Can This Be Real?

Chapter 17: Careers falling into place but why isn't it everything I hoped for

I am so sorry it has taken me forever to upload. I was seriously just stuck and having trouble writing these upcoming chapters. Definitely not my best but I just wanted to upload and move on in the storyline so I can get on a roll and the ideas will flow again. 

Bethany POV

These last couple of weeks has been insane to say the least. One minute I am standing on the Great Wall of China and the next I am interviewing the President. How crazy is that? All of the nerves and anxiety of wanting the interview to go well and not wanting to make a fool of myself to now just the feeling of relief and complete disbelief that it actually happened.

Since DWTS ended, it has seriously been an amazing ride of opportunities. All of which are so unexpected and never have I ever dreamed would even be possible. From that shy girl making videos in her room to all of this, is unreal. I should be over the moon ecstatic about everything and I truly am but in the back of my mind, things would be so amazing if I could share it with Derek.

There were countless moments during these last 3 week since I left him in LA, when I just wanted to pick up the phone to call him.  I wanted to freak out about interviewing the President with him or Facetime him the view from the Great Wall in China but I couldn’t. I know that I hurt him when I walked out on him and said that I wasn’t ready for this relationship yet. So the last thing that I wanted to do was to selfishly call him and pretend everything was ok, nothing happened and things were the same between us.

The worst part is, I know he would always be there to pick up the phone if I called. Regardless of our relationship status or the hurt I caused him, he would always be there if I needed him… which makes me fall in love with him even more.

The need to keep myself busy and occupied with work is the only way that I am keeping myself sane. My agent, Max Stubblefield, met me in DC and insisted that I return to LA to finalize some upcoming projects. While I would be in LA, Julianne had called and asked if I had free time to meet with her and the Kind Campaign team to discuss getting involved in some of their future events. I, of course, gladly accepted the invitation. 

As I walked into the restaurant, Julianne immediately greeted me with a warm hug as she exclaimed, “Babe! You are killing it right now. Congrats on that amazing interview with the President.”

I reply, “Thank you so much. I was absolutely terrified and nervous for weeks.”

“You were such a natural and so at ease throughout the entire interview. Here, come sit and let me introduce you to the rest of the girls cause they are absolutely excited to meet you,” Julianne said.

Lauren, the founder of the Kind Campaign as well as the wife of Aaron Paul (the guy from Breaking Bad), was so sweet. She added, “Bethany, you embody everything of what the Kind Campaign represents and we are so thankful that you would even consider meeting with us. I know Julianne probably guilt tripped you into coming but regardless, we are so happy you are here.”

I confess, “Are you kidding me? Everything about the Kind Campaign and what it represents is so near and dear to my heart that I would be more than happy to give and help out in any way that I can. Seriously, anything that you ever need, I will be there.”

As the lunch meeting was winding down, a delivery guy approached the table and handed me a gorgeous, huge arrangement of white and mostly pink flowers. I looked over to the girls and said, “These are gorgeous but you really did not have to get me flowers.”

With guilty eyes, Julianne said, “You might wanna read the card first because the flowers aren’t from us.”

I opened the card and read: