Preamble
This is the third instalment of my 'Fresh Start' series and things are beginning to change for Chelsea now. She's engaged to Connor and has accepted a new job training Connors ex-wife for an upcoming film. All Chelsea needs to do now is break the news to people.
Chapter 1
Chelsea Cartwright almost skipped to work at the gym on Monday morning. By whatever measure you chose to apply, the weekend had been life-changing for her. For a start, Connor had asked her to marry him and she'd said yes. In a year's time she would be Mrs Connor Patterson.
Not only that but she'd agreed to be bridesmaid for Connor's ex-wife, the Hollywood actress, Sophie Cruz, at her upcoming wedding to 'Sons of Mayhem' star, Lance Penning. She'd slept with Lance on the Saturday night, but compared to the other monumental events of that weekend, it almost seemed like a minor detail now.
And if this wasn't enough, Chelsea had agreed to train Sophie, full time, for her starring role in the upcoming movie, Avenging Angel. It was going to mean handing in her resignation at the gym, which she wasn't looking forward to. But times were changing for Chelsea.
Any thoughts Chelsea might have had of serving out her notice quietly were dispelled the moment she walked through the gym's entrance however. One of the other instructors had already seen the paparazzi pictures of her, Connor, Sophie and Lance as they'd left the restaurant in L.A. on Saturday night. Apparently, the photos had also appeared in the on-line versions of several papers and by the end of her morning classes it seemed that the news had travelled like wildfire through both the staff and the clientele.
Deciding she couldn't put off her resignation any longer, Chelsea went to see Carole, her supervisor. Carole was responsible for managing the gym and the spa staff, as well as the reception and maintenance people too. She was a little older than the instructors and had a motherly quality to her.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Miss Hollywood," Carole chuckled as Chelsea walked into her small office.
"You've seen the photos?"
"Of course and you look lovely in them by the way."
"Thanks. I'm afraid I've come to hand in my resignation, Carole," Chelsea confessed.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Carole asked.
"Sophie Cruz has offered me a job as her personal trainer, for a film she's going to do."
"A job like that won't last for ever you know," Carole said, adding a note of caution.
"I know, but I hope it might open some doors for me," Chelsea explained. "But also, Connor, my boyfriend, asked me to marry him last night."
"And that would be," Carole said, turning to her computer and reading from some celeb' website. "Connor Patterson, Crypto billionaire and ex-husband of Sophie Cruz."
"Yes."
Carole's face broke out into a smile.
"Congratulations Chelsea. I couldn't be happier for you," she said. "He's a lucky man. I know it's not been easy for you since you moved out here. I'd have paid you more if it was up to me."
"I'm not leaving because I'm unhappy, Carole. I love this place and I'm happy to work my two weeks' notice. I don't want to let anyone down. But I'd also like to ask if there's any chance I could train Sophie here some of the time."
"How about staying to the end of the week?" Carole offered. "I'll have to ask about training Sophie. You know they don't usually allow personal trainers to train their clients here but because she's so high profile it may make a difference."
"Thank you."
"Oh, is your engagement a secret?" Carole asked, lowering her voice. "I don't want to spoil anything."
"Honestly Carole, I want the whole world to know," Chelsea replied proudly.
After she left Carole's office, Chelsea quickly called Sophie. She still couldn't quite believe the famous Sophie Cruz would take her calls, but Sophie picked up immediately.
"I got your text last night. Congratulations. I couldn't be happier for you both," Sophie squealed with delight. "We could make it a double wedding."
"I'd really like that, but Connor and I are going to wait a year. I really don't want everyone to think he's marrying a gold-digger."
"Most people wait a year," Sophie said reassuringly. "It's only the really desperate singletons like me and Lance who can't wait. We're thinking about getting married in Greece by the way then taking a week off before he starts filming his Spartan movie. I hope that's ok with you and Connor, what with you being bridesmaid and Connor giving me away."
"I'm sure it will be fine. I'll let Connor know." Chelsea hesitated, then asked, "Would you be one my bridesmaids Sophie, along with my best friend Presley? I mean, I know you're busy and well, you were Connor's wife and all..."
"Of course I will," Sophie interrupted.
"Thanks. That means so much."
"And thank you for asking me. You know it would be good if you could come to L.A. next week. I know we don't start training until after the wedding but I'm keen to get healthy and I could do with a bit of a plan just to start me off. Plus I'd really like to try on some wedding dresses and I was hoping you'd come with me."
"Sophie, I'd really love that. In the meantime I'll put together an exercise and diet plan and mail it to you. Nothing complicated."
"Thanks Chelsea. Oh and Lance is looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday by the way. He'll be there early afternoon. I know this is meant to be all about your friend Grace. But if you get the chance you should let him fuck you. He enjoyed Saturday night and I really want the two of you get on."
Chapter 2
Connor Patterson had gotten out of bed at the same time Chelsea that morning then gone for a run. He felt energized and, for the first time in a while, felt like he had some direction in his life too.
When he got back to the apartment he showered, made himself some breakfast then got to work. Connor's approach had always been to tackle the difficult tasks first and nothing was going to be more difficult than convincing his long-time friend and attorney, Mike Frankle that he hadn't lost his mind. Connor picked up the phone and dialled Mike's number
"I see you couldn't help going to see Sophie," Mike began, without so much as a hello.
"I didn't know you read the celebrity pages, Mike," Connor quipped.
"I don't, but Marcie does."
"I have some news," Connor told Mike excitedly. "I'm getting married."
Connor could hear Mike sigh.
"Tell me it's not to Sophie," Mike pleaded.
"Of course it's not. Sophie's marrying Lance Penning."
"You're not marrying this..." The line went quiet while Mike checked his facts, "Chelsea Cartwright?"
"I am."
"Connor, as your friend, I need to ask if you've thought this through."
"I've never felt more confident about anything."