DISTANCE - Author: Elle

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I don’t care who you are
Where you’re from
What you did
As long as you love me


  Chapter 1:

  ‘Remember, from the moment you step on this plane, you’re no longer  . You’re Darla Cain. We’ll try getting a court date soon as possible. This nightmare will be over soon, . I promise’    heared Sergeant Kaprowski’s words in her head over and over again. She was on a plane from Australia to Ireland.
had been witness to a cold blooded murder. A case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. had seen how one of Australia’s most wanted criminals had killed a young man. had run for it, straight to the police. There she found out who the killer was and now .. 48 hours later she was in a witness protection programme. Which sent her on a plane far away from everyone and everything she loved.
The plan was for her to become the personal assistant of some band. It would only be for a short period, but where-ever she went or whatever life would bring her. knew her life would not be the same.

  After one of the longest flights of her life, set foot on Irish ground. Kaprowski had told her an Irish inspector would wait for her and bring her to her new temporary home and life.
It didn’t take long before saw the Irish inspector. In the arrival hall where family and friends were stood waiting for new arrivals, a man dressed as a chauffeur held up a sign that said Ms. Cain.  ‘Miss Cain reporting for duty’ joked as she stood still infront of the chauffeur. ‘Miss Cain’ he gave a small nod. ‘Please, follow me’  nodded.
The chauffeur dressed man didn’t speak untill they were sat in the car. ‘Miss , I am Inspector Moulin. I am now taking you to an apartment which will be your accommodation for as long as you are here. In the apartment lies a brown envelope on a table. In it is all the information you will need to fully become Darla Cain. Read it carefully. There is another envelope which holds the information about the band you’ll work for, only their manager, Mr Walsh knows who you really are and why you are really here. The members of the band only know you‘re Darla Cain from Australia. You‘re new life begins tomorrow, read the information, take a bath and try to relax’
smirked. ‘A million miles away from life as I knew it, being in mortal peril cause one of Australia’s most wanted is hunting for me. Yeah, you try to relax’  ‘I can’t imagine what this does to you Miss , but when it’s all over, when we’ve got that monster behind bars, you’ll be thankful for all of this’ ‘I’ll be thankful when all of this has kept me alive’ softly said, wiping the tears away from the corner of her eyes. This was not the way she had ever expected her life to turn out: on the run for a killer.
    The drive to her new residence wasn’t long, which was thankful for. She was tired and longed for a warm bath and some sleep. Inspector Moulin didn’t stay long.The apartment she had was more luxurious then was used to, but then again this was the apartment Darla Cain was living in, not . She ran a bath for herself and picked up the brown envelope that said  ’Darla Cain’. read all the info about the ’new’ her. Fourty minutes later had put on her pj’s and stepped into bed and in no time fell asleep.

  At 7am the alarm went off on the clock beside ’s head. She got up and like a zombie walked to the bathroom.
It was 8.30am when the doorbell rang, it was Inspector Moulin, coming to take her to work. ‘Morning Ms Cain’  he smiled. ‘Morning’ greeted him. ‘Nervous?’ the inspector asked. ‘Nah, should I be?’ asked. ‘No’ Moulin shook his head and opened the door for her. got in.
Secretly she was nervous, who wouldn’t be nervous when they were about to meet one of the most succesfull bands of the last decade?  Darla, originally known as , was about to meet and work for : Westlife ! Their music wasn’t her cup of tea, was more into rock and heavy metal instead of easy listening music like Westlife or such.

After a fifteen minute drive, the car stopped infront of one of the tallest buildings in Dublin :  Sony/MGM. got out of the car, when Moulin opened the door for her. ‘Here you are Miss Cain. I’ll be here at 5pm to pick you up.’ he tapped his cap and stepped into the car again. swallowed, this was it. Soon as she stepped into that building, she would really be Darla Cain. ‘Go kick some Irish butt’ suddenly she felt an adrenaline kick, raised her head and walked towards the entrance; ready for everything that was to come her way.
walked to the reception. ‘Darla Cain, reporting for duty’ she smiled. Telling herself to find a new way of introducing herself as Darla, as she had used the same line the day before when she met Moulin.
The girl behind the desk smiled. ‘Welcome to Sony/MGM Miss Cain. Mr Walsh is expecting you, I’ll call to tell him you’re coming up. His office is on the 15th floor.’  ‘Thank you’ smiled and went to the lifts.

The doors were about to close when a guy rushed in, a VonDutch cap on his head, dressed in trainer trowsers, a hoody and carrying  a sports bag in his hand. ‘Twelve, please’ he said, breathing heavily, obviously from having run to the lifts. pressed the button.

  When had caught his breath, he focused his attention on the woman that stood in the lift with him. She didn’t seem to notice he was eyeing her up and down, eyes, hair and curves in all the right places. She was beautiful. He let his eyes wonder to the button panel and saw the 12th and 15th floor buttons lit up. This young lady was going up to see Louis. Why? wondered. The lift arrived at the 12th floor and the doors opened. ’Sir, you need to get out now’  said, as the guy who had shared the lift with her didn’t move. ’Oh, right. Bye’ he smiled, his cheeks flashing pink only a bit. thought it was cute and giggled softly. Three floors up, got out of the lift. She didn’t have to search for the office as she was met by a middle aged lady. ‘Hello , I’m Doris Lock, Mr Walsh’s secretary. I’ll take you to his office.’ she smiled friendly and led her to the office. ‘How do you know my real name ?, I thought only Mr. Walsh knew who I really was’ asked. ‘I was the person who picked up when the police called here. Don’t worry , I’m fantastic at keeping secrets, especially when it involves life or death’ Doris winked. ‘Thank you’ said gratefully. ’Here we are’ Doris walked through a door that led to her own ‘office’ and then knocked on a door which said ‘Louis Walsh’.  ‘C’min’  they heared a muffled voice. Doris opened the door. ‘Louis, Miss Cain for you’ she said with a wink. ’Ah yes’ Louis face lit up with a friendly smile and stood up. He stuck out his hand to shake ’s. ’Miss . Welcome to Sony/MGM and welcome to Ireland’  ’Thank you’ smiled.
‘Inspector Moulin has called me yesterday to inform me, that you know that only I know who you really are and why you’re really here’ ’And so does your secretary’ said. ’Indeed. Doris knows too, don’t worry dear. She’s fantastic at keeping secrets. She and my wife were planning my 50th birthday party a few years back and only I thought they were planning my daughters 30th. That’s how good she is with secrets’ Louis smiled. nodded. She felt very comfortable. ’Well the lads are on the 12th floor, they have dance rehearsals today. They’re going on tour in two weeks. I’ll take them to yeh in a minute, but first I’m going to discuss your tasks as their PA with you’ Louis took a list from the pile of documents that lay on his desk.

