Page 11 of Under A Sicilian Sky
Jessica covered her mouth with her free hand. ‘Oh Ruby, I don’t understand what just happened.’
She felt the colour drain from her face and her head began to buzz. ‘They… they cut my interview! That’s not what I said! They changed it all. They twisted my words. Why would Veronica do that?’ She shook her head. ‘How stupid am I? Why did I think she’d be on my side?’ Her mobile vibrated in her pocket. ‘Oh God, the phone’s going to go crazy now, isn’t it? What do I do?’
She lifted her phone out and stared at the screen, finding Veronica’s name flashing before her eyes. She excused herself and headed for her bedroom. Anger bubbled up from deep inside her and she shook violently as she hit the screen to accept the call.
‘How could you? Why would you do such a thing? If it’s because of Tyler, he’s yours, you’re welcome to him. Don’t ever call me again.’
Veronica shouted over her, ‘I didn’t do that! Ruby, you have to believe me! Please! I wouldneverdo that. I heard what Tyler did to you and I was horrified. Who wants to be associated with a coward like that? I swear to you, I sent the whole interview and they hacked it to pieces for their own sensationalist appetites. I’m as disgusted as you are. My lawyers are on the case as we speak. And heads will roll when my dad finds out. He may be living in Hong Kong, but word travels fast.’ Her voice was strained and emotional. ‘I’ve uploaded the original to the newspaper social media and my own, but people are commenting, saying we reshot it. No one will accept that my version is the original. It’s crazy. People are angry with me too, they’re saying I’m helping you to lie and play the victim. I’m so sorry. I thought I could help you, but I’ve made things so much worse. But, Ruby, I will help you to get your name cleared. Peoplewillsee the truth.’
‘Why should I believe you after what I’ve just witnessed?’ Ruby growled.
‘Look, I know I was a bitch to you before when I first met you. I admit I was jealous that Tyler chose you. But I’m over it. I’ve been over it for so long. I’m engaged to someone else. We haven’t gone public about the engagement yet because they’re… they’ve just gone through a divorce. But I swear to you, I would never do this to another human being. I could tell how torn apart you are when I interviewed you. I believe everything you told me, and I hate that they did they this to both of us. I promise you; we will get to the bottom of this.’
Veronica sounded sincere and Ruby wanted to believe her, but her heart had been stamped on so many times recently, she didn’t know which way was up. ‘Keep me posted on what your lawyers say,’ was all she could muster.
‘I will. And look, if you… if you want to get away for a while, I know a place. You could just take some time for yourself. It’s the least I can do to help. All you have to do is say the word.’
‘I’m not running away, Veronica. I—’
‘I’m not suggesting you run away. Far from it. But you don’t deserve this. I want to help. There’s this villa in Sicily, near Palermo. A…friendof a friend owns it. You could escape from the madness for a while and work out a battle plan.’
‘Thank you for the offer but… I really don’t know what to do right now. I need to speak to Valerie.’
‘I totally understand. You have my number. Please believe me when I say Iwillhelp you clear your name.’
Ruby’s lip trembled at the sincerity and regret in the editor’s voice. ‘Thank you.’
‘And, Ruby…’
‘Yes?’
‘You’re better off without that douchebag.’
Ruby ended the call and silently walked to her bed, crawled into it and pulled the duvet over her head.
* * *
After rising early with a renewed determination, Ruby showered, dressed and while she waited for Valerie to arrive at Philippe’s house, curiosity got the better of her and she searched Sicily and Palermo on the internet from her phone. She had to admit it was a stunning location, and if it came down to it there were certainly worse places she could escape to.
When Valerie arrived, she brought with her three large bouquets of flowers. The cards on each read, ‘I still love you, H’. Ruby found it a little disconcerting, seeing as she still hadn’t been able to think who H was but that they clearly knew where her agent was based, although at that precise moment it was the least of her worries.
After the usual pleasantries, Valerie launched into details of her plans.
Ruby stared at the woman in disbelief. Surely Valerie was kidding? What she had said was completely unexpected.
‘I’m sorry, you want me to run away and hide? Innocent people don’t do that, Valerie.’
‘Sweetie, I know this isn’t what you expected. And it’s not what you want, but I’ve never seen anything blow up like this before. The interview with Veronica Lucas sent this thing into overdrive. It’s a matter of time before people find you here and then all hell will break loose.’
‘But the interview was doctored! Someone is out to get me, and I don’t understand why. But I don’t want to make things worse by running away.’
‘I understand completely. But think about Philippe and his family. Do you want to put them through this?’
‘Of course I don’t. But I don’t want to be forced into hiding either.’
Valerie sighed. ‘I know, sweetie. I get it, but it’s going to take a little longer to eradicate the lies than we first thought. We’re working on it. The whole team.’ She paused. ‘Now, did Shelby bring everything you need this time?’ Val’s assistant had made her second visit to her current hideout after collecting more belongings and had even dropped off a bag of scarves, sunglasses, hats and a chocolate brown hair dye with no further explanation. Shelby only offered what was deemed to be essential information, making her feel like a fugitive.
‘For now, yes. But she said it was still crazy at my apartment block and she thought she was being followed when she brought my things here. So you’re right, I can’t risk putting Philippe and his family in danger.’ Ruby scrunched the fabric of her shirt in her fist. ‘I feel like I’m being treated like the perpetrator here, instead of a victim.’ She sighed deeply and thoughts immediately sprang to her parents. ‘I’ll just go home to England. At least I won’t be alone there. And I’ll be wanted for the right reasons. I could help my mum in the florists’.’
