End Of The Day

Monday morning while I’m getting ready for work, Louis comes in with his phone to his ear. “Thanks for letting me know.”
He looks concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“Remember that morning, at your old apartment, when I gave you the ‘proper hello’ in the kitchen?”
I smirk, moving closer, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Of course I remember.”
Louis puts his arms around my waist. “Apparently Monica took a video of us.”
“What?”
“She sold it to some dodgy online site, they in turn sold it to some other media outlets. Love, there’s a video of us snogging, all over the internet.”
“Oh crap.”
“So much for privacy.”
“I’m sorry, Louis. I had no idea she’d do something like that.”
He kisses my forehead. “It’s not your fault, Darling.”
“I’m afraid I have to get to work now.”
“Preston is going to go with you.”
“Louis, I don’t need that. No one is going to bother me.”
“You’d be surprised, Babe.”

Louis insists that Preston go with me. As we arrive at the studio, I’m glad he did. There are a ton of paparazzi outside. I try to keep my head held high as Preston leads me through the crowd, but honestly I’m a bit freaked out.
As soon as Tracy sees me, she leads me straight to my office. She closes the door, and I begin to cry. When I’m able, I explain everything to her. She looks up the video on her iPad. I watch with her, smiling, remembering that moment.
“Damn girl, that’s hot.”
I laugh. “Tracy, what would I do without you?”
“I’m serious. If this has to be out there all over the media, at least you look good. You two are hot.”
I blush. “Thanks. It’s just weird to have such a private moment become so public.”
The phone buzzes. Tracy answers it then turns to me. “The boss wants to see you.”
“Shit.”

I sit in the boss's office, Alison is there too. Tracy sits beside me.
“Lea, I think it would be best if you took some time off, til all of this dies down a bit.” My boss says.
“Nice video by the way, Lea.” Alison smirks.
I ignore her. “Please, this isn’t my fault, sir.”
“Lea, it’s just too disruptive right now. Take off two weeks for the holidays, then we’ll discuss it.”
“What about all the interviews I have scheduled?”
“I’ll take care of those.” Alison winks.
Bitch.
“I really think this is best, Lea. You can go home now. Leave any research you’ve done with Tracy. She can get it to Alison.”
“Yes, sir.”
Tracy and I head to my office, shutting the door behind us. I can’t even cry, I’m so angry.
Quietly Tracy asks. “Would you like me to call Louis?”
“No, I need to get out of here.”
“Let me find Preston for you.”
While she goes to look for him, I grab my things and head out. I need to be alone.
Somehow I make it through the crowd to my car. I pull away with cameras flashing and people chasing my car.

“Louis, this is Tracy. The boss is making Lea take some time off because of the video. She just left here, she’s really upset.”
“Damn it.” He sighs.“Preston is with her, right?”
“No Louis, she took off without him.”
“Shit.”

Notes