Thursday, November 21, 2019

A bodyguard was the perfect solution, and Nataley would be so thrilled as soon as his words sunk in. Patiently, he waited, watching her face as a range of emotions flitted across it. There was confusion followed by surprise and then...

"You want to hire a what?"

"A bodyguard? You know, someone who provides protection? I had one after the stalker back home. The guy was nice, even though he was bloody useless beyond bringing me a feeling of safety. Which I guess is important enough." He paused, confident she would have jumped at the opportunity right away.

"You want someone to follow me around all the time watching for your crazed fans?"

Her tone of voice wasn't what would be described as 'encouraging'. "I want you to feel safe. Don't worry. I'll pay for it."

She blinked. "You'll pay for someone to watch over me all the time?"

"Well, yeah. I love you, Nat. If you aren't feeling safe, then this is the best way I can think of to help you feel safer. There are women bodyguards who won't draw any attention."

"I'm sure there are." Her arms folded across her chest, and Harry knew something wasn't going well. Why was she not jumping at this?

"And since I'm leaving soon, it will help me to know you're taken care of."

"I see." The words were bitten off, clipped like his fingernails when he went to see his manicurist.

"Shit. You're pissed off? How can you be angry about this? It's a generous offer."

For a moment he could have sworn that he saw steam rise from her ears. Glancing over his shoulder, she grasped his elbow and yanked him into a nearby dressing room. He followed reluctantly because it was clear that she wanted privacy to yell at him.

"Did you really just say that it was a 'generous offer'?" She hissed when they were in the room with the door closed behind them.

"Well, yeah. It is a generous offer. Bodyguards aren't cheap. Usually it's the record company that pays for them when I need one; a personal one is unusual."

"I see." She took a deep breath with her eyes closed. He watched as she visibly calmed herself. When she opened her eyes and gazed into his, he was confident she had come to her senses. "You honestly think you're being helpful right now, don't you?"

Duh. "The way you said that makes me think I should answer 'no', but the truth is that yes. I do feel that I'm trying to find a solution to this issue." He tried to keep the frustration from his voice, but wasn't sure he was successful.

Crossing to the sofa, she dropped onto it, planting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands. Her hair fell like a curtain over her wrists, and he listened for sounds that she was crying or laughing because honestly he couldn't tell how she was feeling. Tentatively, he settled his bum near her. As much as his hand wanted to reach out to slide over her back, Harry felt anxious as to how the simple touch might affect her. Finally, he gave in to his urge, sliding his knuckles up and down her spine. When she didn't complain or shrug him off, he continued the motion, shifting his weight to sit closer to her.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I know," Nat murmured, "but your way of showing love right now isn't exactly what I need."

At her words, he started to remove his hand.

"Not what I meant," she laughed mirthlessly, so he returned to his previous motion, his knuckles tracing smooth circles in the space below her bra. "It's your desire to throw money at a problem instead of working to fix it yourself."

Harry wanted to understand. "I am trying to fix it, love. A bodyguard would provide for you to be safe."

"At what cost, Harry? And for how long? Are you going to pay a bodyguard for the rest of my life?"

Shrugging, he attempted to help her see his point of view. "Love, if I had to pay someone to tell you every day that you're safe just so you feel it, I would do it in a heartbeat. No restrictions."

"Is that the only solution you've come up with?"

"Nataley, I don't know what else to do." A helpless feeling rushed over him. Surely, this would calm down so their lives could return to normal. "I promise you that ignoring it is the best thing you can do now that you've reported it to the police. Just get on with our lives, you know?"

Twisting her body and tucking one leg under her opposite knee, she dislodged his hands and cupped his cheek in return. The feel of her palm brought him great comfort, and he leaned into the softness, his eyes falling closed as he relished the temperature of her skin. A wave of exhaustion flowed over him, and he was reminded that he hadn't slept well without her by his side the previous night.

"Harry," her voice was soft. "I love you so much, and I know you love me. You've lived through this kind of hell a lot longer and more frequently than I have. If you think ignoring it is best, and that moving out for a little while will calm things down, then I suppose I should try your solution."

"Really?" Hope filled his heart.

"We agreed that we would tackle issues regarding your fame together, and I think I've done well with the whole paparazzi situation."