  It didn’t take Louis long to explain the job she would be doing as Darla Cain and before she knew it, they were in the lifts ascending to the 12th floor where the band was rehearsing their dance routines for the upcoming tour. Louis guided her into the dance studio.
recognized the guy she had been in the lift with earlier. He was singing while performing complicated looking dance steps. His voice sounded fantastic. Light yet so powerfull and strong. She felt a shiver go down her spine.  ‘Patricia’  Louis called over the music. The four men looked round and the woman, called Patricia, walked over to the sound system to turn it off. ‘Lads, there’s someone I’d like to introduce’ Louis gestured for them to come over to them. all of the sudden was struck by shyness and felt herself turning an ugly shade of beetroot red as the four walked over to her. ‘, , , , this is Darla Cain. Your new personal assistant. Darla, these are , , and . Better known as Westlife’ Louis introduced all of them. ‘I saw you in the lift earlier, I was already wondering why you were going up to Louis for. Now I know. Welcome to Westlife world. I’m offered her his hand. ‘ ..YO, Darla’ quickly corrected herself, feeling completely embarrassed at her semi-tough-gangster-like-act. Patricia joined them. ‘Hi Darla, nice to meet you’ she smiled. ‘Thank you, nice to meet you too’
smiled back at her. ‘How about Darla staying here, watch practice and we’ll all go out to lunch at 1pm to welcome her into Westlife world?’ Louis suggested. ‘Sounds good to us. You’re buying Louis’ patted him on the shoulder. Everyone laughed. ‘See you at 12.55 lads’  Louis said, then turned to . ‘Have fun, las’ then left.  sat down at the side of the studio to watch the guys continuing where they left off. If anyone had followed her gaze, they would’ve noticed it kept focusing on .


Chapter 2:

was very impressed by everything she saw. She almost forgot she wasn’t into this kind of music or bands. ’Allright, lads. Lunchbreak’ Priscilla said, when the clock said 1pm. ’Good’ they chorused.
‘Let’s take Darla out to lunch, to welcome her, ok lads?’ asked. ‘Great idea, mate’ smiled. ‘Yeah, let’s go’ and nodded, it was then that she stopped beside them. had on her own decided that the guys probably wanted her to get some lunch for them and so had walked up to them. ‘Hey, so what would you like me to get you?’ she asked.
‘You don’t have to get us anything, we’re taking you out’ smiled brightly. ‘But, I’m your P.A. I’m supposed to get you things’ was confused. ‘Yes, but we’re welcoming you to Westlife world and so WE are taking YOU out to lunch’ lay his arm around her shoulder.
felt a jolt of electricity go down her spine as he touched her. The other three looked at each other as they saw walk away with Darla, grinned and followed.

‘So whatever made you decide to trade the sizzling hot Australian summer, for a freezing Irish winter?’ asked. It was 30 minutes later and they were sat in a cosy luncheonette, not far from the Sony/BMG building. ‘I’m a 25 year old that’s never seen the world. You know the saying the grass is always greener on the other side, that saying goes for me. I wanted to see the world and what better way to do it, then become the P.A. of one of the best selling Irish bands, who just happen to go on a world tour’ shrugged. In her head she patted herself on the shoulder, complimenting herself for having told the lie so convincingly.
The waitress came back with three plates that were filled with delicious looking sandwiches. ‘Right, Chicken Tandoori?’ ‘That’s Darla’s’ said. who was studying the plasticized deserts pamflet didn’t react.
‘Darla.. DARLA’ shook her shoulder. ‘Oh, right. That’s me, I’m Darla.’ looked up and smiled at the waitress ‘Sorry, when I see the word chocolate I tend to drift off’ she joked. The waitress smiled softly and put down the plate. felt lightly embarrassed, truth was she had heard call her Darla, but forgot that she was Darla now. ‘So, choccy chick then?’ asked. ‘Ain’t all we girls?’ asked. ‘She’s got a point. They get choc crazed once a month at least’ shrugged. started laughing. ‘What? It’s true’ frowned. ‘I know, . You’re right. We get choc crazed at least once a month.’ tried hard not to start laughing again. was just another man who couldn’t understand WHY . The waitress came back with the other sandwiches and the five people started their lunch.
‘Thank you lads, that was fantastic’ said as they made their way back to the Sony/BMG building. ‘Our pleasure, Darla’ said. ‘His pleasure, more like’ smirked. To anyone in the world it was obvious had taken a liking to Darla, having known him for more then a decade, , and knew was about to fall madly in love.

‘She’s a nice girl, isn’t she?’ asked, when they were taking off their jackets to begin the afternoon session of their dance rehearsals. ‘Yeah, she’s a nice girl. Funny too’ agreed. ‘Would I come on to strong if I’d ask her out?’ asked. ‘You’ll know when you do’ shrugged. nodded. was right, he’d only know if he’d ask her.

He looked ’s way and smiled, he liked the cartwheel feeling in his belly.

It was 5pm when got up. Moulin would be waiting for her and she didn’t want to keep him waiting long. ‘Right lads, I’ll see you tomorrow’ she said. They were packing their bags, as Priscilla had also decided to call it a day. ‘Yeah, see ye tomorrow Darla’ they smiled.
walked out the building, into the car. ‘How was your first day?’ ‘They are amazing. So talented. I never saw that before’ smiled. ‘What did they make you do?’ ‘Not much, just had to watch them’ sighed. Watching wasn’t so hard to do. None of them were hard on the eyes, but had that extra something that made you want to look at him all the time. ‘You watched them’ ‘Yeah, and I had lunch with ‘em, to celebrate me being their new P.A.’ shrugged. She remembered how ’s arm around her shoulder had had quite an effect on her. ‘Did you have a good day then?’ ‘Yes, I did’ nodded. ‘Good’ Moulin smiled. Right then, ’s mobile phone rang. ‘ ..Darla Cain speaking, how may I help you’ ‘Darla? Hi, it’s me.. ’ she heared him say. ‘Hey . What’s up?’ she asked. ‘I was just wondering. If you would like to go have dinner with me, Friday’ he asked. ‘Dinner? FRIDAY?’ looked at Moulin through the inside mirror. He nodded his head. ‘Yeah, that will be fine’ answered. ‘Really? That’s great. I’ll pick you up at 6pm’ ‘That’ll be fine, . 6pm. Where are you taking me?’ ‘I’m not telling you. You’ll see Friday’ smiled. ‘OK. I can handle that’ said with a ‘play-cool’ voice. ‘See ye tomorrow’ ‘See you tomorrow said and hung up. ‘He didn’t want to tell me where we’d be going’ she directed herself to Moulin. ‘We’ll have people around, .
Besides, no one knows you’re here. I’ve talked to Kaprowski today and he’s got good news. The DA’s almost got the case completed. It won’t be long before the arrest is made. You’ll be back home to your normal life sooner than anyone had expected. You are entitled to a little fun, as long as you don’t expose yourself too much. Secondly please don’t worry none of the members of Westlife are exactly tabloid shark bate. There will be no paparazzi at all’ Moulin smirked. ‘Really ? Not any? Wauw’

was yet again impressed. ‘I’ll see you in the morning, . Have a good night’ Moulin said as he helped her get out the car. ‘Thank you, inspector. Have a good night yourself’ smiled friendly. He nodded, stepped in the car and drove off.

