Brooke had finally had a violent argument with Owen who had no intention of running away with her. Moreover, after having brutally relieved himself, he had even dared to throw a fit of jealousy at her. Rightly so, he had brought up his recent frigidity towards her, which he put down to another relationship. Another relationship that Brooke would hide from him... She had obviously denied it, claiming more existential concerns.
Brooke went back to her room and collapsed on her bed... it had almost become a habit in recent days. Devastated and furious, she blamed herself for being given to Owen but the damage was already done and she was almost disgusted by it. Him who she thought was the love of her life just a few weeks ago, how could she have been so blinded...? She didn't know who to talk to, who to turn to to ease her pain and her dismay... She had no one left.
After a long, purifying shower to get rid of Owen's smell and the feeling of his body on hers, Brooke made the bitter realization that she was alone facing herself, her bad choices, her disappointed loves... Until she thought of another man, a man who could perhaps bring her a little comfort. She went to stand near the window with her cell phone, the only place where she could get a little signal... Mechanically she dialed a number that she hadn't dialed for months, even years... Feverish, she hesitated to change her mind but before she finally had time to hang up...
BROOKE'S FATHER : Brooke, my darling, is it you?!
BROOKE : Hello dad... Yes, it's me.
Her father didn't seem to realize yet that she had finally called him back, she heard him sigh in contentment.
BROOKE'S FATHER : I'm so happy to hear from you, Brooke! How are you?
BROOKE : I'm fine, well as well as it can be despite... You know... The circumstances.
Brooke was lying of course because no, she wasn't fine. Not fine at all. But she decided to take responsibility and at least talk to him and confide in him about her pain.
BROOKE'S FATHER : I learned and I want you to know that I'm not angry, well I'm not anymore and that I understood... I think I understood why you decided to follow this, let's say dangerous, path. This is not a reproach... But I am so relieved that you escaped prison!
BROOKE : Me too, Dad... But that doesn't mean I know what and where I'm going... I feel lost... And alone, terribly alone in the end...
His throat tightened, his voice became hoarse and tears welled up in her eyes even if she could still hold them back.
BROOKE'S FATHER : You know I'm here for you, tell me how I can help you Brooke darling...
BROOKE : I don't need help, Dad... I just wanted to hear a familiar voice.
She didn't want him to think she needed him, that she didn't know how to cope on her own. She didn't want to admit it anyway, that's how she had always worked with her father.
BROOKE'S FATHER : I'm not saying you need help, honey, don't be defensive, please... Listen, I have something to offer you... It's not about help, it's not about pity, it's not about anything like that. It's about love and presence, I want to be near you, to support you. When can I come?
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : My father... Come?! Here?!
Brooke didn't really know what to think of his proposal or how it would feel to see him again after all these years. She remained silent and her father interpreted her silence as consent. He added immediately:
BROOKE'S FATHER : I'm organizing myself to be there as soon as possible, my dear. I promise you!
Her father's words still resonated while Brooke had hung up for several seconds. With her father, she always preferred to stay on her guard when it came to promises ... But just having heard him, she already felt more serene, more peaceful and especially less alone. After all, he was perhaps the only trustworthy man she had left ... Hoping that he would keep his word.
The next day ... The day of the Charity Gala.
Brooke's mood wasn't the most positive but being busy had helped her feel better. After helping Debie with the final preparations for the evening, they had returned to the abbey to get ready. They went to pick up their respective dresses for the Gala in Sister Julie's workshop.
DEBIE : Brooke, do you mind if I put on my dress and you tell me what you think?
BROOKE : Absolutely not! On the contrary, Debie... I can't wait to see it!
While Debie was changing in the back, Brooke chatted with the nimble-fingered seamstress sister.
SISTER JULIE : So, have you finally chosen your favorite dress?
BROOKE : Yes, I think so, it will be this one... But I wanted to tell you that they are all really beautiful! The fact that I finally agreed to wear an evening dress thanks to you is a great compliment!
