Helen's POV Part 1

I’m well aware what everyone thinks of me.
The general consensus is that I’m a sweet, but empty-headed simpleton, easily led by the men in her life.
Nothing can be further from the truth.


When Trent and I first parted ways, I was so deeply hurt, angry, and humiliated, that I wanted nothing more than to get revenge on him. I knew signing on with Dex would really make him suffer.
I also wanted that Gypsy Girl role so bad, I would have made a deal with the devil to get it.
I really felt I had when Reg and I first went to meet with Dex.
I told myself I would only use Dex and his resources to get ahead in my career. It would be strictly business. I’d never think of him as a friend and certainly not a confidant. Remington had filled me in on how Dex treated the women in his life. Dex Newman would be in for a nasty surprise, if he tried to rough handle me in anyway. Not many people are aware that I have a pretty mean left hook.
That's why unlike everyone else, I was never afraid of Reg’s temper. I saw a side to him the others couldn’t.
Reg’s bark is truly worse than his bite. He can’t even swat a fly without feeling guilty.


I expected Dex to be oozing and oily, telling me how he would make me a big star.
I was prepared to hear him talk a lot of trash on Trent.
Instead, he had nothing but compliments for both Trent and Remington.
Dex admitted that he had long been envious of Trent’s career. He also voiced his regret setting about Trent up, but couldn’t stand it any longer that I was being lied to.
I did admire Dex’s honest, no nonsense manner, but I kept my guard up for a long time.
It started to crumble as we had to work so closely together.
What really endeared me to Dex, was that he was so good to Reg. Dex truly cared about him.
I appreciated that he allowed Reg to co-manage my career and gave him more bit parts in films.


I never once saw Dex lose his temper. He treated me like an equal.
I almost started to feel Remington might have exaggerated, but Dex himself told me that anything Remington might have said was very regrettably true. The only part he adamantly denied was that he ever gave anyone drugs. He confided that Mary and most of his other wives were already party girls when he met them.
Dex deeply regretted the way he treated Lanie’s mother and Remington.
It wasn’t until he lost his fourth wife Sasha and started anger management sessions that he began to change his ways.
Dex also painfully confessed that every woman he did get involved with after Remington’s sister Mary, reminded him of his one true love in some small way. I could see for myself in pictures that he was trying to find her replacement.


‘I never gave any of my beloved wives after Mary a real chance to be their own person.’ Dex told me. ‘Each woman was unique, but I only wanted back what I had lost. When I couldn’t mold them into what she was, our relationship soured....I blame myself entirely. If it wasn’t for therapy, I’d never have broken the chain. Remy has every right to hate me, but you also have to remember that he was still very young. Things weren’t always as they seemed. Mary and my fights were because she wouldn’t stop the drug abuse. I was worried about her.’


Another thing I liked about Dex, was that he treated me like an adult.
He showed Reg and I a world of glamour and parties.
We had quiet elegant dinners in his home.
Dex was intelligent and well read. We enjoyed all the things he had to teach us.
Reg and I were the only family he had.


Dex’s sons no longer spoke to him. His teenaged daughter lived with her mother. She too refused to have a thing to do with him.
Dex lamented that he and his exes spoiled their kids.
‘My daughter hasn’t spoken to me since I came home one night and caught her making out with a date on the couch. When I tried to do the fatherly thing and talk to her about it, she totally disowned me. It really hurts, Helen. Brie graduated last year, but I wasn’t invited to attend. I don’t have any idea what she even wants to do with her life. It’s my own fault, I put my career ahead of my children. Now I’m paying the price.’



I could never love Dex like I had Trent.
I certainly didn’t approve of some of the things he’d done in the past, but I did come to like him.
I also appreciated his honesty and dedication to my career.
At first being a star was wonderful, but it’s very hard work to stay on top. Most people have no clue about how hard I work everyday. I barely get four hours sleep every night.
Reg and I worked together, but it was hard getting time alone. I notice now he disappears on me for long periods of time. The other day I went through the laundry and found lipstick on Reg’s collar.
I've also noticed that Dex is starting to become a bit possessive of me.
I didn’t believe he just happened by the coffee shop. It was time I let him know that I had a right to a personal life. I'm tired and I need a break.
Dex was standing by his car. His back turned to me.
'Dex we really need to talk.'


Dex didn't turn around.
‘I’m sorry to have ruined your evening. Go on back in and finish catching up with Trent and Remy. I-I’m going home now.’
His voice sounded odd and he quickly swiped his eyes.
Dex was crying?!
All the fight left me in an instant.
‘Dex are you all right?’
'We can talk tomorrow Helen. Please, just go back inside.'


I wasn't about to leave him this way.
I walked around to where I could see his face and gave him a quick hug.
Dex broke down sobbing into my shoulder.
‘Helen...I’m sorry...Lanie....it was like looking into Mary’s eyes all over again.’