The assistant recoiled a little at her tone. She really shouldn’t bother Tina today. “There have been a few phone calls from Aaron for you. I told him you were on set.”

The last remark delivered its intended intent. Her shoulders dropped a fraction. “Thanks, Audrey. He’s the last person I want to deal with today.”

Amen to that, she thought silently as she went back to her desk.

Meanwhile, in another office across town, Bette was having a similar day. James was inundated with scores of calls from the press, and some even were caught lurking around the campus.

Luckily for the brunette, the university has had experience dealing with situations such as this. They enforced security near the art department, and its offices were monitored. The ones who were caught on campus were handed over to the police on trespassing charges.

“James!”

He hurried into the office. “Bette?”

“Quick, shut the door, close the blinds, switch off the lights!” she said as she waved him over to the sofa in her office. “Maybe if we stay really still, they’ll think we had left and go somewhere else.”

His voice was hoarse from all the calls that morning, but still he managed a strangled laugh. The sofa was spacious, but boss and assistant sat in a heap, side by side. They stayed silent, basking in the little monotony Bette’s office afforded them. James eyed the woman next to him. He took a leap of faith.

“I’ll let you know when the call gets through,” he told her, already out of the door.

She nodded, resting her head on the back of the sofa, knowing no words were needed. Her Bluetooth headset buzzed, signaling a call. “I thought I knew what relentless was, but these so-called press put that to shame.”

“I guess I don’t have to ask how your day has been,” Tina replied.

“Tina!” Bette’s voice registered shock at the caller. “I didn’t know it was you.”

“Were you expecting someone else?” Her face paled as realization hit. She fought the jealousy that surfaced.

Bette ignored the question. “Is everything ok, Tina?”

No, everything’s not ok, Elizabeth Porter. A blind man can see the love between us but you choose not to see it. Instead you settle with some power-crazed politician. So no, everything’s not ok. “Just peachy. If you look past the fact that my phone has been ringing nonstop, that is. Who knew the press could be so smart and efficient?”