by Antara Mann
“Madam won’t be happy if Mr. Holman sees her in her morning gown,” the maid inserted on leaving the room.
She was right, so Ashley changed quickly. After a while, she heard the doorbell, followed by the sound of a man’s footsteps.
“Ashley, sweetheart, how are you?” An average-height man walked into the living room energetically. “I have some good news – the sales of your Like a Dream line have surpassed two hundred percent for the past quarter; what can be better than this?”
She nodded. She had her own perfume line?
A long conversation followed – Mark told her about her company’s plans and then she signed a few contracts and arranged a meeting with the executive managers for the following week. While she was signing the multimillion-dollar contracts, she almost fainted. Only the day before she would have been happy if she’d made several thousand dollars by the end of the day. When her conversation with Mark Holman ended, she saw him to the front door. They separated with a friend’s kiss. Having remained alone on the veranda, she remembered something had been missing. Of course! Her little daughter, Briana. She wondered where she could be now. Ashley quickly went up the stairs and typed her mother’s number. Briana was most probably with her because there was no trace of a little child in the house.
“Ashley, how are you?” She recognized her mother’s voice. There had been a time when the two of them hadn’t got on very well, but ever since she had started helping her look after Briana, they had become close again.
“Well, how else but fine?” She realized it would take at least a few months until she got used to her changed life. “And how’s Briana doing? She’s with you, right?”
There was an awkward silence and at some point, Ashley wondered if the connection had been lost. Finally, she heard her mother’s quickened breathing and then her question:
“Ashley, who’s Briana?”
Her heart went into her mouth. She had the feeling she would faint any moment – what had happened to her daughter?
“What do you mean ‘who’s Briana?!’" she cried. "She’s my daughter, your granddaughter!”
“Ashley, are you all right?” Her mother’s voice grew anxious. “Have you taken any drugs or something? You don’t have a daughter.” She laughed. “That’s absurd! Hello? Ashley, are you there?”
Ashley dropped down on the couch in the living room, stunned by the conversation with her mother. No Briana? No daughter? Then what was the point of her present life? She shook her head. She had to look at the facts soberly – although she had loved the little girl immensely, sometimes caring for her had been unbearably hard. Besides, she had detested her job at Starbucks. On the other hand, Ashley now had her own boutique clothing and perfume company now and owned two houses, had a maid, and a Jack Russell Terrier. Deep in thought about all this, Ashley hadn’t realized that Gomez had come in again and was now staring at her intently.
“Yes?” she snapped. She had the feeling the maid was following her.
“Madam must have forgotten that she has to attend the opening of her friend’s restaurant?”
“Friend? What friend?”
“Elizabeth Curdis, of course. Is madam feeling all right? You forget about everything this morning.”
“Jesus! Liz?” Ashley exclaimed. Elizabeth, or Liz for short, had been her best friend from her school years, the one Craig had dated in high school. “She has her own restaurant?”
“Yes, madam. Don’t you remember you financed her?”
Ashley gasped. “And how much did I give her?”
Gomez raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“Madam doesn’t share such things with me.”
Chapter 16
Craig was aiming at the golf hole when his cell phone rang.
“Damn it!” he exclaimed. He should have left it at home or at least given it to the boy who was attending him.
“Hello,” he snapped, answering the phone. He heard Ashley’s voice on the other end.
“Craig, how are you?”
“Urgh, how else could I be? I don’t know myself.” His tone softened, and he left the golf club on the grass. “Monique and I are getting divorced, and she’s fighting for full custody of our three-year-old daughter. At the expense of that, I have all the time in the world, only I don’t know who to share it with.”
So her suspicion that he was also not happy with his new life was confirmed. Ashley had read a short article in Wall Street Journal about the rich angel investor Craig Bloomingdale getting divorced. She knew he loved his wife very much and wasn’t surprised when she found out he was devastated. Just a few weeks had passed since their comeback, and yet Ashley already hated her present. Back when she had done that crappy job, she had at least had Briana and had been a lot happier than she was now.
“Do you know, I’m also unhappy with my present life? I don’t have Briana, and everything else is just pointless without her. I feel empty and lonely, Craig,” she said woefully.
“Ashley, how come I still have a family although I’m getting divorced, and you’ve lost your daughter? Isn’t that strange?” He heard her sigh.
“Yes, Craig, you’re damn right. Harry explained to me that certain things are inevitable for some people. For others, though, some of the parts of their destiny are optional. It turned out that was exactly my case. However, yesterday Harry assured me that it was not a problem for us to go back to our past again during the showcase and fix our present.” She paused. “Are you in?”
“Am I in? There’s nothing in the world right now that I want more than that. We should discuss it with the boys, though.”
Ashley giggled from the other side of the line.
“I can’t believe that just a few weeks ago we were dissatisfied with our life.”
“Yes, I guess fate has a weird sense of humor,” Craig agreed with a sarcastic note in his voice.
“By the way, I already talked to Chad, and you’ll be surprised to know he’s having problems, too.”
“Speaking of Chad, isn’t he straight now? It’s amazing what a single time travel can lead to!”
