by Adair Rymer
“You ready for this one?” Arsen asked, putting his car into park and looking over at me. His hand slid across my upper thigh, making filthy promises. This, whatever it was that we had, was crazy and way too much fun. “If not, I'm sure I can get you back into the mood.”
That sounded so damn tempting. Arsen had rented the same make and model car he had back home. I thought it was silly at first, but the more time I spent in it with the roar of the engine and him banging through the gears, made me want slide onto his lap and ride him until my eyes crossed.
I quickly glanced around the parking lot, it was mid-morning and there were people everywhere. I bit my lip and grabbed his hand, rubbing it over the crotch of my pant's. “Rain check.”
“This is the city of flowers and sunshine, Val.” His hand wouldn't budge when I tried to get up. His fingers pushed against my pussy, I could feel myself getting wet. “Your rain check's no good here.”
“Arsen!” My eyes flared at him, Oh my God, you're incorrigible! But I loved that about him. He still wouldn't budge, now moving his fingers over my lower lips in tight circles.
“You shouldn't have played with fire.” Arsen looked firm and uncaring. No hint of a smile on his lips. “You're gonna have to beg now.”
“Please, let me go.” I drew in long ragged breaths. It was hard to argue against a touch I wanted so badly.
He held me there for a short eternity, then slid his hand away and let me escape. I opened the door as quickly as I could for some fresh air. Even with the air conditioner on, Arsen made it extremely hot in that car.
Two black Escalades pulled in near us, blocking a full row of handicapped spots. Almost a dozen people funneled out of the vehicles and made their way toward the studio entrance.
I wasn't all that surprised by the douchey display, a lot of the 'A' list celebs had a crew of people orbiting around them everywhere they went. Whoever this was, they had a personal trainer, hair and make up stylists, a nutritionist, bodyguards, and assistants all hanging around. I'd never seen an actor's crew this big before.
“One side,” a small guy announced to no one in particular. That was probably his job in the crew. He looked like he was just an old friend that was along for the free ride. “Phil C, coming through!”
“Oh for fuck's sake,” Arsen groaned under his breath, probably viewing all this as unnecessary and masturbatory.
At some point during the insane display of wealth and lifestyle, Arsen had materialized beside me. He was still in crazy protector mode since what happened. I, of course poked fun at him because of it when he went overboard on occasion, but honestly he did make me feel much safer.
I couldn't even imagine what this trip would've been like without him.
Phil C, It bothered me that I couldn't figure out who that name belonged to. Then I saw the actor step out of the back of one of the SUVs. Phillip Seymour. Of course! I'd heard rumors that his marketing team was working on a rebranding since he'd won his academy award.
The thought of Michelle trying to do the same to me turned my stomach.
“As I live and breath, Valentine Dawson!” Phillip called out in an odd accent that sounded a little too over the top, It had to be something he was working on for his role in the film. He wore this stuffy, nineteen-twenties tweed suit, bow tie and straw hat. He looked right for the part he was playing, but utterly ridiculous in a parking lot in Los Angeles.
“Please tell me you don't know this clown, Val.” Arsen had positioned himself between Phillip's group and myself.
“Oh, you mean my potential co-star and People Magazine's current sexiest man alive.” I winked at Arsen as I stepped in front of him. “Nope, never heard of him.”
I got a little thrill at seeing Arsen get jealous. It reminded me of when he picked me up for prom back in high school. I just hoped this interaction wouldn't be as... explosive as that night was.
“Hello, Phillip.” I extended a hand, which he took and kissed in a grandiose fashion.
“It is an absolute pleasure to finally meet you in person, Valentine.” I very rarely got starstruck anymore, but Phillip certainly had a way about him that was intoxicating. “I heard about what happened to you in New York, dreadful business.”
“Yeah, that was a tough—” I started, then was interrupted.
