Trip On Love

Summary: The Valmont's engagement party is the setting for a series of life altering events for Sebastian.

Chapter 7: The World As I Knew It Changed

All I can say is it was one bizarre night. What I assumed would be just another one of my parents dull, bullshit parties had turned into something else entirely. There are many words I could use to describe what transpired that night but trust me when I say dull isn't one of them.

I still hadn't caught my breath and I wasn't sure if I ever would, certainly not after that. My body was aching from both pleasure and pain. Glancing down my naked torso to my now limp cock I wondered if it was possible to bruise a dick. I guess I would find out tomorrow. The rest of me was also littered with wounds: bite marks on my thigh and just below the nipple, scratches on my chest and arms. It would probably hurt like hell in the morning but it was worth it. God damn was it worth it.

It wasn't just that it had been good sex. No, it had been cataclysmic, world shattering, earth shaking, mild blowing sex. It was fucking and making love and every other euphemism all rolled into one. All the sex I had experienced in my young life suddenly seemed so pointless and boring in comparison. Would there ever be anything as good as this?

Shooting a glance to my desk where my journal was laying idly by I realized I didn't even want to record this. Writing about this, comparing it to the other times just made it seem so trivial when it was anything but. This was special, this deserved it's own goddamn book.

Turning my head I observed the goddess beside me as her breathing returned to normal. Her soft, beautiful body also looked as though it had been thoroughly ravaged. Her once perfect hair was now a mess of curls resting on a pillow and her perfect makeup was no more. Still I don't think she ever looked as beautiful to me as she did in that moment.

I wanted to reach out and pull her into my arms. Tell her to relax and rest, I wished so badly to comfort her but I didn't. She was looking away from me now, maybe purposely, her eyes filled with anxiety and confusion. My brain searched for the perfect words to use to reach out to her but all my usually clever tongue could manage was, "Kathryn..."

"Don't say anything" she whispered. "There's nothing left to say."

~ Five Hours Earlier ~

I wasn't 007 but I was pretty fucking close. Grinning confidently into the full length mirror I straightened my black bow tie and smoothed out the jacket sleeves before nodding in satisfaction. Even though I would rather swallow glass then attend my parents anniversary party I certainly wasn't going to show up looking like shit. My plan for the evening was to have a few drinks, mingle a little and kiss my mother on the cheek as I offered up a phony congratulations before retiring for the evening to my room with a random easy score. A blond would be preferable, I wasn't picky. Just no petite brunettes with attitudes.

After checking over my appearance one last time I slipped on my glasses and headed out of my room. The party had already started a half an hour ago as evidence by the music and loud chatter floating up to the second floor. I hesitated going down at first, deciding to have one last cigarette before making my appearance. As I fumbled for the package of cigarettes in my tux jacket I noticed out of the corner of my eye Kathryn's bedroom door open just a crack. Unable to resist the nagging urge to spy on her I crept over and peeked it.

Sitting at the large vanity table, occupying most of the far wall, I watched as she primped herself. Kathryn delicately slipped the straps of her cream colored gown to her shoulders as she brought the perfume bottle to her chest and sprayed. As I studied her I tried to decide weather or not to make my presence known. Ever since out last encounter which left me with an aching case of blue balls and her in the deep end of the pool, Kathryn and I had mostly been avoiding one another. Arranging Kathryn's stay in my home had started to seem like a bad idea, in fact getting involved with her in any sort of way was seeming to be a bad idea and yet here I was loitering at her door.

"Well, are you just going to linger in the hallway all night or are you going to come in?" she asked the smugness evident in her voice.

Flinching at having been caught I sighed and pushed the door open further but I didn't come in. Leaning casually against her door frame I drawled "is this all for him?"

She snickered "I don't need to dress to win anyone's approval."

"Then why don't you wear that black rubber dress with the fuck-me heels?"

"Going through my closet again Sebastian? If you wanted to borrow my pink underwear all you had to do was ask."

"Touché" I replied giving up on our war of insults. Walking into the room I went over to Kathryn and slid the strap of her dress up. My fingers lingering on her shoulder I glanced at her reflection in the mirror and told her "you do look lovely."

"Thank you"

We stared at one another for a moment before I took my hand away from her and went and made myself comfortable on her bed. Leaning back on my hands I said "so you're meeting Jackson at the party?"

"Yes" she sighed glumly.

"Don't sound too enthusiastic about it" I told her sarcastically.

