A/N: Ooookay I know I said I was taking a hiatus from this, but it wouldn't leave me alone and I really do have my midterms this week so whatever. Grr. Now let me rephrase. I'm going to try to stop writing this story for a while. It's addicting. Somebody slap me or at least tell me to go continue my other psycho story. Somebody please mention the phrase 'yx, stop writing this for your own good' in their review. I need to get some studying done.


Chapter 16: At The Rosemond Estate

"Illusions are of course by their nature sweet."

- Marquise de Merteuil

"I have no illusions. I lost them on my travels. Now I want to come home."

-Vicomte de Valmont

There was a faint sound of running water that caused him to open his eyes, only to find the blinding sunlight practically poke his blue eyes out with its brightness. Sebastian immediately groaned in protest, refusing to rejoin the rest of the world and head back to the Rosemond house while the stinging ache in his shoulder was still apparent. He gingerly touched it, smiling half heartedly as he relived the sensation of her mouth on his skin, how her beautiful eyes had been closed, how her hands gripped his back, her manicured fingernails alternating between squeezing the hell out of him and giving him the soft pleasures only she could ever do to him. Once again, he had slept through the night, another rare occurrence for him. He noticed he only seemed to rest when she was around which was ironic because Sebastian knew she was dangerous. But what a way to go… What a way to drown himself in sin.

"Kathryn?" he called out, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

There was no reply and a heavy feeling replaced his initial grogginess. True, Kathryn had never been one to stay for the morning after, and judging from the oddly beautiful day that greeted him, it was about five thirty in the morning. It was much too early to actually get up and do something, let alone hike back to the house alone.

Minutes later, his footsteps echoed throughout the silent manor since everybody else had slept late. Annette and his aunt because of him, Mathieu and Belinda because they had another one of their long talks, something they hadn't done since Kathryn was around. Kathryn, because… Well, another brief smile came across those pouty lips both Blaine and Annette adored. He was careful enough to be quiet, because the last thing he wanted to have was a barrage of anger and concern at his insensitivity the other night. And besides, so what? It was his right to want to get the fuck away from the hypocrisy of the society; if it had been the past he wouldn't have had to sneak around. He stopped walking as the distinct sound of water splashing reached his ears and immediately, he knew it was her.

"I don't understand how you can still find the strength to swim laps when my entire body fucking hurts." He said upon entering to find his stepsister in the pool, her mischievous green eyes wide open as she gracefully swam towards the ladder to pull herself up. She was wearing the skimpiest, tiniest black bikini that left little to the imagination and a nefarious smile that actually reached her eyes. Her long brown hair was piled up in a messy bun and it was clear that she hadn't been expecting anybody else to be there. Despite the careless way she'd put up her hair, she looked as beautiful as she'd ever been.

"Hand me the towel?" she answered saccharinely and he was only happy to oblige. He had that elated feeling he hadn't had for the longest time, and in a twisted sense, it had actually been her who'd given it back to him. As he grabbed the towel, he strode over and raised his arms behind her shoulder, massaging her back as she chuckled softly, while she tilted her neck to give him better access.

"It's six in the morning and you're asking for round two?"

"Kathryn, I know it's been three years but I honestly thought you wouldn't be losing your touch." He whispered, the smile never leaving his face as he kissed her. "I'd like to believe that isn't the case."

She tasted faintly of champagne, but there was still that unidentifiable taste of sweetness that never left her mouth. She gave in, only teasingly pulling back to watch his handsome face fall in disappointment and look at her with that hunger in his deep blue eyes. "You know it isn't, Valmont."

"Is that right?" he ran his palm over her right breast, enjoying at the sight of her going momentarily rigid at the sensation of his touch. "Prove me wrong, then."

"Appealing to my vanity won't help you." She bit his lower lip gently, "Because I believe that there are certain debts to be paid before I actually give in."

"Such as?" he inquired, fearing she would once again leave him out in the cold.

