by Wendy Louise
Well then! I’ve been told!
She clears her throat and slowly moves out of her lounge chair towards the window. Peering through the glass at the garden she says, “Ava, that boy is everything to me. I love him as if he is my own. I sense that there is something here with you both. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. I’ve been around a long time. One thing I know for sure…” She turns from the window and fixes me with her gaze.
“….every so often someone special comes in to your life and it’s so monumental that it marks time. It’s like a date is forever imprinted on your heart. After that, everything before pales in comparison and you wonder what you did without them. That Ava - is love.”
She sits down next to me on the sofa and reaches for my hand. “I don’t want to scare you off dear; I just want you to open yourself up to whatever is possible in life.”
This woman is like some sort of psychic-mind-reader, a real voodoo-mamma.
How can she tell in such a short time that I’ve closed myself off to any possibility of a relationship, with Ethan or anyone else?
How can she sense that there’s something between Ethan and I, when neither of us is sure that there is?
I’m staring in to her eyes, trying to understand where this wisdom has come from as Ethan returns to the room.
He takes in the sight of us both on the sofa, holding hands and sitting close. He smiles at Nanny and then at me, and I can see his mind churning, wondering what on earth we have been discussing.
I want to share the wonderful piece of wisdom that Nanny has just given me, but I think at this stage I will keep it to myself. She didn’t want Ethan to hear it, that’s why she sent him out of the room, so it shall remain ‘girl talk’ – for now.
Besides, I’m not about to tell him that she sees something between us and that she wants me to open myself up to him. That would be way too presumptuous of me.
I like Nanny Grace, I like her a lot. She has a feisty spirit and determination. She may be old but she’s certainly not out. I hope I’m like her when I get to be her age.
She turns to Ethan and says. “Head off now you two and leave an old lady in peace. I want to nap before dinner.”
She raises my hand to her mouth and kisses it gently. She winks at me before letting it go. Ethan bends down to give her a hug, and she whispers something in his ear that causes him to look at me and smile.
“Ready?” he says to me as he stands back up.
I rise off the sofa and we bid Nanny farewell.
As we turn back to the hallway Ethan holds his hand out to me again. I take it because it felt so right holding his hand on the way in here. I’m not sure that friends hold hands like this, but I just let myself go with it. Nanny Grace’s words are after all, still ringing in my ears.
We return to the car and buckle in. “What did you think of Nanny?” Ethan asks me. I can tell he’s dying to know my opinion.
I can’t help the huge smile that lights up my face. “I loved her Ethan, she’s amazing. Such a smart and funny lady. She loves you.” I say, stating the obvious.
He nods. “She does. My mother and I are her family. We’ve always been her world. She even loves my mother despite the fact that Mother doesn’t return the sentiment.”
I turn the conversation back to lighter subjects. “You know, I never pictured you as the type that would visit a nursing home and spend time drinking tea with your Nanny.” I tease.
He blushes and I think I’ve embarrassed him. Wow, I didn’t know that was possible.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable; I just think it’s nice. It shows me that there are many sides to you.”
He nods with a smile and pulls the car out in to the traffic, looking smug. I think he liked the fact that I saw another side to him with Nanny.
I liked it too.
It made him seem more human, if that’s possible, more accessible, and more normal. He wasn’t Ethan Drake, Hollywood star, when he was with her at all.
He was just Ethan.
The boy that she has seen grow up and the boy that she loves and protects. It feels nice to know that he has her. She’s so unlike his mother.
Chalk and cheese.
Ethan fiddles with the radio and Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream fills the car. Ethan smiles and says, “Normally I would change this, but I know it’s probably one of your favourites, so I’ll make an exception just this once.”
My tummy is doing flip flops. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. He remembered.
“Well I appreciate that,” I say. “Everyone needs a bit of Katy Perry in their life.” He laughs and turns the song up. The sound rumbles through the car, sending sparks through my senses.
I think his laugh is now top of the list of my favourite things about him.
It’s a long list.
Growing every day….
I settle back in to the luxurious leather seats of his car and turn my head towards him. His face is deep in concentration as he tackles the LA traffic. He’s driving fast, but not recklessly, and he handles the car with ease and grace. His eyes dart from the windscreen to the rear view mirror, as he confidently navigates our way along one of the many windy freeways this city has to offer.
“Thanks for taking me to meet Nanny Grace.”
I want Ethan to know that I appreciate that he’s shared something special with me. I feel honoured that he introduced us, and I feel privileged to have seen him with her; to have seen him relaxed and away from the Studio and the persona that comes with being Ethan Drake - Actor.
It made me feel special.
“You’re welcome Ava. I’m pleased that you met her.” He seems genuine in his response and that makes me smile.
I want to bring up what happened last night but I don’t want to complicate what has been a really nice afternoon. I don’t know what is going on here and I don’t want to think about it. Maybe Nanny Grace is right. Perhaps I do need to open myself up to people more. Just because Cole treated me like dirt after two years, doesn’t mean that someone else will. My issue is that I can’t reconcile myself being with someone like Ethan. We inhabit different worlds.
