Lucas had just made Brooke an offer that she didn't want to refuse at all: he wanted to spend the night by her side. As she was getting dressed, Lucas buttoned up his shirt without taking his eyes off Brooke.
LUCAS : Even though I prefer you naked, I don't think I'll get tired of it of this outfit...
BROOKE : That's good to know because I have others that you might also like...
Lucas pursed his lips and took a deep breath as if the mere thought of it was almost unbearable for him.
LUCAS : Well... I... I'll quickly make the evidence of our presence disappear and we'll get going.
BROOKE : Can I help you?
LUCAS : No... Well, yes. What could really help me be efficient and focused is if you put your coat back on...
Brooke laughed at seeing him still so helpless. Lucas lingered on Brooke's laughter for a moment then forced himself to disappear towards the living room.
Once ready to leave and just before crossing the door of the chalet, Lucas stops in his tracks.
LUCAS : Here's what we're going to do... We're going to cross the small wooded area again and then take a shortcut, I'll guide you... I'll hold your hand the whole way but we have to refrain from talking... I'll let you know when we can. It's just to avoid being surprised, okay?
He took Brooke's hand and spread her fingers so she could slip hers in. He tightened his grip to mark his presence.
BROOKE : Okay.
LUCAS : Ready?
BROOKE : Ready!
They went out into the darkness. The warmth of Lucas's hand contrasted with the coolness of the night. Their steps were rhythmic and regular, Lucas did not rush but calmly and cautiously observed the surroundings. Their knowing glances and the pressure exerted by their intertwined hands were more than enough for them to communicate. Lucas walked lightly in front of Brooke, and she appreciated letting herself be guided in this indefinable atmosphere. A mixture of excitement mixed with the magic and clandestinity of the moment ...
Their two adventurous and rebellious souls were lulled by the delicious promise of arriving at their nearby destination. Lucas then followed a path that reminded Brooke of nothing she had seen earlier ... Probably the shortcut. She had trouble finding her way because their nighttime stroll was taking them further and further away from the Nuns' building... Remembering Lucas's instructions, Brooke had no choice but to let herself be carried docilely and silently.
Lucas's path eventually led them to the junction between the beginning of the village and the back of an annex to the monastery. Lucas placed his index finger in front of Brooke's mouth, his gaze serious and locked on his own. Brooke simply nodded. He opened the latch of the large metal door that stood before them and unlocked the padlock... Brooke couldn't see if it was a key or a combination because Lucas stuck to the already ajar door... He checked that the way was clear inside before entering and holding the door for Brooke to join him.
Lucas busied himself closing the door while Brooke admired the place where she had landed... A majestic library. Hundreds of books stood on the walls made of wooden shelves and limestone. Without delay, Lucas took Brooke's hand again to pull her out of her contemplation and avoid being left exposed. At the turn of a corridor, they entered a room plunged into almost total darkness. Lucas's steps became faster. And he concentrated despite the internal agitation that transpired from his attitude. He stopped a few meters from a shelf and moved it to reveal a discreet door that had remained hidden until then...
A few seconds later, Brooke had almost forgotten the path she had taken but she was in a sort of tunnel. As if petrified by the cramped space and still under the yoke of the mandatory silence, she froze. Lucas felt that her hand resisted him and that she was no longer following him. He stopped in turn, looking worried, and looked at her.
LUCAS : Are you okay, Brooke?
BROOKE : ...
LUCAS : You can talk now ... Tell me what's going on, I beg you!
BROOKE : Actually, I'm afraid of spiders.
LUCAS : Seriously?
BROOKE : Don't laught at me! It's very serious ...
LUCAS : Ok ... Excuse me. I suppose there's no point in me telling you that small creatures don't eat big ones?
Brooke nodded shamefully. Lucas moved closer to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her.
LUCAS : What if I took you like this, against me while we walk... I'll block it with my body.
Brooke melted under his attention so enveloping and reassuring, she felt cuddled, safe. Her chin rested on her's scalp and she knew that even the cobwebs wouldn't be able to reach her.
BROOKE : Like this, it might do it...
LUCAS : Perfect my pretty, let's go slowly. If it can still reassure you, the path is not very long, you'll see...
BROOKE : Do you come here often? I wonder if that's not what's the scariest, after all!
Lucas laughed heartily at his touch of humor, synonymous with relaxing and letting go.
LUCAS : Sorry to disappoint you but I don't have any unspeakable or scary secrets to reveal to you! I only came once...
BROOKE : What was that for!? Calm down or sequester another delinquent who was a little too rebellious?
