Secret Relations: Women in Hollywood, Book 1 (2 page)

Chapter Three

A week after Sean and Charlotte’s initial exchange, Charlotte took a seat on the cream-colored Italian leather couch in Sean’s living room. She held the brown envelope containing his contract in one hand.

Priscilla smiled and without flinching said, “Sean didn’t mention you were coming by.”

“He didn’t know. I decided to surprise him with the good news. Do you know how long he will be on his conference call?” Charlotte asked.

“He should be coming down soon,” Priscilla responded.

Charlotte placed the brown envelope next to her on the couch. She pulled out her iPhone and started responding to her emails. She stopped when she felt Priscilla watching her.

Priscilla sat down next to Charlotte. “You know, the only reason he’s not with his other manager any more is because their relationship failed.”

Charlotte blinked a few times. “Excuse me.”

Priscilla looked at the doorway and then back at Charlotte. “You may want to ask him why Dana’s not representing him.”

“As you already know, I’ve done that. But anyway, what’s it to you?” Charlotte asked.

“I’m just a sister trying to look out for another sister.”

Charlotte laughed then placed her phone down. “Oh really. So help a sister out. Educate me on what I don’t know since you’re dying to get it out.”

“Sean and Dana were—”

“Priscilla, I’ve been looking all over for you,” Sean said, wearing jeans and a fitted shirt revealing his muscular biceps. “Did you answer all of the fan mail from my message board?”

“No, but—”

“Then, I suggest you do so. You know I like to get it done at least once a week and today’s Thursday,” Sean responded.

Priscilla smiled at Sean and got up from the couch. “I’ll take care of it right away.” She left Sean and Charlotte alone.

Sean said, “Looks like I interrupted something.” He took a seat next to Charlotte.

Suddenly the couch seemed too small. Sean’s cologne tempted her to get closer, but she eased to the opposite end of the couch instead. “She was telling me about your last manager, Dana.”

“What did she say?” he asked.

Charlotte shifted her body so she could be face to face with Sean. “Nothing. Just girl talk. I came over here to bring you your copy of the contract.”

Charlotte waved the brown envelope in the air before handing it to Sean.

Sean took the envelope and removed the contract. He looked at the signatures and then placed the contract and envelope on the coffee table in front of them. “You could have had a carrier deliver this.”

“I could but I like to provide personal care to my clients when possible,” Charlotte said.

Charlotte couldn’t admit the truth to him. She used the signed contract to see him again. She wanted to convince herself the attraction she felt for him was a farce. Not only did she prove it not to be true, it only proved to her that the feelings she had for Sean were real and dangerous. Being in close proximity, caused her heart to practically beat out of her chest.

“So what’s next?” Sean asked.

Charlotte placed her personal feelings on hold and got back into business mode. “I think we should pursue you getting your own cologne.”

“That would be great. I would want one for men and women.”

“I’ve been in contact with a chemist. Now that I have your verbal interest, I will schedule a meeting.”

“I’m excited. Aren’t you?” Sean said, as he moved closer to Charlotte. Before she could protest he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. She knew she should let go but she loved the feel of him, his masculine scent all around her. He pulled back slightly and the two stared at each other, inching closer and closer until—

“Sean, your sister, Marie, is on the phone,” Priscilla yelled from the doorway.

Sean jumped back and Charlotte sighed with relief. If he’d held on any longer, she knew they’d be kissing right now and kissing Sean wouldn’t have been a good idea. If Priscilla hadn’t interrupted, their lips would have locked and she would have crossed the line she had no business crossing.

“Go ahead and take the call. We’re through here. I need to get back to the office anyway,” Charlotte assured Sean. She stood.

“Are you sure? It’ll only take a minute,” Sean said.

“No, go. Priscilla can see me out,” Charlotte assured him.

Sean got up and left the room.

Priscilla said, “Looks like you and I will be working together after all.”

Charlotte stood and walked near Priscilla. “We will need to synchronize his schedule so we’re all on the same page.”

“We can do it now if you like.”

Charlotte pulled out a card from her purse and handed it to Priscilla. “Here’s my card. Email me his schedule for the next few months and either I or my assistant will be in touch with events we schedule.”

Priscilla walked Charlotte to the door. She held the door open and said, “We both want to see Sean succeed, so this relationship should work out for all of us.”

Charlotte smiled. “Take care, Priscilla.”

Charlotte got in her car and watched Priscilla wave at her from the doorway. She wasn’t sure why but she didn’t trust the woman. Still, she had to push those feelings aside to do what was best for Sean.

Charlotte pulled off and headed to the office.

Chapter Four

Charlotte sat at the end of the conference room table staring into space as six of her eight employees left the room. Felicia Holt, her twenty-five year old eager secretary, tapped on the table breaking Charlotte from her trance.