‘What a day, and no one to share it with‘ sighed, when she sat down with a plate of pasta on the sofa. She wasn’t to use the mobile phone for anything else but work. Taking a bite from her dinner, there was a knock on the door. walked to the door, leaving the chain on so there would be at least be a little struggle before her killer would come through the door. ‘You’ve seen to many scary movies’ she sighed. ‘Hey’ A tall slim woman stood infront of her door. ‘this is so stupid, I’m making pancakes for my kids and I forgot to buy syrup. Do you have any?’ she asked. ‘I’ll go check. I’m still unpacking boxes. I’ll be right back’ closed the door and wandered to the kitchen. She had syrup, as she had made pancakes for breakfast that morning. walked back. ‘Here you go’ she smiled, opening the door with the chain on it again. ‘Thank you’ the woman smiled. ‘I’m Caren, by the way. I live across the hall’ ‘Nice to meet you Caren. I’m Darla Cain.’ introduced herself. ‘Welcome to the building Darla. You’ll love it here. Gotta get back to my pancakes. And thanks for the syrup’ ‘No problem. Bye’ smiled and closed the door.
An hour later the doorbell rang again. This time two girls stood infront of the door. ‘Mum says thank you and if you would ever like to come over for anything, then you’re welcome’ the oldest said. ‘Ahhw, thank you. That’s so kind. I will’ watched the two go back home.

Next day, was given a lot more P.A. work to do.
At 5.30pm she closed the door behind her and delivered her feet from evil high heels that made her feet need a foot massage. It was then that the doorbell rang. had forgotten to put the chain on and opened the door. ‘Could you please watch the girls? My babysitter is sick and I’ve got a date’ Caren looked if she was about to cry. ‘Sure. Let them bring a few of their stuff and their sleeping bags, they can spend the night’ smiled. She was no stranger with kids, back home she was favourite aunt to her sisters son and daughter. had been their regular babysitter and she loved to babysit. ‘Ah you’re an angel Darla’ . ‘No problem’.
And with that , had made a new friend.


Chapter 3 :

‘Can you watch the girls Friday, Darla?’ Caren asked the next night. ‘I’m sorry, Caren. I can’t. I’ve got a date myself’ ‘REALLY? How long have you been in Dublin?’ Caren asked exitedly. ‘Only since the weekend. I work with him.’ ‘Ouch, don’t go there Darla. It’ll be really awkward if it doesn’t work out’ ‘It’s one date Caren, I’m not going to marry the guy, besides I won’t be here…’ quickly swallowed the rest of what she wanted to say. ‘You won’t be here.. what?’ Caren looked at her. ‘Nothing. Forget I said that.’ shrugged. Caren knew that there was something Darla was not telling her, but she decided to drop it. Darla wasn’t a bad person and Caren was sure, that when Darla was ready, she’d tell her what she had wanted to say.
‘So, you’re seeing that man from the other night again then?’ asked. ‘Yes, his name is Peter and he’s fantastic. He’s got a son, so he’s got experience raising children. He’s a wonderful man Darla. I think this could be the next it’ ‘The next it?’ asked. ‘There’s no such thing as one it, Darla. What I mean is, there’s no ‘the one’. You find someone who’s right for you at that time and for all the time that you’re together with that person, he or she is the one, but one day you’ll start to get anoyed by the other and it’ll get worse and worse and one day, you’ll wake up beside each other and you don’t even recognize the other and that’s when you realise that person isn’t the one anymore’ Caren explained. was flabbergasted then realised it made sense. ‘That’s a good theory Caren’ she said. ‘It’s not a theory, it’s the truth. The father of the girls was the one until he died. Peter is the first I’d like to give my heart to in a very long time’ smiled softly. If Caren only felt that way in a day or two, then what would happen if she had her date with . He already made her heart skip a beat everytime she caught him looking at her and she felt her stumache do a cartwheel everytime he touched her wether it was accidental or not. ‘And the guy you’re seeing Friday, do you think he could be your first it’ Caren seemed to have read her mind. ‘I don’t know. He could be’ shrugged. ‘He is’ Caren smiled. ‘How do you know?’ ‘The look in your eyes’ ‘What look’ ‘The glazed over look. You’re thinking about him all the time’ Caren grinned. knew it was true. Ever since she had met him, he was constantly on her mind.

The rest of the week flew passed and - who was beginning to get more and more nervous - was happy when Friday evening arrived.
Louis had agreed to let her leave a little early.
The doorbell rang and went to open it. ‘You expecting a burglar?’ smiled through the door. giggled, before she closed the door and let him come in. ‘A young woman alone should be carefull these days’ she explained. agreed. ‘So, where are you taking me?’
asked. ‘I’m taking you to the sofa’ smiled. ‘What do you mean?’ frowned. ‘I took this with me. Hope you like sweet and sour’ held up a bag with a Chinese Sign. ‘I love sweet and sour’ smiled.

felt his stumache flip over when she smiled. He was happy he had chosen to bring the right food for her. ‘What made you decide to spend our date here?’ ‘It’s Friday night, Dublin’s wild and every restaurant I wanted to take you was full.’ ‘So Louis had nothing to do with it?’ asked. ‘Louis, why would he have anything to do with it?’ asked. saw his answer was genuine. ‘What would you like to drink?’ she asked. ‘A coke would do fine, still have to drive’ smiled. went to the kitchen and filled to glasses, then went back.
‘You’re still unpacking then?’ asked. ‘Yes I am, why do you ask?’ shrugged, putting down the two glasses. ‘There are no pictures on the mantelpiece, can’t stare at a little Darla and her family pictures now’ answered. ‘Ah little Darla isn’t that interesting. Weird hair, weird clothes. I had a nickname which was Reckless D. I was a real tomboy, more like a boy then a girl’ fantasized. laughed. ‘Reckless D, huh?’ ‘Yes, how about you?’ asked. ‘Nah, didn’t get a weird nickname. The only nickname I’ve ever had is shook his head. ‘Well if we’re staying and eating in, do you mind if I put on the telly, there’s a good movie on’ took the remote and put on the television while she sat down ‘Fine, what movie?’ ‘Practical magic’ ‘Ah, Nicole Kidman, I love her’ smiled. ‘Really?’ ‘Yes, really. Who’s your favourite actress?’ ‘Sandra Bullock, favourite actor?’ ‘Tom Cruise, yours?’ ‘George Clooney, best movie Nicole ever played in?’ ‘Moulin Rouge’ ‘She died in Moulin Rouge’ ‘Yes, but she dies so nicely. What’s that line again?’ ‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return’ said. ‘That’s right and so true’ smiled. ‘Yes it is. Awesome film, by an awesome director’ ‘Wasn’t he an Australian, the director?’ ‘That’s why I said it. Awesome film, awesome director. Nicole’s from down under too, ye know’ said triumphantly. ‘All the sexy women come from down under’ said, struggling to catch a piece of chicken between his chopsticks. went pink up to her ears. ‘Well Hugh Jackman’s a hottie too and he’s from Aussie land’ ‘He’s in Australia with Nicole’ stated. ‘He is. Another fantastic film’ nodded. ‘Also directed by that guy’ ‘Baz Luhrman’ she said. ‘You know a lot about movies, don’t ye?’ asked. ‘I do. I worked at a video store back home’ said. ‘I thought you worked as a PA for some high person at some company’ stopped eating.

