CHAPTER TWELVE
Mark Conely
WHEN MARK went to visit Anthony — who was on a meteoric rise in Hollywood — he met Camille Nuova, considered the new Brooke Shields of cinema, with crystalline green eyes that would leave any man mesmerized, except Mark who seemed somewhat indifferent to her beauty.
Tony said indignantly:
— I don't think you like women, Mark, everyone I fix for you ends up being dismissed for bullshit, and another, look at this monument of a woman I fixed you and you do n't.... help me help you man...
— If it consoles you, Tony, I don't even like men.
— It's really a consolation, because I was getting worried about falling in love with your spontaneous way of being.
Mark looked unfriendly, but Tony hugged him and encouraged him to embark on that relationship.
— It's going to be good, man, stop being an asshole, she must be too hot in bed, take it from me, you need this. She 's beautiful, smart, rich, has a great future ahead of her, what more do you want from a girl?
— Apparently I got myself a love counselor.
— It would be more of an agent of love, what do you think of that name? It would make a good movie, wouldn't it?
— There's already a movie like that with Will Smith.
— See how you screw it up… it's going to be part two of Hitch then, but now starring me, a true expert on the subject, almost an autobiographical film.
THE REPERCUSSION OF MARK AND Camille's DATING came to Moscow as a bombshell for Josie:
Dear Mark...
...Here things don't change, my body hurts from so many exhausting workouts, my teacher keeps picking on me saying I have to train more, she said that if I trained as much as I think and talk about you, I'd be the most success story.
I'm very happy for your happiness, even though I'm sad that I'm not the reason for your happiness, I know it seems strange for me to talk like that, but I've always liked you very much and I hope Camille makes you as happy as I wish I could...
Mark read Josie's letter over and over again and didn't know whether to laugh at the irony of Josie's revelations, or cry in anger at being so far from his secret crush.
Even in a sentimental dead end, Mark was happy with Camille, she was beautiful, intelligent, charming, had excellent taste in music, an undisputed taste for cooking, fashion and especially theater.
Every time Mark would show him a new song he had written, she would say where the mistakes were and would sing how she thought it fit the melody better, which made him the luckiest of men.
This time, Tony nailed it…
When dating Mark, Camille discovered a side that no one else knew, a universe of talent hidden behind a wall, she was breaking barrier-to-barrier daily, she had no interest in having him halfway, for someone to succeed in a relationship had to give 100%.
She was the first girl he'd dated who didn't remind him of Josie.
— You were my great luck in life — she said — I admire you very much, Mark.
— I feel like we're going to be very happy together.
— We already are, dear.
THE IDEA OF MARK SINGING instead of just making instrumental music was Camille, who suggested to her director that she put her fiancé's songs as a soundtrack in the films he acted, it was simply a glove that fit that hand.
Like Midas, everything he played turned to gold in people's ears and especially for the people who played Mark behind him, especially Jaime Mayers.
— Mark, my dear — Jaime began — do you know what the worst part about being a producer for great artists is?
Mark was silent and Jaime continued.
— It's having to reinvent the artist with each record so that he doesn't die in the doldrums, but you're different, you reinvent yourself naturally, you can't create anything on top of what you've already done, simply everything you do is creative. How do you do it?
— I only play what I feel at each moment.
— My father was like that too, when I got married I felt that way too.
Was it just throwing yourself into this wanton life that your inspiration ended?
— When we're in love, it 's really easier to compose.
— I'm sure of it, stay in love then.
WITH THE SUCCESSFUL SUCCESS of his third CD, Mark started playing in stadiums all over the world, one of the places he played was Moscow.
The show had been an absolute success, and at the end, the dancers of the most famous group in the world gave a short presentation.
Josie was there and did the solo.
Seeing her after so many years brought some confusion to Mark's heart. She always sent him an updated photo every six months, and each time she looked even more beautiful than the last-if that was even possible-but personally, Mark was speechless.
— Camille — Mark said when they were in his dressing room — this is Josie McMillan, my best friend.
— Anyway, I'm meeting the so famous Josie that Mark and Tony talk about so fervently.
Josie smiled a little awkwardly.
Camille knew about their connection and had never been worried-until that moment. Camille realized how jealous any woman in the world would be for a spectacular woman like that on the brink of perfection.
— Nice — said Josie smiling — you are very beautiful in person, I'm happy to see my best friend happy, I love your movies.
Camille smiled, realizing her rival's sincerity, but inside she was biting with jealousy.
It's impossible to just be friends with this girl... there must be something more between them that I don't know.
— He's the one who makes me the happiest and most fulfilled woman in the world, I feel like we were born for each other. I hope we can be friends too, after all, I hear so much about you that it feels like I've known you for years.
— Mark is overreacting with his friends, don't take him too seriously.
Josie looked at Mark and smiled satisfied, even though Camille didn't realize she had answered what she wanted to hear.
Without a doubt, he still thinks of me...