Hi to all those that are still reading this –all of you determined, feisty, little souls that I've come to admire for your sheer perseverance 😊. I felt like having a little fun here with Steffy and Dee, so I hope you like it. If anyone should want, or like, to see something, then just write it in a review and I'll see if I can put it in for you. Oh, and yes, I've been very slack lately – I've been a bit busy 😊
PS: Sorry if it's not edited properly, I was kind of in a hurry (plumber arrived to fix a burst water pipe – so humdrum -lol)
After leaving Deacons Brooke drove around aimlessly, not knowing where to turn, or what to do, fear and devastation ruled her. Finally, she found herself out the front of Spencer Publications, she hadn't seen Bill in an age, but she realised that he was probably the only person left who could help her out and save her from begging the bank for an extension on her loan. Nodding to herself she pulled into the underground carpark and made her way up to Bills office, a plan forming in her head as she walked.
"Bill," she said smiling as she deftly bi-passed his secretary and let herself into his office.
Bill stood and waved away his interim secretary who was hot on Brookes heals and, by the looks of thing, was getting ready to tackle her to the ground.
"Brooke? What can I do for you?" he said as he watched her hurried entrance.
She smiled ingratiatingly, her fingers fluttering at her chest, bringing attention to the opened button on her shirt that provided any onlooker with a very good view of the beginning swell of her breasts.
"Bill, it's so good to see you again, I just wanted to drop by and touch base with you, it's been so long since we just caught up, and truthfully, I've missed our talks, we used to be so close. How are you? How have you been going?"
Bill looked at her incredulously, "I'm fine Brooke, and I've been doing fine for quite a while, excellent in fact, my life is close to perfect right now."
Brooke smiled nervously, "I'm so glad to hear that, but tell me, have you missed me like I've missed you? Even the tiniest bit?"
Bill frowned, as he immediately grew suspicious, "What's going on Brooke, why are you really here?"
A tear escaped Brooke's eye as she walked towards Bill. "I thought you might have heard; Ridge and I aren't together anymore, he left me because of Hope and Steffi's fight. Can you believe, he actually didn't think I had any right to support my daughter, no matter how much pain she was in due to her public humiliation, I couldn't believe it."
"I heard, I'm just surprised you thought he'd actually put up with you coddling Hope and badmouthing Steffy in front of him, not after the stunt Hope pulled. Seriously Brooke, your perfect, innocent, golden child is pregnant with another woman's husbands baby, even I - and I can't stress this enough- I, who hold Ridge in utter contempt, expected him to come down on Steffi's side immediately! I was actually surprised it took him as long as it did! But, then again, the man is weak . . . pathetic actually, so I did misjudge him in that respect." said Bill shrugging.
Brookes eyes flared in annoyance at Bills words.
"I thought you'd be more understanding Bill, especially considering how you feel about Ridge, not to mention the past we share together, the love we shared."
Bill raised an eyebrow, he thought they were slowly getting to the real reason Brooke had showed up at his door; now her not so subtle reminder of his contempt of the dressmaker, coupled with an even more blatant reminder of what she thought they'd once shared, had him thinking he finally knew why she'd sought him out.
Instead of answering her he just continued to stare, he could see how uncomfortable it made her, he knew she'd expected a different reaction, an admission of feelings perhaps? Knowing Brooke and her ego that was most likely, and it was even more likely that she had intended to use any residual feelings he might have had for her to get what she wanted from him. When he still kept staring, she couldn't help herself, she had to fill the silence.
"When Ridge left so abruptly, well . . ." she looked up at Bill from under her lashes, looking vulnerable and hurt, her eyes pleading with him.
"He left me with all of our bills, and with having to support Hope, and then her getting an annulment from Liam instead of a settlement, well, it's made me short of funds, horribly short. Oh Bill," she cried as she reached for him desperately, "I need money for my next couple of mortgage repayments, just until the money from the buyers of R.E.B.'s Designs next line starts to flow, I was hoping I could count on you for a short-term loan? For old times sake, for what we meant to each other."
