I press the package against my chest, and I can feel what it is through the paper wrapping. A new brooch. I really do wish that it was a teleportation device.
This is a nightmare.
“Which one is Jill?”
“That one. The really skinny one, with short brown hair. The one on her phone.”
Simon’s sky blue eyes skim the room. He seems to take everyone in, and when he sees Diana, in a silver mini dress with a faux frock thrown over her pale shoulders, he gives me a glance. “Is that Diana Harris?”
We’re standing right outside of a small private room, which has its own small in house kitchen behind a class partition. There’s a wonderful view of the dark mountain all lit up, and through the glass doors I can see a long table, set for seven people with beautiful rustic china wear and centrepieces.
My eyes bulge a little at Simon’s question. “You know her?”
“Not formally, no,” Simon says. He adjusts the collar of his dark suit jacket and clears his throat as he fixes the sleeve of the jacket. I’m happy with the ensemble he chose because it makes him look really good. Even from his pictures online I could understand how attractive Simon was, with high cheekbones and eyes that you could drown yourself in. However, in person the complexion of his tanned skin and curly hair adds to his appeal. “So she is the one married to your ex-husband?”
“Right,” I bring my voice back down to a whisper. “That’s the guy in the black pants and white dress shirt, nursing a scotch.”
Surprisingly, filling Simon in on bits of my life upstairs was easy. He listened and asked basic questions. I told him about my mother, how controlling she was and iron-willed, especially when we first started filming and she tried to control everything. He sympathized, saying his father is the exact same way.
He then told me a little about his life, like the royal scandal Adam mentioned to me. Simon swore that he confused the princesses because they were twins and he was sure the one he kissed was the one that was his girlfriend. An honest mistake, or so he claims.
Liz approaches us with our microphones, and we both lift our arms as we are fitted. I chose to wear a dark red suede skirt and a black tank top. I paired it with a statement necklace and the hair team had curled my hair nicely. Angie’s new brooch, rose gold in shape of a rose with emerald studded vines, rests over my left breast.
I still feel underdressed next to Diana’s silver dress, Reagan’s shimmery off the shoulder romper and Jill’s striped dress. Even Brooke looks smart in black pants and a fitted white suit jacket.
The mics are switched on and Simon looks at me with an excited smile. “Ready?”
“I guess so,” I shrug.
He pulls open the door, and laughs so loudly it catches me off guard. I give him a slight frown as I pass him. Everyone has turned to look at us, and now I realize what Simon’s goal had been to snare their attention, to show us off as a happy couple. “That’s funny, my love.”
I manage a tight lipped smile to the room and we slowly enter. Diana’s mouth drops a little bit as she sizes Simon up slowly, elbowing Adam, who himself, is frowning. Behind them, Jill looks at me with wide eyes.
“Hey, Jules,” Brooke greets as she lets go of the chair before her. “So, this is Simon?”
We stop at the head of the table and I motion to Simon, whose grinning at everyone already. “Yes, um, everyone, this is Simon. Simon, this is everyone.”
Reagan, Adam and Diana barely manage to utter a word but Brooke extends a hand at him. “Pleasure, Simon.”
“It’s all mine,” Simon grins as he shakes her hand quickly. He then pretends to spot Jill for the first time. “Jillian! How are you?”
He leaves my side and makes his way around Adam and Diana. When he gets to Jill, he gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. “It’s been ages. When was the last time we saw you? Had to have been at that vineyard in Napa.”
“Uh, ye—yes,” Jill forces a smile through her stutter. She’s still frozen in place, her hands clenching her smartphone. “I think so.”
“What vineyard?” Adam suddenly questions. He turns to face Simon and takes a slow drink. “I’m a frequent visitor, I think I’ve been to almost all of them.”
“Coastal Region Wines,” Simon tells him. “A very good friend of mine owns it.”
“I can’t say I ever heard of it,” Adam frowns.
My heart is starting to pick up in panic and I grasp the chair in front of me.
