Behind the Scenes

Chapter 18

HARRY

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the luxurious hotel lobby. The marble floors shone with a freshly polished gleam, the pale walls accented with subtle details that made it feel warm and comfortable. Stepping off the elevator, I could see the glass of the entrance to my left, bodies jostled beyond. It immediately made me question my current destination.

Ever since our location had been leaked online, fans had continued to gather in front of our hotel on a daily basis. The crowd slowly grew from ten, to fifteen, and now to approximately twenty five or so girls hanging out on the sidewalk at all hours. It didn't matter what time we returned back to the hotel from set, there were always some people there, waiting to catch a glimpse of us.

I hovered between the elevator bank, considering whether or not I really wanted to venture out into their view. The hotel security had done a good job at keeping the fans out of the underground parking, and even away from the entrance to the lower levels to allow us to come and go relatively unnoticed. Right now, if I went right up to my room, they wouldn't even know I was here.

But I didn't want to go to my room. Right now, after the shit day I had endured, I wanted to go to the bar. I needed a drink, and needed it badly. I had even toyed with the idea of going and finding a club or bar somewhere nearby to drown my sorrows, but decided against it. I didn't want to risk being noticed, and having a mob gather. I wasn't in the mood to be recognized or to have to put on my friendly, welcoming face.

The hotel bar would have to do, and the more I thought about it, the stronger the desperation to drown my sorrows rose. Taking a deep breath, I made my way through the lobby, my hands deep in my pockets. I kept my head down, avoiding any flickering gaze towards the windows. I could hear the chatter of the fans outside, the movement of bodies as they peered inside each car hoping to catch any sign of a member of the cast. I waited with baited breath for a gasp of recognition, a scream of hormonally charged excitement, but as I made it through into the dim and protected area of the bar, no eruption of fangirl thrills came.

The bar was fairly empty for eight at night. A couple sat at the bar, deep in conversation while the bartender busied himself with cleaning glasses. The mirrored bar back reflected the mahogany tables and rich leather booths back to patrons, making it feel even more private.

Casting my eyes to the left, I stilled when I noticed the person sitting in the corner. Her eyes were down to the table, a glass between her small hands. She looked tired and worn, her index finger tracing patterns over the smooth surface. She hadn't noticed me, and for a moment I seriously considered leaving. I had done enough to her today, and didn't want to make things worse. But I couldn't ignore the magnetic pull I felt towards her, the need to explain, apologize, and ask for forgiveness.

Kate had avoided me for most of the day. In fact, I barely saw her at all apart from the rare occasion she emerged from her writing room to have lunch with her sister, or take her on a tour. Each time, her sister was chattering wildly, going on and on about her time at university, the car her parents had bought her for her twenty first birthday, and a myriad of other things that had nothing to do with the fact that she was currently on a film set for her sisters production. At no point did I hear her congratulate Kate on her success, praise her for her skill, or put any true attention on the fact it was her birthday. The entire day, she simply toured the set like it was something to brag about, a personal success and experience, rather than a achievement by her only sister.

My feet pulled me forward, approaching her cautiously until I was right at her side. She looked so small sitting in the large, dark leather booth, hiding in the corner from the rest of the world. I looked down to the dark liquid in her glass, and was pretty sure it wasn't cola.