The Principle Of Chance (20 page)

Amy fixed Monica a Martini and topped
up her gin and tonic. ‘I’m listening. Tell me all about Jack.’ She said
excitedly.

‘Only when you tell me about
Justin.’

‘There is not much to tell.’ She
said, looking away.

‘Oh come on Miss Secretive.’

‘There isn’t Monica, honestly.’ Even
if Amy wanted to talk about Justin, she didn’t know where this relationship was
going. A friendship more likely…. They’d spent a night together and that was
all. She hadn’t seen him much since. Maybe she was mistaken – he wasn’t looking
for anything else,
just
fun.

‘All right, I get it! If you don’t
want to tell me, then don’t… moving on, - we are flying home tomorrow. Have you
had time to look around, do the tourist things?’

For a moment Amy considered filling
Monica in on her brand-new family. She will find out sooner or later, still;
better if it came from her.

‘Here is a story for you Monica. I
have actually been very busy discovering my roots.’

‘Your what?’

Amy proceeded to tell Monica about
her new found family.

‘…and this makes Frank Orban my very
own Great Uncle!’

Monica stared at Amy in disbelief.
‘What is a Great Uncle?!’

‘My father’s mother Eva, had a
brother who emigrated to America before the second world war,
that
brother is our Frank Orban.’

‘Of course, - Frank had kept things
close to his heart – but this is a surprise.’

‘Tell me about it, I am still in
shock, but it is true – I have verified Frank’s story.’

‘If the media hears of this, they
will take you apart.’ Monica said. ‘Sorry I didn’t mean to say that.’ She
added embarrassed.

‘You are right Monica I know what
they are capable of. Frank is a major player back home. I am sure he will have
his people fix it.’

They were interrupted by a knock on
the door. It was getting late, time to get ready.

There were two girls; a blonde and a
brunette, standing in the doorway.

‘Hello Miss Blakes, we are here to
help you get ready.’ The blonde said, with a massive smile.

‘To help?’ Monica enquired.

‘At the request of Mr Orban.’

‘Oh, Frank?’

‘Come in.’ Amy said. ‘What can you
do?’

‘We can do make up, hair and we have
dresses for you, a late Christmas gift from Mr Orban.’

‘Frank doesn’t disappoint!’ Monica
said, smiling at the girls, who moved swiftly to the bathroom to set up. The
bathroom was a state of wonder, with marble tiled floor, a deep red leather
daybed and a glass topped table. Masses of deep red roses in crystal vases
reflected in the full length mirrored walls.

‘I could get used to this.’ Monica
said. ‘I know luxury but this is something else.’

‘What a difference it makes having
my makeup done by an expert.’ Amy admired the work of the brunette as she
expertly styled her hair.

The girls worked quickly, Monica and
Amy were ready, waiting, when Frank arrived.

‘Frank?!’ Monica was surprised to
see Frank in a black suit. Monica’s dress was made of red silk, embellished
with tiny black flowers.

‘Monica you are looking a million
dollars - dress is perfect.’ He winked. ‘The perfect dress, I mean… you ready?’

‘No! Yes, of course I am ready.
Thanks for the compliment Frank.’ Amy’s story flashed through her mind. She
needed a minute to compose herself.

‘Amy has told you!’ Frank stated the
obvious.

‘Yes, she did. Women talk Frank!’

‘Why do you think I haven’t got a
wife?’

‘Because, you haven’t found the one
yet Frank!’

‘There is a patch for every old sack
– as the saying goes!’ Frank said with mischief twinkling in his eyes.

‘What?’

‘It’s an old proverb Monica. I heard
it today from the maid.’

‘Interesting…. I suppose it makes
sense - in some situations.’ She mused.

Amy rushed in, worried that she was
late but it didn’t matter, she looked glamorous wearing the little black dress
Frank had sent over.

‘My two best girls looking stunning!
Let the old man have a kiss.’ He pulled them both close to him and deposited a
kiss on their cheeks.

‘Don’t let anyone catch you Frank.’
Amy said.

‘With you two by my side, - who can
resist?’

‘Are we ready to go?’

‘Where are Jack and Justin?’ Monica
wanted to know.

‘They have left already. I wanted
you two for myself.’

‘Where are we going?’ Amy asked,
wrapping a soft pashmina around her shoulders.

‘Let it be a surprise.’ Frank
replied.

****

After leaving the countryside
behind, they drove through brightly lit narrow streets, cobbled squares,
followed by a stone bridge connecting the city over the river Danube. 

‘We have arrived girls.’ Frank
informed them. ‘It’s the happening nightclub of the city and our party is
here.’

In a private room, the film crew was
already seated at a long table. The manager rushed forward, giving orders to
the hovering waiters. The girls were ushered to their seats, offered a drink
and the menu. Amy found herself sitting next to Justin and Jack with Monica by
his side. Frank was at the top of the table getting ready to say a few words.

‘I do hope we are not too late,
women take forever getting ready.’ He laughed. ‘We have reached the end of a
successful few days. I’d like to thank all of you for the work you put into
this movie and with your help – we should see a good result.’ Frank continued
as he thanked people individually, surprising some that he
knew
who they
were and what they did.

‘Well done Frank.’ Jack said when
Frank finally sat down. ‘I didn’t think you could give a speech!’

‘Well, I can! Get used to it old
man.’ Frank replied, ordering a steak from the waiter.

Amy felt Justin placing his hand
gently on her thigh under the table. She reached out to remove his hand but he
held it down. ‘Ok, we are holding hands ….?!’ She said.

‘I haven’t seen you for days.’
Justin whispered, giving her an appreciative look.

