Sebastian let himself into the townhouse. It seemed empty, spooky. Walking towards his room, he heard sounds from Kathryn's room. He checked the door and found it locked. He went to check the video feed to make sure she was all right.
"Why do I even bother?" He wondered aloud. There was Kathryn, in all her glory, with two men and a woman. "Well, this is different." Sebastian sat down hard on the bed. His head tilted to the side as he watched.
Kathryn wore a strap-on around her slender hips. The other woman had one man beneath her and Kathryn behind her. Kathryn pushed in and out of her. Sebastian couldn't believe how hard she could thrust her hips. As she thrust, the other man, Sebastian looked closer - Ah, Sven - pounded away at Kathryn's ass. He slapped it as he pushed into her. There were red handprints clearly visible on her pale skin.
He saw her pull viciously on the clamps the other woman wore on her nipples. Kathryn's threw her dark head back and laughed, almost hysterically. The man on the bottom worked relentlessly on the woman's clit as she screamed repeatedly. Sebastian went to stop it when he realized the woman was screaming the word. "More!"
He felt frozen in place as he watched his stepsister. He knew she slept with just about anything but this was over the edge, even for him. The man on bottom handed something to her - a riding crop. She swung it with each thrust and he took over pulling on the clamps. The woman sounded incoherent, now. Sebastian couldn't tell if she still enjoyed their play. Kathryn was in frenzy. Her hips and the crop worked together making staccato of flesh and leather being slapped sound throughout the room. Both men found their release adding their grunts to the woman's moans. Sven finally pulled out of Kathryn and the man on bottom eased out and laid the woman flat on the bed. Kathryn continued to work on her and the men finally started to show some concern.
"Damn Kathryn, she's all but unconscious." Sebastian yelled at his stepsister through the TV screen.
The men told Kathryn to stop. She responded by lashing out with the crop. They took it from her and she told them all to get out. They bundled the woman up and left. Kathryn snorted some cocaine then called someone on the phone.
Sebastian missed the name but not Kathryn's huge smile. Kathryn's face changed as she started throwing things in her room. She hung up the phone, changed her clothes then walked out the bedroom door.
He heard a knock at his door. After turning off the feed, he walked to the door. "What?"
"When did you get home?" Kathryn asked. Her voice held a strange note.
"I don't know about an hour ago, I guess. I just came home and crashed. What do you want?"
"Where have you been?" Kathryn demanded walking further into his bedroom.
"None of your business." Seeing her face and the strange look in Kathryn's eyes, he gave in. "Oh all right, I met an old friend out of town," his eyebrows waggled.
"What about Mary Sunshine?" Kathryn wasn't sure if she should believe him.
"Why do you think I went out of town? I'm not a priest, Kathryn."
"Oh I know that, Sebastian. I'm on my way out to find some action. Want to come?"
"I'm bushed. Have fun, sister dear." He closed the door on her. "To think I wanted to sleep with that. No telling what she would want to do. Or, what I would catch from her. Oh, SHIT!" A thought just came to him. Sebastian sat down hard on the bed.
He dialed the phone waiting for the voice on the other end. "I need to talk is it okay?"
"Sure go ahead I'm all ears." Blaine sat back on his bed as he watched his lover get ready to leave.
Friday was finally here and Tonia was nervous. After talking with all of the people on Buffy's list, she couldn't bear to be near the brunette teenager. It was hard to believe someone that young could be so deliberately cruel.
Kathryn was waiting for her, in the Headmaster's office. She smiled brightly when Tonia walked in. "Hi, Tonia. How was the assignment?" Kathryn came up next to her whispering, "I missed you."
Mr. Hargrove walked out then. "Ah, Kathryn and Tonia, just who I wanted to see. We are having an alum visit today. He will be here any moment. I thought it would work out perfect for the article. He happened to be visiting his girlfriend, who still attends Manchester. I believe you know her Kathryn, Cecile Caldwell. She is such a lovely girl. Anyway, I told him about the article and he agreed to an interview. Didn't you date him last year? I remember seeing the two of you together a lot," Mr. Hargrove smiled.
Tonia had to do everything she could not to laugh at Kathryn's face. It wasn't pretty before she realized that her mask had slid. Once it was back in place, Kathryn gave Tonia a bright smile ignoring the whole incident.
"Oh, we just went out a few times. He was not my type." She slid her eyes to Tonia. "I will be happy to introduce Court to Tonia and help with the interview."
"Oh, Kathryn, I'm afraid, after introductions are over, Ms. Trubam needed to see you. She needs to talk to you about the Winter Formal. The place where you want to hold it is booked."
