by Raven Starr
The two sisters were as close as sisters could possibly be. They may have looked alike but inside they were different. Lily stood at five feet while Kylie was five feet two inches, but Lily swore she was taller. Lily’s long brown hair was streaked with auburn highlights and her large brown eyes took on the world.
What a wonderful sister to have, Kylie thought. She could always talk to her sister, so when the burden of missing Mark had become far too much to bear Kylie confided in her. Lily’s solution was to wash Kylie’s tears away with a cruise to the Caribbean Sea filled exotic men from all over the world. She said the time away could clear her head. Maybe she was right. Kylie looked around at all the scantily clad men. The eye candy element is defiantly here.
No matter what Mark’s gorgeous face still haunted her heart. She remembered his handsome face, his impeccable attire, and his charming smile. Kylie smiled. She turned her head and let the sea breeze caress her skin as her eyes looked across the sea. The pristine crystal blue water lapped at the sides of the ship. She stood up and walked to the railing. The fresh sea air kissed her hot dark skin; she turned her face towards the beaming sun and closed her eyes. Parting her full lips, she whispered Mark’s name to swirling, sea salt kissed wind.
“Come on Miss Thang, we got a dance floor calling our name.” Lily grabbed her sister’s elbow and dragged her to the dance floor. Kylie forced a smile on her face and cast her lost feelings out to sea. Tonight she would have a good time.
Or at least she’d try.
Chapter Eight
Since his impromptu press conference, Mark’s face had been plastered everywhere for weeks, along with the sketch of Kylie. Access Hollywood declared him one of the most romantic men of two thousand and seven. The show even offered to do a spotlight segment on his hunt for true love.
Mark didn’t know what else he could do, besides just wait. He sent a special message to his fans and pleaded with anyone that has ever been touched by love to help him. The response had been incredible, shocking even to Mark. His phone rang off the hook with good and bad comments on the stunt he had pulled. After his manager called him insane and then told him to recall the conference, to say it was a hoax, to recant everything he’d said before, Mark decided to start screening his calls.
His mother was beside herself; she kept asking where her son was because Mark’s new attitude and determination was astonishing. Other than singing, he never really committed himself to anything, but Kylie had his heart and that was the difference.
Mark also knew with all the new publicity Eve would crawl from beneath the rock she had been hiding under. She would do anything to see him fail. His cell phone had a total of twenty-five missed calls from her alone. He didn’t bother to respond, and he just deleted each and every message. With one simple phone call, Mark would find himself duped by the crafty con artist.
His mother kept him updated on Eve’s latest antics. Eve wanted Kylie out of the way, and if this masterful plan of his failed, Eve would send him over the edge.
Where could be Kylie hiding? What if she doesn’t want to me find her? I mean if I’ve been all over the bloody news, where could she be?
Mark shook the negative thoughts away. After weeks, he knew his love story would be replaced by which heiress did what or which celebrity goes to jail, as if jail was the new “in” place to be.
A true plea for love could not compare to those high-tension attention grabbing shock stories. Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Gotta Do with It” wafted through his stereo speakers. Now that’s just fucking great.
He walked to the baloney, slid open the glass door and stepped out into the afternoon sun. Where is she? This feeling of helplessness washed over, shaking him to his core. Mark braced himself against the railing and locked his knees. He felt his stomach churn and sweat dotted his brow.
Mark clasped his eyes shut trying to drown out the noisy spinning world, afraid if it didn’t stop soon he would vomit.
“Mark?” a soft voice caressed his ear.
His eyes flashed open and stung with tears. “Kylie?” he croaked, turning. “Kylie, is that you?”
Mark let go of the railing and staggered forward, still blinded by his tears.
“No Mark, it’s me. It’s Eve.”
He felt the color fade from his face and his heart slowly tearing in two. He caught his breath and prayed…
***
“I don’t know how you talked me into coming to New York. You know how busy this place is I just don’t have time…” Kylie glanced at her watch.
“I mean the cruise was great. Don’t get me wrong, but I should really be getting back to work and…”
“See that’s it, Kyle. I’m so sick of you throwing your life away. You’re still young and you act like somebody’s grandma for heaven’s sake. I mean, shit, live a little. You work for what?” Lily shrugged. “Are we not loaded? You don’t even do what you want to want to do, for heaven’s sake, you work like a maniac because mom used too. She fought for us, Kyle. I know that but you don’t have kill yourself trying to complete some dream that isn’t even yours.”
Kylie tried to interrupt, but Lily shut her down and continued.
“No, listen for a change. You say you listen, but well, this time hear me, okay? I appreciate everything you do. I do, but I’ve noticed that you’re kinda well...”
Lily lifted her gaze and thought.
“Well honestly you’re a bit boring. There I said it, you’re boring. Sorry…”
Lily laughed, jabbing Kylie playfully.
“Hey,” Kylie nudged her sister back.
“You are,” Lily tried to hide her smile.
Kylie looked out the window of the black limousine. She hated trying to manipulate a car in New York. She just wasn’t that aggressive. New York was always the place Kylie ordered a driver. She wasn’t used to jet setting over the globe and she felt a bit weary.
