girl back here he doesn't tell them ahead of time. Well no worries, Sebastian tells me you're a regular party girl so this shouldn't be a problem, right?" She asked gently touching the other girls face.
Guinevere just gawked at Kathryn in utter shock before turning to me and hissing "threesome? You asked me back here so we could have a threesome with your girlfriend!?"
My eyes glued to Kathryn I replied "she is NOT my girlfriend. Look she's just-"
"You son of a bitch!" Guinevere shrieked as she brought her hand back and smacked me hard across the face. "God everyone was right about you! You are a pig!"
Suddenly angry I turned to her and spat back "yeah well you're a whore! The only reason you went out with me was so you could get to Jackson. Well news flash baby, you didn't make that big of an impression. He probably wouldn't even remember your name!"
Her eyes flashed at me in furry as she charged up and kneed me in the balls, "fuck you creep!"
Without another word she stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind her as I fell back on the bed in pain. As she left Kathryn tossed back her head and laughed triumphantly "oh I couldn't have done that better myself."
Blinking away the searing pain that was currently coursing through me I snarled at her "you fucking bitch!"
"Oh poor Sebastian" she sighed stepping in front of me. "Does it hurt?"
"What do you think?"
Grabbing me forcefully by the hair she pulled my head back and hissed "I think you shouldn't have fucked with me to begin with."
As she let go of her hold me on I coughed "what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about how you arranged to have Charlotte be Jackson's costar in his next movie!"
"Oh that" I sighed getting to my feet. I had nearly forgotten all about the scam Blaine and I had pulled but Kathryn apparently hadn't. It didn't surprise me she had figured out it was me, however I thought it would take her longer to realize the truth.
Sounding a little calmer she replied "I take it you aren't going to try and deny your involvement."
"Don't really see the point"
Turning back to me with a cool smile she said "it won't work. He'll never get back together with that little twit. Especially not after I told him she fucked you that night on the boat."
"What?!" I roared. "You told him? You little traitor."
"Oh spare me the righteous indignation" she snickered laying back on the bed. "You're the one who turned this harmless little wager into a war. Besides you have nothing to worry about. Your fake friendship with Jackson is still in tact. He blames Charlotte not you."
"Good" I sighed sitting down beside her surprisingly relieved. I didn't care if Jack thought I betrayed him but I really didn't feel like dealing with an irate jealous boyfriend. "You know if you're so secure in the fact that he won't cheat on you why did you find it necessary to ruin my date?"
Sitting up she whispered in my ear "because it's fun silly."
Turning me head back I found her face was now level with mine. I looked over her body clad in the tight dress and whispered "well it looks like you're not the only one going without sex tonight."
I expected a quick comeback from her so when she simply raised her eyebrow in a seemingly suggestive gesture I was surprised and then somewhat hopeful. Reaching my hand around I cupped her face and pulled her down for a kiss. I was met with not the slightest bit of resistance so I continued on kissing her until we fell back into the bed. My hands began to roam up her body resting at first on her trim waist.
When I felt Kathryn's hand caressing my chest I took the end of her dress and pulled it up around her waist. I broke the kiss just long enough to get a peak of her black panties. Pressing myself even closer to her I started kissing her neck and rubbing her mound causing her to arch her back just slightly and let out a moan. "S-Sebastain" she whispered. I was sure she was into it given how her body seemed to be responding but then she told me "I-I can't. Stop, I can't do this."
As I pulled away to see what the problem was she pushed me away forcefully and then climbed off the bed. My hard on raging and my breath coming out in quick gasps I asked "what's the problem?"
"I'm not in the mood" she sighed straightening her dress up.
Rolling my eyes I fell back against the mattress and spat "it sure as hell felt like you were into it? What is it, you don't want to cheat on Jackson?"
When she turned away from me and started fixing her hair in the mirror I marveled "that's it isn't it? You don't want to be unfaithful to him!"
"Don't be ridiculous" Kathryn sighed. "I just don't want to...you haven't won the bet therefor no sex."
"Yeah right" I grumbled not buying a word of it.
She looked down at me like she was going to say more but stopped herself. Instead she gathered her bag and told me "Jackson and I are throwing a party down at his summer home tomorrow evening. You should come."
Raising an eyebrow I asked "you two are throwing parties together? Tell me have you picked out a china pattern yet?"
Ignoring my question Kathryn explained "you should come because I'm sure Jackson will have something important to tell you."
Turning on her heels she left before telling me what the something was, though I had a sickening feeling what it could be.
