Chasing Rainbows - Part Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

                “What are you doing here?” Emma’s voice was a croak when she finally managed to speak. It took far too long for her to compose herself, all the while his eyes were on her, boring into her, and it was making her mouth as dry as the desert.

He took equally long to respond, his eyes never leaving her. “Well when I hear my wife...the wife, who won’t take my calls, is in town, then I’m going to find her!”

                “You live here?” She had no idea of anything about her ‘husband’, that was the mortifying truth, he’d put Sacramento California as his place of birth on the marriage certificate, but she knew that wasn’t close, but that was as much as she knew about him. She looked up at him then flinched, he had a way of staring at her that made her feel about one inch high. It had been less than three weeks since the night they’d married, and it seemed like forever. She had forgotten how he looked, not that she didn’t recognise him now, but until that moment when she’d tried to conjure up an image of him it was out of focus. In the flesh he had an angled jaw, an elegant nose, and those full lips, lips that she instantly remembered kissing, all topped off with the cleft in his chin that only made him more endearing. The whole time they’d been in Vegas he’d dressed casually, jeans, shirts, the odd jacket, and his hair had been a riotous tumble of blondeness, but today he was wearing a suit, well cut, with a dark shirt and tie and his hair was coaxed into behaving. If she didn’t want to run away, if she didn’t hate him as she did, she’d think he looked edible.  

                                                                                                                    

                “I live in San Francisco. A couple of hours away...” he didn’t add that it was a rushed flight to get there, that he’d abandoned three days worth of plans to find her, for this moment. But it was suddenly the most important thing in the world to him, more important than his life’s work. He’d never been more grateful to Andy’s girlfriend Selena, she’d found out about this night, and managed to get him on the guest list. What price friends? Saying that, Andy imagined that he was laying down the law, demanding that they separate legally and as quickly as possible. He couldn’t imagine what his best friend would say if he knew that wasn’t the immediate response in Jacob.

                “So you’re stalking me now?”  She spat the words at him, and Jacob could see how rattled she was. When he’d first walked in and seen her across the room, he’d had to stop in his tracks, the woman he remembered was fun, friendly and cute, but as he stared at her he was speechless, she was...all tall and elegant and curvy in just the right way, in her beautiful dress and those fuck-me shoes, the ones he’d bought her in Vegas, he’d been clean blown away. She was so...exciting. In a room full of over glamorous celebs and the wannabe hangers on, she stood out like a diamond amongst sand. And now as she stared at him with her eyes sparkling in fury, he swore he could never remember seeing so much passion in one person before.

               

Knowing she was waiting for an answer, he shook his head slowly, “you might think that ignoring things will make them go away, but they won’t, and we have to face up to this.”

She cocked an eyebrow and looked at him, “so you’ll agree to an annulment?”

Jacob wasn’t willing to show his cards this early, he was going around in circles, one minute he wanted to push her away and never set eyes on her again, the next her could see her sat on the sofa at his grandmothers, smiling as he came home from work, an integral part of his life. If he didn’t know what he wanted then how could his friend? And also, how could he agree or disagree with what she wanted? So instead he shrugged, “I think we need to talk, see where we want this to go.” He didn’t know why he was so reluctant to let her walk away, but he was.

                “Talking? What the hell is there to talk about Jacob? We made a mistake...a drunken mistake, and from my investigations that is grounds for an annulment!”

Emma looked at his face and wanted to punch him, he was SO frustrating. And this was such an important few days for her; she couldn’t cope with him ruining her big chance.  “I can’t see how you can even contemplate anything else! We had fun, celebrated too hard, and did something stupid. There’s nothing we can do to change the past, but we can end the marriage and get on with our lives.”

He shrugged, “maybe marriage is what I want in my life?”

                “Why are you doing this? I go home tomorrow, and I live thousands of miles away, we have NOTHING in common...it won’t work, it can’t work!”

