“Sure.”
“Love?”
“Yes?”
“I love you. Don’t forget that. We will get through this. I told you before and I’m telling you again. I won’t let anybody hurt you. Ever!”
“I love you too baby. Talk to you later,” she says before she hangs up the phone.
I sit back on my sofa and take a deep breath. I would like to scream and break something. I’m so angry that this happened to her and I wasn’t even there to protect her. This is the first time I actually hate my job. I have to get this right. I must make this disappear. If not I’m going to lose her I know that and I am not willing to lose her. I’m glad that I hear my doorbell ring, otherwise, I’m sure I will break something. I go and open the door.
“Hey mate, what’s wrong with you? Jeff asks as I open the door for him.
“Come in and let’s sit down. I’ll tell you what happened.”
We both sit down at the kitchen table.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m good thanks. Just tell me what happened.”
So I tell Jeff the entire story of what happened to Ali earlier today.
“Wow. That’s a lot!”
“I know. She was devastated. We have to do something about it or at least I do but I would really appreciate your help.”
“Of course I’ll help you. You know I’ve got your back. I wasn’t against Ali because I don’t want you to be happy. I just knew this could become a problem but nevertheless, I will always help you!”
“Thanks, man. I just have no idea what to do. But the clock is ticking. We don’t have a lot of time before those photos are released,” I say not having a clue what to do.
“I’ve got this. Let me do some phone calls,” Jeff says and pulls out his phone.
He starts calling various people and I just sit there and listen. I think he is on phone call number seven now and I think he is finally getting somewhere with it. I think this man could rule the world if he wanted to. He is currently writing down a number that the person on the phone must have given him. He hangs up the phone.
“So? Do you know something?” I ask him desperate to find out.
“Well, apparently this is the phone number of one of the men who took the photos. I’ll call him now and then we hopefully will know more,” Jeff replies whilst already dialling the number.
I’m glad he is the one on the phone and not me because I wouldn’t be able to keep it together. I can’t stop thinking that he could be the one who thought he was entitled to touch Ali. I would like to rip his head off. I try to calm down. This isn’t going to help anyone if I have these thoughts. I look at Jeff asking him what’s going on. Jeff just raises his hand to tell me to be quiet and wait. So I do exactly that but it’s taking all my strength to do so. I can’t wait for Jeff to hang up the phone and tell me what is going on. Then he finally does.
“And?” I burst out.
“Okay, the good thing is we do have the correct number. It was one of the men who took the photos. I told him that they legally don’t have the right to take photos of Ali as she isn’t a public figure. That they invaded her privacy and by lurking in front of her house it is even a form of stalking.”
“So are they going to drop it?”
“Well, I told them that if they want to avoid a lawsuit which they will definitely lose, they should delete the photos not talk about them and never to do it again!”
“That’s good right?”
“The thing is Henry, they will get a lot of money for these photos and the money they would have to pay in court is only a little bump, but totally worth it. So even if we sue, they would probably let the photos leak.”
“So there is nothing we can do?” I ask horrified that I can’t make this go away.
“There is something we can do or something you could do.”
“What is it? I’ll do it. I’ll do anything!”
“I asked them what the news outlet they took the photos for was offering to pay them. I offered them to pay the same amount and let go of a lawsuit if they signed a non-disclosure agreement. That way we could have the photos destroyed, they can’t take any new ones and they can’t even talk about it. It’s the best and only solution.”
“Okay let’s do it!” I reply relieved that I am able to make this go away and not lose Ali over this.
“They want 100.000 pounds Henry.”
I am a little shocked how much these photos are worth but I don’t care.
“I don’t care about the money Jeff they could ask for a million and I would pay it gladly. The only thing I care about is that Ali can keep her private life private for as long as she wants it to be. I want her to be and to feel safe!”
“Good. I’ll call him and tell him that we are going to give him the money then,” Jeff says and leaves the kitchen to call the man back.
When Jeff comes back into the kitchen he lets me know that he will meet up with the man tomorrow. He will give him the money and he will have him and his colleague sign the non-disclosure agreements in front of him.
“Thank you, Jeff. I can’t even express how grateful I am.”
“No worries. That’s my job. Now that we have that settled, let’s talk about your album and how everything is coming along,” Jeff answers and we do exactly that.
I play Jeff some of the songs that we have already recorded and he is very pleased. We talk about the situation with Ali and I am glad that he is supporting us now.
“It’s getting late. I’d better get home,” Jeff says and stands up.
I also stand up and walk him to the door. I give him a hug.
“Thanks again mate.”
“Any time!” Jeff replies and opens the door.
“Now go on and call that girl to let her know there won’t be any photos leaked. I know you’ve been dying to do so,” Jeff says, winks at me and closes the door behind him.
I have to laugh about that but he is right I really am dying to call Ali and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Just like I promised her. So I take my phone out of my pocket to call her, but then my phone rings and it’s Ryan.
“Hey mate,” I say as I answer the phone.
“Hey Henry, I just wanted to ask you a quick question.”