"This." She placed her palms on his broad chest and pushed him into the pool, laughing at his annoyed reaction.

"What was that for?" he scowled, he had been wearing that itchy turtleneck that only increased the prickling against his skin as it mixed with the chlorine.

She took a sip of the Cristal that had been on the side table before diving in gracefully; her delicate arms reached him in powerful strokes. Kathryn raised her eyebrows, giving him an inquiring look. "Don't tell me you've forgotten that little stunt you pulled while I was in your pathetic love shack with Mrs. Cleaver."

"Yeah, well, you weren't wearing this fucking shirt."

"And you didn't have stitches on your fucking leg." She shot back.

They stared at each other with annoyance before the Sebastian's irritation melted away. "I don't want to fight." He answered quietly as his arms circled her tiny waist.

"We fight, Valmont, that's what we do." She didn't let go of her anger so easily even though he was being so unexpectedly sweet.

"Yes, but it's not what I want." He stared at her, into her, was more like it and Kathryn felt her inhibitions slipping away. The blue eyes of unreadable emotion giving water to the parched grass colored eyes, his firm grip on her, their skins again making contact that provided enough electricity and tension to fill an entire country.

"What do you want?" her tone sultry, envy colored eyes filled with question.

He laughed not at her the way he'd done before she left, but with her while her hands slipped under his shirt, her palms on his taut muscles and his hands around her waist… Why couldn't they have done this before? "I thought I made it clear." He murmured in her ear, "I just want you."

"Again?"

"Not again, Kathryn. Always. I think I never stopped."

She looked taken aback by his sudden confession and chose to study his face for any telltale signs that he was using one of his lines on her before finally changing the topic. "So are you going to break June Cleaver's heart while I watch with glee?"

"Are you going to take off that damn ring and give it back to Mr. Model Citizen of the Year?" he countered, trying to catch his breath as she wrapped her legs around his torso.

She stopped for a moment, watching his face before replying. "No."

"Then I won't, either." He sighed. "Her father's sick, she needs someone right now."

Her eyes narrowed and she only smirked at his defiance. "You know, this sneaking around makes me feel…" she started undoing his pants and Sebastian swallowed thickly as she pressed herself against him, his need for her now poking her bare thigh, much to Kathryn's amusement. "…so…" her lips touched his barely before running her tongue over his mouth. "…horny."

"That's a problem I'm willing to attend to." But as he moved to untie her top, they heard that unmistakable voice that could only mean Annette was nearby.

"Sebastian?"

Kathryn let out an annoyed huff, quickly separating herself from him. "I guess now that the storm's gone the homing device the missus placed around your neck's all fixed up."

"I'll find a way." He promised, throwing her a charming smile as he got out of the pool just in time for his girlfriend to enter with Belinda.

"Sebastian! Thank God you're okay!" his girlfriend exclaimed, running over to give him a hug only to find Sebastian soaking wet. "What happened to you?" her forehead scrunched in confusion. Her gray eyed companion gave a brief glance to Kathryn, who was silently chuckling. Belinda's lips turned up and as Sebastian looked at her, she pointed to his crotch subtly and mouthed.

"Your fly's open."

"Actually, Annette, it's my fault." Kathryn called out, giving him time to turn around and zip his pants up. "You see, I haven't forgotten how Sebastian got me all… wet at your house, so I decided to return the favor."

Her voice was laced with so much innuendo even Sebastian felt himself smirk and wish that Belinda and Annette would leave them the fuck alone. The turtleneck was starting to give him the hives so he took it off, exposing his well built body and a distinct, angry looking bite mark that came from Kathryn.

"What happened to that?"

"Kat." He replied, finally leading Annette out of the room before Kathryn could make another comment.

As soon as Dorothy's back was turned, Kathryn made a biting notion while Sebastian was staring at her. "What a particularly big cat she must have been." She couldn't help but throw poor Annette another bone to increase her suspicions.

