by Cassie Rocca
“Don’t you want some breakfast?”
“Food! With all that I ate last night? No thanks… I will be on a diet for at least a whole week!”
They went back under the blanket, the sheets were still warm. Embracing, they turned the TV on… Cade wouldn’t have ever imagined that spending a morning in bed watching Home Alone could be so pleasant! But with her in his arms, everything was different: fun, exciting, sweet… Everything about Clover enchanted him. He felt at home with her.
Around one o’clock, after a quick lunch, Clover looked out of the window. “It’s becoming really cloudy. If it starts raining, my afternoon will be very stressful…”
“I imagine it won’t be fun going out shopping around the city in a storm.” Cade was lying comfortably on the sofa.
“No, in fact… especially if your client is a mom who doesn’t have a sitter for her little children, and has to bring them along to the appointment…” Clover sighed.
“Don’t go! Stay with me.”
“I would love it…” Clover seemed undecided and came over to him.
Seeing her sitting on the sofa’s arm, Cade thought maybe he had convinced her. He put his arm round her shoulders, trying to pull her closer. “Did you change your mind and will you stay with me?”
She leaned over him, whispering, “It sounds very promising, but… actually, I was just looking for this!” smiling, she showed him the remote control in her hand.
Cade sighed with disappointment. “I’m here, completely at your disposal, and you want to watch TV!”
Clover laughed, “I just want to check the weather report!”
While she was searching for the channel, Cade pulled her over to sit on the couch next to him. “If they say it is going to pour with rain all afternoon, will you stay at home?” He kissed her neck.
“No, but I could cancel a couple of the later appointments.”
“Okay, I will try to be content with that.” Cade bent over to kiss her, when he heard his name mentioned on CBS news. He felt paralyzed. He should have known: news spreads quickly.
The journalist was briefly reporting the scoop about Harrison’s new love interest. Cade, worried about Clover’s reaction, focused more on her face than on the screen. He saw her eyes widening, while the images of the photos were shown. At first she looked incredulous. Then she became serious, as she concentrated on the news, but her expression was inscrutable.
After the news, there was the weather forecast, but neither of them paid much attention to it.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, examining her face for reaction.
“It’s ok… I’m not too bad in those pictures,” she surprised him with a cheerful smile.
“Don’t you care about appearing in a trashy tabloid? Doesn’t it bother you that everybody will speculate about us?!” Cade asked, deeply confused by her reaction. “Are you aware that they will come looking for you! Right now, they will be trying to discover who you are…”
“What can I do about it? I can’t go around wearing a ski mask for the rest of my life!” Clover stood up, “Don’t worry about it. The reservations at the pizzeria weren’t in our names, and the car is not yours. It would take a while before they discover my identity and the place where you live now…”
It will take much less time than you believe… Cade thought, discouraged. The media worked better than the FBI, when celebrities were involved!
Clover gave him a light kiss on his lips. “I’m going home to change and then I’ll run to the store. Will I see you tonight?”
“Sure…” Cade watched her as she put on her jacket and left the room – not the least bit upset, but with a calm, peaceful expression and bright eyes. He wondered why he had thought that the situation would shake her confidence… he had imagined her creating a scene, a big drama, protesting against the invasion of her privacy. On the contrary, she seemed almost… prepared for the possibility of this event.
Once again he felt a pang of uneasiness. He didn’t want to believe the remote possibility that Clover had hoped that something like this could happen. No, it wasn’t possible! Yet, some doubts kept gnawing at him… he couldn’t honestly deny that Clover’s attitude towards his celebrity life had changed dramatically since their first few encounters. What had caused her change of heart?
11
“Here she is, our star!” Zoe exclaimed, as soon as Clover stepped into the store.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, but she had an amused smile on her face.
“Look at you! You have the classic expression of someone who spent the entire night rolling around naked in bed with the sexiest man alive!” Zoe shook her head, pretending to hold a grudge. “Now I’m the one who envies you!”
“Stop! It’s not what you think…” Clover tried to protest, but soon she burst into laughter, saying, “Actually, it’s exactly what happened!” She collapsed on a chair and covered her face with her hands… she was blushing just at the memory of her night with Cade. “I’m still floating in a river of ecstasy… I can’t believe it’s true!”
“It’s not an everyday thing to be the chosen one of a Hollywood star!” Zoe sat next to Clover at her desk. “So – how was it? Is he good in bed? Is everything as beautiful as it looks?”
At that moment Eric came in the room. “Let me guess, Zoe! Are you asking for details about Cade Harrison’s sexual attributes?”
“Clover is the best source for this… this kind of information is not available in tabloids.” Zoe focused again on Clover, who was smiling mysteriously.
“I would never tell you any details like that!”
“You’re cruel and ungrateful!” Zoe shrugged, “however, looking at your insanely happy expression, I already have my answer…”
Clover didn’t reply – her dreamy smile still on her face.
“And what about the rest? Is everything fantastic?”
“Much more than fantastic… It’s like a dream. Seriously, almost too good to be true.”
