The twinkling blinking lights and the romantic ambiance made the room a safe haven. She found a spot and sat and exhaled slowly.
All of the couples, had deserted the area. No doubt because of the late-night Buffet Dinner.
A short distance away, Celica Baptiste watched Pearl sitting alone. She closed the distance between them.
“Pearl, how can you sit so calmly through the throngs of that chaos taking place inside?” she boldly asked but didn’t wait for a response. “Do you mind if I sit down for a second?”
“No, not at all,” Pearl shrugged. She quickly glanced up at her. She noted the drink in her hand. In fact Celica looked like she had been drinking for a long time. The bottle she carried in her other hand was the tip-off. She also noticed she no longer wore the loud hot pink dress she had on earlier.
Celica’s hair had been neatly brushed back into a tight bun at the top of her head. She wore a black satin pants outfit with a Kimono styled duster. She looked elegant with a fatally cold sophisticated aura about her.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Celica said as she downed her drink in one gulp.
Pearl nodded and watched her pour another one. She tried to read the label on the bottle. Celica’s hand was covering it. “What’s that you’re drinking Celica, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Celica grinned. “I call it a white hot mess. Want to know how I made it?” she asked but didn’t wait for a reply. “I filled up a rum bottle with three different kinds of liquor all by myself,” her voice was slurred. “First I had to sort of empty the bottle. So I drank half the white rum. I drank it all by myself,” she repeated through giggles. “Then I added some white gin, white tequila, and white vodka,” she giggled again. “It tastes delicious, I think.”
A saucy laugh escaped her mouth.
Pearl could tell that she had a few too many.
In one breath Celica said. "Pearl, there's so much I want to say to you. I respect and like you as a friend," she slurred out.
Pearl gazed back at her with wide eyes. The moment was awkward.
Celica blinked back tears. "There is so much I need to explain…" she shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. “Oh God Pearl I know a secret,” she said gloomily. “Monty Wildfire is in love with you. He told me so himself. But that’s not the worst of it.”
“Oh,” Pearl declared.
Silence fell. The air was chilled.
Pearl was afraid to ask any questions. She stared back at Celica, puzzled.
“Monty’s nothing but a lying, manipulative, vindictive bastard. He’s determined to break up your marriage Pearl. He all but told me so. He thinks Louis isn’t good enough for you and that he is,” her words tumbled out. “Pearl you’ve got to do something to protect yourself or God knows what he’ll do. You’ve got to tell Louis!”
Pearl smiled softly and reached over and touched Celica’s hand. “Thank you for being my friend Celica and for telling me about Monty. But I already found that out,” she nodded. “Oh and Louis has dealt with the situation,” she added.
“Really?”
Pearl looked back at Celica. She looked like a child that needed reassuring. “Yes, he has. And I’m sure Monty took Louis very seriously.”
Slowly a satisfied expression crossed Celica’s face. “Good…Good….,” her voice was low. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
Pearl gave Celica a long considering look. "Celica, do you ever think of finding another job?" she asked. “I mean stop working for Monty.”
“No!” she exclaimed. “No, there is no reason to,” she said, with a completely calm face.
The moment was awkward.
Celica’s eyes glazed over as she stared off into the distance. “I’m sure Monty underestimated Louis’ love for you. And I’m sure Louis taught Monty a valuable lesson,” she said starting to leave. “Everything has been taken care of, that’s good….. Nope, I don’t need to look for a new job.”
Pearl looked anxiously back at her, trying to get a clue as to what she was thinking. “Celica are you alright?” she asked with deep concern.
Celica stood. “I’m fine….I’m fine,” she laughed out strangely. “I’ll leave you now. You and Louis should be happy now,” she said, as she slowly walked away.
