Story Start Date- 01.07.10
Chapter One
"Aleca," Rob sighed, his patience running thin, "my dearest friend ever, please tell me you're almost ready," he pleaded, stopping and leaning in towards the bedroom door, trying to give her the privacy of changing into her dress. He paced the hotel suite's living room, dressed in a formal black Armani tux, looking out of the window and through the hazy skies of Los Angeles as he walked. The downtown skyline was in the background, with the rest of the city splaying out beneath him.
They were going to be late. And not just fashionablly late either. When he didn't get a response, he knocked softly. "Aleca. We're going to be late. Please hurry," he told her impatiently. Still no response, so he continued pacing. He was sure he was going to wear a path in the plush brown carpet.
Aleca sighed in front of the mirror, assessing her reflection with her make up assistant.
"You look fabulous, Aleca, as usual. What's up?" Mary asked quietly.
"I just can't miss one detail," Aleca said, leaning in to study her hair. It was long, to the small of her back, and in soft waves, but curling in large circles at the edges. Her eyebrows were perfectly plucked and arched over her amber eyes, disguised with pink eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara. Her high cheekbones were baby pink, and her full lips matched, shiny with a coating of gloss. She revealed her teeth to make sure nothing was there, then leaned back, and pulled at the top of her dress. It was black and tea length, a-line strappless, with a long slit up to her waist on the right side. Black tulle showed two inches around all the edge of the bottom, and about an inch around the top. There was a small pink ribbon around the empire waist with a pink rose on the left side. Her black heels were five inch peep toe stillettos, revealing her pink toenail polish. She finally nodded in approval, the went to the door and grabbed her black wrap.
"Have fun," Mary said.
"Thanks." She opened it, and saw Rob turn sharply towards her on the other side of the room.
"The limo's are down stairs waiting," he said tursly, approaching her, then his expression softening when he looked her over. "You look amazing, as usual," he said, taking her hands in his gently. "How about tonight? Let's go public," he said anxiously, searching her eyes with his blue-grey ones.
"Rob," Aleca began as she broke his hold and went to the door. "I don't think tonight, in front of all your adoring fans, would be a good night to take us to the next level. Aren't you happy with being best friends and confidants?" She looked at him over her left shoulder to make sure he was following. He was, but he was looking at her legs.
"Of course I am. I just think we're ready to bring it up a notch," the entered the elevator. "And everyone will find out evenually, anyway," they stepped out and walked outside. The drivers of the limos opened the doors simultaneously. "Stop wasting studio money and take the same limo," he said to her as they parted and climbed into their seperate cars.
She looked out the window at the passing scenery blankly, and let her mind wander. She didn't understand why he was pressuring her so much lately. They had been best friends for three years now, ever since their first film together. They had been inseperable. Hell, she'd even flown to England with him to see his family, and he'd met hers back in Oklahoma on numerous occasions. Even her parents didn't question her as much as he did, talking about "the next level". Was he planning something? Something starting with the letter M? She hoped not. As awesome as he was, she was happy with where they were now. Free to see other people, though she never really got much action because of all the press, making everyone assume she and Rob were "together" in a certain way, so suddenly she was off limits when she wasn't. And that's why she always had to chase. It wasn't always fun. Especially when they asked what he'd think. Grr.
She began to see the first stragglers of the crowd behind the barricades. Here we go, she thought. As the limo slid silently to the curb, she could hear the muffled swell of screams from the crowd. Already flashes were going off, a combination of the press and fans. When the car stopped, she waited for the driver to open her door. She waited two beats as the crowd quieted in the darkness of the car, then stepped out slowly onto the red carpet, making her entrance. The noise level soared as did the number of flash bulbs. She pasted on a smile, and stepped away from the car. She paused for a minute every few steps, hitting her photo pose. She took her wrap off, and the flashes increased. She waved, and made her way to her first interview with E! The camera swung in close.
"Aleca, you look gorgeous tonight. Who are you wearing?"
"I'm wearing a D&G dress and shoes," she answered with a blinding smile.
"Simply stunning," the lady said. Damn. She forgot her name. What was her name? "Tell me, was it difficult getting into your character for this film, since it's a different role than you're normally playing?"
