Chapter 15

Kim rested a hand on Tessy's shoulder even though Tessy was the taller of them. Kim had taken to a special likeness of the twenty three years old actress as they worked on CRADLE. Tessy had played younger sister to Kim on set and she'd been so real that Blakes never made them cut while running an Act together. They almost looked like siblings and it made Kim wish she had siblings, ones that looked and talked and cared like Tessy.
"You're incredible at comforting people...I wasn't exactly sad, I already moved on. I'm into someonene else".
" Oh, really. That's good news"
Trash laughed.
" Let's not rush down, I want to hear you talk about your relationship..please?"
It was Kim's turn to laugh.
" Where's this curiosity coming from?"
Tessy shrugged.
" Well, I never had a scandalous relationship and I make sure to keep my relationships with the opposite gender discreet. It's only safe for my small reputation don't you think?"
Tessy nodded.
" I think so too. It's safe to keep one's love life out of the social media".
" And, I'm not in any relationship at the moment Tess...it's rewarding sometimes".
" Staying single?"
" Yeah. You make yourself a priority, you don't have to consider anyone in your decisions and then you get to focus more on your dreams and pursue it".
Tessy shook her head in disagreement.
"That sounds pretty selfish if you ask me ".
" I'm sorry I can't help being selfish, Tess".
She replied In an amused tone of voice. Tessy started talking about how it important it was for her to be in a good relationship with a man at her age until they heard Blakes.
"This was not meant to be a Supper party, hurry up you two we can't waste any more time!"
They obliged him.
" Okay, okay. We're finally here, Blakes".
Tessy replied cheerily. Her smile was back and she looked even prettier than Kim had ever seen her. Kim looked around the small hall that they'd all converged after four months of Hectic work together and sighed. Here in Dakota, they'd finally rounded off the exhilarating and demanding job and here they were, all dressed in beautiful expensive clothes. The men in dark suits and the few women in elegant dinner gowns. She said her Hellos and they began to troop out in unison, Blakes taking the lead.
Clayton took the seat closest to Kim and she found his constant nosy questions about her romanic life almost annoying. She answered with nods and smiles and ignored a few that made her really uncomfortable. She preferred to watch Tessy smile lovingly into Joe's eyes as they danced. Joe was smiling back, recklessly, and oblivious to everyone around. They looked beautiful together, Kim thought.
"Let's dance".
Clayton offered since her eyes seemed to be fixated on the dance floor
" Oh,no. I already told you I don't feel like getting up there for any reason".
Clayton snorted.
" Aren't you excited to be here?"
"Sure".
" Then let's get on that floor and dance to our heart's content, I know you want to, stop being a bore, get up".
" I really don't want to, Clayton".
" Hey, want a dance?"
It was Joe. He had twirled Tessy to her seat and bowed gracefully after she insisted she was tired. But he wanted one more dance and he wanted it with Kimberly Foster. His hands was already extended.
"Actually, Joe, I was trying to get her with me on that dance floor".
" Kim, let's dance".
Joe insisted, he was smiling and obviously eager to have her dance with him
"Man, I told you Kim doesn't want a dance. I've been trying to convince her otherwise".
Clayton insisted.
" Maybe you've not tried enough"
Joe said as he took Kimberly's hand. Kimberly watched him amusedly until Clayton stood up briskly and shoved Joe back.
"I told you she doesn't want to dance with you, you have Tessy, go to her".
Clayton said In a snarl. A few heads had began to turn in their direction, Blakes was not anywhere close and Few people who weren't dancing seemed to have turned their full attention to the trio. Tessy watched them with a twinge of panic in her large blue eyes.
Kim was appalled and suddenly angry at Clayton.
" Why did you do that, Clay?"
Joe regained his stance and raised a quizzical eyebrow at Clayton
"What's with the hate, Why did you shove me?"
Joe asked. Clayton's eyes blazed with fury as he began to speak.
"It's enough that you're the only guy that gets noticed around here, all evening, I've wanted to get kim's attention and you show up to take her away, go to Tessy, stop pushing her aside !"
His voice was a bit raised and more heads had began to turn. Kim thought she heard Tessy',s loud gasp of horror as Clayton mentioned her.
"Damn you, Kim doesn't want you. You'd be a fool to fight over a woman who doesn't even fancy you!"
" Like hell she doesn't!"
Clayton said as he landed a punch on Joe's chin. Kim stood up abruptly, she heard Tessy shout and before both men could be restrained, Joe landed one swift punch on Clayton's nose in reprisal attack. Clayton felt the warm blood trickle down his nose and he charged forward but was held back. Tessy was crying from where she stood. The party was suddenly on hold. Clayton cursed and swore. Joe maintained his calm. Gary had stepped out of the hall to fetch Blakes who he met with a young lady outside having a good time talking out on the balcony.
"Clayton punched Joe, Blakes".
He said. Blakes was wide eyed as he almost ran into the hall. He found the scene of the hullabaloo immediately. Tessy was wiping her eyes as she stood in Kim's arms saying
"It's Joe I like".
"What happened here?"
Blakes asked in his usual stern manner when he intended to command obedience and gain total attention.
"Sorry Blakes, it was a small misunderstanding I had with Joe Hamilton".
Clayton said.
" Small you say, and then you hit me?"
"Well I'm the one who's bleeding aren't I?"
Clayton retorted.
" Enough. At this point I don't care about what the bone of contention was, I would like to express my dissatisfaction and extreme disappointment at you both, I find it difficult to accept that some twenty eight years old man actually hit someone over a trivial issue, whatever it is"
" And the twenty six year old favourite Joe Hamilton hit me right back!"
Clayton said furiously.
" What did you expect, son of a bitch!"
Blakes was angry enough to use slangs even though he hated vulgarity
He began to walk out and so did Tessy and Kim. Kim was embarrassed and confused over the happenings of the evening. Her head reeled and for the first time since she started working with them, she wanted to get away from them so desperately. She felt the Nausea creep up her tummy as she stepped into the car with Tessy. She only hoped that she didn't puke right inside Blake's car. Tessy noticed her discomfort and how her hands flew to her mouth continuously.
"Are you okay, Kim?"
"Yeah, sure. I'm just Nauseous"
" Sure it's anything you can hold?"
Blakes asked.
" Yeah, Blakes, I just need to get to my room. I'll be fine"
" If you say so".
Blakes replied. Tess began to rub her back.
Kim sat there wondering why the Clayton who'd never shown her the slightest affection could pick a fight with Joe over her. It appalled and embarrassed her. She would call Joe once she was alone in her hotel room and apologize or perhaps when she travelled back to her serene apartment in South Florida. The rest of the journey was completed in eerie silence. Blakes was keener on his driving than ever and Tessy had her eyes half closed as she slouched on the seat, her hand still rubbing idly on kim's back.