Author's Chapter Notes:
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“Now for the fun part”Justin said as he got up. He and Paris spent about a half hour playing with Baby.He could tell that she loved her and he was glad.He was afraid that maybe she didn’t like the dog.
“Whats that?”Paris asked as she petted Baby while she lay in her lap.She was so small and playful,she was perfect.
“Now we can shop for our new baby,come on”he said
“Seriously?”Paris asked
“Yeah,I mean she needs food,toys,a leash…all the goodies”he said,”My treat”
“Oh no Justin-“
“Nuh uh,don’t even try to stop me cuz my mind is already made up”he said
“Ok”she said as she picked up Baby and carried her with one arm.She came up to him and wrapped her free arm around his waist and said,”Thank you for everything”
“Your welcome,you don’t even have to thank me”he said as he kissed her nose,”I love you”
“I love you”she said as she held him and Baby close to her
*_________________*
“We get to go shopping Baby”she said in a high pitched voice as she got out the car and carried Baby with her.She adjusted her sunglasses and followed Justin towards the pet store that they were going to.”We cant get anything too big though Justin.The apartment is spacious but not that much”she said.Then she noticed that he stopped and was reading something,”What you looking at?”she asked
Justin shook his head,”Just bullshit”he said.She then saw it.It was the new edition of Inquiring Minds and sure enough,there was her story about Paris Hilton on the cover.”Did Nick beat Paris?”he read.Then he went in his pocket and took out 50 cents and put it in the machine
“Justin,you said that you hate those magazines”she said.
“I just gotta see what they gotta say”he said as he took it out.He laughed a little,”Britney’s getting married…never thought I would see the day”he said quietly
“Justin,just throw it away”she said, starting to get worried as he opened it
“Where do they get this stuff though?”he asked,”I know for a fact that Nick didn’t beat Paris”he said
“Really?”she asked
“Yeah….he wouldn’t do that”
“So you know him know him?”she asked
“Yeah,a lot of people think that since hes a Backstreet Boy that I automatically hate him.I don’t,I respect him,hes a pretty good friend of mine.I respect the fact that he had the same dream as mine and went after it.I don’t hate on him”he said,”And I know that he wouldn’t beat his girlfriend….I wonder who wrote this article”he said as he tried to find the page
Paris panicked,she wrote it!He couldn’t find out this way,not now,not yet!She took it from him quickly and threw it away.”It’s a waste of time and money Justin,come on”she said
He looked at her strangely,but shrugged,”Alright”he said as he followed her into the store.
She sighed a big sigh of relief,that was close…too close.“Oooh this is so cute”she said as she saw a small baby blue leash,”This is perfect for her”.Soon they went up and down each aisle throwing things into a cart.
“This dog is going to be spoiled”Justin said with a laugh as he put a small dog carrier in the cart along with a small black velvet bed. Paris laughed and then out of the corner of her eye,she saw a flash of light.She turned around and saw a guy with a camera.Why was he taking pictures of a pet store?
“Shit”Justin mumbled under his breath
“Whats wrong?”she asked
“Papparazzi,that’s whats wrong”he said,”Come on,we’re out of here”
Paris turned around and knew that she recognized the guy.He was a photographer for Inquiring Minds!She followed Justin to the check out counter and had their stuff rung up.As they stood there,the photographer still kept taking pictures.How many did he need?
They rushed out of the store and the photographer followed.She was getting annoyed of the sound of the camera clicking.”How many pictures does he need?”she said as she adjusted her sunglasses.Good thing she wore those today,”We aren’t even doing anything interesting”she said as they got in the car
“My point exactly”he said as he closed the door.The photographer stood in front of the car and tried to get pictures through the window.She put her head down.Did Lemmie cause this much annoyance when he took pictures for her stories?
Justin backed the car out of the parking space and sped off.She looked at him,he looked very upset,”Justin…you ok?”
“No….yeah…”he said,”I just…I don’t see the point that’s all.Im lucky I have a lot of patience…I was so ready to kick his ass”he said,”He totally ruined our little shopping spree”
“Its ok Justin.I don’t think we need anything else”
“That’s not the point,he practically rushed us out of there”he said,”All I want is privacy…is that too much to ask?”he asked,”I don’t want you to be involved in this”
“Involved in what?”she asked
“The media”he said,”They can really hurt people.I don’t want them spreading rumors about you or me”he said.He looked at Paris,”Now that your with me…that’s gonna happen all the time…I don’t want them bothering you”
“Maybe that’s why its best for me to have my own place…my own dependency,my own privacy”she said
He sighed,”Yeah…that’s the only good reason for it”he said.”I still don’t like the idea but if that keeps you away from those creeps than Im all for it”he said
She sighed,she held Baby as she fell asleep in her arms.She looked out the window and they drove the rest of the way in silence.