Falsely shocked, Lucas perceived the ironic tone of Brooke's voice. He then blushed faintly.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : It was because I was dying of anxiety knowing you were in danger, or with Nathan... In fact, it's the same thing. And then I found myself like an idiot in front of you, asleep... And I couldn't think of anything better than to spy on you. I fantasized about you, about every part of your body... If you knew how much I wanted you.
BROOKE : Hey ho... I'm talking to you, huh!
LUCAS : Excuse me, what were you saying?
BROOKE : I was asking you why you needed to hang around in this gloomy and dusty underground tunnel!?
Lucas busied himself looking for a potentially rational explanation but he was saved in extremis...
LUCAS : Here we are! It's necessary to go up stairs, I'll go in front and you take my hand, ok?
A few steps and seconds later, they entered the back kitchen of the Nuns. Silence was required ... As they advanced towards the already open door of the premises, a noise coming from the room right next door surprised them. Lucas stopped dead. Brooke's blood seemed to have stopped circulating for a few seconds and her heart pounded hard in her chest. However, they were still on the other side of the wall. If necessary, they could still go and hide.
Right next to them ...
SISTER KAREN : O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao ... Una matinna mi sono alzato ... E ho trovato l'invasooooor ! O partigiano portami via ... O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao ... O partigiano portami via ...
Brooke couldn't believe her own eyes... Sister Karen was changing Bella Ciao in the kitchen! Her voice was beautiful and her intonation was energetic. She was putting her heart into humming this Italian song. The movements of her hands and her head that were living the moment intensely made Brooke want to burst out laughing. Lucas must have had the same desire as her because he had just placed his palm flat against Brooke's mouth to encourage her to hold on. Lucas' eyes plunged into hers and shone with the same light of amusement and surprise... Their two bodies were now pressed against each other and Sister Karen's voice became less loud. Lucas turned his head a quarter turn to assess the situation. The sister was still there, in front of the open fridge.
SISTER KAREN : My God, save me from these repeated nighttime cravings or my cassock won't last much longer!
Brooke couldn't suppress her burst of laughter that Lucas' hand was trying as best it could to stifle as much as possible.
SISTER KAREN : Is there anyone!?
Lucas' eyes were now piercing into Brooke's, begging her to keep quiet at all costs. These few seconds were of an incredible intensity, reinforced by fear, danger and the risk of being unmasked.
SISTER KAREN : My poor Karen, you're going completely crazy!
Brooke pursed her lips but couldn't help but smile under Lucas' hand. Lucas also smiled when he heard, like her, the Sister talking to herself in the empty kitchen. Sister Karen took something with her and went back to the hallway, starting her song from the beginning...
Lucas very slowly removed his hand from Brooke's mouth while making sure there was no more risk.
BROOKE : I apologize, I couldn't help myself... It was so funny and unexpected!
LUCAS : You're right! And I feel like I'm going to hear him confess again about his nighttime cravings soon!
BROOKE : And about his recent hallucination problem maybe too! Okay, so what's the plan now?
LUCAS : We're going to go through the kitchen and then the hallway that runs along the stairs. Then we're going to lock ourselves in your room.
The closeness of their bodies and the adrenaline pumping from what they had just experienced galvanized Brooke.
BROOKE : Easy after what we just did... Almost child's play, right?
Lucas narrowed his eyes as if trying to detect the implication behind his upcoming line.
BROOKE : Child's play r... Until the door closes... Then, you and I, we'll play adult games?
LUCAS : What games do you have in mind, little minx?
BROOKE : All kinds of games...
While tapping her chin, Brooke armed herself with a smoldering look designed to melt him.
BROOKE : There's role-playing... Hand games, and villain games... and villainous games...
Lucas' mouth dropped open in excitement and his pupils dilated in fascination.
LUCAS : While we're not on the subject of puns, I have to admit that after trying with all my might to calm things down... I finally had to give in... You're too formidable an opponent! But what would you do if I decided not to play your game anymore?
BROOKE : Oh yes you will!
LUCAS : You seem very sure of yourself...
BROOKE : I'll find arguments to convince you... Pull out all the stops, for example!
LUCAS : Up to the decisive game where I'll make you mine, once again.
This little verbal joust only sharpened the sensuality and intensity of the moment.
LUCAS : Fuck, you're completely driving me crazy, Brooke!
Lucas threw himself on Brooke to kiss her like a madman, until she was out of breath. The passion was incandescent between them. Lucas' lips molded themselves to Brooke's like two impatient teenagers, their mouths rolling around. They let themselves be enchanted by the sweet sound of their panting and jerky breaths, Lucas' hands groping Brooke everywhere. He pressed himself even harder to make sure that she would no longer have the slightest doubt about the mad desire he had for her.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : And I know exactly what I'm going to wear to knock him down...