The Unkindness of the Paparazzi

by Odette Botha

  I couldn’t believe he knew.

  “Wow Warren nothing gets past you.”

  I smiled at him.

  “I am a good body guard, but no seriously Mr Scott might have mentioned something to me,” He said smiling, but somehow his face was serious.

  I waited for him to open the door for me and like clock work the reporter was by the door before I could get out.

  “Miss Roberts I see you are wearing the same clothes as you did last night, I also noticed that you never left Mr Scott’s hotel room last night? Did he take you back?” The man kept on asking me questions till I got into the boutique.

  Warren warned me before I got out the car, that I should try and get out the boutique as soon as I could because he explained the paparazzi are like sea gulls as soon as one gets a whiff the rest are sure to follow.

  “Hi Cathy,” I said when I got into the shop.

  “Katie, it’s so good to see you.”

  Luckily there was no one else in the shop so she locked the door and closed the blinds.

  “What can I do for you? We got in new lingerie; it’s very sexy if you want to wear it for that someone special,” she hinted winking at me.

  “Yes I need some of that and also I need a dress I can get married in.”

  I saw the colour drain from Cathy’s face.

  “Joshua Scott? You are getting married to Joshua Scott?” She managed to get out. “Yes tonight in Vegas. Please Cathy don’t tell a soul,” I begged.

  “I won’t tell anyone I promise. Can I make a confession though?” She asked.

  “Sure,” I said not knowing what was coming.

  “I saw him in that movie; the one where he was the guy that fell in love with the girl that died of cancer and I just fell in love with him. When I saw you guys were dating I was so happy. I watched him on TV last night, I cried!

  When Bernard is an idiot, I always fantasize about Joshua. I am sorry that’s weird?”

  I just laughed at her.

  I knew that my husband was the object of some people’s fantasies. Cathy was just being honest.

  “I bet he is a stallion in bed,” she said trying to get information.

  “Cathy now you are being weird,” I said trying to get her off the subject of having sex with my fiancé.

  She helped me get a dress; it was a long flowing champagne colour satin dress. It had details of crystal beading on the chest and it was strapless. It was perfect.

  The underwear she suggested was a bit slutty but I managed to find something I thought was at least sexy.

  I paid for everything and was about to get out of the store when she said, “promise me one thing, if there are photos in the press and someone asks you about the dress tell them I made it.”

  “That Cathy goes without saying.”

  I turned around and hugged her.

  Chapter 20

  It was a battle to get to the car. Warren put his arm around me and led me to the car. Everywhere I looked I saw cameras flash. There must have been a hundred of them waiting for me to come out.

  I managed to get in the car and gave a big sigh of relief.

  Somehow, somewhere I hurt my arm trying to get trough the crowd, it felt numb.

  I moved it around to see if it was still in working condition.

  “Everything alright back there?” Warren asked looking at me in the rear view mirror.

  “Yes I just hurt my arm that’s all,” I said.

  We drove in silence to my apartment.

  I started feeling nervous my leg was jumping I couldn’t sit still. He asked me if I am okay twice, I just said I am fine and left it at that but he wasn’t convinced.

  “Mr Scott asked me to stay outside your door till he got here. I can take the bags up for you?” He asked when I got out of the car.

  There weren’t any reporters that we could see. I noticed my apartment windows were open so I assumed that Dean was already there. He had a key to my place.

  “That’s fine thank you Warren, I will manage.”

  I walked up the stairs carrying all the bags from the boutique and my hand bag. I decided to take off my shoes, climbing a couple of flights of stairs with my stilettos on wasn’t a laughing matter.

  I was still coming up the last flight of stairs when Dean flung open the door.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do,” he said taking the bags from me.

  I was about to tell him everything when my phone rang. I saw it was Joshua’s number so I picked up immediately.

  “Are you okay?” He asked concerned.

  “Yes I just got home why?” I asked confused.

  “Warren phoned me to tell me you were safe as I instructed him to, but he told me you hurt your arm.”

  I rolled my eyes, he was worried about nothing. I shouldn’t have made such a big deal about it. Warren probably decided it would be best to tell Josh everything so he wouldn’t be in trouble later.

  “I am fine I think I bashed it against someone or maybe against the car when I got in. Its nothing, it’s good as new,” I said waving my arm around.

  Dean just looked at me frowning he didn’t understand why I was swaying my arm around.

  “I could kill them for harassing you like that; they aren’t supposed to hurt you. Is that the new way they get their scoop by hurting people.”

  He was angry.

  “Calm down I am fine besides I think I hurt myself I am not the most coordinated person you know. Don’t worry please. You need to go get me my special ring I will see you later.”

  I tried to change the subject. I heard him calm down and it sounded like he was smiling when he said goodbye.

  “What happened why is he upset?’ Dean asked as he took my arm in his hands and inspected it.

  I pulled away because he pushed on a place that was very sensitive.

  “Its nothing I bashed it and now he is upset because he thinks it’s because the reporters blocked me outside the boutique,” I explained.

