Page 86 of One Hollywood Sunset

Freya swallowed and tried to remain focused on the road ahead.

‘This wasn’t how it was supposed to end up, you know. It was supposed to go on a lot longer than this, but you had to ruin that for me too. Making plans to get married and this afternoon, trying to jet off to Corfu,’ Sasha remarked, tapping the gun on the dashboard in time to the music.

‘How can you possibly know about Corfu? We only decided that half an hour ago.’

‘I know everything, Freya! I admit things got a little patchy when you lost your handbag, but I still had the wire in the house. I know absolutely everything you and Nick have discussed over the last few months.’

‘My God.’

‘Now, perhaps you’ll have a little respect for me, instead of treating me like someone with no brain. “I’ll have a cup of tea please, Sasha. I’ll have another calorie-loaded pastry, Sasha”,’ Sasha spoke.

‘That isn’t how it is at all. I’ve been nothing but nice to you. I gave you the job even though you were the least qualified for it. I’ve told you things I know about photography I haven’t passed on to anyone else. I thought we were friends.’

‘I know you did. That was the plan. You had to trust me for any of this to work.’

‘I still don’t really understand why you’ve been doing all this. Was it all you? The broken windows? The photographs? The letter and the wreath? What about Mike? Did you arrange for him to be attacked?’ Freya wanted to know.

‘I’d like to say that it was all me, but no. I had nothing to do with poor Mike’s attack. That hurt Nick, didn’t it? He treats all his staff well, just like friends. I saw how that affected him. I couldn’t do anything that would hurt him,’ Sasha replied.

‘You couldn’t do anything to hurt him?! What d’you think all this has been doing to him? He’s been worried out of his mind. He loves me, Sasha.’

‘Shut up! He does not love you! He’s just got confused. You’ve made him confused. You turned up in his life when he was vulnerable over his cancer. He was an easy target and you manipulated him into a relationship with you. The poor guy didn’t stand a chance. But I’m going to save him from that.’

She was sounding unhinged. Nothing like the person Freya thought she had got to know over the past few months.

‘Look, Sasha, I know how you must feel…’

‘Know how I feel?! You have absolutely no idea how I feel! Do you know how sick I’ve felt having to work with you every day? I’ve had to listen to all that boring camera talk in the office and watch you fawning all over Nick. And as for listening to the two of you at home… the sex actually turned my stomach. I pity Nick, having to put up a pretence of enjoying himself. It just shows what a fantastic actor he is.’

‘You’re twisted,’ Freya said through gritted teeth.

‘Like you’re one to judge! I heard the conversation with your “brother”. I have to say, that gave me great amusement. I listened to him telling you, you completely freaking out, so much so you had to go to hospital! Imagine! Sleeping with your brother! Now, that is twisted.’ She laughed.

Anger boiled up inside Freya and she pulled hard right on the steering wheel of the car. The SUV veered across the road towards the embankment. It hit the bank and came to a halt.

‘You stupid bitch! Get out the seat! Get out the seat. You’re getting in the back,’ Sasha screamed, pointing the gun at Freya.

‘Whatever you have planned for me doesn’t really matter. Nick will be on his way here with the police and you’re going down for kidnap, harassment and breaking and entering at the very least.’

‘And, pleading insanity, how long do you think I will get? You are the sentence expert, after all.’

Sasha pushed Freya into the back seat of the car.

‘Whatever you get, you won’t be getting Nick.’

‘Hmm, you don’t think? With you not here, with him needing support and a shoulder to cry on… with me explaining what I did, I did for us? I can picture it all now. Nick, me and our future.’

‘You’re seriously deluded.’

‘Don’t forget, Freya, I’m the one with the gun. So I’d think twice before making any more comments. Now, put your hands behind your back.’ Sasha pulled a roll of twine out of her bag.

‘This is pointless, you know. I really don’t see what you’re going to achieve,’ Freya continued as Sasha began to tie her hands together behind her back.

‘I told you. I’m going to get rid of you. I’m doing this for Nick as much as for me.’ She pulled the wire tight around Freya’s hands.

‘You keep telling yourself that.’

‘You can’t really think he’s in love with you! Look at you, for God’s sake! What would he see in an oversized frump like you?’ She took Freya’s face in her hands and squeezed her cheeks.

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