| |
“The film’s sure to be a hit,” Corey said. “Seems like everything you touch is magic, Hugh. Gabrielle, are you excited about starring in your first major film role?”
“Love you,” a man shouted at her.
“How can I not be excited?” Gabrielle waved at the man. “I’m a big fan of Hugh’s movies, so it’s amazing to be in one. It feels like it isn’t real.”
“We all know you’re famous for looking good,” Corey said. “And, you don’t disappoint. Doesn’t this woman look fabulous, guys?”
The audience exploded.
“Gabrielle, you mind sharing about the film and the characters?”
“Certainly.” She smiled. “The film is about a CIA agent who is tricked by his ex-friend turned assassin into stealing a microchip.”
“Wow.” Corey whistled. “Who do you and Dash play?”
“I play Lorna, the rogue government spy who has been hired to get the microchip from Rex played by Dash. Rex refuses to give the microchip to Lorna once he realizes how valuable it is. Throughout the movie we go through seductive cat and mouse games and sparks fly along with bombs going off and exploding buildings.”
“Woo,” the audience replied.
“There’s a scene where Rex has to fight the ex-friend on top of a flying plane,” Gabrielle said. “Just reading it in the script blew me away so I can’t wait to see how Hugh pulls it off during filming.”
Hugh grinned.
“That sounds fantastic.” Corey tapped Gabrielle’s hand. “Do you find acting harder than modeling?”
Gabrielle crossed her legs. “It’s all about being comfortable in front of the camera.”
“She’s got that covered.” Hugh smiled.
“Acting is harder because this is new territory for me, and I respect the profession,” Gabrielle said. “I had no idea all it took to make a movie until this opportunity.”
“We wanna know about the sex scenes, don’t we?” Corey instigated the audience’s craziness. “How about those sex scenes, Gabrielle?”
“There will be sex.” She cleared her throat as the audience whistled. “It’s definitely steamy.”
Hugh smirked.
“It’s hard enough doing a sex scene,” Corey said. “How do you prepare for that as a first time actress?”
“Hugh has been patient with me.” Gabrielle smiled.
Corey mumbled, “I bet he has.”
The audience hooted.
“Corey.” Hugh pointed at him, grinning. “Stop being bad.”
“Oh, honey you ain’t seen bad yet.” He guffawed. “Stay on this stage long enough and you’ll see bad. What about those sex scenes, Gabrielle?”
“It’ll be different to experience, but Hugh and Ian have done all they can to make me comfortable. They’ve gotten me coaches and I’m doing exercises—”
“Sex exercises?” Corey mocked.
The audience chanted Corey’s name.
“Really there isn’t anything sexy about filming a sex scene.” Gabrielle shrugged. “The trick is making it appear sexy even though it’s awkward. When you do a sex scene, there are tons of people around watching. It’s scary when you think about it.”
“Dash, this isn’t your first movie by a long shot,” Corey said. “You’re not one to shy away from a hot sex scene.”
Women hollered.
“As a seasoned actor and Hollywood’s biggest heartthrob, do you find sex scenes awkward?”
Dash threw a seductive glance at the audience. “No.”
They whistled and laughed.
“I’m kidding.” He grinned. “Gabrielle’s right. It’s hard to make something appear sexy when you got men with cameras starring up your butt.” He pulled at his ear. “But, the result is always worth it. Plus, it helps to be attracted to your co-star and being with a woman as beautiful as Gabrielle makes it much, much easier.”
“Ooh,” the audience teased.
Gabrielle dropped her head, smirking. “Thanks Dash for making me more uncomfortable.”
The audience laughed.
“How’s it working with HuMac, Dash?” Corey crossed his legs. “Is he as hard to handle as people say?”
“I can handle him,” the busty blonde with the shaky tits, shouted.
Gabrielle glared at her.
“HuMac is a character,” Dash said. “He’s an alpha male, and I’m an alpha male so you know how that goes. We butt heads and will continue to, but I respect him. I love his movies, and I’m excited to work with him.”
Hugh smiled. “Appreciate that, man. Glad to have you on board.”
“Gabrielle?” Corey raised an eyebrow. “What’s it like working with Hugh so far?”
“What can I say? I see why he is so successful. He knows how to make a film come alive.” She looked at him.
“Well.” Corey looked at the audience. “I guess it’s easy to work for a director so attractive. Or is it?”
“Oh,” the audience taunted.
“I couldn’t have asked for anyone better for the part of Lorna than Gabrielle,” Hugh said. “She’s brought such life to the project already. She’s going to do a great job and you guys are gonna be impressed by her when the movie comes out.”
Corey smiled. “Gabrielle, does that makes you feel good to hear Hugh say that?”
“Yes, it does.” Her cheeks got hot.
“Let’s stop playing around here.” Corey jumped up, snapping fingers. “The media are a buzz with you two. Hugh, you and Sierra Delfino broke up and within days, you were with Gabrielle. We want you to spill the tea. Don’t we, guys?”