Hell, we inhabit different universes!
If I break it all down and look at it simply, he is a guy and I am a girl and there is a definite attraction. If life were that basic, then nothing would stop me from pursuing this. Unfortunately my brain then kicks in with all the differences between us.
I live in Australia, he lives here.
He is famous, I’m not.
He is stunningly gorgeous, I’m not.
His career is about to take off to a point that he can have anything and anyone he wants.
How do I compete with that?
I sigh without realising how loud I am.
“What’s up?” he asks, turning his head slightly towards me without taking his eyes off the road for too long. “That was one hell of a sigh.”
The last thing I’m going to do is talk to him about this now. “Nothing,” I say, “….just a little tired.”
He scrunches his brow like he knows I’m hiding something from him but he turns back to the road ahead without saying anything more about it.
He’s resisting bringing up last night too.
After the majority of the drive is made in semi-comfortable silence, Ethan pulls up outside Olivia’s apartment. Well, my apartment now too. I’m still getting used to that.
Butterflies begin to swarm in my stomach. What do I say to him? Do I just open the door and leave? Do I invite him up?
“Thanks for bringing me back Ethan. I appreciate it.”
I reach for the door handle just as his strong hand encircles my wrist. I turn my head back towards him. He’s looking at me through those blue eyes of his, and smiling the most dazzling smile I’ve ever seen.
Dimples taking centre stage.
“You’re most welcome Ava.”
His thumb is tracing up and down the veins on my wrist as h
e talks. It’s incredibly distracting. Tingles are firing through my veins with each stroke.
He lets my wrist go, and although I can breathe again, my body wilts with the loss of contact.
This is so confusing.
“I have a charity event tomorrow. Is Olivia doing it too?”
“No, she has a full day of scenes and rehearsal tomorrow. We’ll be at the Studio most of the day.”
He screws up his perfect nose and he looks adorable. “Damn, I thought I’d get to see you girls tomorrow. No such luck.” He says with a shrug.
He wants to see me tomorrow?
Before I can stop my mouth from going any further I say, “Are you free tomorrow night? Perhaps you could show me some of the sights by night? I’m so excited about seeing LA and I haven’t had much of a chance to get out and explore yet.”
Jesus - that was so forward of me!
He smiles. “I’d love that. I’ll pick you up at 7pm. Dress warmly; I’m going to take you to all my favourite places.”
He lifts my right hand and softly kisses the back of it with his plush lips.
A small hum sounds from my throat but thankfully I don’t think Ethan heard it.
“See you tomorrow night.”
“Okay. See you then.”
I escape the car before the blush rises from my neck and up my face.
I’m not sure what I was thinking. My stomach is full of flutters at the thought of spending more time with him one-on-one.
Who am I kidding?
I don’t think I ever had a chance to resist him.
Ethan waits until I’m at the entrance to the apartment, and safely inside, before pulling away from the curb. Such a gentleman! He waves and smiles before he accelerates off.
I wave back and turn towards the elevators wondering how I’m going to stop this rollercoaster that I’ve set in motion.
The Studio has sent a car to take me to this charity event today. I don’t mind participating in these causes.
Today’s event is to raise money for Breast Cancer. Nanny went through Breast Cancer some years ago, so I have a personal connection to this. It’s a worthy cause and one that we should all get behind.
Today I’m dressed in faded denim and a pale pink t-shirt that bears the charity logo for the day. I’m supposed to be hosting an auction and then staying for a meet and greet afterwards. All up I will probably only be here for a few hours.
I’m really looking forward to taking Ava out tonight and showing her the sights of my town. I can only imagine how exciting it must be to move somewhere new and experience a different lifestyle.
As the car pulls up to the venue, I notice Madeline getting out of the car in front. She’s also wearing the charity’s t-shirt, but she has accessorised hers with tight fitting leggings and high heeled black boots.
She looks amazing as always. Every bit the movie star that she is.
“Good Afternoon Madeline,” I call.
She turns with a smile.
“Ethan Hey. I didn’t know you were coming to this event today.”
“Ditto,” I say as I walk towards her.
“I’m one of the patrons for this charity so I always attend these,” she says with a shrug like it’s no big deal.
Wow, I never picked Madeline to have a good soul there but perhaps I was wrong about her.
“This is a great way to get publicity too,” she adds.
There’s that Madeline attitude!
Deciding to ignore her last comment, I offer her my arm and we both enter the venue. We’re ushered upstairs to a large ballroom that is full of people. There appears to be some sort of auction already taking place, and people are yelling bids throughout the room.
At the entrance to the room, there is a large sign stating the purpose of today’s event. Madeline and I are asked to stand in front of it so the photographer can take a few shots. Madeline, being Madeline, decides to alter her poses throughout the mini photo shoot and takes some standing with her arm around my waist, some with her hand placed on my chest and some with her body turned towards me and her leg bent up behind her.
She’s such a freakin’ poser. I stand there throughout, letting her do whatever she wants and just making sure that I continue to smile at the photographer. No doubt these shots will be on the internet in minutes.
