Chapter Thirty-Two
Alex couldn’t find Ellie anywhere. She’d said she was going swimming, but she wasn’t by the pool or on the hammock beach.
The talk with Russell had taken far longer than he’d expected.
The theatre wanted him back as resident director and were keen to talk about upcoming projects, which was fantastic.
Unbelievably, movie legend Francesca Tatiana was also keen to be involved in his next production – whatever it may be.
Interestingly, she’d seen The Great Gatsby during a visit to London, and had liked it so much she’d asked to work with him in the future.
However, he’d had to spend half an hour this morning reassuring her agent that he wasn’t going back to film acting. Apparently, there was a rumour spreading like wildfire in LA that Alex and several big names – Francesca being one of them – would be starring in a new multimillion-dollar franchise.
Of course, it wasn’t true. The franchise script that Richie had been trying to ram down his throat since he’d arrived was of no interest to him, and he’d told him that more than once, but the rumours were still circulating anyway.
He suspected it was another one of Richie’s distractions combined with wishful thinking on his part.
Thankfully, Francesca was still interested in a theatre role, but wanted to speak with him personally about the projects before signing.
Projects he’d not even finalised himself – but that was show business.
He and Russell had agreed that as soon as he was back in London they would work like demons to pull together proposals, and then Alex would fly out to LA to ensure Francesca was on board.
Obviously, he’d miss Ellie like mad, but one week away would be worth it in the long run.
Francesca’s name attached to his next project was a dream come true, especially as the production wouldn’t rely on his name for publicity.
When he’d eventually sorted out all of the details, including booking flights – he needed to stop relying on Richie for everything – he’d looked for Ellie first, and then found himself blurting out his good news to his dad when he couldn’t find her straight away.
They’d toasted to his new career and talked it over until Richie joined them. Richie had then spent an hour trying to convince him to accept the franchise instead.
The whole conversation had been difficult, with Richie constantly pushing for him to change his mind. In the end, Alex had still refused, and Richie had agreed to delay the franchise producers just in case Alex changed his mind. Which was infuriating, as he wasn’t going to.
After Richie had left, his dad had said, ‘Don’t worry about him.
He gets things into his head sometimes, and struggles to let go.
He’s just signed Holly too – I think she’s the romantic interest in this, and that’s probably why he wants you on board – a safe pair of hands so to speak. But he’ll come around eventually.’
‘I can’t think of anything worse than filming for months, possibly even years, with Holly.
’ Alex grimaced at the thought. ‘Honestly, Dad, I don’t think I need Richie any more.
He keeps pushing me towards jobs I don’t want.
My heart’s in the theatre; it always has been.
I only did film acting because he pushed me into it. ’
His dad pursed his lips thoughtfully, before breaking into a sly smile.
‘So, you’ve decided then? London will be your new home after all.
You’re not tempted by the big franchise?
’ He gestured to the script on the table between them.
There was probably a copy in every room of this house, Richie was so determined that he should fall in love with it.
‘It’s good money. There’s no denying that.’ The contract was worth millions.
His father raised an eyebrow in question. ‘But?’
Alex shook his head, and sucked in a deep breath. ‘I don’t need it – thanks to you, I can do whatever I want, and that’s not what I want. I want London and Ellie. You probably think it’s too soon—’
His father interrupted him with a raised hand. ‘No, you boys are like me. When you fall, you fall hard. I was the same with your mother. She wanted to work in LA, so I worked in LA. Best decision I ever made.’
Alex nodded. His parents had always balanced their careers according to their relationship. It was one of the reasons they’d moved so much when he was younger. He’d never appreciated it, but they’d moved so that they could stay together.
Now he understood what he never had before. Home meant nothing without the right person.
‘Have you seen Ellie?’
His dad shook his head. ‘No, but your mother and I were playing tennis first thing – she’s determined to get better. So, we haven’t been in the house much.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ Alex was about to leave when his father reached over and rested a hand on his forearm, stilling him.
‘You know we are proud of you. Sometimes, in this business, we forget that not everyone wants to be a star. When you went into directing, we worried it was because you felt…’
‘Inadequate?’ Alex suggested, and his father winced.
Alex shrugged and returned to his seat. ‘I mean, you’re not wrong.
That’s why I wanted to try something else other than acting.
Theatre directing suits me.’ He took a deep breath, and confessed the truth.
‘I never liked acting. I did it because it was the obvious choice, and I wanted to prove to you that I could be as good as you and Liam. But the truth is, I’ve always hated being in the public eye. I’m much happier behind the scenes.’
His dad sighed, heavy with regret. ‘I’m so sorry.
Looking back, I realise how much we pressured you into acting.
Liam was doing so well, we forgot that not everyone wants the same life we have.
