Star Struck (21 page)

Garrett agreed. “I was never one to get caught up in the
Hollywood gossip.”

“This is ridiculous. Listen to this,” Hailey said, as she turned up the volume on one of the entertainment reports.

“Baby you’re a star. I don’t understand the hype, but some folks want to know everything about their favorite celebrity.”

Garrett massaged her feet as they switched from channel to channel later that night from the comfort of her bed. “I can go to sleep just like this,” Hailey said, enjoying the feel of his hands.

She moaned with he took each one of her toes in his mouth.

Two hours later, they both were knocked out from an intense session of love making.

~ 35 ~

Garrett enjoyed spending time with Hailey. Life for them was as normal as could be with her being a celebrity. The media calls had died down a little but he and her staff were still filtering some calls. He was engrossed in reading a report when Trevon walked in his office.

“You’ve been scarce these last few days,” Garrett said.

“Soul searching. My personal life is in shambles and its about to get worse because reporters are camped outside.”

“That’s the price you pay for being the man in the middle,” Garrett joked.

“Man, I don’t find it funny. Besides it’s not a good look for GT Securities.”

“I’ll have Caroline take care of the reporters, so don’t sweat it.”

Trevon said, “You’re awfully calm about all of this.”

“Life is too short to let stuff like this wreck your nerves.”

“You’re not the one in the limelight.”

“I might as well be. Hailey. You. Can’t help but be in it.”

Caroline popped her head in the door. “Should I tell them you’ll be out to speak with them Trevon?”

“Yes, he’ll be there,” Garrett answered for him.

“Man, I’m not going out there.”

“Get yourself together. You took speech in college, so you’ll do fine.”

For the second time in less than a week, Garrett found himself outside in front of the media. He stood next to Trevon as he answered a few questions from reporters.

“Trevon, did you know Shareeka had a history of stalking people?” one reporter asked.

Trevon answered, “I was not aware of Shareeka’s mental history prior to us getting together.”

Sandy Blair asked, “Did you cheat on Shareeka with Hailey Barnes?”

“Hailey and I have been friends since college. Shareeka was an insecure woman who made our relationship out to be more than what it was.”

Garrett was impressed with how Trevon handled the reporters. “See that wasn’t too bad,” Garrett said, as they sat in Trevon’s office as Caroline brought them something to drink.

Caroline said, “I’m glad to see you two worked out your differences. For a moment I was worried about the two of you.”

Garrett swore he saw Caroline wink at Trevon. He was tired so his eyes must have been playing tricks on him. “Caroline make sure we’re not disturbed unless its Hailey calling.”

“So what did you tell your family about Shareeka?” Garrett asked, as soon as Caroline was out of hearing distance.

“I got folks from everywhere sending me emails, messages on Facebook and Twitter…all trying to find out details. They don’t care about me. They just trying to be nosy. I haven’t been returning any of their messages. I’m just tired man. Tired.”

Garrett took a drink from his soda. “At least you found out about Shareeka before the wedding. Just think of the hassle if you found out about all of this after you were married.”

“If you ever hear me talk about marrying someone else, shoot me and put me out of my misery,” Trevon said, as he leaned back in his chair.

They both laughed. One of the few laughs they shared amongst each other since all the drama between them. Caroline came back into Trevon’s office. “Shareeka is here to see you Trevon. She said its’ urgent.”

Garrett stood up to leave. “Don’t. Send her in,” he told Caroline. “I need you here to witness this,” he told Garrett.

Garrett sat back down. Shareeka walked in looking like a million bucks.  Her hair looked freshly done and she was wearing what appeared to be a red designer pants suit. A far cry from the last time he saw her after the ruffle with Hailey. “Good, both of you are here,” she said.

She plopped down in the chair next to Garrett. “Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”

Trevon said, “Shareeka, there’s really nothing we have to talk about.”

Shareeka handed him an envelope. Trevon asked, “What’s this?”

“Bills from the wedding expenses.” Shareeka leaned back with a smug look on her face.

“I don’t need this.” Trevon threw it back at her. The paper hit the floor. Garrett reached down and picked it up and placed it in Shareeka’s lap.

Shareeka looked at Garrett. “Tell your girlfriend that I will be suing her for deformation of character.”

Garrett responded, “It’s defamation and if I were you, I don’t think you want to go there. You’re still not totally out of the clear.”

“I didn’t do anything but call her what she is and that’s a man stealing whore. Now if they want to put me in jail for that—than so be it, but I tell you I am not the one who has been harassing Hailey. I have better things to do with my time.”

“Well evidence shows otherwise,” Trevon said.

Shareeka scooted to the edge of her seat. “I don’t care what your so called evidence says. I’m a grown woman and I don’t have time to play those type of games.”

“Obviously, you do, or else you wouldn’t be in this situation,” Garrett stated.

“Look, this conversation is between me and Trevon. So I suggest you stay out of it.”

It took all of Garrett’s willpower to remain calm. He knew Shareeka was only trying to push his button so she could cry foul to her attorney and the authorities. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

Trevon said, “I don’t think there’s much more for us to talk about. I don’t need your apology so unless you’re admitting to harassing Hailey, I suggest you leave my office.”

Shareeka responded, “I’ve said all I have to say on the subject. Any other questions should be filtered through my attorney.” She stood up.

Trevon said, “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Shareeka looked confused. Trevon looked down at her hands and said, “I want my ring back.”

Shareeka took her hand and looked at the two carat ring on her finger in various directions. “The rule is if the man breaks off the engagement, the woman gets to keep the ring, so sorryyyy.”