"You have!" His excitement needed to be dialed back, and he nodded gently and less enthusiastically so as to not appear to be a madman. "You have. I've been so proud of you the times we've left parties and dinners with our friends. Those photographers don't ever hassle you anymore because you're such a pro now."

"So perhaps I can learn to not let this bother me." Her voice was benevolent, and he gave praise to whatever gods are responsible for sanity.

"Nataley? Really?" Harry doesn't dare breathe.

"I suppose Noah and I can stay with you at Jeffrey's house, or we can go to James'. I mean, he's my boss, and I kind of don't want him to know about this. Same with Ben. Jeffrey knows, and that might be the only person I want to be aware of it right now. But..." Nat bit her lip, looking away from him.

"But?"

"I still worry that this person works here or is affiliated with the studio somehow."

"Nataley..." Harry begins in his cautioning voice, but he stops. She's given in on the important issue, so maybe he needs to back off too? "We can consider it, but I think the harassment is going to stop, especially when I go to Europe in a few days for the listening parties and promo."

"I hope you're right," she stated, and he pulled her into his side to hug her tightly. Fuck, he loved this woman so much.

"So, dinner tonight?"

"I suppose," she agreed, "perhaps with Ben and Meredith? Or Jeffrey and Glenne? I don't want to draw attention to us being out alone."

Relief flooding his system, he promised to invite his friends. But first, he should try to get reservations. Plus, he needed to do some preparation for the show at the Forum. Jeffrey had a rather full schedule for rehearsals and meetings about upcoming events.

"I'll text you the details. Do you want to go home before dinner and pack some items?"

Her voice was weary. "Mhm. I'll pack for both Noah and me. Do you need me to pack for you too?"

Horror rushed through him. NO! Packing for him sounded so final, and they were nowhere close to done. Right? "Thanks, love, but I've got clothes at Jeffrey's already. Maybe just my guitar?" Best to leave the bulk of his items at her place. He'd move back in soon enough.

Kissing the top of her head, he stood, holding out his hands to help her rise. "I've got to take care of some things. You'll be okay?"

Her head bobbed up and down before she confirmed with her words, "I think so. Even if this person is here at the studio, I think she -- or he -- would have a hard time attacking me in such a public setting."

"Nataley..." He felt exasperated that she was still so paranoid. "You don't know that the picture or the threats came from someone here."

"And you don't know that they didn't," she countered.

Fuck. She had a point.

"No, I don't. You're right. So I guess you should just be vigilant no matter what."

He felt badly leaving her while she was still so clearly fragile, but he couldn't hover all the time. That might give her the impression that he was taking this ugliness with a seriousness it didn't require. Quickly, he thumbed his phone open, dialing Jeffrey as he wandered the studio seeking out James and Ben.

"Everything okay, H?" Jeffrey's voice sounded in his ear.

"Sure. I'm on my way to the Forum in the next half hour, so don't worry. I won't be late for our meeting with management there."

"Good. What's up?"

Pride ran through him, "I convinced Nat to come stay with me at your place -- if that's okay?" Part of him wondered if he should have asked Jeffrey before making the offer to Nat. But if his best friend and manager said no, Harry would pivot. There were enough friends with whom they could stay for a few days.

"Sure, H. You're always welcome, and we love Nataley. Is she bringing Noah?"

Harry shuffled his feet, "Yep. On Saturday if you don't mind, mate?"

"Absolutely. I'll have the cleaners prep another bedroom for him."

Just then Harry spotted Ben. "Ben! Wait a minute!" He called before returning to the phone call. "Sorry, Jerome." Holding up his finger to Ben, he waited until he was standing next to the executive producer before continuing his conversation with Jeffrey. "Nataley and I were hoping we could have dinner out tonight with you, Glenne, Ben, and James. With Mer and Jules too naturally."

Ben's nod indicated his agreement.

"Okay by me. I'm not sure if Glenne has plans, but I'll call her right now and text you back. Have you made reservations somewhere yet?"

"No, but I was thinking perhaps Laurel Hardware. I don't think I've taken Nat there, and they have such great food."

"I'll check with them. See if we can get in tonight. You're thinking a table for 8?"

