(THE STAPLES CENTRE, LOS ANGELES)

It's late June and 2,000 screaming basketball fans are all crammed into a huge stadium located in downtown Los Angeles. The Staples Centre is the place to be for the start of the NBA season play-offs. The teams, the LA Lakers Vs the Portland trailblazers, and located in one of the seats along the sidelines is the Lakers biggest fan. Dressed in casual jeans, that are baggy, a plain T-shirt, trainers and sporting a 'five O'clock shadow,' but also wearing glasses and a baseball cap worn low to conceal his identity. Who is he- Leonardo Dicaprio; yes that Leonardo Dicaprio, world-famous actor and one of Hollywood’s most eligible men. He seems to be enjoying himself while on a well-earned break after the release of his latest movie "The Beach" a few months ago. Sitting with long-time pal and actor Tobey Maguire, who's also been enjoying success with films such as "Wonder Boys" and "The Cider House Rules".

Leo seems happy and at ease at being single again after a complicated break-with on-off-on again girlfriend Kristen Zang.

"Hay what time's the game start,” Leo casually asked while munching on a pretzel and gulping down a mouthful of coke.

Glancing down at his cell-phone Tobey replied "five minutes"

"Cool, oh boy I’ve been waiting to see these guys play for ages".

"Me too, how'd you finally manage to get tickets man, I thought it was sold out." Tobey asked, drinking a bit of his own drink.

"It is, but Pen managed to get me a couple of free tickets while I was out of the country promoting. One the cool things about being a celeb, huh, people throw free stuff at you." Leo said laughing. He was right, that is one of the plus sides of being famous. "It's like a constant VIP pass for anything and to anywhere you want," Sharon Stone once told him that.

Many times he uses his high-profile status to bribe himself and his mates into clubs and parties. That was one thing he did enjoy about being so famous, people willing to do anything for him. Not that he's bigheaded or anything, but why pay a stupid amount of money for something when someone will give it to you for free. Leo always thought like that, especially when it comes to clothes. He wouldn't pay big for something you can get for half the price. He likes to be comfortable and if that means wearing $50 pairs of pants then so what, it beater than paying a bloody fortune like some other stars do. Not that Leo is against it, he just doesn't see the point.

"I don't think she had to do much begging, hahaha". Leo added with a cheeky grin.

Penny Jones was Leo's personal assistant who had worked with him for many years. She is one of the few people in Leo's professional life he could trust and rely on. Over the years of working together, they have built up a close friendship and often hangout together. Penny values her bosses friendship and kindness, and neither would jeopardize that. They both have never thought of them becoming ever more than friends and often think of their relationship like a brother/sister kind.

It was just the two of them sitting there waiting for the game to start. Tobey hadn't seen his best buddy for over 3 months because he had been overseas on promotion. So it was a good time for the pair to catch up and hangout together.

For Leo it was also a chance to relax before he was due to start working again in a few months time. While in the process of making "The Beach", Leo had received a call from none other than legendary director Martin Scorsese, asking him to be in his next project. Leo jumped at the chance and the two men met to discuss details. The project was called "Gangs Of New York" an epic set in New York in the late 1800's. Filming was scheduled to start in August in Rome, but there have been some complications with casting, so the shoot date may be put back until September. All Leo can do is wait for further information. He’s dead excited at thought of working with Martin as it as always been a dream of his since he started acting, and now he is fulfilling it.

Abut a half the way into the game; the Lakers were behind 20-21 to the Trailblazers until…

“Yeeeeeeeesssssssssssss, wahoooooo.” Shouted Leo, as he leapt from his seat, knocking over his drink in the process to give the players a peace sign with his middle and index fingers, using both hands. Tobey also started screaming and cheering along with the 1000’s of fans, who jumped from their seats when the Lakers equalized, just before half time.

“That was excellent.” Leo said cheerfully to his friend who also wore a gin of his own.

“I know it was brilliant.”  Tobey replied, who seemed just has happy as Leo.

Using his hands as a “microphone” so the players could hear him, Leo shouted “Come’ on boys, kick some ass hahaha”

“Come on Lakers.” Tobey said joining in with his best friend's cheers.

“It’s half-time.” Leo said raising his voice so Tobey could hear him over the cheering crowd.

“Oh, cool, do you want anything man.” Tobey asked

“Nah thanks though. I’ll just sit n’ chill.” Leo replied while making himself comfy and taking a sip of drink.

“Ok, so were do you wanna go after the game dude.”

“Um! Dun’ no, but I really feel in the mood for a grilled steak, I’m staaaaaaarrrrrrrving, man.” Leo said while stretching his body and giving his belly a rub.

