Annie's Story

Chapter Six: Tabloid Rumors (Annie)

Chapter Six: Tabloid Rumors (Annie)

Annie’s alarm woke her up. She reached for her phone only to see Claire had been texting her since six am. Annie’s looked at her phone, confused by what she was reading. She looked away from the phone and looked at it again. She picked up the remote to her television and put in the latest entertainment news program.

"Who is this mystery girl dating billionaire tycoon Markus Belle?" the host asked. "No one seems to know her real name. In a ploy to throw off the paparazzi, she changes her name badge daily at the café where she works. In my opinion, that is one smart gal."

Annie smiled, knowing Claire’s idea had worked, at least for now. Annie showered, dressed, and wore a blonde wig and oversized sunglasses as she headed to work. The crowd outside of the café was huge, so Annie made her way to the back alley where Claire awaited her.

"They have been out there all morning," Claire said. "All of them are chomping at the bit to glimpse Markus’ new love interest."

"Sounds like it is going to be an interesting day," Annie said, sighing.

"You can stay in the kitchen if you want to," Claire said.

"I’m going to have to deal with this at some point," Annie said, shrugging.

"Okay," Claire said. Annie removed her wig and sunglasses, donned her apron with an Alicia name tag, and went to the front.

***

Jake was just waking up on the west coast. Thomas, Kincaid, Trevor, and Miguel were all at the front of their RV, watching an entertainment news program.

"This isn't going to be good," Thomas said.

"I know," Trevor said.

"We are going to need more alcohol," Miguel said.

"For sure," Thomas said, looking toward the back of the RV. "Here he comes."

"Hey, Jake, Annie’s famous," Kincaid joked. Thomas, Trevor, and Miguel looked at Kincaid with disdain.

"What?" Kincaid asked. "He was about to find out anyway."

"Jake, I need you to sit," Thomas said, shaking his head.

"What’s going on?" asked Jake. Thomas pointed to the television. Annie’s face was plastered all over it with the caption ‘who is this mystery woman dating billionaire tycoon Marcus Belle?’ Jake looked at Thomas, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I know, bro," Thomas said. "Have you called her since we have been out on the road?"

"No," Jake said. "It's been hard enough."

"What's going on?" asked Kincaid.

"Are you that oblivious?" said Trevor. "Jake has feelings for Annie."

"He has always had feelings for Annie," Miguel said.

"Does she know?" asked Kincaid. "Because if she did and promised to wait for you and is now doing this, she is no good."

"No," Jake said. "At least, I don’t think she ever knew."

"Did you ever tell her?" Kincaid asked.

"No," Jake said.

"Why not?" Kincaid asked.

"I didn't feel she liked me the same way," Jake said.

"Dude, we all know Annie is shy. She could barely look at me when I first joined the band. Annie is not the type to express her feelings to someone," Kincaid said. "The only way you would have known for sure was to tell her."

"I know. I should have told her the night we were leaving," Jake said.

"She may have told you how she felt. It would have either brought closure so you could move on, or you could at least have something to look forward to when we arrive home," Kincaid said.

"Yeah, but I didn't, and now she is with a billionaire," Jake said, shrugging. "I have no chance now."

"Money isn't everything," Thomas said. "When did you ever know Annie to be all about money? She is super smart and can have any job, yet she chooses to be a barista in a mom-and-pop café."

"Yeah, but have you seen that guy?" Jake asked, pointing at the television. "He not only has money but also the looks to match."

"Jake, you and Annie have known each other for a long time. I am pretty sure that will be a factor in her choosing between you and this guy," Trevor said, brushing his long brown hair behind his ear.

"I won't do that to Annie," Jake said. "She deserves to be happy. So if this guy makes her happy, I will relinquish her to him.”

“That is very white knight of you, Jake,” Miguel said. “But I think Annie should be the one to make that decision. If she knows how you feel, things may change.”

“I don’t know,” Jake said, grabbing the remote and changing the station. Jake flipped channels until he found a movie, but he barely paid attention to the movie or the guys in the RV. Instead, he got up and went to the back. Picking up his phone, he sent Annie a text.

