Simone’s eyes darkened as she stared down Raul, who was grinning at her like a Cheshire cat. The last thing she wanted at this point in time was to have his greasy looking mitts all over her just to sell a strand of pearls. Just then one of the assistants came in with a platter of nibbles for the gathered throng of Sales reps and designers. It was already starting to remind her of an after party at one of her shows, and this was just the lead up to the fashion show. But there was something about the smell of the small bite sized morsels that suddenly had Simone looking green. She slapped her hand over her mouth and then looked for the nearest exit. She was going to be sick.
Pushing past Raul and Giseppe, she reached the door and then hot footed it down to the nearest ladies toilet, where she slammed open the door and made a bee line for the nearest cubicle. Collapsing to her knees and hugging the porcelain, she started to throw up. And it was bad. Her gut wrenching heaves were enough to make the girl in the next cubicle gag.
“Are you alright?” The office clerk asked, as Simone was wiping the drool off her bottom lip and trying to catch her breath.“I’m sick…I’m….R.A.L.P.H!!!! ~blurg!~” Oh it was nasty. Everything Simone had eaten for breakfast, and even dinner the night before was making a second appearance. She coated the bowl. It was simply horrific.
Falling back on her ass, she started to cry as the mascara she wore was running down her cheeks.
“What is wrong with me?” She whimpered as she drew her knees up to her chest and sobbed.
After having cleaned herself up from the vomit that stained her shirt, Simone came out of the ladies room only to be confronted by Erica. Turns out the other staffer in the cubicle beside Simone’s was the office gossip. Erica reached for Simone’s arm and dragged the hapless blonde down to the conference room. Thankfully, it was not in use and they had it to themselves. Locking the door so that they wouldn’t be followed, Erica stared at Simone with a grim expression. The ride to the office that morning, Simone had shown her a pregnancy test stick that had been in her bag. Naturally, Erica jumped to conclusions.
“Mary from accounts said she heard you throwing up. Now…after this morning, you know….”
Erica didn’t need to elaborate, since Simone knew exactly where this was going. “It has to be something I ate. Erica…I swear, I’m not pregnant. Okay?”
This was not enough for Erica, who had gained Simone a top spot in the fashion Week parade. “But you said so yourself. That there was a chance and it might be Brock’s.”
Simone hissed at Erica, starting to get nasty about bringing up Brock’s name. “No..no…just no.”
The blonde ran her fingers through her hair, looking like an animal caught in a trap. The last thing she needed right now was to be expecting. The very thought of it turned Simone cold. “I can’t be. I wouldn’t know what to do with a baby. You would be looking at the world’s worst mother.” Simone said, tapping her chest.
Erica started pacing, as Simone leaned back on the conference room table. It must still be early days, at least that is what Erica thought. She came to a stop and then pointed at Simone. “We are going to a family clinic. Find out once and for all, then…you are going to have to make a decision.” Erica approached her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I’ll even go with you. Okay Simmy? You won’t be alone in this.”
Simone had to admit, that was probably the kindest thing Erica had ever said to her friend. She let out an exasperated sigh, and hugged her good friend. Erica rubbed her back lightly and said.
The black stretch had pulled away from the curb outside the Escala apartments, with Simone and Erica safely inside. Simone had to admit, this sure beat the hell out of taking taxi’s around the city and she wasn’t in the mood to drive her own car to Erica’s office. Erica was already on her cell to her assistant – letting her know that they should be arriving at the office in about twenty minutes. Simone was reapplying her lipstick and making goose lips at her compact as Erica finally tapped out of the call. She was happy to see Simone coming back out of her shell after the whole mess with Branda (Erica’s pet name for the relationship of Brock and Pandora). Kristian was now nothing more than a faded memory and well Orson…he was around but had to go to back to the base.
“So much to do so much to do. I swear if this week doesn’t give me an ulcer from the stress it will be a miracle.”Erica patted her hair and then adjusted her dark glasses, as Simone put away her compact, then took out a pregnancy test kit stick. Erica stared at the stick as Simone waved it around lazily.
“What…what’s that for?” Erica asked, her face creasing with concern.
“To see if I am pregnant.”
“What?”
“You know….when you have unprotected sex and….yeah, I am just checking.”
Erica sat forward in her seat slightly and then mouthed the name “Brock?” Her bottom lip hung down as she waited with anticipation and ever few seconds glancing at the stick. Simone shrugged and made a very simple sound. “Mhm.”
Erica closed her eyes and shook her head. “For all that is holy, please let it be negative.” Erica crossed herself and pointed to the roof of the limo. “I’ll even start attending church.” This had Simone chuckle at the very idea of Erica going to church. “You’d get struck by lightning. I wouldn’t worry, I mean…he might have a low sperm count, who knows.”
This made the fashion editor slightly less worried, as the black limo finally pulled up at the Office. Simone simply dropped the pregnancy stick back in her bag and got out of the car as the driver opened the door. “Thank you…nice hat.” Simone said, pointing at the Driver’s cute cap, before trapsing after Erica, who was on the cell phone again. “We’re here…don’t panic. Let my 9 o’clock know.” Erica…ever the business woman strode into the building like she owned the place. On reaching the lift, they were greeted by a very familiar face.
“Raul? Raul Montego?” Erica took off her sunglasses, gobsmacked that the world reknowned male model was standing there, in the flesh. He reached for Erica’s hand and kissed it, with a kind of weird open mouth fish like style. Simone grimaced and could only imagine his drool going between Erica’s fingers. He was…slimy looking, but had edible hip bones.
“In…zee flesh.” Raul said with a pronounced spanish accent. He then cast his gaze at Simone, who was dressed to the nines.“My heart….it’z Zimone Jackson. I lovvvve your vork.” He went to take Simone’s hand and she whipped it away before he could get a grip. “Charmed.”
~Ping~
The lift doors opened and the trio stepped inside. Erica blinked and said. “Are you here to see an agent or having a cover done?” She was curious as to what he was doing in the building.
“No…I am zee star of your fashion….veek!”
As the doors closed, Simone was seen to mouth….“Fuck no!”
