CHAPTER 2
Wow. My head feels like a ton of bricks fell on it and a sledgehammer finished the job. I’m not much of a drinker and I blame my one time alcoholic indulgence on the best friend. On cue, his call comes in. “Babe…you up?”
I groggily answered, “Not really.”
He continued, “Listen, I know you’re on vacation but can you please come over today?”
Me: “Uhmmm…..”
Babe: “I really need you right now.”
Me: “Oh… okay. Be there in 15.”
Babe: “Great! Have I told you I love you?”
Me: “All the time.”
Babe: “You’re the best!”
And there you have it. He calls me and I come running. Tells me to jump and I ask how high. It’s not so bad. It’s not his fault I’m totally in love with him. He doesn’t know. I took great pains not to show it. It seems like he’s a total slave driver when we’re at work but when it’s just the two of us, he can be very sweet.
Let me tell you something about him. He knows his fashion. And mine. As a matter of fact, I’m a clause in his clothing contract. Due to his top star status, he demands and they deliver. There are worse primadonnas than him with a lot less talent. Technically, I’m his personal assistant but you’d never know it if you saw me first and introduced to later on. I asked him about it and he said, “If you look good, I’d look even better. It’s all about the image.” Who am I to argue?
Also, he’s a big baby. I love taking caring of him, of feeling needed. The official bio says that his mother is in the States. That unfortunately is not true. He has no one. Extended relations are quite sketchy even to me. He doesn’t want to talk about it and I don’t ask. Actually, I’m the one with family in the States. I live alone. No one nags me about my irregular work hours. I’m up when he’s up. I have my days off when his schedule is free.
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When I arrived at his house, he met me at the door. Grinning like he’s Santa himself minus the jolly beard, the paunch and the ubiquitous red suit he hands me a ticket. “This is for you.”
“What is it?”
“From the looks of it, a ticket?”
“Very funny, I meant, what for?”
“A present. Yesterday was as much your anniversary as mine. I’m still here because of you.”
”Awww. You shouldn’t have. Is this a bribe for leaving me all alone last night when you promised you wouldn’t? You’re not gonna get off it that easy. I told you I didn’t want to go but you forced me. You didn’t need me there.” Aargh! That sounded like a whine even to me and I hate it.
“You know how this industry works, babe. I’m not invincible. I have to shake the right hands, smile the right way, make them feel they are cool people too. Talent can only get you so far. Do you think I’m the greatest actor this side of the planet? I can name three more. They’re just waiting, always waiting. Star making projects are always offered to me first. Why? Because my smooching abilities are incomparable. I take care of them and they take care of me. I got game and I know how to play it.”
“You’re right but it didn’t make any difference whether or not I was there. I even got stared down by Chloe! Honestly, I don’t blame her. What’s a PA like me doing there? I’ve had more fun in your fan club meets.”
“I wanted YOU to be there more than anyone else. End of story.”
When he punctuates discussions with an ‘end-of-story’ line, it really is. A monologue on my part however persuasive, does not, a conversation make. Moving on to another topic, I asked, “You coming too?”
“Nope. It’s Papa’s annual medical check-up. But do enjoy yourself, all expenses paid.”
I turned away before he saw the world of hurt in my eyes. More like Papa knew about this particular gift and conveniently moved the check up to coincide with mine.
He continued, “So, uhm… How was the party last night?”
“The drinks were great, especially the Sake bomb. Bushwhacker wasn’t so bad either. If I didn’t have to drive myself home, I’d probably have gone through the bar. I really wanted to try the foie gras or the escargot but the parliamentary wives were docked there like beached whales. Good thing most were diabetics so they left the truffle ice cream alone. It’s not everyday I get to eat fancy foods like that. I should have told the caterer to set aside a little bit of everything for me.”
“Look, I’m really sorry for leaving you alone like that last night. I planned to take you home after but Papa called saying it was an emergency. You know how he is. Order every food you missed last night on your vacation. It’s a VVIP reservation. What I’m asking you is if there were any clowns or nutcases bothering you last night other than the usual.”
Suddenly, a smoldering Mr. GQ with the indecent proposal floated in my mind. I thought, Bozo no. HOT and BOTHERED? Yes! But it strangely felt like a betrayal to admit to it so I said, “None and if there were, I can handle it. You should have seen me, I was practically a wallflower in that party. It was excruciating. No one notices a wallflower, let alone bothers it.” Why did I lie about that guy Dex? And before I can stop myself, “Did Chloe say anything?”
He looked sharply at me and said, “No she didn’t. So something did happen. What was it?” he was now looking very closely at me like. Scrutinizing every word I’m about to say.
“Nothing! Just Chloe being Chloe. I swear all your exes hating me, I don’t get it. You really should try dating mature women.” I managed to reply without looking very guilty.
“Ahhh… But those women have different kinds of expectations like a long-term commitment, a ring, a baby. Next thing you know, I’m in PTA. Besides, I barely have enough time for a serious relationship. I’m better off with Chloe types. A bauble after the affair and it’s finished.”
“Bulgari’s hardly a bauble. .......What the…? This ticket says 6 pm, today! Why didn’t you tell me yesterday or last month or when you bought this thing. It’s the Bahamas! I would have starved myself on soda crackers and water just to don a maillot. I hate you!”
“The navy blue one piece swimsuit with gold accents from my Milan trip is very elegant. I bought it thinking of you. Wear it and send me a photo.”
“Whatever! Elegance is for the ball. I want shmexy. Fine! I’ll have a blast without you and maybe a fling while I’m at it. Bye baby. See you next week!” And I left him, a worried little frown marring his picture-perfect face.
