Chapter 5 - Rap

Having Tasha stay was fantastic. We didn't know for exactly how long she'd be here though so we just had fun trying to keep my mind occupied.

We watched trashy movies, got sloshed on homemade cocktails and shopped till we dropped. She would definitely be taking home more than she came with; in fact she even had to buy a new case. Having her here was the best medicine for me. Her daily dose of laughter healed wounds that would remain unseen by the public eye. She gave me reason to smile again.

After an amazing week off I knew I had to return to work. I had lots of scenes to film that were beginning to hold up the film, they had done most of the other scenes they could without me in them. But now my being there was vital to tie it altogether.

I'd come to realize being miserable wouldn't get me anywhere, apart from being depressed about something that was neither my fault or even in my control. Showing Greg I was broken was only making him look as if he'd won. I had to delve deep, put on that false smile and finally face the world.

I had to prove to everyone Jennifer March wasn't a woman to be messed with and I somehow felt I owed it to all the other people out there that had been dealt similar hands of fate, that they too could overcome their demons and once again be strong.

On my first day back on set the make-up department worked their magic and covered my saggy black eyes flawlessly. I worked hard and threw myself into my scenes. In the coming days I stayed beyond my usual working hours and didn't leave the set till I was happy with my parts. It was long; tough, tiring days, but it needed to be done.

Within the week I had finally filmed all my required scenes and my favourite three words were yelled by Brian. "That's a wrap!" The entire production crew and cast cheered, whooped and clapped. All the work was now in the hands of the editors and technically I was unemployed again.

Trent took days to talk me into going to the 'wrap' party. I really didn't feel in the mood to party, but again I thought why should I spoil my life even more than Greg already had done? I'd worked hard and I did my job well. I deserved celebrate with people that respected me as a person as well as an actress.

Tasha was especially excited. Being my plus one, it meant it would be her first Rap party. The small subject of meeting Tim Ford was an attributing factor also. She was a big fan. She'd bought a beautiful dress in a small boutique we'd found. The midnight blue satin suited her frame flawlessly, the cut draped elegantly from her shoulders, flowing down to an A line scalloped skirt that insinuated her slender legs perfectly. I styled her hair up in a twist. She looked great. One could even mistake her as being the actress.

I slipped on a little black velvet pencil dress that Tasha had talked me into buying. It was simple and elegant; which ironically when I thought about it, suited my mood. I curled my hair into ringlets and pinned it up in parts, to hopefully take the edge off my tired, gaunt face. We were good to go.

The evening began well; I really didn't know what I was worried about. No one avoided me, no one asked awkward questions. There were no stares, pointing or gossiping. We were just a group of work colleagues having a party. Of course they all by now knew why I had some time off, but they all went out their way to cheer me up. Vegas, in all had been a great project to work on. I knew I would probably remain friends with some of the cast and indeed some of the crew for a long time yet and I'd jump at the chance to work with any of them again in the future.

Tasha was in her element; being in the TV business herself she crossed paths with celebs on a daily basis, but not many American film Stars.
She of course was in awe of the man that was Tim Ford. Let's face it everyone who met him was. He had that aura about him. Tall, dark and extremely handsome. With just a hint of charm and grace. He lit up any room he entered very easily.

"Wow! Jen he is gorgeous! Even more so in real life. I can't believe you dry humped him!" She swooned excitedly into my ear.

I grasped her arm and pulled her toward him as he stood alone at the bar. "Come on!"

"No! Jen! No!" She protested pulling back reluctantly on my arm.

"Tim!" I called out catching his attention. He turned and greeted us both with a smile.

"Hi, wow Jen you look great!" he said kissing both my cheeks as we reached him.

"Oh Thanks! Tim this is my friend From England Tasha Barratt." I gestured with my hand towards her as she stood quivering beside me. "Tash this is Tim!" He smiled at Tasha and kissed her hand. "Lovely to meet you Tasha."

"Oh my god!" She blurted out loud. Making Tim and I giggle.

"I'm not quite God-like yet, but I'm working on it!" He smirked.

"Oh Tash stop! His ego is huge already!"

Tasha just tittered uneasily.

"We're going to get a drink, you OK for one?" I pointed to his champagne he was holding.

"Yeah! I'm cool thanks." He lifted his glass to refuse.

"OK, have fun!" I smiled and pulled Tasha away. Once we'd got our drinks and moved to a safe distance I muttered. "Well whad'ya think?" I grinned already anticipating her answer.

"He, oh my! He smelt just delightful!" She looked around me to get one more glance. I had to admit, he was kind of hot. Probably my hottest co star yet.

"Welcome to show business Baby!" I cheered and we chinked champagne flutes.

A ruckus at the door then caught our attention. Lots of security were grappling with someone. "Oops! Look like someone forgot their invite." I giggled to Tasha. At many of these things uninvited guests would try to crash it. Security were usually always on the ball though.

"What the fuck is that all about?" Tasha looked shocked "Is it a raid?"

"Nah! Probably a Pap!" I tutted. "They are always trying to crash." Suddenly a huge security guard stepped right in front of me, as if to protect me from the intruder. "What the...? What the hell is going on?"

