A Famous Affair

by K. B. Mallion

  “How did it go with Jay?” I ask.

  “At the moment, the press doesn’t know anything. It’s all guess work on their part, but they’ll certainly be digging around to find out who you are and it won’t be long until they do.” He strokes his finger reassuringly on mine.

  “I’m not looking forward to when that happens.” I tell him with nerves flitting around inside of my stomach.

  Jonny looks at me; a serious expression now adorns his once relaxed face. “It’s not going to be nice, darling. Anyway, we don’t have to read what they print. Jay will release a statement of some kind when he thinks it’s time to do so.”

  “Stating what exactly?” I wonder.

  “The partial truth,” Jonny says.

  “The partial truth? I don’t understand,” I ask.

  “I’ll admit to our affair and how we are truly sorry for hurting those we care about, something along those lines. Jay wants to reveal all about the ectopic pregnancy, he thinks it’ll be turning a negative into a positive,” Jonny tells me.

  I am incensed. “How so?”

  “The public, although shocked about our affair, will also think how tragic it is for us.”

  I angrily shake my head. “That’s manipulation of the lowest kind . . . I don’t like it, Jonny,”

  “Don’t worry. I told him it wasn’t appropriate to use the loss of our child and you nearly dying in the process, as a way to get the public on our side,” he assures me.

  “I am so pleased you said that. I’m not comfortable with those details being printed. It’s all too raw, too personal to be used as a ploy to get the public to be more accepting of us and what has happened,” I firmly say.

  “I agree with you. Jay knows where I stand on printing anything about the baby.” Jonny makes himself a little more comfortable on the bed before continuing. “Did you speak to Shawn?” he asks.

  I nod weakly. “He didn’t say much. I tried to apologise and asked to speak to the girls, but he said it wasn’t a good idea. I also tried to warn him about the press and to take care of the girls, to which he told me to have a nice life,” I relay this to Jonny. He senses I am hurting, so wraps his thoughtful arms around me.

  “It is going to get far worse before it gets better, Jessica. All our lives have been completely turned upside down, but there is nothing we can do about it now. We just have to keep going.”

  “I know and I accept that, but who is going to be there for Shawn and the girls?” I ask.

  Jonny turns my head to face him with my chin resting on his finger. “They have each other. We caused this—you and me. As much as it kills me to say this to you, Shawn and your girls are not going to want you to be the one to make things better for them, right now,” Jonny tries to be as gentle with his words as he can, but it still hurts. I look down at my trembling fingers. I am desperately trying not to cry for fear that I won’t stop. Jonny holds my chin more firmly. “I am not trying to hurt you when I am telling you this, my darling. We have to face facts, as shitty and as painful as they are. There is not going to be a happy ending for everyone involved.” He delivers a slow kiss to my forehead, holding me tightly into his chest. Jonny is right. Life will never be the same for any of us, ever again . . . I have to accept that.

  The press does indeed have a field day, over the next couple of days, regarding our mystifying drama.

  Headlines are splashed on nearly every front page such as: Who’s With Jonny? . . . Riley Hospital Drama, . . . Mystery Of Riley Woman . . . Lypiatt Star Involved In His Own Secret Role . . . and my personal favourite . . . Who Is Jonny Having A Riley Good Time With?

  Considering Jay Scott has been inundated with calls, texts and even people pushily showing up at his office, his mood remains relatively jovial. Jonny is just happy that I am here and improving each day.

  His charming delight is sweetly evident when I manage to climb the stairs unaided, to go to the library.

  The library is certainly my favourite room within the whole apartment. It’s beautifully chic, yet quaint, with wall-to-wall light oak shelves. The room contains nearly every genre of book sitting neatly upon the shelves. Jonny appears to have an eclectic taste in books because there are the classics, poetry, autobiographies, science fiction, sport, art and cook books . . . a reader’s paradise!

  This room is peaceful and quiet compared to the ground floor, where it seems there is always someone around. Don’t get me wrong, I do like having all of those people around and of course, they need to be there for Jonny. Yet, it is really wonderful to have a place that I can retreat to, should I feel the need for some me time.

