herophine - Trouvaille

Chapter 37

Brixton, London - England, 2026

During the whole hour that Hero was in his room last night, he came with the realization that if the pictures were already leaked, probably it wouldn't take long to appear more photographers around Crosby. Therefore, after the conversation he had with Jo, he told her it was better if they drove in the morning to Brixton. They want a small truce to celebrate their first New Year's Eve together as a family, and driving to Hero's hometown was the option that allowed it far away from the main focus. 

Early in the morning, they all packed for some days and jumped in the car. Of course, Martha received them with open arms. But, for Josephine it was far from what she had expected. In a good way. Martha is kind, sweet and her welcome was caring. She thought that Hero's mother would hate her and be spiteful due to obvious facts, and that is what she was all nervous about the car ride.

Every mother defends their child against anything that makes them suffer. However, Martha, also as every other mother, wants his son to be happy. And, when she opened the front door, mother instincts told her that his son was happier. Likewise, she knew the reason of his happiness. So, whatever has happened in the past it stays in the past.

- Do you want some more, Josephine? - Martha offers her more pie. 

- No, thank you. - She kindly denies. 

- We should be going anyway... - Hero intervenes, exchanging a look with Jo and then standing up from the chair.

It's been already two days there and Hero has made sure to take Jo on a tour, although it has been around his childhood neighbourhood and not around London city as he had promised her seven years ago. Seven years ago it was a good thing to have fans worldwide, mostly for the After franchise, but right now it is a good thing if they go unnoticed. For that reason, they don't want to walk where there is many people, and the capital is a very likely place to be crowded.

However, today they need to drive to the centre. Lena has landed a couple hours ago and they are supposed to meet her at the hotel she is staying at. They have many things to discuss.

- Hey, baby girl. - Hero kneels until he gets to her height. - Jo and I have to go out for a few hours to a meeting. - No details yet. - You stay at home with grammy, okay? 

Sofía keeps playing with some toys and doesn't look at her dad, but she is listening carefully.

- Okay, let's go. - He guides Jo with his hand on the low of her back to the front door, after kissing the child's head.

- Wait!

They stop and turn around. Sofía runs to them with a Barbie doll in her hand, and to the adults surprise she hugs her parents legs. Is as if she sensed that her parents are worried about something. Is it true what they say about children feeling their parents' mood?

- Bye. - She says in a childish way while snuggling her head into both adults.

- We'll be back soon. - Hero kisses her her forehead and Jo squats to hug her. 

Once in the car, Hero and Jo enjoy in silence the moment they just lived inside the house with their daughter. In the same way that they will have to talk to her about the life they used to have and their role in the show industry, they will also have to talk someday with her about their relationship. But, now is not the moment. Now they have to focus on their meeting with Lena and on what they want to do about the pictures running through the Internet.

Jo is not able to tear her sight away from the window. London is as beautiful as Hero has always described, with its famous architectural buildings and the river Thames in the landscape. Hero takes his eyes from the road only to stare at her with the same amusement as Jo with her amusement for the city views. He definitely has to take her on a proper tour.

Twenty minutes later they finally arrive to Park Plaza Riverbank, Lena's hotel. They leave the Nissan inside the hotel's parking lot and, when they are going up in the elevator, Hero steals Jo an unexpected and quickly, but sweet kiss.

Lena Roklin awaits in a table from the lobby bar. And, it surprises Hero how she hasn't changed much in the last seven years, since he last saw her. The couple walks to her table a bit more calmed and with the determination of not letting anyone breaking apart their family. And, if it surprises Lena to see them sitting in front of her with their hands intertwined, she doesn't change her gesture.

- Good morning, Jo. - She greets not very enthusiastic. - Hero. - She says even less enthusiastic. - So, what do you want to do? - She directs her question mainly to Hero, assuming that he will be taking the decisions just like seven years ago.

Nevertheless, Hero limits himself to stare at Jo, letting her take the floor. 

- Well, we know you are more experienced than us in business management, Lena. - Josephine speaks. - So, we are willing to listen to you first.

As a talent manager, her job is to provide career guidance to her client. That's why Lena has designed a plan during her flight from Los Ángeles to London. A plan that doesn't include Hero and Jo on the same side.

- An exclusive interview, where you tell the truth and open your heart explaining everything about what happened with your daughter. 

Hero frowns with disapprovement, but he keeps letting Jo talk.

- No. - She says with a serious tone, making her australian accent more noticeable. - You have not understood it, Lena. We are not going to sell our lives. We are not going to put our daughter in the spotlight. I hope you have more ideas, because that is not going to happen.

He could kiss her right here, right now. In front of Lena and several people who are in the same lobby as them. With Hero's look of encouragement, she continues.

- We will not hide from press anymore, although we won't doubt on going to court if there is a single picture of our daughter out there. - She warns again about their child being in the spotlight, plus she is a minor afterall and they would end up having legal rights. - Also, I will no longer be the image of any brand. That is over for me.

Josephine explains to an astonished Lena that the brands will have to look for another image, because she won't do it anymore. Her reasoning is that if she doesn't sell, she will stop being news. And if she is not news, neither will be Sofía and Hero.

- What you're saying is naive, Josephine. - Her manager counters. - If you want to keep being an actress, you can't avoid brands. You know it, Josephine.

Of course she knows it. Jo has heard the same speech since she started in the business: "acting and being the image of brands go hand in hand". At least in her career.

- I have to talk to you, Josephine. - She adds. - In private, please. 

Hero tenses an scans Jo's face, trying to analyse her response to Lena's petition. Josephine squeezes gently his hand to assure him that she will be fine. He squeezes back and then he stands up, stepping some metres away but not losing them from his sight.

Subsequently, Lena takes out an envelope and leaves it on the table. 

- Legal documents. - She starts saying while opening it and taking out loads of papers. - For you. - She spreads all of them in front of her and continues. - One of the brands has sued you for breaking the contract. You can't just leave the country like that, not when you have contracts like this.

Josephine starts feeling a cold sweat on her neck, she can predict what are going to be her manager's next words.

- I reviewed the documents with a lawyer and they would probably win in a trial, so you only have two options. - More cold sweat and a wave of nausea. - Either you go back to Los Ángeles in a couple of weeks or you try to come to an agreement with them.

An economic agreement with too many zeros.

________________________

Hii,

i'm curious, do you read the cities/places i write on top of each chapter?

comment your thoughts, i love reading them!

Xx.