101 Chp 96 : Before Day Off Began

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~~~

22nd May 1986.

20 minutes before...

In one of the middle-class neighborhoods on Beverly Hills. Anyone could see a BMW sedan parked on the driveway of the two-story houses painted with a white and cream color.

It was Al who came to pick Ione up for the premiere night as he promised to her.

He knocked on the front door of her house and waited for the door opened, revealing a blonde woman in her early 40s wearing a floral pattern blouse and a knee-length skirt.

"Good evening, Mrs... uh, Leitch?" He looked unsure about how he should address her.

Ione's mother was looking at him with an amused smile, "Just call me Enid, I'm back to my maiden name since I divorced him," She tilted her head and said, "and you must be Alphonse Brandt; the 'Hollywood's Wonder Boy'. I'm glad you are with her, I'm afraid she was more like me and found a scoundrel for a boyfriend. At least you were decent enough for her."

He rubbed his neck in embarrassment, "Thank you, Mrs. Enid, but unfortunately; as much as I wish that our path was different, Ione and I are just a friend, well maybe the best buddies as you call it." He said.

She squinted her eyes and glared at him as he was an idiot, then she broke her eye-contact and smiled. "Come on in, Ione was still preparing her make-up."

'So that was the famous "mother-in-law glare"; so scary.' He thought.

Once he was inside, he saw someone was watching the TV. From his look, it must be her brother that she has been telling him about.

"What do you want for a drink?" She asked.

"A glass of water is fine Mrs. Enid." He said.

He kept watching the TV, ignoring him completely. Of course, he would do that, no older brother wanted their little sister stolen from them, even how descent their boyfriend was.

He remembered giving River a good conversation that ended up with him traumatizing River for a week But that guy finally got balls and asked Laura out.

Oh, Laura, how fast have you grown up.

Mrs. Enid came from the kitchen and gave him a glass of water and letting him sit on the sofa in the TV room. Soon she left him alone with her eldest son with a smirk left her mouth.

'That woman has planned this!' He squirmed on his heart.

They both were sitting in uncomfortable silence as the sound of <Moonlighting> TV series theme song was the only sound that was heard within this room.

To break the ice, so he finally began his first strike, "You must be Ione's big brother whom she has been talked a lot about. She talked only nice things about you. Oh; by the way, my name is Alphonse Brandt." He gave out his hand.

Her elder brother ignored his extended hand and grunted in displeasure, then he said, "I know who you are, Brandt. Those tabloids talked too much about you until I'm sick of reading those shit."

Al's eyelid twitched, 'It's your fault reading tabloids, read a damn literature, asswipe, no need to go all out on me' He thought of that, but of course, he won't say that in front of his face.

No need to antagonized her elder brother, he needed to remain civil.

"Then you must be reading a lot of false information about me, I never read those things because it would only frustrate me either." He smiled. "I'm sorry, although Ione kept talking good things about you, she seems forgot to mention your name to me."

His eyebrows twitched, "My name is Donovan, Donovan Leitch, Jr. I want to know what's your intention to my dearest younger sister."

"I've been friends with her since the beginning of our high school life and have been an important part of our group, don't worry about us going further. We have talked and sorted it out and we agreed that we wouldn't be any kind of lovers." He assured.

"Good, I've been taking care of her since forever. I don't want her to be choosing someone famous like my damned father. Your kind was an abomination to us."

"My kind?"

"Famous pompous brat beamed with Hollywood's dazing lights. I saw what fame and vanity have done to my sperm donor and I don't want the same thing to happen to her."

"Donovan! Are you threatening my date for tonight?" A loud but yet soft fluttering sound was heard from the TV room entrance.

There she was, Ione Skye with Leitch added to the back of her name which he only known about when she was there at the New Year's eve party.

Dressing to all nine, floral patterned pencil dress down to her legs, hugging her matured curvaceous figure.

Her hair has been done loose style but yet amazingly well with a flower hairpin on the side of her head.

She turned her angry face to a teasing smirk as she realized he had been ogling her since she came here.

"Ione, you look..." He paused, searching for the right words. "Exquisitely beautiful."