He gave her a knowing look and the depth of his stare unnerved her, “as I recall we had a lot in common, in so many areas. So no, I’m not ready to make a rash decision!” TO Jacob that wasn’t a lie, he’d never met a woman who literally overwhelmed her from the second he’d set eyes on her. And he’d dated some amazing women, there was the swimmer in college, perfect in EVERY way, or Selena’s friend a model, beautiful...but all of them lacked something, no one had ever enthralled him like she did...in fact it wasn’t until he saw Emma, spoke to her, spent time with her that he realised that all the other women had been so incomplete. Could he let her walk away? Live his life without spending more time with her?

Emma gritted her teeth unsure why he was doing this, but realising it was some sort of game, and one that he was determined to win. She had a feeling that him making the decisions was more important than what the actual decision was to Jacob. A stubborn awkward man. “So what do you suggest?”

                “Come to San Francisco when you’re done here. Give me twenty four hours, give US twenty four hours, then we’ll see if there’s anything worth fighting for. If not I’ll sort out a split. Ok?”

Emma thought her head was about to explode. The cheek of the man! She was tempted to lash out, rain punches on any part of him she could connect with, but she was at an important party, letting her guard down wouldn’t be helpful. In fact it would be THE wrong thing to do. But it didn’t mean it didn’t drive her insane. He really wanted her to go to his home, spend time in his home, in his company...what would he do? Why did he want it? What was he hoping to achieve?

Not that she would ever agree.

Jacob looked at her and grinned, she was flummoxed...and angry, and damn sexy! “I know you won’t make that decision now. Think you need a little clarity!” He handed her a business card with his numbers on. “I think we need to think about this, see what we both want. If after a day with me you still want to leave, you think there’s nothing worth working on...well I’ll get the annulment, pay all the bills...everything. Otherwise we’ll stay married, I wonder what your parents would think about their new son-in-law?”

He gave what he hoped was a dazzling smile, then turned and left the club.

Emma watch the sunrise from her bed, she’d not slept. She had envisaged that it would be memories of the party that would stop her sleeping, dancing with a household name or drinking with a famous producer. Instead it was her husband...she still choked on that word, and that face, her husband who occupied her thoughts, and her visions.

Picking up her phone she called Isobel. It would be evening at home; she could only hope that her friend wasn’t out. In times of crisis her best friend had proved that she was able to cope with anything.

                “He found me Is!” Emma blurted as Isobel answered.

                “WHAT?” Her friend exclaimed, “I was hoping for stories of Brad Pitt! You mean Mr White found you?”

Emma appreciated her play on words, she was such a great friend and hearing her refer to the man in relation to her name made her smile in her deepest adversity. “No BP at the party I’m afraid, more’s the pity, though there were a few others. But yep, Jacob walked in. Slapped down an ultimatum!”

                “So he’s agreed to the annulment?”

Emma laughed, “nothing is ever that simple Is, he wants me to detour via San Francisco, spend twenty four hours with him. If we don’t get on, then he’ll give me what I want.”

Isobel released the breath she was holding in, “phew! I thought you were going to say he wouldn’t agree to it at all.”

He hadn’t immediately agreed, but it was in sight, she couldn’t tell her friend that she feared her own response to being alone with him, feared that he’d break her down and ultimately get her own way.  “Sort of...”

Isobel laughed, “look, it’s twenty four hours...then you get what you want...whatever that may be.”

Her response shocked Emma, “what do you mean?”

                “If you get on, if you like him...”

                “Isobel Prior! What are you suggesting? I have no desire to be linked to this man any longer than is necessary. Are you doubting that?” Her shock was evident. As much as she fancied Jacob, there was no way that it was more than that. No way at all!

Isobel laughed, “I think she doth protest too much!”

Emma was fuming when she hung up the call, how did Isobel spot that chink in her armour? She’d called her hoping she’d tell her that she should never agree to this man’s demands; instead her friend was suggesting that their marriage might be something worth keeping! Just because she was getting married didn’t mean that everyone else should follow suit. And her relationship with Nathan was just that - a relationship! She wasn’t marrying a complete stranger, and she couldn’t compare the two.

