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Act VIII Scene VIII
Washington Post Hdqtrs
Thursday Morning
Lila sat in on a meeting of the department heads in her office and watched occasionally as Chris would turn back to see how far the meeting had progressed. He climbed the walls in anticipation of her meeting with his cousin and Julia. He had tried to concentrate on campaign finance policies that were established in the late 20th Century, but his thought always reverted back to Julia. He missed her terribly. And the idea that his lover was going to be conducting an interview and asking her somewhat personal questions, tormented him. He never forgot his promise about going back to get her. He knew that he needed time to adjust to his sister's death and his growing violent temper. He meant it when he said that he would not hurt her.
Chris stared glassy eyed into space and didn't see Lila slip into his office. She closed the drapes and locked the door and moved deftly to his desk.
"Have you been thinking of me? Is that why you kept staring at me during my meeting?" she cooed seductively.
"I was thinking about your meeting with Ted today, actually." He said non-committally.
"And…" she lead.
He put his hands on her face and kissed her cheek, "…And nothing. Are you up to speed as to what you are to ask him and his girlfriend?"
Lila effectively shut him up with a kiss, when a knock on the door sounded. Lila quickly got up and brushed off her suit. "Mr. Darcy, that meeting has been scheduled for two, I demand that you be there. I will not take no for an answer." Chris' assistant dropped off several messages on his desk.
"Yes, Ms. Jenkins, I will be there with bells on." He winked at his assistant, who drooled constantly over him. But knew now that Lila had her claws into him, she wouldn't be letting go anytime soon. She quickly made her way out of his office and shut the door again, to allow Chris and Lila the privacy they wanted.
"So this is it? You run every time an employee sees the two of us together?" Chris asked agitatedly, taking him by surprise that he felt that way.
Lila straightened her hair, which she had done up in a French twist. Her Kelly green suit, accented her pale blue eyes most wonderfully. She pulled up her stocking hiking the micro-mini skirt up even higher.
"You have amazing legs." He murmured.
"I work very hard for them – walking, Stairmaster, running, dancing. Darling, let's go dancing tonight?"
He watched her as she advanced closer to him. She made his loins stir in want of her, but he was sensibly able to push those lurid thoughts out of his head and focus on trying to see Julia.
"Tell me how your meeting with him goes, and I'll consider it."
"Are you telling me that going out with you tonight is conditional on whether or not, your cousin gives me information?" She fairly hurled at him.
He smiled trying to keep the peace, "I'm in your bed every night, what else do you want from me?"
"Perhaps your love." She said suddenly. He looked up at her sharply and watched as she retreated from his office. She needed to regroup and would not lose face in front of him.
Chris put his head into his hands and wondered.
Four Season's Hotel
Ted and Julia waited patiently as Lila kept them waiting for twenty minutes. They had already ordered appetizers, when the Maitre'D brought the gorgeous blonde to their table. Ted stood and kissed her hand. She looked searchingly for any sign of a resemblance, but saw nothing. He was very handsome in his own right, but the woman beside him gave her a great shock. The Julia. Her surprise was great indeed, when Chris' Julia turned out to be Amerasian. Although incredibly beautiful and graceful, Lila thought she lacked the spirit that Chris needed and wanted. The spirit that Lila had.
"I'm sorry to keep you two waiting. I had a meeting that I just couldn't get out of across town. I'm glad you ordered appetizers, I meant to call from the cell, but the meeting went on and on. You must know how that is." She rolled her eyes. Lila hoped by making small talk first, she would get over the nervousness that she felt conducting this phony interview. Lila dug deep into her Prada bag and pulled out a small recording device. Chris had prepped her and prepped her well.
Ted spoke up first. "Do you mind if I speak to you off the record?"
Lila shut the machine off. "Sure, go on."
Ted took Julia's hand into his. "Ms. Jenkins, I have been reading the Washington Post for quite a while, I have never seen an article in it about the new young blood that you are supposedly interviewing me for."
Lila flashed him a big, brilliant smile. "Mr. Bingley, you are our inaugural new blood. We have some very important hard hitting politician coming up in the near future. You know this was actually your cousin's idea. He thought the American people would like to see how the young crowd is faring in politics. Normally, he would do the interview, but because of past differences between the two of you, he asked me to conduct it." She watched Julia's face for signs of recognition when she brought up Chris, but that lady was well in disguising her feelings.
She clicked the machine back on. Lila handled the asking of questions, like a trooper. She started out easy. With basic simple questions, moved on to his family and why he wanted to enter politics. Forty-five minutes into the questioning, Lila amazed herself by asking the one question she fought to ask.
"What exactly is it that comes between you and your cousin, Mr. Darcy?" Ted looked beseechingly at her and watched as Julia's head fell forward. Should have known it was a woman, Lila thought to herself.
"I don't see how that would pertain to being a politician, or if it is relevant at all." Lila gave him credit for being a kind diplomat.
"Forgive me, It's just that I work with him very closely, and he hardly ever mentions family." Julia looked straight into Lila's eyes when the latter said that she worked "very closely". "I have a couple of other questions, that I need to ask. Campaign financing. You have all your donations and donors on careful examination on an excel program. Does the treasurer of your campaign do a ledger daily, or is it the work of an accountant who maintains the spending expenditures, and how much cash flow has seeped in?"
"I fund some of it myself. Luckily, I can do that. But the PACs come in handy. Ads alone are killing us, $2 million per thirty second ad. It's become ridiculous. I do get private donations which is readily recorded and given to the IRS."