She’d been daydreaming about Sean off and on all day. She needed to push him to the back of her mind because she had a business to run.

“You two can go. I’m alright,” Charlotte said.

She looked at Felicia and then at one of her top associates, Jason Lewis. Jason, dressed in an expensive suit, got out of the chair near the end of the table and took a seat closer to her.

“Is there something you want to tell us?” Jason asked.

Felicia fanned herself. “If I’d just come from Sean Maxwell’s house I would be walking around in a daze too. He’s hot.”

“Felicia, how many times have I told you to mind your business?” Charlotte joked, but didn’t deny she’d been thinking about Sean.

“My sisters are crazy about him,” Jason said. “I personally don’t see what all the hype is about.”

“He has a sultry, sexy voice. He has a sexy body. He’s nice. He’s charismatic. He’s every woman’s dream,” Charlotte blurted out.

“Sounds like you know all about him,” Jason noted.

“I guess I’ll keep my lustful thoughts to myself. I feel like I’d be violating a girl code if I voiced them,” Felicia said.

“Felicia, there’s nothing going on between Sean and I, so don’t even go there.”

“I’m just saying,” Felicia said.

Linda Marsh, one of Charlotte’s employees rushed through the conference room door. She placed her iPad in front of Charlotte. “You need to see this.”

Jason and Felicia moved their chairs closer to Charlotte so they too could see what was so important on Linda’s iPad.

The headline read: “Dana Reliford, Ex-Manager of R & B Heartthrob Sean Maxwell Found Dead.”

“Oh my goodness,” Felicia squealed, as her hand went over her mouth.

Jason read out loud, “Police are unsure if it was suicide or foul play. At this time, it’s still under investigation.”

“I knew you would want to see this since he’s one of our newest clients,” Linda said.

“Thanks. I’ll find out what’s going on and let y’all know.” Charlotte handed the iPad back to Linda.

“You don’t think he had anything to do with it, do you?” Linda asked.

“No, of course not. I’m sure this news came as a shock to him so I’m going to go by and check on him, make sure he doesn’t talk to the press. Hold all of my calls,” Charlotte said to Felicia as she rushed out of the conference room.

Sean and Priscilla were seated in the living room going over his upcoming tour. The television was on but the sound muted.

Priscilla’s phone beeped. She looked down and then up at Sean. “There’s an email from Pandora in your inbox. Do you want to respond or do you want me to?”

“What does it say?” Sean asked.

Pandora was an actress and his ex-girlfriend. Their relationship ended when he realized she was only using him to further her career. Over the years, he’d met many women who had ulterior motives.

“She’s in town and wants to meet with you,” Priscilla said.

“Tell her, I’m busy.” Sean didn’t hold a grudge against Pandora, but wasn’t in the mood to entertain her.

Sean changed the subject and discussed the new venture with Charlotte’s management firm with Priscilla.

“I thought you were satisfied with how I’ve been handling your schedule?” Priscilla asked.

“You’re doing great. But Charlotte and her team can take me places you can’t.”

“I’m not saying you don’t need a manager but maybe Charlotte’s not the right one.”

“If you’re worried about your position, you shouldn’t be,” Sean assured her.

“I’m not. I only meant—”

“Turn it up,” Sean said, interrupting Priscilla.

“What?” Priscilla asked.

“The TV. Turn it up. I just saw Dana’s name flash across the screen.”

Priscilla located the remote and increased the volume. They stared at the television as the news reporter spoke.

“Dana Reliford, known for managing high-profile musicians, was found dead at her Los Angeles home. One of her most famous clients was R & B singer, Sean Maxwell, also known as Mr. Naughty for his sexual lyrics. Police say right now they have no leads or suspects and they aren’t sure if Ms. Reliford’s death was foul play or suicide. This is Chad Miller, Channel Five news.”

Sean’s heart dropped as he heard the news of Dana’s death. Before he could grasp the news he’d just heard, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Priscilla said, leaving Sean alone.

He stared at the television as the news showed Dana with him and some of her other clients at various events.

“Charlotte’s here,” Priscilla announced as Charlotte walked around Priscilla and straight to where Sean sat.

She sat down beside him. “How are you doing?” she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

“I’m shocked. I can’t believe it.”

Hearing of Dana’s death made Sean think of his parents. They were both killed during a home invasion back in Houston, Texas. The only reason him and his older sister, Marie, weren’t killed is because Marie woke him and hid them both in a bedroom closet. Otherwise, it would have been their fate too.

Sean thought about Dana’s family and the pain they must be going through. “We were no longer on good terms, but I didn’t wish anything bad for her,” Sean stated with sadness in his eyes. “She was only in her thirties, like us.”