Chapter 31
The Truth & the Whole Truth… I swear
Clare Palling folded her arms. “I always said this should be a Debutant ball,” she remarked with a stern expression. “That way we’d have less chance of a scandal as it would eliminate the need for judges’ altogether. And the girls would only be allowed to wear a long formal ball gown all evening. For sure we would preserve the fairytale myth.”
Louis was exasperated. “Well, right now we don’t have a stupid fairy tale. We’ve got real life happening all around us. We need to get Katrina and get her out of here fast!”
Ulysses stared across the room and then murmured low under his breath. His eyes darted quickly between his two friends. “That is a great suggestion. However, due to the urgency, I think we’d better come up with a bold face lie right about now to cover ourselves and this organization.”
“What? We can’t do a cover-up,” Louis said. Then he took the hint and followed his gaze. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath.
A few steps in front of them Katrina Baptiste was racing toward them.
Following close behind her was Horace Garrison wearing a solemn expression. And taking up the rear was Claire Marie Champagne.
Both Katrina and Claire Marie were dressed professionally in black business attire.
“Horace,” Louis called. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here as a friend and a reporter,” Horace said nodding. “As a matter of fact, Katrina and Claire Marie gave me an interesting story that I’ve already sent in to the station.”
“What?” Louis blurted.
Katrina prayed for strength as she rushed forward. She wore a skirt suit with black patent three inch pumps that made her look taller than her five-ten height. She radiated a professional, confident image.
“Yes…..Yes I did,” she breathed out slowly. “I’m glad I caught everyone, so I won’t have to say this but once,” she paused. “Just so you know, I’ve made a statement to the press, regarding the so called rumor that I slept with one of the judges,” she said rolling her eyes in the direction of Claire Marie Champagne. “I have made it clear that it was a bold face lie brought on by circumstances out of my control.” She hesitated to let her words sink in. “I apologized for the embarrassment this caused the Grand Isle Ball and my witness collaborates my story. You can ask Horace.”
Horace cleared his throat and nodded his head affirmably. “Yes, it seems Claire Marie has recanted her earlier statement,” he said.
“Well! Tell them Claire Marie?” Katrina demanded impatiently.
Claire Marie stood solemnly a foot behind Katrina. She looked drab in her pantsuit. Her hair was pulled tight into the nape of her neck. It made her ears stick-out profoundly. Her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying. She knew she was being manipulated. But she’d taken a risk, gambled on a man’s love and lost badly.
The moment was awkward as she stared back at all of the stern serious faces looking at her. She felt confused and unsure of herself for a brief moment and then her expression changed as she remembered. She had been bought off with a price and an expectation. Taking the money meant she had to say it. She held her head high and said. “Yes, Katrina is right. I recanted my story,” she said firmly as she looked up at Katrina with a strange expression. They knew they shared a secret.
The moment was awkward.
Claire Marie kept her gaze focused in the distance as she spoke. “I came here with Katrina to make a statement for the press because…..Because it is the right thing to do,” Claire Marie’s voice trailed off. Her thoughts raced as she stared between the faces standing in front of her. She knew why she’d come. Katrina was a little blackmailer who had pictures of her sleeping with Jorge
Manteau. She didn’t know which was worse, calling someone a whore or finding out the boy that you thought you’d been seeing had been playing you for one. As far as she was concerned Jorge Manteau and Katrina Baptiste deserved each other. They were two of a kind. But that wasn’t what she’d come there to share.
Claire Marie cleared her throat. “In a fit of jealousy and anger I may have said something that wasn’t true. When I said Katrina was sleeping with one of the pageant judges. I lied, because I was angry and upset that I didn’t win the pageant,” her words rushed out as she confessed. It felt good to say it even though the shocked faces staring back at her made her feel like a prisoner on trial.
She swallowed hard and continued. “Anyway, this was all just a big misunderstanding. And I apologize for what I said and for any embarrassment I’ve brought onto this wonderful worthy event and the pageant. I am truly sorry,” she added dryly.
