Notice Me (13 page)

“He is Charlie’s boss. I think Charlie really admires him actually.”

“I don’t know why. Did you see the way he was ordering me around?” I laughed. Megan sort of showed her inexperience in front of Sir Michael Straton.

He was astounding to watch, it was the only part of the weekend I enjoyed. Everyone in the studio was in awe of him, falling over themselves to watch the master at work. Charlie was so talented he was the only one who could keep up with Sir Straton’s demands. I could see why Charlie had been given the apprenticeship.

“I wouldn’t worry about that Megan. I mean Sir Michael Straton took your picture. Which is
huge
!”

“That is true. I wonder how quickly job offers will come through. Do you reckon I will become really famous?”

“You are famous already Megan remember you are a Field?” I teased.

“You know what I mean. I could end up in Hollywood. I have always wanted to do acting or singing. It can’t be that hard, have you heard what is number one at the moment?” I rolled my eyes. This was typical Megan, always wanting more. She really had no clue what career to choose. Megan wanted them all.

“I would wait to see how this one goes first,” I laughed.

“Yeah, but imagine us in Hollywood Shan.” Megan was in dreamland again. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I couldn’t see
us
in Hollywood. Megan of course with her face she could be a leading lady, but the days of Megan and I were slowly coming to an end. Megan had Charlie. I had Will, but more importantly New York was quickly approaching. Only three months to be exact. None of us knew what would happen after my six months. I had never really thought of staying in New York, but Will had given me so much confidence. If I was offered a job at the end of my placement how could I turn it down?

Birthdays took over the next month. Charlie had a small affair for his twenty fifth taking Megan away for the weekend to Rome.

Megan however began organising a lavish party for her twenty first. Will and I were glad to retreat back to his flat to escape the party plans. I was thankful I would be in New York for mine.

“Do you really think your parents will let Megan have a yacht worth one and a half million just to host a party on?” I asked Will in disbelief.

“It’s her twenty first. I wouldn’t put it past them. Mother is trying so hard to make amends with Megan.”

“Megan will use that you know,” I smiled at Will as he touched my face gently.

“I know it’s going to be an amazing party if it all goes ahead.”

“Yeah, I wonder how many dresses she will buy just for the one night.” Will just laughed he knew his sister as well as I did. “Is Maisy coming up to see us this weekend still?”

“Yeah, I think so. She hates the summer holidays in Cheshire now that Megan and I aren’t there.”

“I can imagine.” I shivered imagining the museum home in Cheshire grand, but not warm with affection.

“Are you alright Shan?” Will asked wrapping his arms around me as he felt me shiver. “Are you cold?”

“No I am fine,” I replied sinking deeper into his arms. Will and I had come a long way in three months. I was comfortable with him. I enjoyed his company because we connected on so many levels. The only problem that I could not understand from the depths of my heart was why I was not in love with him? I adored him. I should have been completely and utterly besotted with Will by now so why wasn’t I?

Was I so messed up from the early years of my life that I would never be able to get close to anyone? The dark memories of my earlier life were locked up so tight in my head that I could never confide in anyone, not even Megan. My nerves were just the beginning of my condition. Megan had helped me on the outside, but deep inside me was I still the same Shannon? Was that affecting me now, stopping me from falling for Will?

My second thought – although more unlikely – was Mr Anonymous. I couldn’t erase the idea from my head. I knew I was being stupid. I hadn’t had a letter for ages. I wasn’t waiting for one. I knew I had Will, but it didn’t stop me thinking about him, wondering who he was. It didn’t help that he could have been
anyone
!

That idea was driving me insane. I spent so much more time watching my surroundings scrutinizing any man who looked at me in a strange way or who spoke to me. Being Megan Field’s best friend made it more difficult, especially now her modelling career was really taking off. We were out a lot more at high red carpet events, even award ceremonies. I had my picture in the paper a few times, which did not help people noticing me. Megan was becoming a celebrity in her own right. The pressure didn’t seem to affect her. Even all the male attention she was handling better, but Charlie had told her to double her security, which she did.

In my business classes I was watching everyone. I thought I was going mad when I even suspected my tutor for ten minutes. Not to mention for a week I was convinced it was Patrick. I couldn’t understand why I was still looking for him. It was obvious he had given up. It had now been months since my last letter.

A letter finally appeared a few days before Megan’s party. It was late afternoon I had just got back from University. I didn’t often check the postbox but the envelope was easy to notice as half of it hung out of the box on purpose, in that familiar writing I was slowly becoming used to.

I was like a child at Christmas. I ran up to the apartment my heart racing. I hoped Megan wasn’t home yet just so I could be alone for a little while with my Mr Anonymous.

