Chapter 42 – Reflections
Sunday 18th March 2018 – 22.50 pm
MI6 Headquarters, Vauxhall Bridge, London
"It's like you're my mirror. My mirror staring back at me.
I couldn't get any bigger with anyone else beside me.
And now it's clear as this promise that we're making.
Two reflections into one."
Lauren ran down the corridor, desperate to get to Bo. Desperate again to explain. It felt like all she did was explain herself and her actions and hope Bo understood. Now it felt wrong. What she was doing wasn't protecting Bo. It was lying to her. Like the others did, shrouded in the guise of protection, it was selfish. It would be something she would change. She needed to change. Lauren knew that. So much confused her, but her love for Bo didn't.
Jack was standing before her, and she hadn't noticed until it was too late, "Christ, Jack, get out of my way."
"Looking for Bo?"
Lauren stopped and turned to face him, "What do you know about that?"
"I went to find you earlier. But instead, I found Bo at your desk looking through Government files." Jack smirked, "So I thought it best to take her to my office until I decide what to do."
Lauren breathed a sigh of relief. Bo hadn't left her.
"Nice little collection of files you had on her…."
Lauren interrupted, "All legally gained, and nothing comprises government protocols."
"Yes, but she was illegally in a Government building." Jack continued, "So it really doesn't matter."
"I invited her," Lauren crossed her arms, "She has an important meeting with her agent tomorrow. I wanted to ensure she had all the facts and information."
"If you say so," Jack laughed. "Lauren, I am not interested in that little project. But you will need my help, and to do that, I want something from you."
Lauren's eyes widened.
Jack smiled. "So we need to talk. Let's make a deal?"
"No," Lauren answered.
"I will have you both arrested….."
"Do what you need to do, Jack." Lauren again interrupted, "But I won't be making any kind of deal with you."
"Really?" Jack was surprised, "You would have Bo arrested for Aggravated Trespass of a Government Building, and you arrested for Breach of Confidentiality Law rather than make a deal with me?"
Lauren looked at Jack, who was staring at her. Never before had Lauren seen him back down, but neither could she. Lauren's gut turned.
Jack turned, pressing his intercom and speaking quietly into his radio. Two MI6 officers appeared and approached Lauren, AK assault rifles in their hands. "On the floor now."
"Have you seen the floor?" Lauren protested, "If it's all the same for you, let's do this standing."
Lauren took her gun, snapped the bullet out of the chamber and released the clip; all in one swift action, and handed it over to the officer in front. Next, she put her hands in front of her, and they handcuffed her and led her away. Lauren looked back to see Jack had slid back into his office.
Lauren was thrown into a room and patted down, her pockets emptied, and her body thoroughly checked.
"Miss", One of the officers threw her onto a metal chair, "Sit."
"Please call me Lauren. I insist that anyone that frisks me like that use my given name. And to make things clear, it's Agent Lewis." Lauren motioned to her badge attached to her belt, and the two agents eyed each other. "I work here for Director Edwards, so run along and get him for me."
Jacks Office. MI6 Headquarters, Vauxhall Bridge, London
1hr Later…..
Evony laughed. Seeing Bo on the other side of the glass, handcuffed to the desk. "Thank you, Jack, for calling me."
"Technically, I can't hold them more than eleven hours without a charge." Jack replied, "Agent Lewis is getting interviewed now, but initial reports suggest she sneaked Bo in. So Bo will be released with a caution and a ban from entering the building."
"Has she spoken yet?" Evony asked.
"No, she has remained quiet, stating she will only speak to a Lawyer or Lauren." Jack raised his eyebrows. "And as a civilian, we can't question her without consent."
"Smart kid." Evony looked proudly through the glass, "She is finally learning."
"And it looks like Lauren will take the fall for her taking all the blame." Jack continued. "Whatever she was doing here, Bo wasn't looking at files."
"Why? What makes you say that?" Evony turned to face him.
"She isn't wearing underwear." Jack whispered, "I saw her bare arse."
Evony laughed, "Fucking hell."
"So what's happening tomorrow?"