Belinda, on the other hand, helped herself to the Cristal while she surveyed her sister. "Does this cat have a name?"

Kathryn smiled, "Maybe." She got out of the pool and picked up the discarded towel on the floor. It still had the warmth from Sebastian's fingers, she couldn't help but noticing as she wrapped it around herself and sat down the lounge chair. "Where's Mathieu?"

"Oh, he wanted me to tell you he had business to attend to in Luxembourg. But he'll be home in time for the fashion show."

"He might as well. I don't think he'll want to be around when I continue with Sebastian."

"And how is our two timing stepbrother in bed?"

Kathryn smiled, "Put it this way. I've never been so fucking tired and sore in my life."

"You sound happy."

The beautiful brunette's smile never wavered, "I am. Would you like to know why?"

"Because you got your brains fucked out by an obviously very experienced Sebastian last night and Mathieu's okay with it?" she replied snidely, her perfect features contorting in disgust at the pathetic Trevor and how she had been willing to give the loser a call just so she wouldn't be bored to death.

"Because, dear Belinda," A creamy white hand grabbed the bottle from her as Kathryn sat down the seat opposite hers. "I like how Annette's just allowing all this to happen. You know, I did have my doubts at first, but now I've truly begun to appreciate your skill. Can you imagine what she's thinking at the moment? About last night? About that bite? Why do you think I bit Sebastian?"

"Well, from what she told me last night, she's in shambles. Her relationship's deteriorating, and somebody's feeling neglected in bed when it comes to having intercourse with the young Mr. Valmont. Poor Annette's torn, what with Trevor's comforting company and her love for Sebastian… Of course, if I had a choice, I would pick the latter, not that I'd know from personal experience, but from what Trevor has shown, anybody else would be a step up."

Her green eyes widened in fake concern, "But who will Annette run to for help? Perhaps someone who hates me so much and wants to get rid of me so much that Annette would consider an alliance?"

The Merteuil sisters smiled at each other, their dangerous beauty complementing the other's as Kathryn's green eyes gleamed in equal malevolence as her light gray ones. "Have you corrupted her yet?"

"She might have picked up on a certain habit or two. I recall her saying you told her she was fat? That's a low blow, Kathryn. You should never tell a woman that. Now, with Sebastian's lack of interest in sex, at least with her, she's quite insecure and lonely."

"Cigarettes?"

Belinda nodded, "Cigarettes and champagne… and a little something extra on the side."

She leaned forward excitedly, quickly doing a quick check around the room to see if they were alone. "Our cherished white powder?"

"Nothing so obvious, she might be tempted, but I doubt she'd ever snort the thing." She pulled out a cigarette with a strange insignia, the same one she'd given Annette and the same one Annette had asked from her last night, during a particularly anxious moment of wondering where the fuck her boyfriend is. Kathryn took it from her, examining it closely.

"What the fuck is this?"

"It's laced with heroin. Very subtle, the effects manifest themselves in a couple of days. These days you could never tell anymore, the bitch gets so hyped up over the image of you and Sebastian in bed."

She laughed, "Clever. And she didn't even wonder where she can get some more?"

"I told her it's from back home, totally contraband in the US. Of course, it's partly true. Not only that, I've also asked some of my ill-reputed friends to put in a little extra to help Trevor nail the virgin blonde. You know that chemical component that makes Viagra so successful? I believe Dorothy's in heat and she just might make a total fool out of herself in front of Sebastian. Of course, I don't know exactly when the drug will take the effect but the traces in her body will be undeniable."

Kathryn remained quiet, "You think he's going to fuck her?"

"Do you care?"

She hesitated for a briefest second but to Belinda, it seemed like forever. "No."

"Good. Now get dressed, the old bat's making us have breakfast before we leave. I'm already late for a fucking photo shoot as it is."