Lila dug back into her Prada bag. "Mr. Bingley, I'm sorry, but we came across this receipt not too long ago and it has your name on it in the amount of $10 million dollars. How do you account for that?"
"I don't. I've never seen that."
She looked suspiciously at him. "You mean to tell me that you haven't the faintest idea how $10 million dollars ended up in your fund?"
"Yes, that is what I am telling you. Believe me if you want, but please don't subject my fiancée to this either."
"Oh, you two are getting married? Congratulations, I'll be sure to pass it along to Christopher. I'm sure he'll be pleased." Lila knew that it would destroy him. But she'd be there to pick up the shattered pieces of his heart.
Ted and Julia thanked her. "Ms. Jenkins, may I see that receipt?"
Julia excused herself to go to the ladies room. Lila handed over the receipt and excused herself as well. Julia had sat down on the sofa and willed herself not to cry. When she saw a friendly hand give her a Kleenex.
"You seem torn." Lila judged astutely.
"I'm fine, Ms. Jenkins." She sat down beside Julia.
"Do you not love Mr. Bingley? He's very handsome and rich, a great incentive to get married. And he has a wonderful career ahead of him."
Julia bit her lip. "Have you ever been in love with someone that you can feel every time he thinks of you? That you know you are having the same dreams at the same time?"
Lila laughed at such mumbo jumbo. "I can't say that I have. That must be one special love for Mr. Bingley…"
"No, not Ted. Christopher – your colleague. Christopher Darcy."
"Oh. I see. But then why are you engaged to his cousin."
"Because we can't be together. As much as I love him, I can't be with him."
Lila narrowed her eyes at the selfish girl. She could plainly see that two men were in love with her, but she was in love with the one man that she would never get. She placed a warm soothing hand on her shoulder.
"I've been taking good care of Christopher, Julia. Don't worry about him."
"What – what do you mean?"
"When he is in my arms at night, I know for a fact that he is not thinking of you."
End of Act VIII
Act IX Scene I
Four Seasons Restaurant
Julia looked at Lila in shock. Lila gave her a pretty smile, stroked her shoulder kindly and quickly exited the bathroom. When she came upon Ted, he wanted to roar at her. He hadn't a clue about the $10 million deposited into his campaign and he knew that he never authorized such a deposit.
"Where did you get this?" he waved it angrily at her.
"Chris received it from a source, he wouldn't tell me. May I turn the machine back on?"
"Not yet. I want you to answer some questions for me." Lila looked at him suspiciously.
"You seem to forget who is conducting this interview, Mr. Bingley, you listen to me. Not the other way around." He sat up and took notice of this spitfire. He wondered exactly how close his cousin and she were. He went on and asked her the question anyway.
"How close are you to my cousin? And why did you follow Julia into the ladies room?"
"Now, I really think we need to get back to the matter at hand here. I used the ladies room for personal reasons. And let's just say that your cousin and I are very close."
He shook his head. "He always went for the blondes, but your different. Most of them were airheads, you are tough as nails. Who's in charge in that relationship, I see a battle of wills with the two of you." She smiled at Ted.
"I think you need to marry that little girl and you need to do it fast." She clicked on the machine. "Now regarding $10 million dollars. You are saying on the record that you have no knowledge of ever accepting such a large donation?"
Ted sighed and continued on with the interview. Julia waited in the ladies room until Lila had wrapped everything up and left. Julia was happy that Ted had finally convinced her to marry him. She had to stop thinking of Chris and everything he represented. Of course Lila and Chris would be intimate with each other, she was blonde and gorgeous. Chris was dark, brooding, and roguish. Everything that a woman of Lila's stature could possibly want. Julia was happy with him.
Lila Jenkins Townhouse
Lila had just reached the door to her townhouse, when she was accosted by Chris. She fumbled with the key in the lock and finally got the door to open. Chris helped her with her coat and put her briefcase down beside the coat rack.
"How'd everything go?" he asked suddenly.
"Your cousin has no clue how $10 million dollars ended up in his campaign fund. He's going to question some people on his staff. He's too damn trusting. However, he is very handsome. But he was so wrapped up in his fiancée, that I don't think I could've seduced him if I wanted to." Lila realized what she had just said and mentally slapped herself.
"They're engaged?" he asked slowly.
"Yes, she was sporting a huge diamond on her finger. They seem to very much in love." She knew she was lying. She had feelings for Chris that were surprising to her. She wasn't the sort of person who just fell in love, but something was different about him. There was this feeling that when she was with him, she felt complete and whole. But she couldn't be falling in love with him, they haven't been together long enough. She didn't want to fall in love with him if she thought that she would lose him to Julia. Right now, looking at him and seeing the torment, she wanted him gone. Out of her life, if it meant saving her sanity.
"Did you still want to go dancing?" he looked up at her and the feelings that she was trying to repress came flooding back like a geyser. She wanted to hate him.
"No. I think you need to leave Christopher." He looked at her with great surprise on his face. This he hadn't expected. She handed him the tape and tried to walk him to the door, but he didn't seem to want to move.
"Why? What is going on with you?" he sounded hurt.
"Nothing, I'm tired. It's been a long day and you have some issues you need to deal with." He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What do you want from me?" he asked her again.
"To leave." That he was not expecting. Other women would have said exactly what she had said earlier. Other women would have told him that they wanted him in bed or on the floor. He tried to read Lila, but knew it was fruitless. She could become the ice queen when needed. She handed him the tape and walked him to the door.
