For the Love of His Life (30 page)

Veronica wasn’t sure whose eyebrows rose higher, hers or the tiny Hispanic woman’s. She also didn’t know what to think of the tiny yet curvaceous woman who studied her with such intensity, she felt her skin begin to prickle.

The woman smiled at her and nodded. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Nica. Whenever I’ve spoken to Raul lately, you’re all he talks about. He’s only occasionally mentioned
some little flick
that he made, while he tells me all about how you’ve changed his life.”

“For the better, I hope,” Veronica said, then berated herself mentally for not being as formal and polite as the older woman. “I’m pleased to meet you too. Raul talks about you with great love for the woman who made so many sacrifices to raise him.”

Raul cut in. “We should sit down now. The cameras are already panning all around, and it’s better for them to see our faces than our behinds.”

They all sat, Raul next to his mother, and their respective dates on either side of them. Veronica’s nerves were ready to snap but Raul kept his hand over hers on the armrest between them. He entertained his mother and her husband with stories about the madness of the publicity tour he was on, and talked about how much more there would still be to do, if he was to win.

Guadalupe patted his other hand, smiling at her son. “You’ll win,
mijo
. I’m sure of it! I’ve always known you had greatness in you. Now the rest of the world will know also.”

Raul chuckled. “I hope so, Mama. But other than Nica, no one else thinks so highly of me. Even if I lose, I’ll know that the only two women whose opinions I value think I’m already a winner. That will be enough for me.”

The lights began to dim as the ceremony began. It was long and mostly boring, with occasional amusing skits and movie clips. The anticipation continued to build through the supporting actors’ awards, and the other awards for humanitarian and lifetime contributions. Finally the clips were shown of the best actress nominees and Raul blew a kiss at Kelly in response to her wave when her name was read in nomination. When her name was read as the winner, her look of resignation changed to shock. She leapt up from her chair, and hugged and kissed everyone around her before running remarkably well in four-inch stilettos, up to the stairs that led to the stage. She thanked everyone she’d ever known, and waved her Oscar at Raul and Jared. “This is the first one! Go team!”

When the clips were shown of the nominees for best actor, Veronica squeezed Raul’s hand, which was trembling slightly. He turned to smile at her and she saw hope and anxiety battling on his face. She leaned over to kiss him to give him confidence, so when the winner was announced, they both opened their eyes to stare at each other in shock.

“And the Oscar goes to: Raul Roderick for his work as Hank Maynard.”

Raul stood as if he was in a dream, listening to the thunderous applause all around him that was
for
him…honoring him! He forced his leg muscles to respond through supreme willpower, then slowly made his way up to the stage, shaking hands and being congratulated by people he’d never even met.

When the award was in his hand, he approached the podium and looked out at the sea of faces turned expectantly toward him.

“Now is the time I really wish I had a script to work from! I’m an actor, not a writer. It’s so hard to think up my own words. I want to thank everyone connected with the making of this movie, from the script writer to the make-up and costumers, and the camera crew. Jared, the greatest director in the world, thanks for seeing things in me that I didn’t know were there. Mom,
gracias por todos…te quiero
. And Nica,
querida, eres toda mi vida
.”

He waved the Oscar around as the music began to signal his time was up, “Thank to everyone who validated our work by voting for me!”

When Raul got back to his seat, he pulled Veronica to her feet and kissed her passionately before releasing her so they could sit back down. He was shaking with nerves and his eyes sparkled with excitement. He put his arm around Veronica and held her close, as he whispered into her ear, “None of this could have happened without your love. I’m never going to let you go, Nica. Marry me?”

She smiled at him. “Let’s wait and see how you feel tomorrow, when you’re not riding the high of having just won the top award in your field.”

They barely heard the rest of the ceremony, except to clap uproariously and cheer when Jared won for best director. When another movie was chosen for best picture of the year, the crowd only cheered half-heartedly, as if they’d been hoping for a sweep. But for Kelly, Raul and Jared, their labor of love had been repaid enough with the Oscars they
did
win. Everyone left the theater with happiness and joy in their hearts.

* * * *

Many hours and at least five parties later, Raul gave Veronica a quick, sloppy kiss, “I’ve got to find a bathroom, my love. Danny will sit with you and talk to you while I’m gone. Don’t wander off…I’ll be right back.”

Neither Raul nor Veronica noticed that Danny and Joey nodded at each other.

Veronica watched him as he walked away and remarked, “He looks like he’s staggering a little. I wonder how strong the drinks are that everyone keeps giving him. Maybe too strong. He should drink water for a while, or eat something.”

Danny leaned forward and inhaled her hair. “Yeah, whatever. Dance with me?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have enough trouble just walking in these shoes and I’m feeling kind of woozy myself. Maybe my drinks are also too strong.”

“Aw, c’mon, honey. Tonight’s for celebrating! Let’s show everyone just why Raul brought you with! What’s the point of having that great ass of yours if you don’t show it off?”

Insistently, he pulled her to her feet and onto the dance floor.

* * * *

Raul felt like he was never going to stop peeing. He leaned on the wall with one hand, holding himself with the other.

“Jesus Christ, it’s like I can’t stop!” He laughed at Joey, who was using the next urinal.

“But you know how to control that, right, dude?”

“No! I don’t use anymore. No coke for me…”

“Aw, c’mon, Raul. I’ve got some stuff that I call
the Oscar special
, just for you! It’ll blow your socks off. And help you not have to pee so often.”

Raul shook his head. “No. I told you, I’m not using anymore.”

