A Rock & Roll Romance

Chapter Seventeen

"Oh stop!! You did not." Gina said giggling holding her glass of wine, the four were sat at an elegantly laid table on a terrace overlooking the beautiful scenery of the lake. They had a private area provided to them because of who Johnny was. The group were just awaiting their main courses to be cleared away when Meghan had been asked by Stephen how many of Johnny's films she had actually seen. "My brother was obsessed. I think we saw the first one three times at the movies, it kept us quiet over summer vacation I guess." "I love that." Stephen smiled. "Well yeah I did too, but my brother thought he was Will Turner and constantly tried to rescue me. I told him on many occasions I did NOT need rescuing." Johnny smiled puffing on his cigarette, before blowing the smoke away from the table. "I can tell that about you. You're more a Carina or Angelica aren't you, fiercely independent?" Gina asked and Meghan nodded smirking. "Oh my god yes.. although I can't compare myself to Penelope.. jeez she's just out of this world isn't she?" Meghan said sipping her wine. "You're telling me." Stephen said jokingly earning wide eyes from his wife making Johnny smile.

The group finished their dinner and all put up a fight against Johnny paying but he insisted. They stood to leave and the only exit was through the busy restaurant, they did so, carefully navigating around the many tables. Johnny gently guided Meghan with a hand on her lower back when he was stopped "Excuse me.. I'm terribly sorry to bother you Mr Depp. It's just your story helped my daughter terribly so, she was stuck in a horrendous relationship with a horrid man. He abused her for 8 years, and by your story coming out, and your truth being heard she found the strength to leave him and press charges. Thank you." The woman smiled placing a hand on Johnny's forearm comfortingly. He embraced her gently and smiled "Wow, thank you Mam, I'm glad some good came of it, wish her well for me won't you?" The woman nodded and turned to see Meghan stood to the side. "My goodness you are stunning, aren't you? What are you a model?" Meghan's eyes widened. "God no." She replied smiling. "Oh you see I don't keep you with showbiz or you trendy people, but you certainly look like you could be." "Well that's very kind of you, thank you." Meghan said sweetly. "I bet you're a good egg. Take good care of this man won't you." The woman said before returning to her dinner, making Meghan furrow her eyebrows. Did the woman just assume they were together? How strange.

The group arrived back at the house late, and both Gina and Meghan immediately kicked off their heels. "Sorry to be a party pooper but I'm gonna hit bed. It's been a long day." Gina said hugging both Meghan and Johnny. "Yeah I'm gonna go too. Night guys. See you when I'm back from dropping G at the airport ok?" Stephen added. The remaining two nodded. "Safe trip Gina, and I'll call you Tuesday afternoon as planned?" "Sure thing Megs. Reach out if you need me ok?"

"Drink?" Johnny asked sweetly as the pair headed into the living room. "Please." "Ahh man we are out of whiskey... I'll get them to top it up tomorrow. There's wine?" "Sure sounds good. Whatever you're having." Johnny smiled and poured two glasses of red wine before handing one to her. She sat on the couch careful not to expose herself in her bodycon dress but still tucking her legs under her at the same time. She pushed her hair off her face, the long brunette tresses fell down her back. Johnny stood and sipped the drink, he had the sudden urge to run his fingers through her mane of hair, and he had to take another sip to rid the thought from his mind. Where had that come from he wondered. "So the children may come and visit you said?" "Oh yes, well they are in school in LA but on occasion we have to home educate when travelling or working so we may do that. To be honest, I don't like disturbing them too much, they already sacrifice so much for who their mother and I am" Meghan smiled. "I get that. They are such normal grounded kids though aren't they? I mean you see some famous offspring always in the papers and stuff, but what I see about them they are always so well put together and well.. normal." Johnny smiled "Thank you, they are my world, I just want the best for them."

Meghan's phone rang from her clutch bag and she quickly grabbed it. "Ahhhh" she said throwing her head back. "What?" Johnny asked curiously. "My mother." "Please do take it, I'll excuse myself." "No don't be silly I won't be long."
"Mum."
"Darling.."
"Mum its late."
"No don't be silly, it's only mid afternoon in LA. I checked."
"Mum! I'm in Italy, you know that!"
"Oh goodness yes of course. Anyway. We are in Hawaii!"
"Hawaii? Why? The last time you messaged you said you were in Mauritius."
"We got bored. Anyway we've flown to Hawaii for a break, you know just rest and relaxation.."
Meghan rolled her eyes, her mother had been touring the world for the past however many years, surely that was the definition of rest and relaxation.
"Right.. what's that got to do with me?" Meghan asked curtly.
"Well your brother, the kind man that he is, he's offered to fly you all down to see me."
"Well as I said, I'm in Italy. Working."
"Well can't you come back?"
"No I can't just come back. I only arrived yesterday. And what do I say to my boss? Oh sorry Mum wants me to rest and relax in Hawaii?" This earned an odd look from Johnny.
"Darling I've not seen you in over a year."
"Well it's not my fault, you're too spontaneous."
"Don't take that tone with me young lady."
"Mum I'm sorry but I can't make it."
"Oh I am disappointed, and Ian will be too. He wanted to see you,"
Meghan rolled her eyes once more, her step father didn't want to see her, as far as he was concerned she was an inconvenience for having an opinion and a life.
"Maybe next time Mum."
"Ok darling, well can you call your brother and let him know you won't come."
"It's not that I don't want to Mum, it's the fact I can't. I've got my dream job right now in a beautiful location. Why can't you be proud of me?"
"Oh I am sweetie I am. You're gonna smash the make up!"
"Content mother!"
"That's what I meant. I better go. We've got massages booked. Love you."
"Yeah love you Mum."

Meghan hung up and threw her phone further down the couch.

"All ok?" Johnny asked curiously sitting beside her. "Yeah just my mother, in Hawaii and naturally wants everyone to drop everything to go see her. "Well.. are you?" "Am I what?" "Gonna drop everything and go see her?" "No, god no." "Why not?" "Ummm because I'm working here?" "You know I would give you time off." "That's not the point. I don't want special treatment because my mother is selfish and doesn't plan anything." "Ok well the offer is there." "Sorry Johnny I am grateful, thank you. Really, it means a lot. It's just I don't want to see her. I can't deal with her right now, another lecture of how my life is a mess and I've failed another great relationship." Johnny smiled sympathetically and tapped her thigh. "You've not failed. You're doing amazing. I wish I had my life as well put together at your age." Meghan smiled and sipped her wine. "How is it you always know what to say?" Johnny shrugged "intuition?" She smiled and leaned into lean her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, again for everything." "Not a problem doll."