Justin didn’t know what had possessed him to approach Bryan. He still had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right.
Natalia had willingly attended this party with Bryan and Justin wanted to know what was so special about this man, why she associated herself with him when she wanted nothing to do with Justin.
Justin had noticed Bryan’s unspoken warning in their introduction. What he didn’t know was why he felt the need to. Of course he could feel threatened by the pop star, a lot of men would in the situation. Maybe he thought Justin would jeopardise whatever he had with Natalia. Bryan frankly didn’t seem the type to feel threatened though. He certainly didn’t seem short of confidence.
“You know Natalia.”
Justin knew it wasn’t a question and nodded. “I do,” he stated simply.
“How?” he asked.
Justin’s eyes widened ever so slightly in amusement, there was nothing like getting straight to the point. There was no beating around the bush with this guy that was for sure. Maybe he was threatened after all. He decided to have a bit of fun with this.
“She didn’t mention me before?” he asked, his face a mask of surprise. Continuing his act he faked thoughtfulness. “Hmm…then again she didn’t mention you either.”
He fought not to smile when he saw the man’s hands clench. He shrugged before continuing. “We have…an interesting relationship to say the least.”
He wasn’t lying on that front. The time in which they had known each other had been far from predictable and she never failed to surprise him.
He caught sight of her and could tell even from a distance that she was flustered.
What’s going on in that head of yours Natalia?” he thought to himself.
He gave her a smile and she immediately rushed over to where they stood. He couldn’t hide his smile as she approached. He liked the fact that he made her nervous. What she was nervous about though he had yet to discover.
Her eyes locked briefly with Justin’s before she turned her attention to Bryan. She caught him eyeing Justin carefully and she rolled her eyes. “Bryan.” She waited for him to redirect his focus. “I’m not feeling too good.”
Justin’s mouth twitched in amusement. “Really what’s wrong?”
Her head swung around and Justin’s delight at the situation she was in did not go unnoticed. Just you wait Timberlake.
Turning away from Justin she was met with Bryan’s expectant face. “Er…I…”
“Are you feeling sick?” Justin asked. “These rooms get pretty stuffy.”
She cleared her throat nervously. “Yeah that’s it. I…I fell a little queasy.”
Justin caught her attention once again and smiled brightly. “You owe me,” he mouthed.
She quickly turned away. “Yeah so as I was saying, I’m not feeling too good and I think it would be best for me to go.”
Justin stepped behind her and placed a warm hand on the top of her bare arm. He proceeded to run it slowly down the length of her arm until he reached her wrist. A small shiver ran through her.
“Yeah we wouldn’t want her throwing up over the guests or anything would we?” Justin chirped.
Natalia promptly ground the heel of her sandal into his foot.
Bryan’s parents chose that moment to show their faces. Any other time having to be in the presence of Mr and Mrs Devlin would be an unwelcome chore but she was grateful for the interruption.
While Bryan was greeting his parents Justin placed his hands on her hips and pushed her forward slightly, effectively removing her foot from on top of his. “That hurt,” he whispered into his ear.
“Good,” she shot back. She brushed his hands from her sides and straightened her shoulders out.
She rubbed her hand across her tired eyes. As an afterthought she hoped she hadn’t smudged her mascara.
“Are you okay dear?” Dana asked.
If she said “dear” one more time she was going to scream. The way she said it was not at all affectionate; in fact it was downright demeaning.
“Well funny you should mention it, we were just talking about that. How perceptive of you Mrs Devlin,” Justin remarked.
“Now didn’t I tell you to call me Dana?” she giggled.
Natalia couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. He was charming the pants off this woman who was more than twice his age and in front of her husband and son at that. While Harry didn’t seem to notice his wife falling for the charms of the younger man his son definitely did.
Forget about faking her illness, the scene that was unfolding before her was making her sick to her stomach. Justin and Bryan were sizing each other up and she was growing more and more uncomfortable by the second. She didn’t want to be there, she shouldn’t have to be there. She should have been at home…with her mom, not here in the middle of whatever game they were playing. Neither of them wanted her for her, neither of them knew her. Very few people did.
When supposed loved ones had hurt you badly the prospect of letting in strangers, people who were 10 times likely to run you over in order to get what they wanted, was ludicrous. The chances of her allowing anyone entry to her heart were almost non-existent, it had been locked up and kept out of reach for her own wellbeing long ago.
