By:
Mary ILP
Part
One
Layla Callen walked to the dumpseter carrying the
bag of
trash...Her long blond hair falling over her face as she walked
slowly...as if the world was caving in around her.She fliped the bag
of trash up and flung it hard into the tall green dumpster....The bag
of trash was like her life she thought....not worth haveing.Layla
walked slowly back to the restaurant not looking up....she reached
into the pocket of her mini skirt,standered issue for coaktail
waitress's,she pulled out the pack of cigarettes and lit one.She
leaned aginst the cool brick of the building as she took a long
drag.The change in the pocket of her mini skirt jiggled a nights worth
of tips was what it contained.....six years now in L.A. and nothing
but a cocktail waitress,maybe it was time for her to hang it up,she
thought as she looked up at the full moon.A cool breeze blew over her
as she took one last drag off of her smoke before throwing it to the
ground and crushing it with tip of her high heeled pumps.Layla steped
back into the back door of the kitchen.Bus boys and dishwasher watched
her as she walked through the kitchen....all of them young boys.Layla
knew she turned heads after all she had thought she could at one time
make it here in Hollywood.Layla rolled her eyes.......that seemed like
nothing more then a pipe dream.Layla walked into the dimly lit dining
area of the restaurant.Her boss was sitting at the small bar area
counting out the money as she walked past."I'm out of here
Lou...."Layla called with a wave of her hand."Twenty five,twenty
six.....good night."Lou called not missing a beat as he added the
money he counted.Layla sighed as she walked out the front door of the
high class restaurant.....Layla had met more famous people then she
could count sense she had started working there.Most of them were
totale jerks .Layla shook her head....Regrets her life was filled with
them as she made her way down the sidewalk.She had nothing to show for
her life.She was thrity years old cocktail waitress who was divorced
twice and unhappy.....God was she unhappy.Nothing had ever gone right
in her whole life.Everynight was the same for Layla she would walk
home feeling so dama sorry for herself.Layla rounded the last block
and came to her small upstairs apartment.Layla sliped her black pumps
off and headed up the short flight of stairs.Her apartment was nothing
but broken dreams....Dreams of becomeing an actress that had seemed to
have fallen apart like a paper airplane trying to fly in the
wind.Layla sighed as she switched on the light.....She looked around
and shook her head.No one to come home to but her cat,Star.....The cat
meowed loudly as he ran to greet her wanting to be fed.Layla knelt
down and pated the cat's gray fur."You love me...."she said
soflty.The
cat took off running to the small kitchen adjoined to the tiny living
room.Layla shook her head....yeah you love me as long as I have
food,she thought with a small laugh.Layla followed the cat into the
kitchen.......
"How about Ray's cocktail bar and restaurant?"Doc asked as Gene
typed something on the computer key board."Whatever..."Gene said with
wave of his hand.He never let his eyes leave the screen as he answered
his fans letters on his site.Doc shook his head....What a work
aloic,Doc thought.Paul pointed the remote control at the tv and fliped
through the channels.They had been talking all afternoon about the up
coming tour of Australia it looked like they would all be tired and
hungry."Paul what about you?"Doc asked."WE can order in....Ya
know I'm
not much for going out."Paul said as he became engrossed in the
Learning channel.Doc shook his head."Come on.....we'vw been cooped up
in here long enough.....Lets get something to eat.My treat."Doc said
trying to get the two men moving.Gene turned around from the
computer."Well if your buying...."Gene said with a lsugh.Paul fliped
the tv off."Well you've twisted my arm...."Paul said with a soft
chuckle as he got up from the sofa.