was stumped. ‘Well yeah, but I did work at a video store once’ shrugged. ‘But Australia was released two years ago’ said. ‘I know, but everyone down there knows Baz directed it. He’s the nations pride’ answered. then realised she was right. Baz was a well known Aussie, offcourse the entire continent would know such a thing. ‘I’m sorry Darla. I’m being stupid. Off course everyone there would know such a thing. I don’t even know any Irish directors’ ‘I don’t know many either.
Loads of Americans and then there’s that Swedish guy, Lasse Hallstrom, but he makes art house movies. You might know one, Nicole was in it’ ‘I don’t know, I‘ve seen a few’ ‘Well, I’ll rent it for our next date’ shrugged. ‘Next date?’ grinned. ‘Well, you know, if I decide I want to see you outside of work again’ shrugged.
The damage had already been done, knew he was in and he was over the moon. Darla was fun to hang out with, she was smart, witty and very sexy. liked to watch her talk, well actually he liked to watch her lips. They were full and juicy and he couln’t wait to kiss them.
Practical Magic started, the pair finished their Chinese food and commented from time to time ‘Oeh, I’d love to be that guy’ said as Nicole’s caracter talked about ’Jimmy Angelov’ ‘I’d love to be Nicole. Get me a piece of that Goran Visjnic’ ‘Goran who?’ ‘He’s Kroatian’ ‘I don’t know him’ ‘He was in a Madonna video’ ‘Which one?’ ‘it’s a blueish video, he plays chess with her. Can’t think of the title, though’ ‘Well Madonna’s made a lot of video’s’ ‘Yeah, Westlife hasn’t’ ‘Excuse me?’ crossed his arms. ’Well, not as many as Madonna’ looked at him. ’But we did have 14 number ones to come in straight at number one and Madonna doesn’t have that’ defended himself ’Well Madonna tours the world and you’re only touring the UK, Ireland and Australia’ ’Oh you’re taking that back’ launched himself at her and started tickle torture. couldn’t stand being tickled and started kicking and screaming with laughter. ’Mercy, please, mercy’ she yelled, tears trickling down her cheeks. stopped. ’Do you take back what you said about touring?’ ’YES, I do’ ’Would you like me to kiss you?’ ’Yes, I do’ had said it before it hit her what she had agreed too. She felt her heart pound in her chest. stroked the last tear from her cheek. ’Don’t mind if I do then’ he smiled, leaned in and softly brushed his lips against hers.


Chapter 4:

‘So, got anything planned for tomorrow?’ asked, as they stood in the doorway. was showing out the door. ‘Nothing, except for getting food from the supermarket’ ‘How about me showing you around the city and then we’ll go out to dinner, in a restaurant this time’ he smiled. ‘That sounds fantastic, I’ve been here a week, and I only know how to get to the BMG building. Thanks smiled. ‘Great, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning around 11am?’ ‘Perfect’ nodded. ‘Perfect! See you then’ leaned in to give her a short kiss on the lips. smiled and watched him untill he stepped into the lift. She closed the door behind her, walked back into the lounge and started screaming and jumping for joy, untill there was a knock on the door.

‘What’s wrong, what’s happening?’ Caren stormed in. ‘What do you mean?’ asked. ‘I heared screaming’ Caren turned round. went pink. ‘That was me. I was..erhm.. I was screaming’ she confessed. ‘Why? Was it a burglar?’ Caren looked round ‘Wasn’t a burglar, you still got everything’ she concluded. started laughing ‘Nooo Caren. I was happy, jumping for joy’ ‘Why?’ Caren raised an eyebrow and then the lightbulb went on ‘Your date, how did it go?’. ‘It was fantastic. I’m seeing him again tomorrow’ smiled brightly. ‘Really? That’s fantastic’ Caren hugged her‘I know, buttuh, didn’t you have a date?’ asked. ‘Yeah, I did, but he already went home, ye know, Friday night, babysitter wanted to go clubbin’ so he couldn’t stay late’ Caren explained. ‘Youth now-a-days’ sighed. ‘You should talk, screaming in the middle of the night, giving your neighbour a heart attack’ Caren playfully punched on the shoulder. ‘Well, at least I know who’ll be around first when I scream’ giggled. ‘I got to get back. Have fun tomorrow’ Caren kissed her cheek and left. ‘Thanks, Caren. When you gonna see your guy again?’ ‘Tomorrow, he’s bringing Jimmy, his son’ ‘Wauw, you’re not taking it slow’ ‘Well, we didn’t want to wait any longer.’ Caren shrugged. smiled. ‘I’m happy for you, Caren. I know I just gotten to know you, but you deserve to be this happy’ ‘Thanks, Darla. You do too’ Caren hugged her again. ‘Sleep tight’ ‘Goodnight’ the women said and both closed the door to their apartments.

The next morning was up way to early then was good for you on a day like this day. Today she would be shown around Dublin and she knew that Dublin wasn’t a small insignificant town. Exactly that fact and adding were the reasons that she was up early. found herself singing in the shower and noticed she was floating through the house. She was falling in love and she knew it.
Around ten a.m. there was a knock on the door. opened with the chain on the door and found Moulin standing outside. ‘Morning, ’ he smiled softly. ‘Morning’ said as she opened the door so he could come in. ‘Want some coffee?’ asked. ‘No, I’ll be going home soon, I’ve drank enough coffee’ ‘You were up all night?’ frowned. ‘Yes, cause apparently, someone is being shown around the city today’ Moulin crossed his arms. ‘What has that got to do with you staying up all night?’ frowned, taking a sip from her tea. ‘I needed to put a security team together that follows you throughout the city, .’ Moulin spat. ‘But what’s the use, you said that they were going to make the arrest soon, I’m safe here, aren’t I?’ shrugged. ‘You are, . But you need to be careful non-the-less. We need to know everywhere you go’ ‘Well apparently you do, cause you were up all night putting a steak-out team together’ snorted. Moulin sniggered ‘Caught me’ ‘So, how did you find out. Where’s the microphone?’ asked. She followed Moulin with her gaze, as he walked to the sofa and picked up one of the pillows. ‘ Kelly, say goodmorning to Miss , please’ ‘Goodmorning Miss and may I say good work’ heard a young women’s voice coming out of the pillow. Her jaw dropped to the floor. ‘Thank you Miss Kelly’ she said when regained composure. ‘We tab your phone and there’s a camera in the hallway and in the lounge’ ‘And the bedroom?’ ‘Well some of my men thought that was a good idea, but no. We didn’t put a camera in there’ Moulin assured her. ‘Right, so there’s a team that follows me whereever takes me today’ ‘Yes. I’ve posted men everywhere I think Mr. will take you and there’s an agent following you.’ Moulin informed her. ‘OK’ nodded. ‘Have a good day , you won’t even notice that we’re there’ Moulin smiled. ‘Thank you’ she smiled back at him. ‘It’ll be over soon, . Kaprowski is waiting for the arrest order to get trough and then they are going to pick him up and throw him behind bars. The D.A. over there’s got the case all round up. It’s a possibility you’re going home next week’ ‘That soon? But.. But ..’ ‘But what? It’s great you won’t be stuck here that long isn’t it?’ Moulin asked. wondered if the man opposite her had gone insane. Was he blind? Could he not see that he stood infront of a woman rocketing into love? ‘Yeah it is’ sighed. Moulin was ignorant to her indeed. She felt her heart breaking. She was about to have one of the greatest, most wonderful days of her life, while knowing soon she would have to leave this life behind and even though it wasn’t her life, she was dreading it already. ‘Well, I’m off home. Take care, ’ ‘Yeah, have a good rest and thank you, for everything’ put up a smile as best as she could. ‘no thanks needed, ’ Moulin patted her on the shoulder and left.