She threw herself into his arms and started to sob brokenly, as Bill looked down on her he was amazed that he once used to fall for this. God, how was I so stupid, it's all so damned predictable and forced! He thought sourly.
"No!" He said as he gently, but firmly pushed Brooke away from him.
Brooke looked up shocked. "What? Bill, please, I'm begging you, I'll do anything, anything!" she begged.
Bill looked her up and down dispassionately, "Not interested Brooke, besides, if you don't mind me saying, you're getting a little passed your use by date for the sex kitten promises and fake crying, I'd suggest something with a little more maturity, not to mention dignity."
Brookes tears ceased immediately as rage at Bills cutting words enveloped her.
"How dare you speak to me like that!" She seethed. "How dare you treat me with such disrespect!"
"If you're finished your little tirade then please get out, you know where the door is. Oh, and Brooke; don't come back!" Bill interrupted as if now thoroughly bored with her.
Brooke stood there for another minute and watched as Bill calmly walked back behind his desk and pulled a folder of papers towards himself before he glanced up casually.
"Are you still here? What part of get out are you failing to comprehend?"
Brooke frowned in disbelief before quickly turning and hurrying from the office.
A moment later a knock at the door had him looking up again, half expecting to see Brooke standing there, instead it was Liam.
"Was that Brooke I just saw enter the elevator? Asked Liam in surprise.
Bill nodded, "how did it go with Steffy today," he asked before Liam could start asking questions about why she was here.
Liam sighed, a morose, hangdog look on his face.
"It didn't, she basically turfed me out and said it was over and there was nothing I could do about it. I don't know what to do Dad. I know I messed up, but I now know that she's the one I want. Why couldn't I have realised this sooner?"
"Because you're an idiot," said Bill in exasperation.
"Honestly Liam, you can't blame the woman for how she feels, not after the hell both you and Hope put her through. Maybe it's time you started thinking about being single for a while, keep your options open, and for God's sake, don't rush into yet another relationship just because you're mourning Steffy or Hope! Go out, have some fun, learn who you are and what you really want, and then maybe you'll be ready to settle down for good. Maybe then you'll be able to find a woman who wants you."
Liam shook his head and stood, as he walked to the door Bill said,
"Just remember, don't do anything stupid, well, nothing more stupid than what you usually do anyway!"
Liam gave him the finger as he walked out, he decided he needed a drink – or ten.
Bill shook his head, at least this time he'd actually told his wayward son some home truths, something he'd been meaning to do for a long time, hopefully, this time, he'd take note.
All in all, it had been a good day so far.
Meanwhile, over at Forresters . . . .
"Hey boss," said Adelyn's assistant as she walked through the door of her office.
"Hi Annie, what's up?" she replied as she paused in her work to see what she wanted.
"You said you wanted to know if Steffy Forrester paid a visit to hair and make-up while they were in today, well she's been there for a while and is almost finished."
At Adelyn's look Annie held up her hands, "I know, I know, but it's not my fault I swear, my request to be informed if she turned up must have got a bit lost in the ether because they've only now just called me."
"No biggie," said Adelyn, "I just wanted to know because I'm curious as to when Steffy will be showing Marius the finished look."
"Marius?" said Annie in surprise, "why would she be showing him, doesn't he just do Couture?"
Adelyn realised she'd been thinking aloud and might have let the cat out of the bag, so thinking quickly she replied, "Marius came up with the hair idea the other day when he was down here, I thought it was only courteous to thank another designer by showing him what his idea looked like, especially someone like Marius, he's kinda a big deal around here if you haven't noticed, while we're just the trolls in the basement."
Annie nodded and before thinking about it said, "Oh yeah, not to mention he's smoking hot as well, all that dark hair, not to mention those dark eyes, the assistants and models go a bit gaga every time he walks past, panties drop en masse – not that he seems to notice. Talk about things that make you go Mmmmm," she sighed.
