by Jillian Dodd
"I haven't had a chance to check online with all the B stuff that went on, but have you heard anything about the video? Do people like it? Like the song?"
"Yeah, they do. We've gotten hundreds of thousands of hits already. It's going to be huge." He smirks at me. "I think a lot of the views are guys watching you over and over. Probably touching themselves."
I smack him on the back. "Gross, Damian. They are not."
He shrugs.
"More like all the little teeny boppers are watching it a million times and wishing they were me. Listening to your dreamy voice. Pretending to be the girl you take on the perfect date."
"I don't care who watches it or what they're dreaming about. I think this song is going to be a big deal for us."
"It's going to be huge for Riley too. I can't believe how he can take all those pieces and put them together to tell a story."
"It's very fresh and fun. The band is pumped. Did you have fun last night--at the party?"
"Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Aiden made me promise to kiss him at midnight next year, though."
"Peyton said the same thing. It was probably a good lesson for us. Never to get so wrapped up in our public personalities that we forget the moments that matter with the people we care about."
"If it weren't for Vincent, I would have said yes but made sure our dates were close by so we could have kissed them."
"Yeah, I thought about that too."
"So, we're not really stupid. I'm hoping between the video being kinda sexy, being seen out with Knox last week, and then being seen kissing you on New Year's Eve that Vincent is starting to hate me."
"He didn't seem mad when he texted you. You said he's smart. I think he knows you're playing him."
"I just need for him to be distracted trying to find me and not messing with people like B."
"Do you really think B was in danger? Sounds like maybe Vincent just wanted to talk to you."
"He tried to have my grandma run off the road."
"I know. I just wondered if he meant to scare her or if he really wanted to hurt her."
"For now, I think he's trying to scare me."
"Is it working?"
"Yeah, it is. Damian, once I take over his company, I'm going back home to face him."
Cooper, who's been quiet for most of our walk, chimes in. "No, you're not."
"I'd have to agree with Cooper," Damian says.
"On that note, let's head back."
We take Kiki back to the Moran apartment and then carefully work our way back to the loft.
I'm just getting ready to take a nap when Tommy calls again.
"So, the meeting with Moffet went well. He saw the article about you and Knox, the music video, and the number of hits it's gotten. He wants to strike while the iron is hot and officially announce your role in the movie. He's having a press release drafted for tomorrow. Are you ready for that?"
"Yeah, I am."
"What do Garrett and Cooper think?"
"They're on board," I say, although I highly doubt they are. I don't want to lie to Tommy, so I add, "And there isn't much we can do about it if they're not."
"Unless you want to rethink the role. It's not too late to back out, Keatyn. You haven't even signed the contract yet."
"No, but we verbally agreed to the terms. I'm not going to renege on that. I'd never get another job."
"I'm more worried about your safety."
"I'd rather try to stay safe being in the public eye than in hiding. I'm not doing it anymore. I told you that. We'll just have to leave it to the experts. Plus, if he's focused on me instead of trying to get me to come out of hiding, I'm hoping it will mean everyone around me will be safer. Does that make sense?"
"It's sort of the opposite of what Garrett originally told us."
"It is. But that's not his fault. He did what he thought was right at the time. And I agree that it was. It just isn't now."
"So, forgetting about all the Vincent stuff, this is still a big deal. You're creating the perfect publicity storm. The studio is thrilled. Moffet himself wants to talk to you and Knox about continuing the franchise."
"Really? That's awesome! Knox said he thought that might happen, but I sort of thought it was just wishful thinking."
"No way, baby. You're going to be a star, just like your mom."
"Tommy, I can only hope to be half as successful as Mom."
"I thought you were going to say you don't want to be like her."
"I probably would have a few months ago. I didn't want to be compared to her. I didn't think I could handle the comparison. But, now, I hope I can. I'm gonna let you go. I need some sleep."
I wake up to the loft's phone ringing again.
"Hello?" I answer groggily.
"Guess what, Hotshot?" Grandpa says.
"What?"
"We did it. The last investor called. Apparently, he had lunch with Vincent today and wasn't happy with the way things went. He didn't elaborate. Just asked if our offer still stood. I should have lowballed him at that point, but I didn't. The company is yours. Shall we schedule a meeting for tomorrow morning, so that Mr. Sharpe can get fired by the new owner?"
"Yes, we should. How about nine o'clock his time?"
"I'll make it happen. I'll also be sending you an email with some talking points along with the instructions for logging into the video conference."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"You're welcome. Just promise me you'll stay out of California for a while. I suspect Vincent isn't going to be very happy."
As Grandpa ends the call, I lean back, throw my arms up in victory, and scream with delight. "Aaaahhhh!!!"
Aiden and Cooper barrel through my bedroom door at the same time. "What's wrong?"
I laugh, almost hysterically. I'm so damn happy. "Nothing. Everything is going perfectly."
Later, I text Knox.
Me: The takeover of Vincent's company went through. I have an online meeting tomorrow to personally tell him the good news. Then I'd like to be seen. You wanna have lunch with the new chairman of the board?
Knox: I'd be honored. I assume you want this lunch to be photographed?
Me: Yes, I do.
