36 HOURS BEFORE SHE REMEMBERED.
Some people say when life is just about to change, they get a tingly feeling, a sensation of foreboding of some kind. Mine came in form of a call I had been anticipating so much I started to chew on my nails again, a bad habit I had since dropped after my debut, my stylist scowled at me until I forced my hand out of my mouth.
Gregory, my manager was known as a wizard when picking scripts, he knew what movies to find for me, he would not even bother if he thought in one way or the other the movie was going to flop, and he was always right. Even if I wanted a script so badly, if he says no, I would not do it.
“I promised you only the best, and that is exactly what I am going to give you, the absolute best, nothing less.” he would say every time, and I would mouth the words along because I knew what came next.
So when the rumors about a film with a strong female lead, saving herself and then the entire world, started to circulate, Gregory jumped on it, sniffing and searching for the script, he told me with absolute certainty that this movie would be the biggest movie of the century, and he wanted me to have it.
“The movie would cement you permanently as the face of strong women in Hollywood, then only the best of scripts will come your way.”
At first I was not as excited as he was, but the more he talked about it, pushed all my other projects aside, made sure I only did the most expensive of Ads lined up and waiting for me, I started to catch his excitement, and soon my entire team wanted it, we buzzed with nervous energy for days, even after he submitted my portfolio to the director, we straightened every time his phone rang, the group texts where I barely typed a word in, was always over flowing with messages every time we weren’t all together.
And one day the call came. We were sharing a quick snack in my dressing room on the set of a make up ad, they laughed and spoke on things I had no idea about. They were the people I spent the most time with, but they were nothing more than co workers to me, they treated me cordially, and with too much respect, I had brought it up with Gregory during one of our vacation days, asking to spend some time together.
“Who wants to spend their vacation days with their boss?”
I had shifted uncomfortably then, since I knew very little on how to make friends, I had assumed they were my friends.
“We can be more than that after this vacation.” I offer,
Gregory looked at me then, as if finally seeing a person, and not just the talent, but the businessman look never left his eyes, he was calculating, plotting to put some famous actor and I together, so I could feed off the rumors as they circulated, I didn’t want that so I asked him not to bother.
Anyway, the call that day made everyone forget the fact that we were just co workers, Gregory had put the call on speaker, whilst the rest of us leaned toward the phone, ears strained and everything else silenced, nobody wanted to ruin the great moment.
“Miss Rachel Greene has been selected by the Director himself to play Dorcas in the upcoming movie, I want to extend our congratulations, since I have always been a fan of Miss Greene myself.” The caller- most likely a plant Gregory had in the director’s office, tells us.
The dressing room erupts into cheers, singing and merrymaking, everyone turned to me, someone picked me up, my hair stylist, Hank, his strong arms wrapped around my waist as he threw me up and down. Excitement sparked to life in my heart, they had congratulated on roles I have gotten before, but it was clear that this one was different.
“Let us go out for drinks, my treat since our pay for this movie is going to be huge anyway.” Fiefie, my make up artist says with a wink. The room erupted into even more hearty cheers as they booked an entire bar.
“I had my doubts about getting this role, thank you so much Gregory.”
He smiled at me, and for the first time, it was not a polite smile, he was showing real emotions after thirteen years of working together, he really believes in this movie.
“I had no doubts, I promised you, I would make you a star.”
A smile curves my lips, a huge one as I remember him making that promise everyday after watching me in the theatre, back when this life was an extravagant dream.
“I already am, I have the awards to prove it.”
“I want a star with your name on the Hollywood walk of fame.” he says this with a shining look of determination in his eyes.
I blink back the tears, nobody had ever wanted something for me like this, my own parents did not even want me.
“We got a bar. Let us go!” Hank whooped.
Gregory gave me a pat on the back and a smile before walking away to meet with the Ad people, this would be the first time he would be cutting a shoot, but celebrating this was worth it.
“So you and Greg are finally going to be together?” Fiefie sneaks up to me and asks, a huge grin on her face.
I frown a little, unsure how to navigate these waters, we haven’t had personal conversations up until this moment.
“What? Are you going to deny it?” she asks before I could answer her first question,
“I am not sure I understand what you mean by that...” I start,
She chuckles,
“Oh come on, no manager works this hard unless there is something other than his salary in it for him, and you two have known each other for how long, surely, there is something there.” She explains.
I look over to Gregory, sure he was handsome, and fit too, his muscles tight in the right places, though I have never seen him work out, my team joked he bulked up from having to run after directors with my port folio.
I have not thought about Greg in that way, I probably haven’t thought of any man in that way for the longest time now, I was as lonely as the word lonely, if you checked the dictionary for the meaning of the word, my photo is probably there.
“You think there is something between us?” I ask hesitantly,
She gave me a puzzled look,
“That hot piece of meat is always hanging around you, and you have never wanted a piece?”
I force a nonchalant smile, but I was very worried, since she put it like that,
“Yeah well, I act movies with very hot guys, I can’t want every piece.”
That bit was true, fans online usually gush about how lucky I was to be paired with the hottest guys in Hollywood, but I only ever saw them as co workers.
“True, lucky you. But I think you and Greg are perfect. I mean, how else have you worked so well together, if I were you, I would make a move tonight, if it goes well, which I say it will, good for you, and if it does not, you can blame it on the alcohol.”
