2nd Place Winner - Almost Married

Almost Married
The Love Contract Series
Book One
By;

 S.D. Tracy Harper

 

Also by SD Tracy Harper

SHORT STORIES FROM THE HEART SERIES

Reality’s Exit

Steven D.T. Harper. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical except for the purpose of reviewing or promotion.  Almost Married- The Love Contract Series (Book One) by: SD Tracy Harper is a work of fiction, any resemblance between the characters and actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover illustration by S.D. Tracy Harper.

Acknowledgement

      To

Dedication

To Mom. 

   I did listen, but I must have dozed off between “This is important and Do you understand?”

Content

            Prologue                                                      

1.          Weren’t Me                                                   

2.          The Dyeing Fish Dance                                

3.          Good Idea at the Time                                 

PROLOGUE

     Being on top of the music business is one of the scariest things in the world, but losing it all in the blink of an eye is even worse. My agent and so-called, best friend said it would only be for a while, but his definition of reality and those who actually know what the word means is something quite different. With the world looking closely, the only woman I knew who loved me looking crazed, and her deranged grandfather looking satisfied, I stepped off my private jet married to the one person I hated the most. Thank god I'll only have to put up with her until the contract ends in six months. I was just thankful I wasn't around when they had met.

-

     Now let us try this again, or you can get your attorney on your little cell phone and ask him how much trouble you are in. And, I do mean, at this particular moment in your life?”

     “If you insist,” the old man said, evenly with a slight change in his attitude, a very slight change. “My name is Ronald Gosse, of the Gosse Conglomerate.”

     “Now that wasn't hard Mr. Gosse. So, do be a dear and just wait right where you are until I'm off the phone or call your lawyer because you're going to jail along with anyone who assists you,” I said, comply and lift the cell phone up to my ear. “Jonathan, do you know a Mr. Ronald Gosse. Oh, is that so. No, and you can pick me up later. I told you I have some reading to do. Just call me before you come. Sometime I lose track of time when I'm reading. Keep that Rip Van Winkle comments and those lips of yours to yourself. You are still in trouble for the bank transfer so don't you think for one moment you are off the hook just yet. I'll talk to you later.” I snapped my phone closed, turned my newly heated attention back to Mr. Gosse, and smiled. “Now let us move on to you Mr. Gosse and your granddaughter.”

     “I see his word means…”

     “His word to keep their friendship had ended when their friendship had ended. There is no need for him to bring up his past relationships to me or the reason they decided to break up. You may not realize this, but he's engaged.” I laughed, falsely and held up my ring with a crazed smile.

     “What you do not realize is that he is using you. If you would listen, I can save you much pain and suffering and see that you receive compensation as well. Mark my words, he will provide you with nothing when you are no longer useful to him.”

     “Oh, this is going to be good,” I said, calmly with a wide false smile on my face. “Are you here to ask me to leave him so his ex-girlfriend can have him back?”

     “Of course not,” the old man said, tightly with a deep detestable growl. “Don’t be naive. I just want you to convince him to speak with her so she will finally…”

     “Why would I let your granddaughter anywhere near him? Even someone as great as the owner of the Gosse Conglomerate can see that she would only use this as an opportunity to try to win him back. The best thing you can do is let her cry herself silly in her pillow for a couple of weeks and tell her to move on with her life and someone new.”

     “It is not that simple to get her to see what is right before her.”

     “Then ask her when was the last time the two of them walked down the street together holding hands? When had they ever gone dress shopping and he held her bag for her? Or, something as common as sitting on a park bench looking out at the water, eating a pretzel with mustard on it and enjoy the warmth of the sun holding on to each other? I don't know what kind of relationship they had, but it must have been boring as hell.”

     “Our friendship was perfect until you came along!” a very high, squeaky, and unhinged angry voice said, bitterly from behind me.

     When I turned around to see who this helium sucking whining squeak hole belonged to, I instantly went into librarian mode and locked down all my emotions. I had seen very few pictures of Alanine Gosse. I was never interested in the high, mighty, super ridiculously wealthy, and the blatantly pampered, but you have to give the she-devil its due. She was a point of interest. Oh, how I hate to admit I was coming out as the ugly, bucktooth, scrawny, underdeveloped, kid sister of a spinster with a wooden leg and a kickstand compared to this blond catastrophe on two very long and shapely sticks. From what I could see, this beast was a beauty and very pissed…, pissed at me.

Almost Married

 

CHAPTER 1
Weren’t Me

     I would never call myself some great handsome sort of guy who could stop a girl's heart with a smile. I've never even considered myself someone who could light up a room just by walking through the door. I'm of average height, slightly slender in appearance, and depending on what time of the day or the amount of alcohol you have consumed would be the deciding factor to dictate if I would have a chance to get you to acknowledge I had said; Hello. However, that all changed in a blink of an eye and my anonymity disappeared like smoke in a strong breeze.

     You may be wondering how I felt when my wildest dream finally came true? I was scared enough to keep an extra pair of underwear with me at all times. Luckily for me, time has a way of smoothing things out, but I still keep a pair of shorts nearby. Oh, I’ve almost forgotten to introduce myself.

     Hi. My name is Jonathan (Snap) Winston and I had become the hottest music artist in the world overnight, and it only took me five years to do it. However, it took half that time to gather a reputation of womanizing, responsible for untold number of adulterous acts, and crowned the all-around world’s best bed hopping bandit rock star unparalleled to none. Actually, it only took one week with the aid of several prominent newspapers, trendy magazines, numerous TV Entertainment News programs, and a crap load of internet websites. But, let’s not get sidetracked. 

     It was all lies, of course, but who would try to stop all the free publicity it had gained me. Now if you took this craziness along with all the fanatic female fans buying my music and wanting their beds to be the next one the rock star bandit ransacked, it was manageable. I would have like to curb some of the most outlandish lies, but my agent, manager, and best friend constantly reminded me that the life of the flavor of the week is only half a week long.

    So far, my unearned reputation has been going strong for two years now, and it doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. As a matter of fact, it was actually picking up speed. My main problem with this unrealistic devotion was my girlfriend, who had to remain a secret for two reasons.

     My career would take a nosedive quicker than a poorly made paper airplane if it was known I had a girlfriend or one even existed. The other reason was her grandfather, who had more money than most small countries and probably one or two large ones as well. The man was constantly waiting for the opportunity to destroy me, in her eyes… I hope. I had only met the man in person once, and once was more than enough. Both reasons, had merit, but that didn’t mean I agreed with the choice to keep my personal life separate from my public persona. It was my manager who convinced me of that.

     I had to agree that it was a no brainier to understand that my record sales were tied directly to my female fan base, but… I had to also admit that he was right about there being too many examples of musicians who became opening acts that were once stadium size headliners. Some guys dropped so far and drastically once it was known they were off the market (relationship wise) that they now only appeared on those; Whatever Happen To! shows. My career was too new to let it be known I had a girlfriend to take the chance, and I hadn’t started working on the next phase, merchandising.

     Record sales mainly put money in the recording companies’ pockets, concerts in the promoters’ pockets, but merchandising would go straight to my bank account. Once I can show myself as a commodity over and above my music, I can then begin to look towards a brighter relationship filled future. I had it all planned out.

     First would come my personal items like clothes, shoes, music books, and posters. After that would come opening a business to control it all, and new artists to help make their dreams come true. Next would come the final piece to the puzzle, acting. A few good movie rolls or a short TV series and I would be set for life. Movie and TV residuals last for years and if DVD sales are involved, even longer. But, before any of that could take place, I had to deal with my girlfriend's grandfather first.

     I had my suspicions that some of the news reports about my bed hopping and breaking up marriages were his doing. If it wasn't for me having tight security around me at all times, I would have never seen the investigators and paparazzi sneaking around wherever I had a performance or at a hotel I stayed in between events. After the police grabbed a few of them stalking around, and they said who they worked for and why they were around, definitely not to insure my safety, I had no choice, but to let them go. All this would be perfectly clear once you know who my girlfriend was.

     My girlfriend was Alanine Gosse, the sole heir to the multi-trillion dollar Gosse Conglomerate. She was tall, slender, blond, perfect skin, clear blue eyes, unforgettable smile, and a voice that can turn into fingernails running across a chalkboard in an instant when she’s pissed off psychotic. We had actually met at a florist near a graveyard early one Sunday a few years ago.

     I had just signed my first major contract with a well-known record label and was on my way to place flowers on my father’s grave and tell him the good news. It was an innocent question that had started it all and it surprised me that such a question would mean so much to her. I had asked what kind of flowers would be nice to give to my mother. Her response was that she didn’t have a suggestion.

