Chapter 38

JAKE

I finally got a chance to discuss the itinerary with Mark. It looks like this time we might have a few extra days just to go around and see the country. I enjoy sightseeing when I am in a new country and Australia has always been beautiful to me.

As we land, I realize that I am going to have to face the crowds again. It is funny how every country's crowds are different. Some are very polite and will keep their distance and others will push to get a piece of me.

I realized that it comes with the territory and I have made peace with it a long time ago. So, I put on my hoodie and my sunglasses as soon as the rest of the team has already left. I usually do not like to involve the team when I walk through the crowds.

As I open my door the bodyguards are ready to protect me. I remember how silly I felt the first time but now I almost cannot go anywhere without them. They have saved me from quite a few crazy fans.

As I walk through the empty plane I remember how I looked at Layla last night when I got myself a bottle of water. I also remember what a fool I made of myself in front of her. I can but only smile when I think about that.

Then we leave the plane and the crowds are gathered all the way to the exit of the airport. I wave and smile at the fans and they scream and shout. The crowd is much bigger than what it was in Paris.

Then as we get to the doors and the limo is waiting for me. But then one of the fans crosses the lines and runs straight for me. I must say that I feel a bit nervous as he gets closer to me but then just before he can get to me, one of my bodyguards pushes him back.

I can not stop myself from staring at this person and I realized that he does not really look like he wants to get my autograph, he looks rather mad at something. I quickly get into the limo as I do not even want to know what is going on.

Then Mark turns to me when we drive off and say.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine maybe just a bit startled"

"That was crazy right?"

"Yeah and it wasn't even the paparazzi"

I realized that should this man found a way to do anything to me, I would have easily been able to handle him but then the wolf part of me might have manifested and show the world what I am. I start to wonder what he possibly would have wanted to do with me if he got hold of me.

I shake my head as I realized that I should not think about these things. I remember how I was very concerned at the beginning about all the critiques that I got from social media. I soon realized that I should not pay any attention to what they say.

I remember how my dad used to play a big role in helping me to stay level and just be down to earth. Some people can be really nasty and others can really say some nice things. I realize that I miss my dad a lot.

I draw my attention back to the scenery of this beautiful country. All the shows that I have had in this country have been good.

LAYLA

As we finally found our rooms in the hotel, I start to wonder when we would go to set up the stage. I presume that everything will run exactly the same way as it did in Paris but then Stacy knocks on the door and then address us.

"I hope you all find the rooms accommodating. We will only start to set up the stage tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances. We will have to work extra hard tomorrow and get up very early to get the stage ready for tomorrow night. But that being said you guys are free today and we will see you tomorrow at four"

I almost can not believe what she is saying. We get to have the entire day off to do just what we want to. As she leaves the room we all turn to each other and we jump up and down like little girls that have been given a pony. It seems like we would be the same group of girls that we were in Paris.

"Does that mean that we can go and sightsee?"

"Hell, yes!!"

We all start to unpack and then we forget that there was something like jet lag. We get dressed in our best clothes and then we take a taxi. We do not know where we are going but we know we are going somewhere. Then I remember the book that I bought especially so that we could go and see some nice places.

The girls are happy that I have this book and we move from one place to the other. We see the most amazing things and we eat the best food. As we take a seat at yet another restaurant, I can feel myself softly fading away.

As I look around the table I see everyone trying to look even more tired than the one sitting next to them. It is clear that jet lag has finally decided to catch up on us. I start to laugh and then I say.

"Girls, I think it is time for us to go home. We need to get up early tomorrow morning and if we keep on going we will not be able to get up"

They all agree and we take a taxi back to our hotel. I can not remember when last I have been so tired as right now. I have had the most wonderful day but right now my bed is more important. We all just fall down on our beds and immediately fall asleep.

JAKE

As expected the crowd at the hotel is already gathered. This time before I get out of the limo, I do feel a little bit nervous. I hope that they have detained that one man that tried to get a piece of me.

Then, after I took a deep breath, I step out of the limo. I put on my smile for the fans and then walk into the hotel. As usual, the manager comes to greet me and show me my room. The room is the best of the best. I thank everyone and then excuse myself.

It is better that I am alone after such a long flight because I just want to have some time to myself. As I look through the windows at the beautiful view, I remember how much I loved Australia.

Then there is a knock on my door and it is Mark.

"We have a bit of a problem"

"Yeah? What is going on?"

"Well, they had some unexpected rain last night and now the grounds on which the stage must stand are too unstable. So, we would only be able to do our rehearsals tomorrow before the show"

I know how things go and sometimes it does not go as planned.

"I guess there is nothing we can do about it?"

"No, not at the moment but we will keep a close eye on it and will start as soon as we can"

"Then I guess all of us can have a day off?"

"Yeah, that would be nice. I will keep you up-to-date. Let me know if you need anything"

Mark knows by now that when we have a day off he makes himself scarce. This is my day and I can decide what I want to do. I decided that I would like to go for a drive. I might not be able to walk through Australia and see this beautiful country but nothing stops me from driving.

I get Bruno to meet me outside and then I make my way to the limo. I can not help but feel a bit nervous every time I am walking through the crowds but I trust that my bodyguards will do what they need to do. I get in the limo and say to Bruno.

"I trust you know the route that I like to take?"

"Yes, sir. I know what you like"

"Good then let's make a day of it"

"Yes, sir"

He starts the limo and I look out of the window as if I am watching a movie. He likes to take me to the most remote places so that when I feel like getting out of the limo, I will not be attacked by some crazy fans.

The day goes by and when the afternoon arrives, we stop at another remote destination. As I get out of the car to just have a look around and take a breath of fresh air. I catch a scent that I remember I hate. Then I remember the words of the big black wolf.

That is our natural enemy the vampires. I quickly look around myself trying to see who is around me and I realize there is only a handful of people. I know that when I walk closer to someone, I would know whether it is them or not.

I try to look as normal as possible as I make my way closer to the people. Luckily, there are not crazy fans and I am not even sure if they recognize me. Then, without warning, I know exactly who it is.

I look straight at him. He has a black long coat and a hat with sunglasses. It is clear that he is trying to blend in but his odor has my senses on alert.