Page 74 of Love is So Mean
“Why?” Enrique pauses in the middle of his response with a brief look at Emily. “Why would we compete at home and in what way? Can you expand on that question? As it stands, it doesn’t fully make sense.”
Scott nods. “Sure, apologies. Let me rephrase that, do you two take work into your home? Does it blur the lines sometimes or you have a way to separate, if so, let the viewers know how, sometimes, it’s hard for some of us who have a similar relationship. Yasmeena, our heiress, would you like to start?” Scott gives me an encouraging smile like I’ve seen on other older men in the boardroom. I know what that smile is, it’s thatI’m trying not to spook yousmile andtake your timekind of smile. It’s disgusting.
“It’s not hard to do. At home, he’s my husband and at work, he’s my COO. You just have to remind yourself and if you don’t remember, let your partner help you in reminding you. It’s simple.” I try my best to remember the conversation Enrique and I had about looking like a couple so I slip my hand out of his and pat his thigh.
My eyes venture around the room and land on Francois, he gestures for me to smile and as much as I don’t want to, I smile even though I know it’ll disappear when I look away from him.
Enrique looks at Scott waiting for the next question. I turn my head back to Scott who’s still looking at me.
“Are you going to ask us another question or just stare at my wife? I can go get a coffee or something if you plan to do the latter.”
Forgetting about the interview, I take a deep breath shutting my eyes for a second. Maybe today wasn’t the best day for this. Opening my eyes, I look at Scott, who I’m now paying attention to his reaction, is turning red but he nods.
“We’re taking a break, Scott. We need a minute.”
Without waiting for anyone else, I grab Enrique’s hand and walk until we’re outside. Thankfully, we didn’t have any mics on so we didn't have to remove them from our person.
“What the fuck is happening? Do we need to cancel and do this another day?” I ask Enrique. I’m not upset, I just don’t understand.
Chapter 45
Enrique
“Itook a much needed break just to come back to the very same shit. I couldn’t even get dressed without you starting your passive aggressive bullshit then asking for a divorce. I know how long I was gone. I didn’t need you to remind me of the days or minutes. Then Emily comes with her manipulative bullshit and lies. Lies that you believed-far too easily for my liking -at an interview and photoshoot thatyouaccepted, yet you can’t seem to be bothered with answering the questions as if our relationship is the most boring thing that has ever happened to you. People are going to see that and think I’m holding you hostage or something. That’s what the fuck is happening.”
“Good to know that’s what’s happening. Now, do you feel a bit better? Some of the things you said, we can have a conversation later but for now, do you need something so you’re not,” Yasmeena waves her hands. “Whatever this is. I can pretend to be more interested in the questions. No problem.”
God, I know she’s detached but if we are to survive this interview I just need to walk away.
“Same as before, stop talking to me.”
I open the door and motion for her to return back to the studio. Yasmeena walks past me and continues not stopping until she’s sitting on the couch. I move to join her again back to where I was previously sitting but turn and go to the table where all the drinks and snacks are lined up. I need people to stop staring at me so I can tuck my emotions back inside.
These questions don’t sound like anything Yasmeena would have approved of before and I’m about 95% sure that Emily picked or wrote these so they’re not going to get any better. I know, however, that if I blow up in here I’ll look like the crazy one. As it stands, this interview is about to spark all sorts of speculations about my role in her life. As someone who inherited as much as I did, the world is already waiting to find my flaws.
Just based on how I feel everything looks. I’m going to appear to be a controlling, possibly abusive husband with the way Scott is urging her to speak like she’s a spooked horse scared of her own shadow.
I take a long sip of cold water and think of happier thoughts so I can at very least be a usually calm self. Emily walks up as if she’s interested in the muffins.
“Get the fuck away from me and don’t say shit.” I growl low so only she can hear me. She jumps a little because she’s not used to me speaking to her harshly then scurries into the other direction.
Jeeves comes up next to me with a mini pack of gummy bears. He grabs my hand and shakes a few onto my palm.
“Thanks,” I grumble before I pop them into my mouth. He knows that when alcohol isn’t available certain sugars act as good substitutes to help me.
“No problem,” he whispers. “Now, let’s show them the real Enrique, shall we?” I smirk at him and take another sip of my water then join Yasmeena on the couch.
“Where were we?” I ask Scott as if he’s still not trying to flirt with Yasmeena after I called him out.
“Alright, glad we’re back. Let’s get to the exclusive then shall we? Your marriage was quiet which is a nice thing, very private and intimate but there are some questions circulating around in the media. Care to address them here and now? Clear the air for those who think differently?”
“I don’t know what was circulating. Enlighten me,” I say smoothly although I have a pretty good idea of what he’s talking about.
“Is it true that you got engaged to someone else two weeks before you and Yasmeena got married?”
Involuntarily, my eyes find Emily across the room as she gives me a sly smile and a finger wave. Refocusing on Scott, I answer him succinctly.
“Yes.” He and I look at each other for a while since he’s expecting me to expand on my answer but I don’t.