Come as you are
CHAPTER 2
Sydney and Michael were laying in her four-poster bed and watching a re-run of Casablanca, a favorite film of theirs. Sydney enjoyed just spending time with him, since he understood her better than just about anyone in the world. He didn’t judge her and accepted her as she was. He wasn’t interested in her because she was the daughter of movie mogul Jack Bristow or the sister of the most popular girl in the school, but because he felt a strong, unearthly connection with her and believed without a doubt that they were meant to be together.
The first time he had seen Sydney, she had literally taken his breath away. During homecoming last year, in the dance floor something in gold and scarlet was pushed in to him with force. Sydney had tripped and fallen into his arms and in that moment, Michael knew he would spend the rest of his life with that girl.
Sydney was the most special and beautiful girl he had ever met in his life and he still sometimes counted his blessings that she was actually his. When most people met the Bristow girls for the first time, Lauren would get noticed immediately. She personified the All-American California girl with wholesome blonde good looks but Lauren could do cart-wheels naked and Michael’s gaze would still be directed to Sydney.
“Hun, what’s your cousin like,” Sydney said while turning on side and looking at Michael with curiosity. “Is he as handsome and perfect as you.” She kissed him for emphasis.
“My cousin Julian is the boil in the backside of life. He is arrogant, treats people like they were beneath him and his ego is bigger than continental USA. His dad is a descendant of the last tsar family of Russia and he thinks that gives him the right to be an asshole to everyone,” Michael said with unfamiliar fire burning in his blue eyes.
“He can’t really be that bad. I refuse to believe that anyone related you could be awful.” Sydney said while brushing her fingers through his brown hair.
“Well he is. Julian is the most infuriating person in the universe. Well actually he and your sister are very high on that list. I think they would be perfect for each other, both irritating and egotistical.” Michael quipped while waiting for his girlfriend to punch him for his remark about Lauren. Sydney hated anyone except herself putting Lauren down and Michael was very well aware of that.
“Could you stop ragging on my sister, since you know I can’t stand it. Lauren has done nothing bad to you and I don’t wanna hear anymore. As for the idea of coupling my sister with your cousin, sounds very dumb to me. Since if he is nearly as bad as you described, why would I want my sister anywhere near him?” Sydney demanded looking non too pleased with Michael.
“Relax, I was just kidding. I like Lauren. I don’t wanna argue with you when we can spend that time doing something more pleasurable, like this for example.” Michael illustrated his point by pulling Sydney closer to him and kissing her deeply. Sydney responded to his kiss and all thoughts of Lauren went straight out the window.
--
At the same time in Lauren’s room, the angry blonde was furiously going through her closet in search for her pink bikini that was nowhere near to be found. Just her luck. All she wanted to do was take a swim and forget this rotten day. In her mind, she was too young, too beautiful and too rich to spend the day locked up, when she could be shopping and having fun.
She gave up the pink bikini search and settled on her lime green pair. Thank god, she was a level A shop-a-holic and bought everything she liked in most colors available. Lauren quickly undressed and put on the bikini that closely resembled her favorite pair.
She snatched her sun lotion, a new cosmopolitan, an apple iPod and her fluff, white beach towel and headed to the pool which was located in the plush garden surrounded by a dozen white lounge chairs and an outdoor barbeque set that was the pride and joy of her father.
Sydney’s room was eerily quiet, which lead Lauren to the assumption that she and Michael were busy making out. Gross, she thought and decided not to think about her sister and her kill-joy of a boyfriend anymore.
She entered the garden trough the patio doors, not wanting to interrupt her mother who was in her office grading papers, reading essays or what ever it was that language professors did. Boring, thought Lauren and made her way to the large eternity pool. Although their estate had a long stretch of beach, Lauren preferred the pool due to multiple reason. One being that she didn’t like the beach all that much if there were no people there to admire her body and devour her with their eyes. She knew she had a high opinion of herself, but no one with a clear eye sight could deny that she desirable and beautiful.
Lauren put her magazine, the lotion, the iPod and the towel on the lounge chair and quickly jumped in the pool and decided to make the best of her imprisonment and at least get a good tan.
