A/N: I know, I know, this one took so long. I'm so sorry for making you guys wait, but I just had to make sure it'll at the least have that something in it. Anyways, here's the update. You might be confused at some parts (or not) and if you are, you can ask me, and maybe I'll tell you. Haha. Just Kidding. So here it is. Thank Yous are at the bottom.
Title: Dinner Tuner Engagement
Chapter 3: Skeletons in Our Closet
Lucas Scott drove back to his East Hampton estate alone, where a couple of motorcycles still followed him. They never get tired. He thought to himself. As he pulled over into his driveway a number of reporters still approached him. He didn't mind smiling to every camera that flashed anymore though. He thought they'd understand that he had a long day.
He still doesn't think it's a good idea to tell the press that the whole thing is just made up. On the other hand, staying engaged doesn't sound so good to him either. It's not that he doesn't like Brooke, because as far as he's concerned, Brooke Davis is a beautiful woman. In fact, if you ask him, he still thinks he got lucky because it was her that Dan picked rather than some other rich businessman's daughter, then again, not really lucky because he didn't want to be engaged in the first place.
Before he decided to call it a night he dialed Dan Scott's number leaving him a message Lucas knows his father wouldn't like. "This isn't happening Dan, not if I can help it." His voice was full of spite and anger. He really didn't understand why his father is doing it, or why does it have to include him.
Brooke Davis laid in bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. Although Peyton and Rachel had insisted on staying with her for the night, she managed to assure them that she will be okay. Brooke started to assess her day and she realized she didn't even think of calling her parents. She thought about what she'll tell them if she calls them now. It's not exactly an everyday occurrence that your parents fixes you to an engagement you have no idea about, and it's not like phone calls to her parents are a normal thing either.
She then thought about having the Scotts and her friends there. At most, she knows Nathan and Haley are married and having a baby and that Lucas Scott can cook, but other than that she didn't know anything else. She didn't know what kind of people they really are, but having them there made her feel a little at ease with the situation.
What came next into Brooke's mind is what's going to happen tomorrow. Being a public figure had its advantages, but also came with it is the press wanting to know all about you and your personal life. It doesn't help that she's friends with a famous model and a well known producer either. If anything, the press just wanted more from her. Thinking about everything and the possibility that it could end her career just made her more tired than she already is, before she knows it, she had drifted off to sleep.
She had woken not to the sound of her alarm clock, but to the rays of the sun that blinded her when she opened her eyes. She felt her eyes burn and when she went to look at them in the mirror, they were puffy.
On the floor were a bunch of newspapers scattered all over. Each one of them saying the same thing. She broke down and dialed her friends numbers, but no one picked up. It seemed like they were avoiding her like the plague. She then collapsed on the floor picking up every paper that led her to her current condition.
"Brooke Davis fakes engagement to get publicity."
"Brooke Davis uses Lucas Scott for publicity."
"Clothes over Bros. loses major clients."
"Brooke Davis, the loner designer."
She then got up and braved everything, then decided that maybe she just needs a morning run. Just as soon as she left the establishment, some people who were just standing on the streets started throwing eggs - at her. To her horror, one is about to crash in her face, then she heard a loud thud. The next feeling she got was her back aching.
It was still dark. She was in her pajamas, and there weren't any newspapers scattered on her floor. When she looked at her clock, it read 5:12 am. Slowly she got up, realizing it was just a dream.
"It's just a dream. It's just a bad dream." She told herself as she washed her face in the bathroom. She thought about calling both Rachel and Peyton, but ended up not doing so. She was just being paranoid, she thought.
Two and a half years ago, if you would've asked Lucas Scott if he ever saw himself engaged today he would've laughed at you, or maybe he would've just punched you square in the face. Lucas Scott was that person, but after something happened he realized he didn't want to be the guy who hit people without any particular reason anymore.
"Good morning son." The voice of Dan Scott was very much irritating to hear, especially when it's Lucas Scott who hears it.
"What do you want dad?" He asked, still upset with what his father is trying to do.
"Oh, just wanted to ask you a question. Whatever happened to that girl you dated from two years ago? You think you could tell the press about it later?" Dan asked, and Lucas could only imagine he had this evil smirk on his face. But mostly, he felt terrified. "Well, don't worry, if you miss it I'll just be the one to tell them. Bye." Dan told Lucas then hang up, leaving his son speechless and motionless.
Lucas Scott paced around his living room, terrified as hell as to what will happen after him and Brooke break their fake engagement. He pictured possible scenarios in his mind. One was him being thrown off the team and losing basketball, then there was the other where he goes to jail. Either way, he still loses the one thing that keeps him going – basketball. Surely, after Nathan and Haley finds out about what he did, they'll surely hate him and that meant losing the only family he has, as far as he's concerned of course. Right now, he didn't really count Deb in.
Thinking about how they all planned about today yesterday, it didn't really register in his mind that Dan Scott could be the most manipulative person one could actually meet. Hell, he didn't even think that the guy he called his father could actually blackmail him for something he didn't mean to do. Nonetheless, what mattered in the end was he did it.
