by Sasha Combs
When she eyed an outfit. A pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Precious heard light tapping on her door. She knew it was Hamilton but she wasn’t ready to face him yet. After he’d witnessed her frenzied tantrum, she felt unsure and she didn’t know how to correct what she’d done. For this situation, she couldn’t recall any tips on proper etiquette or decorum. The longer she thought about her outburst; her cheeks warmed with humiliation. Hell, she’d been an ass. She’d treated him to a front row seat; showing him a seamier side that explained why she was at odds with nature but her fears still didn’t excuse her behavior.
As she replayed the days events in her head; on the other side of the door, Hamilton patiently waited in the hall. He tapped again, but this time he added his voice.
“Precious... Can I come in?”
She stepped over to the bed, quickly guiding her arms in the sleeves of her robe. When she tied the belt, she said...
“It’s open.” Precious watched the turn of the doorknob, and the gliding motion of the opening door. Hamilton walked into her room. He’d changed and showered. He looked her up and down, then he said...
“I took the liberty of cooking the fish outside. Are you hungry?”
He’d decided to pretend that the afternoon from hell didn’t happen. It was best and he didn’t blame her for being angry at him. Precious lowered her eyes, staring at her colored toenails. She said...
“No thanks. I really don’t have an appetite for anything.”
He took a cautious step forward while saying.
“Are you sure? I cooked up some homemade tartar sauce. I even made salad dressing using your recipe.”
That got a smile out of her. He crossed the floor, closing the distance. When he stood in front of her, he said...
“Come... You’ll feel better after you get some food in your stomach.”
Her eyes lifted, meeting his and in his gaze; immediately she sensed something different. Streaking across his forehead, she could see creases formed by worry lines. Even the outer regions of his eyes bore signs of unease. She frowned, then said...
“Hamilton... Did you hear something? Did Audrey call you?”
There had been a large gap in time, since he’d last heard from his assistant. Each time she called, or if he called her. The news just got worse and worse. Hamilton had finally cut off communications; telling his assistant not to trouble him, unless something unforeseen occurred. After that, the well dried up. His phone didn’t chime its annoying ring and he didn’t bother to call to check in. But, she recognized that look. His stare was one of his business expressions.
Hamilton caught her hand, raising it to his lips. He pressed a kiss on her palm, then he splay her hand wide; laying it across his chest. She felt his beating heart and she fully understood why he’d done this. He said...
“Audrey called. Milt has good news. It would seem that after talking to Stone, he finally agreed to give a statement.”
“A statement?” She asked.
Hamilton said...
“Look... A lot has happened. Let’s have some dinner first. We can talk about it afterwards. I’ll start a fire and we can sit on the sofa and talk.”
“Hamilton.... What are you keeping from me?”
He cursed himself for not waiting but, after the days events. He’d been happy to finally see her face again. Then, without warning, he’d allowed his emotions to go unchecked and Precious had noticed the change. She’d seen his worried expression. He said...
“Honey... It isn’t bad news.”
“Then tell me. Tell me what statement Stone agreed to give?”
He exhaled heavily, then he said...
“Milt explained your situation to Stone. He told him, that you left because the media had turned you into a villain because of him. He told Stone, if he really cared about you, then he would do what is best for you. Right now... The best thing is for him to let the world know that he’s moving on with his life.”
“Stone agreed to say that?”
Hamilton tried to read her expression but he couldn’t tell if she was shocked, surprised or disappointed. He said...
“Milt recorded Stone giving his statement. He suggested the wording and Stone agreed to say it. Basically, he wanted people to understand that you and he were still good friends. He said that he’s returning to Fiji...”
“Stone is leaving Michigan?”
Again, he couldn’t determine if she was upset and it bugged him that he couldn’t judge her expressions as well as she clearly saw right through his.
“Yes Precious... According to Milt, Stone flew out of Detroit yesterday. The plan is to leak the film to a few media outlets, but Artie has already seeded the story to a few of the weekly tabloids. So far, what they’ve heard; the outlook appears to be promising.”
Precious didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what to do. After hearing only bad news, she’d resigned herself to believe that her troubles would never be resolved. She looked at Hamilton, then she said...
“So... What does this all mean? Is it over? Can I go home now?”
This is the reason he wanted to tell her near the fireplace after drinking a few glasses of wine. He needed the alcohol. He still had not come to terms with this new development. Hamilton had not persuaded Precious to change her mind on the subject of marriage. He’d deliberately banked the topic because he’d thought there would be more time. But he’d been wrong. He said...
