Chapter 34 Ella
ELLA
Aweek later, the story hits the air. It’s a week earlier than I expected, but the network couldn’t wait, not when they had footage of Asher and me together, as well as with Declan.
It’s the first interview of our relationship to hit television, and even though it’s not an official relationship type of interview, it’s content the network has that no one else does so they decided to put it out as quickly as possible.
Some banter Declan and I shared at the beginning of the tour is highlighted, and the head journalist comments on how integrated into the family I must be if I already share such an easy-going relationship with Asher’s younger brother.
The spotlight focuses less on Greenspan than I would have liked and more on Asher’s and my relationship, but I still take it as a win.
After the story hits, interest in Greenspan spikes, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
If Yegor and Sergei make a move, it’s now more likely to be seen and heard by the public.
I’m under no delusion that this will stop them, but it might just pause them long enough to give Asher the edge he needs to take them down.
And we’re all anxious for that to happen.
Life with extensive security is stifling, and I still only leave the penthouse here and there.
I was able to help at the school district’s summer pantry program to give kids with food insecurity a free lunch on a Friday, but I had to skip on another charity event when Robert was worried that he couldn’t secure the location well enough.
The sooner we end this threat, the sooner we can all get back to our lives, and I can’t wait.
As it is, I’m at my photo shoot with Lennox Rose, and I have a veritable fleet of security with me, along with my mom, who flew in to spend time with me since I’m bored out of my mind most days.
Unfortunately, she has to get back to her life, and she’s leaving for the airport directly after the shoot.
“These are gorgeous, Ella,” my mom gushes, looking at the photo monitor as Carlos, my photographer, flips through the photos I just finished modeling for.
These photos are for their luxury coat fall line and won’t come out for a couple of months, but it was so fun to shoot.
I’ve never modeled before, so it took me some time to get comfortable, but in the end, I’m pleased with the results.
“You were made to be in front of the camera. Why you spent your time in a corporate office, I will not understand,” Carlos says in his strong Spanish accent as he starts to pack up his camera. “You should be modeling, not pushing papers. Is that what they say?”
I giggle. “Yes, pushing papers. But I never thought modeling was an option; I’m not tall enough.”
“You are too short for a catwalk, not the camera. But no worries, we will make you a model from here on out.”
“That’s kind of you to say. And thank you, I really enjoyed the shoot.”
“You are welcome, hermosa.” He gives me a quick kiss on both of my cheeks. “I look forward to working with you again.”
“You really were wonderful,” my mother says as we head out to the black town car, flanked by Flores and Jenkins. “I always knew you were beautiful enough to model.”
I snort. “You have to say that; you’re my mom.”
“I’m serious, sweetie. When you were born, I had several nurses visit my room to look at you.
Our nurse told them that you were the most beautiful baby she’d ever seen, and all the other nurses had to see for themselves.
They all agreed, and they were right. You’ve always been stunningly beautiful.
I was just too scared of the modeling industry to let you try. ”
“That’s okay. Modeling like this is fun, but it’s more on own terms, you know? I don’t know if I would have had the spine to claw and fight my way through the modeling industry when I was younger. It wasn’t exactly my passion, plus there was too much going on . . .”
My mother sighs, linking her arm with mine. “I know. We were all just trying to survive losing your father. I’m still impressed you and Maya made it through college with the grief you carried. None of us had much to give back then.”
I nod in agreement. The years after my father’s death are both viscerally clear and a blur. The three of us really were just trying to make it through each day.
“I feel like I cheated with this, though,” I say as we climb in the car and get settled. “I didn’t claw and fight my way to make it in the modeling world—to work with these high-end brands. I started dating my boss.” I half laugh at the ridiculousness of it.
“You worked hard at your job, which is how you met your boss in the first place. You didn’t cheat in any of that, and you can’t help it that your boss is one of the most famous men on the planet and that dating him put you in the spotlight.
Once that spotlight was on you, people couldn’t ignore your beauty. ”
I laugh again. Trust my mom to humblebrag about me to me.