They laughed, but soon after, Ashley became serious again.
“All right, we only need to talk to Wayne. I’ll do that, and I’ll call you when I’ve arranged everything.” Ashley ended the call and stared at the beautiful view from the veranda of her villa. There were tall palm trees in the front and in the distance the ocean was glistening with sunlight. Enterprising by nature, Ashley was used to leading the band and the boys. No wonder she had her own successful company now. She looked at the clear blue sky above – what would it be like if she could transfer this spirit of entrepreneurship and management into the real life she had had not so long before? She had never considered this possibility. After their band had broken up, Ashley had begun to wait tables at nightclubs and had never graduated from anywhere. But why would you need a diploma these days, anyway? The important thing was what you were able to do, not what degree you had. And she was definitely able to organize and lead. It was time she began to make use of those qualities.
Chapter 17
“Honey, how do I look in this dress?” Olivia turned her head to look at her back in the mirror.
Wayne was trying to keep his eyes on the exit of the store, wondering what else apart from a fire could activate the alarm.
They had been at Maxfield for more than two hours because his fiancée wasn’t able to decide which piece of clothing she wanted. He openly hated stores and shopping as a whole and thought it was a waste of time. If he liked a piece of clothing that matched his size, he bought it immediately.
“Wayne! What are you looking at? I need your opinion! Doesn’t this dress make my ass look bigger?”
He turned his eyes on her in boredom.
“Baby, you’ve been hesitant about this model for half an hour now; I don’t know what else you want me to say. Your ass looks normal…” He couldn’t finish because she burst out nervously:
“You mean
my ass is big, then?”
“No, I… uhh…”
“All right, then, Mr. Playboy! If you will insult me, then you’ll get no sex for a week! First, you won’t help me choose an outfit for the 20th Century Fox party, and now you’re insulting me! Great job, keep it up and the next time we’ll have sex will be when hell freezes over!”
“Shopping is not for men,” Wayne muttered to himself. “Olivia needs a girlfriend or, even better – a gay friend. Where is Chad now?” He thought and remembered that he was supposed to meet his friends. They had agreed to meet at Ashley’s at 137 Sunset Boulevard. She had called him a few days before, suggesting that they see one another today when all of them were free. He looked at his watch and the little time that remained made him do something.
“Baby, I’m sorry, but I really need to go.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but rushed straight at the exit without even daring to look back. Olivia’s threatening cries could be heard from the fitting room. On leaving the store, he looked apologetically at the shop assistant – an elderly lady with a foreign accent.
“PMS, you know.”
He quickly went out of the store and jumped into his car, not even noticing the old Buick following him. It took him less than an hour to reach Ashley’s house, which was protected by a massive fence and an electronically controlled door. He rang and heard an expressionless voice say:
“What would you like?”
“It’s Wayne Bonner, a friend of…” He couldn’t finish because he immediately heard the sound of the opening door. He parked his car by Ashley’s and then saw her coming.
“Wayne! I’m so glad to see you.” She hugged him. His touch was reassuring, and for an instant, she could forget about her troubles. Her head remained on his shoulder for a few seconds and then she sighed:
“Let’s get inside. Craig came a while ago.”
“So for the first time in so many years I’m not the last to arrive,” Wayne said with a smile on his face.
“No, you aren’t. Chad hasn’t arrived yet; I hope that he’ll join us soon, too.” The two of them went up the small stairs by the front door and entered her house.
***
“No, you simply can’t come out right now! Not before your international tour!” Kevin barked. His eyes narrowed at Chad sternly.
“Why not? I want to be honest, and I want the fans to be aware of my sexual preferences,” Chad resisted.
“Don’t you understand? You can’t just publicly announce you’re gay unless you’ve been on the market for at least a decade with a superstar status. So many celebrities haven’t come out, no matter how persistent the rumors of their sexual orientation have been. They have waited until they’ve known for sure that their fans wouldn’t be disappointed by their confession.”
“It doesn’t make sense! Should I remind you we live in 2015, not in the nineties?”
“And should I remind you I’ve been working as a music manager for more than fifteen years and I know very well what I’m talking about? You’ve been a solo musician for just a few years and a superstar for just a year and a half.”
“Kevin, don’t you think you’re exceeding your power? I’ve hired you as a manager in order for you to lead my music career, not my personal life. I don’t need your instructions anymore.”
Kevin spread his hands helplessly.
“All right, if you want to doom your career, then do it! Go ahead!” He left Chad Keeney’s home furiously, slamming the front door nervously.
Rebecca appeared, again with a martini in her hand. Chad shuddered for a moment – he thought she had overheard their conversation and was now about to demand an explanation as to what their relationship would look like if he indeed came out. But she only giggled in a silly way. Judging by her look and the way she was walking, he immediately guessed she was drunk. He sighed, relieved.
“Hey, Chad, have I told you your face looks like…” She paused, staring at him. She hiccupped and then added, “A dog’s face. Yes, that’s it! A terrier, maybe.” She giggled and fell face down on the couch.
