Christian stares down at the video his student is showing him.
It’s a trailer for Bee Jay’s new movie, a movie for a psychological thriller. It was about a woman who was having a mental affair with her sister's husband. Not a real one but he thinks it’s real. She’s the main character obviously, he listens to what’s being said, the story that’s being told but all he can see is Bee.
Her dark brown eyes tell the entire story through her emotions and the way her voice carries through the trailer. There’s one scene where she’s wielding a bat and she slams it down. He almost gasps at the way her fingers curl around the bat, the aggression in her tone when she’s yelling. How she still somehow looks so beautiful with black hair instead of her usual brown.
“Isn’t she fucking amazing?” His student, Layla, says to him, putting her phone back in her pocket.
“Hm yeah, this is an interesting concept.”
“I’m so obsessed with her, I can’t believe she went here. Like y’all have a freaking phenomenon for alumni. Do you think she’d ever come to the reunions?” Layla asks as she takes her seat.
“Mr. Dawson, have you ever met her?”
“Do you think we could meet her?”
“Do you think we could be extras in her movie?”
Everyone is talking all at once, Christian is still thinking about the way her eyes stared into the camera before it blacked out.
“Alright guys, please settle, I know it’s very exciting but she doesn’t go here anymore and she hasn’t visited since she did.”
“Were you her teacher Mr. Dawson?” Another student, Ethan, asked.
Christian cut his eyes at Ethan.
“I wasn’t. It was my first year teaching, fresh from my masters. So no. Turn to chapter 5 in your books please.” Christian instructed.
When class ended, the students were still whispering about Bee.
Christian looked at the photo on his desk. A picture that he took of her on the red carpet from the Emmys.
He wasn’t supposed to be there.
Christian sits in the teachers lounge alone, eating his sandwich and rewatching the trailer.
He watched it over and over his entire 30 minute break. He studied and memorized everything. The story was compelling, the acting was amazing but his main focus was her. He could stare at her for hours and he has.
“Dude.” Someone snaps him outta his trans, he blinks, looking up and seeing his other coworker take a seat next to him.
“Watching Bee’s new trailer?” Mr. Byron asked.
Christian just nodded.
“I watch all her movies, I’ve seen all her shows and everything, I really enjoy her work.” Christian spoke up, trying not to give too much away.
“Can’t believe she used to go here. Folks around here always said she was made for TV.” Mr. Byron said.
“I never met her.”
“I taught her senior English class, she was the only one to get an A. Smart as a whip.”
Christian tries not to let his jealousy show on his face.
He never got to teach her.
Christian opens the door to his apartment, his beagle meeting him at the door for kisses and scratches.
“Hey buddy, hey.” His beagle's name is June. Bee’s beagle name is Juniper.
Christian closes the door, turning on the lights and smiling at the sight.
The picture shrine of Bee at the front door lights up, the hallway pictures of her come alive as he walks down the hallway. There’s one from the Oscars, she’s wearing a pink Versace dress with a slit in the left leg.
The second was from the late show, wearing a navy blue pantsuit and white gold heels.
The third to light up from the Golden Globes, wearing a latex red dress, holding the award and smiling widely.
He was so proud of her that day.
He takes a moment to stare at these pictures before entering the kitchen and flipping on the light.
A huge framed picture of her lit up over the stove, it was the same one that was on his desk, from the Emmys, a gold strapless dress hugged her body beautifully and he printed out the entire thing and blew it up, hanging ceiling lights over it to make the display nicer. He remembers taking that picture. It was the first time she’d ever looked at him.
He technically wasn’t supposed to be there but a press pass and a camera will get you a long way.
He just wanted to see her, for her to notice him and smile at him for just one second.
“Bee, look this way!” He called to her in a similar paparazzi fashion as the rest. When she did, looking at him and smiling as he snapped the picture, he knew he’d never be the same.
He knew if she ever saw the picture, she’d love it.
And that was the thing.
Christian didn’t know Bee Jay but you couldn’t tell him that.
He’d only met her once, only saying a few words but they’re in love…according to him.