"Yep. That would be great, mate. Thanks! Let me know." Clicking the phone off, he placed it in his pocket before addressing Ben. "You okay with that plan?"

"Sure. I like Laurel. Haven't been in ages. And the paps might not look for us there."

Harry laughed. "They always seem to know anyway. I wonder who tips them off."

"Well...according to some of your more rabid and conspiratorial fans, you do."

"True." Harry's wide smile decreased as he considered that faction of his fan base. Why couldn't all of his fans follow his TPWK motto? The majority were wonderful people, but there were clearly a few who just couldn't grasp the concept of kindness. Some days, if he let the thoughts swirl, they took over his brain, and he ended up wishing he had become a lawyer or a teacher or a florist. In that moment, though, he shook off the negativity. He didn't need any extra ugliness in his life, especially from his own thoughts. "Have you seen James? I want to invite him too."

Ben glanced around the hallway as though the comedian might be hiding behind one of the large potted plants. "Nope. Have you tried his office? Or the writer's room?"

"Duh. No, but I'll go check now. See you tonight!"

Turning the opposite way, Harry sought James' office. Walking down the hall, he was somewhat blocked by one of the interns.

"Hi, Harry!" The woman greeted him with a grin as wide as the hallway.

"Uhm, hi." He tried to remember her name. Shit. Better to guess than say nothing. "It's good to see you again," and he pulled from his memory, "Rosalia."

She beamed broadly. "You remembered!"

Relieved that he was able to please her, Harry allowed a broad smile to cross his face. "As if I could forget such a beautiful name for such a stunning woman."

He could have sworn that a blush crossed her features. "Are you on the show tonight? I don't recall your name on the call sheet."

"Nope. Just visiting James. Have you seen him?"

She waved her hand behind her, "Oh, I think he's in the writers' room. You know my cat Aimee? I told you about her last time?"

How else could he respond other than, "Of course! How is she?" Meanwhile his brain struggled to recall the woman or her pet.

"She died." The words are obviously meant to engage his sympathy, but he couldn't seem to draw forth the right emotions. Her eyes are too intense. Her hand on his arm burned his skin.

"Oh. I'm sorry." The perfunctory words left his mouth.

"I know, right? It's so sad. I knew you would understand and have tremendous sympathy for me. Wanna see pictures of her?"

With no escape in sight, he nodded, "Sure. I would love to see Aimee."

Not that it mattered how he responded. The intern has already pulled out her phone, scrolling through her pictures while Harry searched for an exit, but there was no one to save him.

Holding the phone in his face, she sadly stated, "This is her," with a sniffle afterwards.

Harry was startled to find a scraggly cat in the picture. It didn't seem that she had cared for the pet effectively.

"She was sick for a long time. The vet couldn't figure out what was wrong with her."

"I'm sorry," he repeated ineffectually. "Have you seen James?" Having already asked the question and received an answer, he maneuvered to pass her and locate his friend.

"I told you that he's in the writers' room. Don't you want to know how Aimee died?" The insistence in her voice made his jaw clench. What he really wanted was to get away from her company.

"Um...sure."

"Apparently she fell out of the window in my third floor apartment, and she died instantly."

"That's horrible!" Harry exclaimed, thinking about his mum's cats and how sad she would be.

But Rosalia shrugged, "Yeah, it sucked. I couldn't believe that she died just like that."

A tingling in Harry's spine didn't feel right. Just then, he noticed James leaving the writers' room. "James!" He called frantically, his voice rising at the end of the name. Quickly, he turned to the intern. "My sympathies on your loss. Have a good evening."

He moved past the woman to his friend. "Hey, James! Feeling up to dinner tonight with Nat and me?"

"Sure! Can Jules come? Where are we going?"

"Laurel Hardware," Harry announced, proud of the decision to try a restaurant Nataley hadn't yet visited.

"Oh yum! Let me call Jules to see if she's free. Who else is going?"

As Harry rattled off the guest list, he noticed from the corner of his eye that the intern Rosalia was observing them intently. Probably just so broken up over her dead cat that she couldn't focus on her job. He should have inquired as to when the cat had passed away. So sad. The loss of a pet could be devastating.