Chapter 9: What Do I Have To Do

Six months ago…

She wasn’t sure when things had turned so sour, or even why it did. Maybe it was because of all the vicious rumors going around. Rumors of infidelity, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and god knows what else, were flying around. She was trying her best to ignore them all, it was all apart of the territory. It was just getting really hard, especially with the questionable photos floating around. The band was very famous. It felt like overnight they were catapulted into stardom. Everyone wanted a piece.

It was causing her horrible and sudden panic attacks, without any warning she’d feel her chest tighten and her vision would get dark and hazy. Sleeping was non-existent. Between constant headaches, chest, and kidney pains, Scarlette was feeling a bit like a zombie, as well as looking the part. Poor make up artist struggled to make her look like a classic beauty without looking like a caked on face. “Thank god for airbrush…” some would mutter under their breath, not like that was helping her situation.

Alexander Volkov, the man who was just a few years older than her and boosted each others careers, came over to her before one for her huge magazine photo shoots. Concerned for her health and well-being, as well as to make sure she wasn’t doing anything stupid like heroin binges or purging foods, he sat in front of her as the stylist did her hair and make up.

“Tell me, what is going on with you?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She tried to feign happiness but failed horribly. She was one who kept business and personal as far apart as she could, but the line was starting to blur.

He pursed his lips and turned his to the side slightly. “Really, what’s going on? Are you on drugs?”

She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes. “Oh god I can’t do this here. I’ll ruin the make up.” She began to frantically wave her hands in front of her eyes as she looked up.

“Honey, it’s already ruined.” The stylist doing her hair muttered under his breath. He finished curling her hair up into a retro Chignon.

“Out and consider yourself fired.” Alexander glared the stylist down as he sheepishly walked out of the room. “Fuck them sweetie,” Waving a hand in the air as if swatting away a fly. “Tell me what’s wrong.” He placed a hand on her knee, as to comfort her.

“I think my husband is cheating on me and developing horrible habits.”

He sighed crossing his legs and resting an elbow on his knee. “Well, it is part of the lifestyle.”

Scarlette shook her head. “Then he’s lying to me, his wife.” She started to sob heavily. “Our vows mean nothing to him.”

He shook his head. “I’ve seen what’s been printed about him and they are pretty rancid. Do you know for sure though?”

She just shook her head as she sobbed.

“Well,” He got up and went behind her and began to rub her shoulders. “You know what you gotta do, hun. I know you can smell lies, so first whiff, get the fuck out.”

Scarlette’s sobs slowed and Alexander snapped at someone to get her water. “You’re a smart cookie, you can handle this, and you’ll make it through.” He opened the bottled water for her and handed it to her. “Now, clean up your face and go work that fucking camera like I know you can!”

She nodded as she drank. She suddenly felt a little lighter and looked a little bit better too.

★★★★★★★

In a loose gray sweats and black tank top, Scarlette had fallen asleep on the dark brown couch with the remote in her hand. Her hand hung over the edge of the couch, threatening to drop the remote to the tan carpeted floor. The TV was quietly lulling on about the latest, greatest, easiest, and cleans everything cleaner.

She had been waiting for him to get home, from a photo or video shoot; she couldn’t remember and didn’t care especially after the events that unfolded on her own shoot. Even though the designer was her friend and confidant, who understood what she was going through. The photographer was a friend as well, but she still couldn’t help be embarrassed. Word would travel around quick and she would probably get a call from Christine in the morning.

It was around five forty in the morning when he finally decided to stumble in, only allowing Scarlette to get a little less than four hours of sleep. She sat up and rubbed the sleep and black eyeliner out of her eyes, to see him leaning against the door, fumbling with the deadbolt.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” She mumbled as she sat there and watched the deadbolt win the battle. She shook her head and looked at the clock. “Nice.” She stood up. “Where in the hell have you been?” She kept her voice even and flat, as she watched his back stiffen.

He slowly turned his head towards the voice, swaying slightly. “Hi honey, I’m home!” He spun around to face her, all the while loosing his balance and falling against the door. He laughed like someone had told him the funniest joke with the greatest punch line.