“Jesus, I’m surrounded by lunatics!” Chad exclaimed. He was about to go to his room when he heard Rebecca burst into tears. Although he was usually cold and reserved toward her, her desperately sobbing figure, bent almost in two, now awakened his compassion. He came closer to her.
“Hey, what’s the matter? Why are you upset? Is it because of me?” His tone had considerably softened.
She lifted her head and burst into a new fit of tears.
“Nobody loves me! And I’ll never be loved,” she sobbed, all in tears and snuffling. Chad gave her one of his handkerchiefs and she blew her nose.
“You know that’s not true, Rebecca. I’m sure there’s someone somewhere that’s waiting for you…”
She blew her nose again and looked at him, this time with hope. She was hanging on every word he said.
He felt he was on the right track and increased his efforts.
“Yes, I’m sure about that, just be strong and patient.” She threw herself at his neck, sobbing and laughing at the same time.
Chad glanced at his watch and stood up abruptly. Rebecca was looking at him, confused.
“I’m going to be late, honey. You stay here and take care of yourself.” He went out hurriedly and started his car for Ashley’s home. His house was about an hour ride from Ashley’s and it was already past the hour at which they had arranged to meet. When he arrived, he was in such a hurry that he paid no attention to the Buick parked across the street. Chad pressed the doorbell and after a while, he was inside Ashley’s mansion. She had stated clearly on the phone – she wanted everyone to share the experience of their new lives. He wondered what his friends would share.
Meanwhile the man in the old Buick, who had followed Wayne, was waiting, hidden behind a tree in front of Ashley Greendale’s home. For a while, nothing happened, and he was just about to leave when a car stopped in front of the villa. The photographer looked at the newly arrived man in his side mirror. He was amazed to see the superstar Chad Keeney getting out of his Ferrari and then pushing the doorbell. The photographer whistled. Now that was lucky! He couldn’t miss this chance. If he could take a photo of the star in a compromising pose with Ashley, his payment would triple. He wondered how much Esquire or People would offer him. It would probably be enough for a short vacation in the Bahamas. He smiled joyfully, getting a pre-taste of his success.
***
“Come in,” Chad heard Ashley’s invitation. When he entered, he found himself in an elegantly furnished hallway with a huge living room just beyond. It was pleasant and cozy here. Chad felt calm again after the unpleasant conversation with his manager Kevin Baumann.
“All right, so what do you suggest we do?” He heard Wayne’s thick voice.
“Harry assured me there was no problem for us to go back to our showcase and perform our song as it was initially, without any changes.”
“And why would we want that?” Wayne asked.
“Well, that’s the only way we can go back to our old lives.”
“Oh, Chad! Come in, we were just discussing whether we want to go back to our past. Are you happy with your present life?”
“How’s your girlfriend, Chad? She looks very tasty.” Wayne gave him a meaningful wink.
Chad sighed and sat on the couch.
“My manager is driving me crazy; he wants me to stay in the closet. I’ve never had a girlfriend before, apart from the one I had in secondary school.”
“Should I take it, then, that you aren’t pleased with your present?” Ashley asked.
“If I could choose between being rich and famous as a closet gay or being happy with my boyfriend far from the limelight, I’d choose the second option with no hesitation.” He saw Ashley sigh with relief. “And how are you feeling?”
“I want my old life, no doubt about it!” Craig said firmly. “I’d rather not be rolling in money, but stay with Monique and my family.”
“I
didn’t know you’re so sentimental.” Wayne turned to him. “You’re ready to give up on a rich and affluent life because of a woman.”
“Do you mean you’re happy with your present?” Ashley asked Wayne.
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t be.” He was the producer of rising music talents, had a dream villa in Los Angeles, and was engaged to a supermodel-actress. Well, true, she did cause him some trouble. She was obsessive and controlled him too much. A few days before, they had been having dinner at one of the most prestigious Italian restaurants in LA when she had made a scene about him looking suggestively at the waitress. No woman had ensnared him that much before, but he didn’t mind it. He could always break the engagement and then leave her. A promise meant nothing to him.
“OK, so everyone except Wayne agrees that we must go back?” Ashley asked.
The rest of them nodded.
“It’s three to one, buddy. I’m sorry, but you lose,” Craig said.
“So, in that case, are you going back?”
“Definitely, but first I need to talk to Harry. I guess that the trip will be successful even if one of us is missing.”
“All right, do what you want, but I’m not taking part in this.”
“I hope you realize that our actions will most definitely have an effect on your life, too?” Ashley remarked.
“Yes, of course. I guess that’s logical.” Wayne rose, ready to leave. “Keep me updated,” he said before going out of the house. Meanwhile the photographer had been feverishly watching his target – Ashley’s house – from the top of a tree. Soon after Wayne and the rest went outside, he prepared to take some pictures. He captured the moment when Ashley hugged Wayne and then when she hugged pop star Chad Keeney. Before the three men left the mansion, the photographer had already pressed the pedal and started at full speed. He had material worth at least several hundred dollars.
Chapter 18
Wayne had just woken up and was opening his eyes when he heard Olivia’s hurried steps. She threw the morning paper angrily at his face and the sharp pages slapped him.