Bad Publicity

20. Publicity Stunts

Ava

I thought us doing the interview would make my dad satisfied, but here we are three days after the interview in his office.

"What's taking him so long?" Jaxson asks me with my sleeping Bella in his arms.

He doesn't want to be here 10 times more than me. It's like he was fighting to not hit someone.

"I don't know, but please be on your best behavior" I beg him. Pretty sure this is Jaxsons first time seeing my dad since he found out my father abuses me.

"I will I promise" he says. Milo and Cedric just taught me not to trust anyone. I believe Jaxson though.

Speaking of Cedric and Milo, they've put me through more hell in four days then I've been through my entire life.

Every night they call and every night I have no choice but to go. They are holding everything against me. My daughter, my company, and now even Jaxsons company.

I guess Milo figured out I have been helping Jaxson get his numbers back up and now they're threatening to expose Jaxsons company being bankrupt.

His numbers are just starting to get back on track, them exposing him will just hurt his company again.

He's already so happy that he's restoring Micheals legacy, I can't be the one to take that happiness away from him.

My dad finally walks in and sits down behind his desk. "Dad, why are we here?" I ask getting tired of watching him look through files he knows nothing about.

"You two need to up your game." "What?" Jaxson asks before me.

"Public appearances, do something that catches the paparazzis eye" he says. I scoff "was the interview not enough for you?" I ask.

"No, do something scandalous, go make out on a public beach or something." He says leaning back in his chair.

I look at Jaxson who is keeping quiet only because I asked him to behave himself. I can't keep forcing him to do things he doesn't want to just so my father doesn't take it out on me.

"We're not doing it" I say. My dad is more than surprised.

"You work for me, you don't have a choice." "Jaxson's not doing it" I tell him.

"I think he can speak for himself." I turn to Jaxson and wait for him to say no. He looks at me confused.

"Just know your consequences will be severe Ava" my dad adds. I don't care. I'm tired of having him rule my life.

I just shrug. "We'll do it" Jaxson says. "Great, you two can leave now." My father dismisses us faster than he called us here.

As soon as we walk out his office I stop Jaxson. "Why'd you do that?" I ask him.

"Ava I know you may not want to, but come on, is it worth your safety?" he asks.

"Jaxson it's not that I don't want to. He already runs my life, don't let him take over yours too" I tell him.

Jaxson

She's worried about me when she's the one that'll end up hurt.

I laugh "Ava you're worried about the wrong thing. I think I got the better end of the deal anyway."

"Jaxson there is no better end of the deal. You're being forced to do something you don't want to do."

"Why wouldn't I want to? I get to go to the beach and make out with a hot chick. Pretty sure I got the better end of the deal" I tell her.