Page 99 of Madden

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Brielle

“I gotta admit, I was shocked when I saw your email in my inbox. From Limelight no less.”

Clive sets his briefcase down on the chair beside us and takes a seat across the table from me.

He’s aged quite a bit since I last saw him two years ago. His dark hair is cut short, and he’s still sporting the clean-shaven look.

He’s dressed in a pair of black slacks and a sport jacket with a white button-up underneath.

I have to admit, he’s always given off the vibe that he grew up being picked on and his career at Hollywood Tea was getting payback on all the celebrities who managed to get the attention from the women he’s desperately wanted.

I understand where Madden’s coming from when he says he finds it hard to trust people.

Clive Teller is a perfect example of the type of men you want to steer clear of, which makes this sit-down with him hard to do. Especially now when I know it’s what led to my relationship with Madden crumbling to the ground.

“Yeah, I started working at Limelight a couple of months ago.”

His eyes glisten, like I’ve just piqued his curiosity.

“Have you given my offer any thought? I saw your feature in Limelight a few months back about A Rebels Havoc. I’m assuming that’s why you wanted to meet today, right?”

“Actually, I have, and you’re right, that’s why I asked you to meet me here today.”

He nods, narrowing his gaze as if he’s expecting and waiting for me to spill all the tea I didn’t divulge in my interview with them.

We both know there’s a difference in the content we print at Limelight and the type of dirty gossip Hollywood Tea is known for running.

It’s exactly why when I finished my internship with them, I wanted to leave my time there in the rearview.

It’s just another reason I chose to go by an alias when I started my career at Limelight. While I was never the one sitting behind the keyboard, writing the articles on their site, I was responsible for feeding them the tips that came through.

The further I get into this industry, the more I start to see the ugly sides that come along with it, and it’s had me questioning everything I thought I wanted in my career since I started dating Madden.

“Do tell.” He shimmies in his seat, leaning on the table, urging me to continue.

“Well, it’s no secret to you now that I’ve gotten close to them over the past few weeks, particularly Madden. I appreciate you giving me the respect to meet with me today and hold on publishing any new content until we had a chance to talk.”

He nods, flashing his eyes around us as if checking to see who might overhear.

He’s not looking out for anyone but himself. He thinks whatever I’m about to share will be juicy, and he wants to be the first to put it out there.

“I need you to make a deal with me, and I want you to give me your word.”

His eyes narrow on mine. “What are the terms exactly? I need to know what it is you’re asking of me before I can make any agreements.”

I tilt my head to the side. “You know I wouldn’t be asking this of you if what I have wasn’t juicy.” I smirk.

“All right. I agree, but let me know what I’m up against, and you have my word I’ll uphold my end of the deal.”

“The shit you guys have been posting about the band is not all true, especially the news recently about Madden finding out he’s expecting a child with Hanna and he became angry and broke a window.”

He nods slowly. “Before I show you what I’m about to show you, I need you to promise me that you will come to their PR team and validate whatever you post before you print it. What you are failing to understand is the misinformation you’re spreading hurts people. You’re taking the word of one person and running with it.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Listen, I know you came into this world with rose-colored glasses on, not fully understanding the cockroaches living underneath the surface. This is the price you pay for fame.”

I shake my head and pick up my bag, pulling the handle over my head.

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