Page 10 of Wynns of Change
“No.”
“No? Just like that, without discussing it?”
“I’m not interested in terminating the agreement. We have one year left. After that, if you choose, you can sign on with someone else,” Robert said. “I have several potentially large deals in the works and put a lot of time and effort into negotiating them. I would be an idiot to walk away.”
Harlow’s heart plummeted. She should’ve known. Robert wouldn’t throw in the towel when lucrative contracts were on the line. There was too much money at stake. But it was possible for the couple to reach a compromise. “Maybe you and I can work out a deal.”
“Work out a deal?”
“We void the agreement and replace it with a new one where I pay you for any contracts you’re currently working on for me.”
Robert snickered. “You can’t be serious.”
“What’s wrong with that? You get paid for your time and effort. We both move on and you can find your next big star.”Like Jillian,she silently added.
“You must think I’m dumber than a box of rocks. I created your brand. If not for me, you would still be doing low budget films.”
“How do you know that?” she asked. “You keep reminding me I would be nothing without you, but I don’t believe it’s true. Not for a minute.”
“Think what you want. We have a one-year contract left. It will remain intact until the very last second,” Robert said.
“Jerk,” she mumbled under her breath.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. When the contract ends, I intend to have another manager lined up so you can start looking for your next protégé.” Harlow planned to leave it there but couldn’t stop herself. If Robert could hurl jabs, so could she. “You might want to find someone other than Jillian. I don’t think she’ll make the cut.”
Robert let loose a string of expletives, peppering Harlow’s name in a few of the choice phrases. Clearly, he wasn’t thrilledwith his girlfriend/assistant bombing on her first role. “Don’t you dare say a word to her. She’s bummed out and depressed as it is. This is all your fault.”
The tips of Harlow’s ears burned. “My fault?”
“You made her nervous.”
“I made her nervous?” Harlow gasped. “That’s an absurd accusation.”
“When she flubbed up, you convinced Steven to cut her from the scene.”
“I did not,” she indignantly replied. “You saw what happened. Clearly, she needs training and practice. Even Steven pointed it out.”
“I’m warning you to leave her alone.”
“You’re delusional. I have no interest in chatting with your girlfriend, even though I’m still paying half of her paycheck.” Harlow didn’t mention the fact she and Robert had also been paying for Jillian’s townhome, something she put a stop to as soon as she found out.
“Jillian is getting a raise.”
“Over my dead body,” Harlow exploded.
“You’re so dramatic. She hasn’t had a raise in over a year.”
“No raise.”
“Too late. I’ve already set it up in payroll,” he shot back. “You know how expensive it is to live out here. She’s barely scraping by.”
“Maybe because she’s paying her rent instead of us footing the bill.” Harlow braced for his reply but was met with silence. “Robert?”
Nothing. He’d hung up on her.
“Great.” Harlow tossed the phone on the bed. She flopped down and stared blankly at the ceiling, replaying their heated conversation over in her mind. Robert had made it perfectly clear he had no intention of ending their contract. She would be stuck with him for another year. Twelve long months.
