Chapter Eight

All five of us stood in the elevator in silence, still trying to wrap our minds around what happened. The only sound came from one of the security guards opening a water bottle he had in his pocket. I still had Sebastian's jacket in my hand but he didn't ask for it back yet, since he was now eating his sandwich. He was scarfing that thing down like it was the last thing to eat on earth. Lucinda stood next to me, staring at him with hopeful eyes. I leaned in to Lucinda's ear.

"He may want it from you soon, but not now." I whispered. Her smile faded, and she turned and faced the elevator doors disappointed.

A ring from a cell phone halted my thoughts. One of the security guards pulled out his phone and answered it. He walked into the corner of the elevator, so we couldn't hear what he was saying. I was surprised he has signal in here, until I saw it was those indestructible Nokia phones from the 90's.

Lucinda turned towards me. "So what was all of that commotion about, I mean, I know what it was about, but-"

"Paparazzi saw us both in the elevator, and it was...it was a misunderstand-"

"They probably thought we were about to boink right there."

A spray of water came from behind, and the security guard had a coughing fit, with a dripping water bottle in his hand and on his shirt. Sebastian was completely unphased by what he said, as he continued to eat his sandwich. Lucinda began to blush.

"You're such an insensitive jerk." I said.

"Don't deny it, sweetheart. You wanted that to happen."

"No, I didn't. I didn't want the paparazzi on our ass, either. This is your fuck up."

He stopped eating his sandwich. Lucinda stepped away from me as Sebastian stepped closer.

"Oh, mine? You're the one that's gonna cause the tabloids to blow the hell up in the next few hours."

"Me? May I remind you that you were the one who got into the elevator in the first place."

"But you pressed the wrong button."

"You had me against the wall!"

"-And may I remind you, that it is the publicists job to make sure that this shit doesn't happen. The irony. Why don't you do your fucking job next time." He looked down at me as he said these words, but this time I wasn't intimidated. I scowled up at him and crossed my arms. I was enraged now, how he insulted my abilities, while the only thing he's good at is avoiding an STD.

"Why don't you check yourself," I whispered, "I'm the one that is going to make you filthy rich in the next few years. And next time you want to insult my capabilities, why don't you come back and bash me when you've learned to do something else besides snort crack and hire prostitutes."

Complete, and utter silence. Even the security guard on the phone hung up to see what was going to happen next.

Sebastian raised his finger and pointed it straight at my nose. "Watch yourself!" He whispered fiercely.

"You're not the boss of me...yet." I slammed his jacket into his rock hard chest, and like clock work, the elevator doors opened and I stormed out.

"I'm so fired, I'm so fired." I mumbled to myself as made my way to my office, but Paul stopped me in my tracks.

"Les, what the hell is going on?" Paul asked.

"I know it is hectic right now, but I have it under control."

"Then look at this." Paul turned his computer screen towards me. A photo of me and Sebastian was planted on the screen, Sebastian over me as I leaned against the wall, with the caption that stated "SPOTTED! Caught with his father's publicist."

"Dammit!" I yelled.

"The phones are off the hook, Les. We had to send two interns to help Darcy out while you were-"

Paul was interrupted by Garret's screaming, and at the same time, Sebastian, Lucinda and the two security guards walked into the lobby.

"Well get it done!" Garret yelled, pushing the phone into one of his assistant's hands. Five business men and women surrounded Garret, typing away at their cell phones. I looked over at my office, watching Darcy on the phone while typing herself. Sure enough, two interns were in there on two different laptops.

"Mr. Harrison, I can explain. The photo is completely misleading-"

"I know, I know. I trust you. But the press and public doesn't. This doesn't look good at all."

Garret made eye contact with his son, and his face slowly turned into a frown.

"What the hell did I tell you about getting into the elevator?"

"It was important, I had to go." Sebastian replied.

"Oh, really? If it was so important, why don't you tell me what you were going to go fetch?"

Sebastian didn't say a word, and Garret slapped his hand onto his face.

"Jesus Christ, Sebastian. DRUGS?!"

"No! It wasn't-I couldn't-"

"Mr. Harrison, it was my fault. I asked him to go with me down to the fourth floor and I accidentally pressed for the first."

Sebastian glanced at me in astonishment, surprised I was covering for him. I was surprised, too. Somehow, I knew that what ever he was going to go get wasn't drugs, but he didn't feel comfortable sharing it with the entire floor.

Which was now silent and staring, waiting for the worst.

"You know what, I don't have time to worry about the how and why. Lucinda, call Pilot Flemming's and tell him we need the plane tonight."

"But, Mr. Harrison." Lucinda started, "He said he had to pull strings to even get it for thursd-"

"Just...do it!" Garret's face was tomato red now, and Lucinda didn't question any further. She ran towards the hallway, pulling her cell phone out.

"Change of plans. You guys are going tonight. I'm going to have to have a car escort you to your apartment since the paparazzi has fucking doubled in the last ten minutes. Sebastian, come with me. Leslie, you go with Eric and Edward, they will escort you to your apartment then take you to the air port." I nodded, then followed the two men down the hall. There was an elevator at the end of the hall that surprisingly no one knew about, except for me and Garret, that we were going to take to the garage.

"We will have someone send your belongings to your apartment as soon as we leave, Ms. King." Eric said. His name tag had no indication of his position here, and to be honest, I didn't want to know.

"Wait," I said, "I need to text my friend, she has the apartment keys." Eric glanced at Edward, and they both nodded, standing in front of the elevator. I first texted Paul, to ask Issac, the head of Paul's department, to give him a sick day, since I said so. I then told Paul to show Issac the text as a verification. Paul responded within seconds:

PAUL: OK. Meet at your place?

ME: Yes. Tell you rest when we meet.

Paul replied with OK, and I dialed Beth's number. Beth answered, sounding as enthusiastic as she always does.

"Les! You're on the inter-"

"I know, I know. I need you to convince your department head to let you leave, then meet me at the apartment, I will tell you everything when we meet."

"Um, OK. See you there." I hung up and locked my phone. I was surprised that she didn't ask any questions as she usually does. I stood in between the two tall men, and we waited for the elevator doors to open. When they departed we all entered, and Edward pressed for the garage.

I could have sworn I was in an elevator a dozen times today.