🔞5EX🔞

The Meeting

A week later I am catching up with Eloise for the first time in almost three weeks, she's incredibly busy and looks pale and tired. The boys have been promoting the book and a new single in Europe, 11 back to back 16 hour days under their belts already, with 4 more days of scheduled events, interviews and performances to go in the UK, but they will then have a week off. We are all staying together in a stunningly gorgeous townhouse in Kensington and Weeze looks like she needs the rest.
"The book has been a huge success, number one bestseller since its release. Can you believe that? Top of the chart for seven weeks straight! Amazing!" Eloise enthuses before adding "Once the boys finish up promotions here in England and we have our break...... man, do I need that........ then it's the documentary. I'm so excited, but worried too. To be interviewed myself is scary, I've only ever been behind the scenes." She chews her bottom lip and rubs her palms together, her anxiety clear.

I place my mug down and lean across the table between us to take her hands in mine. She looks up at me, and then nervously around us at the other patrons in this cute little coffee shop as if checking that nobody is witnessing her anxiety.

"Weeze, what's there to be worried about? The world knows everything already, and besides, the interviewer will only find out what you are prepared to tell him." I shrug with a smile intended to allay her fears.

Who would have expected that Eloise and I would become so close? Certainly never me. She was so utterly vile and overtly rude when we first met, but now, almost two years later she is one of my greatest supporters. We've discussed in great depth why she and Vinni were so aggressive towards me when we first met and have resolved our issues. I have convinced them both that my love for Yanni is true and forever.
She told me during one of our conversations that seeing Yanni so broken after Lola left had crushed them both, witnessing his emotional decline and growing reclusiveness was devastating, akin to having a front row seat to Armageddon......World shattering, explosive destruction, and with as little power to change the outcome of such devastation.
All they could do was try to keep him from experiencing pain like that again, so when he began mentioning me in conversations, reading my works and then talked about approaching me to write their biography they became worried.
It was the first time in months that they had seen him really smile, the frequency my name was spoken by him, subscriptions to news channels and podcasts I was involved with and his overall improved mood causing them concern. They were scared he was going to get involved with another woman only interested in using him to further herself.
It saddened me to hear those things and made me mad that they had judged me before we ever met, but as I thought about it I concluded that I would also want to protect a loved one from harm if I was able to. That's what it was, simple love for Yanni, rather than dislike for me.

"You're right, I'm worrying about nothing. I've kept up with what the public are saying, and it's almost entirely positive and supportive. The fans think it's cute that Yanni and J are brothers and understand that they didn't advertise that incase anyone ever screamed nepotism, the response to Jimmis confession has been incredible, people understand that Yanni was suffering mentally and bringing his brother in to double for him on occasions made sense. I thought that they'd feel cheated, but not really. They appreciate that the show always went on. I was also terrified that people would think I was having a relationship with both guys, but most of the fans never believed it anyway apparently. I'm nervous, but have no reason to be do I!?" She finishes, a little breathless, her eyebrows pulled together questioningly.

"You don't! There are no secrets anymore. The world knows the entire truth, well, everything we know. Nobody knows who Lola's actual killer was, except Muriel and the person themself. Maybe it wasn't Harry? We will never know that. You don't have to censor yourself, be honest, answer what you are happy to, you can't cause any harm. Relax, you look tired." I soothe, rubbing her hands between mine.

We say our goodbyes after a few more minutes of idle chat where I fill her in on mine and Yannis visit with Muriel two weeks ago, and she squeals at the news that Muriel is going to be a Nana. Eloise is off for a very important meeting with a very high profile possible sponsor for the boys, me for something less formal but just as nerve wracking.

I arrive at my destination a few minutes earlier than requested, and take a moment to collect myself, smoothing my palms over my thighs then adjusting my hair, nerves threatening to get the better of me. Taking a few deep breaths I tell myself that I'll be fine, that this is a conversation I need to have, and I enter the hotel.

I head to the reception desk and ask where the bar is and am directed by a polite young man to the right. I thank him with a smile and pass through the double doors and find a very large, very busy bar area and immediately feel some relief....... safety in numbers, right?!

I take a few steps further into the large space filled with tables surrounded by predominantly men in business suits, a few groups of people who look ready for a night on the town and scan the room looking for the person I'm here to meet. I wonder if they have arrived yet, maybe they are running late? I'm about to give up looking and go and wait in the lounge area for them when I see a bold wave from the furthest corner of the room.
I take a deep breath and head across the crowded room, coming to a stop behind the chair opposite them.

"Hello Sydney. Please, sit down" they gesture with a tight smile.

I do as I'm bid and sit, placing my small bag into the chair beside me while looking directly at them, attempting to gauge the mood.

"Hello Roni, thankyou for agreeing to meet with me." I smile in return and hold out my hand, which she accepts and shakes softly.