Chapter 43

Los Angeles. Vin’s and Luna’s house. Black Star.

“So, you told Luna everything.” Val said, arching a brow.

“And now I’m sleeping in the guestroom.” Vin sighed hard, sipping from his beer.

“Be glad she didn’t ask for a divorce.” Val replied, taking a seat on the couch.

Vin snorted. “Well, thank you, now I feel much better.” The sarcasm was heavy in his voice and Vin didn’t even bother to hide it.

As soon as they were back from New York, Luna asked Vin to move in to the guestroom and she had been leaving him out in the cold since then.

Vin had reluctantly agreed because he knew that he deserved it, but as a direct consequence he had been jerking himself off for five days, thinking about Luna sleeping naked in their bed. Vin didn’t like it one damn bit but he had no other choice; he knew full well that if he pushed Luna just a little that she would throw him out of Black Star and that wasn’t happening.

“At least Luna still talks to you, man. She has been avoiding us since we got back from New York.” Val said, frowning deeply. “And it’s not that I blame her at all, but I’ve never seen Renee so upset before.” He added sadly as a heavy sigh passed his lips.

Vin screwed his face up. “I’m sorry, man. This is my fault entirely.” He sighed, rubbing his neck. “I should have known better than to mess with her. Luna is not going to get over all this shit that easily.”

Val chuckled sadly. “You’re telling me, bro. I’m gonna marry in less than a week and Renee is crying her eyes out because she doesn’t even know if Luna will be her bridesmaid anymore.”

Vin winced, cursing himself silently. He was now realizing what a terrible fuckup he had made, dragging his best friends into his own shit and now Luna was mad with all of them.

“Where is she anyway?” Val asked, sipping from his beer.

“She went to talk with Marcela.” Vin answered, causing Val to arch his brows at once.

“Oh, shit.” Val whispered under his breath.

“Yeah, Luna wants to make sure that Marcela won’t mess with her in the future.” Vin explained.

“Do you think that’s a good idea, Vin?” Val asked, concern in his voice. “Marcela is not a woman to mess with, man.”

Vin shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m not sure, Val, but what the fuck can I do? I’m lucky because she hasn’t cut off my balls yet.” Vin answered, pulling out a cigarette. “If Luna wants to show Marcela her limits, fine with me. I’m not going to get in Luna’s way again.” He paused and lit it up, taking a deep puff. “I’ve been playing five against one for almost a week and I want to make love to my wife again before I’m too old to get a hard on, man.”

———————

Los Angeles. Marcela’s office. (at the same time)

“You look stunning, Luna.” Marcela said as she hugged Luna, kissing her cheek.

Luna narrowed her eyes but smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Marcela.” She replied, not adding anything else.

Luna wasn’t so sure anymore that this had been a good idea but she desperately needed to grab a hold of her life again.

This caused Marcela to frown a little but Vin’s agent returned the smile, releasing Luna. Marcela’s guts were screaming at her. This wasn’t a courtesy visit at all. So she got ready for anything, suspecting in advance the reasons why Luna was here.

“Well, how’s everything?” Marcela asked as she returned to her seat, gesturing for Luna to take a seat as well.

“Everything is fine.” Luna replied, getting comfortable at the other side of Marcela’s desk.

At Luna’s reply, Marcela almost rolled her eyes. Good thing Luna didn’t want to become an actress because her gaze reflected every single emotion she was feeling at that very moment.

Marcela smiled almost condescendingly. There was a time when she was like Luna. Back then she learnt the lesson well. Luna reminded Marcela too much of herself when she was Luna’s age. Too naïve to survive among the heartless motherfuckers that populated Hollywood.

Luna cleared her throat and this caused Marcela to return her full attention to her. Here we go, Marcela said silently, staring at Luna’s eyes.

“Listen Marcela, I’m not going to beat about the bush. So I’ll be honest with you.”

First rule, Luna, honesty won’t lead you any place in this business, Marcela replied silently. Then she knit a brow and reclined slightly in her seat, pulling out a cigarillo.

