Chapter 3 - Thorns

Filming at Triad Productions went well the next day. I was virtually done with my scenes now, and I could see the end of the tunnel. We'd been filming for 4 months. Living from a hotel wasn't my ideal Hollywood life, I hated it. But living in New York made it impossible to commute from home, so I had little choice. It was a plush hotel and I really couldn't complain on the service I received. But it wasn't anywhere near being at home.

Trent paid me a visit while I was on set with information about a new role he thought I'd be interested in. "It's a Cop movie, you'd star alongside Michael Brandon." He explained wiggling his eyebrows.

Michael Brandon was yet another hot 'A' list actor. I'd seen a film of his before and getting this role would be a big move for me.

"Wow! Yeah, it sounds great. Send me the screenplay and I'll have a look at it and let you know." Michael Brandon huh?

"Jen? Forgive me for asking, but are you OK? You seem preoccupied!" He knew me well after all this time, Shit! I saw more of him then my own husband nowadays. "Oh, don't you start Trent! I had Tash on my case last night."
"I'm just worried, you don't seem your cheery self at all recently, that's all."
"I'm O.K" I lied trying to get him off my back. "Jen I know you, and I don't believe you."
"It's Greg! He's too busy to see me again, he ditched our picnic yesterday, cos he was too wrapped up in his recent case. He's promised to ring tonight. I don't hold out much hope though."
"God that man! They sure broke his mold when they made him huh?" Trent shared Tash's views on my husband. You think I would take heed huh?
"Well I hope he proves us all wrong Jen, I really do. If this is effecting your mood, then the minute it starts effecting your career. Steps need to be taken." He was right, I know he was. Could I go through with ditching Greg? "He's promised." I said sadly.

"I hope so, for his sake! He's pushing his luck this time!" Trent spat bitterly.
"What? What do you mean, this time?" Huh? I didn't understand.
"Nothing! He's just.." Had he said something he shouldn't have?
"Trent!" I needed to know.
"It's not my business Jen. I shouldn't have said anything" Too late! You did!
"I want to know Trent!"
"It's nothing." He tried to backtrack.
"TRENT! Tell me damn it!" I still needed to know, so i could decide if it was nothing.
"Look, it's..it's just gossip." He laughed half-heartedly.
"Then I need to know."
"O.K. But in private yeah?" I had a real bad feeling about this. Like he knew my reaction would be bad.

"Brian! Jen's going for a quick break!" Trent called to my director.
"Oh. O.K! Take 10 while we set up the next scene." Brian held up a thumb to confirm.

We headed silently back to my trailer. I lit up. Knowing I just may need it. Once there Trent started to pace nervously, then took a swig of water from a new bottle on my sideboard. He then returned to biting the skin down the side of his finger. This wasn't going to be good.

"Ok." He began. I drew in a deep pull to numb the blow. "A Rag reckons they saw him entering a swanky restaurant in the west end, last week."
Puzzled I exhaled sharply, and searched his eyes for more information. "And that's bad because?"
"He was with a woman Jen." He said quietly looking solemnly into my eyes. I still didn't get it.
"His client is a woman Trent!" He'd already told me he was representing a female client.
Looking forlorn he shook his head slowly. "Not this time Jen. I'm sorry!" Not this time? what did he mean?

"I don't understand? What do you mean, not this time?" I knitted my brow, perplexed.

"I mean, they kind of weren't talking business Jen." he narrowed one eye as he spoke, like he was in pain.

It hit me. He was having an affair.

"What? Have, have they got any proof?" My voice was no more than a squeak.
He took my now redundant cigarette from my fingers and stubbed it out. "I don't know. But I doubt they would say things like they have, if it was just a hunch. I'm really sorry Jen. I can get people on the case if you require.."

"Get me proof! I want to see it." I interrupted. Talking through my gritted teeth. Slowly gathering all the anger and rage that was rapidly searing through my body. This was the reason, for all those cancellations. I needed Proof, and fast.

Shaking his head again he rose to his feet. "Jen, I really don't think..." Not waiting for him to finish, I blindly took out my phone from my bag. Tears clouding my vision. I needed Greg to tell me it was true.

But he would still deny it right?

"Jen!" Trent tried to stop me. "You aren't thinking straight."
"Do it!" I snapped.

He held out a hand to cover mine holding my phone. "Jen, think! If you ring him now, he will just deny it. He will stop the meetings. The proof will be void. If we can catch him unaware, in the act. We have him by the balls!" I knew what he said make sense. But I was angry right now, and being a male, he bore the brunt.
"Fuck you Trent! Fuck You!" My anger made me shake uncontrolably.
"Jen please, I know you are angry. You have every right to be. But wait till you have proof!" He took the risk of pulling me into his arms, knowing I wasn't angry at him. I didn't fight back. I had no strength left. Instead, I started to cry.

Why was I so stupid not to see this? It had been staring me right in the face.

He held me till I was through. Trent was now the only male on this earth I totally trusted.

"I'm sorry." I wiped a crumpled tissue over the wet patch down the front of his shirt.

"No worries. It's what I'm paid for. We will get this sorted, I promise Jen." He looked sincere. I was really lucky to have him in my life.
"I just dunno how I'll cope if.." I stared into my lap, pulling apart the soggy white tear catcher.

"Leave it with me, let me deal with this O.K?" And he pulled me into another, more brief hug. "Please?"

I nodded silently with a sniff.

"I'll speak to Brian as well. Say you need some time off. You can't work with this on your mind." With a nudge to my chin he left.

.

As soon as I closed my hotel room door my balance went and I fell, broken. Into a crumpled heap onto the beige plush carpet. Trent's words echoed around in my head.

"They sure broke his mold when they made him huh?"

"..the minute it starts effecting your career.."

"He's pushing his luck this time!"

"Not this time Jen. I'm sorry!"

..wait till you have proof!"

"We have him by the balls!"

It was my worst nightmare come true.

My husband was screwing another woman.

Once I'd gathered some strength, I crawled to my bed.

Greg did eventually ring, but I ignored his calls. First I had to get proof.

A/N: Welcome Back! So the thorn in her side was her no-good cheating husband! Cue pantomime heckles *Boooooooooo*

She's far better off without him huh?

Squashy mushy booby bumps to my lovely beta twihard till I die. Loves ya Hunny Bunny. xx

What? What's that I hear you scream... More? O.K xx If you insist. ;o)

Gimmie some feedback!? I like it x

DeathToBeReborn. xx