Third Time's A Charmer

by St. John, Jodi

  "Shall we?" He said offering his arm.

  "Well, I'd love to but my long haired, rock star boyfriend might get a little mad if I leave with you." I said teasingly.

  "Stop it," he replied looking down all shy like. "Be honest with me, do you hate it?"

  "Not at all. I'm glad you left me a little bit to grab onto." I smirked.

  “So, how did you like Alessandro?" He asked while escorting me to the car.

  I gushed about my day on the ride in. It was nice being together. He's been so busy working lately, and I'd either been with his family or alone at the house. I had finished his master bedroom back in LA though. I'm excited for him to see it. It will all be a surprise. And I have a few fantastic vendors to thank who were there on site to do the work for me. The photos of us from the photographer are even on the wall. I was able to get one of my helpers to send me photos of the room and of the pictures on the wall. I was stunned by what he captured. Even better than the ones I had loved in his studio, but then again, I might be biased.

  Our chatter came to a stop when we felt the car pull to the curb. He looked at me with concern.

  "You ready for this? I mean you look ready, um beautiful really. You know what I'm trying to say." He said nervously.

  This is my first red carpet event with him. It can be a very daunting thing. I had decided earlier in the day that I wasn't going to let any of it bother me, but I will admit I do have a slight case of the jitters right now.

  "Kiss me." I said. He smiled and pulled my chin to him to place a delicious kiss on my lips. The kind of kiss that makes your heart stop. He let me go and with my eyes still closed I drew in a deep breath and said, "Now I'm ready".

  His grin was genuine as he spoke, "I love you, Olivia." With a wink, the door was swung open and he stepped out. He took my hand and helped me out of the car. The flashes went off around us and it was absolutely insane. We were smiling at each other as he walked me down the carpet. He was so at ease with it all. Relaxed, confident, sexy. I made sure I reflected all of that as I walked with him. It was a very strange feeling. An invasion, if you will. Why do these people need to see us walk into a building? What's so special about it? Why do they care?

  Once we reached the safety of the building, I exhaled.

  "You were amazing, Livy. You are so fucking beautiful. Just bear with me for the next 4 hours and I'll make it up to you later." He whispered in my ear as people were already heading our way.

  I winked and whispered back, "You bet that sweet ass of yours you will," right before George, his manager, swooped in. He did his fake excited greeting to me and then attempted to whisk Harris away. He always did this. Tried to create drama between us. I knew he resented me. However, Harris didn't budge. He just stood there smiling and talking now to others who had gathered.

  I wasn't a fan of George. He rubbed me the wrong way from the start when he and I got into it on the phone after the karaoke video was posted of us. He gave me bad vibes. Like a slimy car salesman. I couldn't understand why Harris had signed with him. George was riding his father's coattails in the business and had little respect in the industry overall. Somehow, he was able to weasel his way into Harris' inner circle and latch on. I kept my mouth shut as he spewed gibberish to the now larger crowd who had gathered around us. This was going to be a long night indeed.

  The first two hours of the evening I rather enjoyed. I knew a few of the record industry people and the ones I had always been fond of were here. Catching up with them and their wives was nice. I even had a few job offers. I laughed them off but will admit they caught me a bit off guard. I hadn't thought about work in a while. I guess I considered a lot of what I still do with Harris, work. I still arranged his schedule, handled different things for him, and finished up his house. That's the part I have enjoyed most. I think down the road I'd like to get back into design. Get a studio somewhere and concentrate on that. I certainly can't imagine being on the road again. So much has changed. A year ago I never would have wanted to leave the road. Now, I can't imagine leaving Harris.

  Several hours in it was getting excruciating. People hadn't left us alone for a second. I kept having the feeling someone was watching me. I didn't let on, but it was a bit unnerving.

  We had barely been allowed to move. I would have loved to search out more familiar faces. Up to this point, I played my part. I stood next to Harris and smiled. He was so busy talking with everyone, I'm not sure he remembered I was there. I decided to find the ladies room and get some air. I whispered in his ear where I was going and only received a nod from him. I excused myself from the conversation and headed toward the corridor.

