First things first: I text Niko to let him know I’m on my way. I limit myself to a carry-on even for international flights because I hate waiting at baggage claim, and modeling gigs provide most of the clothes. It also comes in handy when I need to dodge paparazzi, whom I can already see posted at the carousel for my flight. How did they know when I’d be back? Did one of the other women tell them? I’d bet my sizable paycheck it was Deanna. She was hanging around me like gnats on fruit the whole trip.
Morty’s next.
“Morty!” I yell once I’m settled in the backseat and Niko’s winding through airport traffic. “What happened? What articles?”
“You haven’t seen them?” he answers through a relieved sigh. “Thank God!”
“Morty,” I warn.
“It’s nothing too bad,” he says, failing to console me. “Just your ex and Julie apparently broke up, fans are shipping you and him again, and he’s basically been declaring his undying love for you on social media and at every tour stop.”
Sweat breaks out on my forehead.What. The. Fuck?!
“He’s gone insane. Like, completely delusional.”
“I know, babe, but on the plus side, you’re getting tons of publicity!” I shake my head. That’s Morty; he’s the king of spin. “I’ve gotten three interview requests just today.”
“You know I don’t talk about my personal life in interviews,” I groan.
“Not even if it meant putting Andre in his place?” Morty pleads.
He might be right. With the truth hidden, Andre can blow up my life whenever he wants, and I can’t fight back.
“If I can talk about the new line, I’ll consider it. I need to check with my lawyer about what I can say.”
“Got it.”
Morty hangs up, and I immediately call Henry. The receptionist puts me right through.
“I was expecting your call,” comes Henry’s gruff voice. Except for the first time we met, he’s always straight down to business. I like it.
“With the NDA, what are my options? I need to nip this in the budyesterday.”
I hear his hum of disapproval.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Gray. The NDA was thorough. Unless your ex graduates to sexual harassment or assault, I doubt a judge would invalidate it.”
“Heisharassing me!” I roar back, exasperated. “He’s coming by my house unannounced, texting me even after I ask him to stop. My doorman said he left flowers for me a few days ago!”
I can hear him taking notes in the background.
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” he scolds. “Harassment and stalking are crimes, which would void the NDA. Can you forward me the texts?”
My stomach sinks, and I slouch back on the seat.
“I deleted them. He texted again about picking me up from the airport, but all the other stuff is gone.”
“What about the flowers?” he tries again. “Was the note inappropriate in any way?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I don’t know. I’m on my way to my apartment now.”
“Call me the moment you find out. The NDA may still stand, but if he keeps harassing you, we can use it to establish a problematic pattern of behavior. A judge might hear us out then.”
We say our goodbyes and I hang up, already exhausted by this ordeal. Andre is like a splinter that just won’t come out. He cheated on me, stole from me, and now he thinks we’re going to get back together?
“Heads up, Ms. Gray,” Niko says as we approach my apartment.
