The arrival at the Elle Gala ...
Brooke and Chris had just parked the car. Chris was bubbling with excitement as they approached the reception venue.
CHRIS : I love how people stare at us without understanding why we're so dressed up!
BROOKE : It makes me a little uncomfortable, thank goodness it's just around the corner!
CHRIS : We don't have the chance to count on our personal driver to drop us off in front yet, my dear!
At that moment, Brooke was thinking of Felix. She'll miss him too... But as they turned the corner, Brooke discovered the commotion in front of the Palais Garnier. Journalists were taking pictures of the guests arriving... And passersby were watching from the sidewalk.
BROOKE : We really have to go through this, I guess!?
CHRIS : Oh yes, my dear! And you'll see how exhilarating the feeling of being a celebrity is.
Chris took Brooke by the arm to pull her with him.
CHRIS : It's easy to be a star, you'll see! You smile, you wave and above all, you shine!
Not hearing his wise advice, Brooke's legs followed his rhythm as she tried to calm her stress.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Come on Brooke, no need to panic, you're a complete stranger, after all!
CHRIS : Careful, here we go... Head held high, elegant and confident gait... Are you ready?
BROOKE : It's too late to ask that question, I guess! And I don't want to break your joy but we are far from being the most interesting... Let's go but don't let go of me.
CHRIS : I've got you darling... Because I'm even more handsome next to you!
And as they joined the line of guests who were moving towards the stairs, the flashes dazzled Brooke. Chris showed an impressive relaxation, Brooke imitated him despite her feverishness. She heard around her: Magnificent, absolutely magnificent! , Incredible, who is this young woman? Their outfits are breathtaking, especially this dress... It's so feminine, so chic, so worked... And so modern . Brooke wasn't sure if it was her they were talking about but yet everything seemed to indicate it.
CHRIS : Stop Brooke, let them immortalize this moment and satisfy their fascination!
When Brooke dared to pose more frankly, journalists addressed her while machine-gunning her.
JOURNALIST : Who are you miss and especially whose dress is that you're wearing? Peyton Scott's?
CHRIS : Don't answer them darling ... Just pique their curiosity!
Chris and Brooke continued to climb the steps. Not used to social events, Brooke hoped to find a little more calm there.
CHRIS : I told you you'd attract all eyes! How do you feel?
BROOKE : I don't feel in my element!
CHRIS : You're doing like a pro! Now we can enjoy...
Brooke smiled at him even though he had no idea what she was most afraid of. She didn't know if they were already inside... If they were together or if she would be alone.
SECURITY GUARD : Can I see your invitations, please?
Captivated by the man who was addressing him, Chris didn't react immediately.
SECURITY GUARD : Your invitations, sir?
CHRIS : Uh, yes, yes... Hold on, they should be here...
Seeing that he was pulling himself together, Brooke let him do it, but the invitations weren't in his pocket. Chris gave Brooke a worried look as he pulled down his front pockets... And as he continued his search, Brooke heard the commotion coming from the street: "Here they are!", "Peyton, are you honored to be the star guest at this party?!"
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Oh no...! Not now!
REPORTER : Lucas! What a joy to see you again alongside your wife, especially in these difficult times...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Shit, shit, shit! He's here! He's with her and us... We're here like idiots!
Panicked at the idea of being rejected while Peyton and Lucas were about to make their entrance imminently, Brooke didn't want to have to ask them to help her get in! She wanted something else... Despite her rage, she wanted to be like an apparition, a suspended moment that would make his head spin... That he only sees her in the crowd... That he regrets every word spoken last night and that he is hypnotized.
BROOKE : Chris please! Tell me you have them!?
CHRIS : Yes, look! They were inside my jacket!
Brooke exhaled in relief but didn't give Chris time to try to approach the security guard.
BROOKE : Forget it, he's clearly straight by the way he looked at me... Come on, quick!
CHRIS : But Peyton and Lucas are following us, I think... What if we waited for them!?
Chris didn't know anything. So he obviously didn't understand Brooke's eagerness to avoid them.
BROOKE : Do as you feel, but I'm too thirsty!
CHRIS : I see! The call of alcohol before that of professional responsibilities!
BROOKE : You're the one who told me to enjoy myself just a few minutes ago! Are you coming with me?
CHRIS : I'm not going to break my promise at the very beginning of the evening! Let's go get a drink for the alcoholic!
Without waiting any longer, Brooke moved forward and climbed the steps leading up to the reception room.
CHRIS : Not so fast, Cinderella... Or you want to twist your ankle or worse, you'll lose your vertiginous pumps!
BROOKE : Brush up on your classics, Chris! It was on her way down and at the end of the evening that she lost her shoe!
While going up, Brooke turned her head several times to check that they had not yet entered.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : They must be asking and being harassed with all kinds of questions... That gives me time!
