Chapter Text
Chapter One
Raelle inhaled in a sharp breath, dressed to the nines in a sleek black suit, her blonde hair in tight braids and smelling like a pine forest after rainfall. She tightened her grip on the leather suitcase that hung in her hand “So, we walk in….”
Tally, her best friend grabbed the blonde by the shoulders and held her at arm’s length “We shake hands”
“Where do we sit?” Raelle asked, like it was the most important question in the world
“Um, down” Tally answered frankly, although her tone was soft
Raelle swallowed heavily, realising just how dry her mouth was “Right, good, down”
Tally kept her hands on the blonde’s shoulders and waited for the other girl to calm her breathing “Raelle, we got this. We have spent the last 6 months preparing for this meeting”
Raelle nodded dubiously “Will you say hello first, or will I?”
“Why don’t I?”
“Good. This is going to be okay” Raelle said, trying to convince herself and shake off the nerves that had burrowed their way into her blood stream
Tally grinned from ear to ear “It’s going to be marvellous”
Raelle forced herself to smile and inhaled another sharp breath before pushing the button for the penthouse suite “Okay, I trust you Tal”
One year ago, at the beginning of summer, Raelle and Tally celebrated their university graduation, Raelle completed her a degree in architecture and Tally completed her degree in Arts and Culture management. They were on their third glass of wine when in her tipsy state, Tally threw a crazy idea into the wind. Raelle laughed it off at first but then the idea became an ambition and over the next twelve months, they focused on preparing themselves so that one day they could make that crazy idea come true.
Raelle and Tally have been friends since middle school and became inseparable. Raelle is an only child, her father a part time mechanic who has also dedicated his life to promoting the welfare of others through various educational programs and charities, while her mother is a doctor.
Tally, a blissfully innocent redhead had a fractured relationship with her family. She never really knew her father and her mother became cold and distant after joining a matrifocal community. Once Tally turned eighteen, she emancipated herself and moved in with Raelle and her parents and after they graduated, they moved out into their own apartment.
The first six months was rough, struggling to make rent and find their feet. Raelle was too ashamed to ask her family for help so they both worked hard in their causal jobs and supported each other till eventually a few doors opened up for them. Raelle started small and designed a family friends home which lead to a bigger project of designing the new town library. Raelle made sure the building was functional, not only by making it energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but also aesthetically pleasing and safe. The end result was gratifying.
Tally on the other hand, spent her time working closely with experienced performers, artists, art workers and administrators who were driven by community engagement and development. The bubbly redhead spent a lot of time living and breathing in the culture which helped her better understand the importance of having open and inclusive communities
When Raelle and Tally were ready, they created a proposal to build a culture centre right in the middle of Fort Salem. They wanted a place where locals could go and feel safe, to socialise and educate themselves. All they needed was someone to fund it.
The lift started to rise and so did Raelle’s blood pressure. The journey to the top was smooth and quiet, as all lift’s in expensive buildings usually are
“Tal, I’m freaking out”
“Okay, Raelle, listen to me. We are going to have a signal. If you start to babble, watch for the signal”
“What’s the signal?”
Tally tugged at her ear lobe a few times “Remember in high school when you kept talking about that crush you had and she was standing right behind you and I kept trying to warn you by tugging on my ear lobe?”
“Tal, that didn’t work. I thought you had a nervous twitch or something”
Tally lifted a brow just as the elevator stopped on the top floor “Raelle, it’s going to be fine okay. Also, I want you to know that whatever happens in there, I am so honoured to be your partner”
Raelle’s face softened, her mouth ticking up into a small smile “Me too Tal”
As they walked out of the lift, Tally said in a low voice “Remember to breathe and the signal. We will be fine”
~
Porter’s office was large and impressive with enough space to kick a football around and right in the centre of the room was a sizeable miniature model of the town of Fort Salem. Porter, a blonde curly haired entrepreneur stood by the window looking out over the town in his fully pressed Armani suit while he listened to Raelle’s pitch
Raelle stood confidently, putting on a front while she rattled off the proposal “The Edwin Collar Cultural Centre would redefine cultural life in Fort Salem. It would have a library, museum, café’s, performing arts programs, art classes – “ her words trailing off as soon as Porter spun on his feet and started walking towards the door. “Valerie, is my fiancé on her way up?” he called out
“Yes, Mr Tippet” came a female voice from the reception area
Raelle and Tally exchanged a glance before Porter turned around and walked back towards them “Sorry, my fiancé is going through a stage in her life, well you know how it is with woman” he chuckled
Raelle wanted to roll her eyes but refrained and continued her pitch instead “As I was saying, the Edwin Collar Cult – “ her voice trailing off again when Porter took off a second time towards the door. Raelle’s eyes followed him until she caught sight of what she could only describe as the hottest and most beautiful girl she had ever seen.
