Chapter 23

Victoria opened her door wanting to throw up when she saw Adam Walcott standing in a tux awaiting her companionship. His sneaky grin and brown eyes just held so much evil she thought he'd start transforming into the devil that he was.

"You look divine," he cooed, putting out his hand for her. Victoria stepped out, not smiling at all when she felt his skin on her own. Adam admired her tight black dress and heels, a high cut on the skirt going to a high end of her thighs. Modest cleavage exposed a hint of her breasts, which made him drool even more. He opened her door, seemingly confused as to thinking she was sincerely interested in him.

"Try to lighten up, it's going to be a fun night. Why do you care what happens to Beau? He obviously hurt you."

Victoria didn't respond to his question, only making small talk when necessary. She knew she had to try to enjoy the night in some manner. She had to try to ignore the fact that she'd be running into Beau shortly. A fear began brewing inside her, knowing he'd be disgusted to see her on a date with a man she knew he hated.

Adam started his car and took them to the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal. They parked the car on the first deck and made their way inside the ship into the most posh of eateries, where they were seated at a preset table.

"Seriously, what do you see in that bastard?" Adam asked her after they'd placed their orders. Even though she had no appetite, she knew she couldn't do anything to make this evening worse than it would already be.

"I love him."

"Why? He's always miserable."

"He wasn't miserable when he was with me."

"He took another woman out to hide you! Even you should have a problem with that. I mean, he pretends to be this perfect guy and doesn't care who he hurts in the process, for what? At least I own being an asshole!"

"You're right," she agreed. "But I let it go, because I just wanted to be with him."

"I'll never understand it. Women always want him. It makes me sick. He has nothing to offer anyone. He's just a pathetic soul, always acting as though his life is so awful. He has it very good. He has a great job, he's apparently attractive to a lot of women, and he even got a student to date him. What is so bad about his life?"

"He's just shy, Adam."

"And after everything, you're still sticking up for him," Adam shook his head. This was a riddle he'd never understand.

She didn't know what else to say, besides to take another drink of her wine. She didn't want to to talk or even mention anything that got her or Beau into even more problems. She played a good girl throughout the rest of the meal, and on the secondary ride to the venue for the evening.

As they rode the elevator, Victoria could feel the nervous energy building up. It was only a matter of time before Beau would see her with Adam, and she'd have no possible way to explain the situation truthfully. Even after all of the lies they had told one another throughout their relationship, she would never feel comfortable treating him this way; boyfriend or not.

It took but a few minutes before she spotted Beau, only she was in for a surprise of her own. He had his arm around a blonde woman's waist.

"See, why are you upset about him? He clearly doesn't give a fuck about you," Adam whispered in her ear, sending disturbed chills down her back. "Would you like a drink?"

"Yes," Victoria finally answered something on a positive note.

"Now we're talking," Adam winked at her, taking her hand as they walked over the bar. He handed her a glass of wine and accepted a Jack and coke for himself. He skimmed the room with devious joy, spotting Beau with his date. "There he is! It's showtime," he smiled devilishly.

Victoria had downed half her drink just walking toward Beau, who had his back to them. His date had just walked away, smiling at him as she excused herself. It pained her tremendously to see him smile at her. He must have had feelings for this woman.

Her pain was cut off with Adams words.

"Hey Beau, I'd like to introduce you to my date. I think you know her," he announced with bravado. Beau turned around from his terrace view of Victoria, his mouth dropping at the sight. He looked up and down to see Victoria, in a dress she'd worn out with him. Her exposed legs and cleavage, she looked spectacular. And yet here she was with his rival.

"Victoria," Beau replied, his tone ripe of his disapproval.

"I figured you'd recognize her. We just started dating," Adam bragged, adding this hurtful imagery by wrapping her arm around Victoria's waist.

"Are you having a good evening?" Adam asked when neither of them had said a word.

"I was," Beau said.

"I see you have a date of your own. How is that going?" Adam asked. Victoria knew he was doing this to further push himself onto her. To let her know that Beau didn't care for her anymore.

"Okay. She's, nice."

"Nice? How about beautiful?"

"Yes, she's beautiful," Beau spoke, refusing to look Victoria in the eyes. He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want her to think he'd moved on, because he hadn't.

"Have you two, you know?"

"No!" Beau quickly stomped that notion out of all of their minds.

"Did you get a hotel room here?"

Beau furrowed his brows and looked down at his shoes. "Yes, I did."

