When she entered the spacious room, it was empty except for a few assistants and crews taking a break while the sound check was on. A few recognised her, but most didn’t, staring at the ID around her neck then back at her, looking perplexed. Rachael ignored it and ordered a strong espresso. Even the kitchen assistants looked apprehensive, giving her furtive glances. Rachael sipped her coffee. What was going on? First the paramedic, now the…
“Why, if this isn’t my buddy ole’ pal,” a loud voice sneered above her, too deliberate to be friendly. Rachael barely looked up, glancing at the hulking figure lounging next to her before returning to her cup.
“You look like you chewed a sock, ah…geez, what was your name agin’?- oh I remember. Rachael,” he continued to bait her. “What’s wrong, Rocky? Can’t handle it?” false sympathy oozed from his voice.
Rachael deliberately put the cup down and looked at him calmly. “Maybe it’s the company I’m with,” she said, her tone like glass.
Carlos’ face twisted into a brief mask of loathing before turning back into the pitying sneer again. “You and your word games,” he scoffed, “Nick might think it’s cute but it ain’t workin’ no more. He hates your guts.”
The room had suddenly gone very quiet. Rachael took another sip, feeling the soothing, hot liquid rushing down her throat. “I’m sure he appreciates your support,” she murmured absently.
He snorted loudly. “You see,” he hauled himself up, You don’t get no popularity around here. Everyone thinks you’re a bit…out of your head, you get what I’m sayin’?”
“Perfectly,” Rachael replied blandly, her face absolutely straight. Peanut brain, she told him silently, you chose the wrong person to mess around with.
The thinly painted pleasant look cracked on Carlos’ face and he took a subtle threatening step towards her. “What are you doing here?” he snarled.
Typical, Rachael thought wearily. It was always the same with the bullying types. Try to crush victim’s self esteem first, an if that doesn’t work, go with force. They probably didn’t have enough brains to think up another way, she mused. Or any to begin with.
Taking her silence for cowardice, he went on as he had before, only the sneer was open this time. “See, you don’t even know. I didn’t like this extra security idea since the beginning, and could you believe it- the best they could come up with was you!”
“People have strange ideas sometimes,” Rachael murmured agreeably.
“You, a little rookie out from Mike’s pocket turn up and start ordering everyone around!” he stepped closer. “You see, woman, I don’t know what’s your business in this place but let me tell you something- you’re in the wrong ball game. Get your facts straight and leave the field to the experts around here.” His tone was patronizing. Rachael listened non-chalantly, pleasantly contemplating the sound it would make when she crushed his nose.
“See, because there be rules around this joint,” he brought his sweaty face close to hers, “And if someone doesn’t go by it-” he grinned and lowered his voice, trying to sound menacing, “-there’s penalty. Off the field. You got that?”
Rachael inclined her head. “Of course,” she replied pleasantly, her face a complete opposite to her voice. If she was in a staring contest with a shark, they could’ve betted fifty bucks on her. “Before you continue with your…ah, advise, why don’t you check how you look first?” she glanced meaningfully down at his pants. “Your fly is open.” She sipped at her coffee.
Someone giggled. Carlos’ eyes snapped down and flew back to her, his face a mask of rage and humiliation. Rachael shrugged, her face a mask of innocence. Finding the table suddenly had turned on him, and there was no graceful way to remove himself from the embarrassing situation, he shot her a murderous stare and gritted out, “You heard me, woman. Stay clear of my way.” and whirled around, storming out of the room.
A heavy silence followed. Rachael turned back to the counter as if nothing has happened, finishing of the remains of her drink. Slowly, the explosive atmosphere unwinded, and people went back to their own conversations, glancing at her from now and then. Rachael slowly sipped at the last dredges, her face passive, but inside she was seething with anger. I should’ve smashed his head, she thought sourly.
“Smooth going there,” a deep male voice said admiringly.
Rachael looked up and saw a tall, athletic built man in his mid-thirties with long dark blonde hair tied in a ponytail. He held out his hand. “Matt Evans. Assistant engineer.”
Rachael shook it. “Rachael Harrison.”
“I know.” He grinned disarmingly. “Who would’ve thought of it? I’ve heard rumors of a new bodyguard, but in real life, man this is a different story. I’m almost honored to meet you.”
“Almost?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to humiliate myself by going a bit further,” he smiled. “Tell me, was the heavyweight’s pants really split?”
Rachael ordered another coffee. “Nope.”
He chuckled. “Ouch for Carlos,” he murmured. “He’s really in the trash now, ain’t he?”
“What do you mean?”
He looked at her seriously. “You really don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
“This whole thing,” he said cautiously. “I didn’t hear much about it, but everyone’s getting the wrong idea about you being here.”
Suddenly Rachael was all alert. “Why?”
Matt shrugged. “There’s a lot of rumors flying around. Some say you’re a government agent, a fake, and some are just plain stupid.” He stopped, hesitating. Rachael raised a brow. He cleared his throat. “ well, I wouldn’t know for sure, but they think you’re Nick’s… well…”
Oh dear lord in heaven. “Partner?” Rachael supplied resignedly.
“Well,yeah.”
She rubbed her eyes tiredly. Sooner or later that was coming. “So let me get this straight. They think I’m in this tour because I’m Mr Carter’s…girlfriend?”
“That’s the general thought, yeah.” He grinned. “But I don’t think that would be for long. I, for one saw what happened here. I could tell them-”
“Save it,” Rachael said curtly and stood up. Matt watched her go, bewildered.
“What did I say?” he asked no one in particular.
Rachael marched down the corridor, not sure whether to be furious or amused. That ticked her off. She hated being uncertain. One thing was for certain, she thought grimly. She was going to set this straight. Girlfriend! If they only knew…
She stopped. No. they must not know. She wondered if all that has been told this morning was true. If it was…this threw another blockade in her path. And the rumors were too close to the truth. She now had to make sure that the secret was kept utterly to themselves. If that was possible.
I should’ve smashed his head in, she snarled silently, then continued on her way.
AN- Feeling like an animal, anyone? (grrrr~) =)
