He Called Me Princess. Disaster Engagement Series Book 3 Lynn Smith

Episode 18

I asked Harry to drive me straight home for my passport then I was getting as far away from Tommy as I possibly could. I always got the feeling that Harry loved it when I went on the run. He went into organisation mode calling to chart a private plane for me to London and even called my house keeper to pack all Tommy’s stuff and called Vinnie and asked him to change the gate entry code on my gates so Tommy couldn’t get in. When I arrived home I was exhausted, I looked around the home I had shared with Tommy and I could feel myself well up, but I wasn’t going to waste any tears on that arsehole. How could I have been so stupid to have fallen for him but he wasn’t the man I thought he was. I had defended him to everyone that said we weren’t right for each other and now I felt foolish that I ever thought that he loved me. It all made sense now, I was just a trophy to him, I was someone that he wanted to sleep with and then when he had me he didn’t want me any more. The worst part was The big man was right and I had actually stoped speaking to him because I believed Tommy wasn’t as bad as he made out and then it turned out that he was worse he had proposed to me and fed me lies that he wanted to be with me forever but he was able to throw that all away for a quick shag with some girl, and not even a pretty girl. I took my phone out of my bag and was about to call the big man to tell him I was sorry and that he was right when I heard sobbing coming from my kitchen. As I went through to see what was going on it was Chris sitting at my kitchen table crying, “what’s happened Chris are you ok?” i screeched as I ran towards him, he looked up at me with bloodshot eyes “I guess you haven’t read online then” he said between sobs,”no what’s happened?” He took a deep breath “I got a phone call this morning from a reporter asking for a quote about a story he was going to run, he said that The big man had been seeing Carmela behind my back” I was in total shock I couldn’t take any more today. “No Chris that’s not true, it can’t be true they wouldn’t do that to you. She loves you anyone can see that. And he’s your best friend. I know he does a lot of stupid stuff but he wouldn’t sleep with your wife.” “That’s what I thought but when I ended the call I told Carmela and she broke down and confessed the whole thing to me” I slumped down in the chair next to him and took his hand I was speechless “Chris I’m so sorry, have you spoke to the big man?” He nodded his head “he denied it, he said I was crazy, but then the photos appeared online” he let out another sob, my heart broke for him. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He gave me his phone and I stared at the photos, they were of Carmela and the big man kissing, I stared at them in disbelief “Chris these must have been taken a while ago because Carmela has really long hair in these photos and her hair has been short for ages, in fact it’s been short in all the time I’ve known her” he took the phone and stared at the photos “that’s what she said, she said it was taken in London in Frans back garden” I looked at the photos again “yeah I thought the back ground looked familiar” “it was the night I first met her do you remember the night you set my hair on fire?” “Yes I remember that night, but you and Carmela didn’t start seeing each other until months later” “I know but I can’t believe she didn’t tell me. She let me have him as my best man and she had slept with him. How could she do that to me” “she loves you Chris she probably didn’t want to lose you and that’s why she kept it from you” “I sent the big man the photos and he said he couldn’t remember and I believe him because why would he, he sleeps with so many woman but why did he have to sleep with mine?” “I’m so sorry Chris this is a mess” “I’m just so embarrassed these photos are out there on the internet for the whole world to see, I look like a laughing stock, I’m not angry with him I’m angry with her” “why Chris” “it was love at first sight for me and she was sneaking outside to shag my mate, it’s like I’m second choice because she couldn’t have him” “please don’t think that, you were still drinking back then and you and me were really drunk remember you shaved your own head that night for god sake. She just couldn’t see that you are this wonderful amazing person or she would have fallen for you there and then” he dried his tears “I’m so angry with her gorgeous, I’m so embarrassed, what are my family going to say about this? Promise me you didn’t know about it” “of course not honey, Carmela and I are close but you are like my brother, I wouldn’t have kept this to myself” “I need a drink Gorgeous” “no you don’t you just need away for a while to clear your head I’m just on my way to London if you want to come with me” “why are you going to London” he asked, “I’m running away” “why what’s happened?” “Well I caught Tommy shagging then hotel maid this morning, so I guess we both have had a s**t day” “your kidding me? You just let me go on and on about my bullshit and all this has just happened. Are you ok?” “No I’m devastated Chris I loved him” “it doesn’t make sense he’s crazy about you” “no he isn’t it turns out he’s a dickhead, anyway I’m running away to London do you fancy it? You and me the clever twins back in action, London won’t know what’s hit it!” He gave me a huge smile “Count me in gorgeous”

