Page 116 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 45
ALEXANDRA wantedto throw her phone. She had spent five amazing days with Bash after his surgery. Every day was better than the one before, but sadly, it had to end. Her father was being released today, and the perfect bubble around her and Bash had to pop, letting the realities of the outside world backin.
Bash didn’t want to be in the public eye, and in all honesty, Alexandra wasn’t ready to share him with anyone, especially not with the media reps who had camped out at Dad’s hospital. Today, they each had to go it alone. Bash had his post-operative appointment at the clinic, and Alexandra was here with Dad—as Lexxi Rock, just as Rick suggested. She arrived at the hospital shortly before her father was officially released, and should have known not to answer Rick’scall.
She glanced inside. Rosa hovered near her father, who was busy shaking off the orderly trying to help him into the wheelchair so he could be wheeledout.
“Sir, you need to be wheeled out today. It’s a requirement for discharge from the hospital,” the orderly saidcalmly.
“I said I’m fine,” Dad answered. “I don’t need thatwheelchair.”
From the hallway outside the hospital room, Alexandra shrieked into her phone, “No! Absolutely not! That’s not acceptable,Rick!”
Rosa and Dad both shot troubled glances in Alexandra’s direction. She tried to lower her voice, but anger crept up fast, with what Rick was asking ofher.
“Well, I tried to tell them that, Lexxi, but the label insisted. I’m not the bad guy here. Look, I can’t stop Rita Sage from showing up in Arizona, and neither can you. You have to know by now that when Blaze Entertainment says they want to meet with you, I have to make it happen. That’s all there is toit.”
“I’m in the middle of checking my father out of the hospital, which is supposed to be a good thing, but guess what? It’s not, thanks to the media. Hospital security was kind enough to order them outside, but the paparazzi won’t leave him alone. Just this morning, two camera-wielding trolls snuck into Dad’s roomalready.”
“Ouch. How did Maxreact?”
“He threw his bedpan at one ofthem.”
Rick laughed. “Good forhim.”
“I can’t tell you how large the crowd is outside, Rick. I ended up making a deal to get Dad out the back using a service entrance. This goddamned impromptu meeting is going to have to wait,Rick!”
“Alexandra,” Dad saidtensely.
“Excuse the language, Dad,” sheadded.
Rick grumbled on the other end. “I can try to reschedule, but I can’t stop Rita from showing up inArizona.”
“Thank you for trying, Rick,” she said, still woundup.
Ending the call, she turned around, flushed and almost seething. Strands of her purple wig fluttered into her eyes as she pivoted, and she nearly tugged it off her head completely, trying to get it out of her face. She gestured for Rosa and Dad to lead the way. Rosa exited the room, followed by the orderly wheeling Dad out. Alexandra trailed behind, taking in a long, calming breath when she realized she was still trembling from Rick’s call. She didn’t feel calm atall.
Dad turned to her. “You really don’t have to ride with us, Alexandra. If there’s somewhere else you need to be for work, just go on and take care ofit.”
Alexandra glared athim.
“Now isn’t the time, Max,” Rosa said tohim.
“Don’t worry about it, Dad. Rick is rescheduling the meeting,” Alexandra explained, softening her tone. It wasn’t Dad’s fault she had to fight tooth and nail for anything she wanted if it deviated from what her label had in mind. Her eyes darted to the orderly. He had heardeverything.
I should brace myself for his exposé on witnessing me throw a hissyfit.
She shrugged, positive he had seen worse. Hurrying along, they soon got out of the hospital. They had to make a short stop at Dad’s house so he could get a few things and see what the contractor had started. After that, he planned to stay at Rosa’s until the bulk of the repairs were complete. She couldn’t wait for this day to wrapup.
* * *
Alexandra’s drivermaneuvered through the congested streets, and a thick silence came over the three of them in the back of the limo. Rosa was holding on to Dad’s hand. Alexandra took a moment to study him. He looked so much better. There was no visible reminder of the severe pneumonia that had almost taken his life. She had only a couple of days with him at most, but Rick decided to give the all clear to her label to invade on that sliver of time, now that Lexxi Rock was officially back from the FrenchRiviera.
Bastard. I’m positive Rick gave them the okay without consulting mefirst.
The morning after she went to stay with Sebastian, the first series of texts came in, asking about interviews. She had ignored them, only using her phone once to tell Rick to decline them. She had seen Eva just once during the time as well. While Bash was in surgery, they had lunch together. Eva was enjoying the downtime in her hotel room, and had gone sightseeing with her driver one day. Contrary to her diva-like reputation, Eva was low maintenance, and never complained off-set. Other than those few times, Alexandra only took calls on her phone a few times, such as the call from Rosa that Dad would be released today. Everything else had been set aside, and her time with Bash was heavenly because ofit.
Now this. Rick was right that she couldn’t turn down the label, no matter how much resistance she put up. If the CEO wanted to meet with her it had to be about something important. The beginnings of a headache throbbed at hertemples.
