Heart & Soul

Episode 63

What Happens In Vegas (Part 2)

By Allan Craig

 

Holding her Sidekick in her hand, Kimberley sighed as a disgustingly familiar number flashed up on the incoming caller display. Lorenzo was the last person she wanted to hear from, especially given the fact that she wasn’t anywhere near getting his money. Kimberley promptly pushed the reject button before tossing her bejewelled phone on top of her bed.

 

“You have to answer it sometime.” Megan reminded her sister, eager for Kimberley to understand the severity of the situation that she had put herself in. “I’m pretty sure this Lorenzo guy isn’t going to just go away if you ignore him.”

 

“Oh really? Because I thought if I just kept rejecting his calls then he would disappear.” As much as Kimberley was grateful that her sister was here to help her, she couldn’t help but snap when Megan stated the obvious.

 

“Do you know what, Kim?” Megan stood up. “I don’t have to be here. I came here for a relaxing vacation with Marc and all I’ve done since I got here is get wrapped up in yet another of your problems. And the worst part is…you don’t even seem to be that grateful.”

 

“Oh my god, like how could you say that Meg? You know I’m like totally grateful to you, but you gotta remember I’m a little bit stressed right now.” A little bit was the understatement of the century when it came to describing how stressed she really was, in fact she was wound tighter than Britney Spears’ latest hair extensions.

 

“Look, why don’t we just give Lorenzo the money?” Megan knew that wasn’t exactly a viable solution considering Lorenzo could easily ask for more, but it did seem like the only way out. “At least that way there’s a chance of shutting him up.”

 

“I’m not giving that bastard a single cent.” Kimberley was determined not to give into Lorenzo’s demands; the fact that years of partying and shopping all over the world had left a massive dent in her trust fund was only a minor reason why she hadn’t paid Lorenzo off, it was the principle of the matter, and Kimberley was determined not to give Lorenzo a penny; although it was beginning to seem like that was the only option.

 

Lily’s

 

Sitting in the ultra modern deli, Rex smiled as the waitress rested their lunches down on the high gloss white tabletop and walked off. He turned to Jessica as she took a sip of her ice water and rested his hand on top of hers. Their conflicting schedules had left barely any time for them to be together, between Rex’s demanding job and Jessica’s budding hobby of planning parties, with Adam’s first birthday soiree being the top of her priority list.

 

“You’re being a really good friend to Carrie, putting yourself out like this, and for free.” Rex had begun to admire the passion Jessica took in arranging parties for her family and friends, especially when she saw the happiness Jessica got out of it in the end.

 

“Well I have to build up a reputation, especially if I want to make a go of this professionally.” Jessica couldn’t believe how quickly this was turning into a career for her; with her father’s money and her seductive personality, a career wasn’t something she’d ever needed, but the feeling of working hard at something gave her a buzz that shopping just couldn’t provide. “Pretty soon the offers will be rolling in. In fact, I’m meeting with Shane Baldwin later this week to discuss me organizing a corporate event for him in New York. If all goes well then it could be a steady gig.”

 

“I’m so proud of you baby.” Rex kissed Jessica on the cheek. “Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be making a fortune out of it.”

 

“Fingers crossed.” If there was one thing Jessica knew how to do, it was throw a party, so she figured she might as well make the most of her talents. “It’s just good to have something to call my…”

 

Before Jessica could finish her sentence, the annoyingly familiar sound of Rex’s cell phone interrupted their quiet moment. Rex glanced at the screen, uttering what Jessica had come to know as the four dreaded words. “I gotta take this.”

 

Rex stood up and flipped his cell phone open as he walked over to the window and muttered into his phone, leaving Jessica picking at her seared tuna salad. She sighed as he flipped shut his phone and walked back over to her, knowing all too well what was about to happen.

 

“I’m really sorry about this, babe, but they need me down at the station.” Rex’s job was demanding, something Jessica knew from the get go, but it never failed to disappoint her when he had to put his life on hold for some work thing. “I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get home, maybe an early night if you know what I mean?”