Knox: You're a girl after my heart, Keatyn. I'll let my assistant know where we'll be.
Me: Thank you. Cooper and I will pick you up at noon. I'm going shopping at Bergdorf's after. Maybe we could go somewhere close?
Knox: Do we get to shop together? That would be romantic.
Me: Romantic looking, you mean?
Knox: Of course, sugar. Whatever you say.
Me: There's hope for you yet. See you tomorrow.
MONDAY, JANUARY 2ND
No need for threats.
10:30am
I wake up to Aiden sprinkling little kisses across my shoulder.
"You were naughty last night," he whispers, referring to the party I threw for myself. Riley and Ariela left for home yesterday to get ready to go back to Eastbrooke. When I took my nap, I went to sleep feeling a little sad. Sad that they're all going back without me.
But that sadness was quickly replaced with joy when Grandpa called and told me about the takeover. I immediately decided to throw a party.
It was a small party. Just Peyton, Damian, Aiden, Cooper, and me. But still, it was fun.
Especially after a few shots.
And even more so when I dragged Aiden into my room and used the feather on him.
Let's just say there is still a smile plastered on my face.
"I think you like it when I'm naughty," I reply, sliding my hand down his chest and stopping to rest on his boxers.
He grins at me, removes his boxers, and kisses me. "Yes, I do."
After some more naughtiness, I get up and spend a lot of time getting myself ready for the video conference. I want to look like my mom did in the movie, so I blow my hair out and finish it with a straightener.
Then I stand in the middle of my closet and look at my clothes. If it was just Vincen
t and me, I would wear a bikini. But I'll be speaking to the entire board of directors.
I need to look as professional as possible, so I chose the suit I begged Kym for when I saw it at her studio last week. It's a violet Oscar de la Renta asymmetrical sheath dress with a matching belted peplum moto jacket. It's the perfect combination of fashion forward and understated elegance.
I study myself in the mirror, deciding the bold collar and my hair are competing, so I pull it back into a chic bun and add the glossy black enamel flower earrings that Kym paired with it.
Glancing at the clock and knowing it's almost time, I grab a pair of black suede Alaia stiletto booties with white dots. I don't know if they really match, but they make me feel fierce, and I'm going to need that.
"So, what do you think?" I ask Aiden when I walk out to the kitchen.
"You look older. Professional." He glances down. "Not sure about the little boot things with it, though."
"I like them."
"That's all that matters, then," he says, giving me a steamy kiss. "Are you ready for this? To face him? To fire him? To speak to a freaking board of directors?"
"Yeah, I'm ready. I'm going to get set up in the dining room. The rest of you cannot make a peep."
"Can we watch? Listen?" Cooper asks.
"Yeah, you can. Grandpa will be conferenced in, too. I'll give you the link, but you have to go upstairs."
"Are you sure?" Aiden asks. "I don't really need to watch. I can stay down here with you."
"I appreciate that. But I need to focus. Concentrate like I would on a movie set. I've memorized the key points Grandpa sent me and I know what I'm going to say."
"Well, good luck, then," he says, first kissing his clover tattoo and then kissing mine. "I love you."
"I love you too, Aiden. Now, get upstairs."
I get the computer set up so that I can stand in front of it, rather than sitting down. Grandpa said it will make me look stronger. More dominant.
Part of me wants to laugh. I mean, I'm freaking seventeen and I'm taking over a company? I might be as nuts as Vincent.
I watch the scene in the boardroom start to play out on my computer.
The board members are gathered in the room, greeting each other and chatting.
When Vincent walks in, they all take their seats. I can tell by the way he narrows his eyes that he's noticed a new face in the room, but he doesn't comment, just takes his spot at the head of the table.
Once everyone is seated, the vice-chairman of the board, who happens to be the investor who sold us his stock yesterday, stands up.
"Mr. Chairman," he says, addressing Vincent. "We need to discuss the new ownership of this company."
Vincent looks confused. "What the hell are you talking about, Mac?"
"Why don't I direct your attention to the screen at the back of the room. I'll let the new owner speak for herself."
This is my cue. I press record on the remote in my hand and stand up straight and proud.
Time to roll the dice.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Keatyn Douglas and I'm the new majority owner of A Breath Behind You Films."
I glance at the computer screen, which is showing me Vincent's reaction. Right now, he doesn't look pissed. He's looking at me curiously. His head tilted slightly. His eyes focused. He really just looks intrigued.
So I continue. "The board of directors met in executive session last night and determined that it's time for a change in leadership. They named me the chairman of the board. Effective immediately."
"What the fuck?" Vincent says, looking around. "Is this a joke? You bring in Abby Johnston's daughter as some little prank?"
The vice-chairman shakes his head. "I'm afraid not, Vincent. We've had a good run, but . . ."
I keep going, "My first order of business is to introduce the new CEO and president of the firm, Chance O'Daniels. Many of you know him as the former CEO of Douglas Oil and Gas."
Vincent stands up. "You can't fire me. This is my company. My company, do you understand me?"
"It was until you decided to leverage everything to make the movie you have become obsessed with, Vincent," one of the board members who didn't sell to us says. "You left us wide open for a takeover. And now we have a teenager running the company?"
