Page 53 of Not My Fault

“Unfortunately, we’re on the midst of a walkout with our crew because apparently they haven’t been paid in the last thirty days.” I cross my hands over my lap.

Viv’s face pales but she quickly composes herself. “Well, there must be some kind of a mix up in billing. I can make a phone call right now and see what’s?—”

“See, I thought maybe that was true. But then I had a closer look at the paperwork, and it seems like the money was coming out of my account this whole time.”

“That’s odd, maybe it’s just stuck in the system. I’ve heard that can happen some?—”

“I thought that too, but then I checked, and apparently there are only two employees we were paying for the last month. You and a person I’ve never met nor heard of. Which is suspicious since they’re making more than double your salary. You’d think I’d have at least heard of this person.” I look at Viv, waiting to see what lie she might try to sell me.

“Maybe it was someone on the hiring end? They made a fake account to try and steal it?” Her voice is low, and I don’t think she even believes the lies she’s telling.

“I looked into that, too. Now tell me Viv, why wouldn’t the staff be getting paid if the money was leaving my account? And why is the money going into your pocket?” I narrow my eyes at her.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do, and I don’t think you thought of a good enough lie in the off-chance you’d get caught.”

“So fine, I’ll give the money back.” She rolls her eyes. Is she really admitting that she took the money?

“That’s not the point. It makes me look negligent, and people depend on that money to go into their accounts. You can’t take money out of their pockets to fill your own. You’re fired.”

She smiles, then starts maniacally laughing. “You can’t fire me.”

“Excuse me?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Your relationship is built on a lie that I orchestrated. You can’t fire me without me going to the press with proof of your fake relationship.” She smirks.

“You signed an NDA. You’re the one who gave me the one to give to Gus,” I say, searching for something to get her out of my life.

“I didn’t sign anything. I gave it to you and Gus—you’re the only two mentioned in that contract. I can do or say whatever I want to the highest bidder.” She picks up her phone. “Let’s see, TMZ is always promising, or maybe I offer up a spot to the highest bidder. A tell all with pop sensation LULY’s ex-manager.”

I’m at a loss for words. How the hell can she do this? I know she’s a bit of an asshole, but I didn’t think she’d turn around anddo this to me. It isn’t like I wasn’t paying her an arm and a leg, but I guess enough was never enough for some people.

“Are we done then?” She picks up her phone and starts for the door.

“I don’t want you working for me anymore,” I snarl.

“We can’t always get what we want, now can we?” She shrugs and saunters out the door.

In a rage, I pick up the nearest item—a mug with my face on it—and toss it at the door. It smashes into a million pieces, and I only feel a little bit better. Dropping to my knees, I feel every emotion at once. Tears cascade down my cheeks, and I have to control my breathing. I can feel the anger taking over, and I don’t want to let her win. There has to be another way out of this. I’m not just about to let someone like that continue working for me. But all I feel is the betrayal radiating through my bones.

TWENTY-SIX

Gus

“She asked me not to call you, but she won’t leave the room, and I didn’t know what to do,” Georgie says as I get to Emily’s rehearsal studio.

“Did she say what was wrong?” I ask, concerned. I raced over in the middle of my day to make sure everything was all right. I’m out of breath from all the damn stairs on the subway. It’s arguably quicker than taking an Uber this time of day.

“No. She was talking to one of the interns earlier but then no one’s seen her since.” Georgie sighs.

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” I smile at Georgie, and she nods.

“I can’t let you in here,” security says as I try to walk toward Emily’s door.

“Can you at least knock and let her know who’s here?” I look up at him. He’s huge and towers over me, but I have the delusion I can take him if I need to.

“No. I’ve been told to stay here and not let anyone in,” he says sharply.

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