Bliss . . .
It was the only word to describe how I felt after what had happened after we had raced upstairs. Just as I had expected, Alex had let me win. Unfortunately, our lovely relaxed mood had been broken when we had looked at the clock and realised the time.
Madness . . .
That was our departure from the house. The paps went crazy. Alex insisted that I wear a hooded top of his until we got to the awaiting car, so that I could hide my face from the awaiting barrage of camera clicks. I could hide to some extent under the hood, pulling my hair over my cheek, covering the scratch that Amy had caused. It now looked red and angry, but it was nothing compared to what my fist would have done to her face.
As soon as we got in the car, and the driver had moved away from the house, I slipped the hoody off.
“That’s better,” Alex said. “It didn’t go with the dress.”
His hand rested just above my knee.
“Who’s going to be there?” I asked. I was nervous about meeting the people who would decide whether I would be starring with Alex in the final Starshine film. Despite what Alex said, I had no acting experience at all other than the sex scene with him. Could they really make a decision based on just that and meeting me today?
“Megan will be there, so one friendly face at least. Clarissa Williams will be there, as will Amber Donovan.”
“Clarissa will be there?” I was shocked that the author of the books would want to meet me.
“Sometimes it’s easy to forget who the person is who made all this happen. The author of the series has a pretty big say in who’s selected to play the characters.”
“Who’s Amber?” I asked.
“She’s the films location director. She picks where everything is filmed. If she says we need to film in Australia—that’s where we’ll be. She’s one of the most travelled women I know. Megan said she was coming because she was curious about you.”
“Great.” The pressure was mounting. I wanted to run away, hide, and not face any of this.
“There’ll probably be about another four or five people there as well. The big-wigs. They’ll be the ones who make the final decision. They’re the ones who have invested the money in the whole franchise.”
“The ones who made you pretend to still be with Amy, and take the blame for the break up?”
He nodded.
“Well, I don’t think I like any of them then.”
“Ella, none of them knew the full story. I’m sure they’ll think differently now.”
“Still, they shouldn’t have forced you to take all the blame. Amy didn’t need any protecting then, and she certainly doesn’t now.”
“I somehow think they’ll know that after everything that’s happened lately.”
He placed his arm across my shoulders.
“I still can’t believe you hit her.” He kissed the side of my head. “Remind me never to piss you off too much. I’d hate to be on the receiving end of your right hook.”
“Okay,” I replied. I knew that my left hook was just as powerful as my right. My father had taught me how to use both.
“You do know that Megan will explode when she sees your face.”
Alex hugged me even closer to his body as we continued the rest of the journey. I’d have been happy to sit in the car and have a repeated tour of London if it meant that I’d not have to face a room full of strangers, but all too soon the car pulled up outside a tall and imposing building.
“You ready?” Alex asked as he held the car door open for me.
“No,” I said, looking up at the building we were about to enter. “I’ll never be ready for this.”
Alex held my hand as we entered the reception area and were directed to the forty-ninth floor. When the doors pinged open at our destination, he confidently strode over to the woman behind the desk as I trailed beside him.
“Sue,” Alex greeted. “I haven’t seen you for weeks.”
“You only come here when you need to. I take it as a good sign when I don’t see you.”
Alex squeezed my hand. “Sue, this is Ella. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing her just as much as me in the future.”
She smiled before standing up behind the desk and holding her hand out for me to shake. I stepped forward, taking her hand in mine.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said. “You’ve certainly made an impression on everyone in that room.” She inclined her head toward a door that was currently closed.
“More like everyone in the fucking world,” Alex said.
“Well, I can’t deny that it’s what everyone is talking about. I’ll just buzz them, let them know that you’re here.”
Within a few minutes the door to the meeting room opened. A large, suited man walked out toward us. His dark hair was tied back in a ponytail, but it did nothing to hide the greasiness of it.
“Alex,” he greeted. His smile was false, strained even.
“Pierce,” Alex replied, his shoulders visible tensing. “I didn’t know you’d be here. You usually have other important things to tend to.”
“Well, nothing is as important as this right now, is it? And this must be the lovely Ella?” He walked straight up to me, took my hand in his and lifted it to his mouth before kissing the back of it. His lips lingered for longer than was necessary, and I was grateful when he released it.
“You’d better come through. We’re all waiting for you.” He spoke directly to me before turning away and heading back into the room.
“We’ll just be a minute,” Alex said, before moving to block me from Pierce’s vision.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Fucking Pierce. I forgot he’d be here.”
I frowned.
“He’s the shit that decided it would be the best idea that I was made out to be the guilty party in the split between Amy and me. He’s only ever looked out for Amy. He’s a complete leech as well. Make sure you don’t find yourself alone with him. I’m serious, Ella. The way he just touched you then, and the way he looked at you. He makes my fucking blood boil.”
“He is a bit creepy, isn’t he?" I tried to make light of the situation, and kissed his cheek.
