29. Lily
Lily
A fter brunch, Dominika insisted on playing tour guide.
I wasn’t going to say no. I like her and the conversation flowed so easily, I didn’t want to put an end to a good thing.
It was a fun Sunday afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and indulging in some of the best homemade ice cream I’ve ever had in my life.
She invited me to her brother-in-law’s place for a barbecue. I was worried it would be awkward, but to my delight, it wasn’t. On the ride back to the hotel, Rod took the wheel. Sitting in the back seat, I was able to witness what Nadine and I have coined # couplegoals.
Sigh.
During the ride to the Pompadour, I kept checking my phone, hoping for a text from Gage.
It was radio silence on his end.
Bummer.
Last night, I learned the hard way what addiction is all about. I tossed and turned, and couldn’t fall asleep alone in the king size bed after two consecutive nights wrapped in Gage’s big, strong arms.
Going back to New York will be a rude awakening.
After an afternoon spent evaluating another film school, I stroll through the lobby of the hotel towards my suite, humming The Bangles’ Manic Monday .
A short elevator ride later and I enter my suite, still humming.
I change into a bikini before slipping on a sundress.
Some women have no problems walking around flaunting it all in the hotel, I’m not that brave.
I’m about to head to the pool when my phone rings.
I rummage for it inside my tote bag and cringe.
“Crap.” I’m tempted to let it go to voicemail, but that’s only delaying the inevitable. It could’ve been worse. It could’ve been a video call.
I accept the call. “Hello?—”
“What the fuck is this about a new phone number?” My father barks a question in lieu of a polite greeting.
“Hello, Father. It’s been a long time. Thanks so much for asking how I’m doing.”
“Enough with the attitude. Why do you have a new phone number?”
He doesn’t enquire about how I’m doing or about my stay in Los Angeles.
Typical.
I tell him all about my luggage drama and losing my phone somewhere at LAX.
“Why didn’t you call me? I could’ve overnighted a phone to you.”
“That’s fine. I got a new iPhone. I’m good.”
“I could’ve asked someone from the tech team to set up your phone.”
“It wasn’t that complicated. ”
“Make sure to get it checked out by the tech team when you return.”
“Why?”
“Don’t argue with me. Just do it.”
I purse my lips together, suppressing a snappy remark from spilling out.
I hated all the bells and whistles his tech team added to my old phone. No way are they getting their hands on this one. I’ll conveniently forget to do what he tells me.
“You should’ve told me sooner you had lost your phone,” he says.
I was tempted not to tell him at all, but I had no choice when I decided to extend my stay in LA. Even though I hadn’t heard a word from my father, I figured I’d warn him since he’s footing the bill. Four extra nights at the Pompadour Hotel don’t come cheap.
“You made no effort to text or call. You didn’t even call the hotel to find out if I had landed safely and if I was still alive. I was the last thing on your mind. As usual.”
“Things have been extremely busy.” He booms his response in his don’t fuck with me voice. “Chandler requires my attention. We’re organizing a party at the house out East in the next few weeks.”
“The Hamptons? You’re pulling out the big guns.”
“It’s the perfect setting to fan excitement around your brother’s candidature for the mayor’s position and get people enthused at the idea of backing him up.”
Funny how Chandler is my brother when it’s convenient.
“In order to convince people to part with their money, it’s best to warm them up in advance.”
I roll my eyes. “Is that your way of confirming I was the last thing on your mind?”
“Consider yourself lucky, you’re top of my mind now,” he says, turning my words against me. “What’s this about you delaying your return?”
“There’s a long list of great film schools in LA. I want to see what they have to offer.”
“I’ve vetted the best schools. You’re going to a school of my choosing. End of story.”
I hate when he’s high and mighty… which is most times.
Yes, Father, you hold the purse strings. No need to remind me.
I need to come up with a better lie. “I also want to explore the city to make sure I want to live here. It’s a different vibe from New York.”
“You’re not going to be in Los Angeles for years. It’s a six-month program. You can suck it up for that long. Your job is to soak in the knowledge and use it when you head your own PR company.”
