Chapter 358: Do Please Me

"You're such an opportunist," she hisses. "What do you want?"

"I want you to please me tonight," he says, his voice low and hoarse.

Part of her wants to argue with him, but Emily is hurrying toward the car, and she doesn't want her to see Evan. She bites her lip, turns around, and gives him a quick peck before leaning against the back door of the car. She sighs with relief when she hears the window close.

"Oh, is your husband in the car?" Emily asks.

"He is," Avery answers without thinking.

The second the words leave her lips, she wants to take them back. Surely Evan can hear her conversation through the tinted window. She hopes he doesn't read too much into her casual remark. 

"Well, it's really good to see you, Avery," Emily says. "And I have some news for you. Will you come inside with me?

Avery nods and follows Emily into the building. The women ride the elevator up and walk directly to Emily's office. Avery can feel the other employees staring at them, but she ignores them all.

"So," Emily says, closing the door. "I sent pictures of your mother's sketches to my father, and he recognizes them. He said he even made one of the designs—look."

Emily holds out her phone, and Avery stares down at a picture of a necklace. A ring hangs at the end of the chain. Avery enlarges the photo and gasps. The ring is made of entangled golden wings, and a brilliant ruby is nestled between the wingtips. It's one of the designs Leonie destroyed.

"My father said this ring was part of a pair, originally," Emily says. "I'm sure you've seen it among your mother's sketches. But the matching ring was stolen—the one in the necklace is the only one left."

"Who took it?" Avery asks.

"I don't know," Emily says with a frown. "My father has been looking for it for years. Even though your mother never came back for the rings, he feels like he let her down. He told me he hopes he can recover it and give it to you someday."

Avery swallows and looks at the picture again. Goosebumps prickle on her arms—she can't believe she's looking at her mother's design. She hands the phone back to Emily with shaking hands.

"Would it be possible for me to meet with him and talk to him?" she asks. 

"I'm afraid not," Emily says. "He's back in Europe now looking for the ring. Last I heard he was in Switzerland or Monaco, following up on some theory he had. But I'm sure he'd be happy to meet with you as soon as he gets back."

Avery nods and asks, "So, where's the remaining ring now?"

"I'm glad you asked," Emily says with a smile.

She leans down and unlocks a draw on her desk. She straightens up and holds her open palm out to Avery. Avery gasps—the ring is sitting on Emily's palm, looking even better than the photo.

"My father wants you to have it," Emily says. "He's sorry he couldn't give it to you in person and hopes you'll understand."

For the second time, Avery feels her eyes fill with tears—she's never felt closer to her mother. "Thank you," she whispers.

Emily passes her a tissue, and Avery takes a moment to wipe away her tears and compose herself.

"I still have to deal with the cufflinks," Avery sighs. "Is Sophie here?"

"I'm afraid not," Emily answers. "She had to go to an important conference today. The only good news is she took Crystal with her—so you don't have to worry about running into her."

Avery nods and says, "I guess I'll just get the cufflinks and be on my way then. I have to meet my sister in an hour." 

Gabrielle looks out the window as the car pulls through the studio gates. Despite the tall iron gates, dozens of paparazzi and fans wait around the old brick buildings and sound stages. Gabrielle watches in awe as the car pulls past a set for an Old Western, and then past a street that looks like a medieval town.

She checks her phone, feeling nervous and shy. A few days ago, she saw a headline announcing that Bryan would be starring in a new period piece. Though the film is a small independent production, there's already a fair bit of hype about Bryan's role. Gabrielle tucks her phone into her pocket and takes a deep breath. She wants to support Bryan—if the gossip columns are right, this film could be a breakthrough for him.

"Miss, we're here," the driver says.

Gabrielle looks out the window and sees that the car has stopped next to a tall white building with a black tile roof. She takes a deep breath and steps out of the car, shutting the door softly behind her. The BMW pulls away, leaving Gabrielle alone in front of the building.

