| Subject: Chapter 299 - Part 1 |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Monday, July 30, 07:11:08am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark - continues with chapter 289 >" on Monday, June 18, 06:55:17am
Dreams in the Dark (299/?)
by Katherine Gilbert
It had, in the end, not been half so bad as they had feared, everything going much to plan. Enquist hadn't been there to torment the pair they sought to protect; Hedda had been strangely accommodating, and the couple themselves had acted everything out beautifully. It seemed almost too perfect. Now, if Madeline believed their act, they all might be in a far better place than ever before.
These were some of the facts which were causing Helmut's current, overpowering relief--but even they weren't all of the reasons for his hope. One of the other, primary ones was the fact that Bauer's diary had finally finished being copied. If only their luck held a little further, they might be able to finally have some peace.
His heart thumped loudly, his desire for such an end difficult to ignore. Still, he couldn't allow such needs to overcome his reason--too much yet to be accomplished, the truth too clear. They might have a hundred plans at least half in place--but nothing would matter, if they couldn't see them through.
It was these plans which preoccupied him now, one in particular difficult to maneuver; his gaze moved over to where his supposed wife sat on his bed--looking as nervous as a schoolgirl in the den of a known sadist. But it was hard to know where to begin to comfort her.
He opened his mouth to try but couldn't find the words, turning once more to stare out the window--allowing the silence between them to continue, his insights returning to the events of the premiere; it was much easier than what lay ahead. Still, it amazed him that their plans had gone so well, that Michael and Nikita had managed to make their performance so believable. Hedda's instant capitulation alone was enough to make him wonder--his sigh lingering. But he supposed that she had learned how useful their deals could be, had decided to take on another one. And it wasn't as though the story of the pair's early marriage was a particularly small enticement.
His fist rested against the window frame, his forehead pressed against it, pondering over all he had learned. There was no doubt that the woman's columns would make the story a sensation--not that it needed much help in that direction--but he knew he had to believe in the pair, had to remain calm. Once he had thought it over, he had seen that Michael's plan was solid, his risk well-calculated; his own glance moved back over his shoulder, found his would-be wife. But there was another one coming which would be an even bigger gamble than the rest.
There was really no reason for him to be pondering over the evening thus far--the results there mostly successful, so long as Madeline played along. He rather suspected she would, as well, that she would see the merits in leaving Nikita alone temporarily. Of course, this would probably mean that the actress was isolated from the studio--and the good press which was part of her usual protection--but Hedda's columns would see to the rest. It wasn't as though Premier were touting her the way they should, anyway. It was far better for her to be left alone, for now.
This was a delicate time for the woman, her pregnancy advancing rapidly. Sometimes, when he saw her, he even felt a moment of shock at her changing shape, at the child she carried within her. She had seemed so very young, when he had first met her, too innocent for motherhood; he gave a small laugh. But he was showing his own idealism yet again.
The world had always been filled with mothers of very tender ages, this whole idea of waiting till they were 18 or 19--at least till they finished high school--rather new. For much of world history--and still, in many parts of the world--girls tended to give birth as soon as their bodies were old enough to make pregnancy possible. To think of the long-suffering actress as much too young for such an endeavor was rather naive of him now.
This wasn't all which made him smile, though. That he maintained any sort of idealism over the state of womanhood surprised him sometimes--certainly didn't go along with his age or environment. But despite the hardened exterior he had to maintain as a businessman, there was a gentleness to him; his gaze wandered back to the woman on his bed. And it was definitely this part of him which made their current plan so very difficult to endure.
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