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L
ater that night, May called Angela.
"Omg, hi! How did it go? How was everything?" May asked excitedly.
“Pfft! As if you don’t already know everything,” Angela shot back.
"Ha ha, yeah, we do. So, the trial is on the 2nd of January now. And the abduction has been reported. The chief is on David's tail. And, you asked for victim protection, which was turned down. And we'll let's not forget, the fiery interview," May remarked.
"Yes. Let's not. Speaking of which? Is David around? Has he seen it? How is he?" Angela asked.
"Oh yes. He's seen it absolutely. It's on every news channel. There's a constant ticker. You are in the headlines. You both are even trending on Twitter. Every friend, foe, and colleague of David has forwarded the video to him. So yeah, he's probably learned the video by heart now," May explained.
Yikes! That doesn't sound good, does it?" Angela asked.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you find out out for yourself? David is right here with me,” May told Angela. And without waiting for Angela’s reply, she handed the burner phone to David.
“Hey Angela, it’s me. How have you been? Are you alright? I’m sorry everything must be so hard. I’m sorry if everything is bearing down on you,” David asked with the sincerest tone in his voice.
"Hi, David. God, I missed your voice. I know I just saw you this morning, but it feels like ages already. I don't know how we'll keep this up for the coming weeks," Angela explained, "I'm fine. Yes, the day was tough.
We almost slipped in front of the chief today but then handled it smoothly. And well, the interviews were just brutal. But I feel like I had to put it out there for Alveris to know that our ruse is over and for him to trust you again. And most importantly, we could not get victim protection. The NYPD is understaffed.
We are contacting this private agency on their referral. It seems legit, but they are making us wait for two days. Can you look into it? And speed things up?" Angela asked
"Yes, most definitely, you'll have the security you need tomorrow morning," David assured Angela.
"Now, back to the interview. Did I go too far, David? Did I cross a line? I just wanted to sound believable. And even more so, I guess the reporter hit a nerve when she asked that punching question. She was calling me characterless and like I had no morals. That questions my morals. I guess that made me answer with my emotions instead of my mind," Angela explained.
"Angela, listen to me. It's okay. It's all good. You don't have media training to know how to put a strong exterior in front of such people. So, it's okay. I know where your heart is. And it didn't bother me. And your words did their work. I got a text from Alveris’ right hand. They want to meet tomorrow. So, you did something right, I guess. Also, I would suggest you not see the news for now," David said meekly.
"What? Why? What's on the news?" Angela asked as she turned on the television.
The first headline read, “Girlfriend sues boyfriend. A game for fame?”
Another talk show host was speaking,
“’I loathe him,’ says David Haywire’s new fling."
"Ha ha ha, Frankie. I can't take her seriously already. I mean, isn't that the reaction of all exes after a nasty breakup? She's just another ex who's salty. There's nothing more to this story. She's suing him because she's salty, and he's an easy target. The media and news love to talk about David. And she's using that against him,"
Angela was shocked. She was livid; she couldn't believe what she was seeing. They were all turned against her. Even though her case was pretty legit, she realized how society always found a narrative to blame the woman and not the man, even if he was wrong. David was being portrayed as an innocent sweetheart, and she was being cast as a villain.
Angela was about to curse and let her emotions get the better of her again. But then she realized that's exactly what she wanted. People needed to believe that the two were against each other. It was just yesterday when the two had paraded around New York City hand in hand, so only such words could get them to believe that things had changed.
David was still on the call.
“Hmm. Maybe I should stay away from the media for a while,” Angela said jokingly.
“Yep. That’s what I would suggest”, David said.
"But David, I want you to know, even if I have convinced everyone else to believe that I loathe you, please know that I don't. I love you. And that's the real truth," Angela explained.
"I know, my love. You don't need to defend yourself to me. Also, maybe, just maybe, not call me names again. Yes, it was needed this time. But avoid that for next time, maybe?" David asked Angela.
"Why? What happened?" Angela asked.
“Yeah, so umm basically, the media had a field day today. But for many of my investors and partners, this is bad press. And they would do everything to keep their name out of the mud, even if that means pulling out of the company. Things are under control for now, but I fear for the future,” David explained.
"David, I'm so sorry. I didn't even think that could happen. Don't worry; I'll be more careful next time," Angela said.
"Don't worry. It's all good. I care more about you than these investors. You just know that."
And with that, the call ended. Toby had fixed himself some dinner and set his belongings in the guest room.
For Last part of Tempted Series, just click on the link below:
THE FINAL SHOWDOWN: A Mystery Thriller (TEMPTED Book 5)
Once again, thank you for reading the book.
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