Chapter 19 - Alex

Alex declined the call and placed her phone on her kitchen's counter. Her mother had now called twice, text messaged a few times and even left voice messages.

"You're going to have to call her back at some point. Remember, we don't want her suspecting anything." Jordan said slipping out of his sneakers and taking a seat at the counter bar.

"I know. I'm just not ready yet. After what she said to you... and she may be behind the Zee situation... I'll feel better once she apologizes to you and once I know she didn't push Zee out of that appearance." Alex walked over to Jordan and leaned into him. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to stay home tonight. You're more than welcome to stay, but I'm kind of missing my bed."

Jordan had insisted he drive Alex back to her apartment to collect a few things and stay at his place for the week. The social media threats made him nervous and he didn't think Alex should be alone until things calmed down.

"I feel like my place is more secure than your apartment, but if you insist on staying here I can ask Vince to stay with us."

"Oh, my goodness, no! Vince has enough going on as it is. Trust me, Jordan. If there was really a security issue please believe my mom would have the studio send people out, again." Reaching for Alex's phone Jordan mouthed the words "call your mother" and pushed the cell phone towards Alex, who began to dial. Her mother answered on the first ring.

"Alexandra, honey! I've been trying to reach you all day. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine mom," Alex said. Her mother was always concerned and hearing that familiar motherly tone made Alex feel reassured that everything between them might be a simple misunderstanding, after all.

"Honey, I was hoping we could reschedule that brunch we missed last Sunday. There's a ton we need to discuss."

"Oh yeah?" Alex smiled and gave Jordan a knowing, 'I told you so look'. She knew her mother wouldn't really sneak around behind her back. Her mother wanted to meet and discuss everything with Alex, as always.

"Yes. We finally closed on the Fresh Faced deal and the studio called with some great news! They want you to appear on Hollywood Tonight! So, we'll have to discuss that over brunch too." Jordan cocked his head to the side and shrugged at Alex, as if to say, 'ya mama still shady.'

"Hollywood Tonight?" Alex feigned surprise, "That's a pretty big deal. I'm surprised they didn't give that spot to Zee, I mean she's the lead and the biggest name on the show."

"Well don't sell yourself short, Alexandra. You're not too far down on the totem pole, you know."

"I guess we can thank Jordan for that." Alex quipped anticipating her mother's response. Jordan flashed Alex a look of annoyance. He was concerned that Alex bringing him up would tip Pamila off to the fact that he told Alex about their conversation in at the studio's lobby.

"You are your own person Alexandra. You're not who the press associates you with." Pamila's voice was even and neutral, "You should never forget that. It's funny how everyone thinks Jordan is this perfect and innocent guy; however, if he was any kind of decent, he would step forward and make a statement to quash all of this confusion surrounding you. Seriously, all he has to do is say Alex and I were never dating, and this secret lover nonsense would disappear."

Alex wanted to tell her mother that she and Jordan were an item, and that he was ready to go public whenever Alex said the word. Instead, she didn't respond at all.

Seemingly satisfied by Alex's silence, Pamila continued, "Why don't you look over your calendar and send me the dates and times you'll be available this week, for brunch? I'll look out for that and confirm with what works for me. I love you, honey."

"Love you too, mom."

Ending the call, Alex took a seat at the next bar stool. "I don't know. That whole conversation was kind of weird. I can stall a day or two on rescheduling with her, but eventually, we're going to have to sit down and talk." Alex didn't mind waiting a bit longer to discuss Jordan, but she only had a small window to address the Hollywood Tonight appearance. She didn't want to do it, but there was no way her mother would help her get out of it; even if Pamila had nothing to do with getting her the spot. Of course, the opportunity to do the show was amazing, but she had faith enough that she'd have another chance, later in her career, based on her own merit. This was Zee's moment and Alex wouldn't take that away from her. Getting out of that appearance would have to be her number one priority.

"So, what are you going to do about Zee?" Jordan asked, reading her mind.

Alex picked up her phone again and walked over to the couch. She dialed a new number and waited a few moments before getting an answer.

"Hey Derek, how are you?"

"I'm sorry, I don't speak to ghosts." Derek retorted, his voice flat.

"Derek, if you weren't going to talk to me, you wouldn't have picked up. And I haven't been ghosting you...I don't see any missed calls from you."

"Fine. Maybe we both ghosted a little bit. But you did steal Zee's Hollywood Tonight spot. That's really messed up, Alex."

"I didn't have anything to do with that, which is why I'm going to tell the studio I won't do it."

"Alex, are you crazy? You can't just tell the studio no. It's your job. You're contracted to do promotion and unless you are sick...and I mean really sick, you better be on that couch this Friday."

"Don't worry about the studio. I've got a plan for that. I just need you to get me in the same room as Zee."

"Why, so she could hate me too? Hell naw!"

"Derek, please! Just help me get my friend back." Alex's hopes increased when she heard Derek give a resigned sigh.

"Alright. Zee's supposed to be coming to my place tomorrow around five. Show up at like six and pretend like you just happened to be in the area. Got it?"

"Got it! Thank you so much, Derek! Will Rubin be there, too?"

"Naw." This was odd because Rubin lived with Derek and on the few occasions that Zee hung out at their place, either Rubin or Alex would be there. Zee and Derek never hung out along outside of set.

"Is Rubin out of town or something?"

"Alex, do you want this olive branch or not?"

"Oooohhh! OK, I'll take it and keep it moving."

"Good. See you tomorrow."

"Thank you! Bye."

Moving to the couch, Jordan stretched out, laying his head on Alex's lap. "So, what's this plan you have for the studio?" He asked, feeling nervous when a sly smile spread across Alex's face.

"I was kind of hoping you could help me with that."