Charlotte yelled out, “Quiet please. Sean Maxwell has something he wants to say and then we’ll be open for questions.”
To Sean’s amazement, the reporters stopped talking and a hush fell around him.
Charlotte nudged him.
Sean cleared his throat and looked into the crowd of people. He was glad he wore sunglasses because the flashes from the cameras were a little distracting. He did as Charlotte instructed him the night before. He found one friendly face in the crowd and pretended to be addressing that person while blocking out the others.
He walked to the microphone and said, “I want to send my condolences out to Dana Reliford’s family and friends. I know it had to be heartbreaking to lose her in the way they did. I know some of you are here today because you’ve heard about the police investigation and the suicide note Dana left mentioning her feelings for me. Dana and I had a strictly professional relationship. When our professional relationship ended, I still supported Dana by collaborating with a few of her clients.
“To those that have resorted to saying things about me on social media, I’ve never intentionally hurt anyone. In fact, I was one of the ones who insisted on Dana getting medical help when I first noticed her erratic behavior. Unbeknownst to some, she’d been clinically diagnosed as having bi-polar disorder. I’m not a detective or working on her case, so I can only speculate the reason why Dana killed herself is because she was not taking the medication her doctors prescribed for her.
“I’m here talking to you today, not because of what people are saying about me online, but because I don’t want Dana Reliford’s death to be in vain. I want to bring awareness to mental illness. The results can be deadly...either to the person themselves or those that come in contact with them.
“Since learning of Dana’s suicide, I’ve done my own research. I’ve decided to donate money to the Mental Health Association here in Los Angeles so that those who need treatment but can’t afford it, can get the help they need.”
When Sean finished his speech, the reporters raised their hands to get his attention.
An Entertainment News reporter asked, “Is it true Dana Reliford stalked you up until her death?”
Sean took a few deep breaths before responding. “Dana had a lot of issues.”
“Why weren’t you invited to Dana Reliford’s funeral?” Another reporter asked.
Sean looked at the reporter. He heard Jason in his ear saying, “Repeat after me. ‘Due to the nature of how Dana died, the family decided on a private ceremony and I respect their decision.’”
Sean repeated what Jason said to him.
A reporter from a local Los Angeles TV station asked, “Some people have resorted to saying mean and hateful things about you online. How do you address your critics?”
“People are entitled to their own opinions. I have no control over that,” Sean responded.
Sean answered a few more questions until Charlotte intervened. “Okay, everyone. That’s all for today. We thank you for coming. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Charlotte touched Sean on the arm indicating it was time to walk away. Some reporters called out Sean’s name as he turned to follow Charlotte to the car, but he ignored them.
Once inside, Sean felt relieved. “How did I do?”
“You did great. I’m impressed. You didn’t need my help once.”
“Jason helped me with one of the questions.”
“You did better than most people. You handled yourself like a pro.”
Sounding like JJ from Good Times, Sean used his fingers and rubbed his chest. “Well, you know. What can I say?”
They both laughed.
A few minutes later, Sean, Charlotte, Jason and Priscilla were seated in the den watching clippings from the press conference on television.
Sean looked at Charlotte sitting beside him on the sofa. “Thanks to you, everything went well.”
Priscilla grunted. “I could have done that.”
“But you didn’t,” Jason pointed out.
Priscilla growled. “I don’t like you.”
“You’re not the first woman who’s told me that and probably won’t be the last.” Jason went back to looking at the television.
Sean shook his head and laughed as he watched the exchange between the two.
Sean said, “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m famished. I was too nervous to eat this morning.”
“I’m surprised y’all didn’t hear my stomach growling,” Jason blurted.
“I haven’t had a good hamburger in awhile,” Charlotte said.
“Priscilla, take care of it for me, please,” Sean insisted.
Priscilla wrote down what everyone wanted and left the room.
For just a second Sean was able to silence the madness around him and enjoy the moment.
Chapter Fifteen
Charlotte spent the next few weeks making sure she and her team flooded news sources and the internet with positive press releases about Sean. On this particular day, she was sitting behind her desk staring at the blank computer screen. Sean seemed to be depending on her more and more. She was glad he felt like he could trust her but what she didn’t want was a repeat of what happened with Darryl.
Darryl got upset with her when he took her advice and it backfired. That’s when Darryl started becoming verbally abusive to her and their relationship never recovered from it.
Charlotte didn’t want Sean to get mad at her if the press didn’t respond the way he’d hoped. She needed to be able to trust Sean’s feelings were as real as the ones she felt for him. She needed him to love her not because of what she could do for him career wise, but because he truly loved her, the woman.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when her phone rang. It was Allen Bales, a high school friend of hers.
“How are you stranger? I haven’t heard from you lately,” Allen acknowledged.
“Not my fault. That wife of yours has been keeping you busy.”
