Back To The Viper (10 page)

“It doesn’t make sense! Should I remind you we live in 2015, not in the nineties?”

“And should I remind you I’ve been working as a music manager for more than fifteen years and I know very well what I’m talking about? You’ve been a solo musician for just a few years and a superstar for just a year and a half.”

“Kevin, don’t you think you’re exceeding your power? I’ve hired you as a manager in order for you to lead my music career, not my personal life. I don’t need your instructions anymore.”

Kevin spread his hands helplessly.

“All right, if you want to doom your career, then do it! Go ahead!” He left Chad Keeney’s home furiously, slamming the front door nervously.

Rebecca appeared, again with a martini in her hand. Chad shuddered for a moment – he thought she had overheard their conversation and was now about to demand an explanation as to what their relationship would look like if he indeed came out. But she only giggled in a silly way. Judging by her look and the way she was walking, he immediately guessed she was drunk. He sighed, relieved.

“Hey, Chad, have I told you your face looks like…” She paused, staring at him. She hiccupped and then added, “A dog’s face. Yes, that’s it! A terrier, maybe.” She giggled and fell face down on the couch.

“Jesus, I’m surrounded by lunatics!” Chad exclaimed. He was about to go to his room when he heard Rebecca burst into tears. Although he was usually cold and reserved toward her, her desperately sobbing figure, bent almost in two, now awakened his compassion. He came closer to her.

“Hey, what’s the matter? Why are you upset? Is it because of me?” His tone had considerably softened.

She lifted her head and burst into a new fit of tears.

“Nobody loves me! And I’ll never be loved,” she sobbed, all in tears and snuffling. Chad gave her one of his handkerchiefs and she blew her nose.

“You know that’s not true, Rebecca. I’m sure there’s someone somewhere that’s waiting for you…”

She blew her nose again and looked at him, this time with hope. She was hanging on every word he said.

He felt he was on the right track and increased his efforts.

“Yes, I’m sure about that, just be strong and patient.” She threw herself at his neck, sobbing and laughing at the same time.

Chad glanced at his watch and stood up abruptly. Rebecca was looking at him, confused.

“I’m going to be late, honey. You stay here and take care of yourself.” He went out hurriedly and started his car for Ashley’s home. His house was about an hour ride from Ashley’s and it was already past the hour at which they had arranged to meet. When he arrived, he was in such a hurry that he paid no attention to the Buick parked across the street. Chad pressed the doorbell and after a while, he was inside Ashley’s mansion. She had stated clearly on the phone – she wanted everyone to share the experience of their new lives. He wondered what his friends would share.

Meanwhile the man in the old Buick, who had followed Wayne, was waiting, hidden behind a tree in front of Ashley Greendale’s home. For a while, nothing happened, and he was just about to leave when a car stopped in front of the villa. The photographer looked at the newly arrived man in his side mirror. He was amazed to see the superstar Chad Keeney getting out of his Ferrari and then pushing the doorbell. The photographer whistled. Now that was lucky! He couldn’t miss this chance. If he could take a photo of the star in a compromising pose with Ashley, his payment would triple. He wondered how much
Esquire
or
People
would offer him. It would probably be enough for a short vacation in the Bahamas. He smiled joyfully, getting a pre-taste of his success.

***

“Come in,” Chad heard Ashley’s invitation. When he entered, he found himself in an elegantly furnished hallway with a huge living room just beyond. It was pleasant and cozy here. Chad felt calm again after the unpleasant conversation with his manager Kevin Baumann.

“All right, so what do you suggest we do?” He heard Wayne’s thick voice.

“Harry assured me there was no problem for us to go back to our showcase and perform our song as it was initially, without any changes.”

“And why would we want that?” Wayne asked.

“Well, that’s the only way we can go back to our old lives.”

“Oh, Chad! Come in, we were just discussing whether we want to go back to our past. Are you happy with your present life?”

“How’s your girlfriend, Chad? She looks very tasty.” Wayne gave him a meaningful wink.

Chad sighed and sat on the couch.

“My manager is driving me crazy; he wants me to stay in the closet. I’ve never had a girlfriend before, apart from the one I had in secondary school.”

“Should I take it, then, that you aren’t pleased with your present?” Ashley asked.

“If I could choose between being rich and famous as a closet gay or being happy with my boyfriend far from the limelight, I’d choose the second option with no hesitation.” He saw Ashley sigh with relief. “And how are you feeling?”

“I want my old life, no doubt about it!” Craig said firmly. “I’d rather not be rolling in money, but stay with Monique and my family.”

“I didn’t know you’re so sentimental.” Wayne turned to him. “You’re ready to give up on a rich and affluent life because of a woman.”

“Do you mean you’re happy with your present?” Ashley asked Wayne.

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t be.” He was the producer of rising music talents, had a dream villa in Los Angeles, and was engaged to a supermodel-actress. Well, true, she did cause him some trouble. She was obsessive and controlled him too much. A few days before, they had been having dinner at one of the most prestigious Italian restaurants in LA when she had made a scene about him looking suggestively at the waitress. No woman had ensnared him that much before, but he didn’t mind it. He could always break the engagement and then leave her. A promise meant nothing to him.

“OK, so everyone except Wayne agrees that we must go back?” Ashley asked.

The rest of them nodded.

“It’s three to one, buddy. I’m sorry, but you lose,” Craig said.

“So, in that case, are you going back?”

“Definitely, but first I need to talk to Harry. I guess that the trip will be successful even if one of us is missing.”

“All right, do what you want, but I’m not taking part in this.”

