Star Struck(10)
Hailey looked around the room. “Apparently, they already know whatever it is that you want to tell me, so spill it.”
John pulled out a chair. “Have a seat.”
She sat down and waited for John to take a seat. John handed her some pictures. “What the…” Hailey didn’t finish her statement as she flipped through pictures of her chronological comings and goings for the past few weeks. What really made her mouth drop was the fact that the pictures all had the words “Hailey go to Hell” across them.
“Everybody here got an envelope and it contained copies of these pictures.”
“Where’s Bach? He should be in this meeting,” Hailey stated. Inside Hailey was furious and concerned. She hoped her nervousness didn’t show because she wanted everyone to know that she wasn’t going to let some deranged person take control over her life.
“He’s on his way,” John responded.
Brenda walked to the front of the room. “May I see those?”
Hailey handed the pictures to her. “In fact, everybody here who got copies of these.” She held up a picture. “Please hand them to Brenda.”
Brenda picked up a bin and had each person drop their envelopes and/or pictures into the bin. “I’ll be back.”
Hailey addressed her staff. “I had other things to discuss like ratings, but I think in light of this, we could use a recess. The meeting will resume here in about thirty minutes.”
The room cleared fast. John and Hailey were the only two remaining. Bach walked in the room and closed the door. “I reviewed the security cameras and there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.”
“It had to be an inside job. In order for everyone to get a copy,” John stated.
“Not exactly. I checked with the mail room and apparently, they received a box with instructions. They didn’t bother to look at the contents because the letter instructed that each staff member get a copy.”
Hailey crossed her arms. She listened to John and Bach. “Is there anything you can do? The last thing I need is to have this information leaked to the media?”
“Let me deal with that. You just make sure you get some personal security,” John said.
“I have. Brenda is not just an assistant; she’s my personal security guard.”
John said, “Well you could have told me.”
“We thought it best the fewer people who knew the better. Just in case someone here on staff is responsible,” Hailey said, in her defense.
Someone knocked on the door. Bach went to see who it was. When he moved, Brenda walked through the door. “Hailey, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Hailey looked at John. “He knows.”
“Let’s all have a seat,” Brenda said, as she walked towards the front of the room. “I checked this out with my boss and he agrees. Bach, I’m not trying to step on your toes, but we need to work together to make sure there’s a better system of screening people who have access to the building.”
“We have a process in place and no disrespect, I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me how to do my job.”
“Not saying that you do, but there are things we see that can improve the way things are done.”
Hailey intervened. “Bach, I’m sure Brenda is only trying to offer solutions that will make your job easier not more complicated. Brenda, work with Bach and come up with the best solution.” She looked between the two. “I’m going to leave you all here while I go get something to drink. I need some air anyway.”
John opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he saw the serious expression on Hailey’s face. “We’ll be here.”
Hailey closed the door and released her breath. She went to her office avoiding eye contact with staff members as she passed them. Once she was inside of her office, she closed the door. Her mind was running a mile a minute.
I can’t let this person unnerve me. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am and I refuse to give power to this creep. Sticks and stones…that’s all it is. As long as they don’t put hands on me, they’re only words; they’re only pictures.
She dialed Trevon’s cell number. “I need to see you.” She paused. “No, not here. Meet me at your place.” After a brief pause, she stated. “On second thought, meet me at my place. I’ll find a way to get rid of Brenda.”
This little plan of hers might work after all.
~ 7 ~
Hailey convinced Brenda that she would be okay if she took a few hours for herself. After watching the security monitor to make sure she was off the premises, she rushed to get ready for Trevon. She sprayed on his favorite perfume on her pressure points. She put on a pair of hip-hugging Baby Phat jeans and short shirt to show off her toned stomach.