“Really? It’s won Best Merlot in the region for the last five years,” Simon genuinely frowns back at Adam, and reaches into his back pocket to produce his phone. “Let me show you the vineyard. Maybe it just slipped your mind.”
“Er, Simon.” Diana steps away from Adam and extends a slim hand. “Hello, I’m Diana Harris-McMahon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shakes her head with a brittle smile.
“Ah, yes, you’re the one who thought I didn’t exist.”
Jill doesn’t try to hide her smirk as Diana lets out her own nervous laughter. “Oh, I was just teasing Julie. You know how it goes…” Simon gives her another crisp smile, before looking over at Reagan.
“You must be Reagan,” he puts out his hand and she takes it slowly. Even from across the table I can tell her handshake is stiff. “Julie’s told me wonderful things about you.”
She manages to give him a small smile as she breaks his grasp and looks down at the setting on the table in front of her. We meet eyes for a second and then I clear my throat. “Should we all sit down and wait for the chef?”
“I’m so excited,” Brooke moves down a chair and pulls it out. “A private chef! I wonder what they’ll serve.”
I sit down next to her, and Simon takes my other side. I pretend not to notice that Adam has taken the seat straight across from me, with Diana to his left and Reagan to his right. Jill takes the head of the table. There are three bottles of open wine on the table and we begin to pass them around.
Fifteen minutes later, and in the middle of our individual conversations, the chef comes out with two servers and sets down three plates of goat cheese, apricot crostini with mint and pistachios. We begin to help ourselves, our conversations breaking when Adam asks loudly, “So, Simon. Do you plan on staying with us long?”
“The rest of the week, yes,” Simon answers as he bites into his crostini.
“I’m curious,” Adam places a hand on the table as he keeps his eyes Simon. “What enticed you to join us on this reunion?”
I sneer at my ex-husband. As if Simon’s the only one to have crashed the show.
“Julie told me what a fantastic time you are all having, and I thought it would be fun to pop by if she would allow me.” Simon gives the table a warm smile but as his eyes fall to Adam, his smile tightens. “We figured, since you had already showed up uninvited, it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea if I did the same.”
“I showed up to support my wife,” Adam throws his way. “She had terrifying case of food poisoning.”
Simon shrugs, “And I showed up to support Julie.” He gives me a smile as he puts his hands over mine. “And to be honest, I missed her terribly.”
I hear Brooke exhale an “aww” to the table and I have to force a smile over my mouth, uncomfortable as it feels.
“I think it’s great,” Brooke announces leaning over so she can see him better. “We didn’t get to ski much so maybe we can hit the slopes again and you can teach us.” I pick up my glass of wine and take a long sip.
“Julie tried,” Diana tells Simon, she flashes him a smile, “but I don’t think she explained it well.”
“From what I’ve been told, the pupils weren’t very receptive,” Simon suggests. Jill lets out a chuckle as Diana’s lips pierce together.
“This wine is fantastic,” I declare, picking up my glass as I hope to change the subject. “Has anyone tried it?”
“So what do you do Simon?” Adam asks, his stare
fixates on the man pretending to be my boyfriend. “When you aren’t competing? I don’t imagine you have a real job.”
This man is a menace.
“Well, you’re right. Since I have money from endorsements, I don’t work during the off season but I do train,” Simon answers as he reaches for his wine. “I train and I volunteer.”
“You volunteer?” Reagan asks as if she didn’t hear him. Nervously, I take another drink of my wine and feel my legs bounce beneath the table.
“Oh yes, he volunteers everywhere,” Jill tells her casually, scraping off the goat cheese from her crostini. “One of the things he and Julie have in common.”
“Impressive,” Brooke quips. “Well, we are glad you joined us, Simon. Maybe if Jill, Reagan and I could get our better halves here, we’d have even more fun.”
The conversation breaks into Adam and Diana, and Simon with Jill and Reagan.
“You’re so jittery, Jules,” Brooke whispers in my ear when she notices my fingers strumming my wine glass stem.
