PRT 339- “Gossip, Rumors, and
Half-truths”
“Michelle Morris: Caught in an Affair”
This is the headline I woke up to
when I logged on the internet to check my e-mail.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I
mumbled as I clicked on the link to read the story.
Michelle Morris is having a shocking affair with her TV movie costar, Eddie
Cibrian, Us Weekly reveals in its newest
issue, on stands Wednesday.
Morris, 29 -- currently wed to pizza parlor owner Robert “RJ”
James -- got cozy with Cirbian, 35, on the set of
her March 21 Lifetime flick, Northern Lights. Cibrian
was recently seen in Ugly Betty, Invasion and Samantha Who?
"From the moment we rehearsed, Michelle and Eddie honestly
developed a really strong bond and a warm relationship," director Mike
Robe told Us prior to news of the affair.
Their rapport carried off the set as well.
The new Us Weekly features pictures taken from a video
security camera that show the two holding hands and kissing on a romantic
dinner date at Mosun and Club M in Laguna Beach,
California on March 7. Additionally, Us Weekly reports that the new
couple met for a three-hour tryst at the Malibu Beach Inn on March 14.
Morris married James seven months ago in a drunken Vegas ceremony.
Cirbian tied the knot with model Brandi Glanville in
2001; they have two sons, ages 5 and 23 months.
A rep for Morris tells Us:
"We do not comment on our clients' personal lives."
Cirbian's manager didn't respond for a request for
comment.
For more details on Morris's shocking affair with her costar, the
steps she took to save her marriage to James and why she strayed,
pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly.
“For the love of
all things sacred.” I grumbled as I
finished reading the article. Of course you know that story was one giant lie.
That was a huge fabrication. I liked Eddie when we filmed the movie and we had
chemistry on-screen…but that is where it ended. My god.
I had to talk to RJ before he read this nonsense. He’d gone in to JKP early. I
needed to get to him before the press. I quickly got dressed and rushed to JKP.
I went inside and found him.
“RJ, we really gotta
talk.” I said.
“Hey, what’s wrong MJ? You look
panicked.”
“It’s the press. The story. It’s a lie.” I said trying to catch my breath.
“Whoa, whoa…what did the press
print now?”
“Us Weekly…” I took a breath,
“They printed a story saying I had an affair with Eddie Cibrian.”
“Your co-star?”
“Yeah. But I didn’t. We’re just friends. We didn’t have an
affair.”
RJ nodded, “Ok, I believe you.”
I looked at him, “Really?”
“Of course. If it were true I’d know. MJ, it’s painfully clear how
much you love me. I know you wouldn’t cheat on me.”
I smiled, “Thank you RJ. Thank
you. I do love you.”
“I know you do. I know.” RJ said
as he hugged me tightly.
Ok, so crisis averted. At least for now. I knew the press wouldn’t drop this story
easily…and even when they did another one would start. If it wasn’t an affair
with a co-star it’d be an affair with Hunter or Jon or Jesse. It was always
something.
I needed to get my mind off of
this. I needed to work. I needed to get to the studio ASAP. I had a song I
wanted to demo for the new album and there was no time like the present to do
it.
Lita
~~~
“So that was 6 glazed donuts and 3
bear claws?” I asked my customer.
“Yeah, that should do it. Oh, I
also need to order a cake for my son’s birthday this weekend.” She said.
I nodded, “OK, what do you want?”
“Yellow cake with white frosting
and blue trim…oh, and sprinkles.”
“Ok. Full sheet,
half sheet, or a shape?”
“You do shapes?”
“Yes ma’am. The catalog is right
over there.”
“Hmm…these are good. Ohh, you can do a race car shaped cake?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Oh he’d love that. I want one of
those.”
“Ok, when do you need it by?”
“Saturday morning.”
“Ok, it’ll be ready Saturday by 10
am.”
“Great. Lita,
you’re the best.”
I smiled, “Thank you.”
She left and I helped the next
customer. She was a regular.
“Hey Carrie.” I said.
“Hey Lita. Can I get a
couple dozen cookies?”
“Sure.”
“My daughter forgot to tell me she
needed some for a party her class is having today.”
I laughed, “Well you came to the
right place.”
“I’m sure they’ll enjoy your
cookies more than mine anyway.”
“Well, thank you.”
“So, is it true?”
I looked at her, “Is what true?”
“The new headline
on Michelle Morris. I know you play in
her band.”
“Yeah, I’m her drummer. But I
don’t think I know which headline you’re talking about.” I said as I finished
putting together the box of cookies.
