DECEMBER 16, 2004
FIFTEEN
The Naked Chef, Jaime Oliver’s Restaurant
London England
9pm
“I really love this restaurant.” Jennifer spoke softly; smiling at the passing patrons as they recognized her and Brad.
Brad smiled and waved as well, though his mind was hundreds of miles away. “Yeah, Jaime’s a great chef.” Though the opposite seemed obvious by the full plate of food that sat in front of him.
Jen noticed the plate as well. “You wouldn’t know it. Look at your plate. You’ve hardly touched a thing.” Though for some reason her appetite was healthy.
Shaking his head in distraction he half answered. “Not that hungry.”
“Bullocks! You usually have the appetite of a horse.” Jaime Oliver’s East End accent broke into their quiet conversation.
Brad stood up to greet his friend. “Jamie! How are you man?” Brad returned to his seat, watching Jaime greet his wife. “Join us for a bit.”
“Well just for a bit.” Jaime seated himself and gestured to one of the waiters, requested a glass of wine.
“We were just talking about the wonderful meal. This is truly a wonderful restaurant.” Jennifer reached for her glass of wine.
“So I heard.” Jamie responded.
“How did you know we were here?” Jennifer asked
“I just followed the den of excitement. As if the great Brad Pitt could move about without a furor starting.”
Jennifer, a bit peeved that Jaime seemed to forget that she was there with Brad, added her own thoughts. “I know they’ve been interrupting ‘us’ all evening.”
Jaime corrected his snafu and amended all by including Jennifer in the assessment. “Well you two are the ‘Golden Couple’ after all. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
Brad’s annoyed gaze found Jennifer. “Jennifer?” He waved off Jaime’s apology. “No apology needed. The patrons haven’t been interrupting, they were simply greeting us. Jen is just a bit sensitive that’s all.”
“Well just the same, I’ll have the word put out that you two are to be left alone, while you are here.” Jaime was happy to let the matter drop. Snapping his fingers loudly, Jaime proclaimed. “Yeah now…wait. If memory serves me…you’re another year older in a day or two, eh mate?”
Laughing Brad nodded. “Yeah, don’t remind me!” Jaime’s presence seemed to lighten his mood considerably. Why couldn’t he be this happy without additional company…when it was just he and Jennifer? There was a time when they laughed…now they just seemed so distant.
“So you have any request for your birthday?” Jaime asked, assuming that his friends would be eating at the restaurant.
Jennifer took charge of the conversation. “Well, we were thinking…”
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Dorhester Hotel
London England
12:30AM
“I’m glad we decided to spend your birthday here alone. We haven’t been spending enough time together.” Jennifer glided up behind Brad wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’ve missed you.”
He’d made the decision to work this marriage out. He’d made the decision to let Angelina and Maddox rest reverently in his mind and heart but never in his life. His life was here now, with this woman whom he’d pledged his love and soul to. He remembered that day and his feelings, and he as he stood here now he knew that his feelings were no longer the same. But he had made his decision and here he’d stay.
Turning towards Jennifer he cupped her face between his large, strong…capable hands. He had to try and make this work. ‘Get her out of his mind’. “I missed you to sweetheart.” Raising her face to his he captured her lips in a soft, soulful kiss. Trying not to think of another pair of lips, so bountiful a man could feast for an eternity. As his hand began their caressing descent from Jennifer’s smooth face to her slim healthy body, he tried not to remember the curves of another body…curves that would tempt a man to kill. ‘STOP!’ his mind yelled bringing him back to the reality that lay before him; his wife.
At that moment Jennifer knew that this was her chance to gain the upper hand. He was willing to work on their marriage and tonight they would rekindle their sex life. It had been so long sine she’d lain in his arms and that was about to change. She would be damned if she lost him to some puffy lipped psycho, who’s reputation as a man stealing, sexual deviant was legendary. Well Angelina wasn’t getting this one, not if she could help it.
Returning his kiss, Jennifer unbuttoned Brad’s silk shirt. Her fingers moving lightly over the soft silk that covered a chest so well chiseled it made her want to weep. Freeing his chest from the material, Jennifer pulled her mouth from his, trailing her moist lips from his mouth to the pulse beat at the base of his throat, sucking forcefully.
Every pull of her warm wet mouth caused his shaft to stir. The rhythm, hot suction and moist heat were all that he needed. His mind blank to all but the woman he held in his arms, Brad began walking her slowly backwards into the bedroom, stopping at the foot of the bed. Grabbing a handful of Jennifer’s soft straight hair brad again pulled her mouth up to his; his tongue demanding and finding easy access to the soft dark recesses hidden within her hot mouth, encompassing her tongue with his own, he drew it into a lover’s tango.
Leaving her mouth wanting, he wound a path of moist kisses up the column of her throat to nibble her ear. She shivered and tingled with his assault. When she tried to move away, Brad captured a handful of soft strands, holding her steady. His tongue traveled a remembered path into the delicate shell of her ear, Jennifer moaned, as he traced the pattern of her ear and delved into its crevice, she felt an uncoiling deep within her belly. Squeezing his eyes shut, she tried to control the sensations, only serving to heighten them.
So caught in the sensual inferno Brad was building within her, she didn’t notice that he had almost completely disrobed her until the faint chill of the room hit the bare hot flesh of her full breast arousing their rosy nipples. She gasped loudly when he seared a path back down her neck, placing tantalizing kisses at the base of her throat repeating her own earlier actions. Brad released his hold on her hair to let his hand roam down her back, cupping her buttocks through her thin skirt, bringing her lower body tightly against his bulging erection. With a gentle push from Brad, Jennifer found herself sprawled across their bed, staring up at him. Staring into her eyes, Brad grabbed the hem of her skirt and pulled slowly on the thin fabric of her skirt, pulling it completely off, within seconds. Her nylons and thong followed in quick order. Brad managed to rid himself of the remainder of his own clothing.
Standing there at the foot of the bed, Brad stared down at the woman who was his wife. And in an instance, for no more than a few seconds Jennifer’s visage and body changed and he found him self staring down into the face that haunted his every waking moment. Those eyes…lips…breast and never ending legs. He desired them and here they were…
“Brad, baby…?” Jennifer’s voice brought him back. If she only knew who had joined them in this…their marriage bed. Shaking himself free of all distraction, he kneeled upon the bed, griping the back of her calves as he pressed moist kisses along her soft thighs, finally burying his face and tongue in the thin honey curls that guarded the treasure he sought. He inhaled the scent of her, feasting hungrily at the delicate flesh.
Jennifer moaned, her nerves vibrating under the sensations coursing through her lower body. Brad’s tongue left no fold unattended. He was definitely well versed in the art of oral pleasure. A gift Jennifer definitely appreciated. Leaving her moist core, Brad trailed his wet tongue up the path of her navel, taking a moment to pay it special homage. Jennifer almost screamed as the hot streaks raced from her navel to her toes. Brad continued his hot trail upwards where he buried his face in the soft valley of her breast. He leisurely circled one pale rose colored nipple with the tip of his tongue. He closed his mouth over an aching peak. Jennifer whimpered clutching at his shoulders, as hot painful pleasure snaked its way from her breast to her stomach, finally settling in the moist pool between her legs. She arched her back, groaning deeply, her breath coming in ragged pants.
He raised her hips once more, penetrating the swollen, moist haven. He moved slowly forward until he was seated as deep as her body would allow. Brad shuddered. He began moving in deep fluid strokes, pushing deeply, with draw almost completely, only to thrust home again. Jennifer arched her body to meet each thrust, wrapping her legs around his waist; he drew him even deeper. Brad's thrusts became quicker, harder with an urgency born of pure ecstasy. He felt Jennifer’s nails leaving their burning mark on his shoulders and back as her body rippled in convulsions. She cried out her tension giving way to the tumultuous climax. Brad found his own blissful release, flooding her with his seed, wasting his life’s essence.
They lay quietly in the aftermath, snuggled in each other’s arms. Jennifer kissed Brad’s shoulder and chest. Smiling to herself she felt triumphant. He was here in her bed. She’d won him back and on her terms. She had to thank him for understanding. “Thank you.”
Brad was almost asleep, but woke at her words. “Thank you for what?”
“For tonight, for understanding and agreeing with me.” Jennifer felt the tension in Brad’s body, long before she heard it in his voice.
Brad glanced down at Jennifer. “What do you mean agreeing? Agreeing on what?”
“You know…about waiting a few more years before starting a family. I thought that was what this was about.” Jennifer referred to their lovemaking. “That...you had decided to come and work things out.”
Sitting up, Brad pulled away from his wife so that he could see her face. “You thought that because we made love that I agreed to wait a few more years to have children?” Shaking his head in disbelief, he left the bed. Grabbing his pants and shirt he left the room.
By the time Jennifer found a robe and joined Brad in the suite’s living room, he was dressed his pants in place and his shirt on but left hanging open, baring his well sculpted chest and abs. “Brad what just happened?”
“You…you just happened.” Brad’s index and middle finger stabbed the air in Jennifer’s direction before settling on his lips as if to stay the tide of words that could not…would not be contained.
“Me? You said that you wanted to work things out.” Pacing back and forth Jennifer continued. “We had a beautiful dinner and came back to our suite and had amazing sex. If that isn’t working things out then what was it?”
“Jennifer that was dinner and sex; that was not us talking about our future plans.” Brad stared at Jennifer for a moment before moving on. “You need to actually talk.”
“So let’s talk…work this out.” Jennifer moved to face Brad.
“Yeah and where do we start?” Brad stared into Jennifer’s eyes. “Do we start at our lack of communication, or our goals? Where? Where would you like to start?”
“Well…let’s start with are you willing to wait a few more years before we start a family?”
The disbelief returned to his eyes. “A few years? Exactly what do a few years equate to Jennifer? WHAT!!!”
Jennifer jumped, startled at the sharpness and anger in Brad’s voice. “I just want to finish the movies and then we can start…two…three years at the most.”
Snorting Brad shook his head. “You are truly a piece a work. You know that?”
Jennifer went on the defensive, how dare he. “Why? Because I want what you have…a successful movie career? Because I don’t want to be bogged down with a pregnancy or a kid right now? Or because I finally have the chance to walk outside of your goddamn shadow for once.”
“What!!! My shadow? My shadow…amazing…fucking amazing!” Brad’s lips pressed in and out as he glanced up towards the ceiling and back at his wife. He began to speak in a lilting feminine voice. “How do I look? Are you sure this is good enough? No maybe I should change. I can do it if you come with me. How does my nose look? Do you think I should have plastic surgery? Should I take the role? Do you think I can pull it off?” He stopped suddenly and brought his voice back to its normal tone. “I never asked or insisted that you be my shadow, as you call it. You’re the one who has the need to walk there. I never relegated you to the position of my shadow, I wanted a wife! One who would walk beside me…not two steps behind.”
“You seemed to be content to keep me there!”
“Keep you there, you took up permanent residency there all on your own sweetheart. So don’t lay that at my feet!” Walking over to the fully stocked bar, Brad poured himself a drink. “You know…this is a prime example of our communication problem. If you felt like this why didn’t you say something to me before? Why now…after almost seven years?”
“Did you even want to hear it?” Jennifer yelled. “You were so busy being ‘The Brad Pitt’, when did I have time to tell you? We never talked. It was one party, movie or family function after another!”
Brad finished his drink and poured himself another shot, swallowing it in one gulp. Pouring himself a double shot again before turning back to Jennifer. One thing for sure he’d either work it out or end up drunk. “You didn’t complain about being ‘The Brad Pitt’s’ wife. In fact you didn’t complain at all when we attended those many parties and you sure as hell didn’t have a problem walking that red carpet. Or how about the special treatment being ‘Mr. Brad Pitt’ afforded you? Didn’t complain about that. As far as my family functions were concerned, you barely went to any…we barely went to any. So don’t throw that in face. I WILL NOT apologize for being Brad Pitt.”
Jennifer had no real words, he was right. But she had to try. “I’m not asking you to apologize for being Brad Pitt. I’m just saying that we have been on this whirlwind of your career and now it’s my turn. I want that same success.”
“Oh I’m sorry, excuse our marriage for getting in the way. Say what you want to Jennifer but I never put my job above our marriage. When you needed me I was there. Name one time..ONE, when you called for me and I didn’t come. Just one. Name one time when you needed me there for your Premieres, your television show or your family and I didn’t come through for you. Cause you know what I can name plenty of times when all I wanted was you to be there with me and you couldn’t be bothered. You were busy…”
“I HAD TO WORK!” Jennifer yelled.
“I HAD TO WORK TOO! But I always had time for you. Ocean’s Eleven…remember you needed me I left in the middle of taping to come to you. Troy…I left Mexico to come to you . Why? Because you needed me. I never questioned, I just came. You could never do that for me, but I accepted that. You never confided in me…but oh you did with Courtney. It was always ‘Courtney says this’…’Courtney suggested that’…or ‘Courtney thinks’. I thought maybe once we had children things would level out. I would cut back on working take a year or so off, your show would be over and we could concentrate on our family. That you’d begin confiding in me, but you never wanted that did you? Oh, you enjoyed being the wife of ‘Brad Pitt’’…a part of the famous ‘Golden couple’ but it was being William Bradley Pitt’s wife, that you seem to have a problem with.”
“I didn’t say that! Why are you making this so hard?I just asked for a few more years. Then we…” Brad’s soft laughter cut her off.
“A few years…hmmm…yeah and you’ll be what thirty seven…thirty-eight? Maybe you even thought to wait until forty. The only problem is, that’s not what we agreed to.”
“Things change Brad.” Jennifer wasn’t backing down.
“Yep they sure do and in your case they change constantly. The only problem is you don’t admit it. We dated for what two years before getting married? Neither of us was ready for a family then but we discussed it. When we were married you asked me to give you two more years and I did gladly, because I knew you weren’t ready. After the two years, you asked me to wait until ‘Friends’ ended I agreed. I couldn’t understand why…I mean your character was pregnant that would have been the best time. You said no, not yet. I agreed to wait. ‘Friends’ ends and I find out that you have gone behind my back and agreed to do three movies, with another what two…three in the works. You didn’t even have enough respect for our marriage to discuss it with me.” He stared down into the amber liquid that filled his glass. “You never planned to have children did you Jen? It was all a lie.”
“It’s not a lie, I do want children! I just want to get my movie career situated. I can’t afford to take what…one or two years off to have your baby right now!” Why couldn’t he see that she just wanted a little piece of what he had.
Brad only heard one thing at that point. “My baby. Interesting choice of words, not our baby…just mine huh?”
“That’s not what I meant. You’re not hearing my words.”
“Oh I think that I’m hearing them fine, or rather the meaning behind them.” Brad answered. “You want success. You had success on ‘Friends’. You want a successful movie career. What if you never rake in the big box office hits? You want an Oscar? What if you never achieve that award? I’ve been in this business for over fifteen years and I don’t have one.”
“Yes but you do have the prestige of an Oscar Nomination. It’s a matter of time for you. Time I don’t have.” Jennifer walked over to the window and glanced out at the early morning traffic of London.
Brad watched his wife, wondering if he ever really knew this woman. “And whose fault is that Jennifer? Mine? Four years ago you asked me if I thought you should continue on with ‘Friends’, I told you then that if you wanted to branch off completely into movies that you should move on. You decided to stay safe and finished out the run. Now you’re known as two things “Rachel’ and Brad Pitt’s wife and you’re blaming me for your choices.”
Glaring at his reflection in the window, she yelled. “I NEVER SAID THAT!” After a few seconds she turned back to Brad. “I’m not blaming you…”
NO! You’re just using them as an excuse to go back on your word. You want me to wait indefinitely for children while you hash out some kind of movie career you’re about fifteen years late in starting.” Brad knew that he was being cruel, but he’d had it. He was done coddling her. If she didn’t give a damn about his wishes, he was damn sure done taking hers into consideration. “You had a chance to continue on in your movie career, before ‘Friends’ but you played it safe. You know what happens when you play it safe? The industry type casts you. You dug your own hole and six movies aren’t enough to change public preference and to them you are ‘Rachel’. It will take at least a minimum of five years doing hard…solid and diverse characters to change that. So going on that timetable you’ll be forty and I’ll be forty-six before you will even consider keeping your word and having children.”
Jennifer watched Brad and in that moment knew that her marriage was over. She’d gambled and lost. She’d control the ‘starting a family’ situation for so long she’d assumed that she could for a while longer…she was wrong. “Brad…”
“Why don’t you just admit that you don’t want children that you’ll never be ready for them or the demands that they will make on your life. Admit that and then explain to me why you lied all this time. Why you didn’t just tell me this when we were dating. I’ve always been up front with you. I’ve always discussed business, script choices with you. Always invited you on location with me.” Sadness began to infuse Brad’s tone. “You never did any of that with me unless you were unsure or afraid. For me it was simple marital respect. I wanted you to know that we were partners. But it takes two to form a partnership and sweetheart; I’m just plain tired of being a solo partner.”
Jen couldn’t believe her ears. “What are you saying Brad?”
“I’m saying it’s over.” A sad smile formed on Brad’s lips. “I think it’s time we called it quits. We have nothing left to offer each other. Counseling hasn’t worked and we are at an impasse that neither of us seems interested in over coming.”
Jennifer tried to swallow the bitterness that was welling up in her throat, how dare he! “You’re leaving me?” Jennifer grabbed a pillow from the chair nearest her and threw it at Brad. “You bastard! You don’t get to just walk out on me! Let me guess…it’s her isn’t it? This...” Waving her hands over the suite. “This suite…dinner and the sex, you were planning to leave me all along and this was all just a lie! What was that in the bedroom Brad? A sympathy fuck? You haven’t touched me in God knows how long, but I bet you’ve touched her plenty. How many times did you fuck her? Is it…”
“Jennifer! Quiet!” Brad bark out.