“You mean when I become head puppet at your public relations company.”
“Lily.”
“We both know that’s exactly what’s going to happen.” I refuse to take back my words.
“So, you’ll be back in New York on Friday?” He ignores my comment. Of course.
“Yes. Since it’s a red-eye, I’ll be back early Saturday morning New York time.”
“Let’s hope nothing or no one prompts you to change your plans.”
My eyebrows drop. “What do you mean by that?”
“Your sudden interest in Los Angeles wouldn’t be because of Gage Hollingsworth?”
I proceed with caution. “What makes you say that?”
“Someone I know saw you.” He’s being vague.
“Few of your friends and contacts know I exist–– ”
“You weren’t walking hand-in-hand in Malibu with Gage on Saturday?”
Shock and confusion hit me in one hard blow.
“You have someone spying on me?”
“At least you’re not denying it.” That’s his fucking answer?
“You can’t be bothered to call to find out if I’ve been mugged in the streets of Los Angeles. Yet, you have time to hire a private investigator to follow me around?”
“I didn’t have to resort to anything that dramatic,” my father says. “Alder saw you.”
“Alder is in LA?”
“Yes. He’s seeing a semi-famous actress who’s bicoastal. They’re at her Malibu house for a few days.”
His revelation lands me on my ass. “Let me get this straight.” I lift a hand, as if he could see me. “Your youngest son, my half-brother, is in LA––in Malibu, to be precise––”
“I’m not a fan of his choice. Hollywood types are flaky at best. And actors are master performers. You never know when they’re being genuine or playing for the camera. Whatever-her-name-is, is the flavor of the month. It’ll die soon. It always does. Alder will find a new toy.”
“Who cares about the stupid actress? Alder is in the same city as I am, but instead of coming up to me and saying, ‘Hey, how you doin’, Lily?’ he reported my whereabouts to you?
” I’m enraged. Incensed. And hurt. This is beyond ridiculous.
I’m tired of being persona non grata . “If he wants to pretend I don’t exist, he should pretend he doesn’t see me when we’re in the same city. ”
“I sent you to LA to scope out schools, not to get sidetracked. Gage Hollingsworth?” He snorts. “He’s a playboy, Lily.”
His patronizing tone infuriates me .
“Don’t fall for his act. He’ll use you and disregard you like yesterday’s news.”
Like you did Mom?
“That’s your MO. It doesn’t mean every man on the planet operates the same way.”
“All I’m saying is Gage has plenty of options.” Fisher Edgington is Teflon. Insults bounce off his invisible shield. “He’ll have forgotten about you before your plane takes off… if he hasn’t already.”
My blood boils. “You know nothing about––”
“There are certain gifts you can only offer once, Lily… choose wisely.”
Huh?
He knows I was a virgin?
Impossible.
I’ve never had the birds and the bees talk with my father, let alone divulge anything about my sexual life.
He must be playing some sort of twisted mind game to get me to open up. I wouldn’t put it past him.
Not happening.
I soldier on. “If you think so little of Gage, why did you enlist him as my bodyguard?”
“At the time, I thought he was a safe bet. I figured the brooding CEO with a chip on his shoulder wouldn’t give you the time of the day. Rich California moguls tend to prefer blondes.”
I’m not even sure how to decipher that insult.
Okay, there’s an eye-popping number of blondes in Los Angeles. That doesn’t justify his grotesque blanket statement or his putdown.
The fight leaves me, evaporating like a puddle of water under the hot California sun.
This conversation is a waste of my time .
This conversation is draining.
This conversation is killing my fucking soul.
Without so much as a goodbye, I end the call.
I should’ve expressed my anger at my father instead of letting it consume me, but as usual, I toe the line.
Nadine hates how I’m always the one to put water in my wine. I’m not conceding to my father’s bullshit, but until I can stand on my own two feet financially, my hands are bound.
I’m still on the verge of blowing a gasket when a text from my father pops up on my screen.
Puppet Master: Don’t let a player play you. When you get back to New York on Saturday, let’s have dinner.
“Jerk!”