To Be Me

New Job

Matthew's POV:

Monday morning. It was the same for him. The days had swiftly gone by after the 2nd anniversary of her death. Emma was in school, doing well of course. The restaurant was booming, the cooking show was getting tons of views and...

He turned to notice a pop up notification on his phone.

Time's quickly running out and I can't hold out any longer. You need to get down here. ASAP!

"Damn!"

He stood up with a groan.

Alex had really been a huge help to him, holding out on the job and all that.

"I guess it's time. I should really thank that dumbass for this when I get there."

Getting to his closet, he picked out a black suit and laid it on the bed.

After a long, steamy shower, he got dressed and stepped out heading down the stairs. Rather. Slowly. Like he contemplated turning back with each step.

"Whew."

He let out a sigh of relief as his feet finally landed on level ground.

"Most tense seconds I've had in a long while." He added with a chuckle.

"Breakfast's ready Matthew, come down..."

She couldn't believe her eyes, her son, was standing before her wearing a suit?

"Hey there. Was just about to tell you to come have breakfast." She stepped closer and straightened out his collar.

"You look nice." She added almost in a whisper wiping imaginary dust from his shoulders.

"Going somewhere?" She suddenly paused looking directly at him, worry etched on her face.

"Yes. I. Am." He replied holding her hands and kissing them.

"I'll be back soon mum." He hugged her closely hoping she would be rest assured before he let go and walked out the door.

Getting into his car, she watched him leave from her usual spot wrapping her arms around herself.

This was the first time she saw him leave the house when it wasn't that day in the past two years.

Standing by the window, a tear dropped to the floor as her husband gently spun her.

"Hey you." He placed a light peck on her forehead before resting her closely against his chest slowly giving steady pats on her back as the tears flowed.

"I told you so." He whispered with a soft smile looking out the same direction Matthew drove into.

***

"That's absurd I would never! But even if I wanted to, don't I have rights anymore?!"

"You can't possibly be that naive! You knew what you were getting into when you signed that contract Rachel! You've got to put your head in the game. This is definitely not the time for this."

Mr Black said slamming his hands on the table before slowly retracting them, coming closer to her.

"I mean." He held her shoulders as he spoke running his hand down her arms seeming a bit calmer.

"I know this is not your fault but just... You've just got to try to stay out of the limelight for the mean time. Till everything dies down. You know what I mean don't you?"

He flashed her a soft reassuring smile letting go as the news of the scandal suddenly came on.

Quickly locating the remote control, he switched the plasma television off returning to his chair.

"I think you need to take a little break. Just until all this clears up. How's a week sound?"

Her brows furrowed, "a week? That's not possible. You're not serious. Right?!."

Her voice rose.

"You've got to be kidding me. We have the shoot.You can't stop the filming now. My schedule is packed!"

He opened a drawer and brought out some papers.

"You mean this?"

She withdrew, shocked as her voice became calmer.

"Why do you have my schedule?"

"Got it from your manager. He wouldn't miss it. And you won't be seeing him for a while."

He said ripping the papers. At the same time his phone started to ring. Not taking his eyes off her, he answered the call and put it on speaker.

"Sir I'm calling regarding Rachel's scandal, we really can't keep it under control. The magazines refuse to take down the article. More outrageous news are coming out and it's blowing out of proportion. I fear this might greatly affect the..."

He clenched his jaw abruptly cutting the call as his eyes narrowed looking forward.

"How's two weeks sound?"

"I can't..."

"I wasn't asking."

His eyes darkened.

This was the first time she had seen him like this. She wasn't someone to be given orders without reason, or tossed around and he understood and related well with her and basically all his artists but...

She turned to the side deep in thought.

Had it become so serious that Tim Black himself would have to handle the matter? Had it escalated that much?

"Ok." She barely whispered as Mr Black's expression softened.

"J-Just..." She slowly stood to her feet, clearly shaken up by everything and still trying to take in the whole situation.

"Just call me when you're... Um I mean... When it's time to continue filming..."

"Thanks for understanding."

A brief smile appeared on his face before he picked up his phone to make a call.

"By the way, we should have a new dermatologist coming in today." He gestured to her face.

"You seem stressed. How about you pay him a visit?"

"I will."