I used to be KING

Once she reached the man, and the words came out of his lips Bethany had a mix of fear still inside of herself due to what happened and frustration for what he said last. Raising her eyebrow, she instantly moved her hand to rest on her hips as she looked at him. “I know, still… it was my fault. But… Why not? Just because I’m pretty my money isn’t worth taking?” She asked, looking at him. “I did something bad, and I’m paying. I might have or not the money for it at the moment, but I’m paying because it doesn’t have a thing to do with my looks.” She wasn’t being rude, nor raising her tone since it wasn’t from her nature to do such thing. Mira had taught her that education should came as polite as possible.

His minor attempt at flattery didn’t quite work as well as he wanted it to. Looking back to assess the damage, he uncrossed his heavy arms from his chest, perking an eyebrow at the other. “Honey, I have more money than I know what to do with. Just don’t bother, alright? This--” he gestured towards the front end, a thin lipped smile pulling at the corners of his mouth as he looked back over. “Is nothing short of one phone call to the garage.” His eyes focused on her before looking down. “You just worry about yours.”

“No, no, no…” Bethany whispered as she leaned her head against the wheel. She heard the noise and could only expect that nothing too bad had happened once she hit someone else’s vehicle. So many things inside her head that she didn’t see it, and now she had to deal with it. Leaving the car, she looked at the person. “I’ll pay. You don’t even need to tell me that I should do it. I know. I’m so sorry.”

Roman stared down at the bent fender of his brand new Lamborghini, pursing his lips in disappointment. He’d have to wait a few weeks for the part to come in but he was thankful he wasn’t driving his baby today. As he inspected, his attention was ripped away from it as the voice of an approaching woman came through, allowing himself to flit a look at her. Crossing his hands over his chest, he shook his head. Last thing he needed was insurance companies getting involved. He was already in enough trouble with the rollover a few months back. “No, it’s fine. It was an accident. ‘Sides, I don’t take money from pretty girls.” He attempted to lighten the situation.

The moment the other man mentioned having his share of fake stories too, Dan widened his eyes in an effort to try and place him. He did look familiar, but maybe it was one of those faces? Although, judging by his attire and the way he carried himself, he felt as though he should probably know who he was. Then again, Dan was not one to pick on others’ lives unless they offered and, while the man had mentioned a daughter, he deemed the topic too personal to even ask and instead returned his smile with one of his own, nodding his head idly in agreement. “I guess it’s impossible not to? The only way not to let it get to you is probably not coming across them at all, but sometimes they’re shoved at your face, too.”

He admired the way the other didn’t try to pry, even if it was genuine curiosity from most. A lot of people would’ve asked about his daughter and all the rumors to which he’d tell them as much as he’d like to tell them and ask them to refer to any gossip column to know the rest. He relaxed his shoulders in kind. “In a business where little to no morality is found, it’s best to take the high road and avoid feeding the fire.” 

Paige let out a laugh. “Oh gosh, do I look like the type that plays hardball and needs a monetary bribe? I’m going to take that as a compliment. I’ll keep your secret, only because you’re just so pretty to look at.” Her finger jabbed playfully in his direction. “Ahaha, you’re funny…but I can see in your eyes that you actually knew the answer so now I am both amused and impressed by your comedic prowess.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” If anything, Dan knew just how important it was for people to know, to be curious, to want to feel a connection between those they looked up to or those who formed part of their lives through entertainment. Even if he hadn’t chosen this life when he was a child but rather been put in it and somehow try and make it in a sea full of sharks, he had grown fond of it and now couldn’t see himself any other way. He owed himself to the public, that much he knew. “The problem is the lying aspect of it. There’s such a thing as freedom of press and I fully support our constitution through and through, but does it really fall under journalism when all you spread are false stories on real people? It’s fine, though. I’m used to ignoring these.” Granted, he wasn’t doing such a good job at it lately.

He couldn’t help but agree. "I’ve had my fair share of fake stories plastered in magazines, but I’ve chosen to ignore. A lot of the scandals involving my married life, sexual life, work like, and the rest were merely tall tales. When it came to including my daughter, however, that’s always going to be a different story.” He looked over at him, offering him a kind smile. “So why get worked up over them now?”

“Reputation is what you present to people. You could show your cool Casanova side and your Geeky side in equal measure.” Paige gave a teasingly concerned look, teeth tugging on her lower lip. “Uh oh…does that mean I upset the balance? Or I have to guard your secret in order to keep things in check? I’m not sure I’m ready for such responsibility.” Her eyes narrowed in a challenge. “Ohh you really know your Shakespeare, huh? “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” What’s the act, scene, and play that quote is from?”

“I totally could, but I’m a little vain that way. I’m supposed to be the Casanova heart-breaker with a great sense of style.” He rolled his eyes, smiling the ridiculousness of it all. “You have a responsibility here, Paige. Can’t let anyone know. You keep my secret, I’ll give you five hundred dollars.” He offered before her next question popped up. He couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. It reminded him deeply of a movie, but was it better to impress or make her laugh? Twelfth Night. Act two, scene five, he thought to himself. “Spider-man.”

Now, baby, I’m no weather man, but you can expect quite a few inches tonight…

“Right.” Daniel just didn’t smiled as though he agreed with the other man, biting his tongue to prevent him from going on yet another outburst on how these pages-full-of-bullshit had ruined his life. He knew better than to show his anger or frustrations in public, or discuss his ongoing lawsuit that involved this very magazine he held in his hands right now, and a few others, on defamation. “I’d still feel guilty if I were to support an industry that numbs people’s minds and distracts them from the bigger issues in society, something that far from educating, stupefies society just because it’s their money, but oh well.”