Raelle didn’t realise her mouth was gapping until Tally discreetly nudged her arm but Raelle was oblivious, her eyes completely transfixed on the girl that was across the room. She was stunning with her brunette shoulder length hair and soft facial features and then when she locked eyes with Raelle, it was all over. Ocean blue orbs caused Raelle’s heart to flip and tumble and it wasn’t until Tally pinched her, hard, that Raelle finally came to “Ouch” she whisper yelled
“Sorry Rae but you were kind of gawking”
Raelle scoffed “I was not”
Tally lifted a brow “You kind of were”
Raelle couldn’t make out was being said between Porter and the other girl but it looked heated going by their body language. Raelle watched as Porter placed a kiss on the girl’s cheek and before she turned to walk away, she locked eyes with Raelle again and smiled shyly, curling a lock of her dark hair behind her pale ear.
Raelle swallowed thickly and felt all the blood drain from her face. In the scheme of things, Raelle was a useless gay and she’d been burned romantically more times than she could count. Her last relationship had ended terribly six months ago and Raelle never heard the end of it from Tally. The flaring redhead didn’t like the girl from the start and warned Raelle it was a disaster waiting to happen. Unfortunately, Raelle wasn’t able to see it until it was too late.
Porter cleared his throat and stood in front of them and when Raelle attempted to continue her pitch, Porter raised his hand, stopping her “Enough business talk. I am having a cocktail party tonight and I want you both to be there. Bring your partners and I promise I will make time to look at your proposal”
Raelle’s heart fluttered, her first thought was whether the stunning brunette was going to be at the party. Raelle glanced at Tally who looked genuinely pleased with Porter’s offer. “Sounds good Mr Tippet” Raelle responded, extending her hand for him to shake
Porter shook Raelle’s hand “Please, call me Porter”
~
Raelle stood in front of the mirror groaning as she adjusted her black tie for the 100th time. She pulled out her favourite suit and looked a million bucks in her black pants, dark grey blazer and white shirt “Byron and Gerit will be here in 5” she called out to Tally who was in the bathroom applying the rest of her makeup
“I can’t believe you invited Byron as your date” Tally yelled out
Raelle walked over and stopped at the bathroom door “You know that Byron would never speak to us again if he knew we went to a posh party and didn’t invite him”
Tally giggled, pucking her lips in the mirror after applying a rose lipstick. She did a double take when she saw what Raelle was wearing “Um, hello….. You look hot Rae”
Raelle felt herself flush a bright red, waving Tally off awkwardly “Nah, you have seen me in this heaps of times”
Tally raised her eyebrows as she switched off the bathroom light and walked past Raelle into the bedroom “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a gorgeous brunette with blue eyes?”
Raelle huffed as she turned around and sat down on the edge of the bed “No. Yes, she is hot but I just want to make a good impression. Hopefully everything goes well tonight and we get Porter to fund our project”
Tally wasn’t the least bit convinced but dropped the subject. The next moment there was a knock at the door and Byron and Gerit strutted in looking like they just came from the opera
“Bit much isn’t it?” Raelle said mockingly
Byron shot Raelle a look, smirking lightly “You want to impress these pompous aristocrats, don’t you?”
Raelle smirked at the brown-haired boy, a familiar banter that happened regularly between the two of them. The blonde architect met Byron in high school and quickly found common ground with him when they found out they were both gay. He fell naturally into Raelle’s life and became the brother she never had. Gerit is Tally’s boyfriend of three years and is extremely sweet. One time he drove for 12 hours just to get Tally her favourite chocolate from a small local confectionary shop four towns away. Tally is convinced he is the one
They locked up the apartment and crammed into Gerit’s Volkswagen beetle and headed to the cocktail party.
~
The party was in a private room on the rooftop of the Montreal hotel and it was fancy. Raelle stood off to the side sipping her cold beer while Tally, Gerit and Byron picked at the ridiculous array of food that took up three long tables. Raelle couldn’t help but scan her eyes around the room in the hope she would see the beautiful brunette but till now, she hadn’t shown. The others came back with a plate of food that was so high it made Raelle want to puke
“You going to eat something Rae?” Tally muffled, as she gnawed on a satay chicken wing
Raelle shook her head “Um, I am just going to get some air, I’ll be back soon” She headed outside to the terrace, closing the sliding door with a whoosh before walking over to the edge and leaning over the railing to take in the view. The night was warm and the whole town looked beautiful, lit up with lights from surrounding houses and street lamps and before Raelle had a chance to relax, she startled when she realised she wasn’t alone.
“You can’t find a view like this anywhere else in the world” came a soft voice
Raelle turned around and her heart skipped a beat. It was her. The gorgeous brunette “Um, no. You can’t. Fort Salem is the most beautiful place in the world”
The brunette plonked herself right next to Raelle, leaning over the railing and looking out across the town
“I’m Scylla”
“I’m Raelle”
Raelle was struggling to breathe. She knew the girl was pretty but up close she was so much more. Her skin looked softer, she had tiny freckles on her bare shoulders and her teeth were perfectly white “You’re Porter’s fiancé?”