She cleared her throat and all eyes were directed to her. “You’re right Mrs Devlin, I don’t feel at all well. I think it would be best if I left.”
Bryan sighed impatiently. “You can’t go yet, there are still a lot of people we haven’t talked to yet,” he declared.
“Nonsense Bryan, I’m sure everyone will understand. Harry page the limousine for her would you?”
He shook his head. “No can do I’m afraid. They’ve headed back to base at my request and won’t be available until after 11 pm when they are on call.”
“It’s okay I can get a taxi.” As much as a ride in a limo would thrill most people her age it wasn’t for her, she would rather stick to means of transport she could afford, that way she didn’t owe anybody anything.
“Actually,” Justin cut in, “our security team have a van on standby, I can get them to take her home,” he offered.
Natalia stared at him in shock.
“I don’t think…” Bryan started.
“Could you dear? That would be wonderful,” Dana spoke for everyone.
“Okay now we’ve got that sorted I’ve got some people I want you to meet. I’ll see you tomorrow Natalia,” Harry said.
She nodded a farewell to her boss.
Bryan was led away by his father leaving him with no further say in the matter. With a small wave Dana followed the father and son.
With them out of the picture Natalia turned and started for the exit.
“Hey! Where do you thing you’re going?” Justin asked grabbing her arm.
She looked at him distractedly, obviously set on getting out of there as soon as possible. “I’m going home.”
“And I’m supposed to be taking you,” he told her.
“Listen Justin thanks and everything but I don’t expect you to take me home. I appreciate you saying you would to them but you don’t need to, I won’t tell anyone.”
She once again tried to leave but he stopped her once more. “But what if I want to?”
She studied his face for any hint of insincerity but didn’t find a trace. “Really Justin, stay and have fun, I can get home by myself.”
He laughed. “You call this fun?” he asked looking around the room. “Hell I think I want to get out of here more than you do.”
A hint of a smile graced her face. “Not possible.”
“Wait here,” he instructed her. “I just need to get one of security.”
She grimaced slightly. “Once of the big scary guys that are at the studios sometimes?”
Justin laughed. “Scary?” he scoffed. “They’re pussycats! I could have them like this.” He snapped his fingers to demonstrate.
She looked at him sceptically. “Whatever you say.”
“I’ll just be a minute.”
She watched as he headed straight for his table. A few faces were recognisable from the studio. Keeping her gaze on Justin she saw him bend down to speak to a man. The man in question glanced over at her before speaking with Justin.
Another man with red hair, Joey she thought, slapped Justin on the back. Justin shook his head. She could imagine the discussion going on between the friends, typical guy talk, she wasn’t too bothered.
The people around that table - that was Justin’s world. His friends, his family, his life was so different from hers and looking at him with his friends reminded her of the fact that she didn’t want him messed up in her life. Not only that, it would also make her life more complicated. Him taking her home tonight was just another step on the ladder to getting him involved. She didn’t want that, either for him or herself. Justin was the superstar. She was the nobody. She had to remind herself of that otherwise she was going to get hurt and lord knows she’d had enough of that to last a lifetime.
Without any further thought she slipped through the room, across the lobby and outside via a side exit to avoid the hoards of fans and photographers.
“Damnit Justin, you can’t just leave, what kind of impression will that make?” JC exclaimed.
“I promised that Devlin guy that I’d take her home, if I didn’t what kind of impression would that make huh?” Justin pointed out smugly.
JC threw his arms up in exasperation, looking helplessly at everyone around the table.
“I say he should go, he won’t be missed by me,” said Chris.
Justin ignored his comment and concentrated on Johnny. “Well?”
The man shook his head. “You’ve been really irresponsible lately and I don’t know what you’re trying to prove here but it can’t go on. You’ve got to learn that there are things in life that you just have to do, even if you don’t like them. This is a business Justin; it’s not just you performing on stage that keeps this boat afloat. Dre can you take them?” he asked.
He nodded and Justin smiled. “Bring him straight back though.”
“What?” Justin groaned. “Do I have to?” he whined.
Johnny had grown immune to his complaints over the years. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? Justin you’re trying everyone’s patience here, just go.”
“Man it’s not fair, why does he get to go?” he heard Joey mutter as he made his way back to where he had left Natalia.
His face fell when he saw the spot was empty. Glancing around the surrounding area he saw she was nowhere in sight. “Shit,” he whispered under his breath.
He picked up his pace, working his way through the room full of bodies.