I blink at the wisdom in her words, then I thank her, she winks at me and tells me it is her way of repaying me for getting this role before walking away.
Following Gregory with my eyes, I realize, the man was fine, and I have to get off my phone screen and be with a real man, someone who takes care of me, who wants something for me, more than I want it for myself. He has been so busy taking care of me, I should take care of him this one time.
Operation making a move on Gregory is a go.
We ended up fucking all night, I had only read that in books, I had no idea that it could happen in real life, and that it would happen to me. Abed wasn’t tired, neither was I, every time we came it seemed like we craved the other even more. Our bodies sleeked in sweat and mixed with our fluids, we continued to explore each other’s bodies. Naked and tangled in his arms, under the sheets, I realize this was the life I wanted for myself, sleeping next to the man I love, perfectly content. His hands tighten around my waist, I chuckle quietly, he was so adorable. “What are you laughing at?” he says in the most sexy morning voice I had ever heard. It left me shivering. I look at his face and he had a brow raised in question.“Again?”I felt my face redden, and I bury it in the crook of his neck, “I always want you.” I murmur, taking in his scent, it was a mix of various scents, and it was good that I bury my nose there. He picks up my hand, guides it downwards, in between his nak
My new routine was easy, I had breakfast at Big daddy’s, visit some place I had never been, even if I grew up here, I was like a tourist, eager and excited for whatever the new day had to offer in a city as big as this. I had lunch wherever the locals said was good, and it was good, a few people recognized me, and I saw my pictures on the internet at the end of the day, I trained myself to never look at the comments, I was trying to live for me after all. And for dinner, I heated up a portion of Abed’s meals, and that was the highlight of my day, no matter what scenery I had seen earlier, nothing compared to when I sat down alone with the meal he had prepared for me. An ache wrapped around my heart, I was missing him terribly, but I didn’t want to resent him, so I needed the time to heal properly. Joanne often times came over, and tonight, I was also expecting her, I had set out wine I hand picked at the winery I visited earlier today, and two glasses, I had already eaten and sho
My entire body stiffened when her hand grabbed at the elbow of my shirt, I pause in my steps, fighting the urge to turn around and beg to be in her life, knowing fully well I didn’t deserve it. “Can you wait for me? Until I am ready.” she whispers, I could feel all her emotions from just a few words, the hurt, the desperation, the love.Of course I would wait, I waited years to see her, years to tell her I loved her, years to hold her in my arms, waiting would be too much mercy for me. Turning slowly, I find her tear streaked face staring at her feet, her sniffles wracking her entire body. Guilt pushed through my body, with my thumb hooked under her face, gently, I make her face me, her lips quivered as she stared at me. “I will wait, take whatever time you need, I will be waiting.” I tell her honestly as I wiped the tears from her face. She smiles, her eyes brightening and my lungs expelled all the air it had been holding. “No matter how long?”“It doesn’t matter to me, I will b
We end up staying awake most of the night, clinging to each other, talking and laughing about the most useless of things, the world beyond the locked doors of the short let, along with all of our issues could wait, we would face them in the morning, tonight, we were going to pretend we were okay. “I don’t think I can fight the sleep any longer.” I stifle a third yawn in the last two minutes. I would beat up myself for falling asleep now, but my eyelids were heavy, my bones weary from all our activities from earlier. “It’s okay, go to sleep my love.”Even in my sleepy haze I hear him, and it makes me feel good, the words I didn’t realize would mean so much to me, the words I wasn’t sure I would hear again. “Good night my love, I love you.”I feel his lips pressed against my forehead just as I drifted off to sleep, and in my dreams this time, I am at a crossroad, literally. Without opening my eyes, my hands reach out on the bed, expecting to hit the warmth of his body, but the space
We stay like that for a while, him collapsed beside me, breathing hard, my heart worked fast, thumping and slamming furiously, did he say..? did I hear him right? Was I perhaps imagining things? I reach out as subtly as I could, pinching myself, it hurt, I was neither dreaming or imagining things, this was real. The silence pressed around us, it was obvious both of us heard the words, but what if I was the one who uttered them? Shit, shit, shit, I shut my eyes, wondering how I was going to undo it. I had confessed my feelings when I was supposed to see him out, that was how one night stands worked right? “Rachel... I didn’t say it so you could say it back to me.”His voice and words startle me, so he said it then, I had managed to keep my dignity, that was good... wait, he said he loved me? I turn to face him sharply, he was staring at me, his eyes so intense that I have to swallow. “You said that?” My voice comes out as a shocked whisper, he raised a brow in question, then he chuc
Flustered was an understatement of how I was feeling, my legs shook, my nerves jumped in excitement. I was still riding waves of the orgasms that washed over me and the ones that were promised. I realize only now that he stopped because of the constant knocking on the bathroom door, the voices on the other end say something about getting the spare key. Abed’s fingers work expertly as he arranges my skirt back and top back in place, he gives me the smile I have come to realize was reserved for just me as he kissed my forehead and pushed me into a bathroom stall. “Stay here until you hear me leave.” he whispers, his mouth dangerously close to mine, I can only nod, I was afraid I would moan if I tried to speak. Within a minute the door was unlocked and I hear the others speaking to him, but his only response is the sound of his footfall as he walked away. I wait until it is silent before walking out of the stall. My body still buzzing with unspent energy, I needed him like crazy. “Th