The night hadent gone well at all....Layla sighed as she placed the
drink in front of the well dressed buisness man."Thanks baby
girl...."the man said as he looked away from his converstion with the
man next to him.Layla wanted to scream....he had sent the drink back
twice....She waited for him to look at the drink as she stood
there.....As always he waited for her to walk away before he called
her back....."Hey little lady....could you bring us some snacks from
the bar?"he asked in a condasending voice that made Layla want to
throw the drink in his face."Sure...."Layla said as she put a fake
smile on....She did after all have to be nice...nice got tips.Layla
walked to the bar an sat her tray down......She sighed as she picked
up a bowel of beer nuts."Layla.....drinks for table six!"the
bartender
said as he placed the drinks in front of her.Layla nodded with a
silent answer.Layla placed the dirnks on the tray along with beer
nuts.....She steadied the heavy tray and began to make her way through
the busy bar.....Layla snaked her way along the tables an old pro at
this.......The man bumped her just a small bump as he turned in her
path.....an accident....the tray teetered slightly as Layla recovered
her balence,only to be bumped by another man.....this time though
Layla was unable to recover the tray.Anger flashed in her blue eyes as
she watched the tray fall to the floor......People turned to look at
the sound of tray crashing to the floor.Layla bit her tounge trying
not swear as she stood there looking at the mess.The wealthy waved it
all away in there minds as they went back to there deals and
drinks.The man who had caused all of it looked at the poor
waitress......"I'm so sorry this was my fault...."the man said in
slight New York accent.Layla wasent looking at the man.....she knew
her blue eyes would tell him how pissed off she was......The last
thing she needed was to get one of these spoiled rich people
upset.After six years you learned to stroke the rich and famous's
ego....nothing was ever there fault.Layla knelt down and began to pick
up the mess as a one of the waiter from the resturant side hurried
over to help.....Layla and the waiter worked in silnce picking up beer
nuts and broken glass....Layla laid it all back on the tray avoiding
eye contact with the waiter.....Layla picked up the tray and steadied
herself...."Thanks...."she mummbeled to the waiter as she held the
tray."Hey it was my fault.....I'm sorry again."the man said.Layla
looked up to see the man was not a waiter but the man who had bumped
into her.Layla knew she must look like she was in shock as she looked
at the dark haired man standing there....his dark eyes were
laughing."Your....Your Paul Stanley..."Layla said in a bit of
shock.Paul chuckled "Yes....I'am....and I'm a klutz too."he
said.Layla
laughed at his comment as she moved out of the way so one of the
disheashers could sop up the spilled drinks."Its ok....You didnet have
to help me clean it up."Layla said still in surprise that someone who
was as famous as he would help a cocktail waitress clean up spilled
drinks and beer nuts."Hey....I bumped into you....You should have made
me clean the whole thing up."he said with a chuckle.Layla smiled at
him."Well theres a change."she said with a laugh....how many spilled
drinks in the last six years and not one person had ever helped clean
them up?"Hey Stanley....our tables ready!"Paul turned when he heard
his friends calling him from the bars door way.He turned and was gone
before Layla had a chance to say a word......
Gene streached as he stood up from the table...."Awww, man that
was good!"he commented as Doc and Paul pushed back there
chairs."Yes....I love this place."Doc said as he placed his charge
card back in his wallet.Paul looked towards the bar as he scooted in
his chair."I think I left my jacket in the bar."Paul said as he began
to walk to the bar area."You dident wear your jacket."Gene said
shaking his head.Paul nodded as he looked at Gene."Yes,I did.....I
remember wearing it and puting it on the bar stool next to me while we
were waiting for a table."Paul said."No you dident...."Gene
said.Doc
rolled his eyes at the two men as they went back and forth about the
jacket.A rock an roll marrige in every sense of the word.....Doc
thought as he chuckled to himself."Come on....I'm tired and Shannan an
the kids are going to think I got lost."Gene said.Paul shrugged his
shoulders as he began to follow Doc and Gene to the door.
All that was heard was the hum of the vacum cleaner.Layla pushed bar
stools to the side as she guided the vacum....She yawened as she
switched the machine off and bagen to roll the cord up.....Her eye
caught the black leather jacket strung over one of the bar
stools.Layla stood up from her kneeling postion and reached for the
jacket....The feel of soft leather greeted her touch.....the rich and
the famous....a nice coat that was for sure.Layla lost her thoughts in
the coat as she held it in her hands.....How much would it cost to own
a jacket like this she wondered?.....Her mind wandering as the other
cocktail waitress cleaned up the bar area.......the bartenders clink
of glassess was far away from Layla's daydream....Did it cost your
soal...or was it only money.Did you have to be cold an heartless to
own beautiful things....or were there some nice people in this world
who made it big and were able to own a beautiful leather jacket like
the one she held in her hands."Layla some of us would like to get the
hell out of here tonight!"one of waitress shouted from across the
bar.Layla laughed at her silly daydream."Sorry....lost my train of
thought."Layla shouted as she pitched the coat over the bar
stool....she would take it to the lost and found box in the restaurant
before she went home.......
