Closing my car door, I stood tall, then turned to face Bennett Grayson, with the kindest smile I could muster. As they say in Hollywood, “Lights, camera, action!”
*****
“Mr. Grayson?” I asked, taking two last steps until we were close enough to touch.
“Chelsey…” Bennett said. He paused, then continued with, “It’s nice to see—I mean, meet you. He ran one hand through his thick black hair and extending the other to me.
Whether it was wishful hoping or his acknowledging that he remembered who I was, but by the dazed look on his face, I felt as if I’d made an impression on him. I’ll take it! When I placed my hand in his, I didn’t expect it to be soft and warm, nor did I expect to feel a shock of electricity run through me. “I’m Chelsey Rhodes, and it’s wonderful to meet you,” I said, not allowing him to ruffle any feathers of mine. I was in charge now, and I was going to make sure he wasn’t going to walk over me. “Now, before I take you in to meet Hattie, do you have any questions?”
“No, none that I can think of,” he said slowly, as he darted his eyes left and right, then up and down, scanning her mansion. He caught me looking at him, then started to apologize for not giving me his full attention. I waved my hand in the air, brushing it off. “I just can’t imagine living in a home this large. We don’t have homes like this back in my neck of the woods, back in Nebraska.”
“Yeah, I read from your profile you’re from Alliance.” I smirked, adding, “So am I!” then I watched his eyes bug out, and then he cocked his head down at me. There ya go, Bennett, that’s what I was waiting for.
“Wow, it’s a small world,” was all he said.
I found his response to be confusing. Did he really not know it was me, the girl he picked on for years, or was he in denial? Maybe he got hit in the head way too many times, I thought, remembering his dedication to our high school’s football team. “It sure is,” I said, and then he began following my lead up the walkway.
Once we made our way into her home, I left Bennett alone in her living room while I scampered away to make Hattie’s two cups of coffee (why she wanted two was beyond me, since she could’ve just asked for a large one). I found the instructions to be ridiculously easy—so much so that I didn’t bother using them. After placing the coffee cups on a silver platter that was on the kitchen counter next to the coffeepot, I checked in on Bennett, who was sitting on a plush white couch, with stretched arms, and was tapping his fingers to the beat of the classical music that was being played throughout the house. He looked like he was peaceful, and since he wasn’t snooping through anything, I didn’t bother him. Why not let him have his calm before the storm, I thought. “Quit thinking such mean thoughts,” I scolded myself, making my way up the spiral staircase, being careful not to spill the hot coffee. When I finally made my way to Hattie’s bedroom, I knocked. “Hattie, it’s me, Chelsey. I have your coffee.” Silence. Having counted to twenty, I decided to knock again, this time a bit louder. “Hattie, can I come in?” I counted to twenty again, but this time, instead of knocking, I carefully twisted the knob, careful not to startle her if she was sound asleep. When I had fully opened the door, I stood in shock at what I saw, and the silver tray began to wobble in my hands, but I managed to keep it steady. Thinking it was best to turn around, I did so, along with close my eyes, trying to block out the image that I was pretty sure would be stuck in my head. “Um, Hattie, I—” I began to say, but then I was interrupted by screams.
“Good Lord, Chelsey, what the hell?! Don’t you know how to knock?” Hattie asked.
“I did, twice, but there was no answer, so that’s when I opened the door and saw—”
“Open your eyes, now!” I did as I was told, only to see Hattie standing in front of me, with her hands on her hips. She wore a red robe that looked to be quickly thrown on, her makeup had been smeared, and her hair was a tangled mess. “Let’s get this clear—you saw nothing! Do you understand?”
“Yes, Hattie. I understand.”
“Good,” she said, taking the two cups of coffee off the tray, and then handed one of them to a naked-chested man who was now standing beside her. His blond hair was slicked back and beads of sweat pellets were scattered over him. His coffee-colored eyes were bold and mysterious. Hattie turned her attention back to me, sighing. “Is Bennett downstairs?”
