TITLE: Hitting Bottom

RATING: PG-13; MAYBE an R at some point

MAIN CHARACTERS: Dominic Monaghan - I'll add later as needed.

SUMMARY: The story of how the celebrity life can get overwhelming for some and how they cope with it.


















PRO


The crowd that had gathered outside of the NBC Studios in New York City was enough to give even the most seasoned celebrity a pause. I had had to deal with my fair share of them over the years, especially with the release of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and my current television drama, Lost. However, even I felt my heart jump into my throat as I stared out the window from the back of the limousine I was currently sitting in.


I nervously twisted the rings around my fingers as I waited for security from the studio to come and open the door of the limo for me. I had been instructed to wait for them and to allow them to lead me inside and to the correct set. I couldn’t understand why I was nervous. One would think I would be used to this sort of stuff by now. But one would be wrong. Things like this don’t get easier to take; at least they don’t for me. I feel overwhelmed. It’s like I’m suffocating and no one is around to save me.







I realize this was a very short prologue, but I prmoise the chapters will be longer! :P

Yay..! A dommie story..! It's always so nice to read about him :love:


Welcome to the board! And don't worry about your prologue, it was short but it was catching and it left me wanting more =) It always make me sad and intrigue to read about how the real life of the hollywood actors could be, I bet that they have to be so strong to deal with all the paparazzis and publicity and everything..


Nice job! and keep the chapter coming.:!!

1


I followed two security officers down a carpeted hallway lined with photographs of other celebrities who had been guests of the host of the talk show I was heading in to tape. I had already been a guest here a few times before, so I knew my way around. “Good evening, Jay,” I commented as we passed by the host himself, Jay Leno.


“Welcome, Dominic,” he greeted me with a smile before stepping into his dressing room.


“Here we are,” the lead security officer commented, pointing me in the direction of the dressing room that had been set up for me to use.


I nodded as I looked around. A comfortable looking couch lined one wall, with a television and stereo set up in front of it. The coffee table boasted a bouquet of flowers and a plate of homemade-looking brownies. Next to the brownies was a basket of fresh fruit and a bottle of champagne on ice. “Not bad,” I commented, knowing the security guard wanted to hear something. I turned and waited patiently for the security guard to leave.


“I’m right outside if you need anything,” he commented as he stepped out the door.


I breathed a huge sigh of relief the moment the security guard disappeared. It seemed to me like I hadn’t had a moment to myself since my new television show started more than two years ago. I didn’t even get the chance to hang out with my friends from The Lord of the Rings anymore. Not to mention having to deal with all of the rumors from the tabloid magazines. It was enough to keep anyone in the grips of a migraine headache for lap.


“Excuse me, Mr. Monaghan?” a timid voice enquired, along with a knock on the door.


“It’s open,” I returned.


“You’re needed in make-up now, sir,” a young woman with a headset perched on top of her head informed me.


I studied her dark brown hair and equally dark eyes as I stood up from the couch, brushing a few brownie crumbs from my lap. I automatically watched the seductive sway of her hips as she guided me to the correct room to ensure my hair and make-up were perfect to be in front of the camera.


Placing a hand gently on the upper part of my left arm, she motioned with her other into the room we had stopped in front of. “This is where they’ll get you ready for the cameras,” she stated unnecessarily. “If you need anything else, you just ask for Krista.”


“Thanks, love,” I smiled the special fan smile just for her, even though I was groaning inside. I hated when fans got so familiar they felt they had the right to touch you. I sighed again and stepped into the make-up room. “You rang?” I asked sarcastically.


“You’re not going to need much work,” a soft voice commented from behind me.


I turned to find a sexy red head lounging in a corner chair. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she intoned, allowing her voice to sweep over me.


I felt as if I were drowning in those deep green pools she called eyes. “What all do you need to do?”


She stepped closer and ran a finger along the side of my face, causing a tiny shower of chills to run down my spine. “You don’t need a lot of work,” she murmured, her voice just a breath away from my ear. “You did the eyeliner yourself?” she inquired.


I nodded, trying to gulp down the lump that had wedged itself into the middle of my throat.


“Good job,” she commented. “I think a light dusting of powder to cut the glare from the camera lights is all you’re going to need.”


“Angel!” a voice called through the closed door. A moment later it was opened by Krista. “I hope you’re finished with him. He’s on camera in less than five. They need him off curtain to clip his mike.”


“Just finished,” Angel smiled one more time at me. She undid the towel she had tied around my neck to keep any powder from collecting on my clothes and blew lightly on my face to get rid of any excess. Extending her hand, she silently offered to help me to my feet.


With a sexy grin, one that was not reserved for fans, I accepted her assistance. “Thanks for all your help,” I commented as I followed Krista out the door.


“It was all my pleasure, love. I assure you,” Angel replied with a wink.


Five minutes later, I stood behind the curtain waiting for Jay Leno to call out my name. When he did, I plastered a grin on my face and, waving to the audience, jogged around the desk and took my seat in the first chair.


“How are you tonight, Dom?” Jay inquired.


