Chapter 15
I knew it,I knew that idiot was going to be bad for your career!
Brandons shout bursts into the room as he does, silencing all other conversations.
I immediately take off my headphones to look at him. What the hell do you mean? I ask.
But Brandon doesnt answer me right away. His face is red, and he has a violent expression.
He’s so upset that, without thinking, he takes the phone and throws it to the ground, which smashes the casing.
I immediately stand up and go over to him. Brandon, tell me whats wrong, I ask, frightened. He doesnt answer me, he just turns away.
My heart is racing a mile a minute. I feel so anxious that I fear my heart is going to burst out of my chest.
I know there’s only one person he could be referring to.
I think he means this.
The audio technician walks over to me and hands me his phone, which has his social media open. I read the news about the fight between Damien and Logan and the subsequent arrest of both, and my blood freezes in my veins.
For a moment, I feel like I cant breathe. Its as if the world has stopped around me.
Without waiting, I walk over to the booth and grab my jacket.
What do you think youre doing, Drea?
Brandon watches me, as if transfixed by my swift walk. Im going to the police to look for Damien, I say.
Brandon’s expression is almost comical when he understands what I’m doing. His hair is sticking up everywhere from how he’s repeatedly run his hands through it, and his mustache is twitching. His glasses are crooked on the edge of his nose.
He immediately hurries over to me to try and stop me. No, you wont.
A serious expression flashes across his face as anger gives way to nervousness. Drea, that man has influenced you in a bad way. Hes not good for you! I told you that the first time you saw him, but you never listen to me!
My arm pulls away from his grip. Brandon, I dont care what you think of Damien. Im going to go find him.
At this point Im tired of hearing my manager telling me how much he doesnt tolerate Damien.
What dont you get? He steps between me and the door. This man is bad for you in every way. How long until you stop your absurd obsession with bad boys!
Its not about bad boys, Brandon, its about one man. I choose Damien over all others. I choose him over my career, even. I dont care if you approve or not. I choose him.
Brandons mouth drops open. This man has bewitched you.
His words seem pained, as though he’s lost entirely in hopelessness.
Maybe he has. Ive heard they call it love.
Not caring what Brandon has to say to that, I push him out of my way and exit the audio booth.
I immediately pick up the phone and dial the number of the private driver of the record label, making sure they have the car ready for me.
As soon as I get outside, theres the car. I can hear the shouts of Brandon behind me, who calls for me imploringly, but I dont listen. Instead, I turn off my phone and get in the car.
The driver is waiting for me. I give him directions in a shaking voice and then we’re on our way. Inside I feel angry, dizzy, and worried. What was Damien thinking having a fight with Logan? I dont know yet, but I plan to find out. First and foremost, though, I need to fix whatever is going on.
The entrance to the police station is crowded with paparazzi and curious people who are trying to get some good pictures with their phones.
Okay. Here we go.
I sigh and pull my hood up, covering my head as the driver gets out to open the door for me.
The press jumps on me immediately, asking a thousand different questions about the incident. I cover my face a little more and move forward without looking at anyone or saying anything.
Andrea, come this way!
Looking up, I spot Ethan, one of Damiens friends. He walks up to me and places his hand protectively on my back, guiding me until we’re inside the police station.
Thank you.
I sigh in relief as I feel the world quieting around me. Ethan, who is handsome and almost as tall as Damien, gives me a kind smile. Youre welcome.
He guides me to the back of the station. Wheres Damien? I inquire.
Hes already been released. Our lawyers have taken care of everything.
A soothing wave of relief passes through my chest. What happened?
Ethans lips draw into a grimace. It’s better if he tells you.
I follow Ethan into a private office that must be used as an interrogation room. Inside is Damien, along with a group of lawyers in suits. Across from him, Logan sits with his own group of lawyers. There are two policemen at the back of the room, both of whom look uncomfortable to be witnessing the whole scene.
Damien! I cant help but say upon noticing him. Without thinking, I run into his arms.
He stands up immediately and greets me by burying his nose in my hair. What are you doing here?
I feel such strong relief that I can’t help but hug him tightly, not caring who might be watching us. What do you mean, what am I doing here, you big jerk? I came to rescue you.
When I pull my face away from his chest, I notice the smile creeping up his lips. It’s full of warmth and love, an unexpected feeling that I feel blooming in me too.
Thank you, but you didnt have to.
Damien kisses my forehead as someone clears their throat.
When we pull apart, I see that Logan’s eyes are on us.
Damiens arms close a little tighter over my body. If you dont mind, I need to talk to Mr. Channing. Alone.”
For a moment, I think that no one is going to move from their spot, but the cops rush soon to the entrance of the room, and so do the lawyers.
I watch, shocked as the room empties, until only Damien, Logan, Ethan, and myself remain.
Would someone please explain to me whats going on here? I ask.
Im at a bit of a loss trying to figure out whats been going on between these two, but luckily Damien seems willing to answer me.
Whats going on is that Logan decided it was a good idea to test the waters with me.
If that was the plan, it obviously went wrong. The bruises on Logan tell me that, in fact, Damien has beaten him up.
I see no evidence of any damage to Damiens body, except for reddened knuckles.
Ethan decides to explain the situation further. Logan attacked Damien as he was arriving at the club. Damien defended himself, but the police arrived at the worst possible moment. Obviously, everything was recorded by our security cameras, so weve filed a report. Still, we wont be pressing charges against Logan.
How kind of you, Logan scoffs.
Tell me. Why did you do this? I ask.
Logan may be an impulsive, violent jerk, but hes not the kind of guy to try and attack someone else just because.
He looks at me, completely outraged. Damn it, Andrea. I did it for you!
He slams the table and stands up, pointing at Damien. Because this asshole is stalking you!
For a moment, my heart stops.
Logans words freeze me in place, but Damien merely seems curious.
Well, this is interesting. He raises an eyebrow and releases me slowly. He stays by my side, but he’s clearly confronting Logan now. Explain to me why you think I’ve been stalking Andrea.
Dont play innocent, you fucking asshole. Logan bursts out laughing. If you think those messages, the ones that swore youd kill me if I ever got close to Andrea again, were ever going to work, youre sorely mistaken.
What messages? I ask.
The ones this asshole sent me.
Logan picks up his phone and starts to scroll through picture after picture of what appears to be a series of letters.
Damien walks over and looks at the phone. I didnt send you this, he states.
His cold tone and the seriousness with which he says this make me think that he suspects something.
Dont play innocent, Logan argues.
Damien looks at him impassively. Im not. A simple test can show you that, in fact, this isn’t my handwriting.
If you have the letters now, Ill take care of it myself, Ethan manifests.
Logan looks at the two men in frustration as Damien examines the letters.
But these letters arent from a stranger. Theyre from someone who knows you, Andrea, says Damien.
My hands begin to shake, but I clench them into fists and restrain myself.
But who would do that? and why?
For one simple reason, Damien states, looking at me nonchalantly. To get me and Logan out of the way. To kill two birds with one stone.