PRT 342- “Betrayal”

Giovanni Tell-All Announced

This has been a bad week if your name is Michelle Morris and it’s just getting worse. Amid news of her alleged co-star fling comes news that rocker/actor/ex-husband of Morris, Jon Giovanni, will be writing a book detailing the life of the band…including a look at the backstage antics…which are sure to include a resurfacing of Morris’ wild and under-age past. This is addition to another tell-all from a former co-star of Morris’ that is expected out soon.

“Oh no…” I sighed.

“What is it?” Lita asked.

I pointed to the computer screen.

“Just what we didn’t need.”

I nodded, “No kidding. Michelle is gonna lose what’s left of her sanity when she sees this. How can Jon do this?”

“Mina, have you met Jon? We know the kind of man he is.”

“Point, but this is really bad timing.”

“I’ll show him bad timing.” Lita said as she pulled out her cell.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling that slime ball.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t get involved.”

“Of course we should! Michelle is our friend and our front-woman. She needs us.”

“I don’t know.”

“I do.” Lita said as she dialed the number and put it on speaker phone.

“Hello?” Jon answered.

“Jon, hey, it’s Lita and Mina.”

I glared at Lita, “Hi.” I grumbled.

“Hey guys, what can I do for you? Is Michelle ok?” Jon asked.

“Actually she’s not and you’re not helping anything.” Lita said.

“What do you mean?”

“Your tell-all.”

“What? It’s not exactly a ‘tell-all’. It is about the band and our history, sure…but…are you worried I’ll use Michelle’s past to sell books?”

“Ya think?”

“Guys, seriously, I wouldn’t do that. Michelle wrote a book too and she was very kind in only telling her story and only mentioning me where I was directly involved in her life. She kept my band and our dirty laundry out of it. I fully intend on showing her the same courtesy.”

“You do?”

“Of course. I respect Michelle enough to not use her like that.”

Lita looked at me.

I nodded. I believed him.

“Ok, fine. Michelle just doesn’t need anymore drama right now.” Lita said.

“I’ve see the headlines. Believe me, I’m not interested in making things harder on her.’

“Ok, fine. Just know that if you do anything to hurt her again you’ll answer to me.”

“Understood.”

“Great, take care.” Lita hung up.

“Feel better?” I asked.

“Much.”

“Good, now turn the TV on. Michelle’s movie will be on in a few minutes.”

Lita nodded and turned the TV on to Lifetime.

Michelle

~~~~~~~

I was sitting on the sofa when the front door opened and Zachary walked in with a box of donuts.

“Hey sis.” He said as he closed the door behind him.

“Hi.” I said.

“Ty let me in. He’s guarding your front door.”

“Good.”

“Sis, are you ok?”

I shrugged.

Zachary sat on the sofa next to me and put his arm around me, “It’ll be ok.”

“Zachary, right now it doesn’t feel like anything will ever be ok again.”

Tonight was the television premiere of my movie “Northern Lights”. I should be totally excited about it. It had been awhile since I’d done a good acting project…and while this certain wasn’t Oscar worthy, it was a good story that I put my heart into telling. Yet, because of the cloud that the rumors cast over me, I was beyond depressed. That didn’t stop Zack from coming over for our ritual of watching premieres of our work together.

“Michelle, I know you’re hurting and worried and feeling a lot of other things…but you’re a strong woman and amazing actress. You need to snap out of this and enjoy the fruits of your labor.” Zachary said.

I sighed, “I don’t think I can.”

“Come here.” Zack said as he put his arm around me.

I leaned on him and grabbed a donut, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

We watched the movie. I had to admit, it wasn’t bad. Zack seemed to enjoy it too…except for a few explicit scenes where he’s groan and close his eyes. The movie ended and I looked up at him.

“So?” I asked.

“Good movie. Didn’t need to see that much of my sister’s body…ever. Didn’t need to see my sister doing…that…ever. Aside from that, good movie. I did notice your character’s dog was named Rocky.”

“Yeah, my idea. Little shout out.”

“Funny.”

“So you liked it?”

“I told you, you’re an amazing actress kid. I’ve always thought so. You need more challenging material. This kind of fluff is too easy for you. You need to get a project that is a challenge…that makes the audience think. You sell yourself short and you’re capable of so much more.” Zachary said.

“Right now I just wanna lay low.”

“I understand.”

“This isn’t going away anytime soon I fear. God…I hope I don’t lose RJ.”

“You really love him don’t you?”

“I do. I love him so much.”

“I know you’ve been through so much lately…but with or without RJ you’ll come through this. And if nothing else, you have me.”

I hugged Zachary tight, “I love you so much. I don’t tell you that enough.” I said as I started to cry.

“Oh Mich…I love you too baby sister.” He said as he held me tightly, “It will be ok.”

“I feel like everything is so out of control.”

“I know you do…but that’s why you have me. I’m your big brother and it’s my job to protect and take care of you.”

“You can’t protect me.”

“I can try. Now come on, it’s been a rough week. Let’s get you to bed.”

I nodded.

Zachary helped me to bed and then sat next to me stroking my hair and singing to me like when we were kids and I’d had a bad dream…if only this whole thing were just a bad dream and I could wake up from it all.

The next morning I knew I had to get some work done…even if I didn’t want to leave the apartment…it had to be done.

I got dressed and, security in tow, I headed to the Starlight Records office. I went in and sat at my desk. I was about to start plotting a press tour for Raye but it had been done…so had Chad’s. I then decided to approve Raye’s video treatment…but that was done. I figured maybe I could set a release date for Serena’s single…but it’d been released. What the hell was going on here?

I went to Mina’s office, she was in there working.

“Um, Min…why has everything been happening without my approval?” I asked.

“You’ve had other things to deal with so I took care of things here.” She said.

“Without my approval? You didn’t even ask if I wanted you to take over.”

“I own half this company. I didn’t realize it was required I have your permission to keep it running.”

“What are you saying?”

“Mich, you’re dealing with a lot. I get it. And you need to take time to deal…but business doesn’t stop. Someone had to keep thing running. We have some big projects coming out very soon.”

“I could have handled it.”

“You weren’t handling it, that’s the point.”

“I didn’t realize all of this planning was so time sensitive.”

“Everything in this business is time sensitive, you know that.”

“Or you just wanted your chance to step in and take over.”

“What? I can’t believe you’d accuse me of that.”

“I don’t hear a denial.”

“It’s too ludicrous to deny.”

“That’s what I thought…can’t deny it can you?”

“Michelle, I think this stress is going to your head cause you’re trippin’”.

“So that’s your angle. Make me seem unfit to run things. I’m telling you right now you’re not taking over my company.”

“Michelle, what are you even talking about?” I heard Mina ask as I took off.

I knew what was happening. It was so clear. Everyone was taking advantage of me. I couldn’t trust anyone. I snuck out the back to escape my security and I drove. I drove and I drove. I needed someone to talk to…but who? That’s when it hit me. I pulled out my cell and dialed the newest number I’d programmed.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Mia? It’s Michelle.”

Mina

