“Why do you say that?” I asked her and she tilted her head at me and lifted her eyebrows slightly.
“Well because if he’s a super fan and tried to use you to get to me, then I don’t imagine he’ll give up his only link to a person he idolizes,” she said seriously and I chewed on my bottom lip in speculation.
“I see what you’re saying…” I said and then remembered the look on Remy’s face as I was leaving. Mom went to the fridge and started getting out ingredients for loaded grilled cheese, one of my favorite dishes that she’s ever made for me. And really one of the only dishes she really knew how to make well.
“Come help me babe,” she said and I went to help her make lunch.
“How long will you be home?” I asked her and she sighed, I knew what that meant. She was getting ready to do a long stint of working away.
“Well I’ve been cast for a movie and we start shooting in the UK next month, but the date might be brought up depending on how soon funding comes through,” she said and I looked at her curiously.
“How long will you be away then?” I asked her and she actually shrugged.
“A few months, but my music agent thinks that since I’ll be in the UK, I should do a tour there for the old album before I start recording the next,” she said and I turned my attention to chopping bacon.
“So you’ll be away for a while then,” I said and she nodded.
“You know you can always visit me,” she said and I knew that was out of the question.
“Yeah I know; I just miss this you know? It seems like you’re working more and more these days,” I said and she stopped washing spinach to look at me.
“Well, you’re all grown up now, you have your own lounge and restaurant and your own life. I figure why not take up an extra tour or two?” she said and I nodded.
“Yeah I know, I just miss you I guess,” I said and my mom gave me a sympathetic look and came over to give me a loud kiss on the cheek.
“Well how about we spend some more time together while I’m here? We can forget all about that Remy,” she said and I rolled my eyes while she chuckled at my expression.
“I wish I could forget about him now, that…freaking…crazy person,” I mumbled and my mom laughed fully then.
“You never did know how to insult people Nicole. Just say it, he’s a jackass,” she said and we both burst into laughter. While we had lunch we watched a movie in the family room and pretty much hung out like teenagers. My mom was one of the coolest people anyone could ever meet and I was glad to have her be my mom regardless of her profession, or who she was to the public. I loved her even more for actually being a mom to me, even though her career was so demanding. I had to admit though, it was cool to have Ronnie James show up at parent teacher meetings when I was younger.
*****
I arrived at my house sometime after dinner and was thinking about, Bosque, my lounge in the city. It was also a restaurant and we’ve been up and running for a year now, successfully. So much so that I’ve been letting my managers run the lounge more and more. I’ve actually been thinking about opening another location in the Hampton’s.
I walked up the steps to my townhouse and didn’t even realize someone was leaning against the door until I was right in front of him.
“Remy…” I said in surprise. My heart sped up in my chest nervously as I studied his face. His expression was serious and intently focused on me.
“Hey…I haven’t been able to get a hold of you on the phone, I wanted to speak with you. I figured you’d have calmed down enough to talk by now,” he said and then pushed off of the door to step closer to me. We were a breath away and already I didn’t like our proximity, at all.
“I told you all I had to say at the house Remy…I’m sorry, but I don’t think a relationship will work out between us now,” I said and saw his jaw flex a couple of times before he spoke.
“Can you just…agree to give me another chance please? I’ll give you some time, but at least give me a chance to redeem myself,” he said and I shook my head.
“I’m sorry Remy, but no,” I said with strength in my voice, I was proud that I held my ground despite how nervous I felt. His gaze darkened though and he sighed heavily.
“I won’t stop trying Nicole, I won’t take no for an answer,” he said and I took a step away from him.
“Well you’re going to have to Remy. Now I really need you to leave,” I said and checked any hostility in my voice as not to provoke him in any way. Remy stared at me long and hard before he shook his head and slowly walked away. I watched him go until he rounded the corner at the end of my block. Then I released a deep breath and unlocked the door to step inside. I stood in the front room and rummaged around in my purse for my cell phone. I had ten missed calls from Remy…that was a little…overzealous. We had only just started sleeping over each other’s houses, it wasn’t like we had been together for years, or even many months. My mom’s words from earlier sounded in my head, but I brushed it off. I’d only let myself be nervous if he continued to bother me.
I took a deep breath and then decided to go and check on the lounge, as I didn’t really feel like being alone. Quickly I showered and changed, then made my way to SoHo from the upper West Side. Bosque was a jazz and hip-hop lounge and grill, it was fairly easy for me to get the lounge publicity because of my mom, who pretty much simply had to tweet about it. Then well known artists started coming in and giving shows, and before I knew it Bosque had become a popular destination in the city. It was where I met Remy and all…I pulled up to the curb of the lounge and my car was valeted as soon as I got out.
“Nicole! Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.” One of my general managers, Brandon, had come outside to speak to one of the bouncers. He grinned at me welcomingly and I greeted him with a warm hug. I was pretty close with all of my managers, I had to be, to make sure we all had the same priorities, and that was to make sure Bosque was, and remained, a success.
“Yeah, well I figured I’d just pop in and see how things are doing,” I said and he pulled my arm through his as we stepped inside. The lounge was alive and pumping with energy as the band performing played a sort of hip-hop swing song that sounded really good.
