Forbidden Love

Chapter 9
"Smoke and mirrors"

Candy arrived in Sydney, after sleeping and watching movies, sleeping, reading a book and sleeping again, she couldn't wait to get out of the airplane. She was eager to breathe some fresh air. She was going there for her summer holidays, but her cousins are most likely going to be in school. She will have to wait for the week end to do things with them. She was going to spend her time with her great grandfather, the former governor, and with her uncles too.

Her uncles were there at the airport, waiting for her. She hugged them hard.

- Uncle Abel! Uncle Arthur! It's so good to see you!

- Candy! How good to see you! Said Abel.

- How's your mother? Asked Arthur.

- She's doing fine, said Candy.

- You're here on a punishment right?

- Kind of…

- To keep you apart from your brother?

- She told you? Said Candy.

- She had to, said Abel, we forced it out of her…

- Oh my God! Said Candy.

- Well, we're going to have a lot of fun here, you'll see!

- Forced vacations is not my idea of fun, said Candy sulking.

- Come on little one! You look so much like your mummy !

The Bateman men had a shipping company. The Lady Georgie II, on which Candy met Terry, was part of the Bateman shipping company. They were both married and they had their children, who were in school.

- My cousins are busy in school, said Candy, coming here while you guys are not on summer holidays is not fun

- You could come with me to receptions, said Abel.

- What about Aunt Jess?

- Well sometimes she'd rather stay home, or we'll all go together…

- What am I going to do during the day?

- You can come to the company with me and see what we do…

- Can I get a little job? At least my days are going to pass.

- You can also go shopping with your aunts…, said Arthur.

They arrived at the big mansion and Candy went to her room. It was a big one. She put her stuff away and a maid came to help her. She got dressed for dinner and she went downstairs.

Then she went to the living room where her uncles were having a drink before dinner. The television was on… some entertainment program was on, talking about the bombshell Eleonor Baker dropped; she had a teenage son! They showing Terry with his mother, smiling to the cameras, holding his mother. He was so handsome and his mother looked more like his sister, was very beautiful too.

- Oh my God! Said Candy smiling, daddy is not going to like this!

- Your brother is Eleonor Baker's son? Said Abel.

- You knew about this? Said Arthur.

- Yes, said Candy, dad is going to be glad, Terry in the spotlight!

"At least I can see you on television now… I bet the papers are going to be talking about it too. I should buy them and cut you up…"

oOoOoOoOoOo

The London papers were all taking about Eleonor Baker's son in front page news. Georgie got the morning paper and she was shocked. She put it on the table at Richard's place just before he got there for breakfast.

- Honey, he said you didn't have to wake up early today.

- I have some errands to run and I think you got a little surprise in the paper…

- Are they talking about us from last night's party…?

- I think we were out staged…

- By whom?

- Take a look…

The duke sat down and took the paper to read. A maid came to serve him his coffee, his toast, his egg. The duke took a sip of his hot coffee, and when he saw the headlines, he almost choked on his coffee, he started coughing incessantly…

- What the bloody… (Cough) hell?

- Your son and his mother telling the truth to the world.

- Ellie didn't say a word! Damn her!

- I think it's a way for him to defy you, said Georgie.

- Damn it! The British press is going to have a field day!

- Your past is going to be front page news for a while…

The phone started ringing off the hook.

- Your Grace, said a maid, it's a reporter from the daily mirror…

- Tell him I'm not available! Yelled the duke.

The butler came in.

- Your Grace, there are reporters outside the gate waiting for your arrival…

- Well I didn't call them! Tell the guards to send them away from my property!

- Richard, said Georgie, calm down….

- How could I calm down sweetness? How could Terry do this to me?

- You know the answer to that question…

- Get me Ellie on the phone! He told Georgie.

- Not before you calm down, honey, she said with a soft voice.

The duke wanted to be upset, but one look at his wife and he would just calm down.

- How is it that you make me feel so calm?

- Because I'm your better half, she said smiling.

