by Joy King
When Tyler turned to read the inside story, it read, "While Tyler Blake is away, Andre Jackson seeks comfort in the arms of the mother of his child, Chantal Morgan ".
It had another picture with the two of them hugging, and then Andre getting in his car to leave. The article went on the give an overview of Chantal and Andre's relationship up to the point where he left her at the altar, and then Chantal hitting Tyler with her car. It even insinuated that Andre was the one that made sure Chantal never went to jail for the crime. They also quoted an inside source speaking about the recent fight the women had at the charity event where Chantal ended up being dragged out in handcuffs. The story was salacious at the very least, and a tremendous blow to Tyler.
"Tyler, are you okay?"
Tyler rested her elbows on the console table, then put her head down in the palm of her hands. Before she answered T-Roc's question, she heard the chime of her cell. She picked it up and saw Andre's number. "Now Andre decides to call after his face is splashed across Us Weekly," Tyler said, tossing her phone back down. "Well it's too late. I don't want to hear it."
"I didn't want to be the one to show you this, but I thought you deserved to know."
"Of course. Better I hear it from you then the other millions of people who would love to tell me. When I was a little girl dreaming of being a movie star, never did I believe it came with having your heart crushed in front of the entire world. I wish someone had forewarned me how high the price of fame is."
T-Roc watched as Tyler picked her purse up and took out one of the pills he had given her. She grabbed her bottled water and swallowed it down and said, "Time to get back to work."
"Tyler, pick up the damn phone," Andre screamed in the receiver and then slammed it down on the table in his hotel room when the call went to voice mail for the tenth time. I can't believe this shit. Igo to Chicago to get away from the media, but they still manage to find me and put this bullshit on the front of a magazine. I know Tyler believes this garbage, and I can't even blame her because if I was her I would too. Damn, if she would only let me explain. Andre broke out of his thoughts when he heard his cell ringing and prayed it was Tyler. "Hello, Tyler," he answered, not bothering to see what number came up.
"Sorry, it's me Chantal."
"Hi, Chantal," he said with disappointment in his voice.
"I guess you already seen the magazine. My phone been ringing off the hook."
"Hell yeah, I can't believe this shit," Andre blasted back.
"For the record I had no idea there was a photographer lurking in the bushes waiting to snap a picture of us."
"Them motherfuckers been on me ever since me and Tyler became a couple, it's not your fault. I should've been more careful."
"But you didn't do anything wrong. You have to explain to Tyler that the picture is deceiving. If you want I'll call her myself."
"Don't. I appreciate the gesture but trust me you calling Tyler won't make the situation any better."
"Well have you spoken to her?"
"She won't speak to me. I keep calling her but she doesn't pick up. I've really fucked up. With everything else going on this is the last thing we need. I don't know how many more test our relationship can endure."
"Damn, Andre this is fucked up. If it helps the press has been blowing up my phone asking for a comment and I keep telling them that nothing happened. You were only over visiting your daughter."
"I'm sure it's a little hard for them to believe with the attire you were wearing."
"I already felt bad, now you making me feel even more guilty."
"That's not my intention. I have to figure out how to make this right. I gotta go, Chantal. I'll talk to you later," Andre said hanging up. He walked over and opened the Tiffany & Co. box and admired the X line platinum bracelet with clip from the Victoria collection he had planned to surprise Tyler with when he begged her forgiveness for shutting her out. He imagined how the forty round brilliant diamonds and four marquise diamonds would sparkle on Tyler's wrist. But with this latest fiasco Andre wasn't sure if he would ever have the chance to see.
When Tyler got back to her hotel room, Christian was already sound asleep. She stepped in the marble floored bathroom and turned on the shower. The hot water engulfing her body was exactly what she needed. As she lathered every curve, she replayed the tons of messages Andre left on her phone. He vehemently denied the article being true. Tyler's heart wanted to believe him but her head was screaming something else. But tonight, Tyler wanted to forget the turmoil her relationship with Andre was in.
After her long shower, Tyler slipped on a satin, light steel blue, billowy sleeved cocktail dress perfectly balanced with a plunging neckline that gave the style a carefree quality. She lifted her loose curls up, leaving a few to frame her face. She dabbed on some Mac Foolishly Fab Plush lip glass, grabbed her peach Bottega Venetta clutch and headed out to meet Ian.
When Tyler entered the Journeys Lounge it had a tranquil vibe. The decor was a transcontinental travel of the 1930's theme. She noticed Ian sitting in a booth by the wood-burning fireplace, which complimented the clubby ambiance of mahogany paneled walls and Persian carpets. "Sorry I'm so late," she said, sitting down.
"I'm happy you showed up."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Work, and I know you have a lot on your mind."
"Let me guess. You either saw or heard about the article on Andre and Chantal."
"I wasn't going to bring it up, but yeah, I did."
"Does that mean you're no longer seeing Chantal?"
"That's been over. I wouldn't say it ever started. What about you and Andre?"
"I don't know. I haven't spoken to him, but from the messages he left me he claims the story isn't true."