She had another day left in LA, was due to fly home the following day, Theo had told her that they were having a read through of the first five episodes to work out some nuances in their characters before they started filming in six weeks, it left the scriptwriters with some time to adjust and tweak the screen play. She had no job to come back to; she’d left the previous week. She’d intended to get have the next few weeks off as she’d be spending months in LA following that, so it was her time to tie up loose ends. She’d already decided to give up her rented home; it was cheaper to store her belongings. She had friends and her parents to put her up for odd weekends. It would save her money, and whilst this job was well paid, better than any she’d ever had, she had no idea when she’d next earn money, she had to be sensible - thought having sampled the LA life of your average actor, Emma wasn’t confident that she could do that.

Jacob’s business card sat on the desk of the lounge and it felt like a beacon flashing lights into the room ‘you can’t ignore me’ taunts. With a groan she crossed the room and picked it up, selecting the mobile number and calling it.

                “Ah, darling wife!” He answered with a laugh, and Emma wanted to scream.

                “Don’t give me that bullshit Jacob! I’ll agree to your blackmail as I have no other option.”

That stopped him in his tracks. “Blackmail? Emma you’ve got that all wrong. Look all I want is us to look at things rationally.”

She laughed harshly, “I AM rational, ALL the time! It’s you that is living in cloud cuckoo land! Now I’ll change my flight,” she grimaced at the thought; she was approaching bankruptcy, any advance she had was dwindling like water through sand. “Can you email me directions to yours?”

                “I’ve already bought your tickets; they’re at the check in desk waiting for you. Eight am in the morning, ok? I’ll pick you up.”

Before she could protest he hung up, and seconds later her phone bleeped and she had the confirmatory email.

Chasing Rainbows - Part Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Third stage of testing for his game was complete. For Jacob he was on the verge of making his dream a reality. He’d had the first game concepts years ago when he’d been a student, but it had taken time and technology to get himself to this stage. Not to mention money! Now here he was about to present it to the gaming world in a huge launch. Nervous didn’t come close.

He slumped back in the chair and loosened his tie, as the last of the suits left the boardroom, he hated these meetings, projections of sales, profits and losses, they were all words from a world he rejected. But he had to do this.

Closing his eyes he was pinching the bridge of his nose when he heard the door open.

                “So you nailed it Coren! Well and truly!”

Jacob opened his eyes, “you think?”

Andy, acting in his role as lawyer nodded, sitting opposite him, “sure do. But think you have to act over the marriage now friend, if you leave it any longer, then you’re liable to lose half of this deal at least...to a stranger.”

Jacob groaned, this was what he’d been dreading. He’d not spoken to Emma since sending her the underwear. He knew she’d be angry, but he’d wanted to make a point, now he had to admit to both Andy and himself that he’d blown it, that she wasn’t answering her phone, she’d stopped working, her office had told him that. It left him with no leads, after being handed her location on a plate by Andy; he had no idea where to find her. Unless he headed across to London...but the next two weeks were looking to be the busiest of his life to date.

                “I don’t know where she is. Ok?”

He hated the knowing look that appeared on his friend’s face. Since when had Andy become the law on everything, they were friends because he was the least likely to act like this, but he’d been smug since he’d found out about Emma, smug in a kind of controlling way.

                “Really? Funny that!”

Jacob looked up as Andy tossed a buff coloured file onto the table. As he took it and opened the cover he gasped, just as Andy offered, “at least dating a film star are grounds for ending this farce!”

And he was right, there were several surveillance photos in a pile, and rifling through him he froze, there was at least six of Emma, her arm tucked into the elbow of a tall dark man who he instantly recognised as Theo Samuel, the rich, handsome and famous actor. Rather than anger...or relief at the potential ‘out’ from this relationship, he felt gutted, how could he ever compete with this man?

