SAVANNAH
“This is outrageous!” I tossed my phone on the bed, frustrated at seeing the article about me and Rafael Sebastian. There was even a picture of Micheal’s house on the page. “This is my fault. I dragged him into my mess.” I walked back and forth across Riley’s bedroom. I was staying in the Allen sibling’s apartment in Manhattan until I found a place to move into.
“Can you please sit down? My head feels like breaking watching you right now. This can’t be just your fault. The guy is practically a celebrity,” Riley said. I told her everything. I had already spoken to Wesley, so she knew the whole story about Rafael and then Sofia and Edward’s infidelity.
I perched next to her. “Well, my face is blurred. I shouldn’t have let him drive me home. Michael will be furious if he sees this.”
“He won’t find out. You know Michael isn’t interested in internet gossip.”
“I’ll apologize to Rafe tomorrow.” I buried my face in my palms. “God! It’s embarrassing.”
“Or don’t.” Wesley entered, already in his pajamas and bringing snacks on a tray. He placed it over the vanity. “He probably thinks it’s him who got you into his mess. He’s always been followed by the paparazzi and media. I brought some muffins and milk.”
“Aw. Thank you. That’s so sweet,” Riley teased, grabbing a piece of muffin.
“Shut up. We’re not kids.” Wes sat down and crossed his legs. “What you need is to be careful next time.”
“Or why don’t we just let them because this Rafael guy seems smitten with our friend, Wes?” Riley said.
“What?” I raised my head. That was the second time I’d heard of that. What with these siblings’ absurd ideas?
“Don’t you think I didn’t realize that?” Wes retaliated. “The problem is, he’s unlike Edward or me. Our boss has a big name in the entertainment industry, a third-generation conglomerate heir, not to mention being branded as a Casanova. He’s always been photographed with female celebrities and personages alike. And as I said, he’s our boss. We have a non-fraternization rule in the office. Is our friend ready for that?”
“Don’t listen to him, Savi.” Riley crawled to my side and hooked her arm on mine. “I say, you go for it. We don’t always run across a man like that in our lifetime. You’ll be Mrs. Sebastian and get your happily ever after—”
“Oh my God, stop it, you two!” I snapped. They were already jumping to conclusions when I’d already told them everything. And what? Mrs. Sebastian? That was ridiculous. “The man doesn’t like me, okay? You’re both wrong. This article is just a rumor, just like everything that has been written about him before. Don’t worry about me, okay?”
There was no happily ever after. It never existed. We were not in fairytales. My failed marriage was huge proof of that.
Riley pouted. “But he could be the one, you know.”
“Stop it, Ry. That is the least of her concerns. I’ll ask Carter if we can do anything about that article,” Wes suggested.
“Thank you. But I still think I need to apologize to him. It’s common ethics,” I tell Wes. “As you said, he’s still our boss.”
He nodded. “Well, if that’s what will make you at peace.”
I picked up my phone again and reread the article. I saw it while scrolling to Sofia, a.k.a. Eva Herrera’s first Meet & Greet event as New Star Media’s signed artist because I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Then Rafael and I’s article popped up, and I couldn’t be more bewildered.
The photographer even got a good angle. I was sure they probably already knew me by now but didn’t wish to disclose it. For now...
Wesley was right. I had to be more careful. Well, it was unlikely I would get to be with Rafael again like this anyway.
“Are you coming with me to the girls’ meeting tomorrow night?” Riley suddenly asked me. She said it was for our high school reunion next week. They needed some people to help the others organize the reunion for our batch. It was possible I’d meet Sofia at their mini-reunion, so I wasn’t interested. I didn’t wish to see her, or I might have scraped her face on the spot in a fury. As much as possible, I wanted to remain civilized.
“Why? Aren’t you going?” I asked Riley.
“Yes! I already told Lana I’ll help with the organizing. They asked my restaurant to provide the food. And because I’ll pull Sofia’s hair for you and for being a traitor friend to us.”
“Don’t do that,” I said as I reread the news about Rafe and me. “We don’t want to stoop low on her level. They deserve each other anyway. They’re both cheaters.”
“I’m surprised. This doesn’t seem to bother you anymore,” Wesley commented.
I glanced at him. “Of course it bothers me. I just don’t want to exert more energy dealing with them. Nothing will change anyway. Separation is the better decision.”
“But it’ll be better if you come,” Riley tried to convince me. “If it doesn’t bother you, then you’ll be fine.”
“But she’s right. Savi doesn’t have anything to prove to them or to her, Ry,” Wes whispered. “For that matter, Edward and Sofia are the ones who should be ashamed. Sofia didn’t even try to meet Savi to apologize.”
