DYNASTY REVISITED : EPISODE 20 .. CATCHING UP!

                                                                 REVISITED :
The story so far...
                                  Krystle decides to stop meeting Dylan, Amanda coninues to recieve threats from Max, while Connie tells Alexis the truth ......

Alexis had so much on her mind, what with the upcoming trial,the gala opening of her hotel, the chance that she might see Dex again and now the worry of Amanda's choice of unsuitable suitor. Alexis sat at her vanity mirror applying her makeup, then she teased her hair, finally enveloping herself in a mist of Shalimar from her Waterford Crystal atomiser. She now felt glamorous and ever so ready to greet her lunch guest, whom she had not seen for almost three years. She recalled her last meeting with Victor Bonaducci, who she has known for over thirty years. He had invited her to cut the ribbon on his new club just off Hollywood Blvd. Victor had the good sense to rise above his less than legal beginnings, when he was involved in fencing stolen goods and protection rackets.. She had fallen for his Italian charms, always well dressed, suit, silk shirts, the best of style, how she found it hard to resist a well turned out male! She relived the passion, the excitement of their affair, it only lasted six months, but what a time it was. She knew it would have been impossible to keep up that momentum, she couldn't live with an anti-climax. Alexis took one last look in the mirror, smiled at her most presentable reflection and went downstairs to check the table arrangement!
She had organised a catered lunch, Wolfang Puck would be catering the gala, so she had a full lunch sent over from Spago at the Beaver Creek Resort nearby..She needed a glass of champagne to get her in the entertaining mood, a quick cigarette to calm her. But she had no sooner lit up the cigarette and took a few sips of her cool beverage, when her visitor entered the penthouse.
"Victor! So good to see you! You never change!"
Alexis stubbed out the cigarette and gave her guest a big hug.
"Alexis! Ravishing as ever. What is your secret?"
They both laughed, she poured him a glass of champagne and they both sat down at the dinner table.
"Thank you Darling! Maybe I should write a book, revealing some of My Secrets. It seems every alley cat is putting pen to paper these days!"
Alexis put the flute to her lips, her eyes staring at her handsome guest as she sipped.
"Yes! I saw your cousin Sable on tv last week! You two still at each other's most kissable throats? Alexis I am sorry for the way that idiot son has treated your daughter."
Victor took a cigar from his breast pocket and lit up, he remembered how she used to love the smell of his cigars..
"Yes Victor darling! That son of yours is sure drifting in the wrong circles. I won't stand by and see any of my children abused..You will have to reign him in..Place your strong fatherly hands on his weak little shoulders!"
Alexis stared at Victor, he was still a most handsome man, the jet black hair he once had, now a refined shade of silver, his tan had not faded over the years, he could sure give George Hamilton a run in the sun, for his money!
"I am truly embarassed Alexis! I tried so hard with that boy. I blame myself for the way he has turned out. I found out about his movie career, his call girl ring, I had to put a stop to it all. I believe the abusive outburts occured after his business ventures started to unravel. I was the cause of the aids rumour, in the porn business any hint of an aids outbreak and everyone dries up! With no output and no girls to do overtime..his sleazy empire fell apart."
Victor had been involved in undercover crime, but anything to do with prostitution and drugs did not appeal to him.. Besides his own sister had become an addict, selling herself to feed her habit, then she overdosed. How he spent months trying to find the bastard who supplied her. Turned out it was a bitch, who got her comuppance, when a rival threw battery acid in her face and destroyed her questionable good looks. It was not long after, that she herself took an overdose and died. Victor got out of the crime business and went straight, got a job in a club as a host, soon promoted to manager. With enough money saved, picked up tips from clients on stocks and shares, in the early 80's invested, made a mint and decided to open his own night club.'Victors'.. Now he owned three top clubs and Casino's, in New York, San Francisco and Hollywood.
"Darling! I don't blame you for your son's actions.. What I want to know how can we stop him for terrorising her.. He knows she is here in Denver and he has started to send messages to her via the hotels her friend is staying at."
Victor only wished he knew what to do with his son.. if only he had turned out like his younger sister, Ariana. She had made a good life for herself as a top model now an actress..By time he divorced his wife Lizette, an ex Vegas showgirl, the kids had grown up, they hardly needed his guidance, or so he thought.
"Alexis we will have to set a trap for him, let him find Amanda. I have been told he is a hopless drunk now, would not surprise me if he has started using, he had a cocaine habit many years ago. I paid for him to attend rehab, it did him good for a few years. Old habits die hard!"
Alexis had to agree, the only way to put an end to this was to let it run it's course. She certainly did not want to put Amanda's life in danger, but with backup, they could capture Max Benaducci and put an end to his stalkings.
"We will have to devise a plan!.He has to be stopped!"
They bought raised their glasses, it was time to eat, she summomed the waiter, who waiting in the wings.. Max's days were certainly numbered!

Krystle Carrington sat back drinking a cup of black coffee, whilst looking through her diary, the fire warming her as she relaxed in the study. She felt so safe and secure, she was relieved that he headaches had subsided, she felt healthy and whole again. She thought about Dylan, she could smile now at how girlish she had been, allowing herself to fall for a much younger man. Maybe her brain had become affected by those headaches, she had almost felt a compulsion to go along with him, the danger was exciting! Krystle smiled to herself, sipping her coffee, a voice brought her to her senses.

"Krystle! Can I join you?"

Sable Colby had returned from her book tour, she was exhausted, but she had enjoyed visiting all the major cities and meeting the many interviewers and the public. Another round of book events would commence in a few months, when the paperback edition was published.

"Sable! Of course! Tell me all about your travels.. I had a chance to read your book.. Certainly no shortage of drama!"

