The Ladybug Jinx (19 page)

The driver looked back in his rearview mirror. “Mr. Barber?” The driver wasn’t going to listen to a commoner. He was going to take orders from his boss.

“Please keep going.” Sam looked out the back window as Bart threw his hat on the ground in disgust.

“Celia, I wasn’t going to let them prey on you like a wolf.” Sam wanted to wrap his arms around her and protect her. He sighed with relief. “I have missed you.”

“Did you have something to do with this?” There was displeasure in her face. Sam had to think fast. If he lied, when she did find out the truth, he would never forgive her. If he told the truth, she would go back to Grandberry Falls. “Answer me now.”

*

Celia was getting angrier by the moment. She had to admit it felt good seeing a familiar face and a cute one at that. But her anger superseded his looks. He was by far the last person in Los Angeles she wanted to see. All the drama was not up her alley, but she was paralyzed by the fear of all those cameras

His pause made her realize he was trying to figure out the right way to answer her question. “I don’t need to know the answer. I can tell by your delay.” Celia put her fingers up to her mouth. She looked out the window trying to soak in what had happened.

“Celia, you are talented. I want the world to see your art.” Sam was pleading with her.

“Maybe I don’t want the world to see me, Sam. I am not you. I am not like you.” Celia turned her body around in the seat to be face to face with him. It was much harder to resist him in person. His eyes weren’t as full as she remembered them. “I can’t believe you used me and my family to perfect a role.”

Celia had to look away. She didn’t want Sam to see the tears forming. She still couldn’t believe he wasn’t the Sam she knew. He still acted like Sam Reynolds, not Sam Barber the actor everyone talks about.

Sam’s hand was warm with love as he rested it on her knee. “Celia, I didn’t use you. Bart only told the press that.”

“Fine. Then I don’t want to be with a man who can’t be a man.” Celia felt his hand grip her leg a little tighter. She stung his soul. He pulled away. The warmth stayed on her knee where his hand had just been.

“If you won’t see me privately, do you think you can work with me professionally?”

“I will stay for my committed two weeks only because I am going to give you every penny you sent to me back.” Celia watched Sam’s face go to fear. As far as she knew, he was clueless that she found out he was the anonymous donor.

“Who told you?” Sam was soft spoken.

“Who do you think? My grandfather, the only good thing you did while in Grandberry Falls.” Celia looked at Sam. “Or did you already know our story and planned to unveil it during your acting?”

“Celia please don’t do this.”

Celia was relieved when the limousine came to a stop. She was tired from the plane ride and now exhausted from Sam.

“I can work with you professionally. Only for two weeks.” Celia stepped out of the limo smiling for the cameras. She can’t deny part of the smile was from seeing Sam. Even though she was furious with him and not able to forgive him, her heart still belonged to him.

“Celia.” She turned when she heard her name and posed for the paparazzi.

“What’s the status on you and Sam?” One pap asked her.

“I don’t have time for petty men. I have arrangements to create.”  Celia smiled like a celebrity. She had resolved she was going to be as loud and vocal as she needed to be. He used her. It was her time to use him.

“If you’re ever in Grandberry Falls, look me up.” Celia posed for a couple more photographers and was ushered in like royalty up to her suite.  

The more she tried to hide her excitement for being in the Regent Beverly Wilshire, the more her cheeks hurt. Doing a movie wrap party was about the biggest job for any florist, other than a royal wedding, and she didn’t care how she got it. All she knew was it was her talent that got her here.

Celia had only seen the hotel in Pretty Woman. She was definitely feeling like Julia Robert’s character, just not the hooker part.

“This way, Ms. Briggs.” Celia smiled at the bell boy.

She had no idea how to handle such situations. She followed without a word. He put his key in the suite key hole.

The elevator opened up allowing Celia to get her first glimpse into the glamorous life Los Angeles had to offer.

“This is the penthouse on the Beverly Wing.” He opened the door to the most beautiful place Celia had ever seen.

The fragrant flowers were everywhere.

“This is bigger than my house.” Celia did circles around the room.

“It’s five-thousand square feet and your balcony is a wrap around.” He opened the doors allowing the air to flow in.

Celia beamed with excitement. This was a fairy tale come true. She is getting to do her passion in a once in a lifetime opportunity. She looked out over the balcony taking in the city. If she didn’t have any talent in arranging flowers, Sam would’ve never given her this chance, she thought. She was glad his guilt made him pick her. She would make him regret he ever lied to her.

“I was to remind you, your guests will be in the sidebar for your first meeting.” The bell boy nodded and left.

Celia could get used to this. The extravagant room was something she could’ve never dreamed up. It was like a house. It had a formal dining room, kitchen, living room, den, floor to ceiling windows and a too die for heated toilet seat.

She walked around smelling all of the flowers. Celia named each one she smelled. She noticed each one had a different meaning along the same lines—beautiful, smart, and caring.

