Twenty Two

The rain fell hard that day. John ordered plenty of wine for them to stay in, literally the whole day. Drinking it off each other's body, lying naked on the bed, on the floor, on the couch. They took more showers than needed. Turned on movies they didn't really watch. She put on the bathrobe because it was cold, but he kept on taking it off of her. They just couldn't get enough of each other.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," John said as he was devouring her glow after they made love.

She smiled and touched his face, "I think I'm going crazy over you."

She fell asleep in his arms that night, listening to his heart beat.

They got their clothes back the next day. They had breakfast at the resort's restaurant like other guests. They stopped by at places along the way back and eventually arrived at the cottage when the day was turning dark.

John was parking his bike when Sandy ran to her cottage to check on a package that was left on her doorstep. It was nicely wrapped, she picked it up to see whether there was a note or a tag, but there wasn't. She unwrapped it and opened the box. John watched from afar, wondering who could've entered the compound and left a box on the porch.

Her face turned pale as a corpse when she threw the box on the floor, John came running. "What is it?"

She was shaking heavily, and fell into his arms. She started crying.

"What? What is it?" he picked up the box, there was a torn panty inside it, a hand written note saying "I'm gonna get you BITCH!!"

He held her tight and looked around the premises, "It's okay ... I'm here ... he's not gonna hurt you," he calmed her down.

"John, we have to call the police," she was in tears.

"Let's go inside and talk this through," he carried the box and locked the door behind them.

John wasn't keen on the idea of calling the police. That would mean his management will be informed, and his whole movie production will be affected. They will cut ties with Sandy and would not want to be associated with her in any way. And they will not be able to see each other again for the whole production period.

Sandy curled up on the sofa, weeping. John looked at the torn panty, all he could see was how hard it was ripped from her just before she was raped. He tried to keep his cool.

"You can't be away from me from now on, it's too dangerous."

She tried to control her crying. She was reliving the day of the incident and was clenching her legs.

John pulled her close, "I won't let him lay a finger on one hair of your body, I promise," he put her head on his chest, it made her feel safe.

**********

Sandy went to his shooting location the next day. It was a huge luxurious villa, East of the island. They gave him the one of the largest bedroom for his dressing room. The master bedroom was going to be used for a love scene he had to perform with a co-star. It was going to be their location for at least 10 days.

"When is the love scene?" Sandy asked.

"Third day of shooting."

"Okay ... I won't be here for that."

"Does it make you uncomfortable? Jealous?"  he put his arms around her wait, rubbed her nose on hers.

"Mmm ... I won't find any pleasure in it, that's for sure."

He kissed her neck, "Let's just find pleasures here then."

She wriggled away when John's hands got frisky. "John ... they're waiting for you out there," she whispered.

"I can't help it, you're such a distraction," he straighten up his shirt and fixed his hair before opening the door.

Amanda Riley was in front of the door. She flew in to shoot some scenes with John. Including the love scene they were just talking about. A gorgeous, tall, blonde model who became an actress and was playing his love interest in the movie.

"Mandy! You're here?" John exclaimed. They hugged and gave a peck on the cheeks. They've known each other for awhile, but nothing more than professional relationship. "This is Sandy Lowry, my girlfriend," he introduced them. The first time he ever mentioned the word 'girlfriend'.

"Hi! Nice to meet you!" she greeted her with polished teeth, hair like a goddess and face like an angel. Sandy was having a girl crush, she was absolutely stunning.

Deep inside, she was crushed. These are the kind of women John was surrounded with every other day. She started to sink inside herself, second guessing her own judgment. Maybe she was rushing into things because how infatuated she was by him. She started to think that she might be biting more than she can chew.

**********

She reached out to Andrea who was still busy with her project. She needed some girl time. Andrea was leaving for Manta for a few days, she jumped at the opportunity to tag along. She left the set without telling John because he was in between takes. She packed her bag and went straight to Andrea's, just in time to go to the harbor for an island hopping trip.

"You left without telling him?" Andrea was perplexed.

"He was working, I didn't want to interrupt ... I'll tell him later, it's okay, right?" she hadn't been in a relationship for so long, she wasn't sure herself.

Andrea tilted one shoulder, "Tell me everything."

So she did, the trip to the suburbs, the two nights sexcapade at The Hills, about Patrick and the ripped panty, she even told her about the blonde goddess. Which Andrea assumed the latter was what drove Sandy to fled with her.

"Oh My God ... and here I am going back and forth doing property business with corporate suck ups and dealing with major corporate fuck ups ... that is a cruel reminder of how boring my life is," Andrea laughed.

"I miss you babe, we should go out for some drinks tonight," Sandy looped her arm over Andrea's shoulder.

"I'm all for that ... we're gonna go out to the seaside bar with cheap drinks, you'll love it, the music's great," Andrea suggested.

They arrived just before sunset, dropped their bags at the hotel and went straight to the seaside bar for happy hours, dinner and a long night of music, dancing and drinks. Her phone rang at about 8.30 PM. It was John. He just got off the set and was unassuming.

John   : Hey ... where are you?

Sandy: Hi ... I'm with Andrea

John   : At her house? Oh ... you're at a club? I can hear the music.

Sandy: Yeah ... let me get away from the noise for a bit (she walked towards the quiet beach)

            Hi ... sorry ... I ... I forgot to tell you ... I'm in Manta with Andrea

John   : (Silent) You're where?

Sandy: Yeah, I called her earlier to have a girls night out ... she said she was leaving for Manta, so I tagged along

John   : (Silent) ... okay ... when are you coming back?

Sandy: In a few days

John   : (Silent)

Sandy: John?

John   : Is there something wrong?

Sandy: No ... why would there be anything wrong? We're at a seaside beach right now, it's really awesome ... maybe next time we can go together

John   : (Silent) ... I wish you would've said something, you left the set without saying anything and then you jumped on a boat with Andrea ... and you won't be back in a few days

Sandy: I'm sorry ... it's just ... it's something we do, me and Andrea ... I'm not used to ... I'm sorry it's my fault

John   : No, it's fine ... I just ... (sighed deeply) ... can I call you later? I'm going back to the cottage, take a shower and then I'm gonna call you again, okay?

Sandy: Okay ... bye

He was stunned. He wasn't expecting that to happen. He was having the best time with her for the past few days, he thought she was too. He couldn't stop thinking what could've gone wrong that made her fled. He was still high with their love making saga, he thought it would go on for weeks even months to come. But then she left for a few days.

John   : You're freaking me out, Sandy

Sandy: What? Why?

John   : I thought we were having a great time, I thought you had a great time?

Sandy: I did ... we did ... what does that have to do with anything?

John   : I don't know, but I kinda want to be with you all the time, don't you want that too?

Sandy: Of course I do, I just wanted to spend time with Andrea for a little bit, we always had girls night

John   : (Silent) ... okay, it just feels like you're running away from me or something ... I just ... I don't understand

Sandy: Don't be silly John, it's only for a few days ... I'll be back soon ... I'm giving you some time to miss me (giggled)

John   : (Sarcastic laugh) ... more like a heart attack, you're scaring the shit out of me ... and I'm worried about ... Patrick

Sandy: (Took a deep breath) ... I'll be fine, John, I'll talk to you again tomorrow, okay? I think Andrea needs me

John   : Okay ... be safe

Sandy: I will ... bye