She blinked several times as she realized the inappropriateness of her musings to her boss so quickly added. "Anyway, I'm afraid she's going to be to late, I just saw him leaving, and he looked as though he was carrying an overnight bag, so I figure he's off for the weekend."
Adelyn looked at Annie in horror, this wasn't happening, Steffy had waited so long for this moment, and she'd been waiting right alongside her old friend, sharing her phone calls, texts, and emails, sharing all her pain, and frustration since her and Finn had parted ways.
No, this isn't happening, not on my watch! She thought determinedly.
She quickly picked up her phone and rang Marius' assistant and found out she'd booked him a flight to Vegas and he was on his way to the airport as they were speaking. After getting the flight number and particulars she hung up and jumped to her feet, speeding out the door without a backward glance, she had to find Steffy, now!
Steffy looked up wide eyed as Adelyn came barging into the make-up room.
"Hey Dee, they were just about to call you to come and have a look at the make-up and hair for the run through, so what do you think?" she asked as she stood.
Adelyn shook her head, "No time at the moment, sorry," she said as she grabbed Steffi's arm.
"C'mon, we gotta go, now!"
"Dee? What's going on?" said Steffy in confusion as Adelyn started dragging her to the door.
Adelyn turned around, "I just spoke to Marius's assistant, and she's just booked him a flight to Vegas, he's already left the building and is on his way to the airport now." She whispered quietly so that others couldn't overhear. "Now do you want to catch him or not?"
"Damn it, but I'm not dressed, I've been trying on your lingerie with the purple trench coat you found me, and my make-up and hair is definitely not cut out for every day airport patronage." She fumed, "this is all Liams fault, the idiot!"
"Steffy, time for a decision, you've got no time to change if you want to catch him, and that trench is halfway between your knee's and your calves, so it's certainly not indecent. And girl, if anyone can pull off that hair and make-up it's you, now, do you want him or not!" Adelyn whispered urgently.
Steffy stared at her for a moment, if she were being honest, she'd been thinking, and dreaming, about Marius for weeks. She was a normal, healthy woman, with a strong libido, and her musings and daydreams about Marius, and her undeniable attraction the man, was making her, well, there was no other word for it; horny!
Marius made her feel aware of herself as a woman, he made her feel powerful, sexy, like she used to feel. Added to his natural attractiveness was that hint of danger he seemed to exude, Steffy liked that, she was a little dangerous herself – or she used to be. For years now she'd picked what she thought were the "right" men, the decent, kind, hardworking men, the type of men her mother wanted for her, but deep down, well, deep down she'd always been attracted to the dangerous, and now, when she'd finally worked up the courage to act on her feelings, that idiot Liam had gone and ruined everything, and the object of her desires was jetting off to another state!
No, she didn't want to wait a moment longer, and after what Marius had walked in on, who knew what he'd be thinking about her and Liams relationship now.
My god, she thought, he could hook up with anyone in Vegas, while I'm sitting back here with my damned daydreams, all revved up with no place to go! No, she shook her head. Liams not taking this away from me, not this time, the old Steffy is back in charge and she takes no prisoners. The Bitch is back!
She looked up and at Dee a determined look on her face.
"Okay, let's go!"
As it turned out, the ride to the airport turned into a blood curdling horror fest. Dee had given Forresters young limo driver the order to pretend he was in Fast and Furious ten, and floor it, unbeknownst to anyone, the driver was a great fan of the franchise and took her at her word. He dove in and out of traffic, leaning on the horn as he swerved between cars and trucks, never seeming to slow for an instant. Steffy and Dee simply closed their eyes and prayed, fortunately they arrived at the airport a full ten minutes earlier than expected, and despite both Steffy and Dee being left pale faced and clinging to their respective seatbelts like lifelines, they thanked him.
Steffy jumped out of the car first and took off inside the airport, somehow managing to hurry in stiletto's that were never meant to do anything bar having someone walk provocatively in them.