---

Methadone Clinic, exact location undisclosed

Court Reynolds was looking well, but he was not feeling as spiritually fulfilled as the program should make him feel. For one thing, he craved a smoke, and another, he'd met beautiful but dumb Amber Smith. Short, blonde, and awed at the certain pedigree his name carried… The exact opposite of his evil ex girlfriend, who was really the person he wanted to forget about. He and Amber had hit it off, up until she moved her hand to his pants and made a disgusted face, aptly saying her middle finger would probably do a better job than he did. Court backhanded her and the blonde slut went to one of the facilitators crying and bawling like the anorexic crack whore she was (something that also applied to Kathryn. In fact, she'd be right at home in this place) and they'd given the senator's son now had added therapy sessions and a longer stay.

His footsteps were loud and arrogant while he passed the staring rich bitches who giggled as he walked by because by way of vengeance, Amber had spread the word that Court Reynolds had the dick of a five year old. Another dark look came over his attractive features and he was about to scream at them when one of the counselors tapped his shoulder with a smile and informed him that he had a visitor.

"Who?" Court asked, confused. Both his parents hadn't even called, preferring to think their only son was away on a vacation. His friends were all too busy laughing their asses off at the blowjob pictures that had 'mysteriously' been released to call him up. And besides, nobody else knew he was in rehab. Methadone Clinic was the place for alcoholics and druggies that resembled more of a resort than an actual clinic, and having had high profile clients in the past, they were known for their tight security and indiscretion.

The attendant didn't answer because that psycho loser Court didn't know started slashing his wrists again. As he slowly walked outside the patio, he found a man waiting for him with a placid expression hidden behind mirrored sunglasses.

"Court Reynolds?"

"Who the hell are you? If you're another one of those goddamn reporters, I'm not gay okay?"

A sneer curled across the man's lips, as brushed imaginary lint over his expensive dark suit. He had short brown hair and stood confidently, apparently not intimidated by Court's menacing gaze.

"Do I look like a fucking reporter?" he reached into his inside pocket and threw a couple of photos on the table while the younger man flinched at the sight of Kathryn's bruised body printed clearly on the glossy paper. "You did this to her?"

"So what? The bitch deserved it."

The man took off his sunglasses and the threatening look in his brown eyes made him instinctively step back, "That 'bitch' is my fiancée." He spat, "Pick up the photos."

"No."

"No?" Before Court could call for security, he felt a searing pain slice through his hand and before he knew it, there was a shiny, particularly large knife wedging his hand between the table and the now readily bleeding photo paper.

He screamed, nearly fainting from the pain and from the dark red liquid that stained the color of Kathryn's porcelain black and blue tinted body. "She sent you here, didn't she?" he gritted his teeth. "Kathryn's playing you, you stupid fuck. You're just one of her many pawns, like Valmont and every other unfortunate loser who got blinded by those perfect tits and that tight ass."

"Be quiet before I take that knife and cut your throat. Now, listen to me. I can get you released within days, provided you follow what I say."

"Why the hell would I do that? You're working for her."

"And what would your plan be? You get shipped off to military school where everybody there knows you're a cocksucker? I'm offering you a chance to at least get some form of revenge, Reynolds. I know for a fact Kathryn's not the only one who fucked you up before you left."

"Valmont."

He nodded, "Exactly."

With tears in his dark eyes, Court was finally allowed to have some medical attention while the man watched impassively, not a trace of remorse at what he had done. His nerves tensed in anticipation while he listened to the man's instructions, even shuddering at the thought of this cruel and unusual man uniting with Kathryn Merteuil, who he'd always thought was a bit loose on the head.

---

He'd been trying to catch her eye for the past five minutes but she was making it difficult for him to do so.