"WHAT! When did she find out? Never mind, I'll take care of it. I'll introduce them then go straighten it all out. It shouldn't take too long. Then I can help you finish your interview with Court."
"That would be fine Kathryn. Ah, here's Court now."
A young handsome man of nineteen walked into the office. He was tall with dark good looks and carried himself as if he was well aware of the fact.
"Court Reynolds please meet Tonia Stevens. She's the reporter, I mentioned. Kathryn, since the introductions are over, why don't you run along and take care of that other matter."
"Where will Tonia and Court be so I can meet them?" There is no way I am leaving him alone to talk to Tonia.
"I have to go talk to a teacher, so I thought they would be comfortable in my office. It is quiet and easier for them talk to each other. You see dear everything is under control. Don't worry Kathryn."
"I will be right back." Kathryn hurried off; she couldn't afford to leave Court alone with Tonia for long. There was no telling what would come out of his mouth. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with Buffy, she would have already taken care of him and his precious virgin, Cecile. Now, she didn't have any advantage on him. There were pictures and video of them but she looked just as bad as he did. She had planned to destroy him before Buffy came along. Buffy, Buffy, Buffy it seems everywhere I turn my cousin is there, ruining things for me.
"Court, you used to date Kathryn?"
"If you could call it that, yeah." Court's voice and face showed his utter contempt for the beautiful brunette.
"What would you call it?" Tonia watched all the emotions flying across the young man's face.
"On-demand stud service. That is one seriously fucked up girl. Scuse, my French"
"That's okay. Feel free to say anything you want to me. I'll only write about Manchester. Dean Hargrove wouldn't let me near his precious school if I wasn't trustworthy."
"You are easy to talk to. I don't care if you print what I say or not. Kathryn has everyone fooled at this school. They think she is so sweet and perfect. If they knew the real her, they'd be disgusted. I know I was. Especially, after I met someone who was genuine. She is everything Kathryn pretends to be. It opened my eyes. To put it bluntly, she's an addict - drugs, sex, just about anything you can think of. Don't get me wrong, it was a real rush dating the most popular girl in school. Kathryn is beautiful and the sex was great. She just kept pushing for more, stuff I wasn't comfortable with."
"Like what?" She watched color rush into his cheeks.
"I drink at parties, wine with dinner you know typical teenager stuff. I've smoked some grass. She tried to get me to do harder stuff. Her favorite is coke but she started wanting a bigger thrill. She wants, or did before summer break, to try heroin. You know shooting up she wanted a partner. Someone to help her find a spot it wouldn't show. I'm sorry I'm not into that. The sex was getting weird too. She wanted me to hurt her or invite some of my friends. Said her perfect fantasy was to take on at least twenty men in an hour. I thought I was going to throw up. She left for Europe and while she was gone I met someone else." Court's face lit up thinking of his girlfriend.
"Cecile Caldwell, right? What is she like?"
"She's funny, sweet and naive. But after Kathryn, I find I like someone who is the same person all the time. Cecile and I are taking it slow, but that's okay with me."
"From everything you've said, aren't you worried about STDs?"
"I always used a condom; no matter how much Kathryn bitched that she was on the pill. After she left, I got tested and I'm clean. Was there anything else you needed to know? I wanted to catch Cecile before class resumes."
"No, that's all, thanks Court and good luck with Cecile. She sounds nice," Tonia smiled.
Kathryn rushed in just as Court was leaving. "You're already done?"
"Yeah, I'm off to catch my honey. Bye Kathryn."
She walked into the office and sat down close to Tonia. "How did it go?"
"Oh, it went great. It was a good interview." Tonia enjoyed watching the worry cross Kathryn's face.
"Did he mention me?"
"Why would he? The piece is about Manchester," Tonia asked.
"Just wondering, you know sometimes breakups leave hard feelings on one side."
"But, I thought you only dated a few times."
"Oh, we did, but I heard he took my decision not to see him hard."
"Well, he seems fine now. From the way he talked, I think he's head over heels in love with Cecile Caldwell."
"That's a relief. I didn't want to have a stalker or something. What do you want to do now?" Her voice became husky; her fingers began to walk up Tonia's arm.
Dean Hargrove came back into the office. "I hope I'm not interrupting. Tonia, it seems there is a call for you at Ms. Scott's desk. You can take it in here. We will give you some privacy."
"Thank you, it shouldn't take but a minute, Kathryn. We can get back to what we were discussing, when I am through."
"I'll wait for you outside," Kathryn gave her a sultry look then strutted out of the office.
