Episode 23 – Rock Your Body
Previously on Lives To Live:
– Chardonnay ran into her ex-fiancé, Jean Luc Laurent, who was a new arrival in town. He bad mouthed Gabe, as they caught up over a sandwich, and when asked by Luc if she had anyone in her life Chardonnay said no.
– Kayla was annoyed by Paris and Nate’s growing relationship. She watched them go past, as they talked about Cleo’s depressed state, and ways they could help her. Talk then turned to the Robertson’s impending holiday, which would see Paris living with her older sister, Kimberly, for three weeks. That evening, Nate opened the Samson’s front door, and got a shock as he saw Paris standing there with her mother.
– Cleo was getting increasingly withdrawn, not to mention moody. Camille tried to talk to her, but Cleo got angry. She then started crying, and cut her hand on some glass. Meanwhile Camille looked through her niece’s rucksack, and discovered a letter from the school.
– Luc argued with his sister Nicole, who was angered by her mother’s interfering.
– Judi and Carla talked about the formers affair with Russell. Carla left, and Russell appeared. He was exhausted after a bad day. He and Judi were about to kiss, but were interrupted by a nurse.
Monday,
March 24th 2003, Westside High School, Morning
“Are you okay?”
There was no answer. Paris repeated the question. Again, no answer. Paris turned around, and returned to fixing her hair, just as the door opened. Paris turned back around, and looked at Cleo Brady emerge from the toilet.
Paris was slightly taken aback, as she noticed dark marks under her friends eyes, from constant crying. Cleo’s long, dark hair was tangled and her clothes scruffy.
”Cleo…” Paris said, shocked.
“I miss him so much.” Cleo began. More tears streamed down her face. Paris put her arms around Cleo, realising she was talking about Leo Williams. After Cleo had recovered, they started talking again.
“Cleo, he’s gone now. I know it sounds stupid, but there are plenty more guys out there.”
“I don’t want them, though. I want Leo. I love him.”
”Cleo…”
“Look, there’s something I need to tell you.” Cleo started, changing her tone of voice.
“What?” Paris asked.
“You can’t tell anyone this.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Cleo took a deep breath.
”I’m thinking of leaving, going to Florida.”
Paris was shocked.
“You mean run away?” She asked.
“If I have to, then yes.”
“Cleo, you can’t do that.”
”I can.” Cleo answered.
”What about your family, your aunt and uncle?”
“I ran away from my mom to come here.“
“That was different.”
“You can’t just run away every time something goes wrong.”
“I know that, but this is different.”
“They’ll bring you back here if you do. The police will search for you and bring you home.”
”At least I’d see Leo.”
“You’ll be able to see him when he comes back in the summer, to stay with Nate.”
“I can’t wait for three or four months to see him. I love him.”
“If you really do love him, and he is the one, then you can wait for him.” Paris said. She walked out of the toilets, leaving Cleo deep in thought.
***
Mirage
Restaurant, Lunchtime
“Here are your menus. I’ll be back to take your orders in a moment.” The waiter said, quickly leaving to deal with another customer.
“Thank you.” Leslie Samson said, casting her eyes over the menu.
“Just think, the last time we were here the penthouse was burning down.” Camille said. Leslie looked up from the menu.
“How did you…?” She asked, nervously.
“It was in The Reporter. I suppose you didn’t see it as you were on holiday.”
“Oh, no I didn’t.” Leslie said, returning to reading the menu.
“It was lucky it didn’t spread to any of the other apartments, wasn’t it?” Camille persisted. Leslie nodded. “Do you know how it was started? It didn’t say in the newspaper.”
“Something to do with an electrical fault I think.”
“Lucky none of Victor’s business friends were there. If it had happened in the middle of the night, then they could have all died.”
“Can we please not talk about it?” Leslie snapped. Camille was shocked at her friends outburst. Leslie quickly apologised. “I’m sorry. It’s just that it doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“Oh, well I suppose it must be difficult, just before you went on holiday and all.”
Leslie flashed back to the moment when the police officer had arrived, and told herself and Victor of the fire at the penthouse.
“There was a fire at the penthouse, at
Oakcreek Apartments, this afternoon.” The police officer said.
“What?” Victor asked, shocked.
“It happened this afternoon. It didn’t
spread to any other floors or apartments.” She continued.
“So nobody was injured then?” Leslie
asked.
“No, the building was evacuated and
the fire put out.” The officer said. Leslie was puzzled. Haven’t they discovered Divine’s body? Surely she’d died. There was
no way she could have gotten out. She thought.
”How did it start?”
“We think that it was a technical
fault.”
“So how are things between you and Russell?” Leslie asked, trying to change the subject.
“They’re fine. I’m going to make sure the affair is finished soon.”
“How?” Leslie asked.
“Would you like to order now?” Asked the waiter.
