Breaking the Broken
Ten
The Past Reborns The Storm
And he continued to stare at her, afflicted by the thought that where beauty was, nothing ever ran quite straight, which, no doubt, was why so many people looked on it as immoral.
John Galsworth, The Forsyte Saga
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Stamp. Stamp. Stamp. Stamp. STAMP. STAMP.
She could feel her stinging foot, the wearing away of the sole on her Jimmy Choo's, but the fuck if she cared. The storm raging inside her lithe body showed no signs of calming.
STOMP. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP.
Cassidy knew that she should calm down. Whoever had the dorm downstairs would definitely know that something was up, they would come upstairs to try and find out what the hell was going on, they would expect civility. And that was something that Cassidy Merteuil was not in the mood to give.
She could hear a knocking at her door, but she didn't have the time or excess energy to answer them. She didn't give a fuck who they were or what they were about to say, anyway. Vaguely recognizing Jason's dulcet tones coming from the other side of the maple door, she just turned the stereo up louder. She didn't need to hear what he had to say, and he didn't need to see her break.
The pounding on the door seemed to go in time with the loud, angry, rock music, and Cassidy realized how blatantly obvious it was that she was lashing out. Anybody walking down the hall would hear the tunes blaring from the normally completely inconspicuous room. It was sloppy of her, that was for sure, and she could almost see her grandmother's disapproving gaze in her mind's eye, but she didn't care. Not this time.
That familiar gleam had been in her eye. The one that said so clearly, 'I win', the gloating expression was one that Cassidy had become very familiar with in all their years. Underestimation was a fatal mistake, and now Kathryn was back to show her just how fatal. And she had brought him.
Sebastian Valmont. Cassidy would never admit it to anyone, but her heart seemed to beat faster and slower at the same time when she had heard his voice call out to her for the first time in so long, using the nickname that she absolutely detested on the lips of anyone other than him. Not for the first time, she wondered what Kathryn had done to get so lucky, to fall into a position where she would be in constant close contact with him. It was a typical display of the Merteuil in her that Cassidy completely disregarded the fact that they were stepsiblings, family by law, and that anything between them was highly scandalous and extremely forbidden. No, she was jealous instead.
The knocking had gone away now, but the pounding in her pretty head seemed to replace it. Maybe it was desperation setting in, or maybe it was the vodka shots, but she knew that there was plotting to do. Nothing compared to her usual, of course. When dealing with family, your plots must be less openly damaging and far more cunning. After all, nobody would be pleased if she got dear, sweet Kathryn sent off again, and Kathryn herself would surely catch on beforehand. Nobody pulled one over on Kathryn Merteuil. Yet perhaps the only person who stood a chance lay sprawled desolately across her king-sized bed in her dorm room, with maliciousness pounding messages to her brain and determination making its way through her veins. No, it was time that Kathryn learned she wasn't the only Merteuil you don't mess with.
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"Did you see the look on her face?" she cackled gleefully. Sebastian rolled his eyes, slightly irritated at being asked this question for the fifth time in twenty minutes. Ever since Kathryn had woken up, all she could do was gloat on her slight victory over her cousin. However, Sebastian's insides seemed a bit heavier than his beloved stepsister's today…
Aw…was somebody feeling guilt? Or maybe it was…
Sebastian Valmont was beginning to see the downside of living on the road with Kathryn, and only Kathryn. While it was very exciting, and highly amusing at first, he was starting to find her incessant chatter not so endearing. Not to mention that because they were on the completely opposite side of the country than they were used to, and currently sharing a hotel room, so personal space was at an all time low. But all of this wasn't even close to the real reason why he was so aggravated by their situation—she wouldn't let him touch her. Try as he might, Sebastian couldn't put the events previous to the clubbing out of his mind, but it seemed far from Kathryn's.
While living in New York, Sebastian was a man of very simple needs. He needed complete and total freedom, unlimited wealth, a bevy of girls and his disposable, whatever drugs and liquors he felt tempted to try, and sex. Was that really so much to ask? And while Annette had taught him a thing or two about conquests that would make any other man quake in fear at the thought of another one, Sebastian Valmont found himself quite willing to conquer new territory. Unfortunately for him, the only female in his reach was related to him by law and currently unwilling to fuck him.
