It took about half an hour to calm Amy down after I shared the situation with Callum. I didn't delve into the intimate details at that moment.
Talking to Amy brought me back to my senses and reminded me that Callum had threatened a very sensitive part of my life. I couldn't help but despise myself for letting him gain such power over me.
A part of me wondered whether Callum was aware of my true history. I had never asked.
The contract had a crucial clause at number six: "Failure to comply would result in the release of my true identity as Gianna Johnson and the exposure of the forged foster residential care documents."
I had etched those lines into my memory and recalled the moment I first read them. It felt as if my world had crumbled around me. I held onto a glimmer of hope that Callum was unaware of what Matt had done. If he knew, would he have used it against me?
Amy suggested, "Why don't we order some Chinese food, watch a movie, and have a relaxing day?"
I nodded in agreement and settled beside her on the couch as she dialed the restaurant to place our order.
While she was on the phone, my own phone rang from the adjacent room. Confused about who could be calling, I walked over to my room and retrieved it from the nightstand.
The caller ID displayed "Unknown."
I declined the call and returned to the living room. I didn't want to deal with Callum today.
Amy cheerfully announced, "I've placed the order; it'll be here in 30 minutes!" and turned on a random Netflix movie. I settled in across from her on the couch, our legs close together. The movie had just begun when I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket.
Trying to be discreet, I retrieved my phone.
The message read: "Stop ignoring me, Gianna. Answer your phone."
I glanced at Amy, who seemed engrossed in the movie, and texted back: "I've kept my mouth shut. No secrets spilled. No need to call."
The reply was swift: "Cut the act, Gianna. Call me back ASAP; it's important."
Another message followed: "It's about the pictures; I just want to discuss it with you."
I sighed and put my phone away.
I excused myself, saying, "Hey, I'm going to run to the bathroom." Amy didn't pay much attention, too absorbed in the movie.
Once in the bathroom, I retrieved my phone again and dialed Callum's number. After three rings, he answered with an impatient tone, "You finally came to your senses."
Annoyed, I responded, "What do you want, Callum? Amy is in the other room. I can't talk for long."
He got straight to the point, "The pictures. You've seen them?"
"Yes," I replied curtly.
"I've managed to get most of the articles taken down, except one. I'm working on getting the author's contact now. I know you missed work today," he explained.
My mind raced at his words.
"What do you mean by 'working on getting the author's contact'? You're not threatening anyone, are you?" I asked, growing a bit angry.
He responded with a mixture of frustration and concern, "My team is handling it, but if she doesn't take it down, I'll step in."
"Why the hell did you miss work?" he asked in return.
I was both frustrated and confused by his abrupt questioning. "I don't see how that's any of your business," I replied in a hushed tone.
Callum took a moment to respond, then added, "Is it because you're recovering from the intense encounter we had in the car, the one you practically begged me for? Or is it because of the pictures?"
My face grew hot with embarrassment at his insinuation. "Leave me alone," I snapped and hung up.
His next text read: "Safe to say it was option one."
I despised him.
Returning to the living room, I found Tatum no longer focused on the movie but sitting up, arms crossed, and staring directly at me.
"Who were you talking to on the phone?" she asked, her tone accusing, a smirk playing on her lips as she observed my reaction.
Rolling my eyes, I sat down next to her. "Shut up," I retorted.
She playfully punched my arm, causing me to yelp in surprise. "OW!" I exclaimed, glaring at her as I rubbed the spot where she had hit me.
"Call him back, let me at him," Amy suggested with a mix of anger and amusement.
I refused. "No," shaking my head, I turned my attention back to the TV, but Tatum's unwavering gaze remained fixed on me.
"You've slept with him, haven't you?" she asked flatly.
My cheeks turned crimson, and I met her gaze in shock. "No way," I vehemently denied.
Amy narrowed her eyes at me, studying my flushed face and my defensive response. "There's something you're not telling me," she stated, raising her eyebrows and waiting for an explanation.
I lied, "Nothing has happened between us, I swear. I can't stand him." The part about nothing happening was false, but the part about not liking him was entirely true.
Amy seemed unconvinced. "Please, the tension on Monday night was palpable," she noted.
I shook my head and stood up to answer the door as someone was knocking.
Walking to the door, I paid the delivery person and brought our food to the counter.
"I'm so hungry, open it up," Amy requested as she gathered around the counter.
Smiling, we started to set the table, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and closeness with Amy. I hadn't opened up to someone like this in a long time.
"I'll have to head out after this; I planned to meet Leo later," Amy mentioned, her cheeks slightly flushed.
As she stuffed her mouth with rice, I raised my eyebrows at her response.
"Don't even start, missy," she said with her mouth full, suppressing a laugh.
I chuckled and made myself a plate, sitting in front of her.
Cleaning up the counter after Amy left, I decided that after work the next day, I'd visit Callum's office to discuss the pictures. I knew it might not be the best idea, but it felt necessary to speak with him and resolve this situation to keep unwanted attention away from me.
Sighing, I locked all the doors and prepared for another hot shower. While the water streamed down, my mind drifted back six years ago, to the friend I had left behind and the life I had escaped. There was no way I'd let some man jeopardise that.
I owed Lina and her family everything. Thoughts of how they had been my lifeline during my darkest times brought tears to my eyes. I hated crying, despised showing weakness, and loathed revisiting a past I had buried so deep.
Exiting the shower, I dried off and headed back to my room, feeling a bit more courageous. I decided to look up Mari's name on Google.
My heart skipped a beat as I discovered she was here, in New York City. Her publishing company was just two blocks from Callum's building. I couldn't allow him to harm her in any way. I had to confront him.