Episode 30 – Out of Control
Previously on Lives To Live:
– Chardonnay and Gabe met with Sara, who was annoyed at the slow progress of the wedding organising. Char was later shocked when Sara suggested Luc be Gabe’s best man, and he agreed.
– Leslie was worried about how distant Victor was. She met with Camille, who told her that she was pregnant. Leslie ended up arguing with Camille, over her plan and then saw Luc. Later she was shocked when Victor told her that he was going away for the weekend. She wondered if he was having an affair.
– Cleo stole money from Camille, to buy alcohol. She, Joel, Mattie and some others were caught by Craig Smith, Joel’s dad, at Joel’s house. Craig kicked them all out and he and Joel argued. Joel told Craig that he hated him.
– At the hotel, Heather stroked Justin knee again. he tried to talk to her, but she jumped on him and made it look as though they were having sex. Celia then entered the room and was shocked at what she saw.
Wednesday,
April 16th 2003, Celia and Henri’s Apartment at the hotel, 6.05pm
“Hi honey.” Henri greeted, as his wife entered the room. He was trying to figure out how to use the laptop he had received months ago as a birthday present. “I can’t use this thing at all.”
He kept at it for a moment, before turning to his wife and seeing how pale her face was. “Are you okay?”
“I saw them, Justin and the receptionist. In the office…”
“What?”
”He’s cheating on Nicole, with her. She was all over him. They were making…” Celia began, but tears started streaming down her cheeks. How am I going to tell Nicole this? She wondered, as Henri placed his arms around her.
“Come over here, and sit down. Tell me what happened.” Henri said, leading her towards the sofa. Suddenly the door burst open, and Justin walked in.
“Celia, listen. It wasn’t what you think.” He started, but received a stern and disappointed look from Henri.
“You actually can lie to me and tell me that you weren’t having sex with that, that tramp downstairs?” Celia said angrily, fighting to get away from Henri’s grip. He left go, and she walked towards her son in law.
“She set me up. We aren’t having an affair.”
“Why would she set you up? What reason would she have? None whatsoever.”
“Celia.”
”Don’t you dare speak to me. I want you out of my hotel and out of my daughter’s life. You’re sacked.”
”Look…” Justin tried again, but was delivered a stinging slap from his mother in law.
”I told you to get out.” Celia screamed louder than before.
“Mom, Justin, what’s going on?” She asked.
”Nicole.” Celia said, in a weaker tone.
”What are you two fighting about?”
“We…” Justin started.
“I want mom to tell me.”
Celia looked at her daughter, and then at Justin, before turning to Henri. She didn’t know what to do. If she told Nicole, she would break her daughter’s heart. Or maybe Nicole wouldn’t believe her, meaning that she could lose Nicole forever. On the other hand not telling her would mean that she would be siding with Justin and he would think that he could get away with continuously having affairs. And if Nicole ever found out that Justin had kept something like this from her, then she would lose her.
“We were arguing about business. Justin made a mistake, which has cost us a lot of money.” Celia said.
“Is that all?” Nicole asked. “Well I’m sure it wasn’t deliberative, and everyone makes mistakes mom.”
“But very few people could make a mistake as big as this one.” Celia continued.
“So where is Erin?” Henri asked, cutting in.
”She’s downstairs with Luc. He teaching her about running a hotel.” Nicole joked. “I better go down to them, I said that I would only be a moment.”
“I’ll come with you.” Justin said. The couple left and Celia turned to her husband.
“For what it’s worth I think you did the right thing. Nicole doesn’t need this now. The last time she found out that he had cheated on her, she had a breakdown.” Henri said. He walked over to his wife and put his arms around her again.
Meanwhile downstairs Heather was in the staff room. She carefully looked around to see that nobody was looking, before removing a small cellular phone from her skirt. She quickly punched in a number, and closed her locker door. The phone on the other end started to ring.
“Hello.” Said a male voice on the other end.
“It’s me.” Heather said, smiling to herself.
“I take it you’ve completed what I told you to do.”
“Yes, don’t worry. The Laurent’s have had a nasty surprise.”
“The first plan of my scheme is done. Good work Lisa.”