 

“Yeah, I guess.” Jessica faked a half smile, she didn’t want Rex to feel bad about having to work; after all, his job was very important and she couldn’t be getting all mad about him skipping out on a lunch date when there were murderers and drug dealers and paedophiles on the loose, but it still didn’t stop it from being a bit of a bummer.

 

Rex leaned over and planted a quick, passionless kiss on Jessica’s face before grabbing his coat and heading for the door. “Thanks for understanding, babe.”

 

“No problem.” Jessica muttered under her breath as she pushed the food around her plate with her fork. “No problem at all.”

 

Stacks Bar

Las Vegas

 

Upon entering the bar that was becoming unfortunately familiar to her, Kimberley did her best to avoid inhaling the usual scent of stale drink and even staler drinkers. She made her way, followed by Marc and Megan, across the quiet bar to the private room at the back where Lorenzo held his court.

 

“Do you want us to wait outside?” Marc was keen to be sensitive for Kimberley’s current situation, the last thing he would have wanted if he was in Kimberley’s situation would be for other people to wade in and involve themselves whether he wanted it or not.

 

“If you guys wouldn’t mind.” Kimberley just wanted to get the situation over with by herself; and as much as she loved having Megan there to help her, there were some things that just didn’t need other people getting involved in.

 

“Nuh uh, I want to meet this famous rat bag and give him a piece of my mind.” Megan insisted. Kimberley’s feelings were one thing, but when someone was trying to blackmail her little sister, Megan wasn’t about to stand by and let it happen.

 

“Only if you promise to behave.” Kimberley warned her older sister. After all, the only person who was allowed to misbehave in the Sterling family was herself.

 

“Fine.” Megan sighed. “But if he tries to pull any shit with you I won’t be held accountable for my actions.”

 

“Whatever.” Kimberley knew this encounter wasn’t going to be pleasant, but she supposed having Megan there couldn’t hurt.

 

“Give me a shout if you need me.” Marc reminded the girls of his presence, although he was eager not to intrude where he wasn’t wanted.

 

Kimberley knocked once at the door before entering, followed by Megan, who closed the door behind them.

 

“I’ve been waiting for you.” Lorenzo puffed on a cigar as he sat behind his desk, with an attractive young girl perched on his knee. Almost too young, Kimberley noted. “What up doll? You ain’t been answerin’ any of my calls?”

 

“Yeah well she’s hardly going to be in any mood to talk to you, is she?” Megan interrupted, instantly getting Lorenzo’s back up. Kimberley nudged her older sister to stay quiet, a task that she knew would be hard.

 

“What, is there an echo in this place or somethin’? Oh no, wait, I’m seein’ double.” Lorenzo chuckled as he rested his hand on the barely covered thigh of the girl sitting on his knee. “Who’s the Barbie doll?”

 

“I’m her sister you asshole.” Megan hissed, edging closer to Lorenzo despite the ominous look Kimberley was shooting her.

 

“Mimi, doll, would you get me a beer?” Lorenzo winked at the young girl, who obediently got up and left the room, looking Megan up and down as she left. “So, let’s get down to business, shall we?”

 

Closing the door to Lorenzo’s office behind her, Mimi strutted across the room towards the bar and asked the bartender for a beer and a vodka diet coke.

 

“It’s for Lorenzo,” she noted, ensuring the bartender didn’t charge her.

 

“Just as long as neither of these drinks are for you” said the bartender. “Lorenzo won’t be wanting me to get his license taken off him.”

 

“Okay fine, just give me the beer then.” Mimi sighed, unaware that Marc had been watching the entire conversation from the comfort of the bar, where he nursed a bottled beer, eager not to drink it for fear of catching some ungodly bacteria, if the state of the bar was anything to go by. Marc watched as Mimi walked back over to the office, sneaking a sip of the beer on her way. He could just tell that Mimi w as the type of girl who was in too deep when it came to Lorenzo, which could be just Kimberley’s ticket out of Lorenzo’s clutches.

 

Marc got up and approached the young girl before she could enter the office. “Excuse me, do you have a minute?”

 

The Masters House

 

“I thought we needed to talk.” Natalie explained upon arriving at Kyle’s place. Following their row, Natalie had thought it best to give Kyle a few days to cool off.