“Wow, who booked this band? They’re great,” I said and Brandon smiled at the stage.
“They are an up and coming from France, good stuff right?” Brandon said and I nodded.
“Really good, my goodness, give me more,” I said and Brandon cracked up.
“Have I ever told you that you’re kind of sexual,” he said and I shrugged at him with a smirk.
“I get it from my mom…so everyone says,” I said and Brandon laughed again.
“Nicole,” the angry bark came from behind Brandon and I as we stood off to the side of the entrance. I knew exactly who it was even before I turned around.
*****
“Remy?” I said and turned around to find him standing directly behind Brandon and I. He was wearing the same pants and grey pullover that he was wearing at my house. “What are you doing here?” I asked him and he glanced between Brandon and I, his nostrils flared a moment before he spoke.
“This is a public place, I figured I’d find you here where you can’t exactly kick me out,” he said and Brandon tensed at my side.
“Is everything okay between you two? Nicole you want me to get security?” he asked and I nodded slightly.
“Really, you’re going to have security take me out of here? For what Nicole, I’m just trying to talk to you. And you’re out here, all up on other guys?” He asked me and gestured to my arm linked with Brandon’s.
“Remy how many times do I have to tell you? Leave me alone, it’s over,” I said and he shook his head as Brandon quickly walked to the entrance to get the attention of one of the bouncers.
“It’s not over Nicole, just let me explain myself,” he said and I shook my head back and forth. I glanced at the entrance and wondered what was taking Brandon so long. Th
en I realized that there was some sort of commotion going on outside the door. “Just listen to me Nic…” Remy said as he stepped towards me and put his hands on my shoulders.
“Stop Remy, just stop. I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Just get over it!” I was exasperated with him already and my anger was returning at the fact that he was then harassing me at my place of business. I went to brush his hands from my shoulders, but he gripped them tightly. Tight enough to where I felt his thumbs press into my shoulders painfully. “Remy let go of me,” I said and he shook his head, his expression frustrated and focused on me as if there wasn’t a building full of people behind us.
“I just need you to listen to me, okay?” he said and I pushed on his arms harder to try and get him to let go of me, he only gripped my shoulders harder and began pushing me back into the corner.
“Let go of me Remy, you’re hurting me!” I yelled, but the volume inside was loud and no one near us seemed to be the slightest bit aware of what was unfolding in the corner. Where was Brandon? At that point my heart was like a jackhammer in my chest, what if he really hurt me? He couldn’t though could he? We were in a very public place.
“Hey! Let go of her man,” the deep voice of one of the bouncers, Jason, boomed behind Remy and I breathed a sigh of relief. Remy’s face became absolutely hostile as Jason clamped his hand on Remy’s shoulder and began to pull him away from me.
“This is what you want Nicole? You want to make things difficult? Just because you don’t want to let me talk to you, just because you can’t listen? You’ll see what happens, you’ll hear me out before long,” Remy spat the words and fought against Jason so he could say his piece. “You don’t want to see who I really am Nicole; this is your last chance before I make your life a living hell. I just want to talk.” Jason grabbed at Remy’s arms, but Remy was just as big as he was and fought against him almost easily. Brandon called for another bouncer who quickly made a beeline for us.
“You’re crazy, I’ll get a restraining order,” I said and he laughed derisively and then nodded as if he was making his mind up about something. My blood ran like ice in my veins. Honestly if I agreed to hear him out and still told him no, would the outcome be any different?
Just as the other bouncer, Ryan, got to the scene, Remy lunged forward and wrapped both hands around my neck and squeezed until I could scarcely drag air into my lungs. He leaned close to my ear and quickly whispered, “You do that baby, I’ll still be everywhere you are.” Then he was wrenched away from me and forced out of the lounge. I all but collapsed onto the ground as my legs had turned to jelly and Brandon caught me.
“Hey it’s alright, we called the cops, he’s gone, you can get a restraining order against him,” Brandon said quickly, to try and soothe my nerves. I quickly dragged air into my lungs and then slowly straightened and glanced around to see eyes all on me. That was so the last thing I needed, the paparazzi would soon be all over this scene.
“Fuck,” I whispered and Brandon glanced around as he led me to the back.
“It’ll be alright, don’t worry about the onlookers,” he said as he rubbed my back soothingly. We walked to my office and Brandon started speaking at a mile a minute as I tried to control my erratic breathing. I was freaking out and the last thing I needed was to hyperventilate and pass out on Brandon, who looked like he would pass out if anything else happened.
“The cops are here,” Ryan knocked on the office door just as two uniformed police officers walked in. Ryan had a glass of water and a bag of ice for me. I touched my neck and then winced when I realized that it was already bruised.
“Miss James, I’m officer Tilly and this is officer Dawson, do you want to tell us what happened?” Tilly asked and I sighed.
“I don’t…I don’t even know. I didn’t know Remy was capable of—” I stopped myself from babbling and then forced myself to take a deep breath, which was uncomfortable due to my throat having been constricted.