“And what about my money?”
“Don’t worry, a large check will be delivered to your door soon. Along with a little surprise.”
”Oh and there is something else. I managed to look through Henri’s files and found something you might be interested in.”
”What?”
“The Laurent empire could be about to increase. They are bidding to buy the Cromwell hotel chain.”
The person on the other end smiled to themselves, in delight.
***
Friday,
April 18th 2003, The Samson Mansion, 8am
“I’ll put your bags in the car for you Mr Samson.”
“Thanks Frank.” Victor Samson said, as he turned to face his wife and children.
“Well I guess I’ll see you all Monday.” He said.
“Yeah, I’ll see you Monday dad.” Nate said. He and Victor shared a quick hug.
“Bye dad. I love you.” Chardonnay said, as she got a longer hug.
“I love you too.” Victor said, pulling away and walking towards Leslie.
“I’m really going to miss you.” He said. She smiled.
“I’ll miss you too.” She said. He leaned in for a kiss, but she pulled away. “You better go, you’ll be late for your flight.”
Victor tried to hide his surprise, as he looked down at Leslie. Chardonnay and Nate weren’t looking as they were talking about Chardonnay giving Nate a kiss.
“Leslie, are things between us okay?” Victor asked.
“Fine, I just don’t want you to miss your plane.” She said. Victor looked puzzled for a moment. He eventually turned around and walked towards the front door of the mansion.
“Bye.” Nate and Chardonnay said, waving. He waved back at them, before leaving.
“So are you ready?” Chardonnay asked, turning to her brother.
“Yeah, I just have to get my rucksack. It’s in the kitchen.” Nate said. He and Chardonnay walked away.
“See you later mom.” Nate called.
“Yeah, see you.” Chardonnay added.
“Goodbye. Have a good day.” Leslie said. She turned and walked up the stairs and down the corridor until she reached her and Victor’s bedroom. She sat down on their bed, and looked at a picture of them on their wedding day.
“Oh Victor. I wish I knew if you were having an affair or not.”
Leslie placed her head in her arms for a moment, before realising something. She quickly turned and looked at Victor’s shirt, which he had left on the bed. Leslie took it up and examined it. She sighed, noticing a red stain near the collar. She then stood up, walked towards the bedside table and kneeled down, before taking out a bottle of vodka. She then took a glass out, and poured out a glass before downing it in one go.
***
The Elliot
Apartment, Early afternoon
Camille Elliot smiled as she picked up the bag containing the garment of clothing she had just bought. It was a yellow baby’s suit, which was the first thing she had bought since discovering she was pregnant. It had been slightly embarrassing in the store when she discovered that she had a lot less money than she had thought, but fortunately she had a credit card with her. Camille decided to ask Russell when he got home from work where the money had went.
As Camille left the bag down on the sofa, the phone started to ring. She walked towards it and picked it up.
“Hello, Camille Elliot speaking. How may I help you?” She greeted.
“Hello Mrs Elliot. This is Albert Winters from Westside High School. I am calling to find out where Cleo has been for the last six schooldays.”
Camille was taken aback by what the man was saying. Cleo hasn’t been in school? Where has she been? Who has she been with? Camille began to wonder. Other questions also went through her mind.
“She hasn’t been in school?”
“Yes, she and a couple of her classmates haven’t been in at all this week. Do you know where she has been?”
Camille tried to decide what to say. If she lied then there was the possibility she could be found out, and it might mean that Cleo would think that she could get away with missing school. But then if she told him the truth, it could lead to trouble for Cleo, and herself. Maybe the teachers would think Cleo was out of control, and get her taken away. How would I be able to tell Renee that I had her daughter taken into care?
“Mrs Elliot. Are you there?”
“Oh sorry. Cleo has been in bed all week with a really bad cold. My husband, a doctor, advised her to take the week off, and that’s what she has done. I’m sorry for not letting the school know sooner where she has been.” Camille said.
“Okay then. I’ll expect to see her on Monday. Thank you for your time, Mrs Elliot.”