He’s known about her since he first started teaching 7 years ago, when he first saw her in the college production of Othello, he’d been head over heels ever since.
She was always moving too fast, being pulled in every direction and as soon as she graduated, she published her first book and skyrocketed to success.
They were meant to be.
He wasn’t just into her, no that wasn’t it, they were in love.
He knew her.
He knew what kind of coffee she liked and how she secretly preferred tea. He knew the kinds of books she liked to read and that her favorite was by Toni Morrison.
He knew her favorite type of food was Korean, specifically the spot three blocks from her house and she hated the taste of brown rice.
He knew she got her hair redyed every three months to keep it fresh and that her hair stylist was originally from Georgia and traveled with her for a small fee.
He knew about her dog, her three birds, the way she preferred the left side of any chair, how her desk is in the corner of her office so she can lean against the wall.
He knows her security’s name is Mike and that she ended her relationship with Austin Butler after a year of dating because they weren’t meant to be. She was meant to be with Christian.
He knew that and he knew that she knew that deep down in her heart.
It was all about timing and Christian was very patient.
He had seen the trailer for ‘The Affair’ but he’d waited until he got home to get the full view.
He remembers subscribing to her website in her early writing days and stayed up to date on everything she was doing and now seeing her do her fourth movie, he was so proud of her. The press for the movie was due to start soon and he knew there would be interviews where he could learn so much more about her.
He took a shower and heated up the rest of the Thai food from the previous night, turning on the TV and pulling up the trailer.
The movie looked great. The chemistry between Bee and her co-star Nick was the stuff of dreams, they bounced off of each other so well as well as captured the emotions of what they were going through. He watched it three times, pausing every so often to admire Bee’s face.
She was so beautiful. The kind of beautiful Christian was sure could never be duplicated. She was all full lips, big chocolate brown eyes, long black hair and a smile that could kill. He admired her truly.
His favorite movie of hers that she actually acted in was Tyranny.
It had come out two years prior and he had seen it sixteen times.
Bee played a Queen who ruled over a small island and made men slaves to her. The main male character plots on her and tries to give her an heir to continue her dynasty after previously refusing.
He’d watched all the press interviews and Bee told how she had to get into intense shape for the role. She had a dialect coach and a personal trainer for the role as well. The trailer itself made Christian hard with expectation.
He watched it 4 times, palming at his clothed dick through his sweats and groaned. It was crazy the effect this woman had on him.
He turned on Netflix and found the movie in his continue watching and clicked play. He could start anywhere and be completely satisfied.
The scene he was in was her being crowned Queen at 18, she was barely clothed except for a bralette and a long thin skirt that had slits on either sides of the legs and left almost nothing to the imagination.
Christian had no shame as he took himself in hand. Letting the precome that gathered at his tip make for a smooth slide and grip as he watched, silently wishing her thick legs were wrapped around his waist or even better, his head.
There was a closeup shot of her eyes, dark and covered in black eyeliner that was custom for royalty to wear on the island. The makeup was his favorite as he thrust up into his hand, moaning softly.
He watched her argue with a guard before taking a man into her bedchamber and sitting on his cock after the ceremony. Christian pictured that the man was him. Forced to sit there with his hands by his sides as she rode him to her pleasure and didn’t let him touch her.
His movements grew quicker as he watched the scene he obsessed over for weeks play out in front of him.
By the time she was done, so was he. Panting and sweating on his couch, hand wrapped around his softening dick.
He cleaned up, pausing the TV to jump into the shower for round two. A framed picture hung in his shower, a still from the movie as he wrapped his hand around himself again. Her name on his lips like a desperate prayer, over and over pleading her for release.
When the voice in his head finally told him to let go, he did, smiling as he painted the walls and stared at the picture.
He memorized her face routine that she put on YouTube, turning the video on so he could watch her.
“How was your day?” He asked the IPad playing the video.
“So my day guys, I filmed my first scene in my first movie, it’s so exciting! We’re not filming in order of course–”
“Of course.” He affirmed as if this were a conversation.
