A Famous Affair

by K. B. Mallion

  “Of course, darling. Listen, I will finish here and I’ll meet you in five in the main reception, if you like?” she asks me.

  With an apologetic smile, I look at Jake. “Apologies, but when this girl’s got to eat . . . she’s got to eat.”

  He sweetly shakes his head. “No, it’s fine, Jessica. No need to apologise, I am feeling rather peckish myself, now.” He is looking at Lydia and I’m thinking. Yeah . . . and we know just exactly who for, don’t we?

  “Okay then, Lydia, I shall see you in a mo. And Jake, nice to see you again.” With a spring in my step, I head out into the main reception.

  I take my mobile out of my bag to see if I have any messages. I do and it’s from Shawn.

  Hey, babe

  Missing you and your cuddles

  From your still very horny husband

  xxxxx

  I am missing Shawn, so quickly tap in a reply.

  Hey yoooooooou

  Missing you lots. Just heading out for some sushi and then onto a show in the West End. A big MWAH and give the girls a cuddle from me. You can have one too :)

  Love you

  Jessica xxx

  I am placing my phone back into my bag when I hear a loud female voice. I see a woman in her early thirties who, although very attractive, has a face that seems to wear a permanent scowl. She is talking loudly on her phone. Her long blonde hair, which is perfectly straight, rests neatly down her back over her tailored, deep purple dress. She sees me staring and gives me a fake forced smile, as if to tell me to mind my own damn business. I glance over at the convention door, hoping Lydia will walk through it sometime soon. I think my prayers are being answered; but then my heart quickly drops because the person walking towards me is not Lydia, but Joseph Merrett.

  I awkwardly smile in his direction; all the while distracted by the brash voice of the blonde sourpuss still standing by the reception desk.

  Joseph greets me with a sweet smile. “Hey, Jessica.”

  “Hi, Joseph.”

  “I was hoping to catch you,” he says nervously.

  “Oh?” Please don’t ask me what I think you are about to ask me!

  “I’m not very good at this kind of thing, so I am just going to go on ahead and say it. Would you like to go out sometime?” Damn it! He bloody well has! Now I just want to shrivel up and die!

  Brandishing my wedding ring, I reply, “I am sorry Joseph, but you know I am married, don’t you?” He must have seen my wedding ring, surely? Or maybe he just chose to ignore it and try his luck anyway?

  “Shit, no I um . . . didn’t. I am so sorry,” Joseph grumbles, looking like he wants the ground to eat him up whole. Maybe he genuinely did not see my ring? I try to laugh off his sweet advances. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see Beef, Jonny Riley’s bodyguard. It is hard not to notice such a huge figure of a man. He glances my way, looking right through me. Charming! I am now feeling uncomfortable, because of Beef and Joseph. I just want to run towards the Grand Hall to find a friendly face in Lydia. When I think things can’t get any worse, I see him!

  Jonny Riley is thoughtful as he walks towards the blonde and Beef. As soon as he sees me, his smile is quite simply radiant. Without hesitation, he comes straight over to where I am standing with Joseph Merrett. Shit! Shittety shit!

  “Hello again,” he says enthusiastically. All of a sudden, I feel as though it is just he and I in the room.

  “Hi.” My downcast eyes are almost too scared to look at him; for fear that I will make it really obvious that I am actually really pleased to see his glorious face. Unbeknownst to him, I am trying hard to suppress the ridiculous inner part of me that wants to do a silly celebratory dance and shout out “Yeah. . . . Look at me everybody, Jonny Riley wants to talk to ME!” I soon come back down to reality, with a very big bloody bump, because I quickly realise that we are indeed not alone. Joseph Merrett is still very much standing, awkwardly so, beside me. Shit!

  All three of us stand there in uncomfortable gridlock. I am sandwiched between two men who are silently checking each other out. Jonny feigns a charming smile, while Joseph is obviously intimidated by the presence of Mr. Fame himself. He soon graciously backs down, weakly smiling. “I’ll leave you to it then, Jessica.”

  “Okay Joseph, enjoy your evening,” I politely answer. We both watch him walk away. Then, Jonny Riley turns his glorious and very full attention back to me.

