Chapter 462 - What do you think? (3)

14 May, Military hospital, City K

Lexi paused, looked at Matthew and felt reassured that nothing would come back to hurt her. She then continued "Joan told me she remembers when she started to feel affected by the alcohol, she decided to push her luck, and try to start something with me. The next thing she indicated she recalled is waking up, the both of us n.a.k.e.d on the bed, and her with one of toys inside her, feeling extremely s*xually sated. As time has gone on, she admitted that she believed that we were drugged and were just lucky we were together when it happened in our suite, rather than outside. She said that regardless of what happened, we were both safe whereas if we had been outside we would not have been."

Matthew, after hearing everything from Lexi paused. He remembered after he and Phillip started talking again, he spoke about this trip and the impact on Lexi, Joan, Rachael, and the rest of their friends who had gone. They all recognised that they had been so lucky not to have been abducted like the New Zealanders. At the time they all swore that they had not drunk the alcohol, but Lexi's story indicated that at least she and Joan had and on Lexi's part they had engaged in unwanted s*xual activity, but given their ages, the alcohol and apparent drugs all present no legal authority would determine it was r*pe.

Noticing a few tears starting to trickle down Lexi's face, Matthew reached over and wiped them away, and said "You think I will abandon you over this?"

A sob caught in Lexi's throat before she said "I did not remember much of what happened until about five years ago. Joan came all the way to Paris to apologise to me. Something had triggered a couple of vague memories, and she recalled what she did. She felt ashamed about having done something even though it was what she wanted, as she knew that I did not want it. That is when I really started to piece the flashes of memories of the incident that I have together. I feel so guilty."

Squeezing her hand Matthew said "There is nothing to feel guilty about. I will not abandon you nor do I blame you. You were young, trusted some people and like some of us drank when you were away from family. The only thing that went wrong was someone abused that trust, not Joan, but those who got you access to the alcohol. It was just luck that you and Joan were together when it happened and protected each other."

"It feels so shameful hence why I did not want to talk about it."

"Lexi do not worry about it. I do not blame you, and when you speak about it, I will be there to support you. In the end, we all have things in our past that we worry about. Mine includes how I reacted to our friends and family when they found out I joined the military and how I reacted when I found out about you and Richard. Joseph, Ben and David will all tell you, I got blind drunk went on a stupidly when to a brothel thinking that s*x with an unknown woman would cure me, but as soon as I saw none of them were you I went on rampage damaging the place and without their intervention I would have gone AWOL and those two things would have ended my career. Then, there is everything I have done during my service that I cannot tell you about."

Lexi motioned to Matthew who came closer and she kissed him on the cheek before saying "Thank you for understanding." As he moved back, she said "You better tell me about that brothel," laughing.

"That brothel, let me just say that it was everything that you could imagine a brothel being, gaudy, stale air and smelling of s.e.x, alcohol and choking perfume. As soon as the door closed behind me, I knew I had done the wrong thing, but the Madam would not let me out, hence the destruction. Joseph had realised something was off with me and had followed me. The three of them got me out, but we had a lot of explaining to do to our superiors. But that reputation was something that they used for a while, sending me out on crazy missions."

Lexi laughed, and looked at Matthew and said, "I am guessing that is mild, and is all you can tell me."

"It is. National security prevents me from saying anything else."

"It better be," came Lexi's quick response. After a brief pause, she added "You said there was two reasons they were likely asking after Joan, what is the second?"

This was what he was worried about. "It is no secret, but David Hwang's company has multiple government contracts. As his fiancé, I am guessing for the basic risk management assessment the government are using me, and likely John as well given our connection to check information. A sneaky method, but she does not need a security clearance, they will simply want to know about her for a risk management perspective."

"That worries me. Will they try and stop Joan marrying?" came a concerned response from Lexi.

Noticing Matthew looking directly at her, Lexi felt reassured before he said "No. They cannot do that. Even with the marriage of military members they cannot prevent us from marrying who we want, all it does is impact our postings. The worst outcome is that David Hwang and his company will be required to sign agreements prohibiting them from discussing anything with respect to government contracts with her."

Seeing Matthew pause, Lexi quietly asked "What do you want me to do?"

"Lexi, in the end honesty is the best policy. I can understand your reluctance and if you do not want to talk to them about it, I will support your decision. But eventually the truth will come out. It is your call."

Lexi looked at Matthew and pondered the options he gave her. After thinking for a few minutes, re-examining that she had told Matthew, she knew he was right. Honesty was the best policy. Firmly she said "We can discuss it with them. I want you with me though."

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