by Cassie Rocca
“Mom, how much did it cost you to organize all this?”
“Love, you must be joking. I wouldn’t spend a penny, even for something like Christmas!”
“Well, for sure you’ve manipulated Jake to push him in the right direction…”
“Your brother is so generous and sensitive! Otherwise how could he write such touching novels?”
“Ah! So now I begin to realize where I get my acting talent…”
“Surely not from that hermit, your father!” Grace Harrison mumbled.
“I guess he’s not exactly enthusiastic about coming to New York…”
“He has started to complain about everything: about the cold that will destroy his poor bones, about jetlag… he suggested that – as rich as you are – you could have rented a private plane and come to see us.”
“Well, I guess I could…”
“No, honey, I am very happy to have a change of scene. It will be fun seeing snow, and your sisters can’t wait to go shopping on Fifth Avenue!”
“If you wanted to come to New York, I could have paid for travel expenses and your hotel anytime, Mom. You have only to ask. There isn’t any pleasure in having so much money to spend, if I don’t share it with you!” Cade’s voice was now full of warmth and affection.
“You’re wonderful…”
“Now am I your favorite son again?”
“You can’t buy me with so little! We can pay for our airfare and hotel – you know this. But it will be more fun to share a house, and your father hates to spend money anyway. He thinks he has to save every penny, because he had to when he was young. So, Monique’s house is the perfect solution.”
“When will you arrive?”
“The morning of Christmas Eve and, knowing your father, he will want all day to recover from jetlag. So, we’ll see you for dinner.”
“Ok, Mom. Great!” At that moment something caught his attention – it was his neighbor who was heading home. He quickly said goodbye. “I will be talking to you in the next few days. Give my love to everybody!”
Clover was walking briskly, carrying several shopping bags. Her woolly hat was askew and her long scarf dangled dangerously between her legs. It was already dark and the streets were covered with a thin layer of ice. He had a bad feeling, even before he saw her slip on her front steps.
Without thinking, he grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the door. He didn’t know whether he should laugh or be worried. This girl really had a hard time standing up!
He reached her in a flash and stopped at the gate. “Will I have the pleasure one of these days to see you standing firmly on your own two feet?” He joked with a hint of tenderness in his voice.
She was on her knees, worrying about the contents of her shopping bags. She looked up with those hazel eyes, before focusing again on her bags. “Hope is the last thing to die, they used to say.”
He entered the gate, “May I help you?”
“Yes, maybe with a survival course for impossibly clumsy people! But first of all I need to check that nothing in my bags got broken.”
“Perhaps you should check your knee first, it’s bleeding.”
She looked at her torn tights and at the scrape on her left knee, then she cursed in a whisper
Cade helped her up, saying, “Don’t worry. I can pick up everything for you.”
“Thanks…” she mumbled, climbing the steps, without taking her eyes off of him.
Feeling scrutinized, Cade gathered everything very carefully, then he followed her sweet smelling trail.
She opened the door and let him in. “You can leave everything on the sofa, thanks.”
Cade obeyed and then he looked around. The house seen from the outside was in very bad shape, but the inside was better. She had old pieces of furniture, but it was neat and cozy. With some changes, it could be attractive. The first thing he would get rid of was her gnarled couch, it looked very uncomfortable. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll collapse in it and not be able to get up again?”
The girl followed his gaze, “I know, it looks pretty bad, but I’m fond of it. Everything here has the charm of the past – at least this what I tell myself, maybe just so as not to admit this place is a real dump! I’m waiting to be able to afford one of those modern, beautiful sectional sofas, maybe in a lavender color…”
“If you don’t spend all your money on Christmas shopping, maybe…” Cade was pointing at the pile of bags.
“Oh – these aren’t mine!” she said, taking off her coat. Underneath she wore a little black and red checked dress, heavy black tights and her usual tall boots. Cade finally could satisfy his curiosity. As he had imagined, she was delicate and slender. Yet she had seductive curves and full breasts. Her clothes didn’t completely hide her figure. She had eccentric taste, especially in the colors she chose which were a challenge with that red hair… but the look suited her.
He watched her limping over to him, but felt a sense of disappointment when he realized that she was heading to the sofa, worried only about her precious purchases.
“You should take care of your knee, instead of messing around with those bags!” he said, almost irritated.
“I just need to check and be sure that everything is ok.”
Cade was observing her every movement, until she finally sat down on the sofa with a sigh of relief.
“Are these your Christmas gifts?” he asked.
“Actually, they are gifts for people that I don’t even know. I need to keep them here for a few days.”
“Sorry, I don’t follow you… Do you buy gifts for people you don’t know?”
“It would be useless to explain this to someone who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus!” she winked at him, smiling, and Cade felt confused by that sudden friendly expression. But he didn’t have time to analyze his own reaction. Clover had turned to look at a clock hanging on the wall and said, “Damn it! It’s very late! I have to go…”
She tried to stand up, but because of her knee and the antiquated couch this wasn’t so simple. Cade took her hands and helped her.
