Swan (29 page)

He sat back on the sofa, lit an expensive-looking
cigar. ‘Do you know what my business associates call me? They call me Mr
Impossible, because I make the impossible possible. When I first moved to the
States with my family, we only had fifty bucks between us. We were so broke, we
could barely afford the clothes on our back. But through hard work and determination,
we got through it. We made good. I remember how kids in my street used to laugh
at me, because I couldn’t speak English. They’d say, “look at that dirty kid
working in the ice cream parlour, he’ll never amount to anything.” But you see,
that only made me work harder, made me want to prove them wrong. Years later,
when I’d made something of myself, I went back to my old street and demolished
all those bastard’s houses – every last one of those sons-of-bitches that
thought I couldn’t do it. I showed them. And it was the best feeling in the
world. Nobody fucks with me anymore.’

I smiled tightly. I had no idea where this
conversation was heading. As engrossing as Pantelli’s story was, I hadn’t
bargained on getting his life history.

He puffed a cloud of foul smelling smoke into the
atmosphere. ‘So you see Madeline, I’ve learned how to read people, learned
what’s makes them tick. You don’t get to where I am by being a nice guy.
Sometimes you’ve got to make tough decisions and be ruthless. It’s the only way
to succeed.’

I felt like asking him what the hell this had to do
with me, but I was too out of my depth. So I sat there mute, listening to him
ramble on like a kid stuck in detention with his most hated teacher.

‘This brings me back to what I was saying earlier,
Madeline. I know how to read people, and when I look at you, I see a woman with
a lot of bottle. Behind all your niceties is a very ambitious person trying to
make it in the world, looking for the chance to better your circumstances. My
advice to you is to take the money. Forget about Chet, forget any of this ever
happened and go buy yourself a new house, a nice car. Retire early, live the
life you’ve always dreamed of. I’m offering you a way out.’ He paused for
breath. ‘Oh, I almost forgot ...’

He brought out a suitcase from under the table,
flipped it open and started rifling through some paperwork. After a few
minutes, he found what he was looking for – a lengthy legal document that
looked like some sort of contract.

‘Before I go, I need you to sign this
confidentiality agreement.’

I took it from him, read the first couple of lines,
then handed it back to him with disgust. Basically it was saying that in return
for the money, I would agree to have no further contact with Chet. Impossible!

Slowly, I tore Pantelli’s cheque into tiny little
pieces.

‘Thanks but no thanks.’

‘What?!’ he exclaimed. ‘You drive a hard bargain,
lady. All right, all right, I’ll double it. Six million for your silence.’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t want your money. Like I
said, you can’t buy me. I don’t need you to pay me to stay quiet. No amount of
money in the world could ever make me betray Chet. Please understand that, Mr
Pantelli. I hope I haven’t offended you.’

The little man’s face went very dark. Then, slowly,
that reptilian smile returned. ‘Nice speech, but I’m not buying it. You say
that you would never betray Chet. Why is that? Because he gave you an orgasm?
Because you think you’re in love me him?’ He said the words mockingly. ‘You
think because he screwed you a couple of times and made some empty promises,
that amounts to love? Ha! Wake up and smell the coffee Madeline. You’re being
played.’

‘I don’t like the way you’re talking to me, Mr
Pantelli.’

‘It’s Pani!’ he roared. ‘Why are you making this so
difficult? It’s not exactly a tough decision is it? Stay in your shitty day job
on your paltry salary, or get fucked by Chet Vincent for six million pounds.
How is that a trick question? It’s the easiest money you’ll ever make. What’s
so difficult about that?’

‘But it is, Mr Pantelli, it is. You don’t understand
how much I care about Chet. This is so hard for me ...’

He scoffed. ‘You don’t know the meaning of the word
hard. Hard is sleeping rough and wondering where your next meal is coming from.
Hard is watching my mother die in agony from cancer with no morphine because we
couldn’t afford health insurance. That’s hard, Madeline. That’s the real world.
Not the little bubble of denial you’ve created for yourself. What, you think
just because you work in some dead-end job and can’t afford to take a holiday
every year you’ve got it hard? Get some perspective on things!’

