Chapter 2

The following morning, we arrive at the police station to give our statements. Ace has brought his lawyer William along. Mark also has his lawyer with him in another room. After giving our statements our lawyers have a private meeting. We wait patiently until William comes out of the room to speak with us.

'Mark wants you to drop the charges. He is willing to move on with his life and not contact you again.' William states, and Ace scoffs.

'Really? And if I don’t drop the charges?' He asks.

'He said he will go to the media and expose all your secrets. He is claiming he is innocent and that he was only at the show trying to help out, and that you are both framing him.' Ace and I frown.

'There are so many witnesses against him. He will be found guilty! One of my staff members has an injury because of him!' Ace yells.

'Well, Mark has said if you pursue this, it will have to go to court and the media will find out about this, on top of other secrets. Such as Zurielle's father being involved in criminal activity. This may have a negative effect on your business and your reputation.'

Ace sighs and rubs his temples, in frustration.

'Well, William. You’re my lawyer. What do you suggest?'

'Unfortunately, dropping the charges would be in your best interest as this is going to draw more unwanted attention, and not good attention, for Pure Fashion Industries. He didn’t achieve what he had planned last night, thanks to Zurielle here. Other than one model falling on stage. But Mark will argue that it’s common for that to happen to at least one model on stage.'

'Shit!' Ace slams his fist on the table.

'You're right. We already have unwanted media attention we have to deal with thanks to the Spider Backs.'

Ace looks at me, holds my hand tight, then looks over to William.

‘If I drop the charges how do I know that Mark will stay away from Zurielle?'

'You don’t, but you can file for a restraining order to give you peace of mind, bearing in mind, a piece of paper still doesn’t keep you safe. You should still be vigilant of your surroundings,' William cautions.

'I guess our only option at this stage is to go for the restraining order and drop the charges,' Ace sighs in defeat.

'Okay. I will go and speak to his lawyer then.' William stands up and leaves the room. Ace looks annoyed.

'Ace, we will be okay. We have eachother.'

'But what if we won’t be? What if he hurts you again? I couldn’t live with myself, Zurielle,’ he says, sadly.

'You have organised my own bodyguards yourself, Ace. They will keep me safe when you can’t,' I assure him. He relaxes his shoulders.

'You're right. Maybe I am just being over-paranoid about it all.' William enters the room with paperwork for Ace and I to sign. It's the restraining order and a statement for Ace to sign, to drop the charges.

We leave in Ace’s Lamborghini with his security following.

'My PR has been calling me all day in regards to our current media situation. I’m going to call her back when we get home and see what she suggests, about this media storm. I have interviews about the fashion show, tomorrow, and reporters are going to bring up our association with the Spider Backs, and the shooting.'

We arrive back at the penthouse, and I turn the kettle on whilst Ace goes upstairs and calls his PR. Taking my cup of tea, I sit outside on the balcony. Although I am still nervous about being up so high, I know I have to fight my fears and attempt to come out here every so often.

Sipping my tea, I think about how far Ace and I have come. I am more confident in myself and have made many friends at Pure Fashion. Knowing Ace, I’m not shy anymore, and Ace has gone from arrogant to sweet and charming. Ace steps out onto to balcony and stands next to me.

'She thinks we should tell them the truth. That you were kidnapped. She wants me to say I was shot trying to save you to make this a romantic I risked my life for love cliche story,' he mumbles.

'But you did risk your life for me. You were shot trying to save me, so it’s not like you’re lying. And it was pretty romantic that you saved me, Ace,' I smile. He rolls his eyes at me.

'Well, I wasn’t going to sit around while another man tried to take something that belongs to me,' he smirks, as he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck.

Giggling, I playfully push him away and walk back inside to wash my mug.

'Are you going to tell the reporters then?' I ask as he follows.

'Well, my PR thinks you should also attend the meeting with me. She said they want to know more about who you are and what you are to me. She said we can make this all positive publicity. So they won’t need to dig deeper to find out other things we don’t want them to know. Like your father’s involvement and so forth.'

'Okay, I’ll go with you. If that’s what you want.'

'I would love to have you by my side, Zurielle,' he smiles.

The following day we arrive at the building and wait to be called into the room where all the journalists and camera ops are waiting.

'I’m so nervous,' I confess to Ace. He takes my hand and kisses the back of it.

'I’ll do as much of the talking as possible. You will be fine. I’ll be by your side,' he assures me.

'Mr Brightly and Miss Summers. You may enter.' The lady in the suit says as she gestures for us to enter. The moment we walk into the room, I am immediately overwhelmed by the clicking and flashing of cameras.

We both smile and wave, holding hands, and approach the podium together. Ace gives me a quick peck on the cheek and smiles which has the journalists buzzing with questions.

'Mr Brightly, the world and many single women are wanting you to confirm that you are in a relationship and no longer available.’ One reporter says.