     Her own parents had died when she was young. She herself was on her way to place some flowers where they were at rest and visit for a moment. When I told her that I was on my way to do the same, but for my father, something between the two of us just clicked. However, when she said she lived with her grandfather who was an overprotective nutcase and they would have to keep them knowing one another out of the public eye, the lock was turned and the golden key was removed.

     It was the perfect relationship. I had to keep secret that I had a special friend and she had to do the same, but for an altogether different reason. It kind of made sense that someone would try to kidnap her boyfriend to get money from her, but who in their right mind would kidnap someone as high profiled like a professional musician. I didn't give it another thought and just enjoyed being with Alanine. Unfortunately, as with all good things, there was a catch, and her grandfather was one catch you wished had gotten away. The arguments started after six months of the two of us secretly dating. I was invited to her home for Sunday Brunch.

     My security and those of Alanine's grandfather butted heads immediately. Alanine's people said no one was allowed on the estate carrying firearms and my security team from the record company said they weren't allowed to let me go anywhere without armed protection. After a call to the record company, by the person in charge of my security detail and the one for Alanine's grandfather to him, I got back in the limo to leave.

     We didn't get a chance to start the engine when the main gates opened and Alanine came storming out on foot. After she spoke, no one, not even I was safe and she liked me. For a short while as she was explaining how things were going to be, I seriously did have some doubts even about that. In the end, two of my people and two of her grandfather estate's security officers would escort us on my first visit.

     I had to admit the place was intimidating. My mansion was large, but Alanine's home in comparison made it look akin to a dilapidated shack. I had to downgrade it even further to a rundown outhouse after I took a second glance at my surroundings. Large castle like gray stones made up most of the estate buildings and this was especially true for the adjoining structures, which there were many. I had no idea there were so many people working on the estate that the large buildings on the left and right from the entrance gate were the servants' quarters and the large building in the center was just a dining hall and ballroom. When she pointed down the hill to the actual main entrance…

     No need to ask how something that large could be an entrance, and thank you for opening the smallest of the servants’ gates to let me in. When she pointed higher up on the hill, my best thought was to say how nice it was to see her again and run. It wasn’t quite a castle, but it was close enough that if it had a moat around it, it wouldn’t look out of place. Before I could ask, golf carts were pulling up and the two of us were whisked away.

     When her grandfather walked into the room we were in and didn’t look at me with so much as a glance, I couldn’t help, but to smile and chuckled.

     “Do you find something funny boy?” the old man asked gruffly.

     “Of course I do and I thank you for the visit. Alanine, it was nice seeing you. If the two of you will excuse me, have a nice day.”

     “I don't think so boy,” her grandfather said rudely, and quite harsh.

     “Well, Mr. Gosse I do. If you didn’t wish to meet me than it would have been best we had not. I’m not some flunky to cow down to anyone, or kiss someone’s butt. Alanine told me you would have a problem with anyone becoming her friend, but I never thought… Thank you for the tour. You have a… remarkable home. Goodbye.”

     “Maybe you didn't hear what I said, boy?” asked Mr. Gosse forcefully.

     “I heard you quite well. My security is now going to take me out of here. I would suggest that none of your people try to stop us. That is, if you understand what I am saying, Mr. Gosse.”

     “Do you think my people will not…”

     “Alanine, it might be best if you leave.”

     “I am not going anywhere and neither are you. Grandfather!” she said clearly, and on the verge of a lovely explosion. “You best behave yourself. I am not happy with you at this moment.”

     “Granddaughter, this boy is beneath you and should have never gained your attention. You know how I feel about those show business types. They all have very loose morals and care for no one, but themselves.”

     “Then explain to me if that was true than how was it possible for us to meet? Jonathan and I have spoken about our friendship and it is mutual.”

     “Granddaughter, there is no boy who would remain in the background and silent about their association with us. At first opportunity, he will go straight to the media.”

     “The question you should ask yourself grandfather is if I am not the one to speak on our association. Jonathan admires are mostly overexcited females who would care for nothing else then to have a relationship with him. Because of his career, he has to keep our friendship as I so these admires remain dedicated to him and purchase his commodities.

     So, you see grandfather, with regard to our private life and public life remaining separate and unknown, we are alike. However, you should realize that I am the one who is trying to remain silent and not to speak loudly that he is my gentleman friend. Oh, you have no idea how much I wish to yell my claim that they cannot have him. It has taken much for Jonathan and me to have this agreement, so I would say little or I will say more as I wish. Now let us welcome my friend Jonathan to our home proper.”

     When I was finally on the other side of the estate's gates, I made a small comment for the two people from my security team, and me to keep a few extra clips on hand at all times. Not surprisingly, they nodded their heads in agreement. Alanine's kiss did say loudly that this wasn't going to be the last I would visit her home. Her grandfather on the other hand passed written messages throughout our brunch and whiles the three of us sat in the great room having tea and coffee. His actions from the moment all hostilities had ended, did speak even louder that the man was not going to let that kiss to convince me to stay will go unchallenged.

     Nearly two years have passed since the first day we had met at the florist and Alanine and I had become closer, even with her grandfather making it difficult. A helicopter landing on a yacht isn't unusual. Walking into the private lounge at an airport with security watching the door isn't unusual. The window shades on a jet being down before it is pulled out of its hanger aren't unusual. However, seeing a security detail of over fifty people in black suits and carrying firearms openly does draw a little attention. I was expecting to see just that when my flight back into the states touched down, and a limo waiting for me to take me to the hospital before visiting hours were over.

     I had postponed the last of my two European concerts when I received a frantic video call from Alanine. Her grandfather was deadly ill and she was frightened that he might die. After what the man had put me through these past few years, a normal person would pop open a bottle of their best champagne, and wipe away grateful tears, but I wasn't that kind of guy. She tried to put on a brave face and insisted I finished my last two shows, but that wasn't going to happen and she knew it. The only unfortunate thing that had happened was my private jet breaking down.

     The plane grounded due to a part that had to come from the manufacturer. That was unusual, my jet wasn't custom made so they should have been able to get the part from anywhere. The pilot told me it would be only a few days and should be ready to fly soon. He was positive it would be ready after I did my next concert and showed me the maintenance request. My jet needed a full diagnostic check before it could be cleared to fly once again. I gave the mechanic an autograph on the bottom of the work request forms and looked for another way to fly home. Of all times for all jets for hire were unavailable, this would be it. I had even offered to compensate anyone the cost of their flight back to the states, but there were no takers.

     Bobby tried to get me to stay for one more show and promised he would look in on Alanine. But, my friend knew I had to do it myself or it wouldn't look good to her grandfather. The man was always saying that no one was more important than me performing. There was something else happening that only I and Alanine knew that was to take place after my last two shows.

     With things the way that they were with her grandfather in the hospital, and out of the way, moving up our schedule a few days would make things simpler. Everything was paid for, and just the way she wanted it, and had the two of us smiling foolishly whenever we were in the same room after we had made the decision. With no other choice available to get me home quickly, I booked myself on the next commercial flight back to the states.

-

     It would have been better if someone had leaked my flight information out to the public then what I was seeing. The local police and airport security came on board the plane to tell me the good news. My arrival had shut down the airport in less than an hour after the special news broadcast was shown that I was flying commercial to find the first female super fan to recognize me among regular passengers.

     Practically all the networks reported that one very lucky girl would get an all-inclusive weekend as my special lady friend with all the trappings of a celebrity girlfriend. A private jet to carry the lucky winner around, romantic breakfast and dinners for two, clothes made by the best designers in the world, jewelry to blind all nearby even with darkened sunglasses, and dancing the night away in my arms. Of course to top it all off and cause things from crazy to life-threatening all because of some pure sugar rush trumped someone whose mind was cracked.

     This special super fan would spend the entire following weekend at a very exclusive tropical hot spot with only the two of them in the same bungalow. He was lonely and had great hopes to find his soulmate. The entire first meeting and the entire romantic getaway with this special woman would be filmed and shown on a reality TV Special. There were enough fans covering every square inch that it was nearly impossible for anyone to move faster than a snail's crawl and we are talking about moving backwards.

     There was nothing the police or airport security could do about the media trucks giving legitimacy to the broadcast or get people to move from the spot they chose to camp out. The only place anyone could walk, for a time, was between the terminals, but that was becoming congested as well. Women in unheard of numbers were missing their flights intentionally in hopes to be chosen. With them on the other side of security they had a better chance than those who wasn’t flying. These particular women could care less if they had to pay extra for the next flight or even if they could get on it. Well, that was until someone let it be known that I was on this particular flight.