"We are meeting with the Lawyers. She wants to leave me. After all that I've done for her and her career, can you believe that? It's damm right rude." Evony placed her palm on the window, knowing it was a two-way and Bo wouldn't see her, but she wanted to feel closer. "I looked after her since she was eighteen, and this is the thanks I get. She wants to leave me for a fling."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I also lose Lauren." Jack shrugged, "She also wants out too. It may feel like a fling to us. Three weeks isn't long, and a five-year hiatus. But to them, they have made a fantasy out of it. It will blow over."
"And if it doesn't? Is there nothing you can threaten them with, make them need us again?" Evony asked.
"Afraid not. Bo will be out in an hour, and Lauren was never really mine." Jack replied. "There was something else. I found a copy of her contract on her, and Lewis has been digging into her financials. When questioned, she said she was helping Bo to prepare for the meeting."
Evony laughed. "Well, she will get nowhere with that. As soon as Lauren was back on the scene, I hired someone. Someone perfect who helped me move her assets. If she leaves me, she has nothing."
"Remind me never to upset you." Jack laughed.
Evony turned to him, "Can I talk to her?"
"Sure." Jack answered, "I'll walk you in."
Interview Room, MI6 Headquarters, Vauxhall Bridge, London
Evony walked to the door and entered. Bo lunged at her the minute she saw her.
"I know, Evony," Bo stood, held to the desk by the restraints. "You've been lying to me about my finances, properties, contracts, all of it."
"You don't know what you are talking about." Evony was casual.
"I have seen copies of contracts from Mott and Carter solicitors," Bo replied, "Very clearly signed by me, except I didn't sign them."
"You signed everything I put in front of you last year; you were high for most of it." Evony resigned to the fact that Bo knew.
"In that case, I will get the studio's copy." Bo replied, "There are three copies of each contract if I remember correctly."
Evony had to think fast, "The studio hasn't got a copy. Hostile fire a few years ago, you remember; it burnt down their offices, and they didn't have a fireproof safe."
"The night Massimo stunk of petrol?" Bo sighed, hands rubbing her tired face. "Please, Evony, I just want what's mine, and I'll leave. You'll never see me again; can't you see that our arrangement is over."
"That'll never happen." Evony chortled. "You're mine until I'm finished with you."
Bo sat down; she was losing this battle.
"So that's your plan, hey?" Bo leaned back in her chair, "You plan on making me financially attached to you or lose all I have earned? Make me start over, penniless?"
"Basically, yes," Evony smirked.
"Evony," Bo said calmly, "please, let's not do this. All I want is out with what I have earned. And Evony, we both know I've earned it."
Evony traced a finger down Bo's cheek, "Yes, you did."
Bo closed her eyes, regretting Everything that ever happened with Evony.
"I'll forgive you." Evony smiled, "Tensions are high and all that. We'll discuss this again when you sign at tomorrow's meeting."
Deflated, head low, Bo remained silent.
Suddenly, Evony backed up against the wall as the door crashed open, and Lauren ran in, scanning the room like a woman on a mission.
Bo's brow frowned, "Lauren, what are you doing here?"
Lauren ran her hand through her hair, "Erm, I need to talk to you about the files."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to snoop. I wanted to write you a note you would find when you were working." Bo sighed. "Are you spying on me now?"
"Christ, no." Lauren took the keys from her pocket and swiftly unlocked Bo's restraints. "Sorry, I should have done that first."
Bo smiled, rubbing her wrists.
"Bo, it was before us, well not before us, us, but erm," Lauren stuttered, "I mean, it was weeks ago. And I just wanted to know about you, so I could help."
"Okay, I hope it wasn't for the money," Bo stood, "As I don't have it anymore, I signed it to Evony."
"Bo, you won't know anything for sure until tomorrow," Lauren stated.
"True", Evony joined in. "Bo will find out tomorrow that I own it all. Including her name."
"What?" Bo stepped forward.
"Bo DuPont sounded like a French porn star." Evony laughed, "So I registered the name, and Bo has been using it since. But alas, if she goes, the name will stay with me."
"Ahhh." Bo paced the room, hands in her hair. "What have I left?"
Lauren pulled her in close, "Me. You have me."