Having seen what I had between her and the man who stood beside her, it made me wonder why she was meeting Bennett. I chewed on my lip, thinking against asking questions. “Yes, he’s in the study.”
Hattie turned and faced the man. “Livi, darling, why don’t you take a quick shower?” She gave him a wink, and then she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
“I’ll see you tonight, my lady love,” he said to Hattie, speaking in what was a deep Australian accent, and then, before he walked away, he gave me a quick look up and down.
Once it was just me and Hattie in the room, she took a long sip of her coffee, then walked to the sofa that was on the other side of her bedroom. Her eyes looked down into the cup, and I watched her chew on her lips. I thought about leaving the room to go downstairs and see Bennett, but I thought against it. I studied her, trying to read her, but I couldn’t. “Come, Chelsey, sit.” Hattie sat, and then patted the cushion next to her, so I did as she pleased. “Look, I know we don’t have much time, so I’ll make this quick. I’m seeing Livi.” She sighed as if it was a huge truth that she had revealed. “I met him on the set of the movie I’m promoting right now, and he was the prop boy.” Hattie giggled, as she brushed her hands through her hair. “He treats me so well, and I’m madly in love with him.” Her bright eyes turned sad. “However, none of my PR people, nor my manager, Mel, think he looks good next to me, which is why they’ve insisted that I be set up with someone—someone who will make me look good, not someone I am in love with.” She looked down at her coffee cup again, holding it tighter, this time so tight that her knuckles were turning white. “While they know it’s not what I want since I’m in the public eye and my career is on the line, I have no choice.”
“I’m sure there’s something you can do,” I said, trying to give her some hope. It just didn’t seem right that managers and PR people had control over her life, especially her love life.
She gave me a bitter smile and shook her head, before saying, “I wish, Chelsey, but sometimes things aren’t that easy.” Hattie placed her half-empty cup on the table that was positioned in front of us, then said, “Well, I should go get ready to meet Bennett.” She nonchalantly wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye, then stood. “I will be right down.”
“Do you need anything before I leave?”
“Just please keep our secret. I wouldn’t want this leaked to the press.”
“You can trust me, Hattie. I promise,” I said, feeling even more sorry for Hattie. After she gave me a nod, I knew that was her way of dismissing me. Once I was out of her room, and her door was closed behind me while holding the silver tray I’d come in with, I sighed, taking in all that I’d seen and been told. Suddenly, my heart began to beat fast, along with an eerie feeling about what was to come, and I hoped everything would work out for the actress.
*****
“I’m sorry about the delay,” I told Bennett when I came back into her living room. “Hattie will be right down. Can I offer you a glass of tea or water?” I held out the silver tray to offer him his choice.
He took a glass of water and sipped on it, then placed it on the table next to him. “No worries,” he said, crossing one leg over the other. “I can imagine how busy she is, you know, learning lines and all.”
Yeah, that’s what she’s been up to, I thought, as a bashful and slight grin rose on one side of my mouth. “Yes, she is a very busy woman.” Bennett and I managed to continue to make polite conversation while we waited for Hattie, which was forced on my part, but I did my best to keep him entertained until she greeted us with her presence, which she finally did.
“I’m so sorry to kee
p you waiting, Mr. Grayson,” Hattie said, to him, rushing to Bennett’s side. With her left hand, she touched her hair which was already in place, and with her right, she handed it to him. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Immediately, Bennett stood and took her hand in his, then kissed the top of her hand gently. “Please, call me Bennett,” he said, grinning. “And it’s wonderful to meet you, Ms. Marten.”
Hattie let out a high-pitched laugh. “Call me Hattie.” They continued to hold onto each other, as Hattie took a seat next to him. “So, please tell me all about yourself. I want to hear it all.”