"Hey Tonia, thought you might need rescuing. I'm your editor telling you to get your talented fingers back to work immediately. Um, let me see the layout for your last article got screwed up and you have to come fix it. Is that writer speak for you or what," Buffy's happy voice could be heard in the phone.
Tonia stifled a giggle. "You are the best, Buffy. She is going for the hard press. I can see it in her eyes. What's that thing you say? Oh yeah, she gives me the wiggins."
Buffy laughed, "I do what I can, Tonia. See you soon. You still owe me a dinner date."
"Bye Buffy and thanks."
Sebastian and Buffy stood in Rockefeller Center looking up at the huge Christmas tree. Her grandmother gave her an early Christmas gift and this was the first opportunity for Buffy to wear it. It was a full-length Russian Sable coat; the rich dark fur provided a perfect foil for Buffy's blonde hair. They bundled up, waiting for the countdown to the tree lighting.
Buffy turned her head when she heard her name. Looking over her shoulder, there plowing through the crowd like a steamroller was Cordelia Chase. Buffy groaned.
"What's the matter?" Sebastian held her close worried that it was Kathryn.
"It's just the ghost of Christmas past."
"Buffy Summers, I thought that was you. Well at first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. What are you doing here, and dressed like that? Did you marry some rich guy or something?"
Sebastian looked at the tall brunette and instantly disliked her. She was beautiful but he had grown tired of people who were mean and spiteful.
"Hello, Cordelia, actually, it's Buffy Mertuil, now, or to be more precise Elizabeth Mertuil. Cordelia Chase, this is Sebastian Valmont. I knew Cordelia from the small town I told you about."
"Mertuil, you have got to be kidding me. The Mertuils are old money. They are even richer than, well - me. How are you a Mertuil? Did you marry some doddering old man and this is your lover on the side?" Cornelia's eyes narrowed taking in Buffy's expensive fur and the large diamonds in her ears. She almost swallowed her tongue when she noticed the Mertuil ring.
"No, Cordelia. Be quiet, they are fixing to light the tree," Buffy ordered. The tree lit up and everyone clapped.
"All right Buffy, trees all a glowing, so spill," Cordelia ordered the girl; she had never succeeded in intimidating.
"Why should she tell you anything? You certainly don't appear to be a friend," Sebastian asked pointedly.
"I'm Cordelia Chase and I'm not leaving here until I know what is going on." She snapped putting her hands her hips. Cordy wasn't used to boys, especially handsome ones, talking to her the way this one did.
"I've never heard of any Chases before. You may be something in your little hometown but here in the city, you're little more than middle class."
"Middle Class, I'll have you know, I've never been middle-class, buddy. They don't call me Queen C for nothing," she shrieked.
Just then, a distinguished silver haired man approached. "Cordelia, what did I tell you about staying together in this crowd" he scolded. "Oh, Miss Mertuil, it's a pleasure to see you again. Wasn't the ceremony splendid?"
"Yes, Mr. Chase, it was. It seems Cordelia and I are acquaintances from Sunnydale. I didn't realize you were the same Chases. Your company's headquarters are in L.A."
"Yes, well it seems LA didn't agree with Cordelia. We moved several years ago. I work from home and commute back and forth." He smiled at the enchanting young lady; he had met only this morning.
"I didn't realize Cordelia had health problems."
"It wasn't that, it was her weight. The other children picked on her, terribly. We sent her to a spa and after some minor surgical adjustments, you understand. My little worm turned into a butterfly. We just thought it best to give her a new start to go with her new looks."
Cordelia's face went white. She couldn't believe her farther was telling Buffy Summers, her darkest secrets.
"Yes, it is good to get a new start. I can understand that." Buffy's eyes leveled on Cordelia's who nodded and looked away.
"How did you meet Buffy, Daddy?"
"She is the Mertuil heir. Anne Mertuil is grooming her to take over. Chase Corporation just signed an exclusive contract with them. It's quite a coup for us, sweetie, to have such a prestigious company backing us."
"Oh," Cordelia said. She looked at Buffy - furs, diamonds and a gorgeous man on her arm and the power to destroy the Chases. Cordelia felt like a bug on the bottom of Buffy's shoe. Thinking of all the mean things, she had said and done to Buffy. Is she going to use her position to get back at me?
"Cordelia, could I talk to you for a moment, in private? We're going to sit in the car and catch up a little on what's going on, back in Sunnydale."
Sebastian and Mr. Chase smiled. Both men thought the same thing. Women and their gossip.
