Inked Chaos (24 page)

“Do you think it would
work?”

“Possibly.”

“So why did you say no?”

“Babe! Just watching you now, confirms that
I made the right decision.  You’ve only seen the crowd and you’re freaked.”

I can see his point.  I am freaked.  However,
if this is going to be a regular occurrence, we can’t go through married life
hiding away.  It’s a big part of his life and career.  I also know I can trust
him and the security crew, to protect me if need be.  Turning in my seat to
face him, I place his hand in both my own and make my decision.

“Thank you.” I say, observing him frown. “Thank
you for knowing me so well, that you knew I would be ‘freaked’, as you call
it.” I smile. “But I have to grasp a handle on this fame thing.  I refuse to be
running into hotels.” I gesture, waving my hand towards the building beside us,
“Or anywhere else or hiding away for that matter, for the rest of my life.  This
is a part of your life that I admit, I do struggle with; but if being with you,
and loving you, means I have to deal with this, then I will.  So give me the
brief on how to handle this.  We’ll get it done, and we can go have fun with
our family and friends.  Hopefully, with the bonus that it works, and the
madness will calm down.”

Total silence.  That’s what greets my little
speech, total silence.  Tiny turns towards me from the front seat, gives me a
shit eating grin, and turns back to look out of the windscreen.  AJ just sits
and stares at me.

“AJ?”

Silence

“AJ what..?”

“Diamond.” Whispers AJ
his eyes holding my own.

“Diamond?” I query.

“Yeah.  You’re a fucking diamond.  Genuine through
and through; strong, with pure class, that shines so bright it makes my eyes
sore and my heart burn with the want of you.  Babe, you just demonstrated one
of the reasons why you captured my heart, and why I know I’m the luckiest guy
in the damn world.”

I stop breathing.  Literally stop
breathing.  His words burning into my heart and soul.  What have I done in this
life of mine, for lady luck to shine down on me so brightly and have this man
love me?  

"AJ!” I say breathlessly, reaching up
to place my hand against his cheek, before leaning in and placing a gentle kiss
upon his lips, and whispering against them, “If I ever doubted your love for
me, you just wiped them all away.  You, Mr Lewis have captured my heart, and I
love you dearly.”

“Love you too Birdie.” AJ breathes as he
lowers his lips to my own.

It takes one of the security detail
travelling in the other car, opening the front passenger door inquiring what
the holdup is, to break us apart, and remind us of where we are.  Quickly, I
pull out my compact and once again repair my lipstick, before reaching over
with a tissue and wiping AJs mouth.  With a smile at each other we both turn to
Tiny.

“Okay Tiny, what do I
have to do?” I ask.

It doesn’t take long for AJ and Tiny to
brief me.  Basically, we are going to stand on the hotel steps, and let them
take some photos.  AJ will answer all the questions, unless I feel brave enough
to tackle one.

Tiny climbs out of the car and moves to the
door at AJs side.  As soon as the door opens, the cameras and the noise of shouting
invade the car.  Reaching back into the car AJ takes my hand, giving it a quick
reassuring squeeze.  Taking a deep breath, I fix a smile on my face, exit the
car, and we both walk to the steps that lead into the hotel.  Momentarily
blinded by the camera flashes, all I can do is hold onto AJ as we make our way
up the steps, hearing the questions being thrown our way.

Turning to face them with Tiny and Wade at
our side, AJ moves his hands up and down in a “quieten down” motion.

“Okay guys, we only have a few minutes, so
please one at a time.”

“Where did you two meet?”
shouts a blonde lady.

“Funnily enough, our first meeting was on
hotel steps not dis-similar to these.” He laughingly answers, and we turn to
look at each other, smiling at the memory of our first encounter.

“How long have you known
each other?”

“Almost ten months.”

“Will you live in America
or England?” Shouts a tubby guy.

“We haven’t really discussed
that, but probably between the two.”

“Jorgi.  How do you think you will cope
with the fame aspect, now you’re in the limelight?”

All eyes are on me.  AJ squeezes my hand
and turns to the press and I know he is going to answer for me, so I take a
deep breath…

“I have to admit, the attention has come as
a bit of a shock, but I know that with AJs support I’ll be okay.”

“AJ calls you his Humming Bird.  Can you
explain what it means and why?” another shouts.

