Global’s PR team released their statement. Nathan paid a few social influencers to post glowing reviews of his company and of Amber over the next three days. He contacted everyone he could think of to clean up Amber’s image and to cast blame on Emma. He only hoped that the public would soon forget his latest scandal, and Amber would be able to return to work.
His goal was to position Amber to win the Top 10 Model Award and then announce she would be leaving the country to study. She could have her child away from the prying eyes of the public. Nathan was infatuated with Amber, so he was willing to go to great lengths to make this plan work. And once she was acknowledged as a top model, she would be very profitable for Global Entertainment.
Manager Lisa read through the latest Global press release with a shake of her head. She had come over to Emma’s apartment to plan their next move but was surprised to find that Emma wasn’t home. Feeling confused, she called Emma.
Emma had just started filling the tub at Eric’s house. She laughed and said, “I haven’t had the chance to tell you, I moved.”
“You moved to…?” Lisa asked, puzzled.
Emma turned around and looked at Eric, who had just entered the bathroom. Not realizing she was on the phone, he said in that deep, sexy voice of his, “Is it bath time yet?”
On the other side of the line, Lisa heard the voice and asked in disbelief, “Who are you with? Are you safe? Is someone taking advantage of your situation?” Beginning to sound frantic, she said, “You need to rely on some strange man to take care of you. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come get you right now.”
Emma didn’t know what to say. She put her phone on mute and said, “My manager seems to think I need help. I’d like to talk with her in person and explain what’s going on. Do you trust her completely?”
Eric had already found out quite a lot about Lisa. He knew that she was passionate and loyal but scatterbrained at times. “Of course, then let me send someone to pick her up and bring her here,” he suggested.
Emma thought about it carefully and then told Lisa she would send a car for her. She paced back and forth while she waited. What on Earth was going on? Had Emma willingly gone off with some other man? Was it someone in the entertainment industry? Didn’t she know how dangerous that was? They all wanted the same thing—one night of fun to be forgotten about the next day.
Lisa was fuming by the time Luke, Eric’s assistant, arrived. “Please get in the car. I’m here to take you to see Emma,” Luke said.
Lisa didn’t recognize Luke and wasn’t feeling very friendly. “If anything has happened to Emma, I will do some serious physical harm to you and your boss,” she threatened, then she jabbed him in the belly with her elbow. The sudden pain made it hard for Luke to answer. “Let’s not talk about who’s going to hurt who. Get in the car,” Luke insisted.
Lisa glared at Luke as she got in the car and kept glaring throughout the ride, keeping up a steady stream of threats about what would happen if even one hair on Emma’s head had been harmed. But as the car approached one of the most expensive streets in Tribeca, Lisa grew silent in shock.
“Who the hell is your boss?” she asked weakly.
“You’ll find out once you get inside,” Luke replied in an annoyed tone. He could have a bit of a temper too.
Lisa started to worry. She’d have to be very careful. Whoever lived there probably had a lot of power to go along with their money. Luke escorted Lisa out of the car and let her into the building. She remained quiet as the elevator opened up to a palatial living room where Emma was waiting on the sofa. Even without any makeup, she was stunning, as was the view of Manhattan out the window behind her.
“Emma, what’s going on? You don’t really live here, do you?” Lisa asked, bewildered.
“There’s something I need to tell you, but I don’t want you to be upset,” Emma said. She motioned Lisa to sit on the sofa next to her. “Tell me, do you have a new boyfriend?”
“No, I’m a sugar head,” holding back a smile, Lisa replied. “I’m married.”
After a long pause, Lisa burst out, “What did you say? You’re married? Who are you married to? What are you talking about?”
Interrupting her barrage of questions, Eric came into the room. “Hello, Lisa,” he said. “There’s a surprise.” He walked over to Emma, leaned over affectionately, and whispered gently into her ear.
“I know,” she responded. “I’ll only be about a half an hour. See you later.”
Lisa froze in disbelief. “Emma, pinch me. I want to know if I’m dreaming. Are you married to Eric Roberts, the CEO of Kaleidoscope?”
“Um, yeah. For real. Yes, you’re not hallucinating. It’s really him, my new husband,” Emma confirmed.
Lisa’s mood changed from distress to excitement. “Emma, this is such a great surprise! I can’t believe it. I’m cured!”
“You’re cured? Yes, I’m cured of my hatred for your mystery man. You totally made the right decision. If you’re gonna get married to someone, it shouldn’t be to that piece of trash Nathan. Ooh, when he finds out, God, that’ll be so satisfying.”