“I hear you are auditioning to play my lady of the evening.” Phillip's tone dramatically changed when he interrupted me. His gaze fell to and lingered on my tits a little too long for comfort. I wasn't wearing anything too revealing, just a halter top and pants, but the way he looked at me made feel like I was wearing a bathing suit.
I was extremely insulted, then I remembered the character he was playing in the film. I didn't realize until meeting him in person that Phillip was a method actor, someone that never breaks character during filming. It was supposed to help them become their character better. I always thought it was a little silly.
But had they already started shooting yet? They must have. It would make sense, after all the there was a mad scramble to fill the role I was auditioning for. The girl originally cast for the part I was trying to get had OD'd.
“I guess so,” I laughed, shaking off the insult. It's ok. He's just getting into character. Some actors just had to play deplorable characters, that's all. Why did that sound like I was lying to myself for thinking that? I could almost feel Arsen radiating in anger behind me.
“I do hope it's you, my dear. You have the most radiant skin,” Phillip ran a finger down the outside of my shoulder. I pulled away, but Phillip followed. “I simply cannot wait to see more of it.”
Arsen's hand clamped tightly around Phillips wrist.
“The last man that tried to touch her, I had to put into the hospital. With a pretty face like yours, it'd be a shame if the same thing happened to you.” Arsen punctuated every word with an incredible amount of restraint. He was a hairsbreadth from destroying the actor's priceless face. A small guilty part of me, wanted to let him, “C'mon, Val, You don't want to be late for your reading.”
“Arsen!” I scolded him. Then I laughed nervously, trying to dispel some of the situation's uncomfortable intensity. I was mortified. Even if Phillip was just a creep, he was still THE actor in demand right now. If a guy like that wanted to end my career, he legitimately might be able to.
“That's alright, my dear.” Phillip groaned through clenched teeth under the pressure of Arsen's grip. He held a hand out to stop his own bodyguards from advancing. I elbowed Arsen to release the man, Arsen squeezed one more time then let him go. “Your man there is certainly exuberant about your schedule. An admirable trait.”
“I am so sorry about that.” I gave Arsen the evil eye before quickly changed the subject. “But he's right, I really should be going.”
“There's no rush. You're doing your reading with me. So in a sense,” Philip flashed that million dollar smile of his as he rubbed his bruised wrist. “I decide whether you get this part.”
Chapter 18
Arsen
Past
“Val!” I slammed my fist down on the hood of the limo. I knew she was in there, she had to be. I tried to look in the windows, but they were way too tinted to allow that. I kicked in the side of the limo and kept calling her name.
I didn't care anymore, I was either leaving with Valentine or in cuffs.
When my mom told me that Hugh had arranged a date for Val, I just lost it. Val was mine, I wasn't about to let some snively rich douchebag touch her. Val had told me all about Jonathan and how he was always hitting on her. Hugh was seriously going to force his only daughter out with a guy that freaked her out? It was like Hugh didn't give a shit about Val at all.
If Val didn't want to go to prom with me, that was one thing, but there was no way in hell I was going to let her be forced into something she didn't want.
“Get off of me!” The far side door of the limo cracked open. As soon as I registered that it was Val's voice, my knuckles turned white from clenching. I slid ove
r the hood of the car and pried the door fully open.
“Valentine, you can not go out there! Your father promised you to me!” Jonathan whined, grabbing and ripping at her dress. The second he saw me, the short man let go of Val's train, shriveled back and scurried to the opposite end of the car.
“Arsen, wait.” I heard Val's voice, but my head was in a fog. I was going to murder this kid. “Don't! It's not worth it, you'll go to jail if you hit him!” She wrapped a hand around my arm and pleaded with me. “Please.”
Arsen, you're there for her, not him.
“Val...” I snapped out of it and turned to her. One of her cheeks had smudged with running mascara. Rage filled me at the thought of Johnathan making her cry. Then it hit me. What if I was the one to make her cry? I'd never stopped to consider if she was willingly going along with this.