“Lily, says hi, by the way.”
“Tell her I said hi, too.”
“So what’s going on with you?” Allen asked.
Allen and she had been friends since high school. She felt at ease opening up to him about her feelings for Sean. “So should I put a stop to it before it goes any further?” Charlotte asked.
“I think you should explore your feelings for each other.”
Felicia walked in carrying a huge bouquet of roses. “Look what just got delivered.”
“They’re beautiful,” Charlotte exclaimed as she stood behind her desk. “Allen, let me call you back.”
She ended her call with Allen right before Felicia handed Charlotte the two-dozen roses. Felicia held the card from the roses in her hand.
Charlotte smelled the flowers before finding a spot on her desk to place them. “You can give me that,” Charlotte said.
“It’s from Sean. You must have made a big impression on him. Is there more going on with Mr. Naughty than you’re telling?”
“You know I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Come on, you can tell me. I won’t tell anyone,” Felicia teased.
“Don’t you have some more work you need to do?” Charlotte said, chuckling.
Felicia looked at her watch. “It’s after six. I’m off the clock. I met the delivery man at the elevator and wanted to make sure you got these.”
“Clients send me gifts all of the time so don’t read into what’s not there.”
“I’ve got my eye on you,” Felicia said, as she walked towards the door.
“Bye, Felicia,” Charlotte giggled, as she took another sniff of her roses.
Left alone with her thoughts, Charlotte read the note and decided to give Sean a call.
Instead of hearing his sexy baritone, Priscilla answered. “He’s busy right now
.”
“I’m sure he’ll want to talk with me.”
“Hold on. Let me check.”
Charlotte played with the stress reliever ball on her desk while waiting on Sean to get on the phone.
“Hi, sweetheart. Did you like the flowers?” he asked.
“They are beautiful. Thank you,” Charlotte responded.
“I’ve been meaning to give you my other cell number. The one that’s for personal use only.”
“Good, what is it? Because I’m tired of having to talk to Godzilla’s twin sister when I call you.”
Sean laughed. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
“Sometimes you can be naughty,” Sean teased.
Charlotte pretended as if she didn’t hear his last comment.
Sean gave her his personal cell number and she entered it into her phone.
“Thanks again, Sean, for the flowers. I have a dinner engagement, so let me get off here so I can freshen up.”
“So you’re just kicking a brother to the curb?”
“Don’t even go there. You’re not my only client or have you forgotten that?” Charlotte laughed.
“So I’m just a client to you. I thought I was a little more.” Sean sounded disappointed.
“You know you’re special to me, so you can stop pouting now,” Charlotte said.
“So you’re admitting you care?” Sean asked, sounding more cheerful.
“Yes, I care. I’ve got to go, I’m running late.” Without giving Sean time to respond, Charlotte disconnected the call.
After getting off the phone with Sean, she made sure everyone had gone for the day and the office doors were locked. She showered in the bathroom located in her newly renovated office, and changed into a knee length fitted black sequined evening dress. She kept on the pearls she’d worn earlier. The shoes she had on didn’t match her dress, so she found an extra pair of black heels in the trunk of her car.
An hour later, she waltzed into the fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Though the party was live and in full swing, she’d rather be at home on her couch sulking about Sean. But she would never back out of an obligation to the charity.
Mona waved her hand in the air at a table near the door getting Charlotte’s attention. She slipped in the chair beside her. She acknowledged everyone at the table, before turning to Mona.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Charlotte said.
“Kem called. She won’t be able to make it. She sent her assistant here to give me this.” Mona held up an envelope. “She sent a sizeable donation.”
“Great.” Charlotte added the check to her own company’s donation in her black handbag sitting on top of the table.
Waiters carrying trays of food walked to each of the tables and started placing meals in front of people.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you, Charlotte. I hope you don’t mind.”
“As long as it’s not salmon, then I’m fine.”
A spokesperson for St Jude’s Hospital spoke to the crowd while they ate their dinner. After dessert, an announcer walked to the podium and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat. He’s been a supporter of our organization and tonight he’ll be singing a few songs. Enjoy our entertainment as you mix and mingle with one another.”
“I hope it’s somebody I like,” Mona mumbled.
“I don’t care who it is. I’m going to hand over these checks then I’m out of here. It’s been a long day for me,” Charlotte said.
They left the table and went to the donor’s section.
Sean’s baritone voice echoed through the venue. After greeting the audience, he began singing one of his popular mid-tempo songs.
Mona whispered near Charlotte’s eat. “Your man’s here.”
“He’s not my man.”
“Sounds like he’s singing that song just for you,” Mona teased.
Charlotte turned around and looked in Sean’s direction. He stared at her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. The temperature in the room got hotter. She fanned herself with her left hand.
“Whatever. I’m giving the checks and then I’m out.” Charlotte handed the jolly woman sitting at the table her donation. She left Mona behind and headed towards the door. Mona caught up with her. “Not so fast.”