Jennifer went on as if Brad hadn’t spoken. “Is it true what they say about her? That she’ll fuck anything…anywhere? They say she’s a slut, You know I believe it! Look at her, no woman looks like that and doesn’t enjoy fucking anything with a di…”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Oh but wait she swings both ways right? She admitted to that. Maybe that’s what turns you on, the taste of another woman’s cunt on her lips.”
Brad rushed towards Jennifer grabbing her by the shoulders and began shaking her. “Shut the hell up! What is wrong with you? This is between me and you? Not Angelina or any other outside influences.”
“What the hell is wrong with me? You…you’re what’s wrong with me. You and that slut! You think I haven’t heard about you two? About Italy…is she pregnant? She is, isn’t she? That’s why you want out of the marriage isn’t it?”
“She’s not pregnant! And what about Italy? Nothing happened and you know that. I never slept with her!” Brad yelled into Jennifer’s face, before shoving her away from him in disgust. “I heard…I heard…that’s your goddamn problem Jen. You listen to gossip instead of dealing in the truth! I would never believe someone else’s word over yours. One more time…the last time I’ll tell you, leave Angelina out of this.” His voice so quiet now, it was almost a whisper. “I don’t want to hear her name on your lips again.”
Jennifer knew she’d gone too far. Reaching for him she tried to apologize. “Brad, I’m sorry, I just flipped out. Maybe we could…”
Again a quiet voice. “No.” Brad walked away from Jennifer locating his coat he searched the pocket, until he found his cell phone. Dialing he spoke into the phone, his eyes remained on Jennifer’s face. “Hey it’s Brad. I need to get to the states ASAP. How soon can you make it happen? Okay I’ll be waiting at Luton. Thanks” He hung up the phone. Walking over to Jennifer he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Caressing her face he lifted her face up to his, kissed her on the lips and whispered. “It’s over. I want a divorce. I’ll have my stuff moved out of the house by the time you get back.”
Jennifer watched Brad gather his things and salute her at the door before leaving. The door shut with a finality that seemed to mark the end of her marriage to ‘Golden Boy Brad Pitt’.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
CHAPTER NINE - DOWN HILL FAST
DECEMBER 16, 2004
The Dorchester Hotel
London England
7pm
“Brad are you coming to visit me and mommy?” The little voice spoke into the phone. What did he say? Sighing he gave it his best shot. “Well Mad remember what me and mommy told you? Remember? That when the movie was over we had to all go home? You and mommy live really far from me sweetie. But you know you can always call me, okay?”
The little voice that answered was sadder somehow. “Kay…but…I know… you can do another movie with mommy and we can see you.”
“Ahhhh…Mad, you know…I don’t think so buddy. Mommy has another movie and so do I.” It was breaking his heart, this conversation.
“After that…maybe?” Maddox wasn’t quite prepared to give up. He wanted to see Brad. Maybe if he cried, mommy would take him to see his Braddy.
“I’m sorry sweetie. I won’t be able to.” Once upon a time he would have said, ‘what he wouldn’t give for a son like Maddox. Now his thoughts were ‘what he wouldn’t give to be a father to Maddox.
“Don’t you like me and mommy anymore?” Maddox asked, his little voice, wobbly with tears. He stamped his little foot. No! He wasn’t supposed to cry now! He had to wait for mommy to see, but he was sad now.
The sound of tears in Maddox voice, broke his heart and he felt a lump form in his own throat. “Hey…come on you’re my big boy, remember? You have to be strong for mommy. You’re the man in the house. But you’re still my best buddy right?”
“Ummm…hmmm.” Maddox responded, wiping his eyes with the back of his little hand. He still wanted Brad. But he had to be a big boy. Being a big boy sucked!
Brad sat back on the sofa, making himself more comfortable. “Okay, so where did we leave off?”
“They saw the white whale!” In true primary fashion, Mad’s mind was now on the childlike version of Moby Dick. The story Brad had been telling him over the last week.
“That’s right. So there they were, in the middle of the ocean and..”
~~~~~~~~~
December, 16 2004
Angelina’s Country Estate
Fulmer, England
7pm
“Who’s he talking to?” Colin Ferrell asked watching Angelina’s three year old son Maddox speak in high animated tones into the cordless telephone.
Angelina looked up from her salad. She glanced over at her son, a smile lightening her face when she caught his excited words. Moby Dick…figured. Men and their never ending conquest to conquer nature, their need to force their will on any and all living things was amazing. “Brad.” A simple answer full of so much meaning.
“I thought you two weren’t speaking.” Colin put his fork down and waited patiently for Angelina to respond. When she didn’t immediately, he continued. “Come on Angie, you were a mess when we met at the Premiere. What the hell are you doing?”
Angelina quickly shushed him. “Hey! Watch your mouth around my kid. He may be on the phone, but trust me the boy has supersonic hearing.”
Holding his hands up in surrender “Okay, fine swearing is out. Now answer the question. What are you doing?” Colin asked.
“Nothing is going on. Brad doesn’t talk to me. He just calls to speak to Mad. When shooting was doe, Mad didn’t like saying good bye and couldn’t understand why Brad didn’t come see him. He experienced ‘separation anxiety’. So we decided to wean him a bit slower. Brad calls him and they talk. Sometimes they tell each other stories.” Angelina sipped her white wine, keeping an eye on her son, who sat on his little patio lounge chair, listening intently to Brad’s story.
“He calls everyday now?” Colin had a bit of trouble holding the sudden streak of jealousy he felt at bay. He’d spent three and half months with this woman and she hadn’t so much as batted an eyelash in his general direction. She kept calling him her brother, as if. The longer he worked with her, the more he admired her. She was completely opposite of the opinion the public had of her. She’d given so much of herself, her time and her money for a cause that most ignored. She worked as hard at being a good mother as she did at being an award wining actress. Everything about her was sexual, maternal and compassionate and she would never be his.
Angelina answered, without turning away from her son. “Everyday? No, every two or three days.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Colin warned. He could see she was heading for pain. He’d do all he could to stop her.
Angelina turned back to face Colin. “I know and soon there won’t be any more. It’s just that Mad gets a bit anxious when he doesn’t hear from Brad.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She saw him as a brother, then brother he’d be. “He’s in London sweetheart, minding his wife.”
Angelina’s face paled with Colin’s words. Why was he being so hateful? “I know where he is and I dam…don’t need you to remind me of it.”
“You know where he is and you know what he’s doing, or is that who he’s doin…” Colin didn’t finish his sentence, Angelina interrupted him.
“Don’t…Colin!” She brought her voice down again, realizing Mad do was looking at them both now. “So help me…”
Reaching across the table, Colin pushed a stray curl from Angelina’s face. “Shhhh…I’m sorry baby. You know me. Just getting a rise.” Turning his cheek forward. “Go ahead give me that hot left hook of yours.”
Angelina shrugged it off. “It’s okay. I think that I’m just a bit too sensitive these days.” Nodding at his cheek, she muttered. “Don’t tempt me.”
“Mommy…” Maddox ran over to the table.
Angelina wrapped an arm around the child, drawing him close. “Yeah baby?”
“Braddy wants to talk to you!” Handing her the phone, the little boy ran over to Colin and climb into his lap. “Hi!”
“Hi yourself!” Colin hugged the little boy. Maddox was such a sweet, happy little boy. Angie was doing a hell of a job with this kid. Colin hated to see either one of them get hurt. Perhaps he should pay Brad a visit and find out just what the hell was really going on. He didn’t blame the man for his obsession. Hell! He’d worked with her almost a year ago and he was still obsessed.
There was something about Angie…how did Val put it? She made a man ‘feel’ things. Lord only knew what she’d made Brad feel. But the difference between he and Brad was a wedding band and he’d be damned if he were going to sit by and let this man destroy Angie’s hard earned happiness and stability. No one really knew how bad a job Billy Bob had done on her. Part of her was still afraid of commitment and being chased by a married man damn sure wasn’t helping. ‘Yeah.’ Colin thought. ‘He’d pay Bradley a little visit once they were stateside.’
Watching Maddox draw Colin’s attention, Angelina rose from the table and moved out of ear shot of both man and child, before speaking. “Hi.” She breathed into the phone.
Waiting for the sound of that voice. The voice she knew in her heart she was born to recognize.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
DECEMBER 16, 2004
The Dorchester Hotel
London England
7:20pm
“Hi.” What was he doing? He was in London to talk to Jennifer and here he was pining for just a whisper of her voice.
“I thought we agreed you would only call for Maddox.” Angelina needed to keep them on track. Someone had to. “Why?”
She didn’t need to finish. He knew what she was asking but he had his own question that needed to be answered. “Why is Colin there?”
“Brad…?”
“Answer me. Why is he there?” Brad barked into the phone. He couldn’t begin to explain the searing jealousy that had raced through him at the sound of Colin’s name on her lips. Why was the man there, poaching on his territory?
“He’s a friend and he came over for a visit, that’s all.”
“I don’t like it.” Brad’s voice held all the abstinence of a stubborn child when told to eat his vegetables.
“And I don’t like the fact that you’re married. But I don’t have choice, do I? I don’t like waking up in the middle of the night aching. But how do I stop my unconscious mind from dreaming of something that can never be?”
Brad’s voice raised an octave. “You think I don’t have the same dreams? Do you know how much it’s taking me to sit her and simply talk to you when what I really want to do is get to you anyway I can? Do you!?”
Jumping, Angelina reacted to the sharpness in Brad’s voice. “Brad…this…this is not helping either one us and it damn sure isn’t helping Maddox.” Taking a deep shaky breath she continued. “You don’t need to tell me how hard it is for you…I feel it…everyday…every moment…I feel it too! So don’t tell me how hard it is for you right now.”
Brad heard the anguish in Angelina’s voice. An anguish that was mirrored in his own soul. “Angel…”
“Don’t. You’re here to work out things with your wife. This has to stop. There’s no place for it to go.”
He couldn’t accept that. “Ang…”
“No…no more and you know I’m right.” She made her decision in that moment. “I don’t want you to call Mad anymore.”
“Listen…” She interrupted again.
She didn’t dare give him a chance to wear her down and change her mind. She had to do this for him…Mad…herself. “I said no more Brad.”
“What about Maddox?” He knew that he was hitting below the belt, but he didn’t care. Maybe he was being selfish. But he couldn’t just let her disappear from his life. Mad…Mad, it would likely kill him to let that child go But she was right, he was in London to work thing out with Jen. But did he really want that?
“Maddox will be fine.” She answered quietly. There was only one thing to say. “Go work out your marriage. We’ll be fine.” She didn’t bother to say good bye. She simply hung up the phone.
Brad didn’t call back. Instead he prepared himself to make one of the most important decisions of his life.
~~~~~~~~~~
Angelina walked back over to where her son rough-housed with Colin. Mad glanced up at his mother. “Is Brad gone?”
Angelina held her arms out to the child, who glad ran into them. Picking him up, she let him straddled her hip. “Soooo…are you ready for another adventure?”
Clapping excitedly, the toddler asked. “Where? Where mommy?”
“Well we are going to visit some of mommy’s friends in Moscow and then back to Lebanon.”
“I can see my friends.” Maddox referred to the children who’d befriended him back in August when they’d paid their first visit to the refugee camps and hospitals.
Angelina was happy. The trip would help her keep Maddox’s mind off of Brad.
To bad there’s wasn’t a trip that would do the same for her.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
The Dorchester Hotel
London England
7pm
“Brad are you coming to visit me and mommy?” The little voice spoke into the phone. What did he say? Sighing he gave it his best shot. “Well Mad remember what me and mommy told you? Remember? That when the movie was over we had to all go home? You and mommy live really far from me sweetie. But you know you can always call me, okay?”
The little voice that answered was sadder somehow. “Kay…but…I know… you can do another movie with mommy and we can see you.”
“Ahhhh…Mad, you know…I don’t think so buddy. Mommy has another movie and so do I.” It was breaking his heart, this conversation.
“After that…maybe?” Maddox wasn’t quite prepared to give up. He wanted to see Brad. Maybe if he cried, mommy would take him to see his Braddy.
“I’m sorry sweetie. I won’t be able to.” Once upon a time he would have said, ‘what he wouldn’t give for a son like Maddox. Now his thoughts were ‘what he wouldn’t give to be a father to Maddox.
“Don’t you like me and mommy anymore?” Maddox asked, his little voice, wobbly with tears. He stamped his little foot. No! He wasn’t supposed to cry now! He had to wait for mommy to see, but he was sad now.
The sound of tears in Maddox voice, broke his heart and he felt a lump form in his own throat. “Hey…come on you’re my big boy, remember? You have to be strong for mommy. You’re the man in the house. But you’re still my best buddy right?”
“Ummm…hmmm.” Maddox responded, wiping his eyes with the back of his little hand. He still wanted Brad. But he had to be a big boy. Being a big boy sucked!
Brad sat back on the sofa, making himself more comfortable. “Okay, so where did we leave off?”
“They saw the white whale!” In true primary fashion, Mad’s mind was now on the childlike version of Moby Dick. The story Brad had been telling him over the last week.
“That’s right. So there they were, in the middle of the ocean and..”
~~~~~~~~~
December, 16 2004
Angelina’s Country Estate
Fulmer, England
7pm
“Who’s he talking to?” Colin Ferrell asked watching Angelina’s three year old son Maddox speak in high animated tones into the cordless telephone.
Angelina looked up from her salad. She glanced over at her son, a smile lightening her face when she caught his excited words. Moby Dick…figured. Men and their never ending conquest to conquer nature, their need to force their will on any and all living things was amazing. “Brad.” A simple answer full of so much meaning.
“I thought you two weren’t speaking.” Colin put his fork down and waited patiently for Angelina to respond. When she didn’t immediately, he continued. “Come on Angie, you were a mess when we met at the Premiere. What the hell are you doing?”
Angelina quickly shushed him. “Hey! Watch your mouth around my kid. He may be on the phone, but trust me the boy has supersonic hearing.”
Holding his hands up in surrender “Okay, fine swearing is out. Now answer the question. What are you doing?” Colin asked.
“Nothing is going on. Brad doesn’t talk to me. He just calls to speak to Mad. When shooting was doe, Mad didn’t like saying good bye and couldn’t understand why Brad didn’t come see him. He experienced ‘separation anxiety’. So we decided to wean him a bit slower. Brad calls him and they talk. Sometimes they tell each other stories.” Angelina sipped her white wine, keeping an eye on her son, who sat on his little patio lounge chair, listening intently to Brad’s story.
“He calls everyday now?” Colin had a bit of trouble holding the sudden streak of jealousy he felt at bay. He’d spent three and half months with this woman and she hadn’t so much as batted an eyelash in his general direction. She kept calling him her brother, as if. The longer he worked with her, the more he admired her. She was completely opposite of the opinion the public had of her. She’d given so much of herself, her time and her money for a cause that most ignored. She worked as hard at being a good mother as she did at being an award wining actress. Everything about her was sexual, maternal and compassionate and she would never be his.
Angelina answered, without turning away from her son. “Everyday? No, every two or three days.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Colin warned. He could see she was heading for pain. He’d do all he could to stop her.
Angelina turned back to face Colin. “I know and soon there won’t be any more. It’s just that Mad gets a bit anxious when he doesn’t hear from Brad.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She saw him as a brother, then brother he’d be. “He’s in London sweetheart, minding his wife.”
Angelina’s face paled with Colin’s words. Why was he being so hateful? “I know where he is and I dam…don’t need you to remind me of it.”
“You know where he is and you know what he’s doing, or is that who he’s doin…” Colin didn’t finish his sentence, Angelina interrupted him.
“Don’t…Colin!” She brought her voice down again, realizing Mad do was looking at them both now. “So help me…”
Reaching across the table, Colin pushed a stray curl from Angelina’s face. “Shhhh…I’m sorry baby. You know me. Just getting a rise.” Turning his cheek forward. “Go ahead give me that hot left hook of yours.”
Angelina shrugged it off. “It’s okay. I think that I’m just a bit too sensitive these days.” Nodding at his cheek, she muttered. “Don’t tempt me.”
“Mommy…” Maddox ran over to the table.
Angelina wrapped an arm around the child, drawing him close. “Yeah baby?”
“Braddy wants to talk to you!” Handing her the phone, the little boy ran over to Colin and climb into his lap. “Hi!”
“Hi yourself!” Colin hugged the little boy. Maddox was such a sweet, happy little boy. Angie was doing a hell of a job with this kid. Colin hated to see either one of them get hurt. Perhaps he should pay Brad a visit and find out just what the hell was really going on. He didn’t blame the man for his obsession. Hell! He’d worked with her almost a year ago and he was still obsessed.
There was something about Angie…how did Val put it? She made a man ‘feel’ things. Lord only knew what she’d made Brad feel. But the difference between he and Brad was a wedding band and he’d be damned if he were going to sit by and let this man destroy Angie’s hard earned happiness and stability. No one really knew how bad a job Billy Bob had done on her. Part of her was still afraid of commitment and being chased by a married man damn sure wasn’t helping. ‘Yeah.’ Colin thought. ‘He’d pay Bradley a little visit once they were stateside.’
Watching Maddox draw Colin’s attention, Angelina rose from the table and moved out of ear shot of both man and child, before speaking. “Hi.” She breathed into the phone.
Waiting for the sound of that voice. The voice she knew in her heart she was born to recognize.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
DECEMBER 16, 2004
The Dorchester Hotel
London England
7:20pm
“Hi.” What was he doing? He was in London to talk to Jennifer and here he was pining for just a whisper of her voice.
“I thought we agreed you would only call for Maddox.” Angelina needed to keep them on track. Someone had to. “Why?”
She didn’t need to finish. He knew what she was asking but he had his own question that needed to be answered. “Why is Colin there?”
“Brad…?”
“Answer me. Why is he there?” Brad barked into the phone. He couldn’t begin to explain the searing jealousy that had raced through him at the sound of Colin’s name on her lips. Why was the man there, poaching on his territory?