“But, getting to work with Taylor and see how he acts, how he commands the set is so riveting! I think everyone should cast him, this is the campaign I’m currently on.” She said over the video, showing off the different creams and serums she used.
He followed every step, even dousing himself with the Versace perfume she used.
When he climbed into bed, layering the pink comforter and sheets over himself. He turned on his phone and immediately went to his twitter feed, logging onto his stan page which now had almost a thousand followers.
Everyone was talking about the trailer for ‘The Affair’, retweeting gifs of the final scene zoomed in on her eyes, commenting on the story arc, liking and discussing the chemistry between Bee and Nick.
Christian tried not to let it go to his head, he knew Bee was just acting, she didn’t have any real feelings for Nick.
Bee’s honey @beemineforever
Bee and Nick’s chemistry is fire, I can’t wait for the press interviews
Mrs. Nick G. @nickypie300
I actually think they’d make a very cute couple but I heard she was seeing a camera man that helped film this. He also worked on that one movie with her and Austin Butler and that’s why they broke up
Hold my Bee @beepopandlock
I ship her and Nick! Their makeout scene in the movie was so fucking hot
Christian knew it was just acting. None of it was real.
The real queen bee @beyoncesrevenge
This movie looks tired like all her other ones, when she’s gonna do something worthwhile
Christian frowned, he sat up, ready to type a response.
Bee’s heart @beeshubby
@beyoncerevenge
Guess those three Oscars, 6 Emmys and 10 writers awards mean nothing huh? Get a life.
He sent the response, tweeting several photos from the press release, captioning them with different loving emojis and then going to check her page.
She hadn’t tweeted today, she’d posted three things on her story and nothing on YouTube or anywhere else.
His mind wandered to the comment about the cameraman. He remembered hearing about that a few months ago but thought nothing of it.
Before he shuts his phone off, a notification comes through.
Bee’s car seat @beeandnobodyelse
Do y’all think she’ll attend the GLAAD awards tomorrow night? Especially since she just dropped a trailer.
Christian switched apps to look at his phone calendar. He wasn’t busy and the awards were about 15 minutes away.
He could make it.
Getting off early was a hundred percent worth not sitting in traffic for the event.
He parked far, a good 10 minute walk to the carpet, his camera and printed press pass in hand.
He was excited, it was all he thought about the entire day, cutting all his classes short, much to his students delight, getting a haircut, and steaming his shirt.
The twitter rumor mill said she was spotted but no one else had seen her.
He made his way through the crowd of photographers and pushed to the front.
He pretended to snap photos of Reese Witherspoon, John Boyega and even Serena Williams but there was no sign of Bee.
Just as the crowd was dying down a bit, it erupted again when Nicholas was spotted. Several people stepped on his toes to get a photo or their question answered.
One man beside him captured Nick’s attention and held a Mic up to him.
“What’s it like getting to work with Bee Jay?”
Christian’s head perked up at the question, looking to Nick for an answer as well.
“Oh she’s an absolute joy. Incredibly talented, smart and gorgeous as can be.”
Christian’s jaw clenched. For Nick to objectify her so publically was disgusting in his opinion and he’d be letting him know so later on twitter.
She’d never approve of someone commenting so blatantly on her looks, she hated that.
He knew that.
Another hour went by of C-list celebrities getting asked what it’s like to be there and it was clear Bee wasn’t coming.
Of course she wasn’t coming, she never confirmed and didn’t post a single thing about it.
He stomped to the car, slamming the door and immediately opening Twitter to distaste Nick's comment.
Bee’s heart @beeshubby
for Nick to publicly talk about her in such a nasty way shows that she should never work with him again, chemistry be damned.
No one interacted with his tweet.
Everyone seemed to fawn and praise him for saying such sweet things about her.
They didn’t know her like Christian did.
He laughed to himself, swallowing this fact and letting it drive him home.
Christian took his dog out early the next morning, knowing he needed to spend the day grading assignments and cleaning everything. He walks his usual route, going to the coffee shop first, getting his dog a pup cup, picking up a collectors edition of one of Bee’s books from the used bookstore and walking through the park.