At the reception desk, Patty was busy fielding phone calls, as assistants from other departments were fluttering around like busy bees, pushing in racks of clothes into Erica’s office. Jack Peterson from marketing was issuing orders, and his assistant Toby was taking notes and shuffling behind him. It was truly a hive of activity and the moment the lift doors opened, you could hear the audible gasp and happy calls to see their boss Erica finally arrive. She would be swarmed by department heads all with swatches, photos, appointment books and more. Patty’s eyes lit up and she gave a thumbs up to see her boss. Her office had become panic central in the lead up to Fashion week. With so much riding on the publicity and promotional side with no expense spared, they had to put on a damn good show. One of the gentleman waiting was world renowned fashion photographer Giuseppe Populous. He spotted Raul Montego who was staring at Simone’s ass as she stepped out of the elevator, and let out a high pitch squeal.
“Rauuuuuuuuul?” Leaping up and clasping his hands together. He had a bit of a crush on the famous international model, and wasn’t at all afraid to show it off. Giuseppe pushed his way through the assistants and other staffers, to go and kiss Raul on both cheeks and embrace him in a very friendly hug. Simone saw this as her chance to leg it and get away from the lecherous Raul, who had already tried to touch her ass in the lift.
“Giuseppe, my bruther from the uther muther.” The two started speaking in Greek or Spanish, or…some language that Simone didn’t understand, with their arms flailing – doing magic fingers to express themselves. Simone was praying that there was some high chance that Raul was gay. But unfortunately for her, he wasn’t. Already he was pointing to Simone and trying to give Giuseppe some ideas on how he wanted to do a photo shoot with the leggy blonde to help promote Fashion week.
Simone ducked past a moving rack of clothes and then spirited into Erica’s office. The room was filled with famous designers, all making demands on Erica about how the show was going to proceed, who got top billing, who ran with the best models…lighting, music…it was a mad house, and Erica was handling it all like a pro. It was like watching Martha McKnuckle feeding chickens – throwing tit bits out to satisfy the ever clucking horde of well dressed and tempered designers. Simone went to the fridge and took out a bottle of champagne, cracking it open and finding a glass. This really wasn’t her scene, but she had to admit that the frenzy like atmosphere was kind of exhilarating.
That was until she felt that…familiar hand on her backside and the hot breath on her neck.
“Simmy, I have arranged with Giuseppe for a nude photo shoot.”
“You what?” Simone was incredulous as she saw the gleam in the model’s eyes.
“Nude….fashion….shoot.”
“What kind of fashion is worn if you are nude?”
That was when Giuseppe piped up and sung out.
“Jewelry. The company tag is….”You be naked without it.”
Seemed like just an opportunity for Raul to grope Simone when she was in the buff.
“ERICA?!”
Course Erica was too busy working with all the other designers and assistants to notice that Simone was being roped into something….rather nasty.
Pandora had been trying to call Simone on and off for nearly two hours. Each time her calls were routed to Simone’s voicemail. She was getting more and more worried by the end of each call.
Hanging up for what seemed like the millionth time, she buzzed for the nurse.
The elderly woman shuffled in a moment later. “Yes, Ms LaRue.”
“You find my doctor. I want out of the hospital right now.”
“But Ms LaRue, you suffered some serious injuries. It’s too soon to release you. You need to stay here at least another day or so.”
“To hell with that. You get him here now or I call my lawyer.” she scowled. “I think I’m pretty fucking free to make my own decisions regarding my health and care. I’m certainly not as feeble-minded as you seem to be.”
“Well I never!” the woman exclaimed, indignant.
“With that dried-up prune you call a cunt, you probably never…ever. Now go find my fucking doctor.” she scowled as she began to pull the IV from her arm.
After having a very irate nurse burst into his office and say that Miss LaRue was wanting to be released before she was ready, Doctor Lumbard eased back in his chair, and stroked his chin. “She does realize that the hospital will not take any responsibility or have liability for her once she walks out the door?” The Doctor replied, and was shocked by the Nurse’s statement to that.
“I really don’t think she is of a well mind to make such decisions. She is being abusive and I fear she will do herself an injury in her haste.”
The Doctor leapt out of his chair, and grabbed Pandora’s chart as he headed off down to her ward. On reaching it, he could see she was trying to rip the drip out of her arm. He stood their quietly observing her and said simply.
“If you let me do that, it won’t hurt half as much.”
Pandora was growing increasingly frustrated at her inability to remove the IV from her arm. It was the damn medical tape that was giving her the issue. She growled, annoyed, ready to rip the thing off with her teeth.
“If you let me do that, it won’t hurt half as much.” came a deep voice near the door. Her head whipped up and she saw Doctor Lumbard standing in the open door. His arms were crossed and he had a chart tucked beneath his arm.
“I’ve been through worse.” she snorted, going back to trying to rip the tape off with her teeth. She noticed he was still standing there, an amused look on his face and she huffed in annoyance. “I’m glad I amuse you so much. Wanna help me with this or are you just going to stand there all damn day?” she snapped. “I have places to be and this hospital is not one of them.
One thing about Doctor Lumbard, was his bedside manner. It was one of the reasons he was so popular throughout the hospital, both with patients and the nursing staff. Watching Pandora struggle, he cocked his head slightly, when she lashed out again with a dig at the fact he appeared to be amused by her antics. Needless to say, she was behaving worse than some of the children in the cancer ward when they were getting ready for chemo.
“I do have other patients that actually require treatment, Miss LaRue, however since you are so insistent on leaving, allow me.”
He calmly walked over, and then placed down her chart on the bed, before taking her arm with one hand, and then the tape with the tips of his fingers. He peeled it back gently, and then reached for a box of gloves. Putting them on, he then started to withdraw the small plastic tube that was inserted under her skin. Done almost painlessly, he got a small cotton ball and pressed it to the wound. Placing tape over that, he had successfully removed her IV.
“Now, if you would like to sign this release form, waving all rights to any legal action in case you are not fit to leave, and have done so by your own will.”
He handed her the chart and a pen and waited for the documents return.
“I do have other patients that actually require treatment, Miss LaRue, however since you are so insistent on leaving, allow me.”
His tone was civil as he made his way to her side and expertly removed both the medical tape and the IV from her skin, making sure to cover the injection site with a ball of cotton and more tape.
“Now, if you would like to sign this release form, waving all rights to any legal action in case you are not fit to leave, and have done so by your own will.” he stated, handing her the forms and a pen. She snatched both, knowing what she was doing was probably unethical, but she was worried about Simone and wanted to go see if she was all right.
