Finally I could upload these chaps.!!! The site was not working!! Thanks to Foxy4ever as always... Enjoy ;)
Chapter 22
On Monday, Brooke and Ilana had finally closed the deal and got the rights to publish the upcoming biography of Naomi Campbell. It was almost 3:00 O'clock.
– I'm starving. What you feel like? –Ilana asked Brooke.
– I'd like some meat.
– Oh, there's a great steak house at Sunset Boulevard, we can…
– I'm not leaving the hotel, remember? –Brooke interrupted, cutting Ilana off.
– Oh, come on! You still have that paranoia?
– We have a deal. And after today, you owe me big time.
– Okay, fine! Then why I'm asking you? Let's go to the damn lobby and pick a restaurant here.
– Now we're talking.
Ilana and Brooke had their meal in peace with a nice chat. They had the rest of the day free, but since Brooke was determined not to leave the hotel, they decided to stay at the lobby bar, have a drink and talk until they got bored enough to just go to bed and then leave the next morning.
The plan was working beautifully and Brooke at last forgot her obsession of running into Patrick, Jack or anybody related to them there. After all, she and Ilana were at the lobby of a hotel in the city where these people lived in, it's not like they had something to do right there.
– I need to pee. Be right back… –Ilana said.
– Okay.
Brooke was waiting placidly when she saw Hurley walking out the elevator and heading to the bar, walking straight in her direction. Oh-my-God! This can't be happening! I can't hide anywhere! Please go away! she thought, going into a panic attack. All that could occur to her was to stick on her sunglasses and hide behind a menu, so lame. But it was too late. Hurley had seen her.
– Dude! –Hurley yelled at Brooke, but she ignored him at first. – Dude, it's you! –he insisted, now standing beside her and patting her shoulder.
– Excuse me? –she replied, hoping he thought he was confusing her.
– You're Jack's chick! –Hurley affirmed with an open smile. Brooke felt her blood boil after she heard that statement.
– Hey! –she answered with a wide, fake smile, not knowing what to say.
– What are you doing here?
– I'm just… hanging out. –she replied, feeling she was two seconds from hyperventilating.
– Oh man! Jack's horrible, he never tells me anything, he didn't mention you were here. –Hurley said, afflicted.
Brooke froze. It was clear that Hurley had no idea she and Jack had lost touch. She didn't know what to say. – Well, you know, the thing is… I just came to close a deal, it's a 24 hour thing, really. I arrived this morning and I'm leaving tomorrow at first hour, so… –she explained, trying to be casual.
– Oh, I see.
– But what are you doing here? –Brooke asked, really intrigued, not believing her luck.
– Oh, I came to the spa, I come once a week to get a massage, see my nutritionist, you know… So, when you're coming back?
– I really don't know, I have a lot of work back home and... I really don't know. –Brooke replied, not giving any more details.
– Okay, you let me know. 'Cause Jack never says anything and it'd be cool to catch up, right?
– Of course.
– Well, dude, I've got to run. It was nice to see you! –Hurley said, giving Brooke a long hug.
Brooke let him embrace her and said: – It was nice to see you too, Hurley.
With that, Hurley left the hotel and Brooke went hysterical just in time, when Ilana was back from the restroom.
– Who the hell was that? –she asked Brooke, raising an eyebrow.
– This is all your stupid fault! –Brooke affirmed, frantic.
– What? What did I do? –Ilana asked, high pitched and amazed.
– Now he's going to know I'm here!
– What the fuck are you talking about? –Ilana asked, eyes wide open in disbelief.
– That was Hurley, one of Jack's best friends!
– Oh boy…
– Yeah!
– I don't believe it, your luck sucks, you know?
– I know! But you forced me to come here, even after I told you this could happen!
– Man, this is fucking unbelievable! What the hell was he doing here anyway?
– It doesn't matter! Now, get the fucking check and let's go to the room.
– Why? It's not like the doctor's coming here, is he? –Brooke remained silent and gave Ilana a furious "You've got to be kidding me!" look. – Okay, okay! –Ilana replied and then asked for the check. They left the bar and quickly got to the elevator. Soon they were in the room and Brooke now had a headache.
– Damn it, damn it! This is fucking pathetic!
– Calm down. What happened, anyway? –Ilana asked.
Brooke took a deep breath, not knowing how to actually explain what had just happened. – Well, he… told me Jack didn't mention I was here, but he assumed I'm here for him.
– How about that? He hasn't said anything, then. –Ilana said with an impish smile.
– Why would he do that? I mean… I don't understand. Hurley was just positive we're together. He even called me "Jack's chick"… –Brooke retorted, confused.
– Well, he told you he would think about it. Maybe he hasn't figured it out and…
– Why would he think I'm Jack's chick? It's nonsense… –Brooke interrupted. – Oh my God! What if Hurley tells Jack he saw me? Fuck! Damn it! Call the airline, we've got to get out of here tonight!
– Easy you freak! So what if he finds out you're here? I mean, you're not here because of him.
– You don't understand! Hurley will tell him about the whole encounter and me not saying we've lost touch! He's going to think I did it on purpose! –Brooke said, hysterical.
– Oh come on, it can't get any worse! Besides, he hasn't mentioned it either, so, you could also think he did it on purpose.
– God! I can't look at you right now, I just fucking hate you! Now he'll think I came to look for him!
– And why would he think that? Don't be ridiculous, there's no way you could've possibly imagined running into Hurley like this. This might be for the best, though… –Ilana assured.
– Really? Why's that? –Brooke asked wryly, raising an eyebrow.
– Well, best case scenario, Hurley won't mention anything, at least not today, and when Jack finds out, we'll be back home. Worst case scenario, Jack already knows you're here.
Brooke was looking at Ilana right in the eye, not understanding a shit. – Okay, so, I'm kind of lost here, how your both possible scenarios could be for the best again?
– He'll call you. Or not. But then you'll know what's next.
– What? –Brooke asked again shaking her head.
– If he calls you, you'll talk about it. And if he doesn't, well, he's not into you.
– Of course he's not into me! God Ilana! You can be such an asshole sometimes…
– I'm not sure about it, Brooke. His friend has no idea. I guess none of his friends do. Why wouldn't he say you're not in touch anymore? I'd say because he's not sure about it…
– Oh, just shut the fuck up! You're not playing with my mind this time. End of this conversation. I just want to… forget about it. I'm having a bath.
Brooke entered the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. Ilana breathed deeply. She really couldn't believe it, but it seemed Brooke was being drawn to Jack by an invisible force. She smiled to herself. This is meant to happen, she thought.
After an hour, Brooke was still in the tub. Ilana was watching TV and eating some fries. Her cell phone rang… Wait, that's not my cell phone, she thought. – Brooke… your phone's ringing. Brooke! –but Brooke didn't reply. The cell rang again. And again. Ilana checked on Brooke and knocked on the bathroom's door. – Okay little mermaid, you can spend another hour in there, but your fish tail's not growing back.
Brooke opened the door wearing a robe and a towel on her head. – You think you're funny? I fell asleep. Were you yelling at me? –Brooke asked, rubbing her eyes.
– Yeah, your phone was ringing.
– So?
– It rang 3 times. Maybe it's urgent.
– Then they'll call back.
As soon Brooke said that, her phone rang again. She took it out of her purse and checked the caller ID. She went pale. She breathed deeply and put the phone back in her purse.
– You're not picking up? –Ilana asked, disconcerted.
– Um… nope. I'm off duty now… –Brooke replied, nervous. Then she went back to the bathroom to get dressed. Ilana didn't buy it and sneaked into her purse. She checked the missed calls on Brooke's cell phone. It was Jack.