𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄(gxg)

Chapter 31

EMILY'S perspective

Cameras. Cameras everywhere.

And reporters behind the cameras and the many journalists that followed.

"Emelia what do you have to say about the photos?"

"What does this mean for your brand?"

"Are you still on drugs?"

Just keep quiet and make it to the door—if only I could see the door.

They all went away once they realized I wasn't giving any answers to their questions. The doors slammed behind me as the flashing cameras stopped.

"Good morning Ms. Scott." My secretary's dry voice rang out in the empty lobby. I looked over at her, usually she was cheery and gave me a smile full of gums. Today was the opposite, she must of seen the photos as well. I assume everyone in my office was now aware of my wrong-doings.

"Hi Grace." I muttered, quickly shuffling to the elevator. Once inside I could breathe, in the door's reflection I could see the exhaustion plastered on my face. I didn't know what I was doing. I couldn't expect today to be normal, approaching everything would be harder than I already thought it would be.

The ding from the doors opening shook my thoughts.

"Ms. Scott there's someone in your off—"

"Please. Not now Carrie." I put my hand up to stop her talking. Right now I needed silence.

She followed close behind as I walked away to my office. Upon opening the doors I was shocked to see that there was a man gazing out of the window when I entered.

"It's Mr. Bryant from the other day." She whispered.

I peered down at the short girl with my eyebrows up.

"Leave Carrie. Now." I spoke, anger clearly laced in my tone. She scurried off to her desk and left us alone without anymore objections.

I let the door close behind me and set down my bags. "Ah, good morning Emily!" He tipped his hat in greeting.

My hands formed into a ball and my jaw clenched. "What the fuck did you do you bastard!" This time I wasn't afraid to approach him. Those pictures ruined everything.

"Woah there tiger." He planted his bony hands on my shoulder, "woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" He chuckled.

What game was he playing? I shrugged his hands off, "Where is she?"

He took of his hat and ran his fingers through his long jet black hair, "Where is who?" A smile spread across his lips.

"Don't act stupid! You know who I'm talking about."

"Well maybe you should play by the rules next time." Now he was laughing, and in between breaths he would stare me up and down and chew on the inside of his cheek.

I was thoroughly uncomfortable, being in the same room as him brought me to a sweat. I leaned against the wall with my fingers pressed to my temples. "Ok, fine. What do I do now?" All of this needed to end. And fast. I couldn't take the blogs and the paranoia of what Erin could do next.

His arm extended and in his palm was a folded piece of paper. "Meet her there."

I hesitantly reached out for the information but not before he quickly snatched his hand back, "I would show up this time if I were you. Even I'm not sure what she's fully capable of."

_

It was a bar. Certainly not what I expected but recently Erin has been full of surprises. It was a ways away from the city, though I appreciated the silence the thirty minute drive brought me and the opportunity to get away from the reporters that still lingered around my office.

Rose texted me awhile ago just to see how I was doing. I didn't want to lie to her and honestly I wouldn't know how to reply. So for now I left it on read and decided to respond when I was in a better head space and had a greater idea of Erin's motives.

I knew she didn't like me but this was too far.

At this point I wasn't acting out of logic but more out of emotion. What was I doing meeting her alone?

She was already there when I walked in. Sitting in a booth in the corner with her blonde hair curled on her shoulders. Nothing about this girl was intimidating but I suppose anybody can put on a disguise and hide who they really are. When her eyes fell on mine one side of her mouth formed into a dirty smirk.

I approached her with a sigh. Who knows what I was getting myself into.

"You showed up."

"I did."

She scoffed, "smart move."

I rolled my eyes and positioned myself across from her. "Do you want anything to drink or are you still pulling the whole 'I'm sober' card?"

I crossed my arms over my chest and shook my head. I wasn't going to explain myself to her and I definitely wasn't going to let her get the best of me. "I came here to talk so lets talk."

"Oooh so serious." She mocked, throwing her hands up in fake surrender. This girl was nuts, if I didn't realize it before it was apparent now. "You know what I want, doll. Rose and I were fine before you came in the picture."

This was what this was about? "She doesn't love you Erin." I gritted.

"Oh but she loves you? All she has for you is pity."

That wasn't true. "So you stalk us!?" I shouted, gaining the attention of others in the bar. It was taking everything in me to not reach across the table and choke the living shit out of her.

She pressed her lips together and hummed, "I wouldn't call it that but sure, let's go with it." There was a long pause, "but I'm still not satisfied."

My head fell back out of annoyance. She wanted to destroy me and that's what she got. What is there left for her to take from me?

"I want Rose."

"She doesn't want you."

"She does you're just in the way."

I chuckled, "you're fucking crazy." I stood to leave but her grip prevented me from doing so.

"I wouldn't leave if I were you." She whispered.

I snatched my arm back and left anyway. Was I supposed to be afraid of her?