Chapter Sixteen
“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” Antonio started as I walked on to the set the next morning.
“Don’t start, Antonio,” I warned. After the weekend I had had, I didn’t want to have to deal with his drama.
“Where the hell have you been?” he angrily asked, sitting in a director chair behind a camera screen.
“I didn’t have any scenes to film on Friday so I went away.”
“Next time check with me because I changed the filming schedule and now you’ve put us a day behind.” Clearly I wasn’t going to get a break from his drama.
“That’s convenient, blame me for your incompetence. If you had stuck to the schedule, you wouldn’t have this problem. Seemingly, I’m not the issue,” I argued.
“Is that so?” Antonio glared at me. “Perhaps I should call the studio head down here and ask her opinion.”
“You could, but it wouldn’t change the problem.”
“Is everything okay over here?” Billy asked as he joined the conversation.
“Antonio is being his usual asshole self. Did you know he changed the schedule on Friday?” I complained while our horrible director stayed silent.
“The schedule didn’t change. Why do you ask?” He looked at Antonio questioningly.
“Really?” I became angry. “Then why is he blaming me for being off by a day?” I stared at Antonio, who had become interested in the playback screen.
“My guess would be,” Billy responded, “because he is a lying jackass.”
Antonio pulled away from the screen to glare at us but didn’t respond.
“I see this week is off to a good start,” Billy commented after we had left Antonio and headed towards our trailers.
“I really don’t have the patience for him today,” I complained.
“I think we need to decide what to do about him sooner rather than later,” Billy decided.
I contemplated that as we rounded the corner to where our trailers were, and I could see Al waiting on the steps of mine.
“Let’s discuss that tonight at dinner. For now, I have another fish to fry.” I stood in front of Al. “Al, thank you for coming.”
“What’s happening?” Billy asked.
“I don’t know, I was summoned to be here for a meeting,” Al answered Billy.
“Come inside.” I gestured to the door. “We have to discuss some stuff.”
“This should be good,” Al laughed as he and Billy followed me inside.
Both men sat side by side on the couch while I sat across from them on a chair.
“Al, I need you to do me a favor,” I started.
“Regarding?” Al asked, hesitantly. The tension in the trailer was palpable as each of them didn’t know where I was headed with the conversation.
“Yesterday Cal and I broke up.”
“Are you okay?” Al questioned, sounding concerned.
“I’m fine, however, I’m sure he’s going to go to the press soon to announce the breakup and I want you to skewer him in response,” I instructed as Al raised his eyebrows and Billy shook his head in disbelief.
“Can you do that?” I asked.
“I can, but what am I skewering him for?”
“He’s been cheating on me with Brianna Thompson for the past six months and she’s now pregnant. I only learned this when I dumped him yesterday.”
“You didn’t know this when you hit her?” Al asked.
“I didn’t hit her,” I corrected yet again. “And no, I had no idea at the time.”
“That’s interesting,” Al mused, thoughtfully.
“Can you destroy him? I want all movie fans, the public, everyone in the industry and the world to hate him.”
Billy’s head snapped up as Al stared at me.
“Well,” Al began in a calm voice. “I don’t think I should destroy him, but I can certainly make him look very bad.”
“Elizabeth, there are other ways we can take him down.” Billy took my hand in his. “However, right now I don’t think you are in the right frame of mind to be making these kinds of decisions.”
“My frame of mind is fine.” I pulled my hand away, annoyed. “I just want him ripped apart by the media and hated by the fans,” I said to Al.
“I will see what I can do,” Al promised.
“Thank you.” I turned to Billy. “Can you make whatever call it is you do to send people away? I want both of them taken care of after Al’s announcement.”
“I’m not hearing this.” Al got up from the couch. “I’ll be in touch when I’m ready to go to the press.” He quickly left the trailer.
“I’m not going to do that,” Billy answered me.
“Why not?”
“Sweetie, first of all.” He again took my hand in his. “You are hurt and not thinking clearly at the moment. You shouldn’t be making any decisions like this at all right now. Secondly, we are not going to do anything to Brianna or her unborn baby.”
I hadn’t thought about the baby. That wouldn’t be right.
“When you are calmer and not as hurt then we can talk about our options. Tearing Cal apart in the media and making them both look bad is a great start, for now.” He spoke in a calm and soothing tone.
I thought about what he said and it made sense.
