Between Owen's express call and her moment of sensuality with Lucas, Brooke's night had been quite restless. She didn't even need her alarm to ring because her brain had been thinking for many minutes.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Last night, Lucas and I... We were about to kiss. I didn't dream it, he wanted it as much as I did! Besides, at first, I didn't even think about it. I saw it as a game without consequences... But the way he looked at me... His eyes on me, so eager and so inflamed, had a crazy effect on me! And Owen who finally called me! I didn't believe it anymore... Nothing happens for days, and in one evening...
Brooke pushed these thoughts out of her mind as best she could and prepared herself for her interview with the legal assistant.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Here we go!
Brooke had just settled down on the wooden bench in front of Mrs. Lee's desk. She was trying to hear something... Annoyed that the hallway remained hopelessly silent and their exchange inaudible, she paced back and forth in the hallway. She looked successively at the floor, then the ceiling, then the walls... Until the door finally opened.
DEBIE : Brooke, are you coming?
Debie held the door for her and Brooke saw the encouraging smile she gave her before entering. Even though his face was not yet in front of her, Brooke immediately recognized the man sitting in profile in the office...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : And he's still wearing the same filthy suit!
Taking his time, the man stood up and held out his hand. Politely, Brooke gave him a short handshake.
MAN : Hello Brooke. Do you remember me?
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Is he really stupid or what?
BROOKE : Yes, Mr. Paterson. You are the court's legal assistant, appointed by Judge Andrew to monitor me.
MR. PATERSON : That's good, well done, that's exactly right!
The assistant exclaimed with exaggeration as if he were addressing a deserving schoolboy. As Brooke began to wonder if he really thought she was a complete moron, Debie already noticed his arrangement and interrupted Mr. Paterson with a clever question.
DEBIE : Well, can I invite myself to your exchange or is it better that I leave you alone?
MR PATERSON : For me, you can stay but let's ask Brooke what she thinks...
Mr Paterson looked at Brooke with a goofy smile and again, infantilizing. Brooke did not hesitate for a single second.
BROOKE : I prefer that she stay.
Debie gave him a discreet wink as if to show her support but above all to encourage her to stay calm.
MR PATERSON : I suppose we can begin then ... So I spoke with your place of service referent. Mrs Lee informed me that you were very serious about your work. And that you even sometimes exceeded the prescribed hours. That no absences or incidents were to be deplored ... Well for the moment, at least.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Stay calm, stay calm ...
MR PATERSON : On the other hand, Mrs Lee ... I changed my mind about your proposal.
DEBIE : Which one, Mr Paterson?
MR PATERSON : Finally, I would like to speak to Brooke's second person in charge. The viewpoints of two people are sometimes surprisingly different and therefore very instructive!
DEBIE : Of course. I will then fetch Brother Lucas immediately.
Obviously annoyed by the assistant's sudden request, Debie complied politely.
MR PATERSON : Well, do that, please. In the meantime, I will speak to Brooke about the reports.
Debie seemed annoyed to leave Brooke alone with the assistant but she knew she had no choice. She took her jacket and handbag with her and left the office.
MR PATERSON : As I said, I will be sending several reports to Judge Andrew. The most important being the final report ... But I would also like to speak to you about the most important thing, your future ... Where will you live afterward?
BROOKE : No idea... I...
MR PATERSON : I hope you're not planning to move back in with Mr Owen Morello!?
Even if he wasn't wrong, his mocking look made Brooke furious. Especially since she had no answer to that question.
MR PATERSON : No, because I prefer to warn you right away... If he's not arrested in the meantime... You will be followed and monitored as soon as you get out in case he tries to contact you or better, see you.
BROOKE : I understand.
MR PATERSON : Good! I would advise you to completely review all your acquaintances in the future... I even took the liberty of contacting your parents. Your father even seems quite ready to welcome you.
BROOKE : What!? By what right did you warn them of my situation!?
MR PATERSON : Miss Davis, I remind you that I have the right to use whatever methods I deem necessary to put you back on the right path. And since you tend to act like a carefree child!
BROOKE : A carefree child?
MR PATERSON : Getting upset won't help your cause... You need to show will, honesty and cooperation!
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Collaborate while he makes decisions and initiatives without even talking to me!