"Sebastian, we were all so worried about you." Aunt Helen said empathically, laying a wrinkled hand on top of his. Sebastian could almost feel guilty at having had his aunt worry about him until those alluring green eyes finally caught his and she gave him the naught filled slightest smile she could muster, reminding him of the events that had transpired last night.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Helen. I would have called but my cell phone wasn't working." Helen Rosemond's favorite nephew replied sincerely, looking unusually relaxed and a bit more like himself than he'd ever been. Suddenly inspired by the idea, he deftly pulled out his phone and dialed Kathryn's number, keeping his eyes on her as she jumped slightly, the shrill ringing filling the elegant silence of the breakfast table.

"Oh, who is it, dear?"

She managed a smile, "It's Mathieu. Would you mind if I took this call?"

"Not at all, I'd like to take the chance to get to know Belinda anyway." The svelte model barely managed a grimace as she shot her sister an evil look while Kathryn turned and walked to the pool area.

Minutes later, his cell phone rang. Sebastian could barely keep the smile off his face while his oblivious girlfriend listened with great interest at Aunt Helen's childhood stories.

"Valmont." He answered crisply.

"Would you mind telling me what that was about?"

He covered the mouthpiece while the others glanced quizzically at him. "It's from school." He said apologetically, "About my thesis." He excused himself and walked back into the house before any of the three women could question him further.

"Valmont?" Kathryn asked crossly, "You do realize how fucking obvious that made you look right?"

"Where are you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know…"

"I'm serious, Kathryn. We need to talk."

She must have recognized the stern tone in his voice and stopped teasing, "Indoor pool."

"What the fuck is it with that place?" He quickly made his way to the room, where he found his beautiful stepsister sitting calmly, that damned pendant she loved so much dangling from her wrist once again, a sure sign that she was about to get stoned.

"So talk." She broke the silence, her voice still and flat.

"I changed my mind."

Her posture was guarded, a moment of disappointment flickered over her green eyes. Kathryn assumed that that disgusting thing called a conscience got the best of her pussywhipped stepbrother and he'd come to inform her that it was a mistake. "About?"

"Talking. I don't want to do that anymore, it only gets me into trouble with you." He took the crucifix from her, the other hand slowly unzipping the back of her dress. Kathryn forgot about the coke as his deep murmurs lulled her into submission and she allowed him to untangle the rosary-like necklace from her wrist.

Aww. Who wouldn't pick Sebastian Valmont being annoyingly adorable and gentle over drugs?

---

"Oh, God, I don't think I can do this anymore." Annette Hargrove took a long drag from the laced cigarette, her nerves a big bundle of mess while Belinda only stared at her calmly.

"Stop overreacting, Annette. They've only been gone for half an hour."

"From dealing with Kathryn and Sebastian, I think it's safe to say they're having sex."

"It's possible." She grinned wickedly, "Want to check?"

"NO! Why did I agree to this in the first place? I should have just told Sebastian that she's playing him, in fact, I'm going to do that right about now."

"No, you're not." Belinda hissed, "Do you have any idea what she'd do if she found out I've been telling you all these things? She'd have us crucified upside down."

"Like you're scared of Kathryn." Annette shot back even though Belinda's warning wasn't fair behind.

"I'm not." She answered truthfully, wishing those two would just stop fucking for a second and come down before Annette went insane from the hyped up smoke. She was going all edgy already, and it didn't help matters. "I just know what she's capable of and I have no intentions of testing that theory. Listen to me, you can't go against her alone. And as for Sebastian, you and I both know it was only a matter of time before he came back to her."

"We're in love." Annette snapped, seething at how Belinda could still be so calm. Of course she couldn't it wasn't her boyfriend fucking his stepsister. It wasn't her boyfriend that had defended her arch rival against her equally bitchy mother, it was her boyfriend she'd found suspiciously soaked while Kathryn was wearing a bikini so miniscule it should be banned, and it wasn't her boyfriend who'd been ignoring her so much for the past couple of weeks that she'd entertained the thought of having an affair with her ex boyfriend just to see if he'd get jealous.

"Is that what you tell to Trevor every time you go out with him?"

Annette reeled back as if she had been slapped, "You have no right to judge me, Belinda!"

