SAVANNAH
After the meeting with Carter discussing our plans with PeekFlix, the meeting closed with a decision that Sebastian Entertainment would take care of its international affairs, and the Mexican office would function under the same management. Emilio would remain its CEO, but Jacob had been given a higher position in the new office they would establish in New York. Finally, the film franchises’ plans were presented on the projector screen for the wrap-up.
The two businessmen then signed the papers in front of the press, and the reporters joined the meeting for the interview.
“Thank you for giving us this exclusive scoop,” the blonde reporter with bright lipstick said.
“We all work in the same industry. We ought to share the good news,” Carter said.
“You will have a special event for the official announcement of these two companies joining ventures, is that correct?” she asked again.
“Yes. As PeekFlix finally embraces its new milestone, the world should know what we have in store for them. We are excited! The limitations we saw, the people’s dreams are all going to be possible now that we joined hands with Sebastian Entertainment Group,” Emilio answered, looking at his companions.
“What will be expected of this event?” another male reporter asked.
“The usual,” Rafe replied. “Teasers, exclusive clips, interviews, the official speech, a concert maybe, and of course, celebrities, press, bloggers, and even YouTubers are invited.”
The reporters continued to scribble on their notes, and the cameras filmed and captured each important moment nonstop.
“What can you say about the other studios PeekFlix has considered before joining SEG?”
“We would like to thank them too.” Jacob chuckled. “They are all great. But it’s all about compatibility. That’s all we can say.”
The interview ended with the two CEOs’ handshakes, making sure that the special union was recorded. The reporters left satisfied with the new content we expected them to publish tomorrow.
I called Carter when the visitors left. “Can I stay here for a bit? Emilio and Jocelyn wish to speak with me. I’m pretty sure you know why.” I chortled.
“Of course.” He patted my shoulder gently. His eyes were smiling. “Know that I’m on your side, Savi. Rafe has changed ever since he met you.”
“He changed how?”
“He’s more of a human being now.” He laughed, glancing at this brother talking with the Estrellas. “He was usually hot-headed and detached. Life was cruel to him growing up. So, thank you.”
“Really? I didn’t do anything, but I’d like to know more about that.”
“Maybe when he’s in the mood, he’ll tell you. See you, Savi.” He winked at me and then exited the conference room.
I joined Rafe and our guests in his office for a moment, but Jacob had left for his appointment this morning. Two couples were now sitting in the living area across from each other.
“It’s my fault Sofia turned out that way,” Jocelyn began, picking up the cup of coffee Rafe’s desk secretary served us. “I refused to let her go as a child to Mexico when her father wanted her to, and I practically just let her do whatever she wanted. I was busy with my family’s business here in Manhattan. I wasn’t able to look after her. One thing I learned from Emilio, kids need keen supervision. But I didn’t listen to him.”
Emilio held his wife’s hand. “Oh, mi amor. It’s all in the past. She grew up as a fine young woman who achieved her dreams.”
“Yes, but she turns out to be a homewrecker too. We don’t tolerate that. You said so yourself.”
Emilio sighed. “I know. You’re right.” He gazed at me. “Have you already spoken to her, Savannah? She told us you were friends once.”
“Yes, but we haven’t spoken. I refused to because I was not ready. Maybe we’ll meet again at our class reunion in three days.”
“But we told her to speak with you,” Jocelyn said.
I shrugged. “Maybe she’s not ready either.”
“Are you still mad at our daughter?” Emilio asked.
“Yes. I’m sorry, but it’s only been a month, Mr. Estrella. I still can’t find myself to do that.” I felt the frenzy crawl all over my skin, remembering our first encounter after several years she had been away. She had a chance to tell me then, but she wasn’t even sorry for what she did.
“We can’t change her mind about her choices. But we can’t accept this boy who can leave his wife for another,” Emilio said regrettably. “We’re worried about her, but we didn’t think what she did was right. We didn’t know how to make it up to you after what she did. As her parents who failed to watch our child, we apologize, Savannah. To you, too, Rafael.”
“It’s okay,” Rafe said. “One person’s mistake is another’s gain. When Edward Reed decided to cheat on his wife, it became an opportunity for me to make Savannah mine.”
Oh wow. That was what Rafe meant by telling them we were official now. I thought I couldn’t breathe for a moment. He stared at me with his soft features. His eyes were glimmering.
Jocelyn smiled at us in awe. “That is very sweet of you, Mr. Sebastian.”
“We saw the gossip about you with other women, and we initially thought we couldn’t trust you because of the nature of your lifestyle. But I guess they are all just media bullshit,” Emilio said, grinning.
