AS I GET READY FOR TONIGHT’S PARTY, I realize it’s been three weeks since Giovanna came into my world. I almost don’t remember what things were like before meeting her. I fix my hair in the mirror as I think about her smile. I always think about her. Constantly. I feel like I’m really getting to know her. She lets me in even when she doesn’t want to.
I wish I was able to talk her into coming tonight. She’s right to decline, knowing that I would probably kiss her if I had a chance, but fuck, I’m tired of hiding. I would love to tell the world about her. To show them what a great person she is. She’d have my balls if I let it slip that we’re together. She’s definitely not open to that. Not yet anyway.
I sigh and put on my blazer. The only place I want to be right now is lying in Giovanna’s bed. Instead, I have to go and smile and talk movies all night to the press. Oh well, part of the job. Time to put on a show.
AFTER STRIPPING OFF MY SUIT, I climb into bed, pick up my phone, and dial my girl.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey, Beautiful. How was your night?”
“Fine.” She laughs. “Boring as fuck.”
“Mine too. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“I could be there in a few minutes if you want.”
“It’s best if you don’t come.”
“Why?” She’s silent, and I wonder if something is wrong. “Gio? You okay?”
“I’m dying my hair, and I have avocado mask all over my face.”
I laugh. “I bet that’s a sight.”
“One you don’t need to witness.”
“So that’s how you keep your skin so fucking amazing?”
“The secret is out.”
“Well, I’ll give you the night off. Rest up because tomorrow it’s on.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I pause, overwhelmed by what I’m really thinking.
“Are you there?” she asks.
“Oh yeah. I’m here. Night, Beautiful.”
“Night, Movie Star.”
I turn off my light and close my eyes for some much needed sleep.
“ANTONIO?”
I’m jarred awake by the knocking on my door.
“Antonio?”
What the fuck? Grabbing my robe to cover myself, I stumble to the door and open it to see Yasmin standing there.
“What?”
“Can I come in?”
“Why?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“About?”
“The movie.”
I sigh and rub my head. “Fine. I was sleeping.”
“Sorry. It couldn’t wait until morning.”
I sit on the edge of my bed, trying to wake up. “What?”
She unties her coat and lets it drop to the floor, revealing the fact that she wears nothing. Nothing but heels. Fuck. Really?
“Put your coat on, Yasmin. This is ridiculous.”
“You know you want me.”
“I know that I don’t want you.” I turn away. I don’t even want to look at her. “You need to go back to your room.”
“Not until we work this out.”
“There is nothing to work out.”
“Come on, Tone. We’ve been fighting this for years. Why don’t you just give in to me?”
“Go, Yasmin. I don’t have time for this shit.”
“Antonio,” she says, grabbing her very fake breasts. “You want this. I can be everything you need.”
At that point, I realize she’s drunk and this isn’t going to go well. How can I get her out of my room without causing a scene? I stand up and walk toward her, which gives her the wrong idea. She throws herself on me and tries to kiss me. I push her off.
“Stop it.”
She reaches through my robe trying to grab my junk.
“What the fuck, Yas.” I push her back. “You need to get the fuck out of my room. I don’t want you now. I’ve never wanted you. I never will. We are coworkers, nothing more. You need to set your sights on someone else.”
She lowers her head and starts to cry. Great.
“Why?” she cries. “Why not me?”
“It’s just not there for me, Yasmin. I’m sorry, but it’s not.”
“You’re fucking the shop girl, aren’t you? I know you are, just tell me.”
“Who I fuck is none of your business.”
“Does she know about you? Does she know how you just play women like a fiddle? How you turn on that charm and get what you want and then just leave them? Does she know?”
“Shut up.”
“No, you shut up! She’s no match for you. She can’t keep up with your lifestyle. I can. You should stick with your own kind. What are you gonna do when the movie’s over, Tone? You’re gonna break her heart.”
I’ve had enough of this. I pick up Yasmin’s coat and throw it in her face.
“This is your last chance. Get out of my room if you don’t want this little scene to be front page entertainment news tomorrow. ‘Yasmin begs Antonio to date her’. How does that sound?”
“You bastard. They won’t believe you. I can have any man in Hollywood that I want.”
“Maybe, but it will still make for a good story.”
“Fuck you.”
“Goodnight, Yasmin.”
She throws on her coat and stomps out of my room. I take a deep breath and climb back into bed. I have to tell Giovanna about this. I have to. Any chance Yasmin has to ruin this for me, she’ll take it.
Shit.