Maximus Eighteen: Truth Hurts

Things have been going really well for Dustin and I career wise. My television show got really good ratings, so the network picked it up for another season. While the show was on break from filming, Dustin and I got parts in a feature film. Dustin got the lead role, while I got a supporting role. Tonight is the movie premiere. Soleil is ecstatic to see me on the big screen. In the limo on the way there, she couldn't stop smiling, and she held my hand the entire car ride. When the door opens, there's an onslaught of camera flashes. Soleil doesn't seem to be bothered at all by the flashing lights since she does a lot of modeling for her job. Soleil and I get out of the car and are greeted by Crimson Jones, the emcee.

"Maximus and Soleil, one of Hollywood's newest power couples. Ugh, they're so hot we don't even have to say their last names and everyone knows who we are talking about! Hi, Maximus! You are so handsome, as always! How are you feeling about the premiere?"

"I'm excited!"

"Ugh, Soleil, oh my god, girl, you look amazing, who are you wearing? Christian Dior? Is this how you thought you'd be spending your night?"

"Thank you. I am definitely happy for Max, he's worked hard to get to this stage in his career."

"All right, well, congratulations you two."

I hear a few fans screaming my name, so after Crimson leaves, I go over to them, shake hands, and sign a few autographs. After that, Soleil and I go take pictures in front of the movie poster. I look over and see Dustin arrive.

"Who do we have here? It's Dustin Xavier, the sexy star of this film! We have to talk to him! Hi, Dustin! How are you?"

"Really good, thanks."

"Are you excited to see yourself on the silver screen, or are you nervous?"

"I'm a little of both, perhaps."

"Ha-ha, okay, that was the ever handsome Dustin Xavier, who's been making fast tracks here in Hollywood."

Dustin comes over to me and we get some more pictures taken with Soleil and Helena. I can't help but notice Helena's less than excited expression during the picture taking. I know she isn't as big a fan of the limelight, and she's definitely not as used to it as the three of us are.

After the premiere, the four of us gather at Helena and Dustin's house to continue celebrating. At least that's what I thought was going to happen. Soleil curls up in my lap and rests her head on my chest, while Dustin leans over to say something, when Helena suddenly starts yelling.

"I can't believe you tonight, Dustin! You just ate up that attention like it was second nature, and that little lady with a microphone?! I'm pretty sure she was flirting with you. She ignored me like I was some sort of disease, and I swear she gave me a dirty look!"

Dustin's kind of looking at Helena like she just hit him upside the head. Soleil and I ask Dustin if he wants us to go and give them a moment. Dustin says no because he'll probably tell me about it later anyway, so we stay.

"Helena, I'm not quite sure what to say here."

"It's cause I'm right. You want to be with all those skinny, attractive people."

"No, that's not why I don't know what to say. I thought you would have known when you came with me to a movie premiere that I would be talked to by lots of people because of how big my part was in the film. It's normal for this career path. I don't want to be with anyone else but you. I kept you by my side the entire night, I don't understand why you're upset."

"I'm upset because I don't fit into your lifestyle, Dustin! I'm not good enough for you."

"You are my wife, Helena. I love you. You don't have to fit into anything, except my arms, which you do, perfectly. Now will you stop worrying about everything?"

"Your little romantic charms aren't going to be enough this time."

Dustin gets up and reaches for Helena to kiss her on the forehead, but Helena pushes away and sits down in one of the armchairs, hanging her head. Dustin sits down on the coffee table and tries to hold Helena's hand. I can tell he's trying really hard to show her he cares, but she's not having it.

"What are you talking about, Helena? I didn't do anything. I can't just ignore everyone who talks to me, that would be rude. I come home every night, I call you whenever I'm going to be late, you always know who I'm hanging out with. I never go out and party, I'm not on drugs, I don't hardly go anywhere alone except to work and Max's house. We've been trying for a baby, like you want. What more do you want from me?"

"I want... get a different job, Dustin. One where you're not famous."

Dustin doesn't take Helena's comment well, and stands up, backing away from her. He raises his hands up to show that he feels like he's being railroaded. He keeps his voice at a low volume, but I can hear the irritation rising up from him.

"Excuse me? I've been wanting to be an actor my whole life. I came to this town to be an actor. You knew that when we were dating, you knew that when we were engaged, if you had a problem with it, you should have told me a long time ago. It's not like I did it to be famous, I did it because I like acting. The fame is a side effect, and occasionally I have to go to movie premieres. I took you with me because I want you there, to share my success with you."

"If I told you then, you never would have married me."