  My eyes are quickly enamoured with the captivating room. It is just too beautiful, to not be admired.

  In the centre of it is a matching oak table with a deep red glass study lamp upon the top of it. To the left of the square-shaped room, there is a stunning rich maroon chenille chaise lounge. On the other side of the room sits a tufted leather reading chair, dark chestnut in colour. That’s my favourite place to sit, there is something sexy and sensual about the smell of distressed leather, I find it so intoxicatingly smutty.

  My body has been healing well; I know it is because I am beginning to get that familiar desirous ache between my legs, whenever I look at Jonny. I constantly find myself fantasising about him when I’m alone, even though my body is still recovering and by no means ready for sexy times with my beautiful man.

  As I return from the library with Tess of the D’Urbervilles held firmly to my chest, Jonny is freshly showered and getting dressed. I watch with envy as his fortunate shirt brushes against his golden smooth back, his thick arms slipping into each sleeve. How can he look so bloody hot just getting himself dressed?

  “See something you like, Dimples?” he asks. My already flushed cheeks redden at being caught eyeing up the epitome of man, who is dressing before me. Jonny grins at me as I frustratingly sit down onto the unmade bed.

  “I can clearly see you are feeling much better today.” He eagerly crawls across the bed, kissing me hard on my mouth. My breath catches at the speed to which he assaults my lips. As he pulls back, he teasingly licks my swollen mouth. Oh, fucking my!

  “I certainly am,” I say, pulling him into me using the lapel of his shirt collar. I cover his face and neck with feather light kisses, causing him to close his eyes with pleasure.

  He murmurs into my ear, “Shit, Jessica, are you trying to seduce me?” I don’t say a thing but continue with the gentlest of kisses. “We can’t . . . the doctor said you have to heal first.” Jonny whispers. He feels the movement of my smile on his cheek. “You can laugh, but how the fuck am I supposed to leave you alone?”

  My lashes lower seductively. “I have it on good authority, Mr. Riley, that we can do lots of other things instead.”

  “Did the doctor tell you that?” he asks, with the sweetest yet most serious expression spreading quickly across his handsome face.

  I giggle at his genuine question, shaking my head. “No, but the fuck fairy did.”

  Jonny realises that I have been teasing him. He now devours me with his lewd stare and crooked grin. “Is that right?”

  With comely eyes, I lie back on the bed. “Uh huh.”

  “Well, you don’t need to tell me twice.” He unbuttons his shirt. I am loving how he obligingly undresses for me in a hot instant. Just as we are about to have some fun, there’s a knock on the door. Damn it!

  “Who is it?” Jonny asks in a frustrated tone.

  “Apologies, Mr. Riley. There is a Lydia Mason on the phone for Jessica.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Mary.” Jonny presses a button on the phone with an annoyed sigh. He hands me the receiver. As soon as our eyes meet the annoyance leaves him and he throws me a wicked slanted grin.

  “Hi Lydia, how are you?” I ask cheerily.

  “Oh, darling, it should be me asking you . . . how are you doing?”

  “I’m much better, thank you. I am managing the stairs now. I am feeling really good, actua
lly.” I throw Jonny a sultry look as my toes naughtily rub against his leg. He shakes his head, smiling.

  “Jessica, I feel bad having to tell you this right now, but I’ve had reporters come to our office. They know who you are, what you do, they even said they have CCTV footage of you at The Westbury.” I feel the colour drain from my face. I start to feel numb and detached from reality. Jonny is so intuitive he can tell something is wrong.

  “They have found out who you are, haven’t they?” he asks. I nod slowly. Jonny takes the phone from my hand. “Hi Lydia, can you tell me what has happened? Mmm . . . mmm . . . how many of them? Is that what they said? Shit! Okay, thanks for giving us the heads up. I’ll pass you back to Jessica.” He brushes my worried cheek with his calming finger. “Try not to worry. I’m going to call Jay, okay?” He hastily gets dressed then leaves the bedroom.

