vie

official

al life have led to unnecessary scrutiny and misin

mply friends who are get

by some media outlets and individuals. We will not stand idly by

who continues to defame Liam's character. We wi

s fans and ask that you join us in

our understandi

cer

off, Public

at the club was the first tim

that was released by Liam's PR team this mo

erwise." she pointed to my computer screen. "I

said I didn't know him from anywhere.

en know who Liam Ryan Pryce is and the po

n't care," I

her hands in the air

as his previous words from the ot

ll is this

the middle of

and slowly massaged my fo

react to this state

eople are still torn over the photo of you guys kissin

aned forward. "I thought that

people had already taken screenshots of the article and posted

se, scr

rt that was cutting off my air flow. I reached forward

e those things

Vitamins," I lied, and popped the w

dded but looke

't something that I'd made public, and ne

rted and I looked at her. "Did you... actually kiss L

do this morning?" I interrup

rsed her lips. "Kinda explains the tension between

on whatsoever. I have no intention of being associated wit

"Can I say on

h, s

dn't you release a statement or something? Better still, hol

nched in res

stunned at my sharp refu

no," I r

ropped. "

ent or holding a press conference would mean acknowledging that there is indeed something going on between us,"

her head. "Wow," she breathed. "You sure

ont of her. "Review them and turn them in early tomorrow

ents. "Raina's beauty care line?" she gasped. "How o

computer with a tap. "I hav

s now," she cooed an

d then pointed at the door.

her lips and she threw me

oned against me. "One of these days, imma make good on

ered with a sugary sing-so

ger, she also helps out with massag

exit my office and busied mysel

my nails impatiently on the desk as I

s more like getting acquainted with who I was facing off with

ography of Liam Ryan Pryce, boldly d

peasant in the entertainment

chieved stardom on his own merit, alongside a parallel legacy as Executive Directo

his famous family to create a groundbreaking care

edicated humanitarian. With a career spanning over 12 years, he has already sol

ame and landed him numerous awards which included the Academy Award for Best Actor. And also within four years of being

is humanitarian work and acting prowess. I also scrolled through articles of him suppor

nerves about what type of man he was but

uriosity but he also made me wa

a double e

into my palms, my mind a

voicemail from Sarah, one of the clerks at New Hope Memory F

ust wanted to let you know that your brother stopped by this morning. I need t

n doing at Mama's facili

d a call to her line. "Hey, Sarah. It's

unt here, hon," she said immediat

form in my stomach. "Why

came in today and demanded a refund on some of the money you prepaid on your mother'

ng along with it. "He didn't... Pl

ue but I chose not to believe it. Dean wouldn

pologized. "I just wa

d promised him? What sort of shit had Dea

t me know if anything else comes up," I said. "I will change t

h my hair, and tried gett

all that matters. Fo

nquish that control to any

*

ver as I stepped down from the car

n such a tiring day and I could

my key card as I walked into the lobby, my

nn

eard that one voice. What

utral expression. And standing just behi

es. His easy going and calm personality had been what attracted me the mos

I nodded

oment?" he implored

hairline. "Sure," I answered an

one of my closest friends and my partner. I'd

e we going to talk here?" he spared a glance around the

nyielding. Like hell I was going

dropped his head. "You s

not here just to exchange pleasantri

" he chuckled a

rv

s ner

k and I am tired. If you don't have anything to

some seconds and his

fficially apologize

an aloof tone. I tilted my head to the side.

listen to me." he to

"What are you doing here, Mark? What happened to your g

wn his face. Another nervous habi

ned. "

epeated, this time

me guess, you

light in his eyes dim

ldn't have cheated on me to begin with." I shook my head

ion, I spun on my heels and cont

dare

ed. Just as I approached the elevator, Jack; on

nolds?" h

." I nodded at him

box roughly the size of a paperback book and is wrapped in a plain

ting anything from anyone. Either w

dded an

my hands but it was l

perhaps a hint of cardboard or paper

eturn address but

ious at what could be inside the box, I ripped the pape

Neatly packaged inside was a miniature black go

n me, momentarily freezing my insides. The hairs o

't be.

been

art pounding fiercely behind my ribcage, I reached insi

my throat. My legs wobbled unevenly but I quickly braced mysel

initially hidden under the newspaper c

ever be hidden. You ca

me to breathe properly. The box slipped from my fingers and fell to

nsifying by the minute. I thrust my hand into my b

of a panic attack washed over me, which made my

y, it popped open, but my shaky hands couldn't grasp it securely. The pil

out, scattering across the elevator floor. Tears pricked at the co

ound my middle, muttering wor

ide. To hide

n't because