The next day flew by. Energized by Chris' invitation to the Elle Gala the next day, Brooke could only think about it. She was strolling through the aisles of the Louvre with Sawyer but her thoughts were elsewhere. Thanks to some research on the internet, she learned that the evening would take place in the gardens of the Palais Garnier.

ELLE MAGAZINE : This year will be placed under the sign of the independent, passionate and ambitious woman ... this woman, that our magazine has been informing and accompanying to the four corners of the world for years. To continue to arouse emotion and promote female talent, the editorial team invites you to this cocktail where each guest will be treated like a V.I.P thanks to our many sponsors with as guest of honor ... A great lady whose reputation is well established and who will present a preview of her new collection.

BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Peyton Sawyer... Of course! I understand better why she has every interest in showing up tomorrow night with Lucas... With the rumors and the things Lindsay said, she'll be bombarded with questions about her private life. Unless Lucas is there, with her! And this collection means so much to her..

Brooke finally puts her phone away, trying to focus on Sawyer.

SAWYER : We should make salt dough one day, I want to make a sculpture that big!

BROOKE : We're going to need a lot of it then, sweetie!

SAWYER : It's you I'm going to do, but not naked, eh!

A few minutes later, Brooke's phone started vibrating... It was Haley!

BROOKE : Hello? I'm warning you, I'm at the Louvre so I have to speak quietly...

HALEY : It's okay, honey. So how are you!?

Brooke told her about the events of the day before and Lucas' messages and then their phone conversation.

HALEY : And what are you waiting for to hear what he has to say to you, Brooke!?

BROOKE : I think it's his jealousy talking to me, Haley! I was out with a man and suddenly, he wanted to talk...

HALEY : Jealousy can be a good motivation to realize the true feelings you feel for someone!

BROOKE : Except that it's not proof of love but of possession and lack of trust in the other...

HALEY : Love? You need proof of love from him?

BROOKE : Yes, well you know what I mean... I need action, or at least a real discussion...

HALEY : So listen to him, what do you risk!?

BROOKE : Haley, I'm afraid of falling even lower...

HALEY : Lower than you already are, darling!? It's not possible, right?

BROOKE : At least I still have hope that he feels the same way I do... I'm so in love with him, Haley...

HALEY : Ah finally, I hear you say it and assume it!

Brooke also felt a lot better to say it. She felt like she was freed from an unspeakable secret. She had fallen madly in love with Lucas and that's why she was suffering so much. She wanted this man in her life, morning and evening, and at night of course... She wanted to make him happy and she knew that he would make her happy if he gave himself the means.


That evening, Brooke returned to the Scotts, determined to let Lucas speak if he gave her the chance again. And as she and Sawyer walked through the door...

GOVERNESS : Hello girls! Brooke, I'm going to need you, we have people tonight and work to do!

Julie seemed very agitated but also upset.

BROOKE : You mean, guests!?

GOVERNESS : Yes! Peyton thought of nothing better than inviting her parents and in-laws over for dinner at the last minute! I don't understand why... Their wedding anniversary was two months ago and they didn't celebrate it!

Brooke, on the other hand, thought she understood why.

BROOKE'S THOUGHT : What's better than a small family reunion to strengthen ties and put pressure on Lucas.

GOVERNESS : I have to prepare the meal for seven people, set the table, tidy up a bit... I'm going to need help!

BROOKE : I'll help you, Julie... Don't worry! And we'll ask Felix to help us too!

And as Brooke went upstairs to wash Sawyer and at the same time, freshen up before getting to work, she heard Lucas' voice. It came from downstairs. Brooke told Sawyer to go upstairs and she lingered a little.

LUCAS : And asking my opinion, Peyton, that didn't even cross your mind!? Oh no, I forgot... You're so selfish that you give yourself the right to decide for me!

PEYTON : Because you don't give me a choice, Lucas! You refuse to listen to me...

LUCAS : I'm not refusing to listen to you, but I refuse to obey you! I'm not one of your employees, damn it!

PEYTON : Lindsay renewed her statements after our denial, Lucas! So the situation deserves to use drastic measures!

LUCAS : Drastic measures!? And how is this family meeting going to fix this situation!? I'm not a kid who needs his parents' opinion or approval to make his choices! I'm going to file a defamation complaint and we're going to settle this the hard way! That's enough!

PEYTON : You're not going to do anything at all, she claims to have proof so it's a lost cause!

LUCAS : She lived here for months, she could have fabricated all the evidence that her deranged brain could have fomented!

PEYTON : You know very well that a man's word is always worth less than a woman's in these cases! And the consequences for our careers would be terrible!

LUCAS : So that's all you really think about, huh... Your career, your reputation, your money...

And as the silence fell, Brooke decided that it was time to go back up despite her desire to hear more. After a quick preparation for Sawyer and her, Brooke put on her outfit for tonight before going to help Julie.

BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Classy and cute at the same time...

It might have been silly, but she wanted to make a good impression on Lucas' parents. Then, she went to help Julie in the kitchen. Sawyer was with his parents and grandparents in the living room. Although very busy, Brooke was not one hundred percent focused on her tasks, she would have liked to hear the conversations. When she heard someone approach the kitchen, her heart began to beat at an even faster pace. Especially since it was not heels ... But the footsteps of a man ...

