Be My Bad Boy

“It's like you’re one of those celebrities that get embroiled in a scandal. Look at you, hand over your face. Did you try to smash the camera out of his hand? I'd have totally done that. Smashed it to the ground."
"I'm not like one of those celebrities. I am one. This is my life, Angie. The scandal and all that. Read it to me. I can't bear to read it myself. I really can't bear to look at that photo either. "
Even though I laughed, I’d have nightmares about this for the rest of my life.

Angie picked up the paper.
"Twageeedy befalls one of zee country's reeechest –"
"Why are you reading like that? What's with the French accent?"
Angie sat the paper down, grinning at me.
"I thought it'd be easier for you if I did it in a silly voice. Like it would take some of the pain out of it."
"You think there's going to be pain?"
She nodded her head. "You don't get a photo like that without pain. Hey, was your dad really one of the richest men in the country? No wonder you act so snotty some of the time. So, where's all the money?"
"Gone. It's all gone." I wanted to wrap myself in self-pity but I couldn't with Angie beside me. She made me laugh and that took the edge off the pain.

"It says here he's planted some of it offshore."
There was money? Well, where was it. Dad sure as hell hadn’t looked as if he had any. No one had mentioned any money and I wasn't sure if it was one of those things the paper makes up or if it were true.
"They also say he was a swindler. He was involved in the underworld and all kinds of organised crime. Did you know that?"

I shook my head.
"Wow, they might end up making a movie about him. Who'd play you? Maybe Taylor Swift? And I could get someone hot to play me. Maybe I could play myself. That'd be really cool."
"I don't think it'd be cool at all." I sniffed again. "And I'd want Anne Hathaway not Taylor Swift. Can Taylor Swift even act? She sucks ass. But back to the story. This is my dad you're talking about, not some random person in the paper."

Angie scanned through the article.
"It doesn't say much else. Just all that about underworld connections. And he's disappeared and that you were the socialite daughter."
"Argghh, that's foul. Like I'm some airhead. I was at university and I was studying. It's not like I spent my entire time going to charity fundraisers and garden parties. I would've taken over the company if there was a company left to take over."

Angie turned the page on the paper.
"Who's Tom?"
"Tom! What about him?" A least Tom should have a good thing to say about me. "He's my boyfriend."
Angie raised her eyebrow in a way that spoke volumes.
"He says he never had a relationship with you. You were just casual acquaintances. And that he always thought there was something fishy going on." Angie folded the paper and threw it on the table. "Well, at least you don't have to feel guilty about fooling around with Andy now.

"I wasn't fooling… shut up, Angie. What a jerk. He should be here standing by my side, supporting me."
"Like Jinxx?"
"Huh?"
I turned around to see Jinxx walking through the café. He saw us and raised his eyebrows.
"I thought you'd be here if you weren't at home. I've got your phone."
He sat down with us and looked at the paper.

"I'm sure it's all lies and beat up. The papers are full of shit. I don't believe a word of it."
"To be honest, I don't know what to believe." You'd think I'd have known if dodgy shit was going down but I only saw the things Dad wanted me to see. There had never been any reason to mistrust him.
“You can believe in me," said Angie.

"And me too," said Jinxx. "I'll support you."
"Thanks, guys." Some warmth crept into my heart. I felt as if I could probably face the day. "I have to organise this record company meeting today. If I do that, then maybe I can be successful enough in my own right that everyone forgets about this. I hope."
Jinxx reached over and grabbed my hand. I smiled at him. I could survive this. But really I wondered if it would be okay. They'd said Dad might go to jail. I didn't know if that were true but he had gone into hiding. It wasn't a very good sign about the whole okay-ness of this.
My appetite had come back and I really wanted some French toast. Maybe with a side of bacon.
Jinxx left to meet a client but told me to call him if I needed anything.

Notes

I hate Taylore Swift ;-; But awh, poor Hannah Banana. And Jinxx is so nice. I don't know if I want her to fall in love with Andy or Jinxx. The struggle .-.