| What Really Happened Chapter 5: Heartache (Annette) Summary: Annette's POV on what happened as she and Kathryn await Sebastian's fate. I had never been this scared in my whole life. As I sat huddled in the hospital waiting chair all these images floated through my head from this morning. God I was so happy when I got up this morning because I was going to be with him the man I love. But then somehow everything went to shit and it felt like it would never be right again. I kept replaying the accident over in my head. All I could see was Sebastian's face right before the cab hit him. He had this look of peace but then is vanished as quickly as it appeared. That look might never come across his face again or any look for that matter and it was all my fault. If I had just stopped to talk to him, if I hadn't run across that street he wouldn't have chased after me and he might not be in that hospital bed fighting for his life. However I know I am not totally to blame for the accident. I am very well aware of the large part Kathryn played in it. Although I don't have proof I know she sent him out to get me, to get that stupid journal. All she cared about was her precious reputation. She didn't give a damn about Sebastian. I wanted to kill her that morning when she was acting all concerned about him and then wanted to ride with him in the ambulance. No way she didn't know Sebastian. She might have fucked him but she didn't understand him or love him, he was just another toy to her. Now she was upset because the toy might be broken and then she would have to replace it. I'm sure that would be quite the hassle to princess Kathryn. I have always hated hospitals ever since my mother died in one. When I was fifteen she died of cancer leaving my father to raise me. Since then I have done my best to avoid them, however I had to be her for him. It was true that I was mad at Sebastian and if I think about it I probably still was but in no way did I want any harm to come to him. As I sit there staring up at the beige bulletin board in front of me I can't help but think of my thoughts right before he was hit. I wanted him dead, I wanted him dead for hurting me and look I might just get my wish. After I arrived at the hospital the doctor had told me that his chances weren't good. He had severe damage to his kindneys and head trauma. I just remember shaking my head at everything he said trying not to cry. What finally woke me from my thoughts was when he said "where going to need consent from a family member to perform surgery." I recalled that his parents were out of town leaving the only close family member to be Kathryn. At the time I had visions of her calling and saying she didn't feel like coming to the hospital but I knew that wouldn't happen. Not even Kathryn was that cruel. The thing was I didn't want to let myself believe was that Kathryn might actually care about Sebastian. Maybe because then I would realize that there really was a connection between them that went beyond sex. Something we never had, something I couldn't begin to understand. Kathryn did arrive though like I thought she would. Twenty minutes after we arrived I looked down the hall when I heard the sound of heels walking down the hospital corridor. When I first saw her I didn't recognize her. Maybe it was because her hair was down and she wasn't just dressed in a robe or a sheet. The funny thing was the moment I saw her I realized what Sebastian saw in her. The night before when I was reading his journal over and over again I kept wondering what in god's name could draw him to her. I mean I understood the sex aspect but still it seemed like there was more to it. One look at Kathryn and I could see it. I could see how she was able to fool so many people into believing whatever she wanted. I wasn't just that she was beautiful which granted she was. In fact I had never felt more disgusting then when I saw her walking down towards the ER dressed in this simple but elegant black dress then came an inch below the knee. She wore black matching heels and perfect make up. I remember thinking this is how she dresses to visit her brother in the hospital? Then it occurred to me that this isn't dressed up for Kathryn, this is probably her casual clothing. However like I said it wasn't just the way she looked but the way she carried herself. Kathryn had this confident stride that I never saw on anyone over the age of thirty or forty. At our age girls are suppose to be awkward and unsure, but not her. Her head was held high and she waked with these confident self assured strides that threw me. As she approached me I sat up and ran a hand through my hair trying to look more presentable for some reason. She barley stopped walking she just gave me this look that said well? I didn't know what to say so I just told her "they need your consent for surgery." This look flashed over her face that I couldn't read. I was curious if she was scared or if she just didn't like hospitals. I wasn't about to ask. Kathryn just gave me this nod and walked up to the doctor and offered her hand. I was curious how she knew what doctor to go to. As they talked I was too far away to hear but I saw an older nurse come and hand Kathryn a clipboard of sheets. As I remember back to that all I can recall is this look on Kathryn's face. At the time I thought she was going to faint because