"Do you believe him?"
"I want to, but Chantal dressed in her underwear, him kissing her, a picture is worth a thousand words. But you know what, I promised myself that for this one night I wouldn't let my mind be consumed with Andre."
"Say no more. We can talk about how beautiful you look in that dress."
"Cute. So who won the game?"
"You know we killed those whack ass Knicks. Them clowns can't win any games. I wish you could've been there."
"Me too. I think Christian would've enjoyed it."
"How old is your son?"
"Five. What about your little one?"
"She's three."
"I bet she's adorable."
"Yeah, she is. Every time I look at her I think about the child we could've had together. I'll never forgive myself for throwing you down those stairs."
"Don't do this, Ian."
"I can't help but think that if it never happened we would still be together."
"I've learned that you can't dwell on the what ifs. I mean, what if I never slept with T-Roc? Then you would've never thrown me down the stairs and the whole chain of events would be different. But I did sleep with him and you did react the way that you did, and we both should take it as a learning experience."
"One to grow on."
"Exactly."
"I hear you. The thing is, with all the time that has passed I'm still not over you."
Ian rubbed Tyler's arm and his touch was enticing. She longed to be held by Andre, but wondered if being with Ian would be a wonderful alternative. He did know her body and the one area they never had a problem with was the bedroom.
"Tyler, we're more mature now. I believe we can make it work this time."
"Isn't this cozy, my cousin and my favorite girl," T-Roc said, positioned in an imposing manner.
"T-Roc, what are you doing here?" Tyler asked, startled.
"The question is, why are you with him?"
"Who the fuck is you to be questioning her?" Ian popped, standing up.
"You can't be running back into this cat's arms after he threw you down the stairs and killed our baby." T-Roc moved in closer.
"Motherfucker, that was my seed she was carrying," Ian spit.
"Would you
two stop? Honestly, we don't know whose baby it was, and at this point does it even matter."
"Hell yeah it matters, because he's responsible for taking out my unborn child," T-Roc pointed his finger at Ian. "The only reason I didn't have your ass put six feet under is because we blood. But I'll be damn if I'm about to stand here and watch you break bread with this dude."
"Then leave," Tyler yelled. "You act like you own me, but you don't and never have."
"I've destroyed lives for you. You owe me." T-Roc's stare felt like an electric shock through her veins. His words were reflexive and she didn't know how to respond.
T-Roc then grabbed Tyler's arm and held it firmly. "You need to stop fighting it and realize you belong to me."
"You're crazy."
"Get your fucking hands off of her," Ian barked
"You stay out of this," T-Roc said, using his other hand to shove Ian's shoulder, and that's when all hell broke loose.
Ian swung on T-Roc and his jaw rocked to the side from the impact of the punch. T-Roc quickly gained his composure and reached over Tyler, clenching Ian's neck. The open bottle of champagne Ian had on the table flew in Tyler's direction and drenched her dress. She moved from being in the center of their brawl as they continued to exchange blows. They were now falling over the table and about to hit the floor until a few husky hotel security men came over and broke the fight up.
"I'm not done with you. I'm going to fuck you up," T-Roc threatened, huffing rapidly.
"Bring it on," Ian shot back.
"Both of you are out of here," one of the security men groaned as they led T-Roc and Ian out of the lounge.
The live piano music once again filled the air, and Tyler sat down wondering if and when the theatrics would ever end.
"Ella, you look amazing," Tyler gushed as she and her sister sat in a back table at the Cuban restaurant, Cafe Fuego for lunch.
"Thank you, lil sis."
"And your hair-this short shag with the blond highlights is fabulous. You definitely have the whole fashion designer image on lock. I hope you brought some outfits for me."
"You know I did. The host has them hanging in a garment bag up front. So you better rock them clothes on the red carpet and give me a shout-out."
"That goes without saying. I can't wait to show off my sister's clothes. I'm so proud of you."
"And me of you. You're famous. Those same tabloids we would read as teenagers, now your face is all over them. Talk about surreal. I have to remind myself that you're my sister. How does it feel to walk outside and everyone knows your name?"
"Some days on top of the world, but on most, weighed down. But the weird thing is when I'm with Christian it puts things in perspective because to him I'm just `Mom'."
"That's beautiful. Where is my nephew anyway?"
"With Deanna, the maid-slash-nanny. She's been incredible with Christian. At first I wasn't sure if he would feel comfortable with her but now he adores her, which is awesome, especially since he's coming back to Malibu with me."
"That's wonderful. I know Christian must be so happy."
"He is and I'm ecstatic. Brian was wonderful with him, but it's time for him to come home and be with his Mommy."
"How is Brian?"
"Better. He doesn't seem to hate me anymore. And if he does he's learned how to hide it," Tyler smiled.
"After that awful custody battle I didn't know if you all would ever get to a place that you could be civil with each other. It's good to hear you all are making progress, especially for Christian's sake."
"I know."
"And how's Mother? Did she drive you crazy during her visit?"
"I guess you haven't spoken to her recently, because before I left, mother was still in LA."