*_________________*
Once they got back to Justin’s house,he went straight to his room.He was on the phone most of the time so she didn’t want to disturb him.She knew that he was upset about the photographer incident.She put the pet stuff in her room and put Baby in her new black velvet bed.She put the collar on her and gave her a toy.She watched her play with it and soon Baby wore herself out and fell asleep.She sat there and watched her
“Shes sleeping?”
She turned around and saw Justin standing in the doorway,she smiled,”Yeah…she looks so peaceful”she said
“Yeah”he said as he sat next to her,”Im sorry”
“For what?”she asked
“I was really upset about the photographer-“
“I know,and its understandable…he upset me too”she said truthfully.”I know how you feel about the tabloids and all”she said sadly
“Yeah…but lets not talk about it”he said,”I was gonna take you out…but I don’t wanna get caught in that predicament again-“
“Its fine”she said,”You want me to cook?”
“Nah..Im gonna order Chinese if that’s fine with you.I have a craving for that anyways” he said
“Ok..haven’t had Chinese in awhile”she said
About 45 minutes later,they had their Chinese food delivered and they were eating it while watching Reno 911.They laughed and ate and forgot about what happened earlier.
“So you gotta work tomorrow huh?”he asked her
She looked at him,she almost forgot.She really didn’t feel like going,maybe she should tell Lita that she was still sick…but then decided against it.Now with this new apartment she cant have anymore sick days for awhile.”Yeah my 9 to 5”
“Why don’t you just focus on your writing 24/7?”he asked her,”I can take care of you”
“No Justin..I don’t want to be dependent on you.That’s why I want my own place and I want to work”she said.
“I know”he said,”Just an idea”he said
“It was a sweet one though”she said as she ate some chicken and broccoli
“So when did you want to move?”he asked her
“I don’t know…Tuesday….Wednesday…”she said,”It depends how I feel”she said.She really didn’t want to leave,this was really like home to her,but once he knew the real truth,she knew that it wouldn’t be her home for long.
“Well I leave Friday morning”he said,”I still want you to come”he said
She smiled at him,”I gotta work Friday”she said
“Meet me there”
“I’ll look into it”she said,then she heard a little whimpering.She looked and saw Baby standing at the top of the steps,”Aww shes so tiny”she said as she got up and ran up the steps and picked her up.”Lets try out that leash shall we?”she said as she picked up the leash and attached it to her collar
“Yeah please,I don’t want her shitting on my floors”he said
She looked at him and said,”Charming Justin…really”she said and laughed
About 5 minutes later,she came back inside.It was almost 11 and she was tired. She had to go back to being a tabloid writer and leave this dream world of hers.”Im sleepy”she said to Justin as she picked up Baby and went upstairs
“Already?”he asked
“Yeah”she said and looked at the clock,”I have to get up early”she said
“Sleep with me”he said
She kissed him.”Ok”she said.She changed into her silk slip and brought Baby’s bed into his room,”I don’t wanna leave her alone”she said as she put Baby in her bed and got in with him
He kissed her on her forehead,”Its ok”he said.They laid there for awhile and listened to each other breathing.Then they heard whimpering. She sat up and saw Baby at the side of the bed, jumping up and down.She started laughing
Justin looked and laughed too,”She looks like a retarded bunny thing”he said
“Shes not a retarded bunny,she wants to sleep with us”she said
He looked at her,”So that means that Im not gonna get any?”he asked her
She smiled at him apologetically,”Sorry baby but if we start any of that I know I wont get any sleep”she said
“Ok”he said as he kissed her,”Fair enough”She picked Baby up and she pranced around on the bed a little,they played with her a little bit and soon all three of them were fast asleep.
*_______________*
Paris slipped on her black stiletto heels and looked at her watch.She was running a little bit late,she hoped that traffic wouldn’t be too bad.She picked up her briefcase and went downstairs.She went to one of the cabinets and took out a Nutri Grain bar.She turned around and saw Justin coming down the steps,only wearing his boxers.She smiled,”Did I wake you?”