As I watched Hattie and Bennett talk about what one usually does on a first date, I felt like I was at a tennis match, wondering how much longer this introduction would go. I looked down at my watch, noticing that it had almost been near three hours since Hattie had come down the stairs. I had already filled Hattie’s and refilled Bennett’s glasses of water, along with serving them tea sandwiches that her in-home chef made for her. Saying that I was the third wheel was anything but a lie. That’s what led me to think how it was Bennett who was the third wheel. Between Hattie and Livi, did he really stand a chance? Would Bennett ever find out about her seeing someone else, and what would Bennett think about him being a “prop boy” for Hattie, who was being put in the public eye—and, in the end, for what? Could it all be just about how much money he would make? No, I thought, thinking that while Bennett was—okay, had been—a jerk back in the day, he was no moocher.
“Chelsey? Hello, Chelsey? Are you listening?”
When I heard my name being called, I shook my head and looked at Hattie. “Sorry, I was out of it for a moment. What can I do?” I straightened myself in my seat and pulled out my notepad that was in my purse next to me.
“It seems that Bennett and I have me a connection, so I need you to tip off the paparazzi,” she began, which was followed with several other requirements for that night.
If I was going to get started, I needed to get started now.
Hattie stood and placed her hands together. “So, we’re all set for tonight, so Bennett, I will see you later, and Hattie, after you’ve seen Bennett back to his car, please come to my room to help me get ready for tonight’s big night.” She winked at Bennett, then jetted out of the living room, leaving me alone with Bennett.
“Well, shall we?” I asked him, grabbing my cell phone, then crossing the room to walk Bennett to his car.
As we walked side-by-side, back to where we parked, Bennett said, “She’s quite a…a very, um, interesting woman, isn’t she? I mean, she has a story about everything, doesn’t she?”
I laughed. “Yeah, she can, but—”
He shook his head and waved his hand, saying, “Oh, don’t get me wrong, she seems like a lovely woman, so I mean no disrespect at all.”
“None was taken. The more time you spend with her, the more you’ll enjoy it. I’ve only been with her for a few days, and she’s growing on me.” Especially after this morning, I thought. I decided to keep the rest of the conversation light, as we were almost to his car. “I will be in touch with you about what time to expect the limousine, then you will come pick up Hattie, and then you two will be on your way to dinner. Now, please call me if you need anything.” I pulled a business card out of my back pocket and handed it to him. “I guess I just have one question to ask.”
“Oh, and what would that be?” Bennett looked down at me, and I felt my heart skip a beat. What the hell is happening?
“Are you ready for your big night?”
CHAPTER FIVE
For the next few hours, I helped Hattie try on dress after dress, shoe after shoe, along with finding the perfect combined accessories.
Hattie tossed the mermaid style, black dress on the bed and reached for an emerald-colored mini-dress. “Tonight has to be perfect! It just has to, and nothing is going right! If this one doesn’t work, I’m not going.”
“Oh, Hattie, don’t think like that. Everything will go fine.” I looked down at the selection of Cartier diamond necklace and dark emerald earrings and then handed her the pieces. “The necklace will work with the low neckline, and the studs will be a perfect touch if you put your hair up.”
Hattie nodded. “Okay, thanks,” she told me, then pulled the shortest dress of the night. Once it was zipped, she placed on her black stilettoes and walked to her mirror. As she spun around, she began to do something she hadn’t done since they began trying on dresses. Hattie smiled. “What do you think?” she asked me, turning to face me. “Do you like it?” Waiting for my reply, she ran her hands up and down her sides, as she was showing me her thin but healthy figure.
“You look gorgeous!” I eagerly nodded to give her my approval, not because I was tired or that I didn’t care, but because I genuinely thought she was a stunning sight. There was no doubt in my mind that Hattie Marten was making not only a comeback to the screen, but the public eye, too, and it wasn’t just because Bennett Grayson would be next to her. No, it was a simple fact that Hattie Marten was going to be a legend.
In the meantime, it was time to start some gossip!
*****
A couple of hours later, having reserved a secluded table at one of L.A.’s most glamorous and sophisticated restaurants that’s in a well-known hotel downtown, scheduled the limousine to pick up Bennett, then from there, it would take him to pick up Hattie. With everything in plan and ready to go, I tipped off the paparazzi and told them when and where Hattie would be, without giving them any information about who she’d be out with, of course. Besides, none needed to be said, because, with Bennett next to Hattie, enough would be said.