She kept her head bent, her hair acting as a shield between herself and the doc as she began to sign the forms. There was silence between them, only marred by the scratching of pen to paper.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you.” she finally stated, pausing in the act of signing the last 2 forms. “I’m just worried about a friend of mine. She hasn’t been answering her phone and no one’s heard from her since yesterday. I need to go see if she is okay.” she raised her head to look at him with her deep green eyes. “I hope you can understand that.”
She signed the last of the forms and passed them and the pen back to the doctor. “Um…thanks.” she mumbled, looking down at her hands. She was still smarting from Brock’s rejection and was still feeling a bit wary around other men. After that fiasco, she remembered why she tried not to lose her heart to them. And now it was too late. She had given hers and it had been stomped all over the place.
Sighing, she moved to climb from the bed, mindful of her injuries and taking the crutch that had been placed there for her use, forgetting for a moment that her backside was exposed and there was a man in the room.
Until she felt the draft.
She whirled around (as much as her broken body would let her), pink coloring her cheeks as placed her exposed back to the wall.
The Doctor was a kind soul by all accounts, and used to hearing all sorts of stories from both patients and family members. Needless to say, Pandora also had a story and there was good reason that she was taking the unorthodox steps of letting herself be discharged before she was ready. In fact, her reasoning was because of concern for another. Doctor Lumbard’s brow knitted on hearing that she had been trying to contact a friend whom she was terribly worried about.
“If it makes you feel better Miss LaRue, being snapped at is all part of the profession. One time a patient that was brought in high on ice actually broke my arm in two places while we were trying to restrain him.” He didn’t mean to go into such graphic detail about the sorts of patients he had dealings with, but it showed that he was used to abuse.
Course, it was when she turned around and had on a hospital gown that showed pretty much all beneath, or the lack of that the Doctor had to look to the ceiling whistling.
“I’m sorry to say, Miss LaRue that when you were brought into the ER, we had to cut your clothes off. There really wasn’t much left of them to be truthful.”
Now this would have put her into a real bind, but the kindly Doctor then said.
“If you wait here, I can go down to the Women’s auxiliary stall and see if they have some second hand clothing that we provide to our poor patients.”
He then excused himself, and went off on his way – leaving her standing there.
Doctor Lumbard was a kind man and he simply told her about some of his more rowdier patients. She actually winced in sympathy when he mentioned having his arm broke in two places.
“Bet that ruined your golf handicap.” she joked.
When her backside became exposed, she was surprised when he did the gentlemanly thing and looked away as she turned back around.
He told her they had to cut her clothes off when she came in and she nearly moaned. That had been one of her favorite outfits. But with her injuries as bad as they were, wearing tight leather probably was a hinderance. She nodded.
“If you wait here, I can go down to the Women’s auxiliary stall and see if they have some second hand clothing that we provide to our poor patients.”
She looked up as he turned to leave the room. Second hand clothes?
“Ugh.” she muttered. “The things I do for you, Simone.” she sighed, moving to sit on the bed to wait. She snatched up her phone and tried calling again.
“If you’re hearing this it means I am either avoiding you, or with a man. Leave a message after the beep. -BEEP-“
“Goddammit, Simone. Where are you? I’m getting worried. Please…call me.” Pandora sighed, her tone full of worry, before hanging up the phone. After thinking for a moment, she picked up the phone again and dialed another number.
“Hey…it’s me…yeah I’m fine…no…not for a while…couple of months at least…Listen, I need a favor. Can you come and pick me up? Half hour…not right away, I need to go visit a friend. Will you drive me? You’re the best, Mark…and stop calling me Panda for fuck’s sake!” Chuckling, she hung up the phone and waited.
Erica was sitting on the side of Simone’s bed her face etched with worry as she watched Simone finally submit to the sleeping tablets that Erica had given her. Probably not the brightest thing to do, but it was all she could come up with to help her friend sleep. She gently brushed Simone’s hair back from her face, as Simone hugged her ragged bear tighter and murmured something in her sleep. It was hard to tell what it was, but Erica was not about to wake her up to find out.
Getting up from the bed, she could hear a dull beeping coming from the closet. It was Simone’s cell. Quietly padding over, Erica picked it up, and could see a dozen missed calls all from the same number. Wondering who it could be, she left Simone’s room and closed the door gently, only to play back the last message.
“Goddammit, Simone. Where are you? I’m getting worried. Please…call me.”
Erica wrinkled up her pert nose. ~Fuck!~ Simone was out for the count, Already angered about the whole situation with Simone, after hearing everything that had caused her to have a melt down, Erica simply deleted the message and tossed the phone in the bin.
Pandora’s Hospital Room
The Doctor finally came back with a small armful of clothes. They reeked of mothballs and lily of the valley. You know that grandma smell. The clothes themselves were circa 1970’s floral print pants and a matching skivvy. Real classy, well if you were into retro. The Doctor shrugged lightly as he placed them on Pandora’s bed.
“This was the only thing I could find in your size, Miss LaRue.” He was practically apologetic, but what else could he do? It wasn’t Walmart, it was a Hospital. “I’ll leave you to it.”
He took up her chart and the nurse came in to scrub her name off the white board over the bed, and start to strip the bed of its linen. When they got patients out, they really got them out.
The doc came back with some clothing and Pandora could only stare at them in disgust. It looked like something they pulled off the body of a dead grandmother and smelled even worse. She rolled her eyes.
“Thanks, doc.” she sighed as he left the room once more. She struggled out of the hospital gown and stood naked as she stared at the clothes.
“Hmm…” She had noticed that her bike saddlebag was in the closet and she hobbled over to grab it. Dropping it on the bed (and annoying the worker who was changing the sheets) she rooted around for her large buck knife and the sewing kit she had took to carrying with her. With a grin, she began slicing at the clothes, cutting off lace and sleeves and generally destroying the original configuration of the garments she had been given.
When she was finished, she had turned the ensemble into a belly baring tank top and shorts. With a grin, she pulled them on, carefully avoiding her injuries. By the time she was done, her shoulder was throbbing painfully. Taking the medication she had been left with, she downed a pill with a glass of water, sighing with relief when they kicked in.
