Yawning over my toast and tea, I pulled the morning newspapers towards me and scanned the overnight reviews of my latest movie again. My cat Max weaved his way in and out of my legs, purring loudly, demanding my attention imperiously as only a cat could. Last night had had been the red carpet premier, and I had attended along with Kevin, who'd flown into LA for the occasion. We had not been together for a while because of conflicting schedules, but we'd kept in touch with each other by the phone. The press of course had been on our backs, drumming up headlines and speculation about our marriage, but hopefully our appearance together last night had shut them up, for a while at least. Management had been insistent we keep up the public appearances because the guys had a new cd due out and they didn't want any bad press, but for all their pressurising, it was good to see Kevin again. That week we had spent together at Beauleigh, and despite all the tension between us, I had grown accustomed to having him around.
'So what do the papers say? Good stuff I hope?' a voice husky with sleep interrupted my reading.
I turned my head towards him and laughed at him. His hair was all over the place, all messed up and scruffy and he looked like something my cat had dragged in, he was wearing boxer shorts but he wore his t shirt inside out and back to front, with the tag at the back showing, and he still looked half asleep. Max padded across to Kevin and brushed himself up against his legs as he investigated the newcomer eagerly. Kevin bent over and picked him up, stroking his ears playfully as Max purred loudly in response.
'God Kev, you're not used to getting up this early are you?' You look like something Max dragged in. They're not to bad, pretty good reviews I think. Coffee? I've made a pot.' I smiled shyly at him. Distance and separation had not, in my case lessened the attraction I felt for him, and he looked incredibly sexy at the moment. Last night as we spent the night together at the party, I realised that I still felt that electricity between us, intensified by the separation. But for some reason I felt unusually shy around him, maybe it was because his opinion mattered to me, and I wanted him to think well of me, or maybe it was something else entirely.
I gathered my thoughts together as I pushed the newspaper across the table towards him as he sat down and yawned, his eyes were hooded under sleepy brows, he still was not fully awake, Max jumped out of Kevin's arms to the floor where he started grooming his fur. Reaching over he picked up the paper, and stifling another a yawn he nodded as I waved the coffee pot in front of his nose. He smiled sleepily as I poured him a cup while he scanned through the paper.
'Jesus Jax, these are brilliant. How can you be so calm about this? A tour de force.. Jacqueline Ryecroft, gives a virtuoso performance….. From one of Britain's most talented young actors, a performance of worthy of an Oscar .
A new Lady joins the Aristocracy of British film making. Jax, this is really truly amazing. Aren't you proud of yourself?'
I pursed my lips and thought on his words as I rested my chin in my hand. I guess I was proud but what pleased me more was Kevin using the nickname he gave me. For everyone had always called me Jac, or Jacqueline, but after the time we spent at Beauleigh, Kevin had nicknamed me Jax. He said I was like a jack in the box, never still, so to him I became Jax. And it always made me feel unusually warm inside when ever he used it, like we shared something special together but I pushed that thought away. That was skating on dangerous territory.
'Well, I guess I do feel proud. It's a bit of recognition. I think I've finally proved to everyone that I can act. But it's what the other actors around me think that matters. It's their praise I seek, their acceptance. If I have that, then I'm content. That..' and I pointed to the newspaper 'Is a two minute wonder, tomorrow someone else will have the front page and centre stage. Besides half the time they know shit all. Critics don't impress me one bit and neither do those fawning reports. Tomorrow they'll be ready to stick the daggers in me again' I added with no little bitterness.
Kevin gave me a sympathetic smile. ' Don't pay any heed to them Jax, you never know maybe they'll leave you alone now you're gaining some credibility. But yeah you don't need to tell me about critics . The group has battled critics all our careers. In that we are alike, and now it looks like we are both slowly winning them over.'
The phone rang, its shrill scream interrupting him. 'Want me to get that for you? It's probably a journo wanting an interview.' He asked
'No it's ok, I'll get it. Drink your coffee while it's hot.' I walked over the kitchen bench and picked it up. Max followed me and jumped up onto the window ledge to soak up the morning sun while I talked.
Kevin went back to reading the paper only half listening to Jac's conversation until a startled 'Oh my God.' Brought his head around to see why she was so excited.
He took one look at her excited, expressive face, her pale green eyes full of shock and he wondered what had happened to bring a flush to her sculpted cheekbones.
She finished her conversation and placed the phone back with shaking hands.
'Oh my god Kevin, I can't believe this.' I breathed disbelievingly. I clasped my hands to my chest in shock. Still shaking my head I sat back down at the table.
'What? What? Don't keep me in suspense, what's happened.'
'That was Kenneth Branagh, he wants me to be his Lady Macbeth in his latest Shakespeare production. Oh my god, oh my god. If someone like him asks me, maybe I really can act. Can you believe it, he asked for me, he actually rang me personally. He got my phone number from Kez. This is a dream come true for me.' I was shaking now, as the realisation hit me.
'I take it you said yes then.' Kevin joked. He reached out his hand and took hold of mine. 'This is nothing more than you deserve Jax, congratulations.'
'Oh Kev, to be able to work with such a quality cast as he's assembling for this film, and think how much I can learn under his direction. I can't believe this is happening to me.'
'Come on go get dressed.' Kevin grinned across the table at me, he now looked wide awake and not the least bit sleepy.
'Why?' I asked at his sudden change of subject.