     Once that bit of helpful news was leaked, only one terminal had become just as bad as the other side of the security checkpoint. I thought about giving Bobby a call, but by the time he would be able to get to me with enough people to help get me safely away, it would be several hours later. I had to get to the hospital quickly so Alanine would know how much I cared, or her grandfather would have his excuse he needed to finally break us up. Things begin to look up when one of the people from airport security smiled. He had an idea.

     The plan was simple. Airport Security would have someone impersonate me and take them through the airport the long way around. I would change into the overalls of a cleaning person and leave out of the back of the plane. This should throw off all the excited fans the decoy would cause. A police officer would be dressed as a baggage handler and would drive me to the loading dock closest to the gate where the Taxi Cabs pickup fairs. The officer would show his badge to the driver and to the people to stop all complaints that were sure to come. And, lastly, a quick jump into the first taxi the officer can make available for me and no one would be the wiser that I had left the building.

     It was a good plan, but as I was sitting next to the imitation baggage handler police officer, he heard over the radio that some nut job in a black suit had announced that the decoy wasn’t Snap and another rent-a-kook in black next to the window had pointed me out and what disguise I was wearing. Now I knew I was set up and by whom and never thought he would have someone on the plane with me. I had a sickening thought and wondered how much Alanine’s grandfather knew about our special plans. At that very moment I would easily win a bet that my jet didn’t have trouble as well.

     There was going to be one less pilot on the payroll and others who Mr. Gosse had kept an eye on me from the shadows and doing his bidding to cause as much trouble as possible. For now, I started seeing a mob gather at the gate where the taxi cabs were. Not only that, I also noticed a few of Mr. Gosse people standing nearby in black suits wearing bright smiles on their faces. The man had the place covered. Well, I was never that smart and jumped off the cart before it came to a complete stop and dove into a cab that was just pulling off.

     It wasn't a clean getaway, once I noticed a few paparazzi on motorcycles following behind me, but one call into the police would put an end to that. After what had happened, to a person more beloved than I would ever be, there was a well-deserved crackdown on that kind of crap. When I saw the flashing lights of the police and their patrol cars blocking their way, I felt better. The officer who was driving me to the cabs must have called in for backup. For now, it looked as if I would actually…

     “Who are you?” a woman asked coldly, in a harsh voice. “And, who is going to pay for your ride?”

     He realized there was someone in the cab, but there was no help in changing this small problem. The first thought that came to mind was a schoolteacher at some overly tight butt-hole boarding school or some librarian or a future spinster by the look of her. Hair in a tight bun behind her head, penny loafers with actual pennies in them, dark socks, long pleated skirt, a polyester blouse from the seventies, a cardigan sweater, and a funky looking pair of rectangle shape glasses. She was the perfect picture of the worst blind date you could possibly have a nightmare over. Other than the scowl that would cause only a first grader to do whatever she said, she was completely harmless. I smiled at her, and spoke relaxed.

     “Ah,” I said calmly, as I looked down at the tag on her carry-on. “Constance, don’t worry. I will pay for the ride.”

     I quickly handed over a few hundred dollars through the money slot in the cab and sat back.

     “Now that we got that settled,” she said sternly, and still scowling. “How do you know my name?”

     “It’s on your luggage. Look, I’m not…”

     “You're not somebody trying to take over another person's taxi? I have someplace to be and it took me forever to get out of that place because some idiot of a celebrity decided he should shut the airport down.”

     “I'm sorry to hear that,” I growled tightly, but still under control.

     “I doubt it, but it looks like you have someplace you are late arriving as well. I wish I could let you off first, but I'm over an hour late. Well, do you?”

     “Do I… what?”

     “Do you mind if I was dropped off first?”

     “No. I’m just glad…”

     “Driver,” she seethed, and harshly cut him off. “Will you cut that crap off? It’s giving me a headache.”

     “Lady this is the number one song in the country by Snap,” the taxicab driver said brightly. “I have never heard anyone calls music this good anything, but…”

     “I wouldn't care if it was two coyotes screaming out in the middle of the night in heat then that crap you call music has my head ringing.”

     “And what is wrong with…” I was once more cut off when Constance raised her hand to stop me from speaking and answered her cell phone.

     I actually looked on in shock as she started to undo her hair, remove her glasses, took off her sweater, her shoes, and socks. Next she removed a pair of black colored high heel shoes, a black sequenced jacket, and a pearl necklace from her carry on. After she placed her other things in her bag, she began applying makeup. During this complete change over, she didn't miss a beat talking on her cell phone as it went back and forth from one hand to the other.

     “Hello. No I'm not with him yet. I couldn't get out of the airport. Some big name idiot had shut the place down. Don't you Cody me, I'm just as excited as anyone about hearing what he has to tell me that is so… You're lying! They saw him buying an expensive engagement ring yesterday. Why didn't you… Oh. I didn't realize my phone had gone dead until this morning at the hotel.

     Well, I knew this day would come, but I never thought he would book us at that exclusive restaurant for dinner either. I hear there's a three-month waiting list for reservations. Now I'm hopeful for him to pop the question and not chicken out. No I don't think he will call me Cody when he pops the question. You know as well as me that he is… Hold on for a moment. Driver,” she screeched. “Will you please shut that noise off?”

     I nodded my head to the driver, who had finally noticed who was in the car with the woman and was the reason that he didn't cut the radio off. I slipped another hundred through the money slot and the man was smart enough to know it was to keep my identity from this derange woman. I almost felt better when my cell phone rang.

     “Bobby, you are not going to believe what had just… What do you mean they have concerns about renewing my contract? You know none of that crap is… If they don't believe you then how are they going to believe me? You know I'm the last person… If that is true, then I'm the world worse playboy. I told you this was going to blow up in our face if we let this crap slide too long without a response. Now even they believe I'm only good for breaking up people's relationships and destroying marriages.

     What do you mean they are giving me seven days to turn my reputation around or my music career is over? You had better fix this Bobby, and I do mean fast,” I barked hotly, then hung up my phone and jumped startled when I noticed the woman sitting next to me with her eyes open as wide as they could go.

     “Who are you?” she asked, noticeably unsure of herself.

     I answered in my usual fashion as I took off the getup I had put on at the airport.

     “I'm the person who number one song you had called a piece of crap, the idiot celebrity who was responsible for shutting down the airport, and the person who made you late for your… engagement dinner. Hi, I'm Jonathan Winston. My fans call me Snap. Did I hear what you just said right? Your friends call you Cody like the coyotes singing out in the desert when they are in heat?”

     The cab suddenly pulled to a stop in front of a restaurant and before she had a chance to breathe or respond to what I had just said, the door on my side of the cab opened by the doorman and the cab was instantly surrounded by fans, reporters and paparazzi. I could feel the cab being pushed one way and the other by the throng of people, and by the looks of things it was about to get worse. I noticed two people in black suits standing off to the side wearing bright grins. My hasty getaway wasn’t as clean as I had believed. I had a thought about taking a swing at one of them, but changed my mind when I heard Cody’s panicked voice.

     “What’s happening?” she wailed loudly, and frightened.

     “Something very childish,” I answered sarcastically.

     “What can we do?” asked Cody. “They are going to flip the cab over.”

     “Don’t worry,” I said calmly, or at least I hoped I sounded calm, “it will be all right.”

     When the men in black suits started yelling that it was Snap in the cab and asking loudly who is the woman with me, I felt like yelling back that maybe they should ask Alanine. That would be all Mr. Gosse would need to wear a satisfied grin saying I told you so. I had never thought he would go this far too actually put my life in danger, but here I was in that exact situation. Things all around were escalating quickly and would only get worse the longer we remained where we were. I had to think of something fast or…

     I felt a strong pressure on my arm and knew I had to act and quickly or the feeling in my fingers would never return. With nowhere else to go, Cody is looking as if she was about to pee on herself, and more of Mr. Gosse men arriving to cause more trouble for me, I pulled Cody's grip down from my arm to my hand and the two of us rushed into the restaurant. At least I could get away from those fools of Mr. Gosse, get something to eat in comfort, and wait for the cavalry to arrive and take me to the hospital to see dear old grandfather and learn how many fingers Cody had just broken.

.

CHAPTER 2
The Dyeing Fish Dance

     I was hoping the commotion at the front door would be much less than what could be happening on the other side, but the way my luck was going from the moment my plane touched down I wasn’t taking bets. Even Las Vegas would pass on this action and go directly to bet on if he was going to live out the day. I wouldn’t be surprised if Alanine’s grandfather had book the entire restaurant and was holding a Snap fan club meeting with every clinically crazed fanatic on my exclusion list.