“Your knee is still bleeding and your tights are torn. Where are you thinking of going looking like this?”
“To the Rockefeller Center. The Christmas tree will be lit tonight!”
“At least put a bandage on your knee and change your tights…”
“I can’t! I might miss the ferry and be late.” Clover protested, limping out of the room.
“There is a good chance you will be late anyway, looking at the way you are walking.”
“You have no idea what people can overcome when they have a clear objective.”
“And would your objective be to get an infection and risk hurting yourself seriously? Just to go to see a Christmas tree that will be there until January?”
“It’s not just any tree, but the Tree! The lighting ceremony is a New York ritual. I can’t miss it at any cost!”
“You have probably seen it already a million times.”
“Ah! I see, you are that kind of person.” she turned, looking at him with an almost nauseated expression.
“What do you mean?”
“A snob, insensitive to Christmas spirit!”
Cade didn’t know what to answer. Honestly, he wasn’t especially interested in these sorts of traditions, at least not since he had become an adult.
She continued with determination, “I’m not interested in the Christmas tree. What I don’t want to miss is the moment when it lights up. Hundreds of people will be there, all enchanted, all looking up. The turning on of that switch signals the beginning of the best period of the year, when the city transforms itself and becomes magical.”
“I assume you’ve never been to Las Vegas.” Cade’s tone was ironic.
“It isn’t the same thing! However, I think maybe I would be completely dazzled, if I should ever go to Las Vegas.” She checked the time again and her disappointment showed. “Shit, at this rate it’s too late anyway.”
“But it will certainly
be broadcast live on TV.” Cade said kindly.
She nodded in agreement. “Ok, I’ll go disinfect myself and then turn on the TV. Thanks for your help…”
Seeing her so sad and downcast, Cade acted instinctively. He stepped in front of her and asked: “What time is the tree lighting?”
“At nine o clock, but to get to Rockefeller Plaza I need more than one hour, and the ferry leaves in less than twenty minutes. I had everything planned, minute by minute, but at this point I’ve already wasted too much time…”
“I bet we can make it by car. We have plenty of time.” Seeing her looking both confused and hopeful, he added, “I can drive you there.”
“You are very generous, but I can’t accept…”
“I’ve never seen the lighting of the tree live and your passionate description makes me curious. Come with me.” At this point he really wanted to go.
“Really? You haven’t been there before! That’s not good enough!”
“Well, help me fix it!” He laughed.
After a moment of silence, she nodded. “Ok! Believe me, you won’t regret it.”
Seeing her smile, Cade felt completely satisfied and returned her smile. Pointing at the clock, he said, “See you outside in ten minutes… or do you need more time?”
“I was ready to go with a ripped pair of tights; do you think I am the type who needs a lot of time to make herself beautiful?”
“I don’t think you need it,” he replied, sincerely. He was happy to see her confusion at this.
He headed to the door, and chuckled when he heard her shouting, “Disguise yourself in a way that no one will recognize you! I don’t want to be on the news tomorrow with someone signing autographs on half of New York’s butts!”
He should have sued that crazy woman who had chased him on the streets of LA for that intimate autograph! He signed her ass just to get her out of the way as quickly as possible. He hadn’t noticed the paparazzi nearby. Well, the story had really gone crazy in all the tabloids. His neighbor seemed to find it funny, and at this point he didn’t give a damn about it!
Clover almost ripped her dress in her hurry to take it off. She ran to the bathroom for the quickest shower ever. No way did she have time to wash her hair… She put a band aid on her knee, cursing herself for another clumsy fall in front of the Prince of Hollywood, and went into the bedroom. She put on her lavender wool dress with funny embroidery that she always wore for the Christmas concert, and some lip-gloss. She brushed her hair and grabbed her coat. She was ready a few minutes early!
He showed up a minute later, and on seeing him again Clover felt her mouth go as dry as the Sahara Desert. He was fantastic: sexy as in to die for and elegant at the same time. She suddenly felt drab and insignificant. She thought of the many incredibly beautiful women he was used to seeing in California! She was sure he had never been out with a girl wearing a tacky dress embroidered with snowmen and limping like the Hunchback of Notre Dame before!
She should have worn something sexier to go out with a man like him. Wait – going out? She wasn’t going out with Cade Harrison. He was only being charitable by driving her to the Rockefeller Center. He had probably felt sorry for her. That was all.
She stuffed the woolly hat into her pocket and wrapped herself up tightly in her coat to hide as much as possible. She kept her head up with the little dignity she had left.
But when he came over to her, with that irresistible smile, Clover forgot everything else.
“Right on time!” he said.
“Actually, I was ready a few minutes early, but I didn’t want to rush you. I imagine that you need some time to maintain your movie star look…”
“Just enough to take a quick shower.” he replied.
So, you’re naturally gorgeous, Clover thought, following him to the garage, where a shiny black jeep was parked.
“May I at least know your name?”
“Clover O’Brian.”
“Nice to meet you, Clover.” Cade shook her hand. His hand was firm and warm. Incredibly warm.
