Relatively Famous (6 page)

“Excuse me, Miss. Are you Dani?” A young man in his mid-twenties tapped her on the shoulder.

“Yes, I am,” she answered hoping this wasn’t a reporter.

“Excellent.” The young man tipped his head forward. Did he just bow at her? “I’m Christopher, Mark Ocean’s personal assistant.” His entire appearance screamed obsessive-compulsive. He had closely cropped hair, not a single strand daring to move out of place. His crisp cotton shirt was tucked neatly into his dress pants
,
and Dani was nearly blinded by the shine from his shoes. “Your father,” he said in a whisper, “is outside in the car waiting for you. I’m sure you understand that he couldn’t meet you himself.” He gave Dani a knowing look. “The crowds would have been impossible
,
and that is not the way Mr. Ocean wanted to introduce you to the world.”

Dani refrained from giggling at the notion of being
introduced to the world.
“Of course. I’ll have to get my suitcases from baggage claim, though.”

“I’ll take care of that for you. Do you have your claim tickets? Wonderful. Right this way, Miss.”

Dani scurried after Christopher, who swiftly led the way out of the airport to a black limousine idling by the curb. The air was warm. The sky was brilliant blue. Dani regretted ever complaining about California weather.

“This is Mr. Ocean’s car,” Christopher announced just as a driver materialized to open the door. “I’ll be right back with your luggage.”

“Don’t you want to know what my bags look like?” Dani asked.

“I’ll find them. It’s my job,” he called to her, as he rushed back inside the airport.

Dani tried to peer into the tinted windows of the limousine. The limo driver held out his hand to Dani
,
and without thinking, she reached her hand out and shook his. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” The driver shook her hand awkwardly and then tilted his head, indicating she should get into the car.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. Dani stepped inside the cavernous limousine and fell ungracefully onto the leather seat. “Oh, that’s squishy!”

“Dani? Hi.”

In the darkened interior Dani found herself seated smack next to the one and only Mark Ocean.

“Oh, sorry, I couldn’t see you when I was getting in
,
and then I sort of tumbled into my seat
,
and I’m lucky I didn’t land on you. That would have been weird, huh? So, anyway, I’m Dani, obviously, and you must be Mark. Again, obviously. And, well, so here we are!” God, she’d been so calm and cool about meeting her father
,
and now that he was in front of her, idiocy prevailed.

Dani looked at Mark. He really was quite a handsome man—thick dark hair, a strong, handsome face, dark eyes, and a solid build. He looked kinder in person than in his photographs. His soft white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and even Dani, with her limited designer experience, could tell he was expensively dressed. He crinkled his eyes with an uncertain smile, and Dani felt reassured.

“Hi, Dani. It’s really great to meet you. Should we…I mean, are we supposed to…I don’t know, hug or something?” Mark tossed his hands helplessly in the air. “I’ve been sitting in this car for the past hour trying to decide what to do when I saw you. I didn’t want to just hug you without warning. But shaking your hand seems stupid, too.” Mark turned away as if embarrassed.

Dani smiled at him. They’d been having the same dilemma. “Let’s just go for a hug, okay?”

Mark smiled back, a look of relief on his face. “Yes. Good idea. We should get that first hug out of the way
,
and after that it’ll be less strange. Okay, here we go.” Mark leaned forward a bit and wrapped his arms around his daughter, patting her lightly on the back. Unexpectedly, Dani found herself squeezing him tightly. She tucked her head into his shoulder. The world felt like it was spinning
,
and Dani closed her eyes. She was determined not to create some sappy reunion scene by crying all over Mark’s pristine shirt. She pulled away and smoothed her dress over her knees. “Much less awkward now,” Mark said. “I’m glad we did that.”

Dani felt the trunk slam shut, and she knew Christopher had found her luggage. The door opened
,
and Mark’s assistant seated himself across from his employer. “We are all set, sir. What’s next?” Christopher asked, his phone already in mid-air as he waited for instructions.

Mark looked at Dani. “I thought we would go back to my house in Beverly Hills and let you unpack. I’ve got a room all set up for you. It has a deck with a hot tub
,
and the bathroom has a Jacuzzi. But you can look around, though, and settle in any bedroom you like. Maybe you’ll want to go for a swim and have something to eat? Sound okay?”

Dani stared, transfixed at her father. “You have a Jacuzzi? Nice.” Dani pushed her bangs out of her eyes. “That’s cool.”

“Dani?” said Mark.

“Yeah?”

“I’m, uh, I’m glad you’re here.”

Could Mark Ocean be a teensy bit intimidated by a fifteen-year-old?

“I’m glad to be here, too, Mar…” Dani faltered. “I mean, Da…” She looked to her father.

“Let’s just go with
Mark
for now. Sound good? We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it all out.”

Dani leaned back in her seat. So far, Mark wasn’t half-bad.

Chapter 13

Leila’s hands flew over the computer’s keyboard as she furiously typed the list. Alan’s loud chuckling interrupted her train of thought. “What is so funny?”

“What on earth are you doing?” he asked, leaning over her shoulder as he read the screen.

“I’m sending an email to Mark. He’s never had a teenager
,
and I think he needs some guidelines. From what I’ve seen in the papers, he could use some guidelines of his own.”

“Hon, I get that you’re worried, but do you think you need to include number fourteen?”

“What’s wrong with, ‘Please refrain from semi-nude hot tub exploits with scantily clad women while Dani is in the house.’ It’s a completely reasonable request.” Leila continued typing.