     What was I thinking? I would have the worst of the worst waiting for me after he had their restraining orders overturned and given back all of their precious items that were confiscated by the police. I'm still wondering how one of them were able to get a signed marriage license until I was told she had married a man who had the same name as me. Unfortunately, she had bribed a nurse (who will remain nameless for her testimony) to allow her to marry an elderly patient on his death bed. If she had my correct birth date (which was reported incorrectly on purpose) nightmare would be my new middle name. Well, that was a nightmare for some other time when the one I was currently in was doing a wonderful job of scaring the crap out of me.

     Just seeing those who were leaving abruptly turn around and step to the side when they saw Cody and me rushing in was enough of a problem for now. As far as I was concerned, they had made the right choice. It was a madhouse out there and was only going to get worse with Grandpa Nut Job's people taking the place of those ceremonial lights you see in the sky out front at a premiere or award ceremony. Well, there was no way of changing the situation as it was, but once cooler heads prevail (and the police arrive to quell the riotous mob), things would change for the better. I was never so happy when we had made it inside and Cody stopped asking me what should we do.

     We had taken no more than a few steps into the restaurant's foyer when the snooty looking tuxedo wearing man at the welcoming pedestal looked me up and down with a scowl on his face. I may not be wearing a suit and tie, but I wasn’t in shorts, a loud Hawaiian shirt, and flip-flops. When the man saw the cab driver hand over two small carry-on bags to the doorman and he rushed them over to the hat check girl, the man looked to take fire. I guess he didn’t take it kindly that no one bothered to check with him first before they took our things. Sometimes I hate it when I’m right and this was one of them.

     “I'm very sorry…, sir,” the now snarling waiter called stiffly, as if the very sight of me had offended the man to his core. “Unfortunately, we have a dress code that is extremely unyielding on what a person… I'm very embarrassed, Mr. Snap!” said the man, noticeably panicked once he realized who he was about to have security thrown out of the restaurant. “We were not made aware that you wished to dine with us this evening. I do apologize about my rude remarks towards you and… your guest. I am the Head Maître d' here and I am very happy to serve you in any way possible.”

     “Don’t give it another thought,” I said smoothly, while putting on one of my world famous winning smiles to brush off his concerns. “Constance here is the one who has reservations. She’s here to meet up with her fiancé… I mean, her boyfriend for a special dinner. As for me, if you can fit me in someplace to get a bite to eat, I would really appreciate it.”

     “Of course, Sir," said the maître d' brightly. “And, I must say Sir, if I’m not overstepping my place. This must be a special evening for many. If you do not mind me imposing on you Sir, we have a very well-dressed handsome young man proposing to a very striking young woman as we speak. I am confident they would be overwhelmed that someone of your prominence was present to share in their special moment with a word of congratulations and maybe a photo in commemoration of this very special moment with them.”

     “As long as I can get something to eat and get off my feet, I don’t mind. Well, Cody,” I said tightly, to my cab sharing partner still holding my hand in a vice grip. “I’m sure congratulations will also be in order for you tonight Constance, and I wish the two of you the best of luck. Now can I have my hand back? I’m pretty sure I may need it later.”

     “Oh,” she said sheepishly, as she snatched her hand away.

     “Will you come this way,” the excited maître d' said, extremely formal and extending his arm in the direction towards to extremely ornate massive doors.

     Once inside the main dining room, I said a few words to those nearby, signed a few autographs, and took a phone photo or two with some of the more excited workers at the restaurant who was shocked to see me there. It was my first time in the place and I thought it would not hurt to build up a few (happy to see me) points if I ever decided to make a return visit, with Alanine of course. So far, from what I could see standing in the Antrim, I was impressed.

     The room was quite large and round with its walls and floors covered in white marble. The dining room was actually separated in a circular fashion with marble pillars and pedestals used as dividers separating each ring from the other liked layers. The center of the room was left open for those who wished to complete a romantic evening with an adoring dance. I hoped they had something a bit more substantial than the string quartet off to one side.

     Regardless, the white linen tablecloths, wide comfortable chairs placed at round tables, freshly cut flowers in crystal vases, chandeliers scattered evenly in a circular pattern, and secluded dimly lit booths. The ones that caught his attention was on the far end of the room and were away from prying eyes help make the place practically perfect. The only drawback happened in a blink of an eye.

     Cody and I were handed glasses of champagne right before we stepped inside and were asked once again if we wouldn't mind joining in with the celebration. With the commotion outside the restaurant's front door, what the workers had caused by my unexpected arrival, and showing up without a reservation, how could I turn the man down? Well, for one of us the glass of champagne was a welcomed surprise, but to the other everything had stopped and now moved forward in slow jagged motions.

-

     Cody could not believe her eyes. She knew the man who was on one knee, proposing to a tearful smiling woman. How could she not know who he was? The gray tweed suit, red silk tie, custom made white dress shirt, and thin sole Italian handmade shoes the man wore were all purchased by her two weeks ago before she left on her trip. Her credit card had a mind of its own the moment he told her of their reservations at this restaurant.

     The only thought that had occupied her mind from the day he surprised her with a once in a lifetime dinner plans to doing all she could to make it to the restaurant on time. Oh, how everything had changed from her unbelievable bliss in knowing of his purchase of an engagement ring to trying her best to remain calm or her heart was sure to stop at the sight of him on one knee proposing. She had believed her biggest challenge would be to pretend not to know about the ring or the proposal. However, wasn't she the one who was supposed to receive the question? Well, her heart did stop, but for an entirely different reason.

     Let's not also overlook the fact that the necklace she was wearing must have been a misunderstanding because she clearly remember it was supposed to be a surprised to be a birthday gift to his mother. The dangling diamond earrings belonged to his mother and he was taking them to the jewelry store to have them clean for her. There was no way her memory had failed her when he was upset that she had discovered the expensive shoes he now had to take back because she had spoiled the surprise that she was seeing someone else wearing. Well, he was right and she was surprised!

     As she looked on, it seemed as if everyone slowly raising their glasses in congratulation had added that extra special touch to this nightmare. The glass in her hand lipped from her fingers and fell to the floor as she became numb to everything and everyone around her. The well-dressed handsome young man the maître d' had talked about earlier who was proposing, was not only the person she was to have her special dinner with, he was her boyfriend!

     All had come to an abrupt stop as all eyes in the restaurant turned towards her as the cause of the glass shattering on the white marble floor. Cody now ex-boyfriend rushed up to her looking every bit like the cat that got caught with his paw in the fishbowl and had the tail of another fish sticking out the side of his mouth. The worst part of this nightmare was the look of innocence on his face as if he had no idea why she would react as she had.

     “Constance,” the newly engaged man called, falsely embarrassed. “You were supposed to be here an hour… I don’t know what else to say, but I am truly sorry. I didn’t want you to find out that I’m ending our friendship this way. I know this may not be the best of moments, and I assure you I have great hopes to pay you back the money I borrowed for my business, but…”

     “Your business,” Cody uttered, obviously feeling numb deep down in the pit of her stomach. “Fulton, what does that have to do with…”

     “Unfortunately,” he said calmly, as he interrupted her abruptly. “What you loaned me wasn't enough to keep that business afloat and it went bankrupt while you were at your book conference. I don't know when I'll be able to pay you back, and I am totally ashamed to wait this long to tell you I was unable to pay the amount due to the bank for last month as well. On the bright side, they had agreed to give you a week to come up with the money that is past due before they repossess everything you put up as collateral. I know it would be in poor taste to invite you to our wedding, so I'll say my goodbyes now.”

     He placed one of his hands-on her shoulder as if consoling, takes his new fiancée's hand with the other, and quickly walked out of the restaurant with Cody standing frozen in place. After the shock of it all, the people in the restaurant realize who she had arrived with and were now whispering that I had to be the one responsible for the breakup. For some reason I couldn't figure out, and it was definitely none of my business, why at that moment I was more concern with Cody than the harsh looks I was getting.

     I had seen enough tantrums to know the signs of a good one about to erupt. After having caused several memorable ones myself, after being disappointed by Alanine cancelling our dates at the last minute, I was an expert. The last one had me banned from nearly every hotel, under one particular chain that is. Of course they changed their minds once my number one hits started rolling in. A very large part of me wanted to walk out of the restaurant to be as far away from ground zero as possible, but there was a large crowd of nuts in front of the restaurant waiting for me under the control of sweet old grandfather's men. As I had predicted, it had started by the numbers.