"I may be young, but I'm saving this company from its downward spiral, one which would have taken your investments with it. I didn't just buy it on whim. I'm very serious about building this company for the future. For my future. And although Mr. O'Daniels doesn't know the business yet, he does know what makes a company successful. Please welcome him."
"This is bullshit. Preposterous. I won't stand for it," Vincent says loudly. "I'll fight this." He turns to the Vice Chairman. "When did you sell? Right after our lunch yesterday? Where you promised to stay on my team?" He gets in the man's face. "You backstabbing son of a bitch."
"You better back off, Vincent," the man replies. "Or we'll have security escort you out."
"Escort me out of my own building?"
"It's not your building anymore, Vincent," I say, causing him to walk up to the screen and stare directly at me.
"You think you're so smart. This will all blow up in your face. Trust me."
I give him a smile just like my mother's. "Oh, there's no need for threats, Vincey. I'm going to honor what you started and make the movie you're so passionate about. The company has too much invested not to." I blow him a kiss like my mom did on the movie poster. "What do you think of me starring in it myself? I mean, that's what you wanted, right? That's why you were doing the nationwide search for me. Well, I'm here now."
"You're playing a very dangerous game, Miss Douglas. Our worlds were always going to collide, but now there's no avoiding it. We're on a collision course. One you can't change," he says, his face bright red but his voice stone cold.
It sends chills up my spine.
"You're just mad because I've written a better script than you. And in my script, Vince will die at the end. Just like in the original."
"You little fucking bitch!" he screams at me. "No one you love is safe, do you understand me? No one!"
Chance O'Daniels comes back on screen with two policemen. "Please escort Mr. Sharpe from the building. We will pack up his personal effects and forward them to his home address."
Vincent gives me a fiery, wild-eyed look. One that leaves me knowing I've succeeded in pushing him over the edge.
But then his face becomes a mask of calmness.
And calm Vincent scares me way more than out-of-control Vincent.
He turns away from me, straightens his suit jacket, and says politely to the policemen, "No escort is necessary. I will leave of my own accord. But if you would be so kind, I'd like you to accompany me to my office first so I can retrieve some personal belongings."
He gets a nod from the policemen and leads them out of the boardroom.
"Well, that went better than I expected," the vice-chairman says. "Let's get on with our meeting."
I listen to the new CEO lay out his plan for restructuring the company and then adjourn the meeting.
The second it's over, my new cell phone rings.
"Well, hotshot, what'd ya think?" Grandpa asks. "By the way, Garrett Smith and your Cooper are conferenced in on this call."
"I thought it went well," I lie. "What's your take on it, Garrett?"
"He reacted as we suspected he would. Was royally pissed off. Cooper, do you feel that your location is still safe, given all that's been going on this week?"
"Yes," Cooper replies. "We've been very careful. And I've made Keatyn start wearing her tracking necklace at all times, just in case."
"I'm more worried about my family, Garrett. You have to make sure they stay safe."
"We're doing everything we can."
"And you're still following him?"
"Yes."
"Do the people who follow him have to send you reports?"
"Yes."
"May I get copies
of those reports? I need to know what he's up to. Where he is at all times."
"I'll have my assistant email you the reports," Garrett agrees.
"Sounds good," I say cheerfully. "Anything else we need to discuss?"
"I don't think so," Garrett says. "We'll take it from here. What he does in the next forty-eight hours should give us a good indication of what's to come."
When he ends the call, I turn around to find Aiden, who pulls me into a hug.
"I shouldn't have done it, Aiden," I confess. "I shouldn't have done it."
"Why do you say that? You said you wanted to push him. To make him mad. It looked to me like you accomplished that."
"I wanted him out of control," I reply as Cooper, Damian, and Peyton join us in the dining room.
"He yelled at you. I thought he was going to punch that guy," Damian says. "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right," I lie. "It went well. I'm just worn out. Not thinking straight."
"Why don't we let Cooper and Keatyn talk?" Peyton suggests, herding Damian and Aiden back upstairs.
Cooper sits down and motions for me to do the same. "He wasn't out of control, was he?"
"Nope."
"The way he was able to go from pissed beyond belief to completely in control was interesting to watch."
"Did Garrett not notice it?"
"I'm sure he did. He's good at what he does."
"So, why didn't he say anything?"
Cooper's cell rings. He looks at it and says, "I think he's about to."
After his conversation with Garrett, he says to me. "He definitely noticed. And he's worried. He's got the house in France on lockdown, which takes care of your mom, sisters, and grandparents. They talked Tommy's mom into staying for a while too."
"That's good."
"Tommy will have another man with him full-time, starting tomorrow."
"Okay."
"That leaves you."
"What does he suggest I do?"
"He wants you to stay here. He would prefer you not leave the loft at all."
"You know that's not part of my plan, Cooper. And I promised B that I'd go to Malibu tomorrow. I know the timing sucks, but we're going to have to do it. Quick. In and out. Just like those nights we visited the club. We'll come back here so I can say goodbye to Aiden before he goes back to school, and then we're going to live on the move. Tomorrow won't be our only trip back home."