“Kinda but not really”he said as he rubbed his eyes and looked at her,”Damn…you’re the sexiest secretary Ive ever seen”
She looked at him,she forgot that he still thought that she was a lawyer’s secretary.”Thanks”she said,”But I’ll be back at around 5:30”she said as she picked up her briefcase
“I don’t get a goodbye kiss?”he asked
“Of course,that was next on my list”she said.She only meant to give him a peck on the lips but soon it was a makeout session.He wrapped his arms around her waist and then picked her up and sat her on the kitchen counter,she dropped her briefcase and didn’t care.She didn’t wanna stop.
Soon her legs were wrapped around his waist and he was opening up her blazer which revealed her black lacy Victoria’s Secret bra. Then she stopped
“What?”he asked
“I cant do this now…I already took my shower”she said and laughed,”If we do this now I will never get to work”she said
“Sorry”he said as he helped her down off the counter,”Ive been a bad boy”
She laughed,”Tell you what,I’ll spank you when I get back”she said.She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Drive safely”he said,”Love you”he said
“Love you too”she said
*________________*
She was five minutes late,she realized as she reached the 10th foor.She walked in and saw the usual hustle and bustle around the office.She smiled,a very small part of her missed this place.But she had a weird feeling being here.A part of her wanted to run out of there and go back to Justin and finish what they almost started.But a part of her told her she had to stay,she still had a responsibility here.
As she walked toward her office,she felt weird,but for a different reason.Then she realized that the whole office was staring at her.People stopped what they were doing and looked at her.Did she have something on her face?Her teeth?She picked up the pace and walked past Chelsea,”Hey Chels”she said hurriedly as she walked in.She sat behind her desk and took out a small mirror.Nothing was there
“Welcome back Paris”Chelsea said as she walked in,”Feeling better?”
“Yes much better thanks”she said
“Got a lot of pink slips for ya”Chelsea said
“I bet”Paris said as Chelsea handed them to her,”I’ll get started on these”
“Paris?”she heard a voice.She looked up and saw Lita standing in her doorway,”Good morning Lita”she said cheerfully
“My office now”Lita said to her and then walked away
Paris sat there for a second,confused. What was she upset about?Shes been five minutes late before.”Ok….”she said slowly as she got up,”Chelsea,do you know what this is about?”
“Well Lita is kinda upset”Chelsea said
“About?”Paris asked
“I suggest you let her tell you”she said to her
Paris nodded,”Fair enough”she said.She walked out of her office and walked toward Lita’s office and she was greeted by more stares on the way.She walked into Lita’s office and saw Gabrielle in there as well.What was the Garden Tool doing here?
“Paris,sit down”Lita said.Paris obeyed and sat down,still staring at Gabrielle,”Gabrielle,can you step out please?”
“But Lita-“
“Gabrielle,can you leave us please”Lita said sternly
Gabrielle sighed,”Fine”she said.She walked out of the office and closed the door behind her
They both sat there in silence for a few seconds.This seemed to be serious...she couldn’t take it anymore and spoke up,”Um Lita-“
“No Paris,just listen to what I have to say please”Lita said sternly.Paris quickly shut up.This WAS serious.Lita sighed and then said,”On last Tuesday,you called and told me that you were out sick with the flu…correct?”
“Yes”Paris said quietly
“Well I feel that you were doing something otherwise”she said as she picked up some papers,”Do these look familiar?”Lita asked her as she handed them to her
Paris took the papers and looked at them and realized that they were pictures. She looked closer and gasped,they were pictures of her and Justin.The pictures showed them at the grocery store this past Friday and of course the infamous car chase and the pet store incident the day before,”Where did you get these?”she asked
“The real question is,you really didn’t have the flu did you?”Lita said to her
Paris looked at her,”Lita its not what you think….I wasn’t intentionally missing work to party or anything,let me explain”
Lita sat back in her seat,”Alright….enlighten me”she said
Paris sighed and told Lita the whole story,how she and Justin first met,what Sean did and how Justin took her in and what she really went through.”So,if I came to work anytime last week I wouldn’t have been a good worker at all.I had so much on my mind”
Lita looked at her,”Im sorry Paris…I didn’t know that you were going through all of that”she said to her,”But why did you lie about it?”she asked her
“I don’t know”Paris said,”I honestly cant tell you”
“Well you know that this situation gives you your first written and verbal warning according to company policy”Lita said,”Which cuts your bonus in half from the cover from this weeks edition”she said
Paris sighed,”Alright…fair enough”she said
“But I’ll tell you what though”Lita said as she looked at the pictures,”I have a proposition for you”she said,”Maybe I can waive that whole…cutting half of your bonus rule”
“Really?”she asked,she was all ears.She needed this money now that she had this new apartment
“You live with Justin still don’t you?”
