Page 36 of The Sun Sister
‘Sure.’ I indicated the couch. ‘Come and sit down.’ I watched him as he walked across the room and decided that yes, he reallywashot. ‘Drink?’
‘What you have?’
‘The contents of a mini bar or room service,’ I shrugged.
‘Then we have champagne,sim?’
‘Sure, if that’s what you’d like.’ I dialled down to room service and ordered a bottle of Taittinger on ice.
‘You know, this is crazy!’ he smiled at me, showing off his white even teeth.
‘Why is that?’
‘Because only a year ago I live here in Rio. I work raking the sand just across the street.’ He pointed through the window to Ipanema Beach, which lay beneath us in a perfect white line. ‘Then some American lady approach me and tell me she will make me a star. Now, here I am, sitting in best suite in the Copacabana Palace with one of the most famous women in the world.’
‘Yeah, a similar thing happened to me. Weird transition, isn’t it?’
‘Sim, it is. And tomorrow we stand on that beach where I used to rake, and for kissing you I get paid more than I earn in five years!’
As I studied him more closely, I realised that he was probably not older than nineteen or twenty – a boy. He made me feel like a granny in comparison.
‘Electra, can I tell you something?’
‘Anything you want.’
‘I still have pictures of you in bedroom I share before with my kid brothers. You are my – how you say? – pin-up girl!’
‘Hey, that’s sweet, thanks,’ I said as the bell rang and the champagne arrived.
‘So,’ I toasted him when room service had left. ‘Here’s to your success. I’ve seen your face on billboards all over New York. You’re famous.’
‘Not as famous as you – yet.’ He grinned at me boyishly, then took a sip of his champagne.
‘Well, it can be a pretty crazy rollercoaster, and if you ever need any advice, I’d be happy to help. I’ve been there,’ I said with feeling.
‘And you are still there! My agent, he tell me all the time how my candle, it can burn out as quickly as it lit. So I will try very hard to make sure it stay alight because I never want to go back to that.’ Joaquim indicated the beach again. ‘I must behave myself, yes?’
‘Yeah, you’re probably already learning what the deal is with fame.’
‘I know, it is hard; people see me on street or in bar and I must have pictures and sign many autographs. And the schedule, wow!’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘I count up that I was in three continents in the past month. I wake up and do not know where I am. But I will not complain, because I know how lucky I am.’
‘Yeah, that’s the spirit,’ I mumbled as I drained my glass and poured myself – and him – another.
‘And I am doing more of this than I should.’
I watched him put a hand into his jean pocket and bring out a small bag of white powder. ‘Do you mind if I...?’ He indicated the bag.
I suddenly believed in God, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny combined.
‘What if I said I did mind?’ I smiled at him as he tapped some powder out onto the table.
He looked horrified. ‘Then of course I would not, Electra, but people in our industry tell me you...do not mind.’
It was my turn to feel horrified, though I tried not to show it. ‘Yeah, but I try not to make a habit of it, of course.’
‘But we are at the Copacabana Palace and I meet you for the first time. Want to join me?’
Did I?!I attempted to look calm. ‘Why not?’