she had this far away look on her face and her hands were shaking. Yes the girl with no soul actually looked scared in fact it appeared as though she could barley write. Finally she scribbled something down, handed it to the doctor and then left the same way she came not bothering to look at me once. Could it be I wondered, could she actually be upset over this? I just kept thinking about Sebastian's journal and all the things he wrote about her in it and I seriously doubted it. Kathryn was probably just going out for a cigarette. After she left the doctor told me that Mr. Valmont's sister had given permission and that it would take a couple of hours or so. I decided I couldn't just sit there in that waiting room I needed to walk. I started walking around the floor but then seeing all the sick patients was starting to get to me and all I kept thinking about was him. Finally I ended up in the cafeteria and decided to get some coffee. I took a seat in the large empty cafeteria and tried to think about anything besides why I was there. Ten minutes later my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a male voice asking "are you all right?" I looked up and came face to face with one of the most handsome men I have ever seen. He looked a little older than me but he was still very young. He was dressed in a a white coat that said resident on it. Looking up at him I tried to smile and say "yeah I'm fine." The young doctor sat down next to me "yeah you look it. Is someone you love in here?" I played the question over in my head; someone I love. Did I love Sebastian? That was the thing that kept bothering me did I love him, had I ever loved him? I couldn't be sure I just knew I had this fear inside me that I would never get to find out. I turned to him and said "my...friend is in surgery. He was hit by a car and there not sure if he's going to make it." "Oh I'm sorry. You probably don't want to be bugged right now." "No its ok, I like the company. Your a doctor here?" "Resident, I'm still in med. school" he said taking a drink from his coffee. "How about you?" I blushed slightly "I'm still in high school." "Really I wouldn't have guessed. Did you grow up in the city?" "No I'm from Kansas. I just moved here a month ago." He nodded "really? Wow that must be a change. Have you known this friend long?" At the mention of Sebastian my smile fell "umm no not long. I guess you could say he was my first...friend here." "Oh" the way he said it I got the feeling he knew what I meant. All of a sudden the silence between us was broken when a buzzard went off. "That's me I'm being paged. It was nice to meet you..." "Annette Hardgrove." "Well it was nice to meet you Annette I'm Brad Campbell. I hope you friend is all right. If you need anything feel free to have me paged." I couldn't help but smile at that "thanks maybe I will." I wished he had stayed longer because now I knew I would have to go back. I was terrified what would happen when I got there so I took the long way back. When I entered the ER Kathryn was sitting in the chair across from the one I had been occupying. We glared at one another as I sat down. If it had been anyone else I would of asked if there was any news but seeing as it was her I couldn't bring myself to talk to her. It seemed like we waited for hours before there was any news. The whole time Kathryn and I avoided one another like the plague. Then finally it happened the doctor came out. I can tell you now I knew what he was going to say before he opened his mouth. I had seen that look before on my fathers face right before he told me about my mother. I think Kathryn knew to because she stood up and whispered "oh god." The doctor had that nervous, pitiful look on his face as he said "I'm sorry but he didn't make it. We did everything we could..." "But I thought there was a chance" I said as the tears began to come down my face. The doctor just said "there was nothing I could do. His damages were just to severe once again I'm sorry." As the doctor turned to leave I began to cry and then looked over at Kathryn. All the color had been drained out of her face as she slid down the wall and collapsed on the floor. I would have thought this was all a show only she didn't seem to notice I was in the room. The thing that bugged me was she wasn't crying. How dare she I thought? How dare she show no remorse after what she did. I wanted to hurt her, I wanted to make her feel like I did. At the time I don't think I understood she already did. With venom I didn't even know I had I said "are you happy now?" When she didn't even look up at me or acknowledge I was speaking I screamed "look at me dammit! Are you happy now that you finally won? You won Kathryn Sebastian died and you came out on top. This is all your fault. You now have his blood on your hands I hope your happy now because I going to make-" "Shut up!" She finally screamed as she looked up at me in tears. It shocked me when I realized that she was indeed crying and it had nothing to do with what I said. I knew deep down she was upset I just couldn't admit it to myself. Kathryn started to sob loudly as she stood up uneasily. As she attempted to wipe the tears away she said in a quiet voice "just shut up." I placed a hand on her arm but she immediately throw it off. "Don't touch me!" She yelled though tears "stay the hell away from me." Before I could respond Kathryn all but ran down the hall the same way she came in. The tears were still coming as I watched her leave and thought about what to do next. I felt in some ways like my life was over with. What was I to do now? How would I ever get over this? Although this seemed very much like the end it was far from it. In many ways this was just the start of what was to come. My dealing with Kathryn and even Sebastian were far from over. There was so much more to the story. |
