Shattering Zoella's Demons

  “Miss Kelly, I let her sleep. She was tired last night.” Maria was not shaken by the scowl Kelly directed at her. “I’m sure the day can start a bit late.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Kelly said dumping her briefcase and laptop on the couch in the living room. Removing her black cashmere coat, she sighed. “I can’t wait for summer. Please tell me there’s coffee.”

  When Maria nodded Kelly moved to drop a kiss on her cheek. “You’re a blessing Maria. I hope you know that. Get me a cup will you, and I’ll go wake her.”

  Maria grinned at the busy girl and headed for the kitchen.

  Kelly rushed up the stairs, headed straight for the master bedroom. The fact that the door was opened seemed a bit odd, but it didn’t give her pause. Zoe was an oddity unto herself. Sweeping into the spacious suite, she stopped at the bedroom. Her gaze riveted on the neat bed.

  “Great joke.” Kelly shook her head. “Castille come out now. I’ve no time for this.”

  There was no answer. Shaking her head again, Kelly stuck a hand into her trouser pockets and strolled back out of the room. Stopping at the door to the music room, a frown appeared when no sign of Zoe was found in here too.

  Where the hell was she?

  “Maria!” Kelly made her way back down. “Maria?”

  “I have your coffee, Miss Kelly. Slow down.” Maria set the tray she was carrying on a table in the living room. “What’s wrong?”

  “She’s not in her room. Where did she go?”

  “Not in her room?” Maria asked in panic. “But I thought she was sleeping.”

  “Did you check?”

  “I know she doesn’t wake up in the morning until I wake her. It’s routine. But where could she have gone?”

  “Was the front door locked when you came in?” Kelly asked, hoping that may be Zoe had just gone out for a run or something, as highly unlikely as that was.

  “Yes. I unlocked it with my key. Have you called her?” Maria asked, worry drifting into her eyes.

  “Call her.” Kelly reached for her cell phone on the coffee table. “Let’s see, this girl will be the end of me.” She continued as she hit speed dial. “This is so typical of her. Challenge me on the first day back in London.”

  When the service told her the phone was shut off, she stared at Maria. “Her phone is off.”

  “What do we do?” Maria asked, panic in her voice. “She can’t be missing so easily. Was she supposed to be going somewhere?”

  “No. I have her schedule. I’m sure she’s fine,” Kelly said trying to hang on to reason. “I’ll make some calls, while we wait. This is probably a misunderstanding. Have a seat Maria, have some of that coffee.”

  Kelly got on the phone again, calling Kenny first.

  *****

  It had been a perfect night, Jessica thought blissfully as she watched her husband sleep. She was glad he’d stopped her from continuing their fight. Instead, they’d shared a lovely dinner at Marie’s. They’d talked about everything leaving their relationship out of the conversation. The ride back home had been full of jokes and laughter.

  And then they’d made love.

  Smiling, Jessica propped her head on her hand and gently pushed a lock of hair from her husband’s forehead. He was so handsome even more so while he slept. His facial features were devoid of any lines and expressions. He was simply a man at rest. She wished this moment could last forever.

  The phone on his bedside table rang and he reached for it automatically, shuttering her wishes to the wind. The world was already intruding into their fragile truce. Kenny sleepily brought the phone to his ear and without opening his eyes, he answered the call.

  “Williams,” he said.

  “Is Zoe with you?” a sharp voice demanded making Jessica stiffen.

  “No,” Kenny answered bolting upright. He was wide awake now. “Why?”

  “She’s not home. Her bed is made and there is no trace of her here.”

  “Did she have to go someplace this morning?” Kenny asked moving to sit on the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes as he tried to clear the cobwebs.

  “No. That’s what worries me. Maria left her here last night. This morning I went to wake her and nothing. Look, I have to make some more inquiries, let me call you back.”

  “Alright,” Kenny sighed. “Have you tried her cell?”

  “It’s shut off,” Kelly replied before she rang off.