Scarlette shook her head and ran her hand back through her hair. “How in the fuck do I put up with this?” She gritted her teeth.

“Aww, come on baby.” He swaying as he walked to her with open arms. “It's fun being like this and it makes other things even better.” He gave her a sloppy smile when he finally made it to her. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close to him, running his fingers through her hair.

She tried to shrink back from him as he pulled her towards him. He made her rest her head on his chest, smothering her in the vile stench of cheap vodka and whiskey, cigarette smoke, god knows what else, and perfume. The perfume made her stop and think about it, there was no doubt about the fruity floral scent of the perfume, cheap but it was inarguable.

He tried to kiss her as she shoved him away from her. “What the fuck, Rob?” She was almost screaming at him, forgetting about the time and the neighbors.

He stumbled backwards a bit and stared at her for a moment before grabbing her head and forcing his mouth on hers.

She fought to push him away but his grip was so tight around her head and hair, it was starting to hurt. So she did the next logical thing she could think of, bite his lip. She tasted blood as he shoved her off of him and she fell backwards onto the couch.

He had his hand to his mouth. “What the fuck, Scarlette?!” He seemed to be a little bit more sober now.

She was more than confident now. “Who is she?”

“What?”

“Don’t fucking play stupid with me, who the fuck is she?” She tried to keep her voice even and full of anger, hoping she was successful.

He scoffed at her. “There is only you.” He voice held something behind it and Scarlette didn’t like it.

“Bull-fucking-shit! I smell her on your clothes in between the cheap vodka, whiskey, and cigarettes; I smell the cheap whore’s cheap perfume!” The anger was holding her tears at bay.

He took a step towards her. “No, there is no one.” He voice was now holding a tinge of anger.

She stood up from the couch. “You’re fucking lying. Explain the perfume.”

He thought about it for a moment. “Models.”

She glared at him. “Fuck you.” She walked past him, to the bedroom but her grabbed her by the wrist. She looked down at his hand then back at him. “Let me go.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

She tried to yank her wrist away but he wasn’t freeing his grip on her. “I’m leaving you. You’re a coward and a fucking liar. I’m done. Now let me go.” She turned away from him and tried to walk to the bedroom, but he yanked her back so hard her shoulder threatened to pop out of place. She winced in pain as he caught her with his free hand and arms. “You’re hurting me.”

He held his grip on her. “What do I have to do? You just don’t understand.” He hissed into her ear.

“Go to hell.” She was sure his grip was going to leave bruises on her wrist and shoulder.

Once again he forced his mouth on hers but also tried to rip her tank top off at the same time. She bit his lip once again and kneed him in the groin. She stumbled backwards at his sudden release. He doubled over for a moment, slowly straightening back up. He looked at her, something was in his eyes, something she didn’t notice before. It didn’t hold any sort of kindness at all, something darker, and almost lost.

She took another step backwards, in shock and fear, even though a voice deep down told her to run for the bedroom and lock the door. He took a step forward and raised his arm. Before she could even think of what to do, she was trying to regain her focus, which happened to be the ceiling. She could see little multi colored dots in her vision as she tried to figure out what exactly happened. Then she felt a sharp throbbing pain on the right side of her face. She gingerly touched it and winced. Looking at the fingers that had touched it, cover covered in deep red liquid.

A figure hovered over her, she felt herself sitting up, and then dragged backwards. She felt sharp pain on her scalp as he was dragging her across the floor by her hair. He threw her against the bed, during the entire time he had been spitting horrible words at her, mean, vulgar, and vile things that no other human being should repeat or ever say for that matter.

He shoved himself on top of her, trying to pull her sweats down and choke her with his free arm. She fought to get him off of her, squirming, kicking, punching, hitting, anything. Finally, her nails connected with his eye and she dragged them down while kicking at him to get off of her.