“I mean it, Ella. Be careful around him. He has a lot of power, and he could use it to compromise you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said. “I have you to look out for me. And . . . I have my right hook.”
Alex nodded and took a deep breath.
“Ready?” he said.
“Ready,” I replied.
As we headed into the room Alex held my hand even tighter.
This was it. These next few minutes would decide what happened next and potentially my whole future.
“Ella, Alex,” Megan stepped over toward us, hugging Alex tightly. I scowled at her over-the-top reaction, but soon understood her reasoning when she took the opportunity to whisper something to him.
When she turned to me, her mouth dropped open. “Shit, Ella, what happened to your face?” she exclaimed.
“It was Amy,” I said quietly, not wanting everyone in the room to be aware of our altercation.
The colour in Megan’s face drained away seconds before she turned red. Alex placed his hand on her arm as he leaned forward. “You should see what Ella did to her,” he whispered.
Megan whipped her head around to face him, and he nodded, grinning proudly.
Pierce cleared his throat. “If we are all ready, Alex?”
Alex waited for me to sit down before he sat next to me. His hand found mine under the table and he entwined his fingers with mine.
I glanced around the table, not recognising any of the new faces apart from Clarissa Williams—the author of the books. Pierce was staring at me, and I shifted uncomfortably in his gaze.
A woman glanced across the table at both Alex and me. “Well, you know who we all are, Alex, but perhaps we should introduce ourselves to Ella.” Her reassuring smile was a welcome one.
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that,” I said as clearly and confidently as I could. There was no point talking like a timid mouse. I had to fight through my nerves and impress them.
The woman started introducing people around the table. “Megan Denton, who you already know—Alex’s agent. Clarissa Williams—author of these brilliant books and the reason we’re all here. Amber Donovan—locations director. Thomas Dune—finance director. Pierce Montgomery—majority shareholder. And myself, Verity Hall—cast director.”
I nodded at each of them as their names were spoken, making a mental note of them for future reference.
“Now,” Verity started. “This meeting is taking place because of the unprecedented events that have occurred over the past few weeks. I’ll run quickly through how we’ve ended up here.”
Verity’s tone was brisk, but also excitable. If was as if she wanted to move on from the basics and get to the major reason we were all here—me.
“Ella was granted a four-week work experience on the set of Starshine, shadowing the director Rowan Busby. These weeks were to be split. The first two weeks on set watching the filming of several scenes that needed to be re-shot for a variety of reasons. The main reason, may I add, was because of the growing animosity between the leading actor and actress. Alex, and Amy. Their characters were meant to be madly in love, and the initial footage was deemed too cold and angry.” She glanced at Alex as he leaned back in his chair.
“The last two weeks were for Ella to experience the production side of things, working closely with Rowan. It seems that nothing worked in that way at all though. By the end of the first week of filming, Amy had started suffering from morning sickness due to her pregnancy. During the second week, and because of Alex’s tight schedule, Ella was persuaded to fill in for Amy when she didn’t turn up at the studio. The scene she was asked to shoot with Alex has turned out to be the most intense and erotic love scene any of us have ever seen.”
Pierce sneered, and she turned to face him. “Have you got something you’d like to share with us, Pierce?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “I want to know if Ella has ever stared in a porno film. She seemed completely at ease fucking in front of the cameras.”
Alex shot out of his chair, sending it flying backward as he flew over the table, and lunged at Pierce. He aimed several punches at him, knocking him out of his chair and to the floor.
“How dare you? How fucking dare you?” Alex shouted as he crouched over Pierce. Pierce was shaking, his hands covering his face to protect him from any further blows.
“Alex!” I shrieked, jumping from my chair.
“Good grief,” Verity said, staring at the two men on the floor.
Both Megan and I rushed over to Alex. I bent down next to Alex who had a tight hold of the neck of Pierce’s shirt.
“Alex, leave him. It doesn’t matter what he thinks,” I said, gently pulling his shoulder.
He didn’t move away. Instead, he leaned further over Pierce.
“Don’t you ever speak about Ella like that again,” Alex warned. “It’s not acceptable, and I certainly don’t want to hear it. Do you understand?”
Pierce nodded frantically, his hands still over his face.
“Apologise!” Alex demanded before slowly rising to his feet.
Pierce shifted on the floor, rolling to his side as Alex moved backward, away from him.
Pierce didn’t speak.
“I told you to apologise!” Alex repeated. I held his arm, pulling him back toward me. I wasn’t bothered about an apology. Pierce wasn’t worth worrying about. Men like him would always make assumptions, push their luck, and speak repulsive words. He reminded me of Sam.
Alex turned to face me as I pulled him toward me. He calmed instantly as I placed my hand on his cheek.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said quietly. “Just leave him.”
His hand covered mine and he held it still as he turned his face to kiss my palm. He narrowed his eyes, glancing back at Pierce before pulling me into a hug.
Pierce managed to struggle back onto his feet. “I’m only saying what everyone else is thinking. They’re all just too scared to say it to either of your faces.”
