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ChapterThirteen
It’smy last free day with Avery and Jenna before the pre-production of my movie starts. I’ve always enjoyed the start of a new movie, but this time the excitement isn’t there. I’ve been making so much headway with both girls in the last two weeks that I know me being gone is going to be a setback. I keep reminding myself it’s only for a couple of months and then I’ll take a break to get settled here. I need to be more strategic now with what projects I decide to sign onto. I’m committed to one more movie after this one and that’s it for now. I’ve made enough money in my career that I don’t have to ever work again, but that’s not my nature. I’ll take on some projects, but they need to be convenient for my daughter and her schedule. I refuse to not be part of her everyday life. She hasn’t questioned why she’s spending so much alone time with me, and I feel that soon we can reveal my true identity to her.
Tonight, I have a surprise mermaid party planned for her at my hotel. After we went to the zoo, Jenna took Avery home for a nap. While the girls were resting, Robert came by with their event planning staff and decorated the living room to make it a temporary enchanted underwater playroom. I hope both Avery and Jenna enjoy the surprise, even though Jenna isn’t planning on staying. I know she plans on seeing Jax while I’m with Avery, which pisses me off. My patience is thinning, but I still have a lot to prove to her.
“Wow, you guys are good,” I tell Robert as I survey the room. “So, this is what you and Jenna do all day?”
“No, not all day,” Robert laughs. “We don’t do as many children’s parties as we used to. The money is in large corporate events and that’s what we have moved onto throughout the years. Jenna will still do blog posts about children’s parties, and we still sell the party supplies. I think she only does it because that is how she got her start, so she’ll always have a soft spot for it.”
“I can see why. It truly feels magical in here.” I glance at my watch to see I only have a little time left before Jenna shows up. “Listen, I need to talk to you about something. Can you spare five minutes in my office?”
He nods and tells one of the employees he’ll be back. We enter my office and I shut the door behind us. I motion for him to take a seat and I sit on the edge of my desk.
“Jenna and Avery’s safety is my number one priority. Because the paparazzi hasn’t died down, I think it would be best to secure a bodyguard for them.”
Robert looks at me in surprise. “Jenna agreed to one? It must be worse than what she’s telling me.”
“She doesn’t know yet and I would like to keep it that way until I can talk to her about it.”
Robert starts to laugh, and I stare at him, not understanding what’s so funny about the situation. “Oh Cal,” he answers when he’s regained his composure. “She’ll never agree to a bodyguard.”
“I figured, but she has no choice in the matter. I have to be able to find some way of keeping her and Avery safe when I’m not around.”
“Hire one without talking to her and she’s going to be angry with you,” he warns.
“That’s the price I might have to pay if she refuses and won’t be reasonable about this.”
“Is it reallythatserious? I know they still follow her everywhere, but would they physically harm her?”
“You just never know. One of them called her a bitch yesterday for not smiling at them.”
“What?” Robert jumps up from his chair in outrage. “Jenna never told me about that.”
“She didn’t tell me either,” I reveal and know what’s coming next.
“Then how did you find out?” he asks with narrowed eyes.
“I’ve hired one of the paparazzi to follow her at all times.”
“Cal,” Robert slowly exhales out and I hold up my hand for him to stop talking. He sits back down and raises an eyebrow at me.
“This is where I need your help, Robert. I need you to be his point person when I’m on set because cell phones aren’t allowed to be in use when we’re doing our scenes. He will need her daily schedule from you so he can always make sure he’s with her.”
“No.” Robert shakes his head back and forth. “I’m not betraying Jenna’s trust.”
“You aren’t betraying her—you’re helping me protect her,” I growl, needing his cooperation. “I just need your help until the bodyguard is secured. Once the bodyguard is hired, I won’t need Jenna followed any longer.”
He closes his eyes and squeezes the bridge of his nose while contemplating. “I have a terrible feeling about this.”
“Don’t be dramatic. Once Jenna realizes that it’s for hers and Avery’s safety, she’ll come around.”
He opens his eyes and huffs at me. “You obviously still don’t know Jenna very well because she won’t see it that way at all. She will think you’re taking away her freedom and trying to control her. Trust me when I tell you that if you don’t talk to her about this before the bodyguard arrives, you can kiss any chance with her you have goodbye.”
“So, I have a chance?” I inquire with a sly smile, not meaning to change the subject, but wanting to hear his thoughts.
“Oh, dear lord.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head as if I just said the dumbest thing in the world. “You look at her as if you’re a dog in heat, ready to pounce and claim your territory. The only thing standing in your way is Jax and we’ll see how much longer that will be.”
“Don’t leave me hanging with that,” I demand in frustration when he doesn’t elaborate. “Tell me what’s happening.”