“J what are you doing? Wait up,” Dre called as the younger man escaped his watchful eye.
Justin was trying very hard to keep his temper from surfacing. Just when he thought they were making progress she had disappeared. It was like a never-ending battle trying to gain her friendship let alone anything more.
He wasn’t sure if he even wanted more. Why he was putting so much time into something that resulted in him being knocked back time and time again was beyond him. The fact remained that he could take his pick from millions of girls. Nobody walked away from Justin Timberlake without a fight though.
Any hopes that she had just stepped out into the lobby were quickly dashed when all he could see were men in the identical penguin suits he loathed.
With his withheld anger ticking away like a time bomb he almost walked through the front doors completely oblivious to what was waiting for him on the other side. A large hand gripped his shoulder, pulled him back and effectively saved him from being mauled by fans.
“Boy you have got to stop losing your head when you’re in love.”
“I’m not in love, I hardly know her…what am I talking about, I don’t know a thing about her! I’m mad,” he concluded.
“Where are you going now?” Dre asked as Justin walked away.
“To find a way out…to find her.”
Dre caught up with him and grasping his shoulders he pushed him in the direction of the same side exit Natalia had escaped through.
“Justin how long have you been in this business? You should know by now that you don’t use the main doors unless you want to be noticed. Do you really think she wanted to face that mob?”
They found themselves in an alley, a few cars parked on one side. Justin looked both ways and spotted her talking to a man in a hotel uniform.
“We’ll have a cab for you in 5 minutes ma’am,” the man said.
“That won’t be necessary,” Justin announced.
Natalia looked up guiltily. “Justin,” she said softly.
Justin gestured to Dre to head for the van and without saying a word grasped her arm and marched her in the same direction.
“Justin what are you doing?” she whispered harshly. She stumbled as she tried to match his long strides. Shaking her arm out of his grasp she ground to a halt. “What is your problem?”
“My problem?” he laughed. “You just couldn’t let me do something nice for you could you?”
Lowering her head she shifted nervously. “I told you that you didn’t have to,” she said quietly.
He sighed. “Will you just get in the van? I’m tired and I really don’t feel like chasing you around Orlando.”
Reluctantly she followed him, stepping into the van as he held the door open before joining her in the back.
After giving Dre vague directions all remained silent except for the soft music from the radio which allowed them to talk somewhat privately if they wished.
Finally she broke the silence. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he replied, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings.
She bit the inside of her cheek nervously. “I just don’t really…” She took a deep breath. “Why are you so persistent?”
“Persistent?” he asked finally looking at her.
She nodded.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
She knew this wasn’t going to be easy. “Why do you…” Shaking her head she tried again. “Why do you continually…”
“Why do I continually keep coming back for more when you’re so obviously not interested?” He asked looking directly into her eyes.
She felt her cheeks warm and dipped her head even though the van was dark.
“I don’t know, I asked JC the same thing.”
Her embarrassment increased. Her mind was running on overtime thinking about what had been said. He talked to his friends about me? They probably thought she was a total nutcase.
“I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment. Maybe I just want to get to know you, discover some of those secrets you keep so well hidden,” he joked.
“Turn left here,” she directed Dre before turning angrily to Justin. “And once you’ve figured out these secrets what do you get Justin? Do you get a prize? Win a bet? Or is it just satisfying to know my weaknesses?”
She turned away from him and saw they were approaching the turning for her street. “Take a right here,” she said calmly.
“Natalia?” When she didn’t respond he reached over and cupped her face, turning it so they were eye to eye. “It’s not like that. I’m not like that,” he said gently, grazing her flushed cheek with the pad of his thumb.
She looked into his eyes not daring to blink. Finally she looked past him and realised where she was. “It's right here.”
The van slowed to a stop and Justin reluctantly dropped his hand with a sigh.
She thanked Dre before turning back to him. “Thank you too.” She watched him look at her house, with a slightly confused expression, and laughed bitterly. “And that’s just one of the reasons you don’t want to get involved with me.”
He looked back at her quickly. “Natalia, no…” But he was cut off by the door slamming.
He kicked the seat in front of him angrily. “Damn!”
“Hey watch it,” Dre said.
He watched her walk down the path and unlock her front door. Before she stepped inside she turned back and smiled weakly before disappearing out of sight but not out of mind.
“What have you got yourself into this time kid?” Dre asked from up front.
Justin shook his head. “Let’s just get out of here.”
Chapter 10
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