Premiere

Thursday morning promised a big day. The film I had been publicising was to premiere that night.

“Morning Lily, have a great day and night, I’m sure it will be fantastic. I’m with Ben all day and night, I’m going to smother him in kisses!”
It seemed that as per usual, Natasha's promises of never letting Alex see his son again had not materialized.
“haha, poor Ben! Save sum grown up kisses 4 me! I hope u enjoy every second & don’t let a single negative thought creep in. hav a wonderful time. Ur beautiful”

The premiere was a huge success and I was excited to be introduced to some television producers who said they would love to have me as a production assistant. As the night wound down, I text messaged Alex.
“hello, I’m guessing ur asleep.. hope u had a good day. 2nite was gr8 but wish u were here. I’m sending lots of kisses & cuddles ur way :-) miss u xx”
He was not asleep.
“I’m watching the footy show. Glad you had a good night. You are crazy to like me I’m damaged!”
“I can’t help liking u, & we already knew I was crazy. Sum ppl becum ugly wen they get damaged but not u. ur lovely & I’m lucky 2 know u”
“you’re about to move to la la land and I’ve got another little fella on the way. Run away!”
“is she still saying she’s pregz? Make her prove it, don’t let her enslave u with sumthing that could b bullshit. Put urself 1st, just 4 this 1 thing”
“I’ve seen the test it’s confirmed!”
I showed the text message to Ellen across the back seat of the darkened car and felt my eyes prick with tears.

We spoke on the phone for two and a half hours late into that night.
Alex told me how years ago he’d been in love with Natasha. She’d wanted children and had given him the ultimatum that he must either get her pregnant or get out. He loved her, so he did. I figured the truth must be a combination of that and the story he’d told me previously, about wanting to leave but staying when she fell pregnant.

I wanted to know what Natasha looked like. She was blonde apparently. She looked 28 even though she was 38 because she’d had cosmetic surgery. She had big fake tits.

I couldn’t understand what Natasha saw in Alex. I knew what I liked about him, but from my impressions of Natasha's values and personality couldn’t imagine her liking the same characteristics. He said he was her toy boy, her trophy boyfriend. I could imagine that. A woman like Natasha couldn’t bear to have people wonder why she was single. She’d have to have someone she could introduce to everyone and know that he would never embarrass her. He was certainly charming.

Alex had spoken to a friend who was a lawyer. The friend didn’t think Alex had a chance to win custody of Ben. The law was designed to favour and protect women in positions of care. I thought he should fight anyway. She had shown violent behaviour, and at one time had taken Ben and run off to stay in Mt Eliza without telling Alex.

Alex still wanted to see me. He didn’t know what to do. I told him I deserved better and that our relationship was supposed to be fun, yet I still begged him not to go back to her.
As always, Alex talked about Ben.
When I expressed my feelings towards Natasha, Alex defended her. That hurt.