  He looks at me with a raised eyebrow and a crooked grin. “You looked like you needed rescuing.”

  My cheeks redden. “Was I that obvious?”

  He softly laughs, “I’m afraid so.” His dreamy eyes mercilessly gaze deep into mine. “And now you look lonely,” he says quietly. Those hazel eyes are almost too sinful to look at. I try to speak but need to clear my throat first.

  “No . . . I . . . I’m just waiting for my friend, we are just about to leave,” I stammer. How embarrassing!

  “Oh, I see.” His self-assured demeanour quickly leaves him. He almost looks lost. Can he actually be gutted that I am leaving? Don’t be so bloody ridiculous, Jessica Neel! I quickly scold myself.

  “We are off for a bite to eat and then catching a show,” I add.

  “So you will be returning to The Broadway, then?” His eyes brighten.

  “Yes, we leave tomorrow, though.”

  He removes any distance between us, standing closer. “Listen, I have to go out to do a few interviews now but maybe we could have a drink later?” His beguiling eyes bore into me, although I desperately want to succumb, I cannot allow myself to. I keep telling myself that I am attracted merely to his fame, but deep down I know it is more than that. Right and wrong are currently warring between themselves in my head. Why does he have to be so bloody hot, and so nice with it? Damn him to sexy hell!

  I feel like I am stuck in the middle of a very surreal, yet, fantastic dream. Someone is going to be slapping me, really hard, around the face any minute, or someone is going to jump out and tell me it is all one big, bloody joke.

  However, it is reality herself that is the one to give me a big ‘snap out of it’ slap! SHIT SHIT SHIT. . . . did Jonny Riley really just ask me out for a drink? I look around nervously; the blonde is still scowling at me. I hold her stare and she quickly looks away, but not before throwing me one last long, very dirty look.

  “Mr. Riley, although I am incredibly flattered, I am a married woman, and happily so. I really don’t think my husband would be too happy if I met with you for a drink?” Although I am trying to sound convincing, I cannot lie, I feel churned up inside. No man has ever measured up to my Shawn, but this is Jonny Riley; this is no ordinary man. This is the gorgeously talented and incredibly famous, Jonny bloody Riley. Fuck!

  I think I am allowing myself to get too caught up in the awe of being in a celebrity’s presence. Get a grip woman!

  I keep telling myself that the only reason he is making my heart flip is because he is famous. A celeb showing a bit of interest in me means nothing. Absolutely nothing! My common sense is now yelling at me. What is the matter with you, you stupid bloody cow? Jonny Riley is seriously NOT interested in you, stop flattering yourself, love.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I did forget about that, apologies.” He now looks almost as embarrassed as Joseph Merrett, and is soon backing away from me. I weakly smile and turn to walk away, as he calls, “Jessica?”

  “Yes?”

  “Your husband . . . he is a very lucky man.” He warmly smiles at me, walking back towards the scowling blonde bit and Beef.

  I can’t believe what has just happened. I stand there, trying to process the conversation. Does he do this sort of thing all the time? Is he toying with me? Then, I hear a voice, which brings me much needed comfort.

  “Jessica darling, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting, I know you are famished.” Lydia hurriedly approaches me. Although I am cross with her for keeping me waiting, I am filled with utter relief to see her familiar face.

  “That’s okay, Lydia. You are here
now. Let’s go and eat.”

  Lydia slips her arm through mine. When we turn round to face the entrance, her expression is one of absolute shock. That infamous brow of hers nearly touches the hotel ceiling. “Is that him? Is that Jonny Riley over there?” She leans in to whisper. Her eyes are wide and then narrow as she tries to focus on him closely.

  I pull on Lydia, I can see him too; his eyes follow us as we walk out of the hotel doors. I feel satisfied knowing that I, Jessica Neel, turned down THE Jonny Riley. With a self-satisfied smirk, I reply to Lydia, “Yes it is, Lydia. That is Jonny Riley.”

  After a wonderful sushi dinner and seeing the amazing show, Wicked, Lydia and I are both in high spirits when we reach The Broadway Tower. This grand old place looks even more stunning under a night sky. The delicate lighting, subtly highlight its amazing architecture to those who pass by.

