Despite the dramatic announcement, they really could not just ditch the party that Kim essentially was hosting. They finished the obligatory entertainment and the presentation of the checks to Kevin. When it was all said and done, they still had to help with the clean up. Jack was on pins and needles and followed Kim around irrationally afraid that something would happen to her while he was not looking. He was not he only one. Her dad was equally worried about her and was following her as well. At some point Kim had to hiss at both of them to leave her alone as she was going to the ladies' room. Her mom went with Kim and Jack waited outside the bathroom uncomfortably aware of the looks form other patrons.
They finally got to Bobby's mansion. It was the only place big enough to hold everyone. While Kim and her mom were freshening up, Jack and Chuck, as Kim's dad told everyone to call him, were comparing notes on their observations so far. Both agreed that police was not likely to step in just yet, considering that the test on macaroons had to be performed, before they could confirm that another attempt on Kim was made. They were brainstorming their plan of action, when Ricky offered a solution for the time being. It was perfect, they just had to convince Kim of that.
"You got me a what?" Kim's expression was both incredulous and mad.
"A body guard. This is Jeremy, one of my own bodyguards." Ricky said proudly and Kim did not think she could get more irritated.
"What? Why?"
Jack, her parents, Bobby and Ricky all stood around her in what she started calling the situation room in Bobby's mansion. She stood facing them, arms crossed in front of her chest and leaning against the high back of the chair.
"Baby girl, you are not safe right now. Someone out there wants you hurt. They tried to poison you twice and they are capable of cruelty." Kim's dad was patient but exasperated.
"We don't know if any of this is related. We haven't gotten the test results and why are we not talking to the police?"
"The tests will take some time and police does not think it is sufficiently threatening yet."
"The macaroons at the fundraiser could have been directed at anyone really." Kim was subsiding a little in the face of all the concerned people.
"I agree with Jack. It is too much of a coincidence."
"I'm sorry but I'm still a little stuck on the fact that y'all went and hired someone to basically stalk me 24/7 without asking me about it first. Ya'know that press and gawkers do that enough."
Jack was not surprised that she snapped at them. Kim was fiercely independent, hated to be a damsel in distress, hated to be seen weak and incapable.
"Whoever tried to kill you might still be out there. This way you'll have someone to protect you at all times." Kim's parents were pleading with her.
"Dad, I am seventeen. I don't need a babysitter."
"I know that. He's not here to tell you what to do, only to keep you safe."
"In case you haven't noticed, I am a black belt. Jack is with me at all times. In school and the dojo, I have Milton and Jerry with me in addition to Jack. There are even Bobby's ninjas available if need be. I'd say I'm pretty safe already."
"I've seen the security at your school and the mall. It could definitely use some work. Your martial arts skills are impressive, but won't do much if there are guns involved. Or a mob of people. I am trained for this and you are not." Jeremy added and did not falter at Kim's glare.
They stood in a silent stare off, six men and a woman against one girl, waiting for the other side to break. But Kim's dad proved that Kim got her spirit from him, because he was not backing down. Ultimately, it was Jeremy again, who broke the silence.
"Ms. Crawford, I promise you will barely even notice I'm with you. I understand the situation you're in and until the perpetrator is found it would be in your best interest to have someone around to watch your back."
Kim sighed in resignation and let her arms fall to her sides.
"I don't really have a choice in the matter, do I?"
Her question was full of reluctant acceptance as she looked to them for confirmation.
"Of course you do, but I would hope that you would see that I'm just trying to keep you safe." Chuck was speaking softly and Jack could see when Kim acquiesced.
"Fine. But he doesn't come in my room or touch my things, got it? There are some things a girl needs to keep sacred."
Jack smirked at that. He could already see that the new security would cramp their style, but at least her room was off limits.
"Of course, Miss Crawford. Whatever you are comfortable with."
"And please, call me Kim."
"Then you can call me Jeremy. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kim."
Jeremy held out his hand to give hers a firm shake.
