Glitter: A Pierre Gasly Story

Chapter 5

ELLIE'S POV

"I still don't understand how you could be so stupid! Letting that man take videos of you! He's never been anything but an opportunistic toad, you should have known that he'd use them against you one day!"

I had successfully avoided my mother for a full two weeks after the sex tape had been leaked. With the time difference between LA and Italy, it had been relatively easy to dodge her phone calls and just trade text messages.

But I should have known I couldn't hide forever.

She had taken drastic measures and showed up at my front door this morning, lecturing me from the moment she walked in about my "foolish choices," and how I was "too smart to be this dumb."

Honestly, I should have just answered the phone 10 days ago, maybe I would have saved myself from this punishment if I had.

"Ellie! Are you listening to me? This is the type of thing that can destroy you. I taught you better than this. Thank god you work under your father's last name, maybe I can get out of this unscathed even if you can't."

My mother had never been warm or overly supportive, but this was extreme. Even for her.

"Mom. I get it. You don't need to keep yelling at me!" I finally broke, yelling back at her.

"Clearly I do Eleanor! If you got it, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!"

"How about you help me mom instead of yelling? Maybe give me some advice? Hell, why don't you just call Sadie and Marie and the three of you can decide our plan - as always!"

"How dare you?" She roared back at me. "As if I haven't given you everything? I gave up my best years to raise you and grow your career! You could be a little more grateful!"

We were both silent.

My mother slowly sat down at my dining room table, covering her face with her hand, seemingly too tired to continue this fight.

It had been a while since we'd fought this bad.

As I'd grown older, I had learned that avoiding her hot button issues were just easier than dealing with the guilt trip that would follow an argument. My therapist didn't think it was totally healthy, insisting that I should tell my mother how I felt, but it had been working for me so far.

At least I hadn't been struggling with my "issues" so much.

But my mother and I had been here before and I knew how the next few minutes were supposed to go.

I'd apologize and tell her how thankful I was for everything she had done for me. She'd tell me she only wanted the best and was disappointed, not mad, given all she had "sacrificed" for me.

I took a deep sigh. "I'm sorry mom. I know how much you've done for me, and we both know I'll never be able to repay you. Not really."

Now it was her turn to sigh, rather dramatically I might add. "I just want what's best for you darling."

"I know mom. And I appreciate it. I do."

There was no hug. No I love yous exchanged. Just a glint in her eye as she recorded the victory and moved on.

"Have you talked to Sadie and Marie about a plan?" She asked.

"Well, we already started the social media campaign. That seems to be helping. And thankfully Jackson's press tour is over, so hopefully the media will be moving onto the next sandal."

She visibly twitched at my use of the word scandal. Sigh. Here we go again.

"Hmph. Well, I hope your plan is built on more than a few social media posts and hopes. We cannot let this define you and your career." She started on another rant.