Wartime Comfort House Diary Day 19 Aussie Beauty
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Some Comfort Here Ch. 04 free porn video
‘Going somewhere, Brandy?’ Mae called from the counter as Brandon made his way towards the door. They had returned home the day before on a ten-day break till the release of the album. Once the album released, there would be promotions, signings, and more interviews.
He hadn’t done much since he returned home, except sleep. His friends had dropped in to meet and it had been a good laugh, but he didn’t really want to go out anywhere. Needed to save up on the energy for what was to come.
‘I’m going to meet Izzi, mam,’ he said, waving at her. ‘Be back in an hour.’
The thought of meeting Isabel unnerved him a little. He hadn’t got to speak to her after that interview. His sister Yvonne had called him the day the interview came out in the paper to ask if that was true. His mam had called as well. He’d half-expected Ben’s mom to also call but she didn’t, thankfully. It didn’t feel nice to have to explain to every person that it wasn’t true— Louis had linked him with Jessica and started the rumour just for sheer publicity, and he definitely wasn’t single, only trying to protect Isabel from unwanted attention.
And then things had blown out of proportion when a whole feature had been done on them the week after, declaring the five of them as single, footloose, and available. They’d even been asked the type of girls each of them liked and they’d had to make up some rubbish. Poor Mark, he didn’t even fancy girls. Brandon felt more sorry for him than he did for himself.
He’d called up Isabel to explain himself, but Emily had received the call and told him that she was down with fever and couldn’t talk.
Damn. All this, just when she had finally said that she loved him.
Brandon shoved his hands in his pockets and walked past houses, parked cars, and billboards, spotted himself in a poster on a wall. He worried about Isabel. He’d asked Ben about her after they’d come home, and he’d said she was better. But he still wanted to see her. Talk to her. Explain that he did love her and she shouldn’t pay heed to all that trash about them in the media.
Two girls walked past him, stopping short when they recognized him. Brandon lifted the hood of his jacket to hide his face and practically ran the rest of the way to Ben’s house. The last thing he needed on the way to meet his girlfriend was to be mobbed by a group of fans.
He rang the doorbell and waited impatiently, tapping his foot and keeping his head down, in case someone recognised him. At other times, it would’ve been great. But he just wasn’t in the mood now. Not when he was dying to see Isabel.
‘Hi Brandy,’ Emily opened the door with a smile. ‘Come in.’
He politely smiled and walked in, looking around for Isabel. She was nowhere to be seen, though. It was evening. He wondered if she was out somewhere.
‘Ben just went out with his dad,’ Emily said, leading him to the living room. ‘You want some tea?’
‘Umm…okay,’ he nodded, taking off his jacket and putting it down on the sofa. He quickly glanced at the door of Isabel’s room that was slightly ajar. ‘How’s Izzi?’ he asked hesitantly.
‘Better. Still a little weak, though.’ Emily switched off the TV and headed for the kitchen. ‘She’s napping. You want to spend some time with me till she wakes up?’
Brandon didn’t see any reason to refuse. He wouldn’t leave without meeting Isabel, so he had to wait. He gave a nod of acquiescence and followed her into the kitchen.
‘Feels great to be back home, doesn’t it?’ She smiled, as she went about making the tea. Brandon returned the smile, sitting on a barstool at the kitchen island.
‘Yes. It can get lonely on the road,’ he said, glancing around the kitchen that he must have seen for as long as he’d seen his own kitchen.
‘Lonely?’ Emily gave him a surprised glance, picking the box of tea from the top shelf. ‘With the five of you together?’
He laughed. ‘We miss home,’ he sighed. ‘Not professional popstars yet.’ He chewed on his bottom lip, measuring his next words. ‘How did Izzi fall ill?’
‘Not sure.’ Emily turned off the stove and turned, coming up to sit on the opposite side of the island. ‘She started running a high temperature since her exams ended. Part of me thinks she hasn’t been getting enough sleep, part of me feels she’s just stressed about all that’s happening in her life…’ She sighed, lacing her fingers on the countertop. ‘She also had a panic attack a couple of days ago. It was bad.’
Brandon’s eyes widened, concern gripping his mind. ‘I thought she didn’t get them anymore,’ he said, slightly troubled. ‘She’s been better.’
‘That’s what we thought as well,’ Emily nodded, leaving the stool to pour the tea. ‘But that night I was woken by the sound of her being sick in the bathroom. We found her cold and sweaty, trembling all over.’
‘Did she have a nightmare or something…?’
‘Possibly. She couldn’t say anything, she was too shaken.’ She sighed. ‘Her nightmares raise their ugly heads sometimes. And why not? The terrible things she’s been through…’
She returned with the tea and cookies on a tray. ‘It’s good that you came,’ she said. ‘I wanted to talk to you about something.’