“Val, is this what you want?” All the anger drained from my voice.
“No!” her wet eyes sparkled in my truck's headlights. “Of course not! But my father...
“Your father is a selfish, manipulative prick. You don't have to let him run your life.” I touched her forehead to mine and whispered, “You're smart, beautiful and the kindest person I've ever met. You saved me, Val. Let me save you.”
Val squeezed me in the tightest hug of my life and started to sob.
“What do you say?” I asked, pulling her back far enough to dry her tears. “You wanna get out of here?”
Val smiled at me with upturned eyes and began to reply.
“Absolutely not!” Came a thundering voice from the front doors of their mansion. Hugh Dawson stepped outside. “What in the hell do you two think you're doing? Valentine Dawson, you get back in that car this instant!”
“And as for you, boy.” Hugh said the last word as if it had rotted in his mouth. “I told your mother that–”
“I know what you told her.” My patience with this lunatic was short on a good day. But if he was going to start dragging my family into this mess, then the gloves were coming off. “The only man I'd ever taken orders from was a marine, and he was twice the man you could ever be.”
“Do you have any idea who you're talking to!” Hugh roared, indignantly.
“I couldn't give a shit that you're a well paid, professional liar, Hugh.” I doubt anyone ever had the balls to call the 'acting god' out on his bullshit. I wasn't trying to be the guy who did, but I was certainly didn't mind either.
I turned back to Val and extended my hand. “You're his daughter, not his prisoner. Be your own person.”
I wasn't joking when I warned Val earlier. Any man that wanted her had to go through me, even if that man was her own father.
“I forbid you, Valentine!” the red-faced tyrant hollered.
Val froze. She was torn, physically wincing when Hugh yelled at her. She'd never so much as disagreed with her father, let alone disobeyed. This was a huge decision for her. She swallowed hard and then finally decided.
Val took my hand, defying her father for the first time ever.
Hugh was still screaming threats when we closed the doors of my truck and began to drive away.
“My father isn't the type to let things go, he'll send someone to get me. They might even be waiting for us, when we get to prom.” She looked both worried and relieved.
“We're not going to prom anymore.” I squeezed her hand in between shifting gears. It was a hard choice, but I was glad she made it.
“What?” She asked, surprised and curious. “Where are we going?”
I winked at her, then cracked a devious smile. “Just trust me.”
Present
The way Phillip looked at Val made my blood boil.
“Go ahead and take your top off, Valentine.” The director, Allen, casually waved at Val while also flipping through production notes. He was a short, gaunt man in his late sixties with beady distrustful eyes.
Val looked at me tentatively. I was so focused on Phillip that I was as caught off guard as Val was. Was this some kind of joke?
“It didn't say anything about nudity in the script?” Val tried to sound assertive, but it came out as a question. The pressures of auditioning in front of the most powerful people in the industry were weighing on her. This was her dream after all, she didn't want to screw it up.
“It'll show the audience that you're more of a whore- your character, rather. You know what I mean. Both Phillip and I believe that it's better for the film.” Allen looked like an easily flustered man, but Val told me he had more awards under his belt than anyone else.
Val paused to think about it. I knew that look on her face, this wasn't something she was prepared for, especially not in an audition.
“You are comfortable with nudity aren't you?” The director folded the notes over in his hand and fully regarded Val.
“I... Yeah, I guess.” Val stammered. “It's just that—“
“Great, that's wonderful.” Allen motioned for her to hurry up and take her shirt off.
My knuckles cracked as I balled them into fists, I was fuming. Allen and the producers had done nothing, but railroad and bully Val since we got here. Now they wanted her to strip without any warning on a full set, just for an audition?
Like, hell.
I wanted to punch every smug son-of-a-bitch in that room, then I remembered something Hugh had said to me when I dropped Val off on Prom night. I unclenched my fists.
This wasn't my world.