At 11 am the doorbell rang again. had put aside the worry in her head. Today was today and she was going to enjoy it. There was a wonderful man who wanted to give her a wonderful day and she was going to make the best of it. When she opened the door beemed at her. ‘Goodmorning, beautiful’ he pulled her close to him and planted a soft kiss on her lips. ‘Goodmorning’ she smiled. ‘You ready?’ ‘Yes, I am’ nodded. ‘Great’ smiled. picked up the purse she had put by the door. Checked if she had everything she needed, then shut the door of the apartment behind her. took her hand in his.
‘So, where we headed first?’ ‘Well, there’s only one place I can take you first. Most important of everything you have to see when in Dublin’ smiled cheekily. ‘Which is?’ looked at him questioning. ‘You’ll see when we get there’ said mysteriously.
‘The Guiness Brewery?’ started laughing. ‘Yes, the Guinness Brewery’ smiled. ‘Ok then’ grinned.

Next stop was Trinity College, it was then noticed the police-men that were stationed by Moulin. ‘Wauw’ sighed when she looked at the pages of ‘Book of Kells’. She wasn’t outspoken religious but she was incredibly overwhelmed when she saw the fragile looking pages, written so long ago. ‘Great isn’t it?’ smiled. ‘Yeah, it’s unbelievable, how something that fragile and delicate can still be here for us to see’ nodded. ‘Well, it’s heavily secured’ said. nodded again. ‘Must be’. took her hand ‘C’mon babe, there’s much more to see’ smiled ‘Where you taking me next?’ ‘Next, we’re going for a walk in the park’ said. While they were on the way to the park, noticed something peculiar : ‘Darla, I think we’re being followed’ ‘Followed?’ swallowed and looked back. ‘See that grey ford car?’ asked. ‘Yeah’ nodded. ‘It was behind us when we left the brewery and it parked a bit away from us when we stopped at Trinity College’ explained. ‘It’s just someone who’s taking a tour around the city, like us . I thought Westlife wasn’t followed around by paparazzi’ sniggered. ‘You’re right Darla, I’m being paranoid. The tabloids never followed us, why would they want to start now?’.

When had parked his car, he went to the back of it. ‘Where you going?’ asked. ‘I’m going ..to get this’ said as he opened the trunk and took out a picnic basket. ‘You made a picnic basket?’ asked. ‘No, I had it made for me, for us’ he smiled. ‘Well, it is a nice day for a picnic’ agreed. ‘My thoughts exactly’ grinned. He took her hand as they set foot towards the entrance of Phoenix Park. felt eyes prick in his back and looked round. The grey Ford stood parked not to far from his own car, it’s driver was talking into a walki talki and had looked away when turned his head. He decided not to want to ruin the moment, but if he was to see this guy again, decided he was going to find out exactly what was going on.


Chapter 5 :

‘Let’s sit here’ said. It was a perfect spot. Wellington Monument was behind them and they had a beautiful view infront of them. Overlooking the rest of the park. ‘Wasn’t that couple over there at Trinity?’ said, as they had sat down on the blanket that he had brought. followed ’s pointed finger and indeed recognized the two. ‘Don’t know , I don’t want to focus on other people in the park. I want to focus on you and me, the romantic picnic you surprised me with this morning and the content of this basket’ she tried to distract him. observed her, then hung his head and sighed. ‘You’re right, you’re right Darla. You’re right.’ he looked up at her. ‘I’m being paranoid and I’m ruining your day. I’m sorry, baby’ leaned towards her and softly brushed his lips against hers. felt butterflies in her belly. ‘Now miss Cain, let’s see what this basket has got to offer us’ smiled and opened one of the lids.
Five minutes later was enjoying an egg salad sandwich, listening to going on about the upcoming tour and how the shows were gonna be amazing. She smiled about his enthusiasm, she found that he loved every part of his job; the singing, the fans, the travelling, the shows, rehearsals. He wasn’t negative on any of it. ‘.. you’re gonna love travelling, Darla’ ’s voice called her back to the reality of that moment’ ‘Travelling?’ asked. ‘Were you listening?’ chuckled. ‘I was, maybe I zoned out for a second. You were talking about travelling’ ‘Yes, I was talking about travelling’ put the basket aside and sat closer to her. ‘London, Cardiff, Glasgow. Hotelrooms with kingsize beds, kingsize baths. I’m sure Louis wouldn’t mind paying for one room less’ smiled as he wrapped his arm around her back ‘Is he letting someone go, kicking out of the band or something?’ giggled as ’s face was only half an inch away from hers. ‘No, I just find it hard to wake up alone in the morning’ he whispered huskily before kissing her softly. allowed to push her on her back. They kissed passionately, till pulled back. ‘I don’t know why, but there’s something about you that just makes me want to stay close to you’ he softly stroked her cheek. blushed. ’So, you want to share a room with me?’ he smiled cheekily. ’I think we should have Louis book two rooms, ’ ’But we’re probably gonna stay in one room anyway, so why would we want to have double costs if we can reduce them?’ straightened up. ’ , I just don’t want to run the risk’ ‘What risk? You like me, I like you. We’re falling in love with each other, Louis probably already knows, I don’t think he’ll mind’ didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t tell him that she wasn’t who he thought she was and that this was the reason why she was against booking one room for the two of them. ‘So, what do you say, one room for the two of us?’ smiled. smiled back ‘OK, one room for the two of us’ she agreed. kissed her deeply and as he moved his kisses to her neck, she opened her eyes and looked at the sky, knowing that they would never sleep in a kingsize hotelbed together.