Riley’s shoulders fell, sighing. “I hate that you’re always right. Oh, well. It’s not like I have a choice. I need to go to this meeting.”
As I listened to the siblings’ conversation, a call suddenly appeared on my screen. I frowned. “Hold on. Carter’s calling.”
“At this hour?” Riley questioned. “That’s the brother, right?”
“He’s usually like that,” Wes said. “Answer it. Might be important.”
“Fine.” I pressed the answer. “Hello?”
“Good evening, Savannah.” Carter’s smooth voice slithered on my line.
“Y-yes, good evening. What is it, sir?”
“I need you early in the morning tomorrow. I need the spreadsheet I asked for last week and the admin and finance department’s report. I also have something important to discuss. Do you think you can spare time for me tomorrow at dinner?”
“I will have them ready. And no, I don’t have plans for tomorrow night,” I answered, looking at Wesley as I spoke. “Do we have a business meeting we need to attend?”
I sensed his smile in the background. “That’s what I like about you, Savannah. Yes, we have a business dinner, so I’d like to request you to wear something formal—a dress, maybe.”
A bit on my bottom lip. My mind immediately flew to my current wardrobe choices. Luckily, I’d purchased new ones when I got my last paycheck from New Star. “A dress, sure.”
“Good. See you tomorrow.”
“See you.” After a few seconds, I cut the call and informed the Allen siblings, saying, “Looks like I have a date tomorrow.”
“Date for what?” Riley queried, frowning.
I patted her leg, laughing. “Just for work! Good luck with your meeting.”
***
“Here is the spreadsheet you asked to see.” I placed a tablet on Carter’s desk in the morning. He momentarily stopped typing on his computer and grabbed the gadget.
“Everything?”
“I’ve put notes at the bottom and sorted out our team’s deliverables from daily and weekly. I have yet to organize monthly, but I will give it to you ASAP.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “I don’t need it until next month. Wesley already submitted those. Rafe’s assistant usually collects them on the last three days of the month. How about the conferences? Event managers and organizers are already asking.”
“Yes, here is the data.” I placed another folder over his table. “Those are the schedules for events and conferences from our admin, and I’ve already spoken to Ms. Irene from the finance department, and they already approved the minimal budget. Oh, I also just want to add. The final materials for Nigel Lee’s concert and The Viking’s Mission movie premiere in three months will be discussed by our designers today. Promotions will probably be released this weekend, and you will get the official report tomorrow morning.”
“Very well. I will need Nigel’s report tomorrow anyway. Julian requires it as soon as possible. Is there anything else?”
“That’s all for now, sir.” I gave him a big smile.
“So...” He leaned on the chair to look up at me. “How are you adjusting here? Anything different from working with Amara?”
I chuckled. I’d never been more comfortable working with someone! Amara was good to me when I was still working for her. I was overworked and rarely had weekend breaks, so I’d made serious mistakes, but fortunately, Amara never held it against me. She never spoke of insufferable words and was often patient. However, I realized maybe she was only good to me because of Edward. Alas, I couldn’t say the same to Brett. The man obviously needed to have his temper checked. He shouted at his employees and fired them for simple matters.
But I wasn’t going to tell Carter that. It was still unethical to badmouth previous employers regardless of what they did.
“I don’t wish to compare. We all have differences,” I said.
Carter’s mouth curled up. “That’s why I like you,” he said, repeating what he told me on the phone last night. “Looks like you’re ready for tonight?” He studied my outfit, but in the most casual and friendly way.
I beamed, slightly looking down at my haltered, backless, satin royal blue dress that falls right above the knee with a pleated skirt and a pair of silver heels from Neiman Marcus.
“Honestly, I have something else to finish, but tonight’s dinner must be important. You haven’t told me about it yet.”
His shoulders stiffened. “Yeah, about that. We have a meeting with PeekFlix’s founder tonight, and he’s bringing his wife, so I think it’ll be better if we take someone who can attend to her.”
PeekFlix’s founder? Then they were Sofia’s parents. They didn’t know me, but Sofia could be there, too. Or worse, Edward. I avoided coming to our high school meeting for that reason. But they couldn’t be there, could they?
It wasn’t like I had another choice. Accompanying my boss at his meetings was a part of my job.
“Of course. You can count on me for that.”
“But won’t this be a problem for you? Aren’t you friends with their daughter?”
“Former. Former friend,” I corrected. “They don’t know me. But if Sofia’s there, she won’t say anything. I’ll make sure of it.” I still wasn’t sure how her parents accepted her relationship with Edward since he was still married. Oh, well. He was Amara’s nephew and one of New Star Media’s bosses.
Carter smiled. “Good. Be ready at six, then...”