The Stars Trilogy (26 page)

“Pressure, pressure,” Rocky commented.

“We have to audition for the part of the Cambodian boy. I don’t want a popular actor from Hollywood. I’d prefer a fresh face but with a sufficient acting background.”

“That’s not a problem. We have lots of great actors back home,” said Rocky.

“Yeah, we can fly them here for the audition or we can meet them somewhere in Asia while we scout for locations. Say, Singapore or Thailand.”

“Great! I’ll contact my friends. Celine can also call some people-”

Celine suddenly grabbed Rocky’s hand. “Just call your friends,” she said to Rocky and smiled sweetly.

“Oh, okay...” Rocky smiled back meaningfully and continued eating.

The small display of affection did not escape Dare. The pleasure that his palate was enjoying mixed with the sting of the green-eyed monster growing bigger and more vicious inside him. He drank from his wine glass. It was strange how the expensive, vintage wine tasted like the cheap mass-produced type now.

“More pasta, Ben?” Celine asked Ben whom she had been serving like a devoted wife all dinner. The old man was no longer incapacitated to move but Celine was still taking care of him like he was an invalid and Dare was getting sick of it as the minutes passed.

It felt surreal, sitting there with Celine and her men. He wasn’t really sure about Rocky, but they did have the body language, too. And him, the fourth wheel. It was like a ménage à quatre. That made him feel like a freakin’ side show when he was a main event.

He wiped his lips with the napkin.

“So, Rocky, how about joining me in this project as a director?” he surprised himself by asking. But really, after watching the films made by Rocky, he was very impressed. In fact, the younger guy had more experience than him in film-making. Plus, the matter of Celine aside, he liked discovering new, extraordinary talents and he saw that in Rocky.

Rocky looked shocked. “Are you serious?!”

“If you’re not busy with anything else?”

“Wow...O-o-of course, I’m not! And even if I am, I’d clear my calendar to work with you, Dare. I’d be honored!”

Rocky looked really flustered now in his disbelief.

Why not? He just offered the guy the opportunity of a lifetime in Hollywood. “One of my unit directors. Is that okay?”

Rocky’s jaw dropped. “Yes!! My God, yes! Thank you!”

Dare stared at Celine. Her reaction was painful for him to watch...but priceless.

She was beaming at Rocky, her eyes shining proudly. “Congratulations! You’re no longer jobless in Hollywood, Rock!”

“Thanks to you! If you hadn’t called me about this...” Rocky hugged Celine. “You’re the best, Cee!”

“Because you’re so good at what you do, Rock. This is your dream.”

Dare hid his hands under the table. His fists were clenched so tightly he might crack his bones.

Celine turned to him with misty eyes. “Thank you.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say, “you’re welcome” so he just nodded.

“Thank you, Dare. I will do my best.”

He just nodded at Rocky.

“Okay, shall we go back to work, Rock?” Ben said.

“Yep, Speed. Let’s go!” Rocky stood up like an excited kid.

The two went back to Ben’s unit.

“And who will clean up?” Celine asked no one in particular.

“I’ll help you,” he said.

She raised one brow. “You?”

“I used to work as a dishwasher in several restaurants before I got discovered.”

“Oh. I thought you worked at Coney Island?”

He froze.

What did she just say?

“How...? How did you know about that?” he slowly asked her, his heart slamming like a sledgehammer against the wall of his chest. Just the mere mention of that place set off his defense mechanism into full combat mode.

“Uhm...I...I’ve read one of your early interviews from way back. You mentioned it in passing.”

“I don’t remember mentioning that.”

“Well, you did!” Her tone became a bit shrill. She stood up and began gathering the dishes.

He followed her movements, his insides suddenly turning queasy. The subject of his past was not a comfortable topic for him. In fact, it was a taboo topic. Kelsey had handled his PR for so long and it contained everything he wanted the world to know about his history and nothing more. His stint at Coney Island was not common knowledge. It was a segment in his past that he preferred not to be known. It sat too close to the bad segments that he wished he could totally erase and forget.

But maybe...maybe he did mention it once. How in hell could Celine know about it if it didn’t come from those articles written about him?

He willed himself to relax. This was nothing. Just a coincidence.

He helped her bring all the utensils and cutleries they used in the kitchen. “It’s true,” he admitted cautiously.

She was rinsing the plates in the sink. “Was it fun?”

“Not really. It was a job I took on the weekends to help me finish high school. But I remember something...”

“What?”

“Or rather someone.”

“Who?”

“A little girl I met there at Coney Island. I gave her my amulet.”

“Amulet?”

“My necklace. My good luck charm.”

“Why...did you give it to her?”

“I dunno. She was just so cute and maybe I was feeling shitty that day. I remember, when I saw her, I felt better. She kinda cheered me up.”

She dropped a glass on the sink. “Ops, sorry...”

What the hell are you doing? You should drop this conversation NOW and leave. Look at you, in the freaking kitchen washing dishes and indirectly talking about your shitty past with a virtual stranger. Are you so fucking bored?! Are you mad?! Call your shark friends and discuss million-dollar projects! Call one of your starlet FBs and tell her you missed her and you want some fun tonight! Do something else but THIS!

