Ch 16: Red Carpet Worries

When I arrived at Luke’s place for our next training session, Lyle again greeted me wearing tailored violet pants and a paisley button down with a hot pink bow tie.
“Hello, honey. Come.” He motioned me in as if he was in a hurry. “You really need to get Luke slimming down some more,” he said in a hushed tone. Luke strode into the foyer area wearing a suit that was a little too tight in the chest, the pants oddly hugging his thighs. “Next,” Lyle said and pointed back toward the hallway. Luke turned and marched back in the direction he came from.
“And, honey, you need some new clothes yourself.” He looked me over and pointed at me from head to toe. “I know someone at Couture Athletica who can get you some things.
“I’m just the trainer. I just need something to work out in.” I protested, looking down at the navy yoga pants I wore along with a white short sleeve shirt.
“Oh, no, no, honey. If you are going to be in my presence, you need some couture athleisure.”
“There’s a thing called couture athleisure?”
“Well, there is now. I’ll have some samples sent over. You’re a plus size, right?”
I could feel my anger boiling. I knew Lyle’s job was to make people look nice, but he didn’t have to insult me.
“I’m a 10,”I said. “I’m muscular.”
The next minute, Luke came in wearing a suit that was far too loose this time, the jacket drooping at the shoulders. I hoped he hadn’t heard me announce my size.
“Now this one’s too big,” Lyle said to Luke as he pinched the fabric from one of Luke’s shoulders. He shook his head. “It’s just more work. The red carpet’s coming up and we have to have something tailored pronto. You know you need to look good. Your paparazzi pics with miss trainer here weren’t all that flattering.” He nodded his head my way.
“About that,” said Luke. “I’m sorry, Stella.” Lyle continued to circle Luke as he stood still with his arms out like a scarecrow as Lyle pinned the jacket in places. “I should have warned you that could happen. I didn’t think the paparazzi was following me that day. Don’t worry. My people will put out a statement letting everyone know we are in no way together.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I flicked my hand as if it were no big deal when actually I was hurt by Luke’s comment. I knew we weren’t together, but he didn’t have to say it like that.
“What I can’t understand, though, is how they knew you were my trainer.” I looked away, feeling guilty it might have been old Mrs. Rosa. “Anyway, now that those photos have gotten out, and I looked less than chiseled, Lyle and I are trying to make sure I appear in tip top form for this red carpet appearance I have coming up.” Luke put his arms down. “It’s just that I have this event for the last movie I filmed that’s coming out. I gained some weight for it, as you know.” He pinched a portion of his belly flab.
“I get it. It’s part of your job,” I said, wanting the conversation to end. I considered for a moment whether I should tell Luke about revealing our secret to old Mrs. Rosa. I preferred he hear it from me if, in fact, she had been the leak. But before I could say anything, another of Lyle’s comments threw me off kilter.
“And being seen with someone tall and thin could help your look,” Lyle chirped at Luke. Obviously, Lyle didn’t mean me. He meant someone the very opposite of me – Gina.
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Luke rolled his eyes. “Image is important. I’m working on it.”
“Go take that off and work on your physique. I’ll try to order a custom fit. And I’ll get the sample gowns ready for you know who,” said Lyle.
I knew then that Luke was planning to take Gina to the red carpet event. Not only did I feel fat and frumpy thanks to Lyle’s comments, I also felt crazy for ever believing Luke might be interested in me.
When I get mad, I used to reach for a package of Oreos or a bag of chips. I’d started making healthier choices by then, but boy, I knew I needed to keep my anger contained another way. I had to channel my frustration in another direction. I headed to the workout studio fuming.” Plus size, in no way together” I mumbled under my breath.
The money I had already earned training Luke put a big dent in my credit card bill and student loans, so much so that the collection agents were no longer lighting up my phone. I couldn’t afford to lose the job, nor did I want to. I just didn’t know if I could handle the Hollywood hijinks that came along with being associated with Luke Mulligan. In just the past few days my thighs had unflatteringly been plastered all over the internet, Luke’s stylist suggested I was fat and needed a new wardrobe, and to top it all off, I was apparently competing with one of the most beautiful goddesses on the planet for Luke’s affections.
I needed to let off some steam.