Hey guys! Here is another update for you! I am working on the others don't worry; I saw your request for another update to Manifested Danger so I am headed there now! Hope you enjoy! Stay safe! Love you!
Mercedes stared at herself in the mirror, curling her hair as Jean walked in, holding a garment bag. The 39th Annual Metropolitan Black Bar Association Gala was tonight, and Mercedes was an honored guest there along with her Mentor, Roz. Anyone who was anyone would be there, including that slim Anthony Rashaad.
With Mike in their pocket and all of Mercedes's notes at her disposal, it was like her brain and body just knew what to do without any memory. Her case was sound against Mayfield, but she still needed one thing: Anthony to go down.
With him going through her things, it mainly was his word against hers, but if she could get him to slip up tonight, she could finally end everything. But considering she had no idea who he was or if she could pull it off, she was nervous. Very nervous.
"Here you go, sweetie; your dad just got it from your place."
Mercedes turned to look at her mother, who was wearing the hell out of a silk blush gown. "You look amazing, Mom."
"Don't I know it? Your dad gonna get some tonight, honey!"
Mercedes laughed as Sebastian Snorted. "Jean, if I am like you when I grow up, I will die a happy man."
Mercedes sighed, looking at the garment bag her mom placed on the bed.
Jean smiled, moving to her daughter. "Give me that curling iron; let me finish your hair. We don't have all night, you know?"
Mercedes handed it to her mom as she turned to look into her vanity. "I am feeling really nervous about this. From what my diary said and what you guys told me, Anthony is an asshat and a bastard, but he's not dumb. I can't go to this thing; I wouldn't know how to act or what to say…."
"Sweetie, you will be fine, you go to this every year, and it will be like riding a bike, just like everything else. Besides, you are being honored; you have to go."
"And you will have all of us there!" Sebastian said, fixing his tie. "We have been quizzing you all week, and you got this. If we want to get Anthony along with Mayfield, we need to do it tonight; it's the only time you will both have to be in the same place because we both know the one thing he can't resist is you. Anthony has wanted you since that one and only date you had."
Mercedes looked at Sebastian and then at her mother. "Okay…I know, I know, I am just…nervous… he's so slimy… it's why I never slept with him. Said I would probably slip right off him." She giggled.
"That and Sam." Sebastian said, giving her a knowing look.
"Sam… I don't even know what's going on with that. But that man is so damn hot and so damn frustrating."
Jean smiled. "He's still not giving you any?"
"Mom!"
"What? You have read your diary, so you know we talk about his stuff."
Mercedes laughed. "I know, I know. I just. He's been so good, we both have when it comes to not having sex, but the way I wrote about it in my diary and the way he makes me feel when I am kissing him.." She shook her head. "Let's talk about anything else. Like, how about Sebastian is finally taking Blaine on a date? Something he has wanted since Senior year of high school."
Sebastian shook his head. "I regret telling you that."
"My diary told me a lot too. About how you and he had just started dating when we both got into Harvard, how you had to make the hard choice too."
"Blaine and I are never getting together, so stop with your wanna-be matchmaking theories. We are just too different, and we want different things. We are only going together because it makes sense, nothing more."
Mercedes sighed as her mother curled her hair. "You gotta stop thinking you don't deserve love. After Hunter, you just buried yourself in sex and didn't care about finding meaning in it. Aren't you lonely?"
"No! I have you." He said, sticking his tongue out at her through the mirror.
Jean sighed. "You two need to realize that men like that don't come around every day. They are worth fighting for. This is a second chance for both of you. Blaine has to be at the Gala, so it makes sense that he goes with you, Bas, so open yourself up to maybe. And Merce, if you want sex with Sam, then tell him and take it. The man wants you too; he is just respecting your father."
Mercedes heard a soft knock on the door and smiled when Mary walked in. "You two have two very handsome men waiting for you downstairs, and they wanted me to let you know the limo is almost here."
Mercedes smiled. "Are you guys sure you don't want to come with us in our limo?"
