Incognito (Photo Story)

This story line is intended for mature audiences.

Previously in Stay with Me, Walter's desperation peaked with a "suicide attempt." When Deirdre came to the aid of a drunken and intoxicated Walter, she wound up the victim of an attack. Upon realizing what he did, Walter contacted the head of his security team and arranged a meeting.

We may have a situation. Can I depend on you to handle it…discreetly? (Walter)

My record speaks for itself. You know I’ll do whatever it takes. (Sean)

You know that singer I’ve been seeing for the past year, right? Well we were partying at my place last night. Nothing too crazy- just cocktails and a few pills. Still, she got pretty fired up and wanted me to put it on her kind of rough. (Walter)

Whether they admit it or not, they all like that rough stuff. They want a man to take charge. (Sean, chuckling)

Well, I gave her what she wanted. I got a little scratched up in the process, but it was all in fun. Later on, we got into this huge argument and I broke up with her. She didn’t take that too well. Now, I’m concerned about her emotional state. She might decide to claim our partying wasn’t consensual, if you know what I mean. (Walter)

Sean nods to show he understands.

What would you like me to do? (Sean)

4 weeks later, Robyn enters the café and looks around for Deirdre. She doesn’t see her friend anywhere, so she takes a seat at a table and orders a coffee. After sitting for 20 minutes, she begins to wonder what the he!! is up with her best friend. Deirdre’s been MIA for weeks with no one seeing or hearing from her. Then out of the blue she calls like everything is fine and wants to meet for coffee. Robyn agreed, and now it appears that she’s been stood up. Robyn can feel it in her gut that Walter has something, if not everything, to do with this. When the waitress comes back to check on her for the fourth time, she tries to ask for the check, but Valencia interrupts her.

Your friend says don’t leave just yet. She’s coming over right now. (Valencia)

Before Robyn can respond, Valencia walks off and Robyn is joined by an auburn-haired woman in a dark coat and dark glasses.

Sorry to keep you waiting like that. I had to make sure it was safe to come over. (Deidre, whispering)

Deirdre?! Why the he!! are you wearing that wig? (Robyn)

Shhh…keep your voice down. I can explain this. I can explain everything, just not here. I think he’s having me followed. Can we go somewhere to talk? (Deirdre)

At the club, the ladies enter Robyn’s office and lock the door.

Now tell me what the he!! is going on! (Robyn)

Please try not to be hysterical. (Deirdre)

What do you expect?! My best friend goes missing for weeks and when you resurface, you’re in a café incognito talking like someone’s after you. And I just know this has something to do with that SOB Walter! (Robyn)

Deirdre tells Robyn everything starting with what really happened at the party to what happened when she came to Walter’s aid. She breaks down crying when she tells her about the rape. Robyn sits in stunned silence.

Well go on, say “I told you so.” Tell me how naïve I’ve been to think that Walter wouldn’t hurt me. (Deirdre)

That’s not what I was going to say. I was going to say that you need to report him to the police. (Robyn, frowning)

Now, you’re being naïve. Walter O’Dair is one of the wealthiest and most sought after men in this town. No one is going to believe he... 

She tries but can't bring herself to say the word "raped."

 And even if they did, there’s no way he’d be arrested much less prosecuted for it. Besides, I’m partly to blame for what happened. I shouldn’t have gone over there. It was a stupid thing to do. (Deirdre)

The only stupid thing to do is blame yourself for what happened. You may have walked into his trap, but you didn’t make him the jerk that he is. He alone is responsible for his actions, and he alone should be punished for them. (Robyn)

That may be true, but everyone knows we used to be a couple. If I go after him, his people will just make me out to be some bitter ex trying to ruin his good name. And they’ll ruin mine in the process. (Deirdre, shaking her head)

Probably, but it burns me up to think of him getting away with this. Dee, we have to make him pay somehow. (Robyn)

The only thing I have to do right now is get him out of my life and keep him out. (Deirdre)

Well, how badly do you want him gone, because I know a guy… (Robyn)

Robyn, that’s not funny! (Deirdre)

Who said I was joking? Do I look like I’m joking? Payback’s a b!tch. (Robyn)

Stop it. I can’t get all tangled up in some plot for revenge. I have a life and my career to think about. (Deirdre)

First, we make him pay, and then you’ll have the closure you need to go on with your life. (Robyn)

I wasn’t talking about my own life. (Deirdre)

Robyn looks at Deirdre and immediately understands.

No!! You are not having a baby by that @ss hole. He’ll just use it to… (Robyn)

Well, what would you have me do? Never mind, don’t answer that. (Deirdre)

Look, I have enough regrets without adding one more to the list. But I have an idea…an insane idea…and I’ll need your help to pull it off. (Deirdre)

Sure, Dee...whatever you need. (Robyn)

You might want to hear what it is first. (Deirdre)

Thanks for reading!