‘You haven’t.’ She took a sip of the
glass of champagne Justin placed in front of her. ‘I have been busy.’

‘Busy, how….?’

‘Researching my family tree.’

‘You surprise me. How are things
with Frank?’

‘All right!’

Justin got the message, she didn’t
want to talk about it.

Amy studied the menu printed on
white card.

‘What are you having?’ Justin asked.
‘Our chance to taste some traditional food.’

‘I don’t know, what is the Eszterhazy
Rostelyos?’ She asked glancing at the menu, not fully concentrating.

Frank sensed the tension between
them. ‘You have to try it Amy, Hungarians are very hospitable. They just want
to feed you, and want to see a clean plate, afterwards.’

‘Yes, darling
Uncle
Frank
…..’ Amy said smiling, when she noticed all of them looking at Frank. ‘Come on
people, you all know, it is written all over your faces.’

‘We are very happy for you two Amy.’
Jack said sincerely.

‘I am fortunate Jack …’ She smiled
affectionately at Frank who suddenly felt an overwhelming feeling of joy.

‘Now! The man has spoken Amy, let
him have his way, order something and pretend to eat. If you don’t like it,
drop some food under the table; - nobody will notice.’

‘Jack!’ Monica shouted at him,
shocked.

‘Yes darling? May I say you are
looking wonderful tonight!’ He said turning on the charm quickly. ‘It was only
a joke.’

‘Yes Jack I know!’ Monica said.

The head waiter volunteered to help
with the menu. ‘If you would care to sample a selection of dishes.’

‘Good idea man.’ Frank said. ‘Do not
forget my steak first.’

‘Food feast people, loosen your
belts.’ Jack announced as a matter of fact.

‘What’s new Jack?’ Justin said.

‘Nothing changed kid, we are the
same.’

The waiters were busy filling the
table with dishes of distinction. Everyone was enjoying the meal.

‘Look Amy,’ Justin searched for the
right words. ‘It will be a busy time for all of us when we are back home.’

‘Yes it will be but you don’t need
to explain Justin. Why do I have a feeling you are preparing for a speech?’

‘I am saying, that …. Frank’s movie
is number one on the list.’

‘We all know that! Come on what are
you trying to say?’

‘What I’m saying is this; I do want
to see you Amy but…..’

‘Amy darling make an old man happy –
dance with me.’ Frank, not waiting for an answer, led Amy to the dance floor.

That was that – Justin thought. Amy
had a new family, Monica was off with Jack, and he needed to see Don, who had
been working quietly in the background reporting to Justin that his label was
doing fine. Justin was pleased about that, on reflection it had been a good
choice not to sell. Things will be back to normal by tomorrow in LA, - yet
nothing will be the same!

Chapter Twenty Six

Back in Los Angeles, Amy found
herself working long hours at Frank’s office. She was learning about his
massive enterprise. He wanted to teach her everything, but Amy insisted on
keeping things the way they were. Frank offered Amy his car, his house and
company credit cards.

She turned everything down including
the car; she had her own. Paco was keen to work and seemed to enjoy his job,
much to his mother’s delight. Weeks passed but there was no sign of Justin. He
supplied her with his private number but she had no reason to call him.

They
worked together on the movie but Justin was always very busy. Monica dropped by
her house many times but she carefully avoided talking about Justin.

Monica was fun, she was up for
anything. Undeniably she was busy with the movie but she still found time for
her. She invited Amy to a range of events, from a dinner in a fancy restaurant
to a celebrity party. Amy learned quickly that people were not what they
seemed, especially those who knew she worked for Frank.

After weeks of practice, she became
an expert in dealing with unwanted questions and people.

‘How was Frank darling?’ A famous
actress enquired at a party.

‘What do you mean?’ Amy asked.

‘Oh honey, you don’t need to
pretend. I know! I’ve been there myself.’ She said, flashing a brilliant smile.

‘Where?’

‘Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep with
Frank to get the job?’ She blurted out, holding on to her escort and a glass of
champagne.

She wasn’t the only one; whispering
or bluntly asking questions seemed to be the trend.

Monica explained. ‘Ignore them Amy.
It’s only jealousy.’

Amy also found people sticking phone
numbers into her hand or better - cleavage. She was astonished. And there was
Ed! – who tried very hard to get up close and personal, but Amy simply brushed
him aside.

After these initial experiences,
Monica invited her for a weekend at her beach house which was near to Jack’s.
‘I’ve just bought it.’ She said excitedly. ‘I needed a house Amy, this is the
one. I know it’s
close
to Jack’s but not that close. By the way, he’s
the one who told me about it.’

Monica was happy, she talked about
the celebrity world, but she didn’t think Amy found it easy to handle.

‘You have to play their game Amy.
Some of these people are nasty but generally harmless. Our movie shows life in
this city wasn’t always this full on. Yes, there were actresses and silly
blondes but they did everything in a classy way. This leads me to the movie,
again.’ She apologised. ‘Can you imagine a
Femme Fatale
these days at
home? She would probably be wearing a track suit and no makeup or out for the
night getting publicly wasted! – but, there are nice actors as well in
Hollywood. I do have friends,… anyway, - remember Amy you are Frank’s employee
in their eyes – you have a massive influence. That’s why you will be inundated
with invitations to events and people
wanting
to be friends, - but you
know this anyway! I have been listening to you! Nobody can get to you.’

‘What did you hear?’ Amy asked,
laughing.

Monica started to laugh too. ‘I am
sorry, but I enjoyed every single answer you gave them!’

‘You did? Tell me….’

‘I sleep with Frank, of course,
and
with his dog
and
his secretary, who is a man by the way. We have this
huge waterbed, imagine the sex you can have. Oh, the dog is great!’