“...I’m not a huge fan of her work.” He overhears someone say as he settles on a bench under a tree.
“Explain.” Another voice says. He spares a glance at them both. The blonde one has her arms folded and the dark haired one is crunching on chips.
“If I wanted to watch a thriller about two parents who are killers, I’d watch criminal minds, I don’t need to see them everywhere. Nick used to be everywhere and now Bee is and it’s like she’s just taken over the whole movie industry. I can’t escape her.” The blond one says.
Christian can feel his blood getting hot.
“She’s really talented,very emotional and I’ve never heard a single bad thing about her.” the dark haired one defends, stuffing another chip in her mouth.
“She cheated on Austin Butler.” Blondie says, like that’s some kind of defense.
Dark Hair rolls her eyes and Christian does too, that was only a rumor and this is how they start.
“He probably deserved that.” Dark Hair says, Christian nods.
“She rolled her eyes when that Rachel girl got the Oscar over her last year, she’s too arrogant. I heard that’s why she started her own production company so she wouldn’t have to work with anyone she didn’t want too. Selfish and entitled this early isn’t a good look.”
“That’s not why she started it.” Christian said as he approached the girls, dog leash in his hand, Bee’s book tightly clutched in his fist against his chest.
Both women look at him.
“She started it because she wanted to see more women who looked like her on screen be loved and cared for instead of being labeled the sidekick or comic relief. She wants to put black women at the center, she does great work and is very talented so you shouldn’t say such things.” Christian tells them like he’s getting paid to do so.
Dark Hair coughs awkwardly while Blondie frowns deeply at him.
“So sorry, didn’t mean to upset you Mister. Do you know her or something?” Blondie asks, crossing her arms.
Of course he does. He watched the interview at least twenty times and can recite it, obviously he knows her.
He straightens up, smoothing down his shirt, sure that he made his point.
“Yes, I do. And you should watch Tyranny before you say anything else bad, she’s a master at work.” He nods before stalking off, not caring that the girls are giggling about what he just said.
Bee would appreciate someone coming to her defense like him. She needs protection from stupid, ignorant people who don’t understand her work and the messages she puts out there.
But he does and he’d defend her to the death.
Christian wonders why she’d choose a house that sat on such an open street as he pulls up and parks on the top of the hill that overlooks her backyard and straight into her living room and upper library.
“You should really do something about these windows Bee, everybody can see you, I don’t like that.” He mutters, he hears her hum and agrees with him.
“I’ve been meaning to put up one way glass to block out the creeps.” Bee says to him from the passenger seat of his car as he unwraps his food.
Chicken lo mein, one of her favorites. He prays before devouring it, watching as she watches TV on her couch. He turns on the live TV app on his phone, streaming exactly what she is so they can watch together.
He pauses it when she gets up, seemingly to answer the door.
She has a visitor. He squints, stopping mid chew to observe the interaction.
It’s a man. He picks her up and spins her, Christian can practically hear her joyous laugh. The man plants a kiss on her cheek and smacks her on the ass.
Christian feels noodles land in his lap as they spill from the bottom of the box that he’s now crushed.
The cameraman.
Why was he there? They were just enjoying dinner and watching Abbott. He’s being so inappropriate as if Christian weren’t sitting there.
Bee brings him a glass of wine and turns out the lights. The show has switched to music and they seem to be talking.
Christian all but screams, tossing the food on the ground and driving away quickly and back to his home.
Why was she feeding into the rumors, why would she want people to speak so badly about her?
He knew who she was on the inside, he wouldn’t let that creep deter his image of her. They were probably discussing the direction for her next movie.
Of course that’s what they were doing. She’s always working on something, silly of him to think otherwise.
He chuckles to himself as he enters his home, admiring the portrait of her. He blows her a kiss before turning off the light and heading up the stairs.
Monday’s are always busy but the hustle and bustle seems to be even quicker. He walks down the pathway to get to his building, waving at teachers who walk by or who wave from the other side of the foyer.
Two of his students stop him to talk about their paper due at the end of next week and he’s got a visitor waiting in his office when he gets there.