“He’s a friend and he came over for a visit, that’s all.”
“I don’t like it.” Brad’s voice held all the abstinence of a stubborn child when told to eat his vegetables.
“And I don’t like the fact that you’re married. But I don’t have choice, do I? I don’t like waking up in the middle of the night aching. But how do I stop my unconscious mind from dreaming of something that can never be?”
Brad’s voice raised an octave. “You think I don’t have the same dreams? Do you know how much it’s taking me to sit her and simply talk to you when what I really want to do is get to you anyway I can? Do you!?”
Jumping, Angelina reacted to the sharpness in Brad’s voice. “Brad…this…this is not helping either one us and it damn sure isn’t helping Maddox.” Taking a deep shaky breath she continued. “You don’t need to tell me how hard it is for you…I feel it…everyday…every moment…I feel it too! So don’t tell me how hard it is for you right now.”
Brad heard the anguish in Angelina’s voice. An anguish that was mirrored in his own soul. “Angel…”
“Don’t. You’re here to work out things with your wife. This has to stop. There’s no place for it to go.”
He couldn’t accept that. “Ang…”
“No…no more and you know I’m right.” She made her decision in that moment. “I don’t want you to call Mad anymore.”
“Listen…” She interrupted again.
She didn’t dare give him a chance to wear her down and change her mind. She had to do this for him…Mad…herself. “I said no more Brad.”
“What about Maddox?” He knew that he was hitting below the belt, but he didn’t care. Maybe he was being selfish. But he couldn’t just let her disappear from his life. Mad…Mad, it would likely kill him to let that child go But she was right, he was in London to work thing out with Jen. But did he really want that?
“Maddox will be fine.” She answered quietly. There was only one thing to say. “Go work out your marriage. We’ll be fine.” She didn’t bother to say good bye. She simply hung up the phone.
Brad didn’t call back. Instead he prepared himself to make one of the most important decisions of his life.
~~~~~~~~~~
Angelina walked back over to where her son rough-housed with Colin. Mad glanced up at his mother. “Is Brad gone?”
Angelina held her arms out to the child, who glad ran into them. Picking him up, she let him straddled her hip. “Soooo…are you ready for another adventure?”
Clapping excitedly, the toddler asked. “Where? Where mommy?”
“Well we are going to visit some of mommy’s friends in Moscow and then back to Lebanon.”
“I can see my friends.” Maddox referred to the children who’d befriended him back in August when they’d paid their first visit to the refugee camps and hospitals.
Angelina was happy. The trip would help her keep Maddox’s mind off of Brad.
To bad there’s wasn’t a trip that would do the same for her.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
CHAPTER EIGHT - THE DEMISE OF THE GOLDEN COUPLE
NOVEMBER 2004
POST ALEXANDER PREMIER...
The lighting in the hotel lounge was muted enough to conceal both Val Kilmer and his table companion, Angelina Jolie from the prying eyes of fans. The two shared a small table.
“So…?” Val persisted. He’d along with a few others had noticed Angelina’s sadness. Her mind seemed a million miles away from the premiers. He’d finally managed to get her away from the rest of the cast.
“So…what?” Angelina absolutely adored Val. He’d become a very good friend over the last few years.
“You know what. What’s going on with you?” Val continued. “You haven’t been yourself since you arrived here for the premiere.” Leaning across the table he whispered. “What happened in Italy Angie? Why are your eyes so sad? They don’t have that spark that I’m used to seeing.”
What did she tell him? That she pined for a man who could never be hers; a married man? That she’d almost given in to the desire of her body, heart and soul? How did she explain how weary and disappointed she was after her trip to Darfur. How did she put in words, the suffering that she’d witnessed, of the refugees of Darfur? What would make sense to him? Her answer, nothing. “Nothing, I’m just tired. That’s all.”
“Bull!” Val took a sip of his drink. “I’m going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me.”
“Okay.”
“Does this have anything to do with all the ‘Brad’ noise that I have been hearing about?” Val asked. He and Angie had always been upfront with one another, why change now?
“What…I…?”
“Don’t.” Val held his hand up to stop her. “Before you go to the trouble; I know you. I’ve heard the rumors and you and I both know that no matter how scattered or twisted there usually is usually a modicum of truth in there somewhere. So which is it in this case?”
“We haven’t slept together if that’s what you mean?” Angelina’s voice a bit on the defensive side.
“That’s not what I said.” Deciding to try a different approach, Val reached across the table to capture Angelina’s hand. “Angie…baby I know you didn’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be attracted to one another. Hell, look at Colin, he’s half in love with you and you wouldn’t give him the time of day.”
Angie suddenly felt the need to just release it all. Unload it on Val and let him deal with it. Maybe he could make sense of it all. “I never…Brad is.” She stopped and started over. “He’s so down to earth. He was kind sweet, and a little goofy. I never expected to feel this way. While we were in Italy we talked about his marriage, my life and his.
“But?” Val prompted.
Angelina’s lips quirked into a quick smile. “Huh…there’s always a but, isn’t there?” She sipped her drink and continued. “But…things just got a little to tight…too close, so when we parted I suggested that we not see each other anymore and I sent him home to work on his life. So he went back home to California and I went on to Darfur. None of it worked…the distance…the other responsibilities…other people. I sat there in that refugee camp watching the people…their suffering and while I did my job, my mind was on him. So what do I do? What can I do? Nothing…he’s married.”
Val read the confusion and longing on her face. “Baby, I don’t know have an answer for to that. You did the best you could. We can’t help who our heart yearns for. You did the right thing. It may hurt but it was morally right. He’s back in the states with his wife. That’s where he should be at least for now, trying to work everything out.”
Her voice a strained whispered floated across the space between them. “He calls me almost everyday. At first I didn’t answer or returned any of his calls, but he kept calling and I…I couldn’t…couldn’t” Her voice broke. “Then there’s Maddox, he’s constantly asking for Brad. I tell him that Brad had to go home, but he doesn’t understand. I started to letting Brad talk to him when he calls. It’s the only way Mad will sleep. And now we’re all in deep.” Dropping her head into her hands she moaned through her palms. “Awwww….what was I thinking. I guess I just needed to hear his voice…I needed…I don’t know.”
Reaching for hands, he drew them away fro her face, Such a beautiful face. “Shhh…It’s okay. Trust me I understand.” Val knew she wasn’t ready for the ‘L’ word but he had a feeling that was where she was headed. It wouldn’t be quick, knowing Angie. She had Mad to think of so ever cautious, this was liable to drag out. Maybe he should try to feel Brad out to see were his head was at.
Angie tried to cleared her throat but the lump was still there. “I’m starting to to feel discombobulated.” Shaking her head she stared almost frantically into Val’s eyes. “I don’t want another ‘Billy’ episode.”
“Baby there is nothing remotely psychotic about this situation with Brad. Billy Bob? Now…that was just strange. I love Billy, don’t get me wrong, but he was just a dirty old man.” Laughing he continued. “Hell! Half the population of 40 something year old men wanted you…like I said dirty old men.”
Angelina’s laughter tinkled through the quiet lounge. “Thank you…”
“For what?”
“For just listening to me.”
“Always my pleasure Angel.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DECEMBER 9, 2004
Pre- Ocean’s Twelve-Premiere
“Is Jen coming to the Premiere tomorrow night?” George had been having a one-sided conversation with himself, since the yacht had disembarked. Now almost two hours later, he realized he wasn’t really into the ‘alone thing’.
He tried again. “April asked about you?” George tried teasing his long time friend. But he seemed to be preoccupied, just as he had been for the last two months. “Brad! Did you hear me?”
Brad snapped out of his reverie. “What?”
“I said that April…April Florio asked about you/” George looked out over the Pacific Ocean, visible from the yacht that they were sailing.
“Oh yeah? What does she want?” Brad barely remembered who she was and was not particularly interested in anything she had to say.
“She just asked me how you were.” George smirked. “Wanted to know if you wanted to get together.”
“What did you say?” Brad asked.
“Yes.”
Brad’s attention was on full alert now. “George!”
George laughed and handed Brad another beer. “Just kidding man! I told her that you weren’t interested.”
“Thank you.” Brad took a swig from his bottle. “For a minute there, I thought that I was going to have to kill you and throw your body overboard.”
“And here I thought we were good friends…best buds!” George swallowed his own beer.
“Yeah, best buds don’t set there buddy up with a stalker.” No problem though if you ahd told her yes. We would have just double dated with you.”
“Me and who?”
“The love of your life. “Juliana Dipandi”
“Oh…Ha…ha…ha!” George grimaced at the name. Juliana was a nice woman but a bit stalk-er-ish. She actually scared him. “Yeah…she scares me.”
Brad grinned. “That’s just wrong.”
George chose his next words carefully. “So now that I have your attention, you wanna tell me what’s been going on with you?”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. What’s going on. You haven’t been the same since you returned from Italy. What went on there?”
“Angelina.”
“Ahhh…” George had heard the rumors, but he also knew his friend. But he’d gotten a good look at Ms. Jolie and if beauty and sensuality needed a name, it needed only to knock on her door. The woman seemed to positively ooze sex. He yet to meet her but depending on how this whole situation worked out, she was definitely on his ‘look up’ list.
“No ahhh.” Brad mimicked. “We didn’t do anything.”
“I know you didn’t Brad.” Shrugging he continued. “I can also see that something’s bothering you, so talk to me.”
“She’s not what people think. I remember thinking that she was more than a little weird. I was wrong…completely. She’s got to be the most misjudged person, I’ve ever met. She’s down to earth, compassionate and loving. She enjoys a successful career but yet motherhood is her number one priority. I can’t get Jennifer to so much as think about having a baby and here Angelina is adopting them from orphanages around the world. Do you know where she is right now? She’s in Lebanon for the UN. She’s so selfless…why couldn’t…” He simply broke off his words.
“Why couldn’t, what? Jen be more like her..or is there something else?” George asked. “Finish what you were going to say.”
Frowning at George had no affect, so he was forced to continue. “Why couldn’t I have met her in 2000?” Did he even know what he was saying these days?
Shaking his head George set his beer down. “Because, she was married to Billy Bob and you were busy shaking off Bradley and morphing into ‘Brad Pitt; Golden Boy’. She was too wild and you were too superficial. You ended up married to the right woman at the time.”
“So I should work on my marriage and forget about Angie?” He asked.
“I said that you had married the right woman at the time. Now four years later, you two are moving in separate directions. If one of you is willing to compromise and walk the others path then yes.” Chuckling he finished. “Do you know why I’ve vowed not to marry again? Because I’m not good at it, but you Brad…you are. You enjoy being with someone and creating a family. And in the right setting I think you’ll flourish.”
“Yeah but which setting? Exotic or domestic?” Rolling his eyes heaven word, he twisted his lips. “I’ve tried walking her path for almost seven years. I just don’t know how much longer I can keep doing it.” Shaking his head in defeat Brad stood and moved over to the yacht’s railing. “I’m just so tired of being the only one in this marriage who’s compromising, and sacrificing.
“Then you have your answer.”
He had an answer but what was it? Jennifer was in London. He would go and spend time with her. Maybe they’d celebrate his birthday together.
If he wanted this marriage to work, he would have to let Angelina’s and Maddox’s memories rest. “Yeah, I have my answer. “
That was much easier said than done…
Especially when one’s heart became involved…
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica'
POST ALEXANDER PREMIER...
The lighting in the hotel lounge was muted enough to conceal both Val Kilmer and his table companion, Angelina Jolie from the prying eyes of fans. The two shared a small table.
“So…?” Val persisted. He’d along with a few others had noticed Angelina’s sadness. Her mind seemed a million miles away from the premiers. He’d finally managed to get her away from the rest of the cast.
“So…what?” Angelina absolutely adored Val. He’d become a very good friend over the last few years.
“You know what. What’s going on with you?” Val continued. “You haven’t been yourself since you arrived here for the premiere.” Leaning across the table he whispered. “What happened in Italy Angie? Why are your eyes so sad? They don’t have that spark that I’m used to seeing.”
What did she tell him? That she pined for a man who could never be hers; a married man? That she’d almost given in to the desire of her body, heart and soul? How did she explain how weary and disappointed she was after her trip to Darfur. How did she put in words, the suffering that she’d witnessed, of the refugees of Darfur? What would make sense to him? Her answer, nothing. “Nothing, I’m just tired. That’s all.”
“Bull!” Val took a sip of his drink. “I’m going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me.”
“Okay.”
“Does this have anything to do with all the ‘Brad’ noise that I have been hearing about?” Val asked. He and Angie had always been upfront with one another, why change now?
“What…I…?”
“Don’t.” Val held his hand up to stop her. “Before you go to the trouble; I know you. I’ve heard the rumors and you and I both know that no matter how scattered or twisted there usually is usually a modicum of truth in there somewhere. So which is it in this case?”
“We haven’t slept together if that’s what you mean?” Angelina’s voice a bit on the defensive side.
“That’s not what I said.” Deciding to try a different approach, Val reached across the table to capture Angelina’s hand. “Angie…baby I know you didn’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be attracted to one another. Hell, look at Colin, he’s half in love with you and you wouldn’t give him the time of day.”
Angie suddenly felt the need to just release it all. Unload it on Val and let him deal with it. Maybe he could make sense of it all. “I never…Brad is.” She stopped and started over. “He’s so down to earth. He was kind sweet, and a little goofy. I never expected to feel this way. While we were in Italy we talked about his marriage, my life and his.
“But?” Val prompted.
Angelina’s lips quirked into a quick smile. “Huh…there’s always a but, isn’t there?” She sipped her drink and continued. “But…things just got a little to tight…too close, so when we parted I suggested that we not see each other anymore and I sent him home to work on his life. So he went back home to California and I went on to Darfur. None of it worked…the distance…the other responsibilities…other people. I sat there in that refugee camp watching the people…their suffering and while I did my job, my mind was on him. So what do I do? What can I do? Nothing…he’s married.”
Val read the confusion and longing on her face. “Baby, I don’t know have an answer for to that. You did the best you could. We can’t help who our heart yearns for. You did the right thing. It may hurt but it was morally right. He’s back in the states with his wife. That’s where he should be at least for now, trying to work everything out.”
Her voice a strained whispered floated across the space between them. “He calls me almost everyday. At first I didn’t answer or returned any of his calls, but he kept calling and I…I couldn’t…couldn’t” Her voice broke. “Then there’s Maddox, he’s constantly asking for Brad. I tell him that Brad had to go home, but he doesn’t understand. I started to letting Brad talk to him when he calls. It’s the only way Mad will sleep. And now we’re all in deep.” Dropping her head into her hands she moaned through her palms. “Awwww….what was I thinking. I guess I just needed to hear his voice…I needed…I don’t know.”
Reaching for hands, he drew them away fro her face, Such a beautiful face. “Shhh…It’s okay. Trust me I understand.” Val knew she wasn’t ready for the ‘L’ word but he had a feeling that was where she was headed. It wouldn’t be quick, knowing Angie. She had Mad to think of so ever cautious, this was liable to drag out. Maybe he should try to feel Brad out to see were his head was at.
Angie tried to cleared her throat but the lump was still there. “I’m starting to to feel discombobulated.” Shaking her head she stared almost frantically into Val’s eyes. “I don’t want another ‘Billy’ episode.”
“Baby there is nothing remotely psychotic about this situation with Brad. Billy Bob? Now…that was just strange. I love Billy, don’t get me wrong, but he was just a dirty old man.” Laughing he continued. “Hell! Half the population of 40 something year old men wanted you…like I said dirty old men.”
Angelina’s laughter tinkled through the quiet lounge. “Thank you…”
“For what?”
“For just listening to me.”
“Always my pleasure Angel.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DECEMBER 9, 2004
Pre- Ocean’s Twelve-Premiere
“Is Jen coming to the Premiere tomorrow night?” George had been having a one-sided conversation with himself, since the yacht had disembarked. Now almost two hours later, he realized he wasn’t really into the ‘alone thing’.
He tried again. “April asked about you?” George tried teasing his long time friend. But he seemed to be preoccupied, just as he had been for the last two months. “Brad! Did you hear me?”
Brad snapped out of his reverie. “What?”
“I said that April…April Florio asked about you/” George looked out over the Pacific Ocean, visible from the yacht that they were sailing.
“Oh yeah? What does she want?” Brad barely remembered who she was and was not particularly interested in anything she had to say.
“She just asked me how you were.” George smirked. “Wanted to know if you wanted to get together.”
“What did you say?” Brad asked.
“Yes.”
Brad’s attention was on full alert now. “George!”
George laughed and handed Brad another beer. “Just kidding man! I told her that you weren’t interested.”
“Thank you.” Brad took a swig from his bottle. “For a minute there, I thought that I was going to have to kill you and throw your body overboard.”
“And here I thought we were good friends…best buds!” George swallowed his own beer.
“Yeah, best buds don’t set there buddy up with a stalker.” No problem though if you ahd told her yes. We would have just double dated with you.”
“Me and who?”
“The love of your life. “Juliana Dipandi”
“Oh…Ha…ha…ha!” George grimaced at the name. Juliana was a nice woman but a bit stalk-er-ish. She actually scared him. “Yeah…she scares me.”
Brad grinned. “That’s just wrong.”
George chose his next words carefully. “So now that I have your attention, you wanna tell me what’s been going on with you?”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. What’s going on. You haven’t been the same since you returned from Italy. What went on there?”
“Angelina.”
“Ahhh…” George had heard the rumors, but he also knew his friend. But he’d gotten a good look at Ms. Jolie and if beauty and sensuality needed a name, it needed only to knock on her door. The woman seemed to positively ooze sex. He yet to meet her but depending on how this whole situation worked out, she was definitely on his ‘look up’ list.
“No ahhh.” Brad mimicked. “We didn’t do anything.”