“Audrey is due to call me in the morning. We’ll have a better handle on the end results. Milt wants to wait until after the TV news and the entertainment shows have reported the story.”
She nodded while saying...
“Yes,... That does make sense. The television reaches larger audiences then the newspapers or magazines.”
She was talking to herself and not to him; he’d noticed this. When her eyes drifted up, staring into his face, she said...
“Hamilton... I’m scared. What if we return, and Milt’s assessment is wrong? What will happen to me, if one day, while I’m in the grocery store paying for my food... What if a fan comes up to me and throws something at me, because she didn’t hear about Stone’s statement?”
He didn’t ask if he could touch her. Hamilton drew her into his arms, caressing her back and kissing her forehead. He said...
“Then stay with me and you won’t have to worry about that. Precious... I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying. You can’t mean that.”
He drew back, taking in her face with his eyes. He said...
“I know my heart, and my heart never lies to me. I love you Precious Sinclair. I love you so much and I want to marry you.”
She tried to pull free but he wouldn’t release his hold. He said...
“Look... I’ve left this subject alone but... I wanted you to know because we have so many things to figure out. A lot is going to change over the next few days. And if you’re afraid to return to Michigan... Then, you don’t have to. You can stay at my home in Los Angeles.”
“Hamilton.... I don’t even know where you live in Los Angeles. Even this place was a surprise to me. What does that say about us as a couple? Don’t you see how ludicrous your proposal of marriage is?”
“No... It isn’t ludicrous. And what does my address have to do with anything? Precious... Did you hear me when I said that I love you?”
“Yes... I heard you. And I feel the same but... Why can’t we just leave things as they are? Why do you need to put a label on it? Can’t we just see each other and be together when we can?”
Hamilton had heard her right. She’d not said the words exactly as he had; but the sentiment was the same. He gripped his hands on her shoulders; pulling her close and crowding her space.
“If you love me... Come with me. Stay with me. I can protect you and you won’t have to be afraid.”
“I... I can’t do that. I have a life. You promised me. You promised to fix things.
You said...”
“Precious, I said a lot of things. But you’re refusing to acknowledge something that would change both of our lives for the better.”
“Hamilton...please.”
She lowered her eyes, unwilling to look at him. It would be so easy to just give in and allow him to have what he wanted. To give herself fully to him because already he possessed a large portion of her heart. But if she did give him the rest; Precious knew that she would lose herself completely. All women did, when they chose to marry. When their closeness led them to love; she’d known that this day would come. But she was too afraid to allow certain words to slip from her mouth. She could never tell him how close he was to breaking through a shield of her own making.
Precious lay her hand on his cheek; cupping this side of his face. She lifted up on tiptoes to kiss him. Her eyes teared from the pain. This was so difficult for her and a part of her mind told her that she was making a horrible mistake. But she shut that door. She wouldn’t think that way. Not now. Not ever. Control, that’s what she needed. She loved him, but she didn’t have to forgo her ambitions.
When she lowered, she smiled at him; hoping to ease his worries. She said in a gentler voice.
“Hamilton... I’m going to get dressed. I’m not hungry but, I would like to share a glass of wine with you.”
He looked at her; doubtful of her sincerity. Where had that feeling come from, he asked himself. Especially after all they’d shared. He stepped back, putting distance between him. He sensed a wavering in the air. But, whatever the question was; he would allow her time to compose herself. He still had time to make headway. He told himself, all wasn’t lost. Not yet, anyway.
“Is Pinot Blanc okay?” He asked while standing in the doorframe. She smiled, desperately wanting him to leave. The holding back of salty tears was beginning to burn her eyes. She said...
“Yes,... Pinot Blanc is fine. It’ll only take me a minute to get dressed.”
He nodded, then left, closing the door behind him.
*************************
Chapter 10
All things come to an end but that’s when new problems begin
It was early, or was it late? Hamilton didn’t know. He only knew that his time had slipped away; somehow, fooling him to believe that he had all the time in the world. After three days had passed, instead of Audrey calling him; Artie had been given the task. His director was all glee and happy, happy, joy, joy. Milt and his PR team had pulled off a miracle. The news reports were better than anyone could have imagined. After one of the morning network shows led their newscast with the ‘Saga of reality TV show star, Amelia Precious Sinclair. The reporter explained how the TV darling had been victimized. The portrayal of the summers events read like a New York Times Best selling novel. At the office of Gantry Productions; every female eye brimmed with tears. Even a few of the guys watered up but they blamed specks of dust; saying that the particles had irritated their eyes. When Artie phoned, he told Hamilton that it was all smooth sailing from here on. As they spoke, Audrey had dispatched a cleaning crew to undo damages heaped on Precious’ home. The lawn was cut and manicured; trampled down grass was replaced with new turf. Graffiti painted on the sidewalk was sandblasted and her driveway was power washed to remove oil stains. Audrey had called a local Gardner to plant fresh flowers to liven up the curb appeal.