He can't let this happen, but he doesn't want to go along with his father's schemes either. He knows he's being selfish thinking about not going through the whole 'breaking up the engagement' thing, but right now that's the only choice he's got, just until he finds out what Dan wants. So, immediately, he dressed as he normally would. With only a striped polo shirt on, denim pants and slip ons, he decides to go to Brooke's and tell her to not tell the world the truth. Yes, Lucas Scott chose to be selfish now.
Peyton arrived early at Brooke's because the brunette requested it. In fact, Brooke had called both Rachel and Peyton, but only the blonde showed up. She's almost finished getting ready when Peyton noticed she's a little flushed.
"Brooke? Are you okay? Are you sick?" Peyton asked as she looked at the brunette who looked straight back at her.
"Just promise me one thing." Brooke looked straight into Peyton's eyes with a certain look of seriousness in hers. If they were at normal circumstances, Peyton would've laughed, then again, they weren't.
"Okay, but just as long as I'll still live after." Peyton tried to joke as she slightly gave Brooke a squeeze by the arm, as if saying she's there for her.
"Promise me, promise me that no matter what happens, okay, whether this whole thing goes as planned, or even when I'm being egged on the streets after, that you'll still be my friend. Promise me." Brooke told her seriously, not an ounce of the possibility that she's joking in her voice.
"I think I might have to think about the egging first." Peyton smirked making Brooke's eyes grow wider. "And why would you be egged? Come on Brooke, that's never going to happen." She continued.
"Peyt! I'm serious!" The brunette hissed as she got up from her seat and faced her blonde friend. Peyton closed her eyes and then opened them with a comforting smile on her face.
"You know you'll always have me Brooke. Always." Peyton told her as she got up and gave Brooke a hug. It is in that moment, that Brooke felt everything will be okay. At least for a couple of seconds she did, until they both hear Lucas calling for Brooke as he knocked on her door.
"You have to promise me Peyt." Brooke insisted still not minding to open the door, ignoring the loud pounds and thuds.
"I promise Brooke. Now go open that door before the guy behind it decides to tear it apart." Peyton answered hurriedly as she pushed her friend towards the loud thudding sound.
"Coming!" Brooke shouted as she swung the door open seeing an agitated Lucas who seemed to be way under dressed for a press conference. "Are you trying to break my door down?" Brooke asked as she raised an eyebrow then turned to Peyton who nodded in agreement.
"I need to talk to you." Lucas simply says with much seriousness in his voice. Brooke didn't really bother to say yes anymore, she just nodded. "I'll leave you two then. The conference is in two hours, don't be late." Peyton informed as Brooke nodded and let Lucas in while Peyton left.
"Okay, what do you need to talk about?" Brooke cut to the chase. She really wasn't completely ready for the conference yet. In fact she hasn't done her hair yet, and going to something swarming with cameras with bad hair isn't exactly designer like.
"I can't do this." Lucas answered deadpan. Brooke giving him the exact same look he had on.
"Okay, can you repeat that, because I think I just heard that you didn't want to do this." Brooke asked him quite appalled with what she just heard.
"I can't go through with this. Its..I'm..I..We can't…" Lucas Scott stuttered not managing to find the words that could best describe what will happen to him, to his life after.
"Okay, just remember what we did yesterday. We can do this, okay? Just think, you won't be in a fake engagement anymore after, and you can go on any date you like!" Brooke encouraged hoping it'll at least get him to consider changing his mind.
"I can't Brooke, I…You don't know what will happen." Lucas tried to reason. He knows not going through the conference is a bad idea, but it's not like he has any other choice right?
"You don't think I know that? You don't know how bad this is affecting me, okay? I can't even get some work done!" Brooke boiled. She for one, couldn't believe how Lucas Scott chose to be selfish now.
"You don't understand…I'm going to be ruined." Lucas told her again just making the brunette more infuriated.
"What don't I understand Lucas? Because as far as I know I'm the only one who could possibly understand what you're feeling right now! You think you'll be ruined? Well guess what, I dreamt about being egged on the streets last night!" Brooke shouted at him and Lucas was silent.
"I'm sorry for shouting on you okay? But we have to do this. We need to do this. Otherwise we'll have to pretend in front on everyone who doesn't know the truth." Brooke explained as she squeezed Lucas by the arm. She felt good about what she did. She actually thought she'll be the one who'll need convincing, but obviously, she thought wrong.
"Two years ago I was a different guy." Lucas started with a pensive tone which confused Brooke. "I slept with random girls, I constantly went to sleep drunk. Nathan had to get me home. I also hit people without any reason at all. I..I really don't know what I was thinking then, or if I even think then." He finished and looked at Brooke with intense eyes. "I'm sorry but I can't do this." He got up from his seat and prepared to leave.
"Why would you tell me what you just told me?" Brooke asked quite angered by what Lucas is doing. "Why Lucas? What is it that you're so afraid of, you'd actually consider going with our parents plan?!" She asked him angrily, but he just continued walking. "You're not getting past this door until you tell me." Brooke told him as she blocked his way.
"Brooke, please." Lucas said, as if almost begging. This wasn't how he pictured everything. He actually thought Brooke would agree with him, then again, he hasn't told her what he came there for exactly.
