I Take This Woman

by Chamein Canton

  He hung and called Reggie back. “I’m on my way to your office. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

  “Good. I asked Blake to join us.”

  “Okay. See you shortly.” Sam hung up. He looked around the bedroom before he went into the bathroom and returned with his portfolio. He took a piece of paper out and sat down on the bed and wrote a note. Once he was done, he got up and put it on Abby’s dresser.

  “I really wish I could stay but I don’t have a choice now, baby.” He let out a heavy sigh and went into the bathroom.

  ***

  Abby walked through the staging area of the Mark Botelli show with her notepad. She waved two interns over.

  “Sienna and Michelle, I need you to make sure the dresses on this rack are in order. The numbers correspond to how the models are going out onto the runway, and it looks like someone has scrambled them.”

  “Sure thing, Abby,” Sienna said.

  As Abby continued her walk through, she watched Mark make last-minute hair and makeup changes with his styling team.

  Suddenly a panicked Lauren ran up to Abby. “I don’t know what’s going on out there.” She said out of breath.

  “Calm down Lauren. I’ve never seen you like this. What’s the matter?”

  “I just went outside and there are all these reporters and cameras everywhere. They’re practically clawing to get in.”

  “What’s wrong with that? We want them to be excited for the show.”

  “It’s not the usual fashion and lifestyle reporters who are out there. There are general desk reporters, a few people from the gossip networks and more paparazzi than I’ve ever seen.”

  “I know we’ve got quite a number of A-list celebrities coming to the show, but this sounds like they’re expecting someone notorious.” Abby handed Lauren her notepad. “I’m going to check it out.”

  Abby walked over to the entrance and opened the door. The second she came into view, she was barraged by cameras and questions were hurled at her at lightning speed from all directions.

  “How long have you been involved with Sam Best?”

  “How old are you? Are you a cougar?” another reporter shouted.

  “What’s the status of your relationship with Sam?”

  “What does it feel like now that you’re the homewrecker and the other woman?”

  Abby quickly closed the door. “What the hell is going on?” She walked over to the corner and called Sam.

  “Abby?”

  “Sam.”

  “Thank God you called me.”

  “Of course I called you. There’s a sea of reporters here and they seem to want to know about me and you. I don’t understand.”

  “Someone snapped photos of us at Cedi’s show yesterday and they sold them to the media. It’s all over the morning news shows. I don’t know how anyone got those shots.”

  “I do. You can make a lot more money selling photos to the tabloids than shooting a fashion show. It was a matter of economics.”

  “If I ever get my hands on who did it, they’re going to wish they hadn’t.”

  “That’s a nice sentiment that can get you into trouble. People are going to try to make an extra dollar any way they can these days.”

  “You’re right. Not to mention there’s no paparazzi honor code.”

  Abby’s heart leaped into her throat. “Oh, my God.” She hung her head. “I can’t stay here now. I’m a working mother. I’m here as part of my job, not to be a tabloid headline for my son to read.”

  “I know, baby. I’m on my way to Reggie’s office to talk about how we’re going to handle this.”

  “I bet he’s thrilled.”

  “I can come by later once the meeting is over.”

  “No. I’m sure they’re going to stake out my building, too.” She shook her head. “This is my business and my career, Sam.”

  “I know, baby.”

  “I have to figure a way out of here. Call me later.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Abby hung up. “Lauren!” she called.

  “Yes, Abby?”

  “Do you know where Shana is?”

  “I think she’s in with the models in the back.”

  “Thanks.”

  Abby walked as quickly as she could to the model’s dressing area.

  “Desiree, I need you to get into hair and makeup now,” Shana said.

  “I’m going,” Desiree answered.

  “Shana, I need to speak to you for a minute.”

  “Sure. What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I should be so lucky. Someone sold photos of Sam and me at Cedi’s show to the media.”

  “Oh, no,” Shana said as she covered her mouth. “So it’s all over the news now, right?”

  “Yes and now there’s a sea of reporters and cameras out there trying to get my photo and trying to get me to answer vile questions.” Abby’s emotions welled up. She stopped to take a deep breath. “I’ve got to get out of here. I’m a mother. What’s Justin going to think? These shutterbugs can ruin my life.”

  “They’re not going to ruin your life.”

  “You’ve seen what they’ve done to J.J.”

  “J.J. is completely different. He doesn’t worry about how his actions affect Justin. You always put Justin first, and I’m sure Justin knows that.”

  “Thanks. But how am I going to get out of here? I did come here to work.”

  Shana looked at her. “The photographers saw you already, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take your dress off.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Take your dress off. We’re going to switch.”

  Shana slipped out of her aubergine Michael Kors asymmetric drape dress. “Here, put this on.” She handed Abby the dress.

  “Okay.” She handed Shana hers.

  A group of models watched as the two women slipped into their new looks.

  “That looks hot on you,” a model said to Abby.

  “Thanks.” She looked at Shana. “That dress looks good on you.”

  “It does, doesn’t it?” She smiled. “Okay enough of that, we need to change your hair.” She looked around. “Oscar!”