  After weaving around for what seemed like forever through the multiple groups of people gathered, I saw an opening. A sense of relief washed over me. To get out of this crowded room and get some fresh air would feel good.

  Just as I was about to make my escape, someone started shouting at me. I turned around to find George.

  "Well, if it isn't the bitch who single handedly ruined the career of the greatest popstar on the planet!" He yelled, swaying on his feet. He was grossly intoxicated and I knew better than to engage him. I turned to walk away and he grabbed my wrist. He spun me around and got right in my face. "I hired you to fix him, not fuck him." He spat in my face. People were looking our way now, and he was causing a scene. I needed to get away from him but his grip on me was getting tighter. He was getting louder as he continued his rant.

  "You are really something. You think I didn't find out about you? About that other client you were fucking? But it was too late. You had already gotten your claws into him and now you are going to ruin everything. You whore! You fucking whore!"

  I was stunned. I didn't know what to do. I was boiling inside but I couldn't form a word or get my mouth to say anything in return. I just stood there in his grip as he shook me and yelled his obscenities. All I wanted was Harris to save me from this. To get to me and get this creep off me. He was seething and within inches from my face, as he berated me in front of everyone.

  All of a sudden, someone pushed George back and away. He still had my arm in his grip, but now I had a barrier between us. I recognized the voice now yelling at George. The drunk asshole swung at my rescuer but the man ducked out of the way. Before I knew what was happening, a fist came flying at me and hit me so hard it knocked me to the ground. Two more men jumped in and grabbed George. Strong arms were holding me now and I could hear the anger and the panic in his voice, trying to get me to respond to him.

  "Olivia, are you okay? So help me God, Olivia, open your eyes."

  I felt him carry me somewhere quiet. It was cooler in here. I was slowly able to open my eyes and focus. It was a dimly lit hallway we were in and I was thankful for the escape. I didn't want to face anyone right now. How horrifying. I had excruciating pain on the right side of my face. I started crying. I couldn't help it. The enormity of what just happened hit me. What a fucking nightmare. What a scene that son of a bitch caused.

  My throat was dry and my head was throbbing. I managed to wipe my tears and finally speak, "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there."

  Andres lifted my chin to look at my eye. He avoided all reference to his heroic events and simply replied, "We need to get an ice pack on that. Come on, I know the back way."

  He started to pull me by the hand down the hallway when I stopped. He spun around.

  "What's wrong? Are you dizzy? Are you okay?" He was directly in front of me now and speaking in a panicked voice. He checked my eye and my head. I grabbed his hands and pulled them away from my face and put them down between us.

  "Let me explain," I spoke. My heart breaking for what he had just witnessed.

  "Oh Olivia, you owe me no explanation. I knew you two would end up together. I could see it. I saw how he looked at you and how you were when you were around him." He kissed me gently on the forehead as he continued, "I want only the best for you, and if that's Harris, then I have t
o accept that. Right now though, I'm a little more worried about your eye. Can we go please?" He held me by the shoulders and waited for me to answer. I nodded, not being able to come up with any words to express how I felt. Here he was. Out of nowhere again. He saved me again. The first time from myself and now from this mess. How many more times were our paths going to cross?

  He took my hand and started to lead me down the hallway. All I could do was stare at him in amazement. What would have happened had he not been there? I can't imagine what the press will do with all of this. I can't even wrap my brain around what happened yet. We reached his room without any more incidents. I sat on the sofa while Andres ran for ice. My phone was pinging like crazy. Harris was obviously looking for me. Where was he when his intoxicated manager attacked me?

  I went from being freaked out about the ramifications of the evening to being pissed off that he was nowhere to be found when I really needed him. I turned my phone off and shoved it back in my clutch. I stood up and went into the bathroom to check out my face. I wondered if it looked as bad as it felt.

  It did. Worse even. I was already black and blue and my eye was starting to swell. I stood there staring at a person in the mirror I didn't recognize.