"Just tell me, why would you tell me all those bad things about you?"Brooke asked sincerely which she thought was enough to get through him.
"I don't know…I just…I want you to know I'm not that person anymore." He answers and he looks at her straight in the eye.
"If you're not that guy then why are you doing this? What, you're just gonna leave me hanging? I thought we could do this? You said so yourself." Brooke said calmly. There was something in his words when he spoke about his past that intrigued her. Somehow she got the idea that something happened back then that he didn't want to talk about.
"I don't have any other choice Brooke, okay? I'm sorry but I can't afford to lose Nathan and Haley, I don't want to be thrown in jail, okay?" Lucas explained as he just stood in front of the brunette waiting for her to step aside.
"Why? Why would you lose them? Because if I'm correct those two would do anything for you. I mean I saw how they just came running here despite the gab fest yesterday, and Haley, she's pregnant, but still she came here for you. And jail? Why?" Brooke asked as she tried to read the blonde in front of her, but she can't. She after all, knew nothing about him.
"I'm sorry but I can't tell you." Lucas told her, his voice was cold and truthfully, it scared Brooke a bit. The Lucas Scott standing in front of her doesn't resemble the Lucas Scott she had spent the day with yesterday, because although the two of them got into a couple of arguments yesterday, he cared enough to say sorry to her, this one, although he says sorry, didn't really feel like he means it.
"So what difference does it make if you don't go to the conference and I do? Because if you ask me, that pretty much shouts we're not engaged." Brooke reasoned, starting to get infuriated again. She thought of the possible things that could be going on in his mind, but she really didn't arrive to a particular answer.
"I came here to ask you to not go through with the conference, but I don't see you doing that, so can I please leave now?" He asked again, with no emotions anymore. It was like he just gave up and was waiting for the punishment.
"How dare you! How dare you put something on me and not at the least tell me about it!" Brooke raged as she poked him on the chest. Lucas stepped back taking all the anger Brooke had to give. He after all, deserved it. "You're expecting me to go on a fake engagement with you and not even decide to tell me why?"
"Brooke, I can't…I can't tell you. I'm sorry." Lucas told her again as he walked past the brunette, leaving her alone. Yes, Brooke Davis has been ditched by Lucas Scott, and unfortunately, she has to face all the reporters waiting for them, alone.
Brooke was startled to hear a knock on the door, shortly after Lucas had left her. For a moment she thought he actually came back, until she heard a familiar voice which obviously doesn't belong to him.
"Brooke! Open up!" Rachel shouted, seemingly in a hurry to see her brunette friend. "Rach! Where were you?" Brooke asked as she swung the door open, her eyes almost tearing up. "I'm so sorry, I overslept." The red head explained, then stopped when she saw the brunette's state. "Hey, what happened?" She asked as she pulled Brooke in a comforting hug.
"He's not going to show." Brooke mumbled onto her friends shoulder, and started to cry, but just a little. "Ok, I don't need you crying now. The conference is in an hour." Rachel told her as she checked her watch and guided Brooke to a seat and tried to calm her friend. "How am I…going to handle…this? I'm just…as scared…as he is." Brooke said in between sobs. Rachel started dialing on to her phone while she tried to soothe Brooke.
"Hey, Peyt, we need you here, now. Please hurry." Rachel said onto her phone as the person on the other end of the line picked up. "Rachel? What? Where?" The other replied, quite confused as to what her friend is talking about. "At Brooke's. Something happened." Rachel explained, not minding to go into details as she herself was clueless as to what had happened to their friend. "What? Ok, just hold on. I'm coming." Peyton replied as she shut her phone and hurried to her friend's aid. Five minutes later, the two girls who were waiting heard a knock on the door. Rachel came to get it and saw Peyton. They both hurried to back see Brooke who wasn't near ready to face a crowd.
"Brooke, what happened?" Peyton asked as she rushed to the brunette along with Rachel. "I left you here an hour ago and everything was just fine." "He…he's not showing up." Brooke told Peyton. "What do you mean he's not showing up? He was just here, right?" The blonde asked as she had seen Lucas earlier. "He was, and then he said we shouldn't do it and he said some things about Nathan and Haley and going to jail. I don't know." Brooke said in quite a panic, not really knowing what she's going to do.
"That ass!" Rachel remarked, in an attempt to make her friend feel better. Truly, it quite did, as Brooke gave her a half smile. "What am I going to do you guys? Am I just about to face those reporters alone?" Brooke asked, all hope as if running out of her body. "I know what we're going to do. We're going to fix you up, and we're going to do this, together. Okay?" Rachel told her full of conviction, as she grabbed Brooke by the hand and started re-touching her friend's make-up.
Thirty minutes later, Brooke looked like someone who's more than ready to face the press. At least on the outside, she did. On the inside however, all hell is breaking lose as panic took over her body. "Okay, Brooke, you've have got to calm down." Rachel told her friend as she rubbed her temples and paced around. "How Rach!? I'm about to practically commit social suicide here!" Brooke hissed as the three of them prepared to leave Brooke's place.