“Great,” I smiled. “Life is great! How about you?”


“Couldn’t be better,” Jay agreed affably. He studied some notes that were laid on the desk in front of him. “You’re currently in your third season of Lost. Is that right?”


“Mmmmmm,” I nodded my head as I was in the middle of taking a drink of the water they provided. “It’s been a great run so far,” I commented after swallowing.


“Any secrets you can share with us tonight?”


“You know better than that,” I chided cheekily, earning laughter from the crowd.


After a few more generic comments and questions, he got to what I had assumed was going to be the heart of the interview; my love life. The one area I always dreaded having questioned. “I’ve heard a rumor, along with the rest of the viewing audience I’m sure, that you’ve got yourself a real life girlfriend in one of your co-stars. Is that true?”


I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “It’s not,” I stated.


“You’re not dating Kate?” Jay’s eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch, the only indication that he had been dealt an unforeseen blow.


Kate was a character from Lost. The actress who portrayed her was great, and we had hung out together on several occasions, but we were not a couple. It was just another typical example of the tabloids blowing things out of proportion. “No, I’m not,” I agreed.


“Are you seeing anyone?”


“Well, now, that would be the question of the hour, wouldn’t it?” I chuckled. After waiting a few moments for the laughter of the crowd to die down, I admitted, “Yes, I’m seeing someone, but you won’t get so much as her name from me. I’m keeping her to myself for a while.”


“That’s understandable,” Jay agreed, “but can’t you give us at least a little hint?”


“She’s not in the entertainment business,” I offered, “and she’s wonderful.”


“Well there you have it, folks,” Jay turned to the audience. “Rumors of Dominic being captured by one of his cast mates is false, but he is in fact off the market.”


A collective groan came from the audience. I scooted down into the second seat as Jay announced the name of the next guest. For the remainder of the hour, I kept a grin plastered on my face as I shook hands with the other guests and waved occasionally to the audience. As soon as the cameras were turned off, I hurried back into my dressing room for a few moments of peace and quiet. As soon as I could, I raced from the building out a back door and took refuge in the alley. I knew they would be searching for me, trying to get me back safely into the rented limo, but I didn’t care. I wanted some time to myself.

Oh, a great start! I am glad to see a story about Dom...I've been really into him lately because of Lost. Sounds like he is pretty jaded when it comes to the Hollywood lifestyle, but who could blame him? I'll be looking forward to see where this is going. :yes:

2



I lit a cigarette, grasping the lighter with both of my hands in an attempt to keep them still. I couldn’t believe how badly I was shaking. There had to be something to quiet the shaking that was slowly taking over my life. With a deep breath, I inhaled a soothing drag from the cigarette and leaned back against the building, the bricks probably staining the back of the suit jacket I was wearing. My phone rang, causing me to almost jump out of my skin. I took it from my pocket and flipped it open. “You got me,” I answered.


“Dommie! It’s Niki. How’d the interview go?” the irritating voice of my manager floated through the phone.


I grimaced. Niki was alright. In fact, she was the best when I first hired her as my manager. We were always laughing together.


Okay. So maybe it’s me that’s changed and not her. Niki is still the same lovable person she’s always been. I’m the one who’s changed. “It went the same as always,” I mumbled. “There’s nothing else going on for a while, right?”


Niki’s laughter came over the airwaves. “Are you kidding?” she asked incredulously. “With Lost’s reviews going through the roof and your movie career taking off? Honey, you are going to be busy for a very long time! You need to be in my office tomorrow afternoon to speak with the editor of Cosmopolitan. They’re planning a huge article on you.”


I groaned. “I’m pulling into my driveway now, Niki,” I lied, feeling like a complete ass. “I’ll talk to you in the morning.” I hung up before she had the opportunity to say anything else. Feeling as if I were walking toward the executioner, I slid my cell phone back into my pocket and walked back into the building.


“There you are!” a voice immediately spoke from beside me. “Everyone has been searching everywhere for you, Mr. Monaghan,” a burly looking security guard with arms that reminded me of a gorilla said. He gave me a not so gentle push down the hall.


Bright flashes of light blinded me as a small contingent of security led me out the front doors toward the waiting limo. I stopped occasionally to take a picture with a fan or sign their autograph books. Finally, I was allowed to climb into the back of the limo and collapse. I felt like I had run a marathon. “Home, please,” I begged the driver.


I love the home I share with my girlfriend, Tiffany Townsend. The long driveway had a gated entry on a fence that encircled the entire house. Towering palm trees lined either side of the drive. I had my friend, Jackson Stevenson, create a huge fountain portraying four frolicking hobbits that sat in the massive front yard.


The main house consisted of two floors made of white stucco. The upper level housed six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and an entertainment room. The lower level boasted the family room, kitchen, dining area, exercise room, an indoor swimming pool, and an atrium.


There was another swimming pool located just over the hill from the back of the house. A tennis court, basketball court, gazebo, and large deck was also in the backyard.