15. I’m sure you will want to buy Dani a few gifts, but do not spoil her.

16. Dani is not to be driven by anyone that you do not trust with your life.

17. Her curfew is 9 o’clock during the week and 10 o’clock on weekends. If she is out, please have her call you every hour to check in.

18. Dani is not allowed to wear makeup and should be dressed appropriately for a fifteen-year-old. I don’t care what California girls are doing.

“Do you really think this is necessary?” Alan asked.

“Yes, I do. I feel guilty about this mess. But I can certainly let Mark know that there are boundaries.”

“I’m sure he will follow these to the letter,” Alan said soberly. “And it has not escaped my notice that these rules are stricter than your rules around here. Sneaky, sneaky.”

Leila hit
S
end. When it came to her daughter, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Chapter 14

Mark turned on the tap in his bathroom and watched the cold water fall into the spun-glass basin.
I hate this stupid sink,
he thought. The basin was nearly flat
,
and some spray always shot out of the sink. All he had to show for this expensive Spanish design was a permanent puddle on his equally expensive countertops and floor.

Mark placed his hands under the tap, enjoying the feel of the water as it cascaded over his palms. He splashed his face repeatedly, cooling himself. He peered intently in the mirror and was pleased to see that he didn’t look any worse since his daughter arrived. Mark had wondered if he might age instantly when Dani got into his limo—a pot-belly forming and hair falling from his head. But, nope, he was as solid and handsome as ever. He pulled up his shirt and flexed his abdominal muscles.
Perfect
.

Mark ran his hands through his hair while he pondered his first meeting with Dani. All in all, it had gone well. What Dani hadn’t known was that a photographer was snapping shots of Dani getting into his limo and then entering his house. The paparazzi had agreed to keep a low profile with the promise that they would get better shots later in the week. He didn’t want Dani to think he was throwing her to the wolves on her first day.

Mark had to congratulate himself—who said he couldn’t act? He took his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Renna’s number.

“Lay it on me!” Renna’s voice barked through the receiver. “Is she hideous or will this work. Tell me everything!”

“You would have been proud of me.” He checked his reflection again in the mirror. “I was outstanding.”

“Yeah, but what does she look like?” Renna demanded impatiently.

“Skinny, on the tall side, long, dark hair. Fair skin.” Mark said. “With the right makeup and clothes, it’ll work. We set up an interview with
Celebrity City
that’ll air in a few days. The first day of the rest of my career, right?”

“You know it. Keep up the good work, darling.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Mark shut his phone and placed it back in his pocket.

The show’s top reporter was coming over tomorrow afternoon for the big interview. The first time that America would see Mark Ocean as the adoring father.
The family man
. He got chills just thinking about it. He would have to get someone to the house to get her ready. That atrocious brown dress she showed up in had to go
,
and he made a mental note to take her shopping tomorrow before the interview and get her something flattering.

Mark had savored every moment of his phone call to producer Evan Dodd, during which he excitedly, but tentatively, let him know about Dani. Mark explained that he didn’t know any teenage girls, knowing that Evan had a daughter named Kayla about the same age as Dani. Perhaps the girls could get together? Mark had kept the conversation short and didn’t mention anything about movies, auditions, or turning careers around. Evan assured Mark that Kayla would be more than happy to meet up with Dani.

He reached into his pocket and took out a folded piece of paper. He read through Leila’s list of crazy instructions on how to take care of Dani. For God’s sake, he was perfectly capable of keeping the kid alive for a few days. He ripped up the paper and tossed it into the hand-painted ceramic wastebasket.

Chapter 15

Dani had never thought of herself as particularly materialistic, but how was she supposed to ignore how fantastically awesome this room was? Even the word
room
didn’t feel quite appropriate—this was more of a private condo than a bedroom. The cathedral ceilings were lined with dark wood beams that matched the floors, and the walls were freshly painted. Mark had said something about Venetian treatments, but she had been too distracted by the eat-in-kitchen, complete with stainless appliances, to listen.

She bit her lip to keep from smiling as she climbed a ladder that led to a large loft on one side of the room. “No way!” Oversized pillows were scattered in one corner and created the perfect lounging area for watching TV on the built
-
in plasma screen. A complicated
-
looking stereo system was on and just waiting to blast music. There was even a mini-fridge up here! Dani opened it to find it packed with sodas, imported water in fancy glass bottles, and all sorts of energy drinks that she’d never heard of. She and Sam could spend hours holed up here, gossiping and giggling.

Mark had left Dani alone so she could unpack and take a shower or bath, but Dani had to check out the view from the deck again. She went halfway down the ladder and jumped the rest of the way, whooping with delight. The French doors opened onto the deck that was surrounded by a stone wall, encasing the outdoor paradise. The hot tub bubbled happily, beckoning her to get in, but Dani was too fired up to sit right now. Maybe she’d use
the
outdoor shower? How much fun would it be to shower surrounded by leafy foliage and pungent flowers? The patio was
fill
ed with potted plants
,
and the tropical atmosphere was positively intoxicating. The view was really unbelievable and she adm
ired house after house nestling
the Hollywood Hills.

Dani lay down on one of the cushioned lounge chairs and noticed a number of small remote controls. What were these for? She hit the power button on one and nearly fainted when an awning began to appear above her, shading her from the strong sun. Very cool. After a little experimenting, she determined the other remotes controlled the hot tub, the outdoor sound system, and the lights.