Extremely Famous

by Heather Leigh

  Hmmmm, maybe there is a benefit to having them around.

  When we finally hop back in the car to go over to the office, my phone chirps from my bag. Drew.

  “Hey babe!” I say cheerfully, still riding a high from being in that unbelievable penthouse.

  “Hey Syd.” His tone is the exact opposite of mine, depressed. In fact, he sounds the same as when I left him, maybe worse.

  “What’s wrong?” I get an icy feeling on the back of my neck, like something bad is happening and he doesn’t want me to know.

  “Nothing Sydney, I’m just tired. We got into Toronto pretty late last night.” His voice is laced with misery.

  I grit my teeth and choke back my anger. He wouldn’t tell me what was bothering him in L.A., he certainly isn’t going to tell me now.

  “I just saw the apartment. I’m so excited that I can’t wait to start.” I decide to change the subject so we won’t fight again.

  “That’s great babe. We just have the Canadian press junket here at the hotel today, then I’ll be back in the city tomorrow for a few days before heading overseas.”

  “Okay Drew. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too. Hey, don’t worry about anything. Just enjoy your new project. You sound really happy to be working Syd.”

  “Yeah, I am. Call me later?”

  “I will. Love you Syd.”

  “Love you too.” I disconnect and feel more frustrated than I did before we spoke.

  I’m not at all pleased that something is upsetting Drew and he won’t let me in. In fact, he is adamantly refusing to discuss it with me. Rhys and Drew have both said I don’t need to worry about whatever it is, which is easier said than done when Drew is moping around. I’m trying not to obsess but he’s being absolutely ridiculous about this entire thing.

  Using my tried and true method of complete denial, I push it to the back of my mind for now, focusing instead on the apartment remodel and setting up a meeting with the client.

  Staring at the phone in my hands, I decide to make another call.

  “Sydney! Hey baby. Are you back in the city?”

  “Hi Mom. Yes, I got in early this morning, around 5am.” It’s been a while since we’ve both been in the same city and I miss her.

  “Tough schedule?”

  “Yes, it is. Did Bethany tell you about the corporate apartment on 6th?

  “Oh my God, yes. I peeked through the photos. Sydney, that place is divine. I’m a jealous of you to be honest.”

  I can’t contain the giddiness that I feel when I think of the penthouse. “I know, it’s even better in person. I just left from there, you know, to take measurements and what not. You need to come with me to see it, Mom. It’s beyond anything you’ve ever seen.”

  “I will definitely take you up on that offer.” I can practically hear her smile through the phone.

  “Hey Mom, what are you doing later? Want to get dinner or something?”

  “Sure baby. Why don’t you come here?”

  Relaxing some, I’m secretly glad she doesn’t want to go out. My nerves can’t take the eavesdroppers and lookie-loos tonight.

  “Great idea, Mom. I’ll call you when I’m done with work, then I want to head back to Drew’s and catch a quick nap.”

  “Drew’s? You’re not staying at your loft?”

  I sigh and squeeze my eyes shut. “Mom, you know how he is. He doesn’t want me alone and there’s not enough room for Steve and Evan in my loft.”

  “What are you talking about?” I can hear the confusion in her voice.

  “Oh, I forgot that you don’t know what happened in L.A. I’ll fill you in tonight Mom.” Then you can see just how ridiculous and over the top my fiancé is when he’s worried about me.

  “Okay Syd, call me later.”

  “Bye Mom.”

  We pull up in front of Allen Deconstruction as I end the call. I’m excited to see Bethany and start on this project, but the last time I was here Drew made a huge, ugly scene. The looks I’m certain to get from everyone in the office has me feeling somewhat sick to my stomach. Swallowing, I shove down the nerves that threaten to overtake me and get out of the car. I don’t care if everyone stares, right? Even though the old me keeps rearing her nervous, insecure head.

  “You okay Miss Tannen?” Evan asks, concern etched across his face.

  “Yeah Evan, thanks. Just remembering the last time I was here.” I shudder at the memory.