“Hopefully, the police will get to the bottom of this and find out what happened,” Charlotte tried to assure him. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

Every phone in Sean’s house was ringing off the hook. Priscilla could be heard talking in the background as she attempted to answer the calls.

“Do you need me to help filter some calls?” Charlotte asked.

Priscilla shook her head no. “I got this.”

Sean couldn’t think straight and wondered had he not ended their business relationship would she still be alive.

The doorbell rang snapping him out of his thoughts.

Chapter Five

Two police officers entered the room behind Priscilla. Sean stood the moment he saw them.

The older officer said, “Sean Maxwell, we’re here to ask you a few questions about Dana Reliford. I’m Detective Watkins and this is Detective Mills.”

They all shook hands.

“I just heard on the news she’d been found dead,” Sean responded. “What happened?”

Detective Mills looked around the room.

Charlotte stood beside Sean. “Sean, maybe you should get your lawyer before answering any questions.”

“And you are?” Detective Watkins asked.

Charlotte extended her hand. “I’m Charlotte Richards, Mr. Maxwell’s manager.”

“Ms. Richards, we only have a few questions. If your client still feels like he needs an attorney afterwards, then by all means, it is within his legal rights to request one,” Detective Watkins stated.

“Charlotte, it’s okay. Detectives, have a seat,” Sean said.

Each of the officers sat in a chair directly across from the couch. Charlotte and Priscilla took a seat on opposite sides of Sean.

Detective Mills pulled out a plastic bag with a piece of paper in it and handed it to Sean. “This was left near Dana Reliford’s body.”

Sean’s eyes scanned the bloodstained letter. He read it aloud, his voice quivering as he did so. “If you’re finding this letter, it means I couldn’t take living without Sean Maxwell any more. I love him but he doesn’t return my feelings. Ending my life like this is only a formality. My life ended the day Sean fired me as his manager. At least with me being his manager, I could be around the man I love. Now, I will be like millions of his fans, only admiring him from a distance. I would rather be dead than live life without him. I tried calling him one last time but he didn’t answer and he’s not returning any of my calls. It’s my sign that it’s time to end my misery. Mama and Daddy, I love you both and I’ll see you on the other side. To the rest of my family and friends, I love you and will miss you. If by chance, someone runs into Sean, tell him I will love him until the end of time. This is good-bye.”

Sean dropped the letter down on the table in front of him. His hands went up to his face as he wiped tears from his eyes. Charlotte reached over, placed her arm around his shoulder, and attempted to comfort him.

He felt more at ease with Charlotte there. Her concern for him touched him in ways she would never know. The only other person he felt genuinely cared about him was his sister. Most of the people who he came across were only nice to him because they wanted something from him. He didn’t feel Charlotte fit into that category.

Detective Watkins said, “It appears she committed suicide. Did you and Ms. Reliford have an intimate relationship?”

Sean dropped his head. “She was my manager.”

Detective Mills intervened. “We understand, but based on this letter, it seems that Ms. Reliford was in love with you. So again, we ask, were you two intimately involved?”

“No. We never slept together. She wanted more but she knew where we stood. She was my manager and a friend. That’s all. I thought Dana understood that.”

“Her letter stated you fired her as your manager. Is the sexual relationship the reason you fired her?” Detective Watkins asked.

Sean felt Charlotte’s arm drop from his shoulder. “As I just stated, I never had sex with her. I fired Dana because she was not doing her job. I was losing out on gigs or I was late for gigs because she’d become obsessed with me instead of handling my career.”

“Sean, I really think you should call your attorney,” Charlotte said, between clenched teeth.

“That’s all the questions we have at the moment. Right now, it looks like an apparent suicide. But, if after our investigation is complete, we find out it’s something else, we’ll be in touch,” Detective Watkins stated.

Both of the officers stood. Sean walked them to the door. He returned to the living room. Priscilla held a phone up to each ear. Charlotte held her phone in her hand and appeared to be texting someone.

Sean said to Priscilla, “I’m exhausted and I’m sure you are too. Turn the ringers off and take the rest of the day off.”

Priscilla ended the phone calls and said, “I got your back. I’m not going to leave you to deal with this by yourself.”

“I’m not alone.” Sean looked in Charlotte’s direction when he spoke.

“I’ll order us something to eat and we can sit and reminisce about Dana...you know, the good times,” Priscilla said.

“That won’t be necessary. Lock up when you leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Priscilla gave him a tight hug. “Call me if you need me. I don’t mind coming back to sit with you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Sean responded.

Priscilla walked out of the room but kept looking back at Sean. Sean moved and turned to face Charlotte, the two staring at each other in silence. Sean had no more words. His emotions were all over the place. He didn’t know if he wanted to cry or scream. He sat down beside Charlotte and grabbed her hand. His body felt at ease, as she pulled him into a tight hug.

And he wept.