     First came the tears, next the sobs, let's not forget the running nose, things looked to pick up quickly when she started doing the quick stomp with the swinging of the arms at the shoulders, I was quick enough to stop her from grabbing place settings for the Frisbee toss, and almost a step to slow for the drop to the floor and the dying fish dance. I looked to the maître d' frantic and the man was smart enough to point to a booth furthest away from everyone.

     With the two of us, we were able to drag a very distraught Cody to the booth preventing her from making more of a scene than she had already begun. I quickly slipped the maître d' a few hundreds and made a drinking sign with my hand and mouthed the word STRONG! As the man rushed away, I heard a wonderful sound, my phone rang.

     “Bobby, you are not going to…”

     “Was I talking to myself earlier!” Bobby yelled. “How in the hell are you going to explain this one away?”

     “What are you talking about?”

     “Now listen to me. I’m on my way to the restaurant as we speak. Security should arrive there to take you away in a little over an hour. Until they arrive. You are not to make any statements to anyone and I do mean anyone.”

     “What is going on?”

     “You are on every network as a special news report. They are reporting that you are with some unknown woman who was confronted by her boyfriend, and the two of them broke up. The man was so distraught about her affair with you that he had accepted a proposal from a close friend to marry her.”

     I looked at my phone as if it should have a pull string to say the cow said moo. Before I could ask my best friend if he was drinking, the phone buzz and I switched over. Oh, how things were about to get… extremely stupid. It was Alanine.

     “Jonathan, where are you and when are you going to get here?”

     “I was on my way to the hospital, but…”

     “My grandfather left the hospital yesterday. It was a false alarm. It was just indigestion. Didn’t you get my message? Hold on for a moment,” she said, barely concerned. “Will someone turn up the volume? There is some important news about to be… So, who is this unnamed woman you are holding hands with?” she hissed.

     “Why don’t you ask your grandfather?”

     “What does my grandfather have to do with this?” Alanine asked confused.

     “Well, if I didn’t get your message, my jet somehow had a problem, someone liked me using a commercial airline to fly home to be with you because you were worried about your grandfather being sick, enough people wishing to go away with me for the weekend because of some contest I knew nothing about and caused the shutting down the airport, your grandfather’s men covering the airport and pointing me out to everyone so I would be mobbed, more of them starting the crap outside the restaurant I’m currently hiding in, and now you upset with me for something I had absolutely nothing to do with! Do I need to continue,” I snarled.

     “Be that as it may, Jonathan,” Alanine said sharply. “Who is…”

     “Why don’t we just get to the point? Our special trip is off and we will never…”

     “Do not say another word, Jonathan. I know you are upset, and I will have strong words with my grandfather, but I am expecting an explanation about this woman when I see you tomorrow.”

     “Why should I bother, you’re not going to believe me anyway.”

     “Please do not say…”

     “Your grandfather knew what we were about to do and this is his doing. Short of having me shot, which maybe one of his options he's seriously considering, I have very little trust that I will see you any time soon, if ever again. I have to go, Bobby has just arrived. Hopefully I can get something to eat since I was worried about you and haven't had a bite in the past two days and even less sleep!” Snap yelled angrily, and hung-up his cell phone, then shoved it back into his pocket.

     Bobby rushed up to the booth and plopped down into the seat across from him and Cody. To say he was looking like a thundercloud, would be comparing an actual thundercloud equivalent to a nice warm and sunny day.

-

     There was little doubt the situation was as delicate as it could be for a powder cake, with a mercury switch detonator set on soft breeze. There were enough eyes pointed in our direction that the list of witnesses would be longer than an explanation of what had just occurred. Actually, I was quite sure someone was in the back somewhere working the security system's video recorder in overtime. I could only imagine how much the leaked security footage would fetch. After what had happened at the airport, someone kids college education was about to be paid in full.

      By what Alanine had said to me about the breaking news that was being reported minute by minute, the video of the incident should fetch a nice bit of change for the lucky TV Station that has the deepest pockets, and can get their pins out first to write the check. Let's not get into the bidding war between sponsors to have their commercials play during the breaks. Well, that was a thought for another time. For now, I needed to calm Bobby down and find out which exit I need to make my way to for a quick getaway. However, I noticed he was alone, and that not only confused me, it gave me a cold shiver that travel up my spine.

     “Now tell me what is going on and who is this?” Bobby asked quietly, in a tight voice.

     “It’s nice to see you as well,” I said evenly, with little less feeling than a stone. “Did you enjoy your drive over here? Have you had anything to eat?”

     “I can see you are a little pissed.”

     “It would seem Grandpa Gosse is up to his fun and games again, or should I say slap and tickle. As you can tell, I’m not laughing.”

     “Now come on. How much trouble can one old man cause being in the hospital unconscious?”

     “He was released yesterday. It was a false alarm. It would also seem whoever had my cell phone while I was on stage didn’t pass along the message from Alanine about this. Oh, and let me see, I think I need a new pilot because he said my jet…”

     “Your jet is on its way back. Your pilot said the problem was just a burned out light.”

     “Have someone check the man’s bank account before you fire him and the co-pilot. I asked that new road manager to make my reservations. Find out if he did it himself or asked someone else to do it and fire them as well.”

     “Snap,” Bobby called in shock. “I didn't hire a new road manager. I had heard the assistant was taking over, but had something that didn’t agree with him because… You cannot be serious!” he choked.

     “We may need to find a new head of my security as well. He was to call ahead and have some people pick me up at the airport. But, for some reason, he lost his cell phone and forgot to make the call. Bobby, I’m not feeling too safe at the moment.”

     “I agree there might be a problem, but we need to put out this fire first.”

     “What are you talking about?” I asked, utterly confused.

     Bobby held up his hand to stop me from speaking when the maître d' returned with a gang of waiters holding several bottles on trays.

     “I did not know what you would like sir, so I brought over a wide selection for you to choose from,” said the maître d'.

     “Thank you. Cody,” I called. “What would you like to drink?”

     “It doesn't matter as long as I can pass out,” she answered seriously, with her head lying on her arms on the table.

     I grabbed an empty pitcher and began pouring one bottle of clear liquor after another and finished it up with some cola. The maître d' tilted his head in admiration of me making the perfect Long Island Iced-Tea. I then passed a bottle of bourbon to Bobby and grabbed a lovely white bottle of gin for me. I knew the green one just wouldn't do.

     “Now if you would please bring my agent and me meat preferable cooked medium rare and fish for the lady.”

     “How did you know I like seafood?” Cody asked confused.

     “Your bag tag is a lobster. I thought it was a safe bet you might want some fish. Maybe a lobster would be better. You can use the little hammer to your heart’s content. I think some steamed vegetables would do as well. As for me, I’ll have a loaded spud.”

     “Then I will bring the lady her lobster with fresh steamed vegetables and your highly garnished baked potato with some wonderful brazen lamb chops we are noted for.”

     “Thanks,” I said extremely grateful, and slid my black card on the tray. “And, keep everything coming please. I haven't had a bite in two days.”

     “That is not necessary, sir. After what the young lady had gone through only moments ago, it is only right.”

     “Thank you and give my agent your card so I can book my next event here with you.”

     Snap waited until the maître d’ and the others with him were far enough away from the table before he continued.

     “Now tell me what you were about to say?” I asked quietly, once we were practically alone again.

     “The news reports are saying that you had broken up this woman’s relationship.”

     “What relationship?” Cody spat. “That bastard had me believing we were… What am I going to do? The bank is going to take everything I own.”

     “What happened?” Bobby asked.

     “I don’t think this is any of our business,” I said quickly, and poured myself some gin, a little soda water, and squeezed in a slice of lime. “Maybe she doesn’t want to…”

     “I had loaned him $300,000.00 to help him expand his business,” Cody said. “With all the orders and clients he had, it was nearly impossible for him to keep up with the demand. He said he didn’t want my help, but… I was supposed to be the one he asked to…” Cody stopped talking and poured from the pitcher and drank deeply.

     “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said unconcerned, and uncaring. “I think you are better off without him. Bobby, how are we going to fix this mess? These fools think I came between a jerk and the woman he fooled. No insult intended.”

     “Are you expecting me to say none taken?” Cody spat coldly, as she downed another full glass.

     “No. I expect you to remain quiet so I can save my reputation.”

     “What Reputation,” she laughed, coldly at me with a little snort at the end. “Even I can tell how everyone is looking at you as if you are at fought why I got dumped, your reputation isn't just dead, there is no meat on the bone. Even you had said so yourself on the phone, you're only good for breaking up relationships and marriages. The only way you can clean something like that up is to shave your head and become a monk.”

