CHRISTOPHER
I bring up the spreadsheet on the large screen, and ten sets of eyes stare up at it. “What we need to do is focus our efforts onto the streaming service. When I looked over the results over the last twelve months, the one thing that’s glaringly clear is that . . .”
My phone vibrates on the table . . .
Hayden
“So what you’re saying is that you aren’t happy with what we’ve been focusing on while you were away?” Henry asks.
My phone keeps vibrating . . .
I’ll call her back when I’ve finished.
“Not entirely true, but to an extent I do agree,” I reply. “If we change the tactic, we change the outcome.”
I sit down at my computer as the discussion continues, and I discreetly email Elouise.
Hi Elouise.
Check in with Hayden please.
She just called and I can’t answer.
“Here, I’ll show you my projections if we change our route now.” I stand and go back to the board.
Hayden
The phone rings out. “Damn it, Christopher, answer your fucking phone.”
I hang up and dial his number again.
I’m hiding in the bathroom of the bar, my half-drunk glass of wine still back at the table. Photographers are gathered around the front doors as they wait to get their shot of me.
I’m in a panic.
This is a gross invasion of my privacy. I don’t want another photo of me in circulation. The last one stressed Christopher out so bad that it took him three hours to calm down. These bastards are vile.
A waitress comes into the bathroom. “Hi.”
“Are they still out there?” I ask her.
“Yep.”
“Do you have a back entrance?”
“We don’t,” she says as she peers out the door at them. “I’m sorry.”
“Okay.” I nod.
My phone rings.
Elouise
“Elouise. Hi.”
“Hello, Hayden,” she says happily. “Are you okay, lovely? Christopher is stuck in a meeting.”
“No. I’m not,” I whisper. “I’m in a bar, and a group of photographers have found me and are waiting out front, and now I’m hiding in the bathroom,” I splutter.
“Oh dear. Where are you? I’ll get Hans to come and collect you now.”
I put the phone down. “What’s the name of this bar?” I ask the waitress.
“O’Brian’s.”
“What’s the address?” God, I must sound stupid, but I was ambling down the street paying no attention.
She gives me the address, and I tell Elouise.
“Just wait there. Hans will call you when he pulls up out the front,” Elouise says calmly.
I hear my angry heartbeat in my ears. This is all so overdramatic.
And so . . . not me.
“It’s okay, Hayden. Please don’t let this worry you. It comes with Miles territory. In time, you will get used to it,” Elouise says.
Not likely.
“Stay in the bathroom. Hans will be there soon.”
Ugh, I hate this.