SISTER JULIE : Thank you very much, Brooke! Oh and it's an excellent choice, you will look resplendent tonight!
BROOKE : You won't be joining us, will you?
SISTER JULIE : No, only a few representatives of the abbey are invited. Abbot Luc of course... Sister Karen and the hotel sister, she will be able to convince some of them to come and stay here on occasion. And of course, Father Lucas who takes responsibility for most of our philanthropic missions...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Of course... Lucas... He's so faultless! On the surface!
SISTER JULIE : He'll be bringing some kids from the home if I'm not mistaken...
BROOKE : Oh yeah?
Brooke was a little perplexed by this announcement, even though she was thrilled to hear that Sam and Quentin would be there.
SISTER JULIE : Yes, I think that's what I heard...
BROOKE : Is it to get them out of the home?
SISTER JULIE : I think Lucas hesitated to invite them... For fear that they would be "used" for charity. But he finally convinced Debie not to draw attention to them and that they could remain anonymous.
Brooke couldn't help but roll her eyes at this glowing speech about Lucas and his kindness.
SISTER JULIE : Don't you find that generous and altruistic?!
BROOKE : Let's just say that a little distrust is always more prudent... It avoids disappointments and setbacks!
Their exchange was interrupted when they heard Debie come back to them. Debie smiled, a little embarrassed.
DEBIE : There you go! Be honest above all... It's not too much!?
Debie's dress was as she had described it and as Brooke had imagined it, more or less...
BROOKE : It suits you wonderfully, Debie.
DEBIE : You think? Don't you think it's too bare at the shoulder?
BROOKE : No, not at all! You are feminine and elegant! Keith will find you magnificent, I'm sure!
Debie instantly blushed when Brooke said her courtier's first name... On the other hand, Brooke insisted on one point.
BROOKE : But I still think you should do a hairstyle that would expose the length of your hair!
Meanwhile, in the monks' building...
Lucas was also getting ready in his room, but it wasn't his outfit that worried him the most.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : I risk losing her forever if I don't decide to tell her the truth... But how am I going to tell her that!? How do I tell her the horror I've been through and the monster I was! How do I assure her that the man I was back then is not at all the man I am now?
Lucas paced back and forth in the room he shared with Brother Chase. Luckily, he was alone for now.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : She won't want to hear about me anymore once she knows... And I'll understand her so much! But I'll inevitably lose her if I refuse to tell her what she wants to know... What she already seems to know. If I'm going to lose her, I might as well tell myself that I've been honest with her... But the disgust she'll feel when she looks at me... Maybe it would be better if I didn't say anything at all, she'll hate me anyway, no matter what! But she'll be even more angry with me for betraying her and she'll think that I took advantage of her weakness. The irony is that I played the moralist when, unlike her, I'm a real criminal!
Lucas had turned the situation over in all directions, he didn't know what to do... His only certainty was that it would end badly between him and Brooke... And he was already dying of pain.
Meanwhile, at the chalet...
Tim had found a costume that should do the trick, Owen reminded him of the last instructions.
OWEN : You're going to blend in, it's going to be perfect! But don't forget... No question of getting noticed!
TIM : That penguin thing really isn't nice to wear!
OWEN : Tell yourself that it's for a good cause, my friend! We're going to make a small fortune in one evening!
TIM : It had better be because then I'll be really overdrawn!
OWEN : Don't worry, no one ever pays attention to the staff who work in the cloakroom! And besides, your face is less known than mine so we don't really have a choice!
TIM : So, first step I collect car keys from jackets and handbags?
OWEN : Not all at once, you take one at a time, you send it to me outside and I'll take care of the cars! Once I've stolen everything interesting from the cars of these big armored men that they are, I'll bring you the key that you put back incognito where you found it and you give me another one, understood?
TIM : That way, they don't realize anything and it'll be too late when they've discovered the pot aux roses!? Implacable as a plan, Owen!
OWEN : It's our turn, man! We just have to...