Sable sat down in the armchair facing Krystle by the fire.

"You know I feel as if my whole life has been one long drama! But what is that old saying..'Truth is stranger than fiction.' I had to come back, that ghastly Van Dorn trial starts next week. Would you believe I got an invitation to Alexis's opening!"

Sable took a golden envelope from her purse, removing the invitation concealed within.

"Blake and I got one! I was not keen on going..But he said we should make an appearance.. I am curious to see what she had done with the place!"

Sable raised her eyes to the ceiling.

"I can just imagine. She only invited me so she can gloat. She will probably have some acid comment to make, knowing her as I unfortuanetly do!"

Krystle had to agree, they both could only laugh, the sound of the phone ringing disturbed their moment of mirth.

"Hello! Hello! Who is this?"

Krystle waited a few seconds more, before she hung up the phone.

"Krystle! No one there?"

Krystle sat back down, facing Sable.

"No! I could hear breathing! It's probably a wrong number.. I doubt if it's an obsence caller!"

They both laughed, but Krystle did wonder, she was not afraid, but she hated the unknown and this was the fourth similar call in two days. She had not told Blake, it was pointless worrying him..

"Krystle! On the subject of Alexis..What kind of a girl would you say Amanda is?"

Sable put the invitation back in her purse, waiting for Krystle to answer her..

"Amanda? To be honest I don't know her as well as maybe I should. She is Blake's daughter, but we never really got to know one another. Sure we have dined together, had lunches and chats, but I honestly can't say I know her too well. Why do you ask?"

Krystle was intrigued, Sable must have something on her mind.

"Now Krystle I am not one to gossip, however I have been told some information concerning Amanda's friend, that girl that came to Denver with her!"

Sable took her lip balm from her purse and moistened her lip, the Denver winter chills playing havoc with her pout.

"Information? Anything you would like to share with me. Is Amanda in trouble?"

Krystle was curious, she hoped the girl was not in trouble as if she was, Blake would take it upon himself to carry the burden.

"I could not truly say if she is in trouble.. However Monica informs me that Miss Connie Rich is a call girl. So one can only imagine why Amanda would be involved with her.. "

Krystle did not know what to say, or indeed what to think.. She only hoped there was some innocent explanation, as how would Blake take it if it was true that Amanda had becoming involved in the oldest profession!

Amanda was relieved to have finally revealed her secret to her mother, she only hoped she was able to help. She should not have been surprised to discover how close, Alexis had been to Max's father. She did wonder what could he possibly do to control his son, to stop him persuing her, other than have him executed! No matter how she feared, even hated Max, she certainly did not want him dead. Amanda recalled the first time she set eyes on Max Benaducci, it was at a party in St Tropez. An old friend of hers had just gotten engaged to a greek millionaire, with a yacht in every port! As she sat sipping champagne on a banquette at Le Byblos, she could not help noticing the attention she was getting from one of the most exciting looking man she had ever seen. It was not long before they were dancing the night away, dinner at Club 55 the next evening, she was hooked. It only took a month, before she was sharing his Hollywood Hills home. She had fallen in love with him, there was no going back now. That first few months was bliss, he showered her with gifts, although material things never meant that much to her. A trinket from Max, usually meant the most exclusive bauble from Cartier! A token of love usually turned out to be a one on a kind piece from Vuitton.. If he had to cancel a dinner date, he presented an exclusive bag from Hermes.. Max was certainly generous, but then his empire was reaping in the rewards, the appetite for porn, rarely satisfied, the output from his studio limitless. Amanda had been content in believing all the lies he told her, how naive she had been not to see the signs. She had spent so many years in Europe, how she possibly distinguish a Hollywood starlet from a heavyweight harlot! Amanda sighed, everyone had to learn by their mistakes, she had certainly reached a learning curve. Amanda brushed her hair, she was due to meet Connie at her hotel for dinner, time to catch up. She had hoped Connie would have accepted Alexis's offer for her stay at the Penthouse, even though it was only a spare box room, at least it was a safe haven. Amanda applied some lip gloss and was just about to spray a little scent, when she was alerted by an incoming text message.

" Mandy! Come over quick! I need to see you!"

Amanda was puzzled as she read the text message from Connie.Why did she need to see her so urgently? After all they had already made plans to meet.. Amanda sensed danger, but she would have to go and see her.. Amanda pressed the call back to see if she would answer, but it eventually went into voice mail. Amanda decided to take the chance and go, grabbing her coat and her purse she ran downstairs. She had to tell someone where she was going, alert them to the possible danger. The penthouse was deserted, her mother had gone out, she had taken Victor Bonaducci to see her new venture, Alexis also wanted to oversee the final preparations for her gala opening. She decided she would leave a message with the lobby security guard, he could inform her mother when she returned.

Twenty minutes later Amanda stood outside the door of Connie Rich's suite at the Ritz Carlton.. Amanda held her breath, she felt nervous as she rang the suite doorbell. After three rings, there was still no reply, Amanda decided to try thr door, she managed to push the door open without any effort. She slowly entered the room, not knowing who or what she would find. One quick scan of the sitting area, no sign of Connie, she felt uneasy.. She checked out the bathroom, then the bedroom, all were empty, except for a carefully placed envelope sitting on the centre of the king size bed. Amanda quickly grabbed the envelope,tore it open and proceeded to read it's contents..

" Mandy! Don't worry about Connie..She will get her just desserts! You and I ... Our time is now!"

Amanda threw the note back on the bed, she found it hard to breath, she felt like running away.. Was there any escape?

To Be Continued....

(c) 2011 ... Mark McMorrow ....