LUCAS : I'll take this call and then turn off my cell phone for good, okay?
BROOKE : Okay...
LUCAS : I won't be long, I promise. Thanks Brooke...
Lucas tapped the mattress next to him to invite her to join him. He picked up by putting the call on speakerphone. He simply placed his index finger on Brooke's lips to ask her to be quiet for the duration of the conversation.
LUCAS : Victoria, I'm warning you, you better have a very good reason to call me!
VICTORIA : Hello to you too! Apparently I call at the wrong time... Reassure me, you're not fucking your last babysitter?
Lucas's face froze in fear, Brooke's too. They looked at each other for a few seconds, completely shocked. Brooke's eyes then became worried and she questioned Lucas with her eyes without him understanding anything ...
VICTORIA : Lucas, are you there? Come on, I was joking ... But still, we have serious problems with all this!
Brooke and Lucas barely relaxed but above all they wanted to understand what was happening.
LUCAS : With all this what, Victoria!? What are you talking about!?
VICTORIA : Seriously, you haven't had your hysterical wife on the phone before me!?
LUCAS : No... Well, I didn't pick up! Can you tell me what's going on!?
VICTORIA : It turns out that your former babysitter found nothing better to do than to tell about your antics on the networks...
Lucas frowned as he stared at the phone screen still in his hand.
VICTORIA : I knew that you and Peyton weren't having the best time, but still, Lucas... The babysitter! Plus, it was Peyton who called me because a friend of hers had heard about it from another friend and so on... I can't tell you what a huge mess you're in, and me too at the same time!
As if struck by a revelation after what he had just heard, Lucas shook his head and stood up hastily. Helpless, Brooke watched him turn off the speaker and bring the cell phone to his ear. Furious, he wandered around the room... She, she was listening to the conversation, she didn't know what else to do.
LUCAS : Are you talking about this crazy allied with Lindsay!?
VICTORIA : It must be her... Lindsay Strauss if I'm not mistaken... So, what she's saying is true... Since you knew right away who I was talking about?
LUCAS : Well no, Victoria! I've never slept with this girl in my life! This same girl who's been harassing me for weeks by the way...
Still silent, Brooke was realizing more and more the seriousness of the situation... And even if she trusted Lucas, this news challenged her. She would be damn crazy to make that up!
VICTORIA : Listen Lucas, whether you have bang this girl or not, I really don't care...Well, if you don't care about your professional future and your reputation... On the other hand, that my client is accused of using his authority to take advantage of a girl, that's not going down well!
LUCAS : Abused of my authority!?
The state of shock... Pure and incredulous, was written all over his face.
LUCAS : And what, she filed a complaint against me!?
VICTORIA : No, at least not yet... She just went public with all the intimate details of your sex life. You know... A post on Facebook, Twitter and Insta and boom! More effective than lawyers and journalists! But she also says that when she refused your proposals, you tried to force her... Then you fired her!
LUCAS : Damn, that's nonsense! It's me who's going to file a complaint against this bitch for defamation, yes! I'm going to sue him!
VICTORIA : I'm not sure this is a good idea, Lucas... A lawsuit, lawyers and all that... Bad press!
LUCAS : So what, I have to let her talk shit and just suffer the consequences!? No way!
Lucas clenched his fist tightly, his nails must have been digging into the flesh of his palm from how tight he was.
LUCAS : I'm going to have her sent where she belongs, you hear me!? To the asylum!
VICTORIA : Listen, I think it would be best if we met... Just to think about our strategy...
LUCAS : You're right. Shall we say first thing tomorrow?
VICTORIA : And why not this evening, I'm in Paris too... We'll do without Peyton at first.
Lucas looked at Brooke as she heard Victoria's proposal on the other side of the line. His gaze was still furious but his expression suddenly seemed a little sorry. Brooke said nothing and swallowed.
LUCAS : Okay. We'll meet at my place in thirty minutes!?
Brooke heard Victoria nod as her heart sank. Lucas, for his part, remained standing for a few seconds, his back to her, looking out the large bay window that overlooked Paris. He ran both hands over his face and then through his hair before turning back to Brooke. And as his eyes finally met hers, he took a deep breath, very uncomfortable.