Joey shrugged as he pulled a mirror out of his pocket, dumped some white powder onto it and began to cut it into lines with a razor blade.

“Suit yourself, dude. But
she
won’t know if you just snort one line. This is some amazing shit, I’m telling you! It’ll help you regain control over yourself again. You’ve been drinking for hours already and it’s starting to show.”

Raul glared at him. “You think so? I can’t afford to look drunk. People are snapping pictures wherever I go. I need to look on top of things…”

“So just do one line. I guarantee you, it’ll help.”

Raul looked around at the busy bathroom, but no one was even looking their way.

“Okay, maybe just one line,” he said as he took the rolled-up c-note from the dealer and leaned forward to snort a line up his nostril. Instantly his head felt like it was going to explode! The coke burned and energized him, and he felt more in-control of himself than he had felt for hours.

“Wow! You’re right, man. That’s some great shit!”

“Do another one. You don’t want the other nostril to feel left out, right?” He snickered at his own wit.

“Okay, just one more,” Raul bent over again and snorted a longer line up the other nostril. He saw stars exploding all around the room and his face went numb. He also swayed slightly.

Joey caught his elbow. “Whoa, man. You haven’t been doing any for a while. Maybe you should sit for a minute, before we head back out to the party.” He grabbed the mirror and pulled Raul along with his other hand, to push open a door on the side wall and they walked into a live sex show, complete with mood lighting and music.

Raul’s legs trembled so much that Joey pushed him over to an empty chair and he sat heavily back into it, panting with the exertion of processing so much pure coke that his head was swimming. When he opened his eyes, they widened in shock.

There was a low table in the middle of the room and a porn star who had been trying to break into
real
movies was naked on all fours. One man was fucking her from behind, while she was noisily sucking the cock of the man standing in front of her. There were two men on either side, whacking themselves off with one hand, while they each pulled on one of her nipples with their other hands. The noisy catcalls were the same as at every stag party Raul had ever been at, but his body was revolting against the purity of the drugs he’d inhaled. He didn’t get hard because he was too busy trying to remember how to breathe normally. But he couldn’t look away either as the scene played out in front of him.

Suddenly the man at the back pulled her hips back quicker, their thighs slapping together as the sweat poured down his face. He pulled her tightly against him one last time and groaned out his orgasm, as the man in front of her, inspired, held her head firmly against his abdomen and spewed down her throat, making her gulp forcefully. The two men on either side also were inspired to come, long ropes of semen shooting out onto the floor as a massive cheer went up all around the room. Money changed hands as the bettors who’d picked the winning time collected their winnings.

Someone noticed Raul on the chair and called out, “There’s the man of the night! He should get the next turn!”

The woman turned to look at him and licked her lips sensually. “Hey, I’d love to have Big Rod in any hole you want, honey. Your choice.”

Raul shook his head weakly, gasping out, “Not now. Can’t stand up yet…”

Joey punched his arm. “He’s processing some blow. Maybe next shot?”

She nodded, then turned to each side to lick and suck at the cocks of the men who had moved to stand on either side of her. A man strode in front of her and grabbed her hair, then forced her to take his cock deeply into her throat. Meanwhile another man had positioned himself behind her and spit onto his finger to thrust it into her anus, while he pushed his way into her from behind.

She gulped reflexively as the force of his thrust pushed her forward, then he laughed.

“Remember me, babe? We made a movie together last year. Your ass is so hot I had to come back for another shot! So here it is, babe…”

Raul felt a wave of nausea threaten him, but Joey placed the mirror in front of his face. “Here, dude. Do another line. You’ve just been off it too long. Your body has to get used to it again. Do another one and I’m sure you’ll feel better…”

Weakly, Raul tried to resist, but the bill was already up his nostril and he inhaled deeply, while trying to remember what he knew he should be remembering that he needed to do…

* * * *

Veronica was irritated that her dancing partner kept grinding against her, so she left him on the floor and strode back to her seat. She picked up her glass and noticed it was empty. He followed her and pulled his chair closer to hers.

“Those are real, aren’t they?” He gestured toward her cleavage, his eyebrows raised.

“Yes.” She looked around for Raul.

“Can I touch them?”

She glared at him. “No! What the fuck is your problem? Keep your hands to yourself, please. I wonder what’s keeping Raul. Maybe he got sick, from drinking too much too quickly?”

He shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe he’s talking to some other big director about his next flick. He’ll be back eventually.”

“Well I don’t want to wait around anymore. I’m leaving.” She got up and tottered unsteadily on her heels. “My feet are killing me and I can’t walk in these things anymore.”

“Then I’ll drive you. My BMW is so fast we’ll be back at Raul’s in no time.”

“What about Raul?”

“I’ll send him a text to let him know you’re back there waiting for him.”

“I’ll try calling him again, to see where he is,” she said as she pulled her cell phone out of her purse. She tried twice, but both times all she got was voice mail. Exasperated, she sent a text:
Going back to your house. See you there.

“Okay, take me back,” she said to Danny who jumped up gallantly to take her arm and guide her through the throngs of people who glanced curiously at them for only a second before turning back to their conversations.

Once out in the night air, Veronica took a deep breath while Danny waited for the valet to bring his car.

“Sheesh! I’ll bet all of those drinks were doubles tonight! That’s why I feel so loopy.”

Danny grinned. “Hey, that’s how we party out here in Hollywood. Especially on the biggest night of the year for the acting community. Doubles for everyone, triples for the stars we are celebrating.”

“Triples? No wonder Raul looked so unsteady. Maybe I should go back in and look for him.”