“Spill the tea,” the audience shouted, jumping. “Spill the tea! Spill the tea!”
“Why did you and Sierra break up?” Corey asked Hugh. “People have speculated, but no one knows the truth.”
“It was mutual.” He smiled, emoting confidence. “Sierra and I are still cool with each other.”
“Hm.” Corey squinted. “Would the breakup have anything to do with Sierra’s shenanigans?”
“What shenanigans?” Hugh asked.
“We heard she had a run in with a reporter at Ian’s birthday bash? Is this true?”
“No,” Dash said. “One of the reporters was being a jerk to her, but she didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Hm.” Corey tapped his chin. “We all know how Sierra is, don’t we?”
“Yes,” the audience shouted.
“The girl can’t stay out of trouble to save her life.” Corey stepped back, twisting. “So sad. How do you go from being the hottest actress to well...her?”
The audience laughed.
“It should be a crime.” Corey mocked. “If you looked up the word pathetic in the dictionary, Sierra’s face would be right there.”
“Hey,” Dash said. “That’s uncalled for, Corey.”
A low “ooh” traveled amongst the audience.
“Uncalled for?” Corey asked. “I don’t think so. Everything that’s come to Sierra’s way, she deserves. How many DUIs have to fall on your head before you get your life straight?”
“She’s gotten her life straight.” Venom rose in Dash’s voice. “She completed rehab and is sober.”
“So she says.” Corey rolled his eyes. “But, how many times has Sierra been in and out of rehab? I’d have to use everyone’s fingers in here to count.”
The audience laughed.
“That’s not fair,” Dash responded. “Sierra has a sickness. Alcoholism isn’t anything to make fun of.”
“Oh, boo hoo.” Corey batted his eyes. “I’m supposed to feel sorry for Sierra who has more money than most in the world will ever see because she can’t stay off the bottle?”
“Sierra isn’t the only one up here who can’t stay off the bottle,” Dash said. “Heard you popped pills back in the day, Corey.”
The audience jumped up, roaring.
“Hey, I never hid it.” Corey walked around, neck wiggling. “I popped pills in the nineties, but I wasn’t acting a fool like Sierra.”
“Didn’t you invite us here to talk about Fatal Honor?” Dash asked.
“Who peed in your cereal, Dash?” Corey walked into the audience.
“Dash is right,” Gabrielle said. “Sierra’s not here to defend herself.”
“When you had Sierra on the show you were kissing her feet,” Dash said. “Now you’re dissing her?”
“Okay, I’ll leave Sierra alone for now.” Corey displayed a devious smile. “You seeing anyone, Dash? Oh, I forgot you don’t like the media in your business.”
The audience booed.
“Hugh, and Gabrielle, is it fair to say you’re a couple?”
“It’s fair to say.” Hugh kissed her hand.
“Awe,” the audience cooed.
“Thought you don’t date the women you work with during filming,” Corey said.
“What can I say?” Hugh shrugged. “Rules are made to be broken.”
“That’s right, Hugh,” a man screamed. “Fine as she is I’d break that rule too!”
The audience cackled.
“Gabrielle, I love you!” A young, light-skinned black man with shoulder-length dreads and faded blue jeans, stood up with roses.
“I saw this guy in the parking lot.” Corey walked toward the man in the fifth row. “He says he’s your biggest fan. State your name, sir.”
“Oh my god.” He giggled. “Gabrielle, I love you so much. My name’s Lou.”
“Lou,” the audience mimicked.
“He’s a fox isn’t he, girls?” Corey asked, and the women whistled. “Lou, you told my producer you have a special request?”
“Yes.” He wiggled his shoulders, standing erect. “I love you, Gabrielle.”
“How many times he’s gonna say that?” Hugh mumbled.
Gabrielle nudged him, enjoying his jealousy.
Lou waved the roses. “Eh, my request is if I could give you these roses and have a hug?”
Hugh sat up, tapping his foot.
The audience whooped.
“Well.” Corey stuck out his fat neck. “I don’t know if we should allow it. Should I trust him, audience?”
“Yes,” the audience screamed.
Corey pointed to Gabrielle. “Gabrielle, are you willing to make this young man’s dreams come true?”
“I’m very flattered, Lou. I appreciate all my fans.”
Corey dipped his head, batting his eyes. “But can he have the hug?”
“Sure.” She shrugged.
Hugh glared at her.
“Oh my god.” Lou hopped in place. “I can’t believe this.”
The audience chanted Lou’s name as he ran to the stage.
“Okay, hold on baby boy.” Corey pulled Lou back when he got to Gabrielle.
Two security guards approached the stage.
“Now you’re gonna just hug her right?” Corey asked Lou.
“Yeah...yeah.” Lou perspired, rocking.
Gabrielle stood. “Hi, Lou.”
“God.” He wobbled, eyes glazing over. “I love you so much, Gabrielle.” He put his arms around her, dipped her, and planted his big wet lips over hers.