  As we walk up to the reception, Lydia is looking at her watch. “It’s nearly eleven, I know, but do you fancy a quick drink in the bar before we head up to our room, Jess? . . . My head is still at the musical, darling.”

  “I don’t think I could sleep even if I tried, Lydia, so yes, I’d love a nightcap . . . that’s if the bar is still open of course?”

  “Let’s find out.” Lydia smiles before turning on her heels towards the reception desk. We both wait for the impeccably dressed curvaceous brunette who is dealing with a guy on the far side of the reception desk. She greets us with an incredibly infectious smile as she walks towards us; with the whitest teeth I have ever seen. I think to myself, if I had teeth that bloody white, I’d be smiling like that, too.

  “Evening, ladies, how can I help?” the receptionist asks.

  “Could you tell us whether the bar is still open please?” Lydia asks politely.

  “It is . . . are you staying here at The Broadway, madam?”

  “Indeed we are . . . my name is Lydia Mason and this is Jessica Neel.” Lydia’s hand gestures to her right, to where I am standing.

  After a few taps on the computer, the smiley brunette and her ice white teeth, gets up, and disappears into a side room. Confused, both Lydia and I shrug; silently questioning what the hell is going on. When the smiley brunette comes back out, the top view of her has almost completely disappeared; replaced by the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen. She looks funnily like a life-size vase with legs. The bouquet is full of the deepest red roses, shiny green foliage with delicate buds of pretty gypsophila, all wrapped in ruby red organza with gold thread. Jake Carter sure has it bad for you, Lydia, I think to my rather envious self.

  “Mrs. Neel, these are for you.” The curvy brunette enthusiastically smiles, even though she is obviously struggling to carry the beautifully large bouquet.

  “Me?” I ask in complete surprise.

  “Jessica darling, you need to go away more often if that is how much Shawn misses you,” Lydia chuckles.

  I’m busily searching for a card on the bouquet; I find it pinned to the top of the organza. I quickly open the envelope. In handwritten black pen the words read:

  Fuck! JR . . . could that mean, Jonny Riley? I feel giddy, my heart is pounding and I feel sick with sweaty palms. I must look shocked as Lydia puts a comforting arm around me.

  “Jess, darling, what is it? What does it say?” Lydia has a tinge of panic in her voice; she pulls me to her, gently rubbing my arm.

  “These aren’t from Shawn, Lydia.” I look down at my feet.

  “Who are they from then?” she questions.

  “You will think I am mad and delusional if I tell you,” I whisper.

  “Tell me,” Lydia presses for an answer.

  “I think they are from Jonny Riley,” I confess, showing her the card.

  Lydia quickly reads the words then gasps really loudly. “Shit, Jess, really?” Her eyes are darting from one side of the room to the other. She gulps hard and that brow of hers is arched to the max. “I think we need to sit down and get that bloody drink. I want to hear everything.” Lydia takes my hand.

  “Wait, these flowers need to be put up into our room, Lydia.” Worried, I look across at the brunette behind the desk.

  “No problem, Mrs. Neel. I’ll ensure they are taken to your room.” She broadly smiles.

  “Thank you so much.” In embarrassed haste, I join Lydia.

  I am seated in the hotel bar, thinking about the flowers. As beautiful as they are, what does it all mean? The words he has written, “from the man who has everything but wants the one thing he can’t have,” run through my mind on a continuous loop. Am I the one thing he can’t have? That’s right. Damn right I am, Mr. Big Shot Riley. I am married for Christ’s sake; no gorgeous bunch of flowers is ever going to change that! Shawn is my husband whom I love very, very much!

  So, WHY WHY WHY can’t I get Jonny BLOODY Riley out of my head?

  Lydia returns with two large white wines. She still looks slightly shocked about the flowers. “So Jessica, what the hell is this all about?”

  “I really don’t know Lydia . . . I honestly don’t. This can’t be happening, can it?” I ask in a cracking voice.

  “But it is, darling; it bloody well is,” Lydia shakily replies.

  “I saw him when I was waiting for you earlier today, you know? He asked me whether I would have a drink with him. Of course, I turned him down, telling him I was married. He told me how lucky my husband was and that was it.” I am stroking the cold glass, making patterns with the condensation, which has formed all over it.