I buried my face in my hands. Tears stung my eyes. I
couldn’t speak.

Pantelli’s tone softened a little. ‘There, there,
don’t cry. I hate to see women cry. But in the end, you’ll thank me for this.’
He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to me. I blew my nose
loudly. After I had calmed down a bit, he resumed: ‘You say you’re in love with
Chet. Let me tell you some home truths about my friend. He’s a sex addict and,
given the right circumstances, he’ll – pardon my language – he’ll
fuck anything that moves. That’s not meant intentionally as an insult. I’m just
telling it like it is. He doesn’t love you Madeline – he only shacked up
with you because it was convenient. You could have been anyone. You’re not
special.’

I jammed my fingers in my ears. ‘I don’t want to
hear this!’

‘Do you really think Chet would choose you over
someone like Maria Esposito? I’m sorry, but you’re not exactly his type are
you? People like you and people like Chet aren’t meant to be together. He’s one
of the beautiful people and you are ... well, just look at you. That’s the
truth. You’ll never be good enough for him. He’ll discard you when he’s
finished.’

Pantelli’s words were like a knife in my heart.
‘Please leave now,’ I whispered. ‘I need to be alone.’

‘You can’t tell me to leave. I own this place!’

I looked at him, my face red with fury. ‘Yes I can.
I pay my rent and with all due respect, Mr Pantelli, you’ve broken into my
home. I didn’t invite you here and you’re not welcome anymore. If you don’t go,
I’ll call the police, and I don’t think you’d want that, would you?’

Suddenly, we heard the downstairs door closing.
Someone was coming up the stairs! Within seconds, Chet appeared in my living
room, dressed as David Powell. When he saw Pantelli, he froze. Then he looked
from him to me and back again. ‘What’s going on? Pani, what are you doing
here?’

Pantelli didn’t say anything. He was too angry to
speak.

‘Madeline? Can someone please tell me what the hell
is happening here?’

‘Your friend has just offered to buy my silence for
six million pounds. I’ve said no, but he’s not listening to me.’

Chet turned on Pantelli in a rage. ‘Pani, you
didn’t?’

‘Yes, it’s true, Chet. I did offer her the money.
But I only did it to help you. I don’t trust her, and we can’t afford to let
her fuck things up.’

‘Madeline would never do anything to harm us, Pani.
I know her.’

I swelled with pride at the way he had just defended
me.

Pantelli stood up, ran his fingers exasperatedly
through his hair. ‘Well you might trust her, but I don’t. I want to keep her
out of this.’

‘It wasn’t just the money he came to see me about Chet.
He said other stuff too ... about you. He says you’re using me. He says you’re
a sex addict and you don’t really love me. Is this true?’

Chet’s eyes flash with venom. Pantelli let out a
shrill laugh. ‘She’s lying Chet, I promise you. I never said any of that. She’s
trying to come between us, don’t you see that?’

Chet stood there for a while, looking at the two of
us, trying to work out which one was telling that truth. Then, at length, he
knelt down in front of me and took my hand. His eyes were warm, tender.

‘Baby, I don’t know what he’s told you about me, but
none of it is true, okay? Sure, I’ve made some mistakes in the past, but I’ve
been a new man since I met you. I love you with all my heart.’

‘Oh spare me the theatrics!’ Pantelli sneered.
‘Can’t you see it’s all an act, Madeline? He’s an actor for Christ’s sake. You
can’t believe anything he says. If you love her, Chet, then why didn’t you tell
her about Maria?’

‘What’s he talking about Chet?’

‘Did you tell Madeline about what happened with you
and Maria the night you “died”? Did you tell her how you asked Maria to marry
you?’

I frowned. ‘Darling, you told me it was over between
the two of you. You didn’t really propose to her ... did you? You told me you
couldn’t stand her. You said she was like a Happy Meal.’

Pantelli exploded with laughter. ‘You see, Madeline?
I told you he was a brilliant actor.’