Ulysses’ face was set in a terrifying mask as his jowls shook. “It was malicious and ill thought out,” he blurted out. “This may have done irrevocable harm to Grand Isle Ball, not to mention the illustrious organization it stands for.”
Claire Marie’s eyes glazed over with an expression of sadness. Her chest was so tight that she could hardly breathe as she asked. “Ulysses, have you ever been in love?” she choked out as her eyes glistened with tears.
Louis cleared his throat as he leaned in close and looked Ulysses in the eye. “That was just a little harsh,” he said tersely.
Clare Palling took a step forward and took over the situation. “Thank you for telling us your statements Claire Marie and Katrina. I know it took courage for both of you to come forth and do the right thing after that ignominious catastrophe earlier,” she said with a nod of her head.
She turned her attention. “And Katrina, thank you for discovering the truth. I’m sure your statement to the press will do a world of justice for this organization,” she said assuring them. “If you and Claire Marie are finished you may go.”
Claire Marie pivoted and walked away quickly. It was obvious she didn’t want to leave with Katrina.
The small group watched as Katrina walked away in the opposite direction.
Clare Palling broke the ice. “So Horace, what did you say in your story? How did you use the girl’s statements? Did you defuse it?”
“No, I didn’t have to defuse it. Nor did I have to write the story. The girl’s wrote their own story and it was brilliant and worth publishing. It was apologetic, sincere and thought provoking. It told the tale of two girls in love with the same man, and how the guy betrayed both of them by using them both for his perverse desire to have two beautiful women in love with him at the same time; without either one knowing about the other..”
Clare laughed. “Sounds like a soap opera to me.”
“I don’t care what it sounds, like just so long as it exonerates the foundation,” Louis blurted.
“Are you sure their story held the foundation blameless?” Ulysses asked.
Horace shrugged. “I’m sure it did. Like I said, those two girls know how to write a story and the public will eat it up and love it. And I don’t feel there will be any repercussions from it for the event or the organization.”
“Well, thank God for that,” Louis said running his fingers through his hair in relief. He sighed out heavily. “I’m going to go to my suite and be with my wife. I don’t want this to sound rude but I don’t want anyone calling me for anything,” he said turning and walking away.
Horace cleared his throat. “I’ll be leaving too,” he said with a nod.
Clare and Ulysses watched him go.
She linked her arm with his. “Well Ulysses, as I recall, last year the two of us were left alone at the end of the ball and you agreed to be my drinking buddy.”
He chuckled. “And as I recall, you enjoyed our doing so. However Ms. Claire Palling, this year I’m afraid I have to add some ground rules.”
“What? Ground rules for drinking? You’re not serious?” she asked.
“Yes I am. Every year at the end of this event you need a drinking partner; but throughout the year I need a companion. So I feel, if I’m good enough to drink with once a year, I’m good enough to drink with all year long. So what do you say?”
“Ulysses you’re asking me to go steady with you, how sweet.”
“Go steady! Woman if we can get along a whole year we’re getting married. Hell, we should get married at the Grand Isle Ball next year because I know we’re going to make it.”
Clare snuggled in close. “So where are we drinking tonight? Your room or mine?”
“I’ve got Bourbon for me and martini mixers for you, up in my room?”
Clare smiled wide. “Then your room it is.”
Chapter 32
There are those who meddle
A few minutes later, Catherine Marie Rousseau-Andries La-Cour walked away from the reception desk and took the elevator and made her way to the fifteenth floor.
Her footsteps were hushed as she walked on the luxurious carpet. Her face flushed as she neared the suite Remington Breaux was staying in.
Nervously she reached inside of her purse for the key. She fumbled furiously, trying to locate the key.
Behind her she heard a man’s laughter. Recognition hit her and abruptly she dropped her purse.
Within seconds the man rounded the corner. He wasn’t alone.
“Ah! Catherine,” the man breathed out as shock registered.
“Catherine what are you doing there on the floor?”
