Chapter 21 – Pleasing the Boss

“Did they have any yogurt?” I try to decide what I’m in the mood for before getting up.

“I didn’t notice,” Elvis says. “There were some awfully tempting homemade banana muffins though.”

“My greatest weakness,” I groan.

“I have faith in you.” He waits until I stand up before adding, “But if your willpower fails, bring back one for me too.”

Laughing, I turn to go inside, less nervous about walking around without Elvis now that I know Hadrian isn’t here. Yesterday, I’d skipped breakfast all together, having left for my walk after my coffee, so today it takes me a bit of exploring to discover the buffet set up in a sunroom off of the kitchen. There are a few round tables in here as well, for people not wanting to eat outdoors, I suppose, and several guests have chosen to do so. Most are people I’ve seen already as well as a few Bastian Bunnies and a couple faces that aren’t familiar.

What I’m really into at the moment, though, is the glorious display of food.

There are twelve feet of hot plates with eggs, oatmeal, sausage, bacon, and potatoes, as well as several bowls of fruit, boxes of single serving cereals, various pastries, and finally, yogurt. There’s also a window to the kitchen where people can “order” eggs cooked to specification.

I grab a bowl and start mixing some granola and berries with yogurt then drizzle the concoction with honey. I’ve spotted the banana muffins and am about to grab one to split with Elvis, when I overhear a woman talking at a round table behind me.

“Have you seen Jessa today? Should I talk to her? Would that make things better or worse?”

Meaning to be helpful rather than nosy, I turn to the woman to share what I know. “Jessa Jones has already left.”

The woman frowns and exchanges a glance with the man with her, who, now that I’m looking, I realize is Steele Seymour.

“I didn’t know.” He looks at me. “You’re sure she’s gone?”

I’m a little less keen on being helpful knowing that I’m addressing a Seymour, but I have to roll with what I started. “I saw her get in her car and drive off. My bedroom faces the driveway. Maybe she’s coming back?”

The woman addresses Steele. “He probably pissed her off, didn’t he?” The way she speaks with him is familiar, but something about their interaction doesn’t feel exactly intimate. “I’m gonna f**king ream him when I see him.”

The conversation definitely doesn’t involve me, and I know how to take a cue, but I’m also highly interested in anyone who would dare threaten to ream Hadrian Seymour.

Of course, I’m only guessing that’s who she’s talking about, but it did seem like Jessa was yelling at him, and because I’m in the mood to “tell” on Hadrian, I offer what I know. “She was with Hadrian before she got in her car,” I say. “Seemed like they might have been arguing.”

“Great,” Steele says, sarcastically. The woman throws her head back in frustration.

“I knew inviting her this weekend was a bad idea. Once he gets something in his—”

“She asked to come,” Steele interrupts.

“I, for one, was really glad to have the chance to talk with her.” I don’t even know why I’m still talking. “So not a totally bad idea.”

Both of them turn their heads toward me, gazing at me strangely, as though they’d forgotten I was there.

Then the woman’s exp**ssion shifts into recognition, and she points a fi**ger at me. “You’re her.”

“I’m her? Who? What?” There’s no way she can think I’m Jessa Jones, but there isn’t any other her we’ve been talking about.

“Bristol Shaw,” she clarifies.

“Brystin,” Steele and I correct at the same time.

“That’s right, Brystin Shaw. Sorry. I’m terrible with names. Half the time I say Jessa’s last name is James, and I’ve known her practically my whole life.” She waves her hand to dismiss what she’s just said. “Point is, I’ve seen your work. That New Jersey show, right? New Jersey Now or something?”

“Yeah, yeah. That’s it.”

“Ad,” Steele says, and it sounds sort of like a warning.

The woman either doesn’t get it or decides not to heed it. “I’m Adly.” She doesn’t bother to try to shake my hand, thankfully, since I’m carrying both a bowl and a muffin. “Adly Seymour.”

“Seymour,” I say at the same time she does, because there probably aren’t that many Adlys hanging out at Hadrian’s house. This one is definitely his sister, which explains the familiarity she has with Steele, since he’s also her brother. “So good to meet you.”

“Nah, whatever. I’m boring. But you aren’t boring. I watched several of your episodes.”

She seems about to say more but Steele interrupts her. “I’m going to…” He stands and gestures with his head, as though he’s asking her to come with him.

“Fine. Go look for him. If she’s gone, it’s too late now.”

“Adly…” Another prompt for her to get up and leave. I barely know the man, and I even understand that he’s trying to get her to stop talking to me.

Obviously, that makes me more interested in the conversation.

“I’m not playing his game, Steele. I can talk to who I want to talk to, so stay or go, your choice, but I can tell a woman I think her work is fantastic if I feel like it.”

Instantly, I like her.

Steele lets out a sigh. “Yep. Do whatever you want. I don’t care. Not my problem.”

I watch after him as he walks away before turning back to Adly. “This entire interaction is very fascinating.”

Adly laughs. “I know, I know. We’re annoying. Steele is in talent development and thinks everything should be Top Secret All the Time. I’m doing my time in HR—because my dad’s an asshole and thinks that’s where the girls belong—and I’ve found plain old authenticity and transparency to be the best tactics in dealing with anyone remotely human.

“All that to say, Hadrian had me watch a bunch of your episodes. He wanted my opinion, or so he said, but I’m pretty sure he’d already made up his mind. As well he should have. You’re a star. Anyone who says they can’t see it is bullshitting you. But you’re here, so you already know it. Only one reason you get an invitation to Adeline. Welcome to the big leagues.”

I manage to thank her without sounding like an idiot. Without sounding like I’m distracted. Without letting on that my brain is unraveling the meaning of everything she’s saying.

Then I politely extract myself from her company, grabbing a second banana muffin since I’m no longer in the mood to share, and then sl*p out of the sunroom.

I take the hallway toward the living room instead of going directly out to the patio, so that I can lean against the wall and try to catch my breath.

Only one reason you get an invitation to Adeline.

He’d already made up his mind.

He was going to give me the job anyway.

f**king Hadrian Seymour ordered me to negotiate in his room, and he was going to give me the job anyway.

*******************

Hadrian POV

*******************

Hunter has issued another threat to the board, my top female star is mad at me, and my father is breathing down my neck about my plan for invigorating the network, and all I can think about is Brystin f**king Shaw.

Closing my eyes, I bring to mind what she looked like with her dress pulled down, tits jutted out, n**ples at attention. I barely got a look at her body because my eyes were glued to hers, but I remember everything that I saw in that quick glance.

---