"Right, it's nice meeting you, too. And thank you, for agreeing to look out for me. I don't want to seem unappreciative of the commitment you just made." There's a pause in the conversation then before Kim continued. "Well if you don't mind I am beat and want to take off this dress and shoes..."
Kim's Google alert the next morning was pinging again and she groaned a the sense of deja vu. Reluctantly, she looked at her tablet.
TMZ: Spotted!
Celebz attending the small town charity event last night. The town: Seaford, CA; the event: animal shelter fundraiser; celebz: Ricky Weaver, Jack Brewer, Izzy Gunnar, Bobby Wasabi and Kim Crawford (Wasabi). See all the coverage in the gallery below! There are some very pretty pictures of the young stars. The event was organized by Kim Crawford, with the support of her school. Jack Brewer was there to support his girlfriend. Ricky made a surprise appearance at his friend's event. The rumors of the love triangle between the three were mostly laid to rest; however, witnesses reveal that Ricky and Kim were very chummy all evening and at some point Jack confronted Kim about it. If there was jealousy issues, they couple seemingly worked it out, as they were seen passionately kissing by the end of the night.
GossipGirls dot com: Hottest party in Seaford, CA, is a smashing success.
Kim Crawford should be rightfully proud with her party-organizing skills. The fundraiser for the animal shelter that she volunteers at was well attended and the amount raised was above and beyond expectations. It helped that Bobby Wasabi and Ricky Weaver both pledged to match total donations of the evening. You heard us right! Ricky was in Seaford again. It seems that nothing can keep him away from the picturesque seaside town and the its residents. He is busy promoting his new album and yet found time to come and support his very special friend, Kim Crawford. We are sure that Kim welcomed his presence, but not everyone was equally pleased. Upon arrival, Ricky spent a lot of time talking with Kim and acting as her co-host for the event. It certainly gave Jack Brewer, Kim's current boyfriend and her rumored dad's protege, something to think about. With recent reports of Kim's preference for successful and famous partners, it is possible that Jack feels insecure about his position as Kim's one and only. Take a look at this tense conversation between the couple: it is obvious that Jack is displeased. Of course, Kim knows how to diffuse the situation.
The article had a bunch of linked articles with truly alarming number of headlines:
Jack and Kim? Will they last?
America's black belt sweethearts: all the information
The new man-eater! Kim just in it for fame and fortune, old friends reveal
Nothing but love in sight! Sources close to Ricky and Kim confirm that their relationship is serious
Ricky Weaver and Kim Crawford attend the fundraiser together
Is Kicky truly over: Witnesses tell that Ricky, Jack and Kim were inseparable and we wonder who is dating whom in this triangle?
What a waste of her perfect plan to ensure that everyone thought they were just friends. It seemed that the public opinion was once again evenly split between those who thought she was with Ricky and those who thought she was with Jack. She sighed again. This was not even her top priority any more. She might have an enemy, who decided that they need to hurt her. She would bet her monthly allowance it was connected to her relationships, real and perceived, with Jack and Ricky. She still was unsure whether there was an enemy. She hoped it was just Jack and her dad being overprotective and possessing wild imagination. She really did not want to think there was someone who wanted to hurt her.
She shook her head and went to get ready. It was Saturday and she planned on going to the shelter today. Jeremy knew of her plans and was supposedly meeting her here soon. She closed her tablet and went to get ready for the day.
Re: Fundraiser with Kick
jbgirl: what the hell happened there? did you see that JB was all up in Kim's face and then, BOOM, they are kissing like its a movie or something?
bbelt: yeah, its strange. i mean, first, they are all Disney dancing, then this weird confrontation, then the movie kiss. what is going on?
jbgirl: i don't think it's because of Ricky. he was singing and they were dancing, so it can't be jealousy.
bbelt: yeah, but before that he was with Kim all the time. God, I wish we knew what they talked about!
Kim stopped by the BestBuy on the way to the shelter. Her headphones died and she wanted a pair before she started her shift at the shelter. Jeremy was circumspect as promised, but it was fairly obvious that he was her bodyguard. Kim went to the store with her shadow in tow and abruptly stopped when she saw the giant TV screens.