Layla steped out into the cool L.A air.She was still a little mad
as she walked down the sidewalk.She turned when the car slowed down
and stoped next to her.She began to walk a little faster fearing it
might be trouble....."Can I give you a lift?"Paul asked.Layla relaxed
at hearing his voice...at least it wasent some nut job."No....I'm
fine."Layla said as she continued to walk.Paul pulled the car slowly
along keeping up with her as she walked."Did I make you miss your
ride?"Paul asked,he was feeling very guilty about making her wait for
him.Layla stoepd walking and turned to look at him.Paul stoped the
car."No....I dident miss my ride...You see I'm not rich....I don't own
a car.I walk to and from work every day.I don't own a leather jacket
either,but if I did I'd keep better track of it because I would only
own one of them.I don't even own a house....I live in a small
apartment with my cat.You see ....not everyone is rich....And news
flash money doesent fix everything!"Layla said as she looked into the
car at him.Paul whinced at her angry tone."Look lady....I'm trying to
be nice here.....I'm really sorry if I offended you by trying to give
you some money for staying to hold the jacket for me."Paul said in a
controled voice.Layla shook her head as she listened to him.....He
really almost sounded hurt more then mad.Layla sighed......She wasent
mad at him she was mad at the world and he had just gotten in the way
of the world."Its alright....I'm sorry....its just that I'm really
wore out."Layla said as she looked inside the car."Then let me give
you a ride home...."Paul offered once more.Layla rolled her
eyes."Sure...what the hell."she said as she reached for the door
handle.Paul smiled as she slid into the seat next to him."By the
way....my name is Paul."Paul said exstending his hand to her.Layla
smiled at him....her blue eye shining as she took his hand in hers."I
know who you are.....My name is Layla....Layla Callen."Layla
said."I'm
glad to meet you,Layla Callen."Paul said.The woman who sat next to him
looked to be in late twenties......her blond hair hung loosly over her
shoulders....Pretty....yet she seemed a little tough....a little
sad...a little angry all of them rolled into one.Paul pulled the car
away from the curb and into the light traffic.
"Turn in right here...."Layla said pointing at the small ally that
ran between her apartment building and another building.Paul nodded as
he pulled in and stoped the car."Thanks...."Layla said as she
adjusted
her purse over her shoulder and reached for the door handle.Paul
dident hear her quick thanks nor did he let her get the car door
open.To Layla surprise he was on the passengers side of the car
opening the car door for her."Here ya go...."Paul said as he held the
door open and looked into the car at her.Layla shook her head.....she
seemed unimpressed by his gentlemanly gesture as she slid out of the
car."Thanks...."she mumbeled as she began to walk away.Paul sighed as
he looked at her walking towards the dark building."Let me walk you to
the door...."Paul offered as he walked quickly up to her.Layla rolled
her eyes as she looked at him."I said thanks....Don't you think you
have done enough!"Layla said in a tired voice.The last thing she
needed was some bad boy rock and roll star playing good citizen.Paul
narrowed his eyes at her."Look its really late and its really
dark.....I wouldent feel right letting you walk up those stairs
alone."Paul said.Layla shook her head ,her blond hair flying as she
did so...."I walk home and up those steps six nights a week.....I've
never had anything happen to me!Now go back to your big house and have
a nice life Mr.Stanley....I'll see you the next time you stop in for a
drink and to talk buisness with your manger and partner."Layla said
with ice in her voice.....Bitterness and unhappyness laced her
words.Paul shook his head at the woman......"Boy you have a big chip
on your shoulder....."Paul said it was his turn to be ugly to her.He
had taken all of her snide comments in good stride but now they were
wearing thin.He had gone out of his way trying to show her how sorry
he was for causeing her problems and all she had done was give him
smart remarks.Layla would have loved to have slaped him as he looked
at her in the darkness."How dare you.....You know nothing about
me!"Layla said in loud whisper."No....your right...but in all
fairness
you know nothing about me either!"Paul said smugley.Layla gave him a
side ways glance as if she was mesuring him up.....Paul knew she was
loading up for another insult to hurl at him."I know enough about you
to know that when you say jump you think someone should ask how
high!"Layla said...six years of serving Hollywood jet set was coming
out of Layla as she spat the words at him."Really?Is that what you
think of me.....Or is that what you think of all people who you serve
drinks too?"Paul asked in anger.Layla clenched her jaw as she looked
at him."I'm very tired goodnight."Layla said as she turned to walk up
the small stair case.Paul shook his head."Layla let me tell you
something.....I live alone too.....the only diffrence is I have big
empty house to come home too....So don't think your the only one whose
dreams fell through!"Paul said.Layla turned to look at him....she
gestured towards the sports car that sat in the ally."You have more
money then you know what to do with.....People clammer to be seen with
you....don't try and compare me to you....its like apples and
oranges!"Layla said as she looked at him.Paul walked up the small
flight of steps to stand next to her.She didnet make a move as he
stood next to her.Paul looked into the sky....the sky was a blanket of
stars....."Do you see the stars?"Paul asked softly.Layla nodded as
she
looked over at him."Those same stars shine over my house too......And
I have feelings too....just like you.And you really hurt them
tonight."Paul said softly.Layla was stunned as she watched him make
his way down the steps letting her know this conversation was over......