"You listen to me, you stupid hick." Belinda's breathtaking features contorted menacingly. "Kathryn's coke problem? Her debauchery? I have proof of it, now I need you to help me make her see that she's won so she won't turn against me. Don't you realize that I don't give a shit about your pathetic love life with Valmont? Face it, Annette. He doesn't love you. He never did. The best thing you can do is be that innocent virgin queen you are when he comes back to you, blue eyes angry, pretty mouth set in a thin line, bitching at how he was betrayed by his dear, sinister stepsister. And he'll stay with you, you want to know why? Because it's his way of sticking it to her, a final fuck you to Kathryn, if you must. If you love him so damn much, you'd better get yourself together. That plan she has against you? She's going to have your father killed and make it look like an accident. See how it fucking hurts. Eye for an eye, Hargrove. You took the only real family she'd ever had and since you don't have a sibling, she's going to take the next best thing. Dear old daddy in a fucking coffin, and with old man Hargrove gone, do you really think he's going to pity you? Think about it. When did Hargrove start getting sick? Right after that stupid benefit that doubled as a welcoming party for Kathryn. She slipped him something and right now, she has someone back in Kansas slipping dear old daddy more and more until he eventually croaks. He doesn't have cancer, you idiot. That tumor's just a side effect. Sure, he'll stay for a couple of days, but after that, you want to know what happens? He'll be back in the Valmont townhouse, slipping in and out of her room, touching her, kissing her, and most definitely fucking her. If you did tell him, what makes you think he'll believe you? The tests at the hospital clearly state that it's cancer and she'll just proclaim her innocence. And what'll you look like? A vindictive ex girlfriend out to get her back for taking Sebastian from you. However, if you want to risk your chances of stopping her, then by all means, get out and run to your boyfriend while he's fucking Kathryn!"

They both looked shocked at her outburst, staring at each other while Belinda's cell phone rang. "Excuse me." She said shortly, leaving Annette alone to her thoughts.

"Belinda?"

"Who's this?"

"It's ah, it's Trevor Smith, you know, from the coffee shop the other day and—"

She almost chucked the offending cell phone across the room, cursing herself for giving the loser her private line. "Yes, I remember. How are you?" she instead said sweetly, wondering what on earth Annette saw in this dork.

"Well, I have tickets to this great play tonight and I was thinking maybe we could go out for pizza after."

Trevor was seriously deluded if he thought she would go out with him and actually be seen in public, let alone eat a damn grease flavored pizza while those moron paparazzi photographed her. If she did it, there was no doubt in her mind that the tabloids would feature her with the article on how she wasn't anorexic after all, but a binger. Did he think he was in some fairy tale Notting Hill fantasy shit? No fucking way. Nevertheless, she tried another approach. "Have you… succeeded in your task?"

"She's not budging, Belinda. She clearly loves Sebastian… Can't we just forget about this and go out tonight?"

What kind of shit was he snorting? "Remember our deal, sweetie. You don't get to call me until you fulfill your side of the bargain." She snarled, cutting him off.

"Well, that was certainly rude." A deep, mocking voice made her turn instinctively and she found herself face to face with Sebastian, looking adorably relaxed, his shirt unbuttoned and giving her a glimpse of the golden perfection of his well built chest. Yummy. Belinda wouldn't be a sore loser if she did lose that bet. Sebastian was starting to look like the most delicious consolation prize she could ever get.

She smiled saccharinely, "Oh and sneaking off in the middle of breakfast to screw your stepsister isn't?"

He laughed, clearly amused at her sharp tongue. "Touché. Speaking of which, have you seen Annette?"

She pointed down the hall and Sebastian was about to follow when a creamy hand grabbed his wrist, only to be pulled back by the wicked bitch herself. Sebastian smiled as he kissed Kathryn, who returned his kiss while keeping a raised eyebrow on her sister. Belinda only smiled at the exchange; Kathryn could only go so far with her act of indifference.

