Chapter 94 Babies, Say No to Tabloids
Emily was fine for the rest of her stay in Los Angeles. She wondered if the panic attack had been just a one-time thing. She couldn’t possibly react like that every time she saw someone who looked like Josh.
She tried to focus her mind on other things until her next counselling appointment. One distraction was looking at what the media had to say about the premiere of Chipfairies 2. Reviewers still raved about the film, and its opening weekend proved that the film was a hit with audiences too.
Emily was conflicted in how she felt about it. Meeting up with Pam for lunch, she couldn’t hide her disappointment about how everything turned out.
“I don’t understand what you’re upset about,” Pam said. “It says here, ‘Byron Pomeroy, who has already made a successful comeback from near-bankrupcy this year, had another hidden ace up his sleeve. The Chipfairies movie proves this billionaire hasn’t lost his touch after all’. It’s all very complimentary.”
“Sure, even though Byron doesn’t deserve it,” Emily replied.
They sat on the outdoor patio of a cafe, enjoying the glow of the summer sun. Pam’s belly had the rounded look of pregnancy, but she still carried on working and meeting up with friends as always, and she looked in the peak of health.
“What did we say about giving billionaires a chance?” Pam chided. “So he didn’t set out to make a great film, but somehow it got made. The guy deserves a break. Who hasn’t had luck come their way once in a while even though they might not deserve it?”
“I guess you’re right,” Emily said, smiling at the memory of the first time she decided to ‘give billionaires a chance’. She had no idea at the time it would lead to her being engaged. “Look at this one, though...” She pointed to a photo of Byron together with Nova at the premiere, “’Could sparks be flying again between Byron Pomeroy and his ex Nova Summers?’”
Pam shook her head like an exasperated teacher. “Seriously? If there’s one thing you should have learned by now, it’s don’t trust anything that’s written in those tabloids. That’s the very first thing I’m going to teach this baby when she’s born.”
“Really, that’s the first thing you’re ever going to tell her?” Emily said, with a grin.
“Yes indeed.”
“You’re going to have a very well-informed baby,” Emily remarked.
“That’s right,” Pam said, smiling. “I should spread the message to all the babies of the world, ‘Say no to tabloids!’”
Emily laughed, feeling slightly more at ease. “So you don’t think there’s even a chance Byron could be thinking about getting back together with Nova?”
“She’s in Hollywood, you’re here,” Pam stated, “Byron is also here. You see what I’m saying?”
“You’re right, I’ve got nothing to worry about,” Emily agreed. Except, she had nearly forgotten about one thing. “But he’s going to L.A. again next week to see the evil clown film!”
“That’s just one weekend,” Pam said rolling her eyes. “And you could come along too, just to make sure he behaves.”
“I can’t,” Emily complained, “with Fashion Week coming up, I don’t want to be away for a whole weekend.”
“Then you’re just going to have to trust that your fiance won’t do anything stupid,” Pam said, “And I say he won’t. He adores you.”
“I have been overreacting, haven’t I?” Emily said. “I’m being ridiculous.”
“Yes. Just relax, girl!”
Emily hadn’t even told her about the embarrassing panic attack she had at the premiere. Relaxing was a state she hadn’t really achieved in a long time.
When she told Dr. Williams about it at their next session, he was his usual serene self.
“It’s normal to feel panicked,” he said, “after an incident of such intensity.”
“But it happened weeks ago!” Emily objected.
“The mind works in curious ways,” he replied in his sage-like manner, “It might take a long time to recover. People have been known to show symptoms months, even years after a traumatic incident like this.”
“Years!” Emily’s eyes snapped wide open. “I’ve already spent years running away from him, and now more of my life will be wasted?”
“Not wasted,” the therapist said in soothing voice, “It’s just a symptom that comes and goes. You choose what to do with your life.”
That was a reassuring thought. Emily practiced some meditations that Dr. Williams recommended to achieve calmness, and she spent a lot of time practicing her motorcycle skills. It took all her concentration to maneuver the bike, which kept her mind occupied on things other than her stalker, or Byron’s next trip to L.A.
By the time he was getting ready to leave, Emily felt nothing could go wrong. Byron had been so patient and helpful teaching her to ride. She simply couldn’t see him suddenly turning to another woman when he clearly loved her so much.
“You’re probably ready to get your learner’s permit,” he said, just before leaving for the airport.
Emily thought about it. It would mean she could ride the motorcycle in the streets, when supervised by someone with a full license. “I can’t wait for you to get back and for us to go riding together!” she said, giving him a passionate kiss.
“You’ve become quite the motorcycle fiend,” he said, looking at her with admiration, “I can’t wait either, but it’s just a few days apart.”
