The Mystery Writer

Encounter

Darcy winced as Christine slowly peeled off the bandage on her cheek. It had been a week since the attack and her wound was still painful. Christine gave her a sympathetic look before adding an antibiotic ointment to the cut.

“I know you have your reasons not to, but I think you should see someone about this. I can tell it is healing but you don't want it to get infected.” Christine's sympathetic look quickly turned stern as she placed a clean bandage across Darcy's cheek before beginning to add foundation.

Darcy remained quiet on the subject. She had argued the subject all week with not only Christine, but Max as well. She hoped her silence would put a quick end to the topic.

“Good morning ladies!” Max flung the camper door open. Darcy smiled as she found his infectious grin to be contagious. She couldn't help but to think how happy he seemed to be over the course of the past week. “I brought goodies.”

Max had made a point of bringing them breakfast each morning. It was a relief to be able to sit for an hour or two each day and have good conversation with friends. Darcy also didn't mind the steaming cup of coffee that Max handed her each morning either.

With a glance at the monitor that was placed in the corner of the camper, Darcy found that Leo was still in his studio and nothing was out of place. The whole week had passed and she barely saw Leo more than a couple minutes a day. Only one night during Leo's dinner did he pause for a short interview before escaping to his room. However, after the small interview it seemed that Darcy's anti-fans only seemed to grow. It was alarming how hurtful some of the comments were when she was only trying to do her job. There was a part of her that wanted to defend herself and leave comments back, but she was terrified of things escalating out of control. It was better to keep her mouth shut.

“Who is that?”

Darcy snapped away from her thoughts to glance at Christine who was staring at the monitor. In one of the cameras, it showed that Leo had opened the front door and was talking to someone. Darcy clicked on the screen, making it larger and easier for them to see.

“Amara King.” Both Darcy and Max answered Christine's question as they watched Leo and Amara converse together.

“Amara.” Leo addressed the stunningly dressed female. Darcy felt like she knew Leo well enough to detect a hint of iciness in his voice. Amara, after looking straight into the live camera behind Leo, swung herself forward into Leo's arms.

The startling difference between Amara and Leo was suddenly so obvious to Darcy. She couldn't believe she was only seeing the differences now. Amara was bold in wearing an expensive fur coat, sleek black pants and heels that she had obviously had enough training to walk in. Leo was much more down to earth in a pair of ripped jeans and a plain tee.

“Amara, stop.” Leo was quick to put distance between the two of them before turning to eye the camera cautiously. Amara's appearance at his house was sure to cause another stir around the country.

“But I've missed you!” Amara whined and bustled into the house, waving her fingers towards the camera as she passed. Leo watched her and even through the monitor, Darcy could see the rage in his eyes. She was surprised to see this rage for the first time in Leo, but she could still recognize desperation and loneliness in his gaze.

“Disable the speakers. Now.” Darcy glanced to Max who was quick to move into motion and didn't bother asking questions first. They both knew they'd lose the opportunity to hear or witness a huge revelation in regards to Leo's attitude, but Darcy didn't want the whole nation mistaking his understandable rage at that moment. Amara was the one in the wrong.

Only Christine seemed to complain when Max disable the speakers. Darcy pulled her laptop closer to her as she worked on putting an error message on display. The world would believe that they would be going through some technical difficulties. How convenient.

______________________________

Darcy was secretly reviewing the footage of Amara and Leo later that night. Even though there was no sound, Darcy imagined Leo sternly talking to Amara before turning her out of his house. Darcy was just about to take a bite out of an apple when her cell dinged alerting her to a text message. She jumped to her feet after reading the message from her boss.

'I'm outside Leo's house. Come see me now.'

Darcy was already fuming as her boss dared to command her in such a way. She was determined to give him a piece of her mind as she stormed out of her room and down the hall. Only when she was in front of Matthias did she finally slow to a stop. He was smiling as though he knew he could bend her according to his will.

“Can you please leave me alone and let me do my job? I've done everything you have asked of me. You...”

“Why did you do it, Darcy?” Matthias' look was chilling.

“Do what?”

“You cut the speakers during Amara and Leo's conversation. Leo knew what he was getting in to when he signed that contract. Why did you protect him like that?”

Darcy stuttered, surprised that Matthias came all the way to Leo's house to harass her over such a small issue. “I-I, It was a technicality. I had nothing to do with it.”

“BULLSHIT.”

Matthias' yell echoed around the area and for the first time, Darcy realized that she hadn't put a jacket on. She shivered against the freezing winter air.