                “That is what you HAVE to do Coren, as your friend and legal representative I have looked into annulling the marriage...not easy, but I’ll sort it. I’ve already got Selena on the case, after all new people in town cause waves of gossip. And she can get access to Samuel via her agent quite easily.” As he explained all that his actress girlfriend promised to find out, Andy failed to realise that Jacob was less than enthusiastic.

For Jacob didn’t know what to think. He had grown quite keen on the idea of getting to know her better. There was enough that had intrigued him about her that he had ended up marrying her! No matter how inebriated he was there was no way he’d have married someone he didn’t like...a lot! What he could remember of the two nights they spent together was great. They’d got on well, had fun. He’d almost felt as though he’d known her for years.  There was something familiar and comforting about her, and exciting. Seeing her with some jumped up Hollywood head was grating on his nerves. There was nothing else for it, he had to go to LA, he could scarcely spare the time, but that was his only option, before she disappeared again.

Theo Samuel had proved himself to be the ultimate in hosts. He seemed to know everyone and everywhere in that part of California. Emma was stunned. In all the parts she’d ever had, though none had been this significant, she’d turned up been lucky to be given lunch, then left after she’d uttered her lines. She had no reference point as to whether this was normal. After all they hadn’t filmed a minute yet.

It was on the second day of her whistle stop tour that Theo and his assistant a dark haired woman called Consuela stopped for lunch. As the PA made phone calls, Theo ordered champagne then turned to Emma.

                “You may be wondering what all this is about?” He gestured around himself, and she wondered if he could read her mind. When she didn’t answer he smiled, “I suppose I have a confession to make. After your outburst in London...the audition...well I just knew you’d be perfect for the part...but then Consuela was concerned that you hadn’t been to Hollywood before.” He filled their glasses, “this series is my baby, I’ve put more than my money and my time into it, I’ve staked my reputation on it. So I couldn’t cope if you pulled out, or found this all too daunting.”

He spotted the anger in her eyes and smiled, “sorry this sounds awful! But I remember how hard I found my first part out here...I couldn’t risk you blowing it for me! You are the only truly unknown in this project. Not that I’m objecting at that...I’ve wanted you in this since the moment I set eyes on you. You’ve got spunk girl, and that’s what this part needs! And I’m so glad that you’re loving the attention and the hubbub of LaLaLand!”

Emma took a second to digest all that he’d said, “I don’t know whether to laugh or slap you! How can one man put SO many insults and compliments into one monologue?”

Theo waggled an eyebrow, “THAT’S what I’m talking about!”

Emma laughed shaking her head, he slipped between staunch British colloquialisms and then very American speak. It was SO disconcerting, but quite sweet too. “I am born never to understand men!”

Laughing he called over the waiter and they ordered lunch.

                “So tonight!” He grinned, “party - Viper Lounge. I’ll pick you up for dinner first. You’ll meet the rest of the cast tonight, ok?”

Emma watched as Consuela drove him away, then when she was sure he couldn’t see her, jumped up and down on the spot. THE VIPER ROOM!!! Giving a whoop and several skips around the pavement, she suddenly fished in her handbag and pulled out her phone, Isobel would DIE when she heard this!

                “You cannot wear a Top Shop dress to a night like this! What if you get photographed?”

Trust Isobel to be practical. “I hadn’t thought of that! I presume all the other women will be designer dress-ed up!”

Isobel chuckled, “then isn’t it just your luck that my sister and her best mate know every designer contact on the West coast? Don’t turn off your phone; I’ll get one of them to call you back! And enjoy! If you can’t photograph it, then remember EVERY second! Ok?”

Two hours later and Emma was ever indebted to both Isobel’s twin Eve and her credit card company, but she was the owner of a beautiful coral pink dinner dress, the small but by price presumably exclusive designer assured her it was perfect for dinner, followed by a celebrity party. And the bonus was her beautiful shoes, the shoes from Jacob...

Damn if his name didn’t confuse the most simple situation.

Theo, accompanied by Consuela, arrived in a limousine and stopped that thought. Though it was more of a panic than a thought! She still didn’t know what she thought about Jacob, other than that the word marriage made her shake with fear.

