DreamInColour © 2004
“I understand that it is an inconvenience and I can assure you that Dr.
Forsythe meant no malice by the wait today. Yes…of course…I will let him know.
Thank you Sylvia…yes next month on the 18th…Bye.” Hope Waters rolled
her eyes, when would people understand that no one was ever on time at the
doctors office. She loved her job, but sometimes people got ridiculous. It’s a
good thing she only worked as a receptionist for Dr. Forsythe and not the other
doctors in the office.
Her phone rang, “Dr. Forsythe’s office, Hope Waters speaking.”
“Hope?” Connie was the receptionist for the whole building, no one got
up to the 14th floor to see the doctors there without her knowledge.
“Hey woman, what can I do for ya?”
“There’s…” She cleared her throat, “A gentleman here who says he knows
you.”
“Really?” Hope laughed. “Is he cute?”
“Extremely.” Connie chuckled, “He’s old enough to be my grandson, but
I’d do him.”
Hope could make out someone laughing over the line and a genuine smile
spread over her lips, “Is that Lij?” She sounded giddy and she didn’t care.
“If you mean Elijah Wood then yes. Shall I let him up?”
“Most definitely.” Hope laughed.
“Hopeful!” Elijah called into the office; luckily it was the end of the
day and even Dr. Forsythe was gone. Hope had just been finishing up some last
minute calls before she called it a day.
“Lij!” She stepped out from behind her desk and engulfed the man in a
big hug followed by a quick kiss emphasized by an accentuated muah sound. “What
are you doing here?”
“Well I was losing my hope so I had to come find some from my very
favourite girl.” He flirted and grabbed her around the waist so she was really
close to him.
She laughed and gently rested her arms on his shoulders, “When are you
going to stop hitting on me boy?”
“When you finally realize that you are head over heels in love with me.”
He grinned.
“You’re going to be waiting a long time for that Blue.” She patted his
cheek using her affectionate nickname for him, “So you might wanna let that
go.”
He sighed dramatically, “Oh all right fine then. Since we can still only
be friends than come and hang out with me. I deduce that you’ve been in the
office WAY to long today.”
“How do you deduce that?”
“By the fact that Jim is long gone and you are still here.” He smiled
and tapped her nose with his finger, “I know that he wouldn’t want you wasting
away to nothing, so I will rescue you from this fate worse than death.”
Hope loved how he always called her boss by his first name. Granted Dr.
James Forsythe had been Elijah’s mother’s doctor since well before he was born,
so the man was like family to him. “Rescue me huh?” She laughed and weaved her
way back behind the desk, “You are too dramatic.”
He shook his head; “You don’t know drama till you’ve seen Orli after a fight
with Kate. I swear he flops around like a damn boned fish and groans about what
an annoying wench she is. You should see Dom imitate him it’s fuckin’
hilarious.”
“I’ll have to take your word on that.” Hope said with a smile as she
exited the programs on her computer. She had no idea who Orli or Dom was, she
never asked about his job. She’d been on friendly terms with Elijah since he
was barely 11. She was 28 and had been working for Dr. Forsythe since she was
only 18. She thought of him as a little brother despite his endless flirting
and obvious genuine affection for her. “So if I agree to hang out with you
where are you going to take me?”
“It’s a surprise my dear Hopeful.” He said extending his arm to her.
She grabbed her purse after slipping on the light coat she had worn to
work then gently placed her hand on his forearm. “Now Lij.” Her voice held a
warning tone.
“I know I know.” He held his hands up in defence as she locked the
office door,
“Nowhere public,
I promise you that no one in the press will get wind of the fact that you know
me.”
As they got into the elevator she finally nodded, “All right give me the
directions and I’ll meet you there.”
He beamed at her and handed her a slip of paper with directions to a
place that seemed to be well out of downtown LA, “This is residential, did you
finally buy a house boy?”
He shook his head as the elevator doors opened into the lobby, “Nah a
buddy of mine just did and he’s having a party tonight.”
“Wait I didn’t say I’d go to a…” She was cut off by his laugh.
“You already agreed Hope.” He waved at her and called out as the elevator doors closed, “Be there by 7:30!” She fumed all the way down to the parking garage and debated not going; she'd never really wanted to become a huge part in Elijah's life. Up until this point going over to his mother's house for dinner whenever he was home was the extent of her spending time with him; she'd never met any of his friends and wasn't really interested in ‘his world’ as she called it.
Hope literally felt dizzy after driving through all of the winding roads
that had finally taken her to the large home on the outskirts of the city. She
parked her little red Honda behind the five expensive vehicles that lined the driveway.
She was nervous, Elijah hadn’t mentioned whose house she was showing up at and
with the variety of friends that he had famous and not she literally had no
clue who it could be. She raised a fist up to knock on the door, when it swung
open she was almost run over by an extremely wet extremely naked person.
“Sorry luv!” A voice called from the direction of the laughing running
body.
“Dom!” Another voice called from inside, “Put some clothes on for fuck
sakes! I don’t want my neighbours to hate me before they meet me!”