  How did I get here? How did I go from someone who was fiercely independent, respected and successful, to someone who didn't even know the address of where she had been living. I couldn't leave if I wanted to. My passport was at the house and I don't even know how to get there. I have no one to call except Harris, and that's not happening. Not yet anyway. How did I ever get myself in this position? My eyes welled up with tears as I looked at my pitiful self in the mirror.

  Andres found me standing in the bathroom. He shook his head and looked at me. He motioned for me to sit up on the counter while he took some ice and wrapped it in a towel. He held it gently to the side of my throbbing face.

  "You know, the least you could have done was stay on your feet so I could have gotten a punch in." He said smiling. I managed to squeak out a tiny smile. Anything bigger made my head hurt.

  Andres went to inspect my bruised wrist and that's when I noticed my bracelet was missing. My heart sank. It must have been ripped off of me in the scuffle.

  Chapter 58

  Harris

  Olivia had left to use the ladies room. I was impressed as hell she lasted that long by my side. She was polite and friendly to everyone who came to speak with us. She was fucking perfect, my Livy, and the evening was wonderful with her by my side.

  I wasn't concerned when she was away a bit longer than I expected. I figured she ran into some people she had known. It wasn't until I saw Paul coming my way with a discerning look on his face that I became worried.

  "There's been an incident with George and Olivia" he spoke in my ear so only I would hear. I excused myself from the group and turned to follow Paul out into the expansive corridor. As we were about to leave the dimly lit ballroom, something caught my eye on the floor. It was Livy's bracelet. I stooped to pick it up as my heart began to race.

  As soon as Paul and I got a safe distance from the ballroom and the shrouds of people, I grabbed his arm to get him to stop.

  "What the hell happened?" I asked in a panic.

  "I don't know the details, but George went after Olivia. Someone had stepped in to save her from his attack. There were two other men who grabbed George and hauled him out of the building. The police have already been here to collect him." Paul explained calmly.

  "Where is she? Is she okay? Take me to her!" I shouted.

  "No one knows where she is." He said as he put his hand on my shoulder to steady me.

  I immediately grabbed my phone and tried calling her.

  No answer.

  I texted her.

  Nothing.

  No reply.

  My heart was beating out of my chest. I couldn't breathe. What the fuck just happened?

  "I need details, Paul! Find out who the fuck helped her, who the other two men were, and where she is!" My hands were in my hair now and I was pacing. I didn't know what to do. Where to go. I couldn't fathom the fact that Livy had been attacked. I couldn't breathe not knowing if she was okay or where she was. Why wasn't I there to rescue her? If I was there, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

  Paul started to walk away when I finally caught my breath. I found a bench at the end of the corridor. I sat down and tried to call her again.

  Nothing.

  An hour went by and still nothing from Olivia. I was beyond panic now. I was shattered.

  Paul called. He was at the police station. George was passed out. He wasn't able to get any information out of him. Not that he would have been able to anyway, knowing now how intoxicated he was. Three times the legal limit to be exact.

  Maybe Olivia had gone home. I called Paul to collect me and take me to the house.

  Another hour had gone by. Still nothing from Olivia. I tried calling again.

  No answer.

  We finally arrived at the house and I ran inside. I headed straight up the stairs like a madman screaming her name. I got to the bedroom and threw open the doors. She's wasn't there. I checked the bathroom.

  Nothing.

  All the spare rooms.

  Nothing.

  I ran back down the stairs screaming. Mad with frustration now.

  "Livy? Livy, where the hell are you? Dammit, Olivia, ANSWER ME!" I hollered to no one.

  I stopped in the kitchen and grabbed the first thing I could get my hands on. I hurled the large vase as hard as I could at the wall. It exploded and shattered glass flew everywhere.

  I looked around to find something else to throw when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I was trembling as I grabbed for it. It was Olivia.

  "Olivia. Where are you? Are you okay? Olivia!" I blurt out.

  It's not Olivia who answered me, however. And I recognized the voice.