~~~~

After I very odd run in with Michelle she took off…sneaking away from her security in the process. I was worried. Michelle was a ticking time bomb and she was losing control fast. I decided it was time to call in some drastic measures. I really didn’t want to do this and I knew Michelle would kill me if she knew but it was for her own good…and after RJ’s failure to get Hunter I knew I had to go about this in a different way.

I dialed the number to Hartford Enterprises.

“Andrew Hartford please.” I said when the receptionist answered.

“May I ask who is calling?”

“Mina Gordon from Starlight Records.”

“Thank you.”

“Andrew Hartford.”

“Hi Mr. Hartford, this is Mina Gordon with Starlight Records.”

“Mina, hi. What can I do for you?”

“You can give me Ronny Robinson’s phone number.”

“You don’t have access to it?”

“Not readily. Please.”

“Why?”

“I need to talk to her.”

“About?”

“None of your business.”

“I’m sorry Mina…”

“Oh come on Andrew, seriously…”

“Did Michelle put you up to this?”

“No. She’d kill me if she knew I called you.”

“How is Michelle anyway? Slutting around still?”

“You bastard…just give me Ronny’s number so I don’t have to talk to you.”

“Not unless you tell me what you want it for.”

“She has a feud with my friend Amara and I want to help them settle it.”

“Really? Amara doesn’t have the number?”

“If she did I wouldn’t be talking to you.”

“Fine. It’s 310-555-0852.”

“Thank you.”

I hung up and dialed Ronny’s number.

“Hello?”

“Ronny?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Hi, this is Mina Gordon.”

“Oh god, what do you want?”

“A favor.”

“What? A favor? From me? Did you miss the fact your friends Michelle and Amara hate me?”

“No, and I wouldn’t ask you unless I had no choice but I’m desperate Ronny.”

“What can I do for you?”

“You can tell your boyfriend to go see Michelle.”

Ronny laughed, “You’re kidding right? Why on Earth would I do that?”

“Because she’s falling apart and Hunter is the only one that can pull her out of this I think.”

“Listen, I really don’t want to be a bitch, but you want me to send my boyfriend to see his ex-girlfriend that he has a passionate and intense history with because she’s in an emotional, vulnerable state? Do you see the problem here?”

I sighed, “I do…honestly…and if it were Adam I don’t think I could do it either…but Ronny…I’m very worried about Mich…she really is a train wreak right now. I think Hunter can help get her back on track.”

“Yeah, and Michelle’s drama is affecting my relationship enough as it is.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you seen the latest headlines?”

“About Jon’s tell-all?”

“No. The media is questioning RJ’s sexuality and in the process questioning if Michelle has a thing for gay men…resurfacing the rumor’s about Hunter’s sexuality.”

“Oy…not again.”

