Chapter 35: Dealing with the press

Laura's POV:

Tap. Tap. Tap. tap. tap. tap. tap.

The soles of my shoes slapped against the granite floor like a persistent canary. As I made for the door to Jaxon's house.

Ryan had assured me everything was going to come out fine. He had even somehow managed to convince me that I really needed that interview with Ms. Rita, hinting at the fact that I could make this a pre-publicity move for my upcoming album. Well, in the end, I had agreed.

But nothing about this interview really sitted well, with me. First the goddamned reporter had to start with the rumors that had been flying around for ages.

“Ms. Vixen. There has been some talks about you lately, I was wondering if you could clear that up for us.”

I had arched an eyebrow up, and stared at her surprised. Because I was unaware of rumors flying about me and if there were, Ryan and the PR team always handled that without bothering me.

“What rumors?”

“There are some questions about your sexuality..you know, some people quite think you're..” Her voice dropped an inch. “You know into women.”

This is so absurd! Really?

My face darkened, was this what people thought about me or what she thought about me?

My anger stirred, I leaned back into the chair to steady myself. I already knew reporters were always fun of twisting public opinion and all that, but I never expected this.

“That is simply an outrageous accusation.” I began, she offered a half-convincing smile probably for the cameras. I didn't care anyway. Whoever bad-mouthed me on the tabloids was none of my business. But once any of those bullshits were spoken to my face, then it definitely was!

“Would you say because you're not wearing any rings.” I paused, and my eyes fell on her fingers resting on the table. “Does that mean you're into women?”

Her smile froze. Bet she never saw that coming.

I smirked, as I watched her squirm uncomfortably in her seat.

“Not really…Just. It means you're,you know not engaged or married.” She stuttered.

“Or maybe you're gay.” I added. The color drained from her face.

She bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, you could say that.”

I nodded, my smile widening as I picked up my drinking glass and took an unhurried sip.

“So if you're not in to women. Does that mean you're seeing someone?”

“Maybe. It could mean a lot of things.”

“Right.” She nodded ackwardly. “So what's your next album about? Your songs always pull off in an Ed- Sheeran kind of way, but since there's really no lover to the name, it kinds of feel…off.”

Was she asking a question or making a statement or even both?

These reporters were just too absurd! Crazy!

I cleared my throat. “Well, my next album is totally different from whatever you've seen before.”

“Really?” Her eyes piqued with interest.

“Yeah, My next album is just about me.” I said smiling.

“By just about me, do you by chance mean your love life?”

Alright, this was it. I had, had my fill!

“Can you say something that has nothing to do with my love life.” I said slowly in a low and dangerous voice.

Her smile remained unwavering, as she stared back at me triumphantly. Like she had been expecting this all along.

Well, fuck her! I didn't care.

“But your love life is more of the public's area of interest.” She quirped.

Well, fuck the public too.

I was done with this silly mind games.

I pushed the chair back and rose up to my full height.

“I think we're done here.” I said firmly and without waiting for her replying and walked out of the camera line, making for the exit. After all, I'd done what I had initially plan on doing. I had talked about the upcoming album and after that I wasn't obligated to answer any more questions.

Ryan fell in step behind me, muttering “I'm sorry about that.”

I sighed. “Don't be. Reporters always have a way of getting on my nerves.”

“Well, there is a bunch of them outside waiting, are you sure you're good?” He asked. “I can handle them if you don't feel like it.”

I shook my head. “Don't worry, I'll take them on.”

Ryan had predicted this, once we granted an interview with Rita. She sure was going to leak the dope out to the others and that was what made her the best publicity choice for my new album.

We were just two more steps away from the door and another minute before I'd be the centre of several wild camera flashes and although it didn't really sit well with me. It was part of the goddamned job!

Ryan beat me to the door and rested a hand over the door knob, tilting his head back to have one final look at me, before we stepped out. He asked:

“Are you ready?”

I sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the protesting churns my stomach made and flashed him my most charming smile. “Yes.”

He smiled encouragingly. “On three. You're ready?”

I nodded.

Then without warning, he yelled “Three!” And pulled the door back.

Christ!

Camera flashes flocked on me from different angles, immediately I stepped out momentarily clouding my vision. I blinked twice or thrice before I could adjust to the whole light flashes.

I knew it was going to be like this. The lights and all the noise and even though I was mentally prepared, it still took a tow on me.

The reporters were howling countless questions at me:

“When is your album dropping?”

“Will you be featuring anybody?”

“Is it true you're into women?”

“What does kissing a lady feel like?”

Damn! This people had the wildest imagination.

I cleared my throat and set out to recite the already prepared speech, Ryan had helped me memorised down. The whole buzzing quieted.

“Thank you so much everyone. My next album would be on your doorsteps sooner than you think. Don't forget to keep anticipating this one, because I have named it right after myself. VIXEN!”

whew!

Immediately I was done, the security officials Ryan had brought along pushed the throng of reporters out of the way. I tried to keep a straight face, as I matched through the cleared path. Occasionally hit by some wild flashes here and there and even more absurd questions.

Walking to the car was the longest patience trial, I'd ever faced. Once I was safely inside the car. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Ryan came in after me and handed me my phone.

“We're due for rehearsals in a few minutes.” He said.

Oh! No!

I didn't want to spend another hour or so locked up in that freaks patio.

But even at that, I couldn't ignore what needed to be done.

I unlocked the phone and tapped on my contacts. A list of name whirled up in front of me, as I scrolled through. In no time the letter J popped up my hands hovered over the second name on the list. My insides clawed with resentment as I slowly clicked Jaxon Fallon on the screen.

And that was how, I got here five minutes later pressing a finger into his doorbell and waiting.

A minute later, the door swung open and a lady peered out from inside.

“Hi, How can I help you?”