"Go with me on the way back." He told her, a ridiculously charming smile, the one he reserved only for Kathryn, peeking through his handsome features.

"You have a girlfriend, genius. Now go, I'm sure Belinda and I will be quite comfortable in the limo."

"Think about how comfortable you'll be when you're on top of me." Sebastian said, smirking as he met her challenging stare.

"Oh please, why don't you two just get a fucking room?" her blonde sister threw them a withering stare that broke their banter.

"I would, but somehow Kathryn prefers to shack up with her French dreamboat. Maybe if I spoke like I had permanent phlegm lodged in my throat, she'd take an interest. What do you think, Belinda? Should I say 'Kha-thryn' from now on?"

Oh boy. Kathryn's dark eyes flashed a sinister green, and Belinda almost felt sorry for Sebastian. Almost.

"Sure, and while we're on the topic, perhaps if I had a 'I'm-a-virgin-and-I'll-wait-until-I-experience-true-love-or-at-least-until-the-first-asshole-playboy-comes-up-to-me-and-flirts-with-me' manifesto, then maybe we'll end up getting married and having little blonde kids who recite the rosary every hour. Or maybe if I just spread my legs open at the very first person who says he's so in love with me, you'd want me more. Honestly, Sebastian. She knew you for a couple of days and she fucks you because she's such a little good girl in love?"

He thought for a moment, "At least she waited a couple of days. You'd fuck any guy that has a reputable surname in a minute."

"Oh, fuck you, Valmont."

"What, in front of Belinda? I didn't think you were into that shit. My God, just when I think you couldn't be more fucked up and perverted."

Kathryn let out an annoyed sigh, marching up to her room to slam the door. Sebastian's grin drooped a bit as he gave a frustrated groan, "You see what I have to put up with? She has enough moods that can fill an industrialized country."

She shrugged, "Kathryn'll get over it. Annette's waiting for you to give her a ride home and perhaps hear your bullshit expression about the reason why you decided to skip breakfast."

"What are you talking about? I did eat. Just not food."

Her lips curled in disgust, shoving him aside while he headed back to Annette, chuckling. "You're disgusting!"

"You're a bitch!" he called back, feeling happier than he'd been in years. Belinda sighed, truly regretting how his blue eyes looked undeniably gorgeous and filled with that secretive smirk that she assumed had been there before The Bet happened. If he only knew.

Katie: Update lover? That's a first. Haha. So I guess this chapter's for you, and about what you said in your review, that's exactly how I want you to feel. I want you to feel like he has to be punished, because he did break the rules. You should be pissed at him. I don't know if you've noticed but you've somehow ended up thinking a bit like Kathryn in AIE, you have an affiliation with Mathieu and you should hate Sebastian but you don't know what to do because the fiancé still hasn't given you a reason to be angry and the gorgeous stepbrother is just too damn charming for you to still be pissed off. I've been weaving the story to fit into the fine line of retribution and forgiveness. So you see, now I'm presented with the challenge of trying to change that feeling in the upcoming chapters… ;-) And not all my writing's beautiful. If by some miracle you do get to read the first story I ever wrote, you'd want to whack me in the head with a shovel and probably ask me what the fuck I was thinking. Hahaha

Nicole: Yeah, I know it's about time they did it. Gawd. For the life of me I don't understand why you managed to put up through 14 chapters of being teased with the always interrupted and nonsexual nature of the K/S moments I've written. I applaud you. Hahaha!

WashedOut: You know I can tell you how it ends in Filipino when I update next and the others won't have the story line ruined for them. Whaddaya say? ;-P Oh yeah, high school ka pa rin ba? It's refreshing to talk to someone in Pinoyyyyy here in Lol.

Jenny: Silly girl. Of course she will, because if she doesn't, I think I'm going to be stoned to death by the other K/S shippers. You included, I suppose? Hahaha