Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (46 page)

“Cora.” He turned on his heel and bolted back through the office, past spinner, Viktor, and Rodger. With his heart pounding full force, he collided with her door before he managed to turn the handle and barge back into Cora’s office.

“Cora!” He scanned the room, but she wasn’t behind her monitors or at the big table. With only one other choice, he ran across the space, opened the door and found her sitting on the marble floor in the corner of her private bathroom, knees pulled up to her chest. In less than an instant, he skidded across the floor, and gathered her up into his arms. “Baby.”

Without a word, she buried her face in his chest, and her trembling vibrated through him.

“Am I allowed to ask you how you are?” He kissed the top of her head and breathed in the floral tinged sent of her shampoo.

She nodded.

“How are you?”

“I’m not fine.” Her voice broke and the way her body wracked, he knew she finally broke down and started to cry.

For several minutes, they stayed there on the bathroom floor and he let her cry it out while he made a plan. They needed some time. Some time away from the drama, away from the set, and away from L.A. They needed some time to be couple. The fact she had to get him here under the guise of a business meeting was unacceptable.

“I got this, I got you, all right?” He stood and picked her up.

She only held on.

When he stepped into her office, he was met by Rodger, Viktor and Spike.

He addressed the men, “Cora and I are going to take a few days off. “I need someone to do whatever they need to do with her meetings, someone to square things for me on set, and I need the company car.” They needed to just go, not care about clothes or anything else.

“I got the studio and corporate.” Viktor patted Cora’s head.

“Let’s go out a different exit. The two of you attract too much attention.” Rodger gathered up her purse and laptop then led them out.

“Come on, Spike,” Rodger commanded and they followed Rodger down through a service elevator.

The secretary rushed ahead and helped get Cora and Spike get settled in the car. “Mr. Scott.” He walked around to the driver’s side and held up the keys.

Ryder took the offering.

Rodger stopped him before he slipped inside the car. “Please tell me if there’s anything you need. I’ll make sure you have it.”

Ryder figured he might as well use the man. “We’re going to my cabin. If there’s a way you can get some food and necessities delivered, I’d rather us not have to go traipsing around town right away.” For the time being, a little less time in the limelight was in order. This was precisely why his father told him to never let the cabin go.

“Consider it done.” Rodger held out his hand.

Ryder shook his hand. “So now we’re on the same side.”

“You passed judgment.” Rodger assisted him in the car.

Ryder put the key in the ignition and looked over at Cora. Spike in her lap, she leaned against the window with two tears streaming down her cheeks.

They had to escape and, for the first time in his life, he truly had to be a leading man, not just play one.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. LOS ANGELES – GRIFFITH PARK OBSERVATORY - DAY

CHARLES – late thirties, hair combed off to one side, dressed in khakis and a red polo shirt is giving a tour of the observatory to some schoolchildren.

He bends down and points up to a huge model of the solar system.

CHARLES

Every planet travels around the sun at its own speed.  It takes Mercury only eighty-eight days to travel around the sun, while it takes Neptune over one hundred and sixty four years to make its way around our star.

The school children let out a collective gasp.

Camera pans over to ROXY.  She’s clutching her purse and watching CHARLES.

CHARLES

Can anyone tell me how long it takes Mars to travel around the sun?

ROXY

(Rushes around the model and raises her hand)

Almost six hundred and eighty seven days!

CHARLES

(Nods)

Who taught you that?

ROXY

My best friend.

(She bites her lip.)

CHARLES turns his attention back to the children.

CHARLES

All right kiddos, tour is over, your teacher will take you over the theatre and you’ll watch a movie on the moon.

The schoolchildren cheer and follow their teacher away.

CHARLES

(Shoves his hands in his pockets and walks over to ROXY)

What brings you here?

ROXY

I wanted to see the stars.

(She leans in and gives him a hug.)

You look amazing.

CHARLES

Thanks. I guess I finally grew into myself.

(He pats her back.)

ROXY

(Leans back but keeps her hold on him)

Sometimes some planets just take longer to orbit the sun.

CHARLES

(Smiles)

Touché.

ROXY

I did come for a reason.