There was a knock on the door and she looked up to see Mark standing in the door. She hobbled to her feet as he took in her outfit.
“Cute.” he grinned.
“Shut up and get me out of here.” she snorted.
“Where to?”
“Simone’s. I’m worried about her.”
“Your chariot awaits.” he stated, grabbing a wheelchair from the hall.
“I can walk, you know.”
“Hospital regulations, Ms LaRue.” snapped the elderly nurse as she walked by.
“Bitch.” she grumbled, moving to the chair with an annoyed grunt.
Laughing at her antics, Mark grabbed her bag and wheeled her from the room.
Doctor Lumbard was putting back Pandora’s chart and getting the down low from a nurse on his next patient as Pan was being wheeled past by Mark. Now, the Doctor knew that Brock had been in earlier, and now she was being wheeled out by another guy. She sure must be popular with the guys. The Doctor waved as Pandora was wheeled out like an invalid, and he couldn’t help but notice that she had altered the clothes he had given her.
“They look very nice on you, Miss LaRue.”
A light smirk, and the Doctor was off down the hallway to his next patient. Would this be the last time they met? Seattle was a big city, but fate always has an odd way of dealing a hand.
Across the street from the car park, Brock was parked in his truck. He had been sitting there for hours, stewing over everything. On the side of the seat was a bunch of flowers and he was practicing an apology. That was, until he saw her being wheeled out by another man.
“THE FUCK?!”
Furious, he tossed the flowers out of the truck and sped off.
Ladies Night – Downtown : Live Roleplay 23rd of March, 2014
Pandora’s hospital room
LadyBelz: Pandora was unaware how long she was out for, but when she finally came to, it was with a mild groan. Groggy from the medication they’d given her, it took her several moments to get her eyes to open. She caught sight of a blurry shape at her bedside and she had to blink her eyes a few times to clear it. When she did, she saw that the blurred shape was actually Brock. What was he doing here? How did he know where she was? The last thing she remembered was being put in an ambulance.
CharlotteCarrendar: Having his head bowed and in his hand, Brock was actually praying. Praying that Pandora would be okay, and maybe they could go back to how things were before. Was that still possible? Did she hate him for walking out the way he did? So many questions raged until he heard her groan softly. She was coming around. Taking his hands away, he inched closer to her by shifting forward on the chair. He could see by her eyes, she was having trouble focusing. “It’s okay, you’re in hospital, and they have you on pain relief.”
LadyBelz: “Brock.” her voice came out in a dry whisper from being in disuse for some time. Her voice was soft though and she felt horrible. There was a dull throbbing pain in both her arm and her ankle, but she was happy to see him, even if it was for a short time. She could feel the pain meds trying to take her under again and she struggled to get the words she wanted to say out before that happened. “Sorry…so sorry…didn’t want to…you mad.” she mumbled, struggling to stay awake.
CharlotteCarrendar: -Brock reached for her hand, the one that was nearest and locked his fingers within her own. Hearing her say his name, was the most beautiful thing he had heard. “No..no baby, please. I’m the one that should be sorry.” He tried to bring her hand to his lips to kiss, before she passed out again due to the pain meds.
LadyBelz: She smiled when she felt the press of his lips against her skin. “We…talk…so sleepy…love you so much…” she whispered, her eyes slipping closed once more.
CharlotteCarrendar: Brock kept his focus on her, as she was fading out of consciousness. Her words were enough. They would talk more when she was awake. “Love you always, Pandora.” He said softly as her eyes finally closed again. As they did, he brought his head down to the bed, and then there was a quiet sob. Yes, he was crying, thinking how close he was to losing her.
LadyBelz: Pandora was out for several hours as nurses popped in to check her medications and vitals, working around Brock as he stayed at her side. Some of the nurses had been whispering about the dark haired man, wondering who he was and a few had even tried to approach him to chat with him, but he simply ignored him, his sole attention focused on the sleeping woman laying as pale as death in a hospital bed. It was another few hours before Pandora awoke again, right as the doctor was coming in to check on her. It was the intense throbbing in her arm that woke her the second time, tears of pain rolling down her cheeks as she opened her eyes. She was a bit more focused this time around and she could feel every single bruise on her body. “Fuck me sideways. I hate deer.” she snapped, trying to breathe through the pain.
CharlotteCarrendar: Brock, who had fallen asleep in the fourth hour suddenly sat bolt upright, when he heard Pandora snap about how she hated Deer. She was crying, tears of pain, and Brock jumped up immediately, feeling he might be blocking the Doctor from doing his job properly. Doctor Lumbard took out a small syringe and then inserted it into the saline drip, measuring the dose as the machine beeped shrilly, before righting itself. “That should help with the pain.”
LadyBelz: She could feel the medication doing its job and slowly began to relax her body. She breathed a sigh of relief, her head dropping back to the pillow. She spotted Brock hovering over the doctor’s shoulder and graced him with a warm smile before she looked at the attending doctor. “Who are you? What happened? No don’t answer that, I know what happened. I want to know who found me and how I ended up here.””
CharlotteCarrendar: – The Doctor, gave Pandora a reassuring smile as he saw Pandora was coming around. ”You were found by a passing motorist, and they called for the ambulance, Miss Larue.” He said in a calm voice. ”You are a very lucky woman to be alive.” The Doctor was not going to sugar coat the fact that she could have lost her life, if she was not wearing a helmet. <3>
LadyBelz: “Safety first.” she chuckled. “So…what’s the damage, doc?”
CharlotteCarrendar: “Broken ankle, shoulder blade…hmm, right arm.”
LadyBelz: She stared at the doc, neither surprised or upset by this. “I was actually talking about my bike, but that’s all right.” she shrugged, or attempted to but got a jolt of severe pain for her efforts. “Remind me not to do that again.” she groaned. “Well this puts a damper on things. Can’t work, can’t go to school. Can my life be any more fucked?”
CharlotteCarrendar: “No work I am afraid. Least six weeks recovery time for your injuries, Miss Larue.” That was it, she was going to be off the bike, and not be able to work for well over a month. “I take it you have someone to care for you. Next of kin?”
LadyBelz: She sighed, chancing a glance at Brock. Was he still angry about their fight? She appreciated the fact he came to be with her in the hospital, and had she been in her right mind before being loaded in an ambulance, she probably would have asked them to call someone else. “Um…my landlord’s wife…she’s one of my friends…” She looked down at her lap, completely unsure of Brock and his motives at the moment. “I could stay with her, I guess.”
