No Strings Attached

Chapter Thirty-Three

"Yes, well..."

"Have a nice day."

"Your client, Giovanni Martinelli is known for his bedside manner, for his inability to keep it in his pants," she pronounces loudly and my body stops moving towards the doors. I turn in place to her, slowly. "As a woman, as someone who has spoken out before on the injustices in the entertainment industry for women, what does Giovanni Martinelli possibly do for your company as a client?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, it just seems that many women in this industry talk the talk, pretend to care about equality and respect in the workplace, you being one of them... and yet, you took on a client who has been rumored to have slept with countless women under his employ and indeed, even his previous publicists..."

My teeth ache from being clamped shut as I look down, seeing the recorder in her hands.

"Where is it you said you are from?"

"The Morning News."

Ding fucking ding. "Channel Nine?"

"Yes."

"You made a big mistake... coming here."

She frowns as I lean in closer.

"Yes, you've managed to get me on a really shitty morning, Hayley. A morning I really would like to take out some frustrations. You are here on your own, aren't you? Thought you could show up to Ron and give him a scandalous piece that would air like wildfire and take off your whole career?"

Her features lose their sense of cool at the mention of her bosse's name.

"You know Ron?"

"Mhm, I know Ron," I hum, my blood flowing fast beneath my skin.

I turn before she can say another word, entering the building with a blazing step. I reach into my bag, pulling out my phone. I dial, shaking my head angrily at her audacity.

"Good morning, this is The-"

"Give me Ron. This is Scarlett Bardot."

"Do you have a—"

"Just put me through."

I hear a click before the tone begins again, ringing.

"Scarlett Bardot, I do hope you have some good news for—"

"Is Hayley Courtney under your employ, Ron?"

"Hayley? Yeah, yes, she's one of the new reporters for the culture section."

"I want her fired."

"Fired? What did she do?"

"Approached me outside of my building, insulted me and my client for a piece. Now, I have worked with you many, many times so I'm thinking she is doing this freelance and that it isn't a piece you actually intend to air."

"No, it is not. Which client?"

"Giovanni Martinelli." I enter the elevator, pressing on the close button so no one else will have the time to enter. "Fired, Ron or I will take my news to someone else."

"It's done. I will make sure she's done."

"Good."

"Our business has always been a top priority of mine, Scarlett. I promise this won't happen again."

"Thank you, Ron."

I hang up as the doors to the elevator part.

I've still got it.