Forever and a Day Read online

  “You got it boss.”

  Halo read Joel’s other letter to her, he reported that he and Johnny will be leaving for Brisbane on Saturday. Good! She thought, Joel won’t be at the Children’s Hospital event. Hers, JJ’s and Deacon’s flight for Brisbane was booked for Sunday night. They would be arriving Tuesday morning, Australian time. Even though she was flying first class, she groaned at the thought of all those hours on board an airplane.

  Reading on, she saw that everything on Joel’s end was set. He would have the second unit director shoot some B roll footage in Australia. The other Merc actors will be training and rehearsing with two Australian SAS soldiers provided to them courtesy of the Australian Army. She noted that she was scheduled for a half-day seminar with the SAS soldiers on Wednesday for hand-to-hand, edged weapon, and small arms training beginning at five AM.

  Reading on: First unit arrives Friday before them with David Parker the assistant director, they will do an equipment check and fly out to Pago Pago on a charter. When they all arrive in Pago, the first scenes to be shot will be 227, 228 and 229 at location at a beach in the eastern part of American Samoa.

  Halo took in a quick breath, they would be filming her attempted rape scene with Johnny first thing... her belly soured and gurgled. She so wished it was her Mystery man instead. Then they will back track and film sequentially up to scene 227, that way they can get the ugly part out of the way first, Joel described. He scheduled four extra days just in case of inclement weather or delays. As always, there would be some sort of delay. In all of her film experience, it always seemed like a fight to complete a film.

  Halo’s reading was interrupted by a knock at her open door, “Halo, got a sec?”

  Halo looked at her curiously, “Sure, what’s up?”

  JJ came around and sat down in front of Halo’s desk, facing her boss, “Well, Paul called and asked me to talk to you.”

  “Oh hell, now what?” Halo brushed her hand over her forehead.

  “Paul wants to set you up on a date for this Saturday’s ball…”

  Halo emitted a groan, placed her head in her hands, and shook her head. Paul Nader was her longtime manager and could really be a pain in the ass at times. Times just like this, she groaned to herself. Halo looked up at JJ who was biting at her fingernail. “JJ! Stop that!” Halo reprimanded.

  JJ dropped her hand quickly to her lap, “Oh, sorry.”

  “So who does he want me to be seen with this time?” Halo grumbled.

  “Robbie uh, Robert Montclaire. He represents him now too.”

  Halo laughed, “Robbie?” Halo motioned JJ close and leaned across her desk towards JJ, “So, his handlers don’t want him coming out just yet, eh? This should be a fun date at least! He’s handsome and oh so fabulous when he’s out of public view! Hell, we can talk about fashion and gossip all night long! Hey! I won’t have to deal with any awkward moments at goodnight…”

  JJ was not sure if Halo was being sarcastic or not, “Uh, I guess so. You don’t seem too upset?”

  Halo smiled, “Just a little irritated, Robbie is a nice enough guy.”

  “Paul thinks it would give Robbie and Pantamount Pictures a nice boost before their picture is released.”

  “Oh yeah, Ari’s production… hey isn’t it a big macho war movie? When is the release date, Thanksgiving weekend?”

  JJ nodded, “Paul says you will be away filming, so when it’s released there won’t be any awkward questions about you two dating.” JJ watched Halo’s face relax, “So you’ll do it?”

  “Why not.” Halo looked at JJ sideways, “What else is there?”

  “Time to shop, so to speak, Lewis called and needs you after lunch for your final fitting for your dress, he sounded awfully exasperated. He said to tell you that.”

  Halo nodded at JJ. Lewis Langston was her stylist. Tall, black, thin, and handsome; also very gay and over the top, but he was one of the best.

  “Lewis scheduled his crew to arrive at your house at 2 PM on Saturday for hair and makeup. Lewis will be there before then. I scheduled the caterers to arrive at 12 PM. Oh, and Harry Winston Jewelers emailed some pictures of some necklaces for you and Lewis to decide on.”