LUCAS : You heard everything, didn't you? I told you she was crazy!
Brooke stood up and nodded to answer his question. But before she could say anything...
LUCAS : Damn, what a huge bitch!
BROOKE : You will just have to make a denial... Or file a complaint against her...
LUCAS : If only it were that easy, Brooke...
Brooke knew it wasn't against her but she didn't like the way he looked at her and answered her. He felt it too.
LUCAS : Excuse me, pretty girl...
Lucas then approached her, his two hands rested on her hips then slid down her back.
LUCAS : You know I could never do something like that, right!?
BROOKE : I know.
LUCAS : It means a lot to me... Thank you.
BROOKE : But what she said is serious... How are you...
LUCAS : It's shit! And what she's saying too, by the way, is a monumental piece of bullshit! I guess it has something to do with her little visit yesterday... And the fact that she wanted me to answer her...
BROOKE : But you didn't?
LUCAS : Of course not, I didn't do it... I didn't give in to her blackmail... But I really didn't expect that! I'm going to go sort this shit out with Victoria, she'll join me at home...
As he said these words, Lucas then fell silent for a few seconds as he watched Brooke's reaction, then he added:
LUCAS : I can't stay and I hope you understand...
His tone was oddly a little cold and a little detached for Brooke's taste.
BROOKE : Do what you have to do, Lucas.
LUCAS : I'm sorry... See you tomorrow?
BROOKE : Okay, yes. I'd offer to come with you, but we agree that it's not the best idea?
LUCAS : Indeed. But it will already be a great help to know that you support me and that we will see each other tomorrow. I'm going but you, stay here! Enjoy the room, the bathroom and the terrace ... Order what you want.
Although she did not necessarily want to stay here without him, he did not seem to have time to wait for her. And even less to accompany her home.
BROOKE : Don't worry about me ... I'll see.
And while Brooke's heart pinched more and more ... To stay alone but especially without him, he approached. He took her chin between his thumb and index finger and raised her head so that their eyes meet intimately.
LUCAS : I'll call you tomorrow morning at the latest ...
It wasn't early enough yet but she didn't say anything and just smiled slightly. Lucas kissed her. His kiss was simple but sincere, lingering on her lips for a few seconds. Lucas then took his jacket in one hand and disappeared... Brooke jumped when the door closed. Lucas hadn't turned around and she didn't know what to think. Lost and morose, she fell onto the bed behind her. She looked at the high ceiling of the empty room.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Barely started and already over... And big worries ahead... Lindsay... Accusations... A Peyton beside herself... Lucas is going to have to sort this out... But how is he going to handle it? How to counter such a rumor...? Even if no one knows... How can he deny having slept with her when he's sleeping with me...!? How is he going to be able to finally leave Peyton in this turmoil without arousing suspicion!? Come on, trust him Brooke... He promised to call you tomorrow morning at the latest... You'll help him in the shadows if necessary... You'll support him and wait to live your story in broad daylight.
Brooke turned her head to look at the time on the clock by the front door... It was 11:40pm, on a Saturday night. She knew exactly who might be free to come spend an evening in a crazy room with her... And thus make the night go by a little faster, be able to confide but also think about something else.
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : Want to join me in the rooftop suite at the Venetian!? I don't have to leave until tomorrow at 11am...!?
RACHEL'S MESSAGE : OMG! What are you doing there all alone, you!?
BROOKE'S MESSAGE : I'm telling you that if you come all the way here... We can order a bottle of champagne too...
RACHEL'S MESSAGE : I'm at a couple of friends' house in Micro but the evening is coming to an end. I ask him... Well, I warn him!
HALEY'S MESSAGE : Did I read that right... Suite? Rooftop? Champagne? And girls' night!? I'm already on my way!
Brooke laughed and decided to go take a quick shower before her two precious friends arrived. Because even if they had the decency not to ask her questions, they had understood that she needed company. That's how it was between them... A bit like the three musketeers... Or the three little pigs... Inseparable. A thunderous team that helped each other and loved each other deeply... Brooke's heart was already warming.