Dear Figaro,
Hope you are well, Myles has been keeping me updated since the break in and assault last week. The CCTV system was hacked so there is no footage from anywhere on the premises that night, Brad said that he was punched from behind then pummelled once he fell to the floor, so he couldn't give the police a positive I.D. Myles told the cops that he believes that the person who hand delivered the letters to my apartment was the same one who attacked him and Brad. In his last text to me he said that Connor is still tracking Kash but the guy that could be Channing hasn't been spotted in the last few days. He is worried that one of his team is feeding Kash information about the investigation so he has to be careful what he reveals to his team until he can find the potential mole.
Brad was released from hospital the next evening. He has bruising to his face and a gash on his forearm from broken glass, Theo announced that they were going to stay in a motel until they found their own place. To be honest I don't blame him for moving out, things between him and Brad seem to be serious and like me he is scared to be there. I have been staying with Myles until things settle down, Tommy is still on the scene, he is very concerned for me and wants me to stay the weekend once I am done with the feature. I think I really like him Figaro, but I am very cautious about bringing him into my life at the moment so I think keeping him at arm's length is for the best.
The police have been over it with a fine tooth comb but they haven't found much, I am scared to go back in there so I have sent Myles in to get me some clothes, my laptop and journals. He has been gone a lot of the time talking to Conner so I don't see too much of him and when I do see him he keeps quizzing me about my past and Kash. It's hard remembering that period of my life but if it has the potential to help find Channing then I will do anything.
I was glad when Thursday came around, I needed to get away and clear my mind, all the sitting around waiting for news was driving me mad, writing helped a lot but I needed something more, this feature film, I hoped, would be a blessing in disguise.
I travelled to the airport on my own in the morning, Myles offered to drive me but I declined, he was going into the city for another meeting with Connor and I didn't want him to be late. Finally making it through the security checks I made my way to the lounge, Dylan O was there with his agent and entourage. His agent had a table in front of the sofa and they were hunched over what seemed like a mountain of paper work, Dylan nodded at me and I gave a weak wave.
Curtis and Sy were standing talking to Casey, Knocks and Jupiter. I made my way over to them scanning the room for Lockie but I couldn't see him.
"Mason, great you are here," Sy said, handing me a glass of orange juice, "we are just going over the itinerary for the shoot, we will discuss your scenes before takeoff."
"Perfect," I replied, setting down my carry on and finding a seat.
I was lost in my own world, scanning my phone for any updates from Myles when Lockie sat down beside me.
"Hey Mas, I didn't see you come in," he said with a grin.
"I just arrived."
"All set for the big shoot?" he asked, placing his own bag down by his feet and pulling out a folder.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied glancing at the sheets on his lap.
"This is my new contract with the studio."
"Oh nice, glad you got everything sorted."
I was trying to be civil after our last encounter but I couldn't help but feel that he deliberately sat beside me and took out this folder for a reason.
"Yes, lots more money and I will be featured in a few more scenes over the next few months, Curtis said he will put a lot more focus on raising my star, I signed the exclusivity contract in the end."
"That's awesome," I said with a false smile plastered on my face, "if it's what you want then I am happy for you."
"It's only for six months but I will be very busy, there is talk of me getting my own series, I just have to figure out how I want to play it."
"What brought about your sudden change of heart, I thought you only wanted to do cam stuff," I said, putting the drink to my lips.
"Well I've seen how great you've been doing and I want a piece of that," he began to leaf through the sheets in his contract.
I sat in silence for a minute or so, wondering the best way to respond, I wanted to be his friend again but I also wanted to make sure that he was doing this for the right reasons and not some stupid attempt to get back at me for stealing his thunder.
"So you are cool with shooting scenes with guys now, you usually only did wank videos, right?"
"I have to get over that hurdle when I get to it I guess, I will be the highest paid star on the site so I don't give a fuck where I stick it, Curtis has offered me double if I agree to bottom." He said quickly.
"Bottom!, c'mon Lockie, that sounds like you are selling out, you told me years ago you wouldn't go there, are you doing this to somehow get back at me?"
"There you go, I was waiting for it to be all about you," he said with a dramatically raised voice.
Everyone in the room stopped talking and stared in our direction, I could feel my cheeks getting red.
"That's not what I meant, stop thinking I am out to get you," I hissed through gritted teeth, "believe it or not I am looking out for you."
"Please, you have only been here five minutes and already you think you are a fucking expert."
"Mr. Gent seems to think I am doing ok." I retorted, instantly regretting it seeing the stung look on his face.
"I didn't think you were like this Mason," he sounded hurt, he began stuffing the sheets back into his bag, "I think we should just steer clear of each other for the sake of the shoot, agreed?"
"If that's what you want then fine by me." I was also hurt but with everything going on in my life at the moment I really wasn't in the mood for a bratty Lockie. I drained my drink and made my way over to Mr. Gent who was speaking to Jupiter.
"Mason, what was that all about, I really hope there will be no drama on this shoot, there is too much at stake here, depending on how it turns out Curtis and I are thinking of submitting it for award season, not to mention all the money involved."
"It's all good, don't worry,"