“Is there any problem I should know about?” Marcela asked, lighting it up.

Luna chuckled.

“As a matter of fact, yes, there’s one problem we should talk about.” Luna replied, taking a deep breath. “I don’t want you poking your nose into my life again, Marcela. I know you’re Vin’s agent, but that fact doesn’t give you the right to say shit about any other matter apart from those directly related to his career, such as his future projects and stuff like that.”

Luna paused for a second and Marcela narrowed her eyes, taking a deep puff of her cigarillo. Second rule, Luna, you never reveal your weakness to your enemies, ever, Marcela replied silently one more time.

However Marcela had no other choice but to give Luna credit; Vin’s wife certainly had a set of balls there. Too bad that she was dealing with this delicate matter using the wrong strategy.

“Stay out of my marriage and my business, Marcela. I mean it.” Luna added firmly.

Marcela arched her brows at once. There, one ultimatum. Big, big mistake, Luna, Marcela retorted silently, feeling her blood pressure rising fast.

She couldn’t believe this fourth rate writer had come to her office to mark her territory like a bitch in heat, telling her how to deal with her own business. Marcela didn’t like where this conversation was heading one damn bit but she couldn’t stop the pang of guilt she felt and cursed herself silently for it.

Marcela knew that Luna had gone through a living hell since she crossed paths with Vin and suspected that the eating disorder was just the tip of the iceberg. Not even Marcela felt like digging, afraid of what she might find underneath anymore. Some things were better left alone.

However, she also knew Vin was a very lucky bastard for having a woman like Luna at his side, even though Marcela doubted that Vin was aware of that fact.

Men like Vin and Richard, her ex-husband, never knew what they had until they lost it and they sure as hell never appreciated the unconditional support their wives were showing to them either.

Unfortunately, and as much as Marcela liked Luna and how similar both women were deep down, Marcela couldn’t let Vin’s wife get away with this. It would have been read as a sign of weakness, a fact that would have given Luna an advantage over Marcela that she couldn’t afford, and she wouldn’t tolerate it. She wouldn’t let her guilt blind her resolution.

Marcela chuckled coldly. It was the time to give Luna her first lesson about how to deal with someone like herself. She was going to have to show this little bitch her real place in this game.

“Listen to me and pay attention, missy…”

“Mrs. Vincent.” Luna snapped coldly, causing Marcela to blink.

It had been easier than Marcela thought at the beginning. Marcela wasn’t sure if she was mad with Luna for coming to face her or with Vin for allowing Luna to do that.

“I’m Luna Vincent, Marcela, you better remember that.” She added without leaving room to complain.

Marcela clenched her jaw tightly, putting her cigarillo out. She had made up her mind; she was pissed off with Vin.

He should have known better than to let Luna face Marcela without even telling her in advance what was going to happen. However, Marcela wouldn’t have been surprised if Luna didn’t tell Vin what she was going to say or how. It was pretty clear to the older woman that Luna didn’t take the time to think twice about this move.

“And you better remember that you are also married to Vin Diesel.” Marcela retorted, meeting Luna’s gaze.

“And what is that shit supposed to mean?” Luna narrowed her eyes slightly.

Marcela chuckled coldly, pulling out another cigarillo. Luna was married to Vin but she had no damn clue about who she married at all. Marcela knew him longer and better because she had been the one pulling Vin Diesel out of every single mess he had gotten himself into over the years and she also knew what Vin was capable of.

“That shit means that now you’re under the spotlights too, dear, just like Vin Diesel. This is not one of your stories, Luna, this is the real world and Vin tends to forget that he has duties that must be fulfilled.” Marcela paused to light up her cigarillo and then continued. “He’s famous because he’s an action movie star but also because his private life has been a mess for years. And that undeniable fact has affected his career, depriving him of access to roles that would mean his definitive success.”

Marcela explained as she blew the smoke.