CharlotteCarrendar: Now this didn’t sit well with Brock, and it showed on his face. Instead of speaking, he simply sat there in stony silence.
LadyBelz: “How soon can I get out of here? I hate hospitals.” she wondered.
CharlotteCarrendar: “Few more days to get your pain management under control, and then we will release you to your friend.” He finished his report, then hung up the chart, leaving Pandora alone with Brock. Brock rose to standing, and then stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Glad your okay, Pandora. I think I’ll be going.” he then followed the Doctor out of the room, leaving her to herself.
LadyBelz: She watched him begin to leave and glared at his retreating back. “Fine.” she scowled, thoroughly sick of his attitude. What the hell was his problem anyway?
KalypsoRoseGrey: It was mid afternoon, Kali had run her errands, taken care of things with Taylor and scurried into the penthouse in a hurry. She’d gotten an emergency call from one of the nurses, possibly blonde, by the name of Alexa Mercer. It was a peculiar name but what interested her more was the name of another… Pandora LaRue. Pan had been her best friend for as long as she could remember, from taking long walks for Exercise to just sitting by the lake and just talking. Although the many different adventures they’d taken together and many hardships they’d been through, Kali was not about to leave her bestie alone. Not today. It had taken her all of 10 minutes to grab the needed things for her trip, and instantly Taylor tossed her the keys to her car. “Thanks Taylor” With that said she was out the door and down the elevator in a hurry to make it to her car. >c<
KalypsoRoseGrey: On the road it had been rough, apart from the now storming clouds looming over head there was a traffic jam. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” She narrowed her eyes at the cars in front of her and as much as she was against hurting or harming the innocent this was a major case, and she didn’t have any other way to get through. So with more than over half her might she closed her eyes, relaxed her posture in the air and felt the power looming inside her. After minutes of focus she opened her eyes in a rather determined flash and smirked before revving the engine as a gust of wind began moving through the roads, gusts so strong it practically pushed the cars to the side to allow her through. She was taking no prisoners, and neither was the hospital for upon arrival Kali parked in the red zone and got out of the car, running in with a wild expression on her face. Eyes glowing a shrouded blue and white before she looked directly into the eyes of whom she presumed to be the nurse she spoke to earlier. “You, Alexa Mercer I gather?” She raised a brow, her natural blond hair flowing in a ponytail with bangs on the side of her face. “Yes. What can I do for you? Are you here to see one of the patients in our hospital?” she asked sweetly. And Kali had it. She closed her eyes, re-opened them instantly and smiled dramatically. “No, I’m here shopping for cupcakes and cookies for a bake sale I’m having today.” She said sarcastically before grabbing the doctors arm, looping it in with hers and dragging her into the ladies room. >c<
KalypsoRoseGrey: “Now look.” She’d slammed the woman into the door with a force incomprehensible. “I’m the bad guy here. And this is the part where you tell me what I want to know or I start killing and taking names, capiche?” The woman stood her ground against Kali and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose before moving to grab Kali’s arm, twisting it slightly before then roundhouse kicking her in the stomach. “You know, this could have been done completely different. But you dragged me in here and cornered me like some cop. Don’t take me lightly Mrs. Grey. And yes, I know your name, you’re married to the multi-millonaire Kristian Grey.” By the time everything had happened Kali was fuming and wrapped the woman in a shroud of clouds, Kali’s skin crawling with a current of electricity it made the lights in the entire building flicker back and forth, on and off before her eyes clouded again and she moved forward. “I don’t know how you know about me, or my husband. But trust me. And quite frankly, I don’t give a damn. But know this, if you come near me, my friends or my family. I’ll end you. Understand.” She smiled sweetly before pushing the woman into the air and slamming her into the wall again. “Now… I need a number. Pandora LaRue… where is she?” If the nurse didn’t fear her before she certainly did now, and it was shown in her eyes and the way she looked at Kali. “Please, I have a daughter and a husband. I just… I don–“ Kali inched her higher into the air and instantly sighed before dropping her. “Exactly you impulsive idiot blonde. You don’t think.” She shook her head and straighted her shirt out before getting the information from the lovely nurse, and moving to exit the bathroom. “And that’s how the cookie crumbles.” She said before moving to go to Pandora’s aid. “I’m coming Pan, just hang on…” >e<
LadyBelz: Pandora was glaring at nothing, fuming mad about Brock walking out on her once again when the lights in the hospital flickered on and off rapidly. She glanced out the window, suddenly noticing that the sun was gone and a storm was brewing. “Freaky weather. Better then Cali though.” She snorted. She went back to her thoughts about Brock and decided that if he no longer cared, she wasn’t going to either, hardening her heart against those feelings of love and belonging she had felt with him. This was all his fault and it would be a cold day in hell before she would speak to him again.
KalypsoRoseGrey: Kali finally made it to the room after shoving through a cop, a male nurse and a drunk in a wheelchair.“Bloody hell, I hate hospitals.” she said as she pushed the curtains back to Rue’s room. “Oh baby cakes, you look fucked up. How you feeling?” She said while pulling out the food she kept on ice from her duffel. “Here, I brought you something to eat. Actual human food, none of that garbage they keep feeding you.”
CharlotteCarrendar: Brock was out in the car park. He could hardly believe that she would rather go stay with her friend, when he was sitting right there, wanting to take her home. No, this was how it was, he imagined. Her girlfriends had conspired against him, and now Pandora would rather be with them than with him. He got in his truck, slamming his fists on the wheel. Snarling, he pulled out of the parking lot, to head home and pack up Pan’s things, so he could dump them at that bitch Kali’s place. Tears in his eyes, he no longer believed in love.
LadyBelz: The door to her room slammed open and Kali swanned in as if she were riding a tornado. “Besides the broken bones and broken bike? I feel like shit, Kali. They’re letting me out tomorrow. Is my apartment still available? I need a place to stay to rest and heal.”
KalypsoRoseGrey: “Honey bear, you always got a place with me. And if you think you’re staying in your room you got another thing coming. You’re going to stay in the penthouse with me. Kristian is sleeping in your room. Your things are being brought up as we speak.” She smiled sweetly before raising a brow and handing her a sandwich.
