Chapter Three
DreamInColour © 2004
“You’re fucking shitting me!” Elijah exclaimed,
“That’s why you wanted to know about Anya Hart?? She’s sending you to a private
island? Fuck. I didn’t think those things existed anymore.”
Orlando laughed at his dramatic friend and
shifted his phone as he packed, “I didn’t either but apparently they do.”
“Fuck. Anya Hart is sending you to a private
island.” Elijah muttered. “I’ve always wondered about that woman.”
“What do you mean?” Orlando was curious he’d
only heard stories about her, from Elijah mostly and sometimes wondered if the
enigma was real.
“Well she’s turned into a bit of a recluse since
her parents died.” Elijah explained, “I used to see her here and there at
certain private parties usually doing it up with Paris and the girls, but then
boom her parents die and it’s like she morphed into a different person. I never
saw much of her after that and when I did it was like I didn’t recognise her.
She was sort of, I don’t know, distant.”
“Sounds exactly like the woman I met.” Orlando
closed his suitcase then started a walk through his flat making sure he hadn’t
forgotten anything, “She was polite and all but seemed about a million miles
away very in control and all that.”
“Oh well…” Elijah went from contemplative to
excited in seconds, “Either way you’re still the luckiest bugger I know.”
“Someone has to be.” Orlando said with a grin,
“Listen I’ll give you a ring when I return.”
“With a tan, some rest and a shitload of surfing
experience.” Elijah laughed.
“That’s the plan mate. Cheers.”
At the airport Orlando had just checked his bags
when he distinctly heard the pounding of footsteps running. He slowly turned
around anticipating some fans that’d recognised him. He was not at all prepared
for whom the feet belonged to.
“Orli you little fucker. Planning on leaving for
two weeks with not even a good bye!” Dominic put a hand to his forehead and
sighed, “I’m crushed mate.”
Orlando laughed and grabbed his friend in a hug,
“I didn’t know you were in town Dom! Besides I’m not going forever.”
“Maybe not but I hear this trip is funded by a
gorgeous billionaire.” Dom wiggled his eyebrows, “Is she going with you?”
“Not at all. I haven’t seen her since we met
over a month ago. She’s usually pretty straightforward on the phone. Strictly
carrying out her father’s wishes.” He said with a shrug.
“Come on! No billionaire shag or any of that??
Where’s the fun??” Dom looked disappointed, “And here I thought I’d be getting
some dirt before you were off. Wasn’t worth me getting out of bed.”
Orlando kept an arm around the guy and laughed,
“ Sorry to disappoint you mate. How about some coffee, on me and we’ll discuss
your latest conquest.”
Dom brightened at that, “She’s a looker Orli you
should see. Actually maybe you shouldn’t they always follow you around like
sick puppies when I introduce them to you. Either way she’s a brilliant dame to
hang out with not to mention a really good…”
The friends continued their discussion until
Orlando’s flight was called.
Anya stared at her day timer in bewilderment.
This couldn’t be right she had one whole day off. Yesterday had been
significant because it was the day Orlando was leaving for the island, but she
was uncertain why she’d taken the day after off. She had no intentions of doing
any more for him; in fact she’d washed her hands off the whole thing after she
secured the last arrangements the day before.
She was still confused when her phone rang. She
absentmindedly picked it up, “Anya Hart.”
“Hey sweetie, how are you?”
“Liv! I’m doing all right girl and you?”
“Couldn’t be better. I’m actually in the area
and I know this is last minute but I was wondering if you wanted to spend the
day at the spa with me?”
“You could not have called at a better time.”
Anya closed her eyes, she hadn’t had spa treatment in longer than she wanted to
remember, “And I apparently have a day free and was wondering what I was going
to do with myself.”
Liv smiled, Bruce certainly was efficient, “Well
now you know. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“Sure I’ll see you when you get here.” Anya hung
up; she never really liked being on the phone long. She figured you get to the
point and then hang up, best to see someone and talk to him or her then.
“Are you going out Miss?” Bruce asked
innocently.
Anya nodded, “Yeah I had a rare free day and
then Liv called so we’re going to the spa.”
