by Claire Raye
All Noel has to do is be bigger than Elizabeth and I’m going to guess that he is. He has lawyers and reporters and investigators who will dig up whatever they can about her, and if I’m being honest, right now they’re probably personally harassing her.
“He wants people reading these stories and talking about them because if they aren’t talking about him, then he can fade away.”
“So what are you going to do about it?” V asserts, pursing her lips as she waits for me to answer. “You know how this industry works. You know how a story like this could make or break someone.”
“As an assistant all I can do is have internal outrage over this kind of shit. I sign iron-clad NDAs.” I shrug my shoulders knowing this whole thing is out of my hands.
“Then don’t say anything about him or what happened on the set, but speak out in defense of her, of Elizabeth Hutton.”
Victoria’s words stop me in my tracks. She’s right.
“And what’s the worst that can happen if you do? They sue you? Fuck that. You know Lewis will take on whoever the fuck he needs to. He’s like English royalty and his money knows no bounds, especially when it comes to you.”
“I don’t want Lewis throwing around money. That’s what’s already happening here.”
“Then figure out a way to take this on and appease your conscience without it getting ugly,” V adds, and I wish it were that simple. I’m so torn on how to handle all of this, and I’m at a point where I’m not certain I can just let it go.
“Do you want to continue to work in the industry?” V adds, just as our food is being dropped off. The waiter sets the soup down in front of me and my stomach roils and it’s not the soup’s fault, but there’s no way I can eat. “Because if you don’t, what the fuck are you even worrying about? Just stick it to this arsehole and drag his name through the mud.”
“It’s all I’ve ever done for work so to walk away now feels… I don’t know. I guess it feels scary.”
“Be the Ava who came to my apartment and called me a cunt,” Victoria jokes, and I cover my face with my hand.
“Glad we were able to get past that,” I mumble as I feel my face get a bit warm remembering my not so classy behavior.
“What was it that made you come to me? Think about what drove you to be that bold and use it.”
“It was Lewis. I hated that your friendship with him was crumbling because of me. Because of our relationship.”
“You have it in you to change things, Ava, to make this guy pay for his obviously manipulative and shitty behavior. Think about all the people you will be helping if you share what it was like to work for him.”
I take a deep breath and just as I’m about to eat my first spoonful of soup, a man stops in front of our table. V narrows her eyes at him and sits up a little bit taller, prepared to ask him what the hell he’s doing, but he speaks before she can.
“Are you Ava Bristol?”
“I am.”
“My name is Roger Collins with the Guardian. I’m looking for some information about Elizabeth Hutton.”
I start shaking my head as he speaks and V lets out a long low sigh of annoyance. At least this man didn’t stalk me in the streets. He seems far less menacing than the other man. He’s young and well dressed, but looks to be far less experienced in this venture than most. His blonde hair is neatly trimmed and it matches his clean-shaven face, and all of this makes him seem far more trustworthy than he should. He’s the press and I’ve seen what they can do.
“You’re interrupting lunch with my friend, which is incredibly rude, but something tells me you don’t give a shit.”
The man never waivers, my words have no effect on him because this is what he does. In order to get a story he has to insert himself into other people’s lives and as bothered as I am by his intrusion, it makes me take a pause, thinking about how this man can help me.
“Why are you doing a story about Elizabeth Hutton?” I ask, playing dumb and hoping this man stupidly follows. I give him a look of confusion, asking like I don’t know the route this whole thing is going.
“Can I be honest with you, Ava?” he asks, his tone feeling me out, but also exuding an air of faux confidence with it as I watch his shaking hand rake through his hair.
“I’d prefer you did, Roger.”
“I spoke with your husband earlier and I’m sure he’d be quite angry that I’ve found you, but I think you’re one of the people who can help me with my story.”
“I’m sure my husband would be, but that’s just because he wants to protect me. I’m sure you understand where he’s coming from.”
“I do, but again, I think you can help me.”
“And how’s that?”
“I’ve been asked to kill the story about Noel Robinson,” he quickly admits, his voice low as he looks around the busy restaurant. “But I know there’s more to this story than what I’ve been told.”
“How bold of you,” I sarcastically tease, still not trusting this man despite his admission.
“I have an interview with his former assistant and a woman who claims to be his mistress. The more people I can get to come forward, the more likely it is that the Guardian will run the story. This could be huge.” His eyes light up with every word and right now he thinks he’s on to something that could make him a household name, a story that would take him from some freelance newspaper reporter to anchor of the Today Show.
“It could be huge, but you’re taking on one of the biggest directors in the industry. Getting his former assistant and a supposed mistress won’t be enough. I’m not enough either.” I shake my head, my eyebrows going up as my mouth turns down. It was a solid effort, but we both know that Noel’s power is far more reaching than this wet-behind-the-ears reporter.
“Do you agree there’s more here?” he presses, asking a question that’s just looking for validation.
