International Love

Chapter 16

Later on that day Derek got the email with our plane tickets and updated hotel reservations. Typically we would take our private jet but it was too short notice to get a pilot and have them fly across the country to Ohio from California. So we happily settled for a commercial flight. We weren’t the snobby kind that absolutely had to have a private jet take us anywhere. We would gladly fly with other passengers.

We were about 20 minutes or so from Columbus and Derek had already let the driver know we’d be dropped off at the airport and he obliged.

“Do you have your things ready?” Derek asked as we began to see the airport in the distance.

“Yes.” I said.

“And where do you two think you’re going?” Cathy asked.

“Well CATHY as if it’s any of your business,” I began, “I refuse to sit on this bus with you any longer. I don’t want anything to do with you and I’m not going to sit on here with someone who lays their hands on me. And I refuse to sit on a bus with someone who made it her personal mission to destroy my life.”

“I am not allowing you off this bus with this boy.” Cathy said.

“Mmm. You have no say because my mother is dead and I’m 19 years old.” I laughed.

When we pulled up to the airport Derek got off and got our things from the bus. I got my purse and made sure I had what I needed until the bus got to Florida. I went to get off the bus and my mom grabbed my arm tightly.

“This is the last time I’m going to try to pursue a relationship with you.” She said as her grip got tighter, “If you walk off this bus I will never speak to you again.”

“Good. That’s been the goal ever since you tried to walk back in my life wanting money.” I said, “Now let me go.”

Instead of letting me go she tried to pull me back on the bus. Derek ran up and tried to pull me back but she kept pulling harder. When I finally got out of her grip she reached up and slapped me again so hard that her nails drew blood on the side of my face.

“Don’t ever come near me again. I will be pressing charges and filing a restraining order against you.” I said holding my cheek, “I hate you.”

I held my cheek and walked away from the bus. Tears threatened to spill over my eyes as went through the TSA precheck line. Once we were through security check tears were flowing down my face. Derek didn’t say much. He just silently followed me as we walked through the concourse to get to our gate.

I sat down on the bench as I kept my hand on my cheek. I barely heard Derek say he was going somewhere and I never responded. I just sat there not taking my hand from my cheek because I knew by now people knew Derek and I were here. I noticed by the way a little girl was staring at me.

“Hey look at me.” Derek said.

I looked over at him with my hand remaining on my cheek. Derek pulled my hand away and took a wet napkin and wiped at my face. I winced in pain as he kept wiping it. He wiped off my hands and then smiled at me.

“It’s not bleeding anymore.” He said.

“Thank you for taking care of me. For getting me off that bus.” I smiled as I ran my fingers over his hand.

“I’m always going to protect you.” He whispered. He leaned in and kissed me softly.

“Flight number 8790 to Orlando, FL now boarding starting with any military, first class passengers, anyone needing extra assistance, and families with children.” The attendant said.

“That’s us.” I smiled.

When we landed in Florida I felt like I could finally relax. I was going to get to spend two uninterrupted days with Derek. No work no nothing. Just me and Derek. The only downside is that word got around that the two of us were landing in Florida. So the paparazzi were already lined up outside.

“Let’s just get to the SUV and get to the hotel.” Derek said as we got our things off of the luggage carousel.

We were bombarded as soon as we got outside. Questions were being thrown every direction. But the questions that were most concerning to me where the questions of abuse. Not just say abuse, but abused from Derek. I kept knocking down those questions because obviously they weren’t true. But each time it was asked Derek looked to get madder and madder.

Once we got to safety in the car I felt like I could breathe.

“They freaking thing it was you.” I said grabbing Dereks hand.

“Yup. I know.” He said pulling it away.

“Derek, we couldn’t prevent this.” I said reaching for his hand again. He pulled further away from me and looked out the window.

“It’s not your reputation. You’re going to get supported for this.” He snapped.

“Do not talk to me like I’m the one that spread this rumor.” I said angrily.

We didn’t talk for the rest of the drive. I pulled up social media and saw that there was already an article accusing Derek.

Sources say, “We’re concerned for her and her well being. She’s not going to leave him. Instead she’ll just continue letting him beat on her.”

I felt a great amount of anger fuel through my body. I knew who this “source” was and it was f*****g Lacey and Cathy.

I closed out of the article and pulled up the phone to call Lacey. I knew she wouldn’t answer. So I called Steven.

“Hello?” Steven answered.

“Put her on the f*****g phone.” I said angrily.

There was some shuffling on the phone then I heard Lacey answer, “Hello?”

“You bitch.” I said, “Why? Why would you accuse Derek of something like this? Why? Why? Why? I get that you want to destroy my reputation but to destroy Dereks. He did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong. But I’ll let you destroy me before him.”

“Oh I thought I made it clear? I’m destroying you both. Here Steven.” She said handing the phone back to Steven.

“Why did you leave me here with these psychos?” He whispered in the phone.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t be there anymore. Have you talked to Katie?” I asked.

“Yes, they found a loophole. They’re delivering the news as soon as we get to the hotel in Florida. She can be removed from the band and from the tour.” Steven said.

“Thank god.” I sighed, “Okay we just pulled up to the hotel. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye Steven.”

Hearing that the lawyers found a loophole in her contract was the best news I could get today. But I couldn’t help but think she wasn’t going to go away quietly. This was a scandal in the making. As soon as the announcement of her removal came out, it was going to be all over the news. It was going to be quite the show.