"As did I. Victoria and I will have a gorgeous suite in which we can admire parliament from our bed. Well, I'll let you two kids get acquainted, I have some hob nobbing to do!"

Adam walked away from the mess he'd lavished in, leaving Victoria to stare at the ground as well.

"It's a blind date. I haven't even kissed her."

"It's none of my business," Victoria quickly added.

Beau looked around to make sure none of his friends were in ear shot before exposing his disdain.

"Why on Earth are you on a date with him? You know I hate him! Are you doing this to get back at me?" Beau gritted his teeth in disgust. He couldn't for the life of him wrap his head around why she was doing this.

"No. I like him."

Beau was ready to fall backwards fainting at this remark. His eyes nearly fell out of his head.

"Surely you jest!"

Victoria fought her tears back as best she could. She didn't know what to say, what not to say, or how to say it. She knew for sure she wouldn't tell him the truth. "I like him," she repeated. The only phrase she could think of.

"I didn't think you'd do something this cold," Beau shook his head before he walked back inside. Victoria stepped over to the fencing, wrapping her arms around herself as she began to cry.

#

Over the evening Victoria did her best to stay with a dead expression. She tried to reason with herself that it was another night on the job. Being robotic and ignoring everything around her, the people, the judgment. She just wanted to focus in on the music overhead and let it direct her. Adam had asked her to dance, and because she feared he would harm Beau's life, she obliged. Together they danced, as did Beau and his date. Beau eyed Victoria as she twirled with Adam's hands on her body, which made him even more sick. His date didn't seem to notice how angry he was, and how he'd continuously watched her all night. Perhaps Beau just expected her to disappear, maybe it was all an illusion that Victoria would do something as insane as to date his hated rival.

When the music ended, everyone applauded the live band. Adam grabbed Victoria's hand and whispered in her ear. Beau recognized the shock on her face as they began walking toward the exit.

"If you'll excuse me, we're going to bed," Adam smiled widely as they walked passed Beau. Victoria looked into his eyes and saw his body fuming, his eyes glaring. She felt so horrible to know what he was experiencing. But she didn't have a choice. This was all for his sake, even if he didn't realize it.

#

When Victoria entered Adam's suite, she grabbed her sweater and purse expecting to leave.

"Beau looked so mad. It was amazing!" Adam laughed. "Where do you think you're going?"

"You said I had to be your date. You didn't say I had to spend the night!"

"Come on. Did you really think I was going to let you get away looking like that without letting me touch you first? I've wanted you as long as that asshole has, and he got his turn. Now it's mine. Besides, I don't care that you're a stripper. If anything, I think it's a huge turn on. Why date a guy who judges you so badly he dumps you? I wouldn't treat you that way."

"No, instead you blackmail me into dating you. You are shameless."

"What can I say? I wanted you so bad, there was nothing I wasn't willing to do. You should admire my determination."

Adam stepped up to Victoria, his arrogance and demeanor not hindering once since she'd told him she wasn't interested. She wanted so badly to slap him and storm out. But Beau's happiness was in her hands. She had previously blamed herself for hurting him the way she had, letting him fall in love with her and not having the courage to tell him the truth about her life. And so, this was her chance to protect him from harm. She'd do anything she had to in order to protect the man she loved. Even if he no longer loved her back.

Victoria continued to think of lovely Beau when Adam had slipped the straps of her dress off, letting her black gown fall to the floor. If she could just pretend this was Beau, it would be so much easier. Adam looked down in amazement to see her only in her undergarments. He began kissing her shoulders, letting his lips move downward to the still exposed parts of her breast. He looked her in the eyes, seeing she had no emotion whatsoever. She just stared at him like a doll, no movement. Hushed breathing. He unclipped her bra gracefully even if there was nothing graceful or passionate about the scenario.

He lead her to the bed and climbed on top of her. He'd stripped himself of his tux, only in his dress pants. She feared she would vomit all over him when she saw him completely in the nude. She could see his erection against his pants, making the hurling sensation even more noticeable. Just feeling his hands tracing the parts of her body that Beau had last touched sent memories zooming across her mind that she wished were the present. Instead someone she now loathed was taking advantage of her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. It's just another day at work, she told herself. Another client seeing her naked, except this time he had touching privileges and no bouncer to keep him in line.

She started breathing heavily in fear when he began tugging her underwear down her legs. She closed her eyes and kept attempting to calm herself. 'Remember the first time Beau pulled down your underwear?'

