A year? Had it really been that long? I looked at the date on my phone, and there was no doubt. It was a year ago today that I had left New York, Eye Candy and Victoria Justice behind. My attention moved over to the time and it was already past 2 am, and sleep didn't seem to be coming at all. I got out of my bed and put on some work out gear, grabbed my phone and launched Spotify. I left my beautiful apartment at the Ashton Westwood in Beverly Hills. I had moved here shortly after I had signed my contract with HBO. It was an incredible two bedroom apartment with all of the fixings; including a balcony which gave me a great view of the city.
I took the elevator down to the lobby and nodded to James the night doorman. He was in his late 40's and always had a great smile and kind words for everyone. Living in L.A you learn to tell the real people from the fake, there was no one more real that James Yorke. It only took a few minutes with him to see that he was a genuinely good man.
"Good evening Mr Bryant." He said to me in his usual bright disposition. Even at 2 am in the morning he seemed like he was waking up from the deepest sleep anyone has ever had.
"Hey James. Come on I tell you every time, just call me Duncan."
"That's very kind of you sir. But rules are
rules. Gotta stick to em. Another sleepless night?"
"Yeah just a little nervous. Tommorow, well I guess today, is the premiere of my new show."
"Oh that's great sir. Do you have a new show premiering 4 times a week? Because that's the approximate amount I see you running out of here at around this time. And I have Thursdays off."
I couldn't help but laugh. But he was right. I had not slept well in quite some time. If my comings and goings weren't a dead giveaway, the heavy bags under my eyes sure were.
"You know how it is, just stressed." I replied.
"I know one thing sir. If you don't get some sleep you'll crash. And it's not in my job description to pick you up off the floor." Again I laughed.
"I'll see you when I get back James. Thanks for the concern."
"You do know we have a gym here in the building right?"
"Yeah, but no punching bag!" I yelled back as I ran out the lobby entrance. I put my music up and got lost in the sounds pumping through my headphones. This year had been something I was completely unprepared for. It all seemed to fly by in a blur. I met Kanye the day after I flew back, we went straight to HBO and I signed a contract and got to writing the 10 episodes for the season. HBO would be screening the premiere at the EL Rey Theater that very night. I had the same feelings I always had before my work was broadcast to the public. A mixture of excitement and nervousness that was hard to explain. I just hoped people would have a strong response and the show would do great. I really needed a win. We had a great cast and everyone on the crew was top notch. HBO really were good to us. I really wanted to reward their faith, and hopefully get a second season.
I got to the gym and I loved it at this time of night. It was quiet and empty. No muscle bound idiots grunting and moaning and calling for high fives after each and every set. I moved to the back and sat on a bench as I laced up my gloves. I spent a lot of time here. Not being able to sleep much it was a good way to expel some energy. The results could not be missed. I had grown stronger and my muscles were much more defined then they had been. I wasn't some huge monster with my neck bulging but I looked great and felt even better. I had been taking boxing classes and it had been a great distraction and way of staying in shape.
I began punching the bag with impunity. This always seemed to happen. I would be feeling calm but the moment I would start punching the bag my emotions would take over and I would put all of my strength into every shot. Next came the memories. Victoria's face when I punched Eric. Eric's face as he smirked at me every time he put me down. How I let all this happen to me. Greg's stupid suits. The night I lost the Emmy. Our Trip to Paris. The day we moved in together. Watching her sing at Ariana's concert. Her face. her smile. Her lips. Her body. Her perfume. My heart sped up with every memory. My fists were almost a blur at this point. Tears welled up in my eyes but I ignored them. I continued to lay all of it into the bag. Almost as though I was throwing them into the bag and outside of my mind body and heart.
I finally stopped out of exhaustion. I was sweating all over and I could not deny how my body was shaking. I wasn't sure if it was due to the effort I had just put forth or just the emotions running through me. Probably a mixture of both. One thing was clear. A year later I still could not shake Victoria.
"Go easy on that bag. It really did nothing to you." I smiled knowing exactly who that voice belonged to.
"I disagree, it's guilty of many crimes."
"Such as?" Asked the Australian accent still behind me.
"Well for one it's keeping me away from you at the moment." I turned towards her and was staggered at the beauty standing there. Margot Robbie was in her usual work out attire. A black tank top and those yoga pants that had become all the rage. Thank god for those yoga pants. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail and her smile was dazzling. I ran to her to give her a hug and she fell into it even with my sweat.
"When did you get back in town?" I asked her
"Earlier today. Only here for a quick pit stop. Flying back to Canada tomorrow evening. I have some media obligations for the studio. I'm glad to see you here. Wasn't sure I would have the time."
"I'm glad too." I said still holding her close against me. Her body was warm and it felt good to be held by someone.
"Still not sleeping?" She asked me as she pressed her hand against the side of my face and took a good look at my eyes. We had met at this gym a few months ago and had become fast friends. She was always traveling being part of the DC cinematic Universe as Harley Quinn as well as other films. Her career was coming together quite nicely. Her beauty only accentuated the acting ability she clearly had in spades.
