Risk Taker by Sonia Stanizzo

Chapter 24

The next day, Holly finished her first shift at Bonnie’s Place. Keeping up with customer’s coffee orders was more exhausting and demanding than doing makeup for fussy actors. Who knew there were so many ways to make it? Some were so complicated they needed to come with a manual.

She unlocked the door to the small apartment she’d rented from her boss Bonnie. It wouldn’t pass as fancy accommodation. Luckily, Holly didn’t need much. The one room had a double bed in the corner, and on the opposite side of the room an outdated pale-yellow kitchenette with a counter served as a dining table. A dark brown two-seater sofa and TV was squashed in another corner. The only separate room in the cramped space was a bathroom the size of a broom cupboard. Her walk-in-robe in her old bedroom in Melbourne was twice the size of this whole room.

It surprised her how little she needed these days. Materialistic things really didn’t make a person happy. Was she happy now? There were a couple of times she would’ve said no, but it wasn’t because of the things she’d given up but because she couldn’t find her way. The expectations she’d hoped for when arriving in Sydney hadn’t dropped in her lap like she’d expected.

It was pure luck she landed a job on a movie set even if it was only temporary. And those days working on a movie set, cut short because of her argument with Shaun, reinforced what she wanted and was determined to work damn hard for. If sleeping here for the next few months and working at a café would help get her there, then she was going to do everything she needed to achieve it on her own. Convincing her parents still weighed heavy on her shoulders. Why hadn’t they contacted her yet?

She’d been accepted into the makeup academy and once she sold the diamond encrusted pendant and necklace, the one her parents had given her for her twenty-first birthday, the one she’d gotten Ruth to express post to pay for the tuition, she was soon set to start.

The smell of coffee, eggs and bacon clung to her skin and clothes, and she took a quick shower. She had to be fast because the hot water only lasted two minutes. Towelling herself dry, she walked to her bed and saw a missed call on her phone. Hopefully, it was Ethan. God, she missed seeing him during the day. Was he calling to tell her he had a break and was on his way over?

It amazed her how quickly her feelings had grown for him. She’d fallen in love before—or so she’d believed, what if she made the same mistake? Although she couldn’t compare Ethan to a dirtbag like Oliver. What if his feelings weren’t growing at the same speed? If she handed him her heart and he couldn’t give his in return, what would that do? Seeing how things go didn’t exactly reassure her. Her chest squeezed tight at the prospect of the relationship ending. Was it already too late? Had she stepped into the love zone? She took a deep breath. No, she could control how much she gave him. Her heart was safe. A little voice inside her said she was delusional so she shut the internal conversation down.

She opened the text. It was from her mother. About time! She’d left a voice message. Hesitating for a moment, temptation was strong to ignore it. What if she’d called refusing to consider Holly’s idea? She dialled the number to listen. Better to get it over with.

Her mother’s plummy voice informed her she and her father were in town and to meet them at 6pm that evening for dinner in the Pearl Dining Room in the Ainsworth Hotel at Circular Quay.

There was no, I hope you can make it, or we’ll arrange another time if you have plans. She’d been summoned and so must attend.

Crap. She glanced at time: 4:45 p.m.

Holly scratched her fingers through her hair. With just one message, Holly’s hackles rose. Not once had her mother contacted her to see if she was okay or happy living in Sydney. The one time she did message was to demand she meet them.

She’d go to dinner, because she really needed to talk to them even though she knew it would be more of an interrogation than a happy reunion.

Flicking through the clothes in the wardrobe, the only thing she had suitable to wear for the Pearl Dining Room was a black cocktail dress, the only one she’d packed for Sydney. A just-in-case dress. Who knew when she’d need a cute outfit? Like tonight. She held it up in front of her and ran her fingers over the expensive fabric and immediately threw it on the bed. She couldn’t wear it. It wasn’t who she was anymore. Her parents needed to know it and accept her for who she’d become.

A knock sounded at the door. It must be Bonnie dropping off Holly’s new work shirts she’d embroidered with the café’s name. She opened the door and her smile dropped.

Oliver stood before her.

“What are you doing here?” Shock at seeing him at her door turned to confusion. “And how do you know where I live?”

Without an invitation, Oliver stepped over the threshold and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. “It’s so good to see you,” he said.

She stood stiff as a board, not reciprocating the gesture. When the hug went on longer than necessary, she slid her hands between them and nudged him away.

