Prologue
Leslie has spent her whole life doing what other people wanted her to do. Wearing what other people told her she should wear. How she should talk and act. What she could and couldn't eat. She was even given a number and was not allowed to weigh anymore than that or she was punished. She was told where she could and couldn't go. Her life had never been her own.
Now here she is twenty-nine and still a virgin. She's never been anywhere. She's never had any fun. She's never been to a bar, never had a drink, and never had any fun. Her whole life was planned out for her. She was very sheltered and very naive. She wasn't like other women her age. All she wanted was to be normal.
She is a puppet on a string and has no control over what her life has become. She worked a job that she hated because it was expected of her. She was dating the man her mother hand picked for her. Now she's miserable and home alone every night while he's out screwing his way through every ditzy bimbo in town. Yet, she put up with it because that's what she was taught and what's expected of her.
She looks in the mirror and just feels old and run down. Tomorrow was her thirtieth birthday and she felt if she didn't do something to change her life she would be stuck being unhappy for the rest of her life. She would continue to be controlled. That was no way to live. She had to put a stop to this.
So, what happens when you make a list of things to do before the end of you thirtieth birthday? You run away and have one crazy night that ends with you possibly losing your V-card. And waking up in Vegas married to the world's most eligible bachelor that's what.
Now her life as she knew it is over. Everything she thought she knew was wrong. She tries hard to get her new husband to love her and see she's not like every other woman that just wanted him to get famous. Will she for once get to have a say in how things turn out?
Will she finally have the life she's always wanted, or will she let everyone run her life once again? Can she start a life and have a future with a man she just met? Will her mother ruin everything? Can she ever be happy? Either way this is sure to be one hell of a ride. It could be a dream come true or a complete nightmare. Hopefully it would all be worth it in the end.
Chapter 1
Leslie's pov
I dreaded today. I just wish I could sleep forever and not have to get up, but I never got that luxury. I would be told I'm being lazy if I wasn't up at dawn dressed and looking perfect. I did this every day of my life and it was just exhausting. I just wanted to be lazy for a day.
My parents would be flying back home for my engagement party to Mathew Neely. The man they think is perfect. If they only knew the truth about my perfect fiancé. They think we have the perfect relationship. That we are so in love. That was such a joke.
He has never once truly kissed me or touched me. He kisses me on the cheek or the forehead when we are around others like I was some little kid. He is out all hours of the night having sex with girls half his age. Why do I put up with it you ask? Well because I do everything anyone has ever told me to do. I'm obedient I guess you would call it. I know pathetic right?
Every second of my life has been planned out for me since I was born. I have never even picked out my own outfit before that's always been done for me. My mother didn't feel I could be trusted with that task. I really don't know how to do anything for myself or, so everyone seems to think. They treat me like I'm a damn kid. I have no freedom.
Now here I am a week away from turning thirty and I'm still a damn virgin. I have never had any kind of fun and now I'm going to marry a man that obviously doesn't want me. I mean he cheats on me every single day. That's not love. That's not even respect. I didn't know what it was.
I covered my head and decided to be rebellious and stay in bed instead of getting up. No one would know any way. I rolled over and was about to get back to sleep when I heard my very loud and angry mother screaming down the hall. This wasn't going to be good at all.
"Oh, Leslie why are you still in bed? Get up right this moment and put this on we have so many things to do."
"Mother what are you doing here? I didn't think you would be home until later. "That is no way to speak to me young lady."
I rolled my eyes at the way my mother treats me like I was a child instead of a full-grown woman. She seemed shocked to see me being defiant. I was never like this. I always just went along with everything. I needed to watch my step with her.
"I'm sorry mother I was just surprised. How was your trip?"
"It was uneventful, but we got a lot of work done. Now enough with this idle chit chat we have a lot of things to do."
And just like that my day was taken over and I was pulled a long like a puppet on a string. What I wouldn't give to have the courage to just say no for once, but I knew I would never do that. I just wasn't that confident. I was weak when it came to my mother. She had this power over me, and I hated it.
I hurried into the shower and got dressed in this God-awful outfit my mother had picked out for me. No wonder no men ever looked at me. I dress like an old grandmother with eccentric taste. I think my mother does this on purpose just to torture me.
I have never in my life worn jeans and a t-shirt. Nope it's all long skirts, dresses, and suits for me. I always have to be professional never a hair out of place. Yes, I know such a boring life, right? I walked back into my bedroom and noticed my mom's personal stylist was there to do my hair and make-up. Yes, I couldn't even do that for myself my mother thought.
Once I was picture perfect I went down to my mother, so she could tell me what I would be doing today. Yes, even my days were planned out for me. To my surprise I had to spend all day with Mathew and not my mother. Which meant we both had to be on our best behavior. My mother seemed to wield this power over him as well and could get him to do everything she wanted.
Mathew was a very good-looking man. What made him so unattractive is the fact that he knew how attractive he was. That and he cheated on me every chance he got. I mean what the hell is wrong with me? Why not touch me instead of some cheap peace on the side that only wants him because of who he is. Was I that disgusting? Was I that unattractive? He really has shattered my self-esteem.
Now I get to spend the whole day with a man I actually hate but have to pretend that I'm in love with just to make everyone else happy. The only reason my mother and father set me up with him is because his parents and mine are joining companies, so they wanted to look like a united front. And what better way to do that then to offer them their only child.
My parents only cared about fame and money. Never about the people they have to hurt to get it. I wonder how I turned out so different from them. I grew up in a house with no love. I didn't get any hugs and was never told they loved me. I don't even know why they even had me.
