Let It Be Me (Let It Be Me #1) (9 page)

“You hurt my feelings,” Alex kidded as Kayla laughed.

“So has acting always been part of the plan?” 

He shook his head. “It was only in college when I took some acting electives and I realized how much I was enjoying it. Some friends got me auditions. Then I got my first commercial. I took more acting classes after that. By then Ben agreed to be my manager – I wouldn’t trust anyone else. He then helped me get my first soap. Then movie.”

“Then here you are,” Kayla said, with admiration. “So you and Ben were baseball teammates?”

Alex laughed. “You got that out of him already? Yeah. We were both also scholars in the public school. Good thing we had sports to keep us sane. A lot of our classmates were into drugs or alcohol. Ben and I dreamt of a brighter place.”

“And you both achieved it,” Kayla mentioned.

“Yeah, but it has been one hell of a ride,” Alex confessed. “Your first impression of me was partially true. Then the tabloids and the entertainment blogs – most of them are exaggerations – but there’s some ring to them. For a while the fame got to me. The girls were everywhere. I treated some girls worse than the way I treated you.” Embarrassment and repentance was evident in his face. “Money was overflowing. I was partying hard. I avoided drugs at all cost though. I saw a lot of my friends screwed up their lives because of it. I even know some people who died of overdose. But I was drinking and sleeping around. It wasn’t pretty.”

He looked so ashamed that Kayla felt for him. Having him admit all of them proved to Kayla how much he wanted to leave that kind of lifestyle.

He then shifted the conversation to her.

“How were you like in high school?” Alex asked. “Every guy must have wanted to take you to the prom.”

Kayla shook her head, smiling ruefully. “The opposite. I was a geek. Hung out with the smart kids. Studying was my past time. Didn’t attend any of the frat parties. I had dreams to fulfill.” 

“And you did,” Alex said, smiling. 

Kayla smiled back.

“So tell me about your childhood,” he urged, gazing at her intently. “Where did you grow up? How many were you in the family?” He looked sincerely interested. 

Kayla stilled. She usually didn’t talk about her family, not even to Jenny. But he has already set the mood for openness. Kayla wanted to try to be as honest as he was with her.

Kayla shrugged and tried to speak nonchalantly. “Grew up in a rough neighborhood in the Bronx. It was just my mom and me. My mom was a waitress.  As for my dad, I never knew him. I tried to look for him once but found out he has passed away. At times I would sometimes venture out and see the city’s skyscrapers and thought to myself that one day I would make something that would be part of the skyline.”  

“Then here you are,” Alex mimicked and smiled at her warmly. “That’s why you feel passionately about this project.” 

Kayla shrugged. “I would have loved to live in one of those developments. My mom’s salary and tips hardly covered our expenses. I had to study hard to get scholarships. Luckily I made it through college.”

“Where is you mom?” he asked.

“She passed away after my high school graduation,” she replied, trying to sound aloof but she hoped Alex didn’t catch the crack in her voice. She quickly reached for her glass to take a sip to cover up what she was feeling. It’s been years since her mom has died but it’s always just been the two of them at home. It was hard not to miss her. There were relatives around, but it wasn’t the same.

“I’m so sorry,” Alex said earnestly, briefly reaching over to rest his hand on her forearm.

“I’m fine now,” Kayla assured, offering him a smile.

She can’t believe she was opening so much. She didn’t even tell Jenny all of these. The wine must have loosened her up.

Alex raised his glass. “To kindred souls,” he said, and Kayla smiled at that. Who knew how similar their former lives could be? 

“The foundation’s having a fund-raising dinner in two weeks,” Alex started. “We will be presenting the projects to the potential donors for more funding for the next phases. I already told Bobby about it. I will be sending tickets to your office.”

“You’re using up my clothing allowance,” Kayla kidded. “But I’m sure the team would want to be there. Thank you.”

“Whatever you wear, you would be the most stunning girl in the place,” he said with a wink. “We’ve got a good partnership here. I really wanted to have your firm work on this with us since I saw your passion in the project that first presentation.”

