Chapter 8 DAMAGE CONTROL
NOAH'S POV
The rest of the week passes by in a blur and hurry.
Emergency meetings and strategies were being thrown at me from every direction and corner.
I did press tours with movie stars, random lottery donations, appearances on influencers Tiktoks, volunteering at the soup kitchen and orphanage visits (this i actually enjoyed doing).
The conversation from earlier this week rings in my mind as I wait for the news.
“I don't care if you marry a unicorn for all I care. Fix it or kiss your position as heir good bye.”
My father sometimes forgets he's not only the Chairman of West Inc.
The door opens as a head pops in. “Is it out yet?”
“No Davis. It's not yet 10:00am.” Davis was oddly more concerned about the press statement than I.
“Good morning Los Angeles and how is the city of angels doing tonight?”
The news anchor appears on the screen looking oddly hyped and happy on this gloomy Thursday morning.
The crackle of thunder slits through the sky as the rain becomes worse as people scurry away from the streets.
“And in celebrity news, Billionaire, philanthropist and sexist man crowned six times Noah West posted on the company's social media releasing a press statement regarding the incident that happened last week at the West Corporation after party.”
The anchor paused for dramatic effect before continuing.
“West Industries confirms that Mr. Noah West experienced an acute medical reaction during last night’s charity gala.
After consuming a small amount of aged red wine, Mr. West suffered a severe sulfite and histamine sensitivity reaction, compounded by dehydration and exhaustion following an intense travel and work schedule. Out of an abundance of caution, he was briefly attended to by medical professionals and released shortly afterward in stable condition.
Mr. West has since been evaluated by his personal physicians and is recovering fully. There is no cause for concern, and he has already resumed light duties.
West Industries would like to thank the event staff and medical team for their swift response and appreciates the public’s concern. We kindly request that Mr. West’s privacy be respected as he makes a full recovery.
Further speculation is unnecessary.
— West Industries Communications Office”
“Now what do you think about this statement Donna?” The other anchor asked.
“It seems a little too good to be true Trent.” She turns to face him.
“I mean what are the odds that a billionaire who has an episode on camera all of a sudden has an allergic reaction to sulphites and histamines?”
“And not to forget the several public appearances Noah West has made this week.”
“Yes that's true.” He nods and then turns to face the camera. “Well there you have it folks. And on next news, “UFO sightings at a bull fighting ring in Kansas. We'll see you soon after the break, don't go anywhere.”
I switch the TV off at that.
“I mean we did expect that they wouldn't completely buy it.” Davis says in his patronizing tone he knows I hate and from his wince at my reaction he realizes this as well.
“It doesn't matter. As long as the narrative is controlled out there.”
I swivel my chair, nodding at the soothing sounds of the rain.
“Besides, the news of my marriage is enough to quell every suspicion.”
My PR and HR team worked through the bone night and day to reduce the aftermath of the incident.
We bought search engines and pop up news of several headlines to push out different stories.
Crazy alien sightings for the skeptics and conspiracy theorists.
The cheating scandal of a CEO and his Chief People Officer caught on camera at The Coldplay concert was pushed out even further by my media team.
By their calculations, after the news of my marriage drops tomorrow the memory of the incident would vanish from everyone's mind.
My phone rings out loud breaking the soothing silence. I cut the call after briefly looking at who it was. Another unknown number.
“Aren't you hi to answer your phone. It's been two days since and it's worth seeing who is so persistent about calling you.”
“No need. I know who it is.” I say dismissively.
I sigh at his raised eyebrow.
Davis for all his competence as my right hand man is a total gossip.
“It's Sophia.”
“Sophia?”
“Hernandez.”
“That witch.”
“Hey, watch your words! But yeah, same.”
“What does she want now?”
“She's trying to convince me that she wasn't the one who leaked my photos to the paparazzi-”
“And what did she say?!” Davis cuts me short sounding rather urgent.
At my own raised eyebrow, he exhales and smiles. “I'm sorry for cutting you short. Only I absolutely hate that woman. She almost destroyed everything we've, I mean you've worked hard for years for.”
I can understand the sentiment I think.
“Fine. But I'm not even speaking to her so I don't know what she said.”
He visibly sagged in relief? Why was he happy about that?
“I just don't want you to listen to her lies or be affected by any of this ever again.”
I smile at that.
Davis is like a brother to me.
He has helped me build up my career and confidence to where I am today and I am eternally grateful even with him being a gossip and all.
“It's no problem Davis. I'm completely blocking her from my life from now on.”
“So,” he smiles with his lopsided winking. “How's the husband?”
I rolly eyes at that. I and Shawn registered our marriage three days ago. The memory leaves me growing physically uncomfortable.
He was wearing a cream colored suit with flowers (yes actual flowers) in his hair. He even insisted we walk holding hands into the registry.
“Just because it's fake doesn't mean it has to look like one.” Was his snarky reply when I gruffly asked if there was a need for all the ceremony and drama.
I sighed in exasperation at the memory.
Even after days of repeatedly relieving myself in the bathroom and on my bed since the day of our wedding I fear I can no longer avoid the inevitable.
I was getting hard for a man.
I was getting turned on by my husband.
