Chapter 7: Green Eyes in London
Rory's hands tremble as she wiggles into her premiere dress. A hairstylist and a makeup artist from The Crideon Chronicles left the Prices' home a couple of minutes ago. Thanks to their high regard for Jess, they were happy to do up Rory for the big night, free of charge. She would have felt guilty if Jess donated additional funds to her charity case.
The young woman she spies in the full-length mirror reminds her of someone she knows but it's difficult to place her with the heavy eye liner, deep red lips and sparkling cheeks. This Mirror Girl must come from another dimension, one where each person's model version lives.
She smooths out her floor-length dress and twirls, which she'd have felt too shy to do if anyone were watching. But she would soon be in the public eye, and that reality makes her palms sweat and her stomach twist into knots. Last night's sleep was interrupted by the fearful thoughts of tripping in her four-inch stiletto-heeled shoes, stuttering in conversation with high-profile celebrities and a myriad of other potential disasters.
Her heart leaps to her throat when a knock comes from the front door. Rory steals one last glance in the mirror, running her fingers through her long curled hair, and dashes out of the bedroom.
She draws in a deep breath and exhales as she turns the handle. Jess grins back at her from the doorway, his hands shoved into the pant pockets of his jet black suit. A white buttoned shirt peeks out from behind his blazer and narrow sleek black tie. She's never seen him look more like a celebrity than he does right now.
Jess in turn studies every piece of Rory's new appearance: her smooth hair drawn up on one side by a tiny red rose hairpin, her sequined wine-colored dress and matching shoes.
They both start in unison: "You look…" Neither can find a word worthy of their feelings and, instead, allow a sweet smile between them to complete the sentence.
Jess extends an arm to his date.
Filled with nervous excitement, she links her arm with his as they walk toward their limo.
Rory doesn't know if the blotches in her vision will ever go away. In rapid succession, the camera flashes continue bombarding them on their walk down the red carpet at Odeon Leicester Square.
Just keep smiling, she thinks, forcing the corners of her mouth to remain upright.
Rory envies Jess for his charming nonchalant expression. If she attempted one she'd come off looking jaded or creepy.
When she notices TV reporters interviewing the couple ahead of them the blood drains from her face. What if they interview Rory about her life? She considers her possible responses to the question, "And what does the girlfriend of the famous and hunky novelist do?"
What can she say but that she's submitted a few freelance articles and hasn't heard back from anyone yet? Or that she hopes for a full-time position with one of these publications after they fall in love with her writing?
Surrounded by top Hollywood producers and actors, she realizes how pathetic it all sounds for a Yale graduate with a writing career in mind, especially when compared to the enormous success of her boyfriend.
Even her thought of writing a travel blog and turning her European excursion into a book is nothing now but a dream.
Her palms start to sweat, making her glad their arms are touching instead of their hands. Every step forward is a step closer to the reporters.
She turns to Jess, who seems unaffected by the whole scenario. Behind the police guards and the velvet rope divider crazed girl fans squeal, "You're so hot, Jess! We love you!" She knows celebrities are used to this kind of treatment but hearing strangers call to her boyfriend in that way repulses her.
The couple ahead of them pass the reporters, and Jess and Rory are about to become their next victims.
Without warning the crowd bursts into louder and more energetic cheers. The interviewers set their gaze on something passed Jess and Rory, and they also turn to see the cause of the commotion.
Kandy Jaysin and Terry Wexford step out of their black stretch limousine.
This hot Hollywood couple and the co-stars of The Crideon Chronicles are beautiful in photos but in real life remind Rory of Greek mythological gods. Rory's glamour melts away to reveal the mere mortal she is when compared to Kandy Jaysin.
Jess explains the hysteria to Rory. "On the show biz food chain actors outrank writers."
Rory's never been so grateful for being snubbed or for knowing Jess hasn't been serious with any girls during their time apart, especially her.
She pulls Jess closer as they continue their red-carpet march.
"You doin' all right?" Jess asks.
Through the gritted teeth of her phony smile she mumbles, "I'm good."
He whispers, "Almost there."
They reach the edge of the red carpet and step into the glittering lobby. An ostentatious chandelier lights the path to the theater.
Once inside the multi-level seating complex they're led by ushers to their assigned row. Rory and Jess are settling into their seats when Terry and Kandy approach. Terry invites Kandy to slide in first, which will seat her next to Jess.
