Chapter 24 Christopher Sunday - December 9 #2
The last thing I want to do right now is head to a party that Paul is throwing in honor of Alexander. Inviting Pietro and I feels like a token gesture, given everyone else who will be attending will be from Alexander’s label, touring team, or management.
Alexander had said he wasn’t up for going either, that he’d rather stay at home, but I know it’s important for him to be there, irrespective of what’s going on with him and Paul. This is about showing up for everyone else who’s worked so hard to help him achieve his goals this year.
Julie heads over to my desk and plonks herself down on top of it.
“Do you think you could sneak me into Alexander Morgan’s party?” Her puppy dog eyes stare down at me. “I never get invited to any good parties, and our Christmas one sucks.”
She ain’t wrong there.
“I’m sure we can find a way to get you in.” The corner of my mouth lifts.
Actually, having Julie there might make the night a bit more bearable.
“Thank you,” I say, grabbing an oyster off the tray held by a waiter at the entrance as Julie and I enter Craig’s.
The room is already buzzing with people occupying the black leather booths. A mini-DJ booth setup in the corner blasts an indecipherable EDM track that wouldn’t be out of place at the Abbey, just up the road.
“Who’s Lucy Bowery?” Julie says, leaning on the back of one of the booths to adjust her heel strap. Her shimmery silver cocktail dress is seemingly in vogue. I look around to see half the women at the party dressed similarly. It’s like we’ve stepped onto the set of The Great Gatsby.
“Don’t worry about that,” I say.
Lucy will forgive me if she finds out I used her name for an invite. Better that, than ask Paul for a favor he can throw back at me later.
“Let’s grab a drink,” I say and head to the outside terrace, hoping I’ll be able to hear myself a bit more clearly and avoid running into Paul.
The barman leans across the bar and puts two coasters down.
“What can I get you?”
A bespoke cocktail list of five Alexander-themed drinks stares at us from the counter. There’s not a single mocktail. Paul clearly isn’t caring about Alexander’s sobriety.
Julie points to the deadly mix of spirits.
“I’ll go for the Stolen Memory,” she says.
“I think I’ll play it safe, go for the Morgan kiss.”
Maybe the bubbly from the champagne and sweetness of the raspberry syrup will work its magic. Help settle the growing sense of unease within me.
“This might be the most celeb-packed party I’ve ever been too.” Julie’s mouth is ajar as she spots a bunch of actors vaping in the corner of the terrace. Their jaws are all working overtime, though not from talking.
“Christopher! We were just talking about you.”
Paul’s unexpected arrival lifts me clear off the ground. I flinch when he leans in to hug me. Pietro follows behind him. Both wear nearly identical blazers and black jeans. Their blue and white shirts are the only thing distinguishing the two of them.
You take your eyes off scanning the room for one second.
“I was just telling Pietro he needs to give you a bonus, given the amazing job you’ve done on the Brewed campaign. I don’t think we’d have the number one single today without you.” His pearly white veneers stare back at me.
“Thank you,” I say. My voice is clipped and formal.
A calculating look appears in his eyes, prompting me to put my hands into my pockets. He’s clearly not drunk, judging by the way he carries himself.
“In fact, I was even suggesting that now that this Brewed campaign is ending, we should look at working with you directly. Have you come on board as a consultant to help with Alexander’s projects next year. What do you say?”
He lifts an eyebrow and a lump forms in my throat, not at what I want to say, but at the thought creeping into my head.
Does he know Alexander wants to fire him?
Is he trying to use me as a pawn in his game to prevent that from happening?
“We’d love that.” Pietro beats me to a response. His face beams with joy, no doubt aided by the espresso martini he’s been drinking. Three coffee beans are all that’s left in his glass.
Fuck off, Pietro.
“Damien, Damien.” Paul waves down the photographer. “Let’s get a picture.”
Paul muscles his way between me and Julie, pushing Pietro to the other side. The photographer lines up the shot, moving us slightly away from the vines hanging down above us. The flash catches me off guard as I straighten my back.
Paul grabs me tightly around the waist and whispers behind his gritted smile, “Don’t think I don’t know what you and Alexander are up to.”
His grip tightens as the photographer continues to snap away, and one of my shirt buttons pops open as the camera flashes. The cameraman has captured the shock on my face when he spins his camera round for us to see the shots.
I give a muffled response and shake Paul’s had off me.
His taunt is the equivalent to calling out check in a game of chess.
My mind races to work out what move to counter him. I could deny any knowledge of it. It’s Alexander’s decision after all, not mine. Or I could own it and wipe the smug look off his face, but leave Alexander exposed.
Three beats pass and Paul’s smile widens.
He’s gotten into my head and he knows it.
“Great. Let’s set up a meeting in the week, discuss terms. Be great to keep you on board.” Paul’s hand whacks my back, almost knocking the wind out of me.
I remain stalwartly silent, grabbing the drink the barman hands me and downing it in one. I wait for Paul to be called away by another guest. The heat rises up the back of my neck from the burning sting left from Paul on my back.
“Excuse me, I just need to head to the restroom,” I say to Pietro and Julie.
I need to warn Alexander.
The crowd bursts into cheers and applause as the DJ introduces Alexander, passing him the microphone when he reaches the stage. My hands are still slightly wet from the restroom as I wipe them on the back of my jeans.
I linger to the side of the stage, just out of sight next to Rob, while Alexander begins to speak.
“I’m not one for speeches, so I’ll keep this brief.
Thank you to each and every one of you in this room, not only for coming tonight, but for all your support and hard work over the past year.
” Alexander waves back at a couple of women sitting on top of a booth.
“I’ve grown a lot this past year, though by the size of me, you’d never tell. ”
The crowd laughs at his joke as the smile that could thaw even the coldest of hearts appears across his face.
“It’s not all been easy either, but I guess that’s why they call them growing pains. Yet through it all, you’ve all been here. Helping me, supporting me, and showing up for me.”
The crowd cheers as the guy next to Rob and me wolf whistles a little too loudly in my ear, leaving it ringing. How rude and unbecoming.
“I don’t always get to personally come and say thank you, and I might not get to do so tonight, but please know that each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart. So, thank you, and enjoy yourselves.”
Alexander passes back the microphone as the crowd cheers.
“Let’s get this party started!” the DJ shouts as he cranks up Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra. Alexander’s face lights up when he finally sees me.
“There’s a problem,” I whisper in his ear when he hugs me.
“What do you mean?” He speaks through his teeth as he pulls back.
“Paul knows.”