- That you are…, he said smiling to her

oOoOoOoOoOo

When Terry woke up around 2 pm, he could hear his mother talking loud on the phone. He went to brush his teeth, then he went to his mother's room.

- It was his decision, Richard, she said.

Terry walked to her to kiss her on the forehead.

- Yes, he's here…

Terry looked at her saying no with his head and his hands…

- He doesn't want to speak to you…

- Put him on the phone! Yelled Richard.

- I'm certainly not going to force him to take the phone!

- Ellie!

- Richard, it's going to be fine…it's no big deal!

- That's easy for you to say, your whole life is in the media…

- Well I think the media covers your reception parties too, don't they? This time they're just going to talk about your affair with a little unknown actress name Eleonor Baker!

- That's good publicity for you! I'm a duke now…

- I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer… now I have to go Richard… I'm sure you can handle the British press like a pro… good day Richard!

She hung up the phone.

- Sorry, said Terry smiling

- Are you really?

- Not!

- He's not happy.

- We knew he wasn't going to be… I don't care…sorry if I'm using you for acting out …

- It's fine baby…I've missed so many years with you and I'm glad I can help you and do stuff with you…

- You want to have breakfast?

- Yes, let's go, she said.

The both went to the dining room were a big brunch was waiting for them…

oOoOoOoOoOo

The duke was furious. Eleonor had hung up on him. He couldn't do anything about it… He just had to face the press … and make no comments.

- Your son knows how to push your buttons, said Georgie.

- Tell me about it! And his mother who's helping him!

- She's just happy to have her baby with her…

- Well I hope he meets a girl over there and forget about his sister…

- Forget about his sister? I don't think so, said Georgie, but he's going to meet girls for sure…

- Lots of girls…

- Hollywood spoiled brats? I'm not too sure I like that, said Georgie.

- He could have a little fun.

- Those girls are promiscuous, they drink and do drugs...

- Our Candy suddenly looks like an angel compare to them…

- You really think he can do better than our daughter?

- You're not getting soft on me are you?

- Richard…

- No… they're brother and sister!

- I'm just worried about Terry…

- He's going to be fine…

- You want him to sleep with girls so he can forget about Candy?

- A little sexual experience isn't bad…

- Richard…you can't condone premarital sex with our children… I don't care how much I want Candy with someone else… I don't want her having sex! They're children!

- Georgie…

- I talked to Eleonor, Terry is comparing all the girls to Candy, he thinks about her all the time and he's being a good boy!

- Great! Said the duke ironically.

- It's wonderful, I think…

- Georgie…

- I'm just saying…I don't think he can do better than Candy…

- He can't do Candy, period!

- You're hopeless! Said George getting out of the room.

Georgie was starting to realise how good Candy and Terry were together than apart. Terry influenced by Candy… usually boys with raging hormones would jump at the occasion to go out with girls and have sex…

Richard was divided. The fact that Terry wasn't interested in other girls, was a good thing, but he was interested in his sister, which wasn't a good thing…He wanted his son to date other girls, to realise he only had a fling for his sister… well, at least what he was hoping was a fling…

oOoOoOoOoOo

Candy was happy to see her grand parents. They came over a few days later to see her. She was hugging them hard.

- Grandma! Grandpa! She said.

- Candy! It's so good to see you!

- I missed you so much!

- You should come and see us more often!

- You should come and see us in England! Said Candy.

- You're right, we missed the wedding…. We should make plans to come to England and see your brothers and sisters…, said Grandma.

- Now that I'm retired, we will come, promise.

- I'm sure mum is going to be glad to hear that…

- How is the Duchess of Grandchester? Said Grandma.

- The Duchess is fine, said Candy smiling.

- We really need to go see her…, said Grandpa, but enough with that, come talk to us… how's school? Do you have a boyfriend?

Candy smiled looking at her grandparents. They spent a good time together, talking and laughing.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Terry got a phone later that day from Susanna Marlowe.

