Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapters 127 & 128 What A Time/ Bad Luck

I stare at Nate for a moment, unable to form words for what I'm feeling. He's going to find a way to keep my family safe??

"Listen, Will can do the 4th floor shit, Dante or Max can watch over your mom's house and the other escort the girls for when they are out and about. That's if they are willing to all stay at your mother's house for a few months until you are out? Would that make you feel better about the situation?"

I continue to stare at Nate a bit dumbfounded. And as much as I hate to show emotion in front of another man, I've seen Nate cry. I've seen him cry his heart out. So when my tears build up without notice it doesn't bother me as much. They are tears of gratefulness. 

"Y-you'd do that for me? For my family?"

"Gallo, whether you like it or not, you're MY family now. Which means your family is my family. Unfortunately, that means Ashley too." Nate snorts.

"Yeah, she can be a bit- much." I crack up. Another thing I didn't ever expect out of Hollan. Considering me family. But he has gone above and beyond for us. Especially me. If it weren't for Nate and that good lawyer of his, Addison Landry, I would be in prison. I don't have money for a real good lawyer. I don't have money for A lawyer.

A lone tear escapes and that's all Nate needed for an answer. He flashes his million-dollar Nate Hollan smile.

"I will reach out to your sister, Gwen and tell her everything for you, ok?"

"Thank you, Nate. Really." I'm still a little shocked and he can tell.

 To be honest, no one in my entire life has helped me as much as this man right here has. Not one person. Not like this.

****** 

*Trisha*

These meetings are always nerve wracking but much more so when I wasn't aware of shit before it hit the news. No one knows who tipped off who or how it became public overnight, but it did, and now i have a mess to clean up. I also have to pretend like I knew about everything beforehand so I can cover for Nate. Downplay it. But it's hard to downplay something that really happened. Whoever leaked out this news leaked out true information, not false. Nothing was blown out of proportion; these things really did happen.

Nate really did go to Sullivan's Tap. He really did drink himself into oblivion. Nate really did sign the papers and admit himself into the Avalon's in-patient detox program.

Just like Paul really did have a relationship with me and Paul really did dump me for Julia.

It's been two days since shit hit the fan, giving me a little time to absorb the information properly. But now it's time to face the music with Richard and Elliott.

Evan escorts me down the hall of the studio for the meeting, since Nate can't be here to defend himself, I have to be his PA AND defend him. What fun!

"Miss. Banks." Elliott stands and shakes my hand while Evan stays behind me. "Thanks for coming in in such short notice.

"Not a problem." I flash a smile and glance over at Richard who I can already tell is in a foul mood. I sit down and Evan sits next to me while I open my laptop, ready for the meeting at hand.

"Is this going to be an ongoing issue?" No Hello how are you, no handshake, nothing. Richard gets right to the point.

"Addiction? Yes, Richard. I'm pretty sure addiction is a lifelong problem."  I glare at the producer. Shit, where is Paul to reel me in when I need him? "If you're worried about tour or any interviews, don't be, Mr. Benson."

"No? Because I feel like we are sitting in these very chairs discussing these very things often lately." He snaps.

I inhale sharply and plaster a fake smile on my face.