Britney — Who sent you?
1024 Words
All four of us seated at the table, what felt like an intimate, cozy space moments ago, now felt suffocating. My Britney O'Prey magic was waning. I had just enough left to get my message across.
"No," I said abruptly, knowing that no good could come of this.
"No? What do you mean no? This is your dream job. Making this commercial for Hunter Industries will put Britney O'Prey on the map," said Olivia, aghast with shock, her tone getting louder and more agitated by the second.
I couldn't keep my eyes from traveling to and settling on Will, who was looking at me too. From the corner of my eye, I caught Olivia frantically looking first at Macy, then back and forth between Will and I. At this rate, the girl was going to give herself whiplash.
"What she means is—" Macy jumped in, desperately trying to salvage the situation.
"I think Ms. O'Prey can speak for herself," said Will, stupidly cool and collected and did I mention calm.
He sat there with his fingers intertwined and his legs crossed, completely at ease like some Greek god sitting on a throne.
What was it about him that made you want to give them exactly what he wanted? He was in my head, confusing me about what I should say. Even though I knew very well that my answer could not be changed.
It was never my intent to go this far. All I wanted was some time away. Macy nudged my arm, then gave me a pleading look. I decided to avoid looking directly at her from then on. It appeared that I was expected to respond to Olivia's tantrum.
"I'm on vacation," I said sheepishly, with both women now gripping one of my arms each. "Britney O'Prey doesn't work on vacation," I reaffirmed, clearing my throat.
Olivia tossed my arm aside and draped hers around Will's neck.
"Billy," she whined with a pout. "Say something. She'll listen to you. Billy's not above sleeping with you to seal the deal," Olivia insisted, nodding her head frantically.
"Nor is Britney," Macy concurred.
"I absolutely am," I exclaimed.
Will smirked and my cheeks turned crimson.
Please, floor open up beneath me and swallow me whole.
"Not everyone sleeps their way to the top, Olive," said Will, still smiling as he looked down at Olivia.
Her arms around his neck. His annoyingly perfect pearly whites being flashed at Olivia. The heat radiating from my cheeks and worst of all, Macy throwing me under the bus like that. How could she? The little voice in my head asked me which she I meant. I alternated between Olivia pulling on Billy's tie as she continued her childish tantrum and Macy's pathetic, now apologetic and yet still pleading face.
"If my brother's not your type, what about me then?" Olivia asked, whipping herself towards me and leaning in as she grabbed my hand with both of hers. "I'm more than happy to get the job done, if you know what I mean."
Olivia looked at me the same way men did everytime they approached me since I got here.
Bedroom eyes. Puckered lips. Too close. Did she just proposition me?
"Sorry Liv, from the looks of it no one but your brother can get that job done for my girl right now," said a very unhelpful Macy.
"Brother?" I asked, the word slipping out of my mouth unintentionally as my mind struggled to keep up.
By now Will had tears collecting in his eyes from how hard he was choking back the laughter as he nodded. My mortification had reached the point where I could no longer look him in the eye. I got up and grabbed Macy's hand.
"Do you have a sibling threesome kink?" Olivia asked, snapping her fingers like she finally figured me out.
"You get used to her," Will said with a shrug, raising his glass to me before taking a sip of his wine.
"Excuse us," I said, inhaling deeply.
Will gestured to a second door, one behind him that opened up onto a balcony overlooking the sea. The man sure did love his privacy. Who could blame him for wanting a piece of the roof to himself? The view of the island lit up in all its glory, the salty sea breeze washing over me while the waves crashed into each other and the faint sound of music — all of it, was exactly what I needed to prepare myself for the conversation I was about to have.
"Macy Jones?" I began, looming imposingly over my best friend.
"I can explain," Macy said, backing up.
"Did I miss your wedding as well as your promotion? Because last I checked, your name was Macy Keller, assistant to Merida Jones, Britney O'Prey's real agent," I snapped.
"Yes well, last I checked, you weren't the real Britney O'Prey, so," she returned, as though in justification for her actions.
I took a moment to let that sink in, walking as far away from her as the balcony allowed.
"I'm sorry, that was a low blow," Macy said, lowering her voice, as she approached me slowly.
"You know what? f**k you, Mace. This was your plan. How about a little vacation to blow off some steam? After the way she f****d with your life, she owes you at least that. Those were your words. Remember that?"
"Of course I do, and I meant it," Macy said soothingly, laying a hand on my shoulder.
The last few weeks had broken me in ways that limited how much trust I could offer anyone, including my best friend. I saw what this business, this world, could turn someone into. I just couldn't risk being in the position to be f****d over by another person that was supposed to care about me.
"What arhdjejee you doing here, Macy?" I asked, turning around with a sigh. "Did you find Britney? Are you outing me to her for that long awaited promotion?" I asked, raising my hands in the air and letting them drop down to my sides hopelessly. "Who sent you?"
- Writer