Layla awoke the next morning alone and cold in her full size bed.She
looked around the small bedroom in bewilderment.When had it all gotten
so bad that she was so mean to a nice man like the one who had went
out of his way trying to be nice to her?Star,meowed loudly as he made
his way to the head of the bed to curl up aginst her chest.Layla
stroked the cat with her hand as she lay back aginst the pillow she
was embarrassed by her behavior last night.Layla sighed as she looked
at the cat who had become of late her only friend."I'm such a
bitch...."she said to the cat as she stroked his gray fur.The cat
purred loudly as she rubbed him...letting her know some how that she
wasent all that bad....Layla laughed softly as she lay in the
bed.....maybe her life needed a change....maybe she should get the
hell out of L.A.
Paul pulled up to his ex wifes house at nine am sharp the next
morning.He sighed as he looked down at the leather jacket that seemed
to have caused so much greif to him and the young waitress the night
before.Paul dident even have a chance to step out of the car,before
Pam was standing on the steps with Evan.Paul stood next to the car and
watched as his ex wife sent his son to him.Evan's eyes shined bright
with love for is father as he ran into his daddy's arms."I missed you
son...."Paul said as he scooped the little boy into his
arms.....breathing in the scent of the little boy as he snuggled close
to him.His son....flesh of his flesh....blood of his blood...a bond
that could never be broken.Paul smiled as his son broke form the
embrace to look at his father."I love you daddy..."Evan said with a
smile.Paul nodded as he gave his son a wink."Me too...Are we ready to
go to New York and see Grandma and Grandpa?"Paul asked.Evan nodded as
Paul sat the little boy on his feet."Call me when you get to New
York..."Pam shouted from the door of the house.Paul nodded no hello,no
how are you doing.....almost two years now and Paul still hadent
gotten over the coldness that seemed to be the norm for he and his ex
wife.They had both been mad for so long neither one could remember
what it was that they were mad at to start with.Evan was already at
the passenger side of the car as Paul turned to walk to the car.Paul
slid behind the wheel of the car.Evan smiled up at his father as he
buckled the his seat belt."You wore the jacket!"Evan said happily as
he reached over to touch the soft leather.Paul grined at his son "You
bet I did!Remember I told you I would wear on our trip to New
York."Paul said giving his son a wink......
TWO WEEKS LATER
Layla sighed as her feet draged on her way to the bar.She was so
tired of all of it.....Even the warm L.A sunshine made her sick.How
much nice weather can one body take....she thought to herself with
small laugh.Layla stoped breifly in front of the bar....she looked at
her reflection in the large pane of glass.A woman stood there looking
back at her.....a woman that dident remind her of anyone....a woman
that was her.Layla looked at her blond hair hanging loosly over her
shoulders.....Sun beating down on her....small beads of sweat could be
felt trickling down her back as she stood there in her black cocktail
waitress unform.Without much thought she had past through the doors of
this bar everyday for six years....but today a light went on inside of
Layla....Layla dident like the woman she had become.....in fact she
hated her.The pissed off woman who had nothing but a small apartment
and a crapy job.....She nodded as she gave herself a small smile.She
was leaving....she was out of there as soon as possible Layla Callen
would quit her job and move on with her life....She would pick up her
broken dreams of Hollywood and go somewhare else and live her life.
Paul slid into the parked car.....Evan was standing next to his
mother on the porch....his hand went up giving his father a small
wave.Paul tried to smile as he waved back before backing the car down
the drive way.......Paul saw the confustion in his son's eyes
everytime he droped him off.....a week with him, a week with Pam....A
two week vaction in New York to see Grandma and Grandpa....It all
seemed so unfair.If this was hard on him, he couldent imagine what it
was like for Evan.Paul guided the car out onto the road and drove into
the L.A traffic.....Hell of place Hollywood was.....Paul past the fine
homes as he drove....he still was taken back when he thought of the
fact that he owned one of these fine homes.Paul shook his head
bitterly....he could give up,if he could only have one
thing.....Someone who loved him...who loved him for himself and not
for his money or his fame.Someone who loved Stan the cab driver.Paul
chuckled as he thought of his days in New York driving the cab....Hell
he couldent get a woman to look at him then.Maybe fame was the only
way for him to ever feel that kind of love.....He had felt love but
had he really ever had it?
