A Parisian Fairytale

Chapter Twenty One

Annabelle's phone rang loudly making her startle, she sat up in her large bed and was tangled in the sheets as she reached to the bedside table to answer it.
"Hello" she said sleepily.
"Please tell me you've got a response."
"What?!"
"The headlines?"
"What headlines??"
"The headlines about you and Johnny. Somebody has leaked it to the press. There are photos of you both everywhere."
"What? How? Who?"
"Well if we knew that it wouldn't be bad would it?"
"Laura.. are you saying that it's out? The story is out?"
"I'm telling you it's fucking everywhere."
"Oh good god." Annabelle said laying back on her pillows.
"I'll call you back."

Annabelle checked her social media and news apps and found her face and name everywhere. It shocked her, and although she knew dating somebody in the public eye would lead to this, she didn't think the story would break that quickly. She scrolled through the barrage of abuse on her social media profiles before texting Johnny. He was on the final leg of the of the tour so there was a chance he could be awake, she doubted it but there was a chance.

Hey. Any chance you could call me when you can? X x

She waited and waited but didn't get a response so assumed he was asleep still. Eventually she realised she had to get on with the day and get ready for work.

She arrived at her office building and was shocked at the carnage. There were journalists and paparazzi everywhere being held off by the building security who seemed to be struggling. Her name was yelled from all different directions as she kept her head down and pushed her sunglasses closer to her face if that was even possible. She couldn't believe the drama that was unfolding. As she made her way into the lobby she felt the stares of everyone, people who were perfect strangers to her the day before now felt the need to judge and be nosey. Entering the elevator should have been a sanctuary but she was joined by multiple women from within her company, mainly acquaintances that she barely knew the names of but who were now trying to make small talk. All because of who she was dating? This was ludicrous she thought to herself.

Finally shutting herself into her office she sat in her chair and threw her head back. The sheer madness of the morning had exhausted her and she hadn't even begun work yet. Her phone rang and she answered it extremely quickly hoping it to be Johnny but it was Lottie.

"Your face is everywhere!! This is so cool!!"
"Cool?" Annabelle asked skeptically.
"Yeah like you're famous!!!"
"I never wanted to be famous Lottie."
"Well then you shouldn't fuck famous guys then should you."
"It wasn't like that."
"Hmmm well I still think it's amazing. What if I get Papped?"
"I think you're enjoying this too much."
"Well somebody has to, can't all be grouches like you."
"So was there a point to your call?"
"What has Johnny said? Are you going public?"
"He's not said anything"
"Oh.."
"He's not been in touch I assume he's still asleep if he was performing last night."
"Hmmm well I'm sure he will be. He's not likely to run now... he will want the good exposure."
"Lottie not everyone does things strategically you know."
"I just hope you wore your best clothes today. You'll be photographed all day long."
"Yes thank you!!" Annabelle said slowly losing patience.
"Sooo mum says you're not coming to the airport?"
"No I'm sorry I have a big meeting on Friday. I can't."
"Oh well ok.. I guess now it would cause too much attention anyway."
"Lottie you don't need to guilt trip me. I'm sorry I can't wave you off ok, but you said you're coming back for Christmas right?"
"We will try yes."
"Well I can't wait to see you then."
"Ok Mrs Depp..."
"Don't call me that!"
"Why??! Surely that's the aim."
"Lottie I'm hanging up now!!"
"Love ya."
"Love you too."

Abby and Laura soon entered the office. "Morning.." Laura said quietly. "How are you?" Abby said nervously. "I'm ok... I assume you've seen.." "Yes. I'm so sorry Belle, they are complete scumbags." "Yeah well that's tabloids for you." "The office security are calling back up. The crowd is growing." Laura added. "Jeez is there nothing else for them to do??" "Guess not." Abby shrugged before the women sat down.

After a long conversation, Annabelle wrapped up "So the plan is, there is no plan. I'm not going to do anything until I've spoken with Johnny, so let's make this not a total waste of a day. Abby can you get those spreads from the October issue please?" The assistant quickly left the room whilst Laura reached across the desk. "Are you really ok?" "I'm fine." "Are you?" The friend asked caringly. "I just don't know why he's not called yet. What's going on?" "Maybe he's working on stuff and doesn't want to bother you until his team have had a chance to deal with it." "But even a text.. how am I meant to tackle this fire alone??" "I guess he thinks you're in marketing so know what to do." "But I don't.." "if it's any consolation, you looked fucking incredible walking in... are those new shades?" Laura nodded towards the sunglasses that were still residing on the top of Annabelle's head. "Ha.. yes. Prada summer sale." "Niceee." Laura giggled. Abby soon returned looking panicked. "You've got 5 people on hold. The switchboard is going mad." "I'm not taking any calls that are not on the calendar. Don't put anyone through I don't know and especially not my sister. If she calls tell her I'm extremely busy and will speak to her when she's back in Australia."

After two hours of extremely distracted work, Annabelle and Laura decided to head to the kitchen area on their floor, grabbing a coffee each they chatted whilst many of the other employees stopped and stared. "Good god, I do wish I had all this extra time on my hands don't you?" Laura said sarcastically. This made a lot of people rush back to work apart from one woman who approached. "Can I help you?" Annabelle said confidently. "It's just.. I wanted to get a good look at you." "Excuse me?" "Well you know to see what a total sell out looks like... you pride yourself on being different, hell you are the only female director, you're apparently so independent somewhat of a feminist and then you go and hook up with a wife beater?" The woman said making Annabelle and Laura's eyes widen. "I'm sorry??!" "so you should be. You could do miles better than that man." "And you could do better than to believe gossip and lies. Do your fucking research." Annabelle said before pushing past the younger woman and heading back to her office.

"Ahh Miss Davidson! Mr Depp is on line one. Said he tried your phone but couldn't get through." Abby said as Belle rushed past her desk.
"Got it." Annabelle rushed into her office and slammed the door shut.
"Johnny?" She said almost out of breath as she picked up the phone.
"Darling.. I'm so sorry. I took an ambian in the night to sleep and I've just come to, are you ok?"
"I'm ok... just prisoner in my own office."
"Oh doll. I can't apologise enough. I'll find out whoever leaked this I swear."
"Johnny it's done now. I just don't know what to do."
"Well Abby tells me your office is swarming with those fuckers."
"Yes."
"Well that means it's not safe. I'm sending somebody to take care of you."
"What??? I don't need a babysitter."
"Doll he's more than a babysitter. He will protect you with his life."
"Do you think it's that bad?"
"It could be.. let's see how we go."
"Johnny you're scaring me."
"I'm sorry doll. Everything will be ok. I promise."
"Ok..."
"Look I need to jump on a call with my agent, I want this mess tidied up. I will call you later ok?"
"Ok.. and Johnny.."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."