  "Harris. Olivia is with me. She is safe, you need not worry. She is resting and doesn't know I have called you." He spoke softly

  This is where the frustration of the last 2 hours kicks in and I yell into the phone, "Where is she? And why the fuck is she with you?" I couldn't stop myself. My worry turned to anger and pure hatred for the fact that this guy had her.

  "First off," he said coldly, "You need to calm down. And you need to keep in mind that's it's because of you that she is with me right now. And you're damn lucky she is. Who knows what that scum would have done to her had I not been there." He gave me the number of his room back at the hotel where the event had been.

  I drove as fast as I could to get to her. I raced through the back entrance of the hotel and was soon banging on the door. Andres answered it calmly. He blocked the doorway to prevent me from entering.

  "She's asleep. We'll talk in the living room before you go rushing in there. I will tell you everything I know. Okay?" He said as an order and not as a question. I solemnly agreed.

  He sat me down in the living room and proceeded to tell me what happened. He had spotted her from across the room earlier in the evening and was just making his way over to us when he saw her head for the entrance. He decided to follow her. By the time he caught up with her, George had her by the wrist and was yelling in her face. He told me the things George was screaming at her. My heart was beating out of my chest as he continued. He said he stepped in between them to get him to let go of Olivia and that's when George swung. Andres said he moved out of instinct to avoid the blow not thinking that Olivia would get struck. But she did. He said two of his band mates then grabbed George and dragged him off.

  I had no words. I said I'd always protect her. Now she'd been attacked physically, personally and professionally and very publicly. I did this to her. I put her in harm’s way. I never for a second thought George was capable of such cruelty. How could I have trusted someone like that? How will she ever forgive me?

  I thanked Andres for taking care of Olivia. I saw the jealousy in his eyes.

 
; He stood. "Why don't you go wake her? I'm worried she’ll sleep too long if she has a concussion."

  "Thank you." I said as I reached out my hand. He coldly shook it and walked away.

  The room was dimly lit and she laid on the bed with a big white robe on over her gown. I could see she had a black eye. It looked swollen and painful. My heart was in my throat and tears were forming in my eyes.

  I sat on the side of the bed and stroked her hair lightly. I was crying now. Her eyes fluttered open and she found mine. She sat up and wrapped her arms around my neck so tight. I was scared to hold her. I didn't know if she was in any pain. She was crying now too. I shushed her and told her it would all be okay. I didn't know what I was even saying. I couldn't put into words how sorry I was. I felt responsible. I could barely keep my emotions in check. Boiling with rage, flipping to extreme sadness and guilt. This was my fault. My fault she was here bloodied and bruised. I can't think of a worse feeling on this earth. I was shocked at George's behavior, outraged it was Andres of all people to save her and terrified that this is going to drive her away from me.

  We were able to leave the hotel undetected and drove back to the house in silence. I kept replaying what Andres had told me over and over in my head. I didn’t know what to say and I’m not sure what to do. Livy hadn’t said a word since thanking Andres and saying good bye. She’s hurt, not only physically. I should have been the one to be taking care of her and I can sense her disappointment in her silence.

  I pulled up to the house and turned to talk to her in the car. She was already opening her door to escape.

  I stayed in the car feeling defeated and watched as she walked into the house. I had never felt so helpless before. I was paralyzed and I didn’t know what to do or what to say to fix this. I’m not sure if I knew, that I could fix it. I knew now I was losing her.

  Chapter 59

  Olivia

  I went upstairs to wash the disgust of the evening off me. The hot water of the shower stung my eye but hid my tears. And the throbbing of my head couldn’t be felt over the pain of my heart breaking. I had no idea what to do or say. I was so angry Harris wasn’t there to protect me. He still hadn’t said what he would do about George. I know, deep inside, it wasn’t his fault, but I can’t help but feel betrayed. I need to go. I need to be away from this life to figure out what I’m going to do with mine. To see if there is a way for us to make it work. Did he still want that? This is going to be another publicity hurdle for him that he certainly didn't need. It seemed every time we turned around lately there was something being written about me. I did not know how cruel the press could be. After tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if it was George feeding the press the lies this whole time.