MR PATERSON : Beyond conscientiously carrying out your work here, we expect real cooperation from you... You see what I can talk about, don't you?
BROOKE : Of course and it's no!
MR PATERSON : No what? No, you haven't been contacted by Owen Morello yet? Or no, I won't tell you anything because I love him and all that pathetic crap!?
BROOKE : That's enough!
MR PATERSON : Just answer the question and we'll be done.
Boroke stood up suddenly, ready to storm out of the room. It was either that or she was in danger of losing control. But at that moment, Debie and Lucas burst in. Seeing Brooke's face, they could easily tell that something was wrong. Already standing, Brooke stood frozen in place. She met Lucas's shifty, elusive gaze.
MR PATERSON : Ah! Here's the man of God who has come at just the right time!
LUCAS : Hello sir, I was told that you wanted to meet me but I...
Without giving him a chance to finish his sentence, the assistant cut him off.
MR PATERSON : I would like to meet you, Father.
LUCAS : On what subject?
MR PATERSON : About Miss Davis' accomplice, Mr Morello, who incidentally is also her boyfriend.
Lucas's gaze darkened. Brooke wondered if it was Mr Paterson's behavior that irritated her... Or if it was the information he had just given her about his love life.
MR PATERSON : If it has not already been done, we have reason to believe that Mr. Morello will attempt to contact Brooke shortly... Just before you arrived, I was asking Brooke if she understood the importance of her cooperation... She refuses to tell me if Mr. Morello has attempted to contact her or to pay her a little visit.
Lucas' eyes oscillated between Brooke and the judicial assistant. Brooke then became aware of something.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I was with him when Owen called me last night!
Caught in a whirlwind of troubling emotions and doubts, Brooke tried something.
BROOKE : That's right, I answered your question in the negative... Simply because Owen has not given me any sign of life since my arrest.
In the middle of a blatant lie, Brooke tried to catch Lucas's eye. She knew the value he placed on honesty. She gritted her teeth as Lucas's gaze met hers. He seemed puzzled at first but then reassured.
LUCAS : Good. I think Miss Davis has just answered your question honestly. So, at this point, you have no reason to doubt her word. Brooke has a good head on her shoulders. Sure, she can be a little impulsive at times but she is also frank and trustworthy.
MR PATERSON : Well well! I must admit that your analysis reassures me a little. I hope that your advice will guide her in this direction. So I am done for this first visit!
As the assistant began to put all his things in his briefcase, Brother Lucas left the room. Disappointed, Brooke did not know how to intervene since the assistant was blocking her way and Debie was standing right next to her. Mr. Paterson ended up greeting her quickly and heading towards the exit. Debie accompanied him to the entrance. Once alone, Brooke decided to cut through the other exit to reach the courtyard and the interior garden. She ran to find Lucas by looking for him in the garden. She saw him.
BROOKE : Lucas!
He turned around and saw her. Cautious, he walked towards her, looking alternately at the ground and the surroundings. As he reached her level, he stared straight ahead and continued on his way, murmuring:
LUCAS : Not here! Follow me...
Brooke followed him obediently to the small, isolated garden where she had met him the first evening after her arrival. Lucas stopped there while continuing to cautiously observe the surroundings.
BROOKE : Should we hide?
LUCAS : Let's just say I'd rather not feed useless rumors...
BROOKE : Rumors about you and me? What kind?
LUCAS : They don't exist yet, at least I hope so... But better safe than sorry.
BROOKE : In the event that there is something to fuel possible rumors... What would you risk?
LUCAS : It's a matter of my honor and the respect of my vows, Brooke. But it's also a matter of your reputation. Before you get upset, I'm only saying this because your presence here is controlled and you have to earn your freedom.
BROOKE : Mmmh ok, I think I can understand your point of view. However, there's something I'm missing... Everyone is well aware that we are going to be seeing each other, right?
LUCAS : Yes. Within the strict framework of my support...
BROOKE : Isn't the simple fact of wanting to talk to you within the abbey grounds part of your support?
LUCAS : In theory, that wouldn't pose any problem... Unless...
BROOKE : Unless you're afraid that there might be material to fuel an immoral and scandalous rumor...
LUCAS : Not in the least. To tell the truth, I was more afraid that you would mention a little too spontaneously the reason why you finally came home alone last night. I don't thank you by the way, I was very messed up.