Trevon seemed to restrain himself. Garrett saw him clinch his fists. “You cheated on me and you think I’m going to let you keep the ring.”

“I’ve checked with my attorney so we can take this to court but Tre baby, you would lose.” Shareeka eyed her ring and flashed a huge smile.

Garrett felt bad for Trevon, but knew there was truth in Shareeka’s statement. He said, “Man, I’m afraid she’s right.”

“Keep the ring and the expenses, because I’m not paying for a doggone thing,” Trevon said.
Shareeka stood with one hand on her hip and used the other hand to make a motion. “Don’t make me sue you.”

Trevon stood up behind his desk and looked at Shareeka directly in her eyes. “I don’t think there’s a court under the sun that will award you anything for sleeping with your fiance’s best friend.”

Ouch
. Garrett thought to himself. He wanted to slip out of the room before the scene got any uglier.

Shareeka’s neck and hand seemed to be in unison as both body parts moved from side to side. “Oh I know you didn’t. You’ve been messing around with Hailey since the beginning of our relationship.”

“Our relationship is a thing of the past. Move on. I know I have.”

Shareeka turned around. “It’s not over. You’re going to help pay these expenses or else.”

Trevon shifted behind his desk. Garrett used his hand to signal him to remain where he stood. “Your idle threats don’t mean a thing to me.”

“You’ll be singing a different tune soon enough. Good day,” Shareeka said, as she turned around and twisted out of the room.

~ 36 ~

Hailey listened to Garrett as he told her about Shareeka’s office visit. “As long as she doesn’t show up around here, I’m cool,” Hailey said, over the phone.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay? I have a client who is requesting me personally. I can assign someone to come by the house.” Garrett sounded concerned.

“Now that Shareeka knows we know it’s her. I don’t think she’ll try anything stupid. Besides, she will need to get past the security gate first.”

Hailey hung up with Garrett and went upstairs to run her some bath water. “Awe,” she said, as soon as her foot touched the hot water. It didn’t take long for her to relax as she laid her head on the back of the tub and closed her eyes. Her eyes shot open when her alarm chirped.

She nearly slipped getting out of the tub. She ran out of her master bathroom and went and locked access to her bedroom door. She dialed Garrett’s number. “The alarm chirped. I’m upstairs so I’m locked up in my bedroom.”

Garrett tried to calm her. “Trevon’s closer so I’ll have him come check it out. In the meantime, call the police just in case. Don’t leave out your room for nothing okay.”

Hailey’s heart started beating fast. “What if it’s?”

Garrett didn’t let her complete her thought. He said, “Stay by the phone. Put it on vibrate.”

The alarm company had already alerted the police so hopefully it wouldn’t be long. Hailey put her ear against the doorway to see if she could hear anything, but she wasn’t able to. She remembered the surveillance equipment set up in her closet. She moved past the clothes and viewed the two seventeen inch screens.  Hailey didn’t see anyone. She used the mouse to turn the angles of the hidden cameras in different directions but the screens still remained blank. Hailey thought about giving up, but instead, she clicked the mouse and the outside cameras showed someone running towards the gate at the end of her property.

Garrett called her just as she was about to dial his number. “I see someone running towards the gate but I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman!” Hailey said.

“Trevon should be pulling up any minute,” Garrett assured her.

Hailey watched the mysterious person climb over the gate. A few minutes later, she saw Trevon drive up to the gate. He entered in the security code and drove up the driveway with his lights off.  Hailey hesitated before opening the door. She did not feel safe. Hailey watched Trevon survey the outside of the house. He dialed her number.

“Unlock the side door,” Trevon said.

Hailey went to her closet and hit the button that Garrett had installed. She watched the screen as Trevon went from room to room. Apparently there was only one culprit. When she noticed him outside of her door, she rushed out the closet to open it. “Thank God you made it,” she said, so happy to see him, that she hugged him tightly.

“I came as soon as Garrett called me,” Trevon responded.

For a moment Hailey forgot about how hurt she had felt when learning of Trevon’s engagement. Being in his arms felt like old times; except this time, she was now seeing Garrett. She pushed her lustful feelings for Trevon to the side.

Trevon must have felt the same attraction because before she could protest, his lips were on top of hers. Hailey pushed him away while wiping her lips. “What are you doing?”

“I thought,” Trevon stuttered.

Hailey turned around so he couldn’t see the uneasiness she felt. “Look. We both got caught up in the moment. No big deal.” She decided to drop it.

“Did you call the police like Garrett told you?” Trevon asked. “They should be here by now.”

“Good thing you showed up when you did,” she responded, as she followed Trevon downstairs.

“I saw someone on the camera jumping the fence. In fact, wait a minute.” Hailey looked at Trevon and started backing up. “No, can’t be.”

Trevon looked confused. “Hailey’s what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” A chill went up her spine. Her stomach became queasy. “I forgot something upstairs. Come get me when the police get here.”

Trevon reached out to her, but Hailey jerked back, stumbling on the stairway. She moved his hands as he attempted to help her up. “I was just trying to help you up,” Trevon said.

“I’m okay.” Hailey tightened the belt on her robe before rushing upstairs. As soon as she was in her room, she closed the door and locked it. She dialed Garrett’s number. “Garrett I need you. Please come and hurry.”

“What’s wrong? I thought Trevon was there,” Garrett responded.

“He is but I will feel safer when you get here.” Hailey debated with herself whether to tell Garrett her suspicions. She was not safe with Trevon. She wanted. No. She needed Garrett.

“What is it you’re not telling me?” Garrett asked.

“Tre is wearing something similar to what the person who I caught running from the house wearing.” Hailey’s heart rate had not slowed down.