Chapter 1
“Essence Jones, daughter of Hollywood’s favorite couple Fiona and Marl Jones, was attacked today by a TNS reporter. Reports say that earlier this afternoon, the young designer was grabbed and pulled by the reporter amidst news of the divorce of her parents. She was saved by a passerby. Following backlash from fans online the TNS reporter was suspended. In other news…”
My mother turned down the television, placing the remote on the table before her. For a moment we all fell silent. I licked over my teeth slowly, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Growing impatient, I spoke up first, “It’s not as bad as they made it seem. He just tugged my arm to get my attention.” A lie for sure, he did haul me toward himself, I was a thousand percent terrified. But I can’t tell my parents that or they’ll go half-crazy and declare something like…
“We’re getting you a bodyguard.” My mom announced. She was wringing her hands in her lap and her knee was bouncing up and down, a sure sign of her distress. As for my father, he had his hands on his hips and was already pacing around the room. Every now and again he’d run his hand through his salt and pepper hair and sigh as if the burden of the world was on his shoulders.
Oh! For crying out loud!
“I haven’t had a bodyguard since high school. I will not have someone following me around everywhere I go.”
“Essence, your father and I, we know this divorce has been affecting you. Marl and I, we are trying to finish this as fast as possible but until then, honey, we need you to be safe.”
Finish this as fast as possible she says but I know that’s actual bullshit. My parents have pretended to be a happy couple for longer than anyone in this family cares to admit, now that they’re openly hating each other, they’re dragging it out. I faced the fact years ago that my parents find enjoyment in making each other miserable.
“Your mother’s right, Essy. It’ll be an adjustment, but we need to be assured that our little girl’s okay.” My father placed his hands on my shoulder as he said this.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“I’m not a little girl.” I defended weakly.
“You’ll always be our little girl.” My father drew awkwardly closer to my mother’s chair, attempting to put his arm over her. She dodged him of course, choosing instead to pick up her phone from the table.
“I already contacted Jamie; she’s found the perfect company.” My mother was already scrolling through her contact list when my father pulled his phone out of his pocket declaring that he too had found the perfect company.
“You always do this! Jamie searched high and low to find this company.”
“Well so did Alex!”
They bickered so long; I’d found a company of my own in the time we’d been there.
“I found a company, do you two want to check it out with me or will you be staying here to discuss whose assistant worked harder?”
“Essy, we’re so sorry.” My mother started.
“Are we going or not?” I dismissed her apology. This is how it always is with these two. Growing up, I’d been surrounded by flashing lights and people who loved me without any true reason. Eventually, I found out that it was because of my parents.
They’d starred in a bunch of erotic, romantic and comedy movies together. They had this enchanting explosive chemistry that made any viewer fall in love with their love. That chemistry fooled everyone, including themselves. They thought it was real and they got married. People all over the world became obsessed with the Jones’. They were sexy, hot and the energy around them was charged. No one expected the fire to burn out. But it did. They tried to catch the spark again by adding wood, by adding me. It worked for a while. The fire was re-ignited.
Hollywood’s favorite couple claim to still be in love after welcoming their beautiful baby girl.
The headline was everywhere. Fires die though. And no matter how hard you blow on the charcoal sometimes all you get is stinky toxic smoke.
By the time I was old enough to recognize what was really happening, the strings holding my parents’ marriage together were snapping one by one. Now that I’ve moved out, I guess the last string has unraveled.
The sound of my heels on the pavement let the reporters outside our gate know that we were getting ready to leave. I could already hear them calling out to me.
My parents and I hopped into the family jeep. Our long-time driver, Eddie nodded at us as he slowly opened the gates. Despite the tinted windows, somehow, I could still see the flashes of their cameras. It’s not like my parents are even all that relevant these days, they haven’t been in a movie together in years. But the title “Hollywood’s favorite couple” bears a lot of weight and the word divorce can have that weight crushing you for sure.
I stared out the window as Eddie meticulously worked his way through traffic to get away from the following paparazzi cars.
“We’ll be there soon.” He spoke over his shoulder, turning slowly onto a road I knew would most likely be a shorter route he’d discovered.
“Essence Jones here for appointment with Herald Ohlson.” I spoke to the receptionist who was quite literally shaking as she stared at my parents and I. Turning around, I noticed that the two still had their shades on and were practically posing before the woman’s eyes.
“Right this way, Miss Jones.” She didn’t even check the appointment time. Putting my shades back in place, I ignored the staff who failed to hide their phones as they took pictures of us walking by.
The receptionist seemed to forget that she needed to be at the front desk, as she took the elevator with us all the way up to her boss’ office.
“Mr. Ohlson, the Jones’ are here.” She all but squealed the words as she barged into the office.
Inside stood the biggest man I’d ever seen in my life. His bald head was shiny, the full beard that framed his lips and jaw revealed the dark blonde color that his hair would be if he grew it out.
His chest was big and proud, his pecs firm beneath a gray wife beater. His arms were like logs, tattooed logs that even while relaxed looked big and strong. Each arm was covered from shoulder to wrist in intricate tattoos that I would not mind looking at more closely.
He was tall, extremely tall, so I had to bring my eyes all the way back up to notice the frown that had marred his lips. Big strong tall man with a shaved head, thick beard, and disapproving frown? A Viking for sure.
Behind him peaked out another bald man who was just as heavily tattooed. The man held a clear resemblance to the Viking before me.
“What have I told you about leaving your post and knocking?” The Viking growled. His voice sent shivers down my spine, a reaction I hoped no one noticed. The receptionist apologized profusely before scurrying away.
“Pardon my son, he’s a bit intolerant of mistakes. Military man after all. I’m Herald Ohlson. It’s nice to meet you all.”
Mr. Ohlson stood, extending his hand to shake both mine and my parents’ hands. I’m not sure if I replied as I was too busy taking in the swift and silent escape of Mr. frowny.
“Bo wait!” His father called to him. “Meet Essence Jones, she needs your help.”
Bo looked at me up and down. His frown deepened. Pulling off my shades, I headed toward him in the strappy red bottoms I choose to wear today.
“I’m Essence.” I extended my hand to introduce myself. He made no move to take my hand, instead his deep voice tickled my ear with a simple question.
“Who’s been bothering you?”
I didn't know it then, as I lowered my hand cocking my head to the side; I hadn't the slightest clue that I was staring down the man who would make my life a living hell.