LadyBelz: “Thanks Kali, but I couldn’t impose on you like that. I can stay in my own apartment.” she sighed then. “Shit…all my stuff is at Brock’s…” She dropped her head back to her pillow with a groan. “Just fucking perfect. Oh…where’s Simone? Did she come with you?”
CharlotteCarrendar: -Over at Kali’s apartment, Brock was dumping all of Pandora’s gear at the door with a note. “Was fun while it lasted, see you in another lifetime – Brock”
KalypsoRoseGrey: “No, I haven’t seen the skanky hoe.” She sighed knowing she shouldn’t have said that and turned her head round to avoid looking at Pan. “But yea, I don’t care about you coming up to the Pent. You’re going to and that’s final.” she spoke with some authority before smiling and shifting back.
LadyBelz: “I wish you wouldn’t call her that. Simone is a free spirit and I admire that about her. Did you call her?”
KalypsoRoseGrey: Meanwhile Taylor had headed for a final round to Kali’s apartment to place some of Pan’s things there when in walked Brock. “Excuse me sir, is there something I can help you with?” He spoke with a firm tone that clearly said he meant business. And that he was head of security.
KalypsoRoseGrey: “Sorry, I’m still upset with her. Let me ring her now.” She sighed and began moving to dial Simone’s number into her phone.
CharlotteCarrendar: -Brock brushed his hair out of his eyes, and then shrugged as he gave Pandora’s suit case a kick. “Yeah, make sure that Pandora Larue gets this. I’m sure Mrs Grey will be expecting it.” He wasn’t about to go into detail, and then said. “See ya, buddy.”
LadyBelz: As Kali was calling Simone, Pan took the time to eat her sandwich, groaning as the taste of roast beef and mayo exploded across her tongue. “Mmm. My favorite.” She ate in silence, wondering how things had gone from so wonderful with Brock, to shit in less then a week. It had been the best year of her life, being with him. And now it was all burnt to ashes. Proof that she had no business being in a long-term relationship. Maybe this was for the best. Then why did she feel so depressed?
KalypsoRoseGrey: Taylor raised a brow at the man and moved to look at the stuff the man had left in front of Mr. Grey’s mat.“Uh… yea.” He said before then shifting to grab her stuff and moving it inside. Upon doing so he came across the small note he left for Pan, curious about it he picked it up, scanned it over and decided it better to place it in his pocket and discuss it with Pan personally. Or maybe give it to the man to have him discuss it with her. And with a crooked smile he took out his radio and told security to hold Brock at the front. “Yea, just keep him there.” He said before moving to the elevator.
CharlotteCarrendar: There was a soft sobbing coming from inside Simone’s closet, as the leggy starlet was curled up holding an old teddy bear that looked like it had been worn out with love over the years. She had in her hand a bottle of vodka, and on the floor at her feet needles…..her face was stained from the tears she had shed, while in her head, voices screamed at her, along with those of her friends, and the more recent rants from Brock and Kristian. Then her father’s voice laughed – “Your turn Simmy!…Your turn for Daddy’s love” Simone picked up the needle with a shaking hand after having set down the bottle, tying a tornequette to tighten the flow in her arm.
CharlotteCarrendar; – The door to Simone’s apartment is unlocked, and you can hear the drunken giggling of Erica, who was finally coming home after spending the night with Orson. “I had no idea a man could do such things with his penis. GOD!”she sung out, nearly tripping over the welcome rug in the hall. “Simone? Hun are you in?” She sung out, kicking off her shoes, and dumping her purse on the couch. “I had the NIGHT of my life. Orson…is a GOD. I swear I came five times.” In the closet, Simone is rocking back and forth as she is about to push the needle into her arm. “Simone? Hunny?” Erica calls out again, seeing a bit of light from under Simone’s door. Normally she wouldn’t barge in, since Simone does entertain men at odd hours, but there was something not right about the apartment. The TV was on, and there had been something on the stove that was abandoned. “Simmy?” Erica’s voice got slightly higher as she knitted her brow. Pushing the door open, she entered Simone’s room, and saw the bed was still made. She turned her head right and that was when she saw Simone….on the floor.“SIMONE!” she screamed, running in the closet and knocking the syringe out of her hand. She reached and grabbed Simone’s tear ridden face with both hands, and cried. “What the fuck are you doing?!” she was shocked and confused. Simone made a garbled response, her mind wasted from the vodka. “Make…the voices..stop.” Erica’s eyes filled with tears and confusion, as she brought her friend into an embrace, the two women clinging to each other as the bear fell to the floor. <3>
Having failed at returning what Simone left at the diner to her Alex exhaled and moved from the parking lot of the diner into his car, only to begin pining down the streets of downtown Seattle, and then it occurred to him, neither him nor Julian got a wink of sleep the night before. Alex smiled and checked his watch; it was now nearly 12 in the afternoon, and not a minute later an idea sprang into his head. He’d surprise Julian and take him out to lunch. With this thought in mind Julian took out his cellphone and dialed The Brew’s number.
”Good Afternoon, this is The Brew, how may I direct your call?” Mercury had said upon answering The Brew’s telephone.
”Uh, yes… hello. I was calling to see if Julian Young was in today?” Alex’s voice rang through the receiving end of the phone and he knew he must have sounded nervous beyond hell.
”Oh, you just missed him actually, Julian left about 15 minutes ago. If you want I can leave him a message for you? Just go right ahead and give me your name and number and I’ll let him know you called. Mercury smiled knowing this must have been the guy Julian had spent his morning with.
”Oh crap, really?” Alex breathed heavily upon turning the corner of Knott and 7th. ”No it’s fine, really, if you could just let me know where he went that’d be great.” He sounded scared and worried all at once and throughout the entire phone call he kept getting flashes of Julian in his head. As if he were intoxicated, poisoned with thinking about him in his every waking moment.
”You know, I normally don’t do this. But I feel as if I can trust you, so just give me 2 seconds and I’ll get right on that.” She was very cautious in handing out her best friends’ information, but figured that she could trust this man due to everything Julian had said about him. It was as if Julian had fallen in love with this man overnight. And in a matter of minutes Mercury sighed and returned to the phone. ”Alright, sorry, I was taking a customer’s order. She lied then. ”He lives at the Escala Apartments, floor 7; Room B.” She hung up the phone before he had a chance to say anything in return to her having given him Julian’s information. Thus ending the conversation between her and the mysterious man Julian spoke so highly about. Alex Meza.
