Secret Relations: Women in Hollywood, Book 1 (20 page)

Chapter Fifty-Four

Sean and Taylor left Charlotte and Jason alone in the office. Charlotte responded to a few emails about Sean’s situation by providing the link to the press release Jason sent out. She stopped and looked out into open space thinking about the kiss. She’d gotten caught up in the moment. She wanted to erase Sean’s doubts. At the time, she’d forgotten that Jason and Taylor were in the room.

Jason got off the phone and walked over to the desk and stood in front of Charlotte. “I knew something was going on between the two of you.”

“So who are you now, the love guru?” Charlotte laughed.

“That’s one of my many talents.” Jason laughed.

Sean walked in the room. “I’m glad someone’s found something to laugh about.”

Charlotte turned towards Sean. “Team Sean is working on this. You’ll have reasons to smile again soon.”

Charlotte’s phone rang. “This is Charlotte,” she answered.

“I’m outside. Someone let me in,” Luke said. “I’m not alone. Detective Watkins is with me.”

Charlotte looked at Jason. “Go let Luke and the detective in.”

Charlotte turned her attention back to the phone. “Someone’s coming now.”

Sean’s forehead crunched up. Charlotte could tell he was stressed. She walked over to him and squeezed his hand. “It’s going to be alright. Have I ever let you down?” she asked.

He shook his head no. “I try to do right so why is this happening to me?”

“I wish I had the answers. But I think Luke and the detective might.”

She released Sean’s hand just as Luke, the detective and Jason entered the room.

“Have a seat,” Charlotte said.

Charlotte sat at the end of the couch next to Sean. Jason stood behind them.

“I’ll let Detective Watkins tell you what we’ve discovered,” Luke said.

The redheaded Detective had a slight slur when he spoke. “Luke brought to my attention that our source used to be your personal assistant. Do you know a Priscilla Franklin?”

Sean responded, “Yes. He’s correct. She was my assistant.”

“He fired her,” Charlotte added.

“We think Priscilla killed Dana and tried to make it look like a suicide,“ Detective Watkins said.

“Are you sure you’re talking about the Priscilla I know?” Sean rubbed his head.

“There’s no doubt, Mr. Maxwell.”

Sean opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He finally said, “I’m just shocked.”

“It may come as a surprise, but it’s been my experience that most victims are killed by someone they know. Did Dana and Priscilla get along?” Detective Watkins asked.

“Yes. As far as I know. They were always laughing and joking with one another. Dana would sometimes take Priscilla on shopping sprees,” Sean responded.

“Even if she did it, why try to set up Sean?” Charlotte asked.

“You’ve confirmed she was fired. Apparently Sean firing her, set off another chain of emotions for her.”

“So I’ve been questioned and ridiculed in the media, all because of some false accusations?”

“We know that now and I would like to apologize for any inconvenience we’ve caused you. I know the media can be a hound when they sniff a story out; especially one involving someone of your statue,” Detective Watkins said.

“Is she in custody is all I want to know,” Charlotte blurted out.

“Ms. Franklin hasn’t been brought in yet. This is where we hoped you could come in.” Detective Watkins looked at Sean. “Our case would be air tight if we could get a confession.”

Sean threw his hand up in the air. “I’m out of this. You’ll have to find another way.”

“Sean, I think it’s in your best interest to cooperate. She can always say you asked her to do it. We need her confession to protect you,” Luke added.

“He’s right. Call her,” Charlotte said.

Sean pulled out his phone and called Priscilla. “Priscilla, I need to talk to you. I’m sorry for how I acted. Can you stop by the house?”

Sean hit the speaker button. Priscilla responded, “I knew you would come running to me.”

“Can you come by the house or not?” Sean asked.

“I’ll be there in an hour. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll fix this mess you seem to have gotten yourself into.”

Priscilla disconnected the call.

Detective Watkins said, “An hour doesn’t give us much time to set up but we’ll have to make it work.”

“I have security cameras in place. I just need to get the sound activated.”

“Show me where the device is and I will figure out a way to activate it,” Detective Watkins said.

Sean got up. “Follow me.”

Charlotte said to Luke. “Thank you. Sean means a lot to me and without your help, I’m not sure if he would be walking around a free man or in jail for something he didn’t do.”