“All I can say is that the reason is
personal to us, and we like it that way.  So I’m sorry, but no.  No
explanations on that one.” I laugh and the group laugh too.  They knew they’d
be lucky to receive that explanation.

AJ calls a halt to the interview, and we
pose for a few photos, then enter the hotel.

“Well done.  I’m proud of you.  You did so
well Birdie, you were so calm.” He whispers in my ear as he puts an arm around
my waist.  I mirror his actions, placing my arm around his waist and smile up
at him.  Proud with myself for facing my fears, and happy that he is proud of
me, as we walk into the private room we had hired for our celebrations.

Sitting at the breakfast
bar, I’m looking through a magazine, whose cover displays a large picture of AJ
and I outside the hotel.  There’s a write up on our brief interview, with one
section saying how stunning I looked, which truly makes me snort with laughter.
 They wouldn’t say that if they could see me now in my pyjamas, and my hair
tied in a messy bun on top of my head.

I peruse the photos, viewing shots of the
band and AJs family, along with other famous people known to AJ.  All of which
had attended the party.  Again, I had been caught out, but this time so had AJ.
 We both thought it would be just his family and a few close friends; but we
hadn’t bargained on Steve being in cahoots with his mum in organising a real
engagement party, as she had explained to us later.

“Got to celebrate properly”.  She said.
“Quiet get-together, humph!” was her statement.

So again we had partied the night away
dancing, and yes apparently as I was informed, my goofy dance was again in
evidence.  We had laughed and had so much fun, that I hadn’t noticed how much
champagne I was drinking, and it has to be said I did become a bit tipsy. 

Closing the magazine, I rest my chin on my
hand and lean onto the breakfast bar.  AJ left earlier to go to the recording
studio, Jen has informed me that she is spending the day with Razors mother; so
I am at a loose end, wondering what to do with myself.  I don’t have it in me
to do any writing, so I come to the conclusion that a little retail therapy is
called for.  It isn’t far off AJ’s birthday, so I decide to go on a shopping
spree.

Reaching for the phone I ring AJ to let him
know I am heading out.

“Don’t go on your own Birdie.  Ross and
Wade are here, so take Spencer and Martinez with you.”

With a reluctant sigh I agree, and head
upstairs to get ready.  Reaching for my bottle of shower gel and realising it
is nearly empty, I open the cupboard that stores all of my supplies.  AJ and I
have separate cupboards, as AJ had said “You need more room for all your smelly
shit.” Although after seeing his cupboard, I do wonder who he was trying to
fool with this statement.  

Reaching in, I locate the bottle I need,
and as I pull it out, it knocks over a box spilling the contents.  Reaching
down to tidy up the mess my hand stills, and I fall to my behind, whilst my
eyes stare at the items in my hand.  Sanitary tampons.  Nothing unusual there,
except I hadn’t had cause to use them in weeks.  As in
too many weeks.  
Oh
My God! I’ve missed a period, and haven’t even noticed.  My heart rate slows as
I calm myself down, with the knowledge that there is no way I can be pregnant.  Okay,
we haven’t used protection in ages, due to the fact of my being told it was all
but impossible for me to become pregnant, but……?.  I stand and peer at myself
in the mirror.  Don’t be daft, I think to myself.  I’ve had no symptoms
whatsoever.  It’s just one of those things.  If nothing happens in a couple of
days, I’ll go and buy a test and check it out.

I finish dressing, vowing not to let it
worry me.  

As I arrive
back in the kitchen, I find Martinez and Spencer waiting for me.  After asking
me where I want to go, I explain that I want to try to buy AJ a birthday present.
 They make the decision between them and we all pile into the Range Rover and
head down into LA.

*****

I have wandered around this shopping mall,
dragging Martinez and Spencer along with me for a couple of hours, and have hardly
bought a thing.  Give them their due, they have been great, they haven’t moaned
or pulled a face, but I just know that I am driving them crazy.  I can’t help
it.  My mind keeps wandering back to my discovery in the bathroom, distracting
me from my shopping.

My purchase of the day so far, is a tiny
flat white gold bird on a leather strap, which can be worn around the neck or
wrapped around the wrist.  I’ve had it inscribed “with love, your Birdie”.  I
don’t care if AJ doesn’t wear it.  I saw it and I had to buy it.  So, along
with a
handful of other items, these are the
accomplishments of the last two hours.