Thankfully the night was coming to a close as Layla gathered the
last of dirty glasses from the small table.She hummed to herself as
she placed the glasses on the tray and walked to the bar.....a few
people were still around the bar area drinking.....Hollywoods youth as
she liked to call them....she had seen alot of them in the six years
of her work as a cocktail waitress they were young kids who's rise to
the top was quick and there descent to the bottom was alway just as
quick....She shook her head as she watched the young men drinking
there drinks and laughing......Enjoy it boys because it won't last
long, Layla thought to herself as she went about her work."Last round
boys...."Lou the bartender said as he sat some drinks in front of the
men....a small cry of protest came from the young men.Layla walked to
the back of the bar to get the vacum and other cleaning things the
girls would need.Debbi one of the other waitress was talking on her
cell phone as Layla gathered the things."I can;t come home right
now....no I still have an hour."Debbi said weakly into her cell
phone.Layla stoped to listen to the converstion.Debbi looked
destressed as she fliped her cell phone shut."Everything ok?"Layla
asked.Debbi shook her head."The baby is sick...."Debbi said in a
helpless voice.Layla sighed as she touched Debbi shoulder."It
alright....you go on home.I can finish things up here."Layla
said.Debbi gave her a weak smile."Are you sure Layla that will leave
you alone cleaning up!"Debbi said."Debbi I can mange...go home and
look after the baby."Layla said.Layla knew how hard it was for Debbi
being a single mother.Debbi nodded as she began to collect her things
from the back room."Your a doll,Layla.....I owe you one."Debbi said
as
she turned to leave.Layla smiled and waved to her.
Layla plugged in the vacum and fliped the switch.....it began to hum
as she pushed the vacum along the deep red rug of the
bar...."Hey!Hey.....Were trying to drink over here!"one of the young
men from the bar shouted as the vacum suddenly stoped running.Layla
looked up in bewilderment as one of the young men began to laugh as he
held up the unplugged cord of the vacum.Lou steped out from behind the
bar....."Alright were closed....Everybody out!"he boomed as he tried
to gather the young famous men to the exit door."Hey we arent done
with our drinks!"one of the men shouted.....Protests and a short
scuffle could be heard as Lou helped the men out the door. Layla
plugged the vacum back into the out let and went about finishing the
cleaning.Lou steped back inside shaking his head....some of these
young actors needed to learn some manners he thought to himself.Lou
walked back to the bar and opened the cash register."Sorry about
that.Layla...."he shouted over the hum of the vacum.Layla nodded as
she want about her work....after all that sort of thing happened all
the time in Hollywood.
Paul drove past the restaurant....Everything was closed and the
windeows were dark....he shook his head as he recalled what had taken
place a few weeks ago with the young waitress....Well now I can't go
back to Ray's anymore he thought with a chuckle.....what a bad ass
rock and roll guy I'am.Paul looked at the clock on the dash board
noteing it would be one o clock before he got home....Gene and his
meetings could go on all night sometimes.....Gene may not need sleep
but he sure could use some.He was also battleing jet lag from his trip
to New York.Even with the windows in car rolled up he heard the woman
scream.....Paul guided the car to the curb and threw it into park.He
threw open the car door just and raced towards the sound of scream
The young actor held Layla's arm and gave it another hard yank."Why
you wanna ruin our party...."the young man sneard as he held
Layla.Layla could smell the alchol on the man's breath as he spoke to
her.....the other young men egged on the young actor as they stood
around them.....without thought of anything but her own saftley Layla
screamed and began to try and pull away from the mans tight grip.The
young man pulled harder on her arm.The small group laughed at her
struggle."Hey we don't want to hurt you we just want to let you know
who we are.....I'm famous I can do what ever I want...."the young man
spat at her.Paul placed his hand on the young mans shoulder.....the
young actor turned to look at what he thought was one of his drinking
buddies."No....You may be famous but you don't have any right to do
what ever you want....."Paul said in a controled voice.The group of
young men all were stunned as they looked at the man."Who the hell are
you?"the young actor said looking at the man who still had his hand on
his shoulder.Paul grined at him in the darkness.....in a cocky voice
Paul said "I'm Paul Stanley of KISS....and I'm here to teach you some
manners...."The crowd broke into laughter as the young actor let go of
Layla's arm.Layla was shaking with fear as she leaned aginst the brick
wall for support."Get out of here old dude....your a has been!"the
actor said with a snicker....Paul smiled at him."Yeah....maybe your
right.Though I prefer the term legend...something you'll never know
whats it like to be."Paul said with a sigh.The young actor stared him
in a drunken daze."Get out of here before me and my friends snap you
in two."the actor said a cold voice.Paul laughed...."Look....I'm not
going to fight you.....ya see I already called the cops...when this
hits tomorrows paper....it won't only be publisty for you....but it
will be a little for the old has been!"Paul said pointing at
himself.The actor and his friends looked at one another as they began
to scatter away from the waitress.The small group broke into a run
turning to look at Paul.Paul gave them a wave and a smile.All that
could be heard was the roar of engines as a sports car sped
away.Without even seeing the dark figures face clearly he knew it was
Layla the cocktail waitress who had been so mean to him.He reached for
her hand."You alrigt?"he asked softly.Layla began to cry as she put
her hands to her face.Paul shook his head....he could think of a
thousand mean things to say to her right now....like bringing up the
fact that she had said she walked home everynight and nothing had ever
happened to her."Come on....I'll give you a ride home....and this time
I'm walking you up the steps."Paul said as she allowed him to lead her
to his car that was parked at the curb.