"Just stay there Mrs March!" He had one arm out in front of me and didn't take his eyes from the scuffle.

I then saw who it was being dragged to the ground. Un-mistakingly it was Greg! "What the fuck is he doing here?" I said looking at Tash in shock; she had seen him now too. "I don't know, but he's not staying long enough to us to find out!"

"Jen! Please?!" He called out to me. "Please, I just need to talk to you!" Greg was being forced to the floor.

"How the hell did he get in here?" I spat at the guard in front of me in disgust.

"We are dealing with the situation Mrs March!" He replied.

"Well not very damn well it seems!" I barked at their feeble attempt to eject him. Swiping away the guard's arm and stepping forward. The guard was in hot pursuit to protect me from Greg. He continued to plead with me. "Please Baby! I'm sorry! Please can we just talk about this?" The sheer desperation in his voice pulled a familiar chord, and he looked like shit to be frank.

Don't let him do this Jen! You are better than this! I warned myself. How dare he come here and show me up like this!

I wasn't prepared to lower myself to him anymore. The champagne seemed to give me all the dutch courage I needed as the room fell silent.

"You're pathetic Greg! You are a low life; rat bitten, lying, cheating, sad, pathetic BASTARD!" I heard one sharp intake of breath which wasn't mine. "How dare you come here and show me up in front of everyone. Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Baby please." He grovelled. "It was a mistake...I...I..." I was right, he did look pathetic.

Shaking my head slowly I growled "Too late Greg. I just hope she was worth it. Cos she is all you have now!"

"Pllllease? Jennifer!"

"I've told you a thousand times, don't call me that!" I boomed suddenly not caring where I was or that the whole room was watching us.

"Baby please? Please, I'll do anything!" Not even that would be enough for me.

I cackled at his feeble attempts. "Fuck off Greg! I'm done here!" I spun my head round to the guard beside me and snarled through clenched teeth. "Get rid of him!" He nodded and helped drag him outside, where I heard he was later bundled into a police car.

The silent room was broken by a single pair of hands clapping; shortly they were soon followed by rapturous applause. I'd finally stood up to him.

Tasha proudly pulled me into a hug. "Way to go Jen."

"Take me home Tash." I pleaded suddenly overwhelmed by it all.

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.

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"Oh my head!" Tasha staggered out from the bedroom in my suite some hours later. We'd hit the wine after we'd come back from the party. I ended up putting her to bed around three. "You are such a lightweight Natasha Barrett!" I giggled at her misfortune.

"Did I really drink too much last night or did I see you squish Greg like a bug?" She headed straight for a glass of water.

"Nope. You saw it! Along with the whole Production Company!" I winced remembering how embarrassed I'd felt in front of the whole room.

"Wanna talk about it?" She sipped her water and grabbed her cigarettes.

"Nope. It's not like we had a proper marriage anyway, hardly traditional was it. We never saw each other. I'm not meant to be a wife I don't think." I lit my own cigarette, my second of the day. "She's welcome to him now anyway. She's done me a huge favour. Maybe I should send her flowers?" I pondered.

"Well Babes, I wish I could say it's a shame, but I fucking hate the guy, I always did. Treated you like shit for all those years. You are way better off without him. Way better off!"

"I'll drink to that!" I smiled and as I chinked my coffee cup with her glass of water my phone rang.

Tasha groaned. "If that's him asking for bail, tell him to go fuck himself!"

"It's Trent." I said exhaling a drag of my Marlborough looking at the screen. Tasha rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

I was in no mood for conversation with Trent. "What!" I huffed, reluctantly taking the call.

"Jen I saw the news, you OK?" He sounded sincere.

"Yes why wouldn't I be? I'm just fine and dandy Trent. How the fuck did he get in there? That's what I want to know!"

"I...I don't know." he stumbled with his words. "They said you kicked his ass to the curb."

"I did. For once they are right." I took another quick puff between answers.

"What happened?"

"He showed up begging for my forgiveness. I kicked him out, think the cops carted him off. I'm really not impressed by the security they hired. It took four of them to drag his wimpy ass out! Ridiculous!"

Trent didn't sound happy either."I'll sort this!"

"That's what you said before Trent. He should never have got in there in the first place!"

"I know, and believe me heads will fucking roll I tell you! It shouldn't have got that far!" his tone turned apologetic.

"No Trent. It shouldn't have." I couldn't really blame Trent. He hadn't arranged it all. Triad were responsible for the whole fiasco.

"Is Tasha with you still?" His priority was my welfare now.

"Yes, for a few more days I think" I drew in a long draw.

"I've got a meeting set up with the lawyers tomorrow at Lauderdale to get this sorted quickly. A car will pick you up at eight OK?" The sooner the better if you asked me. "Yep!" I confirmed.

"Right, I have to go. See you there! I'm sorry that it spoiled your evening Jen. I'll have words with them, don't worry!"

"You'd better! Bye Trent." I couldn't complain really, Trent always put me first, he was great.

A/N: What a damn cheek?! The waster ex turning up like that! Rude! Glad she kicked his ass to the kerb. Grrrr!

Thank you to my exhausted beta Twihard till I die. Think I'm wearing her out! :oP

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DeathToBeReborn xx