by Anke Napp
“One of the rebels tried to make it past the police and was using me as shield. But I knocked him out!”
“You did what?!” The young woman’s surprised question was drowned by Nora’s cries. When she saw the blood staining Thabo’s hands, she was glad for the first time in her life that someone knew something better than she did…
When the police stormed into the ruins of the house shortly after, they found a lustily crying new born baby cradled in the arms of his exhausted mother, and two young people in tears, embracing each other.
Alison did not pay attention to anything going on around her. Not the shouted orders by the police, nor the dull clunk of the weapons the surrendering kidnappers were dropping. When she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked up. A police man stood next to her, and behind him a woman in medic’s uniform.
“Come along,” he said, and when she hesitated, the woman added “you have done all you could to protect him, now you have to let us help him. I promise, he’ll be in the best hands”.
Alison reluctantly released her hold on Vance and allowed them to help her to her feet.
“Get that helicopter down here! And prepare for a class one emergency!”
She heard the medic’s words without really understanding them. She was beyond comprehension. She saw Vance been lifted onto a stretcher, and a moment later, the last of her strength and resolve disappeared and she collapsed into the arms of another paramedic.
For the first time in her life, Alison tried to resist the effects of tranquilizers. She wanted to stay alert; she wanted to stay with Vance. However, it was of no use, the medication was too strong and her exhausted body succumbed. The next time she opened her eyes she was in the hospital bed, and, as the nurse informed her, more than 35 hours had passed.
Alison sat up and frowned, struggling against the slowly receding drowsiness.
Vance, was her first clear thought and her heart started to beat faster. “How is Mr. Van Sorel?”
The few seconds before the nurse answered felt like an eternity while her heart began to sink. “He is still in intensive care, but out of immediate danger.”
Alison breathed a sigh of relief. “Can I visit him?”
“I’m going to check with the doctor in charge, Madam. But first, you should eat something! It will help with the nausea from the medication.”
The nurse put a tray with toast, butter and a delicious smelling soup on the table next to the bed. Of course she was right, Alison admitted. Nonetheless, she had to force everything down.
In the hospital’s lounge, a comfortably furnished place with a lot of greenery, the film team celebrated the reunion with its lost members Jake, Lauren and Thabo. Everyone had asked about the two members who were conspicuously absent, Vance and Max. They were relieved to hear that Vance was through emergency surgery and on the mend, but they fell into stunned silence upon hearing of Max Dumont’s death. All the petty differences and dislikes between the various people on the set were completely gone. They were just one big happily reunited family.
“I thought I’d never see you guys again,” Chang confessed, hugging everyone.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily!” Jake replied grinning. Now, two days after the events, well rested, he felt as if he had a new lease on life and was in great mood.
“Man, was I scared!” He answered the curious and concerned questions of the others. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared before. When all those bullets were flying over my head, I almost peed in my pants, I kid you not!”
Jake took a deep breath, suddenly remembering their colleague who didn’t make it back. “I’m just damned sorry that Max isn’t here with us…”
Chang nodded and patted his shoulders. “I heard Nora is going to name her son after him?”
“Yeah, she will.” The answer came from Lauren, who was curled up another chair, her legs drawn up under her, dressed in a blue hospital robe. Her hair was still a bit wet from a recent shower and she wore no make up. She didn’t care about a flawless appearance at the moment; she was just happy to be safe, clean and no longer hungry and thirsty! And - knowing that Vance was more or less okay made everything perfect of course.
For Alison, waiting for permission to visit Vance became unbearable. She didn’t want to go to the lounge to join the others; she wanted to be right here in her room in case an orderly came to take her to him. She got a visit from Jake, Chang and two others, but could barely focus on talking to them. On top of all, the worried producer called from L.A. Now all of a sudden, he was very concerned! Maybe he was already afraid of being sued by some members of the team! Well, should he! That’s what he deserved after insisting on sending her team, her ‘family’ into a known danger zone!
Finally, her room’s door opened to reveal the nurse. Alison almost jumped up from the table she was sitting at.
“Sorry, Madam, the police recovered some equipment and they’d like you to check if it’s yours.”
Her mood dropped with lightning speed. Suppressing a sigh, she accompanied the nurse.
A police van was parked in front of the building; an officer was leaning against the fender, smoking a cigarette. The side door was open, so Alison could inspect the items inside. Yes, no doubt, this was her team’s stuff! She recognized the camera, she and Jake had tried to save in the last minute. She gave it a quick once over; the device seemed to be in perfect condition except some scratches, and the tape was still inside. Good! She signed some papers to leave everything in police custody until they returned to the States. The process seemed to take forever.
When she turned back to the entrance, she found a member of the medical staff waiting for her. “Mrs. Cartwright, our senior physician has given green light for a short visit with Mr. Van Sorel. But first you need to put on some protective gear, because of the contamination risk.”
Alison nodded.
