‘Okay. I’ll go back to the hotel and take a dip in their pool. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get changed.’
‘Sure, honey.’ Ken left and Mariam stayed, handing me a bottle of water.
‘Good job,’ she said, smiling at me. ‘It looked amazing on camera.’
‘Great. Now, let’s get out of here,’ I murmured under my breath as I turned back to the wardrobe lady and smiled at her sweetly. ‘Thanks for your help today.’
‘It was a pleasure, Electra. See you at seven a.m. tomorrow,’ she said in her strongly accented English.
As I arrived back at the Copacabana Palace, there was a cluster of autograph hunters gathered by the entrance. They shouted at me as I got out of the limo, and I smiled for their cameras and signed their photos and autograph books.
Once inside, I almost ran to the elevator in my eagerness to get up to my suite.
‘Would you like me to come with you?’ Mariam asked me.
‘No, I’m gonna take a cold shower and get some rest. It was a long day today.’
‘What about your swim?’ she asked me as the elevator doors opened.
‘Maybe later,’ I said as I stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor. ‘I’ll call you,’ I added as the doors closed behind me.
Back in my suite, I headed for my holdall and poured myself a vodka. My hands were visibly shaking as I put the glass to my lips – I hadn’t dared bring any chemical supplies with me on public aviation and had relied on there being someone on the shoot I knew who could share his or her supply. But this shoot was clean (so far as I knew anyway) and I didn’t know anyone well enough to trust them. Yet I was in South America, where drug trafficking probably brought in more money than any other business. If the worst came to the worst, I thought, I’d go pay a visit to the concierge. This was Brazil after all, and I was sure they’d be able to help.
Just as I was stepping into the shower, the room telephone rang. I left it, thinking that there wasn’t a person on earth I was interested in talking to.
Standing under the water, I let out a torrent of expletives that Ma, who’d drilled it into us sisters never to swear, would have shuddered at. Still, Mitch deserved every one of them. Grabbing a towel and padding back into the living room, I saw the red light indicating a message winking on my phone. I walked over, picked up the receiver and pressed the button to listen to the message, which was probably from housekeeping asking me what time I wanted my turn-down service.
Instead, I heard the comforting tones of my sister Maia’s voice.
‘Hi, Electra, sorry I missed you. Floriano spotted a photo in a newspaper this morning of you arriving at the Copacabana Palace. I don’t know how long you’re here for, but obviously I’d love to see you. I only live around the corner from the hotel, and my number is . . .’
I grabbed the pencil by the phone and wrote the number down on the notepad provided. Then I contemplated the evening ahead. There was dinner at some flash restaurant for the cast and crew, which I had said I’d attend, but could easily get out of by feigning tiredness. Maia had said she lived close by, so maybe I should skip the dinner, call my eldest sister and go meet her new family.
The truth was, I didn’t want to do either. In fact, I didn’t want to do anything except get off my face and forget I even breathed.
‘Christ, I need some coke!’ I shouted, thinking that the one downside of my new and brilliant PA was the fact she was so squeaky clean. At least Amy had been on hand if I’d needed to score, being partial to the stuff herself. Mariam would probably fall to the floor in a dead faint if I even asked her to order me a vodka tonic.
The bell to my suite rang but I ignored it. Thirty seconds later, it rang again.
‘Who is it?’ I called.
‘It is me, Joaquim,’ said a deep resonant voice through the door.
‘Joaquim?’ Did I know a Joaquim?
Then the penny dropped, as Pa would say; he was the new hot male model-about-town who was appearing in the commercial with me. The director had mentioned he’d flown in today, ready for tomorrow’s filming.
‘Hang on, I’m coming.’
I grabbed my robe and put it on, then went to open the door.
‘Olá, Electra.’
He smiled lazily at me, his thick black curls falling around a face that was already almost as famous as mine for its beauty. My eyes sized up the rest of him and I gave him a smile.
‘Well, hi there.’
‘It is an honour to meet you at last. Do I disturb you?’
‘No, come in.’ I opened the door wider.
