Chapter 43 -added 04/27/2023

Don't tell her. That was Hope's last request. It's too late to regret but at that moment, it didn't feel like it was wrong. Tazing Hope was unintentional. Finding her in the Instagram model's suite days later with all her memory back was shocking and terrifying but relieved at the same time to see that she was back being the same person she used to be. But it was also weird because anyone in her condition would immediately go for a complete checkup not continue asking the same questions she did that night. Not even the Instagram model could persuade her to go see a doctor but Hope did say she will. No one knew where she went until that moment Rocko called. It was a coincidence but now thinking back, all the signs were there. Hope might have known where Neeva was all along. Hope went there, not just for the Instagram model but mainly for Brie. If she survives this, she's going to kill Neeva. Then she's going to kill that guy…for Brie.

For Brie, having sex with a stranger isn't the first time but this time obviously has an effect on her. Having a nightmare that got her groaning multiple times showed that something else happened other than what she was expecting. Anyone in her situation wouldn't want anyone else to know. What happened cannot be undone. It will take time to heal and forget. That day will come. But as much as she doesn't want to be reminded of last night, that's not possible because it's not over yet. It would be if she did it for money. She did it out of guilt. She did it in exchange for a promise, a promise that can be broken at any time. So there's only one way to make sure her sacrifice isn't for nothing.

"If he changes his mind, I'll get Rocko to-" Riley stopped talking after getting another glare from Brie and regretted talking about it now. Waiting would've been better. Everyone is cranky in the morning. The long shower obviously didn't help. Brie is looking like she didn't get any sleep last night and possibly thinking of killing anyone who knows. If she wants to kill him, she can but not now. What she can do now is prevent future problems from happening. Riley extended it towards Brie while knowing this might not be the right time but the sooner, the better.

"I'm fine." Brie responded as nicely as she could even though she's not in the mood but did so because Riley doesn't deserve to be yelled at even though this is partially her fault. Being here is her fault. Hope's condition is her fault. She gave Hope more information about Brooke which led her to think that Brooke could still be alive. The outcome could've been different if she did not. But last night's decision wasn't hers. She wouldn't have known about it if she didn't see what happened last night and now she's doing the only thing she knows to help. Talking about it isn't going to help. Threats won't change his mind. A headache pill will only take care of headaches and nothing else. Brie continued to get dressed until she heard the three words 'just in case' which could mean just take it before the headache starts but now looking at the pill more closely, it seems unlikely because it's as small as a sleeping pill. This isn't the time for sleeping. That can't be a vitamin. The only thing that can be is a morning-after pill because those 3 words would make sense coming out of a pimp. Does she carry a whole pack with her all the time? It doesn't matter because Riley doesn't seem to understand the meaning of 'I don't want to talk about it.' An explanation is now necessary before she tells Rocko what to do since there's a very good chance Rocko will find out why and might just kill him for Hope.

It wasn't meant for Riley to know. But there she was in the hallway last night. She didn't see the slap but she saw which room I came out of. She saw the tears, the mood I was in, and how I was reacting after waking up from the dream. All of that happened so saying 'nothing happened' isn't going to convince her.

"I...begged him."

Begging and kneeling weren't enough. It never does with a man. Offering money didn't work just like Aria said. Only one thing would but he wasn't foolish to take the offer. That was expected. What wasn't is to get a detailed description of the deal. It wasn't going to be quickie. He said. A time limit of 1 hour is given. He said he would be gentle. He wants it to be slow like making love to a lover. The requirements did sound strange but it's not unheard of. Some wants love not just sex. He doesn't look like a creep. He's not an average guy either. He's like Christian with the beard, but cuter. Just think of Christian. It's not going to take him one hour. That was the plan until he added 2 more requirements in the last minute. Nervousness instantly turned to fear. Blindfolds would be doable. Having wrist tied together is not even if he said he would never use force and he will stop if requested. At that moment, a thought instantly appeared. He's like that guy with the psychological issues in the overrated BDSM movie.

"I didn't do it." Riley doesn't need to know the details. All she needs to know is that he wasn't willing and nothing can change his mind especially now. But it seems that nothing can change her mind either. Use his friends to threaten him? Use the tall blondie? This shows that she doesn't believe that nothing happened. This shows she has done this before. That's what it sounds like. "Don't. They have guns." Using force would only make the situation worse. "Let me try something else." It's the only way to stop Riley from continuing with her plan.

"Don't. Hope wouldn't want you to."

She's right. Hope wouldn't. Hope would kill him if she knows. "I'm not going to." Using sex for favors doesn't work on everyone. Last night, he didn't seem like he's one of them. Why else would he say he would do everything he can to help Hope when he doesn't even know her? It was a lie. Why else would he make his demands only after the offer is made? He was waiting for it. It was difficult to tell what his true intentions were. Last night, it did feel like he was playing with me because why else would he want me to say 'I love you' when he knows that it would only be a lie? Why else would he add those 2 requirements after I strip down to my undies as he requested? Some men are jerks. It was to see what I would be willing to do for Hope. It was to humiliate me. That's what it felt like at that moment until after waking up from the dream.

