Page 112 of Seeking Stars
Ana: I will let you know as soon as I get through with the airline!
Ely: I'll fucking drive you if I have to
Ana: I love you too
Chapter 23 - Sign on the Line
Ana didn't have any luck with the airline. She lay in bed until late that night, brainstorming ways to get to Liam, including driving to LA herself. Tempted as she was to call him, she held back; she knew she'd spill out her heart over the phone if she called him, and he deserved better than a declaration over the line while so far away.
On the other hand, she didn't want to keep him waiting. Hell, she didn't want to wait, either. Even though she'd asked him for time, which gave her a couple of days to figure things out, waiting could hurt them. Would hurt him.
She was done playing it safe. If she couldn't get the airline to reschedule her flight for the next day, she'd get further into debt and get to him, no matter what it cost her.
Her heart jumped to her throat when she woke up past eight the next morning, and saw three missed calls and two voicemails. She ignored them when she saw they weren't from Liam but from Diana, who'd called well past one in the morning for Ana's time. She'd also sent Ana an email, which she decided to read instead.
Ana,
I can't believe we've gotten to this point. You didn't respond re: draft, you did a live stream without our input, you have yet to make it clear you and Liam are not involved, you're not answering my calls and emails. You're very lucky that things seem to be still balancing towards all of this being publicity for you, or this could be a career-killing disaster. Please, don't count this as good news. We're definitely not out of the hole yet.
A big problem right now is that Mr. Coulton is really angry and has demanded a meeting with you tomorrow. I don't know the particulars but something has happened with Liam McMillan that Mr. Coulton may be blaming you for. I have a meeting with Mr. Coulton first thing in the morning and then one with you and him. I'm confident I don't need to tell you how detrimental to your career it would be to have Mr. Coulton against you in this industry. So be at the airport at 9:00 am (documents attached) and a car will take you straight into the TCA offices.
I trust you will be on your best behavior.
- Diana.
A short string of curses went through her mind. She ran to the bathroom and showered in record time, then called Ely as she went through her clean clothes.
"Ely, I need your help."
"Sure, what's up?"
"I'm in trouble with TCA."
"Uh oh."
"They're flying me to LA. I have to be in the airport before 9 and I haven't even packed yet. I'll take a cab to the airport but— will you come to my place tonight and clean out the fridge, check everything will be safe while I'm gone? I may need you to pack my editing equipment, I'm not sure yet."
"Sure! Does this mean you're planning to stay in LA for a while?"
"If Liam will have me, yes."
***
Ana didn't have time to worry about paparazzi when she left her building. She ignored the people calling questions and invading her space as she climbed on the taxi, and made it on time to the airport— barely. Things calmed down while flying to LA on a chartered plane and, once landed, someone took her to the building and someone else up to the 23rd floor again. There, Alexis met her once more, this time cold more than professional. Magda also seemed displeased with her, a judgmental slant to her lips as she took Ana directly to the boardroom.
Okay, she was getting the treatment of a scolded child, then. Ana couldn't find it in her to care. Not her fault that they were working on a Saturday. Instead of worrying, her thoughts filled with the fact that she was in LA and, if everything went according to plan, she would see Liam that night.
She'd had time to think during the flight. All she'd thought about was him.
Coulton and Diana waited for her, sitting at the big meeting table. She studied them both, noting Diana's mouth pressing in a severe, tight line; Coulton's frown and dark eyes.
"Hello, Ana," Diana said. Coulton said nothing.
"Hello, Diana. Mr. Coulton," she greeted, thinking that it might be best to go back to formalities.
Diana indicated Ana could take a seat. She did. She waited, eyes assessing.
Silence stretched, a heavy cloak in the room. Diana checked in with Coulton, who continued to silently fume in his chair. Perhaps seeing something Ana missed, Diana turned back to Ana and stared at her with a severe frown.