“Something like disabling the speakers is only a stunt you would pull. You have missed out on reality show gold and cost the company a lot of attention!” Matthias growled as he stepped closer. Darcy glared back at her boss, holding her ground in front of him.

“No one deserves to have their whole life on display. Even celebrities who agree to a ridiculous reality show deserve privacy and room to live! You only care about making a buck or two at someone else's expense. You don't care if you destroy lives.” Matthias grabbed her by each of her arms and walked a few steps back, basically dragging Darcy with him. His hold on her only became tighter with each stride and began to bruise her arms. Matthias' eyes became black with fury.

“Let her go!”

Matthias was pushed back and suddenly Leo was in front of her. His gaze was burning into her own. She shivered as she recalled what had just happened and reflexively pushed Leo away to hug herself.

“Are you ok?” Leo questioned her but she didn't have time to respond before a petite, older woman hurried towards them. The woman seemed to carry a lunchbox with her.

“I saw everything, Leo. That man treated poor Darcy terribly!”

Darcy turned a curious gaze to the older woman. Who was she? How did this woman know who she was?

“Mom? Why are you here so late? It's cold out, lets go in.” Leo was quick to hurry his mother inside, but quickly looked for Matthias who had disappeared while they had been distracted. When Leo turned a questioning look onto Darcy, she responded with a nod. Then she watched as Leo escorted his mom inside by offering his arm. Why had it never occurred to her that Leo had a mother? It was very likely he had a father as well. Did he have siblings? She was beginning to realize that she had failed miserably in researching everything she should already know about Leo James. She was curious to find out more about Leo and was about to head inside to do some research when her cell dinged again.

'We need to talk.'

The message made her freeze in the doorway of Leo's house. She hadn't heard from her own father in months, but now he felt the need to talk with her? What did he want? Why now? She didn't realize that she had begun to stare at the message.

“Darcy?” Leo stood only a few paces in front of her, but it took her a few moments to focus enough to see him. She placed her phone in her pocket before returning his stare. “Are you ok?”

“Yea. Yes. I think so.” Darcy smiled but she could tell he wasn't believing a word she said. She hurried past him into the house so he couldn't see her face or look at her any longer.

“Darcy!” Mrs. James had a strong frame and was someone you could instantly like with just a simple glance at her kind smile. Everything about her was welcoming.

“Hello, Mrs. James.” Darcy greeted the elder a bit shyly as she was a bit unsure of how to act in front of Leo's mother. The older woman took her hand and didn't say a word as they walked into the kitchen together. There were several bowls on the counter that spewed an aroma that made Darcy's stomach rumble.

“Call me mom. I'm more comfortable that way. I brought food over for Leo and you to share. You've gotten leaner since I've started watching you.” Mrs. James commented and Darcy had to glance down at herself. She hadn't noticed how her clothes were beginning to hang off of her. She smiled sheepishly back at Mrs. James.

“Sit! Sit. Leo, you too!”

Mrs. James pulled Darcy to sit at the kitchen table before doing the same to Leo. They exchanged awkward glances at each other across the table. This was the first time they faced each other in such an intimate setting.

“I overheard you defending my son to that man, Darcy. Thank you! Leo may not show it, but he often gets hurt by how the media portrays him.” Mrs. James began to talk as she placed the soup between them and motioning them to start eating.

“Mom, please!” Leo warned just before his mother pushed a spoon into his hand.

“I'm sorry you caught me in such a moment with my boss. Unfortunately, he treats all celebrities like money makers.” Darcy mumbled as she stared into here soup bowl.

“I don't like him very much.” Mrs. James declared.

Darcy glanced back up to the older woman and found her confident smile reassuring.

“You know? I don't really like him either.”

Mrs. James laughed and nodded her head in full understanding before motioning once more for both of them to eat while the soup was warm. It wasn't until Darcy had eaten most of her soup that Mrs. James finally spoke up again. “If you don't like your boss, why do you still work for him?”

Darcy was surprised by her sudden and personal question. When she looked up, she found that Leo was staring back at her as well. A shiver ran its course through her body. She glanced away towards the camera, realizing she hadn't exactly complimented her boss in front of the audience. She let silence fall between the three of them until Mrs. James announced her departure.

“Thank you Mrs. James, for the food.” Darcy said her goodbye quickly, allowing the mother and son some time alone. She scurried in the direction of her room, mentally cursing under her breath. Matthias would certainly get back at her for what she had done.

  Not having the energy to change, she crawled into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. After a few minutes, she pulled out her phone and stared at the message she had received from her father. It took a lot of convincing, but she finally decided to answer the message in the morning.