Chris and I got a flight to London that afternoon and Harry came with us. Chris had sold his flat there so he decided to stay in my spare bedroom. As I walked into my old flat lots of memories came flooding back to me. And I felt excited, I felt free again, that life in LA wasn’t me, and as much as I wanted to pretend to be grown up and ready to settle down into a life as Tommys wife I was still young and I wanted to be part of this amazing city that I loved so much, and I wanted to have my own career and most importantly I didn’t want to answer to anyone. And I had one of my best friends with me, I was single again and I was happy I didn’t need a man they brought nothing but hurt and pain and I all I wanted was to be free again. I went into my old bedroom and it was just the way I had left it, all the familiar surrounding made me feel like I was finally home. I went over to my jewellery box in my dressing room and opened the little box I took off the engagement ring that Tommy had given me and placed it beside the engagement ring from Stefan and the wedding band from Fran and said “another one bites the dust” staring into that box was like staring at all the terrible mistakes I had ever made in my life, I closed it over and dusted myself off. I couldn’t let my heart break define me, then Chris came in with a glass of champagne in each hand “fancy a drink Gorgeous?” “Yeah I need one let’s get drunk honey and show London what they’ve been missing” We spent the next couple of days in my flat drinking and crying. Well I didn’t cry obviously it was Chris that was crying. I was feed up listening to him. I had received an invite to my friend Johnny’s Christmas party and convinced Chris to come with me. We had to get out of the flat one way or the other. We went shopping that afternoon and Chris bought himself a black suit and tie and I bought a long gold dress that sparkled as I walked. As we arrived at the event there was lots of photographers outside, I couldn’t wait to get inside and enjoy myself but the idea of walking the red carpet and anyone asking me where Tommy was had me terrified. I took Chris by the hand as we walked past the press. I could hear them all going into over drive, no one knew we were in London I haven’t even told my mum. We had went out shopping with our scarves pulled up and woolly hats pulled down so no one could recognise us so this must have been a shock to see us “Lydia you look beautiful where’s Thomas Taylor? Chris is it true you have left Carmela? Is it true that you two are together now?” Chris and I looked at each other and burst out laughing, he gave me a huge smile “yes finally after all these years they finally think that something is going on with me and you” “what do you mean honey?” “It’s just that in the papers and online there’s always stories that you and Fran or you and the big man might be together but I never get a mention, and now im getting a mention Gorgeous! it’s actually a bit exciting” I slapped his arm, let’s hit the bar honey” the party was in full swing, Chris and I spoke to a few old friends we haven’t seen in a while but we wanted to avoid any awkward questions so we kept ourselves to ourselves. Chris stood at the bar waiting for me as I went to the ladies room to touch up my make up, I was walking back over to Chris when a large figure appeared before me, I didn’t look up I just tried to step to one side to avoid them then the man stepped to one side to stop me in my tracks when I looked up it was the Scottish guy I had spoke to in the elevator in LA and he was just as handsome as I remembered. He didn’t say hello he just smiled and said “you look beautiful” I decided to enjoy the flattery “hello John, how are you?” “I’m a lot better for seeing you, and please call me Sir Steel” “Sorry I forgot you prefer Sir Steel” “you look amazing in that dress. Every man in the place is staring at you” I let out a giggle “thank you. you look gorgeous in that suit Sir Steel” a woman in her 50’s came over and said “John I’m going over there to catch up with an old friend then im ready to leave, she smiled at me and said “you’re Lydia Knight, I’m Beatrice Walker I adore your style, your a fashion icon, she’s a fabulous creature don’t you think John?” he was talking to her but staring at me “she’s beautiful and you know I’m a big fan of her band” “oh yes he talks about your music constantly, I must excuse myself it was lovely to meet you” I watched her walk away and I couldn’t help but be surprised “I didn’t picture your wife being so posh” I said with a giggle “she’s not my wife, my kids Mum died when they were young. I only met Beatrice a couple of weeks ago I needed a date to charity thing then she invited me here tonight, and I was just wishing I hadn’t bothered coming until I spotted you” “why