Chapter 9

**Blue**


I stand in front of the mirror and see a girl playing dress up looking back at me. It's blindingly obvious that these sorts of clothes don't suit me. My hair is a bright blue sign saying this businesswoman look isn't me. Also, it doesn't hide some of the scars I have. One in particular. It's a section of round burn marks from when one of my foster dads put a cigarette out on my skin a few times as punishment. I was too little at the time to fight back and too scared to try.

For the most part, I don't notice it and it's easy to forget some of the dark moments of my past, but this outfit highlights all my worst parts. It's unflattering and...off.

Still, Abigail thinks it would be a good idea to wear it, so I'll follow her advice. I would prefer people not to make horrible comments about my looks if I'm going to be in the spotlight from now on. I'm hoping that once Artemis and I are married...if we get married...

Who am I kidding? I'm accepting his dumbass deal. What the heck? It doesn't seem like too much trouble on my end. He doesn't actually want anything from me, so why not?

Anyway, I hope once we're married people will get tired of talking about me and I'll be old news.

A knock makes me jump and nearly fall out of the nude heels I'm wearing. Yeah, that was fun to put on especially since I've never worn heels before. I'm going to look like a baby horse walking for the first time when I leave this room.

"How does it look?" Abigail asks from the other side of the door.

"I'm not sure," I admit.

I open the door and slowly step out. When I'm fully out of the bathroom I see her beaming at me.

"Wow, it looks so good on you!" She seems happy with the outfit but I'm not so sure.

"You don't think it looks weird with my hair and everything?" I touch a strand self-consciously.

I've always loved my hair, but now I'm not sure how to feel about it when these are the clothes I'm expected to wear. I look...fake.

"Maybe a little, but we can fix that. We can try brown. Mr. Rhodes seems to like brunettes." She says that as she starts typing away on her phone. "Done! I made an appointment at my hairdresser for Friday. Now let's go dazzle everyone."

She moves toward the door and throws it open like a boss. I try to keep up with her as I struggle not to break an ankle. When we walk down the hallway I notice a few nurses whispering to each other in one of the rooms. As we pass they give me a look that says they aren't too happy I'm here. Which seems harsh since none of what has happened is my doing. I was thrown into this without warning.

Abigail pushes the door open to the emergency room lobby and I shrink away at the intense flashes of lights.

"Be careful, the vultures have descended. Mr. Rhodes is arranging for a more official security team but his team offered us two men to get us out of here." She points out two men in suits standing next to the door right outside. "Let's do this."

She struts away like she's used to this kind of attention while I try to walk right behind her and stay hidden. The security guys open the door for us and surround us instantly. People are yelling at us and I cringe at some of the things they're saying. I have clearly shocked people by becoming Artemis's fiance. They can't be more shocked than I am that's for sure.

We make our way through the crowd unharmed and slip into a dark car waiting by the circled curb for drop-offs. The guards climb into the front seats and pull out of the parking lot like our asses are on fire. As soon as I look back and see the last bit of the crowd I lay my head back and take in a few much-needed breaths.

That was not fun.


**Artemis**


I make it to the office and head straight to my private office without acknowledging anyone including the intern who falls in step next to me and starts babbling about something. When I move into my office I slam the door in his face and he doesn't bother knocking to continue his one-sided conversation.

I tear my jacket off and loosen my tie while I'm at it which isn't something I do in the middle of the day. Right now it feels more like a noose than part of my professional attire. Then before I even sit down my phone goes off. It takes an extraordinary amount of self restraint for me not to throw the damn thing at the closest wall.

"What?" I snap at the person on the other end.

I didn't bother to see who was calling.

"Hey now. It's just me." Alan says.

"Sorry. What's going on?" I sit down and run a hand through my hair and turn to look at the view outside my window.

It's one of the things I love about Seattle and can usually calm me down, but today has been shit and it's most likely not going to get better.

"Have you seen the photos?" He asks. "I'm not sure if this was your plan but I have to say it isn't a great one. The girl looks terrified and miserable"

What is he talking about?

I turn my computer on and barely allow it to load before I'm opening the browser and searching for any gossip sight I can think of. As soon as the images appears on my screen I'm met with a sacred Blue leaving the hospital.

"What the hell is she wearing?" I ask as if it matters but it's what my overwhelmed comes up with first.

"You didn't ask her to wear that shit?"

"No. I told Abigail to get her some clothes but I didn't mean this. She looks..."

I can admit that Blue has a beauty to her I haven't seen before. It's unique and makes her even more intriguing. In those clothes though...even in the short time I've known her I know that this look isn't...her.

"Why would she buy her any of that? She doesn't even wear shit like that outside of the office. Maybe she was trying to give her a more positive image, but it failed miserably. People are calling her some very ugly things. References to Pretty Woman have been made as well." He explains.

I vaguely remember the film but mostly the fact that the main female character is a prostitute.

"Shit. I have to go home and deal with this now." I stand and grab my stuff.

"Your parents are going to be furious."

"No shit. I screwed up big time. This is a disaster. " I growl in frustration as I make my way to my office door.

When I pull it open, Abigail is walking toward me with Blue behind her. I storm over to them and grab Blue's hand dragging her toward my office. Once we're inside I wait for Abigail to join us before closing and locking the door behind her.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here?" I growl at Abigail.

She cringes. "The apartment was surrounded when I went to drop Blue off. I thought it would be safer to bring her here."

She was right, but my patience is at it's limit today and she's standing in firing distance. Still I pull my anger back and try to keep it locked up for now.

"You did the right thing, Abigail. Can you order us some food?"

"Of course sir." She rushes out no doubt sensing my frustration.

I wait until she leaves before turning my attention to Blue. She's standing by the wall of windows and looking out at the city.

"Are you alright?" I ask her because it seems the right thing to ask but it's a genuine question.

She turns to me and shrugs. "It's not my normal scene but what did I expect being engaged to such a stud? I think some of the women in the crowd were crying."

I shake my head and walk closer to stand next to her. "I'm sorry. That must have scared you."

She turns to face me and looks me over. "You mean that don't you?"

"Of course why wouldn't I?"

"I'm not sure. I got the impression you don't care much about how people feel." Her words are not malicious but it makes me think.

I think about the way I treated her and the things I said. Am I any better than the people calling her those awful names? I did offer to pay her to be with me.

"I can admit I'm not the best at interacting with people."

She laughs. "No shit, but hey how could you when you have such a strong authoritative role? You can't be a cuddly teddy bear with that lot outside. I'm pretty sure one of the young guys was confused by the copier."

I sigh and shake my head. "Interns are a necessary evil. I make sure their work is double checked daily."

That makes her laugh again. "Smart idea."

She smiles and turns back to the window. I see it the moment I look for it. The sadness on her face is clear as day. A sad girl even when she smiles...always Blue.