“Vin needs the money of a very rich, very powerful sector of the business to shoot ‘Hannibal’ and whether you like it or not, he needs me and my connections to make a reality of his ultimate dream. And I am the one who can make that possible. Not you, Mrs. Vincent, because Vin Diesel needs to have all those men whose lives are role models to follow on his side.”

“Are you talking about those same men who are fucking minors at private parties?” Luna retorted sharply. “The ones who pretend to be perfect husbands, fathers and partners in business, but they are cheating their wives, raping their own daughters and fooling everybody?”

“Exactly!” Marcela retorted, raising her voice slightly. “Those guys might be a bunch of motherfuckers without scruples or conscience, but they have immaculate lives under the spotlights. They never made a headline talking about their dirty habits. There aren’t pictures of them showing them wasted or high. Not even one. And that’s the reason why they have the power and the rest of us are dancing at the rhythm they are playing.” Marcela paused, chuckling. “And that include you too, Mrs. Vincent.” She added sarcastically.

“If you think for a minute that I’m going to let you make decisions about our lives as if we are your marionettes you’re fucking wrong, Marcela.” Luna stated as serious as a heart attack.

“No, Luna, you are the one who is fucking wrong, dear.” Marcela replied, staring at Luna’s eyes. “You may be his wife, but I’m still his agent and no matter what pretty lies you tell yourself, Mark Vincent doesn’t exist anymore because Vin Diesel killed him.” She hissed, her eyes flashing unrestrained anger. “And Vin Diesel is as much a heartless, selfish bastard as everybody else around, if not more so.”

Luna’s eyes widened completely as she closed her hands in fists, fighting back the urge to slap the shit out of Marcela Hopkins.

She was now realizing that she had made a terrible mistake coming here to talk with Marcela. She should have known better than to let her anger led her actions. Allison was damn right, this was like a suicide. But now it was too late to move backward.

“There are at least a dozen agents in this city of shit but I’m his only wife, Marcela.” Luna whispered coldly. “And you should know that no matter how famous or powerful a man can be, he never makes a decision without talking first with his wife.”

Not even were the words out of her mouth but Luna cursed herself silently. That was the biggest piece of stinky bullshit she had said in all her life. Luna knew it and what it was worse, Marcela knew it too.

Vin hadn’t asked her shit at all before and Luna seriously doubted that he would change in the future. But it was said now and it was too late. Another huge mistake.

At Luna’s words Marcela snorted.

“Keep telling yourself that and you may end up believing it, Luna.” She replied, in a mocking tone of voice. “Vin loves you, I’m sure of that, but he also loves his precious career and when the time comes, Vin Diesel will be the one making decisions and not Mark Vincent.”

“I will not let you manipulate him like if he’s a damn puppet.” Luna hissed.

“You don’t get it, Luna. This is not about me or even you. This is about his career and what’s best for him.” Marcela replied, smiling condescendingly. “You don’t have a clue how things work here, do you?”

“I know Vin is a fucking great actor, Marcela, and that’s the only thing that matters to me.” Luna replied firmly. “He will end up having success because he’s one of the best even if he hasn’t have the chance to prove that fact.”

Marcela rolled her eyes. “And who gives a damn about that? Nobody cares if he’s good or not. This is business, Luna, and the only thing that matters is who has the biggest set of balls.” She said, chuckling. “Actors and actresses get roles because they do as they’re told and not because they do what they want. They are all puppets. That is how Hollywood works, dear, and you better get a grip damn fast or your life will end up being a living hell.”

Luna gasped aloud, her eyes smoldering with anger and pain. She had no doubt that Marcela would be able to do that without thinking twice.

“I’m older, wiser and more dangerous than you can imagine, little Luna, and if you dare to fuck with me, I’ll destroy Vin and then I’ll find a way to make your husband believe it was entirely your fault.” Marcela threatened Luna.

Luna swallowed hard, barely restraining herself and slowly she got to her feet. It was the time to lower her head, gathering what little pride Marcela had left her with. Luna assumed that she had been defeated and it has been entirely her own fault.

“We’re not done, Marcela.” Luna whispered in disgust, her voice shaking with rage.

