We eat a light dinner and then prepare for the evening. Hunter has poured the champagne and is waiting for me to bend over. He’s not drinking because he’s nervous on how the movie will go. I pull out the tie I bought him. It matches my dress perfectly, and I wrap it around his neck. I loop it and make sure it’s straight. My red gown crosses over my breast and flows in waves to the ground. The back crosses the same as the front which works out perfect to hide the leather and lace bra and panty set I bought. After my second glass of champagne I kiss Hunter and bend over lifting my bare ass for him to slide the beads in.

I let out a soft moan as he smacks my ass cheek and the vibrations send my core into a tailspin. His fingers glide along my folds and then he brings them to his mouth. “You’re delicious,” he says and my mind says fuck the premiere let’s stay home.

“Ah, not yet. I know that look, Dani.” I roll my eyes, “Knowing these beads are deep inside you makes me a little jealous. But knowing it will keep you on edge all night. While we watch me on the big screen will drive me crazy more than it will you,” his soft whisper has my head falling back against his chest.

“Let’s go before I cuff you to the bed.” I threaten him and he laughs. With my hand in his we stop at the kitchen island for a toast of champagne. “To breaking and entering.” he says, “To backing yourself into a corner.” I shoot back recalling the first day we met.

He steps into me, “Sweetness you can back me into a corner anytime.” I laugh pushing at his chest, “I dare you.” I drink down the bubbly liquid and place the glass in the sink. He takes his glass of water and does the same.

***

With the beads doing their job my body is on fire. The long kissing session in the back of the limo did not help one bit. But I hope it helped calm his nerves. Now I walk beside the man I have come to appreciate. All the lights flashing and the interviewers ask the same questions over and over. I can see how tedious this all can be. The price of fame I guess, I don’t get it.

With the entrance in view, we walk a few feet closer. My head starts to feel a little dizzy, and my vision becomes cloudy. I tighten my grip on Hunter’s hand. He looks to me with a worried expression.

Sweat is building at the base of my neck, something's not right. “Are you okay, is this too much for you?” he asks. But things like this don’t bother me, it’s something else. I open my mouth but nothing comes out, nausea takes over and I grip my stomach. Oh god, don’t let me get sick on the red carpet.

I grab onto Hunter’s jacket with both hands as I feel my legs go weak, I can’t talk, I can’t see but I can hear everything. Hunter is calling out my name in a panic. My body is limp, and cradled into his chest. I smell his aftershave, it’s okay it’s Hunter. “Sweetness, I have you, can you tell me what’s wrong?” It’s the oddest thing, his voices fades in and out and then nothing.

HUNTER

Her grip tightens and when I turn to her she’s white as a ghost, I ask what’s wrong but she doesn’t respond. She pulls at my jacket as if her life depends on it and then she collapses. I pick her up and run through the sea of people back to the limo.

Once I settle her in the back seat I order the driver to take us to the nearest hospital. I pull out my phone and text Mark while I beg her to answer me. One minute she’s fine and the next she’s…

Oh God, please don’t take her from me, please. I reach under her dress and pull the beads- maybe they were too much. Either way I don’t want to embarrass her during an evaluation in the emergency room. I shove them in my pocket and rest my lips on her moist forehead. She’s burning up.

“Stay with my sweetness, stay with me. I can’t lose you now that I found you.” As the door opens I step out holding her like a frail child. She hasn’t responded since she collapsed. I lay her on the gurney as directed and explain to the nurse what happened. They tell me to have a seat in the waiting room and they will come out when they know more.

I’m not family, they’re not going to let me in. I take my cell from my inside jacket pocket and text Warren. About five minutes pass but it feels like hours. Mark and Chief Belmont stand in the center of the waiting room demanding answers. After the nurse speaks with them for a few minutes they walk over to where I sit. As they approach I stand hoping to get some information.

Chief Belmont steps up close, toe to toe. “Not only am I the Chief, her boss, but that woman in their fighting for her life is my only niece. I promised to protect her at all cost when her father passed away. If I find out you had anything to do with this I will make it my personal mission to bring you down.” I step back, confused. Mark has a look to kill.

What the fuck is going on. What are they not telling me?

“We were going to the premiere, I would never hurt her. I love her.” I plead for them to understand and tell me what’s going on. “Please, they won’t tell me anything, what did the nurse say, will she be okay?” Mark begins pacing near the vending machine.

Chief Belmont keeps his eyes on mine. “Do you love her?” I stand tall and admit, “With all my heart. I never knew you could love someone so much.” I tear up knowing I may have lost the chance to tell her just how much I love her. I need to see her to tell her how I feel. I need her to be okay.

We were only getting started. We have so much to look forward to. A house of our own. A honeymoon, a swing set with little pitter-patter footsteps chasing down the hallway. I want to see her in a beautiful white gown walking down the aisle and saying I do. I pull the velvet box from my pants pocket. “This is how much I love her.” I hold the box up and the Chief pulls me into a hug. The tears escape and I let them.

Lenny sits us down and tells me they found poison in Danica’s system. I think to everything we did today, was it something she ate while out shopping. Is there something in our home? Mark questions and I answer. He pulls his phone from his pocket and calls someone giving our address. When I hear the door swoosh open, Warren enters.

The look on his face has me worried. He’s scared and frantic. In five quick steps I’m face to face with him. Then it clicks. He knows I don’t drink before a premiere. Why would he drop off champagne, I thought it was to get in Danica’s good graces. I thought he finally accepted I was moving on from the movie world and going to devote my time to her and a family.

“What have you done?” I say in a monstrous roar. His eyes open wide and it’s enough to confirm my suspicion. My blood boils and my hand roll into fist, I go to take a swing and I’m held back. Mark takes my arm and puts me off balance.

“What’s going on?” I yank my arm from his grasp and turn to Lenny. “Have them check the champagne bottle and glasses. Warren was kind enough to deliver them this afternoon.”

Mark grabs Warren by the throat and pins him to the wall. Another officer enters and places him in hand-cuffs, reading him his rights. Lenny gets on the phone and barks out some orders. A nurse bursts through the door. “Ms. Leroux’s family?” We all stop and stare. My legs weaken as Lenny steps up closer. His head drops to the floor and my heart plummets. No, no she’s not. She can’t be.

Another nurse appears. She grabs the first one and tells her to return to the room and Lenny follows, my feet won’t move. I’m frozen, until I hear Warren’s voice. “She was going to ruin you, I did this for you. You’ll be nothing with her.” Rage takes over and I lunge at him taking him to the ground. As Mark tries to pull me off, I pound on the man I once thought of as a father.

“With her I am everything. With her I am me.” I’m yanked away by security and I sit on the floor, hopeless, as the police escort Warren away.