“Like you did with your eggroll?” I joked.
“Shut it. Now,” she said as she shoved a forkful of rice into her mouth, “continue.”
Just thinking about what happened when I arrived at Heathrow airport was enough to have my cheeks redden and my stomach to roll. The man who had been trailing me the last three weeks playing the part of a tourist proudly showed off his media badge at the security checkpoint before loading the plane, then winked in my direction. I’d been furious as I watched him board with the first-class passengers on the same flight I was boarding. That feeling grew as we traveled back to D.C., only for me to have a message from my boss showing images of the story he wanted me to capture. These weren’t the in-depth images of the royal family with their humanitarian efforts as they traveled abroad, that I’d captured. The assignment the magazine I worked for was commissioned to cover. They were of the princess in compromising positions.
“Do you remember that the magazine was sought out to help cover the charity work of the royal family?”
“I do.”
“Well, my boss was more concerned with catching the royals doing something less charitable.”
“Why?”
“Well, there have been rumors about the princess having an affair with two of her security guards.”
“Is she?” Katy had placed her fork on the side of her container and was very much hanging on every single word I said. She had always been one that lived for gossip.
“I don’t know, which is where Jacob had a problem. He was hoping that if the opportunity arose, I could put them in an awkward situation or something, or at least capture the alleged love triangle.”
“He should know that you would never do that.”
“Right? Apparently not. And he sent another photographer to trail me. And the worst part is he was listed as a freelancer.”
“So, not tied to the magazine. . .”
“Nope.”
“And I’m guessing he caught them in the act.”
“Exactly. And the magazine is going to publish them.”
“But if he wasn’t there on behalf of the magazine-” she began, but I finished for her.
“Then it looks like I took the photos and broke the royal's trust.”
“Oh, Addi. Is there anything you can do?”
“Probably. I need to look into it, but right now, I just want to forget everything. It just sucks because they were all so kind to me while I traveled with them and the other media attendees.”
“I took a leave of absence for now.”
“You need to talk to a lawyer.”
Quietly I nodded and continued my meal, but the stress of the fiasco caused my appetite to disappear.
Staring up at the television, I watched as the beautiful blonde with the red sequined dress stared at the trio of guys all waiting with bated breath for her to choose them. There was a time I wished I could be on the show and allow producers to make choices for me. It was obvious that the decisions I’d made thus far weren’t doing me any favors.
“Have you spoken to your parents about it? I’m sure they can help you find representation, or your dad could just threaten the magazine. I’ve known you for years and your dad still scares me. And, you know, he’s famous.”
“I haven’t. I’m not sure what to tell them because the moment they find out my mom will try and fix it all. She’ll have me working at National Geographic without even an interview. I don’t want them to use their connections for me. I want to make it on my own.”
Katy shrugged. She never understood why I didn’t want to use my parents’ names to open doors for myself. As someone who didn’t grow up followed by paparazzi, I knew she didn’t fully grasp how life for celebrities could be. And I never ever wanted to use my family to better my own life.
We finished eating the Chinese and cleaned up the mess we’d made before opening up a much-needed bottle of wine. The moment that oaky grape flavor hit my tongue, my body immediately relaxed.
“I guess since I’ll probably make the leave permanent, I need to start looking for a cheaper place to live.”
“No, don’t say that.”
“I can’t afford this place without a job. I have savings, but I’d rather not touch it.”
“I get it. Just don’t jump the gun. Take some time to think things through, and maybe start looking around for another job. You know I can cover the rent for a few months if you need me to.”
“You really hate apartment shopping, don’t you?” I joked.
“You know me too well. Plus, you’re like the best roommate ever.”
“Only until I go out on assignment and leave you by yourself.”
“All I’m saying is. . .take some time and think about it. Oh, I know!” she shouted, causing me to jump in my seat on the couch. She was lucky that I didn’t slosh the wine over the edge of my wine glass and spill it on the couch.
“What’s that?” I asked as I settled back against the couch once again.
“Why don’t you go stay at your parents’ cabin?”
“Why would I do that? I just got back from Europe.”
“Because you love that cabin.”
