Make Believe (16 page)

“I didn’t have time to tell you, Jess, but last night was just perfect. Thank you so much, babe. You’re one special girl.”

I smile, kissing him on the cheek.

“It was for me, too.” The tingling sensation starts in my stomach as I recall the night’s passion.

He leans down towards me tilting my head back, he places his lips on mine. Oh, this man is just so incredible, what he does to me is unimaginable. I kiss him back never wanting to let him go.

“Excuse me, Elliott, we have work to do,” I hear his voice in the distance.

Elliott pulls away and looks directly at him.

“Sorry Hudson, just caught in the moment.”  He blushes red.

We walk in to the beautiful marquee which is set up for lunch after the polo match. We walk to the sidelines of the field where Elliott starts doing his stuff. He is such a professional. I recognise some of the other famous faces as they all meet and greet each other with their air brush kisses. The amount of wealth in this place is ridiculous. Elliott proudly holds on to my hand introducing me as we make our way around. It all seems like make believe that I am here with him. A girl from good old Dorset, mixing with the A-list celebrities of Hollywood, a real rags to riches moment.

Hudson taps Elliott on the shoulder.

He’s standing there with this five-foot-ten super model, she is stunning. Long brown hair, olive skin, a body to die for - her clothes just enhance what a perfect female specimen she is. I look at Elliott to gage his reaction but he’s just looking at Hudson expectantly, like he knows what coming. 

“Elliott, Jessica, this is Rosa. She’s your date for tonight, Elliott.” He smiles, eyeing me up and down.

I feel my body tense all over. Elliott’s date for tonight? What the hell? I might as well leave now! I feel the tears pooling in my eyes – how could I possibly compete with a goddess like that?

Elliott just laughs, “Nice one, Hudson.” He smiles.

Nice one?! I want to punch him, does he not realise I’m standing here…………grrrrrrrr.

“I have a date already.” He pulls me closer and kisses my head.

“Yes, I know but I’m sure Jessica doesn’t mind lending you out for one night. This will really help your profile. Rosa is the next up and coming super model. It’s all about publicity, Elliott, you know how it works. Jessica can join you in the movie theatre and at the after-party but on the red carpet it should be Rosa.”

Elliott looks so pissed off.

“Hudson, I don’t want to take Rosa. I’m sorry, Rosa, but Jessica and I are a couple and it doesn’t feel right.” The stress instantly appears across his face.

“Elliott, I’m not asking you, this is what’s happening this evening. OK?” Hudson glares at him in that don’t-fuck-with-me way!

I feel Elliott’s hand tightening on mine. I look up at him.

“Hey Elliott, honestly I don’t mind, if it helps you then I’m OK with it,” I try and reassure him, discarding my own hurt off feelings.

He looks at me with those I’m-so-sorry-Jess eyes.

“Hudson, this isn’t over.  Don’t fucking do this to me again. I mean it!” He glares.

“Well, I’m glad we sorted it out. Thank you, Jessica, for being so… cooperative.” He smirks.

Hudson walks away with Rosa and Elliott leans down and kisses my head.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Jess, but you rile him. You have something, I don’t know what, but he’s not happy. I think it’s because he can’t control you/us? It’s strange.”

The words scream through my head, “It’s because he didn’t get what he fucking wanted from me when he attacked me in that night!”

“Yes, I know what you mean,” I reply, dismissing that appalling memory.

I can’t decide what to wear to tonight’s premiere. Whatever I choose, I will look terrible compared to the gorgeous Rosa. I pick out two dresses - they are short, one’s a black and off the shoulder baggy jumper style and the other is a tight-fitting silver one.

“Mia, I need your help please!” I bellow down the stairs.

She pushes open my bedroom door.

“What on earth is it, Jess?”

“I can’t decide what to wear, help me please…what are you wearing?”

