By Your Side

12

Gracelyn

I lean back in my seat, not believing what Tim has just suggested. I'd rather give up shopping for the next three months.

He stares at me with a tentative expression. "So, what do you think?"

"Let me get this straight..." I pull a grimacing face. "You want me to fake date Roger?"

"Not fake date, just spark some dating rumors," Tim clarifies.

My PR manager, Janet, nods eagerly in agreement. "It's a great idea. So many fans were shipping you and Roger together after The Game of Love aired. And now with you nominated as Best Actress and him as Best Actor, plus the prospect of a potential sequel, this is perfect timing."

I turn my attention to the Harry Potter figurines on Tim's desk. I enjoy working with Roger but engaging in a PR stunt isn't something that's my style, or enticing. It's nothing against Roger personally.

"No thanks."

"Why not?" Janet presses. "All you need to do is engage in some fake PDA with him at the Sapphire Film Festival."

"Because I'm not a puppet and don't want or need to put on a show." There's a slight exasperation to my tone. "If people want to support me, then fantastic. And if they don't, that's also fine. I can't be everyone's cup of tea."

Tim and Janet exchange a knowing glance. As much as I'm grateful to have Tim as my manager, this doesn't mean there won't be times we'll have differences in opinion. Nonetheless, Tim has known me long enough to probably guess that in such instances, I'll continue to stand my ground.

"Okay, how about we park this discussion for now?" Tim suggests.

"Yes, thank you," I say. My gaze shifts to the clock in his office. "If there's nothing further, I should start making my way to my next appointment."

"I'll walk you out," Tim adds.

"Thanks." Picking up my purse, I say goodbye to Janet and make my way to the door.

The moment I open Roger's door, I spot Ioannis who's been sitting in the waiting area of Tim's office. He glances up from his phone when he sees me and stands up.

"Hey, what Janet and I were saying back there was just an idea," Tim says, as we walk ahead, with Ioannis following behind. "I don't want to make you do anything you're not comfortable with."

I give him a knowing smile. "I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dealt with you for the past three years."

Tim rolls his eyes as we reach the building's exterior. "Anyway, I'll let Roger's PR team know as well since it was their proposal."

I stop in my tracks. "This was Roger's idea?"

"What was Roger's idea?" Ioannis's calm but authoritative voice cuts through my conversation with Tim. I turn around to stare at him.

"Not his idea per se, but it was his PR manager's idea," Tim corrects. "Although Roger's on board."

"On board with what?" Ioannis's tone is less calm this time and the look on his face tells me he means all business.

"I need to head back," Tim quickly says. "Grace, you can explain." He dashes inside the office building faster than lightning before either Ioannis or I can react.

I let out a sigh and turn to face Ioannis. "Roger, I mean Roger's PR manager, suggested that Roger and I could go for some fake PDA at the Sapphire Film Festival so—"

"Fuck no," he grumbles.

I didn't think Ioannis would consider it a good idea but I didn't expect him to utter the literal words "fuck no", or for there to be a tint of possessiveness to his tone. I think back to when we ran into Roger at the Wonderland Hair Salon and Ioannis's reaction toward him. Is he like this when it comes to his previous clients too?