A Recusant Relationship

NDA

"Hey I'm about to pull up at the back of the hotel"
You say to Cate on the phone

"No worries I'll call downstairs and have someone let you in"
She says, her tone more numb than anything

You arrive at the back entrance, a staff member waits at the door to escort you inside. You quickly jump out of the car & walk to the staff member.

"This way miss"
She says, gesturing the direction

You walk inside, directly the the elevators & up to Cates floor.

A wave of anxiousness washes over you as the elevator comes to a stop, the doors open, you take a deep breath before stepping out.

You walk to Cates room & buzz the door.

She opens the door seemingly hesitantly.
"Hey"
You say

"Hi"
She says quietly as she steps aside to let you in, you step inside, opening your arms to her offering a hug

She steps closer, not initiating the hug but showing she wants one. You muster up the courage to close the small space between you & wrap your arms around her, your face just reaching her chest. The height difference has never been something you'd paid attention to until now but somehow it feels right. You know Cate feels the same by the way she embraces you back. Her breath shakes as you give one last squeeze of tenderness.

"Thank you"
She says as you part
"My publicist is here"
She says almost shamefully before walking further inside the room

"That's ok"
You say in a lighthearted tone, covering up your anxiousness for Cates sake.

Hilda and Cate are so close. You know it from all of the pictures you've seen of them. She's been her publicist for like twenty years so of course they'd be close.

You walk to the lounge room where Hilda sits at the desk quickly typing on her computer.

"Hilda, this is y/n, y/n this is Hilda"
Cate says, Hilda turning in her chair

"Hi"
You say with a smile & a casual wave

"Hi there, nice to meet you"
Hilda says, standing to walk & shake your hand
"Would you like to take a seat"
She says

"Uh sure"
You answer, turning to Cate as you retrieve the champagne from your bag
"Did you want this in the refrigerator"
You say

"Sure"
Cate says, her eyes red

You walk & place the bottle in the refrigerator while Cate takes a seat on one of the couches, Hilda walking back to her computer printing off some things

You walk over & take a seat directly across from Cate, the coffee table between you reflects the light in a tortuously beautiful way, like the beams of light are spears keeping you & Cate apart.

You give Cate a small supportive smile & mouth to her
"It's going to be ok"

She smiles a painful smile
"Thank you"
She mouths back to you, a tear rolls down her cheek which she quickly wipes away.

All you want to do is hold her.
Take her pain.
Fix it all.

Hilda gathers the papers she printed into a stack & walks towards you & Cate

"Now y/n, I'm sure you've seen the articles in the past twelve hours"
She says

"Ahh yes I have"
You reply

"And you can understand how tremendously negatively they have and will continue to impact Cate during this time"
She says

You nod
"Absolutely"

She's like a guard dog

"This is something we can't risk having any more of"
She adds

You look to Cate who is looking down at her hands

"I have here a non disclosure agreement"
She says, placing the papers on the table in-front of you
"I'm going to ask you to go through this with me and sign"
She adds

You begin to shake. A mix of anger, worry & absolute shock.

"What"
You say in a shocked tone pausing for a moment
"Why do you need that from me, shouldn't you be chasing up the people who wrote the article or took photos of us?"
You say as calm as possible as your eyes begin to well up with tears

I hope Cate doesn't think I have anything to do with the article

"I have sent a cease and desist letter to the news company which will also be forwarded to the source who sent the pictures"
She says

"Good"
You say bluntly
"So why do I have to sign an nda?"
You ask

"Just as a precaution for the future"
She says quickly

"A precaution for the future?"

"Cate has informed me of some things that are beyond a professional setting so yes as a future precaution, I believe it would be in Cates best interest for you to sign"
She says

"Im sorry but you're joking right"
You say, not a question but a statement
"And do you have all of Cates friends sign NDA's?"
That is a question

"Not particularly"
She answers

"Not particularly?"
You question, raising your brows
"I had to sign an NDA when I got my job, an NDA that covers all the people I would be working for and with so if you are assuming I have something to do with any of the articles I'd be in breach of my employment NDA and I would loose my job and if that's the case you may take it further.  But I think you're just being overly precautionary with someone who wouldn't ever want anything negative to happen to Cate. You are doing something right now that could sabotage a genuine connection and support person for her"
You say, not tripping over a single word.
You sit proudly, absolutely blown away with yourself.

Hilda looks at Cate who is still looking down, one hand resting over her mouth sadly
"Cate"
Hilda says softly

"yeah"
Cate says with a deep exhale, trying to contain herself as she dabs around her eyes

"What would you like to do?"
Hilda asks
"I am the one who works for you after all"

You look into Cates eyes, knowing she wouldn't ever think you'd do something so low

"I think y/n is right. I never for a moment believed she would have had anything to do with this nor would ever"
She says to Hilda before turning & looking into your eyes
"And I am sorry I ever let you get in this position"
She says, standing & coming to sit beside you, taking your hands in hers as tears fall from your eyes
"This was completely uncalled for and I should have spoken to Hilda before it got to this I was just so numb and overwhelmed and didn't have the energy and I'm so incredibly sorry"
She says to you

"It's ok"
You say before turning to Hilda
"And Hilda I'm sorry if I got firery I just genuinely care a lot about Cate and it hurt me to think that she or anyone on her team would think I would do such a thing"
You say sincerely

"It's ok, I'm sorry for jumping in so fast, this has just honestly been a shit show to put it lightly"
Hilda says with a exhausted chuckle

You & Cate both let out a small chuckle with her

"I'm going to see myself out I've got lots to do, I'll be in contact later"
Hilda says as she packs away her office supplies & heads out.

A deep silence lingers after she leaves.
You can't stand it.

"Wine?"
You ask Cate who is slumped beside you

"Please"
She says lazily