* * * * * *
Against my better judgment I went to the party on the cape, however I did show up an hour late. Not that Kathryn would have noticed anyway. When I walked into Jackson's large beach side home I spotted her across the room laughing as Jackson gathered her in his arms. She seemed happy and giddy, just like those love sick girls who liked to chase me around campus. Seeing that look appear on Kathryns face of all peoples made me want to hurl.
Ignoring the blond who flanked to my side as soon as I entered, I pushed past the crowd and stopped right in front of the happy couple. When Jackson spotted me over Kathryn's shoulder he smiled warmly "hey, man I didn't think you were going to show."
"I wasn't going to but after Kathryn asked me so nicely I couldn't say no" I explained smiling down at Kathryn who was staring daggers at me.
"Oh well glad to hear it" Jack replied untangling himself from around Kathryn. "You want a drink?"
"Maybe later, hey I heard they cast Charlotte in your new movie."
Jackson scowled at the statement and looked over at Kathryn before returning my stare. "Yeah they did, even though I told the producer specifically not to. God damn prick doesn't listen" he snarled.
I wondered if Jack would bring up Charlottes infidelity. I had a feeling he wouldn't, not in front of Kathryn anyway. Unable to resist goading him even further I said "well, Kathryn want to dance?"
Her green eyes went wide in surprise and my guess anger at the question. When she didn't reply right away I asked Jackson "you don't mind do you?"
A look of hesitation spread over his face but I knew he would never show signs of being weak, it was all about appearing confident. With a shrug he replied "yeah sure go ahead, have fun."
Before Kathryn could protest I took her by the hand and pulled her out onto the living room floor where other party goers where dancing to the slow song that was playing. As I drew her close she hissed at me "you're an asshole."
"Oh what have I done now?"
"You just had to bring up Charlotte didn't you?"
"What do you think it bothered him? Maybe you're right, I do think he isn't quite over her yet."
"Of course he is" she replied confidently. "He has me now."
"Right" I laughed tightening my grip around her waist. "And now he's completely in love with you. Is that the mysterious thing he was suppose to tell me tonight? It's never going to happen Kathryn."
"Oh, why not?"
"Because" I explained "for as well as you THINK you know Jackson, I know him better and he will never fall in love. He's not the type and in my experience people don't change over night."
Looking down towards the ground she muttered "is that so?"
Slowing my steps I stared down at her and asked cautiously "are you starting to change Kathryn?"
"What?"
"Tell me the truth are you honestly falling for Jack?"
"Sebastian" she hissed pulling me closer "it's just a bet."
"Yeah it is" I agreed stopping all together. "But I've seen the way you act around him, it's like...it's like you're changing Kathryn. It's not just about winning the bet, you WANT Jackson to fall in love with you. You want to be with him."
"No I don't" Kathryn whispered looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping on our conversation. "I'm done discussing this."
She started to walk away but I wouldn't let her. Grabbing her by the arm I pulled her back to me. For once I wasn't thinking about the little games we play with each other. I was thinking about that night at the opera and how she looked at me after we kissed, then I thought about how she looked in the park that afternoon with Jackson and something over came me. "Prove it" I demanded. "Prove it's really just a game."
"What? No I can't."
"Then I'll do it for you" I pulled her to me with great force and then crushed my lips forcefully to hers. I wasn't thinking that Jackson would see us because I didn't care. I just wanted the truth from her.
Unlike the previous nights encounter Kathryn did not kiss me back. Instead she squirmed against me attempting in vain to push me away. However I ignored her resistance and continued kissing her, even when I heard the quickly approaching foot steps behind me. A moment later a pair of strong hands pulled me back and I suddenly was looking into the very angry face of Jackson. "What the hell are you doing Valmont?"
"Proving a point" I sneered my eyes locked on Kathryn. "Well sweetheart am I right?"
"You son of a bitch" she hissed at me. "How dare you!"
Rolling my eyes at her I told her "save it you little-"
Before I could finish my sentence I was met with a right hook across the face and stumbled backwards. Everyone had stopped their chatter at this point and were now focusing their attention on me. I ignored them however and looked up at Jackson who was glaring down at me. Rubbing his hand he yelled "I don't know what your problem is Sebastian but don't let me ever see you put your hands on her again. Kathryn is off limits understand? Now go sober up and get the fuck out of my house."
