A Famous Affair

A Famous Affair chapter 3

Room 17A is a welcome sight. Using my key, I quickly let myself in.
"There you are, Jess, I was beginning to think you had forgotten all about me." Lydia says with a welcoming hug. Her dark, short, and very sexy hair is immaculate as always. It's a pixie crop with longer layers on top. Her dark brown, deer-like eyes are fabulously accentuated with lashings of the darkest mascara.
"Lydia, you look amazing." She's wearing black satin trousers with a fitted, yellow chiffon shirt. The canary yellow shirt with her sultry dark hair and eyes are a marriage of sophistication.
"So, how was your journey down, Jess?" Lydia asks.
"Great, thanks. Although, the events in the hallway just now are far more interesting," I say with animated arms.
"Mmmmm, do tell." Lydia has an eyebrow, which always arches when she is interested. Right on cue, her brow is raised high, wanting me to divulge all.
"Well, I was coming out of the lift and I literally bump into Jonny Riley, whose beast of a bodyguard then pushes me out the way. Furious, I have a right go at him in front of Mr. Drop Dead Gorgeous. Then these girls begin to scream, one of them faints and it ends with Jonny Riley asking me my name." My over-enthusiastic re-telling leaves me breathless.
"Hang on a minute, Jonny Riley, the actor is here . . . in this hotel?" Lydia's mouth is wide open as are her dramatic, almost theatrical eyes.
"He sure is," I reply.
"The Jonny Riley of Secrets of Lypiatt Hall and Whispers at Lypiatt Hall?" she asks.
"Yes, indeed . . . that Jonny Riley."
Lydia's frown deepens, her eyes widen. "The one who is always in the magazines?"
"Yes!" I reply in annoyance.
"THE Jonny Riley who is also on our shag list?" Lydia continues with her questions, her eyes almost bulging out of her head.
"The very same . . . yes!" I tell her, again.
"And you have only gone and bumped into him?"
I nod enthusiastically. "Literally, I nearly fell over as I did so, it was that bloody hard."
"And there was me getting all creamy knickered over a delightful little handbag that I've just bought in Selfridges," Lydia pouts, plumping herself down onto the bed.
"Lydia, he is so, so gorgeous, even better in the flesh," I sigh at the mere thought of him.
She wickedly smirks. "Anything is better in the flesh, darling."
I purse my lips, tilting my head. "I really laid into his bodyguard called Beef."
"That is funny, a bodyguard called Beef . . . love it," Lydia laughs loudly. "So, what exactly did this Beef guy do to upset you then, Jess?"
"He bloody pushed me out the way, that's what. He practically told me to keep my hands to myself; like I was some crazy fan trying to touch up Jonny Riley."
"But did you, Jessica Neel? Did you try and have a quick grope?" Lydia has her head thrown back, she's laughing that much.
Unimpressed, I put my hands on both my hips. "Cheeky cow, no I did not! You would have been very proud with just how composed I actually was." I tell her with my head held high.
"I bet you wished you had now though, don't you?" Lydia questions as she stupidly waggles her eyebrows.
I demurely grin at my knowing friend, who is by now hysterically giggling around on the bed. "He is rather scrummy . . . oh, shit, I sound just like the girl in the hallway now," I giggle at the wholly ridiculous situation.
"What happened?" Lydia asks, trying to suppress her hysterics.
"These two young girls saw him and went hysterical. The one girl fainted and all the other girl was interested in was getting it all on her phone. She even asked for his autograph while he was trying to bring her friend round. It was bloody hilarious," I laugh.
Lydia walks into the bathroom, preening herself in front of the mirror. "So, why did the insanely gorgeous Jonny Riley want to know your name?" she asks.
I hadn't even stopped to consider this . . . why did Jonny Riley want to know my name?
Shrugging my shoulders and shaking my head, I answer. "I don't know, Lydia. All he did say was that they were lost, that they were wanting floor three, and that bumping into me on floor two made it more pleasant."
"Christ, was he flirting with you, Jess?" Lydia, yet again, has her theatrical eyes on me, almost begging for an answer.
"I wouldn't go that far, just being charming, I think. These famous peeps are probably always acting. Besides, Jonny Riley could have whomever he wanted any day of the week. Why on Earth would he be flirting with me? He was probably a bit bored and needed his ego boosted for a second or something? Besides, I'm a married woman; married women do not throw themselves at celebrities, Lydia Mason," I say firmly.
"Hey, don't put yourself down, Jessica. You are gorgeous . . . very married . . . but gorgeous all the same."
"You've just reminded me, I must quickly call Shawn before we go to these meetings. Do we still only have the two before the convention?" I ask, grabbing my phone.
"Indeed we do Jessica, just quickies with new contacts. The Merrett Brothers and Ecosively For You are new sellers of traditional and fair trade toys. Then, it's schmoozing, darling, with as many buyers and sellers as possible at the convention."
"Any plans for tonight?" I eagerly ask.
"Not as yet, I thought we could see what the night may bring?" Lydia has a spring in her step. She can be ruthless in business, but she has a naughty, playful side to her, which men absolutely adore. She has never married, but has been engaged five times. It would take a special man indeed to tame Lydia Mason.
"Right then, I will call Shawn now and then we can make a start." I walk into the bathroom to check how I look. I dial my home number, all the while digging into my make-up bag, trying to retrieve my blusher and brush.
"Hi, Hun, I have arrived safe and sound," I cheerfully tell Shawn.
"Hi, Babe, glad to hear it. So, what's The Broadway Tower like?" he asks.
"It's fabulous, very chic. I almost feel too scared to sit down anywhere, in case I make a mess." I hear Shawn's homely, throaty laugh.
"I have tea all prepared, so don't you worry that we are going to starve whilst you are away."
"Good, I wouldn't want to be accused of neglect . . . Listen, I better make a move, Hun, as we have our first meeting in a bit. Give my love to the girls and I will see you tomorrow . . . love you," I affectionately tell him.
"Love you, too, Babe."
I quickly apply my rose blusher, my lipgloss, plus sleek myself down. Perfect . . . time to be professional, Mrs. Neel.