     “You with a shaved head would…,” laughed Bobby, and couldn’t finish the rest of what he was going to say because he was wiping away tears and unable to breathe.

     “I guess if I drink up, her jokes and your responses might get funnier,” I snarled.

     “Then in again,” Bobby chuckled, “we could let this one burn bright and throw some gas on it.”

     “What in the hell are you talking about,” I growled.

     “We could say the rumors are true because you are in love with Cody and was caught asking her to marry you. This wouldn’t be the first time two men had ever fought over the same woman. If you think about it, it would kill this latest scandal, stop the record company from canning you, and change your image. You may have no other choice.”

     “I had always wondered if you used drugs.”

     “Think about it. We are not talking about the two of you actually getting married, but an agreement to date for a while. At least long enough for her to break up with  you publicly and your fans to have you cry on their shoulders. This could be a fresh start.”

     “Now who in their right mind would ever think that I would marry you?” Cody asked seriously, while looking directly at me with contempt.

     After everything I had gone through for the last two days, my anger exploded. I jumped to my feet and yelled at the top of my lungs, “And, what is wrong with you marrying me? I’m a hell of a lot better than that asshole! At least I would be better able to take care of you anyway you could possibly imagine in your wildest dream! Well, speak up Cody!”

     “Speak up about what?” she asked sweetly, and batted her eyes looking brainless.

     “Would you marry me!” I yelled.

     There were a few gasps in surprise and the maître d’ rushed up to our table with three glasses of champagne along with a bottle that should have wheels. Now everyone was looking at Cody and it stoked her anger even higher.

     “I’ll think about it,” she said evenly, without looking up at me and poured herself another full glass and downed it.

     This time there weren’t only gasps of surprise, but several women looking at her as if she had lost her mind. Having some of them say it out loud did remove the doubt how they felt at her response to my very passionate marriage proposal.

     They had left the restaurant under a barrage of flashing lights and untold number of questions. Reporters now re-counted back to their live viewing audience with great respect that there was actually one woman on the planet that was clearly far above all others and to call her special would be an understatement. Her presence shined brightly, but her generosity did as well.

     Reporters spoke passionately about the look of sadness on her face to hear her financial help wasn't enough to save a newly engaged couple, had brought tears to her eyes and enough pain to her heart that she had to be carried away by Snap and a waiter to release her sadness where no one could see. Unfortunately, there was a witness  who told a gang of reporters the rest of the story.

     It was obvious that this woman and Snap were in a deep relationship, but it became abundantly clear that the woman had refused to accept his marriage proposal previously and had once again that very night. It was now being re-televised around the world that a woman named Cody had answered to the world's most famous eligible bachelor and number one recording artist's latest marriage proposal. Now the world held its breath in anticipation of the final outcome. At least this time there was some small hope for the musical heartthrob. Cody had said she would think about it.

.

CHAPTER 3
Good Idea at the Time

     There was a strong knock at my door that sound like someone was tickling the back of my skull with a wrecking ball. I had met the most self-centered man in my entire life. Well, that wasn’t totally true. Fulton James now owned that title hands down. Oh, why did I think about him and what he had done to me? My father was going to kill me when he finds out that I had used his house as collateral and several other very important items to get a loan for that low down womanizing jerk. What I needed to do first was… Kill the person rattling my brain by knocking at my door.

     “Who is it?” I yelled, tightly and squeezed my eyes shut from the pain between my ears.

     “Mr. Young sent us over to see if you will join him for breakfast?”

     “I don’t know any Mr. Young.”

     “Your name is Cody, am I correct?”

     “That’s me.”

     “You are the one who dined with Mr. Young and Snap last night?”

     “Oh, you mean Bobby. That would be nice, but I’m…”

     “He also sent over a few things for you to wear to calm your concerns.”

     For reasons I can only blame on my hangover, I crawled out of bed and dragged my sorry butt to the door after putting on my old thick well-worn robe. Luckily I stopped myself to take a quick look in the mirror. Taking out the rollers was quick work, but for the rest of me, it would take more time than was available in a month to fix the horror that was looking back at me. When I opened the door there was an outbreak of flashing lights. Crap, paparazzi! The person at the door moved aside and several women rushed into my apartment. It didn’t take them long to put me together, well as much as I would let them.

     I was never big on makeup, except for the one time I thought it was necessary and that was yesterday so I could be made a fool of. Well, I wasn’t going to be made a fool of again. I accepted the expensive dress, but turned down the heels for flats. I accepted the dark sunglasses, but turned down the makeup for some lip balm. There was no way in hell I wasn’t going to accept them doing my nails and especially my hair.

     How they got all my runaway strands to play nice… Well, grateful is grateful and I thanked them seriously. I knew what I was going to say about the offer and nothing would change that, but it would be nice to see how the other half lived. One of these days I was going to stop myself from letting my thoughts come to life without thinking of the consequences.

     When my door opened again, I was instantly surrounded by security and walked over to a waiting limo at my own pace. A hangover does slow down your motor skills. I did see some of my more opinionated neighbors who would always look down their nose at me. It was somewhat satisfying, in a childish sort of way, but no one is perfect. Just to see their expressions of surprise on their faces as the reporters were calling out to gain my attention.

     One reporter looked as if he was about to leave a puddle, so I pointed at him. I already knew he was going to ask me the reason that I didn't accept the marriage proposal outright. All I would say as I had said last night and that was I would think about it. I had an idea and it wasn't going to cost me anything, but the discomfort it would bring to Fulton James would be immense.

     “I wish a quiet life, but that would no longer be possible if I said yes to Jonathan. It's because of all of you people that I am thinking about it. I was hoping my last relationship would allow me some small privacy, but I had learned too late that money was the only thing he cared about.”

     “Don’t you think that is selfish?” one of my neighbors called out. “Anyone would be…”

     “Only a gold digger corner working tramp would think about fame and fortune, then happiness and love,” she called out, fiercely in return. “Jonathan is a nice guy who many had made up stories about him to sell papers or TV advertisement time. My answer hasn’t changed. I’m thinking about it. You can now add all of you being in my face constantly as making my choice for me.”

     Cameras still flashed, but there were less. All questions had stopped, but that was from reporters. What was even more startling was to see everyone stepped out of my way like a curtain parting from the middle. I wasn't going to wait around for the trap to snap shut and quickly moved towards the waiting car.

     I stepped into the limo and sat back thinking that I was going to have a blast when I returned to my apartment and all those snooty neighbors would be lining up to see if there is an open spot on either cheek to place their lips. However, before I can enjoy that twisted bit of pleasure, I had to tell Bobby that there was no way I was going to play look at us for the public with that… Snap! The chauffeur's divider window rolled down as soon as we pulled off.

     “Miss Cody, Mr. James is on the line for you. It’s the white phone.”

     “Thank you. I do have a question. What are the red and black phones for?"

     “The black phone is to speak with me and the red one if you wish to speak with Snap. The white and red telephones are direct lines to Mr. James and Snap's cell phones. If you would Miss, the refreshments were prepared for you. So, please make yourself welcomed ma'am.”

     “You're acting as if this limo was setup just for me?”

     “It was and is Miss. If you would, Mr. James is still holding.”

     “Hello. No Bobby I haven't changed my mind. You can ask me until… I said those things to the reporters as a way to say thanks to you and even Mr. Stuck on himself stupid for giving me an excellent hangover. For now, my head is still… Of course I know what the hair of the dog means. Yes, I see it, but pinhead… He mixed it for me before he left for an appointment. But, I thought… No, I wasn't looking forward to seeing brain-dead and his magnificent wit.”

-

     He paced back and forward, anxious for the news that everything was set. He wouldn’t have as much time as before to get things in proper order, but with the fool’s popularity, it shouldn’t take much to get everything into motion at a moment’s notice. Results are what counts at the moment and his opportunities were dwindling away. He had tried everything possible to show his granddaughter that this boy was like all depraved, deviant, and corrupt show business people.

     They had no conscience. They had no morals. And, they definitely had no respect for the saintliness of marriage. He could have waited to catch him having a rendezvous with prostitutes, someone's girlfriend, another's fiancée, or even a married woman, but her being involved with him one additional day was a day too much for him. The papers and magazines were full of examples of this behavior of his kind. It was so widespread and rapid that behavior like this was praised and heralded as special.

