Chapter Text
I arrived at Violet’s penthouse apartment at six sharp. According to the email Rhiannon sent me at, no kidding, 2 am , I was to arrive at six in the morning and escort Violet to her car where I would then stay with her during an interview, her first public statement since the shooter, and then escort her out to lunch with Augustine Melgren where she would be discussing her new contract with Rhiannon at her side.
What was my life? I was going to meet Augustine-Fucking-Melgren today. When I guarded Catriona Cordella, she had meetings with big names, but never Melgren level. Violet was something, a level of successful that was almost inconceivable, a level of rich that the average person couldn’t even begin to imagine, and a level of talented that could outmatch almost every damn actor in L.A.. She was incredible.
But she was also late.
I had been standing outside her door for ten minutes after I knocked and she called out, ‘Just a second!’ I should have known ‘just a second’ in actress-world meant at least half an hour in real time, but I had long since forgotten this world, leaving it behind for politicians and the occasional singer or model.
Finally, Violet stepped out the door. She looked a complete mess, her hair in heatless curlers, wearing a baggy sweatshirt and leggings, and donning worn sneakers, but I supposed the stylists would get her all bedazzled at the interview. Was she really going to meet Melgren like this or was she going to change before the meeting?
I voiced none of my concerns, instead saying, “Good morning, Miss Sorrengail.”
She looked up at me with a soft smile. “I’m fairly certain I told you to call me Violet.”
I didn’t return her smile. “Sorry, Violet.” It felt odd. Cat always made me call her Miss Cordella, or she did up until everything… happened.
She frowned, but nodded. “So! I’m sure Rhiannon emailed you about my schedule today. I have to admit, I hope you don’t find your first day too chaotic.”
“Everything will remain on schedule.” I replied coolly. This time around, I was remaining completely professional. I wasn’t her friend. And without being her friend, there was zero chance of becoming something more. It didn’t matter that it left me with a pang in my chest at the sight of her shoulders dropping.
This. Woman. Would. Not. Have. Me.
I refused to let the thought ever cross her mind.
“Well then. Lets go.” She said, having lost some of her pleasant attitude.
I felt bad doing this to her, knowing everything that was happening in her life right now, but with everything that happened before… I wasn’t a romantic person. I wasn’t a soft, sweet lover that you came home to every day, but for that one girl I tried. I changed who I was. I opened my locked down heart, let myself be vulnerable for perhaps the first time in my life, and it blew up in my face.
I brought Violet down to her waiting car, a black SUV belonging to whatever car service she used with a suited man in the front. He looked like a generic movie driver, black sunglasses and all. It almost made me laugh.
I let Violet in on one side before moving to the other side and settling in the car myself. Giving myself a moment to prepare for the day, I hooked up my earpiece where Imogen could contact me in case of any nearby threat, or to distract me from the dullness of my life with conversation or a story about her day. I swear, Imogen kept me sane on days like this, where all I did was act like a guard dog who followed their charge around the entire day.
Of course I didn’t want Violet to be in danger, but it would make my day more interesting.
“Morning big man.” Imogen said into the earpiece. “I’m sure you received Rhi’s email but I’ll walk through it with you one more time. First, you will escort Miss Sorrengail to her interview. This will be emotional for her so be prepared if it takes longer than anticipated. She may need to take some breaks. The interview will be recorded and put on the news. It’s her first statement since the shooting. Remember that on your way out, she may require some time alone. After the interview, you, her, and Rhiannon will be having lunch with Melgren and his assistant. You are a lucky mother fucker.” She said Matter-of-factly, and I smiled slightly.
“Anyway, be prepared to be bored. According to Rhiannon, contract meetings take forever and you may move to a different location to finish discussions. Finally, Violet has a small public appearance at the end of the day, just a planned photo-op, nothing too draining.”
I nodded to myself. “Thanks, Im.” I said softly, glancing over to see if Violet was listening at all, but she shoved her air-pods in and was unraveling her hair from the heatless curlers.
God , her hair could bring a man to their knees.
Not me, though. I couldn’t.
I could still ogle it from within the safety of my sunglasses, though. Her hair was astonishing. Shiny and long and healthy. Gorgeous.
“Hey Ridoc?” Violet said, and the driver whipped around with a smirk.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” He mocked and I wanted to growl . What the hell? Am I a dog?
But Violet just laughed. “Playlist. Now.”
I cocked a brow, but neither of them noticed as Ridoc, without looking, hit a button on the car’s dashboard and “If Ya Gettin’ Down” by Five started playing.
Violet hummed. “Interesting first song.”
What the fuck? What was happening?
I wondered if I should ask as the car started moving, but I didn’t have to. Violet noticed my utter confusion.
“Ridoc and I have a playlist. We call it the Wheel of Fortune playlist. It has a ton of random songs on it and we just listen to whatever song plays. We have Beethoven but we also have Fetty Wap. It’s… sort of weird.” She blushed, but I found the playlist idea unique and fun.
I told her such. “I think it’s a fun idea.”
Violet’s face broke into a smile. “Well, if you find it funny then I know it must be hysterical.”
I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You aren’t exactly the class clown type.” Violet teased and I tensed. She was getting too comfortable with me already. I wanted to cringe or tell her to not act like I was her friend. I wasn’t. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
When “If Ya Gettin’ Down” was done “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige started and I genuinely laughed. They weren’t kidding when they said this playlist was random.
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When we arrived at the interview, the playlist had cycled through a handful of country songs and a symphony. It was weird, but this was definitely an inside joke between Violet and Ridoc, who I had learned was one of her regular drivers and a good friend of hers. She refused to talk about Sawyer the entire car ride, but I learned enough through their conversation.
The interview was taking place in a studio where a black backdrop was set up and a rack of clothes was immediately rolled towards Violet the second she entered. Most were darker colors, depicting the somber mood of the interview. Violet selected a knee length black dress that sort of just hung from her. It didn’t cling to her at all, but it was elegant and beautiful on her. She paired it with a pair of knee high black boots and had her hair braided over her shoulder. She didn’t look like a celebrity, she looked just about ready to go to a funeral, but as she sat down in front of the backdrop and fixed her posture, I could see her media training forcing her into auto-pilot.
“Violet, welcome.” The interviewer began. She sat off screen, but from what I could see standing behind the camera, she wore a black jumpsuit. “I’m Nadia. It’s nice to meet you.”
Violet shook her head. “Yes. Thank you for having me.”
“Rolling!” The cameraman called and Violet’s eyes dropped to her clasped hands.
The Camera in front of me turned to face Nadia.
“Hello. I’m Nadia Tryvone, reporting with People Magazine and with me today is the princess of Hollywood herself, Violet Sorrengail. Just over a week ago, Violet was ambushed in a garage by a shooter. After over a week of silence, Violet is ready to tell her story. Please note that all names besides Violet's will be redacted for privacy purposes.” Nadia took a breath and turned to face Violet. The camera moved away from Nadia and focused solely on Violet.
She was completely frozen.