by Jess Bentley
“Hello Tanya. Glad you could make it,” Don said in his polite, businesslike manner.
“Great party,” she said, in a monotone voice that was clearly meant to convey that she had been to better parties than this.
“Just a small get-together of friends, nothing more,” Don replied.
“Isn’t that what all parties are?” Tanya chuckled as if she had made a very smart comeback. She barely held eye contact with Don and constantly looked around, as if things around her were more interesting than the person that she was speaking to. Rory, she didn’t even acknowledge.
“This is Rory. Rory, meet Tanya Cox.” Don introduced them.
“Hello,” Rory said politely and offered Tanya her hand. The blonde heiress slowly turned, looked Rory up and down, and slightly nodded her head in acknowledgment. No shaking of hands, no words of hello. Tanya Cox had no time for mere mortals.
“Have you seen Arsen around?” Tanya turned back to Don.
“Arsen? Arsen Ford?” Don feigned ignorance, playing with Tanya. “I don’t think he’s even here. He doesn’t like parties.”
“Don,” she said in a cold tone and narrowed her eyes. “Where is Arsen?”
“No idea. Have you seen him, dear?” He turned to Rory, who shook her head. Though where is Arsen? Missing his own party? she wondered.
“I’m telling you Tanya, he’s not even here.” Don chuckled this time, much to the annoyance of the heiress who was clearly used to having everyone at her beck and call. Tanya let out a small grunt but quickly composed herself, put that rehearsed smile back on her face, and turned around to walk away.
“One of the small joys of my life. Messing with Tanya Cox.” Don laughed out loud, clearly pleased with his work. “Are you okay by yourself, sweetheart? You mind if I go and check up on our guests?”
“Of course, Don. It is your party after all,” Rory replied. “It was nice talking to you.”
“Likewise, my dear. Feel free to explore around.” With that, Don was off.
Rory lounged around for what seemed like an hour. Her eyes searched for Lizzy, but she was too busy mingling with people and Rory didn’t want to interrupt her. Afraid that if she hid by the bar any longer she would end up drinking too much, Rory decided to give herself a tour of the house.
If she thought that the house looked incredible from the outside, she was in for a shock as she walked into the main hall. It was the kind of place that she had seen on MTV Cribs. Rory had to tilt her head fully back to see the chandelier that hung from a high ceiling. The place was done up with a lot of taste, and she was surprised that a rock band had chosen to live here. This was a place meant for royalty.
A hallway led to an inner garden that had immaculate landscaping. Beds of flowers formed the periphery of the area and there was a very earthy feel to it. A canopy, terraced with glass frames and bound by sheer curtains around its pillars, housed the sitting area. To the side, the presence of a tall fountain cooled the air. Rory instantly fell in love with the place and wondered what it would be like to have breakfast in there every morning.
The pathway from the garden led into a huge dining hall that was perfect for throwing parties. A grand piano sat in one corner, and there was a strong classical British feel to the decor. Reminds me of Downton Abbey, she thought.
A wide opening led to another hallway that ended up in a library. Cozy was the first word that came to Rory’s mind as she stepped through. Even for a bookstore owner, it was overwhelming to see so many books lined up along the walls. Someone had really put a lot of work in setting up this collection here. Or maybe they are all just pulp fiction in fancy bindings, she chuckled to herself.
Rory’s drink was done and she wondered if she should get herself another one. Before anything else, I gotta go pee. She didn’t recall seeing a restroom on her way so far and decided to wander around to see if she could find one.
The vacant room on the other side of the dining hall didn’t have one, and the decor of the dining room itself was such that she couldn’t distinguish whether they were all wall panels or if there was a door hidden in there somewhere. Deciding that she would look like a fool were she to try and pry it out, she chose to explore further instead.
As she looked through one more door, she finally saw what seemed like a sitting room. It had a great window to one side that looked out at the party that was taking place. On the other side was a door that Rory was sure would be the one she was looking for. Thankfully for her it was.