Shooting me a glare she explained "Valmont your parents parties aren't exactly my idea of a good time."

"Like they're mine?" I grumbled. "You think I want to smile and play along as my father plays the faithful husband to my mother? For years he's been screwing around on her and you can be damn sure everyone in that party knows about it except for her. If I didn't think it would hurt her I would expose the bastard for the lying prick he is."

"Hmm" Kathryn replied a curious look on her face.

"What does that mean?"

Turning around in her seat she narrowed her eyes at me, "I never took you to be naive Sebastian."

Straightening myself out, getting ready for another war of words I demanded "meaning?" Shrugging she turned back to her reflection and put on a pair of diamond earrings, as if she had said nothing at all. Getting annoyed I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to get her attention. "Kathryn? Don't play games, what did you mean by that?"

Letting out a long sigh she explained "I just meant you don't give your mother enough credit. Olivia is a lot smarter than that."

"What, you think..." I let the question hang in the air as I tried to wrap my brain around it. I knew what she was hinting at but I didn't believe it, not for a minute. "No, no my mother doesn't know. There's no way she could know about my dad screwing around on her."

"Well let's see" Kathryn said tilting her head back in thought. "Just for arguments sake, lets say the first time your father cheated on her was with my mom."

"Which is pretty fucking unlikely" I scoffed.

"Right, anyway that was years ago and your father is still doing it. You think in all that time your mother hasn't realized it?" Turning to me her face softening she said "come on Sebastian, nobody's that blind. When my father was cheating on my mother she looked the other way too but after awhile she couldn't take it anymore. She left him and now I think she's a lot happier for it. Maybe some day your mother will do the same."

Feeling a sudden surge of anger I got to my feet and snarled "shut the fuck up Kathryn! You don't know what the hell you're talking about. There's no way she knows because if she did she would never stay with him. My mother is nothing, NOTHING, like your slut bag mother. Don't ever compare them again, understand?"

Kathryn's bright green eyes studied me as she started to open her mouth to say something but then firmly shut it. Shaking her head she looked away and muttered "fine, believe what you want. I have to get down stairs."

Realizing I might have gone a bit too far I sighed "Kathryn I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Straightening out her gown she looked up at me sharply and said "no you shouldn't have. Do me a favor and from now on keep your comments about my mother to yourself."

I nodded "done."

"Let's go" Checking my appearance one last time in the mirror I started to pull my glasses off when Kathryn pushed them back on. "Keep them on, they look good on you" she said simply before walking out the door without further explanation.

I smirked and quickly caught up with her, taking her by the arm when we reached the large staircase that led down to the party. "What are you doing?" she muttered through the phony smile plastered on her face.

"Wouldn't want you to trip or anything."

"Hands off" she ordered swatting my arm. "Jackson is already getting far too paranoid where you are concerned. I don't need any additional hassles tonight."

"He's still not over your living arrangements I take it. What does he think, that I'm going to sneak into your bedroom and molest you in the middle of the night?"

She snickered "like I'd let you."

"Like I'd want to." Kathryn stopped on the step and turned to me. She stared me down for a moment until I finally broke, "all right the thought might have crossed my mind from time to time."

"And probably more than that" she replied with a grin.

Returning the smile I was about to volley back with a relatively crude comment when Jackson suddenly appeared beside us. "There you are" he murmured wrapping an arm around Kathryn. "I know you like to arrive fashionably late Kathryn but you wait too long and a guy might think you were standing him up."

"Or off with another guy" I snickered.

Jackson turned to me with a questioning look while Kathryn shot daggers my way. "Ignore him" she sighed regaining her composure. "Sebastian's just jealous because he couldn't find a date for the evening."

I smiled sarcastically at her and tossed off "actually I think Charlotte is milling about somewhere. I better go look for her."

Jackson looked like he was about to say something to me but I quickly disappeared among the crowd before he had a chance. I had enough to deal with tonight without having to stomach the happy couple. Weaving through the crowd I smiled and was courteous but refused to talk to anyone. After doing a lap around the party I realized disappointingly enough that the majority of the guests were friends of my parents therefor not very interesting.

I started to head towards the bar for a drink when I felt someone tug on my arm. "Finally, Sebastian I was starting to think you would never come down."

Turning around I kissed my mothers cheek and smiled "of course I came mother, I told you I would. Great party."

