Fan Fiction |
by Hibiscus
The elevator reached its destination and the doors opened with a ting. Angela walked out, her feet sinking in the plush carpet of the lone office that spanned a full story. One wall of the office was made entirely of windows and Angela’s attention was caught by the view of the sun sinking, and the dying rays lovingly stroking the city goodbye as the day yielded to the night.
Stefan was faced away from the desk, his chair towards the same sunset. Angela didn’t say anything, knowing not to intrude in his private ruminations. They both observed the sun set until twilight was fading.
Stefan swung back to face the desk and Angela. He was a tall man, short hair, manicured nails and everything you expected from a very successful man. But his main success was the fact that he could manipulate his expressions so well, that even his eyes wouldn’t give him away. Angela knew that he wasn’t the easy going, humorous man Ariel and Mike had met in the restaurant. He was calculating, manipulative and driven to success with a passion that allowed him no rest.
“Ah, Angela. Thanks for coming.” Stefan said standing up and coming over to shake her hand and lead her to the couch on the sides of his desk. They sat.
“You said it was important.” Angela replied.
“Yes, it is very important.” He concurred. “I have received some Intel about our two leads that will be made available to the public shortly. At least, she said that she would do so unless I paid her a substantial amount of money.”
Angela’s eyebrows rose. “What kind of Intel?” She asked, frowning.
“Allow me.” Stefan pressed a button and a slide show started on a blank screen that had slide down on the wall beside the couches. Pictures of Ariel and Mike together on their camping trip appeared, lingering on the screen for half a second and then replaced by another. Angela’s mind went blank. There were pictures of them eating together, sitting by the campfire, Ariel getting a piggy back ride on Mike’s shoulders. And then her breath whooshed out as she saw the final batch of pictures. Ariel running into Mike’s tent, Ariel and Mike sleeping wrapped around each other.
“Who?” She asked barely audibly.
“A free lancer, Belinda.” Stefan replied lighting a cigar. “I’m sorry, do you mind if I smoke?”
Angela shook her hand and got up and started pacing. “Where was the guide?”
“Ariel let her go home because her daughter was in labor.” Stefan replied. “I had it investigated.”
“What are we going to do?” Angela asked Stefan, wringing her hands.
“Nothing.” Stefan lifted a shoulder. “This is good for us. Any publicity is good publicity.”
“I don’t want this kind of publicity.” Angela snapped.
“I know. Your publicity manager called me after your meeting with him and told me you had negated his ideas of publicizing the drama by focusing on the relationship between Mike and Ariel.” Stefan got up and walked to the glass wall, taking deep drags of his cigar.
“I promised them we wouldn’t.”
Stefan crushed the remaining portion of his cigar on an ashtray and turned and looked at Angela. “This is my money you are building your dreams on, Angela. If it collapses, you can dream again but me? I won’t be able to get my money back. So I’m going to let Belinda go public with her pictures. There’ll be legal suits, a hoopla and publicity. Everyone will want to see your drama.”
Angela stood staring at him, not knowing what to say.
“And that is all for today. Please show yourself out and I’ll see you another day.”
Angela gave him one last look of absolute dislike and walked back to the elevator. As she rode it down, her mind was racing, furiously trying to think of a way to prevent the upcoming disaster. She had given her word and Angela was not a woman to give it lightly.
Flipping open her cell phone, Angela snapped to her assistant, “Get me Belinda’s number. She’s a journalist. A bad one. And set up a meeting tomorrow morning for Mike, Ariel and their managers.”