Rory smiled to herself as she looked in the mirror after relieving herself. She thought she looked pretty, or at least better than she usually did. Maybe I won’t look so bad in that bridesmaid’s dress that Tara sent over.
As Rory walked out of the bathroom she saw that at one end of the room, by a huge sofa, lay about ten guitars next to sheets of paper that had some scribbling on them. Rory got curious, but felt guilty at wanting to snoop around like this. She was making her way to the door when it opened by itself with a thud.
Tingles went down her spine as her eyes feasted upon the charming face of Arsen Ford, standing there in his usual rockstar clothes that partially hid, partially showed off that rock hard body underneath. He seemed to be taken aback as he saw her standing there, but maintained his composure and didn’t show any signs of a shock. How rude, Rory thought.
Chapter 60
“I know you,” he smiled. That smile could start wars, Rory thought. Something inside of her leapt at standing so close to him. The sheer strength of his body overwhelmed her as he towered over her.
“Do you?” Rory’s hand instinctively went to straighten her hair.
“Didn’t expect to find you here,” Arsen said as he shut the door to the room behind him.
“I can say the same for you,” Rory smiled. “I’d think that you’d be out there, partying away.” She nodded toward the window, through which muted noises from the festivities filtered in.
“Why would I do that?” Arsen asked her, with a deathly serious look.
“I don’t know. Isn’t that what rockstars are supposed to do?”
“But I’m no rockstar. If I recall what Mickey said a few hours back, I am just the ‘damn guitar player’ in his band.” Arsen was trying to laugh it off in a sarcastic way, but Rory knew this was no joke to him. She stayed silent, not sure what to say.
“Wine?” Arsen asked, after he had already poured out two glasses for them. “Here’s to us lowly guitar players.” He raised a toast after handing Rory her glass. Both of them walked silently to the window to look upon the celebration and the people who seemed to be having a great time.
“You’re right. I should be out there having the time of my life. I mean, how fortunate am I to live in this mansion and do the kinds of things that I have the privilege of doing? Not many people get so lucky.”
They both stared out in contemplative silence before Rory spoke up.
“Definitely too lucky for a bartender,” she smiled.
“You and Don have been gossiping, I see.” He smiled back.
“A little bit, yes,” she said, with a guilty smile.
“It was just a job I took when I moved to LA. It can be pretty overwhelming at first, that big city of dreams. I was naive then. The thought of paying my rent and worrying about food and shelter used to scare me to death.” Arsen’s voice was soft, contemplative, as if a movie of his past was running through his head.
Tell me about it, Rory thought as reminders of her own struggles appeared in her head.
“I don’t know if I could do it again if I had to. It still surprises me that I went through so much for this dream… but I guess we all are foolish in our youth.” He smiled.
“Or brave. Do you really think that we all could go through hardships and end up at the top? Heck, I’m an LA native and even I still find the city intimidating. So much so that I ran away to the safe shelter of Montcove.” Rory had never admitted it to anyone, not even to herself at times, and somehow she was telling it t
o Arsen.
“Everything is supposed to be so perfect in that city. The people, the restaurants, the cars, the… everything. I mean how do you compete with that? It’s difficult to hold yourself up to those standards.”
“I know what you’re saying, Rory. I liked to think of myself as a pretty confident guy, till I set foot in LA. I remember my first gig at The Troubadour in Santa Monica. I threw up right when I was about to go on stage. I thought everyone would hate me and laugh at my ’70s sense of style.”
“But they didn’t, and now here you are.” Rory raised her glass.
“I guess I got lucky.”
“Or did you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you stuck to your beliefs, right? You dressed how you wanted and stuck to the kind of music that you wanted to play and people accepted you as you are because you’re genuine. You didn’t try to fit in with what was in fashion or make the kind of music that was in vogue and rightly so, you got your reward.”
