Off Camera

Chapter 56

Tae POV

My mind wonders back to my phone and what all those messages from Jane could be. No matter how hard I try to keep my focus and attention on my gorgeous boyfriend and what we are doing, I can't curb my curiosity.

Fear creeps around me and nibbles at my sanity.

What if it has something to do with the event she couldn't postpone and had to put back on our schedule? Something about the way it all went down feels off. I can't explain why, but it does.

An uneasiness settles over me while I stare at the TV, not paying attention to the movie.

Tee snuggles up to my side and leans his head on my shoulder. "This is so nice. I'm so happy we are doing this."

By reflex, I absentmindedly nod. "Yeah."

He tightens his arms around me and softly asks, "Could we possibly go on a quick vacation? I think a couple of days away from here would do both of us good. What do you think?"

My head bobs up and down again and as I go to respond with the same blank response, his words finally register in my brain. Vacation. Away.

A smile erupts from me, and I sit up straight, pulling him closer to me. "That sounds like a great idea. Do we have enough time before our next scheduled event to get away? If we only have a day, maybe we can sneak away to some remote location where no one knows who we are and enjoy ourselves for a few hours. I don't mind staying in the apartment all the time, but I hate being forced to do it. I would love to take you out of an actual date and do things together."

I kiss the top of his head.

This could be exactly what I need to get myself back to normal. It wouldn't fix everything, but it can give me the little boost I need to get me closer to being my normal self.

Just as I embrace the excitement for our getaway, fear raises its ugly head and claws at me.

What if the crazy lady finds out and follows us there?

Tee's moist lips graze my neck, jolting me back to reality. "I agree. I love being here with you all the time, but it is nice to get out and do things together as boyfriends."

His moist lips graze my sensitive neck again, sending pleasure rushing through my body.

He shakes his head. "Don't worry about anything else. We will find a way to get out and enjoy ourselves for a bit. Maybe I can ask my friends if they want to come along too, so it looks more like a group of friends out having fun, instead of a date with just the two of us."

A faint scowl etches into my face. "Do you think your friends would want to join us? Are they free? We need to first check our schedules to see if we can."

Tee nods and sits up straight. He stares into my eyes. "I'm sure our friends would love to join us. The only thing I'm worried about is Copter's boyfriend, Kimmon. If he goes along with us, wouldn't he attract too many eyes? He is one of the most popular actors right now. I don't think he can go anywhere without people recognizing him. You aren't too far behind, though."

A slight pout appears as his shoulders drop while uncertainty and doubt flash across his face.

I push aside my fears and give him a smile while I pull him onto my lap. "Baby, you will be right there with us, especially after this drama is done. You know the show's ratings are shooting up. The drama is one of the most popular ones running right now. Plus, you have come so far from where you were when we first worked together all those years ago. I'm so proud of you."

I give him a peck on the lips. "You will see."

With his head still lowered, he pulls at my shirt and fidgets with the fabric. "I don't know."

I playfully slap his round butt. "Stop thinking like that. You will get there. Now, let's talk about the vacation. Where should we go?"

***

Rhonda POV

"Is everything set? I don't want this to be ruined. I've put a lot of time and money into making this happen." The corner of my mouth curls up into a smirk while my eyes light up with my victory. There is nothing anyone can do now to stop me or this from happening.

I stare out of my bedroom window at the city's lights. A slight fog has moved in and has wrapped the evening lights in a faint haze.

My grip tightens around my phone, waiting for the answer I know is coming.

A woman happily chimes, "Yes, ma'am. Everything is set and done exactly how you have requested, down to the changing rooms. But can I ask why you requested for changing rooms? Usually, they aren't needed because the people come dressed appropriately for the event."

A sinister laugh spills from me.

They only know a portion of what I have planned. If they knew everything, she wouldn't be asking me such a question. She would understand why I'm requesting for the changing rooms.

I shake my head. "You will understand once the event starts. I'm not going to say right now, but there is a reason. Now, do you have the bottle of wine lined up? I need to make sure it is exactly what I've requested."

Actually, the wine doesn't matter. I just need a bottle of something in the room, so we can celebrate. But I'll make it special.

Once he drinks it, there will be nothing he can do to get away from me. He will fall into my trap and be at my mercy.

I'll make him mine.

***

Jane POV

Why aren't they responding? I figured Tae and Tee would have had questions after I've sent them everything about the event.

Something about this feels off, but I still haven't been able to put my finger on it.

I glance down at my phone laying in the middle of my desk, wishing for a message or a phone call from either of them. But it remains silent.

Ring...ring...ring...

I jolt upright in my chair and nearly squeal in happiness, but it soon fades when I see an unidentified number flash across the screen.

Dang it.

Irritated and deflated, I snatch up my phone. "Hello. This is Jane. How may I help you?"

The line goes silent.

I quickly pull it away and make sure the call hasn't ended. But it hasn't.

I tilt my head and ask, "Who is this? Did you need to talk to me, or did you accidentally call the wrong number?"

Silence.

My eyebrows furrow together.

With each passing second, my frustrations grow. Why isn't the person responding to me?

I take a deep breath and hiss, "Who are you, and what do you want? If you aren't going to answer, I'm hanging up."

A woman's voice stutters, "W.Wait."

With the one word, I can hear her fear and desperation.

Controlling my growing irritation, I calmly ask, "What do you want?"

She pauses for a moment and timidly replies, "I have some information you might like to know."

I raise an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Published January 6, 2023