“I still think you’re a bit biased, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”
“And besides, this is good for you. You aren’t working in your old job anymore, and it’s looking more and more like it will be difficult for you to hold a normal job. Not when you have security trailing your every step and everyone knows your name and your face.”
“That wasn’t a problem at Langford Holdings since that’s normal for Asher, but things definitely shifted with the office environment once Asher and I became official.”
My mom looks contemplative. “Maybe you could switch to another department at Langford Holdings and get some space from Asher at work. What if you went back to marketing?”
I shrug. “Part of me would love that. I’ve been thinking about this a lot these last few weeks since I haven’t been working, but I think you’re right in the sense that it’s hard for me to work a normal job.
Everyone treats me differently now. I’m not Ella Hale the marketing rep, I’m Asher Langford’s girlfriend.
Like it or not, his reputation has sort of enveloped and consumed mine, so it’s hard to be taken seriously as I am. ”
“So, what is it you’d like to do?”
“Honestly? I think charity work is what feels right to me. I don’t need to work anymore with all the money Asher transferred into my account.
” I nearly had a heart-attack when I opened my banking app and saw the insane deposit Asher made to it, and when I approached him about it, he adamantly refused to take even a penny back.
“I’ve been throwing the idea around in my head of starting a foundation.
Asher has so much money it’s kind of fun to spend it where it’s needed.
Between that and modeling occasionally, I should be able to keep busy and feel fulfilled. ”
“That sounds wonderful.”
I nod.
My mom scrunches her nose, the same way I do sometimes, as her eyes roam over me. “You seem a little sad.”
I sigh. “I have some mixed feelings about all the changes in my life.”
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. It’s hard to move into new chapters.”
“I really am excited by what’s to come, but I think I’m kind of mourning what was.
Being a marketing and PR rep wasn’t glamorous, but I still really enjoyed it.
I was part of a team and had colleagues.
Now, I’m on the outside. Asher’s world is big in some ways, but it’s incredibly small in others. I’m lonely when Asher’s not around.”
And confined. But I don’t tell my mom that part. She only knows a portion of what’s going on. She thinks the poison on the stalker letter came from the stalker. I haven’t had the heart to tell her about any of the other threats.
“What about Zahra? Are you spending time with her?”
“As much as I’m able. She’s busy with her job at the restaurant.
Her new boss is an asshole, apparently, so she’s just trying to keep her head above water at work.
Then when she’s home, she spends her time with Alec, since he’s in residency and he’s also always working.
I don’t want to take away their time together. ”
“Well, you have Asher. And once Maya’s back, maybe she can live nearby. Asher could probably get her a job at a big fancy museum in New York.”
I also don’t have the heart to tell her that Maya doesn’t want to come back to New York.
“Yeah, maybe.”
“But you’re good?” she asks, her eyes imploring me. “You know I like Asher, but I still worry about you.”
“I’m good. Really. Things have just been a little crazy and we’re all adjusting to a new normal. I just have to figure out what my future looks like now that everything has changed.”
“Well, you know I’m always here for you. I’m a phone call or a plan ride away.”
“Thank you.”
She gives me a hug. “I love you, Ella Bella.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
“Ma’am?” Jenkins says as Andrew pulls up to the airport curb. “I just got confirmation that your new security officers have arrived at your home.”
“How many are there?” she asks, her eyes a little wide.
“There are three now, ma’am.”
“Isn’t that excessive?”
“Mr. Langford has some big dealings going on right now, so we are being cautious.”
I sigh. It’s the same for Maya. She called me yesterday complaining that Sterling has been a verifiable ogre since I was in the hospital.
He’s almost worse than Asher, from the sounds of it.
I have no idea why she would be a target since she’s across the ocean, but Asher and Sterling are taking no chances.
Asher even has security watching Zahra’s apartment and hired extra security at the hospital Alec works at.
“Please say your goodbyes inside the car,” Jenkins says. “You must stay inside the vehicle, Ms. Hale.”
I take a calming breath to keep from rolling my eyes or snapping at him. I know he’s just doing his job.
“I love you,” my mom says, hugging me goodbye as we’re both still seated in the car. “I’ll call you when I’m home.”
“I love you, too. Be safe.”