Page 72 of Doc Hollywood

“What was that Taylor?” the manager said.

Clara slapped her hand over her mouth, berating herself for being so loud.

“I didn’t say anything. I was merely enjoying the photos that were taken of me when I was, what, seventeen years old?” Taylor accused. “You have photos of me when I was a minor. You release them, and my lawyer will have you arrested.”

“Don’t be so quick to point fingers. You might want to check the date stamps on those photo files. You were most certainly eighteen, so no crime has been committed in me having these photos of an adult,” Brian said confidently.

Clara’s breath hitched. What was in the photos? It must be something awful.

“You shit. Devon, do you think this is the right thing to do?” Taylor asked sharply.

“I’m sorry. We only have to do it until after all the press tours for this movie are over. Then, we can have an amicable breakup. You know, the pressures of work, us being apart too much,” Devon said shakily.

“Shit,” Taylor swore loudly.

Clara could hear him pacing up and down the room.

“No one will believe they’re real.” His voice was frantic.

“Of course, they’ll believe they’re real. And the carefully crafted image you’ve perpetuated will be in tatters. And some other actor will jump into the hole you leave, and by the time this all blows over.” Brian laughed loudly. “That worked on so many levels, especially for this photo. You will no longer be an in-demand actor, loved by everyone. Your name will be mud. So you have no choice. Do this for me, and these photos will disappear forever. You have my word.”

Clara cringed at Brian’s entendre that Taylor was very likely naked in the photos and not alone; no wonder he had agreed and didn’t want anyone else to see them.

She almost jumped when Taylor shouted. “Your word?! That means very little. I’ll have my lawyer draft a non-disclosure agreement. If these photos ever come to light from any source, it will be your fault, and I will take you down. Do you understand?”

“Fantastic. Sounds great,” Brian chortled, surprising Clara that he was so light-hearted after Taylor’s threats.

“You’re a real shit,” Taylor spat out.

“You weren’t upset when I was using all my skills to elevate your standing in Hollywood,” Brian replied smugly.

“And I fired you.”

“But not until you had made it. You’re here because of me. So don’t sit there being superior and self-righteous. You came from nowhere, and I made you. Just like I’m going to make Devon.”

“Are we done here? Or do I have to listen to your speeches?” Taylor demanded.

“To finalise our agreement. You will be publicly dating Devon until after the press tour for this movie is over?” Brian confirmed.

“I agree,” Taylor growled.

“You will not be seen with anyone else. There will be no rumours that this is fake. Or the deals off,” Brian said.

“I agree,” Taylor replied sullenly.

Clara’s heart sank. And that was it. The deal was made: they wouldn’t be going on a date, he was going to be dating a Hollywood actress and in six months’ time, he wouldn’t be coming back to date her. She wouldn’t get a chance to see what this ‘thing’ between them was.

“Fantastic. Unlike you, I’m going to trust you to keep our agreement and won’t make you sign an NDA,” Brian offered.

“It’s more like you don’t have a lawyer who would agree with your blackmail and write you one,” Taylor snapped back.

“Blackmail is such a strong word. I would say more, a mutually beneficial agreement.”

“Get out of my room. Both of you,” Taylor demanded.

Clara held her breath, hoping that he would think to request a copy of whatever photos were being used to blackmail him. She knew that memory would dim over time, and he needed hard proof that they were the same photos if they were ever released.

“Stop,” Taylor’s voice rang out. “I need a copy of the photos airdropped to my phone right now.”

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