I took one last hard glance at Kathryn before getting to my feet and storming out of the house. Getting into my jag I slammed the door and rested my throbbing head on the leather steering wheel. There was no need to sober up, I wasn't drunk but I was angry because I realized Kathryn had proven me right.
* * * * * *
The following morning I didn't bother calling Jackson to apologize. Frankly we had gotten into worse fights in the past and I wasn't terribly eager to make nice with him right now anyway. I did however need to talk to Kathryn so waking up unusually early for a Sunday morning I stopped at the florist before arriving at the Merteuil townhouse.
One of the butlers let me in, directing me to Kathryn's bedroom. As I made my way down the hall I overheard a burly man, dressed in denim overalls tell one of the maids that the new sprinkler systems were in place but that he had yet to install the manual off button. He would do it tomorrow he assured her as he passed me in the hall.
Brushing by them I stopped at Kathryn's door and knocked deciding to play polite. When I was met with an almost chipper "come in", I opened her door. Stepping out of her closet in strapless lavender dress Kathryn smiled and then suddenly frowned when she spotted me. "What are you doing here?"
"Relax" I smiled placing the bundle of red roses in her hands. "I come baring gifts."
She examined the flowers a moments before tossing them on her couch with little interest. "I don't think I'm the one you should be giving gifts to."
"Oh?"
"Jackson's still very pissed with you about last night"
I shrugged plucking a rose from the bunch. "He'll get over it"
Kathryn eyed me a moment before turning and heading to the door. "I'm late" she explained over her shoulder. "I have to meet Jackson in five minutes."
"I was right wasn't I?" She stopped in her tracks and turned to me as if for an explanation. Even though I knew she knew what I meant I still stated "you're falling for him."
I honestly did think she would deny it, after all the Kathryn I knew would never admit to falling in love but perhaps this wasn't the same girl anymore. Closing the door she turned back to me and replied "yes I am."
We stared at each other intensely for a moment, each daring the other to speak. Finally I let out a short humorless laugh, "I don't believe this."
"What's so unbelievable about it?"
"YOU in love!"
Storming up to me, her fists clenched she hissed "you don't know me Sebastian-"
"And Jackson does?" I shot back. "Christ Kathryn he only wants one thing from you, can't you see that?"
"No YOU only want one thing from me!" she screamed.
I nodded "yes but I've always been honest about it! What happened to you Kathryn? You use to be smarter than this!"
"Nothing's changed"
"Yes it has, you're running around acting like some insipid schoolgirl. You're better than that or at least I thought so."
Kathryn started to protest but them shook her head in aggravation. "You know what? I'm not doing this now. The simple fact of the matter Sebastian is that I like Jackson and I want to be with him so...I'm ending the bet."
"Oh like hell you are!"
She snickered "and how do you plan of making me continue with it, hmm?"
Striding up to her confidently I lifted her chin and explained in a menacing tone "if you back out now I'll tell Jackson all about the wager." When her eyes went wide I chuckled "something tells me he won't be so protective of you when he finds out how you played him."
Kathryn jerked her head away from me "it won't work. Even if we continued on...Jackson would never tell you how he feels about me. He hates you now."
"Temporarily maybe" I responded arrogantly. "But by lunchtime all will be forgiven and forgotten."
"Fine!" she yelled. "The bet is on but I'm telling you now Jackson loves me. I'm going to win this stupid little game and in the end I'll end up with Jack and you'll end up alone, as usual."
Before I could say anything further she turned and left. Watching her go I wanted to scream after her but I didn't know what to say. She was after all right, Jackson was practically in love with her. If things kept going the way they were going they would end up riding off into the sunset together and I would end up alone. As usual.
I began to pace, trying to think of a way to prevent this scenario from taking place. How did this all start to begin with I wondered. It occurred to me it was when they went away together, when they spent time together. So what I needed to do was get her away from him...and near me, but how? Stopping in my tracks I was hit with a sudden burst of inspiration.
Charging out of the room I headed back down the hallway. I wasn't letting my emotions get involved, I told myself. This was strictly to keep Jackson from getting Kathryn. It was all about winning. I didn't care for her. I didn't...well never mind.
I repeated this to myself as I stopped in front of the switchboard that controlled the sprinkler system. I realized this was insane but if it went the way I planned Kathryn and I would be spending a lot of time together. It was with that thought I pulled the switch sending an immediate rain shower over my head. Turning around I saw the sprinklers come down and immediately spray out over the living room and adjoining rooms. Yeah that should do it, I laughed.
- to be continued (Please Review)