“Look we’ll check out Manhattan, grab a bite at the Thai place get some express shopping done. Come on sis.”
Kylie stared into Lily’s eyes. Oh no not the puppy eyes.
“Alright, fine but I hope I’m not too boring for ya.”
The sisters laughed. After bouncing in and out of Macy’s Fifth Avenue, grabbing a quick bite to eat, they headed towards MTV Studios. Kylie loved it down here. Watching the big screen made everything come alive. It was hypnotic. The limo hugged the curb and Lily ducked out.
“Hey wait a minute.” Kyle scrambled out after her. “Wait here.” She instructed the driver.
“Yes Ms. Thomson.” He nodded.
Kylie closed the door. Weeks in the hot sticky sun, she wasn’t ready for the cold city. The chill in the air made her shiver.
“Lily, come on. I’m cold.” Kylie inched towards Lily who seemed entranced by something on the big screen.
“Come on.” She tugged.
“No, no wait watch this a minute. Is that you?” Lily pointed at the screen.
“What? Where?” Kylie glanced up.
On the huge screen was Mark, his lips were moving, but she couldn’t hear his words. Then a composite of her face donned the big screen.
“Holy shit, that is me. What the hell is going on?”
Kylie covered her mouth. She couldn’t take her eyes from the screen.
“Oh God, I wonder what’s on? If he’s okay…” Panic began to set in.
Her eyes slowly realized that a small crowd of people were milling around her and Lily. They were whispering and pointing at her. What the hell are they gawking at? Kylie felt like an animal on display.
“What the hell are y’all staring at?” Kylie blurted out.
A girl with black hair and dark blue chunks stepped forward.
“You’re Kylie, right?”
Kylie thought for a minute before she answered but Lily boldly stepped closer to Kylie.
“Yea she is, so what!”
“Mark Storm sent out a plea to find you. He said you walked into his soul and he couldn’t stop th
inking about you.”
The young woman with blue hair said.
“Are you serious?” Kylie couldn’t help but to sound shocked.
“Yea it’s been all over the news and in the papers. Where you been?” The girl’s thick New York accent sounded harsh.
“In the middle of the ocean,” Kylie replied.
“Well that explains why ain’t nobody found ya yet. I hope it works out, he sounded really sincere.” She vanished into the crowd.
Kylie stood still unable to move.
“He’s looking for me,” she whispered to herself.
Lily helped Kylie back into the limo.
“What do I do now?” Kylie questioned. “I mean he probably thinks I’ve blown him off. Oh God, Lily, what if he thinks that about me?” Kylie’s eyes widened.
“Okay, wait before you get all hysterical. I’m sure we can find him. Just calm down, he lives in Boston and that’s not far.”
Lily leaned forward to rap on the dividing glass. The chauffeur pulled the window aside.
“Yes ma’am?” he asked politely.
“Take us to Boston, okay?”
“No problem,” he driver answered.
Lily closed the window and sat back. She leaned against the leather seat, took out her cell phone dialed a number, then winked at Kylie.
“Now this is far from being boring, sis.”
Kylie smiled brightly. Her heart overflowed with the recent knowledge that Mark felt something for her. Even in the small amount of time, they spent together, something clicked between them.
She wanted to be with him, her heart ached for him.
Now she knew Mark was waiting her.
Chapter Nine
“How did you get in here, Eve?” Mark asked.
Eve dangled her key. Stupid ass. I never asked for the key back.
“Get out. I don’t want you here.”
“Just a second ago you looked like a love sick school boy. All queasy and shit. Look what you’ve turned yourself into, a sniffling shell of a man. Oh Mark,” she walked over to him with arms wide open.
“Oh, hell no!” Mark sidestepped her advances.
“We’re over, Eve. So leave!” He pointed at the door.
“Mark, I have to admit that whole media circus you created for some chick made me think of what I miss about you.”
“Eve, please I’m trying to be polite.”
Mark knew this cat and mouse game and he wasn’t playing.
“Alright you want me to leave that bad? Just like that? No talking about this? I mean I’m here to comfort you in your time of need. Obviously, she blew you off. I’m here to pick up the pieces.”
Eve reached out and touched the side of his face. Mark recoiled.
“Bullshit, I know what you want. You’re either horny, broke or both. I want neither!”
Eve stepped closer to him. “We were so good together, baby.”
Closer and closer until she was just a breath away, Mark grabbed her shoulders to push her back when the sliding glass shattered. Eve screamed and fell to the floor in a heap of babbling mess.
“What the hell?” Mark stepped over Eve, carefully walked over the broken shards of glass to the balcony.
What he saw dropped his jaw and tore his heart again.
Kylie stood in his front yard, chest heaving. He could see another rock in her hand.
“You jerk!” she screamed and stormed off.
“Kylie! No wait! I can explain.” he called after her. “No please!”
Spinning around, he darted out the front door, leaving Eve whining on the floor.
***
Kylie didn’t know where she was going, but it was away from here. From her vantage point from the yard, she could see two figures close to each other, kissing maybe. She knew it was woman and Mark, and that’s all she needed to know.
