Not even one, not even one trip could be taken without disruption of any form, how much harder could life become for him? All these he thought as he ran through the crowd. He was being followed, by a bunch of stampeding fans, if he slowed down a second, the situation wouldn't be pretty.
His cover was blown and now he felt like a mouse in a box; trapped and restricted. Adding to that, he was alone—he had earlier rejected his manager's offer to go with him on his quick vacation.His social anxiety was killing him and the crowd soon multiplied or maybe he thought they did. His mind played tricks sometimes.What a mess, he thought, still running through the crowd amidst overly energetic fans and earsplitting screams of his name that exited their mouth.Of course, he had been careful—with the perfect disguise of a black face cap and a mask to match; he had hoped no one would recognize him till his encounter with a flight attendant who wouldn't stop staring, then caught a glimpse of the mole on his nose. That goddam mole was the perfect giveaway; he noticed how hastily she went into her compartment and suddenly the first class batch was filled with cheeky female flight attendants and wide grins— failing at their pretence of not recognizing him.
He had mentally prayed that they maintained composure, at least till he got off the plane but, that was just a tip of a much bigger iceberg. On getting off that plane, the most irritating thing happened; it wasn't surprising, just plain irritating to him.
"Jones Jackson! There is Jones Jackson!" someone had yelled from behind him.
That was all it took to get a scream out of basically everyone present, followed by their attempts to get closer to him—all of these people at the same time!How did they even recognize him? He thought. He had covered everything that could give a clue. Although that did a lot adding to his tribulation, the baggy T-shirt and trousers he wore felt heavy—making running a little harder than it usually was. And he never really was an athlete person to say.
"Fucking Airline, fucking A.C.E!" He cussed under his as he made his way out of the terminal, he spotted a cab parked at the front of the airport and thoughtlessly got into it.
He drew heavy breaths as his chest rose and fell very quickly, he glanced at the driver who stared bewildered at him from the rearview mirror."Move sir, please," he said to the driver, who didn't budge until much later; then Jackson realised there was someone else in the cab, other than him and the driver.
Someone else sat next to him but he had been too disoriented to notice. A lady who had a shocked expression plastered on her face as she stared at him in expectance of an explanation for his interruption. He didn't know whether to reveal who he was—which would add so much more credibility to his story or even get him a free pass for his behaviour. Speaking of Free passes, what if she was another one of the delusions fans and as soon as he revealed his identity, she goes gaga?
The thoughts of being stuck in a confined cab with an obsessed fan tortured him, it would be an absolutely unfortunate situation for him—not to talk of how uncomfortable it would be for him if she pulled out a condom from her purse like the last one he encountered did.
"I'm so sorry, I was in a bit of a situation and I had to get out of it," he stated calmly, wishing he didn't have to say more. Jonathan pulled his nose mask up higher to his nose bridge, he couldn't risk her seeing the one thing that everyone—literally everyone—recognized.
"Oh." That was all she said, her blue eyes still fixed on him, studying his every movement.
"Yeah, I'd alight as soon as I get to a corner. I can make my way from there, I hope you don't mind," he added quickly. Etiquettes were fuckers and he needed something else to blame for this unfortunate situation.
It all boiled down to him who worked hard to become a world-renowned actor, but he did get help from the talent agency, A.C.E. So he blamed them for making him uncomfortably famous."Yes, I blame A.C.E and my manager for letting me go alone," Jonathan thought.
"Sure it's fine, as long as I'm not included in any troubles," she responded plainly, but her words were woven with a thin hint of worry.
"Trouble?" He asked. Trouble, really? The rest of his response was an internal one.
"Yes, I don't know why you came running into the cab and I do hope I don't explain anything to the police."
Fuck A.C.E, he cussed again internally. He did derive joy in blaming them for all of his misfortune and now a random stranger took him to be a miscreant or a lawbreaker.