  “Good.” Halo replied and leaned back in her high back executive chair, “Send the jewelry pics to Lewis, he’ll freak if I pick them out by myself. On second thought… do you have the pics?”

  JJ opened a red folder on her lap, pulled out several glossy 8 x 10 pictures, and handed them to Halo, “Here you go!”

  Halo paged quickly through them and came to an abrupt stop at one picture, “Oh wow… a pink diamond ring. Did you see this?” Halo asked showing JJ the picture.

  JJ laughed, “Yes! I knew you’d like that one.”

  “That is gorgeous!” She looked at the fine print at the bottom, “Three hundred and twenty thousand. Nope!” She laughed and looked through the rest of the pictures. She held up another picture to JJ, “I like this ruby and diamond teardrop necklace, let Lewis know.”

  “Got it!” JJ said taking some quick notes, stood up and reached out to take back the pictures from Halo, she didn’t let go as JJ pulled.

  “JJ, I saw that the first unit is headed out soon… why don’t you take a day off? You and Doug can spend some time together before he leaves.” Halo said finally letting go of the pictures.

  JJ’s mouth came open and she quickly shut it, “Uh, are you joking with me, as payback for yesterday’s joke?”

  “What? Oh no! That would be way too mean, but…” Halo giggled and winked at JJ, “you might just deserve it, girlfriend!” Halo waved her off with her hand, “For real, take tomorrow off and spend some time with him. It’s the least I can do as we will be swamped for the next couple of months.”

  “That would be so awesome! Thank you! He leaves Wednesday so that would be great!” JJ did a little excited bounce up and down.

  “Hey, about Mystery man… before you go let’s get him booked on a flight, make sure it’s refundable and changeable.”

  JJ sat back down and pulled out her notepad, “What class do you want him on?”

  Halo stared at JJ for a moment, “Go business class. Book him with us at Sadie’s in Pago Pago. If there is room give him his own, if not bunk him with one of the crew.”

  “What about Brisbane, when he lands?” JJ asked writing it all down.

  “Someplace nice, go upscale. He’s helping us out and I haven’t heard from him…“ Halo speedily slapped her hand over her mouth as her words betrayed her and watched JJ’s mouth fall open.

  “What?” JJ exclaimed, “What do you mean you haven’t heard from him?” JJ crossed her arms, “Halo Raines, what did you do?”

  Halo felt her face flush, “I left him a message, that’s all.”

  “No… you didn’t?” JJ gasped as Halo nodded at her, “You gave him your number?”

  Halo shook her head and wrinkled her nose at JJ, “I gave him yours.” Halo began laughing and pointed at JJ, “Oh my, the look on your face right now! No, I gave him the office’s forwarding number, that way he can text and I’ll get it too.”

  JJ shook her head, “Halo Raines. I don’t know what’s gotten into you!”

  Halo stuck her chin up slightly at JJ. “What? I didn’t do anything wrong…”

  JJ took a moment and watched Halo’s face, she squinted at her friend, “He’s been on your mind, hasn’t he?”

  Halo felt her eyes widen for a split second and she knew JJ saw it, “No… not really.” Seeing JJ ready to interrupt, she held her hand up at her, “He’s married, I know! I tell you JJ, I know him from somewhere, and not some show. I just know it.” She replied adamantly.

  “Halo, I’ll just call his agent and ask, ok?”

  “No! I want to see how this plays out. He said we never met, so be it, but I want to ask him myself.”

  “IF, you see him… and IF you do, do you really want to scare the poor guy? Remember his look I told you about when I handed him your letter?”

&nb
sp; “See!” Halo began to say and JJ quickly cut her off.

  “Halo, you need to remember who you are to people! I know you are just like… ok, not quite like everyone else, but you get my meaning?” JJ saw her friend’s cheek turn a shade of pink.

  Halo let out a long breath of air, “Yeah… how can I forget.” She grumbled, “Don’t call his agent. I’ll figure a way to ask, or I’ll have remembered by then.”

  “You got it boss lady.” JJ said standing up and held up her note pad to Halo, “I’ll go take care of these details.” JJ saw Halo nod at her and she slowly turned her chair towards the picturesque window and begin stare out of it in deep thought.