Needing to put space between them, she took a few steps back. A small part of her always wondered how she’d feel seeing him again. She’d loved him for two years, would’ve married him and had his babies. She felt nothing.

For a moment, she took in the sight of him. Gone was the neatly cut golden hair. Now shaggy, dull locks sat in a mess around his ears. The gorgeous blue eyes she remembered were dim and had lost their sparkle. The clothes he wore were no longer Hugo Boss or Ralph Lauren, the brands he favoured, but cheap and ill-fitting. This was not the man she left nearly six months ago. Did he turn up to work looking like this? Surely her mother wouldn’t approve.

“How do you know where I live?” she demanded again.

“Ruth gave me your address because I needed to see you. You kept ignoring my texts and not answering my calls. I tried looking for you at all the Ainsworth Hotels.” He made a face. “The bastards wouldn’t give me any details.”

Concern crept up her spine. She glanced at the door relieved she’d left it open. She could make a quick getaway in case he’d turned into a stalking psychopath these past few months.

Like he’d read her mind he said, “Don’t worry. I haven’t been stalking you.” And laughed like he’d said something funny. “I tricked Ruth into telling me where you live. I just needed to see you.”

Why the hell would her sister tell him where she lived? She’d have some choice words to say to Ruth when she spoke to her next and wondered how he’d convinced her to give up that information. For now, she needed to focus on getting him the hell out of her apartment.

“Ok. You’ve seen me, so leave.” She pointed to the door.

He didn’t take the hint, dropped into a chair and looked up at her with a solemn expression on his face. “I made a huge mistake. You’re the best thing in my life and I… I…”

“Screwed another woman?” she provided.

He winced like he was in pain. Then nodded. “I’m sorry for hurting you. Hurting us. I can see how stupid I acted. Can you please forgive me?”

Could she forgive him? Long past the point of caring anymore, she answered, “Yes. I forgive you.” Now hopefully he’d leave, and she’d never have to see him again.

His eyes lit up and for a beat, she saw some of the former sparkle piercing through the dim depths. He bounded from the chair and before she had the chance to move, clasped her hands between his cold clammy ones.

“I’m so happy to hear you say that. I love you so much.” Holly sucked in a startled breath. “Let’s give our relationship another chance. I promise to make it up to you. I’ll never cheat on you again.”

Holly tried pulling her hands free. Oliver held on tight. “Are you crazy? I said I forgive you, not I want to get back together.”

He gave a slight head shake. “I love you. And I know you loved me.”

Had Holly been set up for some hidden camera show and this was some kind of joke? It would be funny if Oliver didn’t look like he’d burst into tears.

“Loved. That changed when you slept with another woman.” And now, as she remembered her love for Oliver, it paled in comparison how she felt for Ethan.

“You can love me again. We were great together.” Desperation laced his words and Holly wondered what was really motivating him. She didn’t care enough to find out. She wanted him out of her apartment.

“No, Oliver. I’ll never love you again.”

He reacted like she’d slapped him in the face. She took his moment of stunned silence to pull free and make her way to the door.

“You need to leave.” She gestured at the door.

“Holly, I love you,” he pleaded, looking like he was ready to drop to his knees and beg.

Did he not hear what she just said? “I’m sorry, Oliver. It’s over. It was over months ago.”

“You can’t throw away what we had. We were going to be married.”

Holly shook her head. What kind of man wanted to marry one woman while screwing another? Not one she ever wanted to be involved with again.

“Go. Now.”

“Come on, Holly—”

“Holly’s asked you to leave.” Caleb, Bonnie’s husband stood arms folded across a still impressive chest for a man in his late sixties. “So, get out.” Her boss had told Holly he’d been in the military and he’d kept in shape all these years later. By the looks of the package at his feet, he’d delivered her shirts. She’d never been so happy to see him.

Oliver’s mouth opened and closed then he pulled his shoulders back like he was trying to outdo Caleb’s size. There was no competition. Her landlord won hands down.

“I won’t ask you again,” Caleb warned. “If you don’t get your arse out of here, I’ll drag you out myself.”

“You can’t tell me to leave.” Oliver tried sounding tough but failed when his voice cracked.

“I can and I will. I own the place. You have five seconds.”

“Holly?” He glanced longingly at her probably hoping she’d ask him to stay.

“Leave,” she said.

He hung his head and made his way to the door. Caleb moved away only enough to let Oliver pass.