  My heart pounds and a mass of worried thoughts rush into my mind. “So, this is it then? It is really about to kick off, Lydia.” I shakily sigh down the phone, feeling utterly nauseous.

  “I know, darling, but it’s only words they are printing. Do people seriously take any notice?” She tries to reassure me.

  “I don’t know, but I’m worried about Shawn and the girls. If they haven’t already, the press are bound to contact them,” I say, feeling absolutely helpless.

  “I did try to call him, but he still isn’t answering any of my calls. I wasn’t even able to talk to him when he dropped off all your things. He had his friend bring them all up to the office,” Lydia replies.

  “Thanks for trying. I talked to him briefly the other day. I did warn him about the press, but he wasn’t too receptive, understandably,” I tell Lydia.

  “At least you did warn him, Jessica. I will keep trying to get hold of the girls for you, just to see if they are okay.”

  “Thank you. They won’t answer any of my texts or calls, it hurts so much that they won’t speak to me.”

  Lydia breathes heavily down the phone. “I can only imagine, darling. Listen I have a little idea, and just say if it’s too soon for you . . . would you like me and Jake to come and see you in a couple of weeks?”

  “Oh, that would be great, Lydia. I’d love to see you. I can get Simon to collect you both and bring you down.”

  “Fabulous! I can also bring down all of your things with us, there’s quite a lot of it, darling.”

  “Is my work briefcase there, too?” I ask.

  “I think it’s everything of yours, a Jessica cull so to speak.” she quips.

  “How are you managing without me in the office?” I ask.

  “Fine, all is fine. I have a sweet little temp helping me out at the moment.”

  “I can’t wait to get back to work. I think another few weeks and I’m going to be climbing the bloody walls.” I admit with a short laugh.

  Lydia pauses before replying. “I think we seriously need to discuss your current work situation, darling. Realistically, you are not going to want to travel four days a week from London to here, are you?”

  “I need to speak to Jonny, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to stay up there for two days, maybe at the beginning of each week. Then I can be in the office and see the girls, too.” I explain.

  “Where will you stay?” Lydia asks.

  “In a hotel, of course,” I respond.

  “Is that wise?” she asks in a serious tone. I know that if Lydia were standing in front of me, right at this second. She would be looking at me with a disapproving brow.

  I stand firm, determined even. “Once the dust settles, it should be. Jonny is the celebrity, Lydia . . . not me!”

  “I can’t see Jonny going for it at all, Jessica.”

  I feel frustrated now. Why isn’t anyone listening to me? “I need to work, Lydia. I am sure something can be sorted out between us. Being a kept woman was never part of the plan,” I say with stiffening shoulders.

  “Was there ever a plan?” Lydia asks with an amused lilt.

  I sigh loudly, my tense body loosening. “No, I don’t think there was.” I admit.

  Lydia’s voice brightens. “It’s early days yet anyways, but please do think about what I have said, Jessica. Of course I don’t want to lose you, I am only trying to be practical my darling.”

  I know Lydia is only thinking of me. She is just trying to be sensible about things, given my new and complicated circumstances. “I know you are, Lydia. I will speak to Jonny about it, but for now I think I had better just focus on getting past the next few days . . . I am dreading it.”

  “Try to hold that beautiful head of yours high, darling. If you need me I am only a call away.”

  “Thank you, you really are my rock.”

  “I’ll call you in a few days, okay?” Lydia says.

  “Okay . . . say hi to Jake for me.” I say cheerfully.

  “I will . . . mwah, darling, take care of yourself.”

  I put the phone down and once again sigh, a weighted, unknowing sigh.

  The next few days are a bit of a blur. We are on the front cover of nearly every bloody tabloid and glossy magazine. Everyone is talking about our illicit, scandalous affair.

  Permanently hanging around outside, are the TV crews and a silly amount of press who are all hungry for an exclusive story or that priceless fucking picture. Nothing could honestly prepare me for this. Are we really hated that much for what we have done?