"Cut the sarcasm Sebastian, this is a big night for your father and me. Do you know how big of an accomplishment it is to be married as long as we have? Especially is this city?"

My expression darkened then as I thought back to what Kathryn said earlier. I knew for once she hadn't said it to be mean but I really thought she was full of shit. There was just no way my mother knew the truth about my father. I knew her and she just wasn't the type of woman to look the other way in a situation like that. She had far too much class.

"Sebastian are you listening to me?"

Flinching I said "yeah, sorry. Congratulations mother."

"Thank you" she smiled knowingly. "You almost sound like you mean it." Looking past me her attentions suddenly focused on the couple over my shoulder. "There's Madison and James Webster, I better go say hello. Lord will you look at her nose, she should sue that doctor."

I chuckled as she maneuvered past me to go greet her friends. Heading in the opposite direction I thought I saw Charlotte across the room so I decided to go say hello. Before I could grab her attention however Jackson suddenly stepped into my line of vision. I was going to just pretend I hadn't seen him but it was too late. He quickly stalked up to me and then grabbed me by the arm. In one quick motion he opened the balcony doors and pushed us both outside.

As I yanked my arm from his grip he apologized "sorry about that but I needed to talk to you...in private."

Smoothing out my jacket sleeve, somewhat irritated I grumbled a disinterested "what about?"

Jackson studied me a moment before blurting out, "I need to know the truth. Is there something going on between you and Kathryn?"

My eyes rolled into the back of my head as I tossed my head back and sighed. Looking back at him I exclaimed "of course not, she's into you."

"Good"

"I think you should-"

"I'm in love with her" he said suddenly and quickly.

At first I wasn't even sure I heard him right until I saw the look in his eyes and realized he was waiting for a reaction from me. For once I didn't have one for him. I felt as if I'd been punched and my first instinct was to punch back. Blinking back my surprise I repeated "love? You love her?"

"Yeah I know" he muttered looking away from me. "It's corny and pathetic but I can't help it. I'm completely head over ass in love with the girl. I've tried to ignore it, I've tried to deny it, but I can't any longer."

"I see" I walked past him and with my back to him I shut my eyes tightly wishing I had left as soon as he pulled me out here. I didn't want to hear this for many reasons the most obvious being I had now officially lost the bet. Once Kathryn found out...

Turning around suddenly I asked "did you tell her this yet?"

"No not yet" he sighed "but I think later tonight."

I snickered "you really are hard up to fuck her aren't' you?"

His face darkened "it has nothing to do with that."

"Good because saying 'I love you' won't make her spread her legs any faster."

Moving closer to me suddenly he demanded "what's your problem? I thought you didn't have a thing for her?"

"Trust me I don't but we're friends aren't we?"

Eyeing me suspiciously he remarked "I thought so."

I nodded "well as your friend I'm going to advise you to think this over before telling her anything."

Turning around from he suddenly Jackson tossed his arms up in the air in frustration and asked "what is there to think about? I love her."

I rolled my eyes at him behind his back. What a fucking pussy, I was going to enjoy taking this from him. Something told me it wouldn't be that difficult. "Do you really think you can trust her?"

Jackson whipped around "excuse me?"

"Kathryn, does she really seem like the type who will stay faithful. Sure she's acting celibate now but we both know the girl is hardly a virgin. Say you are to tell her you love her, do you have any idea how much power that will give her over you? Once you say it she'll know she has your balls in her pocket so she'll be free to do as she pleases knowing full well that you'll never doubt her fidelity once. Meanwhile while she's out finding amusement else where, you become the butt of everyone's jokes; Jackson Maguire once a legendary player is now a pussy whipped boy toy to some high school chick." Stepping towards him using my most sympathetic face I told him "I would hate to see you humiliated like that. All I'm saying is...consider all your options before making any romantic declarations."

Jackson had this far away look in his eyes as I spoke to him. I knew then I had him, he wouldn't be making any confessions to Kathryn. Not now anyway and perhaps not until after the summer. Long after I collected my winnings.

Glancing away to the busy street below he muttered distractedly "maybe you have a point. Maybe I'm rushing things a bit."

"Perhaps"

"And as much as I love her...I'm not sure I can trust her."

Edging my way back towards the door I called out "well I have to be getting back to the party. Think about what I said."

He looked back at me with a fallen face, "yeah I will. Thanks Valmont."

