Chapter 20

LAYLA

I realized that for the first time I have been sleeping much better than in a very long time. I wake up with somebody putting their hand on my shoulder and then I almost jump awake. Then when my eyes am focused I realize it is Jason. I can see everyone running around to get off the plane and I must have slept until we arrived.

"I am so sorry, I didn't realize I was so tired"

"It is okay but I would suggest you get your things. We need to get to the stage as quickly as possible"

"Thank you so much, for waking me, I mean"

"It is really no problem"

I see him trying to move past me and get his hand luggage. Then I remember that I have no idea where we are. I feel like a fool and I say to him.

"You are probably not very happy that I sat next to you because I have so many questions"

I see him laugh and then he says.

"You weren't so bad don't worry. I guess you have another question?"

"Yes and I promise you this will be the last"

"Let me hear it"

"Where are we?"

This time is not just laughing but his bursting out with laughter. Then he says while he turns around to walk away.

"We are in Paris, my dear"

Then he disappears from sight and I can not believe that I am in Paris. I remember how I dreamt to go to Paris one day when I am all grown up but then I grew up and I still could not go. The excitement in my heart is indescribable and I am extremely happy that this is my first stop on the world tour.

I quickly stand up and get all my luggage from the above compartment. It seems like I would not be able to wipe the smile from my face anytime soon. I realized that most of the people are already out of the plane and if I do not follow them I might not know where to go.

I quickly follow the last man out of the plane and just as I am about to leave the plane, I hear the door open where Jake was. I can not stop myself from looking in that direction and then our eyes lock for a second.

He looks even more handsome in his black tight leather pants and his light blue long sleeve collar shirt. Just as I am about to get out the door I am sure I saw him smiling. Suddenly, I could not find the next step down the steps I almost fall to the floor. Luckily, I grab the railing just in time.

It is very clear to me that I am going to struggle to act normal around this guy. He has become something of an enigma to me and I want to find out more about him. It is strange how I want to break the one rule that was given to me. I shake my head trying to get my thoughts in order and I quickly run-walk to stay in the group.

JAKE

We have finally arrived in Paris. This is probably my favorite city. Not just because of the fans but because of the sightseeing. I love to walk the streets at night when everyone is asleep but then I remembered that I could possibly turn into a wolf.

I stand up and get my bag. I realize that if I get out of this plane there will be fans waiting for me at the airport. Unfortunately, I can not land on my own private field in Paris because I do not have one. I open the door and there she is again. It does not seem like I am going to escape her this world tour.

Then that thing happens to me again. I smile just looking at her. Then she disappears off the plane and I can feel how my cheeks suddenly burn up with a blush. I shake my head and I realized that she has a lot of power over me. I remember the last time when a woman has had power over me and it did not go well.

I need to focus on what I am doing here and not who is going to be here. I quickly put on my hoodie and then my sunglasses. Then the manager and my bodyguards arrive. They are ready to take me through the airport. I have not seen my fans in a very long time and I can only pray that I do not get too excited.

I start to exit the plane and it is not even a minute when a crowd is gathered. They scream and shout and waves and sent kisses to me. I smile slightly and wave at them. I know the procedure is to keep your head low and not give attention because then they will try to come through the barrier.

I walk as fast as I can but I make sure not to stumble. It is good to see that my fans still love me but that is probably only because they do not know who I really am.

LAYLA

As I walk with the crew I see a crowd. We have to go through them to get to the exit and I realize that they are all here for Jake. I knew that he was famous but I did not really realize what that entailed. It must be very nerve-wracking for him every time, not knowing when someone might attack him.

As we walk through the crowd there is a fan here and there that would wave or greet us but not really because we know that they are all waiting for Jake. Then suddenly the crowd erupts into screaming and I can not help turning back to look over my shoulder.

Suddenly, the Jake that I saw on the plane is not the Jake walking there. Now you can hardly recognize him with his hoodie and sunglasses. He almost looks like he is in shock and it seems like he is hiding. Of course, that is probably how it should look because otherwise, he might not make it through the airport.

I start to feel a bit sorry for him that he should live this life. But then I see a slight smile on his face and I know that maybe he enjoys it. I quickly look in front of me again before I stumble and soon we are getting into vans to take us to our destination.

This time I am sitting next to a girl. I turn to her and say.

"Hi, I am Layla, and you?"

I stretch out my hand so she can shake them and then she stretches out her hand for a handshake. Then she says with a smile.

"Hi, I am Rita. Your first time with us?"

"Yes, it seems I am greener than I thought"

She laughs and then she says.

"Nah, do not worry you are not that green, just standing out like a sore thumb because we do not get a lot of new people"

Straight to the point just like I like new potential friends.

"So, what do you do around here?"

"I basically make sure that everyone is happy with food and drinks and basically anything that anyone might need. I am almost a glorified secretary and you must be Jake's new stylist?"

"The one and only. I must confess I am a bit nervous to fill in the shoes of Laura"

"Did you know, Laura?"

"Yes, I kinda knew her for a while. I guess you also knew her well?"

"Yes, we got along pretty well...that was until she decided to leave us"

I can see that it is a sore subject and then I quickly decided to let go of this topic.

"Okay...not going there...I was just wondering, what is going to happen now? Where are we going?"

"Oh yes, you do not know anything about that. I guess Stacy will meet you at your room because that is where we are going now and then we are going to check out the stage area. Before the show, we have to know where we going to be and when we going to be there etc"

I just nod my head and listen to everything she has to say because I do not even know if she is right or wrong. Then I look out of the window and I see the beautiful city passing before my eyes. I realize how privileged I should be to be here right now.

JAKE

I keep on wishing that the exit of the airport could be closer because I do not know how to handle my emotions when I see all these fans. I know that I should be very grateful for them but I am afraid I am going to show my real me to them. Finally, we have reached the end and I quickly get into the limo.

I take a breath of relief and then I feel my manager's hand on my shoulder. It feels good to have him next to me again but I know that he has a lot of questions for me. He is going to ask me why I am so different and I can not give him the answer.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine"

"It was a great turnout, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I love my fans"

He takes his hand off my shoulder as if he remembers that he is not allowed to touch me. I did not tell him that officially but I sort of just hinted in that direction. There is a reason why he is my manager. He knows when I mean something.

"I have to ask you something?"

"Ask?"

"What is going on with you?"