They didn’t hear the banging or the breaking down of the front door while all this was happening. There were flashlights dancing throughout the room and apartment. Men in dark blue uniforms yanked him off of her and another gave her a blanket to wrap herself up in. She didn’t realize it but she was shaking and bleeding everywhere. Someone from the crime scene investigation unit took pictures of her face, hands, arms, legs, thighs, hips, stomach and back as she told an officer her story. She was covered in cuts and bruises. She only could imagine what she looked like, especially with the faces each officer made to her. Mostly looks of sadness, pain, pity, and horror. She held the blanket tighter to herself as she sat on the back of the ambulance.

Apparently, from the officer in charge of the scene, said that the neighbors had made a call about someone being drunk in the parking lot around five thirty, then they received another around five fifty about an argument, then another call at six oh five of more screaming and loud banging. An officer shortly appeared on scene only to hear a female screaming “bloody murder” and decided to call for back up. He let her know another officer would be at the hospital to take her account of the night again.

Scarlette sat there, staring into oblivion, trying to make sense of it all. Praying that she’d wake up and this was all a horrible nightmare. She watched as the closed the ambulance doors and drove off. The paramedic asked her questions and tried to make small talk.

“Wait, I recognize you now.” He gave an excited smiled.

She slowly turned her head and gave him eyes that asked “You’re not serious?” even though it sent sharp shooting pains down her neck and back.

He shrank back a little and made himself busy by pretending to check and read her IV bag.

She tried to relax and close her eyes as they finished their trip to the hospital. “Worst start of the day ever.” She grumbled to herself and gave a stiff choked laugh.

Chapter 8: Don’t You Want Me

Author's note: I'm a butt. I'm sorry. That's all I'm gonna say. Now, let's hope I can keep this up with my new founded creativity! Okay, NOW that's all I'm going to say! <3

Present day Los Angeles, California…

She had ordered a small caramel macchiato and took a seat in the back of the coffee shop. Scarlette was about ten minutes early but figured she could use the time to organize her thoughts and give herself a mental pep talk. She sipped on her warm drink as she thought about all the things that could or couldn’t happen. As she was lost in her thoughts she didn’t take notice of the man that walked in, then sat across from her.

“Hey.” He gave her a nervous smile.

She blinked her eyes a few times. “Oh hey, sorry I was lost in my own mind.” She smiled at him.

He nodded, relaxing his smile. “Can I get you another one?” He motioned towards her drink.

“Oh sure, that would be great. A caramel macchiato, please.” She reached for her purse.

“Don’t worry about it, this one is on me.” He gave her a smile as he got up and walked over to the counter. A few moments later he returned with two coffees in hand, placing one in front of Scarlette, and sat back down across from her.

“Thank you.” She took a sip. “So how have you been?”

He gave a small nod as he sipped on his drink. “I’m good and you? Did you finish moving in?”

She nodded. “I’m great, especially since I finished moving in. Everything is pretty much in its place, all I need is the landscapers to finish up the backyard.”

“That’s good.” He took another sip, then placing the cup down in front of him and lacing his fingers together on the table. “I’m glad you wanted to meet. I didn’t think I would ever hear from you, since Sophia had mentioned that you weren’t interested. It was a nice surprise to say the least.”

She smiled. “Yeah, I’m kinda surprised at myself.” She gave a small laugh. “I just figured ‘Why not, what do I have to lose?’. You seem like a stand up guy and if anything we could be friends.”

His smile faltered a bit. “Yeah, I suppose that wouldn’t be too bad.” They sat in silence for a moment, watching each other and the other people in the café. It was a slightly uncomfortable silence.

Scarlette cleared her throat. “So, to be honest and frank, I don’t want to lead you on or give you the wrong idea. I’m just going to lay my cards out for you and you can decide if you want to give anything a shot with me, see where this goes.” She took a sip of her coffee. “I’m not too sure about what I want right now. Friends are always a best place to start, if something grows from that, well, we can take it from there. It’s going to take a lot of patience, since I want to take very small baby steps.” She took in a deep breath and watched him, waiting for his reaction.

He leaned back in his chair, nodding and spinning his coffee cup on the table. “I don’t think you’re asking for too much. I think I can be friend.” He gave her a relaxed smile that showed off his pearly white teeth.

