Chapter 22 Tori
Tori
“What do you mean they had permission to access my property and take pictures?”
My attorney winced at my high pitched tone.
“They said Barbara Cross told them she was the homeowner and gave them permission. That you wanted pictures to leak as a soft launch of your new girlfriend.”
“My mother has no ownership in this property,” I said angrily.
“I know, but they believed her. They’re working on taking everything down now.”
“It would have been nice if that had happened before everyone saw me finger fucking my girlfriend on fucking TMZ!”
I didn’t often lose my temper, but this situation definitely justified it.
My fury only intensified when I saw that I’d missed a text from Hailey while I was meeting with my attorney.
Hailey: Hey, I hope you’re OK. We have a problem here.
The coffee shop and my apartment are swarmed with dozens of reporters, there are cameras everywhere.
Somehow they found out who I am. They also have my cell phone number and now they’re blowing up my phone with calls and texts asking for comment on our relationship.
Just wanted to give you a heads up, I’m turning off my phone and heading to my mom’s for a while until this blows over.
Cell service is spotty there, but I’ll be in touch when I can. Take care.
I typed back a response.
Tori: Oh my God, I’m so sorry Hailey. I know this is scary as fuck and I promise you I’ll take care of it.
She didn’t respond, and I wasn’t sure if it was because she’d turned off her phone already or she was ignoring me.
I knew she was uncomfortable with the realities of my life as a superstar actress, and all my efforts to shield her from it had gone to shit as soon as that drone flew into my backyard.
Tori: Hailey? Let me know how you’re doing when you can.
Tori: I should have told you this in person, but I want you to know that I love you Hailey. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. We will figure this out, how to make a life together without all this paparazzi bullshit, I promise. Please, don’t give up on us.
Two days later, I was going crazy. I couldn’t get a hold of Hailey, my mother was dodging my calls, and it was proving almost impossible to locate an intentional hippie community in rural Washington when I had no idea what it was called or even what direction it was in.
My attorney had pulled in a private investigator, and while I was waiting for him to shake something loose, I headed over to have it out with my mother.
I didn’t even bother knocking when I got to her house, I just let myself inside using my code. Since I paid for the alarm, and my name was on the house, I had every right to access it. Especially now.
“Mom!” I called from the entryway. “Quit blowing me off and get your skinny ass down here!”
My mother appeared in a satin nightgown and robe, feigning sleepiness even though it was one in the afternoon. She looked like she was channeling Nora Desmond, and it just pissed me off more.
“Oh hi, Victoria. It’s not polite to come over unannounced.”
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. How dare she reprimand me after what she’d done?
“I own this fucking house. Would you rather I have my lawyer contact you instead?” I asked coldly.
My mother let out an aggrieved sigh. “Come on in, I’ll make us a coffee.”
I sat at the marble kitchen island while my mother prepared two coffees with the five thousand dollar coffee maker she’d likely charged to my account. I waited until she slid my coffee over and sat down before I broke the news.
“I’m cutting you off, Mom. You’ve gone too far this time.”
She gave me an innocent look. “Whatever are you talking about, Victoria?”
“I’m saying the gravy train is over,” I said slowly and clearly, so she wouldn’t miss anything. “I have turned off all your credit cards. I stopped the direct deposits to your bank. And I’m giving you ninety days to vacate this house and find your own place.”
“You’re kicking me out of my home?” she asked in outrage.
“No, I’m kicking you out of the house that I own and pay all of the expenses to maintain.
It’s going on the market in ninety days.
If you’re not out by then, I’ve authorized the realtors to report you as a squatter and call the sheriff.
My lawyer has already filed the appropriate paperwork with the court for an eviction if needed. ”
“That’s going to look really good for you on the news sites,” she said snidely, holding up her hands like she was framing a headline.
“Billionaire actress Victoria Cross Tosses Elderly Mother onto the Street. I’ll be sure to tell them how I gave up everything – everything – to support your career and this is how you treat me. ”
“Elderly? You’re fifty-nine years old,” I reminded her.
“But if you want to play this out in the court of public opinion Mom, I’m prepared to give an interview talking about years of emotional abuse, financial manipulation, and oh yeah, how you lied to the paps and gave them permission to violate my privacy and publish pictures of me and my girlfriend. ”
My mother puffed up with outrage.
“It was the only way I could get you to see how wrong that woman is for you,” she said. “My God, she’s a pudgy little barista who best case will embarrass you, worst case will use you for your money.”
I resisted the urge to remind her that my mother only wanted to use me for my money, so I was quite used to it.
“She’s the woman I’m going to marry. And to be clear, you won’t be invited.”
Mom gasped, then her eyes filled with tears. It was at times like these that I remembered where I’d gotten my acting skills from.
“Now I’d suggest you get busy working on a housing plan and finding employment before you’re watching as the sheriff dumps all your shit on the lawn. Maybe you can commiserate with Bob. I understand he lost his biggest client after violating confidentiality. He’s toxic in Hollywood now.”
I wasn’t normally vindictive, but I’d made a point to tell a few key people about how Bob discussed my private affairs with my mother, not only without my authorization, but directly against my orders.
“You fired Bob too?” Mom gave u the fake tears and turned bright red with rage. “I made you what you are Victoria. I gave up my own career for you. I taught you everything I know about this business.”
“There’s something important you never taught me though Mom, and that’s how to stand up for myself. How to love someone and be loved in return. And most of all, you never taught me how to be a good person. Those are things I learned all on my own. You might consider it.”
I headed for the door, my mother sputtering behind me.
“Any future communication should go through my lawyer because I’m also blocking your phone number. If you show up at my house, security have been instructed to call the police and have you trespassed. Goodbye Mom.”
Ignoring the increasingly loud cursing behind me, I headed back to the car where Rick was waiting for me.
“It’s done?” he asked.
“She’s cut off. For good,” I confirmed. “All the money is cut off, and I gave her ninety days to get the fuck out of my house.”
“I know it’s not my place to say anything Miss Cross, but you should have done that a long time ago,” Rick told me.
“No offense, but your mother is a selfish bitch who never thought of anyone but herself. She’s been living the high life on your money and never showed an ounce of appreciation.
I’m glad to see you finally getting her out of your life.
Life’s too short for toxic people, and Barbara Cross is as toxic as they come. ”
It was literally the most words I’d ever heard my security chief say before, and he’d worked for me for fifteen years. He looked almost as shocked as I was by it. He might be quiet, but he certainly was wise. And loyal.
“Thank you for saying that, Rick,” I said, patting his arm. “It means a lot.”
He gave me a small smile. “Now let’s figure out if we can locate your girl. She’s the opposite of toxic.”