  The headlines glare off the pages at us. Blimey Oh Riley, Jonny Is Having An Affair . . . Jonny Is With A HappiRILEY Married Woman . . . You’ve RILEY Gone And Done It Now Jonny . . . Why Is Our Jonny With HER? . . . Married Woman Ensnares Our Jonny . . . Lypiatt Hall Star Is Having His Own Drama With Married Woman, to name just a few.

  The phone rings endlessly. On a number of occasions Beef has headed outside and threatened to call the police. We even had a pap try to climb a tree opposite the apartment so he could get a picture; all the curtains and blinds now have to remain closed at the moment. It is absolute madness. We try to shut it all out. Everything that is going on in the crazy outside world, can simply go to hell!

  As expected, a couple of chat shows have indeed decided to drop Jonny, saying they feel it is inappropriate at this time to have him on as a guest. Fortunately, the film roles still appear to be on the table.

  Jay Scott and Jonny are in one of the reception rooms discussing what to do next. I hear them talking loudly as I walk past to go into the kitchen.

  Jonny calls out to me, “Jessica, can you come in here please?”

  They are sat opposite one another. Jonny is holding a piece of paper in his hand. “Hi, Jay.” I warmly smile at him. He looks less formal today in black trousers and a racing green crew neck jumper.

  “Hello, Jessica . . . how are you feeling?”

  “Good, thanks.” I walk towards a now standing Jonny who puts his arm out invitingly to me. I simply sink into him.

  Jonny tilts his head sideways to see my face. “We are writing a statement to give to the press, to try and put an end to all the hearsay and guesswork that is being printed at the moment.”

  “What are you going to say?” I ask.

  He hands me the paper. “Here’s the rough draft of it.”

  Jonny Riley and Jessica Neel are deeply sorry for the hurt they have caused to those who are close to them, particularly Jessica’s family. They ask the press to be respectful to Jessica’s family throughout this very difficult time. They both understand their relationship has come as a shock and disappointment to many, but would be grateful for some privacy at this present time.

  Jonny and Jay watch as I silently read the statement. It feels so strange. I know it’s about me, but seeing my name in black and white makes it seem all the more real. I am Jessica Neel, the now infamous adulteress. The brazen married bitch who seduced Britain’s golden boy.

  I solemnly hand it back. “I suppose it is what it is.”

  “Are you okay, Jessica? Do you want to add something to it?” Jonny gently asks.

  “
No, it’s fine. I just hate our lives being dragged through the mud. I want it all to just go away.” I wrap my arms around myself, a subconscious attempt at trying to find some comfort.

  Jonny stands in front of me, gently holding my shoulders. “I know it’s hard, but it’s something we just have to put up with at the moment.”

  Jay steps forward. “A public apology is the first step to getting this whole thing to blow over, Jessica. Jonny has a lot of fans and they will want to hear something from him. Sometimes a simple sorry is all it takes. Jonny has never been involved with any indiscretions in the press before, so with a little bit of public relations magic, they will overlook this one mistake.” Jonny scowls at Jay’s words. “Before you go at me, I am not for one minute implying that Jessica is a mistake, I am merely pointing out that you have never suffered any bad press before, Jonny. Your fans will realise that and continue to support you, regardless of your relationship with Jessica.” Jay’s body language is confident and assertive.

  “I don’t want anything like that being printed, Jay. I don’t want Jessica being thought of as my mistake, I won’t fucking stand for it.” Jonny bites back with a raised voice.

  I wrap my arm around his. “It’s okay, Jonny. I understand where Jay is coming from and it’s true. In all the time you have been in the public eye, you have never had any negative press, so a public apology will hopefully work in your favour. At the end of the day I was the one who was married with kids, so it will be me who will be written about in a less than favourable light.” I look up at Jonny, who takes my hand, placing a thoughtful kiss on my curled fingers.

  “It’s just so fucking hard knowing that they think so badly of you,” he says.

  My darling protective, Jonny, who feels completely frustrated and powerless to shield me from all that is being printed about the person that I am. The painful part about it is . . . they print the truth.