Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Waiting for his wife to get back from a date was the most unnerving experience of Rome’s life. Well, maybe not quite. Being locked in his parents’ house in Verona, and then in their apartment in Milan, had been pretty unnerving, especially when he’d been told Ella had killed herself. Also, witnessing Mark’s murder and Tim’s drowning had also been unnerving. But other than those tragic incidents… sitting on the sofa in the living room, waiting for Ella to come through the door, was more difficult than anything he’d ever done.

She’d sent him a text about twenty minutes ago that she was on her way home but that she wanted to wait until she got there to talk to him. He wasn’t sure if that was because she wasn't alone in the car, what with Charles being with her, or if it was because she needed some time to decompress, but he couldn’t blame her for wanting a few moments before she was bombarded with a million questions from him. He wished there was something he could do to eat up the time, but turning on the TV had been useless, and having his phone in his hand just made him want to call her.

Finally, a few minutes after he’d given in to pacing behind the couch, lights shown through the front windows. She was home. He couldn’t help but run to the door to greet her.

Ella got out of the car, not looking like herself at all. It was strange; even though he had watched this transformation take effect, he was still startled to see her look more like the imagined Juliet Montague than Ella Verona. She even carried herself differently when she was this other woman.

The facade seemed to melt away the closer she got to him, but she still didn’t have the long dark hair he’d fallen in love with, or the soft curves. She was hardened muscle, with a severe haircut in a bright red. He still loved her just the same, because, ultimately, she was the same person, but the more Juliet became a part of their lives, the more Ella seemed to be slipping away.

“I’m glad you’re home,” she said, which was exactly what he was thinking. She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her. He immediately wondered if perhaps Henry Caron had done the same and felt his stomach constrict. She smelled like a club--like smoke and spilled drinks and that mass of body odor that conglomerates and seems to wind its way into everything, even when the person in question hasn’t been dancing and doesn’t have BO themselves. Her perfume hid it well. But there, in the background, there was a note of cologne. Male cologne. French cologne. It turned his stomach.

Remembering her comment, Rome led her to the porch swing. “I left the set early. They’re having problems with that stupid robot again.” He couldn’t help but sigh. This movie was such a waste of time. He’d give anything to just walk away. But he couldn’t do that, not if he wanted his parents to be able to enjoy their retirement. He shouldn’t even care, but he’d made his mother a promise.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. That was the worst hour and a half of my life.” She rolled her eyes when she said it, but then similar thoughts to the ones he’d had earlier must’ve hit and she amended her statement. “One of them anyway.”

“So… how was it? Did he say anything about… Ella?”

“You mean about me?” She poked him in the leg and smiled. “I am still Ella, you know?”

“I know, but when you’re dressed like that and look like that, it’s hard to remember not to separate the two of you.”

She nodded in understanding. “He did. He said I reminded him of her, which scared the crap out of me. But I told him I didn’t see it, and by the end, he was asking me a lot of questions about Juliet’s background. So I told him the elaborate backstory we’d come up with. I think he bought it.”

“That’s good. I’m sure it was clear to see he was interested in getting to know you--Juliet--better?”

“I think so.” She looked a little sick to her stomach herself. “We’re going out again next Thursday. To some swanky restaurant he’s always wanted to try.”

Rome couldn’t manage to get the words out to express his feelings about that. All he managed was, “Okay.” He knew she didn’t like it any better than he did.

The true burning question, the one he wanted to ask more than anything else, and yet, still didn’t want to know, was, had he kissed her? He’d hoped she’d tell him without him having to ask, but when she didn’t, he debated about whether or not to ask.

Eventually, she said, “I got out of there this time with a kiss on the cheek. I turned my head at the last moment. I probably won’t be able to keep doing that.”

Rome nodded in agreement. Probably not. The queasiness in his gullet began to take over again. If he opened his mouth now, he might be sick all over the porch.

“He did make some interesting comments about the movie you’re working on, though.”

She certainly had his full attention with that remark. “What’s that?”

“Well, he said he knew it was going to do terribly at the box office. It did seem like he was trying to ruin your career from what I could tell.” Rome’s hands fisted at his sides, but he tried to fight the anger so he could listen. “I let him know I wasn’t a big fan of yours, that I thought you were fake about your wife’s death and that I thought it was gross that you’re dating so many other women.”

“Oh, yes. I’m out on a couple of dates right now. At the same time.” He shook his head slowly. Knowing she had to bad mouth him, to make things up, in order for their plot to work didn’t make it any easier to hear.