In response Marcela rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Close the door on your way out, dear.” She dismissed Luna and with that returned her attention to the folders spread all over her desk.

Luna gritted her teeth and turned around just to stop dead on her trucks when Marcela spoke again.

“And if you know what’s best for you, you will keep your mouth shut and you will pretend this conversation never took place.”

Luna shut her eyes tightly for a second; cursing under her breath and without saying anything in return she exited Marcela’s office, leaving the door wide open. Luna knew without a trace of doubt that she had just made a very dangerous and powerful enemy. She suspected that Marcela would destroy Vin using every single despicable trick she could come up without a second thought.

Luna let out a string of obscenities under her breath and hurried her steps. She would have loved to keep punishing Vin but after her conversation with his agent, she knew that she didn’t have that luxury anymore.

The only advantage she had over Marcela was the fact that Vin loved her and trusted her and that should be enough to keep that old bitch at bay, at least until she could figure out how to face Marcela.

As soon as Luna crossed the door of her office, Marcela jumped to her feet and started pacing like an animal caged.

Marcela knew that she had won this battle but she also knew the war had just started. Luna meant it when she had said that they weren’t done and Marcela had no doubt that Luna would stand up to her again. And if Luna was anything like herself she would be ready when that time came. Luna wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Marcela knew that Vin loved his wife more than air to breath and he would do anything Luna said because he trusted her without reservations or doubts.

Marcela narrowed her eyes as she kept pacing, thinking about Vin.

Vin had fucked up big time with Luna and he would follow his wife’s lead, at least for a while and until he was sure she trust him again. Marcela couldn’t help it but a sad smile graced her lips.

There was a time when Richard was unable to choose a tie without asking Marcela for her opinion.

Shaking her head, Marcela snapped back to the here and now. Those days had gone ages ago and now things were completely different.

Marcela sighed hard as she thought carefully about her next step. She needed to find a way to get rid of Luna and soon, before it was too late. She had invested countless hours in Vin’s career and she wasn’t going to let that damn scriptwriter destroy her work just for the hell of it.

———————-

Luna let out a heavy sigh as she glanced at her chrono and then she dialed Allison’s cell phone number. Two tones and Allison answered the call.

“Hi, sugar, how you doing?” Allison’s happy voice sounded through the line causing Luna to smile just hearing it. It was almost infectious. However her smile died on her lips in one second flat.

“I went to see Marcela.” Luna said and winced in anticipation of her agent’s reply.

Allison screwed up her face and sighed hard.

“Tell me something, Luna. Why the hell did you ask for my advice if you’re going to ignore me?” Allison asked, closing the door of her small office to have some privacy.

Luna let out a heavy sigh and looked down at her lap.

“I…I just wanted to show that old bitch where the limits are.” She whispered, closing her eyes for a second in a lame attempt to block Marcela’s words from echoing within her mind. “Oh, Allison, I fucked up big time.” Luna whined, chewing her lower lip.

“Damn right you did, sugar.” Allison replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. “What did that old witch say?” She asked as she took a pen and started drawing on a piece of paper.

Luna took a deep breath and repeated Marcela’s words and threats to Allison, not leaving any detail out. All the while Allison heard Luna; she kept drawing circles and stars, cursing silently from time to time.

She was going to have to show Luna some tricks to deal with people like Marcela, otherwise those guys from Hollywood would eat Luna alive, spitting her remains out before two months tops.

When Luna was done, she was on the verge of tears and her heart was pounding wildly within her chest. Good thing that she had parked the Mercedes in a parking lot where there was no one around to see her.

“What am I going to do now, Allison?” Luna asked, shaking with the force that she was using in restraining her tears. She knew that if she started crying she wouldn’t stop and later Vin would ask her what was going on as soon as he glanced at her red puffed eyes.