     From the moment he met the boy he knew he was like all the other low life degenerate pervert wife thieves. It really didn't matter and was truly a waste of time to follow him around to get actual evidence. The boy was as slippery as they come, and even had some of his best investigators apprehended when they were very close to getting the information that would end this facade of his devotion to his granddaughter.

     Those entertainment people were all the same and if he had gathered the right people to make better claims of the boy's wrongdoings (or not), his granddaughter would have finally understood her mistake and immediately separated herself from that lecherous animal. She should have seen him for whom he truly is and how unworthy he was to have her attention. He should have personally checked to insure some of the claims that showed up in the paper weren't on the days they were together or he was scheduled to appear publicly on stage with her nearby.

     He had pointed out to his granddaughter that small mistakes in dates happen when reporters are rushing to make a deadline. And, it was clearly understandable that a few people would have too much to drink due to the horror they had experienced because of that boy and have trouble remembering dates and times correctly. Well, those opportunities were of the past and now he had another one that had to succeed. The date for their elopement was fast approaching.

     He had thought about cancelling everything they had prepared, but that would tip them off that he knew and they would try something else that he may not be able to anticipate and counter. What would be even worse was for his granddaughter to feel she was cornered and had no other choice, but to announce to the world their engagement and imminent nuptials with the time and date of the formal ceremony. Once that happened, his only choice was for the boy to have a tragic accident.

     He could always find some drugged crazed fan that just couldn't let him go, or felt they were destined to die together, or if they couldn't have him no one else would. People like him had always drawn these poor naïve misguided strays to them like a fly to a flame. The current lists his people had gathered was a good example of that.

     It wasn't hard to get a listing of the worst of the worst when it came to the fanatic and insane that worshiped him as if he was a religion. He couldn't believe that there were hundreds of thousands that were so fanatical that fan clubs had to kick them out in fear that they may be attacked by not recognizing them as the boys most devoted fan above all of them.

     His plan had to have results this time or he would be forced to take direct measures and that would cause too much attention, pointing in his direction that couldn’t be easily pointed towards others. All he could do at the moment was to wait for the phone call of his location. There was a knock at the door, he was expecting.

     “Come.”

     “Here is the list you have requested Mr. Gosse,” said a woman excitedly, as she rushed into the sitting room. “There are some very promising candidates, but the top three have gained the most attentions from the most respected families. I was actually surprised to see Eldred Summand was still on the list. I do recall the young man almost caused a bidding war for his consideration. His attention was of such demand that when several young ladies could not gain his eye, they had placed their attention on the next best thing, his friends.

     The outbreak of pregnancy was astounding. From then on, any young man who was fortunate enough to have friendship with young Summand, were sure to gain the hand of any young lady who found themselves lacking to obtain Eldred's attention. One of the obvious reasons why Eldred Summand was the greatest prize of all the eligible young men was the realization that he would give attention to any proper young lady regardless of their difference in station. Many from much lower social standings have paid much tribute to be in the boy's presence when he is out and about and none have been turned away wanting from some of the most respected upper level families.”

     “Is the boy, intelligent?”

     “Quite intelligent Mr. Gosse and tops in his class during his early years.”

     “How old is the boy?”

     “Thirty years of age Mr. Gosse.”

     “It would still be appropriate,” he said, reflectively. “How are his manners?”

     “They shine brightly.”

     “How does the boy look?”

     “I must say the boy is gorgeous.”

     “Are his parents of any worth to have fellowship?”

     “His parents are adequate, but I must say they are much less than their son.”

     “As all parents hope for their children and very few are fortunate. Very well, Ms. Bean. See if young Eldred Summand is currently available. If not, use my name and he will be. He may have shaken up the best families, but if he is of little use to me, I have better things I can do than waste time on him and move on to another to have the honor for Alanine's hand.”

     “Yes, Mr. Gosse. Do you wish his parents to call you at your convenience?”

     “Might as well,” he growled. “That is only if they know how to listen more and speak less of their trivial lives.”

     “I will give the Summand Family instructions on how to behave in your presence Mr. Gosse.

     “See that you do. I would also like to have they investigated meticulously and watched closely. Let us hope there are very few obstacles are in the way. I am speaking about any child who I should tell their parents to look in another direction. I am not looking to destroy any, but that is a small price to pay for my granddaughter's happiness.”

     “May I have your permission to withdraw, Sir?”

     “Of course Ms. Bean, and thank you for all your hard work.”

     There was a frantic knock on the door and Mr. Gosse smiled. That had to be the person he was waiting for in order to end this nightmare her granddaughter was living.

     “Come.”

     When he saw the laptop and the smile on the man’s face, he knew this was his opportunity.

     “You may go now Ms. Bean.”

     He waited until she was out the door before he held out his hand for the laptop.

     “Now show me how this is supposed to work?”

     “The flashing dot is where they currently are.”

     “Are they together at this moment?”

     “Yes, Mr. Gosse. We had paid one of the people on his security team to wear a tracking device and the one in charge of Miss Alanine’s detail has the other. As you can see, one is red and the other is blue. He is blue.”

     “So, what is it we need to do next?”

     “We wait until the red dot is flashing. That is the signal from our man that they are about to separate. He usually waits fifteen to twenty minutes before he departs to make sure no one suspects they were together.”

     “This means we only have fifteen minutes?”

     “Yes, Mr. Gosse.”

     “Is that going to be enough time to gather a great enough force to accomplish what I want to see happen?”

     “We have compiled a cell phone list of all desirable within a five, ten, twenty and thirty minute distance from their current location.”

     “And, how many people do we have total between five and ten minutes.”

     “Eight hundred Mr. Gosse.”

     “Are you sure? That is quite an amount of money.”

     “There are two large office buildings and a mall nearby. We track the cell phones of all those who fit the criteria you have set, and started the GPS location program for the time limits we would need to get the most people at that location. Actually, there are some who work at the hotel who had already started the ball rolling. We have detained them and the second team is nearby.”

     “How many did Alanine take with her to see the boy?”

     “There are twenty men with her Mr. Gosse.”

     “How many are there on the second team?”

     “The standard fifty men fully armed in riot gear, Mr. Gosse.”

     “Good, I feel much better.”

     “Mr. Gosse, the red dot is flashing. That is the signal. It is time to send the message to the phones. The message is already prepared.”

     “How many cell phones, are we going to send this message to?” asked Mr. Gosse joyfully, grinning with excitement.

     “Twenty-five hundred phones will receive this message.”

     “But, you said eight hundred.”

     “Those are the ones who are five minutes away. The first to get the text is twenty minutes, then ten and thirty minutes and lastly five Minutes. All told come to twenty five hundred, eighty-two. I'm sure he will not get away unharmed.”

     “How are you so sure of that?”

     “He has only ten with him on his team and eight of them… will put in an effort, but will be unable to perform to their full abilities.”

     “That is the second best news I’ve heard today. What do we do next?”

     “Just press the Enter key and it’s done.”

     “Wonderful. Well, here we go. I must protect my granddaughter at all cost, even if she doesn’t see I’m doing this for her own good. She is not going to elope with that monster if it’s the last thing I do.”

-

     I waited in the hotel suite looking over several newspapers with the thought of stoking up the fireplace. I turned off the TV when every channel had some breaking news about more information about what had happened at the restaurant. They all practically said the same thing. I had finally met my match. The one that didn't get away, she just wasn't biting. With just one offhanded comment made in anger, now everyone believed I had proposed and wasn't good enough for someone who was destined to be a spinster. Well, I will let Bobby deal with that one. I looked down at my watch and decided half an hour was long enough. She wasn't coming as expected, so I might as well leave and… The door opened and Alanine looked as if the window might be the best way for me to leave the room.

     “It would seem you were right,” she said calmly, and took a seat by the fireplace. “My grandfather was the cause of your… discomfort. He sends his apology and his regret that his joke was not received well.”

     “You have got to be kidding me. This was a joke to him? What’s next, he’s going to crash my jet for fun, but make sure there are enough parachutes on board? Oh, but unfortunately only mine doesn’t have the string to pull for the chute. Actually the pull string isn’t necessary because there is no chute!”

     “You are taking this in the wrong light.”

     “So, shine some light on me baby because I’m totally in the dark on this one.”

     “I believe, although poorly, this was his attempt to have some lighthearted raillery with you. This was just something to laugh about and bring the two of you closer.”

     “And, I believe this was just another attempt on my life. Do you have any idea what would have happened to me if a group of fans got hold of me?”

     “You are making too much of this. I’m confident they would be very respectful and give their appreciation for what you give them in song.”

     “Well, let's find out. Can you tell me how many people you have with you to provide security?”