In front of the glass door to the intensive care unit, Alison discovered Lauren. She froze for an instant. Before she could find any words, Lauren started on her own:
“I wanted to pay our hero a little visit and remind him that he shouldn’t wait getting that Oscar until I’m old and grey! But they told me that you had been given permission for a visit, and two people at a time would be too tiring for Vance right now.”
Alison was not sure how to react.
“I’m leaving the hospital this afternoon and moving into the hotel across the street,” continued Lauren. “Maybe … you could just… give him my best wishes. And… I mean…” She stopped and sighed and bit her lip. She felt just as awkward and uncomfortable as Allison did. Both could just have turned and parted ways, but none of them did. An uneasy silence settled over them.
“You know,” Lauren started again, “I learned one thing: I was a selfish little girl…” Another sigh. “I was an idiot. A big idiot, thinking life is all about getting everything you want. But… I want Vance to be happy. And he … well … he won’t be with me!”
It took Allison a moment to digest this.
“I guess, we’ve both been idiots,” she finally said with low voice. “In one way or the other.” Then she reached out to embrace the younger woman.
Clad in hospital shrubs and mask, the protective gear mentioned earlier, Alison entered Vance’s room. Thank God, it was a private one! She had been so eager to see him as soon as possible – but now she was shocked, as he lay in front of her, very pale and connected to an ECG analysis device and an IV. The surveillance equipment made low beeping sounds. At least the respirator wasn’t necessary anymore, but she noticed it still sitting next to his bed, as if he had been disconnected from it only moments ago. Only now she realized how close to death he had come. More than likely had he been left unattended for only a couple of minutes longer, Vance would‘ve died out there.
Alison stepped closer and sat down on the little chair next to the bed. Gently, she closed her fingers around his left hand. It seemed a bit cold to her, and somehow very fragile. She wish
ed she didn’t have to wear those anti-contamination gloves!
“Vance?” she whispered.
His head turned slowly towards her and his eyes opened. Alison saw his lips curl in a very faint smile.
“Wonderful to wake up … and see your face.”
“I’m so glad you’re alive!” She couldn’t hold back her tears, despite her firm resolve not to cry. “That was a crazy thing to do, Vance; what the hell were you thinking??”
She stroked his head and cheek and again cursed the gloves. She wanted to feel him, hug him and hold him – and never let him go!
“Do you regret it already… having said yes?” he asked.
“No.”
Their eyes met in a soft kiss that their lips were denied, and they fell silent for a long moment.
“Just promise me you won’t ever pull a crazy stunt like that again!”
His smile grew stronger. “Only in the movies.”
…
The house lay in one of the quieter areas of Los Angeles. The last sunrays of the day coloured the roof. The huge trees in front of the building provided a natural shield from noise and curiosity. It was almost as if a noble lady hid herself behind an umbrella, well aware of her beauty and charm, but too modest to show off. The house was a jewel. Just the right spot to feel at home in this bustling, roaring city. Vance and Alison had bought it six months ago, shortly after their marriage. Some cardboard boxes and stacked items reminded that the new owners had moved in only a short time ago, after the renovation and refurnishing had been completed.
At the moment, Vance stood in front of the mirror in the spacious bed room and struggled with his tie. He hated having to dress up like that. But for some occasions, it was just inevitable. And a movie premiere was one of these occasions!
“I still think,” he commented his efforts, “the invention of things like ties hastens the fall of mankind!”
“That’s probably the reason, women were created,” Alison’s voice answered. “To help men in their distress! Come on…”
Vance turned around and saw her enter, clad in a shimmering blue gown. The colour was perfect for her skin tone and hair. His face lit up like the sun as he watched her.
“You look absolutely stunning! I’m glad you skipped the advice of your so-called stylist and followed mine instead!”
“Yes…” Alison smiled the same. “But if we don’t hurry, we’ll have to skip this whole evening…”
“Are you mad at me?”
Even if she had been, the way he looked at her made it impossible to feel anything but happiness and love.
She finished the tie with quick and skilled moves, and then put her arms around his hips. Vance bent down until his lips almost touched hers.
“We’re definitely going to be late, Mrs. Van Sorel!”
“Well, the premiere is behind schedule anyway.”
They indulged in a long, gentle kiss that was interrupted by the sound of the door bell.
“That’s the cab. Much as I hate to, we really have to break things up and get going.” Alison grabbed her shawl and hurried to the intercom near the door to acknowledge the taxi driver.
“We could continue in the theatre. It’s dark, after all,” Vance answered grinning, snatching his jacket.
Alison shot him a glance full of pretend outrage and shook her head.
When they arrived, the reporters, a lot of colleagues and a huge mass of fans and spectators were already in attendance. A young stylish reporter from Vogue put herself forward and approached the new arrivals. She talked at top speed, hardly giving them a chance to respond.
“Welcome! – May I congratulate to your marriage? – What a wonderful romantic story, you fell in love on the set of this great new movie! That’s almost like a movie script itself, don’t you think? Is there anything you want to share with our viewers?”
She held the microphone in Alison’s direction.