His stomach flipped. Was it about that interview or that article? He hoped not, but in all likelihood it was.
‘About what?’ He sipped on the tea, the delicious warm beverage doing nothing to alleviate his nervousness.
‘About you and Izzi.’ She put her tea cup down, going into therapist mode. Emily was different from other moms. She understood everything just by looking at your face. Sometimes she played it cool, sometimes she sat you down and talked like a friend. She studied reactions and emotions, helped you deal with your own feelings, know your own mind.
‘Brandy, I want you to be honest with me, okay?’ She said gently, smiling. ‘I’m not a parent right now. I’m a friend. Talk to me openly. Right?’
‘Is anything wrong, Mrs B?’ He said, trying to keep his hands from trembling. When your girlfriend’s parent sat you down and gave you a talk, it definitely meant something wrong.
‘No.’ She sipped her tea, looked at him. ‘Do you think there is?’
He opened his mouth, but then closed it and shook his head. He didn’t want to think anything was wrong.
‘Okay. So just a simple question.’ She paused, studied his face. ‘Are you serious about Izzi?’
Brandon stared, his mouth half-open. It was definitely because of all that trash in the press. She was already doubting him.
‘I am,’ he said quietly. ‘Mrs B, I know why you’re asking. I care about Izzi. I know she is young and vulnerable, and I’m–‘
‘Brandy, I’m not asking for details,’ she shook her head. ‘Neither am I saying all this because Izzi is young and vulnerable. After all that she’s been through, I don’t think her age remains a factor anymore.’ She sighed, sipped her tea. ‘I just want to make sure she’s safe. You know what I mean, right?’
He nodded dumbly again.
‘Okay.’ She nodded, exhaling deeply. ‘The thing is, a relationship is about responsibility, commitment. It’s about trust. Given Izzi’s history, it isn’t surprising that her sense of trust is really fragile right now. You understand that, right?’
‘I do.’ He nodded, his gaze low.
‘Have you ever thought if you’re getting into something you cannot fulfil? If you’re even ready for a serious relationship?’
‘I have. I’m in love with Izzi. I care about her.’ He ran his hand through his hair, not sure how else to explain himself. ‘I cannot imagine anyone else in her place.’
‘I know. But are you sure you’ll be able to keep the trust that she’s placed in you? Showbiz is hard and you’re very young. Can you handle it?’
‘You…you mean the things in the press about us the last few weeks, don’t you?’ He finally asked. ‘About me being single, dating somebody else…?’
Emily smiled sadly. ‘Look, we
know most of the things in the press aren’t true, whether it’s about you or about anybody else. We know Louis. We know how manipulative he can be. He’ll go all out to promote the five of you.’
She rose from the stool, taking her cup to the sink. ‘The problem is, Izzi doesn’t see that. She isn’t at a stage where she’ll be able to sieve the truth from the false.’
‘Auntie Emily?’
It was Isabel, sounding like a child searching for her mother after waking up. Emily motioned him to come up. He did.
‘Come on,’ she smiled, taking him along with her. Isabel was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes. She looked like she’d slept well.
‘Izzi?’ Emily entered her room, smiling. ‘You feeling okay, baby?’ She sat beside her, gave her a cuddle. Isabel yawned like a kitten, nodding. Brandon felt his heart break at the sight. He had hurt her. Played with her trust. Who knew, maybe she had got the panic attack because of him.
‘You want some tea?’ She asked her lovingly. Isabel shook her head, her eyes still half-closed. ‘Some chips, then?’
She shook her head again, moving hair out of her face. ‘Is Ben home?’ she asked, her voice throaty.
‘No, he’ll be back in a while. Brandy is here to meet you, by the way.’ Emily pointed at the door. Brandon forced a smile when Isabel looked at him fleetingly, raised a hand in greeting. Emily kissed her forehead, getting up from the bed, proceeding to leave the room.
‘I’ll leave you kids to talk,’ she smiled at him, giving him a pat. Brandon hesitated before entering the room. Isabel wasn’t looking at him. She was seated in the middle of her bed, clad in a pair of pajamas and a long sleeve top. Her gloves were by the side of the pillow, but she hadn’t reached for them yet. He entered the room, closing the door behind him.
‘How are you now?’ He asked hesitantly, stepping closer to the bed. She nodded wordlessly, scratched her hair.
‘How are you?’ She asked quietly. Brandon found that encouraging. He gathered the courage to sit beside her.
‘I’m fine.’ He bit his lip, thinking of a way to continue the conversation that didn’t seem forced. ‘Your exams are over?’