“Listen, I’ve only worked for Noel for a short time, but in that time I learned he’s harsh and difficult and has probably done some super shady things, but I can’t really prove any of that. I also know he has his hand in pockets that are far deeper than mine, yours or even the paper you work for.”
“He’s in with most of the reporters at The Guardian and almost all of the people at the top too, but there are a few who are helping me get this story off the ground,” Roger says. He keeps pressing me, trying to get me to comply and help him, but again, as much as I want to, I don’t really have anything.
“I don’t think I can help you, but feel free to leave your card with me.” Our conversation has been going on too long and I’m tired of having my life interrupted by this shit. It’s funny because it never bothered me in the past. With Julia and other celebrities I’ve worked for, I would just brush it off. But I also knew that most of the stories were false or embellished. Unfortunately with Noel, none of it is made up.
Roger pulls a card from his pocket and sets it down on the table. He waits for a few seconds hoping I come around, but when I don’t say anything more, he fills the silence. “If you change your mind, please call me. You could be a huge help.”
When Roger finally walks away, Victoria lets out a sigh and rolls her eyes.
“These jerks are relentless. At least I got to eat while that weasel talked to you.”
“Sorry. They really are a pain in the ass. Up until now I’ve only had stuff like this come up once in a while and most of the time they’re not interested in me but in my employer.”
We’re interrupted once again by my phone ringing and Lewis’ name flashing across the screen.
“Hey, baby,” I say, greeting him and hoping he can’t hear the apprehension in my voice.
“Where are you?” he barks immediately, the anger evident in his voice.
“I’m still at lunch with V. Why? Everything okay?”
“No, Ava, everything is not okay. There’s a fucking article written about you. I don’t want you out alone. I need you to come home now.”
His de
mand is all about my safety. He’s never had to deal with this kind of exposure so I understand his concern. It’s also something I’ve grown to find comfort in.
“I’ll finish up here and head back to the pub.”
“Bring V with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lewis
I’m pacing the living room, waiting for V and Ava to get back when the front door finally opens and they both walk in.
“Jesus, thank god,” I breathe out, pulling Ava into my arms. I hold her against me, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to make sense of this whole fucked up mess.
“Lewis,” she mumbles against my chest. “What’s going on?”
I pull back, cupping her face in my hands and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “This,” I say, taking her hand and pulling her over to my laptop.
V follows us wordlessly and as I wake up the screen and point to it, I watch as both of them hunch down to read the article that’s been written about Ava. The huge headline sprayed across the top of the page all but screaming out to the world that this is all somehow Ava’s fault.
Meet the woman who helped destroy Noel Robinson’s career.
“What the fuck?” I hear V mumble
Ava says nothing, her eyes flicking back and forth as she reads the story of lies that’s been written about her.
Eventually she stands, scrubs her hands over her face before pushing them into her hair.
“I mean seriously, what is this shit?” V says, still reading the article. “Where the hell has it come from?” She stands too, her gaze moving from Ava to me and back to Ava.
“Did you talk to them?” I ask, my focus on V.
“What?” V asks, a confused look on her face.
“Have you talked to the press?”
“Jesus, Lewis,” she says, walking over and punching me hard on the shoulder. “No you arsehole, I didn’t talk to them, but thanks for assuming I did.”
“Lewis,” Ava says, walking over and placing a hand on my chest. “Don’t.”
I exhale, scrubbing a hand across my jaw. “Sorry,” I mutter to V. “That was a dick thing to say.”
“Ya think?” she says sarcastically, cocking a brow. “And for the record, again, no I did not talk to the press. I wouldn’t do that, Lewis, you know that. I never have with you, remember. And if you recall, your wife and I are actually friends now.”
Ava smiles at V. “We are,” she confirms, before turning back to me. “This is just what Noel’s people do,” she says, sliding her hand from my chest and up to my face. “This is how he works. He goes after everyone else, tries to sell the story that they’re to blame so it takes the heat off him. There are articles about Elizabeth too. It won’t be just me.”
“It’s fucking bullshit,” I say, frustrated. “They can’t just print this shit, it’s all fucking lies.”
Ava nods. “I know, and it sucks, but like I said this morning, this isn’t my first experience of this, it’s just not usually directed at me.”
I shake my head, resuming my pacing of the living room as I try to come up with some way to fix this. I can’t accept that just because Noel has money and power that he can get away with this bullshit. That somehow all of that makes him above everyone else. Above the fucking law.
“I think we need to call my lawyer again, keep…”
“Lewis,” Ava says, cutting me off. “It won’t do any good.”
I shake my head. “The hell it won’t,” I say, pulling my phone from my back pocket. “And anyway, he asked me to keep him informed if there were any developments. This,” I say, gesturing toward my laptop. “Is a development.”
“Baby,” Ava says quietly, stepping closer and closing her hand around mine and my phone. “Just stop for a second,” she says, looking up at me, sadness in her eyes.
“What?”
She smiles, reaching up with her other hand to brush my cheek. “I love that you’re trying to fix this,” she whispers. “Honestly, I really do. But I really don’t know if we can take on someone like him, someone of his…his…”
“Wealth?” I suggest.