“Why don’t you take a few more deep breaths, have that glass of water and take a second. We’ll question these guys first and then take your statement,” Dawson said and I nodded, I couldn’t even muster a grateful smile for him. His brown eyes were understanding as Ryan handed me the ice and Tilly started speaking to Brandon. The cold water helped my throat and frazzled nerves a little, as did the ice.
“Did you catch him?” I asked suddenly. Just as Jason had been called back to the room to talk to the cops. Dawson paused mid sentence as he was speaking to Brandon and he gave me an apologetic shake of the head.
“We got the call too late. These guys got rid of him before we arrived. Are you ready to give your statement?” he asked me and I nodded.
“Definitely, and I want to file for a restraining order and have him charged with assault,” I said and Dawson nodded, his expression seemed as if he approved of what I wanted to do.
“Don’t worry Miss James, we’ll do everything we can to catch this scumbag,” he said and all I could think as I held the bag of ice to my throat was that I really hoped they would. Remy’s hissed words were haunting in my ear as I thought about his determined and hostile glare.
*****
As soon as I stepped foot outside of Bosque to go home, I was met with flash after flash of cameras. The paparazzi had caught wind of what had happened of course. I covered my face and ignored the shouts for my attention as I was escorted to my car by Bosque security. Then, I all but sped away from the lounge to head home. But of course, as I turned onto my block, I saw a group of camera holders and groaned loudly, I circled the block and then called my mom on the car phone.
“Baby are you okay?” her voice was urgent on the other end of the line and I wondered how she already knew. But then of course she already knew, news always travelled fast in the world of celebrities.
“I’m fine, I’m just…shaken up. The paps are at my house…can I come by?” I asked her and she sucked her teeth on the other line.
“Why are you asking me? Of course you’re coming here. Come home now. Do you have anyone to drive you?” she was speaking at a thousand words per second, I knew she frantic. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I had never so much as been stalked by one of her fans before. Let alone used and then…assaulted.
“No, I’m driving over now. Mom calm down,” I said and she scoffed on the other line.
“Calm down, you expect me to calm down? Some psycho put his hands on my baby!” she said, and I couldn’t help but smile faintly as I pictured my mother pacing and her expressive hands flying all over the place.
“Just take deep breaths Mom, I’ll be there soon,” I said and she sighed deeply on the other line.
“You really shouldn’t be driving Nicole,” she said, her voice was a lot calmer and I heard a bit of shuffling on the other line.
“I’m okay mom, I can drive,” I said and focused on the road.
“Well I’m going to stay on the line with you until you get here,” she said softly and I couldn’t say that I didn’t want her to stay on the line. I needed something to focus on that wasn’t so easy to tune out, like the highway. Otherwise I’d think about Remy and his threat and probably hyperventilate. Mom kept my mind on simple things, like the movies and our favorite shows, until I was pulling up the drive to her house and she met me outside with a long warm hug.
“I’m so sorry baby,” she murmured in my ear and that was when the flood gates opened. I couldn’t stop my tears and my mom held me harder for a while until she put one arm around my shoulder and led me inside.
“I just didn’t think…I didn’t think he was capable of what he did,” I said and she led me to her bedroom upstairs and sat me down on the bed.
“I didn’t think he would be that crazy either. Sometimes we just don’t know what people are capable of Nicole. That’s why we always have to be on guard…” she said and then walked into her closet and came out with some pajamas.
“And then it happened in front of everyone, now I’ll
be dealing with paparazzi for weeks!” I said and then sniffed as I wiped tears from my eyes.
“I think you need a bodyguard Nicole,” my mom said in all seriousness. I looked at her with a question mark in my expression and she nodded.
“Yeah, I think we should hire a bodyguard for you. Remy is still out there,” she said.
“Well I spoke to the cops and pressed charges, not to mention filed for a restraining order…” I said and my mom shook her head dismissively.
“That doesn’t matter really, not until the cops catch up with him. In the meantime, he’s out there probably planning how to make your life a living hell,” she said and I couldn’t deny that what she said made sense.
“A bodyguard though? Someone following me around and all?” I asked and she nodded, her expression completely serious.
“If Remy is capable of what he did and you didn’t see it coming, then he’s certainly capable of worse Nicole,” she said and I sighed deeply.
“Alright then…I guess security won’t be such a bad idea,” I said and mom sighed a breath of relief.
“Good, I know a great guy that used to work for me when I was touring a couple of years ago, his name is Micah. He’s very professional,” she said as she crossed the room to get her cell phone. “He used to be a Navy SEAL,” she said and I nodded, this Micah guy sounded good.
“You go and get comfortable, I’ll give him a call,” she said and I nodded and then stood up with the clothes she got for me to go and change. I walked quietly into her bathroom and decided to simply shower. I needed some warm water to sooth my nerves a little bit, I was still shaky. Once I emerged from the shower and changed into the tank top and pajama shorts, I went out to the bedroom to cuddle up to my mom.
“So Micah is going to come by tomorrow morning, he’s already agreed to look after you at least until Remy is taken in by the police.” Mom looked at me with a steady gaze and I nodded.
“Alright, tomorrow then,” I said and she kissed me softly on the forehead before turning on the huge TV across from the bed. I curled up next to her and promptly fell asleep.
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