“Yes”she said
“That house is probably full of juicy stories then?”
“Yeah….”she said slowly,she didn’t like where this was going
“Justin probably tells you everything right….even things about Cameron right?”
“What are you getting at?”
“You should know a lot of things about why their relationship ended or what really happened between him and Britney?”
“Not really,we don’t really talk about that stuff”she said
“Alright,well ask him…you know with casual conversation about his relationship with Cameron and Britney”she said
“I don’t know Lita-“
“Paris,do you not realize that you have cover stories right in your hands.They all are just falling into your lap as we speak and every time you step foot into that house”she said,”Paris,this can help your career.You know that newer and bigger office that you always wanted?”
“Yes?”
“If we get juicy stories about Justin you can count on bigger bonuses and a bigger office”Lita said
Paris thought about it.No,you cant do that to him,not after all hes done for you,a part of her said.But the bonuses would really come in handy and a bigger office would make her work here easier…it wouldn’t hurt,just one story right?,another part of herself said to her
“Paris?”Lita said,bringing her back to reality,”Your gonna get some juicy stories right?”
Paris looked at her,”Yes I will”she said,and as soon as she said that,she deeply regretted it
“Alright its settled,I want this by tomorrow so we can put it in the editing meeting on Wednesday”Lita said,”This is great Paris,we certainly turned this problem around for your benefit”
Paris didn’t feel as excited,”Lita?”
“Yes?”
“Where did you get those pictures?”she asked
“Gabrielle’s photographer took them…and they will be on the cover of this coming week’s edition”
“I don’t wanna be on the cover!”Paris exclaimed
“Well if you do get some juice on Justin….these pictures will disappear…how about that?”Lita asked as she opened the door and they walked out
“Ok…”Paris said
Then Lita’s phone rang,”Oh that’s me…” she said and ran back in her office
Paris frowned and then walked over to Gabrielle’s cubicle,”Why the hell are you stalking me?”
Gabrielle looked at her and laughed,”Oh…you.I wasn’t stalking…it was more like catching you in a lie…now you probably got your warnings” she said,”But I really cant figure out how you could get a catch like Justin”she said
“That’s something that I don’t want to share”she said,”But just to let you know,he loves me”she said,”But I want these pictures to disappear,you will ruin him”
“Huney,just like you…I want my bonus”she said
Paris couldn’t hear anymore,this has all become a total nightmare,”There are things more important than bonuses”she said as she started to walk away and for the first time,she realized that she was right
“Anyway I shouldn’t be the one that your mad at”Gabrielle commented
Paris stopped,”What are you cackling about?”she said to her
“I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for your loud mouthed Pierre”she said,”You should be more mad at him”she said
Paris looked at her and just walked away,she walked into her office and there was Pierre.
“Hey huney”he said,”What did Lita say?Chelsea told me that she was upset,she found out”
Paris looked at him and frowned.”Pierre,she knows…everyone knows because of your big mouth!”
Pierre looked at her,”Paris I can explain”
“No I don’t wanna hear it”she said as she walked past him and sat at her desk
“The Garden Tool was saying mean bullshit as usual and I had to set her straight”he said,”It was an accident,it slipped, but shes totally jealous of you!That’s what you want right?You finally have a guy that you know she cant take away!”
“It slipped huh?”she said,”Who else knows!?Pierre I trusted you.You almost got me in trouble!You know how Im struggling with money as it is and this whole incident almost cost me half of my paycheck!”
“Paris Im sorry”he said,”But its over now right?Lita forgave you…so lets move on”he said cheerfully
Paris stared at him,”I cant move on Pierre…”
“What do you mean-“
“Pierre just go…I don’t even know you anymore”she said as she typed in her password and logged into her computer,”I don’t even want to know you anymore”
Pierre stared at her,he looked hurt and confused and angry.He didn’t say a word and left her office and slammed her door behind him.
Paris sat back in her chair as a tear rolled down her cheek.What has she done? Why did she say that to him?But a part of her wanted to say it.Now she probably lost her best friend and in a matter of time Justin would find out too and leave her.She let more tears roll down her face,she felt like she was dying a slow and painful death.She felt that in just a matter of time,her life would be over.
*___________________*