Chapter Text
Chapter 2 - Negation.
– Ruel, I can't believe it! How could you accept such a thing? - Ruel's mother, Kate, spoke with a certain desperation in her voice. – You had such a beautiful relationship with Sunday! What does she think?
– Mom, you won't be able to understand if I explain, but Sunday and I are still dating. Even though the internet says we broke up. - You sighed, knowing that she would be upset with you for being someone you're not. For being so easily manipulated. – And, before you get mad at her, I already have and we've worked it out, but... Before I even knew about it, Sunday had already agreed.
– What? I don't like this at all, Ruel Vincent! Explain it to me properly and I'll understand! I want a really good explanation 'so I don't have to go and get in Logan Marshall's face!
– Stop fussing, Mom, at least Jenna's hot. — Coco, his sister, said in the background, causing Sylvie to giggle and getting a good scolding from her wife.
Taking advantage of the cue and the fact that Sunday hadn't heard the last comment, he hung up. He didn't want to have to explain himself any further, because what could he say? He had surrendered to that contact, the album was parked at #1 on Spotify Global and was gaining with every like that Logan's post, already replied to on the @teamooneruel team account, received.
– Now I'm wondering if your mother hates me.
– Of course she doesn't. But she's definitely going to be upset with us. - He sighed, trying to caress the blonde's hands. — We'll visit at the weekend and everything will be cleared up, I promise. Don't worry.
– It's okay, the important thing is that we're together. - She smiled, sealing their lips. — But love, don't you think it's strange that two days have passed and Logan hasn't shown up? Not that I want you to stay away from me, but I don't want you to get into trouble either.
Two days had passed since Jenna and Ruel's argument by the pool. After ignoring all the businessman's calls, there was a moment when he stopped and didn't call back. But Sunday was right, that was very strange.
– Do you think I should do something about it?
– Of course, love. What if, out of the blue, he thinks you've given up everything and they just cut your funding, release Jenna's news that's under wraps and it's all over? I don't want a share of the blame. — She lamented, squeezing his hands.
That's why Jenna was so in favor of that contract. Did she have so many things to hide that she needed to cloak herself in a fake affair? Were they so serious that Wednesday's success wasn't enough? Now Ruel's mind was in full swing, he had nothing to do with her problems. He couldn't understand how it could be good for him to be connected with someone who had so many hidden problems. He would go after Logan to question it.
– You're right, it's time to find out what happened. For the first time, I don't like his silence. Do you want to stop somewhere on the way?
– Yes. You'll probably be a while, so I'll be with Gracey in the meantime.
When Ruel entered RCA's corporate office, Logan was talking to Lionel and a projector was showing an image of him and Jenna in the background. He felt his stomach lurch and turned on the light, startling them.
– Ruel! You showed up. We weren't expecting you. You didn't even answer...
– I needed to think for a while. - He approached the table, resting his hands on the wood. – Porter, what does Jenna have to hide? Why do I have to be connected to her if you're hiding serious things? Did you know about this, Logan? - He looked at him questioningly.
– What's it like? - Lionel looked at him, feeling a little attacked by the artist's tone. – Jenna has nothing to hide, she's an actress with a personal life just like you. The difference between you two is that she knows what's work and what's not.
– Ruel, look at that tone. - His manager said. – Just as I pay to keep fake news about you from spreading, Porter does the same thing for Jenna. When it's officially announced that you're dating, that money in your account will triple. She's got a great name now, and so do you, you'll be this year's Vogue couple, if everything works out. Which I'm sure it will. - He gave an optimistic smile.
– I'm not convinced, I'll ask her. - He said, moving away from the table and watching Lionel fidget uncomfortably in his seat. – What's that? If you want us to date, I need to get to know her. No secrets.
As if the mood couldn't get any worse, Jenna arrived in the room. Whether by coincidence or not, she was also surprised that Porter hadn't looked for her and went to see what the next crazy mission would be. Spending two days with her friends and family had been good, but she couldn't tear herself away from work.
– Ask me what? - She crossed her arms, watching Ruel turn slowly towards her. Once again they locked gazes that made businessmen fear another mess. Jenna lifted her face as she saw him approaching, never failing to look him in the eye for a second.
– What are you hiding, Ortega? What's so serious that you need to sneak into my career to camouflage yourself?
– Sneak around? I'm fucking Wednesday! I don't need you for anything. - She vociferated, offended by that statement. Her heartbeat was already bordering on anxiety, she didn't know if it was anger or the fact that she had stepped forward, almost begging him. Even if she was very small in front of him.
– Really? So all this is only happening because you're selfish. You only think about yourself and money. Why me? Why did you have to accept without consulting me? I didn't want it, and I don't want it with someone with no empathy like you!
The angry expression on Ruel's face softened completely when he noticed the tears gathering in other people's eyes. He suddenly felt like a monster, as if he had activated some trigger and for the first time made someone feel bad on purpose.
– You don't know anything. - She spoke with a shaky voice, her eyes narrowed with anger as tears welled up in the corners, being held back with great eagerness. – Do you want to give up the contract? Good, the managers are right behind you. If I'd known you were this thick and insensitive, I'd never have accepted. Well, now I'm the one who doesn't want it anymore.
Vincent's feet seemed to be glued to the floor, only moving when he was startled by the loud slam of the door. Unable to react, he looked up to meet the businessmen's eyes. Logan had his jaw clenched and was typing something into his notebook, while Porter looked at him in disgust, getting up abruptly from his seat.
– I'm going to talk to Jenna. - He added, also leaving the room with a bad energy and a rude knock.