Camille was shocked that she had just lied. She put down the phone and turned around. She needed to know where Cleo had been, and where she was now. Camille decided that she would have to go and look for her. But as she grabbed her keys, she realised that she didn’t have a clue where Cleo could be.
“Maybe I should wait until she gets back.” Camille said to herself. She left down her keys. Suddenly she had an idea. There might be something in her room.
Camille entered the room. It was pretty untidy. She looked on Cleo’s bedside table. Nothing. Next she tried her drawers. An empty, unused address book. Finally she looked over at Cleo’s wardrobe. She slowly walked over to it, and placed her hand on the door.
“Just clothes.” She said to herself, with a sigh. As she closed the door of the wardrobe she noticed a peculiar sound. It was like a bottle rolling. Camille opened the wardrobe up again, and looked down at the bottom of it. There was a bottle of alcohol and a couple of cans of it too.
***
The Hotel
Restaurant, 7.45pm
“I better go. I have to meet some friends in town.” Jean Luc Laurent said, as he finished his desert.
“Okay love, see you soon.” Celia Laurent said.
“Bye son.” Henri said. Justin and Nicole also said their goodbyes. Luc stood up and walked away from the table, leaving the two couples and Erin, who was seated beside her mother.
There was an awkward silence. Justin and Nicole’s eyes met.
“I’ll be back in a moment.” Celia said. “I’m just off to the ladies room.”
She stood up and left. “And I have to ring someone.” Henri said, following her out of the restaurant, leaving just the Vincent family.
“What is going on?” Nicole asked, as soon as her father was out of earshot.
“I don’t know.”
“It was so quiet all through dinner. Luc tried, but mom and dad barely said anything. I wish I knew what it was.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. They are probably just tired after loosing their receptionist and everything.”
“No, it isn’t that. There is something else. And whatever it is I’m going to find out what.” Nicole said. Justin looked away from her.
***
The Samson
Mansion, same time
Leslie Samson walked slowly down the stairs. She had been drinking all day, as she wondered who Victor’s lover could be.
“We’re going now mom.” Chardonnay called, as she and Nate went to the front door. “See you later.”
“Bye.” Leslie said, as the door closed. She reached the bottom step of the stairs and then walked across the hall, into the sitting room. She walked over to the drinks cabinet and took out a glass and a bottle. But before Leslie could pour, the doorbell rang.
“Get that will you Rosa.” Leslie called. There was no response from the maid. Leslie realised that she had given Rosa the night off a few days ago. Leslie sighed, before turning and walking towards the front door.
The doorbell rang again. “All right, I’m coming.”
Leslie pulled open the door, and smiled as she saw JJ Robertson standing before her.
“John, hi.” Leslie said, in a more casual yet friendly tone.
“Hello Leslie.” John said, smiling himself. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” She replied. “And you?”
“Yes, I’m fine as well. Is Victor here?”
“No, I thought you’d have known. He is gone to Washington on business.”
“I didn’t know.”
”Something about a takeover deal.”
”Well I better go then. You don’t want me opposing on you, do you?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I was just having a drink. Would you like to join me?” Leslie asked. “You would be doing me a favour.”
“Okay then.” John said. He walked past Leslie. She smiled briefly before closing the door and leading him into the sitting room.
“So what do you want to drink?”
“I’ll just have the same as you.” He said, taking a seat.
“So how are Natasha and the kids?” Leslie asked, as she fixed the drinks.
“They are all fine. What about Chardonnay and Nate?”
”Chardonnay and Gabe are getting ready for the wedding, and Nate is fine.”
“Oh yes, it’s only a couple of weeks until the wedding. I’ve still got all that to look forward to with John and Jodi.”
Both of them laughed, as Leslie handed John his drink and then took some of her own. She felt so comfortable around John.
***
The Ritz
Bar, 8.15pm
Luc walked through the doors of the bar, searching for Gabe. He was slightly puzzled as to why Gabe had invited him along, as they weren’t exactly best friends. As Luc glanced through the crowds, he wondered if Gabe even knew that he had once been engaged to Chardonnay. If Gabe knew, then he had never mentioned it.
As he scanned the bar and seating area, Luc saw Gabe and Chardonnay sitting in a corner of the bar. Chardonnay? What is she doing here? Luc asked himself. He strode over to where they were sitting.