Arriving at the last flight of stairs, Brooke and Chris entered the large reception room. The place was simply sumptuous, the gilding and the chandeliers magnified the high ceiling. Brooke had already attended an opera in the performance hall but the whole building was an architectural marvel! Marble, mosaics, huge mirrors and paintings adorned the Grand Foyer... But not only that... His eyes also spotted familiar faces... Celebrities from all walks of life... Music, fashion and even cinema. Every time he passed someone, Chris, very comfortable, greeted them as if he knew them personally. When Brooke intercepted a server, she took two glasses to hand one to Chris, she emptied hers halfway.
CHRIS : You were thirsty!
And as she was about to get a waiter and her tray of petits-fours, a lady joined them.
DEBIE : Good evening Chris, I knew it was you!
The woman who spoke to Chris was simply magnificent. Brooke would say that she did not look her age at all.
CHRIS : Debie! What a pleasure to see you again!
Tall and with wavy and voluminous blonde hair, she embodied grace, class and elegance.
CHRIS : Let me introduce you to Brooke ... Brooke, this is Debie, the head of the fashion section of Elle. And incidentally also, my former internship tutor!
BROOKE : You did an internship at Elle, I didn't know!
DEBIE : He was and will probably remain my best intern! In any case, no one has yet managed to dethrone him!
She then turned to Brooke, who was impressed by the character, his figure and his function.
BROOKE : Nice to meet you, ma'am, it's an honor to meet you...
DEBIE : The pleasure is all mine, Brooke! To tell you the truth, you're the one who caught my eye...
CHRIS : Still as frank as ever... And nice for me!
DEBIE : Oh don't be touchy, Chris! You're the first one I greeted and you're still as handsome as ever...
CHRIS : But...!?
DEBIE : But I have to admit that this dress caught my attention as soon as you entered...
Brooke's cheeks flushed. She remained speechless with astonishment and Chris went faster.
CHRIS : Imagine that...
DEBIE : Oh, there they are! Excuse me! We'll talk later, without fail!
And as Chris was about to finish his sentence, a remarkable and remarkable entrance took place... The Scott couple! Peyton was very elegant and she was wearing one of the dresses from her collection... It was predictable. She advanced slowly. Then Broke's eyes inevitably deviated to the one who stood next to her... Her husband. He didn't seem particularly happy, nor particularly unhappy to be there... It even seemed like he was somewhere else. But the second thing that struck Brooke was to notice how handsome she found him! Even with his slightly neglected style... His Italian suit was perfectly tailored. Lucas was sublime. Brooke's fingers tightened around her glass of champagne and she swallowed with anxiety and excitement. Debie was deep in conversation with Peyton and with Lucas as well, but he was scanning the room with his eyes. Brooke was more or less fifteen meters away from him... She hesitated to turn around or even pretend she hadn't seen him. But at that moment, Lucas's gaze locked with hers, she was simply unable to look away. Lucas narrowed his eyes as if he wasn't sure, as if he still had a doubt... And for good reason. Brooke's glamorous hairstyle and her curly hair, her refined makeup... As if an invisible force had made her look in the right direction...
LUCAS' THOUGHT : It's her... No doubt now... It's her... In better! As if it were even possible!
When their eyes locked on each other it was as if nothing existed around them anymore. There were no guests, no music... There was only him and her... And this invisible bond between them. But Lucas was not yet at the end of his surprises. A small group of guests moved and he saw her entirely.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Holy shit!
In a quarter of a second, his brain panicked as much as his penis in his pants.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Transparency, too much skin revealed, her curves to die for... Fuck!
And despite the distance, his hungry gaze on Brooke instantly warmed her. She swallowed. She felt beautiful and desirable through the eyes of the one for whom it mattered to her... She inhaled proudly.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : It seems to be having its effect... Perfect!
LUCAS'S THOUGHT : I can't have a hard-on now... I have to stop staring at her! Easy to say!
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I know you're almost regretting your choice because you like what you see so much...
LUCAS'S THOUGHT : I need to talk to her, I can't wait much longer... I need her...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I should stop looking at him, I'm supposed to be mad at him... But the way he stares at me...
LUCAS'S THOUGHT : I still don't know why she left and it hurts me so much... Even more when she's in front of me! If you could read my eyes Brooke... look how much I miss you, how crazy I am about you, damn!
But Lucas didn't move... And that look became almost painful because it was so contradictory.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : How can he say things like that the day before and not take his eyes off me the next day? This man manages to make me feel the worst emotions, as well as the best...
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Before I approach her, I'm going to smile at her... And see her reaction... If she gives me even an ounce of smile, I'll throw myself at her... Well, I'm going to talk to her immediately.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Because he finds it funny too... No, that's great Brooke! Weakness is over even if no one has ever had such power over me... He doesn't deserve you!
Brooke's gaze darkened as much as her features, she was now avoiding him with her eyes just before turning her face away.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : She hates me... I don't know why... Well, I do know, but we had managed to resume the dialogue. Something happened and I need to know what! I will not leave this evening without having at least, and if nothing else, clarified all this... Even if my only desire is to tell her how much I love her and how much I want to be with her... For good. Forever. For what she is and what she awakens in me...