Serial Novel: Falling in Public, Ch. 22
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Ch. 16| Ch. 17|Ch. 18| Ch. 19 | Ch. 20 | Ch. 21
Falling in Public
Chapter 22
Holly stared back at Ellison, careful to keep her expression neutral. Inside she was more than a little afraid of what he would say, and the muscles in her leg were twitching uncomfortably as the pain started to flare. There had to be some way to get out of this mess, she just had to listen, and then figure it out. She could do that. Then she'd get back to Eddie, and--
"I take it from your silence that you're ready to see this," he said finally, apparently realizing he'd get no acknowledgement from her. He pulled open the nightstand drawer and took out a remote control, pointing it at the bare dresser on the wall across from her bed. A mechanic whirring sound accompanied a small TV that rose out of the console. The monitor came to life with the press of another button, and Holly gasped, recognizing Harley's personal recording studio on the screen.
"How did you get this?" she asked, leaning forward to look more closely at the video. "Did you tap into his survellienc feed? Who helped you?" The old couch called to her, and she wished she could be on the other side of the glass.
"How is unimportant," Ellison said. "You should be more concerned with the next little bit." The bouncer from the AfterGlow stepped into the studio and went to the couch, lifting up one of the cushions to place something underneath the back portion of the furniture. He pushed a few buttons on the device, then replaced the cushions, staring at them for a few minutes before he turned and walked away.
The TV went black and began its decent back into the console. Ellison replaced the remote, then turned to Holly with a grin.
"I find that when the motivation is sufficient, people are more willing to listen. Are you willing to listen now, Miss Saunders?"
She nodded, knowing it was probably a bluff, but not willing to risk the potential explosion. "I'm listening."
He smiled. "Excellent. The terms are simple. You will play the part of Sean's lovely yet quiet writer-girlfriend in public. This includes enough affectionate displays to be convincing even to the press. We will provide the back story for your relationship, a room in Sean's home where you'll stay, and more spending money than you've probably ever had in your life." He clasped his hands together, the rubbing motion reminding Holly of an overly-dramatic cartoon villain in a movie. "When you aren't working," he continued, "You'll be able to work on your books in peace."
"And I why would I do this for you again? Because frankly, that sounds horrifying. You want me to be a slave, more or less. Or at least look like a mistress."
"Exactly!" He got to his feet and started pacing, back and forth behind the chair he'd vacated. "We want you to look like a mistress. And if you happen to sleep with Sean, so much the better. Your name linked with his will send your books soaring into the sales stratosphere. And having "stolen" you from Eddie Pierce will boost his credentials as well."
Holly wrinkled her nose. "That's one of the worst marketing plans I've ever heard - and I've heard many. But you didn't say why I'd want to do this. I can sell plenty of books just off my name alone."
Ellison laughed. "That's cute, honey, but you and I both know that your numbers haven't been all that great lately. You do this though, and not only will your books sell, I'll guarantee you a movie deal before our arrangement ends.
She waited, staring pointedly until the amusement left his face.
"The bomb hidden in Eddie's couch is still there. All I have to do is watch the monitor, and choose the right time for your rock star to have a rather untimely accident. Or you can play along, and stay away from Eddie Pierce, and he'll get to stay in one piece. Your choice, Ms. Saunders."
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Ch.1|Ch. 2|Ch. 3|Ch. 4|Ch. 5|Ch. 6|Ch. 7|Ch. 8|Ch. 9|Ch. 10|Ch. 11|Ch. 12|Ch.13|Ch. 14|Ch. 15|
Ch. 16| Ch. 17|Ch. 18| Ch. 19 | Ch. 20 | Ch. 21
Falling in Public
Chapter 22
Holly stared back at Ellison, careful to keep her expression neutral. Inside she was more than a little afraid of what he would say, and the muscles in her leg were twitching uncomfortably as the pain started to flare. There had to be some way to get out of this mess, she just had to listen, and then figure it out. She could do that. Then she'd get back to Eddie, and--
"I take it from your silence that you're ready to see this," he said finally, apparently realizing he'd get no acknowledgement from her. He pulled open the nightstand drawer and took out a remote control, pointing it at the bare dresser on the wall across from her bed. A mechanic whirring sound accompanied a small TV that rose out of the console. The monitor came to life with the press of another button, and Holly gasped, recognizing Harley's personal recording studio on the screen.
"How did you get this?" she asked, leaning forward to look more closely at the video. "Did you tap into his survellienc feed? Who helped you?" The old couch called to her, and she wished she could be on the other side of the glass.
"How is unimportant," Ellison said. "You should be more concerned with the next little bit." The bouncer from the AfterGlow stepped into the studio and went to the couch, lifting up one of the cushions to place something underneath the back portion of the furniture. He pushed a few buttons on the device, then replaced the cushions, staring at them for a few minutes before he turned and walked away.
The TV went black and began its decent back into the console. Ellison replaced the remote, then turned to Holly with a grin.
"I find that when the motivation is sufficient, people are more willing to listen. Are you willing to listen now, Miss Saunders?"
She nodded, knowing it was probably a bluff, but not willing to risk the potential explosion. "I'm listening."
He smiled. "Excellent. The terms are simple. You will play the part of Sean's lovely yet quiet writer-girlfriend in public. This includes enough affectionate displays to be convincing even to the press. We will provide the back story for your relationship, a room in Sean's home where you'll stay, and more spending money than you've probably ever had in your life." He clasped his hands together, the rubbing motion reminding Holly of an overly-dramatic cartoon villain in a movie. "When you aren't working," he continued, "You'll be able to work on your books in peace."
"And I why would I do this for you again? Because frankly, that sounds horrifying. You want me to be a slave, more or less. Or at least look like a mistress."
"Exactly!" He got to his feet and started pacing, back and forth behind the chair he'd vacated. "We want you to look like a mistress. And if you happen to sleep with Sean, so much the better. Your name linked with his will send your books soaring into the sales stratosphere. And having "stolen" you from Eddie Pierce will boost his credentials as well."
Holly wrinkled her nose. "That's one of the worst marketing plans I've ever heard - and I've heard many. But you didn't say why I'd want to do this. I can sell plenty of books just off my name alone."
Ellison laughed. "That's cute, honey, but you and I both know that your numbers haven't been all that great lately. You do this though, and not only will your books sell, I'll guarantee you a movie deal before our arrangement ends.
She waited, staring pointedly until the amusement left his face.
"The bomb hidden in Eddie's couch is still there. All I have to do is watch the monitor, and choose the right time for your rock star to have a rather untimely accident. Or you can play along, and stay away from Eddie Pierce, and he'll get to stay in one piece. Your choice, Ms. Saunders."
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