She shuddered when she felt his lips kiss her now exposed opening. He ran his gross hand around her vagina before he pressed his fingers inside of her. She wasn't wet in the slightest, too disturbed to be turned on in the slightest. No amount of Beau thoughts would make this moment fare any better. He started kissing her breasts while continuing to fondle her. The feeling of vomit was a mere seconds away from coming to fruition until something startled them both, an urgent banging on the door.

"Adam! I need to talk to you." It was Beau's voice. She started breathing even harder, she didn't know what she'd say. Beau would never look at her the same way again. He'd never forgive her for this moment.

Adam stood up, clearly irked and shaking his head. He pursed his lips at Victoria before taking in the sight of her nude again.

"Goddamn you are hot. Don't you dare move. Maybe I'll have fun with this," he directed before proceeding to the door.

Adam opened the door just a crack, taking solace in the obvious disdain Beau forecast in his blue eyes. "Yes?"

"Is Victoria still here?"

"Still here? We are just getting started," Adam smirked, opening his door all the way and showcasing Victoria laying in his bed.

"Victoria!" Beau stammered at the sight of her completely naked. Of course Adam had made his comments, but Beau didn't really think Victoria would go as far as to sleep with him. Especially not when he was in the same building. Beau quickly took notice to the fact that tears had begun streaming down her face. "Why are you crying?"

Adam too looked over and saw she was beginning to crack. Beau forced himself in the room and closed the door behind themselves.

"What the hell is going on Adam? What did you do to her?"

"Me? Nothing! She wanted to come back with me. She didn't tell me to stop. Now could you leave so I can get back to tasting her?" he taunted.

"Why are you crying?" he asked her again.

Victoria said nothing. She knew she couldn't say anything. If she did, Adam would completely fuck up Beau's life.

"Look Adam, we both know we despise each other. Let's cut the bullshit and tell me what's going on here."

"Fine. You want the truth?"

"Yes."

"Victoria and I were having sex. What more do you want?"

"Why the fuck is she crying?!" Beau demanded a real explanation.

"Because if she doesn't I'll destroy your life!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I found your little love letter on her homework assignment Edison. I could plaster that all over the school and have your career over so fast you'd never know what hit you. I know she's a stripper, I know too much for you to control. I've always wanted my opportunity to get the upper hand on you and I finally have it. But instead of just making you miserable like I wanted, I decided I'd get something I really wanted. Something I knew you wanted, just so I could hurt you even more. And apparently she cares about you enough to go through with it. She could have walked away if she wanted to. But she didn't. I didn't force her to come back up here. I didn't tell her she had to have sex with me."

"You blackmailed her with rape?!" Beau was shaking. He knew Adam was a piece of shit, but he had no idea he would stoop so low as to sexually assault someone. He also could not fathom why Victoria would put herself through all of this, and for what? For him, the man that could not accept her.

"Yeah, I wanted to fuck her. You had your turn, now it's mine. She's very sexy, I see now why you wanted that pussy so bad."

Beau couldn't control himself, every inch of his body wanted to kill Adam. After all of the bullshit he'd put him through, causing problems in his relationship, this was it.

He swung at Adam harder than he'd ever swung at anyone in his entire life. Harder than he'd slammed his hand into the bathroom door, harder than the man at the strip club. Adam fell down so hard even the floor shook. It was great satisfaction to see blood come running down his nose. He didn't even deserve to be alive. Beau stood over him and was ready to claw him some more, until he looked back over at Victoria and saw she was crying even harder than before. He walked over to her, unable to accept how upset she presented herself. "Get your clothes, I'll take you home."

"Not so fast," Adam interrupted them, holding a towel up to his bleeding nose. He stumbled to stand up straight, clearly still woozy from the knock out Beau had served him. "Are you forgetting what's at stake here?"

"You know what Adam," Beau rose himself up tall and heaved out a brewing, angered breath. "I don't give a fuck what you tell anyone about me. I don't care about you or the other professors opinions of me. I don't care if you all know I was in love with a student. I don't care if you all know she's a stripper. I don't care if you destroy my career because I wasn't happy doing it for one minute until she came into my class. So, do what you fucking want, but you're not having sex with her."

Victoria had stood up and gotten her shoes and underwear back on. Beau took off his blazer and put it over her shoulders. His black blazer was so long it covered her bottom as well. She grabbed her purse,dress, and bra from the floor and continued with Beau to the front door.