Alone, Logan and Ruel remained silent. The blond settled into the chair next to him and just watched him type something quickly on the computer. His head was full, going over everything that had happened minutes ago, wondering if he had been too rude. No, he hadn't! As it was a contract detailing that he would lose control of his personal and professional life, he should have been the first to know. Not the last! And Jenna couldn't have had any other reason for accepting, apart from being greedy and selfish.
And yet... He didn't like making her cry. Because of previous events, he should have felt good, avenged and now satisfied that he had managed to tire her out to the point of making her renounce the agreement. But instead he wanted to go back in time to confront her in another way.
– Go home, Ruel. - Logan finally said something, closing his laptop and walking over to the printer, gathering three sheets of paper and stapling them together. — I want you to read this carefully, preferably alone, and if it's what you really want, bring it back signed tomorrow. - He handed him the document without a hint of a smile or a smile. - Now if you'll excuse me...
The singer's eyes immediately traveled to the first line written in bold on the sheet: BREACH OF CONTRACT. It didn't look good, although it was the right thing to do if she wanted her private life back.
When Olivia noticed that it was Jenna, she went to greet her with a huge smile on her face, which disappeared when she was surprised by Jenna's strong hug and the sound of loud sobs coming from the actress. They stood there in the doorway for a couple of minutes until the little girl calmed down and allowed herself to be taken inside.
– God, Jen, I don't know what's wrong with him, really. - She lamented when she finally learned everything that had happened in the company. — Ruel was never like that, he's an angel. I really think he's just confused by all this...
And Jenna couldn't have had more reason to accept it.
– He didn't even make a point of asking, he was already accusing me. - Ortega leaned back on the sofa, both hands resting on her stomach. It hurt too much, remembering the pain she had felt and that even in that situation someone had wanted to take advantage of her. Vincent's accusations had hit her like a bullet, breaking through the emotional barrier she always created when she had to work. — If he could talk like a normal human being, maybe I could tell him why...
– Jenna, what happened was horrible, it wasn't your fault. Unfortunately, people only care about money and will take any opportunity to get it out of any situation. - Olivia sighed, stroking the actress's knee. – And you're not doing anything wrong, you're giving up a year of your personal life in order to resolve this. All that's left is for you and Ruel to get along...
– It's over, Liv. I've already given up. In his mind, I'm to blame for everything and we can't stand in the same place for five minutes without fighting. There's no chance of it working out, not with him. - She sniffled, wiping the remnants of tears from her eyes. — Tomorrow I'll see Porter to get back to Chicago as soon as possible. What the hell, let the fans know that I'm a...
– Hey, don't even finish that sentence. I can't believe they're going to accept you giving up so easily. Not to mention that, gee, I believe in you both so much.
– But are you crying because he doesn't want to date you? - Taehyung suddenly entered the room with a tray and three cups of coffee on it. — Don't you have a boyfriend?
– Taehyung!
Jenna ended up laughing at their interaction. Taehyung didn't know what had happened either and just asked the first thing that came into his head, then apologized for the mistake. He had seen things like this before in Korea and it usually ended very well when the couple got involved, but he preferred not to comment.
Ruel opened his laptop on the table and left the Google window exposed when he finally finished reading the three pages of the contract. It was definitely something to think about, Dimitre wasn't lying when he said that if there was a withdrawal, he would be the one to suffer the most. It was strange that Logan hadn't pushed him into this decision, since his pocket would have benefited greatly. Maybe his fake relationship was worth a lot more than all that. He sighed angrily. It was as if they had planned all the clauses based on his weaknesses, forcing him to stay in the agreement.
Grumbling, he took the arrow to the search bar and clicked, typing in: Jenna Ortega. He wasn't sure if anything useful would come up apart from what everyone already knew. Her data, her movies, her connections... News.
– Wednesday, I don't know what, check out her look, "Jenna Ortega can't stand talking about Wedneday's dancing anymore". - Okay, on this one he ended up giggling a bit. - Tyler or Xavier, whatever... "Jenna Ortega is spotted in hospital and worries fans".
Before he could get excited that it might be something important, the website wouldn't load. She tried searching for the same name in the search bar, but nothing. No source that might have that information would open. Then she remembered Logan's words saying that Porter paid for some news not to be published. Could it be that Jenna has a terminal illness and can't afford treatment, and that's why she agreed? Did she and Jacob have a hidden child who was hospitalized? Could it be a family thing? Too many questions. Now Vincent had more questions than answers, plus the fact that the article was from the beginning of that year, not so long ago.
A few minutes of clicking and Ruel soon realized that he had been looking at pictures of her for more than ten minutes, just going through and looking at the images.
– My God... What am I doing? - He asked himself, bringing his hands to his head and smoothing his hair. It was undeniable, even to his pride, that Jenna really was beautiful. Especially when she made her eyes darker and... — God, no! What am I thinking? Enough. No more internet for today. There's so much I must be going mad.
Her things were put back in the drawer and along with them, the contract, all crumpled up. It was a horrible feeling to have what he wanted in his hands and simply not be able to do what was missing - sign it. All he had to do was sign it, but something was stopping him. And to make matters worse, that guilt still bothered him, making her cry wasn't in his plans.
Checking his phone, he discovered that Logan and Lionel had set up a group with the four of them, in order to release notices and also the missions when they were finally taken public. What a horror, it was called "Juel's Team". At least it enabled him to add the actress's number and open the chat.
hello, this is ruel
i'm sorry.
She didn't have read verification activated, so he waited until "typing..." appeared below Ortega's name, as he had saved it.
OK.
See you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow? So she hadn't really given up. Which was bad, but it still put Vincent's heart at ease.