Layla sat in the passengers seat of the car staring out the
window...she couldent even look her hero in the eye.The car moved
slowly down the street.Paul knew just whare to go as he pulled into
the small ally between her apartment building.Layla made no move to
get out of the car as Paul opened his door.Layla sigh as he opened the
car door for her.He dident speak to her as he watched her get out of
the car.He only gave her a small smile as he took her arm.He could see
that she was still shaken by what had taken place."You alright?"he
asked as he guided her towards the dark stair case.Layla nodded as he
walked along side of her,she dident even realize she was cluching his
arm as they walked up the steps.They came to the door and Layla
fummbeled in her hand bag for the keys."You need a porch
light...."Paul said as he watched her bring her hand out of the bag
with the silver keys.Layla nodded she still dident want to speak to
him....she was still afraid her voice would betray herself and he
waould know how scared she really was.Layla placed the key in the door
and it slowly swung open.Layla swollowed over her fear as best she
could found her voice."Thanks....I mean thanks for saveing me....I
mean it."she stummbled over the words hopeing she dident sound like a
smart ass, witch she knew she had a tendency to do.Paul smiled at her
as she flicked on a light bathing the landing outside the door in
sliver of warm light."Your welcome....its a good thing I was driving
by."Paul said hopeing he dident sound to cockey.Layla smiled at
him."Yeah.....anyway...thats never happened before....thanks
again."Layla said.Paul nodded as he turned to
leave."Goodnight...."he
said with a wave of his hand.Layla watched him walking down the dark
stair case."Hey..."she called.Paul turned to look up the dark stair
case.Her blond hair was falling over her shoulder as he looked up at
her."I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry about the other night......I
really miss judged you."Layla said.Paul grined at her from his spot on
the step....he could tell she was the kind of woman who wasent used to
saying she was sorry."Its all forgotten.....Don't worry about
it."Paul
said.Layla nodded as he turned to make his way back down the
steps."How about some coffee?I mean if its not to late?"Layla
said.....after all it was the least she could do for the guy he had
saved her from the hollywood bad boys.Paul turned around slowly to
look at her."What the hell....coffee sounds great."Paul said
forgetting about how tired he was.Layla smiled as he climbed the stairs.
Paul
sat at the small kitchen table in the corner of the cozy
kitchen....he watched as Layla placed the coffee grounds in the coffee
maker."I'm sure this in nothing like what your used too..."Layla said
in a soft voice.Paul shook hie head as looked at her back......Did she
really think he had been rich for so long that he had forgotten what
it was like to struggle to make a living."Its a very nice
apartment."Paul said.Layla turned around from the counter to look at
him.He was sitting at her small kitchen table like he was right at
home....Star the cat was crunching his cat food from his dish in the
corner......"The coffee will be ready in a second."she said as she
moved to sit down across from him.Paul nodded as she sat down."So how
long have you lived in L.A.?"he asked trying to make some kind of
small talk."Long enough!"Layla said as she reached into her pocket
and
pulled out a smoke and lit it.Paul chuckled at her crack.Layla inhaled
the smoke and exhaled as she stared at him.Her eyes were those of a
woman whose every dream had been steped on a thrown away."But in real
time I've been here around ten years.....married twice,divorced twice
and now just a cocktail waitress at Rays bar and restaurant....and
you?"she asked as she flicked her ashes into a small ash tray on the
table."Well sense about 89 or 90....I really can't remember..."Paul
said with a laugh.Layla nodded "I remember.....I remember my first day
in this place.....I was gonna be a star."Layla said with a bitter
laugh.Paul nodded as he looked at her.He could tell she just wanted to
talk....he some how found himself wanting to listen......what was it
like when your dreams dident come true....He was one of the lucky ones
he had made it.....He would never know the bitterness of failure."I
pounded the streets of L.A. trying to get bit parts in soap oprea,sit
coms....commercials....hell I would of done anything..."Layla said
shaking her head as she crushed out her cigarette.Paul nodded leting
her know he was still listening.Layla stood up and walked over to the
coffee maker......Paul's eyes never left her as she poured the coffee
into two mugs."My career as you might have gussed, by now never got of
the ground....."she said with a smile as she handed him the coffee
mug."Why did you give up?"Paul asked.Layla slid into the seat across
from him....she looked deep in thought as she took a sip of her
coffee....that was a good quistion....why had she given up
trying?Layla sat the mug down and looked at Star who now sat in the
corner of the kitchen curled up watching them."Because....I really
don't know.....But to tell you the truth after being around the rich
and famous for all this time....I don't think I would have fit in.I'm
not that cold and heartless."Layla said as she thought of all the
things she had seen happen in the bar in the past six years she had
worked there.Paul reached across the table and cuped his hand over
her's."We arent all like that you know....."Paul said.Layla snaped
her
head up to look at him.....For the first time she really looked at
him.His eyes were dark and sleeply.....it was almost as if he could