'Because I'm taking you shopping and then out to lunch to celebrate.' His eyes were smiling at me.
'You don't have to do that Kevin.' I realised he still had hold of my hand and that our fingers were linked, but my heart was behaving in the most strange way in my chest and suddenly I found it hard to breathe as his eyes smiled at me across the table.
'Yes I do, now come on move your butt. No isn't an option here. Today is my treat to you.'
I swallowed and started to breathe again as my heart rate steadied itself.
'Ok you're on, I'll move my butt right now.' I managed to get out as I let go of his hand reluctantly and made a move to go get ready.
Kevin sipped his coffee reflectively, admiring Jac's retreating form, when the phone rang again. Absentmindedly he picked it up, his mind still on Jac's retreating butt and its stirring effect on him. 'Hello.' There was silence on the end of the line. 'Hello. Hello who's this?' This time Kevin could hear the faint sounds of breathing before the line went dead. Pulling a face at the phone he hung up. ' Probably kids mucking about.' He said to himself with a sigh. He looked at Max and said. 'I suppose I should go get ready as well, what do ya reckon Max?' Max contemplated Kevin out of his green eyes as he stopped licking his paw, and answered with a 'Meiow.' Kevin laughed and scratched his ear. 'You know Max, I could get used to living here with Jax and you, but don't tell her I said that Ok. We fellas have to stick together.'
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As Jac and Kevin left the house together, and climbed into Kevin's car, a shadowy figure watched silently from behind the bushes, hidden from view. And as Kevin drove off down the street, he made a dash to his waiting car, and at a discreet distance behind them, he followed making sure to keep his prey within sight.
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'Who was that on the phone earlier Kev?' I asked as I watched him change gears, he had lovely hands, long seductive fingers and I could just imagine them playing the piano.
'I dunno Jax, no one answered. I thought maybe it was a wrong number, or kids mucking about. I could hear breathing though on the end of the line though.' He said as he concentrated on the traffic lights ahead, slowing down to a stop as they changed to red. I paled and bit my lip, as my heart sank to my stomach, I felt like the stuffing had been knocked out of me.
'Oh no please tell me not the phone calls again.' I thought, my mind racing, it had been a couple of weeks since the last one and I had hoped they had stopped when I changed my phone number. Kevin must have sensed my agitation, because he looked sideways at me. 'Jax what's wrong?'
'Um nothing.' I stammered with a shaky voice. Kevin raised an eyebrow at me.
'It sure as hell doesn't look like nothing Jax, you're as white as a ghost and your hands are shaking.'
I guiltily tucked them between my knees and looked over sideways at him. His chin was set in that determined look and I knew he would have what was wrong out of me, if he had to choke me to make me tell him. The lights changed to green and he drove off, changing the gears smoothly again. 'I really think you should tell me what's got you scared sweetheart.'
I sighed. 'Ok, let's find somewhere where we can talk. I need a coffee and I'll tell you all about it.'
Twenty minutes later we were sat at the back of a discreet but trendy coffee shop, but being so early, it was fairly quiet. Kevin took a sip of his coffee as he questioned me. 'So when did the calls start?'
Signing deeply I screwed up my face as I tried to remember everything. 'They started again when I came back to LA. At first it was just heavy breathing and I'd hang up, but they continued so I changed my number. Then he started again, at first with heavy breathing, and I'd hang up again, then he started to tell me he loved me, and he was going to meet me somehow. So I got the police involved, but they couldn't trace the calls, so I got another new number. Now it looks like he's found that out as well. It's the ease with which he's getting my number that's scaring me. Plus at the risk of sounding a nut case, I've had the feeling that I'm being watched, but I thought it was just journalists, but maybe not. I admit I'm a bit freaked out and nervy now at the thought that the calls might be starting again.'
'Look Jax, would you like me to stay with you? I know it wasn't part of the plan us living together, but I don't like the idea of you being alone if this is happening. Plus it'll keep the press speculation down a bit.' He reasoned cleverly, offering me another reason beside the strange phone calls as for why he should stay with me.
I toyed with my spoon, torn between wanting him with me, and the need not to get too close to him. I suspected having such intimate contact with him would make the break when it came that much harder to handle, and I knew it wouldn't take much for me to fall hard for him. If I was truthful with myself, I suspected I was walking that pathway right now. I looked up and met his eyes, again hit by their intense colour and beauty. Kevin took the spoon out of my hand and placed it in my saucer. 'I won't bite, I promise Jax.' His deep, soft spoken voice, sent shivers along my spine, and his eyes compelled me to agree to his suggestion. Knowing I would probably end up getting burnt by having him so close I agreed finally. 'Ok Kevin. Ok, I think I'll feel safer if you stayed with me.'
With that smile that was so essentially Kevin, he looked pleased and also reassured that I had agreed. 'Great, I'll bring some more stuff of my over then, and we'll contact the police again Ok?'
'I guess I should do that hey? But it didn't stop him before, will it now?''Well we'll talk to them anyway ok? Now drink up that coffee Jax. I promised you a great day, so forget all about this idiot for a while and enjoy yourself. I know where there are some really cool boutiques and for lunch, how does Italian sound?'
'Just divine, you sure know how to treat a girl' I smiled.
'So I've been told.' He laughed and caught the napkin that I threw at him.
'Bad aim Jax, come on sweetheart, let's shop till we drop.' And as we made our way companionably back to the car, we didn't notice the shadowy figure follow behind us.