“It’s the least I could do for my best-y in her final hours of life.” Aiden offers a weak smile as I punch him in the arm. “Good luck?” This is more of a question than anything, but I appreciate the gesture anyway. I nod before slowly letting myself out of the car.

In less than a second I’m barraged with paparazzi, shoving cameras in my face and yelling questions that all blend together in a loud mass of nothing. This is how it’s been for most of my twenty years of life, but I still haven’t gotten used to it. The noise alone is enough to twist my nerves in knots and give me a headache. Add the flashing cameras and bodies bumping against me, and I go into overdrive, doing everything I can to break through the crowd. I see a few security guards rush from the building to my aid and it’s only a matter of seconds until I’m through the door, leaving the buzzards in the cold.

After righting my appearance, I hesitate for only a moment before stepping into Kevin’s office.

“Kevin!” I put a bright smile on my face, but he sees right through me.

“What the fuck is this, Ashley?!” He throws what is becoming an infamous tabloid down on his desk before standing with his hands on his hips, the shoulders of his suit jacket rising with the action and giving him an even more ominous look.

“Look… Kev… I’m really sorry… I was there for a friend and they got the wrong impression. I didn’t mean–”

“I don’t give a fuck what you meant to happen! Did I give you permission to be there? Did I give you permission for friends and excuses or whatever the hell else? No!”

My mouth is in a wide “o”. I’m choking on words and angry bile. This is how he gets and I can’t stand it. “Kevin, you have no right–”

“Oh, I don’t. Last time I checked you hired me as your manager. That gives me every right!”

“My life outside of work is not there for your management!” I’m fuming now. We’re both breathing hard and glaring, one step from an all out brawl.

“You have no life outside of work!” Ouch. “Your life is your work, Ashley. Every aspect of who you are is constantly being watched by the public, every picture and article helping decide whether you become an outright legend or your career dies with you.” He leans against his desk rubbing his temples.