“Really?” Kayla was flabbergasted. She knew she really prepared for that presentation, but she didn’t think he noticed. 

“Yes, really,” he echoed. “When we first met with Bobby about this project, I told him I wanted someone who wouldn’t just treat it like any other project – which could be asking for too much since I’m sure your office isn’t going to make money from it. He said he had the perfect person for the job. He was talking about you. And he was right, you were perfect for it. Remember I’m in the business that’s full of bullshit. Finding sincerity has become a treasure.”

Kayla was flattered by his words. But she wasn’t really used to getting compliments and attention. She felt herself blush, and she felt herself turn redder when she saw Alex watching her.

Alex tapped the table with his finger, then stood up. “I better get going. You need your rest.” 

“Thank you for dropping by,” Kayla said, standing up. She did enjoy the night.

“Well thanks for letting me in and not walloping me on my head with the skillet,” he joked.

“A warning call or text message would have been nice,” Kayla joked back. She then walked with him to the door.

“Good night, Kayla,” he said, as she opened the door for him. He bent down to kiss her on her cheek. He gave her a goofy grin as he stood back up before raising his hood and jogging down the few steps. 

Watching him walk away to go to his car, Kayla hesitantly admitted to herself that she was kind of sad to see him go.

Chapter 11

“So will we see you all in the fund-raising event next week?” Ben asked good-naturedly when their meeting was over. They all stood up, as Kayla started to gather her stuff. Henry and the engineers walked out to talk to the site clerk of works and the foreman, while the rest of them hung back. 

It’s been a week since the movie premiere. They were in the container van housing the make-shift office at the site. The contractor was in the midst of excavating portions of the lot for the foundation. Her office has agreed with RHS that they would have a bi-monthly meeting so they could be updated with the progress of the project. Henry said most of the time it would just be him in the meetings, so Kayla was surprised to see the full force this afternoon as Henry, Ben and Alex were there. Kayla was the only one representing the firm this time as both Jenny and Brandon had to work on some drawings for a new office building project.

“Thanks for the invitations,” Kayla replied, smiling. The tickets arrived a couple days back. “We will be there.”

“Great, see you then,” Ben said, grinning. “Anyways, excuse me, I’ll catch up with Henry.”

Which left Kayla alone with Alex.

It was the first time for them to see each other since he dropped by her place the previous week. They have exchanged some text messages and emails for the past few days though – something Kayla has somewhat gotten used to. 

“Hey,” Alex said in a friendly tone as he walked over closer to where she was standing. Kayla asked earlier if the press would get hold of him coming to the site. Ben responded that they managed to arrange with the contractor an entry way that was a bit obscure. They also had all the workers sign a non-disclosure agreement contract. But they said it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the press found out because they needed all the contributions they could get.

“Good thing you were able to attend the meeting today,” Kayla observed. “I thought you were shooting the new movie, alongside the movie promotions.”

“Keeping tabs of my schedule?” Alex asked cheekily.

Kayla immediately reddened in embarrassment. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she scoffed. “I’m just a good listener. I remember what you tell me.” Alex always had the knack to fluster her.

Alex laughed, and reached over to squeeze her arm. Kayla exhaled, reminding herself to loosen up a bit. She should get used to Alex’s teasing.

“I came from filming this morning,” he explained. “Going back there later this afternoon. Also have a couple interviews later.”

“Looks who’s a workaholic now,” Kayla teased. “You could have skipped this meeting and gotten tabs from Ben and Henry.”

Alex shrugged, smiling.

They walked out the site office, then looked around. At the other side, Henry and Ben were huddled with the foreman.

“Are you in a hurry to get back to the office?” he asked. But without waiting for her reply he gently pulled on her arm. “I’ll show you my favorite spot here.” 

Without much choice, Kayla followed him as he led her to the west portion of the site. It was a good thing Kayla was wearing flat boots that had a good grip since they had to walk over some rubble. The path was pretty steep at one point that he had to take her hand to guide her as she went up. His grip on her hand was warm and comforting. Kayla felt a tingle, but quickly snapped herself out of it. She pulled her hand as soon as they got up.

