Fame and Shame

Chapter 5

We arrive at the restaurant and give in our names to the pretty hostess. Our seats are under the most elegant chandelier I have ever seen. I take my seat without West's help and cross my legs to give off a confident vibe.

"What would you like to drink mam?" The woman politely enquires as I take a quick glance at the drink menu.

"I will have a Belvedere whiskey on the rocks please." I say with a composed tone although I am dying for a drink. West's eyes fall on me and the confusion is almost palpable.

"I will have the same," he announces.

She nods and walks away briskly. Now I notice that me and West only have one another to talk to for the rest of the night. Great, what could go wrong.

"So you mentioned you had a boyfriend back at home? Why didn't you try to make it work long distance?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but I actually just prefer to be on my own. So I saw it as an opportunity to break it off and move on."

"Wouldn't it be logical to stay single in the first place?"

"In hindsight yes, but everyone was starting to think I was an asexual freak. It settled the rumours and malicious gossip which was my intention. I don't regret it, Jonah was the perfect gentleman, just not the one."

"The one?" He looks puzzled as he waits for my response.

"You know, the one..."

"Please feel free to elaborate Aubrey because I'm not that quick." I hesitate, making sure I know how to explain how amazing the 'one' is.

"In simple terms, it's the one who makes you laugh when all you want to do is cry. They make you motivated when you're in a rut. They break through your walls as your building another one taller than the previous one. The person...that when they enter the room, it's like, everything in your life halts, because compared to that person; it's all insignificant."

"You seem to know the feeling well."

"I read too many romantics clearly. Just ignore me." My cheeks burn with embarassment at my irreversible exposure. Thankfully, my humiliation is pushed aside by a waiter with our whiskeys. I quickly retrieve the drink and thank the waiter briskly.

"So you like whiskey?" I am grateful for him changing the subject of conversation.

"Expensive taste apparently. It isn't a favourite, I just enjoy anything strong, harsh and high in terms of alcohol percentage. Anyway, more about you, I'm just a PA."

"What would you like to know? Ask me anything." Ofcourse his confidence makes it seem like a challenge rather than an invitation. Challenge accepted.

"Have you ever dated for love, or have they all been for money or publicity?"

"The latter." His answer holds hostility, I choose to ignore it.

"That's kinda sad actually. How old are you now?"

"Not that it is any of your business, I am 24."

"Hm. I guess I thought you were a little older."

"Sorry to disappoint." I examine the menu and feel relieved when I catch the waiter approaching. We both order a few starters to pick at before the main meals.

"Who were you on the phone to before?"

"My best friend, Jake."

"Ok."

~~

"Wow, those spring rolls were so good. Man, I need those more often." West just laughs a little and I'm not sure why.
"What are you laughing at?"

"You sounded very American then Aubrey. Usually your accent isn't that strong but I think the NYC came out in you then. It was funny but nice."

"Well thankyou. Anyway let's get the bill and get home, it's already 9 o'clock."

"Don't you want to go to a nightclub like you said?"

"Not tonight I'm really not in the mood to get wasted and be hit on by randomers." West raises his hand to the waiter and asks for the bill. I reach down and pull my purse out my bag.

"How much will-"

"I got this Aubrey. As my PA you don't have to pay for anything." I am cut off mid sentence.

"That's lovely thanks. However your not paying everytime I don't care if I'm your PA or not."

"Stubborn as ever Miss Berry."

"Better than a pushover Mr West."

West pays the bill and takes my hand as we walk out. I find it weird but don't pull away just because I guess I trust him.

"Prepare yourself Aubrey." Before I can ask him what the hell he means we exit the restaurant into chaos. I cannot figure what is louder; the screaming fans or screaming paparazzi.

West puts his arm around me and basically carries me to the limo which I appreciate considering all the flashing lights but I don't mind them as such. Dylan opens the door for me and I dive in, followed by the weight of West behind me.

"Sorry 'bout that love."

"The paparazzi or squishing me?"

"Both ofcourse."

We laugh and Dylan drives us back to West's home. I never thought I would consider West Riley's house as my home.

As always Dylan opens my door for me whilst West gets out and walks inside. I follow slowly behind although he seems to ignore my existence for a few minutes.

"I'm going to go for a cigarette. Do you want one?" I try to break the silence.

"Yeah sure. I suppose we should probably have the talk now."

Instead of enquiring I simply guide him outside and take a seat on the outdoor sofa. I hand him a cigarette as he sits down and after he has lit his own he lights mine for me.

"So Aubrey you will probably feel slightly suffocated after all those people surrounded you. They just want a story and that is you now because they will presume we are dating. You can either play along if it's easier or you can just ignore it completely until they see me with another girl at a party. However you want to handle it is fine. It happens a lot with my PAs because it's a good scandal for them."

"First of all, I'm fine. What happened just then didn't scare me because I don't care. They can take pictures if that's what they want and they can write up a stupid story if that's what they want. I'm happy just to carry on as we are. I think it seems to bother you more than me West."

I wait for an answer or smart remark but instead I'm met with a smile.
"You're so different. Unfazed by the world around you."

"The word you're looking for is weird and is it a bad thing?"

"Not at all. Also I want to apologise about the call with Jake, I just don't deal with rejection very well so I was trying to act like I didn't care."

"It's OK but I definately need to meet this Jake."

"You will, he's coming for a little insignificant meeting tomorrow but we will probably just chill and have a drink before it. He's nothing like me. He actually is the antithesis of me."

"Well we will see."

I finish my cigarette and get up to go inside.

"Good night love."

"Good night."