A Little Bit Married

A Benchmark for Decisions

The entire set went quiet, and I felt Gray's thumb run over the back of my hand, while his eyes focused solely on the assistant and the dumbstruck interviewer.

The assistant cleared his throat and gave a rather tight, strained smile. "Sir. We do not have to resort to this. We can grab a quick bite, and also, I will bring someone else to replace Miss Victoria and..."

Gray ran a hand down his chin, his eyes thin as if he was thinking of it. I could see Victoria's resolve breaking, but something about her seemed rather off.

We didn't even know each other. Why would she blatantly try to disrespect me on set just for... I don't know what? How was she expecting this to end? She had absolutely no reason. Maybe to seduce Gray, but... why would she blow up her entire career on the one per cent chance that he would look her way?

I mean, if he had looked her way, she would be set for life. But now that he didn't, she was most probably ruined.

"Are you asking me to leave, then?"

"No, sir I would never. I was just..."

"It is so nice to meet you, Mr. Gray Gavin," said a new voice, and I looked up to the person.

He was standing a few feet away from us in a grey suit, his gray hairs fitting with the aura he gave off, his smile small.

Gray did not move as the man covered the distance and stretched his hand out to Gray.

A minute of awkward silence ensued with the man just hanging there, his hand stretched out to Gray, and Gray just staring the man down.

"I apologize," the man said, slowly pulling his hand away. "I am the owner of this place, Carlos. I heard there was a little mishap with the mew interviewer here, and I was hoping to come mitigate it before it becomes worse. I do realize that your wife was disrespected, but I would really like to fix this away from all the cameras. Rest assured, none of this is making it to TV. "

Gray seemed to think about it, and I turned to him, my eyes slightly pleading. The man seemed as genuine as could be, and he gave me a small apologetic smile.

"Gray?" I said, leaning closer.

Gray gave a small sigh, then held my hand and slowly stood up, his eyes meeting Carlos. "There will be no mitigation until she is removed. Or I will be tempted to do things my way."

"I apologize. I will take appropriate action. Please come with me."

Gray nodded, and his hand gently wrapped around my waist as he pulled me away. I stopped for a brief second as we walked up to where Victoria was standing, my eyes meeting hers.

She looked rather young and exceptionally pretty. The kind that could pull anyone. Why she resorted to doing this would probably always be beneath me.

Gray pulled me with him, and we walked away, the look in her eyes slightly haunting. She looked like she could kill me. It almost made me throw up.

Carlos led us to his office, an elegantly furnished space, and he ushered us to seats across from him. His personal assistant went off to get coffee as he ordered, while Gray leaned back on his seat, his eyes fixed on the man.

"I would like to apologize again, Mr. Gray. I was told of what she did, and I immediately came over to see for myself. It is wven worse as we are the first TV station you have given an interview, and I can't believe my daughter could mess things up this way."

Realisation immediately hit me. She was his grand daughter, hence why everyone seemed to be vehemently protecting her.

"You aren't doing a good job with raising her, Mr. Carlos."

"I know," he said with a nod. "But that is as much as I can do. She is normally well-behaved despite both her parents spiralling off, and I am genuinely sorry about this. Her extreme adoration of you is probably what triggered her, and I am not making excuses, but... "

"You do realize her blatantly making passes at my husband is not something that can be stuck up to extreme adoration, right? We came here for a specific interviewer, only to end up with another, and yet, this is what we get."

"I am very sorry, Mrs. Gavin. I will immediately assign you to another interviewer and..."

"No. I have received dozens of such invitations for interviews, and one of them is The Jolene Media. I do realize they are your direct competitors in the media space, but I will be granting them an interview tonight."

"Mr. Gray, I am extremely sorry for..."

"I just want to tell you one more thing, and I know you are listening to me, Miss Victoria. My wife... is the benchmark for my decisions. Disrespecting her is directly disrespecting me. I shall stick up for my wife, the way you are sticking up for yoir grand daughter."

"Mr. Gray..." Carlos started to say, but Gray grabbed my hand and started to walk towards the door where Voctoria was standing, her eyes wide and filled.

"I will fire her!" Carlos suddenly said, right as we got to the door, his breath shaky. "I will fire her for this, and I will make sure it never happens again. I swear."

I turned to her. She had her jaws clenched, her body slightly shaky as she met my eyes. I turned away, my fists lightly clenched.

"Is that so?" Gray asked, his voice low. "Will you, really?"

Carlos nodded. "I agree that she really does need a bit more training. She needs to be able to manage her emotions, too. So, I will be laying her off for her own betterment."

Gray gave a small smile. "Well, I am happy for you, Carlos. It is good that you are doing something for the good of your company."

"Mr. Gray..."

"My decision is, however, final. Thank you for your efforts."

Without stopping to hear another word, he walked away, leaving both of them in the office.