“Must still be hungover from last night,” I lie in a hushed whisper.
The next serving brought out a few minutes later is mini beef wellington bites, and cold cucumber soup.
“Julie says you run your own plastic surgery firm in L.A.,” Simon says looking at Adam as Adam bites into a beef wellington. “That’s impressive.”
“Thank you,” Adam chews through his food. He swallows and uses his napkin to wipe his mouth. “I’ve been very successful. It all comes down to hard work, and just a little bit of luck.” Diana clears her throat at him and he glances her way. “And of course, I have the support of a great wife.” He sets his arm on the back of Diana’s chair and she leans into it, sweetly. “Least I can do is spoil her with expensive things.”
I feel my stomach contents rise.
Barf.
“Now, see, that’s what I love about Jules,” Simon smiles softly as he looks over at me, “I buy her all these designer clothes and diamonds and all she wants is my attention. She isn’t about the material things or that lifestyle.”
“Exactly what I love about her, too” Jill states loudly as she nods her head. “She’s genuine.”
I’m starting to squirm under the spotlight as I struggle not to look into Adam’s or Diana’s eyes, because I can feel them staring.
“Are you saying my wife is materialistic?” Adam suddenly asks.
I sit up and look at him, “No, Adam, he’s not.”
Simon leans back into his seat and gives Adam a cocky smile. “I don’t know your wife.”
Over my ex-husband’s head I can see Oscar throw two thumbs up in excitement. Declan stands next to him, eyes on the camera and headset over his head. I watch him point at something on the camera’s screen and then he looks back to us. Our eyes meet for a second and he gives me a subtle but smooth smile. I return one quickly until Adam’s loud voice brings my attention back to the table.
“You have a lot of nerve, ski boy,” Adam snaps. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. I never bled anyone dry.”
“I never said you did,” Simon shrugs. “I just said I heard the rumors about you and your ex-partner.”
Adam scoffs at him, “I know what you mean by that.”
“Relax, Adam,” Jill can’t help but retort. “He’s only bringing up what everyone at the table is thinking.”
“Jill? Don’t you have a company to save?” Diana remarks haughtily.
“No thanks to you,” Jill snaps, her stare cold and deadly.
Diana throws down her napkin and its impact shakes her wine glass. “I’m getting sick of you accusing me, Jillian. If you don’t have proof you should shut your mouth.”
Jill smirks as she reaches for her water. “Like I could give a care that you’re getting sick of it. Gold digger.”
Diana jumps from her seat and grabs her wine glass. She throws it towards Jill and the dark wine splashes onto the CEO’s face, and all over her outfit. Bits of it bounce off onto Reagan and Simon, who both jump up from their chairs. Jill lets out a shriek as Diana pulls away from Adam’s tug. “You deserve it! I saw what you tweeted today! I saw that meme comparing me to Miss Piggy!”
Brooke stands up next to me, her arms over the table. “Let’s all calm down a bit.”
As Adam turns into Diana, Jill wipes her face with her hands. She reaches for the bowl of cucumber soup and with a cry, heaves it into the direction of Adam and Diana.
The creamy soup slams into the back of Adam’s head and over his shoulder, down onto Diana’s face and head. She screams loudly and flails her arms up.
“Jesus Christ!” Adam shouts as he backs away from his wife, cold soup dripping down his back.
Brooke cries out. “We are in a public place! Can’t we be civil?” She drops down in her chair, embarrassed and covering her face with her hands.
Jill drops the ceramic soup bowl on the table and wipes off her face once again. She drops her napkin on the table and huffs out from the room. Brooke leaves my side to run after her, and one of the cameras pans after the two of them.
“Well,” Reagan sighs as she reaches for her glass and takes a long drink. “I guess dinner is over.”
“This is going to stain,” Simon tells me as he points at the red wine splatters against his arm. “I have to run upstairs and change.” He catches me off guard when he plants a kiss on my forehead and rushes from the room, his focus on his sleeve.
Oscar finally calls out “CUT!”