My mother left once Matt showed up and told us to have fun but not too much since we weren't married yet. I anted to throw up at seeing my mother throw herself at him. I sometimes wondered if he and my mother were having an affair with they acted around each other. I mean with them it wouldn't surprise me one bit. They were just a little to close if you asked me.
"Look I really don't have time to spend all day babysitting you I have work to do so can you manage to stay the hell out of my way for the day until we have to make an appearance at our engagement party we're forced to go to?"
I looked at him and thought what the hell am I doing with this man then I remembered I had no choice. I used to cry myself to sleep because he didn't love me, but now I just don't care. I saw his true colors and didn't like what I seen.
"Yea no problem. Um Matt I was wondering what the plans for my birthday is?"
"Stop calling me Matt my name is Mathew and there are no plans. I will be busy with my parents and yours away at a very important business diner, so you are on your own."
"Oh, ok um thanks I'll leave you alone now just let me know when it's time for us to leave."
"yea now go."
I went up to my room and laid on my bed. No one even cared that I was turning thirty. Did my parents even know my birthday was coming up? I'm sure they did, but they just didn't care. I meant nothing to all of them. I admit it did hurt a little.
To me turning thirty was a big milestone, but to everyone else it was a big inconvenience. That's fine. I have no problem spending my night alone. I was going to dress how I wanted. Go out to a place I choose and have fun for the first time in my life. Suddenly I was very glad that everyone would be too busy to care about my birthday because it was going to be one I would never forget.
Chapter 2
Kyle's pov
I am seriously sick of my life right now. I can't go anywhere without someone knowing who I am or paparazzi snapping my picture. I can't even hang out with my friends anymore without there being rumors. If they are female, then people say I am sleeping with every one of them. If they are male, then I am out doing something illegal or beyond wild and crazy. I just can't win. I guess that's the price you have to pay for being a famous model and actor. There's always a price you have to pay for fame.
I can't even date because all a girl wants me for is to make them famous or show off to their friends. I want at least one night to myself. One night to go out have fun and for no one to know who I even am. Just hang out with my buddies and be just a normal guy for once. Where I can be myself and not who everyone seems to think I am. That's not too much to ask for is it?
I want to find one woman that is different from all of the rest. That would want to be with me because I'm a great guy not for what I can do for them. Sadly, I just don't know if there are any girls like that anymore. I'm to old for all these games. I just want to find love and settle down. I never thought my career would get in the way of me having that. That it could jeopardize everything I wanted for my future. I'm just not sure this is all worth it anymore.
I have a shoot this week then I am going to take off to my hometown of Ames, Iowa to get away from all the glitz, glamour, and fast pace of Hollywood living. I need to be around my family. People that wouldn't judge me. I missed everyone back home. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to get back there in a while. That was all going to change.
I looked on the internet only to see the latest rumor about me. Great some chick was claiming she's having my love child. That was hilarious since I have never seen her a day in my life. Why would someone go this far as to lie about something like this? All of this is getting to be a little too much for me.
I got into this business because I loved to act, but had I known what all came with it I might have went down a different career path. I called up my manager, so they could deny these latest rumors before things got to out of hand. Plus, I told him I was leaving right after my shoot this week to go back home for a visit. I needed a break and some time away from all of this.
He wasn't too happy since I was the "it" guy right now, but I didn't care. I paid him he didn't pay me. I will do what I want to do when I want. If he has a problem with he can be replaced. I'm the type of guy that hates to play by the rules. I don't let anyone tell me what I can and can't do. This is my life and I live it how I want. It's time I start speaking my mind. I'm done being their puppet boy.
I am not a child anymore so the last thing I want is someone telling me what I can and can't do. Guess that's why at thirty-four I'm still not married unlike all my friends back home. Hell, their all married with a couple of kids by now. I lost count at how many I was a God parent of now.
I'm a little jealous of them actually. Don't get me wrong I want kids badly in fact. I just can't see them in my future. I would never have a child with these dimwitted twits that through themselves at me on a daily basis. When I find the right one then I would happily settle down get married and start a family. I called my mom to tell her the good news knowing that she would be super excited to have her baby boy home. Her words not mine that's just what she always called me even though I'm grown now.
"Hey mom it's Kyle."
"Oh, my baby, how are you? Are you eating enough? Getting enough sleep?"
I had to stifle my laugh. This is how my mom started every conversation with me. It made me feel good knowing that she did worry about me. It was so good to hear her voice. I didn't call her enough. Hearing her worry made me even more homesick.
"Mom I'm fine really. I just wanted to call you with some good news."
"Oh, and what is this good news son?"
"Well I have been really homesick lately so after my shoot this week I plan on coming home for a little while to see everyone."
"Oh, son that's great news, but are you sure everything is ok?"
My mom could always tell when something was bothering me. She calls it a mother's intuition. I always used to laugh at it but now I think she might have been on to something. I tried to make myself sound as happy as I possibly could, yet she still could sense something was wrong.
"Yes, mom I just miss everyone it's been to long since I've been back home to see my family."
"Yes, it has. How long will you be staying? I will make sure I have your room all ready for you and the fridge stocked with all your favorites."
"I was thinking a few weeks maybe more. I could use some rest and relaxation. Some much needed off time since I have been working non-stop lately."
"Oh, my dear you can stay as long as you need. I am just so happy my baby boy is coming home."
"I love you mom and I will see you soon."
"Love you too. See you soon son and have a safe trip home. Bye for now."
Will do mom. Bye for now."
I hung up the phone and felt excited for the first time in a long time. I couldn't wait to be around my family and catch up with some old friends I haven't seen in forever. I think this just might be exactly what I need. It would give me time to think about my future and if I wanted to even come back to Hollywood or just give it all up for good.