- Terrence? Hi!

- Linda? Said Terry on purpose.

- No! Susanna! We met last night…

- Last night!

- Come on you remember… I had the orange dress...

- Right! The bright orange dress… it swore with your hair…

- What? You didn't like it?

- Sorry to be so blunt, but it was absolutely dreadful!

- Boy for a gentleman, you're rude…

- Can I do something for you?

- Would you escort me to the next premiere…?

- Escort you, as your date?

- Yes…

- Are you asking me out on a date?

- Yes, I like you…

- Well…

- Please Terrence, you're the news of the moment, I want to be photographed next to you….

- So you need me for a publicity to improve you image?

- My image is fine, it will just get better with you by my side… yours too for that matter…

- I really don't need an image make over… I just got out of my mother's closet last night…

- Terrence please, I'm begging you…

Terry was thinking about Candy; if he shows up in public with Susanna… Candy is going to be hurt. But his father is going to be glad and maybe he'll leave Candy and him alone…

- I don't know Susanna…, said Terry, I kind of like escorting my mother, I need to spend some time with her…

- You live with her… it's just for the evening…Please Terrence, I'm begging you…

She was so insistent.

- All right…, he said against his will.

"Marie, I hope you understand that I'm doing this for us… it does sound weird when I think about it like that…"

- Thank you Terrence! Thank you so much! Said Susanna screaming.

Terry hung up the phone.

- Who was that? Said his mother coming in.

- Susanna…

- Oh…

- I agreed to escort her to the next premiere, is that ok with you?

- Of course, baby! Your father wants you to have fun with girls…

- Damn him! Why can't he just leave us alone?

- You're not blaming Georgie…?

- Duchess is leaning towards us, I can feel she thinks it's not a big deal, but dad is just being pigheaded!

The phone rang again and it was for Terry again.

- My you're a popular boy after one night! Said Eleonor.

- Well it's not the one I want, said Terry a little bitter.

He was of course talking about Candy. He took the phone and said:

- Hello?

- Terry?

- Linda?

- Yes! You know my voice!

- Mini Barbie doll, how could I forget?

- You're a very funny boy… no one has ever called me a Barbie doll before!

- Well girls must be jealous and boys would never admit they play with Barbies!

Linda burst out laughing with Terry.

- Do you have a girlfriend in England?

- I just broke up with a girl…

- Why?

- I actually was in a hotel room with her during prom…

- Oh…

- Nothing happened… because her brother wanted to abuse my sister and she was in on it! She lost me right there!

- I can imagine… was your sister all right?

- She was pretty shaken up, her dress was torn…

Terry had the image of him and Candy making out like crazy on the bed, until Annie and Patty interrupted them…he had a hot flash.

- I'm sorry about that, said Linda.

- Thanks.

- Did she stay in England?

- She went to Australia for the summer…

- Australia? That's on the other side of the world, literally!

- You're telling me? What about you? Any boyfriend?

- Well, not really, I go out with some boys sometimes, for dinner or a movie, but nothing serious…

- No hanky panky?

- Nope! As the daughter of a star, I have to preserve my reputation, once the word is out…

- Some men don't care…

- Some think because we live in the actors' world, we specialise on orgies!

Terry burst out laughing.

- But you seem like a good girl…, said Terry.

- Well, sometimes I want to look bad, but…

- Who's your mother?

- Sylvia Maire…

- Oh… right…

- She's in the movie…

- I fell asleep…

- I know! Said Linda laughing, are you going to the next premiere?

- Yes, I even have a date…

- Oh… ,said Linda a little disappointed.

- Susanna invited me…

- I guess I'm a day late and a dollar short…

- You wanted me to escort you? Said Terry, if only you had called me 10 minutes earlier!

- Well I hope you have a good time with her…

- I just hope she doesn't wear that dreadful orange dress!

They both burst out laughing.

- Did you tell her not to wear it? Asked Linda.

- Yes…

- Terry!