Alex’s comforting hold on me immediately slackened as he spun around to face him. Pierce cowered at Alex’s reaction.
“You attack me again, and I’ll have you arrested. See how the newspapers like that.”
“Alex, please,” I begged. I didn’t want him getting into trouble, and as much as I disliked Pierce, he wasn’t worth any of this.
“Out!” Alex yelled. “Get out of this fucking room!”
Pierce sneered. “You can’t demand that I leave—I’m the main shareholder. My opinion, unlike other’s in here, counts.”
I thought Alex was going to burst. But he sneered at Pierce, his voice clear. “Not if everyone else votes against you.”
“Huh, like they would.”
“Let’s see, shall we?” Alex challenged.
What was Alex on about. Shares, and majority share-holders. I didn’t know anything about them.
Alex addressed the rest of the people in the room, but mainly Verity. “Either you all let me buy out Pierce—all his shares, so that we can get on with this shit in the way we all want to. Or I will not star in the final film.”
“You can’t afford it, and you’re contracted.” Pierce said.
“I can easily afford it, and I don’t give a shit about the contract.”
“But you are contracted to be there, do the scenes.”
“Yes, I know. But no-one can make me do them properly. If I am forced to do any of Solarflare whilst you are still involved with the brand, then you will never get enough decent footage to release the film. It’ll go on for years, and I know you all want a quick turn around on this last film.”
Everyone in the room fell silent.
Eventually, Verity spoke up. “It seems we have a decision to make. Who do we place our trust in? Who do we think has the most to offer this franchise?”
Alex was still staring at Pierce. He seemed so confident they’d all agree for Pierce to step down.
“Pierce, Alex, can you please wait outside?” Verity asked politely, before turning to look at Megan. “I think you may need to go as well Megan, and Ella.”
Megan picked up her papers and hurried from the room. Pierce sulked toward the door, and Alex’s gaze followed him until he was out of sight.
“Ella, shall we?” Alex asked, smiling confidently before taking my hand.
As we left the room, Pierce marched away from the reception area, talking on his phone to someone. His was mentioning lawyers, and suing people. I frowned, worried about the outcome of all this.
Megan glared angrily at Alex.
“What’s up with your face?” Alex asked as he caught Megan’s expression.
“You complete and utter fool!” she yelled.
Alex widened his eyes. “You of all people should understand this!” he shouted.
“Alex, for fuck’s sake, you’ve ruined everything. Pierce has all the cards stacked his way now.”
“No, he doesn’t. I’m serious about all this. I will not work for that stupid idiot. I hate him, I always have. He’s pretty much at the top of my hate list along with skanky Amy.”
I moved away from their argument. I’d heard enough shouting, I’d seen enough hate and preconceived issues surrounding the whole Starshine brand. I sat down on one of the leather chairs in the reception area, picking up one of the magazines whilst Alex and Megan argued.
I tried to ignore them, but it was hard.
“Alex, I know you think you love her, but seriously, you’ve only just met her. Do you know her at all? Are you sure you want to put your career on the line over this. I agree we need to get Amy off the film, as well as try and persuade those idiots that Ella should play the part of Evelyn. But what you’ve just done in there is only one step short of committing career suicide.”
“Go home,” Alex said, his anger on hold for now. “If you can’t see how much Ella means to me, and can’t understand how I have no choice but to stand up for her over fuck wits like Pierce, then I’ll fire you as my agent!”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not. You’ve not only questioned my feelings toward Ella, but you’ve also questioned my actions concerning my career. I don’t need it. I could walk away from this fucked up industry tomorrow and not miss any of the shit that comes with it. Perhaps Ella and I could live a somewhat normal life if I dropped out of all this, and moved away from the constant media scrutiny.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Why not? My career’s not my priority any longer. Ella is.”
I gasped quietly. What he was saying was unbelievable. I knew he cared for me, but the strength of his feelings, and the way he was talking, made me realise just how much he loved me.
Megan was quiet. I didn’t look their way. I was too busy trying not to cry. Alex had just said that he was prepared to give up his career for our happiness.
I continued flicking through the magazine, but the un-spilt tears made my vision hazy. I sniffed quietly, wiping at my eyes. As my vision became clear, I focused on the magazine. There was a full double page spread of an article on Alex and me, titled, 'Alex’s New Love.' There were photos of stills from the sex scene, pictures of both of us looking happy and carefree. Under the sub-title, 'Ex- partners,' was a picture of Sam, and one of Amy. This was what Alex hated about his job; the media hype that he created. I had just made it even worse. I closed the magazine, placed it back on the table and pulled my legs up to my body. As I wrapped my arms around my legs and hugged them, the tears took a hold.
I didn’t want to feel like this.
“Ella?” Alex was suddenly next to me, pulling me to his chest.
“I can’t do this.” I sobbed into his t-shirt. “I can’t be responsible for you destroying everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve.”