“Lucky for you, my dear, he won’t ever have to find out,” Luke patted her hand and left the room.

Charlotte said to Jason, “Let’s get rid of our stuff. I think this is the best place for him to bring her for their conversation. Plus, there’s a door right over there where we can hide and listen.”

“I’m not going to ask you how you know this,” Jason said.

“I’m observant. Watch and learn, young man. Watch and learn.” Charlotte smiled, as her and Jason cleaned up the office area.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Sean tested out the camera angle and sound for Detective Watkins. He called him on his cell phone to let him know everything was working. Luke remained in the security closet with the detective. Charlotte, Jason and Taylor were in the nearby room.

He’d moved his cars out of the garage so they could hide their cars there. Sean heard the doorbell. He still couldn’t believe Priscilla was capable of something like this and part of him hoped they were wrong about her. Either way, Sean needed to put on the performance of his life because his freedom was on the line.

He opened the door. Priscilla, wearing a skin-tight mini-dress, walked in and hugged him. “I’ve missed you,” she squealed.

Sean said, “I’ve missed you too. That’s why I asked you over here.”

“Where’s your new assistant?” Priscilla asked.

“He had to go,” Sean responded.

“What did he do?” she asked.

“Come to my office. We can talk there,” Sean responded.

Sean made sure they were in clear view of the cameras.

Priscilla stood near him. “I’m glad you called me. I needed to see you,” Priscilla said.

Sean looked down at her. “I’m going to be honest. Things haven’t been the same since I let you go.”

“Does that mean you want me back?” Priscilla’s eyes widened.

“I couldn’t ask you to come back and work for me.”

Priscilla got closer to him, but he stepped back. The camera needed to get a clear view of her face.

“If you were to ask, I would come back,” she said.

“I need to be able to trust my assistant.” Sean went and sat behind his desk.

“You can trust me. I’m the one who has always had your back.” Priscilla walked and stood in front of the desk.

“I’m dealing with so much right now. You’ve seen the reports. You know they suspect me of doing something to Dana.”

“You didn’t kill Dana. I know that and if you hire me back, I will make sure they know it too,” Priscilla said.

Sean leaned forward. “How are you going to do that? I have a defense attorney and Charlotte working on this. They haven’t been able to help me so far.”

Priscilla walked around the desk and sat on the edge. “That’s just it. You’re always falling for the wrong women. When you’ve got the right package standing in front of you. I’m all the woman you’ll ever need. You didn’t need Dana and you sure in the hell don’t need Charlotte.”

“There was never anything going on between me and Dana,” Sean said.

“I know, but Dana wanted something to happen. I’m just glad you didn’t fall for her tricks. Too bad you caught feelings for Charlotte, though,” Priscilla sputtered.

“Let’s not talk about Charlotte.” Sean looked away.

Priscilla placed her hand on his face. He turned and looked at her. Priscilla asked, “Did she hurt you like I knew she would?”

“Yes. But I’ll be all right. You’re here with me now. Things will be just fine.” Sean gazed into Priscilla’s eyes.

“Sean, don’t worry. I’m going to get rid of her just like I got rid of Dana. Charlotte will never hurt another man.”

Sean grabbed Dana by the wrist. “What do you mean, ‘just like you got rid of Dana?’ Priscilla, what did you do?”

Priscilla stood and jerked her wrist out of Sean’s grasp. “Dana’s consistent harassing was stressing you out. I couldn’t have you upset so I went to visit her. I pretended like you’d sent me. I gave her a bottle of wine and a box of chocolate with a card signed by you. I’d already laced the wine with medicine identical to what she’d been prescribed. She thought I was celebrating with her but I was only there to make sure the overdose of pills mixed with the wine worked. I waited hours for her to fade into death.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Sean couldn’t stand to look at Priscilla. He couldn’t believe she’d murdered Dana to be with him. What did that mean for Charlotte?

Priscilla walked closer to him. “Thank me by giving me my job back. I can get rid of Charlotte too. Just say the word.”

Sean had a puzzled look on his face. “Priscilla, you amaze me.”

Priscilla rambled on. “And you know what’s so beautiful about the whole thing? I went through Dana’s stuff and found a letter. Apparently, she’d been thinking about suicide. So, in a way, I was helping Dana do something she wanted to do herself.”