“I told you I was leaving.”
“Not before meeting my new boss. He’s a producer and wants to meet you. He’s looking for a new manager.”
“I’m exhausted. Maybe now isn’t the time,” Charlotte said.
“These events are for networking. Follow me. I see him standing over there.”
As Charlotte looked over at the producer, her heart stopped. He was standing near the stage, forcing her to look at Sean. Their eyes locked and she couldn’t look away.
Chapter Sixteen
Sean could sense Charlotte as soon as he stood on the stage. His feelings were confirmed when he saw her side profile while standing near the donor table. When she turned around, their eyes locked for a brief second.
He wanted to jump off stage to follow her when he noticed her walk towards one of the exits. Luckily, a petite woman rushed over and whatever she said, must have been convincing, because Charlotte was headed his way. The closer she got to him, the wider his smile got as he sang.
His smile faded when he noticed the petite woman introducing Charlotte to a guy. He was her height with perfect, white teeth. Sean felt a twinge of jealousy when the man held Charlotte’s hand a little too long.
Sean needed to know who the man was and why the two were exchanging business cards. Get a grip, Sean thought. He was performing. Normally, the stage was the only place he had control but tonight, watching Charlotte and this man was causing him to lose his mind.
Tension eased when the man walked away and started speaking with someone else.
Suddenly, Charlotte looked at him and smiled. All of his previous feelings of jealousy were wiped away. He couldn’t understand what it was about Charlotte that affected him, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Charlotte and the woman walked back in the direction they came from.
Sean had to do something. He sang, “Don’t go. Please stay awhile. Don’t go. Let me show you what I’m all about.”
Charlotte paused as the woman leaned over and said something to her. They seemed to be in some form of disagreement. Sean continued singing his heart out but sadly, Charlotte kept walking, leaving the other woman who threw her hands up in frustration.
Sean ended his set abruptly. To the audience he said, “Ladies and gentleman, I’m going to take a quick break.” He looked back at the band. “The band will entertain you until I return.”
The band members continued to play music as Sean exited the stage.
Sean rushed past some of the attendees and tried to make his way towards the door, but too many people kept coming up to him wanting to snap pictures and get his autograph. When he looked up again, Charlotte was gone.
The woman who had been talking to Charlotte walked up to him. “I tried to get her to stay.”
“I’m sorry. Were you talking to me?” Sean asked.
The woman extended her hand. “I guess I should introduce myself first. I’m Mona. Charlotte’s my best friend.”
“Is she coming back?” Sean asked.
“I’m afraid not. She said she was tired and mentioned something about having a long day.”
Sean knew he looked disappointed. He began to walk back towards the stage to complete his obligation to the event organizer.
“Don’t give up on her. She’s been hurt before so treat her like a delicate flower—with care,” Mona suggested.
Mona walked away leaving Sean alone with his thoughts wondering about who had hurt Charlotte. Only one other person could give him the a
nswers he needed and she wasn’t there. Sean finished his set, hopped into his Maybach and hit the open highway. Instead of going home, he went straight over to Charlotte’s.
All of the lights in her house were off except for one. He exited the car, turned on its alarm and headed for the door. He rang the doorbell but there was no answer. He knocked on the door, waited but Charlotte didn’t answer. He removed his cell phone from his pocket and was about to call again when the door opened.
“What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked. She stood in the doorway wearing a purple satin robe.
“I would have talked to you at the event, but you left before my set ended.”
“It’s sort of late and I’m tired.”
“I came over to talk,” Sean said.
Charlotte removed her hand from near the belt of her robe. It opened slightly revealing her cleavage. “We have to be careful. The last thing we need is for someone to catch us in a compromising position.” She bit her bottom lip.
“Look around. No one’s here, but us.” Sean swooped Charlotte up in his arms and kissed her.
He gently pushed her inside the door and without unlocking their lips, he closed the door and locked the bottom lock with one hand.
Charlotte gently pushed him away. “Whew. You’re not giving me a chance to think around here.”
“Please stop pushing me away.”
Charlotte walked past him, holding onto the belt of her robe. Sean walked behind her. “You can’t run from what’s inevitable Charlotte.”
“Sean, I’m trying to save your career. You were already ridiculed for an alleged affair with your last manager. I don’t want to be the cause of another scandal,” Charlotte said.
Sean placed his hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. She stopped walking. He turned her around. This time, Charlotte didn’t retreat. “The Dana situation is bad, but shouldn’t interfere with us. I care about you and if you didn’t care about me, you wouldn’t be concerned.”
“I’m not denying I care about you. But you’ve worked too hard to get where you’re at,” Charlotte said.
“Let me worry about that,” Sean said.
Secret Relations: Women in Hollywood, Book 1 Page 6