He shuffled his feet awkwardly as the other spoke. Despite his own reputation, he was a huge fan of the man in front of him, but he couldn’t exactly just come out with it, especially while they were having a conversation about something completely different. “Money isn’t easy to give the cold shoulder, unless you’re making about million a week. So if you’re a sleazy magazine company, they really have no other choice. People want to read about who’s sleeping with who, who’s gay, who’s shaved their head, who’s filing a lawsuit. People are curious in the worst way, but it’s generally how you choose to look at it.”

“What I don’t get is why people are even remotely interested in buying this kind of… of magazines?. I mean, seventy-percent of the pages are advertisements and thirty-percent bogus.”

“It’s a form of entertainment, isn’t it? People are entitled to spend their money on whatever they want, including magazines that are filled to the last page with bullshit. Figure just let ‘em believe what they want.”

“Now now don’t say it like you’re confessing to a bad thing,” she chastised with a grin. “Nerds rule the world now, and I am a queen among them. My pasttime when I was a kid used to be reading the dictionary for fun. I’m a grown ass woman and I have a “word of the week.” She gave a little giggle at herself. “Let me guess, did you quote Shakespeare to allt he girls and make them swoon?”

“I kind of am, in a weird way. Reputation only goes as far as those who assume and those who know. I think a handful of people know I’m a grade A nerd who literally graduated from university two years before I was supposed to. One more person knowing will off-set the balance!” He made a face, biting his lower lip at her accusation. “Would it be bad of me to say yes? In my defense, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with loving Shakespeare and as long as the person I’m woo-ing knows what act, scene and play it’s from, they’re pretty much my ideal type.”

He looked in the direction she was mentioning and bit his lower lip before turning his attention back to her, realizing he’d met her before. Mouth open to respond, nothing came out but he nodded nevertheless, a rushed smile forcing itself on his face. “Thanks. That’d actually be super helpful.” He tilted his head, smiling down at her before he started walking. Tucking his hands into his pants, something he usually did when he was feeling anxious, he looked back over at her, offering a hand. “I think we’ve met. ‘M not great with names, but I’m not bad with faces, either.” He chuckled quietly. “Roman.”

Paige let out a laugh. “Fiddleheads? That’s a real thing right? You’re not just pulling my leg so that I go ask for some ridiculous imaginary veggie?” Her expression faded into a nostalgic smile. God she missed the city so much already. “I lived in Manhattan, right across the street from Central Park. Though I will say that green space is not as rare here in Charleston and that’s kind of nice. I bet you’ve got lots of parks nearby to take your daughter to, if she’s still the age for swings and slides. Hell who am I kidding, I’m still the age for swings and slides.” Giving a nod, she let her hands rest behind her, rocking slightly onto the balls of her feet. “English. The modern day student’s worst nightmare.”

He shook his head, grinning widely. “No, seriously! I thought they were joking when they told me the name, too, but they’re actually a thing!” He claimed, eyes lit in a childish mannerism. “The city is definitely beautiful and I miss the bustling streets, but you aren’t wrong. Having such a quiet life, I’m almost restless. She’s a little too young to play on anything yet, but I still supply her with endless toys and all that kid stuff.” A small smile piqued the side of his mouth at her adorable mannerisms. “I hear that. I tended to mesh well with the class, though. I’ve always been one for grammar and all that, but there’s something strangely romantic about it. Literature is my favorite pass time. I’m kind of a nerd.” He smirked, tucking his hands into his pockets.

Ciao Guerra

He wasn’t about to answer his phone for just anyone at this point, knowing full well news traveled around this town faster than it did when he was living in Los Angeles. He let every call go to voicemail, but one name in particular that came up was the other Italian Scotsman he’d met not too long ago. His finger tapped against the screen and he placed it on the table, allowing the speaker to attract Joe’s attention. It was almost comical how people would defend another person without so much as a thought in their heads. How he wondered how their little brains worked. As she went on, Joe walked over to him, sitting across from him as they both listened. Joe, was obviously scared and it wasn’t even about him. Roman, on the other hand, held a smug smirk, arms crossed over his chest as he relaxed back in his seat.

“Mmm if I ever get the chance to finally put my passport to use I will definitely do that. I’ll also have to get you to tell me all the best places to eat.” Paige liked talking to people who had seen more of the world than she had. For a second she lived vicariously through them, and that was nice. “Me? I hail from New York City, born and bred, never really left it all my life. The trek to Charleston is the first time I’ve ever been out of state. Came for…a good job offer at the high school as a teacher. I learned the hard way that I don’t like long road trips at all. Should have flown but…alas…I was carting my horses along with me.” Her head tilted and she took a moment to count weeks in her head. “I think I’ve been here about three months.”

“Little town like that, you’re best bet is making some friends who know how to cook up a mean lobster and make sure to try fiddleheads. They are probably the best veggie I’ve ever tasted, especially covered in a bit of butter and well seasoned.” He grinned, letting out a lighthearted chuckle. “New York? Where about did you live? I travel up there every so often to check on things, but I’ve been having an increasingly little need to go back and forth now that my daughter’s living with me.” He mused, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t imagine anyone likes to fly, but it’s definitely faster. So you’re working at the high school? What are you teaching?”