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“That will be on our terms—not theirs. My personal relationship is none of their fucking business and it certainly will not be used to sell tickets. The fact remains that Jenna and I are currently not together, and I will never ask her to lie for me just to appease the studio.”
“Cal, you need to think about this...”
“End of discussion, Philip,” I command in a stern voice. “Now if you don’t have any more business to discuss, then we’re leaving.”
“But I haven’t met Jenna yet.”
“Not sure I want you to anymore.”
“Oh c’mon, Cal! You know I only have your best interest at heart. I’m sorry this made you angry. Just forget I mentioned it and let’s talk about what projects I’ve heard about that I think you need to consider.”
He changes the subject and for the next fifteen minutes I tell him what interests me and what doesn’t on his list of potential projects when the front door opens, and Jenna and Mason walk in carrying groceries.
Her eyes widen and she looks between me and Philip in surprise, making me question if she ever read the text I sent her.
“There she is! The woman who’s been causing all the uproar,” Philip greets her when she steps forward and I want to punch him in the fucking face. Jenna gives me a quizzical look and plasters a fake smile on her face.
“Jenna, this is my agent, Philip Logan. We had a break from shooting and Philip wanted to meet you.”
They shake hands and Jenna seems genuinely happy to meet him. “Nice to meet you, but I could have met you on set or at your hotel. What are you both doing here in my apartment? Where’s Robert?” she inquires, looking around for him.
“What a lovely home this is too—the view is spectacular! Cal, did you buy this place for her?” Philip interrupts and my annoyance with him is mounting.What kind of stupid question is that?
Jenna’s mouth drops open in shock and I can tell she’s insulted. “No, I bought this place with the money I make in prostitution,” she retorts sarcastically and my lips twitch with a smile.That’s my girl. “Why are you both here again?” she demands in annoyance as Philip seems to have worn out his welcome already.
Philip, now realizing she was joking, starts to laugh awkwardly. “You are a sassy little thing! I love that!”
Jenna doesn’t look amused at his compliment, and she turns around when we hear Robert walk back in. He smiles hesitantly at us, sensing the tension in the air and he decides to help Mason unload the groceries.
“Let’s sit down, Jenna, and make ourselves comfortable,” Philip suggests and sits back down on the couch. Jenna gives me an exasperated look before joining us. “Besides coming into town to check in on Cal and discuss business, I wanted to meet you in person because, well, we need your help.”
Oh, he better not be doing what I think he’s about to fucking do.
“I told you no, Philip,” I tell him with a firm voice. “Leave it alone.”
“My help? With what?” Jenna questions, looking confused.
“Nothing, Jenna,” I respond, shooting Philip a warning look that he better not continue with this conversation.
Philip moves his body so he’s completely facing her and ignoring me. “Cal’s movie that he shot last year is releasing in two weeks and well, the studio is concerned over the recent headlines that paint Cal in a negative light.”
“No, Philip!” I command, raising my voice. Jenna looks even more perplexed, her gaze going back and forth between us.
“The recent photos of you guys together around town looking like a happy family have been great for publicity and repairing Cal’s reputation, but the studio is requesting a little more from you.”
“Philip, I don’t fucking care what the studio thinks!” I yell, losing my patience with him since he keeps defying me.
“Cal, this is one of the biggest studios in Hollywood, they can crush your career. If you want any kind of future as an a director, we need to comply with them,” he pleads with me and I continue to shake my head, not giving two shits what the bloody studio wants. I’m so busy engaging with Philip that I fail to notice Jenna’s change in demeanor.
“All this time here with us has been for publicity?” she whispers, and I see the hurt flash in her eyes before she becomes angry.
And just like that, all the progress that I’ve made within these last couple of weeks with her has vanished.
Fuck!
“Do you really think that of me, Jenna?” My stomach starts churning at the thought of her even thinking this was all a publicity stunt. We stare at each other and I’m silently begging her to believe me. To trust in me.
She breaks our eye contact and looks over at Philip. “What does the studio want from me?” She continues to ask questions and I feel like this is going to be a losing battle.