Hope heard the voice but couldn’t see the owner because she had firmly
shut her eyes after this Dom character had run past. She felt a hand on her arm
and the voice that had been screaming earlier said gently, “It’s safe to look
now luv, I believe he’s gone round back.”
Slowly she opened her eyes then blinked again. She was staring at
probably the most beautiful man she was sure had been created. His eyes were
kind and he was regarding her with a quiet amusement. It took her a moment to
realize it was because she hadn’t spoken, “I’m sorry wet naked men tend to
render me speechless.”
He threw his head back and laughed, “If you had kept yer eyes open you’d
have been speechless and frightened.”
She laughed with him for a moment then cleared her throat; he still had
yet to invite her in, “Is Lij here?” She asked.
He raised an eyebrow at her in suspicion for a moment then realization
seemed to hit him and he stepped aside, “Oh! You must be Hope then? Lij
mentioned that you’d be coming by.” He shut the door behind her and offered to
take her coat.
“Yes I’m Hope and who are you?” She asked wondering why he had not
introduced himself.
He regarded her for a long moment staring into her eyes like he was
trying to figure out if she was for real or not. Finally he shrugged and
extended his hand, “Orlando Bloom. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She accepted his hand with a firm shake, “Nice to meet you too Orlando.
So is this your home?”
He nodded and extended his hand behind him with a smile, “Why yes it is,
just moved in this week. The lads thought it’d be fun to christen it with a
party.”
“Good idea, speaking of the ‘lads’ is there more than just you, Lij and
the naked guy?”
Orlando started walking through the house assuming she’d follow him, she
did, “Kate’s here somewhere, Billy is here as well, Liv is coming by later with
Roy and I’m sure there will be more coming through.”
She watched him as he sauntered through the home. His body was slight
but she could tell through the fitted t-shirt that he was quite toned and
agile. She tried not to stare, but it was impossible he was by far the most
gorgeous guy she’d ever laid eyes on. He winked at her as they entered a large
room. She watched him head over to a blonde who was sitting on a sofa with her
legs tucked under her. She looked almost too perfect to be real; Orlando leaned
down and said something into her ear before sitting himself close beside her.
Inwardly Hope groaned, of course his girlfriend would be blonde and perfect,
predictable.
“Careful Hope, once you fall under Orli’s spell you’re never the same
again.” Elijah spoke into her left ear.
She jumped a bit not realizing he had come up behind her. “Whatever
Lij.” She turned and swatted him, “You could have warned me that I was going to
be over run by some naked guy.”
Elijah laughed and handed her a beer, “Dom’s unpredictable I didn’t know
that after Billy threw him in the pool he’d remove his clothing and chase Billy
through the house.”
An ear piercing scream and splash were heard seconds later. Hope looked
out the window and caught the ripples going through the water just before two
heads popped up and burst out laughing, “You have weird friend’s Blue.” She
said with a smirk. She down the beer with one long gulp and grabbed another
from behind Elijah.
“You’re one of them so don’t start.” He grinned as he watched her pop
the top off that one and drink more.
“Am I the only other woman here?” She asked glancing around the sparsely
decorated room and took another sip. She wasn’t usually much of a drinker but
she had had a long day and was feeling a bit uncomfortable in these different
surroundings.
“You’re the only woman as far as I’m concerned Hope.” Elijah said with a
grin, “Kate only qualifies as a girl in my books.”
“Coming from someone younger than everyone around him.” Hope countered.
As an after thought she said, “I’m sure she has some redeeming qualities.”
Elijah rolled his eyes and took a long swing of his drink; “Yeah she’s
apparently a damn good fuck.”
Hope didn’t have a chance to say anything else because there was a
clamour of noise coming through the sliding glass door at one end of the room.
“Orli! Grab a lad a towel…there’s a good mate.”
“Get it yourself Dom.” Kate called even though Orlando had already stood
up and gone down the hall.
“See Orli knows who’s his boss.” He stuck his tongue out at her.
“At least you’re dressed this time fucker!” Elijah called with a laugh
at his friend who was wearing a pair of jeans that were dripping wet.
“Yeah well didn’t want to scare the new lady in the room.” Dominic said
with a smile at Hope.
“Too late baby, you about gave me a coronary at the front door.” She
smiled back at him.
“Oi.” Dom grabbed his chest as if in pain, “That stung luv and we
haven’t formally met yet.”
“I prefer to formally meet people who are dry and clothed.”
“So go put dry clothes on and quit harassing my guests.” Orlando said
upon entering the room again. He threw the towel at Dominic, “Kate come meet
Hope, she’s a friend of Lij’s.”
The blonde slowly rose from her spot and made her way over, “Hi.” She
said curtly.
Hope raised an eyebrow then nodded pleasantly, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Kate merely nodded then looked at Orlando, “Is anyone else coming
tonight or is it just me, her and the hobbits.”
“You could try being nice you know.”
“I was nice I said hi now I want to know if anyone else is going to be
here.”
Orlando sighed and ran a hand over his face, “Kitchen.” This was the
only word he said then grabbed the woman’s arm and dragged her out of the room.
“I’m sorry are you Hope?”
Hope turned at the gentleman who had spoken to her with such a soft
Scottish accent, “Why yes and who are you?”