did you wish you had stayed at home?” “Because she’s as boring as hell” “why does she get to call you John but I need to call you Sir Steel” I joked “get to know me better and you can call me anything you want beautiful” “what do you want me to call you Sir Steel” “I like when you call me Sir,” “ok Sir” he smiled “I’d love if you called me daddy” “I bet you would” “I’d love to be your sugar daddy” “I don’t need one although it is a nice offer, I don’t know if you could afford me” “I’m a very rich man beautiful” “your girlfriends waiting for you and I better get back to Chris” “Chris McDonald. Aw man I would love to meet him, but I better drop Beatrice off at home, I hope I bump into you again soon” he kissed my cheek “why don’t You let me take you home beautiful girl” “it’s not Christmas yet Sir Steel” he let out a laugh “see you soon beautiful girl” “bye daddy” he smiled “you better be careful I’m an old man Lydia, And I’ve got a heart condition” he stroked my arm “call me that again and I will die a happy man” “maybe next time Sir Steel” I said straightening his tie it was just harmless flirting he was so incredibly handsome that it gave me a thrill. I went over to Chris and he looked like he had seen a ghost I was still smiling from my encounter with John. “Are you ok honey?” “I just got a text from the big man he’s here in London he wants to see me” “you should speak to him honey” “I know but I feel really stupid for shouting at him before we left LA it’s not him I’m angry with, it’s her. He really didn’t do anything wrong, and he keeps texting me how sorry he is and I feel terrible and now he’s came all this way to sort it out with me” “honey he will be happy that you aren’t mad at him, let’s go back to my place he’s probably at his flat and we can talk it out” as I turned to leave I spotted a large group of men one of the guys looked me up and down and said loud enough for everyone to hear “there’s Lydia Knight, look at the size of her t**s” all the men let out a laugh. One of the guys with his back to me turned to face me and it was Michael, my Michael. He turned to look at me and his face dropped he obviously didn’t expect to see me there. He broke away from the pack of men and came towards me and Chris looked uncomfortable and said “I’ll get Harry to get the car” and excused himself “sweetheart you look incredible what are you doing here” he said with a smile, “I’m here with Chris, we’re on the run” I said with a giggle, “what?” He asked with a confused look on his face. “Chris is having a hard time with Carmela” he nodded his head “yeah I seen it online then I spoke to the big man, what a mess” “so we decided to run away to London for a few weeks to let the dust settle” “you’re a good friend sweetheart” “no im a selfish b***h I just wanted to come to London for the Christmas sales” he started to laugh, “you seem a lot happier than the last time I seen you sweetheart” “yeah I am happier” “I’m so glad that you’re here. Do you remember the last time we were here I took you back to my place” “yeah that seems like a life time ago” “I still have the old place if you fancy coming back with me tonight sweetheart” I let out a huge laugh “wow this dress must be a like a guy magnet your the second guy tonight to ask me back to his place” “Oh is that right” he said with a smile “I’m going to wear this every day” I said wiggling my bum “so what are you doing here?” He asked and then a girl appeared at his side “Mick get me a drink” she said in an American accent as she took his arm then she noticed me, “oh wow your Lydia Knight I love your dress” she said “this is Tanya” he said with a serious look on his face, I thought finding Tommy in bed with the maid was hard but this was like my heart had been ripped out my chest. “Hi Tanya How long have you two been together?” I asked “about 4 months” she said stroking his arm. So when he was declaring his undying love for me and crashing my wedding dress fitting he had a girlfriend. “And what is it you do Tanya?” I asked “I’m a lawyer at Steel industries in Chicago” “oh I know John..Sir John Steel, he’s so funny, in fact I was just speaking to him over there” “I’ve never actually made eye contact with him before he’s so intimidating, he’s a killer in the boardroom” “no hes really nice and so handsome” she started to giggle “I seen him earlier but he wouldn’t know who I was so I didn’t say hi” Michael Glanced around “and where’s Tommy? is he with you” Michael kept looking around and he looked totally pissed off “that’s right I read online that your engaged to Thomas Taylor he was always my favourite in London Streets” she looked at my hand to see my ring but instead I had a tan line from where it used to be and I knew I had to be honest “No we split up” And there was a silence between the three of us. “Oh I’m sorry to hear that” said Tanya then Micheal said after a long pause “so you decided to dump him and you didn’t think to mention it” in an angry tone. “It didn’t come up” “Mick calm down” she said with an embarrassed smile “no I won’t calm down, so your single and you didn’t think to tell me” “Mick what’s the matter