Accidental Meeting (Accidental Hook-Up 3)

The affair ended in an illegitimate pregnancy with a man Saffron’s father declared too unsuitable for her. She didn’t want to lose him but neither of them were given a chance. They had to do what was told of them. The only stipulation my father had was that he could raise the child rather than the baby going into the care system. A decision that he deems himself as the best thing he has ever done. If he didn’t care, I don’t know where my life would be now. It’s strange to think of to be honest.

Anyway, he was given the chance to raise me and also given hush money to keep my existence quiet. Money that has given me my life. Dad only ever used it on me… so I guess he isn’t all bad.

My dad has never found love again. I don’t think he’s ever let go. My mother was married once, to a man I’m sure was deemed ‘suitable’ for her, but it didn’t last long. I always cling to the notion that they are still looking for one another, and that one day they will be reunited at long last.

Or maybe that’s just me being a crazy romantic, who the hell knows?

“Okay, so what’s happened? I don’t understand.”

“She’s been kidnapped and there is a huge ransom out on her. It’s one Lord Robert Jones can pay, but he has a suspicion that this has happened because of me. You and I actually, and I say I have to agree.”

“You do?” I don’t like the way that makes me feel. “Why?”

“I think there’s a member of a rival gang that might know about what happened and this could be a message. There has been a lot of rivalry over turf recently that’s been getting nastier.”

“Nasty enough for this? That seems a bit much, Dad.”

“I know.” He hangs his head low and shakes it. “I didn’t ever want Saffron to be involved in my life. I have kept far away from her on purpose, much as it’s killed me, but now it’s happened anyway.”

“How certain are you about this?”

“Certain enough.”

“So, what are you planning to do?” I demand. “You must be doing something. We can’t just leave her.”

“I know, Son, and that’s why you’re here. We need to save her together.”

All my issues fly out the window, my personal life vanishes into nothingness, and I focus on the task at hand. Mom hasn’t ever needed me before as far as I know, but now she does. This might be my chance to finally meet her face to face at last, if I play my cards right.

“I’m in,” I declare with a head nod. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter Seventeen – Tia

I sit in my dressing room with my eyes running over the newspaper, my heart bleeding at the details of the news story written in front of me. I might not know whoever this Lady Saffron Jones is but I still feel bad for her. She’s been kidnapped, no one knows where she is, and it sucks. It must be absolutely terrifying for her. I can’t even begin to imagine. I might be a very different person to her, I haven’t ever had wealth, but at the basis of it we’re still human. I know that I wouldn’t like it and I’m sure she doesn’t either.

“Are you ready, Tia?” one of the stage hands asks me. “The director wants to see you.”

Uh oh. I slam the newspaper down as fear bolts through me. I thought I was finished with filming scenes for the day, I was only sticking around until I could be bothered to call a cab, but now it seems like I might have more.

This acting malarkey is awesome, it’s everything that I want in life, but it’s difficult too. It’s harder in LA, more is expected of me. It’s great, I do want to push myself as far as I can go, but it’s a challenge. It’s a little knock on my confidence too. I keep thinking I might not be as good as I want to be.

But I’m still surviving… only just but it’s enough,

“Er, yeah sure I’m coming.” I bolt up from my chair. “Is everything okay?”

I have loved playing Maria, I’m so grateful for the opportunity, but I’m looking for something new now.

“I don’t know; I haven’t been told anything. But I’m sure it’s fine.”

I follow behind until we reach the director’s office where I’m left to face the music alone. I nervously knock on the door before I step inside to see his head bent over a desk. His focus is purely on the piece of paper in front of him. I can’t help but wonder if I have come at a bad time. But then I remember that he asked for me.

“You wanted to see me?” I say quietly, still feeling bad for disturbing the peace.