“Oh really? It was all over the internet this morning. Us Weekly is claiming that she’s having an affair with her
co-star from that new movie that’s coming out this week.”
“Seriously? Wow. Poor
“Hmm, maybe she’d hiding it from everyone.”
“And maybe the stupid vultures
need to get a life.” I said
“Who knows?” as
she paid for her cookies and left.
I sighed.
After the rush in the bakery died
down I went next door to the restaurant Andrew owned. I sat at the counter.
“Hey beautiful, what can I get
you?” Andrew asked.
“I could do with a glass of
juice.” I said.
“Apple?”
“Sure.”
“Here you go.” Andrew said giving
me a glass of juice.
“Thanks.”
“What’s wrong Lita?”
“The vultures are printing lies
about Michelle again. It’s just so frustrating.”
“I’m sorry hun…but
it’s Michelle’s issue to deal with. It has nothing to do with us.”
“Right, I know that. It’s just a
reminder that I don’t like fame.”
“Which is why
you keep your projects to a minimum.”
“Yeah, I do. Sometimes I wish I
didn’t have any fame though.”
“So quit the band.”
“It wouldn’t matter. The girls are
my friends. I’m a part of it anyway.”
“I know the fame thing bothers
you, but you just have to remember who you are and what’s important. Whatever
lies those vultures are telling doesn’t really matter. We’re happy and have a
great life. We should be thankful.”
I smiled, “You’re right. We do
have a great life. Andrew, you’re amazing.”
Andrew smiled back, “I try.”
I stood up and leaned over the
counter to kiss him, “I love you.”
“I love you too Li. So, if I can
ask, what did the press lie about now?”
“They are saying Michelle cheated
on RJ with her co-star from that movie.”
Andrew laughed, “Seriously?
Michelle cheat on RJ? As much in love as she is with
him? Seriously?”
“I know. I don’t buy it either.”
“They need to get a life.”
“No lie.” I said as I heard the
bell on the bakery side, “Ohh, customer, see you in a
bit.” I said as I headed back to my side of the building.
Michelle
~~~~~~~
“Ok, MSN hasn’t posted the story
yet. TMZ doesn’t seem to be on it. AOL has it…but not People. OK. So far this
story is under control.” I mumbled to myself as I sat at the computer checking
every gossip site.
“Michelle! Stop it!” Mina cried as
she pulled my chair away from the computer.
“I’m just monitoring the rumor.”
“You’re going to drive yourself
crazy. Stop it. Just stop it. I thought you wanted to record.”
“I do..”
“Ok, then let’s record.”
“But what about…”
“No. Stop.”
“But…”
“Stop. What is wrong with you? This is not the first time you’ve
been in the tabloids.”
“This is a cover story. Cover
stories get out of hand fast.”
“
“True.”
“So let it go.”
“Ok.”
“Ok, now, I believe you wanted to
demo a song.”
“Yeah.”
“Ok. I’ll man the board, go for
it.”
I went in the sound booth and
started to sing:
“It’s the right thing
This has nothing to do with loving each other
It’s too easy repeating the saddest lie we ever told
To keep staying just for the sake of it
I think this time we both know
There’s no way around us facing it
I wish I was
wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
Truth is we were gone long ago
I don’t know why we keep holding on
I wish I was wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
I can’t help but
wonder what we’ll do without each other
You’ll go your way, I’ll go my way
Let’s promise that we won’t run back
Even when the memories kick in
Just remember that we’ll be better off being just friends
I wish I was
wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
Truth is we were gone long ago
I don’t know why we keep holding on
I wish I was wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
When we walk,
we’re not human if we don’t second guess
If we’re not looking back with a hint of regret
If we don’t lose our minds when we’re asking ourselves
What we should’ve, what we could’ve, what we would’ve done different
I wish I was wrong
I wish I was
wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
Gotta work up the nerve
Let it bruise, let it hurt
We both have to be strong
I wish I was wrong, oh I wish I was wrong
I wish I was wrong, oh I wish I was wrong”
“Nice take…what was that one
about? Hunter?” Mina asked when I finished.
“Um, sure.” I said. It wasn’t. It was about RJ. That’s why I was so
upset with these new rumors as opposed to most times. I had felt RJ slipping
away from me for months and I was terrified he’s use this so-called affair as a
reason to leave me. I loved RJ with all my heart and I did not want to lose
him. I couldn’t lose him. I had to counter these rumors somehow…
Lita
~~~
At 2 PM I closed up the bakery
(our hours were 5 am to 2 pm) and went over to help Andrew at the restaurant
(the hours there were 6 am to 10 pm).