Sean stood. He now towered over Priscilla. His anger rose. “Are you the source that the police say tipped them on to me?”

“I...I...I would never betray you,” Priscilla stuttered.

“You’re the only person who had a reason to. What you did could have ruined me. What were you thinking?” Sean slammed his fist down on the desk beside Priscilla.

“I knew you’d hire a good attorney.”

“You were counting on me to get out of this, but what if I hadn’t? What if I had been sent to prison for a crime I didn’t commit? Would you have confessed?” Sean blurted out. Veins in Sean’s forehead were visible.

Priscilla body shook with fear. “Sean, I’m sorry.”

Sean got down in Priscilla’s face. He clenched his fist. He’d never hit a woman before but at that moment in time, he wanted to.

Charlotte rushed inside and grabbed his arm. “Sean, don’t.”

“What is she doing here?” Priscilla said, after being caught off-guard.

Detective Watkins and Luke entered the room. Detective Watkins held out a pair of handcuffs, “Priscilla Franklin, you are under arrest for the murder of Dana Reliford.” His voice trailed off

“Sean, I can’t believe you. You set me up. You set me up to be with
that
.” She pointed at Charlotte.

Detective Watkins grabbed Priscilla’s arm and pushed it behind her back. There was a slight struggle, but he was able to get the handcuffs on. He continued to recite the Miranda rights to her.

“This isn’t over,” Priscilla shouted as she was being led out the house by Detective Watkins.

“Well done. They got enough evidence to convict her,” Luke explained. He patted Sean on the back. “Looks like my job is done here. Good day.” He tipped his hat and left.

“If I could tell someone, they would never believe it,” Taylor said.

Jason wrapped his arm around Taylor’s shoulder. “But you’re going to keep what happened here to yourself right?”

“Yes,” Taylor said.

“Just checking. Why don’t you and I make ourselves scarce so these two can talk,” Jason insisted.

Sean looked at Charlotte and without saying a word, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You all right?” she asked.

He squeezed her tight. “I am now.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Sean Maxwell’s Assistant Accused of Murdering His Ex-Manager
was the headline that flooded the internet. With Charlotte’s advice, Sean was able to get through another crisis.

Charlotte placed her iPad on the coffee table and curled up with Sean on his couch. It’d been forty-eight hours since Priscilla’s confession. Between the phone calls, the interviews, they both were exhausted. “I don’t think I can make it up the stairs.”

“Neither can I. I vote we sleep right here.”

Charlotte lay back on Sean’s chest and closed her eyes.

Neither woke up from that position until the next day.

Charlotte woke up first. She saw Taylor hovering over them.

“Taylor, warn somebody the next time,” Charlotte said, as her body shook.

Sean’s eyes popped open. “What’s going on?”

Charlotte sat up. “It’s just Taylor.”

“I was trying to wake Sean. You have an interview with E Hollywood. Their crew should be here any minute.”

“Oh my goodness. And I look a hot mess,” Charlotte said.

“Calm down, baby. It’s me they are coming to see.” Sean yawned and then stood.

Sean said to Taylor. “Stall them if they get here before I come back downstairs.”

“Will do,” Taylor responded.

Charlotte and Sean went upstairs to Sean’s room. “I’ll use the guest bath,” Charlotte said, as she removed her underwear from out of her overnight bag.

Sean wrapped his arm around her waist. “I need you to wash my back so you’re coming with me.”

“Go on, Sean, you don’t have much time.”

Sean picked her up from behind and her feet were now dangling. He started walking towards the bathroom. “I know, so let’s get this shower started.”

“Sean, stop. You’re going to make us both fall,” she said, laughing uncontrollably.

Charlotte didn’t protest any more. Sean put her down once they were inside of the bathroom.

They undressed and got in the shower. Sean turned around to face her. The water slid down his back. The steam from the hot water fogged up the mirrors. “I never thanked you properly,” Sean said, as he got down on his knees, placed his hands between her thighs and opened her legs.

“We don’t have time,” Charlotte mumbled, but changed her tune when his lips found her center. Within seconds, Charlotte’s protest turned to moans of pleasure.

She held on to the shower walls and climaxed into Sean’s mouth. Sean stood revealing his stiff manhood.