The limo pulled to a stop in front of the house, and the driver jumped out to open my door for me. I gave him a large tip and hurried up the steps and into the foyer, making my way toward the kitchen. I tossed my keys onto the stainless steel counter. Opening the refrigerator, made of stainless steel to match the rest of the kitchen’s décor, I pulled out a bottle of beer and opened it.


“I’m glad you got away without a scratch,” Tiffany joked from the bottom of the stairs that led from the kitchen to the upstairs hallway.


I rolled my eyes at her and headed past her, up the stairs, and into our bedroom. The beer bottle was empty before I reached the bed. “I don’t really want to talk about it,” I commented, knowing she had followed me and was staring at me from the open doorway.


“Something’s bothering you,” she argued. “You’ve been distancing yourself from everyone lately.” She crossed the room, her feet soundless in the cream colored carpeting, and knelt in front of me. “Why won’t you let me in?” she pleaded.


“Everything’s fine, love,” I assured her, plastering my movie star grin on my face. “I’m just tired and thankful to finally have a break from filming.”


I could tell Tiffany didn’t fully believe me, but I was glad she decided it would be more prudent to let me be for the time being. She would try again another time, but for now I was allowed a peaceful state of semi-consciousness. She had even brought me another beer.

3


The California King sized bed that I shared with Tiffany seemed especially large the following morning. It seemed like she was miles away instead of snuggled into my side. Things between us weren't getting any easier, and I knew it was all my fault. I just didn't feel like I could open up to her anymore. I wasn't sure what had changed really, or even when it had happened. I just knew things were different.

My cell phone began ringing, interrupting my train of thought. I hurried to answer it before it woke up Tiffany. "You got me," I whispered after flipping it open.

"Good morning, Dommie!" Niki's voice penetrated through my foggy brain. "Are you on your way?"

"Huh?" I asked, bewildered. "On my way where?"

"To the Cosmopolitan offices," Niki's thunderstruck voice answered. "Your photo shoot starts in an hour."

"I'll be there in thirty, love," I promised. I hoped she didn't detect the bitterness in my voice. I hung up before anything else could be said. I quickly threw on a t-shirt and a pair of sweats knowing I'd be going through several changes of clothes before the shoot was over.

Blowing a kiss toward Tiffany, I hurried downstairs and into our three car garage. My silver Lambourghini gleamed in the halogen lights, and I couldn't help but grin as I slid behind the wheel. The car had been a dream come true.

Early morning traffic in Los Angeles was not terrible as compared with the rest of the day. It didn't take me long at all to reach the downtown office of Cosmopolitan.

The brick building rose in twenty levels above me. A doorman greeted me and held open the front door.

"Welcome, Mr. Monaghan," a gum-chewing, blonde receptionist greeted me. "They're expecting you. Just take the elevator up to the fifteenth floor."

"Thank you," I replied, tilting my head in greeting and rewarding her with a grin. I stepped onto the waiting elevator and pushed to button for the fifteenth floor.

"Finally!" Niki's voice greeted me. Her chesnut hair shined in the office lights, and her caribbean blue eyes sparkled. She linked her left arm through my right and led me in the direction of a dressing room.

A woman, taller than me without her four inch heels, stepped out of the room as we approached. She was dressed in black from head to foot, and silver bangles clacked together at her wrists. "I've laid out three outfits," she said to me in a way of greeting. "Start with the one on the left." Without waiting for an answer, she began to step away.

"Hold it," Niki's commanding voice made the woman stop in her tracks. Niki was petite, shorter than me by a good two inches, but there was no mistaking who was in charge when she spoke. "Dom has to approve the clothes."

The woman looked ready to pop off a biting retort but stopped when she saw the look on Niki's face. Instead, she motioned toward the open door with a mock bow. "After you," was her only comment.

Niki steered me into the room. AFter a few moments, she turned to me. "What do you think?"

I looked over the clothes laid out on the couch. There was a pair of dark blue swimming trunks with a Hawaiian print shirt and sunglasses; a pair of five pocket jeans with a green shirt that had "TREE" printed across the front; and what looked suspiously like a tuxedo with a top hat. "No tux," I said immediately.

"But that's going to be my centerpiece!" the woman turned on me. "You'll ruin the entire shoot!!"

"I'm not wearing it!" I thundered in return.

Niki placed a placating hand on my arm. "Maybe if you just try it on," she suggested.

I knew Niki wanted this shoot to happen, but I was in no condition to handle it. I felt as if every nerve ending in my body was on fire. Holding my tenper in check by a thread, I reached out for the doorknob. My hands were trembling so bad that I could barely grasp it.

I slammed the door behind me after finally successfully opening it and stepping into the hall. I made a mad dash for the elevator, punching the first floor button a lot harder than necessary. The world around me was spinning as I stepped out into the morning air.

I found myself taking refuge in another alley, struggling to light another cigarette with trembling hands in the hop that the nicotine would calm those nerves. "Damn it!" I swore when my third attempt failed.

"Allow me," a husky feminine voice whispered in my ear. Arms wrapped securely around me from behind, and a hand with long fingernails painted black grasped my lighter and lit the cigarette that was dangling from my partially opened mouth.