see right into her mind,as if what ever she said he already knew."Your
right....you are a very nice man....and like I said I'm so sorry about
the other night."she said.Paul nodded as he looked at her."You know
you should keep trying....you know to make it as an actress...don't
give up on a dream."Paul said in a soft voice.Layla smiled at him a
real smile."What were you before you were a rock star...or a
legend?"she said with a small laugh.Paul chuckled as he shook his head
"A cabbie in New York...I also worked in a deli."Paul said.Layla
nodded "Do you remember what it was like?"she asked as she shifted a
bit in her chair.Paul laughed as he thought back to a time so long
ago....yet it really dident seem that long ago."Yeah...I remember very
well what it was like."he said.Layla laughed her good humer turning
bitter as she stared at him."And there's no way in hell you would go
back to that life is there?"she said.Paul let out a soft
sigh......"No,I guess not,but I wouldent give up on my dream if I had
too."he said.Layla nodded as she looked at her coffee
mug."Well....maybe some things just arent meant to be."Layla said
sadly.Paul reached over and touched her shoulder....she dident shrink
from his touch.She looked up at him.His eyes were dark and soulful as
she looked at him......Paul moved closer as there faces tilted
slowly.....there lips met in soft gentle kiss as Paul wraped his arms
around her holding her close......in that kiss Layla lost
herself...lost herself in a dream she had thought had died long
ago....A kiss that seemed to make all the bitterness of what she
thought was a wasted life sliped away as she felt his tongue demanding
entrance into her mouth.....
Paul held her in his arms as she went limp aginst him....giving
into her feelings of surrender."Do you want me?"he asked softly.She
could feel his warm breath in her ear as he spoke.Layla in a voice
soft and sweet was only able to sigh "yes" Paul guided her in his
arms
to stand up.The two made there way from the kitchen and into the small
living room....there arms wraped around each other as they crossed
into the small bedroom.Layla closed her eyes as there lips met once
more in a warm wet kiss of passion.Layla looked into his dark eyes as
he slowly unziped the zipper at the back of her short cocktail
skirt....what was she doing she didnet even know this man? Without a
second thought gave herself to him.....the skirt fell to the floor as
Paul's hands rested on her hips.....She smiled at him as she shook her
mane of blond hair.....Paul had a slight smile on his face as he
gently eased her back on the full size bed.......She lay looking up at
him as he taced his hands over her hips and thighs.She closed her eyes
as she enjoyed his touch....it had been so long sense she had let her
gaurd down.....a soft cry escaped her lips as he found his mark once
more.....his teeth nibbled gently at her trembling lips......His hands
tangeled in the blouse she wore as he peeled the fabric from her
body....."I want you....."he whispered into her neck as he trailed
kisses down to her chest.....she was still as he worked his magic on
her body....bringing forth crys of plessure she had long thought she
had forgotten.The silk bra she wore was soon on the floor next to her
other clothes as Paul traced his tonuge around her nipples.....sucking
and holding her close, loveing her the way a woman needs to be
loved......Her eyes were tightly closed as Paul peeled her silk
panties away......He looked down at her as she lay there....her body
was as beautiful as she was......Her face was that of peace as he
kissed her once more.He kissed her cheeks,her eye lids,her
lips.....taking his time he inched his lips down her body followed by
his hands....warm and inviting he lost himself in her smooth skin and
her sweet sceent......"Touch me....."he choked out.Layla nodded as
she
opened her eyes to look at him....his lips were still trailing
pleasure over her skin as he spoke.....Layla reached out with
trembleng hands.She ran her hands over his shirt...sliping them inside
she felt his soft chest hair curl around her fingers.......She felt
the beating of his heart as she rested her hands on his chest.Paul
pulled his hands from her as he sat up.....she helped him unbutton his
shirt....as she looked into his eyes.....dark eyes filled with desire
as he threw the shirt to the floor......."Come to me....."Layla said
as she wraped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a heated
kiss....his body entwined with her's as he held her close....she felt
the softness of his chest hair aginst her breast.Layla's hands roamed
down to brush aginst the bulge that was now straining at the fabric of
his jeans.A moan came from deep in Paul's throat at the feel of her
hands as she undid his jeans.....Paul stood up breifly to peel them
away....he was back in her arms in a matter of seconds as if he
couldent bear any length of time from her touch.....There hands
entwined as they looked into one another eyes....skin to skin, now
they lay on the full size bed......Layla arched her back as he entered
her.....a need became forfilled as he moved inside of her......a need
as simple as sex or was it more?Layla moved slowly with him as he took
his time bringing pleasure to every corner of her body.A dull feeling
in her heart was now replaced by hope .Hope that some how
maybe,someday.....she could feel love and have her cold heart warm
once more.The two released there passion together with a loud cry in
the dark room.Paul and Layla lay in one anothers arms....without
figting the sleep that over took them in the small bedroom,the two
fell asleep....a dreamless sleep....why should they dream when ones
dreams were broken and the others had all come true in some ways......
