Alex and his father sat in chairs facing the open doors to the garden. The script she’d seen earlier was on the table between them. They raised glasses of orange juice and toasted each other. Ellie paused in the doorway, the shadow of Richie stopping beside her.
Could she face Alex?
Could she face the humiliation?
She turned and walked back out without saying a word.
‘Ellie, darling,’ Richie said, and the endearment made her skin crawl, but she looked at him through her tears, hoping for any good news he might offer her.
He took her by the elbow and guided her into the library. ‘Things change. Especially in show business, and it’s always us mere mortals that have to pick up the pieces.’ He gently pushed her towards the desk.
On top of a freshly printed document was a pen and a signed cheque for £10,000 made out to her, and signed by Alex weeks ago according to the date on it. Absently she wondered if he’d always planned it to end this way.
Thanks for playing your part, but it’s over now.
Richie offered her the pen. ‘It’s an NDA, stating you won’t comment on the Kings or the time you spent with them. There’s also a little something for your trouble. I mean, that plus your apartment is a good offer, don’t you think? The Kings want you to know they’re really grateful for everything you’ve done. You’vebrought this family back together in a way I would never have imagined possible. It’s unfortunate the media decided to follow a different narrative. Sadly, that’s usually the way of it – I tried to warn you. You need to look the part to be believable. You and Alex? Are justnot believable.’
For the first time since meeting him, she agreed with Richie.
Ellie stared down at the offer on the table. She thought about the shop being closed because of the press. How long would they last? She picked up the pen and signed the document with a trembling hand. She didn’t bother reading it; she’d never talk – who would believe her?
‘I need to leave,’ she whispered.
False sympathy radiated from him in waves. She couldn’t bear pity from someone like Richie, especially when it was obvious he didn’t give one flying shit about her.
She wanted her family. ‘I need to go home.’
‘That’s probably for the best. I can arrange everything. No need to say goodbye to the family. I’ll let them know, far better to leave quietly… Less awkward.’
She nodded numbly and headed to the stairs.
They wanted her gone, because she’d served her purpose. Before she left, she picked up the memo pad from the coffee table and scrawled a note.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Alex couldn’t find Ellie anywhere. She’d said she was going swimming, but she wasn’t by the pool or on the hammock beach.
The talk with Russell had taken far longer than he’d expected. The theatre wanted him back as resident director and were keen to talk about upcoming projects, which was fantastic. Unbelievably, movie legend Francesca Tatiana was also keen to be involved in his next production – whatever it may be. Interestingly, she’d seenThe Great Gatsbyduring a visit to London, and had liked it so much she’d asked to work with him in the future.
However, he’d had to spend half an hour this morning reassuring her agent that he wasn’t going back to film acting. Apparently, there was a rumour spreading like wildfire in LA that Alex and several big names – Francesca being one of them – would be starring in a new multimillion-dollar franchise.
Of course, it wasn’t true. The franchise script that Richie had been trying to ram down his throat since he’d arrived was of no interest to him, and he’d told him that more than once, but the rumours were still circulating anyway. He suspected it was another one of Richie’sdistractionscombined with wishful thinking on his part.
Thankfully, Francesca was still interested in a theatre role, but wanted to speak with him personally about the projects before signing. Projects he’d not even finalised himself – but that was show business. He and Russell had agreed that as soon as he was back in London they would work like demons to pull together proposals, and then Alex would fly out to LA to ensure Francesca was on board.
Obviously, he’d miss Ellie like mad, but one week away would be worth it in the long run. Francesca’s name attached to his next project was a dream come true, especially as the production wouldn’t rely on his name for publicity. When he’d eventually sorted out all of the details, including booking flights – he needed to stop relying on Richie for everything – he’d looked for Ellie first, and then found himself blurting out his good news to his dad when he couldn’t find her straight away.
They’d toasted to his new career and talked it over until Richie joined them. Richie had then spent an hour trying to convince him to accept the franchise instead.
The whole conversation had been difficult, with Richie constantly pushing for him to change his mind. In the end, Alex had still refused, and Richie had agreed to delay the franchise producers just in case Alex changed his mind. Which was infuriating, as he wasn’t going to.
After Richie had left, his dad had said, ‘Don’t worry about him. He gets things into his head sometimes, and struggles to let go. He’s just signed Holly too – I think she’s the romantic interest in this, and that’s probably why he wants you on board – a safe pair of hands so to speak. But he’ll come around eventually.’
‘I can’t think of anything worse than filming for months, possibly even years, with Holly.’ Alex grimaced at the thought. ‘Honestly, Dad, I don’t think I need Richie any more. He keeps pushing me towards jobs I don’t want. My heart’s in the theatre; it always has been. I only did film acting because he pushed me into it.’
His dad pursed his lips thoughtfully, before breaking into a sly smile. ‘So, you’ve decided then? London will be your new home after all. You’re not tempted by the big franchise?’ He gestured to the script on the table between them. There was probably a copy in every room of this house, Richie was so determined that he should fall in love with it.
‘It’s good money. There’s no denying that.’ The contract was worth millions.