Stepping back inside I nearly laughed at how easy that was. Now I had Jackson scared shitless about committing to Kathryn, hell he might even break up with her after my little speech. Then perhaps things would return to normal.

Once again I attempted to make my way to the bar but once again I felt someone grab my arm. "Sweet fucking Christ what now?" I snarled as I turned my head back to find Kathryn. "Oh, what do you want? I just left your boyfriend-"

"I know" she interrupted "we need to talk."

"First I need a-"

"Now" she hissed grabbing me with surprising force and dragging me out of the room to the empty foyer. When the door closed behind us on the party I snickered "you're certainly grabby all of a sudden."

Kathryn pulled away from me, as she looked anxiously around. "What were you and Jackson talking about?"

"Why is it any of your concern?"

"Quit fucking around Sebastian" she hissed. "Did he tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

I could tell she was trying to keep her temper down but it wasn't working. "Is he in love with me?"

"What makes you think we were talking about that?"

She let out a frustrated tell as she stamped her heal against the marble floor. "Ugh! Sebastian for once just give me a straight answer. Please, did he tell you he loves me?"

My eyes shot down to the ground then up to the ceiling, anywhere but at her face. When I wouldn't look at her she grabbed me by the face, forcing me to stare her in the eye. I pulled away from her and sighed "he doesn't love you."

It's strange but I'm not sure where the lie came from, I hadn't planned it. I wasn't going to answer her at all but then an image of her and Jackson together popped into my brain and I couldn't take it. There was just no way I would let them be together, no matter how much it hurt her.

I walked past her, pretending to be fascinated by the sculpture against the wall as a long silence fell between us. Finally Kathryn called out to me in a voice that was so vulnerable it seemed like it was another person speaking, "did he tell you that?"

"Yes he did, I asked him point blank and his exact words were" I swallowed hard telling myself this was a necessary lie and she would get over it. "I don't love her or anybody else. He said I don't believe in it Sebastian. It's an emotion only for the weak."

"Really" was all she said.

Turning back around I found her staring towards the ground her eyes wide. I realized them she was trying not to cry and I suddenly felt sick. Get it together you pussy, I told myself, this is necessary.

It had been so easy to lie to Jackson, fun even but this was difficult and it hurt. I wasn't even sure why it hurt so much, why I felt like my heart was breaking instead of hers. "Kathryn I-"

"Don't" she said holding up her hand as she at last looked me in the face. "There's nothing left to say, you were right, okay. You were right all along." With a sigh she let out a short humorless laugh, "I guess you won the bet."

I shrugged "well not yet. We still have till the end of the summer."

"Sebastian" she sighed "if he doesn't feel anything for me now, a few weeks won't change anything."

"I suppose you're right"

Kathryn nodded and started to walk out the way we came in, "you should get back to the party."

"Kathryn" I called out but she ignored me and went back inside.

The feeling of triumph I had experienced a few moments earlier suddenly disappeared and was filled with remorse for what I just done. No matter how much I told myself that hurting Kathryn was the smart thing to do I still felt like a prick.

Reluctantly I marched back into the party and this time I successfully made it to the bar. Ordering a scotch neat, I proceeded to gulp it down and then order another with the hope of burning the image of a heartbroken Kathryn from my brain. The second drink I sipped slower and as I turned on the bar stool I looked among the crowd and spotted Jackson talking up an attractive older woman. Kathryn was on the other side of the party, sandwiched between two society ladies, staring glumly at Jack. Looking back at my drink I muttered "well done Valmont."

I wasn't sure how long I sat there drinking and avoiding anyone who approached me, but soon enough someone came up to me who wasn't about to be ignored. Mrs. Agnes, one of my mothers older assistance, must have been a drill sergeant in her younger days or possibly a prison guard. With her hard face and a no bullshit attitude she came up beside me and ordered "your parents want you at the front of the room beside them for the toast."

"I'm good thank you"

"Now, Mr. Valmont or I will have to tell the bartender what your real age is."

Rolling my eyes I got to my feat, "fine, fine I'm coming."

I followed her obediently to the front of the ballroom where my parents where gathered. Standing beside them I watched as my father gave my mother an affectionate peck on the cheek before turning to the microphone, "can I have everyone's attention."

Slowly the room began to simmer down and when it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop he started up again. "I would just like to thank everyone for joining us tonight to celebrate this most special of occasions. Olivia and I have been married twenty years now and as you all know in these times that is quite the accomplishment."