But she was smiling at him, as if she knew him. But she didn’t know him at all. And he didn’t know her. Not really.

What are you smiling about?” he asked her.

“Nothing.”

“When a woman says nothing, there’s always something.”

“Well...what the heck are you doing washing dishes with me? I mean...I’m sure you have better things to do than this boring chore?”

Wow. Right on target, baby.
“Like what?”

“I don’t know. You can join Ben and Rocky.”

“Ah, rewrites and rough drafts. Boring stuff. I’d rather read the finished product.”

She gave a short laugh. “Not as boring as this!”

“You’re not boring.”

He caught her biting her lower lip again. Then she was smiling mysteriously. “Uhm...thanks.”

He helped her load the plates and glasses into the dishwasher. Afterward, they both stood beside the counter in silence.

“So...do you still think about the little girl?” she asked.

You don’t want to answer that.
“Sometimes.”

“When do you think of her?”

SHUT THE FUCK UP!

“When I’m having bad luck and I wish my amulet’s around my neck. But it was so long ago. I don’t even remember her name. But she was a really cute kid with braces.”

“Oh... You want the amulet back?”

“No, no. She was a fearful little thing. She needed it more. I hope my amulet is keeping her safe even today.”

Silence.

“Yes. I’m sure it is,” she said quietly after some time and smiled at him again, her eyes shining with a mysterious light, evoking those pleasant memories from his past. The good ones.

Faye.

SHIT.

But it felt good to be talking about his past with her. She knew nothing about his past so she cannot judge him or pose any danger to him and his career. Only with her had he felt this longing to share a piece of his soul. Nobody else. Not even Kelsey, his oldest friend today.

“Thanks for dinner. It was wonderful,” he said, his throat constricting with his bittersweet feelings.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you came to join us tonight.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

Despite wanting to kill Ben and Rocky for having a much bigger space in her life, he did enjoy their company very much. He liked hanging out with smart, artistic people. And he especially liked being around her even if she aroused all kinds of weird feelings inside him.

For the first time in his life, he understood the adage ‘like a moth drawn to a flame.’ But he wasn’t sure which one he was, the moth or the flame.

Chapter Twelve 

“Hey, how is the hottest hunk in Hollywood?:))) I’ve read in GQ that you don’t wanna be called hot.

I’m screaming hot, hot, hot!!!:))) But you really are whether you like it or not, even if you’re married.

By the way, your movie with Alana was really good. She’s a great actress, no doubt about that. My Mom loves her.

I guess, her taste is errr kinda mature haha!

Okay, she’s gorgeous and really talented. I’ll stop sour-graping now ‘coz you look happy together.

I’ll try sooo hard not to feel bad anymore...”

WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE SOMMERSET that morning, Carlos was already waiting for her near the building’s driveway. He was leaning on the side of the Escalade.

She walked up to him. “What are you doing here, Carley?”

“I’m your official chauffeur, remember?”

He opened the front door of the Escalade for her. She went in.

He occupied the driver’s seat.

“I don’t think I’d need a ride to work every morning. Plenty of taxi.”

“Just following boss’ orders. I normally don’t question him, you know, so, don’t make my job difficult by refusing to ride my 100 grand wheels.”

She laughed. “Yes, Sir. Wow, you’ve got an attitude for a chauffeur.”

He switched the ignition on. The Escalade purred to life, a mere vibration. “I always do everything in style,” he replied in a cocky tone. He pushed a few buttons on the dashboard and the acoustic intro of Stairway to Heaven wafted softly into the car’s interior. He then navigated the huge vehicle out of the driveway.

“Do you want to be an actor?”

“Who, me?” He glanced at her quickly. He seriously looked insulted. “I’m serious with my chauffeuring career.”

“Oh, please. Dressed like that every day?”

He looked down at his front, then at her. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

“Screaming supahmodel, what else?”

He grimaced. They entered a busy Sunset Boulevard. “Z’cuze me, them models are so gay.”

“What’s being gay got to do with dressing in style?”

“Well...I don’t dress like a model. I dress like a magician.”

“Or a badass rock star.”

He shrugged. Her last comment seemed to please him. “If you say so.”

“So, you wanna be a rock star?”

“Actually...I have a band,” he admitted with a shade of embarrassment.

“Really? Do tell.”

“Uh-huh. I play at a local club on my days off.”

“I knew it! I could tell from your swag. Where do you play?”

“Why, you gonna watch?”

“Why not? I’ve got days off, too. I can choose which day to take. I can bring a friend along with me to the club.”

“You like rock ‘n roll?”

“Sure. I like led Zeppelin.”

He looked skeptical. “That’s quite hard core for you.”

“For me? What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged. “Just haven’t met a lot of women who like Led Zep. They’re classic, serious rock ‘n roll. Legends.”

“I like the 70s, 80’s, 90s bands.”

“So you know this song?” Carlos challenged her.

She grinned. “Sure.”

He still looked doubtful.

She just smiled and they continued chatting. Just when it got to her fave part, she sang with the stereo at the top of her lungs.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to rooooooooolllll.