|
|
His wedding to Rebecca is supposed to quell all of the rumors, and this bachelor party in turn will do the same. And it's not as if he isn't attracted to women. He is very much attracted to them. But the taste... the touch of a man... it's something forbidden. Something he's had to deny himself for years.
And the briefest experiences he's been able to take have been fantastically invigorating. From the younger boys who lived out their fantasies of being with an older man, to his dalliance with Eric Hanley, the one responsible for this party, and even... Blake Thomas. Aaron noticed Blake among the guests when he first arrived.
He knows that things are now on the outs between him and Darren. He knows this much from his frequent visits to his former penthouse, where he still had a key and was able to spy on the conversations and arguments between the two ex-lovers.
Perhaps now that Darren is out of Blake's life, he will return to Aaron's side. Aaron doesn't know why, but he thinks about Blake more than any other man he's been with. He's intoxicating. Addictive. Impossible to say no to...
"You can tell me to stop if you want," Farrah Louis, the stripper hired for the party, whispers into his Aaron's ear as she straddles him. "But I'm not going to."
Surrounding Aaron and Farrah are the other guests at the bachelor party, watching in part with awe and horror. Matt Holden and Blake are more surprised by the fact that they're watching one of their former classmates grind against Aaron. Kyle Maddock watches with a mild disinterest in the proceedings, while Aaron and Michael look on in shock. Simon Holden seems to be several miles away while watching.
Eric is the only one watching with the most interest. Or so he thinks.
In the far corner of the room, Kane Li has his eyes completely transfixed on Farrah. For weeks, he's begged her to help him with his plans to get out from under Aaron Maddock's thumb. And she refuses to help him... so now, she'll have to be shown the error of her ways.
Kane removes two blue pills from his pocket and drops them into the Cape Cod she'd been drinking earlier. He stirs the drink with his index finger, allowing the pills to dissolve quickly.
As long as Farrah keeps drinking to make herself forget about tonight... Kane figures he might as well help her along.
Alexis has passed the initial part of her trial custody with her uncle Aaron Maddock, allowing her to finally leave the mansion and venture out into the city. But she sits in uncomfortable silence, not speaking to any of the women.
Though it's not as if any of the other women have something to say to one another. Not with Leslie Moore's disappearance hanging over them. Rebecca resents the fact that her wedding planner up and vanished, while Denise is hurt over Sean's continued ignoring of their unborn son.
"Of course she failed as a wedding planner," Gabrielle Sanchez, owner of Gemini Designs, interrupts. "You should have chosen me."
"Yes, for the umpteenth time, we get it," Rebecca says, taking another sip from her own champagne glass.
"Has anyone...has anyone confirmed that Leslie left with Sean?" Denise asks. "It just seems so sudden."
Felicia shakes her head. "It's been a long time coming. When two people are really in love, nothing can keep them apart."
"Are you talking about Robert, or your sister's ex-husband?" Gabrielle remarks.
"You are being rude," Felicia hisses. "I think you should leave."
"Just try and make me, you prostitution whore!"
Felicia tosses her champagne into Gabrielle's face, causing the woman to cry out in surprise. She wipes her face with a napkin and stalks away from the table, leaving a bemused Felicia.
"I'm going to...use the bathroom," Alexis says, sliding out of her chair and hurrying away from the group.
She takes a deep breath once she reaches the end of the dining room, leaning against the wall to clear her mind. The scene back there is too much for Alexis to handle. People squabbling reminds her of her times before she was locked up... and her recent stay at the Maddock mansion.
People fighting for no reason. She wishes she could simply fade into the...
"Excuse me, I'm looking for the Li bachelorette dinner," a young woman's voice says, attempting to get Alexis' attention.
"Oh," she says, glancing up. "It's right in...oh."
"Alexis," Jessica Bale gasps.
Alexis folds her arms and speaks through gritted teeth, "Long time no see."
EMERALD PLAZA HOTEL
KYLE MADDOCK'S SUITE
Taking a break from the bachelor party downstairs, Matt Holden swipes the key to his new hotel digs and pushes open the door. Before he can fully step inside, he hears a familiar voice calling out his name. The sound of the voice sends a chill down his spine...
It is Valerie Holden... his mother.
"Mom," Matt says, turning around in shock. "What are you..."
"I'm home," Valerie says, smiling brightly. "Surprise."
"Yeah...it's a real...does Dad know?"
Valerie nods, keeping a cool demeanor. "I saw Simon, yes. He and your Aunt Felicia know that I'm back."
"Then you know I moved out," Matt continues, looking for any way to challenge this woman. To best her. Two years she's been in jail, absent from his life. And before then she could barely even enter the running for mediocre parent of the year, let alone best.
Needless to say, he's not excited to have her home.
"You're staying with Kyle, I know."