“I have cameras set up around the property. If I see you here again, you’ll be dealing with the police.”

Oliver didn’t bother replying. Holly watched him leave.

The breath she held came out in a gust of air.

“Are you okay?” Caleb asked. The stern countenance he’d worn for Oliver switched to concern as he examined Holly’s face.

She nodded. “Thank you for stepping in.”

“If you ever need me again, just yell.”

She smiled. “I will. Thanks.”

Caleb picked up the package, handed it to Holly and left.

Throwing the shirts on the sofa, she scrubbed her hands over her face.

Holly faced one problem from her past unscathed. Now all she needed to do was go to dinner, face her parents and talk about her future. That was a problem she couldn’t guarantee she’d walk away from unharmed.

* * *

“Great to finally meet you, Ethan.” Jerry, the director walked into his high-rise office overlooking an overcast Sydney CBD. The view didn’t interest Ethan. It took all his strength not to bounce around in his seat like an excited child. A wounded soldier battling through the struggles of life after war was a lot different from an action hero. The script was amazing.

He hadn’t told Holly about this meeting because after the confrontation with Shaun, the focus was on making sure she was okay. Then he got distracted by the hours they spent fooling around in her bed.

He rose from the chair and shook Jerry’s hand. “Good to meet you too.”

They both took their seats, Jerry offered him coffee and then got down to business.

“Chloe gave you the script?” he asked.

“She did, and it’s great.” Ethan couldn’t wait for filming to start.

Jerry placed his elbows on the armrests of the chair and steepled his fingers. “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure the role suited you. Chloe insisted you were more than capable. You’re an action hero not a dramatic actor. Is your sister a little biased?”

Ethan chuckled. “Chloe would be the first to tell you if I sucked at something. Trust me, she shows no sibling love when it comes to business.”

Jerry nodded. “All right. Your solicitor has reviewed the contract and, as he’s no doubt told you it all looks good.” He slid a blue folder across the shiny desk toward Ethan. “The role is yours.”

Ethan wanted to spring from his chair and fist bump the air. But he remained calm as if he hadn’t just been handed a part he’d wished for all of his career.

“There’s one stipulation.” Ethan’s stomach clenched. A sentence starting like that never finished well.

A knock sounded at the door. “Arrh, right on time. This is your leading actress.”

Abigail Matthews entered the room. She was tall, supermodel thin, with long black hair and dazzling blue eyes. She wore clothes that showcased her trim and toned figure. Her last two movies had done well at the box office. Not great hits like the movies he starred in, but were films with substance. Ones that had people talking about over dinner or coffee. Exactly what he wanted from his work. This would be great.

Jerry introduced them, they politely kissed on the cheek and took their seats.

“I was about to tell Ethan what we’ll need from him—well, from the two of you, to help this movie grab the public’s attention. As you already know, PR is huge in our industry. Fans go nuts over the personal lives of celebrities, especially their love lives.” He pointed a finger like a gun at Ethan. “You’re the action hero.” Then he said to Abigail, “and you’re climbing the film industry ladder.” Ethan had a sinking feeling where this was going. “The two of you as a couple will get everyone talking about this movie.”

God, Ethan was so sick of the bullshit it sometimes took to make a movie. “Surely this film doesn’t need—”

“A low budget movie needs all the help it can get. Don’t forget I’m taking a risk hiring you. You two cast together will make the money back plus a hell of a lot more.”

Ethan turned to look at Abigail. “Are you okay with this?”

She smiled and nodded. “It’s only acting, we won’t be hurting anyone.”

It might hurt Holly. How would she react if he told her he needed to hide their relationship because he had to be seen with another woman? She knew how much a role like this meant to him surely, she’d understand?

“Isn’t there something else you could do?” Ethan asked. He didn’t want to pretend to date his leading actress.

Jerry stared at him for a moment with a frown. “Chloe said you’d do whatever it took to land this role. Was she wrong?”

“No, she wasn’t wrong.” Three weeks ago, he wouldn’t have hesitated or thought twice. Now all he could think about was Holly and how she would react. “But—”

“I have other actors I’m looking at who’ll snatch this up in a second.” Jerry clicked his fingers for emphasis. “Do I offer it to someone else?”

“No, it’s mine,” Ethan said and hoped Holly would understand.

“Good. I’ll have my assistant contact your publicist to arrange plans.”