Clover didn’t say anything. She didn’t even thank him for adjusting his pace to her slow limp. Yet, imperceptibly, something changed inside her. Suddenly, she didn’t feel like she had a movie star by her side any more, but simply an attractive and true gentleman, willing to immerse himself in a sea of people, just to do her a favor out of kindness. She couldn’t help being impressed. So she decided to behave as a polite and kind young lady should.
4
The Rockefeller Center was crowded beyond all expectation. The concert had started an hour earlier and it always attracted hordes of people – this year even more than usual.
In the past Clover was able to find a quiet corner to watch the show, but this time it was impossible.
Cade was looking around, surprised to see so many people, yet he seemed completely comfortable. Obviously he was used to being in large crowds. However, he tried very hard not to be noticed, and so did Clover.
“All the photographers are focused on the evening’s celebrity guests. Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart and Billy Crystal are on the stage. They are more famous than you, right? You should be perfectly safe.” Clover said to lighten up the situation.
“Of course!” Cade answered, without pointing out that they weren’t exactly the trendiest of today’s stars.
But Clover knew perfectly well that right now Cade Harrison attracted more curiosity than those has-beens. She wasn’t indifferent to him either. The crush of the crowd kept pushing her closer to him. In this close proximity, she could inhale his scent, which began having a certain effect on her.
She wondered if these people might think they were a couple. Just for a few seconds she imagined that some paparazzi would take a picture of them together. The photo would appear on the latest news with the title, Cade Harrison’s new girlfriend? This would raise hell, provoking millions of questions and a lot of envy. She imagined with a certain satisfaction her mother’s surprise – her mother who thought that she couldn’t attract any man on earth… God! It would be really fantastic!
These impossible daydreams, the music and the excitement she felt all around made her so happy. Not even her sore knee stopped her from darting around Rockefeller Plaza in search of the best spot.
She felt Cade’s arm around her waist and her heart leapt in her throat.
“Would you like to watch the show from above, away from this crowd?” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath on her neck gave her the sort of shivers she could barely remember.
Go ahead and shoot, fucking paparazzi. Right now! She thought, in a moment of total insanity.
She didn’t know why she wanted to be photographed with him, to appear in a trashy tabloid tomorrow, but at that moment it was what she really wanted. When would it ever happen again, a stroll around New York with someone like him? She would frame any photo of them together, just to remind herself – in her darkest hours – that great things could happen and not only in fairy tales.
She tried to come back to reality. Damn! This guy had more talent than a snake charmer! Even if he didn’t realize it.
What had he asked? ‘Would you like to watch the show from above the square? She pointed to a little boy on his father’s shoulders, and jokingly said, “Do you have something like that in mind?”
Cade was amused. “Not exactly, but if you prefer…”
“Well then, what’s your idea?”
“There’s a hotel nearby, with a perfect view of the square. We could get a room and watch the show from there.”
“Can you really do that? Without booking in advance?”
“Hey! I’m Cade Harrison. I have more than just the privilege of signing autographs on butts!”
While Clover was laughing, he took her hand and led her away from the crowd. He was even careful about her sore knee! She followed him as though she were in a dream. She wasn’t accustomed to having this kind of attention, especially not from a fantastic man, adored by everybody. Her sen
se of unreality was growing.
Her hand in his had become so hot, that she immediately understood why millions of American teenage girls had placed him at the top of the list of the man of their dreams. He was charismatic and sensual, but at the same time he had that nice guy look that conquered you. He was attentive and kind. It was only when he was embarrassed or under pressure in difficult situations, that one saw that cold movie star expression of disdain. It was difficult not to be won over by him.
The silence that welcomed them when they entered the hotel caught Clover by surprise. It was strange after the deafening noise of the square. She looked around, admiring every elegant detail of the luxurious hall. She had never been in here before, but she had often dreamed of staying in a hotel like this, at least once in her life.
“I’ll go and see if we can get a room… be right back.” Cade invited her to sit in a comfortable armchair.
Mistaking his kindness for cautioun, Clover said, “Yes, I will behave, don’t worry. I won’t put on a show and ruin your reputation! Actually, let’s establish a secret code so I can join you in the room without being noticed by anyone!”
“I just wanted to give your knee a rest!” With an exasperated sigh, Cade took her arm and led her over to the reception desk, behind which a man and a woman were talking quietly.
The woman immediately recognized Cade Harrison – Clover could see it from the hungry look she gave him. But the man seemed to know him too. He quickly came to attention and smiled warmly, saying: “Mr Harrison, such a pleasure to see you again!”
“Good evening, James.” Cade shook the hand of the elegant concierge. “I know that I didn’t book in advance, but I would like a room, if at all possible.”
Both receptionists glanced at her in a discreet way, and Clover could feel herself stiffen.
What were they looking at? Were they finding it so strange that one of the most desired men in America was with a normal girl like her? Maybe they were just curious to check out the new prey… Clover began to feel uneasy and crossed her arms defensively.
“We’ll check right away, sir, and see if we can help you.” The receptionist looked at his computer screen. “How long are you planning to stay, Mr Harrison?”