  “Now he has sent you the biggest bouquet ever! Shit, Jess, this is crazy.”

  “I know, Lydia. The thing is . . . I feel so guilty,” I admit.

  “Why?”

  “Because part of me is flattered, elated, excited . . . tempted, even. I have never even looked at another man or wanted another man, but with him. I feel different and that makes me feel shit, Lydia.”

  “So, you do find yourself attracted to him, then?” Lydia lowers her chin, her expression deadly serious. I am unable to answer her. Instead, I continue to stroke the curve of my glass. “You are feeling guilty, Jessica . . . because you are feeling something to feel guilty about,” she adds without emotion.

  “Am I attracted to him, Lydia, or the persona whom I and thousands of other women fantasise about on the screen?”

  “Who gives a flying fuck, darling? I fantasise about a lot of celebs, but none of them are sending me bloody flowers.” Lydia tries to lighten the mood with her honest wit. She always manages to make me feel better somehow.

  I sigh loudly, “The sooner I get home, the better. Then I can forget all about Jonny Riley.”

  “So, you’re not going to do anything, then?” asks Lydia.

  “Like what?” I wonder.

  “At least thank him for the flowers, maybe?” Lydia says with a lilt in her voice.

  “I will leave a note for him at reception before we leave, but that is all.”

  Lydia leans back in her chair, slowly crossing her legs. “Well. You are a stronger woman than I, Jessica Neel. If I had the gorgeous Jonny Riley after me, married or not, I don’t think I could ever resist; hence, why I will never marry. You never know when opportunity knocks.” Lydia proudly takes a sip of her drink by way of a small treat to herself for standing by her misguided morals.

  “So, what about you and the handsome Jake Carter?” I steer the conversation in another direction.

  “He is adorable, isn’t he? But I’ll never marry. Jess, you and I both know that,” responds Lydia.

  “You two have a real connection though?”

  She nods with an amorous smile. “Yes, we do. In fact, we are meeting up tomorrow to spend the whole day together. Although, he makes my stomach go funny every time I see him, it is early days. We will just have to see where it goes, but whatever happens I plan to enjoy it, darling.” Lydia’s eyes light up when she talks about Jake Carter. Maybe not even Lydia herself knows, yet, just how deep her feelings truly run for him, but I can tell she cares a lot. Never have I see
n her turn to jelly with a man. The problem Lydia has is her real fear of commitment; she loves the idea of being in love, but is too scared to take that final step towards it.

  “Well, I for one shall definitely be watching this space.” I show a playful pout at Lydia to which she throws her head back and laughs. She brings her head down still laughing, but as she picks up her glass of wine her face suddenly drops. She grabs my hand and starts to whisper across the table.

  “Don’t look behind you, but he is here.” Her eyes are fixed forward as she continues to take a tiny sip from her glass.

  “Oh, my God, Lydia, what do I do?” I beg.

  “Just relax, darling. He is with a huge guy, I mean a really huge guy.”

  “That’s his bodyguard, Beef,” I tell her.

  “He appears to be chatting to the receptionist we spoke to.” Lydia’s eyes are focused on what Jonny Riley is doing in reception. Panic stricken, I sit there, just wanting to run and hide. I am too scared to face him. I want to get to the safety of my room, as I fear my feelings for Jonny Riley leave me unsafe in his company.

  “Uh . . . oh . . . oh . . . ohhhh, my God, he is looking over here, Jess. He has definitely clocked you and he is coming over . . . just stay calm.” The raised pitch in Lydia’s voice means she is actually more panicked than me. Shit!

  “Talk Lydia, about anything,” I plead with a whisper.

  “So Jess, if you were to be in Wicked, do you think you would like to be Glinda or Phenaba?” Lydia asks.

  “I think I am definitely more like Glinda,” I shakily reply. Before he even speaks I see his masculine shadow form across our table.

  “I am sorry to interrupt, ladies, but I wondered whether you would like a drink? Maybe join me in my suite where we can have a little more privacy? There are journalists everywhere, I’m afraid. I am staying on the third floor in the Grand Suite. I would love for you to join me, Jessica and . . . ?” Jonny looks at me with a questioning look and then at Lydia.