"We are sure a town car suits us just fine; now, come get dressed."
Mercedes nodded as she pulled out the gold dress from the bag. "Damn…I must have known I wanted to knock everyone's socks off this with one." Mercedes laughed as she moved to step into her bathroom.
"Okay, I need help with my zipper." Mercedes said, stepping out as Jean helped her quickly.
"Wow, Merce," Sebastian said as he stared at her.
Jean and Mary stepped back, and both smiled brightly. "Damn baby girl, you may just give Sam a heart attack yet."
Sam fiddled with his tie as Blaine, Dwight, and Jonah waited for everyone to come down. He hadn't planned on going to this thing but knowing it was essential to Mercedes's career, even if she didn't remember, and it was essential to her case, he made his deal with dressing up in a tux and being there for her.
It was a big deal also because she was being honored. He wasn't surprised by her community service and excellent court record. Glancing at Blaine, he smiled.
"You look pretty nervous, Blaine. Care to share?"
Blaine side-eyed him. "You and your girl are not slick. Sticking with me, Sebastian, on purpose."
"Please, you act like you haven't been drooling over him since he walked back into your life. We are doing you a favor."
"Why don't you do yourself a favor and focus on yourself? We barely had anything, so what does it matter now…even if he is still the hottest guy I have ever seen, and he reminds me of the Flash."
"Uh huh, even if his singing voice still makes you weak. Karaoke last night when he and Merce sang, you almost fell out of your chair."
"Says the man, practically drooling over Mercedes! When are you going to let go and just be with her?"
"It's complicated!" Sam said frustratedly.
Jonah cleared his throat. "You hear that, Dwight? Things are complicated for our boys."
"You would think that you have learned nothing serving under us." Dwight laughed.
"Sam, Blaine, you two sound like two hens clucking. Relationships are tough, but it's about what you want. Do you love them?"
Sam smiled. "More than ever. I have loved your daughter since the moment I met her. And being a part made it go away, but not fully. Getting to know her, helping her remember me, it helped me remember why I fell in love with her."
"Getting to spend this time with Sebastian made me remember how great he is, how much he makes me laugh and miss him."
"Look, use tonight for a chance to let it go. Let go of the past and enjoy the moment."
Mary and Jean walked down the stairs; Mary was wearing a navy blue floor-length dress similar to Jean's. "I know we will," Dwight said as he and Jonah stood.
Jonah moved closer to his wife. "You are vision, my dear. Beautiful."
"Jonah, we very well may be the luckiest men in the world tonight."
Sam watched as Mercedes walked down the stairs in her Gold dress. The silk off-the-shoulder, corset-type, mermaid/trumpet dress clung to her curves as the brush train trailed behind her. Her hair fell in curls over her shoulders; she wore her heart necklace and silver chandelier earrings. Her makeup was subtle and natural. "Not a chance." Sam breathed. "I hold that title."
Sebastian followed her and smiled as Blaine walked closer to him. "You look really handsome, Seb."
"You do too, Blainers." Sebastian teased him.
"Babygirl, you are a vision."
"You are right indeed, Jonah. She is gorgeous."
"Mercedes, you look so…wow…breathtaking." Sam smiled.
"You look handsome too, Sam." She said, blushing. Sam wore a gold tie and vest that matched her dress; his hair was brushed back, and his trimmed goatee made him look like the handsome and sophisticated date he was.
Mercedes grabbed her purse and exhaled deeply. "Well, it's now or never."
Sam moved closer to her. "You should thank Sebastian and Blaine."
She raised her eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because if they weren't riding with us, we wouldn't make it tonight. You look good enough to eat."
Mercedes giggled, shaking her head. "You are naughty."
"Oh God, do I want to be." He teased as he led her to the limo. Once the parents were off in the town car, Sam grabbed the champagne, pouring them each a glass.
"Here is to Mercedes on her wonderful night ahead and to all of us."
