Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“I have a personal chef on call.” I crossed my arms. “I told you that two hours ago.”
“I don’t want to bother him.” She looked nervous. “Besides, I’m not sure if it’s fair to ask someone to make sushi on such short notice.”
“He makes that every week for me.” I stepped closer. “You can let go of the handle now.”
She gripped it tighter. “How long do you plan to keep me here?”
“Until you come up with a solution for the problem you’ve caused.”
“Oh, right. Well, I have tons of solutions!”
“Good to know.” I crossed my arms. “Let’s hear them.”
“I think I’d be able to present them better after taking a long shower at home and changing into something more comfortable.”
“Stop fucking with me.” I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and called my housekeeper.
“Yes, Mr. Carter?” she answered.
“Can you make sure there are fresh towels and sheets in the east wing? My new publicist may need to stay a few days.”
“Right away, sir.”
“Thank you.” I ended the call and dialed my contact at Dolce & Gabbana next, requesting her to stop by and size Madeline for a week’s worth of clothes.
“What else do you need?” I asked her. “I assure you, it can all be handled here.”
“Some stuff can’t be, though.” She tugged on the door again as if it would magically give way.
“I’m waiting,” I said.
“I am, too.” Ralph appeared. “I mean, I’m fine staying in the north wing as a guest forever, but we need a concrete plan to work with ASAP.”
“Fine.” Madeline finally let go. “We have three options. One, we can…” she mumbled the rest of her words.
“I didn’t catch any of that,” Ralph said. “Can you repeat it?”
“Two—” She ignored him, then she mumbled once more. “And three, we can um…”
“Can you speak English, please?”
“We need to hire an actress to play your fiancee because there’s no way you’re ever getting out of this.” The words rushed from her lips.
“I’m so sorry I ever said anything because I was trying to do a good job and be creative. Please don’t fire me because I really tried to fix it an hour ago, but it got out of hand again, so please don’t be mad.”
I blinked, still processing the “hire an actress” line.
“How did you try to fix this situation an hour ago?” Ralph asked. “You were rocking back and forth on the sofa then, from what I remember.”
She didn’t answer him.
“As long as we can keep the press talking about Mr. Carter’s visit to his sister’s ice rink in New York, I think we’ll be—” He stopped talking mid-sentence after glancing at his phone.
His face reddened as he glared at the screen.
“What’s wrong, Ralph?” I asked.
“I think we need to call that ambulance after all.” He looked over at Madeline. “But not for you or me…”
—
THE SNARKY GLOVE
#1 UFC & MMA GOSSIP SOURCE FOR FANGIRLS
Dearest Fans,
The sexiest fighter alive has finally been spotted in public!
Stepping out of Mandalay Bay in a three-piece suit that clung to his muscles, he was flanked by his former (now current?) manager Ralph Ellis and Madeline Dawson, the former CEO of the ‘I Hate Travis Carter’ website. (Hopefully, he’s suing the shit out of her for all the rumors she started over the years. Remember when she said he contracted herpes after a yacht party?)
Anyway, according to a very trustworthy source, he has been “secretly engaged” for months and is planning to get married in the very city that he “owns.”
Although we’re personally calling bullshit on him being tied down to one woman—this man is not (& has never EVER been) the monogamous type—we had no choice but to do our due diligence.
We called every wedding venue in a 500-mile radius, visited 218 high-end dress shops, and even reached out to former members of Mr. Carter’s team.
No business has anything on the books for an upcoming event for him, and his former team members refused to offer a simple “Yes” or “No” when asked if they’ve ever met this mystery woman.
It’s sleuthing time, fans!
Let’s see if we can find out who she is for ourselves. Or if she even exists.
Stay tuned for more news & updates,
The Snarky Glove
SIX
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
Manhattan, New York
Subject: Urgent: Your Account is Past Due
Subject: [Important] Unpaid Charges
Subject: Problems with Your Account
My heart raced as I refreshed my inbox.
Not a single message held inquiries from new clients. There were no replies to my desperate requests for brand sponsorships.
Opening my drafts folder, I stared at my last resort emergency plan: Call Dad & Elaine.
That option was listed after “Die in shame,” so I knew I could never follow through.
I hadn’t spoken to my family in years, and I wanted to hold off on letting them back into my life for as long as possible.
Time to try and figure out TikTok one more time.