Only one lamp light was on. The room was dim but a lot could be seen. He was taking it slow like he said he would. He was gentle like he said he would be. It wasn't rough sex. It was what lovers do, making love. Feeling pleasure was unexpected. It was hard not to since he was doing what Hope did that night, kissing and touching the right spots. It was impossible to pretend that those soft lips belong to Christian without the blindfolds. Christian doesn't have dimples. Christian had also once said 'I will always take care of you' but it didn't sound the same as his. His somehow sounded more sincere.

I love you Brie.

He doesn't mean that. Why did he say that? No one has ever said that, not even Christian.

You love me?

Why ask when he knows the answer? I- The first time was easier but now…why can't I say it? They're just words. Just say it. Don't give him a reason to back out. Just do it. "I…love you. I...love you...David. I love you David. I love…"

It wasn't real but somehow it felt real. That feeling in the sensitive area was still there after coming out of it. The heart was pounding so fast, it was aching but it wasn't caused by fear. It was caused by realization. Dreams appear when the mind is filled with worries but this time is different. This time, the mind could remember it because that's what he said he would do before adding the 2 demands.

Humiliation wasn't his intention. It was to make me see his point. I wasn't willing so why should he? It was to make me see that he's right. Each time I'm with someone else and each time I hear the name David, it will remind me of him. He wasn't playing with me. He was fucking with my mind!

Brie hurriedly puts on the shoes, getting ready to head out to look for him even though she's not sure how to change his mind. But that's not what she's thinking of. She's thinking of slapping him again. But first, Riley needs a reminder. "Don't tell anyone. Got it?"

"Okaay. But I can't promise he won't."

That's a good point. Why didn't I think of that? Not enough sleep, that's why. Ughh. He might already have. Guys talk. Guys brag. Guys are the biggest liars.

Brie quickly headed for the door after getting another thought, then realized she's wrong after opening it. He didn't leave? He's here and apparently he thinks I'm naive to fall for it again. The apology sounds sincere. A misunderstanding is not a good reason.

"Can we talk privately?"

He must think he's really smart or I'm really stupid. Only one apology and he wants to come in? Sure. Brie opened the door wider, then realized she couldn't do what she was thinking of because for some reason Riley thought it would be a good idea to be holding a tazer before the door is closed. Door is locked now. There's no need to wait. Why is she holding it if she's afraid to use it? Give me that. This won't kill him. It didn't before. It would hurt more than just a slap on the face and it would've worked if that darn chair isn't in the way. But it seems that he came for another reason. Riley is confused too. "You know my sister?"

Ohhh…craaap. Lucy puts the chair down. Aria wasn't lying. Brie does look a little like Brooke. Oh crap! Aria's intention is now clearer than before. Sex didn't happen last night but Brie did strip down to her undies. There wasn't inappropriate touching but getting her to touch herself is inappropriate. Ohh Jesus. "I am so sorry." Lucy gave a short explanation of what her intention was last night, then left the room with the help of the chair.

"What?" Brie asked, wondering why Riley is pulling her back from following.

"He's dangerous."

Well yeah but "Didn't you hear what he said? He knows Brooke." Who's she calling? Rocko? Rocko can provide protection but can't she see there's no need to? Apparently not since she thinks David is going to come back with his guys which doesn't make sense until she asked 'Why do you need a bodyguard?' Ohh no. Riley doesn't know why but she's right. The point of moving from one place to another is because Christian has enemies and they know about his relationship with Brooke. He must somehow found out so he asked to confirm. Now he's probably letting his people know and getting ready to go after Christian by using me. Door is locked. Brie quickly got out the phone and hoped Christian doesn't ignore the call this time until she realized what Riley is also thinking. Never did she thought of that but Riley did and it is possible because his apology did sound genuine. It's possible he was apologizing for Brooke if he's responsible for her death.

Meanwhile

"Where the hell is she?" 7 am is early but not for a doctor. There's no way she would be out. She's injured. This is her room. Isn't it? She didn't leave in the middle of the night. Did she? It would be possible since no one is looking after her. But why would she? This is her place. She would if she doesn't trust Petrie. Lucy again knocked on the door until she heard noises. Ohh shit. Many times, she had thought about this and now it seems like it's coming true. Brie isn't Brooke but at this moment, it feels like she is standing at the end of the hallway next to Amy. Many times, she had tried to prevent Amy from knowing. It didn't work. This time it's not going to work either so there's no need to try. Lucy quickly barged in after the door opened, then locked the door because if she doesn't, Amy would prevent her from doing this. "I'm going to use this in 60 seconds if you can't convince me Brooke's death has nothing to do with you." Lucy said while aiming the gun at Doc's leg. "Tell me!"