Chapter 22 Donovan
Donovan
I frown as I look at the link my PR team has emailed.
I was waiting for it. My social calendar has taken a complete dive.
I work like normal during the day, rushing from meeting to meeting, attending luncheons and ensuring I push our staff to be the best they can be.
But at night, I’m cooking, laughing, and watching the twenty-four-hour news channel under a blanket on my sofa with the woman who’s fast becoming the other half of me. And it’s the best time I’ve ever had.
It’s been weeks now since Lake Placid and we haven’t faltered.
Our quiet nights at home have allowed our relationship to build naturally and organically.
During the week, Jessica stays with me in my penthouse.
We arrive and leave separately, her now having a key and Gordon driving her around just like he ordinarily would.
On Saturdays, she goes home, working with her uncle, spending time with her family while I usually catch up on work and miss her even more than I thought I could.
We’re professional at work, but after the media onslaught leaving the office last night, we’re now front-page news.
The office is buzzing with gossip, and I’m doing anything I can to tame it.
Not because I don’t want the world to know about us.
But because Jessica values her privacy. She’s not interested in social media or having her face plastered on the front page of newspapers like it is today.
Donovan York… sleeping with his employee?
The headline stares at me, and I quickly read the article.
It’s a puff piece by a journalist known for spreading gossip and misinformation.
There’s a photo of me and Jessica leaving the office last night, the publication already receiving a letter from my legal team and a takedown notice.
But we might have to be more proactive and do something before it gets completely out of hand.
Three sharp knocks have me lifting my head as Ashley walks in. I barely notice my assistant, but now that I look at her, I see her appearance is different than usual. Her shirts are open a little more, her skirts a little shorter, and I grit my teeth. Yet another thing I need to address.
“Jay Jay is here to see you.”
“Thanks, Ashley.” I stand as Jessica walks in, her glasses on, looking like the cure I didn’t know I needed.
“Do you need anything else?” Ashley looks at me with fluttering lashes, and I pause.
“No. Thank you. Please close the door on your way out,” I dismiss her, barely noticing the scowl she wears and not having the time or patience to dig into it right now.
“Everything alright?” Jessica watches me. The two of us spend so much time together, we already know when the other feels off. She can obviously feel it with me now.
“That depends…” I grab a coffee bean, throwing it in my mouth as I walk around to the front of my desk and she walks to meet me.
“What’s going on?” Her frown is cute, and I give her a small smile as I draw her close.
“Well, I think we need to go public,” I tell her.
We both knew we’d eventually have to do this.
I already have a rough plan in place for it.
First, I need to speak to the board. They need to be aware.
Because even though it’s my personal business, given that Jessica works for my company, there’s clearly a crossover.
“Oh.” She blinks a little behind her glasses before she pushes them back.
“The media ran a story this morning with an image of us from last night all across the page. Given that I’m no longer out and about as much as I was before and am leaving with you, they’ve put two and two together.
So now that the article has gone live, the press will be a little more persistent in following me, digging deeper, and I would like to try to get ahead of it.
At least here with the board and key clients,” I explain as best I can.
The media are assholes, caring little for me or any other notable person.
Their only interest is selling their stories.
The truth rarely comes into it, and it’s clear by the headlines that they think I’m taking advantage of my employee.
“So what does that mean for us, exactly?” I feel her apprehension.
“As a first step, I would like to officially inform the board. After that, people at work will find out, for sure. The gossip will be confirmed. The media will follow us, follow you. No doubt, they’ll be milling around your apartment, the sprinkler shop…
” The more I say out loud, the more remorse I feel.
Being with me isn’t easy, especially for someone who doesn’t want to be in the spotlight.
She’s quiet, so I continue. “But it also means we can go out. I can kiss you wherever and whenever I want… I can take you to fancy restaurants, maybe treat you to an amazing pasta dish to repay you for all your amazing cooking.” I smile because I would love to show her off.
I can’t wait for people to know she’s mine.
“I’m not going to lie; I’m a little worried, but… it has to happen sometime, right?” I grab her hands, holding them to my chest.
“You don’t need to be afraid. I’ll take care of everything. I just want you to promise me that you’ll tell me the minute anything gets out of hand.”
Her hands circle me, and I hug her tight to my chest.
“Okay… Let’s do it.”
It’s been days, and I’ve slowly moved my chess pieces.
I’m trying to be strategic. Ensuring I manage things right while the media continue to have a field day.
There was a photo they took of Jessica on the front page this morning, her red scarf on, and the whole article was about where she got such a scarf from.
Seriously, these journalists have no intelligence whatsoever if they are reporting on a fucking scarf.
The board has been formally notified by both me and with a fully developed report from legal and HR during a private setting. To be honest, they don't care, as long as a lawsuit doesn’t come our way. And it won't.
The media have taken to following me. The hounding I’m receiving is to be expected.
The number of photographers that surround my office building and my penthouse has increased, and all employees have been reminded of their confidentiality clauses in their contracts.
Which includes all employee and company information.
Jessica has taken to working in her office a little more, still not venturing out too much, but I know her work is solitary, and she prefers it, so I don’t push her to network more than she is. But I hear the whispers. Something I need to put a stop to.
“Is there anything else we need to capture this month?” My PR manager looks at me. I pause, my eyes running across the other people around the table.
“We have some invitations here for you. One for the textiles dinner at The Met. There’s the trip to Milan coming up, which you’ll need a plus one for.”