Cassidy. The thought crept into his mind unexpectedly; his beautiful eyes shooting open in alarm. Trying to force the tension in his body to disappear, he tried to figure out what train of thought had lead him back to the beautiful brunette he hadn't dwelled on in quite awhile. While normally his mind came to a standstill on his sexy stepsister, the object of his lust and admiration for quite a while, at this moment, even though she was dressed in only a lace negligee and perched on the foot of his bed, he found his mind full of images of one of her worst enemies. Cassidy…smiling, laughing, angry, confused, lustful. Squeezing his eyes shut, he thanked God once again that Kathryn wasn't a mind reader. Unfortunately for Sebastian, she was pretty damn close.
"What's wrong with you today?" she asked suspiciously from the foot of the bed. Sebastian noted with a bitter smile that normally she would've crawled up him by now, taunting and teasing. Today, she remained firmly planted in her spot, and he wondered again whether their escapade in the limo could've brought on this sudden weirdness.
"Nothing… I, uh," he stammered a bit, his words getting caught up in his thoughts, tying his tongue. "I'm going for a walk."
"Fine. I'm going in the shower," she said simply, but there was still apprehensiveness in her bright eyes. "No, you can't join me."
Smirking as the bathroom door closed behind her, Sebastian slipped on a t-shirt and jeans, far more casual than his usual attire, but this was just for a stroll around the hotel, so he figured that nobody would ever know the difference. However, once he got outside, the smirk faded away and was replaced by a look of sudden panic. What had made him think of Cassidy? Naturally, it was because he was thinking of sex, and he had had sex with her… right? Shaking his gorgeous head, Sebastian decided that he did not like where this was going.
Sudden movement at the end of the hallway caught his attention, and the elevator doors opened to reveal a young woman. This was no ordinary girl, though. There was something vaguely familiar about her, with long blonde curls, impossibly long legs and intense gray eyes. Sebastian pondered for a moment on whether or not he had fucked her before. No, that wasn't it… But the look she was giving him said clearly that she wouldn't object to it now.
As the elevator doors slid closed, two people were now inside, both facing forward but eyeing each other subtly. There was something about this girl that was so familiar. She had the coloring of Annette but the features of Kathryn, and he was equally alarmed and aroused by that.
"I'm Belinda. Belinda Van Ryan," she said with a sly smile, revealing a few of her gleaming teeth. All were white, even and perfect, and he didn't find that surprising in the least. She said her name with a sort of self-importance that few people could wear well. Kathryn was one of them, and apparently so was this gorgeous blonde.
"Sebastian Valmont," he grinned. Even his name was cause for an ego trip. While some rich children hadn't been so lucky in the naming department, Sebastian had made off quite well. Other children in social circles had floundered under the name Sebastian, but Valmont had taken it and made it his own. You had to be seriously hot to pull off a name like Sebastian.
"I know," she purred. Quirking a golden blonde eyebrow prompted the beauty to continue. "Everybody knows who you are, Sebastian."
The first thought that flew to his mind was, 'There goes the anonymity we thought we had last night,' and a smirk tugged at his full lips. However, the next thing he recalled was those lips being pressed against Belinda's, wandering hands, and an Emergency Stop button being pushed. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Sebastian registered that this might not be the smartest thing to do, but with thoughts of the Merteuils constantly tormenting him, this attractive creature was a welcome distraction.
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She was as beautiful as he had described. Maybe even more so. While Sebastian was certainly gifted at descriptions, words didn't seem to measure up to Kathryn. Rereading her section in Cruel Intentions, Jason found that the words and images did no justice to the real thing.
And he wished that he could laugh at Valmont for being completely obsessed with a girl who had shot him down so many times. He wished that he no longer idolized the man. But he found that his envy had only increased since their brief meeting. Damn.
She had barely let go of him all night, and it didn't look like Sebastian minded one bit. There was something about the two of them that seemed to crackle with electricity, an intensity so high that no one stood a chance of existing in a world that was all theirs. When one uttered something, the other's eyes would snap over and a connection so strong that it was palpable would be formed. And Jason sat in the corner beside Cassidy, and he knew that both of them were thinking of the same pair.
