Illusions of Love

chapter 7



Charley loved what she did. She loved the noise and the chaos and the whole atmosphere of being surrounded by creative people from the worlds of fashion and modelling and heaven knows what else. It was where she belonged. The days of being stuck behind a desk at ‘Wheatman and Rogers’ – the firm of solicitors that she and India had worked for back in their old home town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne all those years ago – it seemed like another lifetime away.

She had been due to leave for Vegas soon but, out of the blue, she’d been contacted by Candice Coley, one of L.A.’s top new young designers, who’d asked Charley to work with her at a big charity fashion event taking place in Beverly Hills, and it was a chance Charley hadn’t been willing to turn down. Her L.A. salon was quite obviously gaining popularity by the week, and to expand out into fashion shows and events was something she’d only ever been able to dream of before. But she had a chance to make it a reality now, and Vince understood that. He was busy with the movie anyway; he wouldn’t really have all that much time to miss her, and if she had a successful time here then who knew what else might come of it? Her life was so perfect right now, and she was more excited than she had been in a long time because everything felt as though it was finally starting to fall into place.

She’d just spent a very busy and extremely tiring day going over hair and make-up ideas for the show with Candice and, although she was shattered, it had been one of the best days. Candice loved her ideas, and they worked well together. The contacts she could make here could prove to be invaluable and Charley was on a ridiculous high, excited for the future and all it could bring her. A future she’d worked hard to achieve.

Gathering together her brushes and combs, sliding them back into their wrap and putting them in the cupboard by her work station, she stood up and folded her arms, looking around her beautiful, and now empty salon. Without Vince she wouldn’t have any of this and she smiled at the thought of her wonderful husband. He was so proud of her, and that meant a lot to Charley because, for a long time, she hadn’t been very proud of herself.

She sighed, turning to look in the mirror, running her hands through her long dark hair. She didn’t look too bad, considering she’d been on her feet all day. A bit tired maybe, but that was only to be expected.

All of a sudden something made her swing round, a sudden noise that seemed to come out of nowhere and she quickly scanned the quiet, empty salon. She had a weird feeling of someone watching her, even though she knew she’d checked the place over before she’d locked the doors. There was nobody else inside but her. It didn’t stop her from feeling slightly uneasy though.

Walking over to the huge expanse of glass that fronted the salon she peered out onto the busy street. Then she shook herself; she was being stupid. There was nothing there, nobody was watching her. She’d had a long day, that was all. She was imagining things. This was a large salon and when it was empty and quiet like this of course it was going to feel a little weird, maybe even a touch creepy, especially when it spent most of its time full of noise and chatter and music. She was just being paranoid. But that didn’t stop her from checking the salon over one last time before she left, making sure every room was empty and every door was locked.

She wanted to call Vince. She really felt like a long chat with her husband because she had so much to tell him, but rather than call him from her office here at the salon she decided to wait until she got home. It really had been a long day. It was time to go home, open a bottle of wine and chill out in a bubble-filled bath while she called Vince in Vegas.

Sliding her bag up onto her shoulder she closed the doors of Charley’s behind her and locked them, making doubly sure they were shut tight and, looking around her once more as that feeling of unease crept briefly back, she walked to her car, the thought of that bubble-filled bath and hearing Vince’s voice making her smile, everything else forgotten. Because, as far as Charley was concerned, her life was perfect. There was absolutely nothing to be worried about.



***



He pulled his hat down further over his eyes and watched from across the street as she closed the salon doors behind her, stopping for a few seconds to quickly look around before walking to her car. A nice little car. Just what he’d imagined she’d drive, really.

Looking in his rear-view mirror he smiled to himself, covering his eyes with his dark glasses, starting the engine of his inconspicuous Ford. She’d never for one second imagine him to be driving something like this but that’s exactly what he wanted. He wanted to be inconspicuous. He needed to blend into the background, be invisible. For now. But that wouldn’t last forever.

He switched on the climate control and turned the radio on, cranking up the volume on a country music station as he pulled away, driving off in the opposite direction to her. His work was done for one day. It wouldn’t do to rush things just yet. He had all the time in the world now, and if he wanted this to play out the way he’d planned then taking his time was the best way to go. Soon enough the excitement would begin. Soon enough Charley Maine’s life was about to change, all over again.



