*Noah POV
Harry was furious that his first attempt at getting Sydney back had failed. The plan had been for her to be drugged during the interview allowing Harry to transport her back to his home, but she didn't arrive for the interview.
He found it hilarious however when he heard that Mark had died, believing it to be punishment for ruining his first attempt to get his wife back by stepping in to do the interview so easily, and also for having insulted him by having fucked HIS WIFE!
Harry has a knack for collecting up influential and easily manipulated people, gaining their trust and then using their secrets against them for his own gain. That was what happened to me.
That is how I ended up here now.
I had followed her career, keeping tabs on her over the years. I KNEW that I would meet her one day, I felt it, I just had to make sure that I worked in an industry aligned to hers, and be patient.
Becoming a journalist would take too long, and also pay very little, so I decided on the Arts with the intention of being interviewed by her one day, or at least I might mix in similar circles, or bump into her at awards shows. A day of reckoning.... the day when I would finally get my answers.
I attended the Academy and did a little modelling, earning fairly well and enjoying life when I was approached by a talent scout and offered an acting role in a long running drama show. Of course I accepted, it was another step closer to the level of fame I required to be worthy of an interview with Sydney Benfield.
I became an overnight star, my 'cheeky chappy, heart of gold, Jack the lad' persona winning me both male and female fans around the globe. Invitations to guest star on television shows, appear on talk shows and participate in celebrity versions of reality shows became a common occurrence. I declined the vacuous, vanity driven ego massaging reality shit and did some of the talk shows and game shows, also making a few guest appearances in some films and TV shows too. Life was good. I had money, women falling all over me, some guys too... I was recognised almost everywhere I went yet still hadn't had an opportunity to meet Sydney. I had felt sure that I would bump into her at one of the many awards shows I attended, but there was always someone else there from her outlet, then one day I met her ex-husband.
He was complementary of my talent, appreciative of my build and looks, and encouraging of my career plans. A charming man....... on the surface!
I told him I was a fan of his show and he suggested he might be able to get me a role on it, apparently his character was about to have a younger brother introduced and he would love for it to be me. I was flattered, and also pleased that I'd been able to impress him. We had a few drinks, me being the waiter, fetching two bottles of alcohol back to our table. We talked about the industry, people we mutually knew and people we would like to meet. He wanted to meet Scarlett Johansen. I told him that I would actually love to meet his wife.
A dark cloud momentarily clouded his features, before evaporating away just as quickly as it arrived, being replaced with a proud smirk.
"You wanna fuck her don't you!" he chuckled, pointing the index finger of the hand holding his full shot glass at me, spilling half the contents into his lap before downing the remaining contents and slamming the glass back onto the table between us.
Pouring us both another shot, one of Vodka for him, one tequila for me he asks why I'd want to meet his wife? She wasn't famous, beautiful or useful, plus the stupid bitch had just made the biggest mistake of her life by divorcing him.
My reply that she was actually all those things, and hot too, but that I would never disrespect him by entertaining such thoughts about his wife seemed to satisfy him. He told me he wouldn't mind lending her to me if I wanted her, smiling while telling me that he was brought up to share all his favourite things with his friends.
The man is surely mad, right? You don't share your wife!
He says that he will be able to arrange a meeting soon as he was going to 'get her back'. Brilliant.
My decision to remain sober by switching out my tequila with water paying off, my wits remaining as his gradually dulled, making it easy for me to plant thoughts in his mind, steering the conversation in the direction I wanted. This man really might be able to introduce me to her. The following day however I was offered my place in 5EX and my life changed. I didn't see or hear from Harry again.
Not until last year. Over six years had passed during which time my interest in meeting Sydney had not waned, but my schedule just wouldn't allow it. As part of 5EX I had the most ridiculous workload, barely getting time to sleep, let alone take holidays.....or meet someone you'd been dreaming about meeting for years!
I had tried to keep up with her work at least, her style of writing evolving, her subject matter predominantly remaining Entertainment, but she had developed quite a talent for linking some very famous people with crimes. It seemed that she was on a crusade against exploitation and abuse in general, but specifically within the Entertainment industry, potentially earning her a few enemies?
Apparently Harry felt that she was about to expose him. That's when he contacted me and informed me he had my ring.... and then explained why I was going to help him get Sydney back!
A little part of me wanted to say yes just for the opportunity to finally meet her, but with different motives now.
He told me his plan, and what my involvement would be..... then proudly told me about my payment, clapping my shoulder with a smirk.
Two hours with his reclaimed wife to do with as I pleased, anything goes!
That's when I decided that I couldn't help him...... Nobody deserved to be bullied and forced into taking their own life like Mark had, and Sydney didn't deserve what Harry had planned for her! He is Lucifer incarnate.....the most dangerous man I know, enjoying other peoples suffering and pain.
I do not, but by now it was too late, plans had been made and carried out. All I can do now is try to limit the damage...... and help find Sydney before it's too late!