Damien was not evil but he still remained perturbed by how Kim had been such an arrogant ass as to show up like he did. Damien had spent quite a bit of time with Betty since that Saturday- enough to know that she was becoming a true woman but, still, he noticed that she had some lingering thoughts and a sense of loss(?) regarding Kim. Betty loved that she was being shown a whole new world- nightlife and parties, seeing how real adults interacted. Damien knew that she was worldly enough to chat with most anyone, and he saw that though some of the clubs & especially the parties that he took her to over the past two months were quite wild, she didn't run away.
Kim had left a few messages on Betty's answering machine; the frequency, thankfully, for those had slacked off quite a bit over time. He was getting the message- "fuck off, I am done with you". Still, Damien wanted one more thing done to really but Kim in his place.
The perfect setting arrived- Damien and Betty went to an extravagant party in Pacific Palisades- the home of one the biggest porn producers in the industry. Damien had forewarned her, of course. He told her it was going to be pretty darn wild; he wanted to go to the party, he explained, with her, as it was as much a chance to interact as make business connections. Damien knew this producer for quite some time as the producer's marketing group had contacted the cable company to discuss new angles to promote their films. Leo, the producer, liked that Damien was sharp, understood business structures and angles to create tax shelters and profit offsets. Damien told Betty that this would also be a great chance for her to hone her business skills- to listen to how things were negotiated etc etc.
Betty was a bit hesitant of course- this was a side of the entertainment industry that she never knew existed until her time at the cable company. As a teen at home, of course this type of commodity was never around. She knew she could say no- but didn't want to. She understood the seedy side of this but there were 1000s of other businesses which were seedy in their own way- from the 'made in America' livestock trade to defense contractors to Sin City Vegas casinos- all which were present in in the west coast and often mentioned by her various professors as business or tax case studies. Betty reflected- who was she to be so judgmental, after all?
Betty opted for a new LBD, sheer off-black nylons and 3" black heels. Classy, seductive, a bit showy but nothing like the outfits she wore out with Damien to the nightclubs. She wanted to complement Damien and appear mature and older than 18 to the attendees.
Damien opted for the classic beach look- loose but tailored tan linen slacks, a sailcloth white shirt and chocolate brown unconstructed sport coat. Their matching tans from being in the sun together really made them look like a darling couple. Damien comforted Betty on the drive to the estate; she had a large to-go cup of her, now, favorite cocktail, the Moscow Mule. Damien kept her engaged in discussions about what he knew of Leo's business, present and future plans, and how he hoped to develop a role for himself, with Betty at his side, Betty loved that Damien had such faith in her- she did know her stuff and was good at thinking quickly, but still- she was now just a sophomore.
Damien watched the street signs to find the property- the area was old world, high end coastal living at its finest. She was taken in by the stately properties- most all kept in immaculate shape regardless of stature. Betty could see herself living in an area like this. Then she thought of what Kim's non-career path was and felt down- and then UP. Kim.. who? She thought to herself, and a sly grin emerged on her face.
"What's the look for, Betty?" Damien asked, seeing the smirk on her face though she had been kind of quiet.
"Smirk? .. Me??" she replied, giggling. "Well.. if you must know" she continued as she touched his arm, "I was just looking at these beautiful homes and wondered who lives there. If, somehow, I would live in a home around here."
She looked at Damien, a bit of curiosity in her face- not wanting to imply anything; heck, she had just broken up with Kim, she didn't want to end up in another intense relationship even though she had been seeing Damien a few times a week for two months.
"I mean- I was thinking of these places and what they most cost, and that .. well.. that I had thought that Kim was the one- but there's no way he would ever make enough money to afford even the junkiest of these... I mean- really. He's going nowhere and ..."
She took a long sip from the large cup and offered some to Damien. He leaned over and welcomed the cold beverage then placed his hand on her exposed thigh.
"Almost there and you .. look stunning, Betty. I'm so glad that you are here with me. I hate going to these parties by myself- all the bullshit stories and bragging and I have to smile and be nice..." he paused— "you know, hon... I've known you now for like eight months and I've never seen you so happy, so alive. You know, Kim.. he made his choice. He made a bunch of his own choices. That's him, darling. Him- his doing. You can't control him or anyone, really. Maybe he'll grow up at some point- and maybe he's just gonna work in a grocery store the rest of his life. That too- is his choice. He's got his bud.. Tim, is it? Kim & Tim- how cute!" Damien said snidely. "They're out boozin it up and scamming on .. girls they know, maybe high school girls who would be impressed with 'college guys'. Who knows. I'm just certain of one thing- I love being with you but I will not take up your own personal time. I want you to enjoy life and exploring everything" he said as he touched her arm and then rested his hand on her exposed, nylon covered thigh.
"Hey, we're almost there. You wanna smoke a joint before we go in? Might help us BOTH relax- who knows what Leo's got planned!" he said with both apprehension and glee. Betty smiled and nodded yes, she's game.
Damien pulled up to the front of the property; Leo had opted to hire valets for the evening to avoid parking issues and possible complaints from the neighbors. Damien chuckled and pointed to the 30' inflatable Tarzan and Jane features in the front lawn. Damien commented to Betty as she took another long hit "oh yea, this is the place!"
With the valet now driving away, they walked arm in arm to the entrance and what would be a night to remember. Alcohol of any type, drugs from weed & coke to who knows what- Damien had gone to get them cocktails and Betty began to walk around the expansive home in amazement- the architecture was mid-Century, displaying the finest of details. Damien found her in a side room which functioned as the library- something she never expected to find in the home of a porn producer. He handed her the drink as they walked around, reading the titles, all well organized by subject. This gave Betty new insight into their host / would-be client. Leo presented the 'expected', stereotype façade of a 'porn guy' but as they saw more and more, they knew that he was much more complex.