“Hello.” He greeted warmly.
“Hi Luc, take a seat.” Gabe said. Chardonnay was silent.
“So what do you want to drink?” Gabe asked.
“A beer.” Luc said.
“I’ll go get it. Same again Char?” Gabe asked.
“Yes, thanks.” Chardonnay said. Gabe stood up and walked towards the bar.
“I can’t believe you came.” Chardonnay said to her former fiancé, as soon as her current fiancé was out of earshot.
“Well I didn’t know you were going to be here. And what was I supposed to do? He forced me into saying yes.”
“Isn’t it obvious? Say something had come up, and that you couldn’t come. It’s not that difficult.”
“Then he would have just asked me to come tomorrow. There was no way to get out of it. What does he want anyway?”
“I…”
“Here we go.” Gabe cut in, as he had three drinks in his hand. He handed Chardonnay her orange juice and Luc his beer before sitting down. “So what were you two talking about?”
“Work.” Chardonnay lied.
“Well Luc, you are probably wondering why I asked you here tonight.”
“Sort of.”
”Well as you know Chardonnay and I are getting married. And I know that you two
have known each other for a long time, through your parents, and have been
friends for years.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Luc said, still puzzled.
”I was wondering if you would be my best man at our wedding.” Gabe asked,
leaving Luc silent. “I know that we haven’t known each other long, but
Chardonnay agrees with me that you would be perfect. Don’t you?”
“Yes.” Chardonnay said, silently praying that Luc would say no.
“Ahem, I…” Luc started. He didn’t know what to say, for a moment. “Yes, I’ll be your best man.”
***
The Elliot
Apartment, 11pm
Camille Elliot looked at her watch. Eleven. Where is she? Camille wondered. She had been waiting for Cleo all day, and still she hadn’t appeared. Russell had arrived home, and Camille had told him about what she’d found in the wardrobe. He had organised to meet up with some of his friends, but offered to stay. Camille had told him to go, that she would handle this by herself.
Camille turned off the TV and stood up, feeling tired. She quickly turned as she heard the door of the apartment open.
Cleo Brady walked through the door.
“Hi, sorry I’m late. I went out with some friends after school, and I lost track of time.” Cleo started. “What? Are you okay?”
“I know you are lying to me Cleo. I want to know what you were doing today.” Camille said, sternly.
Cleo looked puzzled. “I went to school, then went out with some friends. We just hung out around town.”
“That’s a lie. I know you weren’t in school at all. One of your teachers rang, to tell me that you haven’t been in school for over a week.”
“Who? What did you tell them?” Cleo asked, worriedly.
“That doesn’t matter. I lied for you though, but I want to know where you were.”
“It is none of your business.”
“Well how about we ring your mother, and send you back to Australia.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I most definitely would Cleo. Tell me where you were, or I’ll phone Renee.” Camille said, picking up the receiver of the phone.
Cleo didn’t answer her aunt. She just avoided her gaze.
“How about I try then?” Camille began. “You were with your new friends, drinking. I found these in your room.”
Camille took out the cans and bottle she had found in Cleo’s wardrobe. Cleo looked shocked to see them.
“You were in my room?”
“Yes I went in there after the call from the school. Lucky I did.”
”Give them back to me. They are mine.”
“But you have been using my money to buy them, so they are not yours, are they? I know that it’s you who has been stealing money from me Cleo.”
Cleo looked down at the floor.
“How could you steal from us after we took you in?” Camille asked, but there was no response. “If you don’t answer me I’ll ring your mother.”
There was still no response. Camille started dialling the number. Cleo ran over to her, and tried to grab the phone from her.
“Let go off it.” Camille screamed.
“No. If you call her then I’ll hate you.” Cleo said, as she grabbed at the phone. She almost had it. I can’t let her send me back to him. I can’t. Camille let go of the phone and fell backwards. I have it. Yes.
Camille groaned. Cleo looked down at her aunt and realised that something was wrong.
“The baby.” Camille said, as she saw blood.
Next Time:
Chardonnay and Leslie clash, as Camille and Russell get bad news.