"You should've told me that you were in love with her, Chris. It would've saved me a lot of trouble. The first night we made love you called out "Julia, I love you". And I ignored it. But this. You only want to get back at your cousin for stealing her away from you. It's a vendetta for you."
"Lila, listen to me." Her eyes were blazing now.
"No, I will not listen to you. Just go and let me burn off some steam. I have an appointment with my trainer soon. Just go."
"Please, Lila, about Julia…"
She whirled on him, "I don't care about Julia! Just go, Chris." She rubbed her eyes and watched as he sadly walked out the front door.
Chris was shocked at her change of feelings, just earlier today she was happy and sensual. Something had to have happened during the interview to get her all riled up. He walked aimlessly for several minutes before getting into his car. He needed to see Julia and now that she was here, he would do it. He would go to her and declare his feelings. But then there was Lila. Lila was a tough cookie and he admired her spunk, tenacity and overwhelming desire for life. He felt good with her.
He thought about going into a pub to drink away his problems, but thought better as he didn't want to end up in jail again. Third time, and he knew that he would strike out. He opted for another venue instead.
Chris walked into the Virtual Reality place and checked out the different scenarios they had. He wasn't up for superhero, nor was he up for any type of drag racing. The clerk behind the counter told him about the interactive sex scenario that was for adults only. "It can get fairly steamy in there."
"Is it private?"
"Oh very. You're in one room, the woman is in another room. Just one thing, this VR goes by your thoughts so whatever you are thinking of or whom, that is who the woman will see. Same thing with her. It's very new, and it took Britain by storm a month ago."
"Sounds great. Do I get to know who you pair me up with?"
"No. We keep that private, for obvious reasons. It's fantasy. But if the two want to meet after, we can't exactly say no."
"Music?"
"You pick." The clerk took Chris into a dark booth and gave him the rundown on do's and don't. Chris pushed a button for music, gave the clerk the thumbs up and started in on his fantasy.
Chris adjusted the visor on his head and pressed a button that said 'lair'. He walked into a barely lit dance hall and watched the women as they were lined up against the wall. He wasn't sure exactly what he was looking for, but he continued searching through the throngs of women.
Finally he came upon a woman that he thought he had been searching for. Chris' eyes grew in wonder as Julia stood before him.
"Why? Why Ted?"
"Don't Chris, please don't" She held out her hand for him and he took it. He quietly led her to the dance floor.
And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest thing to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
She placed her head on his shoulder and drank him in. He moved his hand all over her back, luxuriating in her skin. She wore a short black backless dress that came up high to the thigh. She moved her hands to the back of his neck and brought his lips to her. She kissed him longingly, passionately. With such longing that Chris thought he would explode at her next touch.
"We can't stay here. I have to have you."
She smiled, "You must push the button on the right."
Chris followed her instructions and saw a flash of blinding white light. Julia wore a long flowing white nightgown that tied up the front. He wore boxers and quickly made his way to her. He gently gathered her up into his arms and started kissing her. He showered her with kisses all over her body. Chris stood and moved his hands to the curvature of her body. He felt the room get very warm.
"I can't live without you." He shocked himself by saying it out loud.
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight
"Chris, now." Julia stated passionately. He moved quickly and agilely to her. He slowly started unlacing the front of her gown. The low moan from Julia made him work faster in removing her clothing.
And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
Chris felt at happy when he was able to possess her. But Lila loomed in his thoughts. The image of Julia and Lila flickered as his visor. He closed his eyes and willed Julia to come to him. Lila played in his thoughts.
"You have to fight her, Chris. I want you and need you." Julia said. He looked down at her and proceeded to love her.
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive
Julia became savage in her lovemaking. Chris found himself losing his breath at times and gripping the railing. Suddenly everything blanked on him. Lila stood before him.
"She's very beautiful, but is she what you want?"
"I can't decide what I want. I don't… where is Julia?"
"I want you, Chris. We're good together, we're like each other." She moved closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. "You have to figure out who and what you want." She turned around to leave.
"Why must I make the choice?"
"That is really a stupid question. You're thinking of her, right now."
Chris looked at her and shook his head. What happened to steamy and great. What was going on in his brain?
Julia looked back at him, "Why'd you stop?"
He smiled at her. "Do you love me?"
"Of course I do."
"Why are you marrying Ted?"
Lila whispered into his ear, "Come to me, Chris. Let her be happy with him."
"I can't be with you, Chris. Ted will take care of me."
Chris pushed the button off. He thoughts in more turmoil than ever. He quickly left the VR place and headed to his car. He would go to her. He would tell her how he felt.
Getting out of the car, he looked up to the moon and questioned his sanity. Was he doing the right thing? He walked for a while. Before he knew it, he was knocking on a door.
She opened it and the shock on her face was evident.
"Yes?" She said.
"I want you."
She bit her lip. "How can you… This is not funny." He walked inside and kissed her.
"I love you."
End of Scene I
Act IX Scene II
Washington Post Hdqtrs
Lila walked into Christopher's office and threw down a piece of paper on his desk. He looked at it for a while before looking up at her. She sat down in the chair opposite his desk.
"Where'd you get that?" he asked cautiously.
"It was stuck in a plain white envelope with my name on it. I thought you should see it. Someone knows that you are hot on their trail, and they're not happy about. If I were you, I'd watch your back." He studied the piece of paper again, and grinned at her.
"I could question my source, he would know where it came from." He got up and walked to the front on his desk and sat on the edge. "I will watch my back, Lila."
She bit her lip and smiled at him. "If this gets too dangerous, I'm pulling you off this story and killing it. I don't need anyone getting hurt or God forbid -- killed!"