She raised one of her eyebrows and laughed at him. "Exquisite? What the hell was that word? Don't go Shakespearian with me, Al, you know I'm not Minnie."

"Minnie?" Her brother Donovan asked with a frown designated to him.

"His future bride, bro," Ione said.

"A future bride!?" Her brother repeated, Al hardly swallowed his spit while Ione gave him an impish smile.

"Let's go, Al. Your film premiere will start soon, I don't want to miss it." She took his hand and pulled him to the front door. "Bye, mom! I'll be back before 12, if not, you know what will I do with him."

"Ione!!" Al and Donovan screamed and before both of them started to scold her, her mother's voice came from inside. "Don't forget to warn him to use protection!"

"Mother!!" Donovan screamed back to his mother and went back to the house, possibly went berserk with his mother for letting Ione going out until past midnight, or worse, stay the night with him.

It seemed that her elder brother and her mother were used to arguing. He chuckled in secret, this family was also unique like how his foster family was.

That must be also the reason why Ione was so easily accepted with his foster siblings.

Soon they have arrived at his car and John was already there to open the car door for them both.

Their conversation on their way to Village theatre was all interesting as he retelling the stories he had when he was filming with Stanley Kubrick.

She also told him that she was worried sick with him after he had an accident. Unknown to Ione, Robin took a drastic measure by flying off to London with Mary and Jodie without even telling her.

Turned out she also wanted to come to London with Robin and took care of him. What a nice girl he thought.

Al even told her the weird thing Robin did when they were alone in his ward, including the plan Robin suggested to him.

"Wow, a haha, what a weird plan." She said with an awkward laugh.

"Ione," He squinted his eyes, "Is there anything you hide from me?"

"W-well, it was just a joke when we were having a sleepover. It seemed Robin took it seriously. Sorry." She said while biting her tongue.

"Wait, did you suggest Robin have a three-way relationship with me and yours?" Al teasingly asked.

Ione's face turned deep red, "It was just a prank okay! Stop teasing me!" She then pinched his waist in retaliation.

John heard the commotion in the back seat was starting to spy on them from the rearview mirror.

He smiled at this cute couple. He started to reminisce about his first puppy love when he was in high school, before enlisting in that damned war.

After having a cute little catfight, they reconciled again by telling jokes at each other.

"Hey, Al, I need your advice."

"Okay, you can tell me everything Ione."

"Someone has been asking me out." She then paused, waiting for his reaction.

"That's great, but would this upset Robin somehow?"

"That's why I want to ask your advice. I knew how her feeling for me was... unusual. I like her as a friend, but as a lover, I'm afraid it won't happen soon. I'm still straight, Al."

He sighed, "I'm afraid this is something I can't answer now Ione. We need this thing to be talked with you and Robin on the scene. Both of you are my best friend and if your friendship cracked because of this also broke my heart. You know Robin better than me, although she was pompous and spoiled, she was as soft and sweet as cotton candy. Do you know her favorite animal is Unicorn?"

"Yes, it's cute, right? I thought her favorite animal was a groundhog or something." She loudly laughed.

"I know! I thought so too." He also laughed.

Then he also got curious about who asked her, he hoped it was not another Keanu because he was tired to do that Black Widow ops again, so he asked, "Ione, who was asking you out for a date by the way?"

She cutely put her left forefinger to her chin while thinking, "I think his name is Anthony Kiedis, I met him in Vanaheim Records after I accompany Gwen with her studio practice."

He froze up. That Anthony Kiedis? The lead singer of Red Hot Chilli Pepper? Isn't he 24 years old? Not again-- why the hell Ione always had predators who asked her out, or maybe her type was an older scoundrel man?

His forehead started to be having flops and he was gazing at Ione with a look that could strike fear into her soul, "Ione, it looks like the lesson from Big Brother Al from 2 years ago was not enough for you." He then smiled evilly.

