Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Another camera flashed in my face and a microphone approached my mouth. I waved them away as they began closing in.

The reporter with the cap had a wide smile, knowing he had caught me by surprise. “You and Alex looked pretty intimate in those

photos. Was Timothy not énough?”

I held up a hand, attempting to regain some semblance of control. “Okay, I’m not dating Timothy, nor am I dating Alex,” I stated

firmly, my voice tinged with frustration.

But they didn’t seem to hear me. Instead, they brandished their cameras, displaying a blurred image of me and Alex ona

balcony overlooking a restaurant. My heart clenched as I recognized the scene from that night — probably the most embarrassing

night of my life.

I hadn't noticed the cashier ringing up my glue until I felt a plastic bag brush. against my fingers. I turned around, acknowledging

her with a nervous smile.

“Thank you,” I said quickly, rushing away from the growing crowd.

I stepped out of the home improvement store, clutching the bag in my hand as I tried to shake off the reporters. With them held

back by the afternoon lunch rush,. I was able to duck into the nearest convenience store. The hoard passed right by, still

shouting my name to the rooftops.

“Stop running, Evie! The world will hear you story!” one of them shouted.

The noise decreased with distance, and I found myself able to breathe finally. The cashier at the register gave me a strange look

and I realized how odd I looked crouched down by the candy section. Without a second thought, I snatched up at chocolate bar

and made my way to the register. After taking the candy from my grasp, the employee tilted his head to the side and scratched

the stubble on his chin. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he snapped his fingers.

“You're Evie, right? Timothy’s new girl.”

I sulked, crossing my arms over my chest. “Just ring me up,” I huffed.

By the time I left the store, the paparazzi was gone, but it didn’t erase the tense

Chapter 82

atmosphere they’d left in their wake. Something told me that they would be coming back around, and I wouldn't stay long enough

to find out.

Their questions still echoed in my mind as I hurried down the busy street, a chorus of curiosity that I had tried in vain to deflect.

Is it true you're dating Timothy...

Tell us about your date with Alex...

It was as if they were determined to fit my life into their narratives, regardless of the truth. I suppose Timothy delt with this all the

time. The whole scandal with Linda was a big indicator of that.

If he could handle it, perhaps I could as well. Although, having Linda break into my own and destroy

my belongings was something that still shook me. How many others would come up with the same solution once they found my

address?

As I walked down the bustling sidewalk, I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialed Penny’s number. It went on for a few

rings before she finally picked up with a pleasant, “Hi, Evie!”

I sighed, her cheery tone lightening my mood. “Penny, we need some serious damage control here.”

Penny's voice on the other end was calm and collected. “I'll be right over, Evie. We'll sort this out.” She hung up abruptly and I

stared at the phone screen, her number logging itself in my call history. I started to recall the luck Aria had mentioned earlier,

hoping that it would extend to my deal with Penny.

Back at the apartment, I barely had time to set the glass glue down on the kitchen counter before the doorbell rang. I hurried to

answer it, finding Penny standing there with an air of professional confidence.

“Hey, Penny. Thanks for coming,” I said, waving her inside.

Penny offered a reassuring/smile. “No problem, Evie. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Right as Penny crossed the threshold, Timothy’s door swung open. He stepped out, temporarily distracted as he tapped at his

watch. Finally, he looked up,

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Chapter 82

noticing Penny and I standing there watching him.

He looked at me for a moment, his lips parting, before his head turned to Penny. He considered her with a look of curiosity at first

before shifting to one of suspicion.

“Hi, Timothy,” I said, breaking the silence. “How'd your afternoon going?”

Timothy closed his mouth, looking like he had to readjust to the situation as my words reached his ears. He shook his head and

blinked rapidly. “Uh, hey, Evie. It’s going good.”

“Good!” I grabbed Penny by the arm and started pulling her into my apartment.. For some reason, this made Timothy walk closer,

his brows knitting together.

“You're not going to introduce me to your friend?” he asked. I paused to see his expression, which didn’t seem at all flirtatious. If

anything, he looked skeptical.

“Um, hi,” said Penny as she fluffed her orange beanie.

“I've seen you before, haven't I?” Timothy asked, ignoring her greeting.

Penny's poise remained intact as she extended her hand. “You have, Timothy. I’m Penelope Carter, but you can call me Penny.”

Timothy frowned. “Penelope...”

“Undercover reporter,” Penny added. “And I’m here to help you guys.”

Timothy looked over at me then, his frown deepening. “A reporter?”

Before he could get any angrier, I stepped in. “Penny’s a PR expert. She says she’s willing to assist us in handling this whole

media mess.

Timothy placed his hands on his hips, looking between us as if we were pulling some weird prank. Perhaps I had overstepped

my bounds in assuming he’d want the help.

“I don’t need anyone telling my story,” he said gruffly, crossing his arms. “Especially from some reporter, like your folks haven't

pulled enough crap in the media.”

I spoke up once more, keeping my voice firm. “Timothy, we're in a tough spot

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Chapter 82

right now. Penny’s experience could really make a difference.”

“A difference?” he said, snorting. “Evie, I know you don’t have too much. experience with the media but trust me when I say that

it will benefit them way more than it'll benefit you.”

I scoffed. “Excuse me? I have been dealing with the media swarm behind YOUR scandals for months now. I think I have a pretty

good grasp on how intense they can be!”

“Now, now.” Penny stepped in between us, raising her hands. “If you ask me, you could both use the help, and it doesn’t look like

you've been doing any cleaning of

your own.”

Timothy grunted. “And you think you could?”

“Of course!”

She grabbed the lapels of her coat and lifted her shoulders. “And if I fail, you can kick me straight to the curb, and I’ll know that I

at least tried.”

After a moment of tense silence, Timothy sighed in resignation. “Fine, but I want to get in on this discussion.”

Penny smiled up at him and nodded. “Of course! Your input would be a huge. help.”

He didn’t look particularly pleased with this, but he nodded regardless. He followed Penny inside and I paused at the door, biting

my lip.

Please, let this meeting be productive!

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