I barely made it to the studio in time for the Good Day Live appearance. Pam and Marti were having a fit. Since neither of them were with me last night they didn't know where I was; talk about major panic attacks. I am so sick and tired of having a babysitter everywhere I go. The only reason they haven't been around on this trip is because Steven knows Sarah refuses to get involved in bad press for the sake of her family. The show was definitely better than most obligations I have, in both television and print. Aside from the interview I just did for W magazine it was the closest interview to showing more of my livelier side. There was a little talk of sex and which women in Hollywood I thought were attractive. Due to the context of it all, no one would think anything of it, even though I really wouldn't mind sleeping with any of the women I named. Now, I'm headed to lunch before making my way to yet another photoshoot. Who the hell schedules lunch before a photoshoot? Someone who obviously expects me to eat nothing or stick my finger down my throat after my meal.
"What is this shoot for?" Pam, who as usual didn't need to check any itineraries, spoke without hesitation,
"Jane magazine." Jane magazine didn't set off any bells in my head. I sighed,
"When do I do the interview?" Once again, no hesitation,
"You already did; two weeks ago over the phone." I did an interview two fucking weeks ago and I'm just doing the photoshoot? And what in the hell was the interview about? Sometimes it doesn't even pay to know that the fuck you are doing. Being numb and clueless to the whole concept of my life makes it easier most times. Maybe once it was over I could go back to the hotel and get a massage.
"Is this all for today?" She shook her head and I wanted to slap her and scream for her to pacify me by saying that this photoshoot was the last thing on my list of things to do,
"You have one more shoot; for Allure." I groaned as my phone began to ring,
"And when did I do the interview for this shoot?" She shook her head as I answered the phone,
"You haven't done it yet." I nodded my head and held my hand up as I spoke into the phone,
"Hello?" His voice came through loud and clear,
"Are you ready to hear how much damage you caused?" No, not particularly and I wish he wouldn't make it seem like it was my fault. It wasn't really a question and he continued to talk,
"Not only is there the restraining order, you have to stay one hundred yards away from her-" Like that was going to cause me to break down into tears,
"Sounds good to me."
"Shut up, this is not the time for damn jokes. She's suing you for one million dollars." I was speechless. I didn't have a million dollars to just hand over to her. She didn't deserve any money. I didn't do anything to warrant her even mentioning the incident let alone bringing me up on charges and trying to sue me.
"Stupid, why did you have to be so damn stupid? I've told you time and time again about your fucking temper. Didn't I tell you it was going to get you in some shit? This is the bullshit I'm talking about. I can't deal with you." I can't believe this. He was there, he saw how she came at me. Why is he acting as if I just jumped on her for no reason?
"Steven, you were there. You saw how she acted towards me." He cut me off before I could say more,
"So what Brehan. Be the bigger fucking person. She only did it to get to you and you know that's what she was doing yet you fall for it anyway. You let her yank you around and play you like a puppet." No, that wasn't what she was doing. Was it? She was just as emotional as I was. She was caught up in the moment just as I was. But then again, she had time to plan some wild episode in her head. She knew there was going to be a confrontation, I didn't.
"This is the perfect opportunity for her now. We're near the end of the divorce and you know she is going to bring up you and me. She's going to try and use us as leverage in the divorce, that I was cheating on her and she's going to want more money. This is going to drag out the divorce even more." No one really knew Steven and I were together before he left Evelyn. Even now, unless they were friends no one knew we were together now. The public thinks I am single,
"She can't prove that we were together before you were separated." I heard his arrogant sigh. I hated it, it was if he was calling me stupid and looking down on me.
"Don't be so naive. Besides, she'll try to subpoena only God knows who and it's going to get nastier. Forget getting married." My stomach dropped. That's the last thing I want to hear. I have to marry him. My life just won't be complete without him in it.
"Obviously I have a lot of things to take care of. I'm going to be busy, don't call. I'll let you know what you need to do." With that he hung up. No I love you, not even a fucking good-bye.
"Skip lunch and go right to the photoshoot. And make sure they are there or it's fucking off and they can use a damn press picture." I didn't give a damn if that was fair or not. It's not fair that Evelyn has fucked me over and done it publicly either. If this gets out it's going to be a mudslinging contest. Reporters will be all over trying to get information. How in the fuck am I supposed to handle this? What am I supposed to say? Marti will be earning her money from now on. The joyride was over; from this moment on she is going to have to work hard as my public relations person.
They managed to be there and ready when I arrived at the studio and a few of the lowly nobodies tried to give me disapproving looks however one quick stare from me put them in their low place on the totem pole. I'm sitting on a damn couch in a long floral skirt and a cream shirt, they wanted me in a pair of jeans but I absolutely refused, and in the nastiest of ways I don't mind saying. After bitching about the clothes they wanted me in I was told by the fashion editor that they aren't as flashy and sexed up as most magazines today. They feel it's a welcomed and refreshing change. I grunted and rolled my eyes as I loudly told Pam to make sure I am never caught dead in this magazine again. My phone rang and the editor, a fat Asian chick, yelled,
"I said all cell phones off people." Who knew there was such a thing as fat Asians? Then again they do eat a lot of rice and eventually those carbohydrates do catch up with you. Pam walked towards me,
"It's for you." I snatched the phone and challenged the editor to say something to me,
"Yeah?" I laughed as she walked off, biting her tongue I'm sure.
"Hello love. I caught you on television this morning. Aren't we quite the volunteer?� I smiled at my friend's voice,
"Juliana hi. Are you in LA?" Maybe I should find her. I'm in desperate need of some company. I haven't had any fun since I arrived here and I'm praying she is in town,
"Yes, I'm in LA. But damn, I have to go. I'll call you later." Just as quickly as her voice was filling my ear it was gone and I was left to endure more smiling and posing for this rinky-dink photoshoot. Someone kill me now. This was going to be a shitty day if something didn�t happen to brighten my spirits. I know what I need but I have these photo shoots and I have to make it through them before I get loaded. Thank God the last thing I have to do is the photo shoot for Allure magazine, at least I can pretend to be professional. If it wasn�t the last thing I was going to make it the last thing and cancel everything after it. I�m getting sued, my name is going to be all over in a scandal and on top of it all Steven is mad at me beyond words. The one person I want and need for support has basically deserted me. I know he�s working to make everything ok for me, for us, but I just wish he could be here to hold me in his arms. There was one person that seemed to make all my problems disappear if for nothing more than temporarily. I�ll take temporary relief over permanent pain anytime.
Chapter 74
Stranger Than Fiction
Stories
Feedback