--
Jack Bristow sat in the back of a long, black limousine reading the latest scrip for a big and pricy action movie that would be a guarantied blockbuster, well at least according to his advisors. But Jack wasn’t born yesterday and wasn’t going to spend close to 400 million to a project he knew nothing about. That was one of the main reasons why his studio produced the best movies in town. He oversaw everything in his capacity as both president and CEO of Syren studios, named after his two daughters.
But for some reason, his mind was not focused on the adventures of a CIA double agent. Maybe it was because this was the fourth similar script he had seen in the last month. It felt like no one in Hollywood could come up with anything new and original these days and because of that, he was forced to read piles and piles of scripts that would be better served as toilet paper.
He was getting a giant migraine and just wanted to go home as quickly as possible and spend time with his family. His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar ringing of his cell phone.
“Jack Bristow.” he answered and identified the caller immediately. “Bill, nice to hear from you.”
--
Sydney and Michael lay in each others arms and just looked at each other with a gaze full of love. No words were spoken nor needed. They were completely wrapped in a world of their own. There could have been a nuclear explosion for all they cared.
Their paradise was interrupted by the voice of Sydney’s mother on the intercom asking them to come to the dining room for dinner.
The mood was instantly killed. They got up from the bed and straitened their clothes and kissed one more time before leaving her room.
Sydney stopped outside of Lauren’s room and knocked on the door. There was no answer and no response of any kind, so Sydney naturally assumed that either she was giving her the silent treatment or she was already downstairs.
--
Lauren was sitting in the lounge chair, reading cosmopolitan with an iPod in her ears with no care in the world. She had heard her mother calling her, but Lauren’s only reaction had been to turn the volume on. She thought that since everyone in her family considered her to be a ditzy bimbo, she could just as well act like one. Lauren had always felt like she was living in Sydney’s shadow in every possible way. She was always stronger, faster and better in everything. Sydney had a 4.0 GPA, she was the star of the tennis team and this year she was elected as class president. Lauren felt there was no way she could ever compete with that. Both her parents were highly educated, mother was a linguist with degrees from Oxford and Sorbonne while father was a Harvard and Yale educated lawyer. They valued cool intellect and that was what Sydney represented. To them, becoming the head cheerleader or prom queen wasn’t that memorable or special.
Not a whole lot of people know that it is actually Lauren who had the higher IQ out of the sisters, a 167. They had both taken the test at the same time and Sydney had scored a 142. When asked, Lauren had told her sister that her result was much lower and did not want to reveal it. It gave her a secret satisfaction that even once in her life, she was able to be better than Sydney in something.
Irina had walked to the pool side and was studying her daughter closely. She was pretending to read, but Irina could see that she was indeed deep in thought. She looked incredibly like her father when she was pondering something. Irina had an inkling that Lauren didn’t think she was as good or as loved as Sydney which could not have been farther from the truth. She had this habit of closing herself off that Irina knew so well and it was hard sometimes to crack through that armor.
Irina moved closer to Lauren and kneeled next to her. She gently removed her
headphones, hoping to get a reaction out of her daughter.
“Darling, would you mind going to change your clothes. Margaret has prepared dinner that I’m sure you’ll like very much.“ She said that while stroking Lauren’s blonde hair.
“No thanks mom, I’m not hungry.” She tried pulling the headphones out of her mother’s hand, but to now avail.
“What’s been going on in the pretty head of yours lately. You come home late, your always in a horrible mood and you don’t eat anymore. I’m concerned about you, this is not like you.” Irina tried again, this time with an even softer tone than before.
“Nothing is wrong with me. Jeez mom, I just want to lose a little weight, that’s all. Don‘t make this like an international incident.” Lauren lied almost convincingly. Too bad, her mother was one of the two people in the world who she couldn’t lie to.
“I don’t want to fight about this. Now your going to remove your derriere from that chair and go change into something that is suitable for dinner. In this family, when it is dinner time, we are all going to sit around the same table with no exceptions. I’m not going to tell you this again. After dinner, I want to have a long conversation with you and that is mandatory, not optional.