Hamilton had been a man of his word. Precious was free to return home. She’d used his phone to call her parents. Her father had insisted she come stay with them. At least until they were certain she’d be safe living in her own home.
Now, there was nothing else left to do. In the morning, they would pack, then drive to San Francisco. Audrey had already dispatched one of the company planes to remain on standby.
She was asleep and he held her tight in his arms; unable to comprehend Stone’s unforeseen decision. Walking away from Precious without talking to her and not as much as a backward glance. Making that kind of painful choice had to of been difficult for the man. Stone had given up. He’d willed his eyes to face his painful reality. But the road trodden down by Stone was no path for Hamilton. He wouldn’t turn his back on Precious so easily. Every fiber of his being told him that she was the one and he was determined to make their relationship work. He snaked his arm around her, pulling her even closer. She had no idea how determined he was willing to fight for her. Even now, he worried that Stone might reappear, presenting him with a challenge. He still didn’t like that in so many ways; it had been Stone’s decision that solved her problem. He could have held out and refused to leave but instead; Stone had left because Milt had persuaded him to go. Stone had been told that, if he loved Precious, then he would leave; saving her the humiliation and embarrassment. Accepting this reality had to of been heartbreaking for Stone. To leave a woman that he still loved. That’s how Hamilton felt now because tomorrow, he would be returning her home and he worried because so much between them still remained unsettled.
As they packed, Hamilton walked into her room. It was still early, but Precious had been too nervous to eat. All morning, she’d watched Hamilton’s constant pacing. She could see the price he paid to remain silent. He was willing his mouth not to speak. She knew that he loved her and he wanted to marry her. She felt the same but she couldn’t allow him to know this. If he knew... She couldn’t even begin to digest the problems that revelation would present.
She turned to him saying...
“Almost ready.”
“No hurry.” He said. Hamilton walked the rest of the way in. He skirted behind her, taking a seat in the chair. He said...
“I was thinking... Maybe we should spend a little time together in LA. I’d like to show you my home.”
“Oh really.” She tried to keep their conversation light; injecting a little levity. He grinned, saying...
“Yes,... Really. You said that you’ve never seen where I live... Well, I’d like to show you my home. Well, actually, my place in LA is just one of my homes. I spend most of my time there, primarily because the company is headquartered in LA.”
She nodded, saying...
“Sure... That makes sense, but Hamilton. I’ve been away for weeks. I really need to get home. I can’t even begin to think about the workload piled on my desk.”
“I’m sure your father saw to that.”
“Yes, I’m sure he did.”
Hamilton heard the disappointment in her voice. Precious took pride in her work and she didn’t like the idea of her father filling in to shield her absence. So, he avoided this topic. Instead, he said...
“I’ll tell you what... Call your secretary. She can give you a heads up. Your job is portable. All you need is a computer, a wifi connection and a phone. You can work from my home office. I’ll even throw in a fax machine, and a back massage.”
She laughed, saying...
“Sounds tempting...”
Precious closed the suitcase. She turned around to look at him. Hamilton offered up his hand. She accepted, then he drew her near him, landing her on his lap. He stroked the length of her ponytail. His kissed her cheek, then he said...
“Look... I’m just trying to give us a little more time together.”
“I know... I know... But, I’ve been away from my work for too long. Hamilton, I have a job to consider.”
“Yes,...but I can help you.”
“I don’t want your help.” She snapped, and immediately she flinched due to her abrupt response. Quickly she said...
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that.”
His beautiful gray eyes brushed over her face. He smiled, then said...
“Don’t apologize. I understand. We can figure this out. It may take a little time but...”
“I want this Hamilton.” She said and her voice soothed him. Precious continued. “I want us. But... I need to get home. So much has happened to me, and I need to put some things back in order.”
He nodded, then said...
“Will you let m
e help you?”
She pressed her lips on his forehead. When she kissed him, she drew back just enough to let the words flow from her mouth.
“You have helped me. And I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“I did it at no charge.”
She laughed.
“All right... But I’ll think of some way to show my gratitude.”
He knew a way. He knew the only way. He wanted her to say yes and marry him. He watched as she slipped away from him. Precious walked over to the closet, closing the door. She said...
“Well, that’s it for me. Should I take these bags to the front room?”
He shook his head, then he said...