  Kenny was left to stare at his phone in a bit of confusion. Wiping a hand down his face, he bolted of the bed when a pillow hit him on the head. “What the—

  “Don’t even try to explain,” Jessica wailed. “What am I to you Kenny? You never explained that to me yesterday. Why don’t you do it now? After a night in our bed, one call about her and you don’t even look at me!”

  “Damn it Jess. Can you give me a moment to breathe? I seem to remember asking you to trust me. Is that a problem for you?”

  “You make it damn hard when you talk on the phone with such concern for my little sister.” Jessica snapped. She pulled on her robe knotted the ends tightly. “Maybe you should run along to her.”

  “Jesus, Jess, I don’t have time for this,” Kenny said with a shrug. Turning he went into the bathroom and slammed the door closed.

  “That’s right, keep away!” Jessica sobbed out then hurled a little glass dish at the door. “Bastard”

  ******

  Villa Thermopolis

  Athens, Greece

  Villa Thermopolis was a beautiful exotic haven tucked into a hill surrounded with trees and shrubs. Beautiful gardens and manicured lawns gave it a regal stately look. For eight years now, she’d called this place home. It always felt so right to return here. Especially now, Zoe thought as she climbed the steps to the front door.

  Lifting the heavy knocker, she knocked on the massive door and stood back waiting for the butler to open. Adjusting the weight of her overnight bag, she watched as the door slowly opened to reveal a small boy of about six years almost swinging off the handle as he pulled the door open.

  An involuntary smile came on his face and he stopped and stared at her.

  “Zoe!” he said. “Zoe! Zoe!”

  Laughing, she crouched down and allowed him to come running into her arms.

  “Zan, hello sweetheart, are you still sweet as candy?” Zoe asked in Greek.

  “Absolutely,” Zan answered dropping kisses all over her face. A habit that he’d acquired when his mother told him people kissed because they missed each other. “I missed you.”

  “How much,” Zoe asked and was rewarded more kisses on her cheeks and her lips, “that much! I missed you too, cookie.”

  Gathering him up, she noted that he was getting heavier as she stood up. She walked into the foyer, closing the door with her foot behind her. Dropping the carry on bag to the floor, she looked up to find her aunt Athena watching her from the top of the stairs.

  “I’m home,” Zoe smiled.

  Athena came hurrying down the stairs. “You should have called. I’d have had someone pick you up.”

  She hugged Zoe, Zan between them.

  “Sandwich,” Zan exclaimed wrapping an arm around his mother’s neck. “I’m in a sandwich.”

  Both women laughed and after another shower of kisses on Zoe, Zan was put down. He immediately rushed of to tell his nanny Zoe had come home.

  Alone in the foyer, Athena studied Zoe for a moment, and then she tugged on Zoe’s black cap.

  “What happened?”

  Zoe shrugged, “Nothing.”

  Pulling off the cap, Athena studied the worn face. There were shadows under the dark eyes. The girl looked as though she hadn’t slept.

  “Lunch was over early, but I’m sure Alain will have something for you.” Athena took Zoe’s arm and led her to the kitchen. “I’m going to have a talk with your people. They don’t pay attention.”

  “It’s not their fault.”
r />   “Hush,” Athena cut in quickly. “Alain will feed you, then—, and then we can talk.”

  ****

  In the kitchen Athena watched Alain Trichet start fussing over Zoe while she leaned on the cupboard counter, her heart beating in anxiety. She wasn’t sure what it was but seeing Zoe standing in her foyer alone had shaken her.

  Something was terribly wrong. Zoe avoided public transportation like the plague. Her anxiety levels were hard to control among so many people. Her traveling was always done in private cars, jets and with a bodyguard named Tony Black. Not seeing him with her bothered Athena all the more.

  “If you’re good and eat your soup, I’ll get you madeleines from this morning,” Athena said moving to a cupboard a few feet away. “I know how you miss Alain’s madeleines.”

  “There is no one who can make them as well,” Zoe said.

  Taking a bite of the cream of broccoli soup Zoe studied Athena. Her aunt was worried.

  But she couldn’t ease Athena’s mind, not with the letter from Sandra Carpenter burning a hole in her pocket. She didn’t want to tell anyone.