”No, I haven’t made up my mind yet.” Leslie answered.
“And you?” He asked, turning to Camille.
“I’m the same.” She replied. The waiter left.
“So, how are you going to finish it?” Leslie started, anxious to know Camille’s plot.
“I…” Camille began, but was again interrupted.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I just thought I’d say hello.”
Leslie and Camille looked up and saw Judi Anders, standing beside their table.
“Oh, if it’s not Dr Judi. How are things at the hospital?” Camille said, icily. Judi raised an eyebrow.
”They’re fine.” She answered.
“Are you going to join us for lunch?” Leslie asked.
“You can take my place.” Camille said, standing up.
“Are you leaving?” Leslie asked.
“I just remembered I have something to do.” Camille answered, as she started walking away from the table. “Bye.”
”See you soon.”
”Bye.” Judi added, slightly puzzled by Camille’s question about the hospital, and a general iciness in the way she spoke. What if she knows? She wondered, picking up the menu.
***
The Samson
Mansion, early evening
Nate sighed, as Justin Timberlake started playing, again. Although he and Paris got on well, he found her taste in music annoying when he was trying to do his homework. He left down his pen, and walked over to his bed where he sat down. He and Paris were on their own in the house, as Chardonnay and his dad were still at work, and his mother was out. Rosa was in town, shopping.
Rock your body, easily.
Nate decided that if he wanted to get any homework done before dinner, he’d have to ask Paris to turn down the music. He walked to the door of his bedroom, and then down the hall towards her room. He arrived at her door, and gently knocked on the door.
There was reply. He knocked again, but again there was no answer. Nate decided that he would have to walk in, as the music was probably stopping Paris from hearing his knocks. Nate walked into the room, and looked around. He spotted Paris in the doorway of the bathroom, with only a short towel around her.
He immediately went red.
“Sorry, I didn’t…” He began.
”What are you doing in here anyway?” She asked, holding the towel.
“The music was too loud. Look I’ll just go and let you get dressed.” Nate said, running out of the room.
***
Wednesday,
March 26th 2003, George’s Coffee Shop, evening
“I’ll just have the chocolate cake.” Chardonnay Samson said, as she stood in the shop buying desert for dinner.
“I’ll just go and get you it now.” The young man, about her own age, behind the counter said, disappearing into a room at the back. Chardonnay looked around the shop, which wasn’t too busy. Most of the shops in the mall closed around six, but George’s always stayed open until nine.
As she looked around at the seating area, Chardonnay noticed a familiar face sitting reading a newspaper.
“Here you go.” Said the man, returning from the room behind. She placed a large white box on the table.
”That’s eight dollars, ninety nine cent.” He continued. Chardonnay handed her ten dollars, and waited for her change.
“There’s your change. Thanks.”
”Thank you.” Chardonnay said, leaving. She walked over to the table where Luc was sitting. He looked up from his newspaper, as he heard someone cough.
“Hello.” He said, smiling warmly.
“Hi. I saw you reading and thought I’d just say hello.” Chardonnay said.
“Ah.”
“So, how’s life?,” She asked, “Used to this town yet?”
“Getting there.” Luc said. “How is your new job going?”
“Yeah, fine. Dad’s still making sure it’s not too difficult, but I’m enjoying it. I better get going actually. We’re having dinner soon and I’ll be late. Mom is cooking, as Rosa has the night off.”
“Bye.” Luc said, watching Chardonnay start walking.
“See you.” She said, moving away from his table and out the door. The man from the counter arrived at Luc’s table.
“Would you like some more coffee?” He asked. Luc didn’t notice. “Hello.”
Luc turned around. His eyes had been on Chardonnay as she left the shop. The man looked to where Luc had his eyes, and realised who he was looking at.
“Sorry.” Luc said. “What did you say?”
”She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Who?” Asked a puzzled Luc.
“Chardonnay Samson. If she wasn’t engaged then I’d try myself.” The man said.
”She’s engaged?”
“Yes, to Gabriel McLoughlin. They had a feature about it in the Reporter a few months back.”
***
Thursday,
March 27th 2003, Sara’s Apartment, 1 a.m.
“Here we are.” Sara McCarty said, as she and Alex Blake arrived at the front door of her apartment.
“Yeah.” Alex said, nervously.
”See you then.” She said as she put the key into the lock, and opened the door.
“Bye.” Alex said, turning away. “I’ll call you.”
“You should, though don’t wait as long next time.”
Alex started walking away, as Sara watched him go.
”Alex.”
He turned around, and saw Sara behind him.
”What? Did I forget something?” He asked.
“This.” Sara said, as she leant forward and kissed Alex. The kissing got more and more passionate, until Sara pulled away. She took hold of Alex’s hand and led him into her apartment. She then closed the door.
Next Time:
Paris does some matchmaking, as the Vincent’s get a surprise.