‘Hmm. Irish was tough. Why does the verb have to come before the subject?’ She yawned again. ‘The rest was easy. English was good. French was good too.’
She looked at him, pressing her lips together. ‘I’m sorry. You aren’t interested in this.’
He smiled, thought of reaching out and giving her a hug, but then decided against it. He wondered what else he could say. Isabel clearly wasn’t in the mood to talk. He was, though. As difficult as it seemed, they needed to have that conversation.
‘Izzi,’ he began cautiously. ‘I want you to know that not everything in the press about us is true.’ He gulped, gathered all the strength he had. ‘We’ve been asked by Louis to lie about our relationships. It’s sheer publicity.’
‘I know.’
Brandon’s eyes widened. ‘You…you know?’
She nodded. ‘I’m not good for your image.’ She looked at him and nodded again. ‘I know.’
He involuntarily shook his head, his face saddening. ‘You’re not good for my image?’ he asked to make sure he’d heard it right.
‘Hmm-mm. You’re handsome and talented. You’ll be big in life. It isn’t healthy for you to be associated with someone like me.’ She shrugged. ‘I’m mental. Scarred. I understand.’
‘Izzi…’
‘No, really. Imagine when people find out that you’re with a girl like me, while Nathan is with the prime minister’s daughter…’ She looked into his eyes, her face blank like always. ‘Can you imagine the comparisons that will be made?’
‘That’s not true!’ he threw up his hands. ‘It’s Louis who linked me to somebody else. And I need to say I’m single because I want to protect you. In a couple of years—’
‘You’ll be with me for that long?’ Isabel frowned. ‘I don’t even know what tomorrow will be like, and you’re thinking two years ahead?’
‘Because I want to be with you forever. All that trash about myself and Jessica Forsman is made up by Louis.’ He sighed, held her hand. ‘Izzi, I swear, I’m not with anybody else.’
‘I don’t care, honestly. You have the luxury of dating and flirting and having fun. I don’t.’ She scrambled down from bed, picked up a bottle of water from the table and took a few gulps. Then she wiped her mouth with the back of her palm. ‘My life isn’t fun. I don’t have anything. I don’t have parents, I don’t have a home. I don’t have the promise of a secure future. I cannot afford to waste my time or energy on you. I need to build my life. Get out of here. Be able to ensure my own safety without having to depend on others.’
She put the bottle down on the table with a thud. ‘I appreciate what you do for me,’ she sighed. ‘But you aren’t obligated to me. You can find someone better.’
‘You’re wasting your time and energy on me?’ Brandon’s eyes welled up. ‘I thought you love me.’
‘Love is a luxury.’ She crossed her arms against her chest, leaned against the night table. ‘I have to think of A-level now. Not love.’ She shook her head, staring down at her feet. ‘You’re famous. You’ll go places, meet different people. And you’ll realise there are far better girls than me in the world, and you’ll miss out if you remain hung up on me. I don’t want you to miss out. I want you to live.’
‘You don’t love me?’
‘How does it matter? I thought you liked girls with great legs who wear short skirts and high heels. I thought you liked blondes. So why me? Because Ben trusts you and wants you to keep me safe?’
‘Because I’m in love with you.’ He rose from bed, moved closer to her. ‘I have never taken pity on you, Izzi. I’ve only loved you, cared about you. Just… Please try to understand. If I make my relationship with you public, it’ll become difficult for you to live in peace. They’ll be after you, everyone will want a piece of you.’
‘It’s not about me. I’m not thinking of myself here.’ She ran her fingers through her hair, tried to untangle the tresses. ‘I’m thinking of you. Your life, your future. I’m a broken, shattered, socially-awkward girl with a terrible past. I can never make you happy.’
‘You do make me happy. Izzi…’ He moved closer to her, cupped her face. ‘I cannot imagine life without you.’
‘You’re not thinking. What if you don’t feel this way in six months? Brandy, I’m not your responsibility. And then, you have an image to maintain now. You need someone who can dress up and go to parties with you, get drunk with you. I completely understand if you date others. You’re free to. Or you can be single if you want to. I never asked you to remain associated with me, anyway.’
‘You…you’re breaking up with me?’ His voice seemed to catch in his throat. Isabel was flat and cold. There was no telling whether it was anger, hurt, or just her insecurities speaking. She cocked her head to a side and sighed, as if explaining something to a five-year-old.
‘You deserve better,’ she said. ‘Someone who’s normal. Who doesn’t make you regret all this in future.’
‘I won’t—’ he began, but then stopped short. There didn’t seem to be much point trying to make her understand. If she was anything, then it was stubborn. It was hard to break down her walls and get to her.