Chet’s face darkened. ‘Okay, okay, I’ll admit I did
ask Maria to marry me, but it wasn’t because I wanted to. Her family were
putting so much pressure on me, I felt I had no choice.’

I coldly pulled my hand away. I didn’t want him near
me.

‘Baby please ...’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t know who to believe
anymore.’

Pantelli stepped in between us. Puffed on his cigar.
There was a look of triumph on his face. ‘I don’t know why we’re wasting time
here, Chet. You don’t have to explain yourself to this woman. I mean, who the
hell does she think she is, questioning you like this?’

Chet jumped to his feet and waved his fist
menacingly at the billionaire. ‘Listen pal, this woman just happens to be the
best thing that ever happened to me!’

Pantelli shook his head. ‘I’m really starting to
lose my patience with both of you. Now Chet, I’ll make this simple for you.
Either you give this bitch up, or I’ll out you to the press myself. And if I
have to do that, it won’t be a pretty picture. I’ll destroy you; I’ll sue you
for every last cent for breach of contract.’

‘What contract?’ I asked. ‘Chet, what’s he talking
about?’

‘Pani made me sign a contract exonerating him of all
responsibility. I signed a declaration stating that it was I and I alone that
hatched up this caper. Basically, if this ever gets out, it’s me that’s going
down, not him.’

‘That’s right,’ Pantelli grinned. ‘But you can avoid
all this hassle if you honour the terms of our agreement.’

‘And those are ...?’ I looked at Chet.

‘That I remain hidden until Oscar night to prove
whether his theory about me winning Best Actor is true.’

‘This is insane!’

‘Look Chet, I don’t want to fight about this
anymore. I’ll fly you anywhere you want – Brazil, Barbados, Thailand, you
name it. Aren’t you sick of this country by now? The terrible weather, the dog
women. It’s time you got a life.’

Chet looked at me helplessly.

‘Go with him,’ I said quietly. ‘He’s right. You
don’t belong here. Go with him and don’t come back.’

‘But I want to be with you!’

‘There’s no other way, can’t you see that? I’ll only
get you into more trouble.’ I could feel the tears rising in my chest, but
managed to control myself. ‘Go, both of you. And don’t worry, I won’t say
anything. I just want to forget this ever happened.’

Chet stared at me for a long time. Then reluctantly,
he made for the door. Pantelli continued grinning like the cat that had got the
cream. On his way out, he placed a business card on the table. ‘Well Madeline,
it’s been nice knowing you.’ He pointed to the card. ‘That’s how to contact me
if you have a change of heart. About the money, that is. I can honestly say
that what the tabloids will pay you for your story is peanuts compared with
what I’m offering. So, don’t get any stupid ideas, okay? If you feel like
blabbing, do the sensible thing. Call me and we’ll work something out. Ciao.’

The door closed and they were gone. I broke down in
tears. My whole world had crumbled.

Chapter
Twenty-one

I walked for what seemed like hours. I didn’t care
where. I just couldn’t deal with being at home r alone ight now. I had to be
out in the cool night air, surrounded by people and the great outdoors.

My mind was tormented by the loss of Chet. Inside it
was like I was dying,, like I was lost in a labyrinth of sorrow and anxiety.
Everything had changed and yet nothing really had. I was still the same
Madeline Smith, wasn’t I? The same fat Plain Jane with nothing to live for.

I felt so confused about everything.

Staggering along the bridge, I gazed out at the
Thames, the O2, the Canary Wharf Towers. Bright lights, big city. I stopped.
Lay my hand on the railing. Closed my eyes, thought of Chet’s passionate kisses
and mourned him like he really was dead.

I opened my eyes again. A happy couple passed me.
Laughed. Held hands, giggled. I glanced at them and felt my heart breaking.
That could have been Chet and me.

Had I really done the right thing letting go of him
so easily? He’d said that he loved me, but was he telling the truth? Despite
Pantelli’s vindictiveness, some of what he’d said did have a ring of truth to
it. Why had Chet lied to me about proposing to Maria? Had he really just been
using me for sex, or had I actually meant something to him? He was an actor,
one of the best in his trade, so how could I ever be sure where the performance
ended?