Layla awoke almost feeling as if she had dreamed what had taken
place.She streached as Star slowly made his way to the head of the
bed.She smiled to herself as she saw the imprint of whare he had laid
next to her....proof she hadent dreamed him up.....She felt her face
flush as she wondered whare he had gone....most likly had sliped out
of bed and went home.....nothing more then a one night stand.Layla
sighed as she pated Star on the head before reaching for her robe.She
had had her share of one nights stands in her time......she smiled as
she made her way to the bathroom.She turned on the water as she hummed
to herself thinking she was alone.....She striped off her robe and
hung it on the back of the door.....The water poured over her body as
a shiver went down her spine as she recalled how he had touched
her.....that was just what she needed a one night stand with a man to
forget her troubles for awhile.She giggled to herself as she reached
for the shampoo bottle.....she let out a small yelp of surprise as the
shower curtin was thrown open......"Whats so funny?"Paul asked as he
stood there looking at her."You?I thought you had left!"Layla
stammered in shock as she looked down at her nude body....for some
reason standing there fully nude in front of him embarrassed her.Paul
chuckled as he looked at her."No....I made us breakfast or
brunch...sense its past noon.Anyway hurry up before the eggs get
cold."he said smiling at her.Layla could only nod as she looked at him
standing there in nothing but his jeans and holding a steaming coffee
mug.Paul turned and left her alone to finish her shower.
Layla steped out of the bedroom to the sounds of Santana coming from
the small stero in the living room......the smell of eggs and pancakes
met her senses.Paul smiled as he motioned her to the kitchen....."I
scrambeled the eggs......"he said as she tied the bathrobe she wore a
little tighter around her wasit.Paul dident seem the least bit
embarrassed by the night they had spent together.He poured her a cup
of coffee and sat the plate of eggs and pancakes in front of her.He
slid into the chair across from her and stabed at his eggs with a
fork......"You don't have much food.....you need to go to the
store.....maybe we can do that after breakfast."he said as he
swollowed his bite of egg.Layla looked at him as he sat there talking
to her about what they would be doing today...."What?"Layla asked in
her old familuer smart alac tone.Paul held his fork midair as he
looked at her."I said maybe we should go get some food after we
eat."Paul said."Look Paul.....what happened,happened.....there is no
we!"she said as she pushed the plate away.Layla stood up and walked
into the living room she pushed the stop button on the small
stero......Paul walked into the living room."I just thought we could
be friends.....I'm sorry."he said softly as he looked at her
back.Layla licked her lips as a hardness covered her heart an old
hardness that would never be chiped away she feared.She dident turn to
look at him as he made his way across the living room and into the
bedroom.He came out carrying his boots....his shirt still unbuttoned
as she made his way to the front door of the apartment."I'm sorry once
more if I did anything to offend you."he said softly.Layla watched
from her spot next to the stero as he placed his hand on the door
handle."We are from two diffrent worlds Paul.....Go back to your big
house and super models......I'll go back to laying down drinks for the
rich and famous."she said softly.Paul kept his eyes on the door as he
stood there listening to her small speech."Whatever Layla....have a
good life."Paul said as he opened the door and left her standing
there.Layla waited till she heard his footsteps on the stairs before
she went to the window to watch him leave......She saw him get into
his sports car......He looked up at her standing in the window and
gave her samll wave.........
END of PART 1