  His expression turns sour, certainly recalling the embarrassing display from that day, but thankfully, he says nothing.

  When we step out of the elevator and onto our floor, Kimberly, the receptionist, squeals in delight.

  “Sydney! No one told me you were coming by today!” She comes out from behind her desk and hugs me.

  “Hey Kimberly. No one knows except for Bethany.” I hug her back with enthusiasm.

  “Do you want me to take you back?” I catch a sympathetic look as her eyes flick over to Evan and then back to me.

  “Nah, I know where it is. See you later.”

  I try hard to ignore the whispers and stares that follow me through the main office. I had hoped to duck through unseen, but with Evan’s giant, menacing body trailing close behind, it’s impossible. At least I don’t see anyone taking pictures or videos.

  Bethany’s office door is open so I knock as I step inside, leaving Evan out in the hall.

  She looks up from her computer and grins. “Hey Syd! What did you think? Did you just about die and go to heaven when you saw that apartment?”

  I sit across from her and drop my bag on the floor. “I have never seen anything like it Bethany. It’s…well, there’s no way to describe it.”

  “I know. Unreal that people get to live in places like that,” she says, then realizes that I probably have lived in places like that and her expression turns embarrassed.

  I pretend that I don’t notice her reddening cheeks and wide eyes. “So, what do we know about the client? Do you have anything that discusses their plans or ideas?”

  “I don’t have much,” she admits as she shuffles through some files on her desk. “Here.” She pulls one out and hands it to me. “That’s all I have so far.”

  I open the file. “There’s nothing in here.” I scan the single sheet of paper inside. “All it says is the name of the corporation that owns it, a Black Knight Inc. What’s that?”

  “I have no idea girl.” Bethany puts her elbows on the desk and rests her chin on her hands. “They must know us though because they asked for you, specifically.” She points at me as she says this.

  “How can they know who I am?”

  The look on Bethany’s face says it all.

  “Okay, so they could know who I am without knowing me. Is it a referral?” I don’t like this, the fact that someone asked for me by name. They could be a complete psycho just trying to get me alone in their apartment. Their $28 million penthouse apartment. I grasp onto the fact that crazy people don’t buy eight-digit properties just to meet me. I’m being ridiculous.

  I close the non-existent file and throw it back onto her desk. “Alright, when’s the meeting?”

  Bethany flicks through her computer screen until she finds the email. “Tomorrow at 11am at the property. Here, I’ll forward it to you.” She taps her mouse a few times then puts her hands on her desk.

  I frown at the cloak-and-dagger feel of this entire project, but I want this. Possibly more than I’ve wanted any other job, so I go along with it against my better judgment. “Okaaaay, I guess I’ll be there tomorrow.”

  “Hey,” she leans over her desk as if to share a secret, a big smile on her face. “Want to hit the storeroom and see the new pieces?”

  I laugh and grab my bag. “Hell yes!”

  We giggle conspiratorially as we go down the hallway and into the storeroom, Evan never far behind.

  At least this time I know Angry Drew won’t interrupt our fun.

  CHAPTER 19

  Bruce drops me and Evan
off at my Mom’s after work and a quick nap. He promises to be right outside until I’m ready to go back to Drew’s.

  My mom hurries to greet me, looking radiant as I open the door using my key. She smiles and pulls me into her arms. “Sydney!”

  “Mom, you’re looking great.” I step back and admire my gorgeous mother.

  “Thanks Syd, you too. I had Rita prepare salmon, I hope that’s okay.” She turns and leads me into the kitchen. Rita has been my mom’s cook/head of household for the last five or six years. She pretty much keeps her house running.

  “That sounds great Mom, I didn’t have lunch so I’m starving. I’ll pretty much eat anything at this point.”

  My mom watches me carefully as she sits down at her kitchen table, two plates of grilled fish with a mixed green salad already set in place.

  “So, what’s up? Why aren’t you staying at your place? Drew isn’t with you, right?” Her eyes flick over to Evan who is standing stoically by the door, pretending not to hear every word we say.

