Chapter 25 - Pamila Montgomery

"That's right Foodies! Jalex is still going strong and we just can't get enough of them!"

Jalex? How unoriginal, Pamila thought, turning off the television and smiling to herself when Kitchen Kitty's pink wig disappeared from the screen. Pamila was in bed, a mug of hot coffee in hand, going through her morning routine of scanning the latest magazines, blogs, and entertainment television stories. The media outlets were obsessed with Jordan and Alex, reporting their every move.

Each time Pamila got a new call or an e-mail requesting an interview with Alex, offering Alex a brand sponsorship, or magazine cover, she felt slightly resentful. She wanted her daughter to be successful and was happy for the boost in attention; however, she hated that Alex had yet to call her and apologize. All she wanted for Alex was success and happiness; unfortunately, all her daughter cared about was Jordan. But who will you come crying to when he breaks your heart? Pamila thought.

Her phone rang and she answered on her Bluetooth headset. "Pamila Montgomery, good morning."

"We might have an urgent situation." Wiggins said on the line.

"What is it? Did you spot Jordan with another girl?"

"Um, no. Jordan is with Alex...in Vegas."

"So, what? Does he have a gambling problem or something? Alexandra is not a gambler."

"No. Last night they stopped by A Little White Chapel on the strip and I learned they have a one o'clock ceremony scheduled, today. She left her hotel this morning with the Zee chick. I think they're dress shopping."

Pamila jumped out of bed spilling hot coffee all over her white down bedding. The mug crashed onto the floor breaking into small pieces.

"Stay on their every move! I'm on my way!" she said, almost slipping on the wet floor as she raced for her closet.

Alexandra you've completely lost your mind! Eloping with Jordan W.?! Oh my God, what if she's pregnant?! Dozens of worst case scenario thoughts flooded her brain as she tossed various items into a carry-on bag. At one point, Pamila wondered if the sudden boost of mainstream popularity had caused her daughter to have a minor break down. The paparazzi had started camping outside of Alex's building again and were starting to follow her as she ran her errands. Perhaps that was causing this lapse in judgement. It was a wonder Alex and Jordan could get to Vegas without being seen or photographed.

Cancelling all her meetings for the day and booking the next flight out to Nevada, Pamila Montgomery was on a mission to crash a wedding.

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It was a quarter to one when Pamila jumped into a taxi. The ride from the airport in Las Vegas to A Little White Chapel was approximately sixteen minutes, in clear traffic. She prayed silently that Wiggins had the ceremony time right and she would only be a minute, or so, late.

Instinctively, Pamila reached out for Alex's hand before realizing it wasn't there. She was no longer a nervous single mother hoping her daughter would get the part; she was now a woman alone, in a car, hoping she wouldn't get rejected by the only person she had left. She put her hand to her belly as the cab rolled to a stop in the chapel's Tunnel of Love entrance. Taking a deep breath, Pamila realized she had no idea what she would say or do. Her little girl was a woman, who worked and lived on her own. Alex didn't have listen to her anymore. Was Pamila even a match for Jordan, the ladies' man?

She remembered her first husband's last words. The last words of the only man she truly loved and Alex's father. I love you Pammie and I'm sorry to leave you like this. But you and me, we made a miracle together. Alexandra is our miracle. She's half of you and half of me. So, love her, take care of her, and look out for her when she can't figure it out. You can do it Pammie. Love is sacrifice, but it's always worth it. Pamila had honored his final wish from that moment forth and she didn't plan to stop, now.

Armed with a new-found determination, Pamila stepped out of the cab and ran towards the front door. The woman at the receptionist's desk barely looked up from her magazine when she casually said, "Are you a wedding guest or a future bride?"

"Guest!" Pamila blurted out impatiently.

The receptionist licked her index finger and turned a page, "Party name?"

"Jordan and Alex!"

The woman's index finger moved like molasses and Pamila's patience grew thin waiting to see which direction the finger would point. "Chapel of Promises, to your left," she eventually said. Pamila dashed to the left finally finding the right entrance.

"Alex! Please, don't! I object!" Pamila yelled, nearly falling as she stumbled through the chapel doors.

Sitting around the room on the plush red velvet love seats were Alex, Jordan, Zee, Rubin, Derek, and Vince. It looked like they were leisurely playing a game of cards, dressed in their casual attire.

Pamila swallowed hard and stood still as she began to understand what was going on. They had set her up, just like they had set Damien up. Genius.

Alex stood up and walked towards Pamila, looking disappointed and hurt. In Alex's hand was a large manila envelope. Alex passed it to her and Pamila quietly accepted. She sat down and pulled the contents out, her breath catching when she saw the first few photos.

"I think we should give them a minute alone," Jordan said, getting up and leading the others out of the chapel. Pamila watched as he walked out, giving Alex a sad, but encouraging smile. If anything, he's a good actor, Pamila thought, almost convinced by the look on Jordan's face, that he actually cared, for Alex. She turned her attention back to Alex who refused to take a seat.

When they were alone, Alex spoke. "Why mom? And for how long?"

"I hired him a few days before the Young Hollywood party. I had talked to a few of my "mother manager" friends who told me leaking the right picture to the press was a tactic everyone was using to give their kids a boost. I didn't really have a plan. I was just going to try Wiggins for a week and see how it went. But then you ended up in that viral picture with Jordan, which I didn't plan, but it was more than I could have imagined. And when Wiggins got that footage of you two in the park, it was almost too perfect. It almost felt like your father was helping me, the way everything was falling into place." Pamila sighed, and slipped the pictures back in the envelop before continuing.

"Next thing you know, you were getting offers and leading the press tour. It was only supposed to be for a little while, but it was working so well. The only problem was Jordan getting in the way. I don't think I would mind you dating him, so long as you saw him for who he really is. He changed you, Alexandra. Once you two started getting serious, you were keeping secrets, you weren't talking to me, you were standing me up. You just tossed me to the side. We were a team and then suddenly it was all about Jordan." Pamila now walked over to Alex, placing both hands on Alex's shoulders.

"Can't you see he's trying to push me out, Alex? I'm just trying to protect you, but it's like you've lost yourself. He has a reputation -- he's a rich, Hollywood player -- and when he's done with you, he's got his parents, his sister and everyone else at that cookout. You've got me. That's it. I've already lost your father and I'm not going to lose you, too. So, you need to make a choice."

Pamila was taken aback when Alex stepped away from her. "Mom. First of all, the reason I started acting differently is because of you. You started with the secrets when you hired a private investigator and didn't tell me. You almost made me lose my friendship, not to mention could have made filming a second season with Zee really difficult, by being shady and pushing Zee out of Hollywood Tonight. That whole stunt with Damien almost ruined my career. You think you're protecting me from Jordan, but I think I really need protection from you."

Pamila's chest tightened and hot tears started to build in her eyes. "Go to him, then, Alex. It's clear that you don't need me anymore." The growing lump in her throat made it hard to speak, but Pamila managed to choke out her final statement, "And find yourself a new manager, because I quit."

No husband, no daughter, no client and no family. Pamila Montgomery had fought so hard, but still ended up alone.