Cordelia followed Buffy to a stretch limo where a driver opened the door. "Thank you, Jeffrey."
"Your welcome, Miss Elisabeth."
"Listen Cordelia, we've never been friends. I'm not going to pretend any different now. Just forget you saw me, leave me out of your travel talks and we'll be fine. I've been in contact with Giles and Willow. I know how they are doing. Just leave me alone, Cordelia, and I'll leave you alone. I'm not the Buffy you knew. I won't take any of your crap. I have a longer reach and bigger hammer at my disposal than you could ever imagine. Don't push me and you'll never have to feel it. The people I care about know where I am that's all you need to know," Buffy said.
"Fine! You swear what my farther said out there goes no further?"
"I could care less what you used to look like. You might want to remember the way you felt though, because that's how you treat other people now. It's sort of ironic isn't it? Now, I'm ready to leave and I'm sure your farther is waiting for you."
"Just how rich are you?" Cordelia asked tactlessly.
"Put it this way, I could spend everything your family is worth and not make a dent."
"Damn it, that's not fair," Cordelia groused.
"Go away Cordelia," Buffy sighed.
The door opened and the brunette cheerleader crawled out. She saw Sebastian walking towards the car and gave him her best smile. He looked down her body as she primped. "Not even if you were staked out naked and I hadn't fucked anyone in years." He walked by with a huge smile on his face.
"Humph, he is obviously gay," Cordelia went back over to her farther. "Daddy, if the Mertuils were to pull out of the deal, we would still be okay, right? I mean we have lots of money."
"No, princess, everything we have is in this deal. If they pull out, we lose everything - the company, the house, the cars, everything."
"Okay Daddy, I understand." I have the juiciest gossip ever and I can't say anything. Its so unfair. "Let's go shopping, Daddy." The older man groaned but allowed his daughter to drag him away.
Sebastian climbed in beside Buffy. "Are you sure, you're Kathryn's cousin and not that bitch?"
Buffy laughed, "I have compared the two in my head several times over the last couple of months. So, tomorrow is the big night, are you ready?"
"Yeah, it's going to seem more like the 4th of July than Thanksgiving break. I'll be glad for it to be over."
"Kathryn dear, do hurry. We don't want to be late. This is the first time Anne has invited us to dine, at the main," Tiffany called out from the living room.
"I'm coming, Mother. I just had trouble with my earring," she smiled.
"Well, you ladies look lovely. Aren't we lucky, Sebastian, to escort two beauties to dinner?" Edward said charmingly.
"Yes, lucky," Sebastian deadpanned.
Jean-Pierre let them in announcing, "Madam and Miss Lizbeth are waiting for you in the front salon."
Leaving their coats, only Kathryn kept her bag with her. They walked into a beautiful room done in blues and creams.
"Bon jour, everyone, I hope this evening finds you well," Anne said from her seat. It resembled a small throne with gold gilding and scrollwork.
Kathryn moved forward, bending down to kiss Anne's cheek. "Bon jour grandmother, you look enchanting as always." She smiled her best smile.
"Thank you Kathryn. Please everyone have a seat. Dinner will be ready soon." Anne gave an elegant wave of her hand to indicate the various seats around the room.
Sebastian made his way over to sit beside Buffy on a settee positioned close to her grandmother. "You look beautiful." He kissed Buffy's cheek.
"Merci beaucoup, you can kiss me properly later, cher." They smiled at each other intimately.
Kathryn's eyes shot sparks, at the two young lovers. Why, the hell, hasn't he bought me any proof? I know he wants me. He never stopped wanting me. Now that he can finally sink his cock into me. What is stopping him?
Dinner was a stifled ordeal for everyone. Buffy and Sebastian kept the conversation going but Kathryn shut down any attempts they made at being civil to her. Tiffany tried to talk to Anne but one of Madam's famous looks stopped her quickly. Anne spoke with Edward which left Kathryn and Tiffany no other choice but to speak to each other.
"Let us take our coffee into the study. I have some family business to discuss with you." Eyebrows rose at that as they all moved to follow. Kathryn went to freshen up so the others patiently waited on her return.
"What is this about, Madam?" Tiffany tried to get Anne to tell her what they would be discussing tonight before Kathryn joined them.
"Patience is a virtue," Anne answered, cryptically.
Kathryn entered to hear Anne speak about virtue. This should be fun. At least I have a nice buzz going.
"I have come across some disturbing information," Anne stated.
Kathryn perked up. Tonia must have decided to feed the info to her source. Oh, this should be good. Princess is about to fall off her throne. Long live the new princess, ME!