“Well, I think you should wear the black one. It looks gorgeous on you, and then I can borrow the silver one as you’ve only given me half an hour’s notice and I don’t have anything prepared,” she teases.

“I know, I sorry. you’re such a life saver. I don’t want to go on my own. After being ditched for a supermodel, I’m not feeling that happy about it.” I pull a silly face at her.

“It’s the company you keep. “ She smiles.

I put on the black dress and it looks good, short but good.  I pick my high black gemmed shoes to go with it. I decide that wearing my hair straight is the only option and sexy smoky eyes are a must for tonight. I might not be a super model but I did sleep with the star of the show last night!” I smile inwardly remembering it.

My phones beeps, distracting my thoughts.

Hey Jess-bear,

I hope everything’s going OK stateside.

Have you spoken to your mum recently?

Love as always

Henry. Xxx

Oh God, it’s from Henry. What does he want? I thought we were having no contact until I came back.  Have I spoken to my mum recently? What is that all about? It’s all very cryptic. I hope she’s OK.

I finish straightening my hair and check my makeup, it looks good.  I still have half an hour until we have to leave. Inspired by Henry’s text I decide to phone my mum.

I push her number into my phone, it’s engaged, but it’s only 7:30 a.m. there. Strange.

I try again five minutes later and it’s ringing.

“Hello.” I recognise my brother Charlie’s voice instantly.

“Hey Charlie, it’s Jess, is everything OK? Is mum OK?”

“Hey Jess. Err… yep, she’s fine, we’re all here.”

“What, Louise, too? Why?”

“Yeah, I’ll get Mum.”

I can tell something’s wrong.  Someone must have died or something for my two siblings to be in the same room at the same time.

“Hello Jessica, my darling, how are you?”

“Hey Mum, I’m fine…well, I was until now, what’s going on? Why are Charlie and Louise there?” I can’t keep the panic out of my voice.

“Hush Jessica, calm down, I do have some bad news for you though, darling. It’s your father.”

“What? My father? The man who I haven’t seen since I was five?”

“Yes, my darling, unfortunately he’s died.”

I feel the tears streaming down my face. “Died? When? Where? How did you find out?”

I’m not sure where any of this emotion has come from, it’s not like I even knew the man.

“We had a letter put through the door. Saying he died yesterday in France from cancer. I’m so sorry, my darling, that we are not there to be with you.”

“Is there going to be a funeral? Should I come back? Who sent the letter?”  My head’s spinning.

“Yes, he’s already been cremated in France by his fourth wife. She is sending his ashes over and we are expecting them tomorrow. Once we have received them, we are going to have a memorial service for him next week. It would be lovely if you could make it, but we understand if you can’t.”

“OK, I will see what I can do. Who’s coming to the service? Will you be there, Mum?”

“I’m not sure, darling, it depends if the other ex-wives are going. It’s a good job you’re his only children...” her voice breaks as she says it.

“I know, Mum. I’m really sorry but I have to go to work. I’m off to one of Elliott’s premieres tonight. I will give you a ring tomorrow to let you know if I can make it. Thanks, love you, bye.”

“That’s fine, Jess. I’m sorry you’re so upset, darling. I really didn’t think it would affect you like that. Take care, sweetheart. Bye.”

She didn’t think I would be upset? Even though my father’s just died? My God, she was a strange one.

Chapter 11

I scan the room looking out for Elliott, but there is no sign of him yet. Mia sits down next to me. We are sitting in the second row and I have a feeling Hudson had something to do with it. Elliott had already told me where I should have been sitting, and that was next to him. But of course he was due to sit in the front row with Rosa! Knocking me from my conspiracies, everybody stands up and starts clapping. I think Elliott’s just arrived.  The crowd outside is going mad chanting his name. The doors open to the cinema and Elliott stands there looking drop dead gorgeous. He’s in a dark grey suit with a blue shirt and matching tie. His hair’s in that messy style. My heart leaps; whoa, I’m one lucky girl. I stare at the wonder that is Elliott Tate as he walks down towards the front, but I’m distracted by the leggy brunette standing next to him. My self-esteem sinks. She looks stunning, as I had imagined. She links Elliott’s arm and they walk down the aisle together.  I notice him looking round, is he looking for me? Or is he just taking in all the people that are there for him? He stops the row behind ours and whispers something to Rosa. He points to the front. She smiles and nods and graciously walks ahead of him to the front. What is he doing? I feel a little flutter in my stomach.