Chris rolled his eyes, then put his palm to her cheek. "Nothing will happen to me. I promise."
"The door is open." Lila said jokingly.
Chris pulled her up and into his arms. "You have a problem with people knowing that you and I are together?"
"Well, I am your boss. People talk Chris, we have to play it safe in the office. But at home, we can do what we want." A daring glint reflected in her eyes.
"Let me steal just one kiss?" She nodded her head, and he brushed her lips ever-so-slightly. She felt her knees go weak at the softness of his lips. "It was a tough decision, but definitely the best one. Thank you for last night." He whispered in her ear.
Lila broke from his embrace and started heading out, when Chris called out to her. "Lila, how'd you like to go to Richmond this weekend?"
She turned back around, "I'd love to." She blew him a kiss, turned quickly around and walked right into Julia.
Julia had been standing in the doorway and witnessed the tenderness between Lila and Christopher. She wasn't sure if she should feel pure dread or complete happiness for him. Lila glanced back at Chris who gave her a knowing smile.
"Lila, I'll pick you up tonight at six." Chris said. "Julia, come in."
Julia looked around his stark office and sat down in the seat that Lila had just vacated. Chris went behind his desk and gave her a beatific smile. Julia started the conversation.
"How are you?"
He rocked in his seat, "Fine, I'm doing very well. Busy with this job, and you?"
"School is keeping me busy. Helping Ted with his campaign is time consuming. You must be wondering why I'm here?"
He looked at her curiously, then spoke. "The thought had crossed my mind. I was under the impression you never wanted to see me again."
"I needed to know if last night was you."
"I don't think I understand…"
"Ted and I went to this VR place. I did one last night, but the guy cut it off in the middle. It was you, wasn't it."
Chris steepled his hands and leaned on them. "That was you?"
"Your thoughts were a mess, I felt myself being pushed into your dementia. You were thinking of me, but yet Lila won out."
"It was your thoughts that told me that you couldn't be with me. Lila only confirmed them, when you told her the same thing. Perhaps you've seen Splendor in the Grass too many times." He hurled at her.
"That is not fair, Chris. You were constantly getting drunk, ending up in jail, punching people out. Was I to be the next person that you took out your anger on?" her voice quaked. "Ted has only offered me his love."
"You didn't trust me from the beginning. I loved you, Julia. I loved you more than any person or thing before in my life. I have never felt the way with anyone, the way I did with you. I offered you love and you denied yourself access to it." Chris caught the glare of the diamond on her finger, and laughed. "I think two insipid people deserve each other."
"I'm sorry if you think that way. Ted is a good man." Tears fell from her eyes. Chris tried to maintain his composure. He closed his eyes and took long deep breaths.
"He will make you very happy, Julia. I know now that I could never make you happy."
"I do love you, Chris. I'll always love you."
He nodded his head and smiled. Julia rose from the chair. Chris followed suit and walked her to the door. "Take care, Julia. Be happy with Ted. It's for the best." Julia brought her hand and stroked his cheek softly. He took her hand and quickly removed it. "Good-bye."
After Julia left, he turned back to see Lila looking comfortably settled on a conference call. Smiling like a Cheshire cat.
Washington Monument
Chris had made a rendezvous with his source to get behind the note that was sent to Lila. He didn't say at first, but he was nervous for her. He didn't want her brought into the middle of things, especially if they were to get nasty. His source showed up five minutes late and quite out of breath.
"You realize that this is too dangerous. I can't meet you in open spaces."
Chris thrust the paper at him, "This was sent to Lila. I don't want her involved at all. And if one thing happens to her, I'll find them and I'll kill them."
The man raised his hand in mock protest. "I don't know who sent that, but I'll look into it. What you'd find out about your cousin?"
"He knows nothing. How did $10 million dollars end up in his account?" Chris and the source continued walking down through the gardens.
"That's what we've been trying to figure out. It was an anonymous donation. You need to become more of an investigative reporter. You have the know-how and the means."
"To all, this looks like a vendetta against my cousin." Chris thought out loud.
The man smiled, "Now you're starting to realize, that is why we tapped you. Find out where the money came from and you'll find out where most of Congress is getting their money from."
"I hope you're right." Chris sighed doubtfully.
End of Scene II
Act IX Scene III
Richmond, VA
The Richmond Inn
"Was it difficult?" she asked softly.
"A little." He answered just as softly
"Do you regret it?"
"Not one bit, are you going to talk the whole night?" He turned on his side and propped himself up on his arm. "Lila, Julia is not a part of my life anymore. You are."
"Oh, I know that. Just testing." She smiled at him. "Many people don't like me, Chris. How do you go about changing people's opinions of us."
He laughed at her. "Is that important? Who cares what people think? I love you and I think you love me, so there is no problem. End of problem." He squeezed her close to him.
"There is one thing I never told you."
"And that might be…" he laughed.
"I'm older than you."
He leaned over her and caressed her face. "Yes, and…"
"I'm very wealthy."
He turned on to his back and laughed out loud. "I knew there was a reason why I so damn attracted to you. It's your money!"
She laughed along with him. "You don't know what it's like fending off men who are only attracted to you for your money."
He played along with her, "Oh no, I have not a clue." He said mockingly.
"Chris, tell me about yourself. What you like; what you don't like. Well I know what you like." She said suggestively.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes!"
Chris gathered her up in his arms and leaned against the headboard. "I have a mum and a dad. I had a sister, but she died last year." He started to tremble slightly. Lila snuggled closer.
"I know, Chris. I read about it." She said quietly.