  Beverly Hills Hotel

  JJ opened the two massive old mission front doors into Halo’s home. The caterers rushed in with their trays of food for Halo’s stylists and Robert Montclaire’s retinue. Under JJ’s direction, the caterers began setting up in Halo’s kitchen and soon their mission was complete. JJ signed the invoice and tipped them well. JJ shut the massive old mission doors behind them and ran upstairs to Halo’s room.

  Calling out to Halo as she walked in, she noticed black sheets on Halo’s bed, rather than the normal blue ones. Halo’s faint singing coming from the shower distracted her from the oddly colored sheets. JJ walked in and called out loudly to her friend, “Halo! It’s JJ!”

  “I’m in the shower, almost done!”

  Halo turned off the water and JJ handed Halo her pink fluffy bathrobe from the nearby hook and gently shook her head, “If Robbie only knew what he was missing!”

  Halo snorted, “Ha! I bet the only boobs Robbie has ever liked was his mother’s when she breast fed him!”

  JJ laughed, “No kidding. By the way, the food is all ready and looks delicious. Everyone has checked in and we are a go. Lewis will be here around one with the Fashionista crew and your dress. Hey what’s with the black sheets?”

  “Awesome, JJ! Oh… those! Saw them online a while back… I kinda think they are sexy. Why?”

  “Oh, no reason it’s just you always have blue ones… you expecting someone special?” JJ winked.

  “No!” Halo laughed. “They’ve been on for a while… something different I guess. So which dress you going with?” Halo asked as she wrapped her golden blonde hair in a fresh dry towel.

  JJ nodded, “Um, the black Elie Saab from last year.”

  “JJ are you sure? You don’t have to be so demure at these things because of me.” Halo gave her a pouty lip look.

  “Halo, this is your charity bash. As always I am just happy for you and even though it’s a bit of work, I enjoy it and I don’t have to be the center of attention either.”

  Halo grabbed both of JJ hands in hers, and looked into JJ’s soft blue eyes, “JJ, I want you to know that you have always been my Bestie and I love you. As always, thank you for all that you do.” Halo stood on her tiptoes kissed JJ on her forehead and hugged her hard. When they let go of each other, both their eyes were glassy.

  “Love you too, girlfriend.” JJ said and pressed a finger to the corner of her eye.

  “Ok! No more sentimental stuff, we don’t need puffy eyes!” Halo giggled, “Go get your sweet ass ready!”

  “I’m going!” JJ laughed and quickly left Halo alone in her expansive Tuscan styled bathroom.

  Halo sat in her chair calmly as a swarm of people was working on her hair and makeup, while she was getting a Mani and Pedi at the same time. Lewis was the ever-skillful conductor orchestrating his stylists like a well-rehearsed symphony. Halo caught a glance in the mirror, and the scene reminded her of ants swarming a morsel of food.

  The doorbell rang, and Halo heard, “Don’t move sweetie!” Come from Jared as he applied her eyeliner.

  Motionless, Halo called out to JJ, “Who is it?”

  “It’s the Harry Winston man!”

  “Lewis, will you and JJ let him in and escort him up here please?” Halo asked.

  “But of course, you just keep your sweet little cheeks planted.” Lewis demanded and followed JJ downstairs.

  Shortly, Lewis, JJ and a tall elegant man, who was wearing an impeccably tailored black suit, entered Halo’s bathroom together. Lewis called over to Halo, “My dear, Alistair from Winston’s is here with your jewels.”

  The Fashionista crew backed away from Halo as if on cue. Lewis brought the elegant Alistair over to her.

  “Hello Alistair.” Halo greeted the man, “As you see I am being worked over, I apologize that I don’t stand up and greet you.”

  “Good afternoon, Miss Raines. Thank you for the sentiment, I understand.” Alistair held out a large glossy black box with a gold embossed “H and W” on the top. He opened it for her so she could view it, “Your pieces for this evening.”