“Professor Dawson, good morning.” Dean Stranton says with a warm smile on her pale face. He returns the smile.
“Morning Dean, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He says, sitting his things down.
“I was wondering if you’d be up for teaching the graduate History class next year for Seniors.” She asks, folding her skirt as he pulls out a chair for her to sit across from him.
“The Modern History and Sociology Class? Something wrong with Dr. Daniels?”
She winces. “Not really, he’s taking a sabbatical for health reasons, it would only be for the first eight weeks and you’re the best teacher for it. Plus it comes with a raise that you get to keep and temporary use of a bigger office.”
He scoffs fondly at the mindless offer. “So this is a promotion?”
She nods.
“Let me think about it, it would take quite a bit of planning and I’d have to find time to sit with Dr. Daniels to discuss his curriculum but I will let you know by the end of week, sound good?” He suggests, flashing a handsome smile.
She blushes slightly and clears her throat. “Erm–yes, that’s–that’ll work, thank you.” She stands quickly and leaves his office. He drops his smile.
It’s an obvious no, he’s far too busy but giving out hope is always a good thing. Hope keeps him afloat so he figures the same for others.
During lunch, he sits in the lounge with the other teachers. A science teacher to his left, the art teacher to the far right and a psych teacher across from him. They enjoyed hearty conversation and made each other laugh.
“Oh! Are you doing the fundraiser for underprivileged artists? I heard we’re going to have some alumni guests.” Science teacher, Mr. Stephens asked the group.
The rest of them shook their heads.
“Bee’s supposed to be coming back, doing a signing and giving away copies of her new book, making a speech to impact the youth and whatnot. She’s also giving away three scholarships.” Mr. Stephens continues informing them.
Christian swallows.
He stopped listening when he heard her name.
She’s coming here? She hadn’t tweeted about it or mentioned it in any interviews.
He waited for the other guys to ask the first few questions before he spoke up.
“When’s the book signing?” he asks, spooning at his yogurt.
“Day of, on the 22nd.” Stephens tells him.
Christian looks at his watch. That’s two weeks from now; plenty of time.
Two weeks later
Christian sat at his breakfast table, eating Bee’s favorite; blueberry pancakes, sausage links and two over easy eggs.
He’d gotten a haircut, a new outfit and there was a ring box burning a hole in his pocket.
Today was the day.
She’d say yes, he was sure of it. They’d come this far, talked everyday and he was sure she’d appreciate everything he’d done for her.
The way he protects her, the way he defends her, the way he truly loves her like no one ever will. He’s confident in the next step in their relationship.
He gives June head pats as he leaves the house.
“Wish me luck, hope she says yes.” he tells his dog, shutting the door behind him.
The campus is a buzz when he gets there, there are students crowded outside, the parking lot is blocked off, there are a few police cars controlling the crowds and staff running in all different directions in preparation. No one was acting like they had class today.
Christian approached the group of teachers from his lunch period and stood with them.
“What’s going on?” he asks as if he hadn’t been watching Bee’s twitter, her private twitter and instagram all night and all morning, tracking her every move.
Mr. Byron turns to him. “Bee is said to be arriving any minute, all the students want to see her before 10am classes start.” Byron informs him.
Christian hums, rotating the ring box in his pocket. No one was more excited than he was.
He checks his watch and sure enough, an all black Escalade is pulling around the corner and the students are losing it.
Christian smiles, happy that the woman he loves is getting the recognition she deserves.
The car stops and she gets out of the car flashing that bright dimpled smile and waving at everyone. He smiles, not bothering to wave to not look out of place.
She stops to say hi to most of the students, signing things and chatting with them. There are two men behind her, watching her back. Mike is the one Christian recognizes, he smiles knowing he’s protecting her but the other guy makes his throat tight.
The fucking cameraman, again. What is he doing there, dressed like Mike with shades on and a protective hand on the small of her back when she moves.
Why would she bring him to the signing knowing Christian was going to be there? Sometimes she doesn’t make sense is the conclusion that settles him.