It was nearing sunset when Pandora reached her destination. She cut the engine to her bike and just sat a moment, staring out at the lake and the sun’s reflection on the water. It was peaceful and she liked to come up here and think when things were rough.
After some time, she climbed off her bike, taking out the small bouquet of flowers she had stopped to buy on her way through. Picking her way through the foliage, she came out into a field of flowers…and the lone tombstone resting near the lake edge.
It had been years before Denise would reveal where she had her father buried. Pandora hadn’t known that her father was a Seattle native and it was such a shock when she was told this information. That was part of her reasons for moving to Washington…just to be near her dad.
She paused at the tombstone, staring at the engraved lettering as if willing it to disappear.
It had been her dad’s wish to be buried here as it was an area he liked to visit quite frequently.
She knelt before his final resting place, removing the bouquet she had brought the last time, now shriveled and dead and replaced it with the new. She placed a hand against her father’s name and bowed her head in a moment of silence.
“Hey daddy. Sorry I haven’t come visit in a while. Life’s been hectic as of late.” she murmured in the quiet of nature around her. “So much has happened since the last time we talked. I…met a man. He loves me, crazy as that sounds. Who could love me, right?” she snorted. “But…I think I messed up. He wants something I can’t give him…and now he’s angry with me. He walked out. I should be used to it. Guys have been doing that to me for years. But him leaving…it really hurt.” She sniffed, feeling a wetness on her cheeks. She swiped at it, thinking it was beginning to rain. She was surprised to see they were her own tears.
She sat cross-legged before the tombstone, a hand over her eyes as she really and truly sobbed for what she perceived as a loss. “He’s a great guy. And I don’t want to lose him. But I feel like I already have, dad. And it hurts. I didn’t think I could hurt this much. Not since you left me.”
And she simply sat among the flowers and the lake and wept. If anyone happened along to see her, they would have been deeply concerned.
After some time, she managed to get herself back in control, wiping away the remaining tears. She sat with her head on her knees, staring out at the lake as the sun slowly began to set, her thoughts a jumbled mess.
As the first stars winked into being in the sky, she still sat there. She simply wasn’ ready to face him just then, to see the anger and hurt in his eyes. Maybe it was what he wanted? He had his fun and now he was tossing her away…just like every man before him had done.
She should have been used to it.
But she wasn’t.
Question was…did he still want her in his life? It made her queasy thinking about the negatives…
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she didn’t feel like answering it or pulling it out to see who it was. She would check her voicemail later, but for now…she just wanted to be left alone.
Orson was his usual chatty self as they drove away from the house, heading downtown to the Bear It Grill Tavern which always did a great deal on steaks, and the girls weren’t too bad looking there either. A few games of pool, few drinks and maybe bring a lady or two home, that was in Orson’s mind. Brock just wanted to drink to forget the fight he just had, if he could even call it that, with Pandora. Orson kept taking glances at his brother, who didn’t seem to be lifting his mood.
“Cheer up, bro. Night out will do you good, then you go home to your girl and sort that shit out.” Orson was never really one for tact, nor did he even know what was really bugging his younger brother. Brock sat impassively, just staring out the window. A simple “Yeah” was all he offered, and for Orson, that was enough.
Pulling into the parking lot, Orson’s car always got attention. A sleek Aston martin in white.
People stepped aside as Orson brought the car to a stop and then undid his seat belt, looking at the crowd heading in. Some real lookers, but if he knew Pandora’s crowd, he would have spotted Simone and Erica. The girls had earlier decided to go out for dinner, than have left over pizza. Brock got out of the car, and adjusted his belt, patting his back pocket for his wallet, then followed his brother inside the Tavern. At least his brother could keep him occupied for the next few hours, so he could cool off over Pandora.
It was not the usual place you would find Simone and her friend, but Erica had a soft spot for these sorts of bars which came from her child hood. Her father, a prolific gambler and boozer spent much of his time in these sorts of bars, and there was many a night that Erica would be sent to go pick her father up from them. Sadly her father passed away two Christmases ago after a long battle with lung cancer, and so in a way, coming to these sorts of places reminded her so much of him. The smokey atmosphere, the laughter, the crack of the billiard balls. And of course the music. There was a live band performing, so that made conversation a bit tricky. You had to yell over the top of one another to be understood.
Erica and Simone waltzed up to the bar, the leggy blonde getting a few wolf whistles, to which she just threw the boozers a sneer, before leaning against the bar and waiting for the barmaid to come serve her and Erica. Erica, who was always on the prowl for new meat, so to speak happened to spy Orson, who always had a way of standing out in the crowd since he was so tall. She grinned slyly as the barmaid asked for their order.
“JD and coke….and..Simmy, what you want, hun?” Erica asked, taking sly looks at Orson as he had taken Brock around to the pool tables on the other side of the bar. Simone was checking out the cocktail menu and seemed distracted, before she saw something she liked. “Just a margarita for me, thanks Eri.” Simone put back down the menu in the holster and started to check out the action around the bar, while she waited for her drink. Erica was by now salivating over the chance to meet Orson. Soon as their drinks were served, she hooked an arm around Simone and dragged her over to where there were rows of pool tables. At first Simone was oblivious to what was going on, and had not spotted Brock, yet. She almost split her drink as she scuttled after Erica, who was like a woman on a mission. Finally she stopped at a small bar table, with high top chairs. Setting down her drink, she nodded to Orson, who was already lining up a rack of balls, with Brock watching.
Simone turned around and then nearly dropped her drink in shock. It was Brock over in the corner, cradling a glass of beer in his hand as he watched his brother, who obviously was the one that had captured Erica’s attention. “Oh no…” Simone thought. If Brock was here, where was Pandora? Surely she must be close by. Simone looked all about and there was no sign of her best friend. Simone started to wonder, for the look on Brock’s face was not a happy one. The guy looked like he had been dragged along by what must be his brother.
