“He told me that you emotionally manipulate your clients, make them believe they’re the exception, that you have real feelings for them.”
I wasn’t going to cry in front of him. I sought the rage instead of the hurt. “If you believe that, we have nothing else to say to each other.”
I grabbed my stuff, shoving things in my bag as I hurried downstairs.
He followed me, shouting, “Tell me I’m wrong! Just tell me this is real.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s over.”
I left without even knowing where to go. My hands were shaking so badly it was hard to drive. My house may well have photographers lurking nearby. I drove to Ophelia’s, hoping to find refuge until this storm had passed.
She welcomed me without question and showed me to a spare bedroom I’d crashed in before.
“Stay as long as you like,” she said.
“Thanks, love.”
Before I knew what was happening, I was unloading it all on her—my doubts about work, Max, Alex.
“Oh honey, that’s a lot,” she said when I was finished. “And you didn’t tell Alex the truth about Max?”
“He’d already come to his conclusions. It’s better this way. We were getting all tangled up and starting to think about things that can’t happen. Now we get a clean break. He can find out when everyone else does.”
She shrugged. “Your call. As far as what you sent me and the NDA you signed. Like I said in my email, an NDA can’t protect him since he committed a crime. There’s sometimes gray area where sexual harassment is concerned, but no matter how much you downplay what happened, it was assault, and that’s a crime. My professional and friend advice would be to ignore the NDA and force the issue if he wants to take it to court. The court of public opinion is what I’m more worried about.”
“I know. I know why victims don’t come forward under normal circumstances. He’s such a ‘nice guy.’ He’s a talented director. He makes movies people love. On top of that, I’m a sex worker who apparently manipulates my clients and I deserved it. I know how it’s going to play out. But I can’t stay quiet and know that he’s going to get away with it again. If all it does is make one actress second-guess working with him, I’ll be able to sleep at night.”
“From a purely strategic standpoint, it’s not ideal timing for you and Alex to be breaking up. It’ll look like he’s breaking up with you over this because he doesn’t believe you. I’m sure I can talk to his team about extending the contract until we’re out of the immediate shitstorm.”
“I’m not asking that asshole for anything. I’ll weather the storm.”
“And your career?
“If my clients balk over this, I’ll figure it out. Thanks to this contract, I’ve got a cushion to fall back on.”
“Okay,” she said reluctantly. “You know I want to annihilate Max. I just don’t want to hurt my best friend in the process. You don’t have to be Gollum and inadvertently cast yourself into Mount Doom in order for us to destroy the ring.”
“I have no fucking idea what that means, but I love you and I’m glad you care.”
She sighed heavily. “I wish we had proof he was a bastard so people could see him for what he is.”
“He’s a sociopath who gets off on making women feel powerless. And part of that is making sure they won’t speak up.”
“Well, you’re speaking up. You’re my shero. Do I need to go retrieve some movie star balls for you? Say the word and I’ll put them on a nice necklace. Tastefully mounted. Nothing too gaudy.”
I laughed even though I felt ready to cry. “No need to retrieve any balls, though I appreciate the offer and will always come to you first for my Trophy Testicle Necklace needs.”
“See that you do.” She hugged me and stood to leave. As she went to pull the door shut behind her, she hesitated to give me another searching look.
“I’m fine,” I said, and blew her a kiss. We both knew I was lying, but she closed the door and left me to sob in peace.
45
Elena
“Want a ride to work?” Ophelia appeared in the kitchen doorway just as I finished breakfast, jingling her keys.
“Sure thing.”