After quite a make out session on a blanket in a field of green under a sky of blue, they decided it was time to continue ’s guided tour around Dublin. When they left the park, checked for the grey Ford car, it was still there and it’s driver wasn’t in sight. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. ‘What’s wrong?’ asked. ‘Nothing Darla’ smiled and kissed the top of her head. They spent the rest of the afternoon looking around in churches and other buildings thought were not-to-be-missed- when you were visiting or had just come to live in Dublin.
It was while they were on their way to a restaurant when all of the sudden spotted the grey Ford a few cars behind them again. ‘Coincidence. There are hundreds grey Ford cars like this driving around in this city’ he softly said to himself. Still he couldn’t help himself and drove straight past the parking lot of the restaurant where he was taking her. ‘ , weren’t we supposed to be going to that restaurant?’ asked. ‘No parking space’ shrugged, looking in his rear-view mirror. The grey Ford car, was right behind them and the driver was the same as he had seen twice earlier that day. ‘Damn it’ he swore out loud. nearly jumped a mile from her seat. ’What?’ ’That guy is there again, in that car. I’m gonna park the car, when he does the same I’m going to give him a piece of my mind’ spat. He changed lanes and parked on the parking lot of a supermarket.
‘Right’ he said, as the grey Ford did the same thing. ‘Let me talk to him.
You’re far to angry’ undid the car belt and stepped out before she gave a chance to stop her. She looked back to make sure wasn’t following her.

‘What are you doing’ the officer said as she had knocked on the window. ‘He’s getting on to you. He drove here on purpose, he nearly wanted to knock the stuffing out of you. Now, please, go pretend you need to buy some groceries and stop following us. I’m going to make him drive me home and we’re staying there for the rest of the night. Thank you for everything today’ smiled down at the agent. ‘You’re welcome Miss . I thought he was getting suspicious when he looked back while you were walking to the park. I’ll go inside and you won’t see me for the rest of the night.’ ‘Thank you’ smiled.
‘And?’ asked, as stepped back into the passengers seat. ‘You are getting paranoid .’ she said decisively. ’I am not, that guy is totally following us all day’ ’He was not. You just think he was. I talked to him and he doesn’t recognize your car from anywhere or me for that matter, so stop being paranoid and take me home. We’ll order a pizza’ ‘But I promised to take you out to dinner’ sounded disappointed. ‘I don’t mind. I rather just be alone with you then having to sit in a restaurant, having to wait until I can give you some TLC’ tried her most seductive smile and voice and was glad to see it worked. instantly started the car.
An hour later they were sat cuddling on the sofa in ’s apartment. The remains of two pizza’s were seen in a cardboard box which stood on a second one. ‘Did I thank you for today?’ asked. ‘No, no you haven’t’ shook his head. ‘I didn’t?’ raised an eyebrow. ‘No, you really didn’t’ smiled. ‘Oh dear, what to do, what to do, what to do’ said as she sat up and then straddled him.
felt his heartbeat start to race. ‘Thank you for an amazing day’ she smiled then leaned in to give him a soft kiss. She felt her fingers shake when she started to loosen the buttons. Never in her life had seduced a man, she never felt sexy enough to do so, but the man she was with right now, made her feel smart, funny and dead sexy. Soon as felt her hands roam the skin of his chest he went crazy. felt his kiss grow hungry. His hands were at the hem of her top and within seconds he pulled the top over her head. felt as light as a feather when got up from the sofa, her legs wrapped around his waist, he carried her into her bedroom. They made passionate love, both gave and took equally from the other, reaching that ultimate high together. ‘I can’t wait to lay in bed like this every night’ softly said. They lay nestled close together. ‘Me neither’ replied. kissed her bare shoulder ‘See you tomorrow‘. lay awake for most of the night, had fallen asleep quite fast, but mr sandman must’ve missed her by a long shot. Her thoughts couldn’t stop spinning. She was smitten with the man laying next to her. It broke her heart she couldn’t tell who she really was and that in just a few days, everything believed in, was gonna be ripped apart.

‘Wakey, wakey’ she felt a light pressure on her lips. opened her eyes, blinked a few times to adjust to the light and then focused on the head hovering above hers. ‘Morning’ she smiled broadly. ‘Morning gorgeous. Did you sleep well?’ quickly swallowed her ‘eventually’ and instead answered ‘Yes, I slept wonderfully well’ ‘Me too’ smiled and softly kissed her again. ‘I’m gonna prepare breakfast’ said, wrapping herself in ’s shirt. ‘Wauw, I think you should keep it, you make it look better’ he chuckled. ‘I do’ nodded and giggled as she left the room. He listened to the sounds of in the kitchen, hearing her sing lines of Flying without wings, he smiled. Suddenly felt he needed to go to the toilet. Stepping out of bed he searched for his shorts. He found them lying on the floor on top of a folder which said ‘The life of Darla Cain’ . He chuckled, maybe Darla was writing a book or keeping notes about her life with Westlife. His curiosity won from his blather and he opened the folder. had just put bacon and eggs on a plate, when came into the kitchen. ‘What the hell do you call this?’ he threw the folder onto the kitchen counter. ’s breath failed her, looking up she met two livid looking eyes.


Chapter 6:

