Make Believe (13 page)

“I was wondering when you were going to mention them, Jessica?” his tone totally changes.

I laugh again, I can’t help it. It’s a nervous thing.

“I’m so sorry, Henry. Let me explain.”

“Please feel free to, Jessica, but there is no need to. As it says here, I quote, ‘Elliott Tate’s new beau, Jessica Ing, has been dating the star for two weeks now’, and apparently you’re inseparable?” his tone is so sarcastic.

“Oh Henry, I’m sorry. It’s all a load of rubbish. I’m not his new girlfriend. I just work with the guy. I’ve had to accompany him to a couple of charity do’s, but apart from that I don’t really know that much about him.”

I feel the guilt rising throughout my body. Jessica, stop lying to him. He deserves the truth; you at least owe him that, my sub-conscious scolds me.

“Really Jess, so there is nothing in it?” his voice sounds hopeful.

“Um…no, I’ve had dinner with him a few times and we get on really well. He’s a really nice guy. I’m sorry if this hurts you, Henry, but you deserve the truth.” God, I hate myself.

“Oh, I see…well what can I say to that, Jess?”

“I’m sorry, Henry,” I plead.

“Have you slept with him?” he asks.

“No…I haven’t, we’ve just kissed.” My cheeks flush red.

The phone is silent.

“Henry, are you still there?”

“……Yes,” he whispers.

“Where do we go from here then, Jessica?  Is this my goodbye phone call?”

“I don’t know what to say, Henry. This wasn’t going to be a goodbye phone call, unless you want it to be?”

“Don’t you dare turn this around on me, Jessica? I’m not the one saying goodbye - or the one going off with someone else. I still love you, Jess, as much as the day I first met you,” his voice breaks. Tears stream down my face as I listen.

“I’m so sorry, Henry, I never wanted to hurt you.  I’m so confused. So much has happened in the last few weeks. I don’t know where to turn.”

“What do you mean by that?  After you’ve let another man stick his tongue down your throat, I guess it is a tough decision!”

“Don’t be so crass, Henry. I’ve had so much to deal with, including being sexually assaulted,” I sob uncontrollably.

“What the hell? When did this happen? You never phoned to say. For God’s sake, Jessica, you should have told me.”

“I’m sorry. I know I should have but I’m trying not to let it take over my life. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all. Elliott’s been amazing helping me get through it, he even insisted on taking me to his doctor.”

“What the hell happened, Jess? Tell me.”

“It’s not important, Henry, he touched me – please, I don’t want to go over it again.”

“Do you want me to come over there?”

What? Oh my God, no. I don’t need him here causing me more stress.

“Jessica?”

“That’s very sweet of you, Henry, but no, I’m OK. I have Mia….”

“And Elliott?” he interrupts.

“Yes, to a certain extent.”  God, I am such a bitch.

“So Jess-bear, where do we go from here?”  -  Jess-bear, he hasn’t called me that in years.

“I don’t know, Henry. I really am so confused about everything at the moment. I think the distance is a good thing.  It will help me realise what I want.”

“You seem to be doing fine without me,” he adds.

“Don’t Henry, don’t end this on a negative. I’m just so glad we’re talking.  I really do care about you. I never meant to hurt you. You do know that, don’t you?”

“I know you’d never intentionally hurt me, Jessica, but at this precise moment in time, you’re breaking my heart.

The tears flood down my face.

“It’s never been my intention to. I’m so, so sorry, Henry. Please.  I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

“I love you, Jess-bear. Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

I push the red End button and feel my legs go underneath me - collapsing to the floor. I can’t contain the hysteria. I feel like such a cow. This man has just declared his love for me and I can’t respond. Oh my poor Henry.

I hear a knock at my door.

“Hey Jess, are you OK?” Mia asks.

“No, not really,” I sob. She walks straight towards me and sits, pulling me into her. I cry continuously for about an hour. When I eventually stop I tell her everything.

“Oh my poor Jess, why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped,” she soothes.

“I wanted to. It was just bad timing really.”

“You need to tell someone about Hudson. That’s so wrong. He can’t be allowed to get away with it. What if you hadn’t thought so quickly, he’d probably have raped you? It’s not worth thinking about…but seriously, Jessica, you must never be left on your own with that disgusting man. Have you told Elliott?”

I shake my head.

“Why not, you silly girl? I think he would go nuts.”

“What if he doesn’t believe me?”

“Of course he would, your body holds the evidence.”

She was right. There was no hiding my battle wounds.

“Maybe you’re right. It’s just I don’t think I can deal with it at the moment. I’m so emotionally drained. I just want to curl up in bed.”

“Hush chick, it’s OK. When you’re ready to tell him you will. But for now you need to eat. How about pizza?”

Pizza again! Bless Mia, she’s doing what she does so well, looking after me.

“Pizza would be lovely. Thank you,” I smile at her.

“I’ll go order it. See you in ten.” She kisses me on my head and walks out of my room.

I notice through the corner of my eye, my phone flashing. Who is it now? God, I can’t face speaking to anyone else.

I glance down and notice it’s an email, thank God.

It’s from Elliott.

To: [email protected]

From [email protected]

Hey my beautiful girl.

I’m giving you your space but just wanted to say that I’m missing you like crazy. I think we have something incredibly special and, in my life, you don’t find that. I don’t want to lose you because of some petty argument. I can’t stop thinking about you.