“Try not to bring bad luck to yourself!”
“You know, I don’t believe in those kinds of things,” she looked at her friend with shining eyes. “Zoe, I don’t know if this thing will last, or even how we could carry it off, especially now that the media have found out that Cade is in New York. But I know that nothing like this has happened to me in my entire life! I feel dangerously close to desperately falling in love with him – so, help me god!”
“Have you talked about what’s happening between you two?”
“No… everything has happened too fast. I’m not sure what Cade is thinking. I know he is attracted to me,” she thought of the last hours with him, she recalled his passion and blushed again. “Very attracted to me. Beyond that, I don’t know anything else…”
“For sure it’s not only about sex. I’ve spoken with him on the phone, when he contacted me to organize the surprise party at the pizzeria. It was clear to me that his desire to surprise you was genuine. He had noticed how sad the dinner with your mother and brother was, and he wanted to do something to cheer you up. He has been very sweet.”
“Yes, this is what I adore about him.” Clover stood up and started to walk around the room with a dreamy expression. “He’s so sensitive and generous. He listens to me and cares about what I want. He makes my heart race, like nobody else does…”
“I’m sure that everything will go well, in spite of those obnoxious journalists.” Zoe encouraged her.
Clover huffed, bothered just by the thought of the episode. “Cade has immediately become very nervous about that article. The journalists that invade his privacy really drive him crazy – especially after all the mess he went through with his ex…”
“And you? How do you feel about being at the center of all this latest gossip?”
“I hate it! And I’m also terrified… It bothers me a lot, but I’ve restrained myself with Cade. I pretended to be almost indifferent when we watched the news together. I don’t want Cade to worry about
me, but I hope the media will take a while before they find out who I am…”
“On the contrary, it will take very little time!” Liberty said, entering the office and putting a copy of the Enquirer on the desk. “I have already received several calls from our clients asking if you are really Cade Harrison’s new girlfriend. I’ve pretended that I didn’t know anything about it. However, clearly many of them have recognized you. The word will get around at the speed of light!”
Clover came over to the desk with her heart in her throat and looked at the magazine. She felt a strange sensation seeing herself with Cade on these pages that showed a few moments of the most magical evening of her life. It was the first time for her – a simple and anonymous girl – to hit the headlines… how does it feel to make news? Frankly, like hell! She already felt very stressed and she could only imagine how Cade must have felt all these years.
“Anyway, they don’t have anything. These pictures only show two people eating in a pizzeria!” Clover burst out.
“And there were five people! They could at least put all of us on the cover… that would be fun,” Zoe said, to lighten the atmosphere.
But Clover was seriously starting to worry. This whole article spoiled her joy. It was especially the uncertainty of not knowing what Cade thought that made her anxious.
“How should we deal with the situation here at the store?” Eric asked, pragmatic as usual.
“If this story continues, it will be hard to contain the client’s curiosity, and the publicity could be good for the store… However, I absolutely don’t want to fuel any gossip,” she was specifically addressing Zoe and Eric, who spent most of their time at the store. Then she turned to Clover, “You do your best to protect yourself from the paparazzi. We’ll decide how to deal with the situation later, depending on how it all evolves.”
Clover nodded. She knew that sooner or later something like this would happen. If her relationship with Cade had a future, she needed to get used to it. This was the main reason that had stopped her from making a drama about the gossip. Now that she knew her own deep feelings, she should be flexible towards Cade’s career, accepting it’s down side.
It would be impossible to keep their secret forever. She didn’t want her privacy to be invaded by the media or by curious people, yet she didn’t want to be forced into hiding either. Cade cared about her. She was sure of this. Therefore, even though it was too early to make plans about a future together, she felt they would be able to withstand the gossip in one piece.
She left the room to start working, but she couldn’t help hearing Zoe say, “They are so sweet together! Did you notice how he looked at her last night?” Clover stopped just behind the door.
“We should take it easy on guessing…” Eric said. “They have just met and we don’t know how Harrison feels. He was in New York to hide from the paparazzi; now that they have found him, he may decide to fly back to LA as soon as possible.”
“I can’t believe that Clover doesn’t mean a lot to him. He organized a surprise party for her birthday and was been so sweet and caring with her all evening. That must mean something!”
“Yes, that he wanted to take her to bed! And he succeeded, actually…” Eric said, cynically. “A man like that doesn’t have to make too much effort to get what he wants.”
“Jesus, Eric! Did you wake up in a bad mood this morning?” Zoe burst out.
“No, I’m just trying not to fall into female sentimentality, like you do. We don’t know this guy; we can’t be sure he’s in love with Clover after just one week.”
Zoe continued stubbornly, “I’m sure he’s not acting… trust me. I know immediately when a man is in love with a woman. I have a nose for this kind of thing…”
“Sure you do!”
Liberty interrupted their conversation, “Okay, now get to work, guys! We’ll discover what the truth is very soon. In case you happen to be right, Eric, let’s be ready to help our little Clover. She seems to really be in love with Cade Harrison. I hope that she won’t regret her trust in him.”
