Back To The Viper by Antara Mann Page A

the shop assistant – an elderly lady with a foreign accent.
    “PMS, you know.”
    He quickly went out of the store and jumped into his car, not even noticing the old Buick following him. It took him less than an hour to reach Ashley’s house, which was protected by a massive fence and an electronically controlled door. He rang and heard an expressionless voice say:
    “What would you like?”
    “It’s Wayne Bonner, a friend of…” He couldn’t finish because he immediately heard the sound of the opening door. He parked his car by Ashley’s and then saw her coming.
    “Wayne! I’m so glad to see you.” She hugged him. His touch was reassuring, and for an instant, she could forget about her troubles. Her head remained on his shoulder for a few seconds and then she sighed:
    “Let’s get inside. Craig came a while ago.”
    “So for the first time in so many years I’m not the last to arrive,” Wayne said with a smile on his face.
    “No, you aren’t. Chad hasn’t arrived yet; I hope that he’ll join us soon, too.” The two of them went up the small stairs by the front door and entered her house.
    ***
    “No, you simply can’t come out right now! Not before your international tour!” Kevin barked. His eyes narrowed at Chad sternly.
    “Why not? I want to be honest, and I want the fans to be aware of my sexual preferences,” Chad resisted.
    “Don’t you understand? You can’t just publicly announce you’re gay unless you’ve been on the market for at least a decade with a superstar status. So many celebrities haven’t come out, no matter how persistent the rumors of their sexual orientation have been. They have waited until they’ve known for sure that their fans wouldn’t be disappointed by their confession.”
    “It doesn’t make sense! Should I remind you we live in 2015, not in the nineties?”
    “And should I remind you I’ve been working as a music manager for more than fifteen years and I know very well what I’m talking about? You’ve been a solo musician for just a few years and a superstar for just a year and a half.”
    “Kevin, don’t you think you’re exceeding your power? I’ve hired you as a manager in order for you to lead my music career, not my personal life. I don’t need your instructions anymore.”
    Kevin spread his hands helplessly.
    “All right, if you want to doom your career, then do it! Go ahead!” He left Chad Keeney’s home furiously, slamming the front door nervously.
    Rebecca appeared, again with a martini in her hand. Chad shuddered for a moment – he thought she had overheard their conversation and was now about to demand an explanation as to what their relationship would look like if he indeed came out. But she only giggled in a silly way. Judging by her look and the way she was walking, he immediately guessed she was drunk. He sighed, relieved.
    “Hey, Chad, have I told you your face looks like…” She paused, staring at him. She hiccupped and then added, “A dog’s face. Yes, that’s it! A terrier, maybe.” She giggled and fell face down on the couch.
    “Jesus, I’m surrounded by lunatics!” Chad exclaimed. He was about to go to his room when he heard Rebecca burst into tears. Although he was usually cold and reserved toward her, her desperately sobbing figure, bent almost in two, now awakened his compassion. He came closer to her.
    “Hey, what’s the matter? Why are you upset? Is it because of me?” His tone had considerably softened.
    She lifted her head and burst into a new fit of tears.
    “Nobody loves me! And I’ll never be loved,” she sobbed, all in tears and snuffling. Chad gave her one of his handkerchiefs and she blew her nose.
    “You know that’s not true, Rebecca. I’m sure there’s someone somewhere that’s waiting for you…”
    She blew her nose again and looked at him, this time with hope. She was hanging on every word he said.
    He felt he was on the right track and increased his efforts.
    “Yes, I’m sure about