She felt her heart flutter at his smile, catching her breath in her throat. She tried to not show it by looking down at her cup. She swirled what little coffee was left in her cup. This was something she didn’t want. She had decided dating wasn’t a bad idea but she didn’t want to fall head over heels for someone just yet. This was something she hadn’t anticipated, especially after everything that had happened with Rob. She mentally shook her head and sat up straight, she didn’t realize she had been slouching a bit.

“Nervous?” David gave her a small smile that made her heart flutter again.

She gave a light laughed. “A little.”

“Let’s get out of here and go do something. The smell of coffee and tea is making me a little light-headed.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Alright, anywhere in mind?” She began to get up from her seat.

He nodded, standing up from his seat. “Yeah, I know of a nice little park and killer taco stand.” He put his hand out to her.

She looked up and him and smiled. “Okay sounds good.” She took his hand and stood up.

★★★★★★★

They sat together on a park bench munching away at their chicken and shrimp tacos, enjoying each others company and view of the small lake in front of them.

“Those were good.” Scarlette nodded and gently wiped the corners of her mouth, before taking a sip of her bottled water. “Possibly better than the one my grandmother use to make.” She gave him a small smile.

David smiled and nodded. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He finished his can of soda and motioned for her to give him her garbage.

She looked out over the lake and watched two swans swim next to one another, preening, and nuzzling each other. When David came back from throwing away their garbage he held a hand out to her.

“Ready?”

She looked at his hand and the up at him. “Sure.” She took his hand and stood up. “What’s next?”

He entwined their fingers together. “How about we stroll through the park and talk a little bit?”

She smiled and nodded as they began to walk forward. “Okay.” She silently thanked herself for wearing ballet flats instead of her usual heels.

“So, Sophia tells me you model?”

She slightly cocked her head to one side. “Should I be offended?” She mocked hurt and put her free right hand to her heart, smiling.

He gave a light laugh. “Well, to be honest, I’ve been out of the model loop since… awhile.” He last words held a small sadness. He sighed. “I do believe I’ve seen some of your earlier work. If that makes it any better?” He smiled.

She laughed. “It’s alright, but to answer your question, yes. I do a bit of modeling. It’s just a thing.” She playfully shrugged.

He laughed nodding. “I know what you mean, this whole being in a band is a thing for me too.”

They both smiled at each other and walked a few steps in silence.

“So what made you get into modeling? Was it one of those things you were walking into Hot Topic and some scout was there and you were his muse?”

“Oh that is far too glamorous.” She giggled. “Actually, I was working at a Saks Fifth Ave, helping this I’m-too-important-stuck-up-everyone-owes-me agent.” She gave a slight smile while smirking.

He nodded. “What made you do it then?”

Scarlette gave a heavy sigh. “It was the first time I had left my soon-to-be ex-husband and as much money as I made at Saks, it was exhausting and my co-workers… talk about complete backstabbers, as well as other colorful words.” She nodded looking down at the ground for a beat then back at him. “Apparently, she saw something in me and gave me her card. And as they say, the rest is history.” She gave a slight shrug.

“So how’d you get into burlesque and pin up and the like? From the sounds of it, it doesn’t seem like you were looking like Bettie Page at work.” At this point, he lead Scarlette to a bench that was right in front of the lake. He motioned for her to sit before him.

She stared out into the lake for a few moments. “Well,” she took a deep breath. “Christine tried to pimp me out to catalogue shoots. I wasn’t right for them. The photographers could never put their finger on why but that I just didn’t have ‘the look’.” She turned her hips slightly to him and looked at him. Looking into his eyes sent a shudder down her spine causing her to laugh nervously. “Christine almost gave up, until an up and coming L.A. designer said he wanted me for his Fall L.A. Fashion Week show. I puked for a week straight, not to fit into a dress obviously, but because I was a nervous wreck. Yeah, I had been doing small photo shoots but this was major.” She laughed at herself. “Once I got up on the walkway. It just fell into place.”

David gave a confused look and shook his head. “But that doesn’t explain…”

She smiled interrupting him. “He wanted all the models to look like they came straight out of the forties.” She smiled. “That’s how Scarlette Laurent was born.”

“Scarlette isn’t your real name?”

She nodded. “It is, just spelled differently, the common way I guess you could say.”