The microphone was shoved into her face. "It was a challenge. I used to have a friend that had gone though a very similar experience when I was younger, so I just thought back to that time and helping her through it, and placing myself on the other side of that," she answered. What was her name? Helen? Harriet? It started with an H, she was sure. She should have listened better.
The young woman nodded.
"What was it like, being back working with Robert? But then you guys really haven't spent that much time apart in between anyway," the lady stated.
She's only doing her job, Aleca reminded herself. Keep it brief and don't give away too much. "Robert is a fantastic actor, and very easy to work with. I think he did a great job in this film," she answered.
"And for our last question. What can we look forward to from you next?"
"I haven't decided. I have a few options with some really great directors. One's a romantic comedy, another is a made for television movie. I could also make some surprise appearances on television. I'm just focused on this for the moment," Aleca told the woman.
"Well Aleca, thank you so much for your time, and have a great evening," the woman said.
"Thank you." She stepped over to the next camera, hearing the lady telling the camera that the ladies should get ready because Rob was a couple steps away. She posed for more photographs, and signed a few autographs in between interviews. The next was with TMZ, and it was pretty much the same questions, just worded differenly. She smiled for the camera, and answered the questions politely, evading anything remotely directed at her relationship with Rob. It was repetative down the line, and finally an hour and a half later, she made it to the doors of the theater.
Entering, she sighed in relief. No interviews in here. Just mingling for another hour until the show started. She made her way to her seat in the front, to set her wrap and clutch down. She spotted another cast member, Elaine, over by the left corner of the screen. Making her way over, she was stopped.
"Aleca Stallings?"
She turned at her name, not recognizing the voice. She came face to face with a taller guy, around her age, longer dark blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a dimpled chin under full lips. Did she know him? She didn't think so, but he was hot. His white on white suit with a thin black tie and black shoes were covering what she thought was a thinner frame, narrow shoulders. But he was taller than her in her heels, but not by much. That was an immediate plus.
"Yes, that's me. Do I know you?" She smiled at him, then watched him blush.
"Probably not," he smiled, and Aleca noticed the cute creases around the outside of his eyes. "I'm Taylor Hanson, with the band Tinted Windows," he paused, waiting for a reaction. When he got none, he continued. "My band has a couple songs on the soundtrack. I'm lead vocals," he finished.
"Lead vocals, huh?" So he was a musician, she mused. That was hot. She looked him up and down obvioulsy, not caring who saw or what they thought. She saw him blush again. "That's sexy. I think I heard the director mention Tinted Windows a couple times." Her eyes went to his left hand. No ring. Good. Maybe this would be a good game. She looked around the room quickly for Rob, but didn't see him. Damn. She wanted to play.
When he saw her eyes search the room, he thought he was losing her. "I could sing for you, sometime, if you wanted," he offered. "I heard you sing a little too. Maybe we could do something together," he suggested.
"Something?" She spotted Rob. He looked like he was looking for her. "You'll have to be a little more specific," she smiled wickedly at him. She watched him blink in surprise, his smile faltering for an instant. "Yeah, I'm suggesting that," she told him, reading his expression. "You're hot." She saw out of the corner of her eye Rob spot her, and start making a bee line for her through the thickening crowd.
"I- ah, thanks. I mean, you are too," he stammered.
She grabbed his tie and pulled him closer. "I'm at the Hilton down the street, suite 1305. Come after this, and you'll have your duet," she whispered, smiling in his ear, watching Rob's face go slightly red. She didn't know if this Taylor would follow through or not, but she got the reaction she'd wanted from Rob. "1305," she repeated, letting go of his tie. She turned to her right and walked away from him, watching Rob change his direction also. He cought up to her in a few steps.
"Who was that?" he asked, blocking her path.
"A fan of mine, who's songs happen to be on the soundtrack," she told him matter-of-factly.
"And that was cause to be so close to him?" His hands were balled into fists at his side.
"We were discussing a possible future collaboration," she told him lightly.
"You don't record," he stated. "I've tried to get you to do a collaboration," he pointed out.
"I know, that's why I said key word "possible"," she retorted.
He studied her. "Or does "collaboration" mean something else, something completely different?" He began to tremble in anger.
