We rode in silence toward my new beautiful Los Angeles home, Casa Encantada, with lush greenery everywhere, but inside the car the air felt heavy and cold. Scarlett kept her gaze fixed on the window, not looking at me.
"Will you at least tell me what's wrong?" I asked when the silence became unbearable.
Scarlett, for all her natural grace and beauty, sat with her shoulders drawn tight. Her lips pressed together as though holding back words she didn't want to say. Finally, she exhaled slowly.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said. "Calling out Harvey Weinstein like you did."
I gave her a sharp look. "Why?"
"I have worked with him before," she replied, as if that explained everything. "He's… intense, sure, but he's not a bad guy."
I stared at her in disbelief. I couldn't fathom that Scarlett, of all people, was defending that piece of filth.
"Do you have any idea what he does to new and unknown actresses?" My words came out low and deliberate, each syllable heavy with restrained anger. "Even some of the established ones."
She shifted in her seat, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I have been warned by my agent not to go anywhere alone with Harvey. And I don't. Not just him, they have provided me a full list of multiple producers or directors who have a shady reputation. Sure, Harvey is not the best, but then who is? Will you remove every person in power from Hollywood?"
She shook her head, frustration flickering across her face.
"I know it's not ideal, but this is not just a Hollywood problem. Wherever there is a man in charge of hiring or supervising women, this problem appears. Girls everywhere are taught from a young age how to handle themselves in situations like these. Some things are too deeply ingrained in people's psyche to expect them to change overnight. Will you fire all the men in power throughout the world? Can you?"
I had no words. As a man, there are things we take for granted.
I reached forward and took Scarlett's hand, squeezing gently. "You don't have to tolerate that anymore. If any man so much as looks at you funny, I can and will end his career. Just say the word. And if he touches you… let's just say not even his remains will be found."
A small smile softened her features. She leaned closer and pressed a quick kiss against my cheek.
"I know that," she murmured. "But that's not the case here. Harvey is not one to sit idly while you take shots at him. You just started a war, and he will retaliate."
My grin widened. "That's what I'm counting on. By the way, I didn't start this. He ruined my Oscar chances to get a Lead Actor nomination, so this was my retaliation. If he doesn't take it a step further, I won't either. But if he does, all bets are off, and I'll make it my single mission to end his career. By whatever means possible."
Scarlett gave a single nod, then rested her head in the crook of my neck. The hum of the car engine filled the silence as we drove deeper into the hills.
What I didn't tell her was that I had no intention of stopping, even if Harvey never retaliated. Plans were already in motion to bring about his downfall.
"Hey, Scar," I said softly.
"Hmm?"
"Did you hear about what happened to Rihanna?"
She lifted her head from my shoulder, her green eyes searching mine. "Yes."
I nodded once and then asked the question that had been on my mind. "Would you be upset if I contacted her?"
"Why?" Scarlett tilted her head curiously. "I thought she rejected your efforts to be civil."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "She declined them because I knew what a piece of shit Chris Brown was. I warned her about him, and she thought I was just being jealous."
"Is that it then?" Scarlett asked. "You want to gloat?"
"Of course not! What kind of person do you think I am?" I shot back indignantly.
Scarlett let out a soft sigh before settling her head against my shoulder. "I don't dictate your life. You can contact her if you want, but keep in mind that I'm also a girl who has broken up with boys before, so I know how girls' brains work. That's the time we are most vulnerable, and we tend to latch on to the first man who shows us kindness."
"Nothing will happen between Rihanna and me. Not ever," I said firmly. "I can't trust her the way I trust you."
"Awww, you trust me?" she giggled, her eyes glinting with playfulness. "How much?"
I raised an eyebrow and leaned in close, whispering, "I'll show you tonight how much."
A satisfied gleam flickered across Scarlett's eyes as she leaned forward and kissed me on the lips.
The moment we stepped through the front doors of Casa Encantada, I was nearly knocked off my feet by someone I had almost forgotten about in all the chaos. My little sister, Helen. She barreled into me with the force of a missile, clinging to me as though her life depended on it.
