An Unforeseen Turn of Events

Chapter Eleven

Ryan Monti exited Buddy's office feeling much lighter than when he entered. He gazed up at the sky. It was the first time he took a moment to appreciate the clear sunny day. No sign of clouds. The city of Los Angeles was buzzing with traffic and pedestrians. Wearing his Lakers baseball cap low and Ray-Ban sunglasses, Ryan once again appreciated everyday life. In fact, he felt reborn. The inner turmoil and conflict raging inside of him the last twenty-four hours had dissipated. Life finally seemed back to normal. He trusted Buddy when he told him this was probably a prank and nothing to worry about.

He headed down the stairs and hurried to the parking garage while contemplating calling Megan. He had been wanting to try that new Italian restaurant everyone was raving about and what better chance than when feelings of relief calmed his rushing heartbeat?

Once he entered his car, he pressed Megan's number.

"Hello?" she said into the phone. There was a lot of background noise. He had forgotten she was at a trade show soliciting clients for her investment company.

"Hi, it's Ryan. Looks like I caught you at a hectic time," he apologized. "Wondering if you'd like to have dinner tonight but we can go into details later."

"It is very hectic and the answer is yes. Call me back in a few hours."

"Sure thing, hon. Speak to you later," he said and hung up.

Before starting the engine, he rested his head on the headrest and thought about all the protection he and his girlfriends have used over the years. A possible pregnancy? No way! Never happened.

He tried to reassure himself that the good fortune he had experienced all his life would hold.

***

Watching Megan leave her apartment wearing her black leather miniskirt, Ryan was aroused by her perfectly shaped legs. In fact, viewing her long legs never failed to arouse his most ardent sexual desires.

Her thick blond mane was neatly coiffed in a chignon. Her clear oval-shaped blue eyes were her most striking feature. And that tall, slim body—she would look great even if she were wearing rags.

That letter that had consumed his every waking moment had disappeared from his mind.

Ryan, leaning on his Maserati, surveyed her as she came over and kissed him.

"How are you?" he asked, staring into her luminous eyes. He didn't know what perfume she was wearing, but the strawberry-infused scent made him desire to wrap his arms around her and consume her mouth.

She sighed and blew a strand of hair hanging on her forehead. "Another busy day at the office."

"You'd never know it by looking at you. Fresh and beautiful, as always."

Megan smiled as she took his arm. "I'm anxious to try this new restaurant."

"I've heard great reviews. I only hope you won't be disappointed.

She stared up into his eyes and said, "I'm never disappointed when I'm with you."

Ryan opened the passenger door for her. "I want this to be extra special. I know your birthday's coming up and I don't know if I'll be in town to celebrate with you."

Her smile disappeared. "But I wanted you there at the party. I need you there. This is a traumatic birthday for me."

"Because you're turning 25?" he asked.

Megan nodded. "Just think. In another 25 years, I'll be 50. How scary is that?"

"But I'm closer to that age than you are."

He didn't wait for her to answer but gently closed her door. As he swung around to the driver's side, a dark mood overcame him. Would he still maintain his box-office appeal at 50? Each time he went to get his hair colored, he noticed more grey hairs. He often studied himself in the bathroom mirror. What about those wrinkles under his eyes? His agent kept reassuring him make-up would conceal them. But how deep will those wrinkles get?

Ryan used to poke fun of people who kept getting plastic surgery. But what if he needed it and the media noticed a change in his appearance? Would he then be the subject of late-night show jokes?

He heard plastic surgery is addictive. He was afraid he would end up like Michael Jackson, a distorted caricature of his former self.

By the time he opened the driver's car door and plopped down, disheartened by these future prospects, he had forgotten Megan brought up the subject.

"But it's a lot easier for men than it is for women," she commented. He turned to her and was at a loss what she was talking about. He didn't want to appear disinterested, so he asked her, "Why?"

"Sometimes, men look more handsome as they age, sexier and more sophisticated, but men just notice the wrinkles, extra fat, and grey hair on women. They're no longer considered desirable."

"Honey, I bet that won't happen to you. Look at Christie Brinkley."

"And would you consider dating her?"

Ryan took a breath and said, "I don't think we'd have anything in common. She's been married and has grown kids. What would we talk about?"

With that he turned on the stereo and focused all his concentration on pulling out into the main road.

Megan began to speak but Ryan cut her off.

"So I hear the pasta carbonara is particularly good there. So's their Caesar salad. I know you'll appreciate that after a hard day at work."

Ryan turned on the music a little louder.

"So where is the location of this movie you're starring in?" Megan had to shout over the music.

Ryan relaxed his shoulders and his body loosened up. Glad they were off that subject, he turned the music volume lower.

"If I decide to sign on to this role, it's probably going to be shot somewhere in New England. I hope it'll be in Connecticut because I have a penthouse in New York City."

"How long will you be there?"

She spoke in such a low tone that Ryan had to turn to her. He noticed her eyes moistening.

"What did you say, honey?"

"How long will you be there?"

"Oh, about nine months, but don't worry," he reassured her as he smoothed her cheek. "I'll be back and forth and you can come and visit me."

When Ryan looked over, Megan was rubbing her hands on her knees. "I already used up all my vacation time. We spent one week in Europe and one week in the Bahamas."

"Then I'll come back here every chance I get," he promised.

"I know you will. Your parents are here," she replied, turning to gaze out the passenger window.

They drove in silence for the rest of the way to the restaurant.