Her mind spun so fast, felt dizzy. ‘I c-c-can explain’ ‘Save it, I don’t want to hear it’ turned round and went back to the bedroom. He was shaking with anger. ‘ , please listen’ followed him in. ‘Listen to what? More lies?’ he nearly ripped his jeans when he pulled them up. ‘My shirt please‘ he gestured for her to take it off. did and pulled her robe on. ‘ .. Please..’ started, her voice shaky from held back tears. ‘No, YOU listen to me! Stay away from me, stay away from the band. Whoever your working for, tell them to stick it where the sun don’t shine’ he levelled with her. ’I don’t ever want to see your face again’ and with that he left her apartment. sagged onto the ground and cried until the doorbell rang. She dragged herself to the door, rubbing the tears away from her cheeks. ‘Goodmorning..wow’ Moulin jumped a little at the beauty with tearstained cheeks. ‘Not such a goodmorning’ started crying again and threw herself into his arms for support. Moulin was surprised at this and patted her on the back awkwardly. He guessed now was not the right time to tell her the good news.
‘I’m sorry’ blew her nose. It was fifteen minutes later since Moulin had arrived and they were now sitting on the sofa, had explained why he had found her crying. ‘So, Mr knows about your fake identity. This couldn’t have come at a better time’ he smiled. ‘Excuse me?’ looked flabbergasted. ‘They’ve arrested Scazi, you’re going home this afternoon. That’s why I came by. To tell you to pack your bags.’
felt herself being ripped apart. One part of her was glad that all of this was over, she could be herself again, go home and start fresh with her own life. The other part of her felt like crying; leaving meant that she wasn’t able to explain things to , never making amends with him, never to say goodbye to the other lads or Louis and for most she would never be able to love a man like she loved . ‘You OK?’ Moulin asked. ‘Yeah, I’m allright. I got things to pack and to take care of. What time will you be here to pick me up?’ ‘1pm’ ‘Right, better get things started then’ said as she looked at the clock. There were only two hours left. ‘Before I forget to say this. It was a pleasure proctecting you Miss ’ Moulin smiled. ‘Thank you for protecting me, I’ve felt very safe here’ softly smiled. ‘See you in two hours then’ Moulin said and left her apartment.
showered, packed all the clothes she had unpacked back into her suitcase and put everything she had used into other boxes.
Then she decided she needed to say goodbye to Caren. rang the bell of the apartment across the hall. ‘Darla’ Caren smiled. She was wearing her bathrobe. ‘Morning, Caren. I’m stuck out her hand. Caren looked her up and down for a second, then stepped aside. ‘I knew something was up with you’ she smiled. breathed oud deeply and stepped inside.
Thirty minutes later the two women stood at the door again ‘Let me know as soon as you arrive home, OK?’ ‘I’m Down Under Car, you’ll be asleep when I get home’ ‘Oh right. Well let me know anyway’ Caren smiled and hugged her. ‘We’re going to miss you’ she sighed. ‘I’m going to miss you much more’ felt tears well up. Caren hugged her again.
A few blocks away from where he had just left , had just walked into ’s apartment. ‘Now, start again’ said. ‘Darla. She’s not real.’ ‘what do you mean, she walks, she talks, she dresses, off course she’s real’ ‘ . I spent the night with her and this morning. I got dressed this morning and I found something’ ‘You found something?’ looked puzzled. ‘ There was a folder lying on the floor, which said ‘The life of Darla Cain’. I picked it up, thinking she was keeping a diary or something’ ‘You pried into Darla’s diary?’ ‘Her name isn’t Darla. It was all a lie, all made up’ sighed. He felt tears sting behind his eyes.
Darla or whatever her name was, was the first girl in a long time he had opened up for. He had let her in and it hurt. ‘So Darla, isn’t Darla?’ ‘No, she isn’t.’ ‘Then who is she?’ ‘I don’t know and I don’t care’ said strongly. ‘You didn’t give her a chance to explain?’ frowned. ‘Why would I? I love her and then I find out she’s not the girl I think she is’ spat ‘You love her?’ smiled. ‘Not anymore’ shook his head. ‘But you just said you did’ raised a brow. ‘I loved her when I believed her name was Darla’ said angrily. ‘Right, what you mean is that you loved her name?’ asked. ‘No, that is not what I mean. What is so hard to understand. Darla isn’t who she says she is’ got up. ‘And you haven’t given her a chance to explain’ stood up too, looking as angry as was looking at him. It were a few seconds before the two friends sat down again. ‘We need to tell the other two and Louis’ sighed.
‘I’ll call Louis’ grabbed his phone. ‘I’ll call and

took one last look around Darla’s apartment. Her suitcase was packed and stood by the door. Moulin would arrive any moment.
‘Goodbye, luxury. It was wonderful to have met you’ she said. She felt tears creep up again as she looked at the sofa. The spot where she shared her first kiss with . The spot where he had picked her up from the night before and had carried her to the bed, where they had made wonderful passionate love. The spot where the dream had started right before she had been woke up roughly by the alarm clock. The bell rang. opened the door. Moulin smiled at her ‘Are you ready to go?’ ‘I am’ nodded.

‘WHAT?’ and chorused. They, together with Louis had arrived about fifteen minutes before and had just heard that their personal assistant Darla Cain, wasn’t Darla Cain at all. noticed Louis wasn’t shocked by this news. ‘Who is she then? Who does she work for?’ said angrily. ‘Her real name is . A week ago she was witness to a murder committed by one of Australia’s most wanted and most dangerous criminals. The Australian police force sent her here. was to take on the identity of Darla Cain as part of a witness protection program.
Giving her the job of P.A. was very risky, which is why it was decided to make her Westlife’s P.A. You, as you know are a band that isn’t followed by lots of paparazzi, which made it easier for her to stay out of publicity. I was sworn to secrecy. Even had to sign a contract that bound my lips legally.’ Louis spoke. ‘That’s why you advised me to eat at her place’ said softly. ‘Yes’ Louis nodded. ‘And that guy yesterday..’ it seemed a lamp had gone on in ’s head. ‘What guy yesterday?’ mouthed what everyone was thinking. ‘I was being paranoid yesterday. There was a grey Ford car and I saw it all day. Thought it was following us. And there were a few other people that I saw a few times. They were probably security’ put his face in his hands.

‘Did you inform Mr Walsh that you are going home?‘ Moulin asked. ‘No, I haven’t. I thought I couldn’t’ explained. ’Well, I’m not one for doing goodbye’s over the phone, but as there is a plane already waiting for you, there is no other way. I suggest you call him’ Moulin smiled friendly.
nodded and quickly took her phone and dialled him.
Louis’ phone rang loudly in the silence. He looked round as he saw who was calling. ’It’s Darla.. Erhm.. ’ he said. He stood up and quickly answered. ‘Louis. It’s . I’ve got the best news. I’m on my way to the airport. They’ve arrested that killer. I’m going home. Inspector Moulin sprang it on me this morning. I’m sorry to have to let you know this way, but the Australian police already booked me a flight. Guess they’re eager to get this case closed’ ‘Wauw. That’s wonderful . I’m sorry that is has to be this way too. I’m with the lads actually, want me to give a message?’ he asked. for a moment pondered what to say, then sighed. ‘Louis, knows about me. He was with me this morning and he read the folder about Darla Cain. I’m guessing he called all of you to out me. Tell them I’m sorry that it had to be this way and that I’ll never forget this last few days. I had a really good time. And thank you Louis for helping me’ ‘It was an honour miss . I’ll see to it that you’ll get tickets for one of Westlife’s Australian shows’ ‘Thank you Louis. Oh and please say bye to Doris for me?’ said. ‘I will. Good luck and take care’ Louis smiled. ‘Thank you, bye’
After Louis said bye to her, he went back to the lads. ‘And?’ demanded. ‘She’s leaving. They’ve arrested that killer and the Australian police has her booked on a flight back. She told me to tell you that she’s sorry that it turned out like this and that she’ll never forget any of you and that it has been one of the best weeks of her life. She told me to thank you’

‘Mr Moulin. Thank you for everything. I’ve felt very safe’ stuck out her hand to him. ‘Miss , it was a pleasure. I hope you’ll visit Ireland again someday’ ‘I will I think. And with all the respect, I hope I won’t have to see you then’ Moulin chuckled. ‘I hope so too. Have a safe flight’ he smiled. ‘Thank you’ smiled back at him. Then she turned round and gave her boarding pass to the ground flight attendant. looked round once, hoping for something she knew wasn’t going to happen. She sighed and then stepped into the boarding tunnel. ’Goodbye, ’ she whispered.