Sean brought his mouth on top of hers and devoured it. She leaned back on the wall of the shower. Sean positioned one of her legs around his waist and slid inside of her wet walls.

Charlotte gasped with pleasure.

“I love you, Sean,” Charlotte moaned as their united bodies danced to a euphoric rhythm.

“I love you too,” Sean said, as he held Charlotte and released his seed inside of her.

An hour later, they were both dressed and downstairs greeting the crew and entertainment reporter, Freda.

Charlotte stood on the sidelines as the crew filmed Sean in different areas of his house. Freda’s questions were light but Charlotte knew eventually she would get around to asking Sean about Dana and Priscilla.

“I would like to finish the segment with me asking you a few questions from your living room.”

“Sure. After you,” Sean said.

Charlotte stood behind one of the camera operators while he tested the lighting and camera angles. He said, “Ready, when you are, Freda.”

Freda ran her hand through the back of her natural hair. “How do I look?”

“You’re shining,” the make-up artist said. She walked up to her and used a matte sponge with powder. “Now you’re perfect.”

“On three,” the camera operator instructed. He held up three fingers and counted down.

Freda looked in the camera and then at Sean. “We’re back with Sean Maxwell. He’s opened up his home to us. He’s shared with us some of his struggles. We were all shocked when we learned about what happened earlier this week. Sean, how are you dealing with all of this?”

Sean responded, “Prayer for one. I have a good support system.” He looked in Charlotte’s direction. “My fans have been wonderful.”

Charlotte watched as Sean talked about his feelings and now his personal cause.

Freda asked, “I know we were just talking about something very serious, but there’s a question your fans are dying to know the answer to and I promised I would ask and then we’ll end our segment.”

“Go for it.”

“Who is this mystery woman you’re always posting about? Can I get an exclusive, please,” Freda smiled.

Sean smiled in Charlotte’s direction but it appeared as if he was looking into the camera.

“I’m not sure if she’s ready for the world to know who she is just yet. I can say that she’s special to me. She’s captured my heart with her love and kindness. I trust her with my life. There’s no other woman like her. She’s my rock.”

Freda was on the edge of her seat. “You sound so in love. I hope she’s watching.”

“I’m sure she is,” Sean responded.

Freda looked into the camera and smiled. “Maybe when Sean’s mystery woman feels like revealing herself, he’ll give us the exclusive. This is Freda with E Entertainment and we’re all about love.”

Freda removed her microphone. She turned to Sean and said, “Good interview. I mean it. When you’re ready to go public, call me.”

Freda and her crew left. Charlotte picked up her keys and purse. “I must be going myself. I’ll see you later.”

“Are you going to the Laker’s game with me?”

“I’m kind of tired. Why don’t you just drop by afterwards,” Charlotte said.

Sean walked Charlotte to the front door. He kissed her and then watched her leave. He waited until she pulled away before closing the door.

Kem and Mona stood near one of the stands at center court of the Staples Center next to Charlotte. They watched Sean sing the Star-Spangled Banner. He hit each note with precision. The whole stadium cheered when he sang the last stanza.

The announcer said over the intercom. “Sean Maxwell, don’t leave the floor yet.”

Sean turned around with a puzzled look on his face.

Kem and Mona gave Charlotte a slight nudge. “Go on,” Kem said.

Charlotte took a few deep breaths and walked towards Sean. She ignored the stares from the crowd in the sold-out arena.

The announcer handed Charlotte the microphone. “I’m breaking one of my own rules but needed to let you know here and now, that I love you.”

Sean leaned close to Charlotte. “You do realize we’re in front of thousands of people and this is being televised, right?” Sean asked, a smile never leaving his face.

Charlotte loved Sean and didn’t care who knew. She was ready to give him the type of commitment he wanted from her. “I want the world to know how much you mean to me.” Charlotte reached for Sean’s hand and held it.

Sean grabbed the microphone from Charlotte. He dropped down on one knee.

Charlotte looked down into his eyes and asked, “What are you doing?”

Sean sang,
“Charlotte, will you marry me?”

A hush fell over the stadium as they all waited on Charlotte’s response.

“Yes. Yes, Sean, I’ll marry you,” Charlotte responded.

Sean stood, embraced Charlotte and their lips locked. It became the kiss seen around the world.