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Escaped the gang at least a week ago...
Police believes she was not involved in the plot to oust Nolasco.
No statement so far from Martinez, who is believed to be currently hiding in the penthouse of Greek billionaire Acheron Simonides. The tycoon's involvement with the gang in his teenage years is common knowledge and took place well before his identity as the true heir to the Simonides fortune was verified by court documents and DNA tests.
Old friends of the two insist that Ms. Martinez and Mr. Simonides had a relationship in their younger years, and speculations now turn to the possibility of a rekindling of their romance.
Gareth switched the TV off as soon as the program went on a commercial break. "Thatisthe girl you helped, isn't she?"
Pippi nodded.
"I heard she supposedly referred to herself as Simonides' girlfriend."
"She did, yes." It was strangely painful to say the words, but Pippi managed to get them out in a neutral voice. "Mr. Simonides also personally came down to meet with her." The added statement only made the hurt worsen, but she found herself actually relishing the pain like some masochist. Stupid or not, it made her feel strong.
Just face the pain like a big girl, and remember that it's you in Acheron's life now.
Gareth waited for the usual gushing to commence, as it always did where women and Acheron Simonides were concerned, but instead he saw his secretary return to work like her brief encounter with the enigmatic CEO didn't matter at all.
It had him blinking and considering what he earlier thought was impossible. Could the rumors be true then? He had initially dismissed this morning's rumors about Pippi crushing on one of the sales managers working on the same floor. Young, cocky, selfish, spoiled brats - all of them had been typical of today's younger generation, and neither he nor Simonides certainly had anything in common with them.
It would be somewhat disappointing if Ms. Jones' taste in men ended up running along those lines, but perhaps it was also for the best, considering the proposal he had yet to bring up with her.
"Ms. Jones?"
Pippi immediately straightened in her seat. "Yes, sir?"
"There's been some delays with Excalibur Park, and I may have a need for your services longer than expected..."
****
"UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE." Acheron scowled at the real-time footage coming from their CCTV cameras, which showed paparazzi still clamoring for a chance to interview Amelia about Anthony Nolasco's murder. "Didn't you tell me our legal team was on top of this already?" They were supposed to keep Amelia's name out of the press, dammit.
"They were, sir." Charlie's voice was strained. While it wasn't the first time for the billionaire to lose his temper in Charlie's presence, it still had him quaking in his boots and looking for the nearest exit in case things went south. "The leak about his death came straight from the police. A reporter was able to sweet talk the information out of a first responder..."
"Fuck."
Wickham saw Charlie literally jump in his boots and, taking pity on the boy, he nodded the secretary's dismissal and waited until they were alone before speaking again. "Amy still doesn't have any access to the TV or Internet, and even if she were to look outside the window and see them, we can simply say it's because news about her being your girlfriend—-"
"No." Acheron's tone was clipped. "It can't be that. Have P.R. spin something else - anything but that."
Wickham's eyes twinkled momentarily in amusement. "Afraid of little Ms. Jones' reaction?"
"After what happened yesterday?" Acheron didn't even bother hiding the truth."Hell, yes."
"As you should be," Wickham murmured, "considering what everyone's been talking about..."
While Acheron had been cooped up inside his office, rumors of Pippilotta Jones' presently unfolding romance had also made its way to the 37th floor. The first to get wind of it were the ladies working at reception, and after them were the secretaries, who of course shared the interesting bit of news with the executives they reported to.
Wickham had gone to Acheron's office to inform the younger man of this, only to be sidetracked when he learned of the press' sudden and intense interest in Amy.
"She's been asking for you, by the way," Wickham said gruffly.
Acheron's face turned inscrutable. "I expected as much."
"She knows you're avoiding her."
"I'll speak to her soon," Acheron said finally. "But until then..."