All my love,

Elliott xxx

PS:  I forgot to mention how goddamn sexy you……argh, help me
!
xx

I read it again and it makes me smile. How is it possible to feel so utterly overwhelmed one minute and then so appreciative the next?  How messed up must I be?

Chapter 9

I hear a faint knocking, which disturbs my sleep. Is it in my dream? I can’t make it out. I lift my head off the pillow, trying to discover where it’s coming from.

Bugger, it’s the front door. I look at the clock. It’s 6:30 a.m. Who the hell is that at this time? I grab my dressing gown from the bedroom door and put it on as I rush down the stairs nearly tripping over the last two. I fumble to unlock the bolts. As I open the door I can’t see anybody standing there. What the hell? It’s far too early for mind games. I step out to have a look around but can’t see anyone. I look down and notice a pretty package which has been left on the door step – I bend down and pick it up, it’s addressed to me.

I feel the tingling in my stomach. Someone’s sent me a present.  I rush back in, slamming the door behind me. I think the neighbours have already had enough of an eye-full of me in my tiny dressing gown.

I twist the package around in my hands noticing how pretty the paper is; it’s beautifully wrapped in a hand-pressed paper with pale pink glitter and ribbons.

I carefully open it, trying not to damage the wrapping too much. Inside is a green box with Rolex embellished on it. I lift the lid and it unfolds. Staring back at me is a beautiful diamond-encrusted, pearl faced, white gold Rolex. I take it out of the box to have a closer look. Whoa! Who on earth sent me this? I place the beautiful watch back in its box and shut it. I turn the box around in all directions trying to see if it has a card with it, but there’s nothing.

When I walk past the front door to go back upstairs I noticed a card has been pushed through the letter box. I pick it up off the floor. It reads:

Jessica,

I’m giving you time to think. ;)

Elliott xxx

I take a deep breath. He is so incorrigible. He’s supposed to be allowing time for me to decide what to do, not lavishing beautiful expensive gifts on me. And not at 6:30 in the morning!

Mia meets me halfway up the stairs.

“Hey, what’s all the noise about?”

“Sorry, did I wake you? Someone had left a package outside for me.” I smile, not containing my excitement very well.

“Someone...Jess?”

“OK, Elliott,” I reply, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“What was in the package?”

I pass her the green box.

“Rolex?” she says smiling.

“Open it.”

I watch her expressions as she does.

“My God, Jessica, it’s beautiful. Looks at those diamonds. You’re one very lucky girl.” She smiles, closing it again.

“Does it have a card?”

I read her what it says.

“How ironic?” She smiles. “So where do you go from here? Have you thanked him?”

“No, I was just on my way up to text him. I really think I like him and not because he lavishes money on me but because he’s a really genuine guy, someone so different to anyone I’ve ever met.”

Mia pats me gently on the arm.

“That’s because he’s every girl’s dream, Jess. I think you’re crazy even having to think about it. If it was me, you’d be physically peeling me off of him.” She smiles and walks on down.

Once in my bedroom I reopen the box and take the watch out. It really is exquisite. I put it on my wrist and it fits perfectly.  How did he know it would fit? It must have cost an absolute fortune.

I grab my phone and text him.

Hey you,

Thank you so much for my present, it is beautiful. If not a little over the top!;)

You didn’t need to sneak off.

Thank you again.

Jess xxxxxxxx

Within seconds my phone vibrates,

You’re most welcome.

I’m glad you like it.  Even if it is a little over the top, a bit like me!

I didn’t deliver it.

I know you’re having a time-out, but do you fancy a date this evening?

It would be nice to see the watch for real and on you, you sexy lady.

Elliott  xxxxxxxxxx

A date tonight?  He really doesn’t understand what time-out means and I’m so glad he doesn’t. A proper official date? Yes, please.

I text back immediately.

Yes
, please. When and where, Mr. Tate?

My phone beeps immediately. God, he’s eager.

I will pick you up at 8, wear something warm.

See you at work gorgeous.

Xxxxx

Wow, how exciting! Wear something warm? Where is he taking me? It’s like something from a fairy tale - I can’t wait.

The day really drags. Even though I get to see Elliott first thing in the morning, he is rarely alone as Tara is permanently attached to his hip. Then he is on set most of the day. I go in for his touch-ups which are normally after he’s has been snogging the face off of one of his co-stars. I find that so difficult to watch. Having never been the jealous type, I’m not sure how to deal with jealousy or even if it is. But I hate the thought of him being with someone else.

Mia is already home when I arrive.

“Hey Jess, you’ve had another delivery,” she shouts from the lounge.

“What? Another one? Where is it?”

“I left it on the side in the hall. It’s in a white envelope.”

I look on the table and it’s an A3-sized envelope with my name printed on it.

I rip open the back and pull out an invitation. It’s white with gold writing on it.

Charity Polo Match at The Equestrian Centre CA.

Courtesy Of Elliott Tate for his charity Against Cruelty to Animals.

Saturday 22
nd
May

at 2:00 p.m.

Invitation only.

RSVP Hudson Creech 323-555-3423

I turn the invite over and there is a handwritten message on the back.

Please, would you be my date for this very important day?

Forever yours,

Elliott.  Xxx

Forever yours? What the hell? He’s moving so fast, my feet don’t touch the floor.

I feel so flattered that he wants me to accompany him, but…I also feel like I’m being pushed into this rather than being left to make my own decisions. Maybe tonight I will get a chance to talk to him about slowing it down.