"Edward, I know this is a delicate subject. Do you remember sleeping with my granddaughter?"
What! When did he fuck, Buffy? Kathryn looked from Buffy to her stepfather to her grandmother and back.
Sebastian's father shook his head looking away. "I woke up in her bed and there were pictures, scattered about."
"But you don't know how you got there or anything that occurred before or during the events?"
"This is outrageous, Edward, how could you?" Tiffany shrieked as tears came to her eyes.
"Sit down Tiffany," Anne ordered. The bleached blonde sat but her eyes darted about the room as if looking for a way to escape.
"Wait a minute you mean me, not Buffy? I never slept with him," Kathryn yelped.
"All will be explained, Kathryn, please sit down. Now, what do you remember last, Edward?" Anne watched the older Valmont try to get the scenes straight in this mind. Anne had always liked Edward in business and as family.
"I drank a glass of scotch in the study."
"You understand now. Kathryn, chère, do you remember a night where Tiffany bought you something to drink?" She watched her granddaughter start to put the pieces together and turn to glare at her mother.
"No, wait a minute, yes. It was so weird at the time but I called for something to drink. Mother said Mai-Le wasn't feeling well. Why?" Kathryn didn't like where all of this was leading.
"I took my daughter a drink that isn't a crime," Tiffany protested. She began to worry with her wedding band. Her long nails clicked against the gold band.
"It is if you drugged it first," Buffy answered.
"What I never! Where's your proof?"
"Well you see Tiff, seems you're not the only one who likes to take pictures. Kathryn has a camera in her room. She must have left it going. It shows you giving Kathryn the drink then coming back to undress her. About ten minutes later Tiff leads Eddy in and you can hear him asking what is going on. You're a great director Tiff; maybe it could be your new career. We're guessing Roofies with something else because they did whatever you said. They even posed for you to take the pictures. Your voice is on the tape telling them what to do. Have you always got off on feeling up your own daughter?"
"Stop it. This is outrageous. Edward, you aren't going to believe this white trash over me." She batted her fake lashes at him.
"How do you explain the pictures, Tiffany?" He looked at her, hoping she would tell him something different. Something where he wasn't just a foolish older man.
"Don't ask me, ask Kathryn."
"What?" Kathryn spun on her heels to look at her stepfather in astonishment. "You bitch. I didn't even know about it. If I am in them, how could I have taken them as well?"
"Well, you have a hidden camera. Who's to say you didn't make them from that or have Sebastian help you?"
"That is enough Tiffany. Sit down and shut your mouth. I have seen the evidence myself it is you. There is nothing you can say. Edward, how much money have you paid?" Anne looked at Sebastian's father.
"Over a million dollars at the last count."
"Do you want to press charges?" Anne asked quietly watching Kathryn's face the entire time. Her 'daughter-in-law' was beneath her notice. She would have handled her long ago if it weren't for the young girl beside her.
"What? You can't! I'll be ruined." Tiffany shrieked, as she wiggled to get off the couch.
"Lizbeth, dear, if she talks again, how do you say it? Oh yes, pop her one."
Buffy grinned brightly. "Gladly, Nana." She went to stand directly behind Tiffany and placed one hand on the older woman's shoulder.
"No, it would be just as bad for me."
"Very well, Edward. I am sure you would like to dissolve your marriage. Why don't you consider it your settlement to Tiffany? She will sign any papers you send to her." Anne bowed her elegant gold and silver head.
Edward admired the way she handled herself, no matter what was happening, Madam was always in control.
"No, I..." she groaned when Buffy applied pressure to her shoulder.
Buffy leaned closer. "This is quiet time. Nana, is telling you what is going to happen. I know you're not too bright so I'll break it into small words for you. You-have-no-choice."
Tiffany leaned back, her mouth snapped shut and she locked her arms across her chest.
"The evidence will be destroyed." Edward ignored his 'wife' and talked directly to Madam.
"It will be taken care of Edward, do not worry. I am sorry that you were involved in this mess. Your marriage wasn't based on love but you still deserved to be treated with respect. If you would like to leave, you may." Anne bowed her head in a queenly dismissal.
"Fine, come along Sebastian," he ordered.
"No, I'm staying with Buffy. I'll talk to you later, Dad." Edward stopped in his tracks, Sebastian hadn't called him that in a long time. "I'll be checking in at the Four Seasons until I can make other arrangements. Thank you, Madam. Elisabeth, always a pleasure." He kissed Buffy on the cheek but didn't say a word to Tiffany or her daughter as he left the room.