He watched all night as they danced, and teased, and flirted, and even though any other person in the club would be repulsed to know their true connection, Jason found himself completely unbothered by that. What was bothering him was that he was just looking for an opportunity to talk to Kathryn, and with Sebastian stuck to her, it didn't look like he'd get one.
Leaning against the bar, Jason struck up a conversation with the bartender. She was cute, mid-twenties, and very edgy, but he also knew from experience that she was very easy. But that night, he wasn't looking for a challenge. However, her attention seemed instantly diverted and Jason sighed, knowing who was approaching without even turning around.
Sebastian ordered two drinks with a flirtatious smile, but as Missy turned away, he rolled his eyes and leaned against the counter. His intent gaze caught Jason's, but instead of looking away in an embarrassed fashion like other people tended to do, he proceeded to watch him.
"I'm Sebastian."
"Jason."
"You're the one here with Cassidy, correct?"
"Yeah, we're friends. Do you know Cassidy?" Jason asked unnecessarily. He had read the journal, he knew all about it, but he had this inexplicable urge to impress Valmont, and tried not to come off as too pathetic.
"You could say that," Sebastian responded, a wry smile curling his lips.
"And you're here with Kathryn," Jason prompted.
"You know Kathryn?" Sebastian asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously. Territorial, much?
"Cassidy's cousin," Jason shifted uneasily, by way of explanation. Sebastian didn't look convinced. It was as if the blonde boy could see right through him, but he didn't press further.
"Fuck her yet?" he asked abruptly.
"Working on it," Jason smiled. Sebastian's smile seemed to turn victorious, and it made Jason's stomach turn as well.
"I see. Well, I'd better get back to mi lady," he said, picking up the drinks and turning away. However, Jason couldn't resist getting this last question in.
"Did you conquer her yet?"
Sebastian's eyes seemed to sparkle a little bit at the terminology used. He said nothing, only smiled mysteriously, as he made his way back across the room.
"Arrogant fuckhead," Cassidy spat, appearing from nowhere beside Jason. It wasn't clear who she was talking about. It was clear that she had had more than her fair share of drinks, though. Her large eyes seemed a bit unfocused, and her normal steady posture was slightly wobbly. When she looked at him, it didn't seem quite clear if she knew who she was with. Maybe she was just too drunk to care.
She was definitely too drunk to care that all her hard work, all the time she spent turning Jason down, was going down the drain in the alley she lead him to, behind the club that night. Not that Jason was complaining.
So now she was avoiding him. He had knocked on her door earlier, but was met only with the blaring of rock music. Jason wasn't sure what he had come for. Maybe an explanation, possibly a repeat performance, but he wasn't getting anything from Cassidy Merteuil. He wasn't sure if she was avoiding him or the world in general, but something had happened to her the night before that had rocked her to the core. If only he could figure out what it was.
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Fog settled gloomily around the campus, seeming to match the overall tone of its students. On an early Sunday morning, where most were hung-over if not still drunk, the Prestridge University campus was a place where few people could be found. Especially at the St. George Church. However, there stood Annette Hargrove, alone in the courtyard with a map of the university, tolling bells signaling the dawning of a new hour. A new era, too, it seemed.
"Can I help you with anything?" she was asked by a slightly nasal sounding voice. Spinning on the spot, the pretty blonde was shocked to find that she wasn't as alone as she thought she was. The man standing there was blonde, of average height and average looks, but there was a slightly weasel-ish quality about him. Back in Kansas, or even in New York, Annette would've thought twice about speaking to a man like this one. His eyes seemed to glitter dangerously, but there was a pleasant smile on his face. Everything about him was contradictory. However, she had been brought up to look for the best in everyone. Besides, it's not like she had anyone else to talk to.
"Oh, I'm new here. I'm just trying to find my dorm," she said, faint frown lines forming when she realized that she was about to tell this stranger where she would be living. She tried to reassure herself that it was no big deal, because it was a dorm, and there were tons of other people living there. Besides, he wasn't a stalker, or a murderer. He was just a college boy.
Just? Apparently her experiences in New York had taught her nothing.