‘I just think to myself that, if we are to share a kiss on set tomorrow, I should introduce myself personally to you first.’
‘Sure.’ I indicated the couch. ‘Come and sit down.’ I watched him as he walked across the room and decided that yes, he really was hot. ‘Drink?’
‘What you have?’
‘The contents of a mini bar or room service,’ I shrugged.
‘Then we have champagne, sim?’
‘Sure, if that’s what you’d like.’ I dialled down to room service and ordered a bottle of Taittinger on ice.
‘You know, this is crazy!’ he smiled at me, showing off his white even teeth.
‘Why is that?’
‘Because only a year ago I live here in Rio. I work raking the sand just across the street.’ He pointed through the window to Ipanema Beach, which lay beneath us in a perfect white line. ‘Then some American lady approach me and tell me she will make me a star. Now, here I am, sitting in best suite in the Copacabana Palace with one of the most famous women in the world.’
‘Yeah, a similar thing happened to me. Weird transition, isn’t it?’
‘Sim, it is. And tomorrow we stand on that beach where I used to rake, and for kissing you I get paid more than I earn in five years!’
As I studied him more closely, I realised that he was probably not older than nineteen or twenty – a boy. He made me feel like a granny in comparison.
‘Electra, can I tell you something?’
‘Anything you want.’
‘I still have pictures of you in bedroom I share before with my kid brothers. You are my – how you say? – pin-up girl!’
‘Hey, that’s sweet, thanks,’ I said as the bell rang and the champagne arrived.
‘So,’ I toasted him when room service had left. ‘Here’s to your success. I’ve seen your face on billboards all over New York. You’re famous.’
‘Not as famous as you – yet.’ He grinned at me boyishly, then took a sip of his champagne.
‘Well, it can be a pretty crazy rollercoaster, and if you ever need any advice, I’d be happy to help. I’ve been there,’ I said with feeling.
‘And you are still there! My agent, he tell me all the time how my candle, it can burn out as quickly as it lit. So I will try very hard to make sure it stay alight because I never want to go back to that.’ Joaquim indicated the beach again. ‘I must behave myself, yes?’
‘Yeah, you’re probably already learning what the deal is with fame.’
‘I know, it is hard; people see me on street or in bar and I must have pictures and sign many autographs. And the schedule, wow!’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I count up that I was in three continents in the past month. I wake up and do not know where I am. But I will not complain, because I know how lucky I am.’
‘Yeah, that’s the spirit,’ I mumbled as I drained my glass and poured myself – and him – another.
‘And I am doing more of this than I should.’
I watched him put a hand into his jean pocket and bring out a small bag of white powder. ‘Do you mind if I . . .?’ He indicated the bag.
I suddenly believed in God, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny combined.
‘What if I said I did mind?’ I smiled at him as he tapped some powder out onto the table.
He looked horrified. ‘Then of course I would not, Electra, but people in our industry tell me you . . .
do not mind.’
It was my turn to feel horrified, though I tried not to show it. ‘Yeah, but I try not to make a habit of it, of course.’
‘But we are at the Copacabana Palace and I meet you for the first time. Want to join me?’
Did I?! I attempted to look calm. ‘Why not?’
‘Here, you go first. It is very good stuff. From a friend I know in Rio.’
And as that oh-so-welcome sensation began to fill my senses, I laughed out loud.
‘It is good. Maybe you could give me your friend’s number just in case I need some more.’
‘Do not worry, Electra, I have enough for both of us.’
Joaquim found the sound system and cranked it up, then we went to sit on the terrace overlooking Ipanema Beach. Suddenly, life was wonderful and my new friend was becoming more attractive by the moment.
‘Are you going to the dinner tonight?’ he asked me.
‘I’m meant to be, yes, but it doesn’t appeal.’
‘Neither to me. I am in my home city and I want to party. I can take you to some places no one but a local knows.’
‘I’d love that, I really would. I rarely get a chance to see anything much in the cities I visit.’
I stood up, intending to call Mariam, but he was behind me and grabbed me by the waist.