| What Really Happened Chapter 6: Questions Unanswered (Sebastian) Summary: Sebastian's POV of what really happened to him after the accident. Ok relax I didn't actually die. Well actually I guess I did, according to my death certificate. However let's just say rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I am very much alive. I'm not really sure when I decided to fake my death. I recall getting hit by the car while chasing Annette and then waking up in a hospital room. I laid there for a while trying to sort things out in my head. I realized I was in the hospital and that I was very sore. Then Dr. Hayworth was the first to come in. I think if anyone else had seen me first I might not have done what I did. As the doctor was babbling on about what a miracle this was and how I was very lucky blah, blah, blah, a plan was forming in my head. When I asked him if anyone was here he told me my sister and my friend were outside waiting for me. I began to recall what happened leading up to my accident. I remembered fucking Kathryn and then Annette walking it on us. I would have just let her leave, I was all prepared to do it but then Kathryn was going on and on about that stupid journal and how important it was that I get it back. Then I recalled what I asked her. Do you love me? And the look on her face afterwards. If it had been anyone but me waiting for an answer I would have laughed. To say I threw her would be an understatement. Why had I asked her? I guess you could say I wanted to know if it was worth it. Was it worth throwing away Annette for her? I thought it was but maybe I was wrong. The look of confusion vanished off her face and was replaced by uncertainty. Kathryn looked like she was about to say something but then thought against it. The thing was I didn't think I could bare it to here her say no or she didn't know so I left without an answer. Laying in my bed I thought about what to do next. In a way I could see in my head what would happen. Annette and I would be civil to one another avoiding what I did to her. She wouldn't say anything till she knew I was better then she would demand the explanation I couldn't give her. Kathryn would play it cool showing no emotion either way. If I tired to start things up again she would put me off citing it was a one time thing and it would ruin her reputation if it got out she was screwing her step brother. I couldn't do it, I couldn't go back to all the head games with her not after what we experienced that night. So I decided to play a little game of my own. When Dr. Hayworth asked if I wanted to see some visitors I asked him if he had told them that I survived yet. He said no, no one knew since it wasn't suppose to happen. This was of course perfect. The truth was it was surprising simple to fake my death, the first part being most difficult. I had to convince the good doctor to go along with my plan. Of course at first he was extremely reluctant citing all these ethical issues. When I brought up the subject of money however he began to reconsider. I had remembered seeing Dr. Hayworth's name in the papers about some experimental treatment he was working on. This of course needed money and I offered to pay in full if he would if fact help me with my plan. Money can buy you just about anyone. However the doctor wasn't the only partner I would need. I had a large trust fund but if I was dead I very well couldn't take the money out without anyone knowing. This is were Blain came into the picture. That had been a fun phone call, namely because at first he didn't really think it was me until I told him about that time I walked in on him and my dear step sister going at it. This got his attention but it took me forever to get him to agree to go along with my little scheme. Unlike the doctor Blain wasn't really someone who gave a damn about ethics. It was Kathryn he was worried about. I swear if I didn't know he was gay I would think he had a thing for her. I needed Blain to help me not only get out of town but help me get my funds into a Swiss bank account. After promising him that one day I would in fact come clean to Kathryn and after giving him a sizable reward he had agreed. The doctor had helped me get out of the hospital and Blain had helped me leave the country. So where did I go while my loved ones mourned me? Well everywhere actually. I was in France for awhile, then Italy, Greece, Bahamas, I even visited Japan for awhile. The whole time I was away I desperately tried to forget about what I was leaving behind. I fucked countless women but none of them measured up to her, even the one's I tried to get to know a little. Time and again I found my thoughts drifting back to her and wondering what she was doing. On occasion I would call Blain for reports. He was always hesitant on details at first I think because he felt like he was screwing over Kathryn in some