“Why Scarlette Laurent?”

“Well, Alexander Volkov, he was the designer I worked for, pretty much picked it. Never asked him why, just kind of went with it.” She shrugged.

David laughed. “Volkov! He did a lot of the designs we wear in most of our videos. Great guy. And why not ask? It could be interesting, seeing how he is… rather interesting himself.” He elbowed Scarlette lightly.

“Maybe next time I work with him I will. I hardly see that fabulous jetsetter now.”

“So what’s next for you?”

“I have a few burlesque shows coming up across the country, as well as a few alternative magazine photo shoots.”

“Burlesque, eh? Better than Dita?” He smiled, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh!” She playfully slapped his knee and shook her head. “I am no Dita von Teese, now that woman is magic. She lives and breathes the forties. Pure magic. Absolutely pure magic.”

He nodded. “She is. She puts on quiet a show. I’m sure you do too.”

She laughed. “Perhaps. I guess you’ll just have to find out one day.” She gave him a wink.

★★★★★★★

Once Scarlette got home, she went straight to her master bathroom and began to run hot water in the overly large jacuzzi tub, throwing in a few lavender scented bath pearls to help her relax. She didn’t realize how much her body ached until she walked in the front door to the house she and Liz shared in L.A. She let her hair slide out of the make shift messy French twist and peeled off her clothes.

After cleansing her face of make up, she slowly slid herself into the steaming hot water that was not just about her chest. She switched the faucet to cooler water and let it run for a bit longer til it was about to her chin.

“Perfect.” She slowly let herself slid down into the tub, so the water was over her head. Sitting back up, she slicked her hair back from her face. She instantly felt her pain melt away as the heat of the water worked down to her bones. She leaned her head back to rest on the cushioned head rest of the tub and closed her eyes.

Just as she was dozing off, the bathroom door flew open, causing her to a bout jump out of the tub as well as her skin. “WHAT THE FUCK!?”

Liz burst through the door with a laptop in hand. “You are so not going to fucking believe this!”

Scarlette groaned and rolled her eyes has far back as she could. “Can’t this wait?” Clearly irritated and out of meditation, she growled. “Give me forty-five minutes to myself. PLEASE?”

“No, no, no. You HAVE to see this.”

She sighed and stared straight forward. “Fuck me.” She said under her breath.

Liz sat on edge of the tub and turned the laptop to Scarlette.

“Give me one good reason to not drown you right now.” She said through gritted teeth.

“This.” She hit the enter button and a video began to play.

Scarlette sat for a few moments of silence looking at what seemed to be a home camera in night vision. “I’ve already seen parts of One Night In Paris, thanks.” She began to put Liz away.

“No.”

Just has Liz had said that everything became clear. One guy and four girls, you can imagine the rest. Lots of nudity, fondling, drug snorting, and god knows what else. Scarlette didn’t want to find or figure out what else there was and pushed the laptop close with disgust. “When?”

“They’re saying it was made within the past four to six days. Apparently, his beloved fans, the girls in the video, released it.”

“Classy. On all five of them.” She growled. The light floating feeling she had in her stomach had now turned into a big heavy ball of anxiety and rage, making her feel sick.

Liz nodded. “They’re saying that aren’t sure if it’s really legit. If it’s really him…”

She shook her head. “Oh no, I saw enough to know it’s him. Pig.” She shook her head more violently. “Like the first one WASN’T enough.” She balled her fist up under the water. “So glad I filed. SO GLAD!”

Liz got up. “Mich already called, she’s got most bases covered. She also wanted me to tell you to say…”

“No comment.” They both said in unison.

“Yeah, I know. Now leave me please. Maybe I can drown myself before more shit comes arising.” Scarlette turned away from Liz.

Liz walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Scarlette sighed in frustration. No matter where he was or what he was doing, it always manage to disrupt her life some how and some way. She could never fully enjoy a day, he’d have to do something to royally fuck it up. Scarlette took a couple of deep breathes and let the lavender re-relax her and re-release the tension in her body. This was one of those moments where she wished she had some vodka and cherry ginger ale on hand.