“She’s getting the dry cleaning bill for this!” Diana screams at everyone as she swipes creamy soup off her shoulders. “It’s Versace.”
“Technically, you started it,” I can’t help but hiss at her. “You should pay for her dry cleaning bill.”
“Shut up,” Diana snaps. “I was thrown from a speeding sleigh today by crazed snowmobilers, and I’m still being constantly attacked by a cast member! I didn’t sign up for this!”
I roll my eyes, and the move stiffens her glare at me. “And I know it was you, who poisoned me the first night we were here, Julie. I know it was you.”
I let out a laugh. “You’re insane.”
“Everyone knows it was you!” She screams. Next to her Adam gives me a glance but he remains silence.
“Diana, stop acting so tacky,” I reply with a sigh. “It’s beneath you.”
“Not as tacky as that ugly brooch!” She interjects. My hand flies up to the brooch to cover it from her view. Before I can respond, she stomps around Adam and disappears from the room, letting out one more scream as she does.
I push my chair back under the table and make my way towards Reagan, whose dabbing her napkin against a few wine dots on her romper. “Is it going to stain?”
“Not if I put stuff on it right away,” she tells me without looking up.
“I’m still hungry,” I say, “want to go get something to eat?”
“Um, maybe…” Finally she looks up at me. “I just have to get water on this. I’ll text you if I’m up for it.”
I feel the gullible grin sprint over my lips and I nod, “Great, yeah!”
I know she won’t bother texting, but I like the hopeful feeling.
She scurries from the room and just as I’m about to follow her, Adam steps up next to me. He uses a napkin to clean the back of his neck. “Your boyfriend is a fake.”
“What are you talking about?” I demand annoyingly. “You’re just mad because he got under your skin. If anyone is fake at the table, it’s you and your wife.”
He scoffs at me and throws the napkin on the table next to me. “You’re wasting your time with him. Trust me.”
“I don’t think so,” I retort, “I would know. I already wasted my time with you.”
Adam’s laugh is anything but genuine. “Please, you have to know you’re just a passing whim to him.”
“That’s exactly what Fin and Ange said about
you,” I smirk. I raise my eyebrows at him as I begin to walk away. I can hear him following me as I leave the room.
“Don’t compare me to that idiot,” Adam states. He hurries to catch up to me. “I never used you. He, that guy, is using you.”
And I’m using him.
I stop in my tracks though, and spin around to face him. “You used me to get on the show five years ago and you tried to use Declan to get your own show.” Adam’s face falls and I laugh at him. “What? You didn’t think I knew that?”
“You believe him?” Adam frowns as he steps up closer to me and looks down into my eyes. “Are you serious, Jules? Don’t you remember what that scumbag did? Or did you conveniently forget?”
“I didn’t forget,” I profess. “I just...He didn’t put a gun to your head, Adam. He didn’t force you to do what you did.”
“No but he took advantage of what he knew about the two of us and put me, us, in situations that didn’t help,” Adam spits out angrily. “And may I remind you of what I did after the show—”
“Stop!” I cut him off with the shout and it echoes down the hallway. I don’t want to think back on his phone calls, or how I almost caved and ran back to him.
“Is there a problem?”
Adam looks over his shoulder as I sidestep, spotting Declan and a cameraman standing at the entrance of the room. Adam grunts looking away from him.
“No, we're fine,” I call out to Declan as I glare at Adam. “Adam was just going after his wife.” He stares at me for a few more seconds and then scoffs, moving around me and heading down the hallway.
“Oscar wants to know if you're up for an interview about what happened,” Declan asks slowly approaching me.
“Uh, sure,” I say. “I can do a quick one.”
I follow Declan back into the room. There are people cleaning up the table and I see the chef arguing with Oscar in the corner of the room. Not that I blame the guy for being livid.
As the camera guy sets up the camera, Brooke reappears in the room, throwing her arms up as she walks over to me. “Well, Jill is fuming.”
Reuniting Reality Page 16