“Billy Boyd at your service.” He did a little bow and took her hand to
bring to his lips.
She blushed, “Lij I had no clue your friend’s could be chivalrous.”
“They can’t be.” Elijah scoffed, “He’s just trying to charm you before…”
“Hey now Bill…don’t copy!” Dominic bounded into the room in a pair of
dry jeans, no shirt and a towel wrapped around his head like a turban.
“I wasn’t copyin’ Dom I was merely expressing my appreciation for Miss.
Hope here.” Billy still had her hand in his and he raised the joined fingers at
his friend.
“Allo Hope.” Dominic smiled, “I do sincerely apologise for my appalling
attire when you arrived. You see this blighter here…” He cuffed Billy on the
head, “…decided to pants me and proceed to throw me in the pool. I hope this
does not infringe on our association from this point on.”
Elijah and Billy just stared at their friend with their eyes wide, “I
had no idea you had manners Dom.” Elijah finally said.
“Either way you apology is accepted.” Hope smiled.
Dominic beamed, “Right, so Hope how do you have the misfortune of
knowing our lil Frodo here?”
“Finished!” Orlando called into the room about twenty minutes later.
“What?” Hope looked over at him. Billy, Dominic and Elijah were in the
middle of some sort of three-person video game.
He plopped himself down next to her on the sofa, “Me and Kate we’re finished.”
He said simply.
“Does this bother you?” Hope asked.
“Hell no! It’s been a long time coming.” He said with a shrug.
“Convenience wore off mate?” Dominic asked without breaking his stare
with the TV screen.
“Something like that. I’m sorry she was such a bitch to you Hope.” He
smiled at her.
It was disconcerting how much his smile affected her, “No worries.”
Seconds later he stood up and offered her his hand, “I haven’t given you
the grand tour yet.”
She looked at his hand for a moment then took it, “No you haven’t.”
He pulled her up then dragged the hand he was holding along his back she
had her arm around him, “Well then let me show you my humble abode.”
“Didn’t take him long did it?” Billy asked.
“Does it ever?” Dominic commented.
“Hope’s smart.” Elijah said, “She’s not gonna do anything.”
Dominic paused the game and looked at Elijah, “This is Orli we’re
talking about here Lij. The lad who owns the word smooth.”
“You don’t know Hope Dom.”
“I may not but I know Orli and with the way she was looking at him I
wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see them again for awhile.”
“You wanna make a bet?”
“Yeah fifty bucks says she’s in his bed before the end of the night.”
“You’re on.” They shook each other’s hands each with a defiant look on
their face.
“Are you two about done? I had enough points to kick both your arses.”
Billy said before unpausing the game.
“Don’t you think this house is a bit big for one person?” Hope asked as
the two wandered through the top floor occasionally stopping at different rooms
to Orlando could tell her what he was going to do with them.
“Isn’t bigger always better?” He asked with a smirk.
“According to men it is, but in reality it isn’t the bigger that’s
better but what you can do with what you’ve got.” She countered with a smirk of
her own.
“I find it amusing how people dictate reality.”
“Your life is obviously far from reality.” Hope said with a laugh then
stopped and stared at him really intently.
“What? Do I have something on me face?” He asked.
“Shit.” She whispered and stepped back.
He looked at her funny, “What?”
“You’re the elf.” She exclaimed with a laugh. “My god that’s hilarious.”
She leaned against the wall of the hall and continued laughing.
“I fail to see what’s amusing.” He crossed his arms and eyed her with a
strange expression. “I thought you knew who I was.”
“It surprises you that there are people who don’t?”
He shrugged, “I guess it does.”
“Well it shouldn’t. I’ve only seen the first two movies once and I was
too busy watching Lij and that king guy.” The only reason Hope had gone to
begin with was because Elijah talked her into it, she hardly remembered the
plot afterwards.
“You haven’t seen Pirates of the Caribbean?” He asked. He really was
rather flabbergasted that this woman didn’t seem to have a clue who he was.
She nodded, “Hell ya Johnny Depp is a god in my books. That man is
just…” She shuddered, “Hot.” She breathed out slowly with her eyes closed. When
he didn’t say anything she opened them again. He was literally staring at her
like he couldn’t figure out if she was telling the honest truth.
“You recognize me as Leggy but not…” He laughed, “I’m being ridiculous.”
“No finish the thought.” She was genuinely confused.
“I was in Pirates.” He said with a laugh, “You know the bloke who breaks
Johnny out of jail, blood for the curse and all that.”
She scrunched up her face as if trying to place him then reached out and
pulled his shorter hair more around his face and then smiled, “Oh yeah that was
you.”
He shook his head, “You are interesting.”
“It’s a gift.” She then realized how close she was to him; he actually
was extremely beautiful. She really had to remind herself to rent Pirates and
try to pay less attention to Johnny.
“You have any more gifts?”
“Plenty.” She said with a smile then stepped away from him, “Now how
about the rest of that tour.”
He opened and closed his eyes a few times like he was trying to get his
bearings then winked at her, “Right, follow me down here I’ll show you the
master bedroom.”