The Stalker

Chapter 4

            “Good morning, Ms. Frasier. How are you today?” Sadie nodded, smiled and gave a thumbs up at her driver as he opened the door for her. It was a normal Monday morning for Sadie as she goes off to her school. Her cousin Harley went ahead of her since she finished shooting a commercial late into the night and could not attend first period class. It had always been their routine throughout her high school life. She was too tired and sleepy to even respond. Holding her neck pillow, and her branded and fashionable tote bag that she was endorsing, she went inside the red SUV that will bring her to school. She settled on the leather seat and instantly gave in to her most coveted sleep. The forty five minute drive from their Los Angeles California mansion to the private school that she and her cousin were attending seemed short because of her desire to get more sleep. At school, she tries to downplay her celebrity status by dressing up stylishly but comfortably. She donned a silky black long sleeved round neck loose top and matching velvet black skinny jeans and boots. Her long hair was tied in a messy bun.

            “Ms. Frasier, we’re here.” She didn’t mean to lie down the seat that might crumple her shirt but she was too tired to care.  Eyes partly closed, she smelled the soothing scent of California air as she rolled down her window only to be completely woken up by flashes of lights and clicks of camera.

            Her driver was quick to try and close the window but the reporters were faster. They even opened her door just to get a picture of her still waking up from her quick nap.

            “Ms. Frasier, can you say something about your father’s alleged affair?”

            Sadie rummaged inside her bag in search of her aviator sunglasses. She wanted to roll her eyes at the reporters but she knew she also had to protect her public image. She reached for her phone and speed dialled her manager. She knew that he would answer at the second ring.

            “Even as I opened my life to the public, my father and mother’s life is a personal matter for me that I cannot comment on.”

            “But they are also public figures, remaining silent would only prove that the news is true.”

            “Contrary to that, it would only prove that such minor events are trivial matters that may seem unworthy of their time. Please excuse me, ladies and gentlemen as I’m already running late for my next class. Have a good day.” Sadie smiled to them and even waved a hand and posed a few times for a better picture for the tabloids. At 16 years, she knew how to play with the Press and Hansel was the one to thank for that. She was already out of the den of the reporters and is going down the campus ground’s stairway when someone pushed her. She would have fallen down flat on her face if not for two large and sturdy hands that grabbed her waist, pulled and steadied her. Her backside was pressed to his front and she felt all the hard muscles of her saviour.

            “Man, watch out where you’re going! You dumbass!” she could hear the baritone voice shout profanities to the grey hooded guy who was running towards the parking lot where she was from. The waft of scent of the man’s perfume filled her nostrils and she could help but close her eyes from the sweet citrus smell.

            When she was already back in her two feet, the hands let go of her waist.

            “Bye, Miss. Take care.” The guy was already running away from her and she wasn’t able to thank him. She wasn’t even able to see his face.

            “Wait!” She said as she tried to stop the man wearing a purple hoodie with a large check mark at the back. She watched as he turned the corner and disappeared from her view. He didn’t even glanced back at her.

            Sadie continued her descent when her phone vibrated. She looked at the caller id and sighed. She stopped in her tracks and looked around the campus. It always relaxes her to look around her environment. Going to school makes her feel like she’s living a normal life. She could see her schoolmates sitting on the benches comparing notes or doing their homework. Teens her age are spending time with their friends or just lounging around.

            “Your father and I are on a meeting when you called. He will be having a press conference with your mother tomorrow evening.” Sadie nodded her head at her Uncle Hansel’s voice cutting through her musing.

            “Are you nodding your head right now or you’re rolling your eyes?” the man at the other end of the call asked jokingly. He knew her too well. Having grown up with him around, he knew how much she hated dealing with her parents’ celebrity status especially negative news that tries to ruin their family or her parent’s reputation. She pulled her bag closer to her body and walked briskly towards the large campus building in front of her.

            “I’m late for class. I’ll call you later.” She was about to drop the call but Sadie heard Damon Frasier’s voice. She stopped in her tracks.

            “You’ve been ignoring my calls, honey. Your mom and I are just going through a tough time right now but it’s not something to worry about.” Sadie covered the mouthpiece and sighed. She waited a few seconds before responding.

            “I know, Dad. That’s why I didn’t need any explanation.”

            “You know how crazy we are about each other. Don’t ever doubt that, Sadie.”

            “Only the people who doesn’t know you would ever doubt your relationship with Mom.” That was partly true for her part. She knew that her parents are still head over heels with each other despite their busy schedule. She knew that fact as she was always jealous of her parent’s relationship. She wished that they would spare her some of the time that they spend together as a couple. But she knew that would be selfish of her to ask that.

            “I’m glad you’re still on our side, honey.”

            “I’m on my side, Dad. This is not a war. Don’t mind the news and that’s what I’m doing.” She can handle bad publicity but she knew her mother would be affected even with the slightest rumor. She had been sensitive especially if it affects their family. She smiled when she realized how ironic her life is. Celebrity parents who doesn’t like their world to be on a spotlight but at the same time, agreed for her to be a model and actress at such an early age. 

            “You’ve grown up really well, Sadie.” She almost smiled at the compliment but she dismissed that thought immediately,

            “I’m really late for class, Dad. Let’s just talk at home.” For the past three months, she only saw her father twice and only for thirty minutes each when they had family dinner.

            “Sure, honey. I’m giving back the phone to your manager.”

            “Hearing you talking like that gave me the creeps.” He heard Hansel banter with her father. They grew up together and had been best of friends since forever.

            “Get married and have a kid already so you could be emotional sometimes.”

            “Yeah, yeah. Sadie, we’re off to the golf course right now. Join us at the clubhouse if you’re not busy after school. It would be a good publicity if you and your father will be seen in public.”

            “I’ll try. I have tons of homework to finish. Harley is already nagging me to stay at the library with her.”

            “Alright then.”

            She was almost at her next class when she bumped into someone.