 

“About what?” Kyle shrugged his shoulders; he hated being so blunt with Natalie, but he’d had enough of playing second fiddle to Leo. “You’ve pretty much made it clear that you’ll take Leo’s side over mine time and time again. Why should I put up with that?”

 

“Because you’re the one I want to be with, not Leo, why can’t you see that?”

 

“Well it doesn’t look that way to me, Nat. You’ve constantly made me feel like second best whenever Leo was involved, and I’m not prepared to put up with it anymore. It’s over, Natalie, and the sooner you accept that, the better.”

 

“What if I don’t want it to be over?”

 

“I can’t be with someone who has feelings for someone else.”

 

“What is it going to take for you to realize that you’re the one I want to be with?” Natalie pleaded.

 

“I don’t want to realize anymore, Natalie.” Kyle couldn’t help but feel that the last year of his life had been wasted on a girl who didn’t really like him half as much as he liked her. “We’re over.”

 

Nate & Carrie’s House

 

Carrie handed Jessica a mug of steaming hot coffee and sat down next to her on the sofa, welcoming a break from the awkward tension that had been filling her house for months since her relationship with Nate went into decline. Of course, Carrie wasn’t the only one having man troubles, she knew that well enough without even having to ask Jessica; she could just tell from her best friend’s demeanor that things with Rex weren’t exactly rosy.

 

“So how are things with Nate?” Jessica was eager to get the conversation as far away from her own life as possible; the last thing she wanted to do was over analyse the fact that her boyfriend was more devoted to his job than he was to her.

 

“I have no idea.” Carrie sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. “Like, we seem to be getting on okay, but he still won’t open up. It’s like there’s this great big elephant in the room and neither of us will talk about it. He was totally there for me during the custody case, but I need something more, you know? Like I don’t want all of this stuff to just be swept under the rug and we just don’t talk about what he’s done in the past and we just pretend everything’s okay. I want to be able to know I can totally trust him, and I just feel like it’s never going to happen.”

 

“Do you think it’s going to work then? Like, I mean, if you’re seriously feeling stressed about it then you really need to say something. Otherwise you’ll only grow to resent him for keeping things from you.”

 

“I guess you’re right. He’s just really been there for me these last few weeks, especially since Greg won joint custody of Adam. I mean I know Greg’s his father and deserves to see him, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

 

“Yeah, well, at least you’ll get a sense of normality soon.” Jessica hoped her friend would be able to get over the fact that Greg won joint custody, but she knew Carrie wasn’t handling it very well. “It’s just a little shock to the system first. Are the Sterlings invited to the birthday party?”

 

“Well Greg, Megan and Kimberley are totally welcome, John too, I just don’t want Diane there. But knowing her she’ll find a way to worm her way into the party whether I like it or not. I mean even though we’re having it here, I just know she’s going to turn up, so why irritate her further?”

 

“If you don’t want here there, she doesn’t have to be there. It is your house after all.”

 

“But at least if I invite her she wont be causing a huge scene when she decides to turn up, which she will, whether she’s invited or not.”

 

“I suppose you’re right.”

 

Carrie sighed, this was the very reason she was so against joint custody; if she invited one Sterling she’d have to invite them all, Diane included, and she was adamant that Diane was not going to get her claws into Adam the was she did with her own kids.

 

Stacks Bar

Las Vegas

 

In the minutes that had passed, barely any progress had been made between Lorenzo, Megan and Kimberley. Lorenzo wanted money, and neither of the sisters were prepared to pay out in case Lorenzo was to turn around and ask for more, or just leak the tape anyway.

 

“Look, sweet cheeks, I ain’t gonna be fucked around here.” Lorenzo insisted, taking another puff of his cigar as he waited impatiently for his beer. “This tape is worth megabucks, and I want in on the deal. I’m not gonna be screwed out of money that’s rightfully mine.”