‘Or we could party here together – alone.’
His supple hips swayed behind me to the rhythm of the music. He turned me around to face him then lost no time in kissing me.
Forty-five minutes later, the doorbell rang. I ignored it, then heard my cell ring too.
‘Wait there,’ I said, kissing Joaquim before I slipped out of bed, donned my robe, then padded into the living room to answer my cell.
‘Electra, it is Mariam. I am at the door.’
‘Jesus!’ I murmured as I went to open it, picking up an envelope that had been slid underneath it.
‘Hi,’ I said, trying to look sleepy, though I was totally pumped.
‘You are not dressed, Electra, and we must leave for the dinner in fifteen minutes.’
‘Sorry, but I’m not feeling too good. Can you make my excuses for me? Say I’m having an early night.’
‘Okay . . .’
I could feel her eyes boring into me. I handed her the envelope.
‘Deal with this, will you, whatever it is? I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.’
‘Okay, but don’t forget to book an alarm call for six thirty.’
‘I won’t.’
‘Feel better,’ she said.
‘Thanks. Night.’
I closed the door, then put the security chain on as well. Sauntering over to the coffee table, I took another line then went back into the bedroom and Joaquim’s eager arms.
Maybe because we’d gotten to know each other so well the night before, the shoot went like a dream and we wrapped by four o’clock.
‘Remember I said earlier that the note the concierge put under your door was from your sister Maia?’ Mariam asked as I changed in the wardrobe tent.
‘Yeah, I don’t have foam for a brain, you know,’ I said as I fastened my shorts.
‘Will you call her when you get back to the hotel? Her note said she was free tonight and we don’t have to leave for the airport until ten o’clock.’
‘Course I will,’ I said, feeling irritated. Lately, I felt Mariam had started acting like an overprotective – and bossy – parent. Nevertheless, when I got back to my suite, I dialled the number I’d written down yesterday.
‘Oi!’ Maia’s gentle voice answered immediately.
‘Hey, it’s me, Electra.’
‘Electra! I just can’t believe you’re here in Rio. How long are you staying?’
‘I fly back tonight at midnight.’
‘Then have you the time to come over for a couple of hours and meet Floriano and Valentina?’
‘Probably not,’ I lied, thinking of the assignation I had with Joaquim in twenty minutes. ‘But I could meet you for a quick drink here around eight before I leave for the airport?’
‘Oh, okay. Well, I’ll be there.’
‘Just ask the concierge to send you up to my suite, okay? I’ll let him know you’re coming.’
‘Okay. I can’t wait to see you, Electra.’
‘Yeah, bye.’
I put the phone down, then did a line from the stash Joaquim had left me last night before taking a shower. I called down to room service for a bottle of vodka and another champagne on ice. Ten minutes later, Joaquim was in my suite, then in my bed.
‘You are a gorgeous thing,’ he murmured in my ear. ‘I can’t get enough of you.’
Having fallen asleep afterwards, we woke up and both did another couple of lines and made more love. Then when I complained I was still struggling to stay awake, he produced a couple of pills from his wallet.
‘Try these, Electra; they will pull you up like nothing you ever take before.’
I washed a tablet down with champagne and he did the same. Ten minutes later, we were making love yet again, then we showered and giggled helplessly as Joaquim tried to teach me the samba naked on the terrace.
‘Someone might see,’ I whispered as I saw the pool below me over the balustrade.
‘And it will make beautiful picture,’ he smiled as he kissed me.
‘No!’
Even in my drug-and-alcohol-fuelled blur, I knew what we were doing was dangerous, so I pulled him back inside.
And found Mariam and my sister, Maia, standing in the living room.
‘Whoops!’ I said as I did my best to cover bits of me with my hands and watched Joaquim grab a cushion to preserve his modesty. I burst into hysterical laughter at the looks on my PA’s and my sister’s faces.
‘Sorry, guys, you should have knocked.’
‘We tried that, and calling the room. We were worried, so in the end the manager let us in,’ said Mariam, and at that moment I wanted to slap her round her almost certainly virginal and non-alcoholic cheeks. ‘I’ll go and get your robe, Electra.’