Ella put her hand on his arm. “You know I don’t like saying any more than you like hearing it.” He nodded, trying to keep calm. “Anyway, he said he was spending a lot of money on that stupid movie, and it was going to be a waste. He said he’d have to do that nine more times, and he hoped he could continue to make enough good movies to keep afloat while he made the bad ones.”

“Well, that sounds like a perfect opening for you to bring up your suggestion.”

“I couldn’t move too fast. I needed it to seem genuine. I planted a seed, but then I also asked him if he thought your parents would be willing to buy the business back. That wouldn’t be the best plan, but it would be quicker.”

Rome raised an eyebrow. “I doubt they would.”

“Even after your mom’s tears at putting you in this position?”

Shrugging, he said, “My mom cries a lot. Most of the time, my dad doesn’t give a damn.”

“We could always buy it back from them as soon as the transaction goes through. Anyway, it was just a thought, one he seemed to consider. At least we have him thinking about getting out from under it. And… he admitted that he’s doing this to you on purpose, to ruin your career.”

Rome had already figured that much out. “Ella, I’d love to just buy the company from him, but I don’t have that kind of money. And neither do you.”

“Yet.” She raised both eyebrows and stared him in the eye for a moment. “Montage is doing very well. We’ve got another show coming up soon, one where we are sure to make millions in profits. It will happen.”

Rome studied her face for a moment. The sweet girl he’d met who lived in an attic would’ve never said something like that. She would’ve never had that sort of determination or self-confidence. It wasn’t that he didn’t like it or think it wasn’t a change for the positive, it scared him a little. What if, by the end of this, she wasn’t his sweet Ella anymore at all?

“We’ll sort it out,” Rome said, and she nodded. He was tired of talking about Henry Caron, tired of the elaborate hoax and all of the games. For once, he was home before she went to bed, and he wanted to take advantage of it. “Now, let’s get you in the shower,” he said, leaning in for another kiss.

She didn’t protest at all. Rome swept her up in his arms and kissed her with a purpose that couldn’t be missed, one that wouldn’t hide behind a mask or a new face or any sort of pretend games. He wanted her more than anything else, and as she kissed him back, it became clear that that part of Ella, the part that loved him with all of her heart, hadn’t changed one bit.

* * *

It was past 10:00 before Ella got up the next morning. Normally, she was up when Rome was, kissing him goodbye as he headed off to the set. That day, she was having a hard time. Little sleep the night before, nightmares about being with Henry, and thoughts of what might happen if he were to find out the truth, who she really was, plagued her dreams.

After a shower and a quick breakfast, she decided to go for a walk on the beach to clear her mind, but it wasn’t helping like it usually did. Henry said he’d call her later that day, and she knew he would. Probably earlier than later. She was supposed to see him again soon enough. The idea that she had to pretend like she liked him, like she wanted to be with him, made her sick to her stomach. Maybe they shouldn’t go through with this….

The sound of her cell phone ringing had her jumping in the wet sand. She pulled it out of her pocket, terrified it would be him already, but it wasn’t. The familiar number made her face light up. Fae. If only she could tell her fairy godmother what was truly going on. She would have some good advice. But she and Rome had decided not to tell her since she’d already disapproved of the fabrication. Telling her now would just irritate her even more, and Fae was too old to have two kids messing with her emotions.

“Hi, Fae,” she said stopping and sinking down on a rock nestled among the sand dunes. “How are you?”

“I’m just fine, young lady. Now how are you?” There was something about Fae’s tone that made Ella a bit squeamish. Did she know something?

“I’m okay.” She tried to sound nonchalant, like she meant it, but when Fae spoke again, there was no denying she couldn’t hide her true feelings from the woman.

“Really? You’re not feeling guilty about anything? Maybe a little nauseated or anxious?”

Ella sucked in a deep breath. The fresh sea air didn’t make her feel less of any of the things Fae had just listed. “Fae… what do you know?”

The old woman laughed sharply. “Did you think you could pull one over on me, missy?” She wasn’t angry, just scolding in the way a grandmother might get onto a beloved granddaughter. “I might be confined to an assisted living facility, but I still have my sources.”

“I think I know what you’re talking about…” Ella began. “But I’m not positive. Can you be a little more specific?”

“Have you not seen the cover of The Daily Dish?” The local gossip rag was one of Fae’s favorite sources of the news, if what it published could be categorized as such. “You’re the talk of the town--Juliet Montague.”

Again, Ella found breathing difficult. “No, I haven’t….” Had they taken a picture of her with Henry? Why hadn’t she learned her lesson about paparazzi? She hadn’t even seen any photographers in the club, just other socialites out for a good time.