“You wrapping up
here?” I asked.
“Yeah, I can. I have enough staff
today I’m not really needed. Why?” he asked.
“I wanna
go home.”
Andrew nodded, “OK. Let me tell Lindi that she’s in charge and we’ll go.”
I nodded. Lindi
was the assistant manager and she always managed to keep things running when
Andrew wasn’t there.
Andrew and I got back to our
apartment and went inside.
“Are you ok Li? Rumors don’t
normally affect you this way. What’s going on?” Andrew asked as we sat on the
sofa.
I moved closer to him and snuggled
against him, “You’re right. I guess I just feel sad for her. Everything has
been coming down on her lately. First she lost the baby, then she has to become
Sailor Saturn while she’s still grieving, and now the press is attacking the
last source of stability she has…her marriage.”
“You don’t think RJ will leave her
over this do you?”
“It depends on if he believes her
or the press.”
“You’re sure this isn’t true?”
“Of course it’s not true.
“Well, you do have a point there.
I have to admit Michelle and a co-star is far fetched. If they wanted to make
it believable they would have said she cheated with Hunter or Jesse. I’d
believe either of those.”
“Yeah, me too. But this Eddie guy? He’s nice enough, I met him when I
visited Michelle on set once, but I don’t think she’d date him…certainly not at
the risk of her marriage.”
“I think maybe we need to just
stand back and let this run it’s course. If RJ leaves
Michelle…which he hasn’t yet…but if he does, be there for her. That’s all you
can do.”
I nodded, “You’re right.. There’s more important things to
think about, like what a great boyfriend I have.”
“Yes you do.” Andrew said as he
kissed my head.
“You know I’d never cheat on you,
right?”
“I know.”
“I know you’ve been hurt before
and I love you too much to do that to you.”
“Yeah, being cheated on isn’t
fun.”
“I don’t imagine it is.” I said.
Andrew’s ex-girlfriend Rita had cheated on him…which is what led to their break
up. I was the one to help Andrew pick up the pieces, which is ultimately how we
got together.
“It’s really not. It’s bad enough
having a girlfriend cheat on you…I can’t imagine if it were a wife…not that I’d
know what having a wife is like…”
I sighed, I knew this was his
passive aggressive way of bringing up the fact I wouldn’t marry him, “We’ve
discussed this Andrew. I’m just not ready to vow the rest of my life to someone
yet.”
“Why not? Don’t you think we’ll be together for the rest of our
lives?”
“Of course I do!”
“Then why won’t you marry me?”
“Because I’m
just not ready for that yet. I have
trust issues.”
“I know you do…but I also think
I’ve proven you can trust me.”
“You have…and I do…I just…I’m not
ready. When I am you’ll be the first to know.”
Andrew nodded, “OK, I guess that
will have to do.”
“Thank you for being patient. You
know I love you.”
“I know. I love you too.”
Michelle
~~~~~~~
While Mina was mixing vocals and
guitar of the demo we were doing I went back to the computer. This rumor had
spread like wildfire. Everyone, except TMZ, had jumped on it and I knew TMZ was
just waiting to pounce. They’d be all over me the second I stepped foot in
public. This was bad. My marriage was shaky as it was. I didn’t think it would
survive this. I sighed as my phone rang. I answered it.
“Hello?” I answered.
“The press caught us.”
“No kidding. But they reported
about the wrong guy.”
“Your co-star can’t be happy.”
“I’m sure he’s not.”
“And I look nothing like him.”
“On a grainy security camera you kinda do…and through a paparazzi lens all you can see is
scandal.”
“I’m sorry if this caused you
trouble.”
“No…don’t…you were there for me. I
was a mess. I’d lost Aubrey, RJ was pulling away, and I’d just become Sailor
Saturn again. It was all too much. I needed you.”
“It was a one time thing.”
“Yes, it was.”
“How are you handling it?”
“Holly isn’t commenting and I
don’t want to lie to anyone. Although I guess I already have. I denied it to RJ
and I think he believes me. Maybe if I just keep denying it then it’ll go
away.”
“You really believe that?”
“It was one night. I can’t let one
night of weakness ruin my life.”
“I’m so sorry
I sighed, “I know.”
“I just wanted to be there for
you. I guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s ok. This will all die down
soon.”
“You think so?”
“It has to Rocky, I can’t take
much more, it has to.”