“Fine, whatever. I’ll go.” Lauren said as she stood up and collected her things. She left the pool side without looking at her mother.
--
15 minutes later the whole Bristow family plus Michael were sitting down in the dining room as their meal was being served to them. Sydney was obviously in a better mood than earlier and was having a carefree conversation with Michael. To Irina’s surprise even Lauren looked less annoyed and chatted amiably with her father, answering his questions about school and cheer practice.
The conversation was light and flowing. No serious topics were addressed. Jack re-told a funny incident that had happened at the Golden Globes after-party where a drunken, Oscar-winning actress had propositioned him in front of cremé de la cremé of Hollywood, including Irina and the actress’s husband, a big time macho action hero.
Michael had always liked spending time with the Bristow’s because they were so close and cared deeply for each other. When he and Sydney had started dating, Michael was forced to work like an uphill skier to win through Jack’s mule like resistance. Now he wanted to believe that Jack liked him and if not liked, then at least approved that he and Sydney were together.
He would have preferred to stay with Sydney and her family, but he was expected to arrive home at a decent hour to help his cousin adjust. Not only was Julian moving in, but he was going to the same school and Michael would be forced to introduce Julian to his friends, including Sydney. That would cause nothing but trouble.
After dinner, Michael politely thanked the Bristow’s and kissed Sydney goodbye. He didn’t look forward to spending the evening with Julian, but he didn’t want to disappoint his parent’s who wanted Julian to feel at home.
--
When Michael arrived home a little bit later, he noticed that while the movers and his mother were carrying Julian’s things, he stood there looking like the king of the universe and didn’t lift a finger to help. Michael quickly went to his mother and took what she was carrying to his arms.
“Thank you, darling. This was little heavier than I thought.” Anna Vaughn said and looked at her only child with gratitude.
“No, problem, mom. You shouldn’t be carrying these things. We have people who are paid to do this.” Michael said sternly. His mother’s medical history was the most well protected secret in the Vaughn family. She had been diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and through chemotherapy and medication, she was currently in remission. No one knew, except his grandparents and immediate family. He had not told Sydney because his mother didn’t want anyone to know. Anne Vaughn had always been the strong one in the family and she detested pity in all forms.
Michael carried the luggage to the room where Julian was going to be staying. It was just his luck, that the room was across the hall from his. There would be no escaping him for at least the next 10 months. That sounded very much like the third circle of hell to Michael.
“Cousin dearest, It‘s so nice to see you again.” Julian Lazarey said with a sneer that oozed arrogance. He had entered the room and was unpacking a suitcase where his most valuable things were. His jewelry, iPod, laptop and a silver picture frame with his mother’s photo. The unpacking of rest of the things would be someone else’s responsibility.
“Julian, I’d be lying if I said the same.” Michael responded without acknowledging his presence.
“I hate that name. Everyone calls me Sark and I’d like you to do the same. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, those boxes aren’t going to unpack themselves.” Sark said and completely expected Michael to tell him to take a flying leap.
To Sark’s amazement, his cousin actually started unloading his clothes from one of the boxes. He should have guessed that Michael was too much of a good boy to tell him off and would do just about anything to please his mother. Julian would have liked Michael, if he would just grow a spine and for once, would do things because he wanted to and not because he didn’t want to disappoint mommy or daddy dearest.
For the next hour the two cousins worked in silence. Meaning that Michael dutifully unpacked his cousins things, while Julian entertained himself by surfing on the net and giving Michael orders on where to put the things. At least four times during that hour, Michael had fantasized about taking his laptop and clobbering him with it. Enjoy this while it lasts, thought Michael and was already coming up with multiple ways to repay him for this.
When most of Julian’s things were in their rightful place, Michael was finally able to sit down for the first time since arriving home. He headed to the kitchen to get something to drink. After getting a can of sprite from the fridge, he headed to his room to enjoy the only Julian-free zone in his current life. But Michael was not that lucky. Julian was standing next to his computer table and scanning the framed photos Michael kept there.