I’ve
decided I’m going to call it a day, when I notice a pharmacy ahead of me, stopping
me dead in my tracks.  Gazing at the store for a few moments, my mind grasping
at the possibility.  I decide that I won’t rest until I know for sure, so I
turn to the guys, ask them to hold my purchases, and wait for me outside, as I
need a little privacy to buy my next purchase.  Neither of them like the idea
of my going inside the store alone.  Nonetheless, they let me have my way, and
I rapidly dash inside.

Searching
the shelves, it doesn’t take me long to locate what I need.  A pregnancy test.  I
pay for my purchase, place it in my bag and join the guys outside, suggesting a
coffee somewhere.  Basically, I just need a place with a restroom.

Martinez
suggests a place he knows not too far from where we are and we head there, my
purchase burning a hole in my bag as we go.  Any moment, I expect it to pop out
of my handbag onto the floor, with smoke pouring off it.

On reaching
the coffee shop, I ask the guys to order me a latte, and head to the ladies
room.

“Okay
girl.” I mutter to myself, as with shaking hands I remove the test from its
packaging. “You’ve done this before, and you know it’s going to be negative
anyway, so just do it and get it over with.”  

The next
few minutes seem to be the longest in my life, as I go over things in my mind. 
How can the time pass so quickly, without my even suspecting? What’s AJ going
to say? As far as he is concerned, when we discussed my past, he accepted the
fact that I couldn’t have children.  I’m forty-one for crying out loud.  I’m
too old now to have a child.

Looking
at my watch, I see the time is up.  Taking a deep breath I gingerly pick up the
test, and look at the result dial.  It takes but a second for my eyes to fill
with tears.

Positive.

The
impossible has happened.  I’m pregnant.  With AJs baby.  At forty-one years of
age.  Oh My God, what am I going to do?

I take a
few minutes trying to calm myself, knowing I have to face Spencer and Martinez.
 I don’t want them worried by my tears, or to start asking questions.  So I
text AJ, telling him I’m on my way home, hoping he won’t be long as I need to
speak to him, then I walk back out to the guys.

Apart
from looking at me strangely after noticing my wet eyes, they don’t say
anything, and just comply with my decision to head home.  

We head
back towards the car park, only for Martinez to spy a reporter standing to one
side, trying to take some photos.  Conscious of my recent tears, and the
possible state of my face, I dip my head down hoping he can’t secure a decent
shot.

Spencer
tries to move him to the side, but as he is shouting questions at me, and
asking me to look at the camera, we are drawing attention from the other
shoppers.  It doesn’t take long before a few people start to follow us, and try
to speak to me; asking me questions about AJ.  I can hear Spencer on his phone
asking for back up from the mall security or police I don’t know which.  All I
know, is that I am on the verge of breaking point.

We reach
the doorway leading to the car park, and Spencer closes it behind us, leaning
against it, as he shouts to Martinez to get me to the car and he will catch us
up.  As Martinez grabs my arm and we start to run, I glance back and see him
holding the door shut.

Reaching
the car, I jump into the back as Martinez jumps into the front.  I’m so busy
looking out of the back window, waiting for Spencer to show, that I don’t at first
notice that there is someone else in the car until they speak.

“Hello Jorgi.”

Swivelling
around to face the front of the car, I’m shocked to see Brooke Forrester
sitting next to Martinez, as he starts the car and drives erratically out of
the car park.

“Brooke…?
What…?” I say dumbfounded, whilst casting my gaze towards Martinez.

“Martinez,
what’s going on?” I ask.

“Oh, I’d
have thought it was obvious what’s going on.  Wouldn’t you darling?” asks
Brooke as she puts her arm around Martinez and kisses him on the cheek.  She
turns back to face me, and I’m taken aback by the look of hatred on her face.

“You
should have listened to the warnings Jorgi.  Hell! I couldn’t have made it any
clearer in the letters.  You see it’s all your fault.  If you hadn’t come along,
AJ would still love my sister; but no, you had to come to LA, with your fancy
ass accent, stealing AJ away from her.  Well, it won’t take him long to get
over you, then he will reconcile with Melody.  They still love each other you
see.  It’s just you, you’re in the way.  So that equation will be rectified,
and everything will be back to how it should be.”