Violent solutions wouldn't work here. I needed to protect both her and her career, and if I was going to do that I had to play this smart.
“If the script's been changed, then Val's agent will need to renegotiate her salary.” I spoke loudly and with confidence. I wasn't intimidated by these guys. “I'd hate to see the Screen Actors Guild have to step in and suspend production on your film for one of their actors not being treated fairly.”
It was a bluff. I had no idea what Val's union could and couldn't do, but it was worth a shot. I wasn't too worried about any backlash either, this was Val's second audition in as many days. If they wanted her that badly, they wouldn't get rid of her for just following the rules.
“Alright, you can keep your shirt on for this scene,” The director frowned, thoughtfully. “Until we work out the details.”
Val looked at me and mouthed a silent 'thank you'. I may have stopped it today, but if she got this job, she might have to go topless on screen for millions of people... Fuck, could I handle that? I've been so busy trying to sort out, or run from, my own feelings for Val that I never stopped to consider what would happen if we found a way to actually be together.
Allen ran her through a few takes of this heavy scene where Val and Phillip get caught in the affair by Phillip's wife. A lot of the wife's accusatory dialogue stung pretty close to home. Val and I were basically doing the same thing, but instead of being married to a person, Val was married to the public.
If they found out about us they'd crucify her.
The director brought the audition to a close. He was then joined by Phillip at the camera to review the takes. Val was pleased with her performance, as she very well should've been. She crushed it like always.
“What'd you think?” She asked, trying her best not to run right over to me.
“I think it needs some work, Val.” I leaned in close. “Let's practice that scene later, but do the version with you topless.”
“Arsen!” Her eyes flared in the way that drove me crazy. They then darted to either side to make sure no one heard or was watching us. A slow, promising smile crept along her face, that made me adjust my pants so that my hardening cock wasn't visible through my jeans.
“Thank you for that earlier, by the way.” Val blew out her air, looking very relieved. “That totally caught me by surprise.” She sized me up with a proud expression. “You actually solved a problem without using your fists, there may be hope for you yet.”
“Day's not over yet.” I glanced over Val's shoulder at Phillip, who was staring directl
y at her ass. She started following my gaze to see what I was looking at, but I stopped her. “Hey, are you sure this project is right for you. I don't trust any of these guys.”
“Arsen, I appreciate the concern, but I need this.”
“The Oscar, I know.” It was all her father was ever concerned about. 'It was the pinnacle of acting, reserved only for the greats of the craft', etcetera, etcetera. I thought it was all bullshit, but I didn't bust on it too much because I didn't want to hurt Val's feelings.
“It's not about that, not really. It's hard to explain, I just— I dunno... I need to feel like I deserve to be here, y'know?” Val looked away a moment, struggling through her feelings.
All of this wasn't for some trophy, she wanted to be out from under her father's shadow. She wanted to stop being introduced as 'Hugh Dawson's daughter,' and just be- 'Valentine'. I think I finally understood.
I nodded.
I didn't have to say anything else. Right now, she needed someone to listen to her, not give her an opinion. And in that moment I decided that I would support her even if she had to appear topless. I wouldn't like it, but I would at least try not to murder everyone.
“Valentine,” said the director, walking over to us. “On behalf of the entire production team, I would formally like to welcome you to Mercy Lane.”
Val was speechless for a moment, then shook the old man's hand and thanked him. Val remained composed and professional until the director left the area, then she flipped out as quietly as she could. She was even more excited than when she heard she got the audition.
She jumped up and down and threw herself into me. I caught and hugged her, then whispered congratulations. This was going to be the biggest movie in her career, she had every right to be happy. I, on the other hand, felt really uneasy about the whole thing.
Over Val's shoulder, on the other side of the large studio, I could see Phillip. His crew shifted and slithered around him like a multi-headed snake. They were doing his hair and makeup, making calls and generally harassing anyone that came too close.