There was three pictures of Sydney. One that was taken on their first date and one with Michael and Sydney together at Las Vegas during the twins birthday party this year. The final one was a beach photo of Sydney and Lauren, where the sisters were wearing matching bikini’s, Sydney wearing blue and Lauren wearing her signature red.
Julian had took a keen interest in the beach photo and was now actively studying it. It irritated Michael greatly that Julian had just waltzed to his room without his permission and was now gazing a photo where his girlfriend was only clad in a bikini.
“I take it that the brunette is your girlfriend?” Julian said with a hint to admiration in his voice which surprised Michael.
“Yeah, that’s my girlfriend Sydney. We have been together for almost a year now. She’s great and we are in love.” Michael said in a very clear ‘hands off’ manner.
“Good for you. But as your luck would have it, I’m more interested in that sexy
little blonde she’s posing with. She is one hot piece of ass. Care to give me a name to match that body which will undoubtedly rule my fantasies from now on?” Julian said and wiggled the photo in front of Michael.
“That’s Sydney’s sister Lauren.” Michael replied and was hoping that he would be able to somehow stop Julian from pursuing Lauren. He knew that if Julian got involved with her, she would get hurt. Although, Michael didn’t care that much about Lauren’s well being, he was smart enough to understand that it would mean he was banned to doghouse courtesy of his girlfriend, who didn’t take too kindly to anyone hurting her sister in any way, shape or form.
“Well, the plot thickens. I want you to tell me everything you know about the next blonde bombshell, who will be warming my bed. Hopefully, sooner than later.” Julian said and looked even more smug than usual.
“Lauren is not your type, she’s not dumb and she is also not single.” Michael replied with the hope that this information would deter his cousin. Too bad, Michael didn’t know that nothing exited Julian more than a challenge. He was fed up with bimbos who would fall to his bed easily. He almost liked the chase as much as the rewards.
“Well, just humor me and tell me absolutely everything you know about her and I will never approach this topic again.” Julian said. Damn, I’m a good actor he thought to himself as he noticed that Michael actually looked like he believed that.
Michael succumbed and naively thought that if Julian’s curiosity would be satisfied, he would lose his interest.
“Her full name is Lauren Elena Bristow and her family’s nickname for her is Laurie bear. Lauren’s boyfriend is quarterback Thomas Grace, who keeps close tabs on his girlfriend and is very possessive and jealous. Her dad is movie kingpin Jack Bristow who doesn’t think anyone is good enough for his girls. It took me four months to gain some sort of approval from him.” Michael listed and hoped that would be enough information. He didn’t want to indulge his cousin with anymore.
“Come on, Mickey, you can do better than that. I wanna know what she likes, doesn’t like, where she spends her time and what generally floats her boat. Things like favorite color, music she likes and her lingerie preferences.“ Julian countered and hoped that Michael would continue what he had started.
“How I’m I supposed to know what kind of lingerie she likes? I’m dating her sister and she and Lauren have very different tastes. I honestly have never been that interested in Lauren, so my knowledge about her is limited to what Sydney has told me about her.” Michael said in a way that he hoped would indicate that he didn’t want to continue this conversation any longer.
“Are you telling me, that you have spent nearly a year in the presence of The Body and have not even once thought about what she would look like without any clothes on?” Julian asked incredulously and slowly as if he was talking to a child.
“I’m not interested in Lauren in that way. Now, I’m going to bed and don’t want to hear anymore about my girlfriends sister. Leave,” Michael said and started pushing Julian out of his room.
“Very rude Mickey. No need to shove, I’m going.” Julian said and exited his cousins room carrying the photo of Lauren and Sydney in his hand. His cousin was too distracted to notice.
Tomorrow would be a very interesting day to say the least. Julian had never liked school, but he would gladly go, if it meant that he could see Lauren in the flesh.
To be continued.
Next chapter will have the first meeting of Lauren and Julian. The first couple of chapters will be predominately Sydney/Vaughn, but there will be some serious L/S bantering and all the fun things.
Again, reviews are desperately wanted. Only then, I can improve my story, when I get feedback on it.
Tintti XOX