Thinking for a moment, Tobey agreed, “Yeah, sure sounds good to me, a steak it is. With extra fries.”

“Yeah.” Leo said eagerly, the thought making him feel hungrier.

In the middle of their casual banter about deciding on what they also want to eat, an advert for Laetitia Jackson’s new album release and video air date played on the big screens around the stadium.

Intense music is playing, (like that ready for the arrival of a god) is playing. Scene’s of the video are being shown in quick flashes, giving people a glimpse of what is to come. It’s electrifying and everyone stops and takes notice of what is before their eyes. Then a man with a deep sound voice can be heard…

“Billie Jean, It’s coming.” And the air date is shown on screen July 4^th 1pm.  Everyone starts to cheer and scream.

“Wow man! That looks incredible.” Leo said looking amazed at what he saw.

“I know it’s excellent.” Tobey said feeling the same way as his friend. “She’s looking real good D, supper hot.” Tobey added smiling

“I know she looks so beautiful.” Leo said, a slight feeling of heat coming over him. He felt so warm that he had to take another sip of his drink, which caused him to swallow, hard. Looking at her on the screen right there in front him makes him think about when they had first met, around the middle of 1998, the thought brought a smile to his face………

It’s late evening (11:30pm) on the middle of the Sunset Strip in LA. Crowds of people line the sidewalk, just hanging around. Some waiting for cabs to take them to another location, others are equipped with cameras and video recorders waiting to get a shot of someone famous so they can make a quick buck or two. Standing in a huddle with some friends, who seem to be hiding his identity? Is Leonardo Dicaprio? He’s standing around with a few of his buddies (including Tobey Maguire) waiting to go into The Viper Room, owned by friend and co-star Johnny Depp.

“Hay, man do think we’ll get in.” one of his friends calls out.

“Yeah, look, just chill ok buddy. We’ll go straight in VIP style.” Leo said in high-pitched tone, giving his pal a manly hug.

“Ok man, but you’d think you could go in straight away, what with you being LEONARDO DICAPRIO and all, right man.” Leo’s pal said while giving him a pat on the back.

“Keep it down you idiot.” Leo said pointing to the group of paparazzi standing near by.

“Sorry dude.” His friend whispered.

“OH MY GOD! IT’S HIM”

Leo abruptly turned around to see a small group of women standing about 20 feet away from him. They seemed to be pointing and gushing at Leo trying to get his attention.

“O’OH here we go again boys, D’s scored 4 fold.” Some shouted in a sarcastic voice.

“I don’t know how he does it.” Tobey said amazed at his friend’s ability to get women.

“What can I say boy’s, chicks love me hahaha.” Leo added in a triumphant tone, and a cocky smile as he started walking towards the group of women with his friends in toe.

“OH MY GOD! IT’S HIM, IT’S HIM!” A woman in her early 20’s squealed 

“Who.” Her friend asked confused

“HIM THAT GUY FROM TITANIC, OH MY GOD HE’S SOOOOO HOT!”

“Really.” Another one asked.

“Hi ladies.” Said Leo as he approached them with confident smile on his handsome face. “Saw you staring at me.”

“We may have been, so what.” One of the women said

“Well I thought I would come a bit closer so you could get a better look.” Leo said with a cocky grin.

“You chicks are hot, fancy coming inside for a drink with us.” One of Leo’s friends added.

“So is your friend.” She said in a flirtacous manner.

“Look ladies, you are all very beautiful, but I’m not looking for anyone tonight, sorry. Thanks for the great offer through.” Leo said sadly, walking away to go into the club.

“But…” One of the women said.

“Sorry girls.” Leo said putting his hands up in defeat then turning around and walking into the club.

“D….” Tobey said, but Leo had all ready gone inside.

“What’s with him tonight.” Another one of Leo’s friends said sounding a bit concerned.

“Kristen” Tobey replied.

“OH, no, they haven’t been arguing again”.

“Yep, and I think they’re thinking about breaking up.”

“Wow.”

“I know I don’t think Kristen can handle the attention from fans and the media.” Tobey said.

“God, he must be feeling real bad right now dude.”

“I know so lets go in and cheer him up.”

Inside the club:

Loud hip-hop and R n B music is pumping out of huge speakers located all over the inside of the club. The place is packed with people chatting, drinking, bumpin’ n grindin’ and basically enjoying themselves.

Located in a corner near to the dance floor is the VIP area, where celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and millionaire playboys hangout. The alcohol is flowing and right in the corner away from everyone is someone who seems to be off in a world of her own, even through she’s surrounded by her closest friends. She’s sitting there just watching the world past her by. She wears a solemn expression as if it’s last place she wants to be right now.