Theo looked divine, he was classically good-looking, like a modern day Rock Hudson, dark hair, dark eyes, and an angular strong jaw, yet soft, full lips that were infinitely kissable...she knew that first hand. Over the previous thirty six hours he’d shown her around and introduced her to wardrobe, casting, various other team members on a really casual basis, arse hugging jeans and a t-shirt. But tonight, in his charcoal suit, dark tieless shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, a smile on his face...he was lethal!

Slipping into the back of the car next to him Emma smiled, then nodded in acknowledgement at Consuela.

                “You look perfect!” He offered with a smile. “Just what the paparazzi want to see!”

All her life she’d wanted to be successful as an actress, and naturally with that would come fame. But the thought of appearing on Theo’s arm in front of the media scared her for several reasons, she wanted to be seen for her own talent, she’d be judged as a ‘friend’ of Theo, and there would be speculation that she had got the part because of a perceived relationship with the actor. Then there was Jacob, he’d find out EXACTLY where she was.

But as she settled beside the famous man, Emma had to admit that she wanted this to work, to be a success more than anything. So that was her priority. And if she was photographed with the man, well then that was part of the bargain. And Theo Samuel was the ultimate deal!

After dinner in a luxury restaurant where she met five other cast members, they all climbed into the limo and headed for the Viper Room. For Emma it meant only one thing, River Phoenix. She remembered the night he died, she’d been maybe ten. Her and Isobel had loved him after seeing him play the young Indiana Jones years earlier, it had been immediate lust for two young girls, and they’d watched Stand By Me for the first time just a few weeks before the man himself had died.

They’d been devastated. Their young hearts just finding love for the first time only to hear that he’d died. As the limo cut through the dark Los Angeles streets, Emma was hardly able to believe that she was about to visit the very club that had become as infamous for that death as they had for the celebrity owner at that time Johnny Depp.

Emma rolled her eyes; this was becoming a night of true fantasies! It was no wonder that she had never become the actress she had wanted with all her hang ups and being this star struck! She really was a waste!

For all the clubs she’d ever been to, Emma had never been in a club like this. Initially she'd  been underwhelmed. It was hardly the most impressive building. But there was something magic about her! Every table sported a famous name, and even more famous faces, it was like a who’s who of Hollywood. She had to fight her jaw dropping, and her eyes staring agog.  Apparently the event was being held by a large production company, and everyone was maximising their opportunity to network. The really big names were scattered amongst a lot of people like her, unknowns. Most had their own entourages to keep the riffraff away, though there was no one in here who wasn’t linked to someone.

Theo was the perfect host once again, accompanying her as they circulated the room, introducing her to everyone he met, and even dancing with her. There were two current charting bands performing, there really was no expense spared. She felt a bit like a cross between a trophy and a sympathy case as he devoted time to explain everything to her.  She wasn’t overly comfortable with everything, she was brought up with the understanding that you didn’t get something for nothing, and she dreaded some sort of request for recompense. When Theo finally did leave her side to talk to his fellow producer for the upcoming show Brad, and whilst they were deep in conversation, Emma sipped at her champagne and smiled at the faces milling past her.

It was Consuela who rescued her from the awkwardness of not knowing anyone else.

                “Hey Emma, how are you getting on?”

Emma turned to the other woman and smiled in relief, “I’m using my greatest acting skills to not look like a fish out of water!”

Consuela giggled, “I like your honesty, there aren’t many here who have that quality I can tell you! And underneath all these stars are crapping themselves most of the time! People think that celebs surround themselves with cronies to keep people away, but really it’s because they draw confidence from them.”

Was that what she was? Another layer of support for Theo Samuel? Shaking her head she laughed and patted the other woman’s back, “I know what you mean, I feel a little like a lamb to the slaughter stood here alone!”

Joining her in humour, Consuela whispered, “let me give you a one stop guide to who you can trust!”

