Sitting under the lights I was used to doing as an actress, but having to tell my personal business was something I hated. Now I was one of many other celebrities who needed to let the world know how my life changed based on a lie.
“Sofia, thank you for being with us today.” Robin Anders from Morning News Life smiled at me, and I thanked her.
“I appreciate you giving me the opportunity.”
“Of course, we're all fans of yours here at Morning News.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ve had you here many times to talk about your movies and music, but today is different.”
I nodded, picked up the glass of water, and took a sip. The audience was gone, and it was just me and Robin sitting together, one on one. She’d been a great reporter for many years. She was respectful with me and understood I wanted to tell my side of things. The media ran any lies they got ahold of, and Cassidy was able to talk them into an exclusive interview.
“Yes, unfortunately.”
“You’re here because explicit photos and videos were leaked of you and your husband.”
“Yes.”
“Also, you are currently being accused of murder.”
“That’s true, but my lawyer is handling that as we speak.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“My life has been turned upside down by some people who are jealous of me and my family.”
“Explain, because there was an explosion at your home.”
“Yes, we’ve been hit from all angles.”
“Your husband is not in the business.”
“No, he’s a businessman.”
“He’s not here today, correct?”
“No, we thought it would be best if I came alone.”
“How did Shamar end up getting killed?”
“Honestly, if I could go back to that day, I would have never left him.”
“I know you can't speak about all the details.”
“No, because of legal reasons, but I’m innocent, and I want the killers brought to justice.”
“The studio states that they’re waiting on the investigation before deciding what to do.”
“I understand how the business runs.”
“Do you remember anyone following you guys?”
I shifted in my seat. I couldn't talk about Mota or Lusting and have more blood spilled, so I lied.
“No.”
“What about pictures and photos?”
“Someone planted a camera in our bedroom.”
“Was it a fan or a stalker?”
“An investigation is happening right now.”
“How are you moving forward?”
“Working with my lawyer to clear everything up and spending time with my children.”
“We know you’ll bounce back from this, and we hope you’ll come back and talk with us again.”
“Thank you, and I will for sure.”
“I’m Robin Anders from Morning News Life, and you’ll find more talk with Sofia Fuertes in an online exclusive.” Robin signed off and reached to shake my hand.
“Thank you for being so brave.”
“I just want things to get cleared up.”
I stood, and we hugged as Cassidy approached me.
“How did it look?” I asked.
“I think you did good. Not too much, but let the audience see your vulnerable side,” Cassidy explained.
“Thanks again, Robin.” I let the sound guy remove my mic.
She waved and continued talking to her team for the next segment.
“What else is happening?” I walked to the dressing room to remove my makeup.
“Our endorsements aren’t happy right now, so we need to handle that.”
“I knew it was a matter of time.”
“Yeah, they need reassurance.”
“Joaquin and me.”
“You don't need to say anything. I heard you last night.”
I dropped the makeup wipe and turned to look at her.
“You think I was wrong?”
“No, I think you’re afraid and have every right to be.” Cassidy reached out to hug me.
“I keep having doubts about us.”
“That’s normal, Sofia, but that man loves you.”
“I know, and I love him, but my life is spiraling out of control, and I’ve never been so emotional.”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I reached to grab my bag of clothes and walked in the bathroom to change into my sweats.
“The guys are waiting, so we can go back to the house and make calls.”
When I stepped out of the bathroom, I placed my hair in a high bun on top of my head and checked to make sure I had everything in my bag. Cassidy opened the door, and I followed her out to meet our bodyguards. We left Times Square and headed home.
Cassidy and I sat in Joaquin’s office and made calls to talk about the magazine, clothing, and makeup brands I did business with to convince them nothing had changed. Jianna smiled up at me as I fed her a bottle.
“Sofia, we have a brand to protect,” Heather, director of Fashion Times Magazine, spoke over the phone. I’d recently done two spreads for them, and it was supposed to come out soon, but Cassidy had received an email that it was on hold pending the current situation.
“Everything will be cleared up soon.”
“It’s not a good look for us,” Heather replied.
“Heather, you've known me for years. This will blow over.”
I lifted Jianna and took the bottle out and positioned her over my shoulder when the door opened and Joaquin, Gael, and Gabriella came in. I waved for Cassidy to mute the call, and I stood to burp Jianna and approach Joaquin.
“I’m on a call. Can you wait outside?” I whispered.
“We need to talk.” He rubbed the back of Jianna’s head.
I looked down at his clothes.
“What happened to you?”
“That’s what we need to talk about.”
“Can this wait?”
“I’ll take Jianna. Hurry up and finish.” Joaquin kissed me on the lips and walked off.
“Cassidy, we have investors, and if anything comes back on us…” Heather complained.
“Heather, either yes or no. I’ve been a long-time model of your magazine, and I bring in numbers.”