‘And I had better leave you,’ added Joaquim, disappearing behind Mariam into the bedroom.
‘Please, sit down,’ I said to Maia as Mariam returned and handed me my robe.
‘We must leave for the airport in forty minutes. I will go and pack for you,’ she said quietly.
‘Thanks.’
Joaquim reappeared fully dressed and I gave him a big hug.
‘See you at the airport?’
‘No, I stay on a little longer, then fly to Mexico for GQ.’
‘Okay,’ I nodded. ‘Keep in touch, won’t you?’
‘I call you when I am back in New York,’ he agreed. ‘Tchau, Electra. Adeus, senhora,’ he added to Maia as he left.
‘Want some champagne?’ I asked her as I took the bottle sitting on the coffee table and shook it. ‘Whoops, there’s none left. I’ll order some more.’
‘No thank you, Electra.’
‘Anything else I can get you?’ I said as I poured myself some neat vodka from the bottle I’d ordered earlier.
‘Really, I’m fine. And how about you?’
‘Oh, I’m great. And just crazy about Rio! What a city it is.’
Maia silently watched me drinking the vodka. I put the glass down and studied her.
‘Y’know, you really are the beauty of the family. It should be you doing my job.’
‘Thank you for the compliment.’
‘No, seriously,’ I continued, taking in her glorious head of shiny dark hair, her amazing unblemished skin and the big dark eyes that reminded me of Joaquim’s. ‘You are truly beautiful. I mean, even more beautiful than last time I saw you,’ I nodded vigorously.
‘Well,’ Maia replied in her slow, gentle tone, ‘maybe it’s because I’m happy. Are you happy, Electra?’
‘Oh,’ I said as I opened my arms wide, ‘I’m ecstatic! Isn’t Joaquim gorgeous? He’s Brazilian by birth, you know. Are all Brazilians as beautiful as you two? I think I might move
here permanently if they are!’
‘It is time to get ready to leave for the airport, Electra.’ Mariam had appeared behind me. ‘I’ve laid out your usual travel clothes on the bed.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, swaying slightly as I grabbed my vodka glass from the table. ‘Did you remember my underwear as well?’ I giggled. ‘Won’t be long,’ I added to Maia and gave her a little wave as I went into the bedroom to do as I’d been told.
I could hear my sister and my PA talking in low voices as I dressed.
‘Hey, Mariam! I’m sooo hungry. Can you get room service to pack me a club sandwich to go?’ I called to her.
‘Of course,’ came her reply.
I sat down on the bed and tried to lace up my sneakers, before realising I’d put them on the wrong feet, which sent me into a round of giggles. I thought how Maia and Mariam were, like, so similar. They were both really controlled, and you never knew what they were thinking, and . . .
‘Guess what? I just worked out that you can make the name “Maia” out of “Mariam”!’ I announced as I joined them in the living room and sat down heavily on the couch. ‘Isn’t that cute?’
They both gave me odd smiles, then a man in uniform appeared at the door. ‘Have you come to take me away?’ I asked him, giggling again.
Mariam went to talk to him and he swiftly disappeared.
‘I was only joking! He needs to take my bags.’
‘Electra, Mariam and I were just talking and we wondered if you’d like to stay with me here in Rio for a few days,’ said Maia. ‘Especially as you said you liked it so much.’
‘Yeah, I do, but that’s because I had a good time with Joaquim, y’know? We got on great.’
‘I could see,’ Maia agreed. ‘You looked as though you connected very well indeed.’
‘We did, we did.’
‘So,’ Maia said after a pause, ‘how about you stay here tonight and try to get some sleep, then we decide whether you stay on tomorrow?’
‘You have nothing in your diary until after the weekend,’ Mariam added.
‘I . . . don’t know,’ I shrugged, then gave a massive yawn. And the thought of sinking into the big comfortable bed next door, rather than schlepping to the airport and boarding a plane back to . . . what? – my empty apartment? – was somehow very appealing.
The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters) Page 9