“I’m glad, have a good day Miss Anya.”
She kissed his cheek on the way out, “I will,
you too. I’ll see you tonight.”
He smiled and waved after her when Liv pulled
up, “No you won’t.” He whispered then winked at Liv who nodded over Anya’s
shoulder before driving away.
Anya closed her eyes and as the manicurist
massaged her hands and arms, “Remind me again why I don’t do this more often.”
“Because you’re too busy trying to save the
world.” Liv said from her perch across the room from her friend.
Anya’s eyes flew open, “I’m not trying to save
the world I’m trying to use my advantages and privileges for good.”
“Instead of evil, like making a home made sex
video.” Liv said with a smirk, “I’m glad you’re not completely like you were
back then. But honestly Anya it’s almost like you’ve forgotten how to have
fun.”
“I have fun…” Anya scoffed, “I went to that
Return of the King premiere and after party with you didn’t I?”
“That was only because I told you I might have found
the perfect candidate for the island.” Liv said honestly, “You and I both know
that was the only reason you went out that night. It’s probably one of the only
social engagements you’ve gone to in the last three years.” Anya opened her
mouth to protest but Liv cut her off, “And business events don’t count.”
Anya closed her mouth for a moment and
contemplated. She was going to say something more when she felt a glass being
place in her hand. She looked at her friend, “What’s this for?”
Liv rose her wine glass and tipped it towards
Anya, “It’s a toast to new beginnings and relaxation.”
Anya raised an eyebrow then shrugged and tapped
her glass to Liv’s, “Cheers.”
Liv watched her friend down the glass and
smiled. Bruce said he’d found the best completely legal sleep agent. They’d
ground it into powder and she’d been waiting for a reason to give her friend
some wine. Now in half an hour she’d be asleep and they’d be done their day.
The doctor said the drug would keep someone sedated for twelve hours so they had
plenty of time to get her to a plane and off to Lee the helicopter pilot who
had laughed a deep laugh when he had been brought into the plan.
“Yeah sure man, she
needs the time off tell me what I’ve got to do.” He’d agreed.
“Don’t try and make me feel guilty about my
charity work Liv, it’s a way for me to get close to them you know that.”
“I think it’s about time you got close to people
who are more alive Anya.” Liv said boldly.
Anya waved her friend away, “People disappoint you
Liv, and the closer you get the easier it is for your heart to break when
they’re torn away.”
“I’ve never left you and neither has Bruce.”
“There are exceptions to every rule.” Anya
shrugged, “I’ve relegated myself to that, don’t worry about me.”
Liv smiled, “I won’t…any more.” She whispered
that last word so Anya didn’t hear it.
Orlando was walking up the beach his surfboard
in hand. He’d spent all day combing the island for interesting places to rest.
He’d found a hot spring only about a hundred feet from the cabin. He was slowly
sauntering up the beach when he could have sworn he saw the unmistakable buzz
cut of Lee the guy who had flown him there. “Oi Lee! What are you here for
mate?”
Lee put what he was carrying gently on one of
the hammocks hanging on the front porch of the cabin, “Special delivery.” He
said with a smile.
Orlando stared incredulously at the very
comatose form of Anya Hart lying peacefully in the hammock. “I don’t
understand.”
“She won’t either.” Lee said with a chuckle,
“Give her this envelope when she’s calmed down. She’ll have a huge headache and
be in a major pisser when she first finds out what’s happened.”
“What has happened?”
“They decided she needed a rest almost as badly
as you did.” Lee said with a shrug, “I’ve got to go mate. Best of luck, this
woman be feisty when she’s angry.”
Orlando sighed, “How much time do I have before
she wakes up? And who is ‘they’?”
Lee checked his watch, “She’s got another hour
or so and ‘they’ will be explained in that envelope. See you in a few weeks.”
He saluted the young actor then headed back to the helicopter pad.
The envelope was bulky, but he was more
interested in the sleeping form. He put the envelope on a side table and stared
at her, “Guess we both need peace, love.” He said with a sigh, and then decided
to go sit in the hot spring for a bit. Maybe if he wasn’t near her when she
awoke he could avoid an outburst.