“I know you didn’t Brad.” Shrugging he continued. “I can also see that something’s bothering you, so talk to me.”
“She’s not what people think. I remember thinking that she was more than a little weird. I was wrong…completely. She’s got to be the most misjudged person, I’ve ever met. She’s down to earth, compassionate and loving. She enjoys a successful career but yet motherhood is her number one priority. I can’t get Jennifer to so much as think about having a baby and here Angelina is adopting them from orphanages around the world. Do you know where she is right now? She’s in Lebanon for the UN. She’s so selfless…why couldn’t…” He simply broke off his words.
“Why couldn’t, what? Jen be more like her..or is there something else?” George asked. “Finish what you were going to say.”
Frowning at George had no affect, so he was forced to continue. “Why couldn’t I have met her in 2000?” Did he even know what he was saying these days?
Shaking his head George set his beer down. “Because, she was married to Billy Bob and you were busy shaking off Bradley and morphing into ‘Brad Pitt; Golden Boy’. She was too wild and you were too superficial. You ended up married to the right woman at the time.”
“So I should work on my marriage and forget about Angie?” He asked.
“I said that you had married the right woman at the time. Now four years later, you two are moving in separate directions. If one of you is willing to compromise and walk the others path then yes.” Chuckling he finished. “Do you know why I’ve vowed not to marry again? Because I’m not good at it, but you Brad…you are. You enjoy being with someone and creating a family. And in the right setting I think you’ll flourish.”
“Yeah but which setting? Exotic or domestic?” Rolling his eyes heaven word, he twisted his lips. “I’ve tried walking her path for almost seven years. I just don’t know how much longer I can keep doing it.” Shaking his head in defeat Brad stood and moved over to the yacht’s railing. “I’m just so tired of being the only one in this marriage who’s compromising, and sacrificing.
“Then you have your answer.”
He had an answer but what was it? Jennifer was in London. He would go and spend time with her. Maybe they’d celebrate his birthday together.
If he wanted this marriage to work, he would have to let Angelina’s and Maddox’s memories rest. “Yeah, I have my answer. “
That was much easier said than done…
Especially when one’s heart became involved…
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica'
Monday, September 11, 2006
CHAPTER SEVEN - SO THE END BEGINS
ITALY
October 2004
Private Promenade…
“You’re not funny Bradley! Stop.” Squealing, Angelina tried to pull away from Brad’s tickling fingertips but Brad refused to let her go. His fingers finding her most sensitive and ticklish spots. "Bradley!”
Laughing Brad finally decided to stop his torture and let her up from his lap. “Who knew that the beautiful and dangerous Ms. Jolie would be so ticklish?”
“I thought that you were supposed to be a good guy?” At his shrug she punched him non-to-gently in the arm.
“Eh...I never claimed to be a good guy.” Brad’s mood change within mere seconds. “Yeah, I seem to be far from a ‘good guy’ at home.”
“Still bad huh?” Angelina sat down next to Brad. “I thought you two were making some kind of progress.” She knew that he and Jennifer were having serious problems and that they were currently seeing a marriage counselor. It didn’t seem to be helping.
“Yeah just not in the right direction.” Standing, he held his hand out to her. “Walk with me.”
Without hesitation, Angelina stood and allowed him to grasp her hand. They walked quietly for a moment, simply enjoying the view. Brad didn’t release her hand and she was content to let him hold on to it. After what seemed like twenty minutes, Angelina decided to break the silence. “So, you want to talk?”
“It’s just not working, the counseling. Even my parent’s advice doesn’t seem to be working. I’m trying to be understanding. I realize that Jennifer has a few issues to resolve within herself. I understand that but…” Brad’s voice trailed off as he stared out at the clear blue waters that caressed the coast. “She signed up for three movies and is considering three more and never once did she bother to discuss it with me.”
“I thought you two were working on starting a family.” Angelina kept her emotions regarding Jennifer’s perfidy to herself. From what Brad had told her the ‘baby’ issue had been going on for the last two years. He’d given her the two years she’d asked for at the beginning of their marriage and she’d been putting him off ever since. Was the wman out of her mind? Who wouldn’t to create a family with this man? His wife, that’s who.
“Yeah, well she decided that I could wait another two years.” She caught the glint of tears in Brad’s eyes. “She’s never going to give me any children. I guess I should accept that. But I just hoped and wished she would. I even asked her about adoption, that was a resounding no!”
Angelina pulled her had hand free to rub Brad’s back. “Give her time to think about it. She’ll change her mind.”
“No…she won’t. All she wants now is a movie career and an Oscar.”
Angelina made a choking noise. Really? An Oscar…her?” Angelina decided to let it go. But inside she knew that it would be a long time before Jennifer Aniston ever won an Oscar.
Brad laughed at Angelina’s humor. “Yeah…an Oscar.”
The two laughed a bit longer before the mood once again became a sober one. Angelina stopped walking, turning to Brad she reached up to smooth his hair, ending the gesture by cupping Brad’s jaw. “If you want your marriage to work, you know what you have to do?”
“No, not anymore. I’m tired of being the only one trying to infuse a bit of sincerity and romance into our marriage. If she wants a career then she can have it.”
Angelina shook her head. “No. She can have both. Hello! Actors do it all the time.”
Exasperated Brad sighed heavily. “Yeah but she doesn’t seem to know that or rather she sees only one way to do it!”
She could only think of one thing to say and so she did. “I’m so sorry Brad.”
Brad saw his own anguish reflected in her beautiful Hazel eyes. “Hey don’t worry, if my grandma Betty is to be believed; all things have a way of working out. This is no different.” Taking her hand again, he pulled her towards the open market. “Let’s look around.”
~~~~~~~
The evening was clear, the weather warm and enticing. They’d decided to have dinner on her patio. Here they could enjoy their meal without the paparazzi snapping endless photos that would somehow find their way to the highest bidding tabloid.. They wanted privacy away from prying eyes and speculation.
“Here try this.” Angelina held out a forkful of her chocolate ravioli dessert for Brad to try.
Brad’s mouth enveloped the fork and gently pulled the tender dessert pasta from it. :Mmmmm…very good.” He managed around the rich morsel. “Try this.” He held a spoonful of his vanilla bean confection out to her.
Leaning forward she opened her mouth to allow him to feed the morsel to her. Instead Brad traced her lips with the sweet and dabbed a bit on to her tongue before returning the uneaten piece to his own mouth.
“Hey! No fair, what about my taste? I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with my lips huh?” Angelina’s tongue darted out, seeking and tasting the corners of her mouth. Before she could move any further, Brad stood and moved over to Angelina’s side of the table. Pulling her to her feet, he spoke. “You want a taste? Here/” He opened his mouth to show her the morsel still lying there on his tongue.
Her voice husky, Angelina reacted to the intense feelings engulfing them. Too many nights alone… too many day wishing...wanting. Too many days trying to hide a desire that grew stronger each day. She wanted him so bad she could smell him. If nothing else she had to taste him, just once. Leaning in she met his mouth with her own, tasting and exploring until she captured the elusive piece of dessert. “Mmmmm…very good.”
Brad’s hands found their way into her hair. That glorious mane of hair, he’d secretly been itching to touch. Grasping a handful of the brunette locks, he pulled her head back roughly. Using his tongue he began to trace her full luscious lips. ‘God, he’d dreamed of those lips; their plump softness.’ He nipped gently at the puffy lower lip, until she whimpered, giving him permission to move further. Sucking gently on the well teased lip, Brad allowed his hands to cup her face, holding her still for his oral invasion. He aggressively went after the prize, his tongue dueling and subduing hers. Nothing tasted so sweet. She reminded him of a ripe sweet orange with just a hint of tartness.
Angelina deepened the kiss, allowing her own tongue to entice. Her hands began exploring his body, delicately running up his arms to well formed Biceps. ‘Oh his arms, He had the most wonderful arms. Thick and hard…made to carry a woman. She continued her exploration, moving over his should blades and roaming downward toward that magnificent butt. Their kiss so demanding, that she was sure her lips were bleeding. The more he took, the more she gave.
He wanted more. Allowing one hand to caress its way down into the succulent valley of her full breasts, he tested the weight of one perfect globe in his hand, squeezing the softness and teasing the already rigid nipple into a stiff pebble. Brad’s other hand glided slowly down her back to caress her curved bottom. Even through the thin material of her white cotton skirt, his fingers sought and found the crease that split her buttocks. Following the crease until both hands cupped her bottom. He needed more!
Never breaking the kiss, Brad carried her over to the balcony’s sofa, laying her there, he followed her down. Pushing her skirt up over her impossibly long legs slowly, he caressed every inch uncovered. Using his knees to spread her legs, he settled into the hot moist apex of her thighs. His hands still searching, they found the softness of her naked buttocks. ‘Lord he did love a woman’s thong.’
Angie’s own hands were doing a bit of exploration themselves. ‘The man had the world’s greatest ass. There was no other like it. Her hands pushed and fought their way into the waste of his cotton summer pants, needing…wanting to touch flesh. When they finally found the warm flesh she sighed. When his hands caressed and molded the supple flesh of hers she moaned. “Braaaddd…”
Hot, hard and heavy. She needed more, ; he wanted more. Reaching between them he found button to open his pants. Leaving his fly open he once again reached up to hold her head still, while he captured her mouth in yet another bruising kiss. Grinding his groin into her as his tongue moved in and out of her mouth mimicking the rhythm of loves age old dance of lust, fulfillment and love.
Pulling her mouth away from his, Angelina had to catch her breath. She had to stop him, she had to stop herself. God this was a married man, what was she doing? “Brad…Brad!” Still fighting to catch her, she fought him as well, dodging his seeing lips. When he couldn’t capture her mouth again he settled on her throat, sucking and laving the pulse that beat at the base of her throat. She was dying and in mere minutes they would be past the point of no return and that was definitely not a journey they needed to take right now. “Brad, please…we have to stop…please.”
Her voice came to him through a haze of lust. However it wasn’t her voice or the words that stopped him. It was the panic in her eyes. He had to stop for the sake of his marriage and for Angelina’s sake. He couldn’t destroy the trust that he’d built with her over the last ten months. With one last caressing kiss, he pushed away from her and fastened his pants. Reaching over he helped her right her own cloths. “What do we do now?”
Angelina stared into his heavenly blue eyes and gave an answer that would end it. “We’re done shooting for now. So you go home to your wife and make it work. I’ll go home to my son. This can’t happen again Brad. I think it best if we stay away from each other.”
“Just like that?” Brad knew it was for the best. He knew she was right. But the decision just hurt so bad; it was an ache that went further than the massive arousal he’d be nursing tonight. It consumed him, just as the thought, feel and taste of her enslaved him.
“We don’t have another choice.” She bent over; the pain of arousal she could deal with, it was the pain of the soul she was having a problem with. How was she supposed to simply let this man go? But she had no choice, he belonged to another woman and she would never be a married man’s mistress. She’d almost broken her vow; no other man had ever made her test her vow.
“Will you see other men?”
“Brad…don’t…please.”
“Fine. But know this Angel, one day I’ll be free and heaven help anyone who stands between me and you.
If they knew then what we all know now…
That it would be just a matter of months until Brad was a free man…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mommy…mommy” The little voice along with the incessantly patting hand finally penetrated the deep fog surrounding her dreams. “Mommy…mommy…wake up mommy.”
Angie rolled over and pushed the thick curtain of hair away from her face. She squinted at the sleep swollen face of her three year old son. “Hey sweetheart.” Sitting up, she reached over and pulled the toddler into bed with her. Cuddling him she cleared her fogged mind and focused on him. “What’s the matter baby? Did you have a bad dream?” Maddox shook his head no as he cuddled deeper into his mother’s arms.
“Okaaay…do you have to go potty?” Again the child shook his head. “Water?” Another shake. Settling back down with the child onto the pillows she snuggled him down under the covers with her. “So you tell me…”
“You had a bad dream mommy.” The child answered.
“What?” Angelina asked softly.
“You had a bad dream. You woke me up.” He began playing with his mother’s hand as he spoke. “You were making noises, so I came in hereto wake you up.”
Glad the child couldn’t see her face, Angelina kissed the soft hair that ran the center of his head in a punky Mohawk. “Well thank you for waking me up. Now I think that we should both go back to sleep. Huh?”
Looking up at his mother he asked. “Okay but can I sleep in here with you now?”
“Sure baby.”
“Goodnight mommy.” He rolled over in snuggled closer into the only embrace he knew… that had been his protection for most of his life.
“Goodnight baby.” She began rubbing his hair gently. If he only knew how much he meant to her. He’d saved her from herself…grounded her and she do or give up anything for him. “I love you my Madness.”
Already half asleep the toddler responded before giving in to slumber. “Love you too mommy.”
She held him for a moment longer, to make sure he was asleep before leaving the bed and walking out onto the balcony of her bedroom. The light fragrant wind wafted soothingly over her sensitive skin. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep. She was afraid to close her eyes. Behind her lids there waited hell’s desire. A desire she had no hope of assuaging.
“Couldn’t sleep?” There it was; the voice that haunted her every conscious and subconscious moment.
~~~~~~~~~~
He came awake, his taut body covered in sweat. “Now that was a wet dream.” He murmured to himself. Getting up he went into the bathroom to splash cold water on to his face.
Looking up he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. If he had any hopes of salvaging his marriage, He had to get her out of his mind. He had to let her and Maddox go. Walking out onto his private balcony, he stood watching the Ocean waves roll lightly up onto the deserted beach below.
A small sound registered and warned him that he wasn’t alone. He knew before he even turned that it was her; the Angel that haunted his day and night dreams. Looking to his left he saw her, she wore a large black sleep shirt that stopped at the top of her thighs, leaving the length of her pale legs open to view. Her thick hair left unbound, fell in mussed waves down her back, ending just below her shoulders. Ahhh…his Angel, worth tens of millions of dollars and still she remained low maintenance. He spoke softly, “Couldn’t sleep?”
Angelina’s gaze jerked around until it found him. “Ye…umm…Mad woke me up.”
Brad stared at her for a moment before speaking. “Hmmm…is he sleeping now?”
“Yes.” She smiled softly. “He wanted to cuddle I think. So why aren’t you sleeping? Bad dream?”
“Not bad, just intense and forbidden.” The heat suffusing his eyes was almost visible or maybe it was his intense stare that warmed.
“Mad said that I was moaning…or rather he said that I was making noises.” She admitted. “Dreams…”
“What were you dreaming about?” He prompted quietly
“You.” A simple answer. Her eyes roamed over his body noticing that he slept in a pair of lthin cotton pajama pants and no shirt. Hmmm…he was addictive/
“Then I wasn’t alone.” Sighing heavily he ran his hand over his bare chest “What do we do?”
“Nothing. You go home and work on your marriage and Mad and I go home and live our lives.”
“Fine. But know this Angel, one day I’ll be free and heaven help anyone who stands between me and you.”
He echoed the exact words spoken in her dream. “You’re suppose to have Jennifer on your mind.”
“And I will just as soon as you and Mad get the hell out of it. Good night Angel.” He turned and walked back into his bedroom, leaving Angelina standing there wondering what to do next.
“Goodnight Bradley.” She whispered.
She and Mad left for England the next day. She was due to make a UNHCR visit to Darfur in a week and needed to get her mind back in order.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
October 2004
Private Promenade…
“You’re not funny Bradley! Stop.” Squealing, Angelina tried to pull away from Brad’s tickling fingertips but Brad refused to let her go. His fingers finding her most sensitive and ticklish spots. "Bradley!”
Laughing Brad finally decided to stop his torture and let her up from his lap. “Who knew that the beautiful and dangerous Ms. Jolie would be so ticklish?”
“I thought that you were supposed to be a good guy?” At his shrug she punched him non-to-gently in the arm.
“Eh...I never claimed to be a good guy.” Brad’s mood change within mere seconds. “Yeah, I seem to be far from a ‘good guy’ at home.”
“Still bad huh?” Angelina sat down next to Brad. “I thought you two were making some kind of progress.” She knew that he and Jennifer were having serious problems and that they were currently seeing a marriage counselor. It didn’t seem to be helping.
“Yeah just not in the right direction.” Standing, he held his hand out to her. “Walk with me.”
Without hesitation, Angelina stood and allowed him to grasp her hand. They walked quietly for a moment, simply enjoying the view. Brad didn’t release her hand and she was content to let him hold on to it. After what seemed like twenty minutes, Angelina decided to break the silence. “So, you want to talk?”
“It’s just not working, the counseling. Even my parent’s advice doesn’t seem to be working. I’m trying to be understanding. I realize that Jennifer has a few issues to resolve within herself. I understand that but…” Brad’s voice trailed off as he stared out at the clear blue waters that caressed the coast. “She signed up for three movies and is considering three more and never once did she bother to discuss it with me.”
“I thought you two were working on starting a family.” Angelina kept her emotions regarding Jennifer’s perfidy to herself. From what Brad had told her the ‘baby’ issue had been going on for the last two years. He’d given her the two years she’d asked for at the beginning of their marriage and she’d been putting him off ever since. Was the wman out of her mind? Who wouldn’t to create a family with this man? His wife, that’s who.
“Yeah, well she decided that I could wait another two years.” She caught the glint of tears in Brad’s eyes. “She’s never going to give me any children. I guess I should accept that. But I just hoped and wished she would. I even asked her about adoption, that was a resounding no!”
Angelina pulled her had hand free to rub Brad’s back. “Give her time to think about it. She’ll change her mind.”
“No…she won’t. All she wants now is a movie career and an Oscar.”
Angelina made a choking noise. Really? An Oscar…her?” Angelina decided to let it go. But inside she knew that it would be a long time before Jennifer Aniston ever won an Oscar.
Brad laughed at Angelina’s humor. “Yeah…an Oscar.”