Clover left the store in silence, her mind invaded by thoughts. Cade was a celebrity, so it was absolutely normal that the journalists had an interest in him and in the people around him. Especially after his tumultuous breakup with his ex, the media, of course, were curious, seeing him with a new, unknown woman. Yes, it was all understandable, so – why did she feel so anxious? She had a bad feeling.
She and Cade hadn’t discussed their feelings yet. Nor had they talked about a lasting relationship between them. She had tried to resist this powerful attraction, exactly because she feared an uncertain future. Now, making love to him had only strengthened her feelings and it would be harder than ever to be without him – to start over. But was it necessary? Cade liked her and she liked him – actually, she definitely liked him!
This gossip had come at the wrong time, too early. She would have preferred to discuss the situation with him before appearing on a tabloid cover. Yet, why shouldn’t their relationship eventually work? She just hoped that obnoxious, curious people could leave them alone.
But luck wasn’t on her side. All the clients she met on the street assaulted her with questions about Cade. Not even the pouring rain could stop them! She was walking fast, but with the persistent feeling that everyone looked at her with curiosity – as if she had appeared on The New York Times front page as President Obama’s secret mistress!
She found this sudden interest in her intrusive and absurd. She decided to tell her clients that she had simply helped Cade Harrison with his family’s Christmas shopping. She tried to say as little as possible. Firstly, she wanted to discuss the best strategy with Cade.
She was returning home when she heard her cell phone ringing. She hoped it was him. She hadn’t heard from him all afternoon, and her mistrustful side had begun to imagine the worst. Was he angry because of the article? She remembered his anxiety and even paranoia about being recognized during his first days in Staten Island. And the night before, when he understood that the white car was following them, he looked really furious… or had he already had enough of her? Just the thought made her shiver.
Hearing his voice was a joy and relief, although his tone wasn’t enthusiastic at all. He sounded tired, nervous… maybe bored?
“I got your cell number from Zoe… hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not…”
“Is everything okay? Have people recognized you on the street? Did they ask you strange questions?”
He got right to the point, Clover thought. She sighed, “Nobody offered me any money for an interview, if this is what you are thinking. I had to answer questions to a couple of curious clients, but I didn’t say anything compromising. I just said I helped you with Christmas shopping.”
“Perfect!” he sounded relieved and Clover felt a pang of disappointment.
“Has anyone followed you?”
“Jesus, Cade! Am I ending up in some trashy spy movie?” she mumbled, a little too sharply. She was in a taxi and she turned to check behind… “I see two cars behind me. The people driving could have a camera, some binoculars, a pad and a pen… which weapon should I fear most?”
“Clover, it’s not funny. If the journalists find out where I live, it will be the end of my peaceful vacation.”
“Like it is my fault! I didn’t choose to go to that pizzeria – just to refresh your memory – and it’s not me that the paparazzi follow. I should be the one that is upset by this whole story, and you should be accustomed to this mess! But, on the contrary, you seem to be freaking out – like on the verge of a nervous breakdown…”
“Wait a minute, your calmness sounds strange to me, since you always seemed to deeply despise everything to do with my life and profession…”
Clover felt a knot in her throat, “What do you mean? Would you prefer to see me pulling my hair out and howling?”
“I would prefer not hearing you sound almost satisfied…”
“I’m
not satisfied! Last night everything was beautiful, and I would definitely prefer to remember it without the pictures in a trashy tabloid. But it has happened and we can’t do anything about it… actually it could happen again.”
Cade sighed, “You’re right. Sorry, I’m very stressed. I just don’t want them bothering us.”
“I’m almost at home.” Clover held her breath, hoping that he would ask her to join him right away. But Cade remained silent and her heart sank. “Perhaps it might be better if we don’t see each other tonight, don’t you agree?”
“If someone has followed you, they will control what you do and where you go. If you come over here, they will wonder why…”
He doesn’t want to see me… she thought. It had only been four hours since she hadn’t seen him, and she already missed him so much.
“I understand… I don’t want my neighborhood to become a reporters’ camp site either, especially as I will have to live here much longer than you.” Clover closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, I won’t even glance at your house.” She got out of the taxi and went straight to her door, without looking back. “Here! I am inside. I locked the door and I promise I won’t open it to strangers. You can relax now…”
“Relaxing will be difficult,” Cade sounded really worried. “I had hoped to have more time to enjoy New York, but they have found me. And now that they have seen you too, things are going to get a lot more complicated.”
“How long do you think all this will last?”
“It depends…” Cade hesitated and Clover sat on the couch, legs shaking.
“It depends on what?” she asked cautiously.
“It depends on us.”
Is there an ‘us’ with us? She wondered. At that moment she heard the beep of a call waiting. “Someone is trying to call me.” She felt almost relieved to interrupt that embarrassing silence.
“I had hoped for a different kind of evening, Clover. I’m very sorry… now that we have started…”