“Well, there’s a giant photo of you with Henry Caron, his arm around you, you smiling up at him. The two of you look rather cozy. I’d almost believe that smile was genuine if I didn’t see the tension in your eyes. You, young lady, have a lot of explaining to do.”

Now, the urge to see exactly what Fae was talking about was overwhelming to the point, Ella knew she had to get off of the phone and look at it. “I’ll call you right back,” she said. Fae hardly had the first syllable of protest out before Ella hung up on her.

She quickly pulled up her web browser and searched for the article in question. Sure enough, there it was. The headline said, “Frenchman Gets Cozy with the Mysterious Montague.” Swearing beneath her breath, Ella read through the article. It was short. Basically, it said that the two were spotted having drinks at Chavet, but that it was obvious they were seeing each other by the way they were touching each other and kept kissing! The last two words made a fire burn inside of her. She hadn’t let that disgusting pig kiss her even once! On the cheek didn’t count!

The last paragraph of the article also had her blood boiling, “Earlier in the year, sources had Montague romantically linked to Rome Verona, but now that he is obviously attached to several other young actresses and models, there must not have been room in his busy schedule for the protege. Either that or Juliet told Rome au revoir!”

Growling, Ella balled up both hands and pounded them into the sand. “You stupid assholes! Think you know so much!” She just hoped Rome hadn’t seen it and didn’t actually believe what it said was true, that she had been kissing Henry. He wouldn't believe that, would he? He must know that if she had had to torture herself thusly, she would’ve told him about it--right after she threw up and brushed her teeth.

Hastily, she selected his name in her recent calls, but he didn’t answer. “Hey, baby. I just read a disgusting article in that nasty gossip rag, The Daily Dish, that says they caught Henry and I kissing last night. Just in case you saw it, or he came by to gloat, I wanted to make sure you know that’s not true. I would’ve definitely told you if it was. Anyway, I hope your filming is going as well as possible. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”

Still furious, she hung up and called Fae back. Her friend answered on the first ring. “That is disgusting,” Ella said before Fae could even get out a hello. “I definitely was not kissing Henry Caron.”

“Don’t blame me, dear. I’m just the messenger. Besides, now you can plainly see just how ridiculous this plan of yours is. I told you not to go through with it. I see I wasted my words.” She didn’t sound angry, just a bit… exasperated.

Ella sighed. “I know, Fae. I was hoping you wouldn’t find out. I didn’t want to worry you. Rome and I talked it over, and we feel this is the only way to make sure that Henry gets what he deserves, not just for failing to help me when I needed it, but he also did buy the production company just so he could try to ruin Rome. He told me as much last night.”

Fae was quiet for a few moments, reflective. “So… you decided to go behind my back in your devious scheme, even though it is only because of our friendship that you’re even in a position to do this. Is that right, Ella?”

The hint of disappointment in her voice was unmistakable, and it made Ella immediately regret her decision. “Yes. I hated being less than a hundred percent honest with you, Fae, but it’s the only way.”

It was Fae’s turn to let out a sigh. “I don’t believe that’s true. I believe there is the way that lets you keep your dignity and go on about life without having to stoop to his level.”

“Not if I’m going to prevent Rome from making ten horrible movies,” Ella reminded her.

“He could make them good somehow, through his own efforts.”

“Not with these scripts. They’re awful, Fae. And Henry is purposely sinking tons of money into these productions just to get back at him.”

“Now, why would a man do that, Ella? Clearly, you haven’t looked at Henry’s motivations very deeply. He must be hurt in a way you’re not quite taking into consideration for him to go to all of that trouble just to get revenge.”

Ella had examined his motivations quite well, she’d thought. “It’s similar to what happened with my father and Rome’s,” she explained. “They’re so motivated by hate, they’ll do anything to ruin the other person, even if it comes at the cost of their own happiness.”

“What a miserable way to exist.” Ella could practically hear Fae shaking her head. “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Isn’t that punishment enough for this poor Henry fellow?

“No.” Ella’s answer came quickly enough to startle both of them. “No, Fae. I want that company out of his hands, and if that means I have to pretend to be his girlfriend for a little while, so be it. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you Fae, but that’s just how it is.”

“I see that I can’t talk you out of this,” Fae said with another loud exhale. “Very well, then. If I can’t beat you, I will join you. If you’re going to do this, you have to do it right. You’ve got to be so beguiling, he can’t possibly say no to you. I’m afraid that might take more than kissing, Ella.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes.” Ella meant it--as revolting as the words were coming out of her mouth. Revenge on Henry Caron was more important to her than anything at the moment, and she would get it, if it was the last thing Juliet Montague ever did.