Erica did make eye contact with Orson, after he had made the break at the pool table. She wiggled her fingers at him, and Simone looked at her flat mate like she was acting like a high school girl over a crush. “Eri…we haven’t even had dinner and you are set to pick up a guy.” This wasn’t like Simone usually was, but she had been unsettled by seeing Brock. Erica simply took a sip of her drink, then nudged her bestie. “Food, can always wait.” Typical, Erica was on the prowl. Simone muttered under her breath, as Erica made her move over to where Orson stood, polishing the tip of his cue. “Nice shot.” Erica purred, looking up at the oldest Carrendar brother with big doe eyes of hers. Orson, who never minded the attention of females, raked his hair back with his free hand and said. “Thanks. You play?” This was a good question, and she was happy to answer that she did. “Since I was eight.” This brought laughter from Orson, who was intrigued. “Maybe after I crush my brother, you and I could have a game.” This was said with a wicked grin, since he was half hoping to make a wager with the sexy brunette. Erica extended her hand to shake on that deal. “You’re on.”
Simone watched from a distance, as Brock lined up and took a shot, the crack of the balls resonating thought the noise and conversations. Erica had already gotten in good with Orson, almost forgetting her blonde bestie, and only when she was introduced to Brock, did she point out Simone. That was when it felt like the whole room stopped. That look that Brock gave her, chilled her to the bone. Simone’s thoughts were racing. Something happened with him and Pandora, it must have. Erica kept trying to get Simone to come over, but she felt like her feet were frozen to the floor. Brock, being the gentleman he usually was, decided to cross the floor to her. What was he going to say? She did call him about Pandora, and maybe they had had THAT talk after all.
“Simone…isn’t it?” Brock said, staring her down as he took a sip of his beer. There was something in his eyes, that seemed unsettled. “Yeah, it’s me. Where…where is Pandora?” She asked innocently, figuring that it was best not to pull any punches or try to be funny. “Home…I guess.” His voice had an edge to it, and this had Simone feel like she was under the microscope. Feeling that this was just going to get more and more awkward, Simone came out with what she truly wanted to say. “About Pandora…and..my call earlier. Look, she was really confused about how to handle your request.” Brock looked now like he could shatter the glass he was holding in his hand. “So, you girls all told her not to go through with it, hmm?”
“Hey, I’m all for whatever gets you off, you know.” Simone was starting to feel intimidated, and not liking where this was going at all. First Kristian was on her case, now Brock. Brock on the other hand was ready for a fight. “I don’t know what you girls all think about discussing other people’s sex lives, but I for one don’t like the idea of people telling us how to live.” Now, that was not exactly true, from Simone’s perspective and she retaliated. “She asked our advice, and I told her she needs to speak to you. Hell, I rang you to see if that was the case.” That part was true, and Brock rolled his eyes back and slammed down the glass. “Well…you wanna know what she said? Hmm? She said no. She couldn’t do it. Now, I don’t know if that is what she really wants, or what you girls planted in her head.” Simone had worn a bit of his beer that spilt on her dress. “Asshole! You know what…you and Pandora…can get fucked!”
Furious, she didn’t even say goodbye to Erica, but tore off out of the Tavern at top speed. Tearfully she reached her car, and was madly trying to get the car door unlocked. Erica was still inside with Orson, oblivious to what was happening. Clear to say, she had a one track mind when it came to hunky men.
Brock marched back and took up his cue again, ready to take his next shot when Erica finally noticed that Simone was missing, her drink untouched. “Where is Simone?” She asked, clueless. Brock simply shrugged and went to hit the balls.“Search me.”
Trapsing down the corridor, still wearing her rehearsal outfit and with a sweat bag draped over one shoulder, Simone was looking to catch up with her flat mate and best friend Erica, who should have been in her office at this time of day, and hopefully not on one of those exhausting lunches of hers. Reaching the reception area, Simone whipped off her sunglasses and stared lazily at Erica’s assistant, Patty.
“Erica in?” Simone asked, picking up a fashion show flyer and flipping it over before letting it fall from her fingers.
“She’s on a call to New York, but I am sure she will be happy to see you, Miss Jackson.”
“Good…bring in a bottle of bolly when you can, and…cancel her appointments for the next hour. She and I need to chat.”
Not waiting to be given the green light, Simone swanned on past the startled assistant’s desk and without knocking, she entered Erica’s office. Sitting behind a large oak desk, Erica was on a call, her small ear piece blinking away as she spoke with animated hands…or as Simone liked to call them, “magic fingers” This call must have been quite important.
“Names!…names…Names!…Givenchy, Dior, Langerfield…dahling. I want the big ones. All of them. Models…yes?…I want them to look like they just stepped off a plane from Africa and have been starving for six months. Can’t sell fashion to cows…now can we? We are Vogue…and I won’t settle for B list bloody models that not even Ford agency will look at. Got me?…Hmm..Hmm…Right, call me back when you have it sewn up. Chow.”
At this point, she spotted Simone, who had just flopped down in Erica’s couch.
“I thought you had rehearsals, Simmy.”
“Did…and..yes, that was cut short due to a terrible tragedy.”
At the word, tragedy, Erica sat bolt upright. “Someone die?’
“Not quite…but they could have.” Simone said, taking off her glasses and tossing them in her sports bag, as Patty brought in a bottle of Bollinger champagne and two glasses. Simone made a cute cat like grin as the young assistant set down the tray and Simone started helping herself. She was not about to spill her guts in front of the young girl, who she imagined would face book anything said. Popping the champagne as the girl left the room, Simone added with a dead pan expression. “Tea trolley lady poisoned the cast with laced cordial.”
Erica’s jaw dropped open. “She what?”
“Mhm…and Mariah Carey broke her leg. Tragic. Oh…so this fashion show. Need another model?”
Erica by this point was on her cellphone, seeing if this was all true, and sure enough according to TMZ it was.
“Model? Why, you interested?’
Simone chuckled and said. “Well, show has been postponed for a few weeks, so I thought, I could work for you.” It was a smart move on the dancer’s part, since she had the legs and the body for it. Erica tapped her phone, then as Simone got up and handed her a glass of bolly, she pouted and said in a baby voice. “Please?”
Erica took a sip of the champagne, narrowing her gaze at her bestie. She knew how Simone was, and then she wiggled her finger at her.
“No sleeping with the male models, got it? No orgies…no drug parties…promise?”
“Pinkey.”
Simone said cheerfully, with her fingers crossed behind her back.