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For a moment, she wonders if she's made a mistake. This is my first day off from Top Girls Club, she thinks. Maybe I should have gone somewhere else. Or I could have tried to escape. She sighs and shakes her head. No, escape would be pointless—no matter where I go, Jackson would track me down.

A golf cart speeds past, kicking up a spray of dust. The back seat is loaded with costumes and props, and Gabrielle stares at them in amazement. She follows the cart to the other side of the building and tugs on a heavy black door.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" a rough voice shouts. "This is an active set. No one's allowed in without the right pass."

Gabrielle turns around and comes face to face with a security guard. The man wears dark glasses and a baseball cap. His muscles bulge out of the sleeves of his tight T-shirt.

"Oh, um, I'm—" Gabrielle stammers.

She stops short when she hears a scream.

"The lead actress is coming," a hysterical female voice screams. "Oh my god, Miss Janetta, Miss Janetta, look over here."

The security man crosses his arms over his chest and rolls his eyes impatiently. Within seconds a crowd of paparazzi, extras, and crew have appeared outside the building. The crowd and push and point at a black car rolling down the road. Gabrielle stands on her tiptoes and tries to see what they're looking at, but it's hard to push past the aggressive crowd. 

"Oh my god, she's such a hard worker," a woman nearby says. "If I were her, I wouldn't show up to work so early."

"I'd kill to look like her," another woman says. "Janetta Peters has to be one of the most stunning women."

Gabrielle blinks in shock. Did they just say, Janetta Peters? She thinks. Is my sister a movie star now? She doesn't get another minute to wonder. The back door of the car swings open, and a black calfskin shoe appears as Bryan swings his leg out of the car.

He gets out and smiles at the crowd, brushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes. He's wearing black jeans and a fitted black T-shirt and his signature silver jewelry. He reaches into the car, and a long white hand grabs his own. And then Janetta steps out of the car.

"Oh my god," the woman next to Gabrielle says. "Are they seriously in the same car? So early in the morning? Do you think they're sleeping together?"

Gabrielle's stomach churns, and she ignores the woman next to her. Suddenly coming to see Bryan seems like a terrible idea. Gabrielle slips her phone out of her pocket and starts to dial the driver's number. She doesn't notice that the crowd has parted, and Janetta and Bryan are walking toward her.

"Little Miss Cockeyed, is that you?" Bryan calls.

Gabrielle blushes and drops her phone. Bryan laughs, lets go of Janetta's hand, and rushes forward to give Gabrielle a bear hug. He spins her around and beams down at her.

"I had no idea you'd be here," he says. "It's so good to see you."

Gabrielle looks over Bryan's shoulder and sees hatred and jealousy flash in her sister's eyes. She swallows hard and steps forward to hug Janetta, but Janetta dodges her.

"Janetta, it's so good to see you," Gabrielle stammers. "I can't believe it's been so long. I had no idea you're an actress now."

Janetta's nostrils flare, and her eyes narrow as she asks, "What the hell are you doing here Gabby?" She quickly looks over her shoulders and says in a louder, sweeter voice, "I mean, this is such a wonderful surprise."

Gabrielle laughs and says, "Well, I heard that our old friend Bryan was making a film, so I thought I'd come to support him. It's so great to see you here too."

"Oh, does the Top Girls Club just let its sluts run around now?" Janetta whispers. "That's right, and Dad told me all about what you do."

Gabrielle feels her face flame with shame. She glances over her shoulder to see if Bryan heard Janetta, but he's busy talking to a crew member. She swallows hard and glares at Janetta.

"Oh, do you still have that cute little crush on Bryan?" Janetta asks. "Wouldn't it be a shame if he knew his sweet little childhood friend was a filthy prostitute now?"

Gabrielle digs her nails into her palm and whispers, "Don't you dare tell him."

"I'm sure he'll find out eventually," Janetta says. "But your secret is safe—for now. I don't need all these reporters knowing that my little sister is a dirty slut."

Gabrielle bites her tongue and fights the urge to slap Janetta across the face.

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