"Oh my god, why is my face in high def? That is a giant face! Oh god, you can see my mascara was smudged! I need to buy a better mascara. Clearly. Ugh. I don't need that in my life right now."
Rows upon rows of giant, top-of-the-line televisions lined the back wall of the store, all of them currently showing her face from last night, when she was standing next to Ricky during the check presentation. The kept playing the same loop of Ricky handing the check to Kevin, her whispering to Ricky, him looking at her with a smile and then the camera would cut away to Jack. Then it would start again. The running tape on the bottom read that the new romance between Ricky Weaver and Kim Crawford is harder to deny after the last night. Unbelievable.
Kim was moderately pleased that her face was not shiny and her hair was fairly decent. If it wasn't for that close up where you can see the mascara smudge, she'd say she looked fine on TV.
Deciding that she could not do anything about the TV and mascaras, Kim walked up to the help desk in the handheld electronics section, drumming her fingernails in a quick little rhythmic beat until the teenaged boy sitting behind it looked up.
"Hi. How can I help… you," the teenager said, eyes widening and voice squeaking on the last word.
To be fair, he looked about the age that his voice still squeaks at random intervals anyhow, but Kim thought that this time it had more to do with the giant TVs behind her with her face on them than it did with his hormones.
"Yup. Me. The only person here. Well, there is Jeremy, but he is with me. Not with me, with me. He is... You know, never mind. I need new headphones like these. Can you help me with that? Please?" She said using her best Southern Belle accent and smiled at him.
"Oh, OK... We have a whole variety. I can recommend depending on how you plan to use them. Like, say, someone who is used to studio level headphones, might prefer a higher grade product..." the boy finished, his eyes darting around the store as if Ricky might possibly be browsing through the video game section or standing at the check-out line.
Kim looked at him for a moment because really? How was this her life again? It took everything she had not to punch the guy. She heard Jeremy clearing his throat and realized that she was clenching her fists.
"No, I need headphones that will survive being chewed by wild animals," she finally said in what she felt was the most obviously sarcastic and dry tone ever.
"Really?" The guy asked, his eyebrows shooting up and his jaw dropping.
"God, no. Not really. I don't go around wild nature looking for animals to pet. Because personal experience," Kim told him. "Can you just give me the ordinary ones, please? I'm kinda under a time crunch and really I'd prefer not to be here when someone posts a shot of me on Facebook and the news crews get wind of where I am. Can you understand that?"
"I… yeah, I guess. I mean being on TV is cool and all but maybe not like all the time and stuff," he said a bit of a flush working its way across his acne-ridden cheeks.
"Right. Let's go with that," Kim smiled at him kindly because, really, he was at least sympathetic.
"I'm gonna have to check the stockroom. I'll be right back," the guy told her, getting up and hurrying towards a door marked employees only.
Couple of moments later, her phone pinged and she reached for it resigned that there was fresh news about her already.
Weaverworld dot com
Re: Kim Crawford/Wasabi
She is shopping at BestBuy and one of Ricky's personal bodyguards is with her. I bet Ricky is nearby.
She cursed and turned to Jeremy, "We have been spotted by Ricky's fans. We need to go."
It was fascinating to see Jeremy's whole appearance and body language change in a nano second. His eyes swept the area; he went slightly ahead of her, blocking her from the windows and his face had the most unreadable expression. He swiftly walked to the front door and quickly surveyed the parking lot in front. There were people, but not a real crowd. He turned to her, nodded his head and she followed him out. As they marched through the lot, she could hear the clicks of cameras and kept her eyes on the ground, until they reached the car. She practically fell onto the back seat, remembering at the last moment that she wore a dress and made sure her underwear did not show. Jeremy started driving slowly making way out of the lot.
"I still don't have headphones..." Kim said to herself and had to laugh at the way her brain worked.
"Give it couple of days. They'll spot him somewhere else and they'll leave you alone."
"Hope springs eternal."
Kim really hated her life now.