way. However he would always cave in and tell me what she was doing and the guys who she was seeing. Funny I never saw her with any of them but I found I was jealous of them none the less. Still I kept up my resolve to stay away from the city and her. I was staying in Paris when I decided it was time to return. I was reading through the New York Times when I came across her picture in the society section. There was a picture of her wrapped around the arm of some big shot asshole. She looked gorgeous as usual as she smiled up at him. I don't know what made me do it jealousy perhaps, anger, love, hate who knows? But as soon as I saw that picture I realized I had to go back. I decided instead of calling Blain I would just show up. It was his own fault really he left the door unlocked. I waited in his room until he came in "hey Blain." "Aahhhhh!" He screamed like a ten year old girl as he walked in. I laughed "get a grip." "Jesus fucking Christ Valmont you scared the shit out of me. What the hell are you doing here?" I sighed "I've decided it was time I return home. There's some unfinished business I have to attend to." "Unfinished business? Oh you mean like this?" He asked as he held up the photo of Kathryn in the newspaper. When I didn't say anything he said "yeah I thought you might of seen that." "Who is he?" "Adien Levy, Alan Levy's son. He attends Harvard and is poised to take over all Daddy's companies. Guess what Kathryn sees in him?" "He's a little old for her isn't he? Kathryn's still in high school." Blain shrugged "not really. She's graduating next week." I rolled my eyes. Adien sounded just like her type, rich, handsome, well bread and probably lousy in bed. As I thought about it I realized I was wrinkling the page in my hand. Blain looked up at me with raised eyebrows . "What?" I barked. "So what exactly are you planning to do? Just show back up at the house and say hey guess what I was just kidding? I mean come on when she finds out about this she's going to..." "Kill me" I finished for him. "Yeah I'm aware. Look I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I know I want to see her. It's Saturday she's not at school. Do you know where she is?" "Oh yeah because I have a homing device on her at all times." I glare at him showing him how serious I am and he rolls his eyes. "I think she was going to this benefit at the park." "Great were going" I say as I head to the door. "Ok have...wait what? Why am I going?" I don't answer him as I leave and hail down a taxi. We ride to the park, the whole time Blain bitching about things he had to do. "Your junkie friends can wait" I tell him. "Excuse me there clients. Not all of us have trust funds big enough to fake our own death." At this the driver turns around and gives us a curious stare. I wave my hand at him "mind your own business and just drive." We arrive at the park and it doesn't take long to see were everyone is gathered. There's a stage set up and this man is discussing something about more funding for schools or some nonsense. Blain and I have no problem hiding out of sight a good fifty feat back from the crowed. Right behind the guy who is speaking is my dear step mother. She looks the same except for her face looks a little tighter. "Oh look Tif got another face lift. Good to know my father's money is being put to good use." "I think she got her calves done to" Blain said studying her. As I study the crowed my gaze rests on a familiar blond. Annette looks exactly like I remembered her, looking lovely in a simple white dress. She watches the man talk and then grabs the hand on the guy next to her. I wince and then shake my head. "Well it looks like someone moved on" I comment dryly. "Who?" Blain realizes who I am talking about. "Oh your little virgin friend. Yeah she started dating that guy a month after your death. That's Dr. Brad." I look over at him "is that his first name or last?" "Not really sure but don't they make the perfect Ken and Barbie?" Sighing I say "I suppose so just as long as she's..." I trail off when I notice the girl I came here for. Standing on the opposite side of Annette is Kathryn dressed in black. She wear's a short but tasteful black dress, a black sun hat, and matching large Jackie O sunglasses. Unlike Annette she isn't smiling in fact she looks bored out of her fucking mind. I vaguely here Blain say "there she is." I can't seem to take my eyes off of her. I watch her the whole time until the man of stage stops speaking and everyone begins to mingle. As I look around I notice her boyfriend isn't around. "Where is he?" I ask not bothering to use his name. Blain knows who I mean though and says "he's out of town. He'll be back in time for graduation." I smile realizing this gives me the opportunity I need. "Good. Blain you wouldn't happen to have my car keys would you?" He looks at me like I'm crazy "why are you going for a drive? Because that would be a great way not to be noticed." "No I just need the key. Do you have it?" "Yeah right here" he pulled out his key ring and found it. "This is the only one right?" He smirked "yes and it was quite the annoyance to everyone when they couldn't find it. Your father kept going on about what a waste it was." "Figures" I say as I walk away. "Where are you going?" He calls out to me. "I have some things to take care of" I yell over my shoulder as I go to find a