The two laughed a bit longer before the mood once again became a sober one. Angelina stopped walking, turning to Brad she reached up to smooth his hair, ending the gesture by cupping Brad’s jaw. “If you want your marriage to work, you know what you have to do?”
“No, not anymore. I’m tired of being the only one trying to infuse a bit of sincerity and romance into our marriage. If she wants a career then she can have it.”
Angelina shook her head. “No. She can have both. Hello! Actors do it all the time.”
Exasperated Brad sighed heavily. “Yeah but she doesn’t seem to know that or rather she sees only one way to do it!”
She could only think of one thing to say and so she did. “I’m so sorry Brad.”
Brad saw his own anguish reflected in her beautiful Hazel eyes. “Hey don’t worry, if my grandma Betty is to be believed; all things have a way of working out. This is no different.” Taking her hand again, he pulled her towards the open market. “Let’s look around.”
~~~~~~~
The evening was clear, the weather warm and enticing. They’d decided to have dinner on her patio. Here they could enjoy their meal without the paparazzi snapping endless photos that would somehow find their way to the highest bidding tabloid.. They wanted privacy away from prying eyes and speculation.
“Here try this.” Angelina held out a forkful of her chocolate ravioli dessert for Brad to try.
Brad’s mouth enveloped the fork and gently pulled the tender dessert pasta from it. :Mmmmm…very good.” He managed around the rich morsel. “Try this.” He held a spoonful of his vanilla bean confection out to her.
Leaning forward she opened her mouth to allow him to feed the morsel to her. Instead Brad traced her lips with the sweet and dabbed a bit on to her tongue before returning the uneaten piece to his own mouth.
“Hey! No fair, what about my taste? I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with my lips huh?” Angelina’s tongue darted out, seeking and tasting the corners of her mouth. Before she could move any further, Brad stood and moved over to Angelina’s side of the table. Pulling her to her feet, he spoke. “You want a taste? Here/” He opened his mouth to show her the morsel still lying there on his tongue.
Her voice husky, Angelina reacted to the intense feelings engulfing them. Too many nights alone… too many day wishing...wanting. Too many days trying to hide a desire that grew stronger each day. She wanted him so bad she could smell him. If nothing else she had to taste him, just once. Leaning in she met his mouth with her own, tasting and exploring until she captured the elusive piece of dessert. “Mmmmm…very good.”
Brad’s hands found their way into her hair. That glorious mane of hair, he’d secretly been itching to touch. Grasping a handful of the brunette locks, he pulled her head back roughly. Using his tongue he began to trace her full luscious lips. ‘God, he’d dreamed of those lips; their plump softness.’ He nipped gently at the puffy lower lip, until she whimpered, giving him permission to move further. Sucking gently on the well teased lip, Brad allowed his hands to cup her face, holding her still for his oral invasion. He aggressively went after the prize, his tongue dueling and subduing hers. Nothing tasted so sweet. She reminded him of a ripe sweet orange with just a hint of tartness.
Angelina deepened the kiss, allowing her own tongue to entice. Her hands began exploring his body, delicately running up his arms to well formed Biceps. ‘Oh his arms, He had the most wonderful arms. Thick and hard…made to carry a woman. She continued her exploration, moving over his should blades and roaming downward toward that magnificent butt. Their kiss so demanding, that she was sure her lips were bleeding. The more he took, the more she gave.
He wanted more. Allowing one hand to caress its way down into the succulent valley of her full breasts, he tested the weight of one perfect globe in his hand, squeezing the softness and teasing the already rigid nipple into a stiff pebble. Brad’s other hand glided slowly down her back to caress her curved bottom. Even through the thin material of her white cotton skirt, his fingers sought and found the crease that split her buttocks. Following the crease until both hands cupped her bottom. He needed more!
Never breaking the kiss, Brad carried her over to the balcony’s sofa, laying her there, he followed her down. Pushing her skirt up over her impossibly long legs slowly, he caressed every inch uncovered. Using his knees to spread her legs, he settled into the hot moist apex of her thighs. His hands still searching, they found the softness of her naked buttocks. ‘Lord he did love a woman’s thong.’
Angie’s own hands were doing a bit of exploration themselves. ‘The man had the world’s greatest ass. There was no other like it. Her hands pushed and fought their way into the waste of his cotton summer pants, needing…wanting to touch flesh. When they finally found the warm flesh she sighed. When his hands caressed and molded the supple flesh of hers she moaned. “Braaaddd…”
Hot, hard and heavy. She needed more, ; he wanted more. Reaching between them he found button to open his pants. Leaving his fly open he once again reached up to hold her head still, while he captured her mouth in yet another bruising kiss. Grinding his groin into her as his tongue moved in and out of her mouth mimicking the rhythm of loves age old dance of lust, fulfillment and love.
Pulling her mouth away from his, Angelina had to catch her breath. She had to stop him, she had to stop herself. God this was a married man, what was she doing? “Brad…Brad!” Still fighting to catch her, she fought him as well, dodging his seeing lips. When he couldn’t capture her mouth again he settled on her throat, sucking and laving the pulse that beat at the base of her throat. She was dying and in mere minutes they would be past the point of no return and that was definitely not a journey they needed to take right now. “Brad, please…we have to stop…please.”
Her voice came to him through a haze of lust. However it wasn’t her voice or the words that stopped him. It was the panic in her eyes. He had to stop for the sake of his marriage and for Angelina’s sake. He couldn’t destroy the trust that he’d built with her over the last ten months. With one last caressing kiss, he pushed away from her and fastened his pants. Reaching over he helped her right her own cloths. “What do we do now?”
Angelina stared into his heavenly blue eyes and gave an answer that would end it. “We’re done shooting for now. So you go home to your wife and make it work. I’ll go home to my son. This can’t happen again Brad. I think it best if we stay away from each other.”
“Just like that?” Brad knew it was for the best. He knew she was right. But the decision just hurt so bad; it was an ache that went further than the massive arousal he’d be nursing tonight. It consumed him, just as the thought, feel and taste of her enslaved him.
“We don’t have another choice.” She bent over; the pain of arousal she could deal with, it was the pain of the soul she was having a problem with. How was she supposed to simply let this man go? But she had no choice, he belonged to another woman and she would never be a married man’s mistress. She’d almost broken her vow; no other man had ever made her test her vow.
“Will you see other men?”
“Brad…don’t…please.”
“Fine. But know this Angel, one day I’ll be free and heaven help anyone who stands between me and you.
If they knew then what we all know now…
That it would be just a matter of months until Brad was a free man…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mommy…mommy” The little voice along with the incessantly patting hand finally penetrated the deep fog surrounding her dreams. “Mommy…mommy…wake up mommy.”
Angie rolled over and pushed the thick curtain of hair away from her face. She squinted at the sleep swollen face of her three year old son. “Hey sweetheart.” Sitting up, she reached over and pulled the toddler into bed with her. Cuddling him she cleared her fogged mind and focused on him. “What’s the matter baby? Did you have a bad dream?” Maddox shook his head no as he cuddled deeper into his mother’s arms.
“Okaaay…do you have to go potty?” Again the child shook his head. “Water?” Another shake. Settling back down with the child onto the pillows she snuggled him down under the covers with her. “So you tell me…”
“You had a bad dream mommy.” The child answered.
“What?” Angelina asked softly.
“You had a bad dream. You woke me up.” He began playing with his mother’s hand as he spoke. “You were making noises, so I came in hereto wake you up.”
Glad the child couldn’t see her face, Angelina kissed the soft hair that ran the center of his head in a punky Mohawk. “Well thank you for waking me up. Now I think that we should both go back to sleep. Huh?”
Looking up at his mother he asked. “Okay but can I sleep in here with you now?”
“Sure baby.”
“Goodnight mommy.” He rolled over in snuggled closer into the only embrace he knew… that had been his protection for most of his life.
“Goodnight baby.” She began rubbing his hair gently. If he only knew how much he meant to her. He’d saved her from herself…grounded her and she do or give up anything for him. “I love you my Madness.”
Already half asleep the toddler responded before giving in to slumber. “Love you too mommy.”
She held him for a moment longer, to make sure he was asleep before leaving the bed and walking out onto the balcony of her bedroom. The light fragrant wind wafted soothingly over her sensitive skin. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep. She was afraid to close her eyes. Behind her lids there waited hell’s desire. A desire she had no hope of assuaging.
“Couldn’t sleep?” There it was; the voice that haunted her every conscious and subconscious moment.
~~~~~~~~~~
He came awake, his taut body covered in sweat. “Now that was a wet dream.” He murmured to himself. Getting up he went into the bathroom to splash cold water on to his face.
Looking up he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. If he had any hopes of salvaging his marriage, He had to get her out of his mind. He had to let her and Maddox go. Walking out onto his private balcony, he stood watching the Ocean waves roll lightly up onto the deserted beach below.
A small sound registered and warned him that he wasn’t alone. He knew before he even turned that it was her; the Angel that haunted his day and night dreams. Looking to his left he saw her, she wore a large black sleep shirt that stopped at the top of her thighs, leaving the length of her pale legs open to view. Her thick hair left unbound, fell in mussed waves down her back, ending just below her shoulders. Ahhh…his Angel, worth tens of millions of dollars and still she remained low maintenance. He spoke softly, “Couldn’t sleep?”
Angelina’s gaze jerked around until it found him. “Ye…umm…Mad woke me up.”
Brad stared at her for a moment before speaking. “Hmmm…is he sleeping now?”
“Yes.” She smiled softly. “He wanted to cuddle I think. So why aren’t you sleeping? Bad dream?”
“Not bad, just intense and forbidden.” The heat suffusing his eyes was almost visible or maybe it was his intense stare that warmed.
“Mad said that I was moaning…or rather he said that I was making noises.” She admitted. “Dreams…”
“What were you dreaming about?” He prompted quietly
“You.” A simple answer. Her eyes roamed over his body noticing that he slept in a pair of lthin cotton pajama pants and no shirt. Hmmm…he was addictive/
“Then I wasn’t alone.” Sighing heavily he ran his hand over his bare chest “What do we do?”
“Nothing. You go home and work on your marriage and Mad and I go home and live our lives.”
“Fine. But know this Angel, one day I’ll be free and heaven help anyone who stands between me and you.”
He echoed the exact words spoken in her dream. “You’re suppose to have Jennifer on your mind.”
“And I will just as soon as you and Mad get the hell out of it. Good night Angel.” He turned and walked back into his bedroom, leaving Angelina standing there wondering what to do next.
“Goodnight Bradley.” She whispered.
She and Mad left for England the next day. She was due to make a UNHCR visit to Darfur in a week and needed to get her mind back in order.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
CHAPTER SIX - TURNING POINTS
Turning Points…
September 2004
Dark sunglasses in place, Brad simply stared at Angelina, who stood sandwiched between him and the guardrail to the set stairs. He knew he was too close for their personal comfort, but not to too many onlookers. What was he doing? The more his marriage seemed to crumble, the more solace he found here…with her. They’d never so much as kissed outside of the script, yet just being here with her was just as satisfying. But he had marriage to work out. This Angel wasn’t meant for him.
Angelina didn’t need to see his eyes to know that he was watching her. She herself stared everywhere but his face. Coward! She knew she was. But what was she suppose to do? Throw herself at him? Suggest a hotel meeting? No, that’s not what she wanted…well…she did but not as an answer to the longing that seemed to consume her. He was a good man in a crumbling marriage, She’d been where he was now and she had to let him work that out for himself. He simply wasn’t available.
He would go home and live the life he chose, try to make it work. How could he, when what he wanted most in the world was represented here in this one woman. Without even trying she made him dream, she made him desire, she made him want…
She would go home and live the life she’d created for herself. She’d raise her son, continue her work as a humanitarian and make movies. But so much more was missing and it all seemed to be embodied with in this one man. He made her realize, he made her think, and he made her wish…
~~~~~~~~~
“I’ll get you mommy!” Maddox charged forward with his lightsaber in the air. “Arrrgghhh!!!”
Angelina pretended to fall, landing softly on her bottom. She began crawling backwards slowly, so that the toddler could keep the upper hand. “I’ll never let you take me alive!” She added in her best Darth Vader voice. “Mad-dox you are my son!”
The tiny boy couldn’t hold his laughter and fell into his mother’s arms in a fit of giggles. “I love you mommy.”
Wrapping him in her arms tightly, she kissed his forehead lightly before looking into his eyes. “I love you too my Madness.”
Angelina glanced up in time to catch Brad’s longing gaze, before he quickly turned away. He’d been so depressed lately but she couldn’t trespass on his privacy, She could give him no sage advice. All she could do was lend an ear and maybe add a little madness to his life. “Hey Mad.”
“Huh?” The boy looked up at his mother expectantly, snuggling closer into her warm body.
“Mommy has to go and see the makeup lady, so why don’t you take your saber and mine and go and challenge Brad to WAR! ARRRRGGGHHHH” She roughed the child up a bit and swung him in the air. Setting him down on his feet she helped him gather his toy sabers and watched him run over to Brad.
“Braddy!” Maddox’s small feet flew over the ground as he ran head long into Brad.
Smiling, Brad kneeled down to the child’s height. “Hey Mad! What’s up?”
Scrunching his face Mad responded. “Mommy has to go to the makeup lady. Can you play with me?”
His smile brighter. “I sure can! Which lightsaber is mine?” Brad hugged the little boy who’d become so important to him. He honestly didn’t know how he would deal with not seeing him after the shoot was over.
Maddox looked into Brad’s face, his eyes wide. “You know Star Wars?”
“Do I!”
“You can have mommy’s!” He handed Brad the saber.
“Okay, but lets move over here so we’re not in the crew’s way okay?” taking the small hand in his large one he walked the child over to the ‘safe’ area. Turning he saw Angelina watching him with a soft smile. He smiled back and returned his attention to the child. Holding his saber out he breathed. “You have learned much, young Padawan.”
~~~~~~~~~
October 2004
Nobu...
“Do you think he’s sleeping with her?” Jennifer asked her long time friend Courtney Cox-Arquette. “Angelina…do you think that he’s sleeping with her?”
“No I don’t. You know Brad wouldn’t cheat on you.” Courtney reassured her friend. But she wondered if Brad was keeping his vows. Angelina Jolie was a very provocative woman even her own husband had a thing for the ‘Tomb Raider’ beauty; calling her sex-a-licious. When Courtney had complained, David had laughed and waved her jealousy away. He told her that he’d met Angelina on the set of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ where his sister Rosanna had played Angelina’s mother. There was admiration, nothing else; God men could be so stupid! Angelina was like a black widow, both knowingly and unknowingly ensnaring men into her web –like arms. But she couldn’t…wouldn’t share those feelings with Jennifer. “Brad’s a good man.”
“A man no longer interested in our marriage.” Jennifer took a deep swallow of her spring water. “I don’t even think he finds me attractive anymore and it’s making me eat more and more.”
“Have you two talked about this? What about kids?” Courtney knew she was bringing up a very touchy subject. “I thought you planned to have a baby this year, ’04 is almost over. Friends is done, maybe now is the time to work on your marriage and start a family.”
Jennifer blushed a bit at Courtney’s words. “Well I was offered a couple of movie roles.”
Courtney looked up from her sushi plate. “What do you mean you were offered a couple movie roles? You never mentioned them to me.”
“Well they were just offered.” Jennifer shrugged. She hadn’t mentioned them because she knew that Courtney would have discussed it with her husband who would have said something to Brad. She hadn’t discussed any of the movie deals with Brad.
“Well it’s only two movies, that’s what three months of shooting per movie? So you will still be able to start your family…”
Jennifer corrected. “Well actually it’s six.”
“Six!” Looking around at the other dining patrons, Courtney lowered her voice. “Six?”
“Yeah.”
“Well what did Brad say?” Courtney watched Jennifer, push her salad across her plate, never really taking a bite. “Well?”
“I haven’t really told him yet.” Jennifer hedged.
“And what about a family…children? You know how badly he wants them.”
“Look my career is just starting to take off. I can’t afford to take the next year or so off to have babies. If I disappear for two years the world won’t remember who the hell I am. I need to move now while we’re hot off the success of ‘Friends’.” Jennifer pointed at Courtney. “Even you have a television series and that part in ‘The Longest Yard’. I have to strike now before I loose my chance.”
“Yeah and if you wait too long, you’ll sacrifice having a family. You know the trouble I went through.” Courtney shook her head. Jen was playing with fire. She knew that Brad would be so disappointed, couple that with the ‘Angelina’ factor and Jennifer was courting marital disaster. “You might want to discuss this with Brad before you sign anything.”
Jennifer didn’t bother to tell her that she’d already signed up for three.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pitt home
Beverly Hills
November 2004...
“So you want to wait two more years before starting a family?.” Brad was almost tired of the subject, but the time that he’d spent getting to know Maddox had only sharpened the desire for children. Jennifer had been promising year after year, only to have something come up every time. He was truly getting weary of the whole subject, where she was concerned. He was now considering other options. “Fine.”
“So you don’t even care?” Jennifer griped. Ever since Brad had begun shooting he’d seemed more and more distant with each passing day.
“I didn’t say that I didn’t care. I simply said fine Jen.” Brad sighed. He didn’t want to fight and she seemed to be revving up for one.
“Do you even care why?”
“Why?” Brad asked completely devoid of all emotion. There was no excuse outside of illness that would help him understand, why she didn’t want to have his child.
“Well, you know how much I enjoy doing film and my career goals.” Jennifer walked over to the table and sat down opposite her husband.
“Un huh…You want a movie career and an Oscar, yeah I know.” Brad ran his fingers over his buzz cut. “What does this have to do with our immediate family plans?”
“I was offer six roles and two were one on one costar, not an ensemble.” Jennifer forged ahead. “I signed the contracts for three last week.”