"Oh, you're in Tourvel. That's this way," he pointed, linking his arm through hers and beginning to walk along the path. "Don't worry, I know where I'm going. My friend's in there too."
"Thanks for helping me out. My father just got the job as Dean here, and so I transferred over, but I'm hopelessly lost," she smiled, exasperated.
"Don't worry about it. Prestridge is huge. Half the people who've been going here for years still get lost."
"I'm Annette Hargrove."
"I know. I'm Patrick Bale," he smiled, and she had the spidery feeling that something was lurking under the surface.
"You know?"
"I read your manifesto," he said with a small smile. "Sorry, I should've said that first, you probably thought I was like stalking you," he blushed.
You have no idea, she thought, trying to calm herself down. It was getting tiresome, being constantly worried about the new people she met. She would somehow have to learn to trust again. Maybe California could do that for her.
"And do you usually read Seventeen magazine?" she teased.
"Only when there are girls as pretty as you on the corner of the cover," he responded, and she laughed, ignoring that recurring feeling that something disastrous was in the cards. It was high time for Annette to learn that it was never her who held all the cards, but it was time for Kathryn to play her hand.
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The water cascaded off her tiny body, spraying out at all angles. Mist distorted everything, making it seem fuzzier, softer in a way. Kathryn hadn't heard the door reopen. Sebastian hadn't returned.
Surprisingly, Kathryn was very calm about this. She didn't want to throw things, track him down, overreact at all. She was perfectly aware that he had probably found a random girl to fuck, and she was fine with that. Perfectly fine.
They were getting too close anyway. It wasn't healthy for humans to be that close to another person. They were becoming reliant, and weak, and pitiful. Or so she told herself. And that little ache she felt as she shut off the water, wrapped herself in a towel and exited the bathroom, finding their large hotel room empty? Oh, that was nothing. Certainly not pain, and definitely not jealously.
Forcing her thoughts back to her triumph, a giddy little smile slid over her beautiful face. The look on Cassidy's face when she had showed up was absolutely priceless. She was considering revealing their presence in a more delicate way, but then she had overheard her cousin's little speech.
Aww. Kathryn and Sebastian. Where are they now? Oh yeah. Methadone Clinic... and dead.
Those words had chilled Kathryn to her core, and not just because of the icy tone with which they were said. This was her cousin Cassidy decimating their relationship and all the work they had done, into one sentence depicting failure. Oh, no. Not on Kathryn's watch. At that moment, Cassidy lost her familial advantage, and Kathryn immediately began brainstorming ways to take her completely by surprise. Eyes falling upon her gorgeous blonde counterpart, she certainly found the way.
Now Jason was another story. She knew all about him from Cassidy's stories, and he was as good-looking as she had described. Nothing breathtaking, but thoroughly fuckable. Now he was properly respectful.
If you want so much to be like Kathryn, at least let me be your Sebastian.
That was seriously cute, in a retarded way. It was laughable to think that Jason imagined himself the successor to Sebastian Valmont, or that Cassidy could truly measure up to herself, but it was a nice little fantasy for the vapid California kids.
But Kathryn Merteuil hadn't come all the way across the country to play spectator to the amateur games. She had come to stir up trouble. And while most people can't always get what they want, Kathryn was not most people.
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Now this chapter was supposed to depict a sort of whirling mess of the thoughts and feelings and fallout, but it may have just been an icky mess. Please review and let me know what you think. This is actually the longest chapter so far, I believe.
Wicked vamp- glad you get my sense of humor lol. Don't worry, I'm not worried about you stalking me. Hahah
y-x- Now you on the other hand… hahah just kidding. Catch the cameo? Yes, I am a hypocrite. Belinda/Sebastian is exactly what I don't want in AIE! Although, you know...
WashedOut- I can't tell you how much I love the word 'wicked'. Lol
I love all you guys. Thanks for reading.
So who caught the guest star?
Okay everybody, please go read my newest Cruel Intentions story "Le Déchirement Final" The title is French. The story is not. (You'd be surprised at the questions I get… lol) If you do so, you will be my best friend. Haha. It's an Annette one-shot, which is very branched out for me, but it is in NO WAY an Annette/Sebastian story. So please go read it. Pwetty pwease?
Xo Sam