‘Okay.’ Sighing, he turned around, fisting his hands by his side. ‘But I cannot love anyone else. You’re the only girl I want.’
From the corner of his eyes, he could see Isabel unmoved. He shook his head, then walked out as fast as he could.
‘Brandon? Are you okay?’ Emily saw him from the kitchen. He picked up his jacket and nodded quietly.
‘I’m going home,’ he said to her. ‘Thanks for the tea, Mrs B.’
He had opened the door and stepped outside when he saw Ben and his dad approaching. They had groceries in their hands, were laughing and talking about something.
‘Hi Brandy,’ Ben smiled at him, but it faded when he saw his sad coun
tenance. He waved at him and his dad and tried to walk past, but Ben called out. He didn’t stop, kept walking.
‘Brandy, stop!’ He ran after him, blocked his way by coming up in front of him. He frowned.
‘What’s up?’ He asked. ‘Why do you look upset?’
Brandon looked up at him, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. ‘I think Izzi just broke up with me,’ he said quietly.
‘What?!’ Ben’s mouth dropped open. Brandon brushed past him, his feet picking up speed, and then he ran the rest of the way.
*
Sundays were always the busiest day at the café. Not only did people come there to eat but also to meet friends and have a laugh. Since the opening hour, they had already served 20 plates of hamburgers, 18 burritos, 12 plates of fish ‘n’ chips, and about 30 cups of coffee. And it was only ten thirty.
Brandon was hanging around at the counter, running the chip fryer, occasionally running errands for his parents. He hadn’t been able to be happy after he returned from Ben’s house two days ago. Of course, Ben had come down and told him that Isabel would eventually come around, but it hadn’t really helped. Worse than her thinking she was someone to be ashamed of was her thinking that he deserved better.
Like how much better? She was the first girl he’d truly loved, it couldn’t get better than that. She made him happy. And yet he had to keep it all under wraps, even if it caused misunderstandings or made her walk away from him.
He wanted to kill Louis. And then shout out from rooftops that he was in love with the most beautiful girl in the whole solar system. But realistically, he couldn’t do either.
‘When are they coming to shoot the documentary?’ Mairead asked him, swinging by with a tray.
Oh, that.
So he’d bought a car, his first car. And it was a BMW 3 Series. It was second-hand, but then, nobody else drove a BMW in the town, so it was something. A production company from London wanted to shoot a short documentary on him, a day in the life of Brandon Steven Farrell. He was going to take them around the town, show them places that meant to him, take them down to the barn, and proudly display his new purchase.
As the frontman of the band, he was like an inspiration for other country lads. Like if he could make it big, so could they.
‘Not sure,’ he shrugged, ‘They’ll let me know.’
‘I’m so excited!’ his sister beamed, her blue eyes twinkling with delight. ‘My little brother is a star.’
He frowned at her. ‘I’m only two years younger than you, if that helps,’ he rolled his eyes. ‘And I’m not yet a star. It’s just—’
The café phone rang. Brandon picked it up since everyone else looked busy.
‘Brandy?’ It was Ben on the other end, sounding worried. ‘Is Izzi there?’
‘No…’ He still looked around the place just to make sure he hadn’t missed her. ‘Why?’
‘She isn’t there? Oh, no! Dad, she isn’t at the café!’ He shouted out to Thomas. ‘I’ve called Kyle and Mark, asked around the neighborhood, but she’s nowhere,’ he explained.
‘When did she leave?’ Brandon was worried now. ‘Didn’t she say where she’s going?’
‘We woke up to find her missing,’ Ben said. ‘We thought she’d gone for a walk maybe, but she still isn’t back.’
‘Have you tried her phone? Did she carry it along?’
Ben sighed tiredly. ‘Does she ever?’
‘Jesus!’ Brandon looked around in confusion, not sure what to do. ‘I’ll go and look for her.’
‘Where?’
‘Everywhere. It’s a small town. She’s still somewhere here unless she’s managed to cross over to England.’ He put down the phone, grabbed his jacket and turned to leave.
‘Brandy?’ It was Mairead, looking on horrified. ‘She’s okay, right?’
‘I hope so.’ He turned and left the café, having no time to waste. He took his horse and rode off into the town, searching every direction possible, worry killing him. Isabel was still disturbed and unstable. Her disappearance didn’t seem healthy at all. Yes, she was in the habit of going off without telling anybody sometimes, but she usually returned in a while. This time, it was seriously worrying.
He wandered into the distant end of the town, barely any civilization in sight, and definitely no sign of Isabel. He had looked at every possible place, asked everybody, but she was nowhere. But still, he refused to give up. He hoped he’d find her under a tree somewhere, reading.
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