Eventually he walks forward and stops at our row. I look at him and he is standing there with the biggest grin on his face and his arms out in front.

“I think he wants you to go to him,” Mia says.

I feel flattered but also nervous. We are in front of a lot of important people. Elliott gestures to me. I slide my way down the row towards him, apologising on the way.

As I reach him he grabs my hand and pulls me through. I smile at him like he’s nuts.  He picks me up and swings me round and places a full kiss on my lips. I don’t know where to look. I try and grab onto the bottom of my skirt to pull it down.  The last thing he needs is me flashing everyone. He puts me down and everyone cheers. God, how embarrassing or flattering maybe?

We start to walk to the front row but panic starts to rise, what if there’s not enough room for me? But as I walk towards his seat I see my name card placed right next to his. He did this. He knew what Hudson would do.

I glance around looking to see if I can see Hudson. I spot him sitting at the end of the row next to Tara. I feel brave and wave at him with a huge smug grin on my face. He doesn’t respond, he just nods.

“By the way, Miss Ing, you look fucking hot tonight!” Elliott whispers.

I laugh, not expecting that.

“Language, Mr. Tate. You look pretty fucking hot yourself!” I smile, feeling like the only person in the room. Any trace of my father’s death disappears.

We arrive at the whisky bar for the after-party, this time I’m on Elliott’s arm. We pose outside, where the press are all waiting. They call Elliott’s name. “This way, Elliott, this way.” I don’t know which way to look. I just hide myself in him. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He flashes his trade mark smile. One of them asks if we’re dating.

“Yes, Jessica Ing is officially my girlfriend,” he answers, beaming and tapping my bum.

Oh God, I thought we had discussed this one. But I know deep down that he’s said it for a reason and that reason’s me. So I feel more secure about the whole thing. I nuzzle into him feeling like the luckiest girl in the world.

We head into the party, the music is thumping, and the room is based on the theme of the film. Elliott’s greeted by so many different people. He introduces all of them to me - some are directors or producers, camera men, cast members. One woman who’s waiting to be introduced catches my eye. She’s very pretty - I think she’s an actress. She talks to Elliott, but she acts differently around him. It’s like she knows him…really well.

“Jessica, I would like you to meet the lovely Kirsten Lewis.”

“It’s pleasure to meet you, Kirsten,” I say.  She smiles and shakes my hand. I feel a little intimated by her and her exaggerated confidence.

“And it’s lovely to meet you too, Jessica. Elliott’s told me all about you.” She smiles.

“Has he now? I hope it’s good.” I smile, swapping the usual pleasantries.

“I must excuse myself; I need a quick chat with Hudson, while he’s free. I’ll be back in a second,” she announces and walks off.

“So what have you been telling her about me then, Elliott? “ I tease.

“Oh just everything, Jess, that’s all,” he teases. “She knows me very well and I like to get her opinion on things, her honest opinion.”

“How well…..? How do you know her?” I ask, dreading the answer.

“She’s an ex.” He smiles.

I just stare at him.

He laughs.

“God, Jess, what? What do you want…every dirty little detail?” he asks.

“Aha and when were you going to tell me about her?” I ask impatiently.

“She’s just a good friend now, but she was the first girl I ever loved. She stuck by me after all my screw ups at the start and set me on the right path. We went out for a few years and then she got fed up of me and went onto an older man, she broke my heart.” He pulls a sad face.