Caught in her own game, Brooke tried, as best she could, to keep her composure and her pride.
BROOKE : Sorry for you but I don't understand how it could be my fault?
LUCAS : Being unable to waste and throw it away, I had to resort to eating your ice cream in addition to mine ...
BROOKE : ...
Lucas had just turned the situation around and brilliantly put her back in her place ... A little too much to his taste. Stung but indebted for her silence in front of the justice assistant, Brooke then approached him more. Lucas, motionless, observed her cautiously while Brooke stood on tiptoe until she was very close ...
BROOKE : So I guess I have to tell you two things ...
Brooke's eyes were now lost in Lucas's ... Their faces were almost touching and she could feel his breath on her skin.
BROOKE : First that I'm sorry ...
Her words were only whispers and accompanied her languid gaze that spoke volumes about her intentions. Still unable to react, Brooke also felt Lucas now tense up, completely helpless in the face of this promiscuity. The power of the gaze they shared made Brooke feverish as much as it excited him. She languished more and more. Their breathing filled the heavy silence in which they appreciated the subtle sensations on their respective bodies while trying to carefully assess the limits of the other before daring more or choosing to withdraw.
BROOKE : But I also wanted to tell you...
Slowly, Brooke's lips approached Lucas' ear and, with a sigh, she whispered to him in a low voice:
BROOKE : Thank you.
Her nose was already brushing his cheek when she decided to accompany her words with a delicate but daring kiss. Her nostrils instinctively inhaled the scent of Lucas's skin, which she intoxicated herself with delight. Her breathing stopped. Encouraged by the absence of any resistance on his part, she placed a second one, just as light... As a response, Lucas was content to turn his face slightly a few degrees to make it easier for her to access him. Apparently authorized or even invited to continue her oral assault, Brooke's kisses became more insistent... A shower of kisses gradually formed all along Lucas's jaw until Brooke's mouth reached hers. This imminent contact marked the promise of a decisive carnal shift as exciting as it was forbidden while Lucas seemed to savor her little more than suggestive attentions without moving an inch. And as Brooke lasciviously savored this moment while swaying naughtily against him ... It was under the surprise, but eager and fiery initiative of Lucas that he finally became erotic and dizzying. His hands came to seize the small of Brooke's back to stick her to his powerful torso, his mouth rushing on hers. His lips opened and his tongue sank unctuously to meet and swirl hers which obeyed ... While this tasting became more and more intense and passionate, their hands activated to accompany this burning and wild ballet. Brooke felt one of Lucas's hands slide into her hair to grab the back of her neck. She felt his other hand come to energetically seize her round and full buttock in his primary and animal instinct. In this sensory tidal wave, Lucas just couldn't contain his passion anymore and salacious images took hold of Brooke. Lucas' breath was punctuated by increasingly hoarse moans as he devoured Brooke's mouth with ardor. Brooke felt his sex harden under his cassock and now deliberately rubbed herself against this body that demanded her. While her pelvis rode him to the rhythm of her spasming intimacy, she felt him wet with excitement. Their furious mouths and tongues continued to merge unctuously and dance in perfect symbiosis. Brooke frantically ran a hand down his panting chest, then along his sculpted abs. Caught up in this voluptuous and shameless swish, her hand slid over the clear growth that lifted her cassock... But the moment it came into contact with her aching and eager sex, Lucas grabbed her wrist firmly. A sharp pain went through Brooke as Brooke's fingers clenched violently to block and hinder her initiative.
LUCAS : Stop.
His lips had already left hers in the absence of her skin and the lack of her skin was already felt by Brooke.
BROOKE : You hurt me!
Without letting go of her, Lucas continued to look at her but desire seemed to have left his eyes and his thoughts ... At this precise moment, it was anger and rage that Brooke could read in his haggard and reddened gaze.
BROOKE : Let go of me then!
Brooke's anger seemed to affect Lucas and his expression suddenly became ashamed and sorry ... He finally released her from his grip. And while, baffled, Brooke was about to tell him these four truths about this moment that he himself had initiated ... Lucas left with a quick and determined step towards the labyrinth while Brooke was still caressing his bruised wrist. Leaving her there, dismayed and stunned by what had just happened.