This was met by a light chuckle from the crowd and a sneer by me. With a smug smile my father continued on "I knew when I married this beautiful woman all those years ago I would love her for the rest of my life and there would never be anyone else for me. There isn't a woman alive that can touch my Olivia's grace, beauty or intelligence. She is my heart and my soul and I will love and honor her till death do us part."

With that the crowd let out a collective, "aww!"

"Now I believe my son Sebastian wanted to say a few words. Son why don't you come up here" my father said with a proud, arrogant grin on his face.

I knew this was the part where I was suppose to go and make a few jokes, wish my parents well but I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to stand up there and spout a bunch of inane bullshit, besides I had done enough lying for one night. Glancing coldly at my father I snarled rather loudly "blow me," and walked out of the room amid a few gasps and plenty of stares.

Okay, I'll admit it was a little melodramatic but apparently I have a flare for it. Charging into the nearby study where I knew my father kept a full bar I went inside making sure to close the door behind me. I was in there all of ten seconds before the door flew back open and my mother stormed inside. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

I simply sighed as I proceeded to pour a drink. Holding up one of her crystal classes I offered "scotch mother?"

She angrily yanked the bottle from my hand and hissed "do you have any idea how much you've embarrassed me and your father tonight? All of our friends are out there, including the mayor! I have over looked some of your stunts in the past but you went too far this time, now I want an explanation right now!"

"Why don't you ask dad for one" I spat as I slumped down on the leather couch.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"I wasn't about to stand there while he...never mind."

"Sebastian" she sighed impatiently "what are you trying to say? What has your father done this time?"

"I think you mean whom" I grumbled to myself thinking my mother hadn't heard.

Apparently though she did because this strange look came over her face and she asked more irritated than upset, "is she here?"

Blinking back my confusion I asked "who?"

"Cindy, or Marie or whoever his latest conquest is. I know he wouldn't invite her here, the little tart must have shown up on her own." She sighed "really it's in such bad taste."

My head started to spin, perhaps it was from the alcohol or all the shit that had already gone down that night, but no I was pretty sure it was because of what my mother just said. Rising to my feet quickly I exclaimed "wait, you know? You know about dad and his-"

"Shh" she whispered placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Keep your voice down, who knows if one of those vultures are lurking about and yes of course I know. You don't stay married to a man for twenty years and not know all of his secrets."

"How long?" I whispered.

"Let's put it this way, on our honeymoon he became good friends with the hotel maid."

"What?!" I roared throwing her hand off me. "I don't understand, how could you stay with him if he cheated on you? Why would you want to?"

"Because I love him Sebastian" she replied as if it was the most simplest thing in the world. "I knew exactly who your father was when I agreed to marry him. He's a flirt, just like you are."

"No!" I yelled "I am nothing like him!" Even as I said it I knew it was a lie. As sickening as it was I was very much my fathers son. I lied and screwed over woman just to get what I wanted. Look what I did to Kathryn, I destroyed her all so I could get her into bed. It was just like something he would do.

Turning away from my mother my head reeled with this new information. "Sebastian" she said softly coming up behind me. "I know this is hard to deal with."

"Don't" I ordered her. "Just leave me alone."

Unable to look back at her I left the room not sure where I was headed. I still had a full glass of scotch in my hand but I didn't want to go back to the party. Right now all I wanted to do was go to bed and forget this night ever happened. On my way up the back stairs I over heard some giggling coming from the shadows. Stopping briefly in my tracks I looked over and spotted Jack and the older woman from earlier making out. As I resumed my climb up the stairs I mused that finding out I was exactly like the one man I truly despised must have been karma's way of kicking me in the balls for all the lies I told tonight. Oh well, C' est La Vie, time to get wasted.

When I reached the top I headed down the hall only to find I wasn't alone. Kathryn was coming up the opposite staircase and when she spotted me she stopped momentarily before approaching me. As we walked towards one another she called out, "I was wondering where you ran off to."

"Were you looking for me? I'm flattered" I hadn't meant it to come out as nasty as it did but at the moment I wasn't really in the mood to snarl with her.

"You should be" she responded in a voice that was almost flirty but not quite. Taking my drink from me she sipped it then walked past me to my bedroom. "That was a nice speech you gave by the way" she called over her shoulder.

Following after her I grumbled "thanks."

"Short, sweet, straight to the point, and I'm pretty sure it summed up how the rest of us were feeling." She snickered "your father is such a prick."