The writers stand to greet the actors. Terry shakes their hands, and Kandy hugs Rory before planting a hearty kiss on Jess' cheek.
Even though the cameras are gone, the London native continues to smile. Rory recognizes that Terry's happy disposition is authentic, but she's unsure what to think of his Australian counterpart; she could be as sweet or as rotten as her name's sake.
"Darling," Kandy says to Jess, "have you been back to the Roof Gardens yet?"
"Nah, not this time," Jess says.
"Well, you must take your girlfriend." Kandy's sugary smile falls on Rory as she explains, "It is such a gorgeous rooftop garden and bar. After the last day of filming several of us got together to celebrate and –" her squealing laughter halts the explanation, and her hand rests on Terry's shoulder. "Oh, Darling, can you say it? I just can't collect myself."
Terry begins, "George, our production coordinator, he's in his sixties but sometimes acts like he wants to be our age. Well, he – "
Kandy interrupts, continuing on. "George had too many drinks and climbed up on the ledge, claiming his dream was to be a tightrope walker. There were hundreds of people at the bottom of the seven-story building, enjoying live music. They began to panic, thinking he was trying to commit suicide." She erupts into another set of high-pitch laughs.
Rory feigns amusement, not finding humor in the story of a man about to fall to his death. "Is he okay?"
"He's fine," Jess says, seeming annoyed by George in general.
She must be missing the punchline.
Besides for this story, Kandy neglects to include Rory in her conversations. She speaks a few times to Terry but most of her attention is on Jess, often touching his arm as she recalls funny moments together.
As the lights dim, Jess holds Rory's hand. She can't help but sneak side glances at Kandy who appears to be moving in closer to Jess. Rory mirrors the action.
When the lights come on after the showing, Jess asks Rory, "What's the expert critic's opinion?"
"It was a strong visual depiction of the book," Rory says in a dignified manner.
Jess adds, "But it doesn't do the book justice."
"Of course not." Rory smirks. She withholds sharing her thoughts on the co-stars' portrayals of Dehrik and Marian. Terry played his character well but Rory didn't share the same sentiments about Kandy's acting, though Rory admits biases may be shaping her opinion.
As the rest of the theater-goers spill into the lobby, the four stand close beneath the chandelier, with Kandy standing a little too close to Jess. Terry seems unconcerned, which makes Rory wonder if their relationship goes only as far as the paparazzi's cameras.
"Remember our little day trip to Bamberg?" Kandy asks Jess. "What a gorgeous German town you took me to! And our 'Little Venice' of Klein Venedig," she sighs.
Rory envies Kandy for more than her impeccable pronunciation of German; she also envies her for the romantic travel experiences she shared with Jess.
Kandy turns to Rory, advising, "You be sure to hold on to this one," ogling Jess with a ferocious hunger.
"Oh, I intend to," Rory declares, striving to suppress her simmering emotions.
"Yes, be sure to…" Kandy says under her breath.
"Well, we really must be going," Kandy exclaims. "Enjoy the rest of your night! It was so good to meet you, Rory. You're simply adorable. And Jess," she starts, gazing into his eyes, each word spoken with emphasis, "it was incredible to see you again. Let's not wait so long for the next time."
Her kiss crushes into his cheek, so close to his lips that hers touch the side of his mouth. Rory's heart races, knowing that this "accident" was very deliberate. What's worse is seeing that Kandy pressed hard enough to leave a light pink spot from her lip stick. It's as if Kandy tried to leave her mark on him to indicate "he'll be mine."
Rory summons all of her will power to refrain from rubbing the smudge off right then. She glares at the actress, knowing now that this type of candy should be avoided: attractive on the outside but rotten to the core.
On their ride home to the Prices' flat Rory chooses her words with care. "Kandy is very friendly."
"Yeah, she's quite the flirter." He leans in and whispers for dramatic effect, "Low self-esteem."
Pointing to the side of his mouth Rory observes, "You have a little low self-esteem on your bottom lip."
Jess uses the back of his hand to wipe away the makeup.
They arrive at her temporary home, and Rory realizes she'll be leaving for Paris in just a few days.
"I guess you'll be heading back to Philly soon," she says, dejected.
"Not just yet…"
"Oh, of course," she responds, assuming he's sticking around London to hang with his cast buddies and Kandy.
Rory's gaze falls to the ground.
His fingers lift her chin, and she looks up at Jess.
With playful eyes he says, "I hear France is lovely this time of year."