The students start dispersing as the teachers and officers escort them to their 10am while Bee is walking over to the teachers. She’s supposed to be getting a mini tour and setting up the auditorium for her signing.
“Mr Byron!!” She squeals, running up to him and embracing him. They hug and swing back and forth before letting go and speaking to each other.
“How are ya darlin’? Still writing or you moved on to something bigger and better?” he teases, she laughs and Christian swears he hears angels.
“Oh you know, nothing major, few movies, a tv show or two, maybe an award but nothing major.” She beams at him, her teeth showing. Christian almost feels jealous with the attention Byron is getting.
“Come on, we can show you the new auditorium and where you’ll be setting up. Come on Christian, wanna help?” Byron asks, his arm looped through Bee’s, Mike and Mr Cameraman standing behind her protectively.
“I don’t believe you and I have met, you teach here too?”
Christian swallows, his eye twitches, she’s only doing this to keep up appearances.
“Yes, I teach History. I started teaching in your senior year.” He informs her.
She nods, still smiling like the movie star she is and turns back to Byron. They walk away like two gal pals chatting away.
Mike and Cameraman give Christian a look before turning to follow.
Christian gives himself a minute before he goes after them.
The teachers and Bee spend an hour decorating the auditorium. Christian was in charge of the balloons while Byron and Bee set up her table, chatting and laughing in a way that Bee should be doing with him.
The clench in his jaw is probably noticeable but he doesn’t care.
Mr Cameraman is eyeing him from across the room as he stands by the table while Bee is leaning down to sign some posters.
Christian turns his head and focuses on blowing up the balloon in his hand.
“I don’t like that guy.” Noah, the cameraman says to Bee as he crouches down, a hand on the small of her back.
Bee doesn’t look up from her writing.
“Which one, baby?” She responds, her hand flying over the papers as she signs.
“The one in the blue sweater with the really straight hair. He’s been staring at you since we got here and not in a friendly way.” Noah whispers, keeping his eyes on Christian who was also staring at him, his eye twitching.
Bee looks at Noah then at Christian whose face instantly relaxes into a smile, a slight blush creeping over his cheeks.
Bee shrugs. “He’s a teacher and he didn’t even teach me.”
Noah hums acknowledgement. “I still don’t like it. The look I mean, it’s too weird, like he’s bothered. I told Mike to keep an eye on him.” Noah tells her.
Bee straightens up, turning her body look up at him with affectionate eyes. “So protective.” She says, wrapping her arms around his midsection, her hands smoothing down his back to ease the tension in the muscles.
He relaxes in her hold, cupping her face and squishing her cheeks.
“I have to be, baby, you’re too precious.” he tells her, kissing her lips sweetly, thumbing over the dimples in her cheeks.
There’s a clatter.
“Shit! Christian, you alright man?” Byron asks as he runs to Christian’s side.
He fell off the stool he was standing on.
Byron helped him up but the room was still spinning.
She kissed him. The fucking cameraman. Right in fucking front of him, she kissed him.
His vision was blurry, fists clenched by his side, his entire body vibrating with anger.
He doesn’t hear himself scream.
He doesn’t hear Bee scream.
He can feel her pulse under his hands.
He can see the way she’s struggling to breathe.
He barely feels himself being pushed to the ground by Mike.
Everything feels like a blur, a loud, overwhelming, violent blur.
When he wakes, blinking at the bright lights and trying to rub his eyes, he finds his hand cuffed to the bed.
The green eyes of a man come into view, wearing a police uniform and speaking distortantly.
Christian can’t hear him so he tries to go back to sleep, thinking of Bee and the ring in his pocket.
Oh the ring, he didn’t get to ask.
He shoots up, opening his eyes and yelling before being slammed back down.
“But the ring, I didn’t give her her ring.” Christian tells the officer who is using most of his body to hold him down against the bed.
“You’re not going anywhere near her, you psycho!” The Officer tells him, slamming his back on the bed and gritting his teeth.
Psycho? He’s not crazy, he’s just in love.
He knows that.
Bee knows that too or she will when he gives her that ring…when he gets out…in two to five.