‘Has Chad had his contract terminated as well?’ she asked. Together, they’d been the faces of fragrances for the same company. The ‘his and hers’ versions. Hers, Naïve. His, Knowledge. She expected that he would have swept through this storm with no damage to his sails. His acting royalty pedigree made him shatterproof when it came to bad behaviour. Well, Alicia’s family were actors too, so why did Chad’s bad behaviour mean her career suffered?
‘Not being Chad’s agent, I couldn’t say, but I don’t believeso, no.’
‘So, it’s one rule for the boys and another for the girls.’
‘Unfortunately, that’s how Éclisse want to play it, so we have no choice. Perhaps Chad’s image fits in more with the concept of the scent. I’m sure there will be other work. But for now, you should keep a low profile. Take a vacation. Or you could even try rehab.’
‘Why? I don’t have a drug problem.’
‘Rehab isn’t only for drugs these days.’ The agent slid a business card for an ‘Equilibrium Center’ in the Arizona desert across the desk to Alicia. ‘You could rehabilitate from anxiety: go on a retreat and learn some coping mechanisms for stress.’
‘Seriously?’ Alicia pressed her fingers to her temples, ironically a stress relieving mechanism she often used in the company of Chad. ‘Talk about blaming the victim. The only thing I need rehab from is this town and its double standards.’
‘I’m so sorry, Alicia. My hands really are tied.’ The agent’s frown was drowning in effete pity. Alicia stared, waiting for her to say something helpful, but nothing came. In this day and age, it was appalling.
‘You didn’t get the memo about female solidarity then?’
‘Pardon?’
‘Never mind. I hope you never have to deal with anything like this yourself, but if you do, you will see how important it is that women support other women.’ Alicia picked up her purse, stood and turned towards the door. The instinct to slam it as she left the room was tingling at her fingertips, but if she had learned anything lately it was that the internet was always watching. Any letting off steam would bebest done in her own space.
Unfortunately, Alicia’s own space was not on the schedule for this afternoon. Her brother Connor was having a 30thbirthday lunch with close family at his favourite Italian restaurant. The plus of this was that seeing her family always added sunshine to Alicia’s day.
A bright limelight shone on the Donoghue family: Alicia’s father, Clark, mother, Britt, and three brothers, Jack, Lucas and Connor, were all actors, as her grandfather had been before them. In her younger years, as well as modelling and being in television commercials, Alicia had a short role in a soap, but she’d hated it and begged her father to let her stop. When she was eighteen, she had taken her mother’s maiden name to create an identity separate from her showbusiness family. Her brothers’ profiles had risen to the highest echelons in Hollywood, all of them in-demand A-listers. Alicia went on to model for top tier fashion houses, bankrolling her true passion of art – painting in particular – and she was happy with the way things were, until Chad tempted her back to acting.
The family had a private area at the back of the restaurant. Connor, despite his A-list status, was keen to remain humble and grounded, but he also valued time with his family, and the fact that they were all so famous meant they couldn’t dine out without consideration for privacy. Alicia was sure there were photographers outside the restaurant taking shots of her. This feeling of being watched all the time made her skin itch.
‘Leeshy Loo!’ Connor was already several drinks in and enveloped his younger sister in a giant hug. ‘Thanks for coming. Everyone’s here.’
‘I wouldn’t miss it. It’s my favourite brother’s birthday. I even brought you a present.’ Alicia held out a small package to Connor. ‘Happy thirtieth, big bro. Are you going shootingdeer in Scotland?’ Connor was wearing an outfit similar to the one he’d worn the last few times Alicia had seen him: a brown herringbone three-piece suit and brogues. He was handsome and elegant, but it wasn’t much of a departure from his costume for the highly successful TV show where he played the head of a Scottish Highland criminal gang. All he’d need was the kilt and he could stroll on set.
‘Nope, no shooting deer, maybe some punching Chad Bradbury in the coupon, as they say in Scotland.’
‘Oh, Con.’ Alicia was glad for the protectiveness of her brothers, but she didn’t want reminded that they might be thinking of what Chad had done to her. And she certainly didn’t want the problem countered with violence.
‘Just kidding. I think.’ Connor grinned as he opened the wrapping on Alicia’s gift. ‘It helps me stay in character and the girls love it… Woah! What are these?’ He gazed down in awe at the smoky amber stones nestled inside the small jewellery box.
‘They’re vintage Cairngorm cufflinks,’ Alicia explained. ‘I got them shipped from Scotland. I thought they would go with your Scottish image.’
Connor’s expression glowed like the jewels glistening up at him. ‘They’re incredible, Leesh. I’m putting them on right now. Hold this for a sec.’ He handed her the box before unclipping his existing cufflinks.
‘I can’t stay for long.’ Alicia was glad Connor was distracted while she explained her impending exit.
‘No? How come?’ Despite being excitedly absorbed in his present, Connor’s voice dropped a semitone at Alicia’s news.
A rock wedged itself in Alicia’s gut when she contemplated talking with her brothers about the impact of Chad’s actions. Even speaking to her mother aboutit was difficult. The truth was, she didn’t want to go over the details with anyone.
‘I have a few things to do,’ she explained, without explaining.
Fortunately, although Connor’s inquisitiveness was part of what made him such a good actor, he didn’t press further. ‘You should stay,’ he said. ‘You’re safe with family here. Me, Lucas, Jack. And Ada’s here too. Ada was Lucas’s wife, whose company Alicia enjoyed, but the connections to Chad were too close. Before being married to Lucas, Ada had been Chad’s girlfriend. Lucas and Chad had infamously had discord on the set of a blockbuster. Lucas had subsequently snaffled the lead role in an action movie franchise from Chad and soon the leading lady, Ada, dumped her beau, Chad, and was engaged to Lucas. Talking to Ada about Chad had provided some comfort in the past, but today there were hurdles in Alicia’s mind she was struggling to get over. Being let go by Éclisse was a reminder that Ada had escaped Chad and Alicia had allowed herself to be brought down by him. Success versus failure.
‘How are things?’ Ada asked Alicia over their starters. She was a keen proponent of being open about your problems, whether at lunch or in the therapist’s office. And it was likely that being a ‘survivor’ of Chad she felt uniquely placed to support Alicia.
‘So-so,’ Alicia admitted.
‘I am outraged,’ Ada declared. ‘Although not surprised. I always knew what an asshole that man was…is. But, Alicia, I am here to talk anytime. As is Lucas, although he is baying for Chad’s blood.’
‘It’s okay. Lucas did warn me not to date him.’