“Yeah. Evidently the press is trying to say Michelle wants to clean up her image so she dates men that are gay that she can been seen with in public and then fools around in secret, thus continuing to me promiscuous while appearing to be innocent.”

“Oh my god.”

“Believe me, I think this is going too far as well…and I know that rumor isn’t true. She wouldn’t have cheated on Hunter…and I guess I believe she didn’t cheat on RJ either…but as bad as I feel for her I can’t let Hunter get involved anymore than he already is.”

“Ronny, I’m begging you…”

“Mina, Michelle’s new single or duet or whatever is ABOUT Hunter. She’s still releasing songs about her relationship with him. NO! Why are we having this discussion anyway…shouldn’t you be talking to Hunter? Or did Hunter tell you no and you want me to talk him into it?”

“Well, sorta. He told RJ no.”

“RJ asked him? Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“And he said no.”

“Yeah.”

“Wow…go Hunter. I’m sorry Mina, I can’t do it. Michelle is going to have to figure out how to get through without Hunter. He can’t constantly run to her side anymore. That’s just the way it is.”

“Fine. Thank you for your time.” I said hanging up. Now I really was at a loss. What now?

Michelle

~~~~~~~

I pulled up to the restaurant I was meeting Mia at. We’d decided to have lunch at a small café where the press was unlikely to find me. We sat down and ordered and I filled her in on my fears about Mina.

“That’s awful that your best friend would take advantage of you at such a difficult time in your life.” Mia said.

I nodded, “I know! I thought we were friends but I feel like they are all turning on me.”

“I’m glad you called me Michelle, it sounds like you really need a friend and I’m glad you didn’t feel alone.”

“Well I you seemed so genuinely compassionate when we met and I thought maybe you might understand what I’m dealing with.”

“Oh, I know all too well what betrayal is like. Sometime you feel like you can’t trust anyone.”

“Exactly.”

“You can trust me.”

“Thanks Mia.”

“Listen, I know we can’t exactly go to the mall or anything right now with this circus surrounding you but if you want to hang out we can go to my apartment and just chill.”

“That sounds great!”

“Awesome. We’ll go over there after lunch.”

And we did. After lunch I followed Mia to her place.

“Welcome. Make yourself at home.” Mia said.

“Thanks. This is a nice place.” I said. It was very dark with a lot of black furniture but it was cozy. I noticed a black and white spotted cat curled up on the sofa, “Ohh, who is this?” I asked as I picked the cat up.

“That’s Kaya. She’s my best friend.”

I smiled, “I have a cat too. Her name is Angel. I have been neglecting her lately though. I mean she gets fed and clean litter and all, but I don’t play with her or love on her like I used to.”

“I love Kaya so much. It would be really lonely without her.”

“She’s very pretty.” I said

“Thank you. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No thanks. I’m good.”

“I saw your movie. It was pretty good.”

“Thanks. I was proud of it. Of course my pride has been tainted by the media rumors.”

“Don’t let that get you down. You put a lot of work into that project and you should be proud. Don’t let the media take that away from you.”

“Easy for you to say. You haven’t been in the tabloids yet.”

“No, and I don’t intend on it.”

“Sometimes you can’t avoid it.”

“Mich, I don’t want to see mean…but you kinda did this to yourself.”

“How do you figure that?”

“You’re a celebrity and you were out with a man that wasn’t your husband. There is video of it.”

“I was with a friend.”

“You were awfully cozy with him.”

“You can’t even see my face in the video.”

“Michelle, RJ might buy that but be real with me.”

I sighed, “Ok, I planned on sleeping with my friend but I didn’t. It was a semi-date and it was wrong. I didn’t technically cheat.”

“But you were going to.”

“Yeah.”

“You were on a semi-date in public with your status.”

I sighed, “Wow, ok, maybe I did do this to myself.”

“Exactly. Now, I do think the press is going too far…but…”

“I get your point. Now I can’t stop it.”

“You’re right.”

“I don’t know what to do Mia. Everything is out of hand and I don’t have anyone I can trust.”

“I’ll tell you what you do…you let Mina do whatever she wants. Obviously business is more important to her than your friendship. As for the press…hang with me. We’ll keep it low key until this dies down.”

I nodded, “Thanks Mia. You’re the best.”

“Anytime.”

“I should go home. RJ is supposed to be home tonight and I feel like we need all the time alone we can get right now.”

“Understood. Call me later?”

“Of course. Thanks.”

“Take care.”

I nodded and left.

Mia

~~~

“Nice work Mia.” Kaya said after Michelle was gone.

“Thank you. You did well too. I thought for sure you’d attack her.” I replied.

“I wanted to, but it wouldn’t serve our purposes yet. Believe me, it took will power not to scratch her.”

“You did well. Soon we’ll have Michelle completely isolated from the rest of the Sailors and the Amethyst will be ours.”

“Yes, and once we have the power of the Amethyst then it will be cake to get the Silver Crystal as well.”

“It’s happening Kaya. Victory is in our reach.”