"Ok, you two have to stop panicking. Brooke, we're going to go down there and the three of us will face those people. Rachel and I aren't leaving you, okay? We're in this together." Peyton told the other two as she held each of their hands in hers and gave it a slight squeeze. "I'm not much for cheesy stuff, but Brooke, no matter what happens, you'll always have me and Peyton. Okay?" Rachel added as she herself was motivated by what her blonde friend said. Brooke nodded and the three of them prepared to face the press – together.
The press conference was pushed back to 10:30 am when some of the reporters requested to wait for Lucas Scott a little more. Brooke Davis sat with her friends growing impatient every second that passed. She wanted to tell them that there's no use waiting because the person they're expecting isn't coming in the first place. After thirty long minutes of waiting, the organizers had decided to push through with it, without Lucas of course. It was then that Brooke was called to face the media.
"We're here for you B. Davis. Just do your thing and we'll be here. Right Rach?" Peyton told the brunette then turning to the red head who was giving Brooke a smile of encouragement. Brooke breathe in and let out a heavy sigh to calm herself. "Ok, let's just get this done and over with." She tells the other two as she heard her name called and got up from her seat. Then as if on cue, Lucas Scott came running out of nowhere when his name was called too. Again, Brooke didn't know what to do. It seems like the guy is always ruining what she's come up with.
Brooke managed to keep the shock to herself, or at least that's what she thinks. When they both reach the table, they both have smiled plastered on their faces. "What are you doing here?" Brooke asked, her smile not falling. "I at least owe you this." Lucas answered simply as he pulled out a chair for her which Brooke was a bit hesitant to take first, but then she just smiled at the press and took the seat. The conference then began and they both prepared themselves for what's to come.
"Hi Brooke and Lucas, I'm Jerry from the Daily Post, uh, how long have you been together?" Jerry asked, pen and recorder in hand.
"Actually, we need to clarify something." Lucas was the one to speak as Brooke still seemed flush about it all. Brooke is actually thinking about what he told her earlier, and honestly, it bothered her a bit.
"What do you mean ?" Another asked as he raised his name tag which read John on top and New York post written below it.
"What I mean is this whole engagement is—" Lucas was about to tell them about it when Brooke suddenly cut him to it. "something we've been really excited about, and, and we, I mean, I didn't really see it coming this soon." Brooke said, to this Lucas Scott grew silent. He didn't know what the brunette was planning, and truthfully, he didn't know what else to say either.
"Isn't it that according to your parents you've been seeing each other for a year and a half now?" Another reporter stood up.
"No, that's not true, our parents don't know anything about our relationship. Right Lucas?" Brooke nudged the blonde who seemed to be zoning out. The bystanders, namely, Rachel, Peyton, Nathan and Haley all had surprised expressions on their faces as if asking each other what's going on.
He was a bit hesitant to answer the question at first, but seeing as he has no other choice, he does. "That's right. Our parents don't know anything about Brooke and I." He told the press which resulted to a few 'ooohs'and'aahhs'. He didn't think it'd roll of his tongue naturally, although he almost stuttered in the first few words.
"So are you telling us that everything your parents said on national television was a lie?" Jerry from the Daily Post spoke again. Brooke looked at Lucas with a smile on her face as if telling him everything will be alright.
"Not exactly, I mean, they did tell everyone that we're in love right?" Brooke joked and she could see majority of the reporters had content faces on. Who would've thought dreaming about reporters asking her about her engagement would come in handy? Lucas however had nothing but a fake smile on his face while his world spun in confusion on the inside.
"How about the rumors about your engagement being a set up, could that be in any way true?" To this both Brooke and Lucas tensed a bit, Brooke overcoming the shock faster, she after all, has always been the darling of the press.
"You know, actually, in a sense, it is. You see, Lucas and I, we didn't really like each other at first. Right Lucas?" Brooke nudged Lucas again as she got the hang of answering questions. She actually thought it's not that hard. Although a big part of her didn't know why she's doing what she's doing right now.
"That's true. Actually, our parents had this crazy idea that their kids should just marry. I mean, can you imagine us seeing each other for the first time and it's already our engagement night?"Lucas followed Brooke's lead as he tried to get the feel of it. He figured it would be easier to tell them something if it was actually based on facts.
"How is that possible?" Another reporter followed up, his voice really intrigued.
"When Brooke and I first met, it wasn't at some party or some fancy gathering. Actually, we met at dinner, one arranged by our parents. I was so surprised to see her there, and I was like, why are there other people here?" Lucas shared and some reporters laughed. Hell, Brooke did. Well, he really didn't know if it was really a laugh or just a forced one, but she did laugh.
"Yeah, and then out of nowhere our parents told us we're going to get married someday, and the two of us were like, what are you talking about?" Brooke continued with a silly voice and reporters were just more satisfied with their answers, some laughing even more.
"So you hated each other at first? How did you go from hating each other and then being in love?" A reporter asked with a smile on his face, as if amused by what he just heard.
"We actually wanted to get revenge from our parents, you know, because they were pretty persistent about it and I don't know, somewhere along trying to get revenge and now, we fell in love." Lucas answered eloquently. There were again "oohs" and "aahs" from the audience, only right now, it was louder.