"She was a princess." Lila let him continue on. "We were close, and I miss her so much. She was beautiful, lively, vivacious. Problematic and all those things that sisters are. Her death still doesn't seem real. She was so in love with Colin and I treated him terribly. I actually punched out his royal highness." Lila gasped in mock horror. "You, just stop it. He deserted my sister, and he never explained why and she just accepted it."
"She loved him, and she didn't need an explanation. You couldn't possibly understand how a woman feels when she is in love."
He tickled her. "Oh, couldn't I?"
"Christopher!" she squealed, "They'll kick us out of here." She said in between gasps.
"But I don't understand women, I thought you were just aching to be tickled." He laughed at her. She grabbed his hands and forced them down from her.
"Did you really want me to sleep with Ted?" she brought gravity back to the moment.
"I would've killed him, if he had laid one hand on you." He looked into her eyes. "I never should have done that to you."
"I'll agree with you there, you shouldn't have suggested my sleeping with your cousin."
"Ah, so were you really jealous with Piper? Did you honestly think I would do that?"
"No. That night was terrible. I shouldn't have done it to you. Any more secrets we need to air out?"
"Lila, are you happy? I mean could you possibly be happy with me?" He looked searchingly at her face.
"I think so. And you, me?"
He sighed, and pulled her into his arms. "May I be blunt with you, Ms. Jenkins?"
"Blunt is good." She joked.
"I want you to make love to me right now." He said in all seriousness.
End of Scene III
Act IX Scene IV
Richmond, VA
"Lila, what is taking you so long?" Christopher asked in annoyance.
"Chris, you must be patient. I'm nearly finished."
"Are you giving birth in there?" he laughed.
"Not quite, just one more button…" she came out of the dressing room. "There, I'm finished."
"Amazing! You look so beautiful." He placed a gently kiss on her cheek. "And I'm famished."
Lila grabbed her woolen wrap from the closet, and Chris helped her on with it. He took her hand and walked her to the car. He drove quietly for several miles, she fiddled with the car stereo. "So where are we going?"
"I promised you dancing. And a-dancing we will go!"
"I hope you can keep up with me." He laughed.
Chris stopped in front of colonial-style house and ushered Lila inside. The dimmed lighting and candles on the table gave an utterly romantic setting for dinner. A young woman brought the two of them to a corner table that had been requested. A hand-blown crystal rose garnished the china plate. Attached to the rose was a sterling silver diamond solitaire necklace.
"Chris, I can't accept that." He walked behind her and put the necklace on her. He sat back down to admire the necklace on her elegant neck.
"It looks incredible on you." He smiled to her. A waitress came by and took their drink order and was back quickly with a bottle of Zinfandel. Chris tested the wine then had the server pour an ample amount into Lila's glass.
She sipped quietly and reflected on the past two weeks as she did. She thought back to the first time she saw him, and how she had to have him as a member of her team. She blushed when she thought back to the interview and how seductive and enticing she must have come across. If she had been subjected to that, she would have cried foul in second and then sued the company for sexual harassment. Although she knew she was on to somebody with him. He was hungry and young and out for that moment of glory. Her hand instinctively went to the necklace. She smiled over the rim of her glass.
"No, no, no. This is all wrong." Chris blurted out suddenly.
Lila looked stunned, "What? What is all wrong."
"The ambiance, the music, the food. It's all wrong." He had a wicked gleam in his eye as the other patrons turned to look at him.
"Christopher, everything is fine, keep it down." She said in a low dangerous voice. He laughed at her.
"Trust me on this." He snapped his fingers and the server was at his table in an instant. "I want you to bring out some Tomato and Mozzarella salad lightly drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Then we will have smoked salmon with capers. From there on we'll order an entrée. Does that suit you?" Lila nodded her head, then Chris leaned into the server and whispered something into her ear.
"You wanted to dance, or I think it was a challenge that I couldn't keep up with you. Well do you mind dancing before the first course?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking charge. Now," he stood up and extended his hand for her, "take my hand and let me lead out to the dance floor."
"You are very odd."
"Odd is a good thing. We wouldn't exactly want normalcy in this relationship, it would get very boring and we'd be killing each other." He said as he lead her out to the floor. There was barely enough room for the two of them.
Chris and Lila swayed until the song ended. With his lips, he played with her ear, making her giggle.
"I'm going to enjoy tonight, aren't I."
He smiled and nodded his head. "I'm going to make you love me by the time the night is over."
"You had my love, it was the other way around, if I remember correctly."
I could lose my heart tonight
If you don't turn and walk away
'Cause the way I feel I might
Lose control and let you stay
'Cause I could take you in my arms
And never let go
"You haven't even got over Julia yet." Chris grimaced
"No Julia tonight. It's just you and me and the music." He moved in closer to her and gently kissed her neck that she had arched for him.
I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with youI can only wonder how
Touching you would make me feel
But if I take that chance right now
Tomorrow will you want me still
So I should keep this to myself
And never let you know
"When did I fall in love with you? How did it happen?"
She laughed, "You? I never get involved with my employees or anyone, oh God, seven years younger than me."
"I find you to be refreshing, bold, blunt." He whispered into her ear. "And I want to make love to you all the time."
"I think it's your age. Your still engulfed with hormones." She joked quietly.
"I thought you liked my hormones." he licked her lips.
"Hmmm… Very much so. Oh, I'm getting quite…"
"Hot?"
"I think the word hungry is what I was looking for."