"What? So you just thought you'd marry me and then try to change me? I already got a haircut, and changed my look for you, which I liked, by the way, however, it's not a big deal, it's just a haircut, but now you want to impose on my choice of job? I'm not some little project of yours, Helena, I'm a person, I'm your husband, I have feelings, I have dreams. You've never had to worry about money, you get to do whatever you want, but suddenly I'm not allowed to? Marriage isn't about imprisoning your spouse, Helena, it's about supporting each other, mutually. I refuse to have my choice of career dictated for me. How would you feel if I said you couldn't have the things you want just because you're married?"

Now it's Helena's turn to look at Dustin like she's just gotten the shock of her life. I'm pretty sure he's never talked to her like that before. I don't know for sure, but Dustin's always been extremely patient and adaptable to Helena's requests.

"I'm not imprisoning you."

"You may not think you are, but you don't trust me. I have given you no reason not to, but you don't. The fact that you always have to know where I am, who I'm with, what I'm doing, makes me feel like you don't trust me enough to just know in your heart that I'm not doing anything wrong. Even when you're with me, you don't trust me. You think the emcee was flirting with me? She asked me questions about the movie premiere because that's her job, Helena."

"I trust you. I just like knowing where you are."

"Fine, you say you do. Now act like you do. I have a full day of filming tomorrow, which means I'll be done around 7:00 pm, and I'll be back home by 7:45 at the latest, depending on traffic. Prove to me you can trust me by not sending me a single text all day asking where I went for lunch or who I went to lunch with, because you know the answer, I eat with my costars on set."

I am really impressed with Dustin for standing up to Helena and calling her out on her trust issues. I'm kind of sad that Helena hasn't figured out how to trust people, especially her own husband, but I know how territorial and jealous she can get. I hope for her and Dustin's sake that she can learn to get over those issues and trust him before she drives a wedge between them that she never saw coming.

Helena remains there, blankly staring at Dustin for a few more seconds. Then she turns on her heel and walks out of the room, not giving him an answer about the challenge he gave her. Dustin sits on the coffee table in front of Soleil and I, looking defeated.

"What the fuck just happened, Max? Did she seriously just ask me to give up my job because she doesn't like it?"

"That's sure what it sounded like, dude. I totally agree with you, though, you didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm going to go talk to Helena."

Soleil gets up and follows Helena. I don't know what she's going to say to her, but I hope it knocks some sense into her.

"Um, Helena? What's going on?"

"Nothing that I didn't say in there already. I don't like all the attention he got at that event. I felt like I just faded away into the shadows."

"Helena, you are married to one of the most honest men in the world. Do you not realize that? You've seen how your other relationships went, they wouldn't lift a finger to do anything for you that was out of their comfort zone. Dustin has done lots of things for you, don't you think that you should stop being so hard on him? He loves you so much. Don't push him away."

"I don't know, Soleil. Things just aren't how I pictured them in my head."

"What are you talking about? Dustin is amazing, he's so nice and loving towards you."

"No, it's not that. I just always pictured myself married to a guy with a regular job."

"Well, then why did you agree to marry Dustin? He wasn't going down the regular job path when you met him."

"I- I, um, I never thought that he would actually succeed. I thought he would try for a few things, not make it, and then give up and get a regular job."

Dustin and I have just finished talking. We got up and were walking towards Helena and Soleil when I swear I heard Helena say that she wished Dustin would have failed at acting. Unfortunately, Dustin heard it too.

"What the fuck did you just say, Helena?"

"Dustin? Oh, I- um... I never expected this lifestyle. I thought we'd just be a normal suburban family, with 2.5 kids and a white picket fence."

"You never thought I would succeed? You thought I would give up? Say more about that, yeah, it's so great to know that my own wife never had faith in me."

As Dustin talks, I can practically hear the sarcasm dripping off his voice like water through a tap.

"I have faith in you, Dustin. I just thought maybe you could spend that potential you have doing more important things."

"Oh, so now my career isn't important? That's great. Just great. It's the only thing supporting us right now financially, but it's not important. Come on, Max, Soleil, I'll walk you to the door. I'm sorry tonight didn't go better, guys, I hope you can still enjoy the rest of your night."

After Soleil and I get home, we're both still kind of shocked from the night's revelations. One thing is for certain, though, I am reminded how lucky I am to be with this woman standing in front of me. She has shown me nothing but unconditional love and support the entire time we've been together.

"Soleil, thanks so much for being there with me at this movie premiere. After everything that happened tonight, I feel doubly lucky that you have stayed with me for this long."

"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else, baby."

Soleil pushes me up against the wall, and I get pretty hot as she presses her lips and body onto mine. I also feel really lucky that after all this time, Soleil still turns me on just as much as she did when I first met her. As her lips part and she slides her tongue in my mouth, I have a good feeling this night will end well.