Page 43 of Nathan
Escape Plans
Serena
It’d been twenty-four hours since I told Marie that I wasn’t doing another interview. She and the crew had moved on to Berlin, and as a last-minute stand-in, my co-star Roger Summer had joined them to finish the press tour.
Everyone probably expected me to fly back to the US on the first plane, but the thought of returning to Hollywood and meeting a swarm of paparazzi on my doorstep didn’t excite me. I’d already spoken to my family and closest friends, who all worried about me.
Listening to their rants about the unfairness of how the world was judging me drained me of energy. Not least because deep down, a part of me knew that I wasn’t without blame. No one had forced me to sign the contract with the film studio’s marketing department. A three to four months’ fake relationship had seemed like a small sacrifice compared to the financial compensation I was offered. Even though I never expected the charade to get prolonged this long or get out of hand, I needed to take responsibility for the fact that I had put myself in this situation.
Stretching out in the large bed, I looked around the beautiful hotel suite. I had extended my stay another night and spent the day watching TV, eating off the room service menu, and looking at Google Maps, trying to decide where to go next.
My mom had told me to come home and stay with my parents in Detroit for a while. But even though I loved my parents, I knew from experience that I’d lose my mind if I stayed in their house for more than two days. The upside would be the chance to spend some quality time with my sister, Lola. I missed the long talks we used to have, but ever since she became a mom almost three years ago, things hadn’t been the same. FaceTiming was difficult with her constantly chasing after her twin boys, and Landon, her husband, wasn’t much help. He worked as a doctor in an emergency unit at one of the biggest hospitals downtown. The last time I’d seen him, he’d looked like a sad panda with large bags under his eyes from sleep deprivation.
No, I was not going to fly to Detroit just yet.
It was close to nine in the evening when I checked my phone. I instantly spotted Nathan’s name among the unanswered text messages.
Nathan: Should I worry about you? Tell me that you’re not going to do something stupid to yourself?
I rolled my eyes and sighed, knowing full well he was referring to the endless speculations that I’d hinted at suicide in my interview with Lucille Baker.
Serena: Does this count as stupid?
I attached a picture of the empty wrapping of chocolate from the minibar that I’d munched on earlier.
Nathan: Probably, but then so does this.
A picture of a pizza box with only one slice left came through.
Serena: I wouldn’t have taken you for a pepperoni guy.
Nathan: Simple but tasty.
Nathan: What’s on your pizza?
I angled my head and smiled a little. Why were we talking about pizza when our encounter had ended so badly?
Serena: I don’t want to tell you. You’ll think less of me.
Nathan: Ahh… Hawaiian pizza. Is that it?
Serena: How did you know?
Nathan: Pineapple is the most controversial topping there is.
Serena: And what side are you on? For or against?
Nathan: If we ever order a pizza together, you’d better keep the pineapple away from my pepperoni.
I sat up straighter in the bed and typed fast.
Serena: Getting close to me ended in a disaster the last time, so why would you order a pizza with me? Do you enjoy being hunted by the press?
Nathan didn’t answer me right away. I could see bubbles, so I knew he was typing, but then they disappeared. I chewed on my lower lip and brushed some biscuit crumbs from the soft fluffy cover that I was tucked under.
Another set of bubbles appeared on my phone and then nothing again.
My eyes lifted to the muted TV screen where CNN showed images from a war zone. I scrunched up my face at the sight of wounded civilians and changed the channel. An American talk show was on with a host I knew from past interviews. Just as I was about to click on to the next channel, my eyes caught my name in a text rolling across the screen, “Serena Star’s lover tried to kill me.”