I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you
And I know it's not right so I guess I should try
To do what I should do
But I could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you
He dipped her, then quickly brought her back up. "Mum taught Kimberley and I how to dance." She looked at him in shock.
So I should keep this to myself
And never let you knowI could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you
"I don't care how old you are or how rich you are. All I know is that here and now, I want you. You are the sexiest, most incredible woman to ever turn me on." He kissed her lips, working his way to her eyelids, then down to her neck; where he nibbled longer than was necessary. Finally, going back to her wanting lips again. She shook with passion.
"Oh, Christopher." She said softly. "Now, I'm hot."
"I love you, Lila."
"I know, Chris."
"Say it. Say it now." He traced the outline of her body causing slight tremors.
So I should keep this to myself
And never let you knowI could fall in love with you
I could fall in love with you
He cupped her chin in his hand and waited for the phrase that she was trying to form on her lips. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.
"I love you, too." He embraced her tightly.
"Let's eat." And back to the table they went.
End of Scene IV
Act IX Scene V
Washington Post Hdqtrs
Chris had spent the better part of two weeks going through all of the freshman Congress member's financial statements. Absolutely nothing was pointing him in the right direction that would give him any information, why somebody would want to buy several Congressmen. He ran through every column in the ledgers, sometimes alone, sometimes with his assistant. Most of the time Lila would sit on the floor where he had laid out the papers and go through each and every one. He checked PACs, personal donations, public funds, charities that would sponsor their candidates for their cause.
"Chris, this is fruitless, you've checked these statements five times already. Move on." Lila mentioned late on night.
"No there is something in here, but I'm missing it. There has to be a common denominator, but what the hell is it?" he banged his head on the desk. Lila watched him sigh, grimace, and try to figure out what was alluding him. But he knew the answer lie in the financials he had been studying.
Chris went through folder after folder, searching for a reason why large sums of cash was being deposited into republicans and democrats campaign funds. It just didn't make any sense. Lila went to the cabinet and poured herself and Chris a mineral water. She sat down beside him, legs crossed and file folders strewn about her. She gave a red folder another try. Looking at numbers for days and days, was starting to wear on her nerves. "Chris?"
"What, love?" he said without looking up.
"I don't see us finding anything tonight. Will you finally call it a night?"
He sighed agitatedly. "I was told the answer would be in here, and I will find it tonight" Chris' assistant came in with an armload of folders. Chris grimaced when he saw them.
"Put them on the table, yes, right there." Chris got up and stretched and walked over to the table where the newly put folders were waiting for him. He opened one, checked expenditures from income. And again saw a huge donation all deposited on March 11, 2015. This recipient received twenty-five million dollars.
But then like it had been printed in red ink, he spotted it. He checked the other financial statements and it was there also.
"Lila," he smiled broadly, "and the common denominator is, thirteen million deposited to Paul Harris. Twenty million deposited into Karl Friedberg's campaign, ten million into Ted's account, etceteras, etceteras…"
"We know about the funds, it's more about how it got there." Lila said archly.
"There is one common denominator -- these men are against one certain piece of legislation. One very important piece of legislation. These men are so against it, that they have publicly spoken out against. It's in their platform." Chris raised his fist. "Yes! Why didn't I see it."
"Okay, now I'm really lost. What are you talking about?" Lila leaned on her elbows at the table.
Chris was getting excited and agitated at the same time. "In 1997 Scottish Bio-Engineers cloned a sheep, Dolly. There was a huge debate on whether or not humans should fiddle with the creation of life. Bio-engineering firms then paid millions of dollars on studies and on research and development on cloning human life. However, the right-wing fundamentalists and even the liberals were against it. Then President Clinton, swore that he would never let any type of legislation see the light of day during his presidency, it was the one bill that had bi-partisan agreement. I think the slogan was "Don't go against God". The big Bio-engineering firms have been dumping money into these campaign funds, as a sort of lobby. These men are being bribed, and they haven't a clue! When the bill finally comes up to the house, a damn leg breaker reminds them of the cash that was deposited into their fund, therefore guaranteeing the affirmative vote. They know it won't get vetoed by the president, because they will proceed with outing him in his own scandal, and to protect his wife and three children, he'll do what they want. Even tho' the bugger is strictly opposed to it. So the scenario is -- the cloning bill goes through, and a debate on fiddling with the creation of life become even more explosive than the whole abortion fiasco ever was."
Chris was excitedly pacing back and forth while explaining to Lila, his assistant had stopped in the doorway and gave him a thumbs up.
"So we expose them, the bill doesn't pass and life continues on as it should."
Lila tried to stifle a laugh, "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?"
Chris shook his head. "Not ridiculous, dangerously real. Do you realize that we would have these bio-engineering firms playing God! They will be creating an Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World". You want a blonde blue-eyed girl, clone her. You want your son to have a high IQ, clone him. This is a whole new world, Lila. It's very possible, very real, and very, very dangerous."
Lila put her head in her hands, and groaned. "How do you expose them?"
"Well I'll write up an article on the mysterious funds ending up in all the freshman campaign fund. From there it would just beg the question, why, who and how. But now that we have the answer, we can successfully expose them and put an end to it." He sat down at his desk and turned on his long-neglected computer.
"Now what are you doing?" she asked tiredly.
"I have an article to write. I'll order pizza, you go home. I'll be there later. I can get this in tomorrow's edition."
"Don't kill yourself, and I still need to look it over before you do anything with it."
Chris diligently typed away, "Yes love, I know. I'll email it to you tonight. Check around midnight." She came up behind him, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek then headed for home.
