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I thought I might be crying or feeling worse, but all I really wanted was to be with him. The more I scrolled through the media, the more I saw my face headlining every blog and gossip site.
There I sat in the living room, reading tabloids about myself. The details of these shots were too specific. Someone had to have been watching us. The only two images that could have been our fault were the ones taken at the airfield yesterday and the one taken on Sunday during therapy. But everything else felt like a setup, even moments like our pre-date ice cream and the confrontation in the abandoned room at his gala.
Abigail-Ann
Is this real, or am I dreaming? What the fuck? I’m coming over right now.
I didn’t have the strength to respond. I just wanted Dillon. I needed him to hold me and tell me that everything will be okay, that this media frenzy will blow over, because losing him was not an option. I’ve seen how the media ruins relationships, and I don’t want that for us.
The comments were flooded with people denying or confirming allegations, and some are just plain rude, criticizing my appearance. I groaned in frustration and grabbed my robe.
As I strode out, robe in hand, there was a knock at the front door. The more I ignored it, the more incessant it became.
“Abigail Ann,” I shouted, “I’m coming! Geez.”
I swing the door open, and my heart nearly drops out of my chest. This can’t be real. I must be dreaming.
“What the hell are you doing at my door?” I muttered, utterly stunned.
“I saw the news, and I know you don’t like…”
“Azzy,” Abigail said, rushing toward me, “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I would have come sooner, but I stopped to get your favorite chocolate, wine, and food because… What are you doing here?”
Abigail didn’t initially notice the person standing before us, but as her gaze followed mine, confusion filled the room.
“Halley, what are you doing here?” Abigail asked, her tone less than welcoming, and I couldn’t blame her. My silence was well-deserved. I was too stunned to speak.
It’s been four months since Halley reached out to me.
Four months since she even called to check if I was drinking or water.
Four long months. And now, she conveniently appears on my doorstep right when all the men in my life, including hers, have left. It reeks of insincerity.
“I saw the news, and I came to see Azzaria,” she answered, glaring at me.
“You shouldn’t have come,” I said plainly and walked inside. I heard her footsteps following me as I took a seat on the couch. “I’m fine. I don’t know why you’re here.”
She looked at me, at a loss for words. And that’s probably for the best because there’s nothing she could say. We’ve gone beyond excuses and apologies. I spent months mourning our friendship, and I’m over it now. She can’t waltz in here and act like she’s been by my side these past months. She’s four months too late.
She sat on the corner of my sofa, tears forming in her eyes. I blocked her out and shifted my focus to more important matters.
“I’m fine, Abi,” I reassured her and started eating the food she brought. “I just didn’t want our relationship to be public, but it’s out there, and there’s not much I can do about it.” I shrug and return to eating.
The worst is yet to come, and I’ll face it once I’m not hungry.
CHAPTER 35
Dillon
Seven nights without my girlfriend were the only thing I couldn’t see myself doing. As soon as my presence was no longer needed here, I was planning on flying back home.
I have an early morning interview with Jasmine. It’s a follow-up we do every year after the gala, but because my girl ran off me for three days, I couldn’t so much as breathe properly, let alone do an interview.
The whole point of being in England was to re-establish my different companies and brand in the city summit. It’s an excellent marketing strategy, as well as it’s always good to network, no matter how successful you are. Azzaria had written my speech for me, and it’s very different from what I usually say. It’s more playfully toned and easier to read. There were no unnecessarily big words or communication barriers.
There was a loud banging on my door, and it pissed me off. “Who is it?” I shouted.
“Open up, Xander,” Reyes shouted back at me, his banging on the door getting louder.