“Y...You sent the letters?” I stutter astonished.

“Didn’t I just say that?” She snaps.

“Why? Do you not realise that AJ loves me and not Melody?”

“See,
you just don’t understand.  It’s always been AJ and Melody, and it always will
be.  Now shut up.  I don’t want to hear your whingeing little voice again.”

I’m scared, hell I’m shaking like a leaf and struggling not to cry.

“Martinez.” I call with a trembling voice.

“Best do
as Brooke says and keep quiet.  The drive won’t take long.”  Is his terse reply.

I sit
back in my seat.  I don’t know if the doors are locked.  If it was just me, I
would try to jump out as we slowed down, but I can’t take that risk with the
baby.  I have no choice but to wait, hoping for an opportunity to escape later
on.

I watch
the city go by, not knowing where we are, trying to recognise anything
familiar, when my phone starts ringing.

“Leave
it.” Snaps Martinez.

Brooke
reaches her arm over from the front seat, and gestures with her hand for me to
pass her the phone.  I dig it out of my bag, and just catch a glimpse at the
screen, seeing its AJ calling, before she snatches it out of my hand.  With a
glance at the phone, she smirks and throws the phone onto the floor of the car.
 

Martinez
slows the car to a stop, and I look around, seeing that we have stopped in what
appears to be the car park of an abandoned warehouse.  They both exit the car, and
Martinez opens my door gesturing for me to climb out.

I climb
out of the car, stopping in front of him, to look him in the eyes.

“Why?”  I
ask, but I receive no reply.

He
roughly grabs hold of my arm, and tugs me towards another car parked a short
distance away.

There’s
no one around, but I know I have to take a chance.  Grateful that I’m wearing
jeans and flat shoes, I immediately wrench my arm out of his grasp, and start
to run, heading towards the road screaming for help as I go.

I don’t
reach very far.

He tackles
me from behind, bringing me down with a bang onto my hip, knocking the wind out
of me; my cheek scraping painfully against the tarmac as I land.

“Stupid.
 Very stupid Jorgi.”  He says through gritted teeth into my ear, as he hauls me
to my feet, painfully grabbing the hair at the back of my head, as he forces me
to walk towards the car.  

I try to
struggle, trying to wrench my arms out of his hold, but Martinez yanks me
around, raises his hand and backhands me across my face, ordering me to behave. 
Dazed, I shake my head trying to clear it and regain focus, tasting blood from
what I’m sure is a split lip.

On
reaching the car, Martinez holds me while Brooke ties my hands together behind
my back, followed by placing some sticky tape across my mouth.  When she’s
finished, putting a hand on my head, Martinez forces me downwards into the back
of the car.  He orders me to lie down and stay down, and throws a blanket over
me.  I listen, as he slams the car door before climbing into the driver’s seat,
and once again we are moving.

I don’t
know this man.  What happened to the Martinez who smiled and laughed at my
silly jokes?  I guess he never existed.  It was all a ruse, an act, a means to
an end.  This end.

Lying beneath
the blanket on the back seat, I realise that I no longer have my bag.  I must
have dropped it when Martinez brought me down.  Comprehending that I have lost
the only proof of my pregnancy, brings tears to my eyes.  AJ may never know that
he was going to be a father.  The tears start to roll down my face, at the
knowledge that I may never see AJ again.  Never feel his arms around me or see
him hold our child.

I’m
broken out of my despairing thoughts by the car jerking to a halt, and I listen
as someone exits the car, and I hear what sounds like a garage door closing.

The car
door opens, and the blanket is pulled off me by Brooke, who whilst pulling my
arm, angrily shouts at me to get out of the car.  I do as she wishes, and she
leads me through a door into what appears to be a one level building, and not a
pleasant one at that.

I walk, with
Brooke and Martinez behind me, pushing me onwards through a dirty kitchen, and
down a threadbare carpeted hallway.  When we reach the end, Brooke opens a door
to a tiny room which holds nothing but a bed and a wash basin.  Holding the
door open as I pass, with a hand on my back she roughly shoves me into the
room.  Martinez following me in, pushes me down onto the bed, and pinching my
chin between his thumb and fingers hard, tells me to be quiet and behave.  They
then walk out, closing the door behind them, and I hear the lock click into
place.