Chapter 7 :

was quiet as he let it all sink in. Louis had just told him and his friends everything Darla or had wanted to explain to him that morning. ‘You OK, ?’ asked. ‘I just lost the most important thing in my life, Marky, so no. I’m not OK’ sighed. He got up ‘I’m gonna go for a walk or a ride. I need to be alone, OK?’ ‘Take care, mate’ patted him on his shoulder. let a small smile race across his lips, then left ’s apartment. He sighed as he stepped in his car. He looked at the passengers seat, it had only been just a few hours since she had sat there. Now she was gone. He had thrown her out of his life without giving her a chance to explain. Now he would never see her again, cause by the time the band would tour Australia, would probably hate him so much she would never want to see him again. started the engine and sped off, he needed to be alone for a long long while.

The moon shone bright when stepped off the plane in Australia. In the arrival hall she was met by inspector Kaprowski. ‘Welcome home’ he smiled friendly. ‘Thank you’ nodded. ‘I’m taking you to a hotel. The case appears in court in three days’ the inspector informed her. ‘Wauw, does the Australian justice system have nothing to do?’ asked. ‘We’ve been after Scazi for years miss . There’s enough evidence and plenty of witnesses to get him behind bars for the rest of his life. He’s one of Australia’s most wanted criminals, when they are arrested, their court trials are almost the main priority. Besides, you don’t want to be Darla Cain forever do you?’ Kaprowski asked. ‘No. No I don’t.’ shook her head. Darla Cain had ruined her life, never would she want to be her again.

For both and the days passed by in a rush. Neither of them seemed to live in the real world. did her story of what she had seen in court, kept rehearsing to perfect everything for the tour. They got up out of bed in the morning, did the things needed to be done during the day and went to bed again.

It was at the start of June when a blanco envelope with only ’s name lay in her postbox. opened it. It were two tickets to Westlife’s concert in Sydney 7 days later and a backstage pass. She called her best friend who was a major Westlife fan. knew about ’s ‘trip’ to Ireland. ‘There’s a backstage pass, you can have it. I’ll ask Louis if he agrees that I give it to you’ ‘Oh babe. You should keep it yourself. That pass gives you the chance to see him, to talk to him.’ ‘If he wanted to talk to me he had probably already found a way to do so. He hates me . There’s nothing more to say. doesn’t want me’ felt tears in her eyes. It was the first time she had ever spoke her thoughts out loud. heared the stuttered sigh on the other end of the line, she knew her best friend was crying.

** 6 days later **

The sun was rising as the plane was getting ready for the landing. had just been woken up by . He knew he wouldn’t see her and still his stumache started doing flip flops. This was Sydney, Australia and somewhere in this city, - in a few hours - would open her eyes and start another day in her life, her life without him.
knew that Louis had sent her two tickets for the concert the next day. He didn’t know about the backstage pass. ‘You know she lives in this city’ whispered when the captain’s ‘end of flight’ speech was heard throughout the plane. ‘Yes. I know’ nodded. ‘She’ll come to the show mate. I’m sure of it.’ ‘How does that help me? . She’ll see us, but I’m not gonna see her’ ‘There’s a whole day ahead of us, mate’ smiled.
‘Dave, I was wondering..’ took their head of security aside as they were waiting for their luggage to arrive. ‘If I could find out where Miss lives?’ Dave asked. felt a blush creep up from his neck. ‘Louis wondered why it took you so long. Actually all of us. I’ve had this address for weeks’ Dave grinned while looking up the information wanted in his Blackberry. ‘One word of advise to you mate. I wouldn’t go around just now’ Dave winked. ‘Haha, very funny’ smirked.

It was 8 a.m. when ’s doorbell rang. who was still in bed, wondered who the hell was ringing her doorbell at 8 a.m. in the morning. With full intention of blowing this person of, went to the door. She screamed when she saw who it was, and shut the door with a bang. ‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god’ she squeeked. ‘I can hear you’ heared his muffled voice. felt herself shake inwardly. Her trembling fingers reached for the doorknob, then she opened the door again. ‘Goodmorning, smiled softly. ‘H-hi’ stammered. She fell in love all over again. His smile, his eyes, his posture. Everything about him just took her breath away. ‘…. are you?’ she heared him finish his question. ‘Sorry.. What did you say?’ she went slightly pinkish in her face. ‘I asked you how you were’ repeated. ‘I am.. Just out of bed as you can see’ she giggled. chuckled. ‘Yeah, I can see. That’s why I figured you … might want breakfast’ He picked up a basket from the floor and held it up to her. ‘We’re not going out are we? I look horrible’ ‘No, no. We’re staying in’ smiled. stepped aside.

They set aside the coffee table and sat down on the rug. ‘Owh. I forgot the plates’ wanted to get up but opened the basket. ‘Was allowed to take two plates with me. Have to pay for them if I break them though’ he smiled. grinned. ‘You thought of everything’. ‘I thought about you’ stopped unloading the basket. ‘ ..’ ‘No . I’ve got to say this’ took her hand. ‘I was an idiot. You wanted to explain everything to me and I didn’t give you a chance. I was so angry, that I forgot about reason.’ ‘I wanted to tell you so many times. It was so hard, having to respond to the name Darla all the time, make up memories I didn’t really have. But it wasn’t all a lie. I work at a movie store and I’m a major film freak’ ‘You didn’t do bad as a personal assistant either. Besides, I forgot another important thing’ ‘Which is?’ ‘You don’t fall in love with a name. You fall in love with a person, whoever she or he is, where ever they come from, what ever happened in their pasts. You fall in love with a person, not a name’ said. The two people on the rug didn’t speak for seconds, that to them seemed to last minutes. Then leaned forward and softly brushed his lips against ’s. ‘If you want. I would like to start again’ he said, as he backed away. ‘I’d like that’ smiled. ’s smile lit up his face. He engulfed her with a passionate kiss that ended up in the bedroom..

The next night, and her friend were sitting in the front row. ‘We’d like to dedicate the next song to our former P.A. Darla Cain, who is in the audience tonight. Darla, this one’s for you’ winked at with a cheeky grin. ‘I am so going to kick his ass when we’re backstage’ ‘Oh no you’re not, I need to pull that ass’ told her off. The girls started laughing, while on stage started his lines of ‘Another World’.
The lads had been off stage for about 10 minutes when there was a knock on the door. ‘Come in’ they chorused. ‘Darla Cain reporting for duty’ said as she stepped inside. The guys smiled. was hugged by , and . ‘And this is my best friend introduced her. ‘Nice to meet you, ’ they chorused again. ‘So, how did we do?’ asked. ‘It looked amazing. It was fantastic to see all of it together’ smiled. ‘Well, I’m up for a beer. Seeying as you’re here Darla, why don’t you get some aye?’ winked. ‘Did I say my name was Darla? You must’ve heared me wrong my name is smiled. Everyone laughed.
While sat in the van that took them back to the hotel, the DJ started playing an oldy by the Backstreet Boys. pulled close and started singing along. ‘..as long as you love me’ then he looked her in the eyes. ‘I love you’ he said softly. ‘I love you too’ replied to him. She leaned up and they shared a soft kiss.


THE END



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