“I’m free if you need me to attend with you.” My eyes flick to Ashley as she sits opposite me, her posture straight, confident, not a genuine bone in her body.
“When is The Met dinner?” I ignore Ashley's offer and grab my cell, looking at my schedule.
“It’s in two weeks.”
“Alright. Put me down as attending with a plus one. In terms of Milan, Jessica will be coming with me. Ashley, ensure that Katie has all the key dates and information for her calendar.”
Ashley blanches. “Jessica?” She almost chokes on her name.
“Is that a problem?” I frown.
“We usually organize one of the models from the latest shoot, or someone like Carrington Noble is also available,” my PR manager says, and I take a deep breath.
“It will be Jessica. And while we’re talking about it, I need a press release drafted, one of a more personal nature.”
“Personal, sir?” My PR manager looks at me in confusion.
“The media articles are out of control,” I state, and she nods.
“I mean, it’s ridiculous. How they even think that you and Jay Jay are together, we have no idea. Perhaps you shouldn’t take her to the event; that will only fuel the flame.”
I frown, not sure what she’s thinking.
“Again, I’m more than happy to be your plus one. I have the perfect outfit already,” Ashley jumps in, and I realize they’re not getting it.
“That could work…” my PR manager says, nodding, and I’m already shaking my head, about to set them straight with the truth, but she continues.
“Donovan, with all due respect. The increased media attention is unusual, but have you thought that maybe she has orchestrated it? To increase her profile? It isn’t the first time a woman has done such a thing,” Ashley adds, more vocal in this meeting than any other, and my frown deepens.
They’re all flabbergasted that I would want a woman like Jessica on my arm in front of the fashion press.
They see the older clothes, the glasses, her finance background, her lack of social media as bad or embarrassing things, when they are the exact things I love about her.
They all want the limelight, the cameras, their social media profiles to rise.
Jessica just wants me. The fact that they think she orchestrated the media intrusion is completely astounding.
I take a deep breath, hating that I haven’t seen it before now.
“Is Jessica a problem?” I don’t disagree that someone is baiting the media and maybe Jessica and I have been too close on a few public occasions that would stoke a small flame, but the intense following we have developed is not a natural interest story. It feels more like a tip-off.
“Well, she isn’t exactly suitable…” Ashley starts.
“What?” I push, wanting more clarity from them.
She’s beautiful, intelligent, and charismatic.
They don’t see how she is at the events I’ve taken her to.
How she has deep conversations, networks like a pro, has knowledge in this industry that already surpasses many of those who have worked here for years.
Including these women who sit around the boardroom table right now.
“Just not who we see representing York Enterprises on the global stage.” My PR Manager is selective with her wording.
“And you think you are?” I look at Ashley, who grins.
“I mean she works in fashion,” my PR manager says.
“So does Jessica,” I state.
“I have a wardrobe full of designer clothes,” Ashley pushes.
“As does Jessica.”
They scoff and roll their eyes.
“Have you not noticed her wardrobe? I would’ve thought with your expertise in fashion, you would’ve noticed. I did the day I met her.”
They look at me like I’ve gone mad.
“Today, she’s wearing Prada. Yesterday was Chanel…” I look at them and see a cloud of confusion cover their faces.
“It’s probably fake,” Ashley quips, and my anger increases because my own staff can’t pick out designer brands.
“They are vintage. Which is interesting because that’s exactly what’s coming out of Paris at the moment and what I know will feature heavily in Milan.
So given Jessica is well aware of the trends, some might even say more attune than my own PR team, then she would be the perfect person to attend Milan with me. ”
The room is silent. I raise my eyebrows, asking anyone to prove me wrong.
“Great. It’s settled. The other thing I want is a press release drafted.” I get back to my original request before they all start talking rubbish about the woman who’s starting to mean more and more to me with every passing day.
“Of course. What’s the objective?” My PR manager starts tapping her keyboard.
“I need something that confirms my relationship status. Something to ease the media attention and confirms that Jessica and I are in fact in a relationship.” You could hear a pin drop. All the people around the table look at me like I’ve grown a second head.
My PR manager frowns in confusion. “Ahhh, confirmation, sir?
“Jessica and I are in a committed relationship. HR was notified weeks ago. The board is also aware. I need something that puts the rumors to rest, to allow us the freedom to live our lives without the barrage of media. And I would like internal communications drafted to ensure the staff gossip comes to a stop. Bullying in the workplace will not be tolerated.”
“Bullying?” Ashley rushes out, and my brow furrows as I look at her.
“As a member of the organization, Ashley, I expect you to lead by example. If any of you hear rumors or gossip spreading around the office, you are to stop it immediately. Bullying can take a variety of forms, including verbal abuse and slander. I’ll ensure that anyone not abiding by their confidentiality clause in their contracts or if anyone is heard or seen talking about my private life and that of Jessica’s, they’ll be reported to HR and dealt with as per the Health and Safety laws and their contractual obligations.
Including immediate termination. Do I make myself clear?
” I never speak to people in my office like this.
I’m firm but always fair. And while I think I’m still being fair, my voice is demanding respect and assurance from them at this stage.
“Of course, sir,” my PR manager says, still tapping on her laptop as Ashley remains quiet.
“Good. Ashley, have the Milan itinerary sent to Katie so she can schedule Jessica’s times accordingly.
” I give one last instruction to the team and stand and walk out, not even saying goodbye.
It isn’t just the fact that they think so poorly of Jessica that has me frustrated.
It’s the fact that my own team seems to have little knowledge on the very topic they are tasked with.
Things around here need to change.