18

Mara braced herself for the cameras. She was used to them. Stand there, read the cards, don't think about nearly being abducted twice, she told herself. Richard was working with Nancy, her publicist, to craft this unfortunate series of events into a clever plug for her new film. It would have been admirable for any other actress. This was par the course and completely expected, if not praised, in their Hollywood circle. Mara didn't love it though. Even if she wasn't still shaken up and confused as to how the story got out so quickly, she still wouldn't like manipulating her fans. But Richard insisted and she trusted him.

Mara adjusted the low-cut knit top and tight slacks. She shifted her feet in the uncomfortable platform stilettos. The stylist insisted it gave her an understated sex appeal. Girl next door meets porn star. Why would those two ideas need to meet? Mara had asked but been ignored. And as she looked at the rather deep neckline, she wasn't sure the sex appeal was very understated. Especially with her hair pulled into a high ponytail full of waves and volume. Where the hell was she supposed to be going looking like this? But she really didn't have the energy to argue. It felt like her heart had been racing ever since she heard that first knock at the door. Fear was exhausting.

With her recent scare, her team planned to siphon as much of the public's sympathy for her as they could. Mara hated the idea. And she'd told them so. But they once again, insisted and she didn't feel like arguing. All the fight had gone out of her on that bathroom floor. This was a private matter and a very real threat. Hadn't Richard been so dead set on her realizing that? Hadn't he appointed a bodyguard for that very reason? Now, all of a sudden, her life was no more than a scandalous event to twist in the right direction? But in the end, everything they'd done for her had only helped her career. She couldn't ignore that. And the more fame and money she had, the more she could help others. She took a deep breath.

"Mara, all press is good press, dove," Richard smoothed her shirt down at the arms and tilted her chin so he could do a once over before she hit the cameras. "Perfect as always."

She just couldn't shake the wrongness of it. The way it felt like he was manipulating the situation and maybe even, her? No, don't think like that... he's like family, she corrected. She knew he was just making the best out of a bad situation. She nodded to him, a small smile of approval on her lips. Ten minutes and she was done.

"Show time," he whispered, pushing her out from behind the ballroom curtain and into the room full of chairs. The hotel had situated their conference in the largest ballroom to accommodate all the press that had swarmed on the front door. Between the camera lights and the chairs positioned all the way up to her little podium, the room felt claustrophobic to Mara. She simply stood there, like a deer in headlights. What were her lines? Her palms started to sweat, what if her stalker was there? Hiding in the back of the room like he had at the gala? What if he was going to watch her on the tv? She felt sick.

Richard gave her a not-so-gentle nudge to remind her of the cards. Just read the goddamn lines, Mara yelled at herself. She cleared her throat and began. Ten minutes and it's over.

"Hello everyone, I have come here today to acknowledge what you all have already heard, someone came to my hotel suite today in an attempt to abduct me." Collective gasps moved around the room. A few cameras flashed.

"I believe it was a stalker, who has been making his presence known to me as of late. I would like to take this time to address my stalker...." Mara glanced at Richard. This seemed like a terrible start. Why the hell would she address him? Funny enough, isn't this what the character does in those terrible horror movies? It's called provoking him and anyone with half a brain cell would know not to do it. What was the angle?

"I understand you. I sympathize with you." What the fuck, she thought. Whoever wrote this was insane. "We all have our idols. I am truly honored to be someone you idolize as I love and cater to my fans in every way that I can. I must only ask that you refrain from invading my personal space again, in hopes that the police don't have to become involved. I have yet to press any charges as I'm sure this is all simply a misunderstanding..."

The police were already involved. Very involved. She'd just finished filing out the damn report and they already had all the other items he'd sent. They had already compiled a list of his various online personas. To lie like this felt bizarre in every way. This was as far from a misunderstanding as it got.

"I think we have a connection to each other through my movies, which have been my biggest passion since I was young..." Jesus Christ. Richard had lost his fucking mind. Mara was sure of it, "And I hope that when my next film, Fated Love..." Mara couldn't breathe. She was struggling to keep tears out of her eyes. Why would Richard choose that movie? She had two coming out and the other was a blockbuster action flick. Why would he choose the romance? Her head was spinning.

"...hits theaters, you and I will enjoy a collective laugh at this unfortunate memory," her throat dried and her voice cracked, "Before I close my remarks, I would like to offer a few words on separate matters... first, I would like to confirm the rumors that have been circulating. I am dating my co-star, Aaron Briggs..." Mara cut her eyes from the card to glare directly at Richard. There was no mistaking it now. He manipulated her goodwill. What the fuck was he playing at? It was too late to break her composure, the cameras were already rolling and she was dead set in their sights.

"And he has been my closest...support...system" she was choking on the ridiculous words in front of her, "...in this time of need. Second, I would like to thank the first responders for arriving promptly and taking this case so very seriously. And they remain ready to press charges if indeed, a new situation arises. And lastly, I would like to thank my fans...who are my motivation and my joy outside of work...th-th-ank-y-you." Mara stuttered before stumbling back behind the curtain once more.

She could hear the cacophony of noise as the room erupted with excitement. Everyone screamed over each other, trying to get a quote on one of the many ridiculous things she'd said. She heard Richard taking questions from the crowd of people who'd just been given the scoop of the year, even if it was a mouthful of lies. Her head was swimming.

"Mara, listen it's—" Nadia tried, but Mara turned and walked away as if in a daze. She went to the hotel room, grabbed her purse, and headed for the garage.

She called Althea before she’d even cleared the elevator. “I-I need the car on standby to pull around.”

“Of course, Ms. Luxe, is the destination the airport?”

Mara paused, rubbing her free hand against her pants. “Maybe—I—no. Not yet. I just…” She had been betrayed by her closest friends. No, maybe there was an explanation...Richard and Nadia had been in her life since her career first took off. They'd never been so manipulative before. They'd never taken advantage of her. Had they? Now, she desperately searched her mind for anything else she could find to apply guilt to them.

Could she even trust Althea? Watching the garage entry, Mara saw the dark vehicle pull to a stop in front of her.

“The car is pulling around now, I’ll give the driver the instructions myself.” She hung up before Althea could respond.

“Ms. Luxe, where am I taking you tonight?” the woman asked, giving Mara a gentle smile.

Real family. She could always trust real family. Right? So she gave the driver the address to her mother’s house.