“Hmmm.” She sighed. She wasn’t a fool, she knew they weren’t there by mistake.

The phone interrupted her thoughts.

“Hello?” Celia was cautious. She hadn’t been expecting a call.

“Celia Briggs?” The woman on the other end asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m Corin. I will be assisting you throughout your two week stay. I wanted to welcome you to Los Angeles. You will be having an informal meeting about the venue this afternoon.  You will find a lovely cocktail dress in the closet for you.”

Celia walked over to the closet as Corin talked.

The cocktail dress was something you see in fashion magazines. Of course it was black and sequence accompanied by a pair of black stilettos. Celia held the dress up to her and looked in the mirror.

“Julia Roberts, definitely.”
She admired the dress.

“Excuse me?” Corin asked.

“Nothing. I will see you then.” Celia hung up the phone and did eeny meeny miney moe between the two bathrooms.

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.”

Lady Bird Johnson

20

Celia immediately focused on Sam across the room. Everyone was focused on Sam. He was surrounded with fans wanting his autograph. Although he smiled, Celia knew him well enough to see the look on his face. He was uncomfortable with the attention, but graciously signed away.

Celia made eye contact. “Sam.”

Sam hurried with the last fan and stood up. “Celia.” There was almost a sigh in his voice. Hearing him say her name made her weak in the knees. Sam pulled the chair out for her.

“Thank you.” Celia could feel all eyes on her or at least all female eyes. She was quite aware the envy and she was going to use him as much as he used her.

“We are waiting for Corin and Don from the wrap party.” Sam had nervousness about him. It reminded her of the first time he came into the shop.

“Great.” Celia took in her surroundings. All the sights were so different from Grandberry Falls. She was used the metal chairs from The Fatted Pig Restaurant, not leather.

“Sam!”

Celia smiled at the tall blonde speeding over to them. She had the most beautiful blue dress Celia had ever laid eyes on. She bent down kissing cheeks with Sam which made Celia a little jealous.

“You must be Celia.”

Celia didn’t appreciate the fake squinty eyed smile blonde.

“You must be Corin.” Celia returned the fake smile.

She might not be from Los Angeles, but she sure has seen enough smut on TV to be able to play the part. She could act just as good as Sam.

“Yes. I see the dress fits.” Corin moved her finger up and down Celia’s body frame. “I would’ve gotten color, but I didn’t know what you like and everyone likes black.”

“You did fine.”
Two weeks, two weeks,
Celia repeated in her mind. “Where is the florist? I would like to get there as soon as possible.”

“Hmm… okay.” Corin turned her back on Celia blocking Celia’s view.

Sam butted in, “You wouldn’t believe Celia’s arrangements. Truly works of art.”

Celia blushed. She tried not to look away, but she needed the confidence if she was going to last two weeks.

“Yes, I do make beautiful arrangements.” She needed all the self confidence she could muster up.

Celia noticed the pleasure on Sam’s face.  He was pleased with how she was handling herself. He sat back in his chair with his arms folded, eyes glistening and smiling.

“I need to be in my element in order to get this right.”

“I agree.” Don reached over and patted Celia’s hand. “I would love to take you. I think you are going to like it.”

There was apparent disbelief on Sam’s face when Don offered to help. Almost disgust.

“I am going to take her around and show her some of L.A.” Sam noted. “I can take her to the venue.”

“I think you have plenty to do without carting me around.” Celia patted Don’s hand back. “I would love to Don.”

She lifted her green eyes in excitement. Sam had always commented on her eyes and she made sure he noticed them today.

“Are you sure?” Sam had a begging in his tone.

“I’m a big girl, Sam.” Celia didn’t bother to look at him. She stared straight into Don’s eyes.

*

Sam watched Celia and Don walk out the door. “I can’t believe him. I told Bart I didn’t want him on this job. He can’t be trusted around her.”

“If I didn’t know better, I think you were doing more than researching a role in her Mayberry town.” Corin breathed heavily.

Sam was used to her come-ons. She has been throwing herself at him since the beginning of the movie. He almost gave in during one weak moment. Thankfully Bianca popped into his head and was enough to make him think it was Bianca herself telling him to run.

“Why don’t you show me the venue sometime?” She leaned over and began to run her fingers through his hair. The clicking of cameras radiated through the glass windows.

“Stop.” He flung her hand away from his face. “You know all the tabloids are going to be printing that picture tomorrow.”

“Oh we can’t have precious Celia seeing that, can we?” Corin took a swig of her drink and put her hand up in the air for another one. “I don’t know what you see in that plain hillbilly.”

“That’s enough, Corin.” Sam stood up and pushed his chair in. He bent down and whispered in Corin’s ear. “She has more class in her pinky than you do in your entire body. I will never be with you so you might as well get used to it. Can you please start covering up a bit more?”