“Ok, first things first.” Allison sighed hard and cleared her throat. “Vin’s punishment ends tonight. I suggest that you bring back the Goddess of Blowjobs and you better make sure that she performs like never before, sugar.” Allison said, smiling even though she wasn’t kidding. “A man like Vin will follow his dick wherever it drives him. So you make sure his dick follows your pussy and only yours because if my instinct is right, Marcela will use Vin’s weakness against you and we both know what will happen then, okay?”

Allison paused for a couple of seconds, waiting for Luna’s reply.

“Okay.” Luna breathed, frowning deeply.

Luna knew that Vin loved her but she also knew that Vin loved to flirt too much. She didn’t want to think about Vin cheating on her but that was a risk she didn’t want to run at all. If she had to swallow her pride, she would do it.

“Good.” Allison said firmly and then she frowned a little. “I guess you know you declared war with Marcela so you need to know without doubts which troops you can count on.” She added, playing with the pen between her fingers. “How’s everything with Renee and Val?” Allison asked.

Luna winced.

“I’ve been ignoring them since we got back from New York.” She whispered, biting her lower lip, ashamed of her irrational behavior all of a sudden.

Allison sighed hard. “Oh, Luna, but why? They are your friends, they both love you.” She said, concern in her voice.

“I know,” Luna whispered, swallowing forcefully. “It’s just that I didn’t know what to tell them after I found about how they had been helping Vin with his lies and secrets.”

“Aw, sugar, you know they are in a very delicate position; they were caught in the middle and that’s not easy shit to deal with, Luna.” Allison reasoned with Luna. “Val is Vin’s bodyguard and Renee is his personal assistant. Technically speaking, they are his employees but they are also his best friends and yours too! You cannot blame them for doing the best they thought they could do.”

“I know that, Allison but I was so pissed off. How would you feel if you found that everybody you trusted had been hiding things from you?” Luna replied, blinking away her blurry vision. “It was already fucking hard to deal with this entirely new situation, and now I’m not even sure who I can trust anymore.” She whispered in a strangled voice, taking a ragged breath. “I’m fucking alone, Allison.”

Luna couldn’t stop her tears that started to spill silently.

Allison felt her heart clenching painfully, hearing Luna crying at the other side of the line, and all of a sudden she found herself fighting back her own tears.

She knew full well what it was to feel that you were alone with nobody at your side to lean on. And Luna was miles away from her country and all that had been familiar to her.

Now, Luna had found from one day to another married with a famous actor and under the spotlights without even enough time to digest the fast succession of events that had been taking place over the last months.

“Luna… You’re not alone, sugar.” Allison whispered, clearing her throat. “I’m here for you whenever you need me and you already know you can count on me even if we are miles away.” She added, cleaning her own tears.

Luna couldn’t force her voice out because an invisible knot was closing her throat completely and nodded ‘yes’ even though she knew that Allison couldn’t see her.

“It’s time to make amends, sugar.” Allison said softly. “You told me once that Renee and you had agreed you both wouldn’t let anything get in the way of your friendship. So call her and talk with her because I don’t think for a minute that Renee knew about half of it and she still kept the secret.” She explained calmly. “And I suspect that she must be wondering what’s going to happen from now on, Luna.”

Luna swallowed hard past the lump in her throat. “I love Renee and Valentino, Allison.” She rasped out in a shaky voice, feeling her heart beating faster.

“I know that, sugar.” Allison said firmly.

“And I love you too.” Luna added making sure Allison knew she was saying the truth. Allison did and smiled widely.

“I already know that, Luna, and I love you too.” She replied with equal determination causing both of them to smile through their tears.

Both women went silent for a few seconds, each of them lost in their own thoughts until Luna spoke again.

“What should I do now, Allison?” She asked, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.

Allison took a deep breath.

“Go back to your home, make love to your husband and I’ll see you in a few days when you come to New York for Val’s and Renee’s wedding.” She answered, searching for her agenda.

Luna frowned slightly, thinking about Marcela’s request.

“Allison?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t want more secrets between Vin and I.” Luna whispered, swallowing hard.