Sam eyed Mercedes from the side of the stage as the party was in full swing, and she stood above the crowd; she was indeed a vision in gold. Every move she made caused him pain in the most pleasurable way. The way she laughed or touched a colleague, he wished it was him. If he hadn't known she had lost her memory, he would believe she knew exactly what she was doing.
"I want to thank you all for this amazing award. I have worked so hard to make sure that people who were wronged or hurt received the justice they deserve. I won't pretend its an easy job; between the threats and actions of harm towards me, it takes a toll, but I am fortunate to have staff, co-workers, family, friends, and people who mean the world to me at my side letting me know that it's going to be alright. That I am doing good in this world." Mercedes said, wrapping her acceptance speech. She had written it months ago, apparently, when she found out she was being honored. And it was pretty damn good if she said so herself.
Looking over to Sam, she smiled at him. "So thank you for this award, and please be kind to each other; we only have this life; let s make the most of it."
An applause rang out of the room, and Mercedes smiled as she was escorted off the stage. Sam moved closer to her.
"That was wonderful. You are a pro."
"I am or was nervous, and it felt like me but still not me. This whole thing is still so surreal."
He led her to her seat as the rest of the ceremony finished. She leaned into him. "Anthony is here somewhere; I heard Roze saying so. Are you sure I can do this?"
"I have never been more sure about anything in my life." Sam said boldly. "You got this. Just have faith in yourself."
She smiled. "I do... because of you. Sam, you inspire me."
Sam smiled as Sebastian moved towards her. "I am going to go over to Blaine; Seb got you for now."
"You sure you can't stay by me?"
"Anthony won't approach of I am here. It's okay. I am in your ear; if I hear anything is wrong, I will be beside you."
She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Okay."
"Remember, tonight you are in black widow mode; let him think he is doing you a favor by telling you everything you wanna hear. Men like him get off on thinking they are the smartest men in the room. Let him believe he outsmarted you. Then go in for the kill when he's royally screwed himself."
Mercedes smiled. "I love it when you get all fired up."
Sam laughed, kissing her once more before he grabbed a drink and walked to the bar.
"She looks good out there." Blaine said, standing next to him.
"She looks right at home in this world."
"That is because this is her world, Sam."
Sam sighed. "I know. Any sign of Anthony? She said Roz said he was here."
"Oh, he's here and has been eyeing Mercedes for the last hour. You sure you wanna stay away from her for this?"
"If he sees me around her, he won't approach. He needs to feel like he can steal her from me."
"Your parents seem to be having a great time." Blaine said, nodding towards Sam's parents, dancing next to Mercedes.
"They are; I am glad they came; I think we all need their support."
"Oh, look, Anthony is making a move." Blaine said softly.
Sam watched as Anthony walked over to Mercedes, slinking his arms around her waist. Sam balled his hands into fists as Blaine shook his head.
"She can handle it, Sam. Trust her."
Sam exhaled, nodding. "I do trust her, Blaine. I love her."
Mercedes laughed as Kurt flirted with Sebastian. "Kurt, you are barking up the wrong tree. I am telling you, he is here with someone."
"Doesn't mean that I can't try, hell he and his date can join me upstairs for a good time." Kurt teased drunkenly.
"Well, this is where the party is." Anthony said as he wrapped his arms around Mercedes's waist. "You look breathtakingly beautiful."
Mercedes moved from his arms, recoiling from his touch. He must have been Anthony because his touch made her feel slimy. "Get your nasty ass hands off of me."
Anthony laughed. "Oh, baby, you know I love it when you talk to me like that."
Mercedes turned towards him folding her arms across her chest. His eyes went to her breast.
"Boy, have I missed that view?" Anthony smiled. "Come and dance with me."
"And why would I do a stupid thing like that?"
"Because you know you look good on my arm." Anthony said, getting cocky. "And that so-called boyfriend of yours left you unattended."
Mercedes exhaled, shaking her head. "I am going to get some air." She said, walking to the balcony, knowing he would follow her; Anthony craved her attention, and the more she ignored him, the more desperate he would get.
"Why are you running from me, Merce? That man could never give you what I can."
"You mean now that you have officially betrayed me?" She spat faking anger.