"No, it's nothing like that," he said again through his teeth and his hands were balled into fists. He fought the urge to tell her who he was, he wanted to see that spark in her eyes and make her grovel before him—whose reputation spoke more than words ever could. They always softened at the sight of his handsome face and killer smile. He so badly wanted that expression from her.
He held back since he wouldn't see her anymore after today and he couldn't risk the chance of someone else pulling out a condom on him or worse."Here is fine," he said to the driver who came to a sudden stop and alighted, purposely ignoring the lady who sat next to him and avoiding saying a thank you. How lowly did she think of him to relate him to a miserly felon?
His ego was hurt so hers should be too. He took a glance at her and noticed no expression of hurt on her face, she just ushered the driver to move further. The cab zoomed off and he stood there, sighing pettily at how he failed to hurt the pride of a random lady who had hurt his. He put a call through to this manager, telling him his location and how soon he needed a ride.He slid his phone back into his pocket, dreading the long wait.
~~
"So how was your trip?" Harry asked from the driver's seat with Jackson fuming behind him. "It was so good, I even forgot to bring my bags with me," he responded, rolling his eyes.Harry chuckled but it soon dissipated as Jackson glared at him. "I offered to accompany you, sir. You respectfully declined. Looks like you never really handle things well without me.""Your incompetence is nothing to brag about. A good manager should have accompanied the actor no matter what." He spat with a little bit of annoyance.
"Aye, sir. I'd work harder. You have a script reading tomorrow, for The heart wants what it wants, you also have the advertisement shoot with calvary by 2:00 pm," his manager stated carefully.
"Ah, I know. I take care of my schedule just as well as you do. I hate making movies with Natasha and calvary's perfumes smells like carbon monoxide with watermelon juice, we have to lie to the viewers that I like it." he responded.
"A.C.E already accepted the contract and I think Natasha works her best with you, I think she likes you," Harry said again, maintaining eye contact with him from the rearview mirror.
"Yes, she does. Explains why the last movie's kiss scene lasted two minutes when it was meant to be just one!" He shrugged. "Then again, who doesn't like me?" He raised a brow and his lips formed a smirk. The faint image of the lady who had allegedly called him a criminal appeared in his head and he quickly brushed it off.
"I don't, I just need the money," Harry responded with a grin.
"Co-agree, brother, I'd hoped you'd go off to Iraq as you've always bragged."
He made a mean face at his half-brother, the lad his mother would pick over him even though he was a stepson. Was he glad they never were close? Yes, he was, he was glad his mother didn't appreciate Harry's existence as much as she did him—she was hurt, partially because her casanova husband had gotten a child out of an affair. That caused their divorce before she realized months later that she was pregnant with him. It's funny how destiny had pulled them back together like this.Harry grinned and pulled into the driveway of the mansion after clicking the open button on the gate's remote. The silver gigantic gates paved way for the SUV and he parked the vehicle."Get out, boss," Harry said jokingly.
"Open the door, I require prince treatment, especially for your incompetence."
Harry exited the car and politely opened the passenger's door. "Yes, sir," he muttered quietly."Sometimes it's annoying when you do just as I say," Jackson spat again, getting out of the car.
"I'm your manager after all", he slammed the door shut and clicked it locked. "Oh, and by the way, Mrs Jones said she prepared you a gift, brace yourself," the last two words were as low as a whisper.Bumps rose on Jackson's skin suddenly, his mum and gifts were opposites. God knows what the gift was going to be.
"Are you coming in?" Jackson asked his stepbrother, partially hoping that he would.
"Oh, no...I can't right now. I have to make preparations for tomorrow and further my plans of running off to Iraq."
"Good grievance, night," he said hiding his disappointment.
"Night," Harry responded before zooming off.
As soon as Jackson walked into the mansion, the strong smell of citrus of rose petals hit him in waves, he flicked the light on and to his surprise, a trail of rose petals lay before him and in the direction of his room.