"You won!" she announced happily, her voice ringing with excitement. "I knew you would. Where are the trophies? I want to see them. Please!"
Her caretaker, Maria, hurried in behind her, wearing the look of someone who had given up on keeping pace. As much as I wanted to scold her for letting Helen stay up this late, I knew my sister could be a handful when she set her mind on something.
I chuckled at Helen's enthusiasm and ruffled her hair. "Of course I won. I told you I would, didn't I?"
She nodded eagerly before repeating, "The Grammys?"
"They are in the car behind me. Someone from the security team would put them in the trophy room," I said with a smile as I lifted her into my arms. "You can see them in the morning. Right now, it's way past your bedtime, and you have class tomorrow."
When I bought Casa Encantada, I had converted one of the larger rooms into a trophy room, a gleaming shrine to the years of awards I had collected. Until recently, they had all been displayed in London at Hawthorne Keep, but once I committed to living in Bel Air long-term, I had the entire collection transported here.
Helen groaned dramatically. "But I wanted to see them tonight."
I shook my head firmly, and after a moment she sighed in defeat, nodding reluctantly. Maria stepped forward to guide her to bed, but Helen didn't move.
"I want to sleep with Scarlett and you," she said hopefully, her eyes wide and pleading.
So much for my plans of a private night with Scarlett. I glanced at her, and she simply shrugged, not bothered by Helen's plans in the least.
"Sure, you can," I said, trying not to sound too disappointed, and carried her toward my bedroom.
It was generous of Helen's parents to allow her to stay with me for a few weeks. For most families, the disruption to school would have made it impossible, but I could afford private tutors, which made visits like this easy to arrange.
As the three of us changed into our nightclothes, Helen climbed onto the bed and switched on her tablet.
"Helen," I said in a warning tone. "What did I tell you about using screens before bed?"
"Please, Troy," she begged, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Just one video. I love watching Justin's songs. He sings so pretty, and most of his songs are yours. Pretty please?"
Scarlett, seated at the vanity as she removed her makeup, glanced at me in the mirror. "Let her watch. One video won't do her much harm."
Helen broke into a grin. "Thanks, Scar!"
I rolled my eyes before giving in. "Fine, but just one video. Any more and I'll take the tablet away for good. I gave it to you for studying, not watching YouTube."
Tablet computers weren't as common yet as they would be after the iPad's release. When Helen asked for one, I hadn't had the heart to say no. I wasn't sure her parents would allow it once she was back in London, but for now, she had one of her own.
She fiddled with the device for a few seconds before music drifted into the room. The screen was turned away from me, so I couldn't see the video, but the voice carried clearly.
"Hey guys! As we all know, today's the Grammys, and I'm fully hoping my idol, Troy Armitage, will win big. So in his honor, I'm covering one of my favorite songs of his, which I think is the most underrated song ever. It's called 'Lonely'. I know I am nowhere as good as Troy, but I hope you like it."
The voice struck me as strangely familiar, though I couldn't place it immediately. Then the singing began.
~What if you had it all
But nobody to call?
Maybe then you'd know me
'Cause I've had everything
But no one's listening
And that's just freaking lonely
I'm so lo-o-o-o-nely
Lo-o-o-o-nely~
The moment I heard that voice, a suspicion formed in my mind. I leaned forward, just enough to glimpse the screen. My jaw nearly dropped. The kid singing his heart out was Justin Bieber.
Holy shit. What was Justin Bieber doing covering one of my songs? (Technically one of his, though he didn't know that.) Shouldn't he already have been discovered by now? If memory served, his breakout single Baby was supposed to be around this time.
The song ended, and, true to her word, Helen switched off the tablet.
Soon, the three of us were settled on my oversized bed. Scarlett lay curled up on the other side of the bed, while Helen was smack dab in the midst of us. Sleep should have come easily, but my mind kept circling back to Justin Bieber. I remembered all too well how Hollywood had chewed him up and spat him out. If he went undiscovered this time, he might escape that fate, but it would also mean living in poverty.