"We have worked together for years, and you just decided to take on the man I am representing?"
"Not exactly." Anthony said, trapping her between the balcony and himself. "See, I have been working for Mayfield since before I joined the prosecution office. He needed to know if a case was ever against him, and I was the man to do it. That is until you showed up in all your fine ass glory."
Mercedes shook her head. She wasn't sure if she suspected he was dirty, but the man was dripping off it now. "You betrayed us."
"I did what I had to. It's just that simple. And now I have to do what I have to do. Your case… it's airtight. I don't stand a chance against you, and I can admit that. So I have to do what Mike and his boneheads couldn't. Once I take care of you, Mayfield will get his men out, and I will be invincible."
"Invincible? Really? I don't think so. I think you are crazy as hell if you think you can get away with it. What's to stop me from going in there right now and telling them?"
Anthony gave her a predatory stare. "Because I am going to have my way with you, right here finally, and then, you will fall over this balcony. It's a tragic accident, but it must be done."
Mercedes scoffed. "You got it all planned out, don't you? Down to the last minute?"
"Yes. I am a man who is aware of who he is and what he wants. I have wanted you from the moment you walked into the office."
"You have, haven't you?" Mercedes said.
Anthony moved closer to her, running his hands down the silky material of her dress. "I wish you wore this for me…."
"Yeah, well, I didn't, and there is something you should know about the man I did wear this for."
"And what's that?"
Mercedes ran her hands up his tailored suit jacket and gripped his shoulders as she noticed Sam waiting on the other side of the balcony. "He doesn't like to share." She hissed seductively as she held onto his shoulders, kneeing him as hard as possible, so he had nowhere to go but feel the pain.
Anthony screamed out as Mercedes pulled her arm back and punched him with a right hook. Anthony fell over, crying out, and Mercedes shivered off his touch. "You have no idea who you just crossed you, bastard! As if I would ever let you touch me."
Sam moved to her, taking her into his arms. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "I am okay. He just… he made me feel so dirty."
Sam lifted her chin so she could look into his eyes as Sebastian and Blaine walked in with security. "I am sorry you had to do that."
She shook her head. "It was worth it. I got everything we need."
"Someone care to tell me what's going on here?" Someone asked.
Mercedes turned to see the head guard staring at her. "He attacked me, and I came out here for air, and he just tried to…." She shook her head as they picked Anthony up.
"We will take care of him; ma'am; make sure he gets handed into the authorities."
Mercedes nodded. "Thank you, sir."
They watched Anthony get carried away, and Mercedes sighed. "I guess we can leave not that; that's handled."
Sam shook his head. "No, you promised me a dance."
She inhaled deeply as she stepped closer to her. "Come dance with me, beautiful."
Mercedes sighed with a nod as Sam pulled her onto the dance floor, wrapping his arms around her as 'Uptown Funk' played. She laughed, seeing Blaine and Sebastian dance around each other, acting as if they didn't want to be together.
Mercedes pulled Sebastian and Blaine to them as she danced between the three of them, letting go and enjoying the moment. 'All of me' began to place, and Mercedes pushed Sebastian into Blaine's arms as Sam pulled her to his. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I like this song…right?"
"Yes, baby, you love John Legend."
She nodded. "Sounds like it."
Sam ran his hands down her waist as he moved closer to her. "You are a seductress in this dress; you know that?"
Mercedes blushed. "What? I am not."
"Yes, you are; I think you bought this dress to try and seduce me, Mercedes Jones."
Mercedes took a deep breath and looked away. "I think…I think you might be right."
"I am just teasing; there's no way you could have bought this for me; you didn't know I was back in town."
"Sam, I may not have my memory, but I am falling in love with you…I can see so clearly why I was in love with you."
Sam leaned in and kissed her deeply. "If you are trying to get me to take you right here, you are doing a great job."
"Sam, I want us to…I want to be with you tonight…."
"Meaning…" Sam asked, wanting to be sure.
"Sam, I want you to make love to me tonight."