"And I bet you're here to tell me I'm coming back to stay with you," Matt snaps. "Well, I'm not. I'm staying right..."
"I don't care where you stay, Matthew," Valerie interrupts.
Matt is surprised by her response.
"I have a life to rebuild," Valerie says. "And honestly...I know I've made mistakes. So I'm not expecting sympathy from anyone."
Matt looks at Valerie, not even recognizing the woman standing before him. His mother, even during prison if she could, would have immediately marched over to Kyle's suite and dragged Matt kicking and screaming back to the mansion.
"Tell Kyle that I said hello," Valerie says. "You know where to find me."
Matt remains silent as his mother exits toward the elevator. His mother seems so calm... so collected...
So unlike the woman he's known all his life.
And it scares him.
EMERALD PLAZA HOTEL
THE EVENT SUITE
"You might want to hold off on all the vodka," Darren Reynolds says, walking up behind Blake Thomas as his ex downs another drink.
"Maybe you should mind your own business," Blake snaps, attempting to skirt past him.
"Look... I'm sorry," Darren apologizes quickly. "I just...I want us to be able to still be friends."
"We could be, if you'd stop trying to be my father. Because last time I checked, my father was dead."
"I know that," Darren insists. "And that's why I'm worried about you. Your parents are gone, your brother, even Chris who I knew you were so close to. You're not even talking to Vince that much anymore."
Blake scoffs. "You're not the only thing going on in my life, Darren."
"I was never trying to suggest..."
"You know, not everything revolves around you," Blake says loudly, catching the attention of the others in the room.
"I never said it did," Darren says, attempting to quiet Blake down.
"I don't get why you're so obsessed with me!"
"Okay," Darren says. "Now you're acting delusional."
Robert and Simon join the two, interrupting their argument. Robert takes Darren by the arm. "Darren... why don't we get out of here?"
"I'm fine," Darren insists.
"No, you've had a lot to drink," Simon insists. "Both of you have."
"I've got this taken care of, Simon," Robert says coldly. "Why don't you go and see if my wife needs your help."
Simon can't hide his guilty face. However, he has no idea whether or not Robert has been informed of his recent encounter with Felicia. He chooses to remain quiet and simply nods, bowing out of the argument.
"I don't want to leave Blake," Darren says. "Not when he's..."
"Blake will be fine," Robert says, attempting to appeal to the sane, sober side of his nephew. "What I'm worried about is you, okay? Let's just get you out of here. Neither of us needs to be here anyway."
"It's that damn Eric's fault..." Darren says, allowing his voice to trail off.
"Blake, I trust you'll get home as well?" Robert asks. "I can call Vince if you'd like."
"I'll be fine," Blake reassures Robert.
Robert nods and leads Darren out the suite. Once he's alone, Blake glances around to notice that most of the suite seems to have cleared out. But with there still being enough free liquor left, he'd be an idiot to pass up the chance to drink away his miserable past few months.
He goes up to the bar and pours himself another drink, eyeing Farrah Louis with mild concern. She'd cut her striptease short in the middle after wobbling around a bit, as if she'd gotten far too wasted already. He seriously doubts she'll finish out the night from the way she's going.
"Vodka cranberry, that's my fave," Farrah says, grinning.
Blake nods, forcing a smile. "Namaste."
EMERALD PLAZA HOTEL
THE DINING ROOM
"How have you been?" Jessica asks Alexis, knowing how stupid the question sounds even as it escapes her lips.
"Doing great now that I'm not in a straight jacket," Alexis responds. "What are you doing here?"
"I was invited," Jessica says. "Which is surprising, because Felicia doesn't really like me all that much."
Alexis laughs. "I don't think she likes anyone."
"She's kind of weird like that. But ever since Alec's death... it's like she blames me."
"I'm sorry I couldn't come to his funeral," Alexis says softly. "But I was..."
Jessica shakes her head. "Don't feel sorry! If anyone should be sorry, it's me. I've been a horrible friend. I haven't even visited you."
"Who'd want to visit the crazy person who tried to kill a bunch of people?"
"You didn't try to kill a bunch of people," Jessica insists. "Just Allison and Ryan. And to be fair, they kind of had it coming."
Both girls burst into laughter, finally feeling the tension between them sink out of the room. Jessica pulls Alexis into an embrace.
"I'm glad you're back," Jessica says. "Can we just go ahead and forget about everything in the past?"
"Nope," Alexis says. "Not a chance. Because I don't want to forget anything about my best friend."
"Me either."
They glance over at the table, where they can see an argument still ensuing between all of the ladies. Jessica and Alexis roll their eyes in amusement.
"I'm think we need to catch up over some cocktails," Jessica says. "It might still be happy hour!"
Alexis leads the way to the hotel bar. "I don't think they'll serve us."
"Please, don't you watch Gossip Girl? It's so easy for kids to get drinks these days. And we're already ahead of the curve by passing for over twenty-one."