Bo leaned in, "really?"
"Bo, I know it may seem bleak, but things are not what they seem." Lauren placed her hands on Bo's shoulders, "It will be alright."
"No, it won't. I will have no career or money." Bo replied, "How long will you want to stay with a penniless, washed-up actress."
"Bo, I meant it when I said I loved you." Lauren smiled. "You can live with me until we sort this out and -"
Bo silenced Lauren with her lips. "I love you too."
Breaking their kiss, Lauren slammed her fist against the window, "Jack get in here now."
"We end this today."
Monday 19th March 2018 – 07:00 pm
Bo's Hotel Suite – Horseguards Hotel Suite
Bo had woken up in her bed, dressed in her pyjamas. The bed beside her was empty but still warm, with the pillows sunk into. The soft scent of Lauren lingered on them. Bo sat up. A headache formed, so she got up and walked to the bathroom to get some tablets. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape her sinking feeling. The feeling of not being in control and losing it all. Last night had been so romantic. Lauren has swooped in, declared her love, and told Jack and Evony they no longer controlled what they did. And they had left on a high.
It wasn't until they returned to the hotel room that they fought. Bo didn't want to lose it all. Her money, her brand or, more importantly, her name, and she took her frustration out on her love. Bo knew that now. She knew that then, but neither revelation stopped her from doing it. Bo was angered by Lauren, repeating that it would all be okay. Bo didn't believe her. How could it be okay that the life she had worked hard for would be gone? It took all Lauren's strength to stop her from calling Evony around for a deal. Lauren had pulled the wire from the hotel phone and taken Bo's mobile. And when she had tried to leave, Lauren had guarded the door, preventing her from leaving. Bo had been harsh on Lauren, comparing poor living and being a nobody to Lauren's life. Lauren looked punched and walked to the bedroom. Bo knew instantly it was the wrong thing to say to her. But before she could apologise for her behaviour, Lauren had returned wearing gym clothes, telling her to do what she wanted and that she was going for a run. As soon as Lauren left, Bo came to her senses and must have fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for her to return.
Reaching for her phone, Bo dialled Lauren's number, but all there was the familiar dead tone. Without any other options, she showered, dressed in a black suit, and was downstairs in the lobby in sixty minutes. A call from the driver alerted her that he was waiting outside.
"Hi, Miss Dennis," Mark said, who quickly got into step with her, walking towards the back car park.
"Hi, Mark." Bo smiled, stopped walking and pointed to his badge, "Head of Security"
"Yes," Mark grinned, "Well, it's temporarily, a trial of sorts now Earl has been fired. I have Laur-, erm Miss, no erm Agent Lewis to thank. She is an incredible woman and said she'll mentor me."
That's good, Mark," Bo patted his arm and continued walking to her car, "I am pleased for you, but I'm in a rush right now. Maybe we can speak later?"
"Yes, of course, Miss Dennis", Mark replied, opening her car door, and Bo sat down. Once inside, Mark passed her a black leather-zipped briefcase. "I was asked to give this to you; it's from Laur, Miss, erm, Agent Lew-."
Mark didn't finish that sentence. Bo took The file off him, saying, "Yes, I got it. It's from Lauren. And next time you speak to her, please ask her what she prefers to be called, as I'm sure it will be just Lauren. And please, Mark, call me Bo, as I won't even be Miss Dennis after today."
"Of course," Mark smiled broadly, not entirely understanding what she was referring to. "Enjoy your day, and see you later."
Bo smiled back at Mark. He was undoubtedly in a good mood. Touching the beautiful, soft, black leather briefcase, Bo spotted the post-it note on the front.
'Amor Omnia Vincit, LL xx'.
Bo traced the words with her finger, knowing what it meant 'love conquers all'. Holding it close, she quietly sobbed. She loved Lauren, but could she give it all up for her? Did she want to start over with nothing, not even her name? And would Lauren still want her? Maybe there was a deal where she could have a piece of Evony and Lauren?
Maybe, just maybe.
Or was a piece of either not going to be enough?
Time was up as the car pulled into the parking space at Mott and Carter.
Decision Time...