'That's correct.' Ace answers.

'Who is this mysterious woman beside you who has managed to win your heart, and how did you meet?' She asks.

'This is Zurielle Summers. We literally bumped into each other one day and we progressed from there,' he smiles. The reporter laughs then smirks.

'So, Miss Summers pulled the old "accidentally bumped into you card", then?' She asks.

'No, it wasn’t like that at all. It was genuine,’ he replies, glaring at the reporter.

'Are you sure about that?' She smirks.

Still glaring at her, Ace faces the next reporter.

'What is your question please?' Ace asks politely.

'Can you confirm the reports that Nessa Knight was supposed to perform and close the show? She has claimed on her Twitter she was supposed to do it, but ended up being locked in a small room and unable to perform in time, missing her moment on stage,' he says.

'I can confirm Nessa Knight was supposed to perform, but due to the unforeseen circumstances, we weren’t able to locate her in time. My partner, Zurielle, stepped in, which I am very grateful for.' Ace smiles at me and kisses the back of my hand.

'Can you confirm you were recently shot by the gang leader Red Back who also died that night?' He asks.

'Yes, it’s true.' Ace lifts a small part of his shirt exposing the scar from the bullet on his abdomen, they gasp and the photographers take photos of it.

'Reports say that Zurielle had been intimate with the leader, that she had left you to return to him. Is that true?' He asks.

'No, Zurielle and I were out with friends at a club. She was kidnapped by the Spider Backs. I went after them and rescued her.' Ace explains. They all gasp again and look at eachother in disbelief.

'So, you're saying you risked your life for Miss Summers?' He says.

'Yes,' Ace smiles and looks at me endearingly.

'How were the Savage Snakes involved then?' He asks.

'I asked them to help me save Zurielle.'

'You approached a gang of bikers’ for help against another group of bikers to help save Miss Summers?' He asks.

'Yes.'

'How were you associated with the Savage Snakes in the first place?' He asks, surprised.

'Zurielle used to play the piano and sing at a bar. The Savage Snakes were regulars. That’s how she met them. They adored her and would do anything to keep her safe, just as I would and anyone else who knows what a sweet, kind woman my Zurielle is. When she was kidnapped, it made sense to go to them for help,’ Ace explains.

'Miss Summers, a question for you. What was your relationship with the Spider Backs? How were you associated with them in the first place?' I freeze; I can’t tell them about my father’s dodgy deal with them. That Red Back claimed he had bought me, or that my parents were murdered by them. Ace leans forward into the mic and gently squeezes my hand.

'No comment,' Ace says, saving me from answering. He does not want me to answer the question, anyway. The reporters are annoyed by his reply.

'Next question, please,' Ace says, politely.

'Do you see wedding bells and perhaps heirs to your fashion empire in the near future?' He asks. I am startled at the question, as none of it has crossed my mind.

'Time will tell,' Ace answers with a smile.

'So, you are still technically an available billionaire bachelor until there is a ring on your hand, then?' He cunningly asks.

'No, I'm off the market.' Ace glares at the reporter.

'Interesting...' the reporter mumbles in the mic.

'Next question please,' Ace says.

'Your Live Fashion Show was an absolute hit! The dresses were flawless and the performances were amazing. Is there anything more you could have wished for, for that night?' She asks.

He smiles at me instead of at the reporter, and says, 'The only thing I could have wished for was to have my Zurielle by my side in the audience. I will make sure she is by my side at the next show,' he smiles.

'You seem to care deeply for Miss Summers. Will she be performing at the next fashion show?' She asks.

'I care very deeply for Miss Summers. I think I proved that by kissing her on live television in front of everyone, and coming to her aid when she was kidnapped. In regards to her performing next year at the fashion show - that will be up to her, and she has a while yet to decide,’ he smiles.

'Why wasn’t she with you at the Live Fashion Show?' She asks.

‘Zurielle was gaining experience working backstage to see how we can make things easier and more efficient at future shows,' he lies.

'Miss Summers works for your company?' She asks.

'Yes, she does,’ he says, proudly.

'What is her position exactly? I have been told by one of your employees that Zurielle was employed as your secret lover during business hours in your office,’ she says with a raised eyebrow.

I gasp in shock. That horrible receptionist Carol must have given her the false tip off after I threw the cold cup of tea in her face for implying I was Ace’s personal prostitute!

'Zurielle is an administrator and editor at my company. She has never been employed as a prostitute, nor have I ever paid her for sex, so you can throw those rumours in the bin where they belong,' he growls, angrily.

My hand is pressed against his back. As I gently rub his back, he turns, looks at me and calms down. He takes a deep breath and his shoulders relax. Placing his hand around my waist, he kisses my forehead then leads me to the exit.

'Mr Brightly! We have more questions!' They yell. Ace stops and glares at them all.

'No comment!' He says and we leave the room.