 

“Okay, so unless you want to be picking your teeth up of the floor, you wont call me sweet cheeks again, and you aren’t entitled to anything. So here’s what’s going to happen; you’re going to take what we give you, and that’s fifty grand, and you’re going to sign over all rights of that tape to us, agreeing that should this tape ever conveniently leak out to the press or to the internet that we are entitled to hold you personally responsible” Megan laid her cards down on the table, astonishing Kimberley with her astute confidence in negotiations, something Megan had definitely picked up from her father.

 

“Yeah, right, do you have any idea how much your sister’s acting debut is worth?” Lorenzo wasn’t about to let millions of dollars slip through his fingers because of some blonde wannabe Erin Brockovich.

 

“Do you have any idea who my father is?” Kimberley interrupted, growing in confidence due to Megan’s presence. “Sterling Enterprises is one of the biggest businesses in the world. Sterling Publishing produces some of the biggest newspapers and magazines in the country. You want to go to the papers? Hell, we are the papers.”

 

“Nice try, blondie.” Lorenzo bluffed, although he was beginning to realize just how deep he had gotten himself into the situation with Kimberley, instead of walking away when the going got too tough.

 

Before Lorenzo could come out with some more bravado, the door to his office swung open and two police officers barged in.

 

“Lorenzo Marquez?” said the burlier of the two officers.

 

“Who’s askin’?”

 

“Lorenzo Marquez I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of statutory rape” the other officer continued as the pair approached Lorenzo and slapped the cuffs around his wrist and led him out of the office, leaving Megan and Kimberley dumbfounded as to what had just happened, just as Marc appeared in the doorway.

 

“What did you do?” Megan smiled in disbelief.

 

“Don’t thank me.” Marc stood aside to reveal Lorenzo’s younger girlfriend. “Thank Mimi.”

 

Josh’s Apartment

 

Following Natalie’s disastrous attempt to reunite with Kyle earlier in the day, it had fallen on Josh to pick up the pieces, and plying his younger sister with pizza and ice cream wasn’t working anywhere near as well as he had hoped.

 

“I just don’t get it, why would he think I would chose Leo over him?” Natalie struggled to make sense of her current situation.

 

Josh sighed. He wasn’t the best at giving advice, especially when it came to his little sister’s love life. Josh still saw Natalie as a little girl and the very prospect of her having dealings with boys was something that terrified him, not to mention the prospect that she had a daughter. “Maybe it’s just one of those things, Nat. It just wasn’t meant to be.

Natalie wiped a tear from her eye. “But I haven’t done anything wrong.”

 

“Look, you didn’t really think Kyle was going to be okay with this situation for very long, did you? I mean, you’ve got a kid to another guy who’s constantly interfering in your life. That would be trying for any guy, no matter how much he loves you.”

 

“But I cant just let this go, Josh. I love Kyle.”

 

“Well if it’s meant to be, you guys will be together eventually.” Josh advised his sister. “Just let fate run its course.”

 

Las Vegas

 

The cop car door slammed closed and sped off into the distance as Megan, Kimberley and Marc watched Lorenzo being carted off to prison. Aside from charges related to his sleeping with a minor, Mimi had also told the police of Lorenzo’s drug dealing and money laundering operations, ensuring that Lorenzo was locked behind bars for a very, very long time.

 

“Well thank god that’s over with,” Marc tried to cut tense atmosphere that still hung over them.

 

“Let’s hope so, anyway.” Kimberley couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort despite the fact that Lorenzo was seemingly out of her life for good.

 

“Well I for one am totally wiped.” Megan rested her head on Marc’s broad shoulder as he wrapped his muscular arm around her petite frame. “How about an early night?”

 

“Suit yourselves.” Kimberley’s party girl spirit didn’t take long to resurface. “I’m going to celebrate. Are you sure you cant be tempted to tag along?”

 

“We’ll be fine with a bottle of wine and a good, long soak in the Jacuzzi.” Megan insisted.

 

“If you insist.” Kimberley hailed down a cab for herself. “You probably couldn’t keep up anyway.”

 

Kimberley climbed inside the cab and closed the door, speeding off into the bright lights of The Strip as the sun began to set. Marc and Megan looked at each other and smiled before embracing in a passionate kiss.

 

TO BE CONTINUED…