It’s what’s she’s been doing lately. She’s been giving herself reality checks almost daily.

Back to reality, she looked out and indeed saw what Alex liked about the view seen from the spot. At its higher vantage point, they were able to see the whole site with a great backdrop of the downtown buildings. 

“This is great,” Kayla said earnestly. The idea that Alex found this spot reinforced the fact that he was whole-heartedly into this project. She was pretty sure some other celebrities just did their philanthropic activities for publicity. Alex was different.

“The view won’t be the same once the buildings are up,” Alex said. “But it would be great to see them go up from here.”

Kayla nodded, unable to speak. She was highly in awe with Alex’s passion.

They were quiet for the next few minutes, as they both just observed what was going on around them. Kayla has always loved the commotion around construction sites. And for this project in a year or so, it would house underprivileged families.   

“I’m having drinks with Ben tonight,” Alex suddenly said. “Why don’t you come with us? We can go somewhere near your office.”

“Thank you, but I’d have to decline,” Kayla automatically replied, daring to look up at him. “Work’s been busy lately.”

“You can follow,” Alex urged. “We’ll probably be at it till midnight.”

“I need to catch up with my sleep,” Kayla quickly said.

Alex looked at her with a hint of frustration. “Okay,” he succumbed. “But I’ll pick you up for the event next week.”

“What! I’m riding with Jenny and Ryan,” she reasoned. Having her pick her up would make it seem she was his date. She wasn’t even ready to even think about that.

“But you already live closer to the hotel,” Alex argued. He’s already asked her before where Jenny and Ryan lived, when she told him she and Jenny were going to the premiere together.

“I know that, but Jenny and I want to prepare and go together. It’s a girl thing okay?” 

“Fine,” Alex conceded. “I will send a car for the three of you. Send me Jenny’s address.”

Kayla was about to decline but decided not to push it. Alex might think she found joy in declining all his offers, when she realized it was far from the truth. She was starting to want to be with him. Beneath the shiny exterior of his stardom, they had a lot in common. 

And it scared her. 

“You should work on your bossiness,” she kidded, trying to mask the panic and confusion in her heart.

Alex laughed. “Somehow it doesn’t work on you though.”

Kayla looked up at him and wondered if he was still seeing her as a challenge. 

The idea plagued her until she went back to the office.

Jenny, as usual, was ready with her questions.

“How was it?” she asked. 

“Usual. Just status updates,” Kayla explained. “The contractor wanted to clarify some things with me and the engineers.”

“Was it just Henry?” Jenny prodded.

“Uh, no, Ben and Alex were also there.”

“Darn, of all meetings to miss,” Jenny exclaimed dramatically. Kayla laughed. Jenny attended the past two meetings but it was only Henry then.

“Does Ryan know you have a crush on both Alex and Ben?” Kayla teased. Jenny admitted to her once that she found both men attractive. Kayla felt a twinge of guilt that she couldn’t even admit to Jenny that she found Alex attractive. Of course, it would be perfectly normal for any woman to be attracted to him, but it was just too complicated. Acknowledging to someone else she was attracted to Alex had a deeper meaning for her. Once she tells Jenny that, Jenny would start analyzing everything for her, and she wasn’t ready to find out what everything meant. She loved Jenny dearly, but she just couldn’t deal with it yet.

“Of course! I tell him all about it. I think he has a man-crush on Alex as well,” Jenny said, giggling.

Kayla laughed, patting her friend’s shoulder as she made her way to her office. “I swear, Jen, you and Ryan are my favorite couple.”

“I’m glad we are of some inspiration to you,” Jenny called out.

In the confines of her office, Kayla was reflecting on what happened in the afternoon’s meeting. Alex offering to take her to the fund-raising event was proof enough that he was interested in her. There was also the slight possibility that he just saw her as a challenge, as she thought earlier. But it was wrong for her to think that and unfair to him, when he’s been so kind to her and to everyone working with him. 

Part of her was thrilled with the attention, but another part of her hoped he just maintained their relationship as friends.   

She was pretty distracted as she stared at the drawings on her desk that when her mobile phone rang, she didn’t realize she was being curt.