Before Lila could get to her car, someone came up behind her and whacked her on the head. She fell instantly to the ground.
Christopher was on a roll when he started writing the article. He called up his source for quotes, data and information that he was willing to share. By the time he finished the article, and e-mailed it to Lila, he patiently waited for her phone call that never came. He checked the wall clock and saw it start to hit the hour of one. He called repeatedly only to get her answering service. He swore loudly. Then heard the sound of numerous sirens. Putting on his coat, he headed outside to his car, when he saw ambulances and police cars in the parking lot. He went over to investigate when his assistant came up to him.
"I found her unconscious by the stairwell," he had a hard time with her sobbing. "I didn't know it was her."
"Who, Amanda?"
"Lila, she was attacked!" Amanda was inconsolable.
Chris ran to the ambulance before they shut the doors. "Is she.. is she?"
"She's alive, someone hit her on the head. Probably a mugger." The EMT said uncaringly.
"I'm coming along!" he jumped into the back of the ambulance. He held onto Lila's hand the whole time they were in transit to the hospital.
End of Scene V
Act IX Scene VI
County General Hospital
Lila awoke from her whack on the head twenty minutes after she arrived at the hospital. Much to the relief of Chris, who refused to leave her side. The doctor proclaimed nothing more than a serious bump on the head and a headache that would go away with over-the-counter aspirin. The doctor did want to keep her overnight for safety measures.
"Lila, I'm going to get a soda, are you up for a drink?"
"No, I'm fine, really." He gently stroked her cheek. "I'll find the person who did this to you and kill him." He said dangerously. She shuddered.
Walking out into the corridor, he asked a nurse where he could find a soda machine. She directed him in the direction opposite Lila's bedroom. Coming upon the soda machine, he heard footsteps behind him. He whipped around and nearly decked the person behind him. His anonymous source's quick reflex's had him ducking and spinning out of punching range.
"What the hell are you doing!" Chris yelled. The other man put his hand across his mouth to silence him.
"What happened to that lady was to warn you, next time they won't be so forgiving."
The color rushed to Chris' face as anger boiled his blood. "Tell me who did this!" He grabbed the man by his shirt and flung him against the wall. "I said tell me who did that to her, NOW!" The man went on to explain to Chris that somehow his office had been tapped. A group of lobbyists for the Bio-Engineering firms feel as though he knows too much and could ruin the plans they had.
"There has to be someone inside these campaigns that are crooked. I don't care about a bunch of sad lobbyists, since when did knocking out women become part of their job!"
"You will find that when you get back to your office your computer has been wiped clean. The article you wrote -- gone." Chris leaned face first against the wall. He had finally released his prisoner.
"It's not gone. If anyone lays one hand on Lila, I'll come after you, then I'll find them and tear them apart."
"Watch your back, Darcy. Just watch your back. Look to your cousin. That's all I can give you right now." The mysterious man quickly walked in the direction in which he came. Chris dropped the coin into the machine, reached for the can, took a sip then slid down the wall.
When Chris came back to the room, Lila was sitting up sipping cold water and chatting away with the nurse who had come it to check her vitals.
"Hello, darling." Lila outstretched her arms to take him into her grasp. The nurse made a funny joke, the quietly left the two lovers to themselves. "You must be exhausted, Chris. Go home and get some rest. I'm fine really." He snuggled just a little closer and hugged her tightly.
"I'm responsible for this. I was told this was a warning that I was getting too close and to back off. Lila, oh Lila, I'm so sorry." He nestled close to her bosom, and she played with his curls and lightly stroked his neck.
"Chris, we didn't know this would happen. I'm fine, just a bump. Go home and get some rest, please." She looked imploring into his eyes. "I love you, Chris. Now go home and get that e-mail. Did you save it?"
He moaned and lightly started kissing her neck. "Of course I saved it. Office has been ransacked, I think your townhouse has been too." Lila took a deep breath then pulled Chris' face to hers.
"Go to your place tonight. I'll have someone look into cleaning my house. Darling, please take care." Chris pressed his lips to hers, but didn't kiss her. She ran her tongue across his lips, then nipped down lightly. "I love you, darling."
"Lila," he said throatily. "I'm so sorry. I'll miss you tonight."
She smiled to him and mouthed, "Me too." He quietly quitted the room and headed sadly to the lobby.
End of Scene VI
Act IX Scene VII
Christopher Darcy's Apartment
When Christopher finally arrived home at four in the morning, all he really wanted was his bed. He was beyond exhaustion. Quickly heading to his answering machine, he picked up his overdue phone messages He ran through them fairly quickly deleting what he didn't need. One came from his father pleading with him to phone him soon. He thought that odd. One left two minutes after he left the hospital.
"Hello darling, I know you're not home yet, but I am missing you terribly. I just lie here and think of your lips on my body, and I get all excited. I will be in your arms tomorrow, doctor's orders! I can't wait. I love you, Christopher Darcy. Have a wonderful night's sleep; and yes, you may sleep in tomorrow. You deserve it, love. Oh, it's Lila in case you've forgotten already, dear."
He heard the giggle that drove him nuts and listened to the message again. He wanted to kill the person who hurt her. Walking into the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of spring water, and picked up the phone, and phone his father.
"Pemberley, Dawkins speaking."
"Dawkins, Christopher Darcy, is my father around?" Chris tapped his fingers against the phone.
"One moment, Master Darcy." Chris rolled his eyes. Once he did become master of Pemberley, "master" would be stricken from the servant's vocabulary.
"Chris, finally you've phoned, your mother has been beside herself, how are you?"