cab. The thing I had to take care of was namely breaking into my house. Since I very well couldn't just walk right in I had to find another way around it. I wait for the servants to clear out and then take one of the back entrances that we use when we get shipments in. It's surprising how easy it is to get in unnoticed, makes me wonder how it is we were never robbed. No one is home besides the staff who all seem to be either working in the kitchen or upstairs. I take the opportunity to sneak around the house. It all pretty much looks the same except for some new paintings I see Tiffani probably purchased. I go to my old room and am shocked when I noticed everything is exactly the same, nothing out of order form when I left it. Oh the bed was made but that was about it. I walk around examining things and realized someone must have dusted recently. Looking around I remember there's something I need. I go to the closet and find a book I have of photographs I have taken. There was one I was looking for in particular. I found it easily enough and took it out. The photo was of me and was taken my Kathryn. I was sitting on my bed reading when she had come in and began playing with the camera. She took the picture and for whatever reason I always kept it. I don't think I ever showed it to her before. Folding it up I leave my room as it was and head across the hall to Kathryn's room. Like mine it is exactly the same as I remembered. I should probably feel bad about looking though her stuff but oddly I don't. I look in some of her drawers noticing condoms hiding underneath some books. Her stash hidden in the compartment next to her bed. It was good to see something's never change. Going into her closet I touch her clothes and can smell the faint smell of perfume that she always uses. I'm not sure how long I'm there for but it must have been awhile because Kathryn walks in the door soon afterwards. I am still hiding in her large closet as I look out and watch her as she walks in. She gracefully pulls off her hat and throws it on the bed and sighs. She's beautiful but I can tell she's tired. I watch her as she leans over and opens the drawer that contains her coke. She's about to dump some out onto her mirror when the phone rings. Sighing she reaches over and picks it up "hello." "Oh hi Adien" she says with not even a trace of a smile. "I'm fine...yeah it was nice. Your father made a good speech." As he says something I can't here I watch as she plays with a strand of her dark hair. She seems to be contemplating weather she can snort a bump while talking to him. I'm wonder if Adien knows about her little extra curricular activities, I doubt it. "I miss you too...when are you coming back? Oh good...yeah we can...that's nice of you." Finally she says in a dull icy voice "yeah I love you too. Bye." I know I should be happy that she sounds unhappy with this guy but I'm not. She sound so sad that I feel sorry for her. I consider not going along with my plan and just going to her and telling her I'm alive. For whatever reason I decided against it and get distracted when she started to take off her clothes. Slowly she slips off her dress revealing matching bra and panties. I'm a little disappointed when she doesn't take them off but walks into the bathroom instead. A minute later I here the water run and I realize this is my chance. After a couple minutes were I make sure she's not coming back I leave the closet and pull out the picture I took from my room. I grab a pen and write on the back 'you never gave me an answer'. Setting it down on her bed I then remove the car key from my pocket and place it next to it. Ok so I know I should leave at this point but I find I can't I want to see her reaction so I wait until I here the water turn off and then watch as she walks back in dressed in a silk robe. At first she doesn't notice it but then she turns around to grab something and stops suddenly. I watch as she reaches for the picture she studies it confused and this look flashes over her face that I can't describe. Kathryn then turns it over and her hand goes to her mouth. In a second she drops it back on the bed and begins to look around the room for someone. For an instant I worry she might find me but of course she doesn't. It takes me a minute to realize she's shaking and this look of confusion and fear is on her face as she picks up the key. I know she knows what it's to. I've tormented her with it too many times. Slowly she crawls onto the bed and picks the photograph back up. For awhile she just stares at it in silence and I don't see the tears at first. One tear comes out of her right eye followed by several more until she is sobbing. I am of course shocked by this. In all the time I have known her I had never seen her cry the closest I came to it was that night I told her about the journal, the night we slept together. Kathryn soon collapses onto the bed crying loudly. However I can still here her when she whispers "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you." It's in that moment I got the answer to the question I asked that morning. She did love me. I want to go to her and tell her what I've done but I'm too much of a coward. She'll hate me and I know it so instead I just listen to her as she cries herself to sleep. When I know she is out I quietly sneak out the same way I came. - to be continued |