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I’m just upset.”
“I know you are and that’s to be expected.”
“I just want to hurt him really badly,” I honestly told him.
“Me too,” Billy laughed. “But I’ve felt like that since you started dating him.”
A smile crossed my face and I lightly laughed for the first time since the breakup.
“Miss Stanfield,” a crew member called from the other side of the door. “Five minutes and then we need you on set.”
“Time for work.” Billy took my hand as we stood up, then he pulled me into a hug. “You’ll get through this, I promise.”
I put my head on his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
I backed out of the embrace and our eyes locked. I wasn’t sure what came over me, but I pushed myself up on to my toes and planted my lips directly on to his.
At first, he was hesitant but then he kissed me back. Once we were in rhythm with each other, I felt myself melt completely into him and my knees literally went weak.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me even tighter into his chest. His lips were that perfect combination of soft and strong and I could feel each of his shoulders contract as he tightened his arms around me. I ran my fingers through his hair and thoroughly enjoyed the strength of his chest pressed up against mine.
Suddenly, he stopped and pulled away.
“We can’t do this,” he said breathlessly, with his arms still around my waist.
“Sure, we can,” I answered as I leaned in to kiss him again, but he backed further away.
“No.” He was adamant. “As much as I would love to continue, you just got out of a long-term relationship. You aren’t ready for another one yet and I don’t want to be the rebound guy.”
“You could never be that.”
“That’s why we have to wait until you are over this relationship and comfortable with yourself.”
I lowered my arms from around his neck, stepped back from him, and thought about what he said.
“You know I’m right,” he gently said as he let go of my waist.
“I know,” I reluctantly agreed. “I’m worried you won’t wait for me, though.”
“I’ve waited this long.” He smiled.
The butterflies returned to my stomach.
“Elizabeth.” A voice yelled from outside and broke the mood. “We need you on set, now.”
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning, news was out that Cal and I had broken things off. I knew the information had been sent to the media from Cal’s camp because there was no mention of Brianna or the pregnancy.
“He announced that pretty fast,” Billy commented while we waited in my trailer for that day’s filming to begin.
“Of course he did,” I angrily answered. “He had to make sure the skanks of the world knew that he is now single. Notice no mention of Brianna.”
Billy focused back on the article on his phone. “You’re right, nothing about her or the baby, interesting.”
“He’s a jerk,” I declared.
“No argument there.”
My cell rang.
“Not to worry, Elizabeth,” Al began after I had answered. “We will have a statement out by noon. Please don’t answer any questions until that comes out.”
“I don’t think it will be a problem this is the first call I’ve gotten today.” I told him.
“Really? My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.” He sounded grumpy. I was sure I was his toughest client. “You will probably be invaded once our statement releases.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“You know what, Elizabeth.” Al’s voice was calm and sympathetic. “For this one, I’ll give you a free pass.”
“I can say whatever I want?” I excitedly asked.
Billy snapped up from reading and came towards me.
“All I ask is that you be tactful,” Al requested.
Billy took the phone from my hand. “Al, do you really think that’s a good idea?”
They continued to talk as I rubbed my hands together trying to decide how to play it. Did I want to be weepy and gain the public’s sympathy or be matter-of-fact? I looked at my reflection in the mirror and turned on the waterworks. No, that wouldn’t do. My eyes had quickly become red and puffy. I couldn’t look like that in the news.
“Why are you crying?” Billy asked when he got off the phone.
“I was practicing my reaction for when I’m asked about what’s going on.”
“Don’t cry, it makes you look weak.”
“Thanks a lot.” I hit him in the arm and he laughed.
“Elizabeth and Billy, ten minutes.” A crew member announced when we were needed on set. “Also, Elizabeth, there are about a million reporters and photographers out front of the hotel wanting to talk to you.”
“Really?” I poked my head out the door to ask.
“Yeah, they’ve been there all morning, but security won’t let them past the lobby of the hotel.”
“Okay, thanks.” I went back into the trailer and bit my nail.
“This is going to be huge,” Billy warned.
“No kidding,” I agreed. “Just wait until Al’s statement is released.”
“I better call Tony and Vince. You’re going to need some serious security detail.” Billy picked up his phone to make the call.
***
By late afternoon, Al’s statement had been released and the world was informed about Cal and Brianna’s indiscretions. By the time we had wrapped up filming for the day, the number of media people in the lobby of the hotel had tripled. It was so bad, Sonny had them removed from the hotel with police assistance.
