While Brooke had come to see Lucas to talk to him, he had just introduced her to Mr. Wilson... This same Mr. Wilson who was none other than one of the bosses of the largest press group in the region. She felt a little stupid for having overreacted but continued to look at them, one after the other, with a stunned expression.
BROOKE : A job!?
MR. WILSON : We would obviously start with a fixed-term contract but I would like to see what you are worth!
Brooke remained silent with amazement and looked at the man completely stunned but also intrigued.
MR. WILSON : You do have training in journalism, Miss?
BROOKE : How do you know that?
MR. WILSON : I just told you, it was Father Lucas who called me personally so that we could meet.
Brooke looked back at Lucas. His expression was still hesitant and he wondered if this initiative was a good idea. He looked at her with his sincere and imploring eyes and his kind smile calmed Brooke instantly.
BROOKE : You're the one who invited Mr. Wilson? Here? Tonight? For me?
In a soft and calm voice, Lucas began to risk confirming and justifying his decision.
LUCAS : Yes, Brooke.
BROOKE : Why?
LUCAS : Because you deserve to start over, because you only need a little help to get there.
Brooke couldn't help but think that this man was great, a part of him at least. Moved, she still didn't realize that he was doing all this for her, and that he believed in her to this point. She even regretted that Mr. Wilson was there, between the two of them, while emotion was taking over her. She who had just gone through such negative emotions, anger, rage, disgust and fear... This initiative warmed her heart so much, the idea of a harmonious future too, she had tears in her eyes. Thanks to Lucas, thanks to the attention he gave her despite the circumstances and their complicated relationship.
BROOKE : I... This is stupid but... I don't know what to say.
MR. WILSON : Listen, I'm just going to leave you my card and if I'm not mistaken... You're not free right now.
He was obviously referring to his work sentence that was not yet over but she didn't get upset anymore.
BROOKE : Indeed.
MR. WILSON : That will give you enough time to see if my offer interests you. It won't expire until then.
The man took a business card out of his jacket and handed it to Brooke. Feverishly, she grabbed it and thanked him.
BROOKE : Thank you... I don't know what else to say... That's really very generous of you.
MR. WILSON : You should thank your guardian angel here instead... He was very convincing about you.
Brooke and Mr. Wilson both turned to Lucas. Brooke noticed that his cheeks were pinker and his eyes brighter. That didn't mean she couldn't, at least verbally, thank Lucas, even if her gaze took care of it. In her eyes, there was also the urgency she was trying to communicate to him, the urgency to be able to talk to him alone. It's as if despite their respective difficulties in opening up... Their bodies, they still understood each other perfectly.
LUCAS : You wanted to speak to me in private when you arrived, right? Mr. Wilson, would you excuse us?
Brooke's shoulders sagged imperceptibly with relief at his quick and almost unexpected reaction.
MR. WILSON : We'll see each other again in a moment, I think we're at the same table, my dear. Lucas, thank you again.
Brooke and Lucas greeted him as he placed his glass of champagne on the tray of a passing waiter. Then he left. Lucas looked at Brooke, a little worried, as she moved closer to his face so she wouldn't have to speak too loudly. Just the smell of his woody scent stirred her. The mango and chestnut also seeped into Lucas' nostrils. That seductive and hungry look he gave Brooke lasted only a second... But this was neither the place nor the time.
BROOKE : Come on, we need to get out of here.
Lucas followed Brooke to the first door that led outside that she had spotted. She looked around first. Once she was sure that no one would notice them come out, she opened the door, Lucas came out after her.
LUCAS : What's going on!? I think I see fear in your eyes, Brooke!
Brooke circled around a tight and non-existent perimeter, staring at the ground and scared, indeed.
BROOKE : I don't know how to say this... I screwed up... So screwed up!
Lucas continued to look at her, fidgeting, and slowly approaching her, trying to get her attention. She finally stopped moving and stared back at him. Lucas came to place his warm palm on Brooke's cheek and caressed it.
LUCAS : Easy, my pretty! Calm down and tell me what's got you in such a state... Please...
Brooke swallowed and felt the movement of her jawbone hitting against his palm that didn't leave her skin.
BROOKE : Do you remember Owen?
Lucas' eyes darkened as soon as she said Owen's name. He was already trying to force himself to stay calm.
LUCAS : I've never had the unpleasant opportunity to meet him but I know very well who he is, to you, and to justice.
