Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 7

Erik was deeply slumbering as Angel rose from her side of the bed. Today she was up before sunrise. Angel felt as if she had rested better than all the previous times she attempted sleep. She found herself actually looking forward to her day on set. She was grateful for Pierre's agreement to reschedule—since they were now filming one of her favorite scenes.

Quietly she dressed and left the room. Tobias was the only other soul awake in the house. He glanced up as she entered the living room. "Angel?"

"How come you're awake?" She pondered, approaching him.

"Well, someone has to escort you to the set." He mused, drawing a rare smile from her face. "Figured we ought to let the others sleep in."

"Maybe I should leave a note…so they won't get worried." Angel consentingly wondered.

"Quite unnecessary, Angel. Father Keirnan and I had already agreed upon this arrangement." Tobias stood up and retrieved their coats. "C'mon, the ride is already waiting outside." Angel gave no second thoughts. If Tobias said Andrew already knew, then she trusted her guardians enough to accept it at face value.

Angel entered the back of the limo with Tobias to find a pre-arranged breakfast awaiting them. "Father Bennett, you didn't have to do all this!" She shockingly blurted as she gazed at the tray of her favorite breakfast dish.

He grinned warmly at her, "I only live to serve you, Little One."

She abruptly turned to him, her full smile shifting down to a half. She had a partial theory for this situation. "You really didn't talk to Father Keirnan about this did you?"

Tobias set his mouth to a thin line, "He will take comfort in knowing that you are with me." He had edged closer to her, yet she gave no indication of disgust.

Angel tilted her head at him. She was definitely sure what this was about. He was trying to get in good graces with her. Yet she knew that he knew she adored his protective companionship already. But he has accepted what I already have—that I WILL lose myself to Reece. I've tried so hard to resist, but I have to accept the inevitable. She refrained from voicing such assumptions though. "Father Bennett…" He cut her off with a shake of his head.

"Do not title me above you, dear Angel." She knew what he meant.

"But I must." She protested.

Tobias instantly took her hand in his, "Yes, I know. In due time shall the role change occur." He nodded understanding to her.

Angel pulled away, to the far end of her side of the limo and stared out the window. "I don't want that." She was again uselessly resisting such a thing, but she was suddenly filled with insatiable pain at the thought of losing Erik—and of losing herself. I can't let go, but I know I'll soon be forced to. She quickly reached over for a piece of her breakfast and ate in silence. Tobias watched her intensely, yet said nothing. He could visibly see now, the tug of war within herself.

The taller minion glanced over to his partner, "Not our usual wardrobe, but needed nonetheless for our undercover role. The shorter minion smoothed out his blue-collar jump suit. They were now dressed much like the other set workers.

"You there!" The taller minion whipped around to find their 'boss' yelling at them. "Quit your chatter and get to work. The star is gonna be here any minute now and the finishing touches aren't completed yet."

'Any minute now' turned out to be just as the man finished talking. A limo pulled up and a valet quickly opened the door as Tobias stepped out. The two minions recognized the priest. Tobias turned and held out his hand. The minions watched as a celestial beauty emerged from the darkness of the ride.

"That must be Angel." The shorter one whispered to his friend.

The moment Angel stepped from the vehicle; her eyes were captured by the set. She felt relieved that Erik wasn't with her today. The set was designed specifically for the erotic scene she would be filming in today's shooting schedule. It was a favorite scene since she was in the current mindset as of late for such an erotic thing—no doubt in thanks to Reece and the pull he's had on her from all of his attempts to get to her. And it also helped that she was a romantic at heart and the things she was required to do today reminded of her past year with Erik—mostly the extreme intimate moments they shared.

"Wow." Tobias gave a whistle as he approached her side. "What the heck are you guys filming today?"

"Well the film isn't titled Sophie's Seduction for nothing." Angel laughed.

"You're Sophie, right?" She nodded to his question.

"Sophie Bartholomew."

"Does she do the seduction or is it her that gets seduced?" Tobias glanced at her by then.

"I get seduced." That simple reply led her thoughts to a sudden ironic realization. I get seduced? It made her think of Reece. Just exactly like he has been doing to me. Will I give in just as easily as Sophie does to her enchanter?

Pierre suddenly came out of nowhere, "It is so good to see you alive and well, my dear!" Angel turned to him, eager for his boisterous presence to chase away her tragic thoughts.

"Pierre!" She graciously hugged her director. "I am so glad to be back." Tobias coughed. "Oh, my manners…" Angel patted Tobias's arm to bring Pierre's attention to her escort. "Pierre, this is my bodyguard of the day…Father Bennett."