“I hope you realize that our actions will most definitely have an effect on your life, too?” Ashley remarked.

“Yes, of course. I guess that’s logical.” Wayne rose, ready to leave. “Keep me updated,” he said before going out of the house. Meanwhile the photographer had been feverishly watching his target – Ashley’s house – from the top of a tree. Soon after Wayne and the rest went outside, he prepared to take some pictures. He captured the moment when Ashley hugged Wayne and then when she hugged pop star Chad Keeney. Before the three men left the mansion, the photographer had already pressed the pedal and started at full speed. He had material worth at least several hundred dollars.

Chapter 18

Wayne had just woken up and was opening his eyes when he heard Olivia’s hurried steps. She threw the morning paper angrily at his face and the sharp pages slapped him.

“Ouch,” he shouted. “What’s the matter? Are you nuts?” He rose and touched his right cheek where the paper had scratched him.

“I won’t let you make a fool out of me! Do you get it?” she screamed at his face. Wayne drew back. What had happened to her?

“Read the
LA Times
! It’s all written on the third page,” she said through clenched teeth.

Wayne opened the paper on that page and saw a photo of himself hugging Ashley. The title of the article read: “Pop star Chad Keeney and The Jackal’s Wayne Bonner in love triangle with ex-lead singer Ashley Greendale.” Next to the photo of him and Ashley, there was another one where Chad was hugging Ashley.

“What the hell…” Wayne exclaimed, but Olivia interrupted him spitefully.

“So, did you sleep with her?”

“Ashley?” He laughed, but her expression made him stop.

“For Christ’s sake, Olivia, that’s just a paparazzi lie. I did see Ashley yesterday, but Chad and I are not in a relationship with her. Besides, my old buddy Chad is gay. It’s hilarious to think the three of us could be in a love triangle.” He tried to touch her, but she screamed in rage.

“I don’t give a fuck if you sleep with her or not; do it if you want! But I won’t let people think you’re cheating on me.”

Wayne gave her a scolding look.

“Baby, what’s more important – the truth or what people would think?”

“I can’t believe you don’t realize what you’re doing to me with this story! The directors will sneer at me behind my back and the viewers will pity me. No, this just has to stop!”

“So what do you want me to do? Give a press conference?” he asked her ironically.

“Not just that.” Her eyes flashed. “Sue the publisher!”

He gaped, wondering if she was serious.

“Olivia, that… that… That’s just plain stupid. If I do it, it would mean there was actually truth in their scribbling.”

“If you want us to stay together, you’ll do what I tell you to do! Period.”

An almost indiscernible smile stole across his face.

“Very well, then, I suggest we split up because…”

“I’m sorry, but there’s a little problem – the contract we signed before we got engaged.”

He looked at her, stupefied.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice was ice cold.

“Oh, nothing, only that insignificant contract according to which you owe me half of your assets if you break our engagement.” She smiled.

Signing a contract before even getting married? That was absurd.

“All right, I’ll talk to my lawyers and they’ll get things going,” she told him and left the room.

Wayne lay back on the bed, his mind buzzing with anxiety. Was she serious? Could she really take away half his assets? He knew now why he’d never marry. That whole fucking out-dated institution called marriage was a true nightmare. This time, his thoughts were interrupted by his cell phone. He saw Ashley’s name on the screen. He remembered that yesterday, before they had separated, he had asked her to keep in touch. Although he didn’t feel like talking now, Wayne accepted the call.

“What’s going on, Ash?” he asked her straight away.

“Well, I only wanted to let you know that our trip will take place this afternoon at Harry’s lab. Will you join us?”

“At what time?”

“We agreed on five.”

“Give me some time to think about it; I need to check something, and I’ll return the call. It turns out I’m also not that happy with my present.”

After he ended the call with Ashley, Wayne browsed the contacts in his smartphone – the name of his lawyer had to have been saved somewhere. He knew himself well enough to guess he’d saved the contact as “lawyer” and not under his real name. His guess turned out to be correct. Without hesitation, he pressed on the contact and waited. After the third ring, he heard the thick voice of a man. Wayne introduced himself and asked him if he had ever signed a pre-engagement contract with Miss Hamilton.

“That’s just crazy! It’s the first time I’ve heard about such contract!” he exclaimed. He could tell the lawyer was grinning on the other side of the line.

“I remember, Mr. Bonner and will find a copy immediately to reference for your information.”

After less than an hour, the lawyer called Wayne. The news wasn’t good.

“Yes, sir, I searched through your digital database and indeed, it turned out ‘Harper and Smith’ sent you a copy of a contract you and Miss Hamilton signed three months ago.”

Wayne’s hair stood on end.

“The contract says you’re obliged to compensate Olivia Hamilton with half of your assets in case you break your engagement.”

“But how… why…?” How could he have signed such an absurd thing at all?

“Can I dispute the validity of this contract? I must have been drunk to sign it!”

Now Wayne could clearly hear his lawyer’s chuckle.

“I can’t know that, sir, but the contract is completely valid. Your signature, as well as your fiancée’s, was recorded in the presence of a notary public. Of course, you may dispute its validity or at least demand that it be cancelled, but in both cases it will have to come to court.”

“Shit!”

“What do you want to do, sir?”

Wayne sighed.

“Leave the things as they are.” He ended the call and soon after that called Ashley.

Chapter 19

“Are you ready?” Harry asked the members of The Jackal before they lay down on the floor. Ashley nodded, aiming a look at her friends. Everyone had come. They had been surprised, though, to see Wayne there as well. Hadn’t he said just a day before that his present life was much happier than the one he’d previously had? Wayne had answered their questions evasively: