“In the meantime, Morgan and I will try to secure all your paid partnership deals,” he adds. “I’ll figure out how to minimize the damage.”
I’m still at a loss for words. Words can’t express how grateful I am that Oscar is taking my side now.
"I'm sorry for treating you like your consent doesn't matter," Oscar says. "Lucas Klein can go fuck himself." There's a hint of anger in his voice.
"Excuse me?" Morgan's voice booms, and all heads are turned toward her now. "A break? Are you kidding me now?A fucking break?"
I feel myself shaking with anger the moment Morgan's voice echoes in the room. This is very typical of her. I know that she won't ever think about my wellbeing.
Even when I was at the top of my success, she never let me have a break.
"With all the damage she has created, she's supposed to do something to fix it," Morgan hisses, trying to argue with her boss, but Oscar doesn't seem fazed. "Not taking a break instead."
It's sad that during a time like this, the only family I have in this world apparently has to be the one against me. I can imagine what Morgan would do to punish me—she would probably force me to release more new hit songs, prepare a comeback and performance to die for, which usually results in me having nonstop practices.
But right now, I'm just too tired. Physically andmentally. I guess that hooking up with Alejandro, the Spanish football player, was a result of my rebellious mind.
"She's had enough for this year, Morgan," Oscar says. "Yes, the company will have to pay, losing profits for a while. And we have to do extra work without her. But maybe, the world needs to lose Cassie for a while to realize how much they will miss her. Sometimes, the only thing we can do to go against all thecontroversies is let the rumor die by itself. Time will answer everything, and I'm pretty sure that Cassie needs thattime."
He looks at me with a knowing look, and I feel my heart sink.
My team knows how heartbroken I was after I broke up with Jude, and then, a train of unfortunate events fell upon me.
So, yes, I definitely need time for myself.
"That's nonsense," Morgan fumes, standing up from the couch. She shoots me a glare before storming out of the room.
I sigh while Oscar shakes his head in disbelief.
"Well then, I guess that the meeting is done." He approaches me and pats my shoulder. "You may take a rest, Cassie. Call that spa therapist or whoever you need at the moment. I'll deal with Morgan."
With that said, he hugs me, and I return it with all my heart, closing my eyes as I hug him back.
"Thank you so much," I say. "You don't know how much this means to me."
He nods with a smile and walks off. Next, Peter approaches me after packing up his laptop.
"Don't worry, Cassie." He grins. "I'll try to help as much as I can."
I nod, hugging him too. Peter is a typical mama's boy who always does good deeds and never disappoints everyone around him. Watching him leave, I feel Mike and Paul walk to my side, and another sigh leaves my lips. I know that unlike Oscar and Peter, who are probably going straight to work to cover for my mistakes, my make-up artist and my bodyguard will stay here in case I need someone to talk to.
But somehow, the comfort I'm feeling from knowing that my team actually cares about me still can't erase the pain I'm feeling from Morgan walking away.Just like that.
4
________
CASSIE
"Do you think that I should marry him?" I ask Paul, who's styling my hair.
Fortunately, Oscar has managed to secure the deal with Adidas, and right now, I'm going to do a photoshoot at home before I can post the pictures on my Instagram as part of my paid partnership deal to promote their latest product.
Paul stops and looks at me in the mirror.
"Honey, stop thinking about what Morgan wants. I don't think you should marry that billionaire just because he controls one of the most influential news and media companies in the world." He shakes his head in disbelief before resuming his work again, styling my hair into a French braid. "Lucas Klein is gorgeous. Hell, I would marry him if I didn't have a boyfriend. But for you? No, dear. You deserve more than that. Your marriage should be more than a business deal."
I laugh from hearing that he would marry Luke because of his looks.