It wasn't long before Dee caught her up, unfortunately, five paparazzi had also seen her entrance and were scurrying towards them like a school of sharks sniffing a freshly baited chum line, and from the looks of it, another two had followed them after spotting them leaving Forresters.
"Damn it," she muttered as she slid across the seat and followed Steffy as she half ran, half walked into L.A.X.
They quickly made their way to the right gate and as they drew near they saw Marius on the other side of the glass partition in another part of the lounge area, he was just rising and grabbing his bag as an announcement for his flight boarding came over the speakers.
Steffy started calling to him and waving frantically, luckily another man saw her and pointed to himself, she quickly shook her head and pointed to Marius. Looking a shade disappointed the man tapped Marius on the shoulder and pointed to Steffy.
As he turned Steffy smiled and waved for him to join her. Marius's initial look of surprise turned to a frown, he tapped his watch, pointed to the ceiling, and started to walk forward. Steffy panicked and turned to Dee,
"He's going to leave!"
At Dee's pitying look Steffy grew fierce, her rage at being left behind, and the thought of the man she wanted finding another coming to the forefront of her mind.
"Not if I can help it!"
She undid the belt on the trench coat, and as Marius looked back one last time she opened it, letting it fall to her waist.
Marius didn't know why Steffy was here, but after having seen her and her ex-husband kissing, he knew he had to get away for the weekend before he did something unfortunate, like beat the daylights out of Liam Spencer, or walk into Steffy Forresters office and kiss her so thoroughly she would forget the name of her ex – either scenario would have worked for him. Knowing he could do neither, he decided to beat a hasty retreat, and now, here was Steffy beckoning to him, just as his flight had started to board. He glanced back one last time and there she stood, her arms open wide, and the trench coat she was wearing falling down to her waist exposing both her, and the lingerie she was wearing to him.
He knew immediately it was the exact same outfit she'd been wearing in Adelyn's office, but this time she was sporting the hairstyle he had suggested to go with it. Unfortunately, that was all he got to think about because he walked straight into a support pillar and nearly knocked himself out.
For Adelyn, who was trailing along beside Steffy several things seemed to happen at once. First Steffy decided to flash half of the airport by dropping her trench coat and showing off her lingerie. Second, a gaping Marius walked straight into a marble pillar and staggered backwards into another man who was also gaping at Steffy, after gathering himself he turned and started running back towards the exit to join them. Third the ever-present Paparazzi who had just caught up to them started snapping pictures, as everyone with a phone began to film what was going on. As the shouted questions began Steffy turned to Adelyn, only now seeming to become aware of their entourage, and of what she'd just done.
"Dee?" she said in quiet alarm.
Dee swallowed, "don't worry mate, I got this, trust me, just go, be with him, and make it good, I'll cover as best I can. Now go!" she whispered urgently.
Steffy took off, meeting Marius at the gate to the first-class lounge. Marius didn't say a word, he simply swept Steffy into his arms and walked away.
Dee turned back to the paparazzi who were now turning to follow Steffy.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, not to mention our wonderful viewing public," she said loudly as she beamed around at all of them.
"Thank you all for being the first to witness just a taste of Forresters brand new lingerie collection. I'm Adelyn Bryant, head designer of Forresters brand new collection to which you've just had a glimpse of. And if you haven't already guessed, we've begun to build on the phoenix line to produce a line of lingerie for woman who are unapologetic of their needs and desires. A line for the outspoken, the freedom loving, the woman who won't be held back by the hypocritical morality police who want to cage both her, and her sexuality! And that is just a small taste of what you'll be seeing later in the week when the full show commences!"
"So all of this is just a put on?" said a small man as he took one photo after another.
Adelyn forced a giggle, "C'mon, you guys you've been lucky enough to get the exclusive, time to run with it. Me, I'm just happy that marketing convinced Steffy and Marius to go along with their idea." She grinned.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to leave you to do what you do best."
She smiled and walked swiftly from the airport, where, much to her chagrin she had to hail a cab to get back to Forresters so she could explain what she'd done to Wyatt Spencer, who was now in charge of online marketing.