  I walked towards the bags and saw that he had already packed out all the stuff. “Thank you for that. There were private things in there,” I said irritated.

  “I know I saw, wow girl that is in one word hot, in capital letters,” he said pouting. “Thank you but I would have preferred if the first man to see it was Joshua.”

  He shook his head and said, “so I presume you aren’t going to put it on for me.”

  He looked at my expression and started laughing.

  “I am just kidding don’t have a stroke!”

  He couldn’t stop laughing it probably looked like I was about to have a stroke.

  “You should wear your hair in soft curls,” he said loosening my hair.

  “It will fit that stunning dress you got; it’s just disappointing that it’s not a Vera Wang or something.”

  I just shook my head.

  “The dress was made by Cathy.”

  He snuffed.

  “Cathy who?” He asked sarcastically.

  “Cathy our friend. There isn’t time for curls, we will just have to wash it and brush it,” I said.

  “You are marrying an A list celebrity and you want to wear a dress by ‘our friend’ Cathy with washed and combed only hair. You are acting like a cave woman! It’s bad enough there isn’t going to be a big celebrity wedding where I could network, now you want to…”

  He didn’t finish the sentence he was so disgusted.

  “Joshua and I are having a big wedding; as soon as we get back you can start planning it. Okay we can do curls if that is what you want.”

  I gave in.

  He smiled at the idea of planning my big wedding and he looked pleased that I saw things his way.

  “We know that your hair falls flat so, we are going to put the curlers in on the plane. That way I can have some conversation on the way there, without you and h
im sucking face the whole time.”

  I just smiled.

  “So are we putting on the dress now? Or are we getting ready there?” He asked.

  “We are getting ready there. I am going to take a shower so long,” I said walking out the room.

  I just got into the shower and closed my eyes relaxing while the hot water ran over my body when Dean stormed in, I got such a fright I almost slipped.

  “I am not looking promise. I have my back to you. Joshua is on the phone I answered because you were in the shower. He says I can bring Alex if I want to and if it’s okay with you?” He asked.

  “Dean I don’t know it’s up to you. I don’t mind,” I answered, I just wanted to get him out the bathroom.

  “She says its okay, thanks Joshua,” He said before turning around by accident.

  I was still screaming at him to get out.

  When I heard him scream like a girl, “O my eyes naked girl in shower, oh by the way the palates are paying off.”

  He got out just in time, I threw a bottle of shampoo at him. I could hear him laughing. He was still on the phone with Joshua but I couldn’t hear what he was saying, not only because of the water running but also because he was whispering.

  I got out of the shower, put on a robe and a towel over my hair.

  “Feeling refreshed?” He asked when I walked out into the bedroom.

  “Besides for you stalking me, it was nice thank you,” I said smiling at him.

  “Girl there aint nothing there for me,” he said waving his hand.

  He had put out my dress on the bed and he chose a pair of shoes for me. I was happy with his choice. He always picked out my outfits when I had an important event I needed to attend.

  I decided for the trip I would put on a pair of jeans with a flattering shirt and my stiletto boots.

  I was busy blowing out my hair when the doorbell rang. Dean jumped up and ran to the door. I heard Alex’s voice and put the blow-dryer back on.

  They both came back into the room, Alex came over to me and game me a hug and kiss.

  “Congrats Kitten,” he said.

  He always called me Kitten, I didn’t mind it.

  “Thank you Alex,” I said smiling like a kitten that got cream.

  They helped me pack, while I put on the basic make up. I decided I would perfect it later.

  The music got louder, it was my favourite song. I sang to the song and did some of the moves from the music video, while standing at the kitchen counter eating a hot cross bun I found in the fridge. Luckily I bought it only two days before so it was still okay. I was so hungry I didn’t even taste it.

  “Oh girl you have moves,” Alex said as I danced to the tune, singing my heart out.

  I did love dancing and I was fairly good at it.

  “You know she pole dances, she has a portable one. Its fun and great stress relief,” Dean commented.

  They encouraged the dancing and even joined in.

  The music was so loud we didn’t even hear someone was knocking on the door. Joshua opened the door he stood there watching us. He didn’t even try to get our attention, he didn’t make a sound.

  When I opened my eyes I saw him standing against the door frame smiling.

  The other two were still dancing. I turned down the music immediately and smiled at him embarrassed.

  “We are definitely going to put up that stripper pole of yours,” he said clapping his hands.

  “How long have you been standing there?” Alex asked.

  “Only a couple of minutes, don’t worry,” he answered.

  “Is it time?” I asked

  “We have a couple of minutes left if you need to do some last minute packing,” he said looking at his watch.

  “No she is packed, let’s go,” Dean said grabbing our bags.

  We just laughed at his excitement. Everyone started walking towards the stairs.

  I locked the door behind me realising the next time I come back I would be married. It was weird only a week ago I was single and now I was getting married.

  Chapter 21

  We got down stairs and into his limo. I had been in one before but it still fascinated me.

