Broken Pieces, L. S. [brene brown rising strong .txt] 📗

said almost pleading.

He held my face and I met his gaze.

“Your photos from Florida are all over the local news,” he said sadly.

I looked at him in horror. How in the hell did that happen? I was frozen from where I sitting that I didn’t even notice when Carter reached for the remote control and turned the TV on. There I saw my face wearing the lingerie I wore at Keith’s club, beside me was Nicole wearing the same kind of clothing. The blonde news anchor says:

 Is Young Real-Estate Business Tycoon Carter Greene keeping a stripper inside his home? Photos of the allegedly 18 year old girlfriend of business tycoon Carter Greene were all over the internet this morning. A source said that Mr. Greene is indeed keeping the stripper and even flew to Florida to buy this girl from the owner of popular club in Miami Beach. We’ve tried to get the side of Mr. Greene about this issue but he chose to keep his silence same goes with the club owner in Florida.

The blonde woman and her co-anchor still talked about the issue, gave their comments on how it is going to affect Carter’s company and image but none of them are registering on my brain. How the hell did this happen? Who uploaded those pictures on the internet? I was still frozen beside Carter, he tighten his embrace on me.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

I wanted to tell him it’s not his fault, none of it was his fault but it seems like I suddenly lost my voice. I felt my eyes getting wet and hot fluid flowed on my cheeks. What am I going to do now? I ruined Carter and for sure the whole school knew about it. My friends will be disgusted with me. I will lose everything I’ve worked for. This isn’t the life I have expected when I agreed to come here. For months Carter and I kept this secret. Now it’s out on the window.

I sobbed on Carter’s shoulders. There is this huge lump on my throat making me unable to speak at all.

“I promised to fix this Jillian,” he assured me.

I also want to assure him that I am not blaming him. I was once a stripper and that’s the truth. It’s a shame but I did it when I was on my lowest. I did it in order to survive and I did it in order to be free.

Carter left me to our room because he had to take care of the situation. There are paparazzi outside our home and they’re all eager to get a statement from either one of us. I thought this only happens in the movies but Carter is indeed a public figure and a famous one in California.

 

 

Hours later I was able to finally stop myself from crying, I was still in bed, lying there like a child. Actually, I do feel like one. I feel weak and vulnerable not knowing on what is waiting for me once I get out of this bedroom. Carter hasn’t come back yet. I cannot think of something else to do, I reached for my phone that was on the nightstand. I turned on though I don’t remember turning it off last night, maybe Carter did.

I have two missed calls, one each from Brooke and Christy. There are also seventeen unread text messages from the two of them. Both of them are asking if I saw the news, if it’s true and if I am okay. I appreciate their concern to me but it still doesn’t take my fear away.

I was caught in my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door.

“Miss Jillian,” it was Martha.

It’s not even eleven in the morning so I wonder what she is doing here this early. Maybe Carter called her to give me company. I was about to get up and open the door when I realized that I am still wearing Carter’s button down shirt.

“What is it Martha?” I asked sadly.

“Your friends are here Miss,” she answered.

I know she was talking about Brooke and Christy.

“Alright,” I sighed. “Please tell them I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Yes Miss.”

I heard her footsteps from the door, meaning she is walking her way downstairs. I stood up and went straight to the bathroom. I washed my face, my eyes are swelling due to crying and lack of sleep. I brushed my teeth too, my stomach is growling, we didn’t have anything for dinner last night cause we got overwhelmed seeing each other again after being apart for more than a week, but I don’t have an appetite for anything right now.

I put on a clean pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. I don’t know but it felt inappropriate for me to wear clothes that show off too much skin. I also tied my hair on a loose bun, all in all I look like a complete mess.

I sauntered my way downstairs, there I saw Christy sitting on the couch wearing her usual floral sundress and flat sandals. Beside her was Brooke wearing a ripped denim shorts and a white tank top. 

“Hey,” Christy greeted me with a sad smile.

They both stood up and each gave me a one-arm hug.

“Be strong, okay?” Brooke told me trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

I gave them a slight nod.

“Gosh! Someone took a photo of me outside and I regret wearing like this. If I’ve known that there are paparazzi outside, I should’ve called my mom stylist.” Brooke joked.

I smiled weakly.

“Come on, Jillian, don’t be like that, please cheer up,” she added.

“Yeah, cheer up Jillian,” second the motion of Christy.

I took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, “I know I shouldn’t get affected about this issue but I am so scared that I messed everything up. Carter’s hasn’t been home, I don’t even know what is happening or what will happen to me after this.” I sobbed.