“Only one thing! I want to thank all the people who have worked on this production and made this movie possible despite the all the difficulties we encountered! And I want to remember my old, trusted colleague Max Dumont, who gave his life in an attempt to save all of us and sadly is not here tonight to celebrate this achievement! – Max, I hope you have found the peace you were always striving for – no one deserves it more than you!”
The reporter blinked and was momentarily taken aback. She was here to get a sweet inside story of Hollywood’s latest dream couple, and did not know how to respond to this somber statement. And her colleagues from another paper already interviewed producer Yerikov!
“Misses and Mister Van Sorel, can we look forward seeing you work together on a project any time soon?” she tried to get the interview on track again. At least, her camera assistant got some nice close-ups, when Vance smiled radiantly into the camera.
“At the moment,” he said, looking as if he could just embrace the whole world, “we are working on a little project of our own, yes!”
With that he turned, gently leading Alison away from the pushy reporter, who hurried after them, now inquiring what project he was talking about. Alison was still laughing when they finally arrived inside the luxurious lobby of the old movie theater. Now the gossip mongers had something to chew on! In the past, that would have really annoyed here. But tonight, she was simply too happy.
“Hello, Alison! Vance!” The unmistakable timbre of Jake Bertoni. “I can‘t believe I haven’t seen you since the wrapping party! Oh, you both look great!”
He hugged them both, and then took a step back, still grinning. “And what did I hear, you’re working on a little project?!”
Vance bent down, making sure his words weren’t overheard by the other guests or the reporters. “We’re having a baby. We just found out yesterday!”
Now Jake beamed the same, and again took Alison’s hands. “That’s amazing news! I wish you all the best!”
Steps behind him made him turn around. A dark haired woman in black dress had just entered and now looked around searching.
“Heather, I’m over here!” called Jake and turned back to Vance and Alison. “My new fiancée! Does she not look marvelous?!”
“Jake, be careful…”
“She’s the ex-lawyer of my ex-wife! So I don’t think I run into that kind of trouble again!” He whispered to Vance and laughed heartfelt. His new love greeted him with a kiss and apologized for being late because of work.
Vance was happy for his old friend. It looked as if he finally had pulled a winning card! Unlike his former conquests, this woman seemed to have brains and decency and no need to use a man for a living! Jake deserved some luck of his own!
“I’ll have to tell you how we fell in love!” Jake announced and received a smirk from his fiancée. “We clashed during the house affair, you know, the vacation home in Malibu! And I --” Loud children’s voices interrupted him. He turned around and discovered Nora Mendez and her family. Of course, they had left their youngest child with a nanny at home. However, their two girls, ten and eight years old, chased each other through the lobby, not at all caring about their pretty party dresses.
Vance watched the little whirlwinds with amusement. Soon, Alison and he would have one, too. He was already very excited at the thought. Would it be a boy or a girl? They didn’t know yet, but Alison had a doctor’s appointment next week. So much would have to be done! Fortunately, the house was big enough and had a wonderful garden. He had already checked in with his agent and notified him, that he would not be available for projects that would keep him away from home for extended periods of time…
Vance put his arm around Alison’s shoulders, and from the way she looked up to him he assumed that she had been preoccupied with similar thoughts. He would’ve loved to give her a very long kiss this very moment, but commotion from outside demanded the attention of them all. Multiple camera flashes and yelling reporters informed them that someone eye catching had arrived. Either producer Yerikov’s Chinese wife who designed all her
robes herself, or--
“Wow, it’s Lauren! She knows how to handle those paparazzi, look at that!”
Jake was absolutely right. The young woman smiled, waved and gave the press the opportunity to take photographs from every angle, without letting her postures look artificial. The one or the other who failed to keep the distance she wanted them to keep, Lauren shooed away with a harsh glance. Not so unlike from Alison, everyone thought.
The greeting round finished, Lauren joined the little group around Vance and shared her own good news. „I‘m glad I could make it. I would‘ve hated to miss tonight‘s premiere. I‘ve been cast for this huge movie about the Huguenots and I’m flying to France tomorrow!”
“Ah… then you‘re going to play with Robert Harker!”
“Yes I will. I already met him last week in a briefing,” she answered. “And really…” She lowered her voice, “he’s an asshole!”
Vance had no doubt that Lauren Bastian would show Harker his limits very soon, a thought he found very amusing. While she told them about her new project, Thabo arrived, looking elegant and charming in his black suit. When he and Lauren embraced, Jake raised his eyebrows and his lips formed the hint of a whistle.
“Do we just witness Hollywood‘s next dream couple?” he whispered in Vance‘s direction and got a broad smile back.
Shortly after, the entrance sequence of “Heart‘s Desires” unfolded on the silver screen. The title faded in over the heads of three kissing couples. At least for some of the film crew, Hollywood had succeeded in fulfilling dreams and creating new perspectives.
Hearts‘ Desires
Acknowledgements
My thanks to the people who helped me creating this novel, first of all my proofreader T. Widmayer, then my husband J.-U. Napp, and K. L. James.
Hearts‘ Desires