- What? That dress was utterly ugly! I detested it!

- Your British accent is to die for!

- Are you flirting with me Barbie doll?

- Well I guess I am British…what are my chances?

- Don't wear an ugly dress, you'll get some points there..

"Terry, what the hell are you doing? Trying to date another girl… Candy…" He thought.

- I'll try my best…Well I guess, I'll see you at the premiere…

- Yes, said Terry, bye Linda.

Eleonor was looking at him.

- What? He said.

- Nothing, she said going to her room, go get ready, we've got a plane to catch…Pack light, we're going to buy stuff as we go, from city to city and country to country…

oOoOoOoOoOo

So Terry went to the other premiere party later that night, in Boston with Susanna Marlowe, in front of the cameras…The duke was happy to see Terry with another girl and Candy, back in Australia, was heartbroken…

"Terry what are you doing with that actress? She asked herself, oh my God, my heart hurts so much… Terry! "

A tear came down her cheek and she wiped it. Then she remembered what Terry had told her at the airport before she left…To date other people… But that actress seemed so happy to be at Terry's arms and Terry… if he was acting happy, he was destined to be a great actor in Hollywood some day.

Terry was not having that much fun escorting Susanna to those receptions. He decided to tell her. He called her.

- But Terry, you can't show up with another girl now…

- Why not? You and I are not an item…

- But…

- Susanna, I want to ask Linda to go with me at the next premiere.

- What? That slut? But Terry…

- I think I've escorted you enough, Susanna. I want to spend time with Linda.

- You like her?

- I'd like to spend time with her, so yes, I like her…

- But I like you… I wanted…

- Susanna, I'm only here for the summer… I want to have fun…

- Not get stuck with one girl? Fair enough… but the tour is still on… you'll escort me again…

- Bye Susanna, said Terry.

Susanna was furious to have been dumped for Sylvia Maire's goody two shoes daughter!

Terry called Linda on her phone…They were in Los Angeles for the premiere.

- Terry?

- Yes, how are you?

- Tired…

- Too tired to show me around town?

- Of course not! Where's your escort?

- I told her I'd like to escort you tonight, if you'll have me of course.

- Of course Terry!

- Let's go sight seeing?

- I'll be there in 10 minutes…

Eleonor was looking at him when he hung up.

- Linda?

- Yes…

- You like her?

- She's nice and…

- She reminds you of your sister…

- Mum please… just let me have fun…

Terry had a lot of fun with Linda. They did some shopping, took pictures. At they premiere, they were photograph together and the reporters had fun classifying Terry as a young man who likes to have fun with girls.

Candy saw Terry with Linda and she felt bad again. Linda was so beautiful! She could never compete with her!

"Candy what are you talking about? Terry is your husband, don't you ever forget it! What if he has sex with all those sophisticated Hollywood girls? No, let's not think about that… oh my God! This is so hard! Terry! I miss you so much! I'm your wife, don't forget it…"

Since the children were still in school in Australia, Candy was spending he days at the office with her uncle. She spent a day with a young man who was designing ships. His name was Paul Manning; he was in his early 20s.

- You want to see how to draw a boat?

- Your job is to design boats?

- Yes for some companies…

- Cool… Can I design something to pass time?

- Of course, said Paul You can sit a that table over there and play with the designs on the computer…

Candy had fun on the computer. She was thinking about Terry, who was going to premieres with two different girls until now… How many more are there going to be?

- Candy, you want to have lunch with me? She heard.

- Yes, she said smiling, let's go…

She had lunch with Paul, then she had dinner with Paul. He took her to movies, but since he was older, she really wasn't thinking anything about it. She was not having fun, she was bored to death and she missed Terry and her other brothers and sisters like crazy!

oOoOoOoOoOo

Terry was in Paris with his mother for the French premiere. They had just came from England and he didn't call his parents. He called and talked to his brothers and sisters, though… The parents were fine. They got an invitation to the premiere, courtesy of Eleonor and they went. During the reception, the cameras were on them and their reunion with Terry. Georgie hugged Terry.