"I'll wave at you when I drive passed the unemployment line. Oh and Victoria, consider your grade an F."

Beau and Victoria paused. Beau spun around with a devilish smirk.

"No, you won't be doing that."

"And what makes you think I wouldn't?" Adam urged on. He wasn't going to let Beau walk away with any satisfaction.

"Because, you told me you blackmailed Victoria into sleeping with you. And now you're saying you're going to fail her for not having sex with you."

"And? It's your word against mine, Edison. I've got far more evidence to fuck up your life than you do mine." He rolled his eyes, knowing Beau was bluffing.

"No, you don't. How dumb do you think I am, Walcott?"

Beau reached into his pant pocket and pulled out his smartphone. Adam's mouth dropped when he saw what was on the screen.

"I've been recording this entire conversation. So, say a word about our relationship, or even try to give her anything less than an A plus, which I know is what she earned, and you will be in prison. I think I speak for both Victoria and I when I say, go fuck yourself you lowlife piece of shit. You're lucky I'm not going to call the cops," Beau waved his phone before he opened the door for Victoria.

"My room is down the hall," Beau told Victoria as he lead her down the hallway to the right. He kept his arm around her, trying to help her keep her composure. Beau slid his card key and opened the door, flipping the light on before escorting her to a seat on the sofa. She was still crying. The blazer left a v shape exposed of her chest, letting him see some of her cleavage. Her black curly locks hung around her face, which Beau pushed back to get a better view.

They were silent for a few moments, allowing Beau to listen to her sobbing. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek, rocking her in his arms. "It's okay, he's never going to have sex with you. He won't touch you again, I won't let him."

He pressed his nose up against her cheek, breathing heavily alongside her own chokes. She was clearly in emotional pain far greater than he'd ever understand. He had no idea what being sexually harassed would ever feel like. He was terrified of asking this next question, but knew he had to ask. "Did he touch you at all?"

She nodded her head as she continued to cry in his shoulder. This terrified him.

"How far did he go?"

"He kissed me everywhere…he fingered me," she moaned into his neck. Beau had to pause for a moment as he gulped down his seething rage. This was enough for him to go back into that room and beat Adam until he was in a coma.

"I'm a whore, I deserved it," she whimpered.

Beau squinted in guilt at the recollection of calling her a whore multiple times to her face. "No, no baby you're not a whore. You did NOT deserve this."

He continued to hold her tightly, trying to do anything he could to put her at peace. The warmth of her body comforted him in a way he had missed oh so much. He kissed her cheek repeatedly, rubbing his nose alongside her face.

"Why did you become a stripper? There weren't other options?"

He didn't know why he was asking this now. But he just had to know.

"I was in my last semester of my bachelors degree and I couldn't get any more financial aid. No one would give me a student loan because I didn't have any family to cosign."

It pained Beau to hear how hard she was crying as she spoke.

"They weren't going to let me graduate until I paid for my last semester out of pocket. I worked 50 hour weeks waiting tables, and it still wasn't enough. I didn't know what else to do. It was either that, or never graduate….I never even slept with that man," she continued to cry. "I just told you I did because I didn't want to tell you the real reason I was dressed like that. I only left with him to make you jealous."

Beau was filled with massive guilt. He wish he'd never called her a whore. He had no idea how real her struggles were, far more real than the issues he claimed that made him miserable. And that man, her outfit...it all made sense now. He scrunched his face in pain and squeezed her even tighter. But it still didn't answer one looming question.

Beau got down on his knees before her and grabbed her hands. He was in his own shock still, and needed answers.

"You let Adam rape you!" Beau exclaimed. Beau didn't care that he didn't get his penis inside of her, the fact that he touched her vagina period was enough to call it disgusting, awful rape.

His puzzlement drove him to his own slight tears. He held her hands and gripped, shaking his head as he decided to push on. "Why? Why did you let him manipulate you? You didn't have to do this!"

Victoria continued to look into Beau's eyes but spoke nothing. Her sniffling and pounding heart stopped her from telling him what she so badly wanted to say, 'I love you.'

"Why did you do it?"

"I had to protect you," she struggled to get out behind her tears.

"No you didn't. You didn't have to do anything for me. Why did you do it?"

"Because..."

"Why," he huffed out in husky breath. He wasn't going to stop asking.

"Because I love you," Victoria blurted out. She knew this wasn't going to fare either of them any better.

