a violation of a court order. Her third arrest was for breaking and entering – she was found at three in the morning, bathing naked in the swimming
pool at the celebrity’s home. I can’t tell you the celebrity’s name because Tony wouldn’t give that to me.”
I took a deep breath through my nose and squeezed my eyes shut. This girl was now stalking my boyfriend.
I stepped into the bedroom area of Ryan’s trailer. “Has she ever done physical harm?” I whispered.
“There’s nothing in the report other than her making threats, but she’s definitely a stalker. I wouldn’t take my chances.”
“Thanks, Tammy. I owe you one.”
“What’s going on?” Ryan asked inquisitively.
“Nothing.” I half-heartily smiled. “I’ll tell you later.” I ran my finger down my nose so he would know I was lying.
After lunch we drove to another location offsite. Ryan had his face touched up; more purple pigment was added under his eye. He told me that
the entire movie was shot out of sequence. He explained to me why they did that. I never knew that movies were filmed that way. I always thought
that they were filmed as the movie progressed, just like a stage play.
We drove to an ordinary house by the beach, which would be his next location for filming. As we drove down the street, we were inundated with
scores of female fans of all ages, shapes, and sizes, all screaming for their favorite actor.
We were ushered inside quickly. Ryan waited behind. The minute he stepped out of the car, the fans screamed. I watched him from the
doorway; his bodyguards shielded him as they moved him from the car to the house. Ryan barely acknowledged the crowd. Somehow the
paparazzi knew where to find him and we were all photographed exiting the limo, but the cameras clicked double-time when he was in view. My
love was constantly under the microscope.
Ryan had some pretty intense lines that he had to say in the scenes that were filmed in the house. Each of his lines was expertly delivered. For
the first time since I met him, he was different. He wasn’t Ryan - he was Charles. He truly amazed me. I could see why his fans adored him. But
despite his professional demeanor and his superb acting skills, I adored him for different reasons.
I was actually tired from spending an entire day in his world. I think it was all the standing around and doing nothing but watching that tired me
out. I was used to running around and keeping active to do my job; his work was more mentally tiring than anything. I grinned at him as he joked with
the crew. Even though it was serious business to film, everyone was having fun and being very supportive.
On our way home down Mulberry Street I spotted her, Angelica, sitting in her blue Plymouth across the street from the parking lot where I park
my car.
I unconsciously gripped Ryan’s arm and gasped.
“What?” He looked to see my expression of terror. “Tar, Honey?”
“Nothing. I’ll tell you later.” Instinctively I slumped down in the seat to get my head below window level.
Pete was still inside the pub kitchen, hammering away. The old counter was gone and he had the new wall partially built already. I was shocked
to see how far he had gotten.
Ryan and his parents started talking with Pete about construction stuff; I was a little distraught so I headed upstairs. It didn’t take me long to
crawl onto the bed.
“Tar, are you tired?” Ryan asked, finding me in the bedroom. He shoved his pillow under his arm. “So what was that all about in the car earlier?
Why did you grab my arm like that?”
She was sitting in her freaking car again,” I muttered into my pillow.
“Who? What are you talking about?”
“Angel. Or Angelica Staunton as she’s really known.” I looked at him with fear in my eyes. “Curly-haired, gap-toothed girl? I think she’s been
following you… and me. She followed me to CostMart the other day. She was in the bar that day you signed autographs, and now once again she’s
just sitting in her car on Mulberry Street. Honey, she scares the hell out of me.”
Two seconds later he pulled his phone out and made a call. “My manager says we should go to the police and file a complaint.”
Ryan sat back down on the bed. “Taryn, I’m not mad, but you have to promise me that you’ll tell me immediately if anyone is following you or
scaring you. You know that these girls are… well - you know. Just promise you’ll tell me right away,” he insisted.
I nodded. “I promise.”
Ryan looked handsome in his black pants and white button down shirt. I put on my new black cocktail dress and adjusted the empire waist satin
sash.
He took the little black box off of my dresser and held it open, reminding me of the diamond earrings I’d been avoiding.
“Please. Humor me,” he insisted.
I hesitated and took a deep breath. I was holding the twined hearts pendant in my fingers as it rested on my neck.
“I’m not taking them back, so you might as well wear them!” He put the box in my hand. “Listen, they are a gift, from my heart to you. You do nice
and thoughtful things for me; I do nice and thoughtful things for you. Equal partners,” he stressed.
I couldn’t argue, even though I felt awkward for accepting them.
The restaurant was very accommodating, even blocking off an entire room for us to dine in private. Several customers gasped when Ryan
walked through the main dining area, and I noticed it was the ladies who immediately recognized him. Mike and our driver, who was also a
bodyguard, blocked the entrance to our section of the restaurant so no one would bother us during our dinner.
“Mom.” Ryan raised his glass to offer a toast. “To the best mother in the world! Happy Birthday!” He leaned over to her and gave her a hug and
kiss. “We have gifts for you, but I thought it best to save those until later when you can open them in private.” He looked around the restaurant.
I knew that people were watching; any of them capable of reporting the details of our evening to the tabloids. I was catching on to Ryan’s
hesitations and reasons behind each of his actions. We could not help but be paranoid.
“Taryn made you a birthday cake. After dinner we’ll go back to our place.”
A wave of elation surged through me when he said ‘our place’ to his parents.
“I hope you like chocolate,” I said in happy response.
We were about an hour into our dinner when a new wave of female patrons entered the restaurant. We could hear their giggling and commotion
in our private room.
“Guess the word’s out.” Ryan smirked. I couldn’t tell if he was bothered by it or in some way liked the attention.
“That’s something your mother and I wanted to talk to you about, Son. We’re very concerned about all these fans and their behavior.”
Ryan opened his mouth to speak but his father cut him off.
“Now before you start reassuring me that you have it all under control, I saw some of those letters that these girls are leaving for you in Taryn’s
door and I must say that their forward behavior is alarming.” Bill rubbed his forehead, just like Ryan does when he’s stressed.
“You know your mother and I will support you in your decisions but when your decisions put you and your family in danger, well I have to speak
my mind about that.”
“Anyone who is in the public eye has fans, Dad.” Ryan tried to dismiss his father’s concern. “I don’t think you and mom are in any danger.”
“I realize that, Son, but these fans of yours are leaving their perverted notes for you in this young lady’s front door.” Bill motioned his hand in my
direction. “I see how much you care for her so I’m including her in our family when I speak.”