She then proceeded to point out many people and their Achilles heel, one had a drink problem, the other a penchant for underage girls, then there were the ‘wives of Hollywood’, dangerous women and the men they’d married. Those to avoid, those who could be a stepping stone to greater things, and most importantly those who were blatant womanisers...those to be avoided at all costs!

                “I wish I had a notebook, this is invaluable information!”

Consuela turned to her, “have to say, I won’t admit to passing any of this on!” With that she gave a huge wink. “Right let me get us another drink! Stay here and definitely don’t head in his direction!” She gestured towards a man she recognised from TV, “womaniser extraordinaire! THE worst!”

Alone, Emma found her view of the room had changed indescribably, and she was so glad for that insight. When she sensed Consuela return to her side, she smiled, and offered, “I’m really seeing this room in a different light!”

                “Really? Me too!” The husky voice was a million miles from the softly spoken female Mexican voice she anticipated. Turning slowly to her right, she almost collapsed. Sat in the chair next to her, looking every inch the film star she knew he wasn’t, was Jacob Coren...her husband.

Chasing Rainbows - Part Eleven

Chapter 11

It was the last thing that Emma expected, the last voice she’d expected to hear lilting down the phone line. The last few days she’d almost forgotten about him...her husband. Jacob. For a moment she floundered unsure what to say. She’d hoped that her escape was all she’d need. But Jacob Coren wasn’t having any of that. Obviously.

                “I...” it was futile. “I thought it was for the best.” Was all she could offer. What could she say otherwise?

His laugh was fairly derogatory and it instantly put Emma on edge. “What the best outcome was my new wife running away?”

She gasped, was he taking this whole thing serious? Was he seeing this as more than what it was? A great big mistake! “I’m not your wife!”

He laughed again, “oh I think you’ll find that you are! And running away isn’t going to make that fact, or me go away!”

                “Look, Jacob. This should never have happened, we need to get the marriage annulled, then we can both get on with life. Ok?”

Not waiting for a reply she hung up, then stood staring at the phone, heart racing, fingers over lips, whole being shocked into silence.

Jacob looked at the handset stunned. Well that hadn’t turned out as he’d intended. He had no idea why he’d started the conversation so defensively. He KNEW why she’d run away. And in truth, he might have done the same had he woken first, and if it they hadn’t been in his room. It was all a little surreal, no, a lot surreal and he had wanted to speak to her, work out a solution that suited them both, instead he’d been defensive, she’d been angry, and now they had a standoff. Great work Coren! He mentally chastised himself as he headed for the kitchen, and a beer.

He’d try again; give her some time to calm down. After all, Andy had made him realise it was imperative to sort out this mess...asap.

Emma looked at the barely packed suitcase and the huge pile of clothing that would never fit in it. Isobel was sat cross legged on her bed, a grin on her face.

                “Ok, so it’s California in late May. How hot can it be?” She pulled out her phone and checked out the weather. “Wow! Mid twenties in Los Angeles...are you based there?”

Emma looked up from her position on her hands and knees burrowing in the bottom of her wardrobe, “well I fly to LAX, then I’m at the mercy of Jeremy, Clarence’s equivalent on the West coast. He’s arranged an apartment for me, one that won’t suck all my as yet unpaid earnings, and then I don’t know. I think there’s some photo shoots, costume checks...not sure otherwise.”

Isobel flopped on her bed, “I am SO jealous of you! I wish I was following my dream to LA!”

Emma felt her eyes widen, “really? You have a job you love, a beautiful home, and are about to marry the man of your dreams, someone who worships you no less! And you are envious of me?” Her laugh was self deprecating, “I’m so nervous! I mean this is everything! For years I’ve had this pipe dream, and if this fails...well my parents will be right. I’ve wasted the prime years of my life chasing rainbows.”

Smiling Isobel hated seeing the trauma in her friend’s eyes, “it’s not a rainbow! It’s everything you are!” Then she winked, “and we all know there’s a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow!”

Emma wished she could share her friend’s optimism, but her anxiety and nerves that were dominating her life had appeared way before the trip to Vegas and the disastrous way that had ended.  Nope she’d started to realise that it was fear, fear that was ruining her life. She had no idea what to do, how to change things if this part led to nothing.