- Terry! She said, I missed you…

- Duchess, I missed you too! Said Terry hugging her.

- Hello son, said the duke hugging him briefly.

- Father…

Then he looked at Linda and said;

- This is Linda Maire.

- Sylvia Maire's daughter? Said Georgie a little dryly.

- Yes, said Linda smiling, pleased to meet you Mrs. Grandchester, Your Grace…

- Hello Linda! Said the duke with a big smile, I'm very pleased to meet you!

- Likewise, said Linda.

Georgie took Terry aside:

- Terry, are you serious about that girl?

- Duchess, I'm just having fun…

- Fun fun or fun fun?

- Fun fun, whatever that means!

- She looks like Barbie…

- That's what I told her…

- She seems nice too…

- She is…

- As nice as my Candy?

Terry looked at Georgie. She was jealous for her daughter! He was so happy inside! They now had an ally!

- Duchess, he said, Marie is the nicest girl I've ever met…no other girl is better than her for me…

Georgie smiled and hugged him.

- Thanks Toulouse, she said.

- No, thank you Duchess! I love you…

- I love you too, said Georgie.

When they went back to Linda and the duke, Eleonor arrived too.

- Hi Ellie, said the duked

- Richard, said Eleonord

They hugged briefly.

- Duchess? Said Eleonord

- Eleonor, said Georgie hugging her, it's nice to meet you in persond

- Likewise! Said Eleonord

The duke looked at Terry.

- You and Georgie seemed cosy a while agod

- Duchess misses me dad, said Terry winking at Georgied

Eleonor and the duke saw that.

- And she was congratulating me on my good taste in girls, continued Terry.

- I agree with her, said the duke, you have very good taste in girls

- Like your father, said Eleonor.

- Like father, like son, said Georgie looking at Terry smiling.

He smiled back at her. He was very happy that Georgie was now on their side. So the evening for Terry was great. They all left the reception to go and have dinner as the castle, courtesy of the duke. Terry was happy to see his little brothers and sisters, even if they were already asleep. He showed Linda around…

- This is my sister's room, he said.

- The one who is in Australia?

- Yes…

- Nice, I like her room…very much to my taste

- I think you and her would get along fine if you meet…

- I remind you of your sister, said Linda, not too sure how to take that…

"Very well, if you knew I had the hots for my sister! That sounds so gross!" thought Terry.

- Well she's my best friend…, said Terry.

- Best friend…

- Let's go back downstairs, said Terry, I think my mother is ready to leave.

- All right…

They went back downstairs and Eleonor was indeed getting ready to go.

- Richard, I didn't know you had all the DVDs of my movies...

- Ellie, come on… for our son.

- Right! Said Eleonor, I'll send you what's missing from your collection… I'm very impressed with what you already have.

- Thank you, said Richard.

They were all walking to the door and Terry left with Eleonor and Linda after they all hugged and kissed.

Now they were in Paris, and during the reception, Terry saw Anthony and Annie!

- Terrence, said Annie.

- Well hello there! Said Terry smiling.

- Hi Terry, said Anthony smiling.

- This is Linda, said Terry introducing his friend

- Hello, Said Annie and Anthony at the same time

- I'm pleased to meet you said Linda smiling.

- You seem to be having fun in all these premiere, Terry, said Anthony.

- Well aside from seeing the same movie over and over again, the reception part is fun.

- Did you have time to visit Paris? Said Annie.

- No, said Terry and we're leaving tomorrow evening.

- You want Anthony and I to come and show you around? Said Annie.

- Yes, that would nice, Linda? What do you think? Said Terry.

Annie was irritated to see Terry inviting Linda along. She wanted to speak to Terry alone. But she just smiled.

- That would be nice, said Linda, thank you…

"And she's so nice too, thought Annie frustrated"

- Great, I'll come and early in the morning, said Annie, will you be able to wake up?