I almost ran into my room throwing myself on the bed ripping the envelope. I wondered what he would have to say for himself. Why he had taken so long to contact me?

Shannon,

I have tried to forget you. All I want is for you to be happy, please believe me. But he is not right for you – deep inside your soul you must know that.

I don’t know if you even think of me, but I want you to know you are in my every thought.

I have tried to stop loving you, but I can’t. I will never stop loving you.

I do not have the words to tell you just how much I love you, but no one ever could love you like me.

This is torture I can hardly hear my heart beat anymore. I feel it may be lost forever.

All I ask is for you to be true to yourself. I understand we may never find each other, but I have to make you see that your boyfriend is not what you think he is. He keeps secrets and is a liar.

I know you do not love him. I can tell by the way you look at him.

Please do not hate these words, I am trying to protect you.

Notice Me

Xxxxxx

I ran my hands over the paper as if it was the closest I
would ever get to him, my Mr Anonymous. How could he know me so well and I have no indication of who he was at all? What did he mean about Will’s secrets and when had he seen the way I looked at him? I felt even more frustrated as I threw the letter on my floor.
Who was he
?

I couldn’t show Megan the letter. I knew she would tell Will. I did not want him to feel like he had competition.

I was a little worried about what sort of secrets Will could keep from me. How would I approach the subject with him?

“Shannon, are you home can you help me please? I can’t carry all this stuff,” Megan shouted at the front door.

“Sure coming,” I shouted back pulling myself from my bed. “How much stuff Megan?” I laughed as I saw her struggling with at least ten bags.

“One of the bags is for you.” I just laughed taking some of the load from her. “I have bought you a gorgeous silver dress and Will has a matching tie.” Megan looked really pleased with herself.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I said following her into her bedroom.

“I know, but it is so you… it’s here somewhere.” Megan sifted through all the brightly coloured bags until she found what she was looking for. “Here it is. Try it on now. If it doesn’t fit I should have time to change it tomorrow.” Megan threw a bright blue bag at me. As usual I couldn’t pronounce the designer name.

The dress was gorgeous. Completely covered in tiny light reflecting silver sequins, it fitted perfectly as I knew it would. It was perhaps a little too short, but I knew Will would like it.

“Do you like it?” asked Megan hovering at my bedroom door.

“Megan, its beautiful thank you so much.” I hugged her as I became a little emotional. “I am going to miss you so much when I am in New York.”

“Me too,” whispered Megan as she hugged me a little tighter. “It’s starting to go a little bit too fast for me. Like we only have so much time left to be young and careless.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Promise me we will never lose each other, Shannon.”

“I promise, even if we are seas apart we will always find a way to stay in touch.” I wiped the tears from my eyes. “So what did you get?”

Megan gave me a whole catwalk of each outfit she would be wearing at each section of the party. Megan looked stunning in everything. This A list birthday party was going to be out of this world.

Chapter 10

The Virginian Yacht was astonishing. Lights covered the entire top deck. I had never seen a boat as big in London before as it anchored on the river Thames. Waiting staff offered champagne as I made my way up onto the lavish deck. I was late partly because of the tube being so busy when I finished university, and having to get ready on my own.

Megan and her family were having dinner on the boat first. Birthday meals were a family affair to the Fields so Charlie and I hadn’t been invited.

I wasn’t so late that Megan’s guests had arrived, so that was good. The boat looked deserted apart from waiting staff and security as I walked around. I spotted Charlie with his back to me against the silver neon bar below deck. His black suit fitted snugly around his body, his dark brown hair had been cut slightly, but was still quite long and ruffled in his usual style.

“Haven’t they finished their family meal yet?” I asked him as he turned to notice me.

“You made me jump,” Charlie said startled. “Shannon, you look… beautiful.” That was a real compliment coming from Charlie.

“Thanks, Megan bought me the dress,” I replied, spinning to show off the whole look.

“It suits you. The colour goes really well with the colour of your hair.”

“How many dress changes is Megan having again tonight?” I laughed. “I had a job just with the one.”

“Five, did you know she wanted me to change five times too?”

“No, really?” I laughed, that was so Megan.

“That’s why I went with black. It goes with everything.” Charlie replied quite smug.

“Clever idea,” I complimented.

“Do you want another drink?”

“I’m okay at the moment thanks.” As I spoke voices came from the side door. The way all the waiting staff froze, I knew it was the Field family making their way from dinner.

Charlie took a deep breath. Megan looked beautiful in her first dress of the night. A pale pink silk design tightly wrapped around her flawless body.

Will spotted me, his tightly fitted grey suit complete with a silver tie did go very well with my outfit. He took a step back to admire me. I smiled back at him blushing. I had kept my dress a surprise hoping for that reaction.