“WHAT?” Brad stood up suddenly. So let me get this straight. You don’t have time to start the family you’ve been promising me. Yet you do have time to sign up for and complete six movies. And you never even discussed it with me.” Brad stared at her as if she’d just grown two heads. “And you didn’t even discuss it with me first.
“YOU’RE ALWAYS GOING OFF AND DOING TWO AND THREE MOVIES A YEAR!” Jennifer shouted.
“THAT’S BULLSHIT AND YOU KNOW IT!” Brad backed away from the table. “I have ALWAYS talked things over with you before signing ANY contract!”
“You have your career! You‘ve been nominated for an Oscar! That’s what I want! Why should I give up on my dreams to start a family when there’s still time for it later? I can’t afford to wait two years or more to start my movie career.” Jennifer watched Brad walk over to the window and stare out at the pool area. He had that far away look again as if he’d just left the building. “Hello! Are you listening to me?”
Brad turned his head to glance over his shoulder, his face devoid of all emotion. “Oh I hear you but you’re not saying anything that I want to hear at the moment.”
“What? I’m not allowed to have career?”
“I never said that. But you act as though it has to be one or the other.” He walked back over to her. “There are plenty of women who have careers and a family. Courtney was pregnant on ‘Friends’. Catherine has two kids now and she’s still working and raising her children. Julia had a difficult pregnancy like Courtney and she still worked while pregnant and now she’s doing Broadway. They are all married, Angelina is single and she raises Maddox alone. She brings him to the set everyday and she has a very successful career, Oscar and all. They all have Oscars and children. It can be done.” He was almost pleading, something he’d told himself he wouldn’t do again. But If this marriage was going to have chance, they were going to have to work out these issues.
Jennifer bristled at Angelina’s name. “Angelina…Angelina…Angelina! She’s just your idea of perfect isn’t she. Angie can do this! Angie can do that! WHAT THE HELL CAN’T SHE DO?”
Brad pointed his finger at Jennifer; his voice still and hard. “Stop it! Angelina has nothing to do with this. This is about you me and our family decisions. I mentioned her, Catherine, Julia and Courtney as examples. That’s all!”
Jennifer balked at Brad’s tone. “What? Did I hit a nerve talking about your precious Angie and what’s her kid’s name? Mad…he probably is mad with her as a mother.”
“I said STOP! His name is Maddox and leave them alone. They haven’t done a damn thing to you!“
“The hell they haven’t. It seems like every chance you get, you hold them up to me like they’re some kind of shining example of the perfect woman and child; as if I’m the failure for wanting to start my career without a big belly.”
“Your words not mine.” Brad muttered, shaking his head, he stared at her.
“Oh! Well since you have all the witty answers, how about answering this one. Are you sleeping with her?” Jennifer threw the question at him like a dart targeting the bull’s-eye.
“What?!” Brad shook his head. “You are a piece of work. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Are you sleeping with her?” Jennifer repeated, walking over to one of the side tables and grabbed a magazine, tossing it at Brad, who caught it with one hand. “These are all over!”
He glanced down at the tabloid in his hand and read the cover ‘Trouble in Paradise Is Pillow Lipped Angelina to Blame?’ Grimacing he tossed the magazine down. “Jennifer please, you know better than to read and believe this shit! They never tell the truth!”
“And yet somehow those rumors always manage to come true!” Jennifer watched Brad silently before asking again. “You still haven’t answered my question. Yes or no?”
“You are serious? You actually want me to answer that? Fine NO!” Brad yelled. “I have never slept with her!”
Jennifer had known this man for almost seven years and she had always been able to tell when he was telling the truth and she believed him now. But she still needed to know one thing. “Are you attracted to her?”
Brad looked the woman who’d shared his life for the last six and half years. In his mind he replayed every moment of that time and gave her the truth that he owed her. “Yes. I’m very attracted to her.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 2004
Jennifer half expected him to say yes, but now that the answer had been spoken into existence. What was she to do now? Where did they go from here? “Okay…wow. How long have you been attracted to her?”
Brad watched Jennifer begin to pace. “Why does that matter?”
Almost as if in a reverie, Jen smiled. “hmm…you know there was a time when you would have ended that question with, honey…sweetheart. You don’t even use those words anymore.”
“Jennifer…”
“See…you can’t say it. Can you?” Jennifer sat down slowly. Staring up at Brad she continued. “So? How long.
“Jen come on…we’re talking about Angelina Jolie. Most men find her attractive.”
“We’re not talking about most men Brad, we’re talking about you.” Jen wasn’t going to let this bone go. She wanted her answer,
Brad saw no reason to lie at this point. It would only make things worse if he did. They needed to get everything out in the open and move on from there. “ Since March…April, I don’t know. Sometime earlier this year.”
“So you were attracted to her while we were in Cannes? Were you thinking of her then too? Cause you’ve damn sure been thinking of her now.”
“She was on my mind yes. But not the way you’re thinking.” Brad spoke quietly.
Jennifer watched him for a moment. “So enlighten me Bradley, I what context did she fill your mind?”
“I thought that if she could raise a son and have a fulfilling life then you could too with me by your side.” Brad answered but decided to tell her all of it. “You know what I did think of her that way. She’s a gorgeous woman with an extremely potent sexuality but think of her is all I did. I have never slept with her…never even kissed her outside of the set.”
Jennifer watched him a full minute before standing and heading for the door. “You need to get her out of your mind if you hope to save our marriage.” Turning she left the room.
Brad stood silently, his mind a jumble of thoughts. The one thought that kept fighting its way to the top. ‘Did he want to save his marriage?”
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
CHAPTER FIVE - OTHER OBLIGATIONS
Playtime
April 2004
“So what are you going to do for the next couple of months?” Brad asked Angelina. They were hanging out with the cast and crew at one of the local bars. He watched Angelina take her shot, she was good. He had to up his A-game, if he wanted to win this match.
Angelina straightened from the pool table watching the balls disappear. Smiling and cocking an eyebrow. She could taste victory. “I have UN obligations. Mad and I are off to Lebanon and Afghanistan.”
“Really? What’s the situation over there?” Brad’s interest was peaked. They’d spoken several times about their individual humanitarian efforts. He knew he had a ways to go before he reached her level of dedication. But he was willing to make the journey. He’d been speaking to Bono about the One campaign and the DATA organization and what he could do after Mr. and Mrs. Smith finished shooting.
“Refugees…disenfranchised and dying to survive.” Angelina began to explain her agenda through the UNHCR and what they all hoped to accomplish.
Brad listened intently. “Wow! And I’m just going to make a movie.” He watched her smile widen. “Watch this.” Brad performed a pool trick that ended with all the balls finding their way to the same hole.
Angelina was amazed and that was no small feat, she was rarely surprised these days. “How did you do that?”
Setting the balls up again; Brad moved around to her side. “Here, hold the pole.” He had to make adjustments because Angelina was left-handed. Wrapping his arms around her he began to show her how to execute the shot. “Pull back just a bit…” He leaned in and caught a whiff of her perfume. His fingers moved up the pool stick to lie directly on top of Angelina’s; caressing lightly. He had to stop…he knew it. Resting his face against the top of her head, he murmured. “This is getting dangerous.”
Angelina leaned back for a moment before extricating herself slowly. Turning around to stare directly into Brad’s eyes she answered. ““No…it’s wrong and we need to stop it here…now.” Looking around she found her jacket. “I need to get home. Thanks for the game and the trick.” She grabbed her purse and left the bar.
“My treat.” Brad answered, watching her go.
~~~~~~~~~
May 2004
Premiere of Troy
She promised him she would attend the premiere and so she did. Entering unnoticed through a side door she found a seat in the back, the left corner. She watched him glance surreptitiously around; knowing he was looking for her. She watched his eyes light upon her. He waved a bit. Smiling, she sent him an answering wave.
Brad finally saw her. She was sitting in the back by herself. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until he released it at the sight of her. He knew she’d only come because he’d asked her. Friends…that’s what they called themselves, but friends was much to simple a word to describe what was growing between them. It wasn’t sexual…it was comfort…understanding…acceptance. But the tabloids were having a field day and all they needed was just a peek at Angelina here and all hell would break loose.
The lights dimmed and the movie began. Angelina watched as a naked Brad filled the screen. “Hmmm…Jen you’re a lucky girl. I hope you appreciate what you have.”
Once the movie ended, Brad looked back to find Angelina gone; as if she had never been there. He had to return to the ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ shoot on Monday, so seeing her was out. God his days were getting long and his nights longer.
He missed her and Maddox, he’d gotten use to seeing them everyday and now he was finding himself lonely without them.
“You have a wife Bradley, concentrate on her.” His inner voice instructed, but was he listening?
~~~~~~~~~~
August 2004
Shooting resumes
“Braddy!” Catching sight of Brad entering the set, Maddox broke away from his mother, running as fast as his little three year old legs could carry him.
Brad had just enough time to drop his bag, before the toddler launched himself into Brad’s arms. He’d bonded with Maddox and become close friends with the child’s mother. He’d missed them…both of them. Swooping Maddox into the air, Brad laughed aloud. God why couldn’t he have this at home? “Hey Mad! How are you? Good?”
“Un huh. I missed you. You went away and I didn’t see you...for a long time.” Maddox pouted.
Brad jostled the child around, eliciting the manic bout of giggling that always left both he and Angie in amused tears “Remember I had to go finish another movie.” He smiled at Angelina as she joined them. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself. How was the shoot?” Angelina reached over to caressed her son’s back.
“Great! We’re done. No more re-shoots.” Returning his attention to the bouncing toddler in his arms. “Did someone have a birthday? I can’t remember the name of the bot.”
“Me!” The child bobbed up and down.
Pretending not to hear the child, Brad continued. “Who’s three years old?”
“Me!” The child laughed.
“So that’s why there’s a big gift in my trailer!” Brad laughed, hugging the boy close.
Maddox looked over at his mother. “Mommy can I get my gift?”
Angelina smiled indulgently, her love for the child evident in every line of her face. “Yes you can ‘get’ your gift.” Leaning forward she kissed Maddox on the forehead, not realizing how close she was to Brad until she glanced up from the kiss. Their lips a mere inch or so apart. “Welcome back.”
“I’m glad to be back. I missed you and Mad.” He stared at her for what seemed minutes, but was only seconds.
Clearing her throat she stepped away. “Why don’t we go and see what Brad bought you.”
She knew that sooner or later, they were going to have to talk and that’s what she feared the most.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica'
April 2004
“So what are you going to do for the next couple of months?” Brad asked Angelina. They were hanging out with the cast and crew at one of the local bars. He watched Angelina take her shot, she was good. He had to up his A-game, if he wanted to win this match.
Angelina straightened from the pool table watching the balls disappear. Smiling and cocking an eyebrow. She could taste victory. “I have UN obligations. Mad and I are off to Lebanon and Afghanistan.”
“Really? What’s the situation over there?” Brad’s interest was peaked. They’d spoken several times about their individual humanitarian efforts. He knew he had a ways to go before he reached her level of dedication. But he was willing to make the journey. He’d been speaking to Bono about the One campaign and the DATA organization and what he could do after Mr. and Mrs. Smith finished shooting.
“Refugees…disenfranchised and dying to survive.” Angelina began to explain her agenda through the UNHCR and what they all hoped to accomplish.
Brad listened intently. “Wow! And I’m just going to make a movie.” He watched her smile widen. “Watch this.” Brad performed a pool trick that ended with all the balls finding their way to the same hole.
Angelina was amazed and that was no small feat, she was rarely surprised these days. “How did you do that?”
Setting the balls up again; Brad moved around to her side. “Here, hold the pole.” He had to make adjustments because Angelina was left-handed. Wrapping his arms around her he began to show her how to execute the shot. “Pull back just a bit…” He leaned in and caught a whiff of her perfume. His fingers moved up the pool stick to lie directly on top of Angelina’s; caressing lightly. He had to stop…he knew it. Resting his face against the top of her head, he murmured. “This is getting dangerous.”
Angelina leaned back for a moment before extricating herself slowly. Turning around to stare directly into Brad’s eyes she answered. ““No…it’s wrong and we need to stop it here…now.” Looking around she found her jacket. “I need to get home. Thanks for the game and the trick.” She grabbed her purse and left the bar.
“My treat.” Brad answered, watching her go.
~~~~~~~~~
May 2004
Premiere of Troy
She promised him she would attend the premiere and so she did. Entering unnoticed through a side door she found a seat in the back, the left corner. She watched him glance surreptitiously around; knowing he was looking for her. She watched his eyes light upon her. He waved a bit. Smiling, she sent him an answering wave.
Brad finally saw her. She was sitting in the back by herself. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until he released it at the sight of her. He knew she’d only come because he’d asked her. Friends…that’s what they called themselves, but friends was much to simple a word to describe what was growing between them. It wasn’t sexual…it was comfort…understanding…acceptance. But the tabloids were having a field day and all they needed was just a peek at Angelina here and all hell would break loose.
The lights dimmed and the movie began. Angelina watched as a naked Brad filled the screen. “Hmmm…Jen you’re a lucky girl. I hope you appreciate what you have.”
Once the movie ended, Brad looked back to find Angelina gone; as if she had never been there. He had to return to the ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ shoot on Monday, so seeing her was out. God his days were getting long and his nights longer.
He missed her and Maddox, he’d gotten use to seeing them everyday and now he was finding himself lonely without them.
“You have a wife Bradley, concentrate on her.” His inner voice instructed, but was he listening?
~~~~~~~~~~
August 2004
Shooting resumes
“Braddy!” Catching sight of Brad entering the set, Maddox broke away from his mother, running as fast as his little three year old legs could carry him.
Brad had just enough time to drop his bag, before the toddler launched himself into Brad’s arms. He’d bonded with Maddox and become close friends with the child’s mother. He’d missed them…both of them. Swooping Maddox into the air, Brad laughed aloud. God why couldn’t he have this at home? “Hey Mad! How are you? Good?”
“Un huh. I missed you. You went away and I didn’t see you...for a long time.” Maddox pouted.
Brad jostled the child around, eliciting the manic bout of giggling that always left both he and Angie in amused tears “Remember I had to go finish another movie.” He smiled at Angelina as she joined them. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself. How was the shoot?” Angelina reached over to caressed her son’s back.
“Great! We’re done. No more re-shoots.” Returning his attention to the bouncing toddler in his arms. “Did someone have a birthday? I can’t remember the name of the bot.”
“Me!” The child bobbed up and down.
Pretending not to hear the child, Brad continued. “Who’s three years old?”
“Me!” The child laughed.
“So that’s why there’s a big gift in my trailer!” Brad laughed, hugging the boy close.
Maddox looked over at his mother. “Mommy can I get my gift?”
Angelina smiled indulgently, her love for the child evident in every line of her face. “Yes you can ‘get’ your gift.” Leaning forward she kissed Maddox on the forehead, not realizing how close she was to Brad until she glanced up from the kiss. Their lips a mere inch or so apart. “Welcome back.”
“I’m glad to be back. I missed you and Mad.” He stared at her for what seemed minutes, but was only seconds.
Clearing her throat she stepped away. “Why don’t we go and see what Brad bought you.”
She knew that sooner or later, they were going to have to talk and that’s what she feared the most.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica'
CHAPTER FOUR - FIGHTING THE ATTRACTION
On the set of Mr. and Mrs.Smith…
“To dodging bullets.” Jane held her shot glass of Tequila up.
“To dodging bullets.” John tapped his shot glass into hers. Tossing the fiery liquid down before slamming the glass onto the table.
Jane stood slowly, a seductive smile gracing her full, luscious lips. Holding her glass in one hand she leaned in giving her companion a glimpse of her plump breast as she moved past him. “So it speaks, but does it dance?” Her husky voice was like a sirens song leading him to his doom.
As the tribal tones of “Mondo Bong” filled the air of the Cantina, John watched her glide all the way to the dirt covered dance floor, John finally inched his way over to her. Watching him as intently as a predator does its prey, Jane finished her drink, tossed the shot glass in a close can fire, wipe the moisture from her mouth and held her arms high above her head; her hips swaying seductively. Finally reaching out with one hand, luring him, drawing him into the dance.
He grasped her hand and drew her into his arms. The momentum brought Jane flat against John’s chest. Raising her arms, she wrapped them slowly around his neck. John lowered his hand casually caressing her waist as he lightly pressed her hips forward into the cradle of his. He began leading her into seduction’s dance; the floral smell of her hair, his lips against her soft neck, whispers in her ear, the feel of her curved bottom arousing his over sensitized groin. One turn and his lips danced dangerously close to her full slightly parted lips…waiting.
“Cut!!!!” Doug Liman shouted. “Angie, Brad…that was great. We’ll keep this last take.” Pointing to the table they’d left he barked instructions. “We’re going to shoot the kiss, so stay in character guys.”
Brad took hold of Angie’s hand and led her over to the table. Sitting down, he pulled her onto his lap. “You’re a pretty good dancer.”
Angie laughed. “Thanks…I try. All those years of pole dancing are paying off.”
Brad enjoyed hearing her laugh. This moment wasn’t sexual, it was sweet. Something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. If only they’d known the furor a photo of this moment would cause. They would know soon enough.
Angie was analyzing her own feelings. She liked Brad…she really liked him…he was…sweet.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
“To dodging bullets.” Jane held her shot glass of Tequila up.
“To dodging bullets.” John tapped his shot glass into hers. Tossing the fiery liquid down before slamming the glass onto the table.
Jane stood slowly, a seductive smile gracing her full, luscious lips. Holding her glass in one hand she leaned in giving her companion a glimpse of her plump breast as she moved past him. “So it speaks, but does it dance?” Her husky voice was like a sirens song leading him to his doom.
As the tribal tones of “Mondo Bong” filled the air of the Cantina, John watched her glide all the way to the dirt covered dance floor, John finally inched his way over to her. Watching him as intently as a predator does its prey, Jane finished her drink, tossed the shot glass in a close can fire, wipe the moisture from her mouth and held her arms high above her head; her hips swaying seductively. Finally reaching out with one hand, luring him, drawing him into the dance.