The MC of the event explains to us what we need to do and for the next couple of hours we are ushered around to meet many people. My hand is cramping from signing autographs, but it’s for a good cause so I don’t want to stop. Madeline is across the other side of the room, taking photos and being gracious towards everyone. I can’t believe that she can turn the charm on and off like that. I guess it shows what a great actress she really is.
Madeline and I end up spending longer than was scheduled at the event, but when it’s for charity you don’t want to run out the door. The Studio has sent two cars back to collect us, so we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.
I still have a few hours before I’m due to collect Ava so I decide to call Grayson and see what he’s doing. He picks up after the first ring. “Hey man, where are you?”
“Hey E, I’m at the bar up from my place. Just having a drink and shooting some pool with the boys. Come down?”
“Okay, maybe I will. I’ll see you there in 10.”
I end the call and instruct my driver to take me to Grayson. I settle back in the seat to think about where to take Ava tonight.
I’m not sure where to go first. I think we may head in to the Chinese Theatre and have a look at that. She’ll need to do that by day as well so she can fully appreciate all the hand and foot prints, but it is also great at night with all the lights on. Maybe I’ll also take her on a drive round Beverly Hills. There’s a great little Italian restaurant just off Rodeo Drive where we could do a quick dinner. Everyone likes to see Rodeo Drive, I mean all girls have seen Pretty Woman right? Maybe I could make some of her Richard Gere fantasies come true.
Ava is so different to any of the plastic girls that I’ve dated of late. There’s not an ounce of silicon on her - as far as I can tell - and she is naturally gorgeous.
Her silky hair and full, plump lips are my downfall. Hell, I’m not in the market for a relationship yet she has me thinking of possibilities that I have never entertained before. My concern is that my world would overwhelm her. It’s not easy to be a part of it when you’re unfamiliar with it. It’s pretty cut-throat and you need to have a thick skin. I’ve grown up with that, but I can tell that she hasn’t.
Either way, I can’t seem to stop wanting to spend time with her. The fact that she initiated tonight’s contact makes me hope that she feels the same way. Perhaps I need to relax and see where it goes. Let things happen naturally and follow her lead.
The driver pulls up outside of the bar where Grayson is. I tip him and exit out in to the glorious sunshine.
A few paparazzi are crowded outside the bar and have been snapping shots of someone inside. As soon as they see me, the cameras are turned on to me and I’m momentarily startled by the constant clicks of the shutters. I hate that sound. It’s almost as bad as the flashes going off in your face. They blind me for hours every time.
A few of the photographers yell out to me but I’ve become really good at blocking them out. They can say some pretty fucked up things to you in order to get a reaction, so I have learnt to ignore them over the years.
When I was 18, one of them made a comment about a girl I was seen dating at the time. It was pretty derogatory, so I clocked him. He tried to sue me, but we settled it all privately. I had to buy the fucker a new camera though. Ever since then, I ignore them all.
I spot Grayson at the back of the bar by the pool tables. It’s such a great day that they have all the windows open, allowing a warm sultry breeze to fly through the space. Grayson gestures to me that he already has a drink ready for me, so I head straight to him.
“Hey E,” he says as he hands me a bottle of beer.
“H
ey Gray. Hey Guys,” I say to Grayson’s band mates, Will, Matt and Cooper.
They all nod and wave in my direction. The boys seem to be involved in a heated debate about their last game of pool, so I can only imagine that one of them has cheated in some way.
“Where have you been?” Grayson asks as he takes in my pink t-shirt with a smirk.
“At a charity event for Breast Cancer.”
“Oh, cool man,” he says. “So what’s news? How’s that little hottie of yours going?”
“It’s going,” I say. “I took her to meet Nanny yesterday, and I’m taking her out to see LA tonight.”
“Whoa man. This is so out of character for you, you must really like her. I’m happy for you.” Grayson claps me on the back as he looks to see the boys racking up for the next game.
“Is her sister still with Ryan?” Grayson asks.
I just roll my eyes at him. He so needs to get over that already. He seriously can’t help himself.
“Are we playing or what?” I ask him.
“Sure, let’s rack them up.”
Grayson turns to the table next to the boys and racks the balls while I choose a pool cue. I chalk it and wait to see if he’s going to break or wants me to.
“All yours,” he says, standing back and choosing a pool cue for himself.
I lean over the table, aim, and break.
As we progress through our game, we are surrounded by a few girls at tables close to us. They are giggling and staring as we move and stretch across the tables trying to finish the game. Grayson and the guys notice them too. By the time Gray and I are almost done with our game, the other guys are already talking to the girls, who are flirting madly.
After pocketing the final ball, I win the game, and Gray and I clap shoulders before making our way over to the table to join the others. Another round of beer arrives and we get in to it. Before I can count, we’ve had numerous beers and a couple of shots and I’m seriously buzzed. One of the girls, a really well-endowed brunette, has her hands all over me. I continue to swat her off in my drunken state, but that doesn’t seem to deter her in the slightest.