"Really? She must have met a man."
"Damn sure did, and not just any man. William Donovan."
"Your ex-lover and the director of your movie?"
"One and the same."
"Mother never ceases to amaze me," Ella said, shaking her head. "How in the hell did that happen.
"I made the dumb mistake of bringing her to the movie set. She got one whiff of William and it was all she wrote."
"Did you tell her you all had been seriously involved at one time?"
"Of course, but she blamed our relationship on my daddy issues, which I won't deny that I have, but still I used to have sex with William. Are there any boundaries?"
"The mold was certainly broken when Mother was created. She can find an excuse for every deplorable act she commits."
"You ain't never lied about that."
"Enough of her. How much longer are you going to be in town?"
"Today we finished filming, thank goodness, so we're out of here tomorrow. I've been in this city for too long. I'm ready to go home."
"Who was your co-star in the movie again?"
"T-Roc."
"How could I forget that? How did it go?"
"He's an excellent actor and I think the movie will be amazing, but T-Roc the person is an absolute nightmare. The last few days of shooting were draining. He got in a huge fight with Ian a few days ago and I didn't want to be around him. But of course work is work, and no matter how much you detest your leading man, I had a job to do."
"Why did he and Ian get in a fight?"
"Still living in the past, that's why."
"That's a shame. Do they really need to be fighting over an engaged woman?"
Tyler looked down at the pink diamond ring on her finger. Even with the chaos in her relationship with Andre she hadn't taken off his ring.
"Is everything okay between you and Andre?"
"You haven't read the stories?"
"Of course I have, but with you being my sister I've learned that everything you read isn't true."
"I wish that was the case, but I don't even know what the truth is. We are having serious problems and I have no idea if we'll get through this."
"Have you discussed your reservations with Andre?"
"When I was desperate to speak to him he had no words for me, and now that he's dying to plead his case to me, I have no words for him."
"If you love him as much as you've told me, then find the words. Real love is too precious to give up on."
"Thanks, Ella, I needed to hear that. I feel a little better."
"I hope my surprise will make you feel even better."
"What surprise?"
"Brace yourself. You'll be taken aback at first, but this is the beginning to all your healing."
"Ella, you're totally confusing me."
"I want you to turn around slowly and say hello to..."
Anticipation wouldn't allow Tyler to wait. She had already turned around before Ella could finish her sentence.
"D-d-daddy," Tyler stuttered as if seeing a ghost. It had been over twenty years since the last time Tyler had seen her father, but the eyes never lie, and looking into his was like staring back into her own.
Tyler stood up from her chair, walked closer and reached out her arm gently touching his face. She wanted to feel the softness of his skin and the outline of each feature from his nose, eyes and high cheekbones. She rubbed her fingers through the low curls in his hair and finally hugged him to take in the smell of his skin that she had been deprived of for so long. "Daddy, I missed you." When she released the words from her mouth, the flow of tears followed.
"My sweet angel, Daddy missed you too."
"You guys come sit down."
"I've dreamed about sitting down with both my daughters for so long. Dreams really do come true."
"Daddy, I have so many questions."
"So did I when we first spoke. Initially when he called I didn't believe it was really Daddy, but within a few minutes I knew."
"Ella, how long ago was that?"
"About a month. I knew you were coming to New York and we both felt it would be better if you reunited in person."
"Daddy, where have you been?"
"I've been living in North Ca
rolina for some years now. But a day never went by that I didn't miss my girls."
"Why didn't you come back for us, Daddy?" Tyler couldn't ask the question without breaking down and crying.
"Oh, dear God, I always prayed that before He took me out this world that I would have the chance to tell you that I did come back." Tyler's father opened his bag, and there were tons of unopened letters stamped as `undeliverable' were inside, and he dropped some on the table. "They were all sent back to me. Your mother got so fed up with me trying to make contact that she came to see me with her new husband. Maria said she had married a rich, successful man and you girls had a new father that you adored and you hated me for putting my hands on her and never wanted to see me again. I was riddled with shame for you girls witnessing me hurting your mother and couldn't blame you. I didn't feel worthy to have you in my life, so I did what Maria asked and left all of you alone. It was too painful knowing you were living in the same state and not be able to see you so I moved away. Every once in a while I would call to see how you both were doing and Maria would say I was dead to you, and that if I kept on calling she would have me taken care of permanently. I know I should've fought harder to see you but I believed I had nothing to offer and you were happier and better off without me. Please forgive me."
"Growing up I always felt something must be wrong with me if my own father didn't want me. I would go from one horrible relationship to another believing that I was never worthy of real love from a man because the man I needed the most had turned his back on me, which was you. But now I know that you did come back for me, and that makes all the difference in the world." Tears fell from both Ella and their dad at hearing Tyler's painful confession.
They all held each other tightly, and Tyler knew that Ella was right; this was the beginning of her healing.
"I can't believe your ass is going back to LA already. I thought you would at least stay put for a month," Shari said, driving Chantal to the airport.
"I have some unfinished business to handle there."