  No, that wasn’t right; the truth was she didn’t think she could tell anyone. She just wanted it all to disappear.

  Upstairs in Zoe’s suite of rooms, Athena opened the balcony doors.

  “I’ve had the staff stock the bathroom. If you need anything you know what to do.”

  The living area overlooked the back gardens of the villa. It was large and furnished with comfortable couches and seats. The bedroom had a king size bed dominating the middle and a vanity table that stood beside two mirrors that acted as doors to the walk-in closet. Beside the balcony doors was a white baby grand piano, its surface covered with a dust cloth.

  The fact that Zoe hadn’t walked over to uncover the piano and tinkle away was another worrying factor.

  The girl was acting strange and very nervous, Athena decided.

  Walking to the seat at the foot of the bed, Athena perched on it and asked, “What has happened? I’m on pins and needles just imagining things.”

  “Why would anything have happened?” Zoe asked, pacing to the vanity table. She placed her handbag on it, and turned around to meet Athena’s probing green eyes. “I just came home earlier.”

  “Really,” Athena said, she knew Zoe well. “You could have called.”

  “I could have,” Zoe agreed. “But I seem to have lost my phone. You know how I am.” The last was said with a quiver.

  “Always losing things,” Zoe murmured.

  “Talk to me darling,” Athena said. “You were alright when we left you in Prague. What’s happened between now and then? Come on, pixie.”

  That nickname did it. She missed Robbie so much. She wanted to talk to him, hear him say ‘it’s gonna be alright’. It was usually just right.

  But—, she couldn’t call him, could she? Not now, not ever. The lash of pain through her heart made her gasp.

  “Oh,” She couldn’t help the sound. Athena rushed to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

  Zoe buried her face in Athena’s shoulder. “I’ve made a mess of things again.”

  Tears came soon after. Everything she’d held back all night trying to come up with a solution came out. The anger at what would inevitably happen in seven months since she couldn’t go back there. She couldn’t face that monster. Just thinking about him paralyzed her. If she saw him—, God, if she was in the same room with him—

  Athena could only hold on tight as Zoe trembled hard in her arms. The slender body felt like it would break in half from the hard sobs. They were heart wrenching and sad it was as though tragedy had befallen.

  Pushing Zoe’s hair away from her face, Athena soothed. “Hush, love. Come let’s go sit on the bed. Hmm, everything is going to be okay. We’ll get through it.”

  Whatever ‘it’ was, Athena thought.

  Holding Zoe as she cried, Athena was aware that she’d do anything to help her. Whatever Zoe needed, she’d get it.

  Breathing in deep, Zoe tried to stem the tears, hoping to gain back her control. But control was one thing she was going to lose. She would have to fight her fears to breathe at all.

  “Aunt Athena,” her voice trembled with emotion, “you promised me that—, if things got bad, you’d let me come back home once. Is-Is it okay if I did that now?”

  “Why won’t you tell me what has happened,” Athena asked. “I can help.”

  “This is how to help. Let me stay here for a while.”

  “Is it Robbie?”

  “No,” Zoe said quickly, shaking her head, her blood turning cold at his name. Her heart clenched in pain. One thing at a time, she told herself. “Can I stay?”

  “You never have to ask, my love,” Athena soothed. “This is your home.”

  After another moment of silence, Athena said, “You’re hiding again.”

  Zoe didn’t reply.

  There was no need. Athena already knew the answer. She held Zoe until she slept. Then making sure Zoe was settled, Athena left the room and went to call Thaddeus. He’d know what to do.

  This would be handled. She had a wedding to plan.

  *****

  Chapter Five

  “Call my phone, Tevin,” Robbie demanded. “Stop glaring at me and just do it.”

  “Dude, I just called it an hour ago. I’m sure it’s still working.” Tevin was chewing on a piece of roast beef.

  They were in the dining room at the Waldorf in New York, where they had a penthouse for the week. Ron and Mick had decided to go out and party. Tevin suspected they were escaping Robbie’s foul temper. The guy was like a caged tiger. He was pacing from one side of the room to the other.

  “She always calls at least thrice a day. She’s at home; I don’t understand what the problem is,” Robbie worried.