Cardboard was spread against the wall at a distance spelling out a message from his mother; as expected.GET MARRIED OR I'D DO IT FOR YOU, LOVE MUM.He read the message aloud and sighed frustratedly, he was only twenty-eight, why was she hell-bent on making him get married? He followed the rose trails where they led—his room, dimly lit with numerous scenting candles and a visible silhouette of a figure laying flat on his bed, he takes a closer look, making it out to be a figure of a female."Fuck," he cussed again, flicking on a brighter light.
A few steps away from him laid a flustered young female in a red one-piece bikini, staring seductively at him—or at least she tried to.She wore a crimson lipstick that flaunted her plum lips and her eyes were heavily mascaraed. Her proportion? Perfect, large breasts and waist males would kill for, except him. Seriously, mum? He thought before sending the female who sat unfazed before him a deathful glare."GET OUT!" he ordered angrily, trying as much as he could to keep it together. "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
He motioned towards the door and she stood up reluctantly without a protest, making her way to the exit.He didn't care if she jumped over a fence, he just wanted her out of his home."Your loss," she muttered as she sashayed out of his room. He felt a surge of anger rise from the depth of his stomach.
He picked up his cell phone without much thought and dialled a number."Mr Higgins? I need a P.A," he stated abruptly to the person on the other end.
"Maria Gracia?" He called out from his desk compartment demarcated by a see-through glass to the opposite room where a few candidates sat. Maria rose upon hearing her name, responding to the middle-aged man who had glasses that rested on his nose bridge."Please take your seat," he offered, motioning to the swivel chair in his front. She took her seat and hoped for the best. She arrived in New York yesterday, today was the day she has been told she'd resume her work position. "Thank you," Maria said as she sat while he adjusted his collar, then his cuffs."I am Mr Sean Powell, a senior executive of A.C.E and I overtook the job of getting to know the rookies we recruited this year," he adjusted his glasses and took a glimpse at the screen of his computer. "It says here that you majored in HRM and graduated with a CGPA of 3.65," looking at her now. Maria repositioned herself before giving a response. "Yes, that's right, sir." "And it also says here that you passed the three
She moved to the other end of the elevator as the unfathomably good-looking man entered, Their eyes met for a brief second as he intently gazed hers then he courtesied briefly—with a slight bow and she nodded in response, mouthing a good day ever so lightly. Her voice was nowhere to be found. Still shocked from meeting someone who looked as perfect as he did, Maria stole glances from time to time as the elevator moved downwards. He was the most perfect person she had ever seen. He sighed repeatedly with his balled fists, like he was tired or frustrated—well he looked it. Maria had never seen a person who looked good even when he was unkempt.His tie hung loosely around his crooked collar, they dangled with unequal tips at every slight movement. He heaved another sigh and Maria's knees felt weak. His sighs made her wonder what sounds he'd make if she laid clothless in between his legs and he pressed her against the bed, or a sofa, whatever he wanted, their hot bodies merging under a di
"Not this one, I don't want her."Maria thought she heard wrong but apparently, she didn't. He had rejected her. "Why don't you want her?" Harry asked the same question that was on her mind. This was preposterous, how could he immediately reject her without knowing how much help she could be to him? She maintained her cool, disregarding the burning sensation she felt in her stomach and her throat, her anger wasn't something she controlled well everytime, but now had to be one of the good times she stayed in control. "Just because," Jackson bit his nails and spat out, making Maria's soon established detest for him grow even more. "Just because? I need a reasonable explanation," Harry demanded, with a hint of tiredness in his voice but Jackson didn't bulge till his phone beeped and he looked at it, his expression changing into something even more displeasing. "Oh god, this woman!" He yelled, bringing his voice lower like he had just realized where he was. "you kno
