Tattered Beauty (Watty Awards 2011)

Chapter 25

I dedicate this chapter to LuvPinkTwilight, who reads every chapter and comments/votes. I appreciate her support greatly :)

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Chapter 25

“Five minutes, Mr. King, Miss Jameson.” A producer banged on our dressing room door. I was sitting in the makeup chair having another layer of foundation airbrushed onto my face. It was going to be my first time on television, and I planned on looking my best. I had to try my best, especially when I was sitting next to someone as beautiful as Daniel. We were doing a basic, live interview with somebody from the E! network. Nothing extravagant or over-the-top; just a couple in love talking about their lives with some reporter. Never mind the fact that it would be broadcasted across the country: millions of viewers.

            “Nervous for your first interview, love?” Daniel asked me. He was spinning around in the adjacent makeup chair. He was wearing a cardigan, dark denim jeans, and his wide-rimmed reading glasses. He was going for nerd chic. Yes, he did succeed. I wore a basic violet dress that sunk into a deep V-neck in the front. Daniel’s mother had bought it for me the other day; why not wear it on the air?

            I peeked at him through one eye, as makeup was being brushed on the other. “I am fine right now.”

            “It’s just going to be broadcasted to so many people, you know. And there’s no way to edit it out if you screw up. Or you know, if your boob falls out or something.” I glared at him open mouthed. “What? You know it could happen!”

            “If I’m doing jumping jacks, maybe! I’ll be sitting on a couch with you answering questions. My boobs are in place.”

            “Did you tape them in there?” The makeup artist asked me suddenly.

            “What?”

            She stepped back and looked at me. “You know, clothing tape? You use this invisible tape and it keeps them in place. Models use it on the runway all the time.” She explained. She gestured to her own top, which she was about to fall out of. “How do you think I keep these reigned into clothing?”

            Thankfully the producer entered just in time to save us from the awkward conversation brewing. Sorry random makeup lady, I’m afraid we’ll have to discuss our breast issues another day. Can you tell I was totally disappointed? Hint: I wasn’t.

            When we entered the fair sized room, a young girl was waiting for us. She jumped up immediately. “Hi! I’m Steph—Stephanie, sorry. You can call me whatever. Doesn’t matter!” She was short, lucky to reach five two. She had curly brown hair and brown eyes, and looked like she was fresh out of high school. Steph looked completely star struck by Daniel. Me? Not so much. Luckily for her, I didn’t take it personally.

            “Hello there, Stephanie. I’m Daniel, and this is my lovely girlfriend, Hailey.” Daniel took the initiative to introduce us both.

            Her eyes flickered to me for a brief moment before going back to him. “Oh, I know.” She laughed again; it was a combination of nervousness and excitement. “Go ahead and sit down, and let’s get started, okay?”

            We plopped down on the tan colored suede couch across from Steph. “How old are you, Steph?” I mustered up the courage to ask.

            “Twenty-two.”

            Shocker. “Just wondering.”

            “Okay then!” She waited for the camera man to start rolling, and then began. “We’re here with Daniel King and his girlfriend Hailey Jameson this morning for their first on camera interview together. So guys, how long have you been dating?”

            “A little over three months now.” Daniel answered for me. I hoped he wasn’t going to wear the pants through the whole interview. I’d get the next question.

            “That’s a while in celebrity-time. How did you two meet?”

            “I was crossing the street and he hit me with his car.” I blurted out to beat him to it. I sounded like an idiot.  “In his defense, I wasn’t really paying attention. But he took me to the hospital and got me all patched up. That night was our very first date.”

            Another nervous slash excited laugh. “Daniel!  Well, maybe that’s the new way to get into somebody’s heart, you never know, right?” Steph said. “Are there any wedding bells going to be going off anytime soon?” Her eyes were hopeful—maybe she’d get a wedding invite—and also hateful—she had fantasies of marrying him herself.

            “Not for awhile, I should think.” Daniel answered.

            “Sure you doing want to claim me before somebody else whisks me away?” I teased.

            Daniel replied thoughtfully, “Is that a real threat?” he laughed. “I guess it is. I mean look at her, isn’t she beautiful? And I love her with all my heart and soul, and I want to keep her for a long time. I guess it is just a matter of time.”

            Me? Getting married? Hell, I wasn’t even twenty yet! But marrying Daniel? Yeah, I’d be pretty secure in life. I loved him too, a lot actually. Even if we did end in divorce, financially I would be alright. No more street living for this girl. “Put a ring on it anytime, babe.”

            “So, Daniel, what’s one thing that drives you crazy about your future fiancée?” Steph asked, changing the subject. I’m guessing our cute couple-y banter wasn’t what the audience wanted to see.

            Daniel sighed. “She’s a major perfectionist, this one is.” He nudged my shoulder playfully. “I’ve never seen her look anything but her best…ever. Even when she was bleeding in the street after I hit her with my car, she still looked great. I think I’d like to see her looking a little more…natural.”

            I laughed at him, “Ha, funny. I’m totally not.”

            “You are, Hailey. Admit it.”

            “Whatever. Do I get the same question?” I launched into the answer without waiting for a response. “Daniel is such…a celebrity. He’s so wrapped up in his safe little penthouses; I don’t think he’d survive a day in the wild.”

            “I so could!” He protested loudly. “I will prove it to you!”

            “Daniel, if we went camping together, I would be the one fending wild bears off of us and building a fire.”

            “What would I do then?”

            I smirked, “You would be the one sitting inside complaining about how cold it was and demanding your caviar.”

            Steph interrupted our argument. “I have a cabin over in Oregon. It’s not as extravagant as you guys are probably used to having. It’s just wooden logs and wood floors. It has a fireplace and indoor bathroom, but that’s about it. It’s in the middle of the woods. You all could use it for a week if you wanted…” She suggested. Perfect.

            “That sounds excellent.”

            “Sounds positively swell. We’ll leave tomorrow.” Daniel stated.

            “Tomorrow I’m going to show you what a pansy you really are.” I smiled at the camera one last time, before we finally went off air.