No, these characters are not mine.

Chapter 2—

I breathe in and out like they tell you on those retarded mental infomercials or whatever they call it. I start to play with the wine glass I had in my hand and watch it in fascination as the red gets closer and closer to the edge. I lean against the ledge on my balcony as I look out onto sea. A ringing noise in the background brings me out of my stupor and I in turn tilt my head back in annoyance.

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm going to go away for a little bit."

"How little are we talking about? A week? A month? God forbid, a year?"

"I don't know. All I know is you'll be seeing me."

"Kathryn."

His voice fades away as I walk out the door.

I leave the glass on the ledge as I begrudgingly set back towards my room. I glance at the caller (figures) before flipping the phone open.

"Yes?"

"Don't sound too excited for little ol' me."

"Cut to the chase Tuttle."

"How are you? And may I ask where are you?"

"Blaine…"

"Kathryn, I'm just asking because I miss my little bulimic head case. No need to get all pouty on me."

"Blaine!"

"He misses you. He's been scouring all over God's green earth to find you."

"Oh, how sweet of him. Shall I come flying back into his arms like some fairy tale? Main female character wanted some space after a series of incidents and gets an epiphany of her ignorance when she hears of main male character reach a pathetic level of desperation. Spare me. I told him he'd be seeing me. I don't plan on going back on that promise. So just tell him to continue fucking waiting."

"Valmont is not your regular patient person Kathryn. In fact, his temperament when he doesn't get what he wants can match yours. If you don't get your fine little ass back here soon, he's going to want to find and castrate you instead of exchange flirty snide remarks."

"In faith we must prevail. Goodbye Tuttle."

I click off as he protests.

Looking around my settings, I ponder of how I can possibly leave this place. I do miss the chaos however. Things just got too complicated. My relationship with Sebastian went to a new level and I couldn't get caught up in something permanent with him. I needed escape to deal with my thoughts. Having someone understand me to such a degree… I don't know.

"Kathryn…" someone whispers behind me.

"Leave now." I say with the most force I could emanate.

"I fucked Annette."

"Yes, I know."

I can tell he's shocked by the way he intakes a sharp breath feel his clothes rustle as he straightens up.

"How did you know?"

"Does it matter?"

We remain where we are in silence as he tries to rack his brain for something to say.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to get to this…"

I didn't feel like hearing him out and start to walk out towards the balcony but stop when I feel a tight grip on my arm. I can tell his nostrils are flaring with a passion now. Damn him.

"Let me the fuck go." I respond.

"Would you let me finish you impatient little bitch?"

"I will if you cool it with your goddamn temper and release your hold on my arm. Believe me, I could have you kicked out with one simple high-noted scream by a few hidden burly men you haven't seen yet and wouldn't want to meet."

He releases me and I remain.

"The level we were reaching was scaring the fuck out of me alright?" He pauses to run one of his hands through his hair. I can tell by the sound of it. He takes a breath before he continues. "The caresses, the comfort, the safety. It was suffocating me. We were suffocating each other. We were acting like some old married couple and it slightly disgusted me. We were changing into people we despise. So I had to fuck up. Something had to stop this cycle. Don't fucking say you weren't beginning to feel the same. If it wasn't me, it would've been you."

"Leave now."

"Kathryn."

"Enough!" I began to clench and unclench my fists as a fire began to set off within me. "I told you to wait. I told you that you'd see me soon on my own terms. All you had to do was wait. But no. You couldn't even do that. You had to seek me out. To continue this game of suffocation. You're right Valmont. If it wasn't you, it would've been me. But it wasn't. You have no right to be here right now invading my space. Get the fuck out Valmont. And if you try to further convince me to go with you now, I won't be coming back at all."

I haven't turned around once during this exchange but I can feel his soul crumpling. That's right asshole. Leave now. I fold my arms together and noticed that my back is back to being completely tense as I hear his shoes scuffing the floor. He draws a breath.

"Go."

I don't loosen my body until I hear the door click in resignation. I turn my head to look over my shoulder at the door and drop my arms. When I look back toward the balcony, I notice that my glass of wine has disappeared. I walk back out and see him in all his power suit perfection holding my wine glass up to his nose.

"Well done. I was beginning to wonder where your spine went."

"Thank you."

"If we weren't related by blood, well, let's not go there. I know you like to twist up relationships no matter whether or not it's legal." He smirks at me and I pinch him in the arm.

"Ouch. Now was that really necessary?" He says as the smirk has disappeared from his face.

I snatch the glass away from him as I start to walk away from him.

"So how was your meeting?"

"Ghastly. I'd rather have been swimming out there." He nods towards the water. "It's such a glorious day, don't you think?" Erik asks me while smiling the same smile he probably does that makes most girls swoon over him.

Erik Merteuil. Billionaire playboy, CEO of one of the most prominent media companies in the world at 21, and one of my dear cousins. I've heard girls talk about his dark green eyes and how they want to jump him when he gives a mere glance towards their direction. Personally, I don't see it. But there's be something much more inherently wrong with me than I thought if I did.

"What's stopping you?"

"Wouldn't want to leave my beautiful cousin all alone."

"Oh please. Just go. You look like you're in desperate need of a good fuck. I'm sure one of those girls swimming out there can appease you."

He looks at me in shock and puts his hand over his heart.

"Are you alright Kathryn?" He strides over and feels my forehead with his palm. "No fever. What's going on? You're being generous. That's so unlike you."

I slap his hand away and scowl as he chuckles at me.

"Why don't you join me? Come on, it'll be like old times when you came here during the summers as a little girl." He smiles at me and I consider his proposition.

I was about to say yes when without warning, he has plopped me over his shoulders and starts to carry me with him out the door. My fists pound on him while he just laughs in that easy way that he does.

"Live a little Kathryn. Then, maybe, you can get back to your life in New York. I love that you're here and it's been a pleasure. But we both know where you belong."

I stop pounding him while my mouth slants upwards involuntarily. I'm beginning to make it too easy for men in my life to understand me. Goddamn them all.

Vm: I'm glad you liked it. You have no idea how relieved I am. And I didn't think I would update this quickly but the words are coming to me. Hopefully a writer's block doesn't turn up.

S: Really? It was not just pretty good, but great? Yes, that does make me feel better. Haha never thought I'd see the day for role reversals where you're the one reviewing my work.

Summerlandlover: Thanks, I'm glad you found it interesting. I personally hate it when I get bored with reading something.

Reviews are always welcome.