Even Brooke had a content smile on. So maybe they're fooling everyone, but it sure is way better than risking social suicide right? Plus, she figured Lucas would be in big trouble if they did as planned, so she chose the more positive option right?
"I'd like to address this question to Lucas." The reporter began, as Lucas nodded towards him. "You were a completely different person some two and a half years ago, is that right?" The reporter asked as if putting Lucas on trial. To this, the blonde tensed a bit as he felt panic slowly creeping into his body.
"Yes, that would be true." He answered casually, as all the scenarios he played in his mind earlier that day flashed on to him again.
"So is Brooke Davis the reason why you decided that it's time for change?" The reporter asked and Brooke looked at Lucas nervously because it took him quite a while to regain his composure.
"It's a mixture of a yes and a no, actually. I mean, I was at a bad place then, and I felt like I needed to get out you know. By the time I met Brooke, I was already a changed person, and from then I'd like to think that I became a better person because of her." Lucas answered as someone who's in love would have.
Brooke wanted to believe the illusion that someone actually became a better person because of her. Then again, she knows better. Everything he said was just beautiful words spun together to make people believe they're in love.
Brooke could see both Rachel and Peyton scowl in Lucas' words from the corner of her eyes. She put a big smile on, dimples and all, everything is a show, and she's the lead actress. She thought she has to do her part well if they want it to sell, which right now is what they really intend to do.
"This one I'd like to address to Ms. Davis." The reporter began and Brooke was caught off guard, thinking all the while that they will be focusing on Lucas for a while. Unconsciously, she grabbed Lucas' hand from under the table where no one actually sees.
Lucas looks at her a bit worried that she might now know what to say, so he gives her a hand soft squeeze as if assuring her it's going to be okay.
"Were there any other people aside from the two of you who knows about your relationship?" As soon the question left the reporter's lips, Brooke felt relieved because she had actually thought of how she'll approach it.
"Just a few, actually, uhm, my two best friends over there, Rachel and Peyton." Brooke answered as she nodded to her two friends who just smiled at the people who turned to see them while Brooke gave them an apologetic look.
"How about from Lucas' side? Didn't anyone know?" The reporter followed up.
"No, actually, my brother, you know, Nathan Scott, he knows about it and his wife Haley knows too." Lucas added as he felt Brooke didn't know if she could include the other Scotts. Lucas eyed his brother who just had a straight face on, not minding to give the press as much a smile.
A guy, probably one from the organizer's side butted in telling everyone that they only have thirty minutes left. After hearing that, both Brooke and Lucas couldn't feel more relieved, then again they didn't expect the reporters to suddenly go wild.
"From the pictures, there weren't any of you two kissing, why is that?" One stood up, to this Brooke had an immediate answer.
"I guess it's because we kept our relationship too long you know, that maybe it got kind of a habit to not kiss in public." Brooke answered, which to her point of view pretty much made sense.
"About the hiding the relationship, why did you choose to hide it? And going back to my earlier question, for how long?" Jerry from the Daily post asked again.
"We chose to hide it, why?" Lucas began as he turned to Brooke who just shrugs. "I guess because we just didn't want people to, I don't know, watch out when we'll break up. I mean, being in this industry, we can't deny there are a lot of couples who looked good when they we're together but ended up breaking up. We just think that we look good together, we feel great together, and we want to stay together. So, yeah, I guess that's why." Lucas shared with a laugh. "And oh, to answer your question, we've been together for 10 months now." Lucas finished as he gave Brooke's hand (which he's still holding) a soft squeeze.
"10 months? Wouldn't that be too soon?" A reporter from the back asked loudly, enough for everyone to hear. Lucas still answered it though.
"I guess if you're in love you just know, you know? When it's time, you just know." Lucas answered again turning to Brooke and at that moment he couldn't feel more confident with his answers. If only they had truth in it.
"So when's the wedding?" One finally asked. Lucas and Brooke actually thought it'll be the first question reporters will asked them, but they were obviously wrong. Both of them looked at each other with smiles on, of course that was all acting.
"We don't know yet. We really haven't decided on a date." Brooke answered with the happiest face she could ever muster. More questions came up but the guy earlier had announced that the time is up and if they still want to clear some things, they'd have to set up an interview.
"How about that first public kiss!" A photographer shouted from behind. Brooke and Lucas froze for a moment. Of course they'd have to at least kiss. Real couples do that, except the two of them really aren't a couple.
"We have to sell this." Brooke whispered as she gave Lucas a peck on the cheek. For a second she thought she heard someone say 'boo'.
"Come on, that wasn't a kiss." Some other reporters remarked which caused both Brooke and Lucas to panic. Brooke squeezed Lucas' hand (which she still held on) as if asking for support, as she was starting to panic.
Slowly, Lucas caringly cupped Brooke's cheek and planted a kiss on her lips. Brooke was shocked but was able to get over it quickly when she realized she had to respond to add more realistic effect to it. Cameras flashed and the only thing that Brooke Davis thought about that moment is how she'll make her parents pay for everything. To one who didn't know anything about what's going on, that kiss held so much promise in it that it made the world fade away.