I didn’t mean to cry again but whenever I think about it fear flows through me and the only thing that I can do is to cry my eyes out.

I collapse myself on the couch and both of them ran to me for comfort. I leaned to Christy and she hugged me so tight. I wiped my tears and turned to them.

“I appreciate you both coming here, honestly, I didn’t expect any of this, and I thought you will all be disgusted about me,” I told them in between deep breaths.

Brooke smiled at me and tousled my already messy hair.

“I maybe a slight slut but I am not shallow,” Brooke said proudly.

“Jillian, you maybe just met us few months ago, but we’re your friends and friends do stick together through good times and especially bad times.” Christy said. “You did what you did but you’re here now giving yourself a better life and for that’s what’s important, it doesn’t matter who you were before, what matters is who you are now.” She added.

I suddenly felt better after hearing them. I am so glad that after everything they found out about me they still consider me as their friend.

“Girl, I totally hate you now!” Brooke suddenly turned to Christy, “Is this some sort of ‘who gives the better wisdom word shit’?” she asked grinning. “Cause I could’ve come up with an essay piece, girl, I said like a sentence and you created a paragraph,” she shook her head exaggeratedly.

We all laughed. Brooke can really lighten the mood as always.

“You’re crazy Brooke!” Christy snorted, laughing.

They’ve stayed for another hour, we talked and drank some wine. Martha cooked us pasta for lunch and they loved her own recipe. They’ve asked me to come with them to the beach but I didn’t think that was a good idea, knowing there are reporters outside and Carter still hasn’t called or come home.

 

 

Carter came home fifteen minutes before three o’clock. He looked exhausted wearing his faded jeans and button down shirt. I just got out of the shower when he arrived, Christy and Brooke told me I shouldn’t be affected by the scandal and let Carter handle the situation.

“It was Ade,” he blurted out.

I stopped drying my hair and cocked my brow wondering why all of a sudden he mentioned Adriana.

“I don’t think I am following you,” I said.

He wandered back and forth on the room. I cannot figure out if he is upset but I know something is disturbing him.

“It was Adriana who leaked the photos on the internet!” he said angrily. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think she’ll go this far,”

I was confused, I cannot believe that Adriana can do something like that. I know she hated my whole being but I didn’t expect she can go as far as destroying me. Then I remember the threat she told me a few day ago. She said I was going down, I didn’t know she meant it. God!

“A few days ago she called me and threatened me that she is taking me down,” I told him.

Carter turned to me, his eyes are burning and I cannot meet his raging gaze.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” he yelled.

“I thought she was just fooling me around,” I answered.

Carter is upset and it is freaking me out.

“God! Jillian, you’re being threatened and I don’t even have any idea about it.”

He irritably ran his fingers through his hair and sat on the bed. I was half hearted if I should just keep my distance or walk to him to offer comfort. I did the latter. I sat beside him and pulled his hand and laced out fingers.

“I know you were worried and I know we’re going through a tough time but I just want you to know that I am not blaming you, I did what I did, I stripped and it’s the truth, people can either accept me like you did or they can just leave and forget me. Either way I am fine with that.” I assured him, squeezing his palm a bit. “I am afraid because I know this might have an effect on your business and that’s the last thing I want to happen, because I am here to make you happy not to ruin what you have built.”

He cupped my face and kissed my lips.

“I’m sorry, if I yelled at you.” He said. “Honestly, I am blaming myself for not keeping an eye on Ade, I am so angry with her, I went to her home but she wasn’t there.” I can feel the hurt and pain from his voice.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself either, none of this was your fault. Adriana did it because she hates me and I don’t have the power to change her toll on me. This is who I am and I cannot change that.” I said.

Then I pulled him into a hug.

“Why don’t we just fix ourselves? For sure Frank will be waiting for you, you wouldn’t want to miss his wedding,” I said trying to sound cheerful and referring to his friend.

“Are you sure you still wanna go?”

I gave him a slight nod and a peck on the lips.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,”

Carter pulled me into a hug and kissed me again. We rest for another hour before we dress ourselves up. Carter wore his usual black tux while I put on the Parisian white and gold sequin cocktail dress Phoebe chose for me. I paired it with my gold beaded peep toe high heels and a gold envelope clutch purse. I tied my hair on a neat pony tail and put a very light makeup on my face. I want to look as simple as possible.

Carter decided that we just drive to Santa Barbara for the wedding will be held using his Ferrari but we have Marcus and Jim tailed behind us for security. It took us an hour to reach the country club and I was thankful that it was a private wedding and no media was allowed.

The place was beautifully decorated, the wedding ceremony will be held at the center of the