I didn’t feel like facing anyone. With our security detail leading the way, Billy and I were brought through back entrances, private tunnels, and elevators to get up to our suites.
“Well, mission accomplished,” Sonny said as he joined Billy and me on the terrace of my suite. “I wanted you guys to draw more business in here and now I’ve easily got two hundred reporters and paparazzi hanging out in the casino since I tossed them from the hotel lobby. They are all waiting for an appearance from you.”
“You’re welcome,” I sarcastically answered him.
“Did he really cheat on you and knock her up?” Sonny asked me directly.
“Sadly, yes,” I confirmed.
Sonny stood at the edge of the table Billy and I were seated at and didn’t say anything, just looked thoughtful.
“She doesn’t want to face anyone yet,” Billy explained. “Unfortunately, those guys will probably be hanging around for a while.”
“That’s no problem,” Sonny responded, with a wave of his hand. “The longer they stay, the more money they spend on drinks and gambling. Is there anything I can do?” Sonny had turned to me.
“I’m hungry,” I answered honestly.
“That’s not what I meant,” he answered, as if truly annoyed.
“I know what you meant, but Billy here won’t let me make any decisions right now.”
“Really?” Sonny turned to Billy. “But he cheated on her.” I realized then how similar Sonny and I were to each other. He expressed my exact thought.
“I am aware of the situation, but I don’t want anything to happen to him for the time being. It’ll make Elizabeth look guilty.”
Sonny and I both shook our heads in disagreement.
“Hey,” Billy addressed both of us. “Don’t get mad at me. You’re going to regret anything you do right now and I’ll get the blame for letting you go ahead with it.”
“I will regret nothing,” Sonny told Billy, matter of fact.
“Not you, I know it won’t disturb you, but she will regret it.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” I answered, in the same tone as Sonny.
“You aren’t giving any orders to do anything,” Billy demanded. “Got it?”
“Yes, holy geez,” I said, leaning back in my chair with my hands up. “Relax, commander,”
“Thank you.” Billy visibly relaxed.
“So.” I looked at Sonny. “Where are we on the food?”
“What do I look like to you, a fucking waiter? Call room service.” He turned and left.
“Only you could get away with treating him like that,” Billy laughed.
“He asked if he could do anything, he could get us some food. What’s wrong with that?” I genuinely questioned.
Billy shook his head in response and went to call room service.
***
“You had to make sure everyone knew about me and Brianna, didn’t you?” Cal demanded as I entered my trailer the next morning.
“What the hell are you doing here? Where the hell is my security?”
“Answer my question. Why did you tell the entire world about me and Brianna? I was perfectly fine letting everyone think it was a mutual break up.”
“You were, were you?” He was unbelievable.
“Yes, I was, but now you made everyone think I’m a cheating scumbag.”
“Well, the truth fits, doesn’t it? Now, get out.” I went to open the door for him but he held it shut with his hand.
“It’s not the truth. I didn’t see anyone else while we were together until she came along six months ago.”
“How honorable of you, but that’s still cheating.” Was he really that stupid? Why hadn’t I seen this before?
“Elizabeth, is everything okay in there?” Vince called from outside the trailer door.
“No, it’s not.” I glared at Cal. “I have an intruder and I need him removed.”
Within seconds, Vince and Tony were inside the trailer. Vince grabbed both of Cal’s arms behind his back and expertly began to push a struggling Cal outside while Tony held the door open.
“We’re not done, Elizabeth.” Cal struggled, in vain, against Vince’s strength.
“Yes, we are. Just show him off the premises, boys, no need to hurt him,” I instructed. “Yet.”
“You’re not the only with powerful friends, you know,” Cal shouted as he was about to be taken out the door.
I put my hand on Vince’s shoulder to pause him. “When did you get any friends at all, let alone powerful ones?” I asked Cal.
“I’m going to ruin you in Hollywood,” Cal threatened through clenched teeth. “Because you told everyone about me and Brianna, I’m going to make sure everyone will find out about Billy and his Michelleti family connection. The world may be interested to know how you guys get everything you want and need in this town.”
“Are you sure you really want to do that?” I questioned in a cold, deadly tone.
He held my glare and in the same vicious tone, he replied, “I’m going to make it my life’s ambition.”