They broke apart and this time they let go of each other's hand. An awkward feeling came about, until their friends called out to them with very questioning looks on their faces. Ignoring the questioning looks she both received from Rachel and Peyton, Brooke immediately dragged Lucas towards the elevator and hit the close button repeatedly. Peyton and Rachel followed by Nathan and Haley were rushing to them, and she just hopes they don't make it because she really doesn't have the answers to their questions right now.
As the elevator doors closed, she sees the eyes of the four people before them grew wider, and also a figure who looked familiar to her, someone she had buried in the deepest parts of her heart. She just felt relieved for a while knowing she wouldn't have to answer so many questions for a couple more minutes, and to the fact that she could just be seeing things. The elevator began to ascend and when they were on the fourth floor, Brooke pressed the hold button startling a very silent Lucas. They needed to talk.
Brooke was the first to speak. After all, she was the one who really called the shots earlier. "First of all, I would be lying if I told you I did what I did for you. Partly, it was also for me. Second of all, not because you're not the primary reason why I did it, doesn't excuse you from telling me what the hell is going on and—" but before she could finish, Lucas grabbed her on both sides with such intense eyes.
"Thank you, Brooke. You don't know how much this means to me, and I know this was a big favor so I promise to tell you everything." He finished then pulled her into a hug which she totally didn't expect. She didn't really know what to do so she just run her hand through his back as if trying keep him at ease.
When he pulled away he still looked at her so intense, she felt conscious already. "I'm sorry I had to kiss you." He suddenly blurted out. Brooke's eyebrows furrowed. "Was it so bad you had to say sorry?" She managed to tell a joke and smiled at him as she watched him squirm. "No, it's not like that, I mean you're a good kisser, shit, did I just say that? What I mean is—" He rambled but was cut off when Brooke spoke again, this time in a laughing tone.
"It's okay Lucas, I've kissed a lot of frogs before. Besides, we had to sell our story. It's not like the kiss meant something, right?" She tells him in a silly tone and he was just truly relieved that she wasn't at the least upset about it. "So? I'm a good kisser?" She teased as she nudge him playfully then putting the elevator out of hold.
"Whatever it is you're holding in, don't worry about it now.." Brooke spoke as they waited for the elevator to reach her floor. Lucas just nodded as if consumed in his thoughts. "I just, I feel like it's hard for you to talk about it, but this thing we got ourselves into, it's pretty big, so I really need you to—" Brooke stopped speaking when she saw the blonde staring at her. "What?" She asked.
"Just thank you, and I know I told you that already, and I promise to tell you everything you to want to know, but just believe me when I say that I'm a completely different person now, and that I have a past, and I just…I didn't—" Lucas stopped when he saw Brooke nod.
"I understand, you don't have to tell me now, but you'll have to tell me at some point, okay? We don't know how long we'll do this, but when you feel you're ready to talk about it, I want you to consider telling me. Just don't worry too much. We all have our skeletons in our own closets." She finished then looked outward as the elevator door opened. The two of them walked together towards Brooke's suite, and just like she had anticipated it, Peyton, Rachel, Nathan and Haley were already waiting by the door. She felt a little relieved that there were only four of them, it's like she just confirmed that she was just truly seeing things.
Brooke had her apologetic look on, so did Lucas. The four were silent at first, thinking maybe who had to speak first, but when they all spoke at the same time, both Brooke and Lucas couldn't help but laugh. "This is so not funny." Haley told them with a glare them which caused them to stop laughing, although the glare in fact is only intended for Lucas.
"Here I thought you two were so against this idea yesterday." Rachel remarked. It seemed that the red head was the most calm of the four. She looked confused earlier, yes, but that doesn't mean she's not enjoying what's happening. "Can we just go in first and grill these two after?" Peyton suggested which got her a glare from Brooke. Nathan stifled a laugh at the blonde's suggestion and couldn't help but agree.
Just as soon as the door to Brooke's suite closed, Peyton faced her with a look. Something that tells the brunette to not make her blonde friend ask her what's going on anymore and just take the initiative to talk about it. "Ok, I know, you have a lot of questions, and we will try to answer each one of them as much as possible." Brooke started and then finished with a huff.
"This feels like de ja vu." Rachel commented while Nathan nodded in agreement while he looked over to his wife who doesn't look very much pleased. "Can you guys tell us about it now? Or do I have to beat it out of you, Lucas?" Haley asked, as the hormones acted up again, which probably caused all the mood swings.
"I'm sure you want to know why we did this, but I don't have any other answer for you guys other than that we didn't want to risk social suicide." Brooke stated simply, leaving her previous encounter with Lucas in the dark.
"Ok, this morning you were up to this. Even when this guy showed up, you were still up to it." Peyton stated as she pointed to the other blonde with a finger. "Then suddenly, you weren't anymore. What happened?" She asked which caused some eyebrows to raise.
"You're right, Brooke has nothing to do with this." Lucas defended. "I just, I don't want to risk the image I have built for myself by telling everyone that the engagement they were so thrilled about was a fake." He finished then the four were silent. "I just, we didn't want to be thrown into this situation, okay? But we were, and now we're here. We're just doing damage control, and I thought this is what's best—for now." Lucas explained and the four seemed to understand what he's talking about.