And we weren’t sure how to support you without seeming like we were interfering – you were always so sure of yourself compared to Liam.
We thought that by taking a step back we were allowing you room to grow.
But now I see that only made you think we didn’t care…
and we do. We’ve booked tickets for your show, if you’ll have us? ’
‘Of course I’ll have you.’ Alex leaned back, shocked by the contrition in his father’s tone. ‘I’m the one to blame. I should have talked to you about how I felt, rather than getting all bitter and twisted over it. I would love for you to come and see my work. Always. It’d be an honour.’
His dad gave his arm a squeeze and patted it, his eyes shining with raw emotion. ‘Go find that gorgeous girl of yours.’ He picked up the franchise movie script. ‘Maybe I’d be interested in being… Tanko, alien-lion-man from the Planet Kelton… What do you think?’
Alex laughed. ‘You’d be great, Dad. He’s an awesome character.’
Alex followed the path that ran a circuit around the island.
Maybe she’d gone for a walk? She’d done that a couple of times when she’d grown bored of reading and sunbathing. Ellie was never still for long and he loved that about her. She was a woman of action, always optimistically moving forward no matter the struggles she faced.
He didn’t see her, so he headed back towards the house via the pool area. Worry began to itch and crawl up the back of his neck when he still couldn’t find her.
Had they missed each other and she was already back at the house? The pool, sun room and kitchen were all empty of her.
There was no sign of her in their bedroom suite, but something about the rooms seemed strange, although it took him several moments of standing and staring at the bathroom to realise what was so disturbing about it.
Where was Ellie’s stuff?
Ellie was messy, tended to leave her hair and make-up products all over the counters. Eddie’s team always tidied up – much to her chagrin, they arranged all of her clutter in neat piles. But today every surface was clean and empty.
He walked into the bedroom and checked the wardrobes. Her suitcase and clothing were all gone. He stood in the lounge area, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
Where the fuck was she?
Had she gone on an overnight trip with one of the bridesmaids? But why wouldn’t she mention it, and why take everything with her?
Had something terrible happened, news from back home? A surge of adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream, and he lurched forward, only to come to an immediate stop.
She’d have told him if something had happened to any of her family.
Wouldn’t she?
He noticed a hastily written note on the coffee table, held down by a glass.
The holiday is over. No need to call me.
Ellie
‘Have you tried calling her?’ asked his mother over lunch.
Alex had to stop himself from snapping back at her. ‘Yes, of course I have.’
In fact, he’d called her continuously most of the morning. Each time the call had failed to connect. He suspected she’d blocked him.
His eyes swivelled to Richie, who he’d almost throttled earlier when he’d discovered his part in helping Ellie escape.
Escape!
Like he was some monster that she’d had to run away from. He just couldn’t understand what he’d done wrong, and he couldn’t even go after her – the boat wouldn’t return for a while, and anyway she was already in the air. Richie was damn efficient, he’d give the bastard that at least.
Last night had been wonderful, he hadn’t imagined that. But then she’d been cold and distant in the morning. So, was that it? They’d had sex and she’d been afraid he wanted more than the holiday fling she was willing to give? That didn’t make sense. Ellie wasn’t a fling type of girl.
Did Richie know more than he was letting on?
‘Don’t glare at me like that, Alex. She told me she’d had enough and wanted to go home. What was I supposed to do, force her to stay? Hold her against her will?’ Richie sneered before going back to his phone and Caesar salad.
‘Of course not,’ said his mother with a frown. ‘But maybe you could have told me at least. This is my house. I have a right to know who comes and goes.’
Richie inclined his head. ‘I’m sorry, Jessica. I thought you deserved some rest after the wedding, and I was just trying to sort things out for the girl. She seemed desperate to leave.’ He looked to Alex. ‘Did you argue?’
‘No,’ Alex said miserably. ‘But she left a note.’
His mom and dad exchanged a wide-eyed look. ‘What did it say?’
Alex closed his eyes, but the words were burned on his retinas.
The holiday is over.
Nothing ever lasted with Alex, and Ellie had had enough of his weird lifestyle.
He’d crossed the line of their friendship and tried to make it more than it was.
After she’d repeatedly told him she didn’t want a relationship with him.
He’d taken advantage of her, bought her affection and begged her to lie for him.
No wonder she’d had enough. Beneath all the luxury and lies, there was just Alex, and he wasn’t enough for her.
He was never enough.
‘She said not to call her.’
His mom and dad winced simultaneously and went back to pretending to eat. What was more worrying was that no one seemed surprised. They all exchanged knowing looks and kept quiet, as if they weren’t surprised Ellie was gone.
Well, he’d never been very good at keeping a girlfriend, had he?