The Second Tour of 44West

ch. 33 - i forgive you

Rion

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I walked around the kitchen, cleaning everything that I could as I waited on Elizabeth to walk back in from making her phone calls. I was currently wiping the counter-tops down for what felt like the fifth time when I decided to move on to something else. Some other monotonous chore to help keep my mind occupied for whatever our talk would entail. Grabbing the broom, I started sweeping up the kitchen and foyer floors, making little dirt piles as I went and scooping them up to throw away before adding the finishing touches with the mop.

Elizabeth still hadn't returned, and it had almost been an hour. Whoever she was talking to, and whatever she was talking about, must have been important. So, I stayed patient, and walked back into the bedroom, deciding to make the bed and clean the restrooms to pass the time. Forty minutes later, the house was practically spotless and I finally heard the back door slide open, and then shut again.

"Rion?" She called, making me gather up all of my spray bottles and other various supplies in my arms, walking back into the living room.

"I'm here." I said, "Just doing some cleaning while you were out."

She nodded as she looked around, a small smile gracing her face. "Looks nice."

"Thanks," I replied as I placed most of the items I was carrying back under the sink and in the spare utility closet. "Everything go okay?" I asked as I returned to standing in front of her, feeling a but nervous as I waited for an answer.

"Yeah, actually." She said in a low voice as she tucked her bottom lip in between her teeth, clearly showing that she had a lot on her mind. "Can we sit?"

"Lead the way, Olsen." I replied with a smile, hoping it would help calm her obvious nerves.

She smiled back and we resumed our position on the couch from last night. Both of us facing the other with our legs tucked underneath our bodies. Elizabeth grabbed the blanket she used last night as well, making me internally smile at how she didn't ask. I wanted her to feel comfortable here, so I felt like that was a good sign.

"I just got off of the phone with Nicole and Robbie." She said, starting the conversation. I nodded as I waited for her to continue. I assumed she would be calling Nicole about all of this since she was her publicist, but Robbie took me by surprise for some reason. "Both were interesting. Nicole was livid that I didn't tell her I left the venue, but I shot back that she didn't tell me about the prenup so we're even."

I raised my eyes in surprise and nodded my head. "Good for you."

"Yeah. We're all good on that front and we agreed that I would try and stay off of the internet for a while. She also said it's best that I lay low until this isn't one of the big Hollywood stories; basically to not go out in public."

"That makes sense." I confirmed in support. "Some celebrity is bound to do something stupid sooner or later and this will all be water under the bridge."

Elizabeth nodded and fiddled her fingers together in her lap. "Yeah, true. Nicole said I could make a statement, but I don't think I want to do that. Not now, at least. It's all so fresh and I hate feeling like I have to divulge the details of my personal life to the public. If I do make a statement, it will be later and when I want to. Not someone else."

"Of course. It should be completely up to you."

"Yeah." She nodded again, taking a deep breath, then exhaling through her mouth. "Then I called Robbie."

I reached my hands out in silent support, untangling her own as I held them both in mine. Elizabeth started twisting the rings on my fingers, and I could see some of the tension leave her shoulders as she did.