Well it’s my fault really. I took too long. He’s moved on. Guys have needs too. “Screw their needs!” she said slowing her pace.
The road was dark and not to say just a little creepy. In her fury, she’d left her sister and a perfectly good rental car back at Mark’s whore house. Which way was it? Kylie stopped and looked around. She had been so happy on the way here that she hadn’t bothered to read any street signs. She cussed herself for allowing that moment of happiness.
“Great! That’s just fucking great!”
Kylie kicked at the loose pebbles at her feet. She wore her favorite sling back Jimmy Cho shoes, but now her feet ached.
The sound of scuffling shoes on the asphalt behind her made her think of something besides the pain in her feet. She was lost and now someone was following her.
“Where are the damn street lights?” she whispered rummaging through her bag for a weapon of some kind. This never would be happening if she hadn’t seen Mark on that stupid hypnotic screen. If that rocker New Yorker would have just kept her mouth shut, she could still be oblivious, surely not standing on a dark street getting ready for the fight of her life.
As the scraping sounds grew louder and closer, Kylie moved over the street onto the grass and slowly kicked off her shoes. Better the shoes than me. The grass felt cold under her feet, but she bounced softly on the balls of her feet, like so many boxers do in the ring, as the figure drew closer.
“Kylie? It’s me. It’s Mark, can we talk?”
Anger replaced her fear, but she felt relief as Mark got closer.
“Go away,” she said turning her back. Oh please God don’t let him walk off and leave me here.
***
“I don’t know what you saw, but I can explain.” Mark jogged up to her and with one hand touched her shoulder. “You’re cold. Please.”
Kylie turned to face him.
“Tell me what you saw?” Mark asked.
Kylie nodded. “Okay. I saw you and whoever dancing the mambo or something. Kissing maybe, I don’t know. I just I blew my shot because…”
Mark chuckled. Kylie spun around away and walked off.
“No, wait. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just you got it all wrong.” He stood in front her.
“My ex-girlfriend showed up at my house tonight. After everything that had happened with my search for you, she thought I would go back to her. First thing in the morning, I’m calling a locksmith and have all my locks changed. I told her I don’t want anyone else. I missed you so much I felt weak. I thought I kept hearing your voice call my name. I thought I’d never see you again, never be able to tell you…” he paused, trying to compose himself, this was the moment he’s longed for.
“Tell me what?” Kylie asked hesitantly.
A vehicle screeched its tires and pulled up beside them.
“There you are, jeez don’t ever do that again.”
Lily’s voice cried from the car.
“Oh, lookie it’s the asshole of the year. Is he bothering you, cuz I got some pent up anger issues that I could reenact right about now.”
“Who’s that?” Mark nodded towards the car. “Whoever it is she’s doesn’t like me right now. Should I be scared?”
“That’s my sister, Lily, and you might wanna be a little scared. Plus I don’t like you that much right now either, but come on.”
She walked to the car and opened the door.
“Is he coming with us?” Lily asked annoyed.
“Yes he is and don’t say a word,” Kylie warned.
Mark got in the back seat. He had to stuff his manly six foot frame in the car but anything for Kylie.
Chapter Ten
The three of them didn’t speak the whole ride. Lily drove and Kylie grit her teeth, watching her sister grip the steering wheel. She had so many questions for Mark. Her heart yearned for the answers to her one burning question. What did he have to say? He’d chased her down the street, sent a plea for love through the media. What else could she ask for? Yea but loving him and having him want me are two totally different things. Honestly, I don’t know what I saw. No matter what happened before or what lies ahea
d, she needed to believe him. Lily drove up to the main entrance of the Four Seasons.
“I’m gonna go out for awhile, but if you need me you know how to get in touch with me. And you be careful,” She shot a glance in the backseat. “My sister is a second degree black belt in Tai Quon Do, so don’t get it twisted.”
“Calm down, Lily. I’ll be fine. Be careful and see ya soon.”
Kylie gave Lily a quick peck on the cheek and got out of the car, pulling up the seat so Mark could pull his body from the clutches of the backseat.
“Nice meeting you, Lily,” Mark said as politely as he could.
“Yea okay, we’ll see bub,” Lily chimed back, then sped out of the parking lot.
“Wow! She’s real peach, huh?” Mark exclaimed.
Kylie shot him an unpleasant look. “Actually she is.”
Kylie stalked into the hotel. As soon as she got past the doors, a feeling of nostalgia crept over her. She hadn’t been in a hotel lobby with Mark in a year. Kylie turned her head to stare at Mark.
He stood a few yards away with something in his hands. On closer inspection, she realized her carried her shoes, her favorite shoes. Damn, she thought. He must’ve picked them up for me when I thought I was about to turn into an Olympian Sprinter or a world champ boxer.
“You didn’t have to carry my shoes for me. Thanks.” She walked until she stood about an arm’s length away.
“It’s okay. I figure if I had them, you might think twice about running off. I caught my occasional episode of Sex and the City; I know about the shoes.” He winked.
Jesus, he’s beautiful.