"You're right." Rachel spoke and five heads turned to her. "I mean, I was just happy to hear about Brooke dating, that I dismissed the fact that she didn't even tell me, but then I found out it wasn't true, and well, here we are." Rachel huffed. She did really felt bad about how things turned out. "Yeah, me either." Haley admitted as she blew on the hair that covered her face. "But what are you planning to do now?" Haley asked, quite intrigued about what they really have in mind.
"Honestly Hales? We have nothing." Lucas admitted and Brooke nodded in agreement. Peyton had a scowl on her face while Rachel and Nathan were just shaking their heads. "The most we have is that we pretend for a little while then break up." Brooke informed the others looking at Lucas who understood.
"That makes sense. A lot of celebrity couples break up their engagement. That could actually work." Nathan thought for a while then ended up telling them that the whole idea might not be stupid after all. "Yeah, take for example Jennifer Morrison and Chase Spencer, she had the ring but they still broke it off. Speaking of the ring, shouldn't you be wearing it?" Rachel asked because she wasn't sure if her friend was wearing it.
Brooke raised her hand and displayed the embellishment. "I still can't take it off, and by that I mean I've tried every possible way." She told the red head when she raised an eyebrow. "Well, you'll just have to worry about taking it off when you decide to break up. Which leads me to my next question, for how long are you going to do this?" Peyton was the one to ask and the two didn't know exactly what to answer.
"Maybe three months? Four? Five tops!" Brooke quizzically answered, while Lucas looked at her as if asking why. "Three isn't so short. Four is average. Five is just about time to actually back out on the marriage." She told them, which puzzled Nathan and Lucas but not the other three women.
"Okay, we don't know what you're talking about, but it sounds pretty good, so yeah. Most probably in that range." Lucas added diplomatically, then can't help but look at the phone that has been ringing the moment they arrived, but just chose to ignore.
"So where are you both going to live? I mean does Brooke move into your house Lucas? Or you move in here?" Haley asked catching the two completely off guard. "I…uh, It doesn't really have to come to that." Brooke answered nervously, she didn't see that one coming. "Yeah, a lot of engaged couples don't live together until they're married." Lucas added as he stuttered a bit about Haley's crazy ideas.
"You're kidding right? I mean, you guys don't actually think about just going back to your lives before this right? Because that life is gone, I mean, for the next three months at least." Peyton explained getting exactly what Haley is trying to say.
"What they mean is that you two are now 'BRUCAS'" Rachel explained as she quote the name in air. "There's still a Brooke and a Lucas of course, but people will always look at you now as a couple, and couples, live together. In fact you're not just a couple, because apparently, according to a newspaper I've read this morning, you're the couple of our generation."
"Where the hell did BRUCAS come from Rach?" Brooke asked exasperatedly, not believing a thing her friend is saying. The red head then pointed to an entertainment article that featured the 'couple' and apparently, their new found fans had named them as BRUCAS.
"We have fans?" Lucas asked not believing what he just read, looking at Brooke who was just as surprised. "I guess someone really has to move out and move in eh?" Nathan commented, as Brooke and Lucas looked over at each other. Lucas let out a heavy sigh. "It's ok, I'll move out, I mean, move in, if it really needs to be done and if Brooke's fine with it." Lucas told all of them which really didn't surprise any of them. Besides, Peyton and Rachel knew Brooke wouldn't even think about moving out.
"Nathan! We have to go." Haley suddenly blurted out which puzzled the others except her husband. "So soon?" Lucas asked as he saw the two get up from their seats.
"Yeah Luke, sorry, but it's a doctor's appointment." Hales answered at ease again. Lucas didn't really know if he liked hormonal Haley, but it surely feels great when she's as understanding as she is now. "Me and Peyton have to go too." Rachel got up as soon as Haley and Nathan had left. To this, both Brooke and Lucas' eyebrows furrowed.
"What? One of you is pregnant and has to go on an appointment too?" Brooke asked sarcastically, hating the fact that her two friends choose to leave now. "No, we're leaving because you two, need to talk." Peyton answered and Rachel nodded in agreement as she hooked an arm to the blonde. When the two left, Brooke and Lucas fell into a comfortable silence.
"Then there were two." Brooke huffed as she offered a comforting smile to the brooding blonde. "What are you thinking about? Or are you going to tell me you're leaving too?" She joked and got a half smile from him.
"No, I was just thinking…" Lucas began when Brooke said something again. "Of course you were. I think you think too much." She told him and offered as comforting smile. "I just, I got you into this, remember? If I hadn't come here this morning then this whole fiasco would've been over by now." He told her blaming himself for how things turned out.
"You're not actually regretting what we did, are you? Because that's going to suck so bad." Brooke joked. Lucas was quite amused at her behavior actually. To be able to still joke about things despite the situation they were in. "How do you do it?" He finally asked, when he saw Brooke's eyebrows furrow, he continued. "You know, still being cool about this. Still managing to joke about everything." He told her and she just smiled at him. She was just about to answer she heard a knock on the door. "Ok, hold that thought." She told him as she left to open the door. As she swung the door open, she couldn't believe what he saw on front of her, rather who she saw. She was stunned to say the least.