***



Dominic had forgotten how boring making a movie could be sometimes. All the sitting around and waiting. And for these first few days of filming that was pretty much the way it had been. His scenes had been few and far between but he’d kept himself very much occupied by watching Michael Walsh in action. As a director he had a very specific way of doing things that seemed to work for everybody, both cast and crew. He was a very amiable, very friendly guy and he’d been nothing but polite and professional with Dominic. Which was good. That was a good start.

But now India Walsh was on set and, as far as Dominic was concerned, the game he’d been waiting so long to start playing could finally begin.

She’d arrived early that morning, walking into the place like any ordinary person, no entourage – apart from her quite obviously gay personal assistant – no Hollywood glamour evident at all in her outfit of jeans, T-shirt and baseball boots, her long blond hair pulled back into a high ponytail. But she was so far away from ordinary, because the second she’d stepped onto that set everyone around had stopped and stared at her. Him included. But one person rather more attentively than anyone else. Dominic hadn’t missed the look Michael Walsh had given her, because Dominic was watching him very, very carefully. He had to. It was what he was here to do, more than anything else he was here to watch Michael Walsh. And what he’d witnessed only made the game that much more important. Whether anything was going on between India and her ex-husband right now Dominic didn’t know, but he knew their history. He knew almost everything about them, because that had been part of the plan.

He’d spent most of the morning watching Michael direct her scenes with nothing but professionalism. They’d worked together something like half a dozen times or so now, Dominic knew that, so they both knew how this situation worked. But the little looks, the smiles, the way Michael would lightly touch her arm or rest his hand on her hip as he spoke to her, they were all very small but quite obvious gestures in anyone’s eyes that these were two people who’d once been extremely close. Although, he sensed India’s body language was far less intimate than Michael’s. Sometimes she’d back off whenever Michael came near her, or turn away slightly just to discourage any move he might make, and that was encouraging for Dominic. It looked like this game might be easier to play than he’d first thought.

But it wasn’t until a break in filming later that morning that he finally got a chance to introduce himself to India properly, before their first scenes together took place that afternoon. And he was destined to spend the afternoon one very lucky guy indeed because, thanks to the practice of shooting out of sequence, he was going to get to kiss this incredible looking woman as many times as it took to get the scene in the can. But, if what he sensed was true, and Michael really was trying to win back his ex-wife, then he suspected that scene would be in the can fairly quickly. Maybe he should deliberately mess things up, try for a few extra shots at the target. Surely it had to be fun trying?

He approached India as she sat on the sidelines, talking to her P.A. who looked up and smiled at him. A wasted smile on Dominic. He was never swinging that way.

India looked up too, immediately standing up and holding out her hand. ‘Hey, good to finally meet you, Dominic.’

He took her hand and shook it gently, leaning forward to kiss her lightly on the cheek. ‘It’s good to meet you too, India. I’m a great admirer of yours. You’re an extremely talented actress.’

She smiled, a beautiful smile that lit up her whole face and Dominic could well understand just why Michael couldn’t seem to leave this woman alone. But he liked a challenge. Especially one where he could play against a man like Michael Walsh. And there was a lot to play for. A lot to be proved.

‘Thank you. That’s very kind of you.’

Bobby snorted from his still-seated position and India threw him a look, but he just shrugged and threw her a wide-eyed innocent expression back.

‘Excuse him, he’s got hay fever,’ India smiled as Dominic finally let go of her hand. She had the softest of skin; he’d held onto her long enough to find that out.

He put his hands in his pockets and continued to look at her, trying to take in as much of her face as he could. He’d seen her in the flesh before, at premieres and parties and the odd awards ceremony, but this was the first time he’d ever spoken to her, the first time he’d had a chance to get up close and personal with her. And the timing was perfect.

‘I’m really looking forward to doing this movie with you, India. I think it’s going to be a very… interesting experience.’ He pushed a hand through his slightly dishevelled hair. ‘Look, you can say no, but, I’d quite like to get to know my leading lady a little better, if that’s okay with you. So, how about a drink? This evening, maybe? Outside, at the Terrace Bar? We can… find out a little bit more about each other, I mean, that can only be good for the movie. After all, we are supposed to be playing a married couple.’

She smiled again, and he couldn’t help but notice her incredible eyes, now made up in their movie make-up, all seductive and sexy. He’d once read an interview with Michael Walsh where he’d described India as the kind of woman who got under your skin and stayed there forever. Dominic thought that maybe a truer word had never been spoken. He’d only been speaking to her for five minutes and she was already making him feel as though he could stay there talking to her for hours.