He grasped her hand and drew her into his arms. The momentum brought Jane flat against John’s chest. Raising her arms, she wrapped them slowly around his neck. John lowered his hand casually caressing her waist as he lightly pressed her hips forward into the cradle of his. He began leading her into seduction’s dance; the floral smell of her hair, his lips against her soft neck, whispers in her ear, the feel of her curved bottom arousing his over sensitized groin. One turn and his lips danced dangerously close to her full slightly parted lips…waiting.
“Cut!!!!” Doug Liman shouted. “Angie, Brad…that was great. We’ll keep this last take.” Pointing to the table they’d left he barked instructions. “We’re going to shoot the kiss, so stay in character guys.”
Brad took hold of Angie’s hand and led her over to the table. Sitting down, he pulled her onto his lap. “You’re a pretty good dancer.”
Angie laughed. “Thanks…I try. All those years of pole dancing are paying off.”
Brad enjoyed hearing her laugh. This moment wasn’t sexual, it was sweet. Something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. If only they’d known the furor a photo of this moment would cause. They would know soon enough.
Angie was analyzing her own feelings. She liked Brad…she really liked him…he was…sweet.
Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved By ‘Rica’
CHAPTER THREE - MEET THE SMITHS
January 2004
Filming begins...
(Some quotes are from Entertainment Weekly issue 823 and Vanity Fair issue)
“Hey Angie!” Brad flagged Angelina down.
Angelina waved back, waiting for Brad and his companion to reach her. “Hi!”
Brad made the introductions. “Jen this is Angelina…Angie.” Brad smile excitedly at Angelina. “Angie this is my wife Jennifer.”
Angelina offered Jennifer her hand. “Hi, how are you?”
Jennifer smiled in return. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“Fine, thank you.”
“You know, Brad is looking forward to this movie, he’s very excited to be working with you.” Jennifer added.
“Me too. I called him for his opinion and ended up letting him talk me into it. Let’s hope it works out.” Angelina offered.
Jennifer agreed. “I hope you enjoy working with him?”
“I’m sure I will. He seems like quite a character.” Angelina rolled her eyes skyward and threw her head back, her laughter filling the air, the husky peals ensnaring Brad on the spot. “I’ll see you inside Bradley. It was nice meeting you Jennifer.”
“You too.” Jennifer waited until Angelina was out of earshot, before turning to Brad, her smile gone. “You didn’t mention that she’d called you. When was this?”
Brad’s exasperated sigh filled the air. “Come on Jen, It was a long time ago. Doug and Akiva told me to try and convince her to do the movie. That’s all.” Brad glanced around. He hated it when she made a scene. “Besides you were there the day she called. You, me, Courtney and David were watching Pirates of the Caribbean, when she called. I got up and left the room.”
“No you left the house.” Jen insisted.
“Yeah I did! So I wouldn’t disturb the movie.” Brad threw his hands up and lowered his voice to a low growl. “It was a five-minute phone call, not a dinner date gone over.”
“Why didn’t you mention it?” Jennifer asked, sticking to the subject.
“You saw me get up and leave. Why didn’t you just ask me who it was? Did you even care?” Brad was reaching his tolerance level. “Look…we can’t talk about this now. I have to go to work and so do you. I’ll see you later.” He turned and walked away, leaving an angry Jennifer in his wake.
~~~~~~~~~~
Doug sat back and watched his two stars. He just couldn’t believe that he had two of Hollywood’s biggest stars sitting in front him. “So Brad…Angelina, any thoughts on the script?”
Brad spoke up first. “Yeah, I have an issue with the scene where Jane grab’s the golfing trophy and is about to club him over the head with it and he says…” Brad glanced at Angelina, who picked up where he left off.
“No! Don’t, I’m only the custodian of that for the year!” Angie nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s just a bit too goofy for these two. They’re assassins and the over all tone is a bit serious…not so slap stick.”
Brad laughed, glancing at Angie he continued. “Good word choice.”
“Thank you…” The low ring of Angelina’s cell phone interrupted the jovial air of the room. “I’m sorry.” Angie apologized and left the room.
Akiva glanced at Simon. “Did Angie sign off on her Amenities Ryder?”
Simon nodded, leafing through papers, until he found what he was looking for. “Yes she Okayed everything. She really just wanted to make sure that Maddox will be okay. One part-time nanny, trailer equipped for her son. She’ll be bringing him to the set with her everyday. Other than that she didn’t really ask for much.”
“Are we supplying?” Akiva asked. He like low maintenance stars and Brad and Angie were two of the lowest maintenance he’d met; considering their caliber and status. He liked that. So he wanted to make sure that they were happy.
“Yeah.” Simon confirmed just as Angelina returned to the room.
Angelina returned to the room. “Sorry about that. Maddox is home from school. If I don’t pick him up he makes Holly call me so that he can speak to me and tell me about his day.”
Brad leaned forward his attention caught at the mention of Angelina’s son. “How old is your son?”
“Maddox is two and a half. He’ll be three in August. He’s my little man.” A sweet and gentle smile lit Angelina’s face as she spoke.
Brad watched the glow and couldn’t help but think of how beautiful Angelina truly was; inside and out. Do you have a picture of him?”
“Do I?” Angelina reached for purse and pulled a slim wallet from its side pocket. Flipping it open to the picture section, she showed off her colorful photos with pride.
Brad looked through the pictures. He smiled whimsically at the small laughing child. His favorite photo, one of Maddox and Angelina caught in an Eskimo kiss. The look of love between both mother and child somehow soothed him. This was what he wanted…what he’d yearned for over the past four years. He wanted that to be him in the photo. Sighing he handed the wallet back to Angelina. “He’s beautiful.”
Taking the wallet, Angelina noticed the look of longing on Brad’s face. “Thank you.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. So she busied herself with putting the wallet away.
Brad shook off the feeling of old regret. “He must be a handful…yeah?”
“Oh yeah. Lately he’s been going through his super hero phase.” Leaning in closer to Brad she whispered loudly. “He thinks he’s Superman or Batman…or Spiderman. Either one will do these days.” Angelina shook her and snorted. “Yesterday I caught him trying to fly off the back of the couch with one of the bath towels tied around his neck.”
Brad laughed, living vicariously through Angie’s words. He could just picture the scene. That’s great…that’s great!”
Doug broke into the conversation. “So where were we?”
Simon answered. “The golfing trophy debacle.”
“Right…right”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
Filming begins...
(Some quotes are from Entertainment Weekly issue 823 and Vanity Fair issue)
“Hey Angie!” Brad flagged Angelina down.
Angelina waved back, waiting for Brad and his companion to reach her. “Hi!”
Brad made the introductions. “Jen this is Angelina…Angie.” Brad smile excitedly at Angelina. “Angie this is my wife Jennifer.”
Angelina offered Jennifer her hand. “Hi, how are you?”
Jennifer smiled in return. “I’m fine. How are you?”
“Fine, thank you.”
“You know, Brad is looking forward to this movie, he’s very excited to be working with you.” Jennifer added.
“Me too. I called him for his opinion and ended up letting him talk me into it. Let’s hope it works out.” Angelina offered.
Jennifer agreed. “I hope you enjoy working with him?”
“I’m sure I will. He seems like quite a character.” Angelina rolled her eyes skyward and threw her head back, her laughter filling the air, the husky peals ensnaring Brad on the spot. “I’ll see you inside Bradley. It was nice meeting you Jennifer.”
“You too.” Jennifer waited until Angelina was out of earshot, before turning to Brad, her smile gone. “You didn’t mention that she’d called you. When was this?”
Brad’s exasperated sigh filled the air. “Come on Jen, It was a long time ago. Doug and Akiva told me to try and convince her to do the movie. That’s all.” Brad glanced around. He hated it when she made a scene. “Besides you were there the day she called. You, me, Courtney and David were watching Pirates of the Caribbean, when she called. I got up and left the room.”
“No you left the house.” Jen insisted.
“Yeah I did! So I wouldn’t disturb the movie.” Brad threw his hands up and lowered his voice to a low growl. “It was a five-minute phone call, not a dinner date gone over.”
“Why didn’t you mention it?” Jennifer asked, sticking to the subject.
“You saw me get up and leave. Why didn’t you just ask me who it was? Did you even care?” Brad was reaching his tolerance level. “Look…we can’t talk about this now. I have to go to work and so do you. I’ll see you later.” He turned and walked away, leaving an angry Jennifer in his wake.
~~~~~~~~~~
Doug sat back and watched his two stars. He just couldn’t believe that he had two of Hollywood’s biggest stars sitting in front him. “So Brad…Angelina, any thoughts on the script?”
Brad spoke up first. “Yeah, I have an issue with the scene where Jane grab’s the golfing trophy and is about to club him over the head with it and he says…” Brad glanced at Angelina, who picked up where he left off.
“No! Don’t, I’m only the custodian of that for the year!” Angie nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s just a bit too goofy for these two. They’re assassins and the over all tone is a bit serious…not so slap stick.”
Brad laughed, glancing at Angie he continued. “Good word choice.”
“Thank you…” The low ring of Angelina’s cell phone interrupted the jovial air of the room. “I’m sorry.” Angie apologized and left the room.
Akiva glanced at Simon. “Did Angie sign off on her Amenities Ryder?”
Simon nodded, leafing through papers, until he found what he was looking for. “Yes she Okayed everything. She really just wanted to make sure that Maddox will be okay. One part-time nanny, trailer equipped for her son. She’ll be bringing him to the set with her everyday. Other than that she didn’t really ask for much.”
“Are we supplying?” Akiva asked. He like low maintenance stars and Brad and Angie were two of the lowest maintenance he’d met; considering their caliber and status. He liked that. So he wanted to make sure that they were happy.
“Yeah.” Simon confirmed just as Angelina returned to the room.
Angelina returned to the room. “Sorry about that. Maddox is home from school. If I don’t pick him up he makes Holly call me so that he can speak to me and tell me about his day.”
Brad leaned forward his attention caught at the mention of Angelina’s son. “How old is your son?”
“Maddox is two and a half. He’ll be three in August. He’s my little man.” A sweet and gentle smile lit Angelina’s face as she spoke.
Brad watched the glow and couldn’t help but think of how beautiful Angelina truly was; inside and out. Do you have a picture of him?”
“Do I?” Angelina reached for purse and pulled a slim wallet from its side pocket. Flipping it open to the picture section, she showed off her colorful photos with pride.
Brad looked through the pictures. He smiled whimsically at the small laughing child. His favorite photo, one of Maddox and Angelina caught in an Eskimo kiss. The look of love between both mother and child somehow soothed him. This was what he wanted…what he’d yearned for over the past four years. He wanted that to be him in the photo. Sighing he handed the wallet back to Angelina. “He’s beautiful.”
Taking the wallet, Angelina noticed the look of longing on Brad’s face. “Thank you.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. So she busied herself with putting the wallet away.
Brad shook off the feeling of old regret. “He must be a handful…yeah?”
“Oh yeah. Lately he’s been going through his super hero phase.” Leaning in closer to Brad she whispered loudly. “He thinks he’s Superman or Batman…or Spiderman. Either one will do these days.” Angelina shook her and snorted. “Yesterday I caught him trying to fly off the back of the couch with one of the bath towels tied around his neck.”
Brad laughed, living vicariously through Angie’s words. He could just picture the scene. That’s great…that’s great!”
Doug broke into the conversation. “So where were we?”
Simon answered. “The golfing trophy debacle.”
“Right…right”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
CHAPTER TWO - A LITTLE NUDGE
August 2003
Beverly Hills...
“Brad, how are you?” The voice of Akiva Goldsman, one of the executive producers for ‘Mr and Mrs. Smith, sounded over the line.
“Fine Akiva, thanks and you?” Brad finished purchasing the latest ‘Architectural Digest’ and walked out of the book store.
“Fine thanks.” Akiva moved on quickly. “Brad, we need to meet with you. Can you make a long lunch today?”
Moving on to his Confederate F124 Hellcat, Brad agreed. “Sure, my schedules pretty clear, what time?” Brad asked, a bit curious but not worried.
“How’s one-thirty sound?”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you then.” Brad ended the call, put his helmet on and drove toward the home he shared with his wife Jennifer.
~~~~~~~~
“Brad, we have some good news regarding ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith. We have a candidate for Jane. “ Doug offered. “Our choices were narrowed down to Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie.”
Brad’s listened intently. “And?”
“Well Cate is busy and we just thought that you and Catherine in another movie back to back would be overkill. So we decided to offer the role to Angelina.” Doug watched Brad’s expression for some sign of agreement.
Brad nodded slowly. “Angelina…hmmm…she’s good. Has she accepted?”
“We’re still waiting. She’s not sure that she can do the part justice. I told her to give you a call.” Doug offered. “I thought…you know, that maybe you could kind of talk her into it. That is if you agree with our choice.”
Brad laughed. “Oh I agree and if she’s willing to do it. I’ll definitely sign back on.”
Akive smiled. “Good she’ll be calling with in the next day or two. The quicker we can get this settled, the sooner we can get started. We are already behind schedule.”
“That’s fine with me. I’ll help her out as much as I can.” Brad added. Smiling he thought, ‘Angelina Jolie’ hmmm…nice choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi Brad?” The husky voice spoke quietly over the line. “It’s Angelina, how are you?”
“Hi, I’m fine and you?” Brad responded. The woman definitely had a voice.
“Fine…umm… Akiva and Doug told me you’d help me out with an opinion about the material.” Her thoughts similar to his, she’d always found his voice sexy.
Not wanting to disturb the movie he, Jennifer, and Courtney were watching, Brad moved outside to the poolside patio. “Did you get a chance to read through the script?”
“Yeah, I like the script, it’s pretty funny, but I’m not big on comedy.” Angelina sat down on her sofa, grabbed the script, and began leafing through it. "Or rather...its not big on me."
“Come on. I’ve seen your work. I think that you can pull it off.” For whatever reason, he couldn’t explain, he wanted her on this film. “You’ve conquered more genres of film then I can count. I know you can do this. It’s more of a dark comedy anyway.”
Her sultry laugh engulfed him in velvet. “I do know dark; it’s just the comedy part that I’m uncomfortable with.”
“In my honest opinion Angelina, I really believe you can do this.” Brad urged her on, “I doubt you’ve ever backed down from a challenge in your life. Why start now?”
Angelina thought it over for a moment. Brad waited almost anxiously. “Alright. I accept. Let’s hope it’s not a mistake.”
Brad breathed a silent sigh of relief. “I have nothing but positive feelings about this.”
“Hmmm…yeah sure. Thanks for the input. I guess I’ll see you at the read through.” Angelina ended the call in true Angelina fashion. “Oh and Bradley, please don’t call me Angelina, the name’s Angie.”
Laughing softly Brad answered. “Alright, see you at the read through, Angie.”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
Beverly Hills...
“Brad, how are you?” The voice of Akiva Goldsman, one of the executive producers for ‘Mr and Mrs. Smith, sounded over the line.“Fine Akiva, thanks and you?” Brad finished purchasing the latest ‘Architectural Digest’ and walked out of the book store.
“Fine thanks.” Akiva moved on quickly. “Brad, we need to meet with you. Can you make a long lunch today?”
Moving on to his Confederate F124 Hellcat, Brad agreed. “Sure, my schedules pretty clear, what time?” Brad asked, a bit curious but not worried.
“How’s one-thirty sound?”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you then.” Brad ended the call, put his helmet on and drove toward the home he shared with his wife Jennifer.
~~~~~~~~
“Brad, we have some good news regarding ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith. We have a candidate for Jane. “ Doug offered. “Our choices were narrowed down to Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie.”
Brad’s listened intently. “And?”
“Well Cate is busy and we just thought that you and Catherine in another movie back to back would be overkill. So we decided to offer the role to Angelina.” Doug watched Brad’s expression for some sign of agreement.Brad nodded slowly. “Angelina…hmmm…she’s good. Has she accepted?”
“We’re still waiting. She’s not sure that she can do the part justice. I told her to give you a call.” Doug offered. “I thought…you know, that maybe you could kind of talk her into it. That is if you agree with our choice.”
Brad laughed. “Oh I agree and if she’s willing to do it. I’ll definitely sign back on.”
Akive smiled. “Good she’ll be calling with in the next day or two. The quicker we can get this settled, the sooner we can get started. We are already behind schedule.”
“That’s fine with me. I’ll help her out as much as I can.” Brad added. Smiling he thought, ‘Angelina Jolie’ hmmm…nice choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi Brad?” The husky voice spoke quietly over the line. “It’s Angelina, how are you?”
“Hi, I’m fine and you?” Brad responded. The woman definitely had a voice.
“Fine…umm… Akiva and Doug told me you’d help me out with an opinion about the material.” Her thoughts similar to his, she’d always found his voice sexy.Not wanting to disturb the movie he, Jennifer, and Courtney were watching, Brad moved outside to the poolside patio. “Did you get a chance to read through the script?”
“Yeah, I like the script, it’s pretty funny, but I’m not big on comedy.” Angelina sat down on her sofa, grabbed the script, and began leafing through it. "Or rather...its not big on me."
“Come on. I’ve seen your work. I think that you can pull it off.” For whatever reason, he couldn’t explain, he wanted her on this film. “You’ve conquered more genres of film then I can count. I know you can do this. It’s more of a dark comedy anyway.”
Her sultry laugh engulfed him in velvet. “I do know dark; it’s just the comedy part that I’m uncomfortable with.”
“In my honest opinion Angelina, I really believe you can do this.” Brad urged her on, “I doubt you’ve ever backed down from a challenge in your life. Why start now?”
Angelina thought it over for a moment. Brad waited almost anxiously. “Alright. I accept. Let’s hope it’s not a mistake.”