  I roll my eyes, irritated at his eavesdropping, no matter how unintentional it may be. “No Mom, he’s in Toronto until tomorrow then here for a few days. Then the overseas part of the press tour starts.” I pick up my fork and take a bite of salmon. “This is delicious by the way.”

  “Rita’s great, what can I say.” She casually waves her hand. “Stop stalling Sydney. What happened that has Drew keeping you at his house,” she glances again at Evan.

  She asks all of the questions that I don’t feel like answering, mostly because I have no idea what caused Drew’s irrational behavior after that phone call.

  “I’m not sure Mom. Drew found out that I went out in L.A. by myself and got upset.”

  She gives me her ‘mom’ look, the one that lets me know I’m in trouble. “Well, you really shouldn’t be out alone Syd, especially after the whole… incident.” My mom avoids eye contact when she mentions the attack by the crazy stalker earlier this year.

  She’s the only person besides Leah who knows about the miscarriage I suffered that day. I can tell it still upsets her, it still upsets me. I try not to think about it too much or the pain is overwhelming. Denial, it’s my best friend and constant companion.

  “I know that Mom. I guess I’m still having a hard time coping with the whole fame thing.” I wave my arms around and frown to emphasize my distaste. “Anyway, Drew got a weird phone call that made him angry. Like berserk, smashing things in the hotel room angry.”

  My Mom’s eyes go wide and she puts down her glass. “What was it about?”

  I let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s the problem Mom, he won’t tell me. It’s nothing for me to worry about according to him.” I scoff and push my food around the plate. “After that call though, he went out to meet Rhys and came back drunk with bruised knuckles. So clearly, it’s not nothing.” I scowl at my lunch and drop the fork.

  “Why don’t you ask Rhys?” she encourages.

  “I did Mom. He gave me the same explanation as Drew, blowing me off. But ever since that call, he wants me at his brownstone so Steve and Evan can stay with me in the spare bedrooms. It’s not enough anymore that they go out with me…” I dart my eyes in Evan’s direction again, “now they have to live with me too.” I toss my napkin on the table and push back, disgusted by my situation.

  “Honey, I know it’s a hard adjustment, being in the public eye. But if you love him, it’s worth it.” She holds my gaze for a moment. “Which reminds me, where’s your engagement ring?” Her eyes flick down to my hand and back up to my face expectantly.

  “That’s the other thing we can’t agree on.” I cross my arms stubbornly and stare at my fingernails. “He wants to tell the world that we’re engaged. The thought of the media’s reaction to that makes me physically ill. I can’t do it, not yet.” I’m sure my face goes an interesting shade of green as I discuss what the paparazzi’s reaction would be to us announcing our engagement.

  “I have to say Sydney, I agree with you on this one. It’s not a wise thing to purposely draw so much attention to yourself if you don’t want the publicity. Why do you think he’s so determined to release a statement?”

  “Adam Reynolds,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.

  Mom leans back in her chair, her mouth gaping open in surprise. “What does he have to do with anything?”

  “He doesn’t.” I press my lips together in a tight line to hold in the giggle that threatens to burst out. “Drew thinks he wants to steal me from him. God, it sounds so ridiculous when I say it out loud,” I laugh. “Honestly, I just think he wants Adam to know that he doesn’t stand a chance, which he doesn’t. We’re just friends Mom. He’s never done or said a single thing to make me think he wants me like that. Drew just hates him. They have some bizarre antagonistic relationship that I don’t know a lot about.”

  My Mom laughs with me. “I forgot how dramatic my life used to be when I was your age and with your Dad. Syd, just do what feels right and be happy. Everything else will fall into place, including your stubborn fiancé.” She gives me a stern look, “Except don’t go out alone anymore, okay?”

  I smirk at her protective mothering. “Fine, I won’t go out alone. Just so you know, I already promised Drew that I wouldn’t so you don’t have to worry.”

  “Good to know,” she says, smirking right back at me.

  Mom tells me about the release date for her movie, Atlanta Burns. It’s tentatively scheduled for Christmas Day, the biggest opening day of the year for films. I’m ecstatic for her and she seems to love being back in front of the camera. At least someone’s life is going well.