The moment was awkward as she looked back at her sister.
Just then the door to the suite opened. “I thought I heard something. Catherine what are you doing on the floor?” he asked helping her up.
Delta’s shrill voice laughed out. “Oh my God, Remington Breaux! You and my sister Saint Catherine, you two weren't about to sleep together?”
Embarrassed, Catherine clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Shut your mouth Delta Dawn Allemande,” Catherine said retrieving her items and closing her purse. “My personal business does not concern you!” she shot her sister a warning glance.
Delta giggled under her breath.
“Catherine, just ignore them and come into the room. They look like they were up to having their own sex machine party,” Remington said.
Catherine studied the man her sister was hugged up next to. “Remington, you are certainly right,” she softly smiled.
Catherine glanced around. Introductions were in order in keeping with the situation.
“By the way Remington you remember my sister Delta Dawn and this upstanding citizen she is hugged so close with is Professor Percy Newhouse.”
Remington cleared his throat and nodded.
Professor Newhouse’s smug smile greeted them. “Pleased to meet everyone.”
Catherine saw her chance to get her sister back for embarrassing her. “Yes professor, it’s good to meet you too. Do tell me, do you like to be called professor? Or would you like to be referred to by one of my sister Delta’s pet names for you.”
Flustered Delta shook her head and knew she had that one coming. “Oh no, I’ll save those little tasty morsels for when we are alone.” She leaned over close to her sister and whispered in her ear. “I think I should let you get to it old girl. It’s been so long since you had sex you may need to warm up the internal fires awhile first,” she joked. “Oh, and sister, if you have any questions about what to do with Remington just come next door. We’re in the suite next to you.”
“How wonderful,” Catherine said sarcastically taking Remington’s arm and leaving them standing there.
Chapter 33
Never drink with your worst enemy…
On the way back to her suite Celica’s brain clicked in motion. The idea had been coming to her. It was clear now.
She entered her suite and walked straight to the desk that held the telephone.
Her hand trembled as she picked up the receiver and dialed the num
ber.
“Delilah? It’s me Celica.
“Celica, oh yeah, where’s Monty?”
Celica’s stomach flip-flopped at the sound of her hoarse nasal voice. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re Monty’s assistant aren’t you?” Delilah commanded not waiting for an answer. “You’re supposed to know where he is at all times,” she ordered.
“Yes, you’re right,” she said feeling her chin tremble. “Look, I’m sorry. But Monty left strict instructions for me to call him if I heard back from you..…”
Delilah’s voice softened. “Oh never mind. Celica did you setup that appointment I wanted with Monty?”
“Yes, but Monty was hoping you’d have time right now. Since that crazy incident with the pageant, he figured you were still up and maybe he could meet and talk with you tonight?”
“Sure, I’m up. Call and tell Monty to drop by,” she demanded into the phone,” she hesitated. “Oh and Celica, you come with Monty. We may need you to take some notes.”
“What was that?” Celica asked.
“Yeah I said take some notes,” Delilah snorted out the words with a sinister chuckle.
“Okay,” Celica replied. She shivered at the sound of her voice. It made her sick in the stomach.
“That cat fight tonight was great wasn’t it?” Delilah said with apparent interest. “Celica, get Monty over here as soon as possible. You hear me!” She demanded and laughed out again.
Just as quickly as Delilah’s laughter started it abruptly ended, as she rudely slammed down the telephone in Celica’s ear, ending the call.
“You devil bitch,” Celica hissed into the dead telephone. “You are truly one damaged human being,” she said, picturing Delilah licking her claws, sharpening them and readying them for her next prey.
Celica hung up the phone and stared at it. Convincing Monty Delilah wanted to meet with him wasn’t going to be hard. She knew Monty thought Delilah was sexy and good looking. She’d seen him lick his lips, greedily eyeing her on many occasions.
Grand Hotel (A Geek An Angel) Page 12