"Tired, it's four in the morning here. Your call sounded frantic, is mum all right?"
"Your mother received a very cryptic note. Chris, it detailed your death. What the hell is going on over there!"
Chris gasped. He noticed his hand unconsciously shaking. "Do you have the note with you? Can you fax it to me now?"
"Of course I can fax it to you; I prefer not to though." William explained his hesitation; Chris explained what had been going on in not so many details. If his office had been tapped, he couldn't be surprised if his home was too. William pleaded with him to come home.
"I'm bringing Lila if I do. She's been caught in this sordid mess, and I want her out of it."
"Lila?" William asked.
"She's… um… ah…my boss…"
"And you just happen to be sleeping with her. Chris, haven't we taught you anything." William said in exasperation. "Whatever happened to Julia?"
"Dad, I happen to be in love with Lila. Julia is engaged to Ted. It's for the best, really."
"Whatever you say, Chris. Sure bring her along, you owe us a long overdue visit and it will put your mother to rights again. She's been a basket case with you halfway around the world."
Chris laughed, "You could always come to Washington."
William capitulated.
"Dad, I'm tired. Lila was attacked tonight, and I want to be at the hospital first thing in the morning to get her. I'm authoring an article tomorrow in the Post. Check it out. Somehow Ted's involved, but I can't say how. I'll book flight for sometime next week."
"Very well. I'll check it out. And if this has anything to do with getting back at Ted because of Julia, Chris, don't do it."
"Not even close, dad. By the way, you'll adore Lila."
"You always had good taste in women, Chris. Just like me." Chris could just see the smirk on William's face.
"Exactly, dad. Mum had great taste." William laughed one last time before hanging up.
Chris took the phone off the hook and crawled into bed. With visions of Lila making love to him in his head.
Chris arrived at the hospital at eleven the next morning bearing the biggest bouquet of sweetheart roses and one winter white rose in the middle of the bunch. Lila ecstatically jumped into his arms, when she saw the flowers. The doctor cleared his throat when he came upon the two lovers kissing passionately.
"Oh sorry, doc." Chris said embarrassedly.
"No he's not." Lila offered. "Had you waited a couple more minutes, you could've video taped us and put it out on the black market." The doctor chuckled at Lila's candor.
The doctor finally spoke, "You are fine to go home, but if you have any blurriness or nausea, you come right back here. You don't have a concussion, and that's good." He turned to Chris. "Can you stay with her today?" Chris' eyes gleamed wickedly.
"I have to ask the boss." Lila stroked his cheek in the affirmative. "I take that as a yes."
"Good, good. Very well then." The doctor stuck his hand out and shook Lila's. "You take care and don't use your head as baseball practice."
Lila laughed, "I don't think you'll have to worry about that!"
Lila and Chris headed out to his car, when he stopped her against the car and stroked her cheek. During the night, she had developed a black eye from falling face first on the gravel driveway. He kissed away any pain she would have felt.
"How would you like to go to Pemberley next week?"
"Oh." She looked down at her feet. "Pemberley?"
"Please, Lila."
"Did the article get published?" he nodded his head. "And what did the publisher say?"
Chris sighed, "Lila, Pemberley, next week?"
She hugged him tightly, "Of course, I'll go with you. Now the publisher, what did he say?"
"He thinks we'll be sued. He said it was a crock of…" Lila interrupted.
"Oh God, I can see it now, he'll crucify me!"
"My name is on this story, not yours. I told him you hadn't a clue. Lila, trust me. I will get these freak of natures and expose everything they represent. And I meant it, I will kill the person who did this to you."
"I don't think I could handle conjugal visits in the state penitentiary." He opened the car door and laughed.
"Okay, I'll just hurt him. Badly."
"That's fine with me. Where are you taking me?"
"Hotel. My place isn't safe and yours isn't either." He rationalized.
Ted Bingley's Campaign Headquarters
Julia looked over the books one more time, before closing up shop and heading to Ted's brownstone. She was beyond exhausted. She had just looked over numbers for six hours straight and nothing was adding up. Ted had been quite upset with the ten million dollars that had been mysteriously deposited into the fund. Julia hated that Lila Jenkins was the one to confront Ted with it.
She had suspected that Lila and Chris were lovers during the interview. There was something about Lila that told her to back off Christopher. She missed him. His smell, his touch, his sweet caresses. Now they belonged to Lila. She told herself that Ted was the best thing that could happen to her. But Chris' unpredictability excited her. His sensuous nature, made her heart beat twice as fast. She continued walking down the darkened Boston streets. Ted would be upset that she didn't phone. He would have willingly picked her up.
Julia couldn't stop thinking of Christopher Darcy. She looked down at the engagement ring sitting on her finger and wished that things had turned out differently. She thought of becoming a stronger person and fighting Lila for him. Why should she settle? And was Ted, settling? They made love, it wasn't boring. She didn't deserve Chris' love after she deserted him.
Why?
Would he have hurt me? she thought to herself.
Julia turned a corner and stopped. I want him, she said silently. Her thoughts were ringing loud in her head, and she didn't hear the person behind her. He walked by quickly, but when he did, she felt a prick through her light jacket.
"Ouch," she said after he had taken off.
Her thoughts became more muddled, the world started spinning. She finally reached the brownstone and could barely walk up the stairs. Dragging herself up, she banged on the door. Her tongue became thick and she started panicking. Ted was immediately there and helped her into the house. He laid her down on the floor in the front hallway and ordered the servant to call for an ambulance.
"Tell him I still love him." She said thickly.
End of Scene VII