  He moved closer to me and put his hand on my leg. He whispered in my ear,

  “I am sorry that we couldn’t fulfil one of our fantasies in the limo today.”

  I felt the blood rush to my face again.

  “Our fantasy; I can’t believe you haven’t even done it in a limo yet. You must have had sex with allot of girls in weird places before,” I said in his ear.

  He looked down smiled and shook his head before whispering in my ear again,

  “You would be my first.”

  He kissed me softly in my neck I could feel the gooseflesh. He drove me crazy, he gave me butterflies.

  “Okay kids no more talking in secret tell us too,” Dean said trying to pour a glass of champagne.

  “I don’t think Joshua likes you opening bottles like it’s yours,” I said frowning at him. “No, no its fine enjoy. We are going to wait in the limo on the runway till the jet is ready anyways. So please help yourself,” Joshua said.

  Dean shot me a satisfied look.

  “So what were you whispering about?” Dean asked again.

  I was just about to open my mouth when Joshua said, “I was telling her that I would have liked to have sex with her in the back of my limo.”

  Dean looked at Joshua speechless. It was the first time ever that anyone could make Dean speechless, we had been friends for many years and I had never been able to. “Oh okay whisper away then,” Dean managed to say.

  I just started laughing.

  “Is this about that cracker thing again?” Alex asked ignorantly.

  “Something like that,” I answered.

  We got onto the plane. It was like I had imagined it. I always flew economy class but I always imagined how the rich and famous live, it was really nice.

  Joshua disappeared into the cockpit, he explained he was just going to speak to the captain, but we were welcome to make ourselves at home.

  I knew Dean was going to, he opened wine and scratched in the mini fridge. Somewhere he found chips I didn’t even ask where.

  Alex just sat there it looked like he didn’t want to touch anything. His eyes weren’t still for a second, he looked very nervous.

  “Are you okay Alex?” I asked concerned.

  “I am nervous; I have never been on a plane,” he said looking worried.

  “Its nothing, I promise. Maybe you should read or play a cards, I saw some lying on the table. It will distract you,” I tried.

  Joshua came back and told us that we were about to lift off, we should all sit and fasten our seat belts.

  Alex was panicking so much that it sounded like he was going to start hyperventilating.

  “Is he okay?” Joshua asked me.

  “It’s his first time he is just nervous,” I explained.

  Dean saw the panic in his face and took his hand. That seemed to calm Alex down a bit. It was sweet seeing Dean being so affectionate; a person forgot that beneath his outer strong sarcastic layer, he was a sweet gentle man.

  I put my head on Joshua’s shoulder and squeezed his hand softly when the plane lifted. I loved flying but the first few seconds I was always nervous.

  He kissed me on my head and stroked my face with his other hand. When we were up in the air and we could take our seatbelts off Alex said, “I really want to do that again.”

  He was like a child, his face was lit up.

  Dean and Alex were playing cards with Joshua. I just sat there looking out the window. I was lost in thought. I kept on thinking of how I would tell my parents about this. They would be happy, they always supported any decision I made. I just thought that they were also very cautious, like I once was. Then I thought about us
standing there getting married and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Alex asked when he saw my smile.

  “Its nothing just thinking,” I said looking at them.

  Joshua put the cards down.

  “I am done,” he said.

  He turned to me and held me; I was lying with my back against his chest. In his plane the windows were behind the seats and the seats were sofas.

  He whispered in my ear, “are you happy?”

  I smiled and said, “absolutely.”

  I looked up and kissed him. He put his arms under mine and pulled me up so we were more comfortable.

  I heard Dean and Alex talk about us but we didn’t bother with them.

  After a while I heard them laughing and enjoying themselves with the card game they were busy playing.

  Dean was loosing and that never ended well so he tried cheating but Alex caught him out.

  I started smiling.

  “Why are you smiling?” He asked softly.

  “I was just wondering if you have had sex in this plane before?”

  He laughed and threw his head back.

  Dean and Alex looked up and then Dean said to Alex, “I am not even going to ask.” Dean clearly remembered the last time he was over inquisitive.

  “Why are you laughing?” I asked gently hitting his chest.

  “Where did that question come from?” He asked, rubbing his chest where I hit him. “Don’t change the subject just tell me?” I demanded sitting up, I didn’t know if I still wanted the answer.

  “Once but it wasn’t on this plane,” he answered.

  I looked at Dean and Alex we clearly had their attention too. I looked back at Joshua; he was looking at me with a very unsure face.

  “With an actress?” I asked, not knowing why.

  “No it was a long time ago it was with a girl I picked up in a bar in New York. It was stupid and I regret it. When I became famous, girls were throwing themselves at me and I wasn’t used to it. So I took advantage,” he tried to explain.

  I moved a couple of centimetres away from him.

  “I hope you got tested,” Dean said sarcastically.

  “Yes I did, I used protection and I got tested I am fine,” he said looking at Dean as if he was trying to let him know to mind his own business.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” I said as I got up.

  I didn’t know why I was so upset, he was famous and he was human so why would I be angry? It was long before I was in the picture.