“Hay Laetitia, wanna dance babe”. Claire, One of her friends said to her in a cheery voice as she was getting out of her seat.

Laetitia gave a slight smile, nodded and got up as well then headed straight to the dance floor, being literally pulled by her friend in the process. They both begin to move to the up-tempo beat of the music, and at last Laetitia starts to ease up a little.

“There you go, see I told you all you needed was a night out with the girls to sort you out”. Claire said while two-stepping to the music’s beat.

“Maybe…” Laetitia said feeling a bit happier.

“… But I think it’s going to take more than a night with you guys to get me over Matt”. The feeling of happiness disappeared as pain started to take over again at the thought of that name. It could only have been about four months since they had parted ways, but the sound of Laetitia’s ex-boyfriend’s name still affected her to the point where she wanted to burst out crying, right there in the middle of the dance floor. But she couldn’t,

“I have to be strong.” She said to herself in thought trying to clear her crammed mind and control her strong emotions.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>

Leo was sitting at a small table in the VIP section of the club, having a drink with is friends.

“Hay, man, do ya wanna another drink?” Tobey asked

“Na, I’m fine. See ya in a bit.” Leo replied getting up and making his way to the dance floor.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>

Feed up with dancing, “Claire I’m going back.” Laetitia said while pointing to her seat. Claire gave a nod in confirmation that she had understood what her friend had said and carried on dancing.  

Laetitia started to walk back to where she was sitting, but it was dark and hard to see where she was going, so ended up bumping into a large figure that towered over her smaller frame slightly.

“OH GOD! I’m so sorry.” She apologised when realising that she almost knocked the man’s drink right out of his hand.

“No don’t, it was my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going, I’m fine.” The tall-framed man said while wiping his T-shirt where a splash of drink had landed.

“You sure, I mean I can get you another one if you want.” Laetitia replied feeling for spilling drink down this nice man’s shirt.

“I’m fine really, but how about you and me have a dance to make up for it, deal.” He said, while smiling at her and pointing the way to the dance floor.

As she listened to his words, she had a chance really look at him. Even though it was dark inside the club she could just make out his lean frame, large manly hands and the sweet smile on his face. She could not make who he was properly as a baseball cap was covering most of his face.

“Ok”, and she followed him to the dance floor.

The music was pumping out as they both moved to it’s lively beat. As they danced their bodies made contact with each other, and Leo was able to see her face fully for the first time.

“WOW, I can’t believe it’s you, I didn’t recognise you until now.” Leo exclaimed in complete surprise.

“That’s the idea.” Laetitia said slightly laughing, but still moving to the music’s beat.

Smiling Leo replied, “same here” and lifted up his cap slightly so she could see his face looking down at hers.

“Oh my god, I’m a big fan, I mean I loved your last film.” Laetitia said feeling a little embarrassed.

“Thanks, gotta say I’m a huge fan of yours too”. Leo replied smiling

“Well I guess we got one thing in common then, hahaha”.

“Yeah, hahaha”.

So they continued dancing the night again, neither have had more fun in their entire lives. After a few hours they both sat down for a well-earned break. Now Leo had a chance to look at her in person, and to him she was more beautiful than anyone he’d ever met. Just the way her eyes twinkled when she spoke, they made his insides go all mushy. 

“OH MY GOD!” Cried Laetitia observing her watch, “look what the time is”.

“WOW, I guess we lost track of time”. Leo replied slightly shocked.

“Well, um I better go, I have an early start tomorrow”. Laetitia said sighing.

“Don’t you mean today! Hahaha” Leo joked feeling a little disappointed that she had to leave. 

“Um, yeah hahaha”. Laetitia said getting up to leave

“Well can I give you a ride home, everyone else seems to have gone”. Leo offered kindly, getting himself to escort her outside.

“No I’m good, my bodyguard, Harry will take me home, thank you for offering though”. Laetitia said smiling up at him, then leaning over to kiss him sweetly on the cheek.

“Ok, well see you again sometime then”. Leo said dreamingly, as a warm feeling flowing through him from the feel of her soft lips against his skin.         

 “Oh, I’m sure you will, I promise you that, but I’m kind of busy at the minute recording and stuff”. Laetitia replied, the smile gone from her face, but a promising look in her eyes.

And with she left with Harry and went home………….

“Leo, Leo”, Tobey’s voice rang in Leo’s ear.

“What”

“What do you mean, “what”, you haven’t been listening to me have you”.  Tobey said looking at his friend, who seemed to be in a world of his own.

“Sorry, what were you saying”. Leo answered a little dazed.

“The game is starting”.

“OH! Ok”.  Leo said swallowing some more of his drink to cool himself down and save himself from embarrassment, as he sat back and watched the game.

More coming soon……….