EMERALD PLAZA HOTEL
THE EVENT SUITE
Farrah stumbles out into the hallway, holding her purse tightly to her body. Kane follows her out, shutting the door as he goes.
"You ready to go?" Kane asks.
"I just need some fresh air," Farrah says, pushing Kane away. "The party's not over yet."
"Eric said you could go home," Kane says, rubbing her shoulders. "The party's pretty much over."
"But I need to get the money from him, otherwise Al... otherwise all I'll have is bus fare," Farrah insists. "My car broke down, remember?"
"Don't worry, we can get you paid later," Kane insists. "And I brought my car, so I can get you home."
"I don't..."
"Come on," Kane says, pulling Farrah toward the elevator. "Let's get out of here. You're not looking too hot."
Farrah realizes that much is true. Her mind is cloudly, she can barely stand for some reason. And she doesn't recall even having that much to drink, but then again, the entire party has been pretty much a blur.
"I think I do need to get home," Farrah says. "I don't want to be... don't want to be out too late..."
"Come on then," Kane says, taking her by the hand.
Farrah doesn't resist as he takes her into the elevator and then down into the hotel lobby. He is able to lead her out to his car, where she stumbles even more, practically tripping over her heels and falling onto the pavement.
Kane pulls open the passenger's door for his car and shoves her Farrah into the seat. At this point, she is already unconscious and far too out of it to remember anything else that will happen tonight.
Which is a good thing. Because she won't notice as Kane drives in the opposite direction of her home... toward his own.
EMERALD PLAZA HOTEL
THE EVENT SUITE
"Where the hell is that stupid bitch?" Eric Hanley demands, checking his watch. "She skipped out on the entire rest of the party like she saw a can full of black widow spiders."
"Doesn't look like there's much of a party," Aaron says, glancing around the suite. "We're the only ones here."
Aaron leans forward and whispers into Eric's ear.
"I'm horny."
"Good for you," Eric says, pushing Aaron away. "But I'm over being under you."
"Come on, you get me all worked up with that stripper and you don't want to put out?" Aaron demands.
"Not in particular, no," Eric says. "This party's pretty much dead."
He gathers up his clipboard and bag, then pats Aaron on the shoulder as he goes to the door.
"Have fun getting married tomorrow!"
"Yeah, fun," Aaron mutters. Alone and frustrated, he pours himself and drink and angrily slams his fist against the bar. What a way to end his night. Horny and fearing his impending nuptials in the morning. It will be one the worst days of Aaron's life, but something completely necessary to fix all of the damage that's been done to his image since he slipped up with that Alec mess.
"Here's to living the rest of your life in hell, old boy," Aaron says, toasting himself and downing his drink.
As he prepares to leave as well, he hears the toilet flushing and sees Blake emerge from the bathroom. Clearly having had too much to drink, Blake stumbles forward, using the bar to keep his balance.
"Are you okay?" Aaron asks, concerned at the sight of Blake.
"I'm...I'm fine," Blake says, incoherently. "Did you a know a vodka cranberry is the same thing as a Cape Cod? That's what... that's what Farrah was drinking..."
"I think you've had too much," Aaron says.
"Yeah, probably," Blake agrees. He falls onto Aaron, all the while struggling to keep his eyes open. "I think I need to get home. Did everyone else already... did they leave?"
Aaron's face curls into a smile. "Or we could stay here. The hotel suite is paid for and all... we might as well put it to use."
Blake shakes his head. "No, Aaron... we can't... I don't think we should do that anymore."
"But you're done with Darren, right?" Aaron asks.
"I don't..."
"I mean, you ended things with him," Aaron says. "Because you know he'll never be what you need. I'm what you need."
Aaron pulls Blake into a kiss. He can taste vomit on his lips, though, and recoils. Aaron spits onto the carpet, disgusted.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Aaron demands. "You're a mess now, Blake. You used to be better than this. Don't you see how good I was for you?"
"Just help me..."
"No, I want to make you better," Aaron says, pressing Blake against the bar by force. "You deserve to be better than this."
"No, Aaron... stop it..."
"Shut your goddamn mouth," Aaron hisses, shoving his tongue down Blake's throat once more before spinning him around and pressing his stomach against the bar.
Blake struggles in Aaron's grasp as he feels his belt being loosened and pants being pulled down to his ankles. Aaron kisses Blake's neck and undoes his own pants, all the while ignoring Blake's cries for him to stop.
"You deserve me, Blake," Aaron says, covering Blake's mouth with his hand and spitting into his free one.
He dribbles the spit down Blake's back side, causing him to cry out one last time as he feels Aaron penetrate him. And that's when he starts to fade in and out of consciousness, lying against the bar in a still, lifeless heap.
"You deserve this..." are the last words Blake hears before everything completely turns black.