Brad breathed a silent sigh of relief. “I have nothing but positive feelings about this.”
“Hmmm…yeah sure. Thanks for the input. I guess I’ll see you at the read through.” Angelina ended the call in true Angelina fashion. “Oh and Bradley, please don’t call me Angelina, the name’s Angie.”
Laughing softly Brad answered. “Alright, see you at the read through, Angie.”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
CHAPTER ONE - CHOOSING THE PERFECT MRS. SMITH
July 2003...
Apologizing to his family, Hollywood director Doug Liman answered his cell phone,. “This better be good, I’m in the middle of great Chinese dinner with my family.”
“Hi Doug. It’s Brad.” Brad Pitt’s smooth dulcet voice floated over the line. “I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner. If you want you can give me a call back later on.”
“No…no, now’s fine.” He stood and motioned to his dinner companions. Walking over to the entrance. “So what’s up?”
“Well, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to pass on ‘Mr. and Mrs.” Brad apologized.
“Ahhh…don’t tell me that. Come on Brad…”
Brad broke in. “Look Doug, with Nichole dropping out and the issues with the script, perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Doug knew he wouldn’t be able to change Brad’s mind, so he thanked Brad for calling and rejoined his family; the joy of the evening gone. He’d figure something out. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ would happen and with Brad Pitt.
~~~~~~~~
(Portions of this conversation are actual quotes from ‘Entertainment Weekly’ Issue #823)
So we’ve lost Nichole.” Akiva announced.
Doug Liman winced at the news. “Yeah and now Brad’s pulled out. But with the right costar he’ll most likely come back aboard.”
Screenwriter, Simon Kinberg looked as though he would cry. “What Nichole and Brad? Why?” He could see all his hard work circling the drain and it hurt.
Lucas Foster, also an executive producer for the film, cleared his throat before taking over. “It seems that Ms. Kidman’s ‘Stepford Wives’ shoot is going to run into our start date. Apparently they just started shooting and they are running ten weeks behind schedule. She had no choice but to bow out. Brad feels like fate is working against us. ”
Doug held his hand up stopping Brad’s response. “Well we do have a few other options.” He began tossing out names. There’s the ex factor, Gwyneth Paltrow.”
Simon shook his head. “Look that’s a great idea but Brad’s human and even if he were game for it, it’s wrong of us to put him in a situation where he’s going to have to relive the demons of a past relationship. That’s just a little bit too mad-scientist.”
Doug saw his point and continued the name game. “Okay, how about Cate Blanchett? She definitely has the look. Remember the photo ad she did as a spy?”
“Not available, she’s working on ‘The Aviator’” Akiva answered.
“Catherine Zeta-Jones?”
“No, I don’t think that she’s quite what we’re looking for.” Akiva answered again. “She’s gorgeous…but I just can’t see her in that role.”
“I agree with Akiva. Besides isn’t she working with Brad on ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ ? That’d just be cinematic suicide.” Lucas shuddered.
Simon agreed as well. “Yeah, I mean that would be over kill. Besides we don’t know what type of chemistry they will have.”
“It’s Brad Pitt. Most women have chemistry with him.” Lucas countered.
“Or for him.” Akiva muttered.
Simon skipped two names and pulled the last one. “How about Angelina Jolie?”
Silence filled the room as the men mulled over the last choice. Akiva was the first to respond. “Hmmm…now that would be something. What’s she working on now? I know she’s busy, she’s always busy.”
Doug smiled. “She’s finishing ‘Alexander’, after that she’s free.”
“I don’t know…this doesn’t seem to be her type of movie. She likes the darker roles.” Lucas tossed in. “You sure we can get her?”
Doug smiled. “We can ask.”
Simon almost crowed with excitement. Angelina Jolie…wow! Who better to costar with Hollywood’s hottest leading man, then Hollywood’s hottest leading lady?”
“Let’s hope she’s up for the challenge.” Lucas murmured.
Akiva laughed. “Angelina’s always up for a challenge.”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
Apologizing to his family, Hollywood director Doug Liman answered his cell phone,. “This better be good, I’m in the middle of great Chinese dinner with my family.”“Hi Doug. It’s Brad.” Brad Pitt’s smooth dulcet voice floated over the line. “I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner. If you want you can give me a call back later on.”
“No…no, now’s fine.” He stood and motioned to his dinner companions. Walking over to the entrance. “So what’s up?”
“Well, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to pass on ‘Mr. and Mrs.” Brad apologized.
“Ahhh…don’t tell me that. Come on Brad…”
Brad broke in. “Look Doug, with Nichole dropping out and the issues with the script, perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Doug knew he wouldn’t be able to change Brad’s mind, so he thanked Brad for calling and rejoined his family; the joy of the evening gone. He’d figure something out. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ would happen and with Brad Pitt.
~~~~~~~~
(Portions of this conversation are actual quotes from ‘Entertainment Weekly’ Issue #823)
So we’ve lost Nichole.” Akiva announced.
Doug Liman winced at the news. “Yeah and now Brad’s pulled out. But with the right costar he’ll most likely come back aboard.”Screenwriter, Simon Kinberg looked as though he would cry. “What Nichole and Brad? Why?” He could see all his hard work circling the drain and it hurt.
Lucas Foster, also an executive producer for the film, cleared his throat before taking over. “It seems that Ms. Kidman’s ‘Stepford Wives’ shoot is going to run into our start date. Apparently they just started shooting and they are running ten weeks behind schedule. She had no choice but to bow out. Brad feels like fate is working against us. ”
Doug held his hand up stopping Brad’s response. “Well we do have a few other options.” He began tossing out names. There’s the ex factor, Gwyneth Paltrow.”
Simon shook his head. “Look that’s a great idea but Brad’s human and even if he were game for it, it’s wrong of us to put him in a situation where he’s going to have to relive the demons of a past relationship. That’s just a little bit too mad-scientist.”
Doug saw his point and continued the name game. “Okay, how about Cate Blanchett? She definitely has the look. Remember the photo ad she did as a spy?”
“Not available, she’s working on ‘The Aviator’” Akiva answered.“Catherine Zeta-Jones?”
“No, I don’t think that she’s quite what we’re looking for.” Akiva answered again. “She’s gorgeous…but I just can’t see her in that role.”
“I agree with Akiva. Besides isn’t she working with Brad on ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ ? That’d just be cinematic suicide.” Lucas shuddered.
Simon agreed as well. “Yeah, I mean that would be over kill. Besides we don’t know what type of chemistry they will have.”
“It’s Brad Pitt. Most women have chemistry with him.” Lucas countered.
“Or for him.” Akiva muttered.
Simon skipped two names and pulled the last one. “How about Angelina Jolie?”
Silence filled the room as the men mulled over the last choice. Akiva was the first to respond. “Hmmm…now that would be something. What’s she working on now? I know she’s busy, she’s always busy.”
Doug smiled. “She’s finishing ‘Alexander’, after that she’s free.”
“I don’t know…this doesn’t seem to be her type of movie. She likes the darker roles.” Lucas tossed in. “You sure we can get her?”
Doug smiled. “We can ask.”
Simon almost crowed with excitement. Angelina Jolie…wow! Who better to costar with Hollywood’s hottest leading man, then Hollywood’s hottest leading lady?”
“Let’s hope she’s up for the challenge.” Lucas murmured.
Akiva laughed. “Angelina’s always up for a challenge.”
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
PREQUEL - UNFORGETABLE
Our Wildest Dreams
“Our Wildest Dreams”Copyright © 2006 all rights reserved by ‘Rica’
Passing ships….
Prequel…
He saw her sitting in the dim restaurant but even the low light couldn’t hide her exotic beauty. He needed an intro, so he took the straight forward route. Sauntering over to her table. He was glad she was alone for once. "Angelina…right?"
She looked up from her aperitif. "Ye..eah?" Knowledge lit her confused features. "Brad…Brad Pitt." God he was gorgeous. What she’d like to do to him.
Brad took his chance. "Yeah, I came in to grab a bite and saw you over here by your lonesome and thought…hey why not say hello." He wiggled his fingers in salutation. "Soooo…hello." He smiled; putting every loose pheromone he had coursing through his body into that one smile. Then adding the finishing touches to his skill. "Well I’ll go and let you eat. I didn’t come to interrupt you, just to say hi." He waved again and turned away.
Her husky voice stopped him. "Well if you’re here alone and I’m alone why not share a table?" Angelina smiled up at him. This was trouble, she knew it but lord he was gorgeous. She watched as he sat slowly.
"So have you ordered yet?" Brad asked watching her take a sip from her wine glass. Those lips, god they were killing him.
From: darkjolie2
"HAVE YOU EVER WANTED SOMETHING SO BADLY YOU COULD TASTE IT? WELL BRAD DID."
Finishing her sip, she placed the wine glass on the table and sent her tongue darting over her lush bottom lip to catch a stray drop of red wine. "I haven’t actually, so you’re in luck." She gave him a quick sultry smile. "So Bradley, what are you doing here in London?" Staring into his eyes she thought; oh yeah this was trouble…God was this going to get close.
Brad cleared his throat. "Well…do you want a lie or the truth?"
"Never lie if you could tell the truth, unless of course the lie is exciting." She leaned forward, stopping at the candle lit centerpiece. "So excite me Bradley."
Brad stared into those catlike hazel eyes. She was dangerous…a hot kind of dangerous. "Excite you?" He chuckled softly. "So you want me to lie?"
"Listen, you and I don’t really know each other. After you leave this restaurant it will be another what? Year or two…maybe more before our paths cross again so you tell me whatever story you need to make this dinner a memorable one."
Brad reached over and lifted Angelina’s wine glass. Turning it around, he placed his lips on the very same spot hers had tasted from. "So do you want dining entertainment or a bedtime story?"
"You’re a bright boy, you figure it out." Before either could speak again the waiter arrived to take their orders. Angelina turned her hypnotic gaze and sultry smile on to the unsuspecting waiter, who stuttered his way through the day’s specialties. As she ordered, she watched Brad peruse the menu. Images of his ‘Tristan’ making love clouded her mind. Momma never warned her that there’d be 
days and men like this.
Giving his order Brad’s gaze never left Angelina’s. He knew what he wanted and wasn’t on any menu. They just don’t grow em’ like this in Missouri he thought.
Monday, September 26, 2005
JUST ANOTHER DAY IN TEENY TINY TINSETOWN
ALL IS FAIR IN LIFE, LOVE & WAR!
Life seems to be hitting our poor little Milo in the puffy end of his designer "Onesie" mommy Liv has set her goals on acting once again and poor Milo now finds himself swinging to a solo tune. First walking and now this. I’ve tried explaining how these "grown up" issues work, but our resident barefoot flower child has continued to drift toward the "time out" corner of depression. He does perk up at playtime. It’s amazing what a good swing will do for a tiny tyke. I also noticed his dislike of the custom "Baby Bjorn" his mother likes to squeeze him into. Poor kid resembles a an overstuffed sausage. This might explain his constant attempts at pulling his legs free while mom is in mid stride. He did manage to liberate one leg and had almost made it to the promise land (mommy’s shoulder) before she caught him. I’m really going to have to extol the virtues of strollers and their uses to young Liv.
Sweet Peaches…darn it! Sweet Apple now finds herself in a love triangle with Maddox and Baby budding beauty Leni Briatore. ( The kid’s definitely a Klum in looks). Poor Banana…er Apple, in love with our "resident rebel" and her competition is none other than a supermodel’s kid. After catching Leni deliberately gumming the cloth nose of..Apple’s (Yes!) favorite stuffed bunny, I alerted the staff to possible "kitten fights" between the two. Although, with the arrival of Leni’s new baby brother I’m not so sure how much effort she will be able to muster in this battle of heart. The funny thing is young Maddox hasn’t so much as glanced at either girl. Instead he seems to have set his sights on an older woman and has been secretly trailing around behind young Willow Smith. Rumer even spotted him rubbing his face over her favorite sweater. The boy’s just not right. I’m beginning to sense some stalking tendencies. During our last Parent teacher night I mentioned this behavior to both sets of parents, Will and Jada and Angelina and Brad. Impressively they all seem to think that it will blow over...yeah…I’m not sure.
I must say that these Jolie-Pitt tykes are truly interesting to watch when they’re in town. Lately they have been spending every other weekend with daddy in Canada. Now they are off to Dubai for a week long vacation. (I’m so glad Angie and Brad are paid up through the year.) These kids’ passports look better than mine. Before she left little Zahara decided to take up the cause of her mummy and daddy-to-be. She persuaded her playmates to donate their favorite toys to the less fortunate…only I don’t think that they truly understand because instead of giving their toys, they gave the Preschool’s. But you must applaud Baby Z’s effort. She’s also become quite the little celebrity. Her diary blog has become as popular as her brother’s. Though as the daughter of two A-list celebs, I must caution her about publicizing her personal relationships. Perhaps she should take a page from her mummy and daddy’s book. "They may ask, but you don’t tell." That is until the ink is dry on the divorce papers and Barbara Walters is team "Brangelina".
Our territorial war is still in full swing. Hazel has now enlisted the help of Romeo Beckham who along with his brothers Brooklyn (Who’s quite a little character) and Cruz (what a little sweetheart) has joined our elite little Preschool. Romeo (oh how his name suits him) has no time for such infantile dreams and desires. He has signed on as ‘guard du corps’ for the infant queen only. But from the crafty way Hazel extends her teething biscuit, I’d say young Romeo is in for a surprise awakening. She wants her man and I don’t know…she may get him.
Oh! For…ugghhh another email request from the Federlines. I told Britney that I’d try to find an opening in our newborn department for baby boy Federline but alas I’ve yet to find an available suite to house his overly large mother’s ego along with his other baby paraphernalia.
Some just don’t take the choice of breeding seriously.
Signing off
Friday, September 09, 2005
A TALE OF BATTLES AND BABIES…
The life of an A list offspring can be challenging.
The life of an A list offspring can be challenging.
Today was quite interesting…well everyday is interesting really. But today was bit more than usual.
Little Hazel has now stepped up her plot to over throw her brother “Lord Phinn’s” infant regime. She has decided to stake her territorial claim on the play pen area. Unfortunately Veronica Webb’s little darling Molly Blue has already claimed this area, having gained it in a coup against Jermajesty Jackson, earlier this summer. Jermajesty took the defeat rather well…okay…okay so he did demand justice and ranted that his father Jermaine could buy and sell us all. Had he perhaps mentioned his aunt or rather infamous uncle, I might have blinked, but he didn’t. I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN JERMAINE JACKSON.
While picking up the toy arena at naptime I came across a soggy piece of paper entitled “The Manifesto of the Infant Queen”. Reading through it (yes I do read baby scrawl.) I realized that our little Hazel has quite the penmanship for a 10 ½ month old and the mind of maniacal republican (mmmm…that is a bit redundant). I wonder if this is how Bush got started. I knew it was Hazel by the artful pink scrawl at the bottom of the page that double as her signature. Poor Phineas he won’t know what hit him. He did have a good run for a while but unless he and his merry band of babies can come up with a plot to hold on to power, young Phineas can kiss the throne goodbye. A footnote: “Lord Phinny” has not taken to potty training as easily as first thought. It could just be laziness, I’ll have to sit down and speak to him; one on one.
Sweet Apple had her share of issues this week, having to say goodbye to daddy who flew back home to get started on his new tour. While mummy Gwyneth, did the usual round of interviews to promote her new upcoming movie. There seems to be very little “mommy and Apple time” so little Apple has learned the art of tantrum throwing. This includes throwing her body into the legs of every assistant within body throwing range. Unfortunately she tried it on one of our more senior assistants; Ms. Della R. who inadvertently moved just as little Apple was diving to glory. Gwyneth actually took the whole incident pretty well, as she herself has also inadvertently moved during one of sweet Apples most promising performances. Even A list children get no respect.
Young Liam has been with us now for one week. He’s quite the little charmer. I do believe our Coco is crushing on poor Liam, who doesn’t speak a word of sign language. He does seem to fit in with the A list crowd. Although his mother isn’t really an A lister, Liam definitely has the potential to ascend to height of young Maddox, Coco, Milo, Zahara, Aoki Lee, Ming Lee, Dylan Jagger and the others that frequent Phi Phi’s. I figure a few more field trips through the gauntlet of Paparazzi and young Liam will be licking his tongue out with the best of them.
Maddox and Zahara only stopped by to pick up Zahara’s favorite Paris Latsis embroidered blanket. Maddox was once again riding the left hip of ‘La Jolie’, while his sister hung out on her new daddy’s shoulder. Ahhh they are a cute little family to be. But alas while ‘La Jolie’ is orking on the set of her new movie this week, two of our most famous members will be spending the week with Brad-dad…Braddy or daddy as Maddox now calls his mother’s soon-to-be confirmed boyfriend or at the rate Ange and Brad are going…husband. Ange seemed pretty happy considering the letter of “Warning” she almost received from her tabloid nemesis Jen. Brad also looked pretty dashingly divorced with his new dark do and his now ever present paternal smile. You’d think that having kids was the highlight of his life. Who knew? I wonder why he’s never had any of his own. Oh right! His ex did’t want any…or is it that she wanted kids but he had checked out of the marriage...missing a sensitivity chip…OH what the h…does any of that crap mean? It’s all “Friends” lingo for “I just didn’t want any kids, but I don’t want my fans to know I lied about wanting them all along.” I have got to remember to order my ‘Team Jolie’ bomber jacket before fall.
Holding Zahara and her bottle with one hand, he reached over to straighten Madd’s Old Navy fishing hat. Ahhh….so cute. BLEH! I think I liked them better when they were sneaking around. All this up front and honest behavior is setting the world of the Paparazzi Spy Cam back. With the favored blanket in hand the group disappeared into the ocean of Paparazzi that hounds the steps of Phi Phi’s at all times.
That reminds me:
It’s time to release the pigeons again.
Signing off.
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