with you”?” she asked “the truth is Tanya I’m in love with this girl, in fact she’s the love of my life. I’m sorry Tanya but you and I aren’t going to work out” Tanya looked at the both of us in shock then turned and ran through the crowd “what the f**k are you playing at Micheal?” “I love you and I want to be with you. The only thing standing between us being together was Baldy and now he’s out of the picture we can be together” “no Michael the only thing keeping us apart was you constantly working, and that haven’t changed. I can’t believe you spoke to her like that, the poor girl is heart broken” “I don’t give a s**t about her I want you” “how could you be so cruel” “I’m sorry but I love you” “You expect me to fall at your feet when you’ve just dumped your girlfriend in front of me, Michael you are deranged?” Chris came over to us “are you ok Gorgeous?” “I want to leave right now” “no stay! I need to speak to you” said Michael and he was panicked “listen mate she doesn’t want to speak to you just leave it” “no I won’t leave it Chris it’s nothing to do with you” Chris grabbed Michael by the tie “listen you little Irish prick I’ve had enough of your bullshit, leave her alone or I’ll break your f*****g legs. Stay the f**k away from her” Michael pushed him away. “Stop it your causing a scene” I said as I looked around the room and noticed everyone was looking at us. “come on Gorgeous let’s go” Chris grabbed my hand and dragged me through the party and didn’t say anything until we were alone in the car. Then we both looked at each other and laughed “Jesus Chris I haven’t seen you lose it like that in years, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of you” “I’m sick of him showing up all the time, you guys finished years ago, what’s his problem?” “he just dumped his girlfriend in front of me when I said I had split up with Tommy” he let out a huge laugh. “My god Lydia you can pick them” when we got back to the flat the big man was sitting waiting on my sofa. He looked really nervous and he stood up when we walked in. “Chris I’m so sorry, you must hate me” “no I don’t hate you” “I honestly didn’t remember it happening” “what exactly did happen big man” I asked “I chatted up Carmela at one of Fran’s parties then we kissed outside when she was waiting on her taxi I asked to go back to hers but she told me to f**k off because I was really drunk then she went home and that was it” “why didn’t you tell Chris when they first started seeing each other?” “I honestly didn’t think it was the same person when I met her the first time she had long blonde hair then when I met her when she was with Chris she had that really short hair I had no idea it was her” “so you two didn’t shag?” I asked “no of course not, Carmela wouldn’t sleep with a guy she’s just met” “hold on a minute Chris you told me that Carmela confessed the whole thing to you and that they had slept together” “now that I think about it she didn’t actually say that she just said that he followed her outside and they kissed and he asked to go back to hers and that’s when I cut her off because I couldn’t listen to her anymore” “so all this is over a drunken kiss that no one can even remember from before you were even a couple?” “No Lydia She could remember and she didn’t tell me that’s why I can’t be with her anymore” “don’t you think this is all a bit dramatic?” “She’s embarrassed me, in front of the whole world I can’t forgive her for this” “can you forgive me?” Asked the big man “yeah I can, I know what your like you probably didn’t remember and when I met her I changed who I was so we could be together and now that I think about it she probably didn’t like me at all that’s why she made me change” “what are you talking about?” “I stoped drinking I moved to LA I turned into a boring bastard just to make her happy and I did all that because I love her. And I don’t think she ever liked me or she wouldn’t have wanted me to change so much” I didn’t want to argue with him, even though he was talking nonsense I decided to wait until he had sobered up to tell him he was being an i***t then the big man said “Lydia I’m sorry about us falling out too, ive missed you loads” “I’ve missed you too big man” “I promise I won’t get involved with anything to do with you and Tommy” “I dumped him” “I know he called me I told him you were in London?” “Why did you tell him” “don’t worry he’s not here he says he’s not going to chase you that if you don’t believe him then there’s nothing he can do” “I caught him shagging a maid” “I’m sorry Gorgeous” “you were right I should have listened to you” “I knew he was a ladies man, what an arsehole” “who cares about him he’s a dickhead, anyway I think would feel better if you gave me the business” “yeah I bet you would” I went over to the juke box and put on Waterloo” they both laughed then the big man started his routine and Chris opened a bottle of vodka. After he was done Chris and I couldn’t move we were laughing so much then he said “what now?” “I think we should have a band meeting” I said with total excitement “but Frans in Thailand” “well we better get ourselves to Thailand”