"Brooke." The guy said and she didn't know what to do anymore. So immediately, when she felt she could finally moved her hands, she slammed the door shut making a loud sound.
"Brooke? What was that?" Lucas asked as he rushed to see the brunette having her back on the door. Lucas just saw her shake her head no. "Just someone still asking me about the engagement." She lied, while totally felt wrong, even though she didn't know why. "So you slammed the door?" Lucas asked not believing what the brunette had told her.
"About who moves out and then moves in, I think I'll do it." She told him in hopes that the guy she just slammed the door with doesn't bother to knock, and that Lucas just drops the subject. "No, I should be the one too, I mean, I was the one who got us into this." He told her, not really sure as to why she just suddenly decided to be the one who's going to move out. "No, I'm the woman, it's just proper. Right? And you're not the only one who got us into this. In fact, I was the one who told the press we're engaged right?" She reasoned as her heart got back to its normal beat.
"Ok, just tell me when and I'll help you move your things." Lucas told her still quite puzzled about her sudden change of mind. "Tomorrow." Brooke answered, which Lucas didn't really understand. "Excuse me, what?" He asked. "Tomorrow, I'll move in tomorrow." Brooke told him. She knew it was because of impulse, but she really couldn't face her past right now, especially when she has it knocking outside her door earlier. "B-Brooke. Are you sure?" Lucas asked with a shocked expression on his face. First was the moving in part, then now her moving in tomorrow already, everything is just moving too fast.
"Yeah, the sooner we move in, the sooner we can tell them we're having problems. The sooner we can break up." She reasoned and as Lucas heard it, he did actually thought it made sense. "Thank you Brooke." He tells her again and she gives him a half smile. "I already told you, we all have skeletons in out closets." She finished then thinking of how her own skeleton haunted her.
Okkaaayyy! I'll have to cut it there. I know, this one took longer to write, and I'm just really sorry for having a hard time putting this one up. Anyway, here are my thank yous:
Jess – Loves forever : I'm not sure if this reached even half of your expectations, but as much as I wanted to have them be together and still get revenge, I just don't know how to do it. So, I'm so sorry if this chapter didn't reach the bar. Anyway, thank you for your great responses and I really appreciate the support, and you having to BUMP just so I'd put up an update already. Lol. Anyway, I hope you still keep reading.
Broodygirl: Thanks for reviewing, and also, for informing me about that typo. If you ever saw one in here, you can tell me and it'll will be very much appreciated ( I know there are a lot of them here which I failed to see. Lol.)
gigglingismylife: I'm really glad you like the past chapters. Rachel really is hilarious. I've always liked her more than Peyton, even if she did cause quite a drama on the show. Lol.
brookenlucas4eva03: Yeah, wow! Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Kajal: I glad you liked it. I made them stay together, hope that made you happy.
othgirl12: I'm so sorry if I wasn't able to do what you recommended. Anway, I hope you liked what I came up with. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
toscanegirl: I love Brooke being hilarious, and yeah, I always saw her as someone who loves to eat. Lol. Is that weird? Anyway, they stayed together. Now, you'll have to watch out if they'll fall in love. Lol. I'm kidding, of course they'll fall in love. I'm going to stop rambling now. Thanks for the review.
silverfoxx01: So Brooke and Lucas did go through the conference but ended up still being engaged. How did you like that? I hope I didn't disappoint you. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing.
PeterClaire: It is right, I mean, I always saw Brooke as someone who had the passion for eating., even though she's completely clueless about how the food reaches her plate.
Brooke D.: Yeah, Brooke doesn't really know anything about cooking. That's why she burned the pie. Lol. Thanks for reviewing.
LeaCharmedOne: So, how was it? I mean, was it worth the wait? I'm sorry for having to make you wait. Thank you for reviewing though.
ILoveYouTooPrettyGirl: So that was the update. Did you like it? I know brucas aren't on the lovey dovey part yet, but we'll get to that. I'm not sure if I actually got the conference process right. Oh well, anyways. Thank you for reviewing.
wildb3rry: I'm glad you enjoyed it. Of course I'm going to keep writing! Just keep the reviews coming. Lol. I really really appreciate you guys taking time to say what you think about what I wrote.
sweetchristie03: I'm glad you found the last chapter interesting. Thank you for reviewing by the way. SO how about this one? Are you still interested or was it too predictable?
B.Nguyen: Glad you liked it. I hope you keep reading. Thank you for reviewing.
Brooke6404: I'm glad you like it.
psiek: I'm glad you liked the past chapters. I'm so sorry for making you wait. Lol. Thank you for reviewing. They chickened out, I guess that one was pretty predictable eh? BRUCAS!! Haha. Crazy, crazy.
TypoKween: Let me just say first that I am thrilled just by seeing you reviewed. I mean, I read your stories and I was just like, WOW! Just, thank you really. I hope you keep reading.
erika x3: I'm sorry I wasn;t able to give my thank yous for the first chapter. Anyway, thank you for taking time to read and review. I hpe you keep reading.
azmar: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you liked it.
To everyone who gave this a read, a BIG, BIG thank you. You've just made me really, really happy! I mean it!