Ava shrugs, not answering, even though I know this is exactly what’s worrying her. I smile, sliding my arm around her shoulders as I bring her closer and press a kiss to the top of her head.
“Sweet girl,” I say, my mouth against her ear. “I love you and I will do whatever it takes to protect you, to look after you, okay. And I don’t give a fuck how much that costs.”
“Lewis…”
“I know you can take care of yourself,” I continue, interrupting her but knowing what else is bothering her. “Trust me, this is one of the many things I love about you. And I’m seriously not trying to take over here, okay. But we’re a team now,” I say, brushing my thumb against the back of her neck. “So your fight will always be my fight too.”
Ava stares up at me, her bottom lip between her teeth as she takes in my words. Eventually she smiles, her hand slipping to the back of my neck and pulling me closer. As her lips brush against mine she whispers, “God, I really love you.”
I smile, silencing any more words with a kiss.
“Um, I hate to break up this love fest,” Victoria says. “But has it occurred to you, Lewis, that maybe a certain someone else has talked?”
“Who?” I ask as Ava and I walk back over to the table where my laptop sits. I scan the article that I’ve already read a hundred times, practically memorizing all the shit they’ve said about my wife.
“Um, Joanna,” V says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What?” Ava says, shocked. “But I’ve never even met her.”
V shrugs, her stare locked with mine.
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Do you think?”
“Yeah,” V says.
“Wait, what?” Ava says again, confused. “What am I missing here?”
“I mean it’s like super quick, but yeah, it’s possible,” I say, brows raised as I look at V.
V nods, saying nothing more but holding up her left hand and wiggling her ring finger as if to indicate why. The words come back to me immediately and I can’t believe I didn’t see the connection.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
“Lewis,” Ava says, moving so she’s standing in front of me. “What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath, letting it out in a long slow exhale. “Joanna,” I start. “She’s been showing up here,” I say. “She was here this morning when the press was outside our place, she knows they’re interested in you.”
“But,” Ava says, shaking her head as though she can’t make sense of this. “There’s no way an article could appear this quickly,” she adds. “It’s just so…so…”
“It’s breaking news,” I say, finishing her sentence. “According to them anyway.”
“No,” Ava says, shaking her head again. “It has to be Noel, his people, there’s just…”
“Ava,” Victoria interrupts. When Ava looks over, V is shaking her head. “It’s Joanna.”
“But how, how can you tell.”
V glances at me before looking back at Ava, then without a word, she turns back to the laptop and starts reading. “Ava Bristol, formally McDonald, seems to have a thing for wealthy and powerful men. After leaving her job with Oscar-winning Hollywood starlet, Julia Harris, she not only landed a plum position with renowned Hollywood director, Noel Robinson, she also scored a ring and husband from one of the wealthiest men in Britain. Shortly after arriving in London, Ava was seen wearing the 5.1 carat one-off exclusive antique engagement ring, crafted for the Bristol family by well-known London jeweler, Asprey. The ring, a family heirloom was inherited by Lewis Bristol, sole heir to the Public House estate, from his late great-grandmother and is said to worth close to a million pounds.”
Ava gasps as V finishes and I’m not sure if it’s because the world now knows the value of her engagement ring or because she’s surprised herself.
I don’t get how I missed the obvious
sign that this had to have come from Joanna. I guess I was just too blinded by the shit they were saying about Ava that I didn’t piece it all together.
“Why do you think this is her?” Ava whispers, her fingers now turning the engagement ring.
I take a deep breath, reaching for her hand. “No one knows about that ring, about what it is or where it came from. No one but the three people in this room, my family and…”
“Her,” Ava whispers, finishing my sentence.
After V leaves, I pull out my phone and call my lawyer, relaying all of the latest information to him, including Joanna’s possible involvement, before emailing him a link to the article. After I hang up, I collapse on the couch, just as Ava walks out of the bedroom.
“You speak to Julia?” I ask.
Ava nods. “I did, they’re coming to London next week. I suggested we catch up,” she says, walking over to me. “Is that okay?”
“Of course, baby,” I say, arm out to her.
She slips her hand into mine and I pull her down so she’s straddling me. Ava smiles, her hands on my face, fingers moving through my hair. “Maybe you could talk to Aiden,” she suggests. “About how he handled all of this.”
“Am I not handling it very well,” I ask, smoothing my hands up her thighs.
“You are,” she says, leaning down to press a kiss to my lips. “But it might be good to hear his thoughts, you know, from someone not involved and who got thrown into it all, like you’ve been.”
“Okay,” I breathe out, my eyes closing.
“It’s going to be okay, Lewis,” Ava whispers, her mouth at my ear. “I don’t actually care what they say about me. I mean I’m pissed they’ve brought you and your family into it, but it’s just gossip about me, just bullshit that will eventually go away.”
“You think?” I ask, my eyes still closed.