“Go ahead.”
I invited Poppy to come to LA when I am on my one week tour break. I was wondering if you and Ali would like to come along, that way Poppy doesn’t have to travel all that distance on her own. I’m sure it’ll be a fun week for all of us.”
“Of course. I’ll have to check my schedule but I’m sure I can make it work. Send me the details will you?” I reply and accept his offer.
“I will. That’s great, looking forward to it mate.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great. See you mate,” I say and hang up the phone.
I don’t mean to be rude but I just really want to talk to Ali.
◆◆◆
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Chapter 28
Alison
When I hang up the phone, I feel a little bit better. I’m glad Henry is going to take care of this. I also feel bad though. He has so much on his plate and now this on top of it? I don’t want to be the little girl who needs to be looked after. I decide it’s time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get off the ground. I walk to the kitchen and get myself a nice cool drink. Then I remember that I still have to call James to tell him that he has the job if he still wants it. So I sit down, dial his number and wait for him to answer.
“This is James speaking. Hello?” He says as he answers the phone and I think that’s an adorable way to answer the phone.
“Hello James, it’s me, Alison Thomson. I’m just calling to let you know that if you still want it, I would love for you to have the job as my assistant,” I tell him and hope he will accept my offer.
“OMG, really? Yes. I would love to. When do I start?”
“I’m so happy to hear that. Let’s say next Monday if that’s fine wi
th you?”
“Yes absolutely. I can’t wait. Thank you so much for the opportunity, Miss Thomson. I really appreciate it.”
“Did you just call me Miss Thomson? Sounds like a school teacher. Just call me Ali,” I reply laughing.
“Okay great. Thank you very much, Ali.”
“You’re welcome. See you on Monday. Take care James.”
This phone call made me happy. I’m certain I made the right choice with James. I need someone around me that lightens the mood.
I am still a bit stressed out about what happened earlier so I decide to take a walk. I love to walk around in nature because it grounds me and gives me a lot of energy. I put on my shoes, grab my phone and head downstairs. I walk to my gate and am about to open it, to walk out, but I can’t. All of a sudden my entire body starts shaking, my heart is racing and I feel as if I am going to throw up any second. I take a step back and sit down on the stairs that lead up to my house. What is going on with me? I can barely breathe. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest. I am so terrified of what’s happening, that I pull out my phone and call my mum. Thank god she answers the phone immediately.
“Hello, Darling. Are you alright?” my mum asks me, as she answers the phone.
“Hi mum, no I’m not. I wanted to go for a walk and I am currently sitting on my steps in front of the gate because something is happening with me,” I answer confused about what is going on.
At this point, I even consider that I am having a heart attack.
“What do you mean? What is it? Stay calm and tell me exactly what is going on.”
“As I said I wanted to go for a walk, but before I could go outside I started shaking all of a sudden. My heart is beating extremely fast, I feel as if I can’t breathe and I feel sick to my stomach.”
“Okay, darling. Now listen to me, you need to take a deep breath in and hold it for a few seconds and then let it out again. Don’t worry, you are having a panic attack, but I’m going to help you to get out of it.”
I am confused as to why I am having a panic attack, but I do exactly what she tells me to do and take a deep breath in hold it and then breathe out again. I do that a couple of times until I feel my heartbeat slow down.
“Do you feel better?”
“Yes. Thank you, mum. How can this happen?”
“Did something happen?”
“Well, earlier I was followed by two men. They turned out to be paparazzi. They found out about me and Henry and they were waiting in front of my house. I’ve already told Henry and he said that he is going to take care of it, but it was a horrible experience.” I tell her the whole story.
“Well then that must have traumatised you somehow and now you’re subconsciously scared to leave your house,” My mum explains the panic attack.
“Does this mean it will happen again?”
“I hope not, but I don’t know. Just don’t let that fear take the upper hand. Just relax and take your time. Maybe don’t go out now. Go back inside and try it again tomorrow. Give yourself a night of rest,” my mum suggests.
“Yes, you are right. I’ll do that. Thanks, mum. Love you.”
“Love you too Darling,” she replies and we hang up the phone.
I decide to listen to my mum and walk back upstairs to my house. I take off my shoes and sit down on the sofa. I can’t forget how bad I just felt. I really thought I was having a heart attack. It all just felt very real. My mum is right though. I cannot let fear take the upper hand. I’m stronger than that. I know I am. I have to be, but I also know that if I stay by Henry’s side it is only a matter of time until something similar will happen again. He can’t always be there to protect me and he shouldn’t have to. He deserves someone who is able to share the life he lives. Someone who is open to that world. Not someone like me, who is trying to avoid all of it and putting pressure on him when things like this happen. I love him. I really love him, but I think I can’t be that selfish to make his life so complicated. Maybe it would be better for both of us if we just let each other go. It hurts to even think about it, but what if it is the right thing to do?
I’m crying now because of all these thoughts running through my head. I’m trying to think of a reason for staying together, but apart from the fact that we love each other, I can’t think of any other. What I do have is a lot of reasons why we should break up. I just need a sign.