“That’s not what we—”
I cut her off.
“As the director, you make the decisions, so either the magazine will release as planned, or you’ll lose a large demographic.” I hung up the phone and plopped down in the chair.
“One down, ten more to go.” Cassidy started to call the next person on our list.
“Let me talk to Joaquin first.”
“Have you spoken to your lawyer?”
“He should be calling me tomorrow.”
“We can hold off if you want.”
I stood, wiped the tears away, and composed myself.
“Give me a second, and I’ll be back.” I left the office, walked to the kitchen, and only saw Martha, JJ, and Madelyn.
“Have you seen Joaquin?” I asked.
“They're in the living room,” Martha replied. I bent down to kiss JJ’s forehead.
“Mommy, want some!” He held a strawberry out for me to take.
I smiled and kissed his cheek.
“No, baby, you have it. Mommy’s full.”
“Dinner will be ready soon,” Martha said.
“Thanks, Martha.”
They continued laughing at JJ, and I went to find Joaquin standing with Jianna in his arms as Gabriella and Gael talked on their phones. I cleared my throat, strolled to Joaquin, and watched the stress in his eyes fade as my hand caressed his cheek.
“How was the interview?” he asked.
I tried to grab Jianna, but he pulled her back.
“She’s fine with her poppa.” He kissed her on the cheek, and she giggled.
“It was fine.”
“We’ll have everything fixed soon, my love.”
“I trust you.”
“Do you?” He lifted my chin and stared into my eyes.
“Yes.”
He leaned down to peck my lips.
“We met with Emile today.”
“Lusting?”
“Yeah, at Antonio’s.”
“What happened?”
“He’s still alive.”
“Joaquin, not in front of Jianna.” I covered her ears.
“Baby girl is okay.” He snuggled her neck, and she laughed loudly.
“What’s the plan?”
“We’re going in tonight,” Gabriella blurted out.
“Alone?” My brows rose.
“With Carlo and Antonio’s men.”
“Is that safe?”
Jianna smacked the side of Joaquin’s face, and he frowned as she laughed.
“Nothing will keep me from coming home, mi amore.”
“So, after tonight, we’ll be finished with him.”
“I promise, Emile Lusting will no longer bother our family.”
“What about Alessandra?” I saw out of the corner of my eye, Gael tensed at my question.
“My father says she’s doing fine.”
“Maybe it’s time she comes home.”
“Not now, Sofia.”
He pushed Jianna into my arms.
“When are you leaving?”
“After dinner. Stop worrying, and you did good today.”
Joaquin pressed a kiss on my lips.
“I invited my parents to come for a few days.”
“We talked about this already, Sofia.”
“With the extra protection surrounding us, my parents are worried.”
“I won’t argue. When are they coming?”
“In a week.”
He rubbed my back and walked me out of the living room with Jianna.
“Call me when dinner is ready,” Joaquin said, and I kissed him again before heading back to the office.
Besides the kids talking, the table was quiet as we ate dinner. Cassidy and Hugo sat together at the end of the table, while I sat next to Joaquin at the head of the family. Martha and Madelyn kept the kids occupied with conversation, but my nerves were all over the place, wondering how tonight would go and if Joaquin should stay home and wait before another attack happened. I pushed the potatoes around on my plate and stared off when I felt his hand caress my palm.
“I don't like it when you worry.” Joaquin picked up the napkins and wiped his mouth.
“Hard to mask my feelings about what you're doing tonight.”
“I’m protecting our family.”
I started to reply and caught myself before raising my voice. The kids never really saw us arguing in front of them, and avoiding glances from his people was one reason I never talked about business out in the open.
“The lawyer should be contacting us soon with updates.” Joaquin drank from his glass of water.
“Just be careful.”
“Always, sweetheart.” He winked, and we continued the conversation about the kids and when my parents would visit. After dinner, we gave the kids a bath and put them to bed. I followed Joaquin outside as he loaded up the car, wearing all black. Cassidy already spoke with Hugo about him leaving tonight and what that meant for them. Joaquin directed his men and then stalked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Go to bed.”
“I won’t be able to sleep until I know you’re next to me.” I pulled him into a longing kiss.
“Mmmmm…”
“Long as you and the kids are safe, Emile has to pay.”
“I understand; I just wish someone else could handle things.”
“I’m Ghost for a reason, sweetheart.” He kissed my forehead.
I tightened my arms around him.
“Soon as I finish this, we’ll be free of him.”
“Okay.”
“I apologize for bringing this to our home.”
“I know.”
“Good. Now go inside, and my men will make sure the house is secure.” Joaquin released me, and I turned to go back in and shut the front door, watching as he slid down in the front seat and pulled a black skull cap down his face.
“Please be safe.” I closed my eyes and sent up a prayer.