Debie informed Peyton of the various highlights of the reception and especially the little fashion show.
DEBIE : Do you want to have a drink or can I take you straight to the dressing rooms to see the models?
PEYTON : I prefer to check that everything is in order before relaxing... I'm following you! Well... We're following you!
She turned to Lucas who wasn't listening to them. He was lost in thought and staring a little further into the room.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : I'm going to talk to him... And right away! I just have to lose Peyton...
PEYTON : Lucas!? Are you with us?
He had to feel his wife's hand on his shoulder to come out of his contemplation and reflection.
LUCAS : Mmh!? What's wrong?
PEYTON : We're going to see the girls who are supposed to parade with the outfits...
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Perfect, I'll finally be able to take action!
LUCAS : No problem, take your time above all...
Peyton didn't appreciate Lucas' nonchalance at all... Especially since she didn't plan on going without him.
PEYTON : Except that you're coming with us, honey...
Lucas was bound by his promise... This stupid but nevertheless essential promise. But she was holding him and he knew that he was going to have to play it smart if he wanted everything to go as planned.
LUCAS : Reassure me, I'll still be able to go pee by myself when the need arises!?
Peyton gave him a most murderous look, but Debie's presence held her back from her cynicism.
PEYTON : Of course, idiot! Ah, you're so funny... He's so funny, isn't he Debie!?
Debie smiled but she could tell something was wrong between them.
As Peyton inspected the three female models and the two male models ready to parade...
PEYTON : Perfect, that seems perfect to me, I just hope that all these people know how to parade!
DEBIE : Like I told you, they're all professionals!
PEYTON : Good, I trust you! As soon as Owen arrives, we can start the show...! Is everything ready downstairs?
LUCAS : I'm going to go check!
DEBIE : That's nice, Lucas, but it's more up to me to go check all that... I'll come back and tell you if everything is ok!
Debie left the room to go check the set-up in the garden. Lucas was getting more and more impatient. It was as if every second that he no longer had Brooke in his field of vision was making him a little crazier.
PEYTON : By the way, sweetheart!? Have you had any news or better yet, have you seen Brooke?
Lucas was holding himself back from overreacting... Of course he had seen her... How could he not see her, anyway.
LUCAS : I think I saw her with Chris at the back of the room... She must be back on her feet, she looked in good shape...
And yet, he weighed his words... But no question of arousing Peyton's suspicions now.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : So fit that I think she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!
PEYTON : Perfect! Let's go get them so they can come with us... I've reserved prime seats for them near us.
But just before leaving, his piercing gaze stopped on the dress of one of the models.
PEYTON : You!? Your hair pearl just caught the lace!
MANNEQUIN : Me!?
PEYTON : Yes! The hole is forming and it could get bigger and bigger because the fabric is so fragile! Where is Chris!? I need him to do a touch-up right here!? I can't let you parade like this!
Lucas seized the opportunity immediately.
LUCAS : I'll get him for you, I know where he is...
Not realizing anything, Peyton was already assessing the damage in front of the more than embarrassed young woman.
PEYTON : Thank you, sweetheart! I really hope he took what I needed with him as usual!
But Lucas was already no longer there to hear him. His heart pounding, he headed towards Chris... And especially, towards Brooke.
Meanwhile, Brooke had subtly returned to find that Lucas and Peyton had disappeared from the Grand Foyer. And as she ruminated a little more on Lucas's incoherent attitude, someone handed her a glass.
... : Yours is already empty, so I thought I could be gallant towards such a pretty young woman...
The man standing in front of her was none other than the rising star of French song, he called himself Matt Pokora. Last year's male revelation, his lyrics were dark and poetic, just like him...
BROOKE : Thank you!
MATT : Don't thank me... I'm the one who is honored that you accept it... Let me introduce myself, Matt Pokora but especially Mathieu.
BROOKE : Good evening Mathieu... I'm Brooke. I never imagined that I would meet you at this kind of event...
MATT : Imagine that neither do I, but I have strangely changed my mind since I have been near you ... I do not know if it is this dress that is right ... Or your face that is ... Or even your smile ...
BROOKE : In any case, the author composer that you are is losing his mastery of words.
MATT : It may not be obvious, but I am already composing a song about you in my head.
BROOKE : Oh really!? And what would this song be about!?
MATT : It will be about the innocent beauty of a woman who is not aware of it, which makes her even more beautiful. Of the power she can have over the male gender and the images and fantasies that she gives birth to in them ... Even for the most insensitive and tortured of men ... That's saying something!
Brooke smiled warmly at him, she found him relatively charming with his slightly rebellious but romantic air. She didn't see Lucas approaching just after sending Chris to Peyton's... He saw her with him... And as he approached, it drove him crazy to see Brooke simpering and smiling at this guy who wasn't him.
LUCAS : Brooke!?
