Page 93 of Off Script
Riko Suzuki, a veteran reporter fromAsia News Networkis our first interview of the night. “Good evening! I’m here with the world’s most sought-after couple and the stars of the new movieCaptain Commander,Willa Radford and Ben Sutton. How was it working on the film together?”
Willa jumps in to answer Riko’s question. “It was the best, the absolute best! Working on a film that we both loveandgetting to work with the one you love.” Willa’s smile broadens as she glances away from Riko to gaze adoringly at me. “What could be better, Riko?”
My smile falters, as my brain short circuits.
Did Willa just insinuate that we’re in love?
Recognizing a major scoop when it falls into her lap, Riko, grinning like a Cheshire cat, turns back to the camera and quips, “Love?! Well, folks. You heard it here first. Our favorite couple is in love!”
Then as if she hadn’t done enough damage, Willa confirms it, gushing, “We are, Riko. So in love.” She reaches up to caress my cheek before trailing her fingers down my chest.
What the fuck is happening?
Defensively, I drop Willa’s hand and start to pull away from her, but she winds her arm around my waist and tugs me closer. I bow my head to appear as though I’m dropping a kiss on the top of Willa’s head so that the cameras can’t see the conflicting feelings on my face as I work to gain control over my spiraling emotions.
Shock. Disbelief. Confusion. Frustration. Anger. Dread. Panic.
What the hell was Willa thinking telling a reporter that we’re in love?
My mind is spinning a million miles a second as I process the potential ramifications. Willa and I are scheduled to officially break up in a month. Even if Willa and I stick to the agreed upon timeline and break up after the new year, I won’t be able to immediately start dating Carlisle. It will be too soon coming on the heels of Willa’s public declaration of our love. With such a short duration between the end of one relationship and the beginning of my next one, the people will assume that I cheated on Willa with Carlisle. I’ll be labeled as a cheating bastard, and Carlisle will be painted as the other woman.
Fuck.
My relationship with Carlisle has already been pushed to the brink. What if we can’t survive this?
I don’t know how I manage to make it through the rest of the press interviews before the movie screening, but somehow, I do. At my first opportunity, I break away from Willa. For the rest of the evening, I steer clear of her, giving up any semblance of pretending to be her boyfriend.
I just can’t do it.
32
Ben
In the limo on the way back to the hotel from our premiere, I morosely watch the Japanese cityscape out the window. After Willa’s proclamation tonight, I’m sure the positive press will explode, and we’ll be even more in demand. And I don’t have the mental energy to deal with any of it.
We were so close to the finish line. I can’t believe she said that. Why the fuck did she say it?
Did the studio tell her to? Was it all a publicity stunt? If so, why wasn’t I told about it?
Maybe because they knew I wouldn’t go along with it.
God, how can I explain to Carlisle what I don’t understand myself?
Truthfully, the reason why Willa said that we were in love doesn’t even matter because the damage is done. Now we need to launch into crisis containment mode to minimize the effects.
First, I need to talk to Becky to plot out my next steps to stay ahead of the controversy that is brewing from Willa’s comments. I haven’t been able to speak to Willa yet. I could barely look at her, much less have a serious conversation with her at the premiere with hundreds of people around us. Like a smoking volcano, I’m about to erupt. When I confront Willa, it needs to be done privately.
Thad taps me on the shoulder. Lost in thought, I’d forgotten about everyone else in the limo with me. “Ben, you in for tonight? My agent got our names on the list at this ultra-exclusive club for high rollers and celebs.” He rubs his hands together in anticipation. “Should be a fun night!”
Without any hesitation, I decline. “Not tonight.”
“You’re missing out, old man. We need to let off some steam. Call me if you change your mind.”
Before dropping me at the hotel, the limo pulls up outside of a brightly lit club in Tokyo’s popular Shibuya nightlife district. Chicly dressed people loiter along the street smoking cigarettes. The building itself is nondescript with just a small sign and two burly bodyguards standing by the front door. As a VIP club, it’s a place where the rich and famous can socialize and party hard with impunity.
As I expected, Evan and Thad exit the limo, but then Thad turns, offering his hand to Willa.
I grab her arm before she exits the car. “Wait. You’re going?”
