“Must be tough being you.” Garrett sat on the bed next to Hailey.
“It can be, but I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. All of this just comes with the territory.” Hailey meant what she said. Life right now was frustrating, but overall she wouldn’t trade her life for another.
“Your attitude has definitely changed. I remember when we were in college you would punch a photographer out if he tried to snap you.” Garrett picked up her foot and began to massage it.
“After being labeled the bad girl of modeling one too many times, I decided to turn a new leaf,” Hailey said. “Yes, right there,” as she leaned her head back and moaned.
“Now you’re just cut-throat behind the screens.”
“And you know it,” Hailey said, winking her eye.
~ 34 ~
“I’m sick and tired of this phone,” Jackie said, the following day, as she sat on Hailey’s couch.
“You and me both,” Hailey added.
“Why don’t you let me call the phone company and get the number disconnected?” Jackie asked.
“Not an option. I’ve had my number changed numerous times and I refuse to do so again.”
“You can be so stubborn,” Jackie commented.
Hailey held up her hand. “I think someone is crossing the line.”
Jackie retreated. She knew how far to go with Hailey. “I’ll just keep telling everyone who calls—no comment.”
“Thank you dear. Oh can you call Garrett and ask him to bring me my favorite dish from Silvia’s?” Hailey asked, but was really making a demand.
“He said, he’ll be here soon,” Jackie responded, a few minutes later.
Hailey let Jackie handle her phone calls. She spent the evening lounging with Garrett. She did her best to ignore the gossip blogs and entertainment news on television but it was to no avail. She was the talk of the town.
“Look at it like this, every body is talking about Hailey,” Garrett said, trying to cheer her up.
“But not the way I want them to. Especially now that they know Trevon is the man in question.”
“It was bound to get out,” Garrett said.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard from him,” Hailey commented.
“He’s been screening his calls from what Caroline tells me,” Garrett said.
“Enough talk about Tre. I’m just glad to have you here with me,” Hailey assured him.
Garrett’s arm got tighter around her. “There’s no other place I want to be.”
Hailey gave Jackie the remainder of the week off. She allowed all of her house phone calls to go to voice mail and Jackie would check them remotely; calling Hailey on her cell phone; only if it was an emergency.
***
The following Monday, Hailey practically got mobbed as she tried to make her way inside the studio. “When do these people ever sleep?” she asked, as Garrett tried to block her from the media as much as he could as they sped into the studio doors.
“I’m so glad I’m not a celebrity,” Garrett commented.
They ran into John in the hallway. “The phone lines have been jammed,” John said.
Jackie added, “I’ve been offered thousands if I give them the inside scoop.”
Hailey looked at her. “I hope you told them what they could do with their money.”
John said, “The way you talk to her sometimes, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did leak some stuff.”
Jackie cleared her throat. “Excuse me, but I’m standing right here.”
Hailey stood with her arms crossed. “Well. I’m waiting on your answer.”
“No okay.” Jackie looked Hailey directly in the face.
John addressed Garrett. “You have to ignore them. They have this love hate relationship going on.”
“I got to experience it last week,” Garrett said, as he watched their exchange.
Everyone followed Hailey into her office. Hailey went into survival mode. “Okay, here’s the plan. Garrett work with Bach to make sure no press gets access into the studio audience.”
“Yes ma’am,” Garrett responded.
She turned and looked at Jackie. “Call a press conference for five o’clock today. Tell them I’ll make a statement then and not before.”
Hailey looked at John. “John, doggone it. I don’t have anything for you to do.”
They all chuckled. “I’ll get our PR person on writing your press release.”
“Send them to my office. I already know what I want to say, so I just need them to make sure I word it correctly.”
The rest of the morning went by quickly as everyone went about their tasks. The studio audience cheered for Hailey as she came out on stage. Hailey normally went over her questions before going out on stage with her guests but with everything going on, she didn’t have time. John had to remind Hailey in her earpiece several times when to ask questions. This was not one of her best shows but no one had noticed but her and John it seemed. Fortunately, the topic of the day kept the guests talking, thus making Hailey’s job easier.