People who pity celebrities for their rough lives often don't realize most of it is calculated PR designed to build sympathy. In truth, ninety percent of stars live far better lives than the average person. Still, I found myself torn. Should I help Justin or leave him to his own path?
The truth was, he had never struck me as a good person. Selfish. Rude. In many ways, the product of a toxic environment. At least, that was the public image I had of him. For all I knew, the real boy could be very different.
After turning it over in my head, I decided what to do. I searched for Justin's YouTube channel, copied the link, and emailed it to my team.
I want to sign him, just like Taylor. Contact his guardians.
(Break)
LunaBliss: So, does anyone else think that Troy calling out Harvey Weinstein on the Grammys stage means something, or am I reading too much into the situation?
PatAttack: OMG! You felt that too? My friend and I were just talking about the same thing. It definitely means something.
NovaKnight: I'm not into conspiracy theories, but Troy doesn't thank a lot of people in his award speeches. Usually, he goes for funny or motivational speeches. At best, he thanks his parents and his team. So if he is pointing someone out and doesn't thank him, it makes me think something is fishy.
TinFoilHatExpert: Guys, I did some digging and found that this Weinstein guy is some big-shot Hollywood producer and distributor with a lot of sway in the award bodies (which you all probably know by now). I read a blind item on the internet that basically says if you win an award for doing his movie and don't thank him, he gets furious and can even threaten to ruin your career.
SereneDreamer: Maybe Troy was just poking fun at him, and off-screen they are good friends?
FireStarter12: You really think a man in his late fifties would be friends with Troy when the two haven't even worked together? I think it's something sinister. I watch award shows religiously, and a lot of people thank Harvey Weinstein. I think he runs the Illuminati, and you have to take his name during an award speech to get inducted into it. And now, technically, Troy did so as well.
NovaKnight: That is wild, @FireStarter12. I don't buy it for even a second. I'd rather believe that Troy and Harvey had a feud of some kind, and Troy is retaliating. Or maybe he's provoking him. I'm not exactly sure about which one this is, but it has to be one of those.
SereneDreamer: You all are crazy! I think you're reading too much into it. Sure, Troy called Weinstein out, but it doesn't have to mean something sinister. Unless someone has insider information, we'll never know for sure what actually happened between the two. Why don't we instead talk about something interesting?
LunaBliss: Like what?
SereneDreamer: Like the fact that Troy still doesn't have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
PatAttack: That's because it needs money to inaugurate and maintain the star. Most actors nominate themselves, but Troy didn't feel like doing it. There's no way they wouldn't have given it to him otherwise.
NovaKnight: I just checked the rules, and it says that fan clubs can nominate their favorite celebrity. What do you say we start a campaign for Troy to get his star on the Walk of Fame? I think he deserves it more than most names on that sidewalk.
FireStarter12: Love the idea! If someone starts the campaign, I'll definitely donate.
SereneDreamer: I'll do it. Setting it up already. Let's see how far we can take this campaign and if we can actually get it for our idol.
PatAttack: But which category should we nominate him for? Movies or music?
LunaBliss: Let's do both. It will be their decision which one they want to bestow upon him.
SereneDreamer: Two nominations would be possible only if we raise a lot of money. The nomination alone requires funds.
SweetStone: Hey, guys! I know I haven't been active in this group much, but I would gladly donate enough to cover both nominations, and if he's selected, I'll pay for the ceremony as well.
PatAttack: Ooh, someone's rich.
SweetStone: Just came into a bit of money recently. Wouldn't mind sharing some with the guy who was my first crush and inspires me to do better each day.
NovaKnight: That sounds a little creepy, but if it takes creepy to get our boy nominated, I'm all for it.
SereneDreamer: I've created the campaign. Here's the link. Donate generously, and I'll contact the organization to get the ball rolling by tomorrow.
SweetStone: Donated $50k. The fee is $25k per category, so that should cover both nominations and the ceremony for movies as well as music versions of the stars.
________________________
AN: Visit my personal website to read ahead, or check out my second Hollywood story set in the 80s.
Link: www(dot)fablefic(dot)com