Allison let out a heavy sigh. “Listen, Luna, I know that you won’t like one damn bit what I’m going to tell you, but you have no other choice, sugar. At least until we can figure out Marcela’s next move.” Allison paused for a second and then continued. “I know her and I have no doubt that Marcela has already started to scheme her next blow against you. And if Marcela is as twisted as I think she is, then she will make sure you won’t be able to strike one single blow back.”

————-

Val’s and Renee’s place

“This is your fucking fault!” Renee shouted, throwing a glass ashtray at Val’s head.

Val dodged it by mere inches and the ashtray ended up crushed against the wall, shattering into pieces. He cursed Vin silently and sighed hard.

“Come on, mi amor, just calm down, princess.” Val pleaded miserably, taking a step forward. “I’ll speak with Luna and everything will be fine, baby.” He added, taking another step.

Renee grunted, annoyed, her blue eyes completely green were sparkling with pure unrestrained rage.

“Francisco Valentino Morales, if you dare to take one more step I swear I’ll cut off your fucking balls and then I’ll shove them into your lying mouth.” Renee growled, narrowing her eyes, panting hard.

Valentino stopped dead in his tracks; he knew damn well that Renee wasn’t shitting around.

Coño, puto pendejo de mierda, Val cursed Vin silently and wished with everything in him that Luna was giving his best friend half of the shit Renee was giving him right now.

“Renee, mi amor, cálmate, cielo…”

“Stop talking to me in your fucking mother tongue, Valentino!!” Renee yelled, grabbing a small vase, throwing it at him.

Val’s eyes widened completely as he lifted his arm, shielding his head. The vase hit him on his forearm with so much force that it cut his skin. Valentino let out a string of obscenities under his breath and locked eyes with Renee, tightening his jaw hard.

Renee gasped loudly as soon as the cut started to bleed and felt a pang of guilt stabbing her very soul. She opened her mouth to apologize when Valentino turned on his heels, storming out of the bedroom.

Cursing herself silently, Renee followed him but before she could catch him Renee heard the main door slamming closed. She shut her eyes tightly and dropped to the floor, crying aloud.

Valentino had told Renee everything about his suspicions concerning Vin’s and Luna’s wedding and how Vin had asked him to keep the secret. He also told her about the way that Luna had found out everything regarding the HBO contract.

When the meaning of Valentino’s words sunk into her brain, Renee understood the reasons why Luna had been avoiding her since they were back from New York.

It had been Vin’s fault, not Val’s, but Renee was under a lot of stress with their own wedding and she just couldn’t take it anymore.

However, when it rains it pours and they had already been fighting about napkins and tablecloths. Renee couldn’t understand why Val had gone ballistic over such a simple question. She was only asking him which colour he wanted.

Val had rolled his eyes, exasperated because he swore that they all looked like the same colour. He was unable to see the difference between white, floral white and ivory, and what was worse, he honestly didn’t give a damn. He didn’t care about the fucking colour as long as there were napkins and tablecloths. What was with Renee anyway? Most people wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.

So Val had voiced his thoughts aloud and that had been his big mistake because Renee was already mad at him. Then one thing had led to another and before they realized they both were arguing. And if at that point they wouldn’t have had enough, Vin had phoned Renee asking her if she knew where Luna was.

Renee had replied that she didn’t know because, thanks to him, her best friend didn’t talk to her anymore and that if he was so worried why the hell didn’t he phone his own wife to find where the hell she was.

Vin was already mad and more than nervous and had replied that he was paying her to do that stuff and then he had hung up the phone.

Renee had thrown the phone to the floor, cursing, and at that very moment Valentino had entered the room, asking if she had ironed one of his shirts. Next thing Renee was spitting her anger and frustration causing them to start to argue again.

Renee had just curled up in a ball and started to cry louder when the doorbell rang. She got to her feet, rushing to the door thinking that it was Val. He had left so damn fast that he had probably forgotten his keys.

She opened the door, crying her eyes out and found Luna in front of her, crying too. At once they both threw themselves in each other arms, crying and apologizing at the same time.

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