  A few hours later I’m sitting on the massive bed in Drew’s brownstone with my laptop, looking out at the lights of the Empire State Building. Forcing myself to focus, I finish up a few final preparations for my client meeting tomorrow to discuss the Sixth Avenue penthouse. Just as I save the file and click to close it, my phone rings from the nightstand. I check the ID, Drew.

  I answer as I close my computer and push it aside. “Hey.”

  “Hey babe. What are you up to?” His rich voice is like a shot of adrenaline in my heart, causing it to beat wildly in my chest.

  “Just finishing preparing for my meeting tomorrow.” I’m now squirming uncomfortably on the bed with desire from speaking to him. “How was the junket today?”

  There’s a pause before he answers. “Fine. The usual, just busy.” He sounds off, unhappy or tired, I’m not sure which.

  “Are you okay?” My concern for him brings my libido to a screeching halt. I sit up on the bed to concentrate on Drew.

  His deep exhale into the phone makes my heart heavy. “No, I mean yes. I’m fine. I just miss you, baby.”

  He’s lying. There’s something else going on, I can tell from the tone of his voice.

  “Is this about the phone call you got the other night?”

  He sighs again. “Syd, I told you that you don’t have to worry about it. Please, let me handle everything.” His tone is final. I can’t change his mind about this.

  I don’t want to fight with him right now so I let it go, determined to discuss it tomorrow when he gets back to the city. “Alright, I won’t ask, for now. But when you’re upset, it upsets me. I want to help.”

  “I know, and I love that you care so much.” His sweet words dissolve my anger in an instant.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Yes. We should be in around 3 or 4pm, I believe. The next few days are crazy with interviews and talk shows, I probably won’t be around much.” I can picture him raking his hands through his messy hair in frustration at the busy schedule.

  “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow night. You don’t have anything after you get in, right?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Okay, well, I’ll see you when you get home,” I say sweetly, trying to pull him from his dark mood.

  “Okay Syd, love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  I flop back
on the bed and toss the phone somewhere next to me. I need to get started on this project so I won’t have time to think about Drew’s wildly fluctuating temperament for a while. I love that he wants to protect me, but there’s a difference between protecting me, keeping me in the dark, and shutting me out. When I go to sleep all I can think is that I don’t have a great feeling about this.

  ****

  “This is so much fun Sydney!” my friend Lexi says as she gets out of the massive pool in my backyard.

  “Yeah, it is,” I agree, kicking my feet as I sit on one of the huge fake boulders that make up the back half of my parents’ backyard oasis.

  Not satisfied with just a regular pool, my Mom and Dad had to hire some fancy landscaper a few years ago and redesign the entire backyard. Now we have a waterfall that looks like it’s cascading down real rocks into a huge free-form pool, a hot tub that seats twelve, and a swim up bar.

  I like it, but don’t normally have a lot of people over to the house to swim with me. I never know if they’re here because they’re my friends or because they want to see my parents, the ‘famous’ movie stars.

  Lexi is different. Her dad is a big time actor too, so she knows what it’s like to not trust people, especially when it comes to inviting them over your house.

  “Dammit Eva! What the fuck do you want me to do!”

  Lexi and I jerk our heads up at the sound of my Dad yelling from inside the house. I didn’t think he was here.

  “Reid, you can’t let them print those pictures!” Mom yells back.

  I glance over at Lexi and see that she’s staring over at my parents’ bedroom above the pool. The doors on their balcony are open and they don’t realize that we can hear everything they are saying. I lower my eyes and feel the deep blush creeping up my neck. They’ve been arguing whenever my Dad is home which isn’t often. I shouldn’t have invited Lexi over.

  “I have all of our lawyers working on it Eva! If the magazine decides to print pictures from the accident now and worry about paying up over a lawsuit later, there’s nothing I can do!” Daddy roars. “Do you think I want those bastards to win? You weren’t there, you didn’t see what it did to Sydney! I would have killed that photographer if those bystanders hadn’t stopped me!”