As I waited for Hattie to come out of her bathroom, I toyed with my pen as I looked through my notes, making sure that everything was a go for Hattie’s big night—and, of course, for the big reveal of her new man. “Check, check, check,” I said quickly, then looked at my watch. By now, Bennett should be in the limo and on the way to get Hattie, who was now standing in front of me and twirling around.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, holding her breath.
I looked up, taken aback at the sight of the beautiful actress that stood in front of me. With Hattie’s hair and makeup now fixed and applied, she appeared even more beautiful than before, when she was just trying on the dress. The emerald earrings matched not only the drees but her eyes, too. Since she stood below the enormous chandelier in her bedroom, in the light, the diamond choker necklace was draped around her elongated neck, with its teardrop diamond that lay in the crevice between her breasts, sparkled. “You look stunning,” I said, not realizing I’d been holding in a breath, guessing even I was swept off my feet. Standing, I pushed her to her vertical mirror, where I made sure that she was zipped in the back—Hattie didn’t need any faux pas, especially tonight. “You’re going to be the buzz of Hollywood by the end of the night.”
“I hope more than that—I want to be seen across the world.”
Her reflection in the mirror stared at me with a smirk. “Yes, of course. That’s’ what I meant,” I said, making a mental note always to boost her self-esteem. “So, are you ready for Bennett? He should be here soon.” I walked across the room and placed a couple of tissues, aspirin, breath mints, along with a tube of lip gloss into her shimmering black clutch. I was about to add her cell phone, too, but she stopped me.
“I’ll take that,” she said, quickly whisking it away, then, she turned on her heels, and began tapping away.
“Oh, of course.” Arranging the items in her clutch, I watched her, and due to the sad smile on her face, I assumed it was Livi she was texting about their plans later that night. What she did on her time was her business, though I couldn’t help but be a little curious as to where and what she would be doing after her dinner with Bennett. Wasn’t it part of my job, since I was her assistant and at her beck and call at all hours of the day and night?
“I might need you later tonight, so please be available.”
“Of course, Ha
ttie.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it…” she began, finishing with, “not only for tonight, but for keeping my secret,” she told me, just as the buzzer rang throughout her home, signaling it was the security booth informing us that the limo has arrived and that Bennett was on the way up. “Well, I guess it’s show time!”
When we went downstairs, I handed Hattie her clutch, smiling at her, while hoping to brighten her spirits. I could only imagine how she felt, having been told who she could be with in the public eye, and in my opinion, that was no way to live—even if it made your career take off or make you the talk of Hollywood. “You’ll be fine tonight, I promise.” I gently touched her arm, then, moments later when she gave me a nod, I opened the front door, to see Bennett standing on the other side.
“Hello, Bennett,” she said, extending her right hand, which he took and kissed.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he told her. “Here, these are for you.” He brought his left hand in front of him, revealing a bouquet of yellow roses that were wrapped in white paper and tied with a red ribbon.
“Oh, Bennett, that’s so kind of you,” she said as she took them and brought them to her nose. “And they smell divine.” A minute later, she threw them in my arms, saying, “Please see to it that these are put in a vase, then place them in my living room.” Her attention turned back to Bennett. “Well, shall we go?”
With a nod, Bennett reached out his arm, and escorted Hattie to the limousine, leaving me standing at her front door as I watched them walk away. Before Hattie got into the car, she gave me a wink and a quick wave. To an outsider, she looked beautiful, but in her eyes, and while I knew little about her, it was clear that she wasn’t looking forward to the evening—even one that would help her jump back into the spotlight—which is where she wanted to be. I waved back, with a smile on my face, wishing nothing but the best for her.
Once Bennett had kindly helped Hattie into the car, he looked over the hood, and with a widened grin, said, “Chelsey, it’s always a pleasure to see you.”
The Hollywood Setup Page 3