She looked at him with confusion on her face but fear also visible within her eyes, "Y-yes Big Brother Al?" She stuttered.

~~~

Village Theatre, Westwood.

Reporters and paparazzi were surprised at his new look. He was more mature, muscular, and also; bald. That's why they were having a hard time tracing him, his appearance was so different from a year ago.

Also, knowing that finally, Al was bringing a girl they had never seen before to the premiere of his film, the reporters and paparazzi started to swarm them.

This was also his plan to boost Ione's fame in the film industry. She only played an insignificant role in <River's Edge> with Keanu Reaves.

She still didn't have an agent and while he recommended her to Ari, she rejected his proposal and preferred to find another agent by herself.

He didn't plan to let her join CAA because he knew CAA now was rising above clouds and began to demand more and more to film studios.

If she went with them, it would be hard for him to ask her to appear in his film in the future.

Of course, he already asked Ione if it was okay for her to mention her name to the public but she rather not use her last name, Leitch, and preferred to be called Ione Skye.

"Mr. Brandt, excuse me, is this lovely young miss your girlfriend?" One of the reporters asked.

"Unfortunately, no, this is my best friend. A long time ago, I promised her a date and tonight was finally the right moment to invite her, so I brought her here." He answered with a smile.

"Mr. Brandt, you never brought anyone except for Ms. Barrymore, is she went back to her mother? We never saw her with you for these months."

"Nonsense, she's happy in the foster home with our big family."

"Young miss, can we know your name?" Someone asked.

Ione looking at him nervously and he gave a supportive nod and smile at her.

"My name is Ione, Ione Skye." She said with a small voice but her answer was audible enough to be heard by reporters.

"Why are you bald, Mr. Brandt?"

"I'm starring a role in the film that one of my favorite directors directed and I hope I will do it well."

The questions they asked were getting weird times by time, such as when they would get married, how many babies they would have in the future, what was her three sizes, etc.

After answering reporters' questions and protected Ione from harmful questions, they finally entered the theatre hall where he soon met with his co-workers from the <Ferris Bueller's Day Off>.

After he greeted all of the crews, John Hughes appeared in front of him and both of them hugged like they were an old friend. "Jesus, Al! You have grown up and become muscular than before! Now you look more like a Navy SEAL combat specialist!"

Al chuckled, "This is for my role John."

"Yeah, you lucky son of a bitch, getting a role in one of Stanley Kubrick's films this young," Then he looked at the woman beside him, "Nice to meet you, young miss, my name is John Hughes, the director of this film. I admit you have a lovely smile, are you also an actress, miss..."

"Ione, Ione Skye, and yes I'm an actress, Mr. Hughes."

"Ms. Skye, I may have a role suitable for you, if you are interested, just call this brat here and I'll give you the role right away!" He said.

"Thank you, Mr. Hughes, but I need to see the script first."

John smiled, "Damn, she must be learned it from you."

"It's not me John, I just apply what Alfred Hitchcock said, 'script, script, and script'."

John shook his head in amusement and said. "Let's go, the film will start soon, do you want to sit with us or are you going to look for a seat with your girlfriend?" He teased.

"She's not my girlfriend John, but I may prefer to sit with her. She doesn't know anyone here and may not familiar with this place."

After John left, he also met with Kristy Swanson, the girl who he also had an interest in. She still had a shy persona when he met her a year ago.

She was talking to him eagerly and sometimes lightly touching him like she was trying so hard to make the girl beside Al jealous.

When she left, Ione could feel the animosity from her. Not only her, but she also saw the one who gave a menacing gaze.

She knew that person, she was one of the participants who had been competing for a role with her.

Al saw her making a face and started to worry about her, so he asked, "What happened Ione? Did Kristy made you uncomfortable?"

"Well, she just gave me harmless stare Al, but that woman..." She pointed her with her face.

Al peeked from the corner of his eyes, "You mean Jennifer Grey? Why did she give you such a venomous look?"

"We competed for a role and won it. I think since then, she resented me for it."

"Really? Congratulations! Can I know what role is it?"

She gave him a lopsided grin, "The role's name is Baby."

"Baby?" He paused and thinking which roles had name Baby in them until his mind clicked, "Oh my God! Why didn't you tell me!" He said, almost screaming.

"You never asked." She grinned.

"Ione!"

To Be Continued...

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