Half a World Away

22 - Zack

With Jason's assistance, Zack walked through the waiting crowd of paparazzi and into the waiting black car that would take him to the airport. Janice sat in the back seat waiting for him, her head down typing on her phone. The car drove away and Zack looked back at the hotel.

Cassidy knew. She knew the truth about who he was and that he wanted to be with her. Zack hadn't expected her to turn him down and when she did, he was taken aback. He was thankful when she agreed to think about it. He had a week. A week filled with press meets and four more concerts. Then he would return to see her, where he hoped she would accept his offer to go with him.

"This is going to require a lot of damage control," Janice muttered beside him.

Zack looked over at Janice, she did not look impressed.

"I'm not the first celebrity to fall in love," Zack shrugged at her, passing it off as not a big deal.

Janice's face blanched as he said the word love, but recovered quickly, "No, but your also not the first celebrity to meet up with a girl at a hotel room that's not yours!"

"Okay, I admit, that was not the best idea. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think straight where Cassidy is involved. All I can think about is her. It's okay though, after these other four concerts, it will be easier because we will be together."

Janice turned in her seat to stare at Zack, "What are you talking about?"

"I asked Cassidy to come with me back to England. She's thinking about it and I'm hoping she will agree. She's going to give me an answer next Saturday before we leave. Though, I know she's attached to her roommate, but he's gay."

"You asked her to come to England with you?" Janice repeated back to Zack in disbelief.

Before Zack could reply a message came through from Cassidy. The paparazzi had questioned her outside the hotel. Zack replied quickly to reassure her whatever she said, that it would all be okay. Cassidy had started to doubt whether they were right for one another, because they came from different worlds. Zack realised then that Cassidy may not choose to be with him, he had to do whatever he could to make sure nothing affected their chances of being together.

"Damn it! The media hounded Cassidy outside the hotel," Zack exclaimed.

"She's not ready for your world, Zack," Janice explained.

"Not you too. Cassidy is worried about that, but I told her it will all be okay."

Something flashed across Janice's face, a thought, before she replied "Maybe she's right."

Zack furrowed his brow at Janice's comment.

It wasn't long before they were on the plane and flying to their next destination. Zack had a concert that night. He would go straight to rehearsals from the airport. It would be awhile before Zack had another chance to breathe and relax, with concerts and interviews booked up until Saturday. Hopefully, when he finally got a break, it would be with Cassidy by his side.

Janice remained all business the entire way to the airport, reminding him of the upcoming television and radio performances and interviews. Zack dazed out the window, half listening, otherwise thinking about Cassidy.

Zack was escorted through a private part of the airport terminal and onto his awaiting private plane. Crowds of fans who follow his every move, screamed from behind tall wire fences. Zack smiled and waved politely as he climbed the metal staircase to board the plane.

On the plane, Zack sat down in the large cushioned seat and rested his head backwards. He itched to send Cassidy a message, to find out what she was thinking or feeling, but he didn't want to push her. He wanted her to choose on her own. He wanted her to want to be with him for the right reasons, not because she felt pressured or anything. Zack knew he was asking a lot of her.