  “Yes, my darling,” he said as he walked over.

  Tall, slim, and cocoa-skinned Oscar Booth was one of the top hair stylists in the city. With four salons that bore his name, his client list read like a who’s who of Hollywood, fashion and high society. Women waited months for his chair.

  Shana pointed to Abby. “She needs you to work your magic on her.”

  He looked at her hair. “Darling you have beautiful hair. Why are you hiding it?”

  “I just prefer to wear it in a bun or pinned up.”

  He looked her up and down. “With those curves, honey, you need to work it like a bombshell. Come with me.”

  Abby followed him to a chair where a model was already seated.

  “Sweetie, I need you to get up for a minute please.”

  The model obliged.

  “Thank you. I’ll get right back to you in a minute.” He turned to Abby. “Have a seat.”

  Abby sat in the chair. Oscar pulled all the hair pins out and brushed her back length hair out. “Look at all of this body. Do you know how many clients I have that would kill for your hair?”

  Abby smiled.

  Oscar demonstrated his finesse with a curling iron. He spiral curled her hair with a large barrel iron to give Abby loose curls, and then he ran his fingers through to give it a little definition.

  “All we need is a little hair spray and you are good to go,” he said as he spritzed her hair. “Voila!”

  “You’re a genius, Oscar.” Shana grinned.

  Abby looked in the mirror. “Wow, this looks great. Thank you.” She got out of the chair.

  “It was my pleasure. Call my salon anytime. I’ll make time to get you in my chair.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Thanks
, Oscar.” Shana said as she and Abby walked away. “Now no one will be able to recognize you. Do you have your sunglasses?”

  “Yes.” Abby went over to the rack where she’d hung her coat.

  “You don’t want to switch coats?”

  “I don’t think anyone saw me in my coat. I should be okay. If I leave now you’ll be able to open the doors and start the show on time.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m sorry to have to do this to you.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can handle things, and I have everyone here to help me.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Abby said as she put her sunglasses on and dashed out the side door.

  Chapter 25

  Sam sat in the back of his Mercedes as it made its way through traffic. As the car approached Reggie’s building, he saw the crush of media that awaited him.

  “I could keep driving.”

  “That would be nice, Bryan, but I eventually have to face this one way or another. I appreciate the offer.”

  “Just thought I would ask,” Bryan smiled in the rearview mirror.

  When the car pulled up to the curb, two security men from Reggie’s office opened the back door to let Sam out.

  “Sam what do you have to say about the photos?” A reporter said as he tried to shove a microphone near him.

  “Step back, sir.” One security man warned.

  “They’re calling your new love the voluptuous vixen. Do you have any comment?” A female reporter shouted.

  As the security guards flanked him, Sam covered his eyes from the flashbulbs as he continued to walk to the entrance. He didn’t respond to any of the questions. The guards stayed with him on the ride up to the twenty-first floor.

  Reggie was in the hallway when Sam arrived on the floor. “Thanks guys. I’ll take it from here.”

  “No problem, Mr. Dawes.”

  The security men positioned themselves outside of the office while Reggie took Sam back to his office. Blake was already there.

  “Hello, Sam.”

  “Hello, Blake.”

  “I would ask how you’re doing, but it’s written all over your face.”

  “I bet it is.” Sam sighed as he sat down.

  Reggie sat across from Sam with his arms folded.

  “I know you’re dying to say it, Reggie. Get it over with.”

  “I thought we agreed that you’d keep things with Abby low key until we sorted all the legal and PR stuff out.”

  “I know. I messed up.”

  “I haven’t been able to get off the phone. I’ve heard from every company you’re a spokesperson for. They want to know what’s happened to their golden boy.”

  “He fell in love. That’s what happened to him.”

  “I don’t doubt that you’re in love, but there’s a scorned woman and an angry, rich father in the mix to make sure things don’t go well.”

  “What do you want me to say, Reggie?”

  Just then one of Reggie’s assistants poked her head in. “Mr. Dawes?”

  “Millie, we’re in a meeting. I asked not to be disturbed.’

  “Yes, Mr. Dawes but Edgar in PR asked me to come in here and tell you to put on Fox. There’s something you should see.”

  “Thanks.”

  She closed the door.

  Reggie reached over and used the remote to turn the television on. He switched to Fox.

  “We’re outside of Trump Tower where Bill Carrangelo just spoke to reporters with his daughter, Maria, by his side.

  “ ‘Naturally my daughter’s devastated, as any woman would be. She is shocked to learn that the man she was to marry this June isn’t the man she thought he was. More will come out soon.’ ”

  “Can you tell us more now?”

  “No, that’s all.”

  “Ask Sam about the money he spent on her,” Maria screeched.

  “What money?”

  “I’m sorry. My daughter is upset,” Bill responded as he took Maria by the hand and pulled her into the building.

  The camera cut back to the anchor. “That comment about money, were we able to get any more information?”

