Chapter 37
1314words
On the other side of the studio, someone screams for someone. I jolt, and my heart races. My eyes dart back and forth, scanning the area and looking for any sign of the witch.
Ever since the day I hid from Rhonda on the set, I’m jumpy and nervous. Any little noise has me almost jolting up and running for a hiding spot.
What is happening to me?
Tiffany has asked me several times if I’m alright, but I can’t bring myself to tell her I think I’m going crazy from all this nonsense. The evil witch has done more damage to my mental health than anything I’ve gone through before.
I pat my chest, hoping my thundering heart will slow down before it jumps out of my chest.
When will this end? Please tell me it will end soon.
Tiffany steps up beside me. Concern flashes across her face, as she stares at me and asks, “Trevor, are you alright? You don’t look so good.”
I take a shaky breath, which I try to hide from her. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
The unevenness in my tone contradicts my words.
I look anywhere but at her gorgeous face. I can’t look at her. Once she gazes into my eyes, she will know immediately something is wrong.
My only relief is at night when I’m alone with her in Kyle’s apartment. I don’t have to worry about anything and devour her to my heart’s content. She is my medicine, and the only one I need.
Jane steps in front of me and into my line of vision. “I’ve gotten a request for you two to do a fan meet. However, with everything going on with the stalker and your busy schedule here, I don’t want to book it like normal.” She looks at me and concern flickers in her eyes. “I can’t guarantee I can get enough security. I want you two to be safe.”
My chest tightens.
Can I be in a big crowd right now? One where I know I have very few bodyguards around me to help if there is an issue.
My stomach churns. I think I’m going to be sick.
Tiffany gently pats my back. “If you really want us to do it, I’m sure we can figure something out. Where is the event? Is it somewhere big?”
Jane keeps her attention on me. “Yeah, it is. The event will be at the nearby shopping mall. You’ve done events there before and haven’t had any problems, but this is a little different. Rhonda is like a wild cannon, and we have no idea what she is going to do next. I don’t want to risk your safety.”
As soon as she says the witch’s name, my skin crawls and my stomach churns again.
The witch’s shrill voice echoes through my head as the memory of her chancing me pops up into my head.
I push those thoughts and memories out of my mind and focus on Tiffany’s warm and gentle hand on my back. She loves me and only wants what is best for me and her.
Everything around me gets fuzzy except for Jane and Tiffany’s voices.
Jane shakes her head and sighs. “If anything goes haywire, I would be the one to blame for agreeing and booking the event. No. I don’t want to put either of you in that situation. I will tell the people you aren’t available. Maybe in a couple of weeks, we can think about agreeing to a fan meeting, but not now.”
A weight lifts off my shoulders, but it doesn’t completely fade away.
Rejecting one fan meeting won’t hurt our career.
Tiffany nods. “I agree. Let’s put it off for now. When I’m sure there isn’t anything at risk or we know the crazy bat won’t be a threat, then we can book one. We have plenty of time to do fan meetings. If all else fails, we can do the events afterwards. I’m sure the fans won’t mind. We might test their patience, but they will be happy it is happening.”
An image of a screaming crowd comes to mind.
My body turns cold and begins to tremble.
Jane reaches out to me. “Trevor. Are you alright? You are looking rather pale.”
I flinch when she barely touches my arm, startling her.
Tiffany wraps her slender arm around me. “It is alright, Trevor. Everything will be alright.”
Someone in the distance screams at the top of their lungs for something, and I slightly jump again.
Jane gasps. “I’m sorry, Trevor. I didn’t realize you are still having problems.”
I look at her and nod, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.
Tiffany tightens her hold on me, and I lean into her comforting warmth.
She calmly says, “I can talk to the director to see if we can keep the staff and the number of people inside the set to a minimum until you are feeling better. Do you want me to do that?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
Jane counters. “I’ll do it. I’m the manager and am supposed to be looking out for you two. If I was thinking properly, I would have done that as soon as the event happened.”
I nod and lean into Tiffany’s body, hoping her soothing touch can calm the storm within me.
Jane turns and rushes off. I stare at her back and watch her disappear into a small group of people.
My eyes dart back and forth, looking for anything out of the ordinary or unusual, but when I find nothing, I don’t get the peace I’m wanting.
Tiffany squeezes my arm and slowly turns me around towards a vacant corner. “Here. Let’s sit over here for a moment until it is time for us. Okay.”
My mind goes foggy, and I let her guide me to wherever she wants. My legs nearly fold when we reach the corner, and she carefully helps me into one of the chairs.
My gaze roams over the studio area, but I don’t say anything. There seem to be fewer people than before. Has Jane already gotten them moved out of here?
A mix of fear and hate washes over me, which makes me hate myself more for not being strong enough to keep the fear at bay.
How have I reduced myself to this?
Tiffany keeps her arm around me and softly asks, “Do you need some water or something? I’ll get you whatever you need.”
I shake my head. “No. I’m fine.”
She huffs, “You are far from being fine, but I’ll leave it at that. If for some reason you get thirsty, tell me, and I’ll run and get what you want.”
She is such a nice person. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better than her.
She glances around before she kisses my cheek. “I could tell you weren’t quite back to your normal self when we were at the apartment, but I didn’t realize you were this bad. You should have told me. I don’t know if there is much I can do, but I’ll still try whatever I can to get you healed from this situation. I hate seeing you like this.”
She leans closer to me and whispers into my ear. “You don’t always have to be the big, strong man for everything. It is alright for you to be vulnerable. I’ll be there and help you through it.”
My heart warms as a grin tugs at my mouth.
Her moist lips kiss my cheek again. “I think you need to see someone about your mental health, too. I’ll ask Jane to arrange it when she gets back.”
I nod and rest my head on her shoulder.
I wish this whole thing would disappear and everything would go back to normal soon.
