You Don't Know Me | A Andy Gibb What If Story

Chapter 26

The news got to the media Andy was seeing someone. Some paparazzi caught us coming out of the AA meeting and plastered us on the National Inciter magazine. I was not prepared when I walked into work today. 

I walked to my desk and everyone was giving me side eyes. Or the polar opposite from some. 

"Congratulations," Ethan told me.

"Huh?" I pretended to act confused.

"On your new found fame? Haven't you seen it?" Ethan commented as he handed me the article.

Not only was I pictured holding his hand, but Violet was as well. She would either be thrilled or really irritated.  But, our names weren't even in the article. What if I had a doppelganger?

"Oh uhm well," I remarked as I read it.

"Don't sweat it. I'm sure it's not like it's described in the magazine," Ethan told me as I handed him back the article.

I shook it off and focused on the work in front of me.

I was all the buzz in the office all day. 

By the time I left the office, I felt very alone and isolated from all the looks and snickers.

I drove home sort of depressed. I wouldn't necessarily be mad at Andy or anyone. It was to be expected. 

When I got home, I went and got comfortable. For a Monday, it really kicked my ass.

I sighed before calling Andy. Not that I would be angry with him.

After the 8th ring, he answered.

"Uh hello?" he remarked.

"Hi Andy," I remarked.

"Darling, how are you?" he asked as he realized it was me.

"Well," I began.

"Well, what?" he asked confused.

"Did you see the latest National Inciter magazine?" I asked him.

He paused and didn't say anything. 

"No, I haven't. Is it bad?" he asked confused once more.

"Well I went into work today and everyone was either giving me the side eye or snickering. Then the copy guy Ethan came up to me with the magazine article. Someone took a photo of us and Violet coming out of the AA meeting. Your mystery girls," I replied.

It was silent for a second. 

"Mystery girls?" he asked.

"Yeah, they blasted us on one of the pages as your mystery girls. Don't get me wrong I'm not mad or anything. I'm just exhausted cause of how today went at work. I wanted us to be a secret a little bit longer to the public," I commented.

He sighed.

"I can't imagine how that must have felt. I mean I kind of do because of other things that have happened in my life. But, I don't want you to feel like it's your fault or feel like you can't do anything anymore," he commented.

"Andy it's not that bad. I'm just tired cause today was supposed to be good and set the mood for the week at work. And with that dumb article, it didn't exactly go the way I intended but I'll eventually adjust," I told him.

"Does Violet know?" he asked.

"I honestly don't know. I was gonna call her after I talked to you to see if she did see it. Violet's totally different though. She'll be either tickled pink that we made it into a magazine or just blow it off like it's not important," I replied.