- Unless you two are going to have fun all night long…, said Anthony.

- No, don't worry… with all the travelling, the different time zones… my clock is whacked! I'll be ready Annie, said Terry.

- I'll be ready too, said Linda.

Terry introduced Annie and Anthony to Eleonor and spent the rest of the evening with them.

So the next day , when Annie and Anthony got to Terry's suite, they found Linda there having breakfast with him and Eleonor. Annie felt her heart getting tight. Did she spend the night with Terry?

- Hello there, said Eleonor, come and eat with us

- I'm not very hungry, said Annie

- I'll eat something, said Anthony

Annie looked at Anthony with mean eyes, just for a second, but she smiled and said:

- Maybe I can have a grapefruit, said Annie sitting down

They had a quick breakfast and they went sight seeing. Terry with Linda, was always telling her stuff. Annie was about to explode. They had lunch in a little French restaurant not too far from the Eiffel Tower. Linda wanted to buy some postcards and Anthony went with her. Annie was finally alone with Terry.

- Terry, what are you doing with that Barbie doll!?

- Annie? Said Terry looking at her surprised.

- Do you have to be with her all the time?

- She's a nice girl…

- So what? You have to spend every single second with her?

- Annie, where is this coming from? I thought you had a thing for Anthony…

- Candy loves you!

Terry was speechless for a second.

- She confided in you?

- No… but I know her. Patty and I confronted her about you two and she tried denying it, but she finally fessed up …

- Oh…

- You do know she's going to be hurt?

- Annie, I'm in the show business world for the moment… it's all smoke and mirrors…

- You mean you're just pretending to be her boyfriend?

- I'm just her friend

- Did you kiss her?

- No…

- Keep it that way!

Terry was happy to see Candy's friend defending her and being so possessive of him. He smiled.

- Thanks Annie for looking out for Candy, he said.

- She's my best friend…

- She's my best friend too, said Terry.

- Well I hope she remains your "best friend" and that the Barbie doll stays the "friend"…

- Annie, even if I kiss Linda, it doesn't change anything… I'm coming back to London and so will Candy.

- How would you feel if you learned she kissed some boy in Australia?

- Like my heart is getting ripped out, but I will have to live with it…

- Terry…

- Our parents kept up apart this summer because they saw the attraction between us…

- "Saw"?

- All right, Duchess caught Candy and I kissing…

- Oh my God!

- She was shocked…so we decided or I decided that we should date other people, so our parents would leave us alone…

- So that's what you're doing with the Barbie doll?

- Kind of, sort of…

- It's not going to hurt her any less…

- Annie, I'm trying to make sure Candy and I stay in the same house…we have to do this…

- I'm sorry about that…, said Annie, I'm rooting for the two of you…

- Thanks Annie, but mum's the word.

- Mum's the word, said Annie smiling.

Terry smiled. First Georgie, now Annie… he was looking forward to Candy's jealousy scene!

They took pictures, bought souvenirs and they went back to the hotel, just in time to go to the airport. Annie and Anthony went with them.

- It was really nice meeting you here, Terry, said Anthony.

- It was, said Terry, you and I should hang out sometimes in London

- We will, said Anthony shaking his hand warmly

Terry hugged Annie.

- Bye Annie, I'll see you in London.

- Bye Terry, said Annie smiling, it was nice seeing you.

- Likewise…

- Bye Linda, said Annie.

- Bye Linda, said Anthony.

- Bye Miss Baker, they both said.

- Bye, said Linda.

- Bye , said Eleonor…

Terry was thinking about Annie's reaction on the plane and his time with Anthony. Because of Archie, he was kind of distant with Anthony. But now, he was going to socialise with him, he had the opportunity to see what a great guy Anthony was.

oOoOoOoOoOo

One evening, Candy was reading a magazine, she saw that Eleonor Baker was coming to Sidney in a few days, for the premiere of her movie… her heart skipped a beat! Terry was coming to Australia, she had to see him!