champagne problems

part 14: initials and cases

The text surprised James since he didn't think this case was such a real threat. 

After 10 minutes (and 13 seconds) of Valerie and James trying to conclude how we were going to deal with this case, I got up and went to the cart with liquor in the corner of the room. 

"We need someone to be with her, to watch her, Valerie." James presses. 

"As I said before" Valerie grits out, clearly becoming more annoyed by the second, "The press can not know about this, we don't want to drag attention to Erian and, therefore, VxV."

I tune them out. I try to think about who 'V.O' could be. Who the fuck comes up with those initials. 

I pour some don pérignon into one of the crystal flutes my sister has. I tilt my head as I watch it pour into the flute. The bubbles come up and fizzle. 

James sighs and gives up. I walk back over to the couch and sit down, avoiding Aarons's gaze. 

James leans onto the couch, holding Valerie's gaze "What do you suppose we do then?" he asks her. Valerie looks at him for a moment and tilts her head slightly. She narrows her eyes towards him and says "Isn't that your job, Chief?"

I take a sip of the champagne while observing them bicker. It's like this case isn't even about me anymore. It's about 'VxV' and someone's job promotion. 

Aaron clears his voice and everyone turns their heads toward him. He looks at my sister and says "I understand your frustration Ms. Auclair, but we do need someone looking out for Erian in this case. Either, if it's someone pretending to be her friend or bodyguard, we need someone on the inside" 

As I listened between Aaron and James, Aaron is definitely better at speaking and addressing the situation, even though he's younger than James.

Valerie holds his gaze before telling him "She already has bodyguards that can take care of her"

Aarons's gaze hardens as he responds "But they didn't help her tonight, did they."

 He didn't say it as a question, it was a fact. Those bodyguards that I had with me tonight did nothing to help me. It was Aaron who did. 

Valeria calculates her choices here and then responds to Aaron, "Who would you assign?"

This is where James comes in again. 

"We would assign someone with experience in the field, and someone who knows what they're doing" He reassures Valerie. 

The fact that no one is including me in this makes me feel like this isn't about me anymore. 

I cut into their conversation and cross my arms "I don't want a stranger to be with me 24/7, so before you go and make another decision without me, I'd just like to remind you this is still about me" 

They all stare at me. James looks like he's thinking of what to do.

"Then, we'll assign Aaron" James speaks up. 

My brows furrow together. 

This isn't how I thought it would go. No no-no. My mind thinks of everything at once. This would never work. We cant work together again. 

Aarons's eyes find mine. I don't think he's too happy about this 'partnership' either. He looks like he'd much rather let me get shot now. I wouldn't blame him. I shouldn't have opened my mouth to speak. I've made things much worse for me. 

But.

Things arent set in stone yet.

"I don't think that wouldn't be such a good idea," I tell James, my arms unfolding. 

Valerie and James sigh. I don't blame them for being done with me but this cant happen.

I plan to give hundred stupid excuses of why he can't be the one assigned.

"No," Valerie says flatly. My face twists in confusion as well as Aaron's. I just notice he hasn't said anything yet. 

"What do you mean no?" I say in disbelief as I'm looking at my sister. 

She turns and looks at me, I can tell that she can't take any more of my bullshit. 

"I mean no. You don't want a stranger? fine, have someone you'll see every day. It's actually better this way. You'll both be seen at the same school anyway so that won't be new news to the press" she tells me like I'm supposed to agree with her.

"Yes exactly, but wouldn't it look weird if they're seen together all the time?" James includes. 

Aaron stays quite like he's holding his breath for their final decision. His jaw is set in place. His hands are fisted on his knees and he's looking straight at a painting behind me and Valerie. 

I take the crystal flute I had placed on the table in front of us and bring it to my lips. 

"Then," Valerie starts "They'll just have to pretend to be dating for a while". 

My eyes lock with Aaron as I finish what was left in the glass. 

~~~~~~~~~~

word count: 888

HARRYS HOUSE YALL. I CANT W HIM ANYMORE. mitilda literally has me crying each time and for what

taylor needs to release something soon or I'm gonna die. Shes probably watching us (with joe, meridith, olivia and benjiman) and dying of laughter as we grable on anything that might be an easter egg.

 I'm in the biggest reading slump but i read 15 pages of the hawthorne legacy today, be proud.