As she pondered her future, the doorbell interrupted them. Emma made for the hallway, and Isobel followed, on the proviso of getting more coffee. Pulling open the door Emma smiled at the postman who stood with a small parcel in his hands.

                “Got to sign for this one love!” He offered her a pen, and indicated a box on his clipboard. Taking the parcel that was no more than a padded envelope, she closed the door and headed for the kitchen in the wake of her friend.

                “What is it?”

Emma shrugged accepting the fresh mug of coffee, “US postmark.”

                “Something from your new employer Theo Samuel?” she asked excitedly clapping her hands. “Open it! Quickly!”

Muttering under her breath pretending she wasn’t as curious as her friend, she started to pick open the packaging. Inside was a folded paper, pulling it out, she gasped as a pair of pretty black lace knickers fell onto the table. Not just any knickers, but hers. The ones that were last seen in a certain Las Vegas hotel room.

                “What the...?” Isobel made to ask as she saw the words on the paper that had encased the panties.

               

                ‘Tempted to keep these as a souvenir of my beautiful and willing wife...but it seems YOU need some reminding! Legally mine Miss White, or should I say Mrs Coren? Legally mine!’

It was his response to her brushing him off a few days earlier, a sign that he knew all about her, where she lived, worked...and he wasn’t allowing her to run off.

                “What the fuck?”

Shit!  Emma’s head snapped up, she’d forgotten her best friend was there, a witness to her dirty secret, then flinched, she’d never heard her friend use that expletive so readily.

                “Wife? Emma?”

Slumping into the chair at the small table she hid her face in her hands, tears falling on to her scorching cheeks. This was what he wanted, to humiliate her. She felt a hand on her back and eventually managed to look up at her friend.

                “What the hell have you done?” It was said in such an understanding, caring way that it brought another bout of tears to her face.

                “Vegas...” she finally blubbed. “I woke up married...”

Despite everything, Isobel took the news remarkably well, she was calm and composed as she placed a hand over one of Emma’s and sighed, “Shit! I knew you were acting strangely, but I NEVER predicted that! Was it the poker player?”

Emma nodded, glad that her friend didn’t judge her, criticise her, “I don’t really remember it...”

That wasn’t strictly true. Over the last ten days memories of the evening had been flooding back in quite graphic detail and was making ignoring what happened even more difficult.

When she looked up Isobel had an eyebrow raised in question, “seems he hasn’t forgotten!”

The shame and pain were overwhelming, and there were a week’s worth of tears desperate to fall. Isobel slid her chair a little closer to her friend and put an arm around her shoulder. “How would we all survive without a White crisis every now and then? They are after all the most spectacular” She wanted to make light of her friend’s pain. And Emma couldn’t argue with her, she had often fallen into disasters and needed the help of her friend, though this was maybe the worst example. “And surely you can annul? I mean I remember Brittany Spears did exactly the same!”

Emma groaned, “so I get put into THAT bracket? Jeez! Thanks!” They both laughed and the mood lightened. “Seriously though, I called Marcia Blackstone...” She had to pause as Isobel burst into laughter.

Marcia was another college friend who was a junior partner in a London law firm. And boy didn’t the world know it! She was the most confident and least modest person known to man. Every conversation started with a name drop or an example of just how wonderful she’d been that day/week/hour. She was really only tolerable in small doses, Isobel knew that advice from a family law lawyer would have ultimately cost less than the favours Marcia would rack up for any advice offered. Poor Emma, it must be bad!

                “Anyway!” She widened her eyes trying to express how difficult this position was. “She said that to annul a Vegas marriage I have to prove that I, or rather WE have been residents of Nevada for six weeks.  And I have to prove that I was too inebriated to consent to the marriage.”

                “And were you?” Isobel was all sympathy again. Her friend knew that a six week stay in Nevada was way out of the question.

