Anger And Talks
The phone rang just as I finished jotting down notes in the lab. My temples were already throbbing from a long day, and the last thing I needed was more chaos. But when I saw Asher’s name on the screen, I sighed and answered.
“Asher,” I said, holding the phone to my ear.
“Where are you?” he demanded, his tone sharp and clipped.
“At the lab,” I replied, frowning. “Why?”
“Get here now,” he snapped. “We need to talk. And bring your good explanations because, Remi, you’re going to need them.”
Before I could ask what he meant, the line went dead.
\---
The moment I stepped outside the lab, I was met with flashing cameras and shouted questions.
“Dr. Laurent! Is it true you’re dating Rowan Vaughn?”
“Remi! Were you the reason he called off his engagement?”
“Lady Persephone, do you have a comment about the balcony kiss?”
I groaned, pulling my coat tighter around me and hurrying toward my car. The paparazzi swarmed like vultures, their lenses shoved inches from my face.
“No comment!” I shouted, ducking past them and sliding into the driver’s seat.
The shouting didn’t stop as I pulled away, the cameras clicking furiously. I gritted my teeth, gripping the wheel as I drove.
\---
Asher’s office was a storm waiting to happen. He sat behind his desk, his expression dark, while Carter leaned against the window, his arms crossed. The tension was palpable the moment I walked in.
“Asher,” I started, but he cut me off.
“Sit,” he barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I sank into the chair across from him, glancing at Carter, who looked equally displeased.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Asher asked, his voice low but furious.
“It wasn’t what it looked like,” I said quickly. “It was a mistake—”
“A mistake?” Asher repeated, slamming his hand on the desk. “A mistake with terrible consequences!”
I flinched at the sound, my fingers tightening in my lap. “I didn’t plan for any of this, Asher. You think I wanted to end up on tabloids?”
“That’s exactly the problem!” he snapped. “Do you know what this could do to your reputation? To your career? You’ve worked so hard to build everything, and now it’s all at risk because of one stupid moment!”
“It wasn’t stupid,” I said defensively. “It just… happened.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” Carter said dryly from the window. “Let’s just tell the board it happened. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
I glared at him. “I don’t need sarcasm right now, Carter.”
“You need a reality check,” he shot back. “Do you have any idea how much damage control we’re going to have to do because of this? The whispers have already started, Remi.”
“I’m aware,” I said through gritted teeth. “You think I haven’t seen the headlines? You think I don’t know what people are saying about me?”
“Then why aren’t you doing anything about it?” Asher demanded.
“What do you expect me to do?” I asked, throwing up my hands. “Go back in time and stop it from happening?”
“I expect you to act like the professional you are,” Asher said, his voice sharp. “Not like some lovestruck teenager caught in a scandal.”
“That’s not fair,” I shot back. “You don’t know what it’s been like—”
“Oh, don’t I?” Asher interrupted, standing up and leaning across the desk. “I’ve been by your side through everything, Remi. I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked, how much you’ve sacrificed. And now, all of that is being overshadowed by some billionaire’s drama.”
I stood, meeting his glare with one of my own. “You think I don’t know that? You think I’m not terrified of what this means for me? For my kids? This wasn’t my choice, Asher!”
“But you let it happen,” he said, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. “You let him get close. And now you’re paying the price.”
The room went silent, the weight of his words settling over us like a storm cloud.
“I didn’t ask for this,” I said quietly, my voice trembling.
Asher sighed, running a hand through his hair. “No, you didn’t. But now it’s here, and you need to figure out how to handle it.”
Carter spoke up from the window, his tone more measured this time. “We’re not saying you can’t recover from this, Remi. But you need to be smart. You need to be careful.”
I nodded slowly, the fight draining out of me. “I know.”
Asher sat back down, his expression softening slightly. “Look, we’re on your side. But you have to take this seriously. No more mistakes. No more balcony kisses.”
I couldn’t help but wince at his words, the memory of that moment flashing through my mind. “I’ll fix it,” I said finally. “Somehow, I’ll fix it.”
“Good,” Asher said, leaning back in his chair. “Because if you don’t, the vultures out there will eat you alive. Or have you forgotten how it was with the Vaughns? Have you forgotten who Rowan Vaughn is?!”
I stiffened, his words hitting a nerve I didn’t know was still raw. “I haven’t forgotten anything, Asher,” I said, my voice low and cold. “I don’t need you to remind me of my past.”
“Well, maybe you do!” Asher shot back, leaning forward again. “Because clearly, you’re making the same mistakes all over again.”
“Enough,” Carter interjected, raising a hand. “Asher, calm down.”
“Calm down?” Asher turned to him, his eyebrows furrowed. “Do you see what’s happening here? She’s throwing herself back into the same fire she barely survived the first time!”
I crossed my arms, glaring at them both. “I’m standing right here, you know. I don’t need the two of you talking about me like I’m a child.”
“Then stop behaving like one,” Carter said, his tone sharp but measured.
My eyes widened, and I took a step forward, pointing a finger at him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Carter said, meeting my gaze evenly. “Running off to masquerade balls, kissing men on balconies, and then acting surprised when it blows up in your face? That’s not exactly the behavior of a professional, Remi.”
“That’s not fair,” I said, my voice rising. “You have no idea what it’s like to deal with everything I’ve been through. The pressure, the expectations—”
“Everyone has pressure,” Carter interrupted. “That doesn’t excuse bad decisions.”
I turned to Asher, my anger boiling over. “And you! You’re supposed to be on my side, not treating me like some reckless teenager who needs to be lectured.”
“I am on your side,” Asher said, standing again. “But someone has to tell you the truth. And the truth is, you’re not thinking clearly. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment, just like you did with Rowan the first time around.”
“Don’t bring him into this,” I snapped, my hands balling into fists.
“How can I not?” Asher shouted, his frustration spilling over. “He’s the reason you’re in this mess! And instead of shutting the door on him, you let him back in.”
“Because I don’t have a choice!” I shouted back, my voice cracking. “Do you think I wanted any of this? The tabloids, the gossip, the stares? Do you think I wanted him to kiss me?”
Asher hesitated, his jaw clenching. “Maybe not. But you didn’t stop him either.”
That was it. I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. “You know what? I don’t need this. Either of you.”
“Remi, wait,” Carter said, his voice softer now.
“No,” I said, turning toward the door. “I’ve had enough of being talked down to. I ca
n handle this on my own.”
With that, I stormed out, my heels clicking angrily against the floor as I left them both behind.
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