"A priest for a bodyguard?" Pierre seemed alarmed at such a notion, but then erupted into laughter. "Leave it to an angel to acquire a priestly bodyguard." Tobias and Angel caught the joke and joined him in laughter.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tobias noticed the two minions half watching them—or more specifically, her. He wondered why they were subtlety obvious about their actions, but then remembered that they must be just a couple of star struck stagehands.

"So when do we begin, Pierre?" Angel questioned. Her voice brought Tobias from his watchful gaze.

"As soon as we're told that the finishing touches are completed." Pierre checked his watch. "I hope to squeeze in some other scenes to attempt to get back on track to the filming schedule."

Angel softly gasped at his insinuation. "Oh, I am eternally sorry for forcing you to cancel the shoot yesterday."

Pierre took her by the shoulders, "No my dear, don't ever feel the need to apologize. I've told you already…my film REVOLVES around you. Yet you work ten times as much as us, as if you felt yourself as a lowly actor."

Angel blushed. "Pierre, such a charmer!"

He flashed a teasing grin, "Shush now, not so loud. It would ruin my reputation as a tight ass."

"Well you have one of those too." Those flirty words slipped from her mouth before she could think.

"As I've been told." Pierre nudge her then turned away to see if the set was ready.

"Are you trying to sleep your way to the top?" Tobias was too shocked by the conversation he just heard.

When she turned to Tobias, he could literally see how she recomposed herself. "I…no, Father Bennett…I just…it slipped out." She wrung her hands together.

"Relax, Angel. I'm not gonna mention any of that conversation to Erik OR Father Keirnan." He assured her. Their conversation was broken as Pierre waved her over.

"Oh, I guess we're starting." Angel broke away from Tobias, and flew through wardrobe and make up. The days filming began.

Erik's eyes opened only to snap shut in the next instant. "Angel, please shut the shades!" He turned his head as he wondered why she didn't respond. But in the same instant, the shades were shifted to send the mid day sun to the opposite side of the room. "Angel?"

"Not quite, Erik." It was Marie's voice.

"Marie?" He shot up to see the woman in question.

"Seems she's gone already on location." Marie strode over to Erik and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Father Bennett has gone with her." She removed her hand and turned to the door. "Breakfast is ready if you wish to join us."

Erik sat a moment to let his thoughts simmer. She did have an early start time. Perhaps she didn't want to wake me. He nodded his head and slid onto his feet. Erik quickly dressed for the day. He sent a silent thanks to Marie. If she hadn't been there to explain the situation, he would have thought the worst—that Reece had taken her during the night.

"Good morning, Erik!" Meg's cheery call managed to keep him in his easy settlement.

"Good morning Little Meg." He chimed back at her on purpose and chuckled when she produced the expected scowl.

Andrew turned his gaze to him, "It's great to see that you both take some time apart."

Erik nodded absently to the comment, "Just my way to show that I trust her and that I'm comfortable in this relationship." Erik frowned at Meg, who had suddenly started inhaling her breakfast. "Meg?"

She slowed a bit, to swallow her bite, "Oh, sorry. But I have rehearsals in an hour. Skywalker opens officially in less than four days." Erik nodded then and began eating his own breakfast.

"Ah, Erik!" Andrew spoke up then. "I almost forgot…Chancellor Cheyvon wished to meet with you today. Shall I tell him to expect us for lunch?"

"Who?" Erik replied confused.

"I'm terribly sorry." Andrew began. "Chancellor Araphim Cheyvon…he's the one in charge of the affairs that surround Angel."

"What he means is…" Finn added to explain better to Erik, "…Chancellor Cheyvon is the one we all answer to."

"Wasn't he the one you reported to in regards when Reece called Angel directly?" Erik caught on then that it was the same guy.

Andrew nodded, "Yes. Consider him our boss."

"Is he the boss of Angel?" Meg piped in.

"Meg!" Her mother scolded her again for her intrusive questions.

"Well…" Andrew paused to figure out how to explain it. "…consider him Angel's first guardian. When she was a child, he was the one responsible for taking her away from Reece. He moved her in with him and began instructing her differently than what Reece had done."

A horn from outside honked. "Oh, that's Claire, my ride!" Meg gulped another swig of her orange juice before leaving the kitchen.

"Have fun at rehearsals, dear!" Marie called out to her.

Erik put his focus back on Andrew, "Why would the Chancellor want to meet with me?"