I’m still sitting on my sofa when my phone rings. It’s my mum again.
“Hi mum,” I answer my phone.
“Hi darling, I just wanted to know how you feel?”
“I feel much better. I listened to you and didn’t go out.”
“You sound very sad. Have you been crying darling?”
“To be honest, yes I have. I don’t think that it will work out between Henry and me I mean I love him, I really do, but I just can’t cope with all this media attention. My body can’t even handle it,” I say starting to cry yet again.
“Oh, darling. I know it’s hard and I know you love him. He is a very sweet boy. In the end, you must do what’s best for you, though. If you are sure you can’t handle the media then maybe it really is best to break up as soon as possible. It’ll only get harder the longer you wait and, unfortunately, the media certainly won’t go away.”
“I know, but it’s just so hard mum. Why? Why does this have to happen to me? First I only find terrible men and then I find a really good one and this happens. I don’t want to lose him!” I say tears running down my face.
“I know darling. The only advice I can give you is to stay true to yourself. I love you, darling.”
“I love you, too, mum,” I say and we hang up the phone.
I go to the bathroom and freshen up. All this crying has ruined my makeup. It’s already nine pm. I still don’t know what to do. I just can’t think about a life without Henry. It hurts too much to even think about it. I walk back to the living room and check my phone. I have a missed facetime call from Henry so I sit down and call him back.
“Hey beautiful,” Henry smiles into the camera as he answers the phone.
“Hey baby.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Well, I’m better let’s put it that way.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I have good news, beautiful. Jeff found out the phone number of one of the men who took the photos of you. He is going to meet up with them tomorrow to pay them off and have them sign a non-disclosure agreement. So the photos will be destroyed and they can’t take any more or even talk about anything,” Henry tells me in a cheerful voice.
I feel relieved for a moment because I know that my privacy is no longer on the line, but did he just say pay them off`?
“What do you mean with he is going to pay them off?”
“Well, so Jeff told them that what they were doing was illegal because you are not a public figure and that we would sue them. The problem with that is, that they would have been paid a lot of money selling the photos to the news outlet. Paying the legal fees would have been a very small price to pay, so they would have leaked the photos even if we had sued them.”
“I get that. So what exactly did you and Jeff decide to do?”
“Well I’m going to pay them the same amount that the news outlet would have paid them and we won’t sue,” Henry says as if it was nothing.
I can’t believe what I am hearing right now. I feel so ashamed of myself that Henry has to pay money for my decision of wanting to be private.
“How much?” Is all I am able to ask him.
“Doesn’t matter love,” Henry tries to cut it off.
“Henry. Tell me how much it was?”
Henry sighs. “100 thousand pounds.”
“What? Are you joking?”
“Look, love, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care about the money. I would have paid a million, I don’t care, I just want you to be safe and happy!”
Now I know what I have to do. Maybe this was the sign I’ve been asking for. I can’t be selfis
h anymore. I love him and because I do, I need to do what is best for him and let him go.
“Look baby I love you. You know that right?” I start.
“Yes.”
“Good,” I can’t hold back my tears now.
“And because of that, I can’t be selfish any longer. I want you to be happy and I wish so bad that this would mean that the two of us could share a life with each other, but it doesn’t. I am not able to cope with the media attention around you and it is not fair of me to make my issues your problem,”
“Ali. No. Please Stop! Don’t say it,” Henry begs me in a shaking voice which only makes me cry even harder.
“I’m so sorry to do this to you. Believe me, my heart is breaking into a million pieces right now and I don’t think I will ever be able to love someone as much as I love you. I love you so much that I have to let you go. I know it’s better for you. I brought so much stress and drama into your life already and I am so sorry about that. I don’t want to make your life more difficult,”
“Ali. Don’t say that. You brought joy and happiness into my life. Doesn’t that count? Please don’t give up on me. Don’t give up on us,” Henry begs me with a tear running down his cheek.
This is killing me. I hate myself for this, but I know that I have to do this.
“I’m so sorry. Don’t forget me. I really do love you,” I say and then hang up the phone.
I put my phone beside me and feel like someone just sucked the life out of me. I can’t stop crying, I’m sobbing so hard I can barely breathe. I don’t know if I will ever be happy again.
My phone rings again and I hope it’s Henry, then again I hope it’s not him. I look on my screen and I see it’s Poppy.
“Hey,” I say as I answer the phone.
“OMG Ali. You won’t believe this. I have been dying to tell you but I wasn't allowed to until now. Are you sat down? You should be sitting, okay here it goes. Ryan invited me to come to Los Angeles for his tour break, but that’s not all of it. He invited Henry and you to come along as well! Henry already knows about it, so we are all going to fly to LA in two weeks. So pack your bags love because Hollywood here we come!!!!!” Poppy speaks so loud and fast because she is so overjoyed.
Keep It Secret: Time Starts Now (Part Book 1) Page 17