Chapter 22
JOSIE
This private plane business is a whole other crazy-ass level to Victor’s already-insane life. I honestly didn’t expect to arrive to something like this – with this kind of wealth and luxury – when I took the plunge to turn up today. To be frank, I thought we would end up in some cool VIP lounge in the airport - some trendy, hidden place for super rich people and celebrities – before we’re ushered together into First Class on some big commercial jet.
But no.
I should’ve been wise to the fact that Victor won’t have that. Regular commercial stuff is not for him. He’s far too above traveling with any other people but his close team.
Removed from seeing him at the ordinary coffee shop where I work at... I get hit with a very real understanding of simply how different Victor’s billionaire world truly is from mine. He doesn’t do normal things like me or anyone I know. He doesn’t travel in a normal way... I mean, he doesn’t even look normal.
The man is a star who’ll live on the silver screen for eternity.
And I am a barista who’ll merely be in the background of some family member’s social media posts.
I try to settle in my lovely seat on the plane, but it’s very hard not being overcome with all the new luxurious sensations and sights - this is not just a regular private jet, but a lavish one decked out with the finest extravagance a billionaire could ask for. It’s very spacious in here, bigger than I’d thought from the look on the outside. The seats can easily recline into proper beds that are somehow bigger than the crappy old mattress back in my apartment. The lighting is dim and relaxing. Yeah, Victor certainly knows how to travel in style.
“So,” I mutter to the actor as he takes his own seat across the aisle. I gesture at the sheer opulence around us. “This is what it’s like being a movie star? It’s a teeny tiny bit better than flying in coach.”
“This is what it’s like being a Penmayne,” the actor says, flashing his charming smile yet again along with a devious wink.
God damn, it’s hard to dislike this man, even with his cockiness and his display of wealth.
He’s simply a pro at charisma.
He’s a pro at making everyone around him swoon.
“I feel like I can’t move,” I remark, looking around at the edges of my massive seat. “It’s like I’m sleeping over at a friend’s house and I’m holding a delicate vase. I’m afraid I’ll do something wrong or break something.”
Victor leans in close toward me. I can smell his expensive scent. His full lips part open. He’s so close to me.
It wouldn’t take much effort... he could kiss me right now...
“You can do whatever you like on here,” he mutters. “This is my jet, and you are my special guest.”
Special guest?
My heart skips a beat at those words. How can it not when this specimen of a man speaks to you in such a deep and dark way so close to your lips? It’s like all the logic in my head spills out and I’m left being a speechless schoolgirl trying to mumble a few words to her first crush.
“This is pretty mind-blowing,” I whisper to the famous actor, trying my best to focus in on his eyes and not on the pretty mouth mere inches from my own. “I’m a bit out of my depth here.”
Victor nods. His entire attention is focused on me. It sends a chill down my spine.
“Don’t worry, you’ll find your feet soon enough.”
“But what if I don’t?” I ask.
“I’ll be here with you, girl. Every step of the way.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m happy you signed that contract, Josie,” he confesses. “Are you?”
“It’s too soon to tell,” I reply. “I do have a question, though...”
The man raises an eyebrow.
“A question? Please ask away, Josie.”
“You’re not going to fuck me, are you?” I ask him.
Victor laughs loudly.
“I have no plans to fuck you, Josie. None at all. That’s not in the agreement.”
Relief – and an unspeakable bit of sadness – rushes through me.
Why the sadness? Why the thought of how it’s a sad thing he’s not going to have his way with me? What am I thinking?
“That’s good,” I whisper.
“There’s not much to all this,” Victor explains. “We just need to create and manage the fa?ade of a relationship, that’s all.”
“And what does that entail, exactly?”
“You’ll just have to do some interviews with me over the next few weeks and then show your face out in public with me,” Victor says quietly. “Get the paparazzi involved. Shit like that.”
“I’ve never done anything like that,” I murmur. “Interviews... paparazzi... yeah, nothing like that in the slightest.”
“I will hold your hand through it all,” Victor replies. “Don’t you worry about it.”
“But what if you let go?” I ask.
God, I feel like I’m just a baby. Snap out of it, Josie.
“I won’t,” the actor says deeply. “I have you, Josie. I won’t let you go.”
I nod. Once. Twice.
Then I’m leaning into my seat. I might as well enjoy this cabin, despite my fears and doubts. It’s not every day you get to fly private.
“Tell me,” I say to the man once I’ve made myself comfortable. “What’s it like being an actual movie star?”
“Fantastic.”
It’s a one-word answer from him. And I know that he means it.
“It’s really that good?” I ask.
“It’s all my dreams come true.”
“Except for the award,” I remind him. “You haven’t got that yet.”
“Yes, except for that.”
“Is your reputation as a playboy as true as social media says it is?” I ask. “Or is it all just smoke? You’re not like that, surely?”
“You want to probe me today, don’t you?”
“This might be a long flight...”
Victor frowns.
“I’ve found it’s very hard to control your public image,” he says. “There’s a lot involved in trying to change people’s perception of you.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’re going to have me around,” I reply. “I’m simply here to help you control your public image...”
“You could put it like that,” Victor says.
He truly doesn’t really seem like the playboy bad boy, despite the best intentions of the press. I can see, even in my limited interactions with Victor, that there is something more to him - something deeper that no one else seems to see except those closest to him.
“I’m going to be bored on this flight,” I proclaim loudly, tired of all this serious talk.
“Oh, and sitting next to me isn’t entertainment enough?” Victor asks.
I shake my head dramatically.
“Nope. Not at all. I need a good movie for my in-flight entertainment.”
Before he can reply, I’m already reaching for the TV remote for the massive screen facing us on the wall of the cabin. I turn it on.
“What are you doing, Josie?” the movie star asks.
“I’m thinking of watching one of your films,” I reply cheerily and with a teasing smirk plastered across my face.
Victor groans. It’s good to bring him back down to earth in this way.
“Please don’t...”
“You just told me I can do whatever I like on here, Victor.”
The actor groans again just as I start to search his name on the screen’s movie catalogue.
I’m determined to embarrass the perfect man. Keeping him captive watching a movie of his on this flight is the best idea I’ve had for a long time.