Scylla didn’t mask her irritation “Depends on the day” she spat which caused Raelle’s eyebrows to shoot up
“How come you’re out here and not inside enjoying the party?” Raelle asked
Scylla rolled her eyes “I hate these things. The last thing I want to do is stand around and have fake conversations with a bunch of rich elitists”
Raelle felt herself staring again. Scylla was perfect and the way the light from the moon made her face glow gave Raelle goosebumps all over her body
Scylla turned around, leaning her back against the railing “How come you’re not in there schmoozing? I saw you earlier today in Porter’s office. Are you one of his clients?”
Raelle straightened and turned so she was facing the other girl “Well not yet but hopefully soon”
Scylla tilted her head “What do you do?”
Raelle found it hard to focus on Scylla’s eyes. They were so blue and she was scared if she looked into them for long enough, she might find herself getting lost with no way out. “Um, my best friend and I want to build a cultural centre in the middle of town and we need Porter to fund it”
Scylla shifted closer and bit down on her lip “That sounds amazing. I am sure you will get your funding. You seem super smart, not to mention beautiful”
Raelle tried not to get too excited at the compliment even though deep down she wanted to scream and do a happy dance. She blushed instead and ducked her head slowly. When she lifted her eyes back up, Scylla was staring. Raelle’s heart clenched as they shared a moment that was full of something that Raelle really couldn’t explain but it felt good.
They were interrupted by a whoosh of the sliding door “There you are” Porter said, as he made his way out onto the terrace.
Raelle gritted her teeth and felt a strong desire to throw him off the balcony
Porter placed his arm around Scylla’s waist and kissed her temple. “Sorry, I needed some air” she said, looking uncomfortable
Porter eyed Raelle “I see you met my fiancé”
Raelle shifted on her feet, suddenly realising she did a lot more than just meet her. They practically had eye sex “Yes, we bumped into each other”
“Sweetheart, do you mind if I have a quick chat to Raelle?”
Scylla looked genuinely disappointed but agreed and before walking off, she smiled seductively at Raelle which the blonde felt all the way down to her toes
Raelle stood awkwardly while she waited for Porter to say what he came out to say. If Raelle was being honest, she didn’t like the guy. There was something about him that didn’t sit right and if Raelle and Tally didn’t need his money so much, she would have clocked him in the face by now
Porter finally spoke after a few long minutes of uncomfortable silence “I read over your proposal. It’s good”
Raelle raised her eyebrows “Does that mean you’re going to fund it?”
“Not yet. I have my own proposal first. I need to fly to New York for the week and I need someone to entertain my fiancé while I am gone. To keep an eye on her. She get’s bored and tends to, well, cause trouble”
Raelle did her best to hold back a laugh, biting the inside of her cheek and trying hard to keep a straight face. “Why me?”
“Scylla is an amazing girl. Impulsive. Unpredictable. A free spirit. She has an art exhibit in two days to display her work and I can’t be there. I want you to be there”
Raelle’s whole face contorted into confusion “You do?”
“I would like you to stay close to her. Tell me who she talks to, who she flirts with, that sort of thing”
“You want me to spy on Scylla?”
Porter looked at Raelle like she just said a swear word “Think of it as being her friend and I know I can trust you because you’re straight”
Raelle coughed, almost choking on her own tongue “Straight?” she stuttered
Porter nodded “Yes, I don’t have to worry about Scylla being tempted by you because you have a boyfriend”
A flash of unwanted memories from her childhood assaulted Raelle in that moment. Raelle was gay and proud of it and the last thing she wanted to do was hide it, especially for a pompous asshat like Porter Tippet. However, the cultural centre was her whole life, Tally’s too and if leaving that small detail off her resume would help them get the funding they needed, then so be it “Of course. Yes, totally straight”
“Good. Shall we head back inside?”
“After you” Raelle gestured, before following Porter back inside. She charged straight over to Tally, Byron and Gerit who were still eating from their plates of food “Fuck, fuck, fuck” Raelle muttered quietly
Tally’s eyes widened, mouth half full “What Rae?”
Raelle looked over to Porter who was staring directly at her. He raised his glass and gave her a small nod and knowing she was under the watchful eye of Porter, Raelle did the first thing that popped into her mind. She placed her arm around Byron’s waist and kissed his cheek
Byron froze on the spot, his hand hovering in front of his mouth ready to eat an olive “What are you doing?”
“Just go with it ok. I’ll explain in the car”
They stayed for another hour and Raelle, disappointed, didn’t see Scylla again for the rest of the night. On their way home, Raelle explained her conversation with Porter
“How the hell does Porter think we are both straight? I mean, read the damn room” Byron groaned
Raelle pinched the bridge of her nose “Look, does it matter? I just need to spend some time with Scylla and when Porter gets back from his trip, he will see everything is fine and give us our funding”
Tally turned around from the front passenger seat to talk to Raelle who was sitting with Byron in the back “Is that wise Raelle. I mean, you kind of have a crush on her, don’t you?”
Raelle scoffed “I don’t have a crush on her Tal and I know how to keep it in my pants”
Byron looked at both Tally and Raelle, narrowing his eyes “If this will help you get your funding then I will play along but I draw the line at straight sex”
Raelle punched him in the arm “Shut up Byron. It’s just for a week. What could possibly go wrong?”
~~~~~~~