'Hey, Annie. I see you have made the big leagues.'

'Hey, Jake. How is the tour going?' Annie replied.

'It is going pretty well. We miss home. It is not the same.' Jake replied.

'Aww, I am sorry you are all homesick. How much longer is the tour?'

'In a few more months, we will be home to do a big homecoming show. You are coming, right?' Jake asked.

'I wouldn't miss it.' Annie said.

'Good. It will be great to see everyone. Talk to you later, Annie.' Jake said.

'Sounds good. Have fun on the rest of the tour. See you soon. Tell the guys I said hello.' Annie replied.

'Will do.' Jake replied. Jake returned to the front of the RV, sitting on the couch, sighing.

"Are you okay?" Miguel asked.

"Yeah," Jake said. "I texted Annie. She said to tell you all hello. She said she'll be at the homecoming show."

"Awesome," Trevor said. "Did you tell her how you feel?"

"No," Jake said. "I can't do that, not yet."

"Are you going to tell her at the show?" Kincaid asked.

"I don't know, man," Jake said. The RV came to a stop behind the venue they were playing at. The five of them filed out to find something to eat. Hollywood was a melting pot of regular folks mixing with celebrities. Every place they passed boasted about what celebrities ate or shopped there. The guys thought it was all crazy, never fathoming they would be a part of this crowd. They agreed to eat at an Italian-American restaurant. They always enjoyed a big meal before a show to keep their energy high throughout the night.

Maria Ketruv, a model, noticed Jake as soon as he walked into the restaurant. He walked past her, seemingly not noticing anyone in the restaurant. The hostess brought Jake, Miguel, Trevor, Thomas, and Kincaid to a table at the back of the restaurant. Only the celebrities were allowed to sit near the windows. It was good publicity for any restaurant to have someone famous in their front windows.

"I'll be right back," Maria said to her tablemate, Alyssa Petrina, also a model. She walked to the back of the restaurant. "Excuse me, aren't you Soulshine?"

"Yes, we are, Miss Ketruv," said Kincaid. Maria didn't look in his direction but stared at Jake, who didn't even look up from his menu. Thomas kicked Jake under the table. He looked up to see a statuesque blonde staring a hole through him.

"Hello," Jake said.

"Hi," Maria said in her Russian accent. "I'm Maria."

"Jake," he replied. "You know who we are?"

"Yes," Maria said, twirling a piece of her hair around her finger. "I have tickets to your show tonight. A few of my girlfriends and I are coming to the show."

"Great," Jake said. "I hope you enjoy the show."

"I am sure we will," Maria said. "Maybe we will see each other later."

"Yeah," Jake said. "Maybe we will."

Maria walked back to her table.

"Jake, are you f*****g kidding me? That was Maria Ketruv," said Kincaid.

"I know who she is," Jake said.

"She wanted you, Jake," Thomas said.

"It could be your chance to move on," Trevor said.

"I don't know," Jake said. "I am not into celebrities like you guys are."

Alyssa watched the entire reaction from their table. "What is he like?" She asked.

"Sad," Maria said. "It's okay. I will cheer him up later."

"I am sure you will," Alyssa said, raising her eyebrows. They both laughed.

The band finished their meal, walking around before returning to the RV. Jake walked into a*****e he knew Annie would love. He looked around, found something she would like, and purchased it. He would give it to her when he saw her.

Jake returned to the RV to get ready for tonight's performance. There was a knock on the door. Maria, Alyssa, Lila Lovich, Michele Pierre, and Lulu Lewisky were at the door.

"Hello, guys," said Maria. "May we come in?"

"I don't see the harm in that," said Kincaid, stepping aside to let the ladies on the RV.

"Jake, we have company," Trevor called to the back of the RV. Jake came out to see the models standing at the front of the bus.

"Hello, again," Jake said to Maria.

"Hello, Jake," Maria said. "I told you I would see you again.”