BROOKE : To me? To me, he's nobody anymore... He's just an imposter, a liar and a profiteer, he's a piece of scum of the worst kind!
LUCAS : Like me, right? Is that what you think?
BROOKE : One thing at a time! But you lie by omission!
Lucas pursed his lips at her words that hurt him, but as she had said, it wasn't the time yet.
LUCAS : What did he do to you?
BROOKE : None of your business... At least until tonight... I don't know what to do, you're the only one who can help me.
LUCAS : I'll do anything for you, Brooke. Talk to me... Slowly, calmly.
BROOKE : He's here, Lucas! With his asshole friend and they're up to something, I know it... But I don't know what!
LUCAS : Here? You mean at Le Bec?
BROOKE : Yes, they've been here for a few days... But now, they're here, I mean at the Gala!
LUCAS : But what the hell are they doing here!? And why!?
Lucas was seething with anger. Brooke, she swallowed to dry out her throat without succeeding. She felt so guilty.
BROOKE : All this is my fault. It's because of me!
Faced with his distress, Lucas could not resist the urge to grab both of his cheeks and press his body against him.
LUCAS : Do you mind if we move a little further away... I don't want to risk anyone hearing us?
It was mostly that he wanted to be able to reassure her as he saw fit, by touching her and taking care of her. He couldn't take the risk of being seen so close to a woman, unable to hide his feelings for her. Without answering, and too caught up in her own emotions, Brooke let Lucas' hand guide her to the bottom of the stairs.
LUCAS : You're going to think that the hospital is making fun of charity, but you're going to have to tell me everything. Why would it be your fault? I can help you, Brooke, I want to help you. Please... Talk to me.
Brooke hesitated so much... She saw pure sincerity in Lucas' eyes, but she also feared his reaction. She also feared opening up to him and that he would close up again and escape her again... One time too many. As if he were reading her thoughts, he came to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and said to her:
LUCAS : You can't take the risk that the actions of this scumbag will have consequences on you, on your future.
He was right... So right. She had a real chance to put all this behind her, for good.
BROOKE : I saw him again... Several times. He's at the cabin with his disgusting sidekick who is as ill-intentioned as he is.
Lucas's face changed expression, more than surprise it was incomprehension that Brooke read.
BROOKE : It's me... Me who found him a hiding place! I... I thought he was coming for me...
Forcing herself not to twist the knife in her already gaping wound, Lucas simply began the end of Brooke's sentence.
LUCAS : But that wasn't the case?! He took advantage of you, didn't he?
BROOKE : Yes... He used me, again. He knew that I would agree to hide him and that he could continue his thefts... And so much the worse for the consequences! I'm going to jail if they find out that I'm an accomplice, that I helped him, that I supported him in any way!
Lucas remained calm, taking care to listen to him without interrupting him even if his expressions translated what he thought. Brooke then explained her conversation with Tim in the closet. Lucas kept his calm to think properly.
LUCAS : He didn't tell you anything else?
Brooke shook her head. Frowning and biting his lower lip, Lucas's cogs continued to turn.
LUCAS : Do you have any idea what they might do?
BROOKE : None. Well, knowing them, it would involve theft for receiving stolen goods later on... But as far as knowing what, no!
LUCAS : Okay. We're going to have to call the police and tell them that two people who are actively wanted are here.
BROOKE : Does that mean you're going to give their identities?
LUCAS : Of course. They won't come if we don't give them, Brooke. Especially since the call will be anonymous.
BROOKE : Anonymous? Why all the precautions?
LUCAS : First, because, like you say, you can't be associated with all this... It's too risky. And second, because I can't allow myself to be associated with all this either...
Lucas avoided Brooke's gaze, knowing full well what she was thinking. But before she could say anything...
LUCAS : I'm going to tell you everything, Brooke, absolutely everything... But first, we have to settle this.
Lucas's eyes and expression were stern, but his irises pierced Brooke's with conviction and determination.
LUCAS : Think carefully. Is there any evidence Owen could use against you if he gets arrested tonight?
BROOKE : He could say I helped him, that I even sheltered him in some way... Is that what you're thinking?
LUCAS : You can always deny it, I'm talking about irrefutable evidence, written records... Calls, messages?
Brooke's blood ran cold and she understood... She understood that Owen could use their text messages to implicate her. She pursed her lips to silently confirm what Lucas feared... She heard him whisper:
LUCAS : Fuck...