Brooke would recognize that hoarse and captivating voice among thousands... Lucas's, right behind her. She dared to look at him and surprised him threatening his astonishing suitor with his gaze. He was jealous, it was obvious and it made her furious as much as it delighted her... The tension was already rising. Lucas moved closer until he stopped almost between them and barely a few centimeters from Brooke. Even though she was perched on her heels, he seemed even more imposing than usual. He was marking his territory.
MATT : Lucas Scott! Nice to meet you!
Matt held out his hand towards Lucas, whose whole body was tense to the extreme... He didn't move.
LUCAS : And you are !?
MATT : I'm just a little beginner artist, invited to a social evening...
Sensing the cockfight that is preparing for the beauty, Matt hastened to specify then:
MATT : ... A party, of which your dear and beautiful wife is the guest of honor if I am well informed...!?
Lucas' face remained impassive but his eyes were more and more contemptuous towards Matt. Then, he looked at Brooke.
BROOKE : What do you want, Lucas?
Lucas's gaze lit up as his eyes admired her again.
LUCAS : I just want to talk to you.
MATT : Sorry, buddy, but you've come at a bad time...
Despite her falsely relaxed attitude, Brooke felt the testosterone levels around her skyrocket. She watched them, not knowing how to intervene before it got out of hand.
LUCAS : You're the one who came at a bad time... And you're going to leave gently...
Matt narrowed his eyes and a provocative grin settled on his jaw. He took another step towards Lucas. Lucas continued to challenge him with his dark eyes... Like an opponent in a ring. Brooke thought he was so sexy...
MATT : As you may have noticed yourself, I was chatting with Brooke... So, politeness would dictate that you respectfully wait until we've finished our conversation...
No time for Brooke to step between them as Lucas already grabbed the leather collar of Matt's jacket, but his voice remained low.
LUCAS : You inspire neither respect nor politeness in me so I advise you to get out of here before my fist lands on your perfect little angel face and your perfect smile is nothing more than a distant memory!
Observing the surroundings, Matt noticed that no one had yet been alerted by this latent melee.
MATT : What if we asked Brooke what she wants... I'm sure it could be instructive... More instructive and more mature than this Neenderthal behavior, certainly! What do you say, Lucas!?
Lucas' jaw clenched even more but he loosened his grip as he turned his agitated face towards Brooke. Brooke looked at them... They were both hanging on her every word. Matt seemed confident and it annoyed her a little. Lucas' blue eyes seemed so tormented and pleading... She loved them as much as she hated them. Her heart was pounding so hard between her sides that she could only hear him. It echoed in her temples.
BROOKE : Lucas, we'll talk later!
LUCAS : You're going to avoid me again, Brooke! That's what you do all the time!
BROOKE : If you keep being stubborn, I won't even give you that chance! You're acting like an immature, possessive child, and I hate that! So you'll wait until we're done!
As she finished her sentence, Lucas' face continued to fall. He swallowed with difficulty. And as he stepped back a little, lost between remorse and sadness, Matt added another layer.
MATT : I don't know what's going on between you, and I don't want to know... But man, you're in trouble!
Lucas' eyes locked with Brooke's as if to find the strength to stop himself from hitting him.
BROOKE : Talk to you later, Lucas...
Lucas' chest fell and rose and his breathing was jerky, panting... His gaze froze Brooke in place.
LUCAS : Let me just tell you that I...
And as, despite her resentment and bitterness, Brooke waited for the end of his sentence as if her life depended on it.
CHRIS : Let's go, they're all already waiting for us outside!
Chris came to grab Brooke's arm with his legendary big smile, quickly greeting the two men next to her. Brooke maintained eye contact with Lucas for a second before looking away.
BROOKE : Let's go, it's stifling hot in here!
Brooke hurried to follow Chris who told her how he had saved Peyton's dress at the last minute. Good thing he still had his little sewing essentials in his wallet.
Once outside, Brooke took a seat next to Chris. A few rare guests were lucky enough to be seated. The garden paths had been enhanced by rose petals all along the models' path. The music started and the models arrived... They wandered between the hedges to be seen by each guest. From where she was, Brooke could see Lucas if she tilted her head a little to the right. But she held back from doing so, because she could already feel his gaze on her... Between anger and impatience... But also between wonder and lust, between passionate ardor and devouring hope. When the parade came to an end, Debie approached Peyton with the microphone.
DEBIE : Dear guests, you have just discovered a preview of some pieces from the new Total Black collection... This collection is of course the latest baby of our guest of honor, Mrs. Peyton Scott... Just before giving her the floor, I announce that her speech will be followed by a short interview session... Then, all you have to do is enjoy the gardens of the Opera, the music, the food and the drinks... Without forgetting that each of you contributes to promoting fashion and women throughout the world! Thank you all!
As everyone applauded, Peyton grabbed the microphone held out by Debie. She motioned for Owen to join her... Then, she motioned to her. Brooke stood up to walk towards her.