“For someone who doesn’t listen to my music, you seem to be well aware.” Arsen raised a brow.
“Well, the internet is a magical thing,” Rory smirked, not revealing anything more, leaving Arsen to wonder about it on his own.
“Maybe you’re right,” Arsen said after a few moments. “Maybe they accepted me ‘cause I stuck to my guns. But it is no fun bleeding for your dreams, I tell you. I remember going to sleep hungry at night. That, most certainly, is not fun.” He was trying to joke about it, but Rory could tell that the thought still gave him nightmares.
“And now you are here at this wonderful party, in this lovely villa and it is all about you. Isn’t that a great rags-to-riches story?” Rory clinked his glass and Arsen smiled in return.
“Quite a motivational speaker, aren’t you?”
“Hardly,” she replied. A motivational speaker who can’t set her own life straight.
“I was feeling pretty blue since this morning. The usual band troubles… you know. That’s the reason why I’m not out there. I was afraid I’d end up getting into a fight with Mickey. But talking to you has made me forget the color blue. Thank you for that.”
Arsen lifted her hand and turned it over, kissing the palm of her hand softly. Rory was not expecting it and neither was her body. An unexpected jolt went through her as Arsen’s soft lips and coarse stubble caressed her fingers gently. She froze in place and felt that now-familiar heat come alive in her. He raised his eyes and looked right at her, a smile slowly spreading on his face. Does he know what I’m feeling?
Rory was sure that her face was flushed, but she instantly tried to compose herself and change the topic. Thankfully, she didn’t need to.
“And what about you? What is it that you are willing to struggle for?” Arsen asked.
His question took her by surprise. After all, it was not a question that she was asked often. Rory stared out into oblivion as she thought of how to answer such a question. A part of her was tempted to unload all of her troubles on him and tell him of all the problems and the worries that she lived with on a daily basis.
But she looked up at him and Arsen was staring at her with a calm, content look in his eye. He looked like a man who was happy in the current moment. Much unlike the weary man she had met on that rainy night.
She was tempted to confess all of her troubles and fears. After all, he won’t be around tomorrow to remind me of this. But she couldn’t get herself to do that. Not when he stood there so happy and content.
“I’ve got nothing to struggle for,” she replied finally.
“Of course. Pretty girls have nothing to struggle for. They have it easy,” he joked. Although a part of her took offense at his assumption that it all came easy to her, Rory could not help but focus on the fact that he had once again referred to her as pretty. This time she decided to confront him.
“You live in LA. You’ve probably had affairs with countless actresses, models, singers, and whoever else. You are constantly surrounded by some of the most beautiful women in this world and you are calling me pretty?”
Arsen just smiled a knowing smile. The question didn’t bother him like it may have other men. Neither did it put him on the defensive.
“Beauty is not just about what is out here…” He caressed her face gently with the outside of his hand, sliding it slowly down to her chin. “But about what is in there.” He tapped twice on her heart with his knuckles and stared straight into her eyes. If there was a doubt in her mind about his words, she didn’t feel it because in that moment, staring into the eyes of one of the biggest rockstars in the world, Rory knew that what he just said was not a lie.
“Tell me you have not felt one spark and I will call you a liar,” he continued in a low voice, taking steps that took him closer to her, sending a chill of awareness down her back.
“Tell me you don’t see what I see in your eyes in mine, and I will call your bluff. Ever since that morning, when you walked into that living room of yours, where I had slept the night… I have only had eyes for you. Could you not see it?”
When did our faces come so close together, Rory thought. Unlike how it happened in romantic films, she couldn’t feel his breath. But there was a heat between their bodies. His fists were clenched and Rory knew that he was itching to grab her in his arms. Rory knew that she wouldn’t stop him if he did. Dear God. He’s right. There is not just a spark but a whole damn explosion waiting to happen between us. Rory, just get out of this room. You don’t need this.