I held Rafe’s hand and squeezed it, telling him, ‘good job.’ “He’s more than what meets the eye,” I said to the couple.
“We know that now. And we are embarrassed, truly, so we are grounding Sofia,” Jocelyn said.
“Oh. Grounding how?”
“After her first single with New Star Media this year, we are completely severing connections with that studio. It is also one of the reasons we can’t consider them with the partnership, and as for Dragon’s Gate, they demand too much without much to offer,” Emilio explained. “Anyway, we will terminate Sofia’s contract with them. The breach will cost us a lot.”
“Oh, wow. But she must be pretty furious.” But damn. I shouldn’t be worrying about her right now. This was the consequence of her choice.
“There are other studios out there that want her.” Emilio waved his hand. “Well, if she can’t break up with her boyfriend, we can do as much as this for her to learn her lesson.”
“Quite a punishment, but I agree with you, Mr. Estrella,” Julian said. “When my brother, Julian, once made a bad decision in his life, he cut himself to the world and to his family. We let him because we don’t tolerate it. I thought of it as his lesson. When he came back, he became a better man than he used to be.”
“Anyway, we heard you’re still married to Edward,” Jocelyn said. “I’m worried it might become a problem for Sofia, but wouldn’t it become a problem for you?”
“I’m taking care of it,” Rafe answered for me. “She will be divorced as soon as possible, so it won’t become a problem.” As soon as this week. At least, that was what Rafe promised me. “I’ll make sure this will be buried so the media can’t use this on us,” he concluded.
“Very well, that is good to hear. We don’t want our girls clashing teeth again the next time we see them together. There would be instances where we would gather like this again,” Emilio said.
“Don’t worry. What you saw in that restaurant will never happen again,” I assure them. When I met Sofia again, I’d probably just ignore her unless she decided to humble herself and apologize.
“Despite this feud between you and Sofia, I heard good things about you. You were her best friend—her only friend, for that matter. She was lonely always being alone because her parents were always busy while she was growing up. So, honey, if you need something. You can tell me, okay?” Jocelyn said.
“I know all about that, Jocelyn.” I nodded, remembering the sadness in her eyes she always hid in her smiles. “I was worried about her, too, before this. But thank you for the offer. I appreciate it.”
“Well, we’re still glad we didn’t screw this partnership after what happened,” Emilio stated proudly.
“There’s one thing I learned from this girl here. My girl. Friendly conversations build trust,” Rafael inserted. “Isn’t that right?”
“Hey.” I patted his shoulder, giggling. “Not exactly like that, and only if it’s the truth… Well, yes. You’re right…”
***
I threw my arms around his neck when the Estrella couple left. We now had the office on our own.
“It’s late for lunch, but I won’t say no if you invite me.” I cocked my head to the side, biting my lip. “You better eat, you workaholic.”
“Sure, but you won’t get away from me this time.” Rafe’s arms enveloped my waist and stared at me.
I glided my hands down to his chest and pouted. “You’re going to ask me that, aren’t you?”
“Mm. Why was Brett here yesterday?” he repeated.
I melted in his arms, but he caught my weight. “I don’t really want to talk about him.”
“We just said it. Conversations build trust.”
My head snapped up and gave him puppy eyes. “You don’t trust me?”
His eyebrow arched. “You know well how acting cute will work for me, and I’m so close to pinning you onto that wall, but I’m not letting this go. What does he want from you?” he asked the question again with stress. I was beginning to wet my panties, though.
“It’s just a matter about Michael. Nothing about Edward or me. I promise,” I said only half the truth. However, he mentioned Rafe about being in some games with him.
Damn you, Brett. I wasn’t the type to hide things from the people I cared about, but what were you doing with me?
Rafe frowned. “Is Brett and your brother close?”
“They’re not, um, but he was really concerned about Michael because we were once family. Please, that’s just it.”
“So you can’t really tell me, huh?”
“It’s… my brother’s privacy, actually,” I reasoned. “I’m sorry, Rafe. I didn’t mean to hide things from you. It’s not me, and it’s not my intention. Maybe I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay.” He exhaled. “I trust you. It’s just him I don’t trust.”
“The feeling is mutual. I don’t know how Brett’s mind works. But enough about him. I already told Michael about you.” I grinned, wrapping my arms around him again. “I can tell you that one.”
His eyes narrowed, but a curl formed on his lips. “Fine. We’ll have lunch here. I’ll call the desk to have the food delivered here. What would you like?”
“God, yes!” I grunted. “I’m hungry. Anything is fine.”
He kissed my forehead. “What I see here, Ms. Gibson, is you get everything you want. I have something to tell you anyway…”