He chuckled before dropping his phone on the table after he sent the text, his pride was still hurt and now was the time he could show her who was boss—he obvious was. His phone vibrated again and he rushed to it only to find a text from his mum, informing him of the arrival of another gift.He groaned before dialing her number but his numerous calls were ignored, she probably already knew the reason he was calling. Jackson took off his shirt and flung it on the sofa, glancing at his wrist watch and mentally calculating the time of her arrival. "She should be able to navigate, find her way to cafe dium by 9:10 and get here by 9:15," he said to himself then remembered her conversation with Harry earlier about her not knowing her way around. He estimated her time of arrival to be 9:30 pm, after that he had other frustrating plans in mind—not for himself, for her.How the hell did she deem fit to equal him to a criminal? That was absurd.Another text came in. Your gift should ar
Maria angrily made the third cup of coffee for her boss whom she so desired to smack across the face. If this was her only path to success, then she had to put up with his ill-treatment. "But why?" She soliloquized, "why is he taking out his anger on me just because I walked in on him and his lover?" She had apologized, so why was he being unnecessarily mean? The electric kettle beeped, snapping her out of her thoughts and she poured its content into the teacup, making sure it was the perfect amount, she didn't want to come back into this kitchen. His kitchen alone could house seven people, filled with expensive utensils—half of which she had no idea how to use or had never seen. Is this what it felt like to be insanely rich? She thought, carrying the coffee into the tray and heading out of the plush kitchen. She was stunned by the presence of another gorgeous lady who stood akimbo in front of her boss.Oh great, he was a casanova too, she concluded internally. Her con
The thin velvet curtains and its glass window frames didn't do much to keep the sunlight from ruining the utter coziness Maria felt, wrapped deep into her blanket. In an instant, she sprung up, 6:40 am, the time said and she could feel all frustration wash over her. She was going to be tardy on her first day!She rolled off the bed— still wrapped in the blanket, crawling her way into the bathroom with wild tangled hair that covered most of her face. It wasn't up to two minutes and she was done bathing, her clothes had been ironed before being folded into the suitcase, she had no issue with that, thankfully. She picked out a white peplum and a red pleated skirt to match, pairing them with silky black stiletto heels. Was this too official or too much? She asked but immediately disregarded it, now wasn't the time to feel pretty.With her air into a ponytail and a touch of colorless lipgloss, she was good to go. Perfect even. 6:57 am, alright, now she just needed to run. Her ponyta
"Jackson," Natasha excitedly called out again holding the edge of her long silver dress and throwing her arms around his neck. Her hug wasn't appreciated, and neither was it reciprocated. She was really excited to see Jackson, didn't they recently go for a script reading together? Natasha's eyes moved to Maria, who stood beaming like a kid before an ice cream kiosk. Maria couldn't hide her excitement, this atmosphere was one she had always wanted to experience, and nothing could beat the joy she felt right now. "He- Good day, I'm Maria, Jackson's PA," she introduced herself with a polite smile and an outstretched arm. Her handshake was ignored but she got something even more amazing in return. Natasha pulled her into a big, warm hug and Maria almost died of affection that instant. She had just hugged Natasha Shaw, the all-time favorite American actress, she'd never wash this sweet smell off her body."I'm a big fan of your work," Maria continued and watched Natasha's face
"My boss is gay." She bit her lips after the despicable sentence exited her mouth. She just added petrol to a blazing fire. Would this help Natasha realize that Jackson didn't like her? Or what if he did and she just ruined their chances of being together? Either way, what was done was done. "Jackson is gay!?" Natasha's eyes grew unbelievably wide before returning to their initial size, a hint of red spread across them in an instant making bumps rise on Maria's skin. "Oh, that's why. It's all coming back together now. I see why he never looked at me the way I wanted or even noticed me as well as I want him to," Her hand roughly ran through her blonde hair as she talked, then she paced the corridor. "So that's why. He simply didn't like girls. Jackson doesn't like girls, I'm not the problem, he just doesn't like girls." "Heh... Well, you see people's sexuality is fully up to them, I don't think it's very appropriate to talk about it this way," Maria said, it was equivalent