     “Jonathan,” she said in a panicked, “we cannot be seen together or…”

     “We won’t be. So, how many people do you have with you?”

     “I believe twenty.”

     “Good, I have ten and called the local police. I want you to go to the park on the corner. No matter what you see, stay in the car.”

     “What are you going to do?” Alanine asked frightened.

     “Oh, nothing much if what you say is true. As for me, I believe your grandfather has let every nutcase in the city know I'm at this hotel.”

     “That would be impossible. He has no idea I'm here with you. I kept this location  from everyone and my security didn't know where we were going until I got into the car to come here.”

     “Do you really think that matters to your grandfather? I believe he faked being ill to stop us from eloping.”

     “My grandfather would never do such an unpleasant thing. He is truly unwell.”

     “So, we are still on schedule to elope?”

     “I would love to,” Alanine said softly. “but he is not well and news likes this would…”

     “Don’t give it another thought because I don’t anymore.”

     “Please do not say those words, Jonathan. You know I love you and think nothing more than being your wife. All I ask is for you to be patient for a little while longer.”

     “And, all I’m asking you to do is realize once and for all that he will make sure the day the two of us get married will never come, but let’s not change the subject. You say your grandfather was only having a little fun and I should think of it as a little joke.”

     “Yes, Jonathan. He would never…”

     “I'm going to show you exactly what would happen if I don't have a large enough security team around me? But, most importantly, I want you to think about two things. The first one is what would have happened to me at the airport with it covered from corner to corner with my fans and I had no security around me at all. Secondly, your grandfather knows exactly where you are and that you are with me in this hotel. So, let's get this thing over with so you can see with your own eyes what your grandfather is capable of.”

     “Jonathan, if this… demonstration is going to put your life in danger, I will believe anything you…”

     “No you don't and you never will, so let's get this over with. Oh, and before you leave, the woman who was with me name is Cody. Because of what your grandfather had done for fun, I may have to start dating her to remove the scandal that's now over my head. We won't be dating for real, but pretending because of your grandfather's little… quip. At least dating Cody is better than what Bobby had suggested.”

     “I am afraid to ask,” Alanine said concerned, “but please do not keep his thoughts to yourself.”

     “He said we should quickly announce to the public of our engagement and then get married for a few months. That way, she can break up with me and then my fans can show their support and pity. Now wouldn't that be something, me in a contract marriage. I wonder if there is a provision for babies.”

     “Even if your words are in joke, it is a very poor one. I must say that I do agree with Bobby suggestion on the dating and possibly… a short union. It would remove what others think of you and pave a smooth path for us to marry in the future. Once your career change, as you had spoken, a quick and publicize separation should follow shortly thereafter, and then we can go public with our relationship as we had planned. These fans of yours should be extremely ecstatic you have found true happiness with me.”

     “Once again you have no idea what the… Alanine, please go to your car. When this is all over, don’t forget to look at the networks and newspapers your grandfather owns and see what they say.”

     “Before I do what you want,” she said nervously, as she rose from her chair and taking my hand in hers. “What are you about to do?”

     “I’m only going to wait fifteen minutes after you leave and walk from the front door to my limo parked out front.”

     “Is that all?” she said relieved. “You had me believe you were going to take a stroll down the street. I would admit there might be a few overly excited admirers that might give me concern trying to kiss you, but you are only walking a few steps. I will go to my car and wait at the end of the block as you wish.”

     “Now promise me you will stay in your car, and keep your security with you?”

     “Of course I will Jonathan.”

     “Ah, Mr. Winston,” the head of her security team called out, “I believe Miss Gosse may have some discomfort seeing… your fans… behave less than… chaste. To have her witness behavior like…”

     “I didn't ask for your opinion or care what the hell you think!” I yelled. “You know what is about to happen because you were the asshole standing outside the restaurant calling out my name and yelling who is the woman in the taxi with me?”

     “Is this true?” Alanine asked harshly.

     “As you have said Miss Alanine, this was just your grandfather having a playful…”

     “Come with me, and you best hope Jonathan words are untrue. Your life now depends on it.”

-

     I knew when the first person's hand had grabbed hold of my arm and I felt something wet, I might have underestimated how much danger I was truly in. There was no better clue to this as when someone reached out and nearly ripped off my ear. This was quickly followed by the smell of rusted metal. Someone very strong had a good grip on my jeans and started pulling me backwards. The sound of the heavy fabric ripping was terrifying. Soon I felt fingernails digging into my skin and searing pain began shooting throughout my entire body. When I heard sirens and began seeing people being forcefully thrown aside, there was still a small sliver hope I might live through this.

     As my strength started to slip away from me, I felt myself being lifted off my feet and placed onto a flat surface. People were no longer screaming out in jubilation, but in horror. I smiled to myself that someone was smart enough to call for an ambulance. Before the doors to the ambulance closed, I was able to catch a glance of Alanine being held back by her security. Maybe I wasn't too far-off about her grandfather using the better dead then wed option. Even I was impressed with the crowd that had formed in front of the hotel on such short notice.

     I wonder if I could hire the guy to handle publicizing my next concert. That is, of course, if there was going to be a next concert. As I began to float away from the shot of pain medication, I dosed off hearing, “I’m sorry, Miss. he is unconscious.” I was lucky this time, but two men on my security team weren’t as fortunate.”

-

     I could tell something was wrong by the pained expression on his face. Something bad had happened and it gave my stomach a lurch.

     “Cody,” Bobby called, “Snap was attacked by his fans outside a hotel not too far from here. He’s in the emergency room.”

     “How bad is he?” I asked calmly.

     “I don’t…”

     We turned around when we heard one of the female servers' muffled scream. The news was showing a very battered and bloodied Snap limp body being placed on a stretcher and quickly into an ambulance. There was no need to hear the announcer. The TV showed women covering every space imaginable in tears and a few were fighting.

     “This is breaking news. Multi Grammy award winner Snap was rushed to the hospital after some of his overly excited fans attacked him. We have reporters on the scene.”

     “We are here at the Palace Grand Hotel where overexcited fans received a mass text message saying their favorite artist was visiting an old male performer friend of his at this hotel and got  too close and personal with the megastar. Two of his bodyguards were doing their best to protect Snap, but were harmed greatly as well and was just taken away.

     We have yet to be able to get any information from the hospital about Snap's current condition. As for both bodyguards, they are in critical condition and are fighting for their lives. Our prayers are with them and their families. The police are gathering all the information on this incident and all those responsible will be prosecuted. Let's see if we can find an eyewitness to tell us what had occurred here. Excuse me, could you tell us what happened?”

     “I saw this girl grab hold of Snap's arm and wouldn't let go. She was just holding on to him screaming out his name hysterically. It seemed as if everyone went crazy and tried to touch him at the same time or try to hold on to him. Soon things got ugly when his blood was seen. Some of the fans jumped on others who they have seen hurt Snap. Like that girl over there.” The witness turned, pointed and screamed, “You tried to rip off his ear!” she shouted wildly, as she took off and dove into a pile of other women on top of one another.

     “Cody, I’ll have your car brought around. You should go home and stay there. I’ll send security along with to make sure…”

     “We can go to the hospital together or I’ll meet you there.”

     “I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with Snap.”

     “I don’t, but Jonathan is a different story.”

     “Then you agree to help him with…”

     “We will talk after we see if the fool is still breathing. You did say he had gone to see the girl whose grandfather had caused the mess at the airport?”

     “Yes. What’s your point?”

     “I don’t know what kind of relationship they have or the full deal with the grandfather is, but I think you should listen to him more and look for rational explanations less. He said the man was out to hurt him for seeing his granddaughter. Well, what do you think about his fears now?”

     “I think I should take a very close look at all those people he asked me to check out. I definitely don’t want to wait to see him in the next life to hear him say I told you so.”

     “I’m glad to hear that. Now give me your cell phone and idiot’s number so I can put them on speed dial?”

.

- End of Sample Chapters -

     Almost Married is about Jonathan ‘Snap' Winston, a world famous rock star whose wealthy girlfriend wish to possess him, her grandfather who wishes to kill him, and a lonely librarian who wish she didn't have to save his butt.  For him, being on top of the music business is scary enough, but to lose it all unless he marries the one person he hates most because of a misunderstanding is even worse. Thank god the contract ends in six months. Oh, but how did all this get started? Take a distraught librarian who just got dumped, and angry rock star who is hunted, and an overprotective extremely wealthy madman with unending resources who will do absolutely anything to stop his granddaughter from living her own life, and you have all the makings of a happy mistake and Bad Luck!!

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