"I tend to agree." Sitting back on my bed I watched Kathryn closely trying to figure out what she was up to. It had been awhile since we'd carried on a conversation without snarling at one another. I might have thought she was drunk but no she looked as sober as ever.

As she leaned against my desk, her eyes fixed on me she asked "so what happened with your mother?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw her follow you out."

Normally I would keep the events of what transpired between me and my mother to myself, especially with how things were between Kathryn and me lately but I had this nag to confide in someone. With a dark chuckle I revealed "well it turns out you were right. My mother was very much aware of my fathers infidelities. Apparently she has been for quite some time, but that's not even the best part. I came to the realization tonight that I am exactly like my father. An arrogant, philandering asshole. I use to pride myself on that so much but now, I've realized just how pathetic it is."

"I see" Kathryn sighed. "So is that why you came up here, to brood and drown your sorrows."

"I'm trying to but somebody stole my glass."

She smiled tenderly at me as she took a small sip and walked towards the bed. "Isn't it funny that on the same night you find out you're just like your dad, I find out Jackson never loved me."

Grabbing the glass out of her hand I drawled "yeah that's a barrel of fucking laughs Kathryn."

"I think I might know something that will make you feel better" she offered suddenly straddling my lap. "Actually it will probably make both of us feel better."

More interested in my drink at that moment than the fact that she was sitting on my lap, I asked "what's that?"

Kathryn pulled the drink out of my hand and then promptly dropped it on the floor causing the crystal to shatter everywhere. Staring down at it then back at her I was about to demand that she march her ass back downstairs and get me another one when she suddenly grabbed me by the back of the head and crushed her lips to mine.

I was so taken aback I could barely respond. When I at last caught up with her she pulled away from me breathless. Running my tongue across my bottom lip I asked "what are you doing?"

"Isn't there a matter of a wager that needs to be settled?" she whispered coyly

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at what she was offering. Still smarting from the last time she toyed with me sexually I asked "you want to..."

Leaning into me she started planting soft kisses on my neck and moving her backside slowly against my front. "I want you inside me" she murmured. "You won the bet and I want you to take me. Please Sebastian..."

When I heard her practically whimper my name I could no longer hold back or think of a reasonable reason to stop this. Pulling her face from my neck I quickly drew her mouth to mine. She eagerly returned the kiss and we fell tangled together back into the bed. As we quickly undressed one another I knew then nothing between us would ever be the same again.

~ The Present ~

"There's nothing left to say" she sighed looking away from me.

Turning on my side I forced her to look at me, "I beg to differ."

Kathryn yanked her face from my touch and quickly sat up. Climbing out of the bed she didn't bother to hide her nakedness, we had long ago past the point of modesty. "This was a mistake" she told me, stalking around the room.

"A mistake?" I repeated incredulously. "Correct me if I'm wrong baby but wasn't it you who initiated this?"

"Yes and it was a mistake."

Getting up out of bed I grabbed her dress before she could get to it. When she spotted it in my hand she tried to get it from me but I kept it out of reach. "Didn't you have fun? Look me in the eye and tell me that wasn't the best it's ever been for you?" When Kathryn's eyes darted to the floor I knew I had my answer. "I knew it."

"I love Jackson, Sebastian. No amount of sex, no matter how good it is will change that" she snapped.

Even though I knew it to be a lie I told her "he doesn't love you."

Kathryn shook her head "it doesn't matter, I love him."

"God you're just like my mother" I snarled in disgust.

"And you're just like your father."

I flinched at that and Kathryn used the opportunity to take her dress from me. As she slid it back on she started to cross the room when she yelled out, "ow! Oh fuck!"

Striding over to her I steadied her as she picked up her foot and saw a thin stream on blood trickle down. She had stepped in the crystal she broke earlier. "Let me get you a Band-Aid" I told her as I attempted to guide her to the bathroom.

"No" she replied pulling away from me. "I'll be fine."

"Kathryn please don't go!" I pleaded. If you had told me twenty four hours ago that I would be pleading with Kathryn for anything I would have said you were out of your god damn mind but things had changed. The world as I knew it had changed.

However my pleas no matter how pathetic they were, fell on deaf ears. Kathryn ran from the room, closing the door tightly behind her. Once alone I sank back against the bed in defeat. In that moment another startling revelation came upon me. As it turned out I had a heart after all. I knew this because I could feel it breaking.

- to be continued (Please Review)