Andrew swallowed the portion of bacon he was chewing. "Well, I had to tell him of the engagement. Consider it like meeting with a parental figure for approval."

Erik nodded in understanding. "He wishes to see if I'm trustworthy enough." He chuckled, "I'm the same way."

"Then I'll call him back and tell him we will meet with him over lunch." Andrew sealed the conversation.

Tobias watched the scene being filmed for the 9th time, still unable to fathom Angel's willingness to perform the near hardcore scene. It's a good thing Erik isn't here. He might've murdered her co-star for touching her that way. But it does add a sense of realism.

"And cut!" Pierre yelled into a megaphone. The scene was finally done to his satisfaction. Actually, on the second take it was beyond perfect. He just created an excuse to see just how many times Angel would willingly perform such a task.

Angel coldly broke from the embrace of her co-star. The scene had left her more hot and bothered than she let on. When I get home, Erik's gonna have to ride me till the break of dawn. She giggled at her thoughts.

"Ok everyone. Take five while we set up for the next few scenes." Pierre announced. Angel decided to take a breather and sat in her actors' chair. She ordered bottled water from the set gopher.

Tobias had spotted the minions watching her again, this time more obvious than the last. He strolled over to them after a notion of a theory popped into his head. "You two..."

The two minions flinched and turned to him. The taller one meekly spoke, "Y-yes?"

"I've noticed that you've been much too observant of her." Tobias gave a nod toward Angel. "Why?"

"She's enticing." The taller one answered.

"Easy on the eyes, too." The smaller one added.

Tobias chuckled and decided to dive right into his theory. "I bet he sent you. Am I right?" The minions stared at him blankly. "C'mon now, don't be dumb. I know you work for Reece."

The smaller minion sharply glanced to the taller one. The taller minion responded, "Jig is up, Berkley."

The smaller one grunted before turning to Tobias. "So what if we are? You gonna rat us out to her or to your precious Chancellor?"

"No." That stunned both of them. "Actually, I want you to deliver a message to Reece." Tobias then clamped his mouth shut, sending a quick glance to Angel. "Better yet, I would like to meet with him personally."

"We're not giving up his location." The taller one replied edgily.

"Did you two bird-brains even get what I'm asking for?" Tobias was growing impatient. "Look, we all know that he mercilessly has tried to get her numerous times—failing each time, I might add. I can help make it easier for him to achieve that. I want in on the winning side." Tobias dropped his voice a bit for effect, "But on one condition."

"What's that?" The taller one asked.

"I get to be her ONLY servant." Tobias revealed his key intention.

"Ok, we'll talk to him. But we ain't guaranteeing anything!" The smaller one finished. By this time filming was picking up again.

Meg rested at the edge of the stage, dangling her tired feet over the side. They were now able to flawlessly flow through Act One of Skywalker. However, they had three days to unite Act Two and Three in the same manner—luckily there was only slight work to be done to the remaining acts.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Meg glanced over to see Claire and shrugged in indifference. While she didn't hate the other woman, Meg felt a bit weary about Claire. Perhaps it was the insistent way Claire was with getting attention from her. Either way, the whole idea of Claire had rubbed at Meg oddly. "Sure, go ahead…it's a free country."

"You're a really great dancer!" Claire began.

Meg shrugged again, "Thanks." She finally looked at the woman. "You're pretty good yourself."

"Hardly." Claire countered. "Hey are you friends with Angel Atkins? I saw her here the other day."

"Yes." Meg replied cautiously. Oh great, this is what Erik warned me about when I brought Reece home to dinner unexpectedly. It had really pissed Angel off, but at least now I know why.

"And the group with her…was that her entourage of bodyguards and assistants?"

"Huh?" Meg blinked, followed by laughter. "No, well sort of. One was my mother, one was her fiancée and the other three were bodyguards."

"Oh." Claire thought a moment of how to proceed. She had a sense that Meg was uneasy about her. I've got to get her to willingly open up to me. She refused to be a failure to Reece. She could not let him down. "Meg…I hope we can be friends. And don't think that I'm just trying to use you to get to her." Claire glanced over to Meg. "I figure that since we're both pretty good dancers, and cast mates…"

Meg smiled. "Sure, we can be friends. I admit, I was a bit uneasy…but you seem so nice."

"Oh, I am—or at least that what my other friends say." Claire and Meg started giggling and gossiping about nonsense. Shortly after, their break time had ended. Now it was just another hour before lunch.

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