"Rob. Calm down. People are starting to look," she said cooly.
"I don't care. I care about you. You know that. Yet you still play games. Aleca, you will be mine," he stated fiercly, voice low. "I'll put up with all your distractions, but you'll end up with me."
"Hey guys," Elaine inturrupted. "You guys look pretty intense. People are starting to talk. There's still press in here," she reminded them, "and their cameras are poised."
"Elaine," Rob greeted steely, eyes still on Aleca.
Aleca turned to Elaine. "I was just making my way over to you. You, by the way, look stunning," Aleca and Elaine air kissed each other's cheeks. "I wanted to see how you were doing. I haven't heard from you in a while,"
"I know. I'm sorry. I've been so busy with this new project. I hade to take a break to make today. I flew in this morning from Austrailia. It's been hectic."
"If you ladies will excuse me for a minute," Rob said, and the girls looked at him and nodded. He looked at Aleca with a warning glance, then disappeared into the crowd.
"So what's really going on? With you and him? Why's he so upset?"
"He's been bugging me to be exclusive with him. He wanted to go public with it tonight, but I didn't agree-"
"Oh god," Elaine said quietly.
"And then I ran into Taylor Hanson from Tinted Windows on my way over to you, and Rob saw- let's just say that Rob's jealous," Aleca explained, leaving out the minor details.
"He got mad because you were talking to him?"
"He got mad because I told him we were talking about a collaboration," Aleca said.
"But you don't-" it dawned on her. "Ohhh. Okay, I understand now," she said slowly. "That's kind of harsh, Aleca."
"He knows I don't want to committ, and I never once implied to him that it was about where his dirty mind was."
"But still. He loves you, and you're treating him so badly."
"He said he'd put up with it until I was done, so he's asking for it."
"But still. He's a good guy."
"I know that, but I'm not ready to be good yet. Besides. That Taylor Hanson looks yummy," Aleca sighed, looking over at Taylor.
"Which one is he?"
"The one in the all white by the old fat guy, the Asian emo looking guy and the skater boy," she pointed him out over by the screen.
"I'll have to watch and see his face."
"Certified hottie."
"Aleca, I'm sorry to say, but you're not that picky."
"Ouch. Are you saying that I have low standards, bad taste, and he's not cute?" Aleca feigned insultation.
"No, I'm saying that you'll hook up with pretty much any guy but the one who loves you."
"Burn," Aleca said. "But I don't want to settle with him now. Should I just break it off completely?"
"Break off the best thing you've ever had so you can be a slut?"
"Elaine! Rude! You are just full of downers tonight."
"Rob's looking over here again, and he looks sad."
"Shit. Don't say that."
"Well, I don't know how else to describe his expression."
"I already told Taylor to come to my suite tonight. I don't know if he'll do it or not, though."
"Do whatever you want. I'm just saying, that if I were you, I'd be all over that," she nodded her head in Rob's direction.
"Really?! I thought he wasn't your type."
"Just like you, hot guys are my type. I'm just not going to pass on a good thing I already have."
"Alright, alright, I get your point. Maybe Taylor will be my last one."
"That's a start. But who knows how long you and Rob will last if you make it official. Maybe you'll be able to go back to your old ways before you know it."
"Is that supposed to be a jinx?"
"Not at all. Until you know for sure, you don't."
"Attention ladies and gentlemen, will you please find your seats?" The emcee announced from a microphone in front of the screen. Aleca and Elaine made their way to the front row, and took their seats. As much as Aleca wanted to trade seats with Elaine, she knew what the press expected, so she was forced to sit next to Rob. She looked at him quickly. He didn't say a word to her as they sat. He was pissed. He never gave her the silent treatment unless he was pissed. She looked at the screen, ignoring what the man in front of her was saying, until he said Rob's name. Rob stood up, turned and waved to the crowd, then said Aleca's name. She did the same as Rob had. Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Taylor. When she found him in the middle right side of the theater, she smiled and waved at him. She watched him wave and smile back, blushing, while his band mates punched him playfully. She sat down and continued to ignore the man. He went through the main cast, then announced the movie. Finally. The lights dimmed and the projector came on.
Chapter Two