Beau hoped she wouldn't say that. He pursed his lips and hoped he wouldn't be causing her any more pain this evening. "I'm on a date Victoria."

"I know," she whimpered. "I'll go."

"NO!" Beau exclaimed, still holding her hands. "I'll tell her to leave, I'll tell her I had an emergency. We'll talk about it when I get back."

"You don't have to."

"Yes, I do. You need me more than she does."

Beau came back after explaining to his date he'd had an emergency, which thankfully she didn't proceed to question about or insist on coming up to the room. When Beau returned, Victoria hadn't budged at all. She stewed in her trepidation and prayed he wouldn't say anything that broke her heart even more when he returned.

"I was afraid you'd leave," Beau sighed. Victoria hadn't looked in his direction yet, her head still hung low. "This was our first date. I don't know much about her. I didn't want to be alone for once."

"Please, I don't want to know," Victoria cut him off.

"Sorry."

Beau regained his seat beside her and cupped her face with his hands. He stared into her glassy eyes in his own anguish and disbelief at the situation.

"I still can't believe you did that for me. After everything we'd been through. The fact that you still love me..." Beau trailed off, not sure himself where to go next. "You look tired. Would you like to go to sleep? We can finish talking in the morning?"

"Okay."

Victoria didn't know what this talk would entail, but she was almost positive it wouldn't end with him telling her that he still loved her too. Beau walked her to the bedroom and removed his button up blouse to reveal a white shirt, which he also preceded to take off.

"Here, wear my shirt to sleep."

Beau pulled his shirt over her head, allowing her to pull her arms through. He pulled her hair out from the collar and pushed it all back. He wilted at her face. He wanted to kiss her so bad. But instead he reminded himself that she was a stripper. That he couldn't be seen with her. That she'd lead him on and broke his heart when she declined to leave her life behind for him.

"I'll let you have the bed. I hope you sleep well."

Beau quickly stepped out and closed the door behind himself. He pulled out the spare bed sheets and pillow and tossed them on the sofa. Victoria's heart plummeted. He wouldn't even sleep in the same bed as her any longer? There was no way on earth he'd say he still loved her. She climbed under the sheets but knew she'd never fall asleep. How could she, when the man of her dreams was in the other room and was so uncomfortable around her that he wouldn't even sleep a few inches away? Between that and having a man violate her, this was hands down the worst day of her life.

It was 2am when Victoria put her dress back on and found her purse on the floor. She crept across the room and slowly opened the door. Beau was asleep on the sofa, only in his boxers. He looked so perfectly sculpted, so handsome. She wanted to lay beside him and snuggle in the warmth of his back. Instead she walked passed the man that didn't love her back and opened the door. The door was dead bolted on top, which immediately woke Beau up.

"Victoria?"

She froze. She didn't want him to know she was leaving. She ignored him, undid the chain and continued on. Beau got up quickly and went after her. He grabbed her arm as she was closing the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to go home," she hesitated and looked away.

"But, it's the middle of the night. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Is Adam telling you to leave?"

"No."

"Victoria, look at me."

Victoria complied, worried that he'd see just too much of her pain lingering around.

"What's wrong?"

"I have to go."

"Why?"

"Please, just let me leave," she started crying again.

"There aren't any more ferries until tomorrow morning!"

She hadn't considered this, but she knew she'd rather sleep outside than sleep around a man that didn't want her. Upon her not replying, Beau spoke again.

"Are you scared of me?"

Victoria said nothing. She pulled her arm out of his grip and continued down the hall. Beau had no idea what to make of it. But he resonated that it probably had something to do with the fact that she'd proclaimed her love for him, and he hadn't said anything back.

He closed the door and walked into the bedroom, climbing in where she had laid. He took a good whiff of the pillow and could smell traces of her scent, her shampoo and perfume. She smelled so delicious, he thought. His mind was completely lost on everything. He was still so adamant stripping was wrong, but her story was so…she had no choice. Why couldn't he just get over himself so they could both be happy? He stewed about this, tossing and turning for another hour before finally falling asleep again. He may not have said it back, but he knew there was no denying it. I still love you too.

Victoria made her way outside and caught one of the arriving cabs to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, where the taxi driver also reminded her that there wasn't another ferry until morning. She didn't care. She took a seat inside of the lobby and had no issues staying up for nearly 3 more hours, too heartbroken and lost to even feel tired in the slightest. When the first sailing approached, she was just as depressed and awake as she had been all night.