Page 36 of The Starlet

Dearest,

Why do you choose to ignore all the presents I give you? I’ve left so many gifts, flowers, and notes for you, yet I never hear from you. What do I have to do to get your attention? Is it because I’m not as handsome as Bradley? He will never love you like I love you. He doesn’t know you like I do.

I’ve asked you time and time again to visit me, yet you refuse. If you do not meet me in the bar tonight, I will be forced to take drastic measures to get you to notice me. Please don’t let me down.

XX

“She’s not going to see this note. Don’t even tell her about it. I don’t want her knowing about it because she’ll go. You know she will.”

Jimmy nods. “I’ve been checking her room every day, and he hasn’t been leaving anything there, so I’m not sure where those presents are.”

“The only way we’re going to be able to rat this guy out is if he thinks she’s coming around. Maybe we can write a note back to him, leave it outside the room? Maybe that will keep him at bay for a bit?”

We work on devising a plan, but Elena returns to the room a short while later, fuming. Caleb saw the pictures of Quinn and Tait and is sending her home. Elena has tried to get in touch with Caleb, but he won’t answer the phone. She paces in the room, sending text after text to him.This whole situation feels like a movie.There’s so much damn drama in it.

“Elena, we have to get to set soon. How about you get ready for the day? It’s only a few more weeks until we wrap, then you can kick his ass all you want. Joe won’t appreciate if you smash his face in before we finish.”

She’s ready thirty minutes later, and we drive to set. The mood in the car is so different than it has been. All of us are quiet, too wrapped up in each other’s thoughts. I take her hand in mine and place a chaste kiss to her knuckles.It’s all going to work out.

The day is long, and it takes forever for us to get through a scene, neither one of us into it today. Thank God, it’s not a sex scene. I don’t think we would have been able to perform if it was.

Jimmy and Kent text me throughout the day with a game plan for smoking this asshole out of hiding. It has to be someone on the crew, unless they aren’t staying at the hotel. Jimmy got the information of all guests who are staying on property, and the only long-term people are working on the movie.

Elena pales as she looks at her phone. “Brad?”

“What? What’s wrong?”

She turns her phone so I can see what she’s looking at. It’s a picture of us from the club, my hands all over her and her hand on my bulge.

“I know, I saw it already. I didn’t want to say anything to you. What does the caption say?”

She hands me her phone so I can read it.

Elena Conners and co-star Bradley Mathas get hot and heavy at Feverish in Vancouver, B.C this weekend. Get a room already!

“It’s not so bad.”

“Not so bad? I told you I didn’t want to tell anyone about us. I want to keep it a secret from the crew and the public. Now that this picture is out there, I doubt we’re going to be able to. You’re already wrapped up in this whole stalker thing. I don’t need him coming after you because we’re together.”

The car pulls up to the front of the hotel, and she jumps out, not even waiting for me. There are some cameramen outside waiting for us, and they snap some pictures as she runs off.

“Trouble in paradise, man?” One of them calls out to me.

“Piss off,” I call over my shoulder as I race to catch her.

The elevator doors slide closed, and she looks up in time to see me walk through the front doors.She’s scared and is running.It’s normal for some people.I know she needs a little time for herself, and I’ll give it to her. Jimmy will keep an eye on her.

I take a seat at the bar and order a vodka soda and lime. I rest my head on my forearm, and someone slides into the seat next to me.

“Girl troubles?” he asks.

I look up and recognize him. He’s one of the production assistants. Kevin, or Kyle, or something.

“You’re Kyle, right?”

“Kai actually.”

“Sorry, man.” I take a sip of my drink and place it on the napkin again, swirling the small straw. “Yeah, she’s just stressed out about something and wanted some time alone. She’ll be fine.”