NATHAN : Good evening, over here!

GOVERNESS : Good evening to you too, Mr. Nathan! Is everything going well!?

Nathan smiled warmly at Brooke as his heart barely calmed down.

NATHAN : I want to say... As well as it can go despite the circumstances... Delicate, shall we say! And good evening Brooke...

BROOKE : Good evening Nathan! Do you need anything?

NATHAN : I would really need and want to take my mind off things... Would you like a beer with me?

And as Brooke opened the fridge to grab a bottle of cold beer...

BROOKE : I'm way too busy for that, but maybe later...

Brooke handed her the beer and Nathan's hand lingered expressly on hers for a few seconds, his gaze on hers.

NATHAN : I'm counting on you to brighten up my evening, then!

LUCAS : Is that Brooke you're talking to?

Lucas had just burst in behind Nathan. His tone was cold and threatening.

NATHAN : You'll admit that I have good reason to be tempted to find the atmosphere a little heavy and oppressive in the living room...

LUCAS : I'm in the same situation as you, Nath...

NATHAN : I know, man... Peyton is far from being an easy woman...

Nathan may have tapped his friend and brother-in-law on the shoulder, but it didn't seem to relax him.

NATHAN : Do you want a beer too?

LUCAS : I would rather have a bottle of vodka but I'll make do with that...

A little trembling, Brooke handed Lucas a beer. His touch on her skin electrified her.

LUCAS : Thank you Brooke ...

Brooke closed the fridge and hurried to turn around as his deep and intense gaze upset her.

NATHAN : Come on, we'll go back together, Lucas! I won't leave you alone again, I promise!

And as they walked down the hall, Lucas turned around as Brooke watched him walk away. She knew he needed to talk to her and tell her in words what his eyes were trying to convey. But the commotion and the people in the house prevented him from doing so. Lucas' lips and eyebrows tightened as if he were about to turn around and have this conversation... But Julie pulled Brooke out of this visual intimacy with a painful and caressing hand... And Lucas found his people in the living room. He sat down heavily on the couch next to Nathan and his mother. His thoughts were hazy.

LUCAS' THOUGHT : Every time I see her, I'm more and more convinced of it... She's the only one that matters anymore, her and Sawyer.

Lucas was on edge and couldn't concentrate on the conversation around him. And as he almost emptied the entire contents of his beer in one go, his mother discreetly called out to him.

KAREN : It's going to be okay, honey... You're going to get through all of this, I'm sure of it.

LUCAS' THOUGHT : No, Mom, not this time... This is going way too far and above all, there's Brooke now...

Not getting any response from him, Karen continued to worry and tried to reassure him again.

KAREN : You're an exceptional father, you've always assumed your responsibilities...

Lucas was trying to regain some composure and hide what was agitating him and almost driving him crazy ... But it was at this moment that Brooke entered the living room to put the petits fours on the coffee table. She was far from comfortable but it was even worse when she felt the guests' eyes fall on her.

KAREN : Hello, you must be Brooke, right!? Leave it, we'll take care of it ... I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself, I'm Karen, Lucas' mother, it's a pleasure to meet you!

Karen stood up to offer Brooke her hand. Her grip was gentle and firm at the same time, her gaze warm.

BROOKE : Nice to meet you, ma'am.

KAREN : Sawyer has told me so much about you! She adores you, you know!?

Brooke avoided looking at Lucas despite feeling his insistent gaze.

BROOKE : I adore her just as much, if not more!

Her answer made Karen smile tenderly and it was she who looked at her son first.

KAREN : It looks like you've found the rare pearl, this time!

LUCAS' THOUGHT : Damn mom, if you knew... She is the most precious woman I have ever met. And damn, she is so beautiful! Her long legs right in front of me fascinate me... I'm so tired of not being with her anymore, showing her how crazy I am about her...

Lucas was openly checking out Brooke in front of everyone but she was apparently the only one who noticed.

PEYTON : And guess what, Brooke will be my muse for my new collection...

Her voice brought Brooke back down to earth, and it had the same effect on Lucas judging by her reaction. He downed the rest of his beer.

NATHAN : Oh yeah!?

PEYTON : Yes! She has a model's body and black suits her so well...

Nathan wouldn't contradict her given the way he looked at Brooke again, who blushed.

PEYTON : By the way, Brooke... Chris told me that you were accompanying him to the Elle Gala tomorrow night...

Again, Brooke avoided Lucas' gaze who seemed very interested in her upcoming answer.

BROOKE : Indeed, I would like very much if you allow me ...

PEYTON : Of course we allow you! Besides, I would like you to wear one of my outfits ...

Silence fell around Brooke. Everyone seemed to be waiting for her answer.

LUCAS : Your outfits will already be presented at the opening show ... Isn't that enough yet!?

PEYTON : Certainly, but I would like Brooke to wear the evening dress, just to make a bigger impression on the guests ...

Feeling the tension that was increasing, Brooke didn't know what to say or do ... That's when Lucas got up to leave the room, even more furious.

LUCAS : And I think she has the right to wear what she wants and that you stop deciding for everyone!