"You're up early." Across town at Aaron's apartment, oblivious to the press interest about to fall on his head, Cameron was getting ready to meet Topaz for lunch in the city. Casting Gary, who had spoken, a wry grin, he ran his comb through his hair, tossing it onto the table and grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl.
"I 'ave a date." he said with a shrug. "You remember what that's like?"
"Oh, shut your mouth." Gary laughed. "There are plenty of pretty girls in California, anyhow. Hey, which reminds me. Your Aurora is pretty good mates with her bandmates, isn't she?"
"Yes...why?" Cameron dropped down into a chair, taking a bite from his apple.
"Did she happen to mention whether or not Sylva's involved? I didn't really like to ask her myself yesterday, you know, seemed inappropriate somehow, but..."
Cameron almost choked on his mouthful. Swallowing hurriedly, he laughed.
"You, worried about bein' inappropriate? The class clown?"
"Can it, will you? I'm serious!" Gary retorted. Cameron grinned.
"From all I know of Syl, she ain't much into the 'eavy datin' thing." He said, relenting. "Far as I know, she's single. Why, you fancy takin' 'er out?"
"Mm, it had crossed my mind." Gary admitted. "Hey, she's a babe...couldn't hurt to ask, right?"
"Well, sure." Cameron looked amused. "Ask 'er if you can be 'er date for the Christmas Party or somethin'...I dunno. From what Rora's said she's pretty easy to get to know an' not shy."
He finished his apple, tossing the core across the room and into the bin.
"Jammy git." Gary told him amiably. Cameron shrugged.
"Years of practice, mate." He said, laughing. "'Ere, was that the door?"
"Mm. Probably your hot date." Gary remarked. "You better get it."
"No, I'm meeting Rora in town. Can't be 'er." Cameron frowned, nevertheless getting to his feet and heading into the hallway to open the door.
Once he did so, he began to wish he had not bothered. Two strange man stood in the hallway, one armed with a camera and the other with a notebook and dictaphone. Perceptive enough to realise they were press men, his frown deepened.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
"Are you Cameron Milligan, by any chance?" The taller of the two men asked in interest, pen poised. "I wondered if you'd like to..."
"It ain't no business of yours what my name is...who the hell are you an' what do you want?" Cameron interrupted, putting his hands on his hips.
"Just here in the name of public interest, Mr Milligan." The photographer offered a sleazy smile. "You must've realised that having a hot, steamy love affair with the beautiful Topaz has it's price...surely?"
"Can't we tempt you to comment just a little on your affair? How you met? What your future plans are?" His companion added.
"I don't know who gave you this address or me name, but you sure as 'ell ain't welcome, and I 'ave no comment to make." Cameron snapped, going to slam the door, but the reporter was too quick for him, putting his hand out to stop it from closing.
"Jewel's love lives are the public's business." He said genially, though there was an edge to his tone. "We'll make it worth your while, you know..."
"Oh, get lost!" Cameron exclaimed, shoving the man's arm away and shutting the door, then leaning up against it to gather his wits. From outside the door he could hear the reporter's voice, still making promises of money for his words and inwardly he cursed. Didn't these people ever get the message they weren't wanted? Weren't they aware that he loved Topaz more than money could compensate?
"'Ow in 'ell did they find out who I was an' where I was staying!" He asked himself. "It's damn impossible! Noone knows me in this city or would care enough to find out except..."
A frown crossed his face at the thought.
"Except Rora." He realised with some consternation. "Or one of Jewel. Mm, maybe I need to talk to her about this. But this is crazy! She wouldn't blab to the press about us, she knows how special things are! She wouldn't want to jeopardise things by spillin' to some local rag! Dammit, she values the private time we 'ave together as much as I do! We don't damn get enough as it is!"
But even as he told himself this, the question still lingered in his mind.
Had Topaz let the cat out of the bag?
And if she had not, then who had?