  “No. However Maria’s allegation is reminiscent of former New England Patriot Dennis Shanahan, another famous quarterback who got in trouble with women and money. But for now Maria’s statement is unsubstantiated.”

  “Now that wasn’t on script.” Blake commented.

  “No. But it was the opening we needed. Maria did us a favor. You can talk about the money now.”

  “No Reggie.”

  “Sam.”

  “I said no.”

  “Will someone tell me what’s going on?”

  “Sam’s been making anonymous donation to aid retired and disabled football players. However, when Maria found some statement she assumed Sam was supporting a mistress.”

  “I see. Reggie’s right. You can easily counter her with the truth.”

  “I don’t do it for publicity and I want to keep it that way. Let’s move on.”

  Blake and Reggie looked at each other.

  “All right, we’ll move on. We can talk about this lawsuit. Have you been served yet?”

  “No.”

  “That’s strange. I wonder what’s taking Toni so long. She’s usually on top of this kind of thing.”

  “I’m sure it’s coming.”

  “No. It should have come already. Something else is going on here.” Blake picked up her briefcase. “I need to get back to my office to check a few things. I’ll be in touch.” She got up and shook Sam’s hand. “Hang in there. Reggie, I’ll talk to you later.”

  Blake left the office.

  “I’m not going to change my mind, Reggie so don’t bring it up again.”

  “Fine,” he huffed. “The press is going to continue to cream you.”

  “Let them do their best. I can take it.”

  “I don’t think you get it. This isn’t just about you anymore.”

  ***

  Abby flagged a cab three blocks away from Lincoln Center and the driver let her out two blocks from her building. She slipped in through the back alley and took the stairs to her apartment.

  She hung her coat up and took her shades off, unable to believe that her life had been reduced to cloak and dagger stuff.

  She exhaled deeply and rubbed her eyes. “What the hell are you doing here, J.J.?”

  “I don’t know why I thought I could sneak up on you. I keep forgetting you grew up with deaf grandparents and you’re sensitive to footsteps.”

  “It’s a good thing I am otherwise you would have scared the life out of me. So I will ask again, what are you doing here?”

  He showed her the newspaper. “You’re the voluptuous vixen who stole Sam Best from his poor, unsuspecting fiancée. Where else would I be?”

  “I would think you’d be spending time with your new fiancée and not worrying about tabloid garbage.”

  “I don’t know if I’d call it garbage. You and Sam look pretty cozy in those pictures.” He sat down on the sofa. “When we were married you hated public displays of affection. It looks like times have changed.”

  “If the point of this visit is to aggravate me, congratulations you’ve accomplished your mission. Can you leave now?”

  “You know it’s funny for all your talk about my life, here you are in a quandary over a messy relationship. A relationship I didn’t know anything about.”

  “We’re not married. I’m not required to tell you about my relationships.”

  “You are where my son is involved.”

  “Oh, now you’re concerned about your son. Where was that concern when you started dating a twenty-three-year-old while you were still married to Beebe? The papers had a field day with that.”

  “We’re not talking about me and Beebe. I’m talking about the fact that you had that man around my son in Connecticut. You didn’t think I would connect the dots? Sam Best was seen buying flowers in Wallingford, which just happens to be where Justin�
��s school is, and it was the same weekend you were up there, too.”

  “I’m impressed, J.J. Considering the fact that you’ve only been there once in three years, I didn’t think you even knew the school was in Connecticut, let alone Wallingford.”

  “You had another man around my son. A white man,” he huffed.

  “You’re kidding me, right? Your fiancée is white. Hell, J.J., you’re better than the E.E.O.C. You don’t discriminate in your dating life. You’re totally equal opportunity. Now you have the nerve to be upset that Sam is white?”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “You’re right. At the moment I think it’s a case of the pot calling the tea kettle white.” She growled.

  “We can go around in circles about this for hours.” He stood up. “I came here to tell you that when Justin comes back home, I want him to stay with me.”

  “Why did you come by to tell me that? We always split the time for his break.”

  “I’m not talking about his winter break. I’m talking about the end of the school year and beyond.”

  “What?”

  “I’m going for custody.”

  Abby leaped to her feet. “After ten years, now you want custody?”

  “Yes. I think Justin needs to be with his father now.”

  “You son of a bitch,” Abby yelled. “The only reason you’re doing this is because you think some other man is going to take over the role of father in Justin’s life. You know I wouldn’t let that happen, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you dictate who I can and cannot see.”

  “You’re messing around with an unavailable man.”

  Abby’s face grew hot as she leaped out of her chair. ”I suggest you stop talking about something you know nothing about.”

  “I know enough. You’ll be hearing from my attorney, Nancy Bloom.” He started to walk away.

  “Nancy Bloom? How in the hell did you get her? It’s not like she’s listed in the Yellow Pages.”

  Nancy Bloom was a matrimonial and family lawyer who represented only the biggest names in Hollywood. Whenever there was a split or custody issue in Hollywood or high society, she served as the on-air legal expert for major network television news organizations. She had a reputation for getting her clients what they wanted, and she had the claws to prove it.