‘It can’t do any harm,’ she said, but Dominic could tell she was slightly distracted now as Michael started calling for people to get back on set. ‘I’ll meet you at the Terrace Bar this evening, okay? Around eight-thirty?’

He gave her one last smile. ‘I’ll look forward to it.’

India watched him walk away before sitting back down.

‘I’ll bet he is,’ Bobby snorted again.

India looked at him. ‘What is the matter with you? I thought you’d do anything to get close to him? Only the other morning you were fawning over his photograph like some lovesick teenager.’

‘Yes, well, there’s no denying he’s still one handsome son-of-a-bitch. But the way he was looking at you, Princess… Have you not heard about that man’s reputation?’

‘Yeah, and it’s just that, isn’t it? A reputation. Doesn’t mean to say he’s really like that.’

‘India, India, India. How many years have you been in this industry now? And still my little naïve English angel. That man goes through leading ladies quicker than you go through husbands, it’s what he does. Do you really want to be next on his hit list?’

‘I’m going for a harmless drink with him later, Bobby, that’s all. Where’s the problem in that…? Oh, my God, you’re jealous!’ she laughed.

‘As if!’ Bobby sniffed, turning his attention back to his magazine. ‘Anyway, it’s not as though you’re gonna be sleeping together before the champagne’s finished, is it?’

‘And what if we were?’

Bobby looked at her, narrowing his eyes. ‘Are you just a teensy bit attracted to our handsome movie star, Princess?’

India shrugged, looking over at Dominic who was deep in conversation with one of the wardrobe assistants – a young and pretty dark-haired girl who was quite obviously flirting with him. It didn’t look too much like he was reciprocating but it didn’t stop a flicker of something – was that jealousy? – taking her over for a brief second. And when he suddenly turned, caught her eye and smiled at her she felt her stomach turn a tiny somersault. Followed by a warning shot from the sensible part of her brain. ‘No, Bobby. I’m not in the least bit attracted to Dominic MacDonald. Okay?’

‘Whatever you say, Angel. Whatever you say.’



***



Michael had seen Dominic make his move, walk over to India and take her hand, kissing her on the cheek. Just a bit too over-friendly for a first introduction as far as he was concerned. That level of familiarity needed to be kept under control.

‘Everything alright?’ Reece asked, watching Michael closely as he observed India talking to Dominic MacDonald.

‘Everything’s fine,’ Michael replied, looking down at his pile of notes. The distraction of India and Dominic had caused him to momentarily lose track of exactly what he was doing.

‘I’m glad to hear it,’ Reece continued, still watching his ex-son-in-law very closely, not missing his slightly flustered demeanour, and Michael was never usually one to get flustered. Reece had worked with him many a time before and he knew that this was unusual for a man like Michael. Unless India was around.

Michael quickly pulled himself together and looked at Reece. ‘Nothing’s going on, Reece. Between me and India. I promise you that.’

‘I don’t care what you promise me, Michael. I only care about what you do to my daughter. Something went on in the past that I still have no idea about…’ Reece noticed a tiny but all-too-evident flinch from Michael when he’d said that, ‘… and I’m concerned about history repeating itself. You can understand that, can’t you?’

Michael nodded, briefly looking over towards India and Dominic again, her smile as she talked to the handsome younger actor lighting up her whole face and he felt his stomach twist itself in knots as that painful obsession once more took its grip on him.

‘India told me you made a move, the other night.’

‘And she knocked me back.’ Michael looked at Reece, knowing those were words he’d waited so long to hear – that India didn’t want him anymore.

‘Then respect her decision, Michael. Because this isn’t just about the two of you anymore. You’ve got Ethan to think of now, so try not to confuse the hell out of him, okay?’

Reece’s response agitated Michael slightly. What did any of this have to do with him anyway? India was a grown woman, and they were more than capable of knowing what was best for their son.

He sighed, a heavy sigh of resignation, knowing he’d never stop Reece from worrying about India; there was nothing he could do about that. But one thing Michael knew he could do was make sure her co-star didn’t get too comfortable around her. She may not want him anymore – not yet, anyway – but she sure as hell didn’t need Dominic MacDonald. ‘Everything is fine, Reece. Alright? Everything is just fine.’

Reece stared at him for a few seconds. ‘Just make sure it is, and we won’t have a problem.’

Somehow though, Michael had a feeling that he wasn’t going to be the problem this time around. That job was going to belong to an altogether different person.