                “I was drunk...but I signed the certificate. I agreed to it, I wasn’t coerced into anything.”

Isobel shook her head, “what a...”

                “Mess!” Emma finished for her, “this is hell. I just need to sort it out as soon as I can. I mean this is the eve of the greatest thing in my life and I’ve got this going on! It’s hell!”

Emma had had no idea how good it would feel to finally share this news. It had been eating at her like a cancer since the moment it had become reality. Now things seemed a little easier, a little more palatable.

                “Sorry I didn’t tell you...I was hoping to deal with it, and then no one would have to know.”

Isobel sighed, “I don’t judge you Em, you know that. You can tell me anything!”

Emma laughed, “speaking the words is accepting that it has happened. I’ve not been ready for that!”

                “But don’t you see? The timing is perfect. You’re going to California, find him sort it out, then it’s all done...and dusted.”

As the plane flew across the Atlantic, her return to North America, Emma rued the easiness that they’d accepted that solution. Despite Jacob knowing everything about her, he was far more evasive and elusive than her. After not being able to find even the slightest hint of Jacob, she’d hoped that he’d contact her again. But the infuriating man was doing anything but. So she was flying out to prepare for her new job, new everything with this absent man infuriating her with every step.

The steward on the flight was flirting with her, she’d already had more drinks than anyone else on the flight, and now he was bringing her snacks that she hadn’t requested. Each time he gave her a dazzling white toothed grin and a wink.

Another time she might have flirted back. But that had got her in real trouble recently; she couldn’t afford to let her defences down again. So she smiled politely and ignored him and his pheromones.

Jeremy Booth was the complete contrast to Clarence. Tall and reedy he was charismatic and laughed a lot - genuinely. Considering he was the first person she’d met in Hollywood, she couldn’t help smile at the irony. He had collected her in a soft top Cadillac, and she was glad she’d applied sunscreen as they cruised the City with the top down.

The apartment he’d found for her was little more than she had in London. Her London home barely qualified in description as a flat, a lounge/kitchen, a small bedroom and an even smaller bathroom. But this one, on the third floor of a Santa Monica apartment block whilst having little more in terms of size, had a view, of the beach! And it made up for everything. It didn’t take long to unpack, and she had the rest of the day to herself, so she slid into some summery clothes and headed outside. Jeremy had left her details of a rendez vous with her new team the following day, and an itinerary for the next few days.  So she knew she had the evening to herself, and it was bliss!

How did you approach a Hollywood superstar? Emma could barely move for her shaking knees. She’d presumed she’d be meeting one of the production assistants, she had no idea that the man himself, Theo Samuel would be sat across the hotel lobby waiting patiently for her. She had to give herself a reality check. She had a small part in half the episodes of this series. Her spoken scenes may still end up on the cutting room floor; there were no guarantees in this world, that’s the only thing she knew for definite.

Taking a deep breath she lifted her shoulders and strode across the reception to him.

                “Mr Samuel? I’m...”

                “Emma White!” He stood and vigorously shook her hand, “I’m SO glad to see you again!” He looked her slowly up and down, and Emma’s nerves were on edge, if she’d known she was meeting him she might have dressed a little differently. Her jeans and fitted shirt seemed all too casual. Then she wriggled her toes and remembered that she was wearing her Laboutin shoes...they gave her the confidence she needed. And she met his smile head on, ignoring the voice that reminded her just who bought her the amazing kick ass shoes.  Jacob Coren had no place in her thoughts today.

                “No criticisms today though, hey?” Suddenly he reminded her of the faux pas she’d made at their last encounter. As she stammered to find an appropriate response, he laughed, “It’s ok! I find it SO refreshing to hear the truth! The last few years my days have been filled with people willing to please me...your honesty was a major plus in my decision to hire you!”  He saw her jaw drop and quickly added, “along with your acting skills of course! They appealed first!”

With a dramatic ‘Phew’ he led her by the elbow towards the restaurant. “Come and have brunch! There are a few other people to meet, and a lot to fit in over the next few days!”