Chapter 25: Glitter, Champagne, and the Stakeout
The next day, they drove to the address Mr. Kim had provided. Pascale insisted on staging a stakeout first; he wasn't about to lose their advantage so easily this time. All three of them sat packed inside the car, watching the quiet house.
"As long as we're stuck waiting here, we might as well chat," Pascale broke the silence, turning a sharp gaze to the backseat. "Clara, darling, how is it going with that slightly clumsy but well-built producer of yours? Is it a serious relationship, or do you just want to sleep with him?"
Lukas stopped staring out the window and whipped his head around, his eyes wide with shock. "That is a good question. A very good question," he whispered, nodding slowly in agreement.
Clara let out a heavy sigh, letting her forehead rest against the headrest for a moment. "Thank you, Pascale, for opening this incredibly pleasant and private conversation."
"Anytime, sweetie, you know you can count on me," Pascale purred. "Besides, you'll never have more privacy than with us. There are no secrets between the three of us."
"That's true, honey," Lukas chimed in, his dramatic flair returning. "Remember back then? We were the 'Smurf Gang' because no matter what day it was, we always stumbled back home completely blue."
"Oh right, the Smurf Gang," Clara muttered. "Honestly, boys, I blocked that out because I genuinely thought if I kept hanging out with you two, I'd develop a serious drinking problem."
"Oh, pish posh! In your younger years, your blood alcohol level can never be high enough, otherwise the world just isn't colorful enough," Pascale dismissed with a wave of his hand. Then, he glanced at his brother through the rearview mirror. "And what about you, Lukas? Do you still have that plant fetish?"
"Excuse me? That is not a fetish, I simply have a preference for botany!" Lukas snapped.
"And that, little sister, is the exact definition of a fetish," Pascale countered smoothly.
"It is not! I'm certain I would have made a first-class botanist if my gorgeous looks hadn't gotten in the way."
"Oh yes, I can see it vividly," Pascale scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You, in a botanical garden, surrounded by plants, giving every single one of them a name and throwing glitter powder all over them. Truly, a world-class botanist."
"Hey, you stupid cow, stop teasing me!" Lukas huffed, crossing his arms. "And speaking of no privacy, what about you? Are you still having those little accidents, Pee-Pee Pascale?"
Pascale's elegant posture stiffened. "I hate it when you call me that! That happened literally one time, and I had way too much champagne!"
"Oh, sure. Whatever you say, Pee-Pee Pascale."
"Stop calling me that, or else..."
"Or else what, Pee-Pee Pascale?"
"Or else I'll tell Mum," Pascale threatened coldly.
Instantly, the smug, mocking grin vanished from Lukas's face. He looked horrified. "How could you bring Mummylein into this? You truly have a black soul, you spawn of Hell!"
Clara raised her hand, cutting them off. "Enough, you little monsters. Look, something is moving."
Silence dropped over the car like a blanket. All eyes snapped back to the house. Finally, the man in the hat emerged from his domicile and began walking down the street. They waited a full minute until he turned a corner and was completely out of sight.
Pascale smirked, checking his reflection one last time. "Okay, girls. This is our chance. Let's go."
They opened the car doors and stepped into the unknown.