  “You do realize we’re discussing Zoe. She’s a wild card. Maybe she’s lost her phone. They are like pencils to her,” Tevin pointed out.

  “She’s been careful,” Robbie said, thinking that her care had come from missing him.

  He needed to hear her voice, know that she was fine. He believed it was the same for her when it came to him.

  “She can use Kelly’s phone. Which I should do, maybe they are together.”

  “Do that,” Tevin said getting up.

  He needed a beer. At this rate it didn’t seem like he’d be escaping this tonight. Robbie needed someone to be with him or he was going to lose it.

  Kelly answered on the first ring. “Jones,” she said.

  “Where is she?”

  “Robbie,” Kelly said. “I was wondering when you’d call. It took you longer than I thought.”

  “What’s wrong?” Robbie asked in a panic. He stopped pacing and gripped the cell phone harder. It was an unwritten rule when they were on the road. If something terrible happened, no one said anything until the situation was either fixed or worse. “Is she sick?”

  “No,” Kelly said quickly. “She’s fine. There is nothing wrong with Zoe, she’s just left London. I can’t exactly tell you where she’s gone to, but Chris assured me they talked this morning. It’s been a very long day, and I’m still looking for her, I will call you as soon as I find her.”

  “What happened to make her leave?” Robbie demanded. “Did Chris force her to do something she didn’t want to? I’ll have his head, you tell him that. She’s stressed enough as it is.”

  “Robbie, don’t lose it on me,” Kelly said with a sigh. “I’m not equipped to handle your shit too right now. You can imagine the mess I’m handling, there are so many things to cancel and deal with. I’ve gotta go, but I promise I will call when I find her.”

  “Can you not forget that you’ve said that? I’m going stir crazy right now,” Robbie said quietly.

  “She’s fine. I’ll call,” Kelly said and rang off.

  “What’s up?” Tevin asked returning back sipping at a beer.
He stopped mid motion when he saw Robbie’s expression. “What’s happened?”

  Robbie looked up and the panic in his eyes scared Tevin. The only other time he’d seen that look was the night Ryan Jacques died.

  “She’s missing, Tev. What do I do?”

  ******

  “Kelly says she’s fine; there is no doubt she is. Stop worrying,” Tevin said his tone full of assurance. “I’m sure she’s probably gone to visit someone. You know how she is. Remember that time in Rome; she disappeared from Kelly to go see that young girl who was sick.”

  “But—

  Robbie started and stopped. He couldn’t think clearly.

  “Give them time. They’ll find her. In the end, it’s usually something to laugh about,” Tevin said doing his best to convince Robbie.

  Robbie drove fingers into his hair and closed his eyes. It wasn’t easy to do that. He felt like jumping on the next flight out and going in search of Zoe, being so far from her and the situation made him feel helpless.

  “She should stop doing this,” Robbie said in anger. “I’m going to give her an earful after this. It’s difficult to do this when am so far. I’m losing my mind just imagining the things that could happen to her.”

  “You taught her to be that way. I seem to recall a Ferris wheel in the past. Give her a break.” Tevin teased gently, squeezing Robbie’s shoulder, he said, “Relax. It will be okay.”

  “Hey, let’s get some Italian food,” Tevin said then, glancing at the cold plate on the table. “You must be hungry, come on, Robbie. We can visit that hot new restaurant in Manhattan. It will be better than waiting around.”

  Robbie sighed and decided he might as well. Sitting here was worse than anything else. It would be better if he kept busy.

  “Yeah sure,” Robbie said, but he made sure he carried his cell phone with him.

  ***

  “This is ridiculous.” Robbie sighed a week later.

  Staring out the window in the private Lear jet, he wondered what was happening with Zoe.

  He’d spent the entire week on pins and needles. Zoe’s phone was assumed lost since no one could get a hold of her. Kenny had kept in touch with him, giving him reassurances Robbie sensed were tailored to assure both of them. He wanted to scream bloody murder with frustration. What annoyed him even more was that he hadn’t been able to leave the tour and go in search of Zoe. His responsibilities to the band came first.