  Halo gasped as did everyone else that saw the exquisite necklace as he lifted the top. There on black velvet rested a gorgeous ruby and diamond teardrop necklace. The teardrop shaped deep red ruby was flawless and half the size of Halo’s thumb.

  Next to the necklace was a pair of matching drop earrings, each a smaller version of the necklace, “Wow, these are so beautiful. Alistair you have my deepest appreciation and thanks.”

  “Ah, Miss Raines there is more.” The tall man removed the black velvet top that held the necklace and earrings, below it rested more black velvet. In addition, a four inch polished gold hair comb was displayed on more black velvet. The comb was curved and it was adorned with alternating round rubies and diamonds.

  Lewis clapped, “That will do nicely!”

  “Does Miss Raines approve?” Alistair asked with a gentle smile.

  “Oh my gosh, of course!” Gushed Halo, “Thank you, thank you so much!” Halo glanced in the mirror to see JJ nodding emphatically with a smile.

  “Miss Raines, you are very welcome. If I may say, these pieces pale in comparison to your own beauty.” Alistair put everything back and secured the black box shut by its gold clasp.

  “Thank you.” Halo blushed.

  “Now Miss Raines, if you would please sign, accepting the pieces. Please note all four pieces are identified on the form. We have arrangements to pick them up tomorrow at noon, here. Is this still acceptable?”

  “Yes, that is perfect.” Halo read the contract, signed it then handed it to Alistair.

  “Miss Raines, may you have the most wonderful of evenings tonight. I bid you a good day.” He handed Halo the black box and turned to JJ who escorted him downstairs to the front door.

  Halo looked up at Lewis as the stylists resumed their assault on her, “Did you order the comb?”

  “Darling Halo, of course I did! This is Lewis Langston that is attending to you, not some poseur!” He bowed and gave Halo a huge grin showing off his perfect white teeth against his ebony skin, “Girlfriends! Let’s finish up and get our gorgeous starlet in her dress!”

  JJ walked into the bathroom and saw Halo standing in her dress smiling at her. She came to an immediate stop and gawked, “Red really is your color!”

  Lewis clapped his hands rapidly, “Halo, you are Aphrodite reborn, a Goddess in your own right! That Robbie Montclaire is sure going to question on what side he’s on tonight!” Lewis took Halo’s hands in his and kissed them both, “Every man, straight or gay, is going to be having their eyes on you tonight, and all the girls are going to be green with envy!”

  “Halo, you are absolutely stunning!” JJ beamed at her friend.

  Halo felt her cheeks flush, “I owe it all to you Lewis and your Fashionistas, thank you for all your effort today.” She looked at each of the five assistant stylists and thanked them. When she looked at Lewis she saw that his eyes were glassy from emotion, she tiptoed up and kissed his cheek, “Thank you so much Lewis.”

  Lewis quickly produced an ornate black Oriental fan and began fanning his face trying to keep his emotion in check, “Well now, when you have perfection to begin with? It is that much easier.”

  Halo blushed with a big smile then addressed her styling crew, “There is plenty of
food and drink downstairs in the kitchen! Please help yourselves and enjoy. I’ll wait up here until Robbie arrives. Now all of you go eat!”

  Lewis held up a hand to Halo as she began to urge him to the door. He reached into one of his many cases and pulled out a clear plastic raincoat. He quickly got it around her and zipped it up, he looked to JJ, “JJ my dear, please get Halo some finger foods and some water. We don’t need her fainting due to being famished!”

  JJ nodded and headed downstairs to do Lewis’s bidding, “Halo, you eat something and sip at your water, I’ll see you downstairs when your date arrives!” Lewis kissed Halo’s hand once again and left her alone in her bathroom.

  Halo smiled and watched Lewis leave, when he was out of sight she gently eased herself down on her makeup chair. Once again a porcelain doll on a shelf she mused. Anymore, her part of the charity event was to show up, mingle and say a short speech. She wished that these events were not so big and really a fashion show in disguise, but it did earn the hospital a generous amount of money and it received plenty of media coverage.