His body inched closer to hers and his hands unclenched, rising up to hold her by the arms. Rory ordered herself to move, but her body stayed still. No words were necessary. She could see what he meant; all she had to do was look in his eyes and in this breathless moment, they were mirrors that reflected her own affection.
Finally she felt his breath on her skin. His lips were a whisker away from hers and she felt thunder strike her heart. As she opened the eyes she had closed unknowingly, she heard the sound of someone opening the door. From the corner of her eye, she saw the tall blonde Tanya Cox striding right in.
“There you are, Arsen. We’ve been looking all over for you.”
Arsen let go of Rory’s hands slowly.
“For what?” he said without turning around.
“You forgot? I knew you would.” She smiled at him. “We’re supposed to shoot a segment for my reality show featuring you guys, remember? Can we get started with that already?”
“Do we have to do it now?” Arsen raised his voice.
“Not unless you no longer want promotion for your upcoming tour.” She stood with her arms crossed. What a snotbag, Rory thought to herself.
“Can’t this wait?” Arsen turned around.
“We have waited enough, Arsen. Haven’t you had enough ‘distractions’ for the day?” Tanya glanced slyly at Rory.
Through the corner of her eye, Rory saw Don enter the room.
“Oh, you found him. Arsen, let’s go shoot this thing. Mickey and the boys are ready out there and you know how it is. Once Mickey gets high he won’t be good for any work.”
Arsen turned to Rory.
“You gonna be okay?” His face had a disappointed look.
“Of course. I’ll be fine. You go do your job.” She tried to smile but failed.
“I won’t be long.” She was tempted to hold him back, tempted to tell him to stay, but couldn’t. For a moment Arsen hesitated, as if he wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he didn’t.
Rory knew that Arsen didn’t want to go. He had held onto her hand for as long as possible. Something that made Tanya Cox frown. If she didn’t despise the woman earlier, Rory now did with all of her heart.
This was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to her. The tension between them was unbearable and her heart was beating like it never had before. It seemed unreal somehow.
Rory sat down on the sofa and took a deep breath as the adrenaline left her body. She downed the glass of wine in one go and tried to
calm her nerves. After the happiness of that moment faded, all that was left was a pain. The pain of longing, the pain of his absence. This terrible feeling of being alone in this silent room.
Then the reality of the situation dawned on her.
Why did it feel so empty without Arsen? How could I have let him penetrate my defense mechanism and get into my soul? If his leaving the room makes me so sad, what would I be like when he leaves Montcove? I can’t afford to do this. Not right now.
Rory knew that this moment was never coming back. This was a goodbye party and tomorrow morning Insurrection were going to leave Montcove. She had come here to say goodbye to her friend Arsen, but now that the spark between them had truly caught fire, the last thing she wanted to do was part. But like everything else in life, here as well, she did not have a choice. She had to let him go.
Chapter 61
If Arsen Ford could have one wish it would be to not have to do any promotional events ever again. Or at least not do them with Mickey present. Even though Arsen was not trying to hog the limelight on Tanya’s show, Mickey still tried to outdo him, being loud and extravagant and dropping tons of f-bombs on the way, much to Tanya’s pleasure. Arsen was sure that the episode would get great ratings, thanks to Mickey making a fool of himself.
But Tanya kept coming back to Arsen and kept asking him questions. At one point she even got some of the bystanders to dare Arsen to kiss her. She was attractive, rich, and Arsen had no doubt that her PR people as well as his would love nothing more than to turn them both into a celebrity couple. What was not to like about that? One of the biggest rockstars in the world and one rich heiress who was super keen to make her mark on the entertainment industry?
Arsen, however, was pissed when Tanya invited in some of the paparazzi for promo shots. She knew how to play the media and get the maximum leverage out of everything. Arsen was surprised that Mickey wasn’t making a play for her. Instead, he kept himself busy with that young girl—Rory’s friend. Arsen wondered where Rory was. He’d been looking around but hadn’t seen her anywhere.