Chapter 7: Killing Two Birds with one Stone
In the changing room, Lolly quickly changed out of her work clothes. Folding and putting it away, she grabbed her small backpack to leave. On her way out, she bumped into Stella again. This annoying bumpkin has been getting in her way more than necessary recently. What's with her and blocking people's path like roadblocks?
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Stella asked immediately on sighting her.
"Well, If it's not Ms Cranky-pants asking," Lolly responded, ignoring her question.
Glancing at her cheap wristwatch, Stella said, "It's just 12 noon. Your shift is not over. Who are you shirking your duties for?"
Lolly who has sidestepped to walk past her turned to glance at her and muttered, "Unbelievable!" Shaking her head in pity at the obvious idiot, she added. "Last time I checked, you're not the boss of me. So go find something to do and stop being a busybody in other people's business."
"Pompous brat!" Stella angrily called after her as Lolly walked out of the back entrance door to the diner.
Since Skylar will be having his medical test done by 1 pm today, Lolly has requested to shorten her hours of work to accompany her little brother. Even though she needed cash desperately now, losing two hours of wage cannot compare to Skylar's importance to her. Normally, she works 7 hours a day with only a 30 minutes break in-between. Work starts for her by 7 in the morning and ends at 2 pm, and the remaining hours she spends at the library catching up with her studies till the evening when she would pick Skylar up from the Martin's.
On her way to the hospital, Lolly stopped by the house to pick up some change of clothes for Skylar. Thank God dinner have been sorted out with the food Janette, the cook at the diner, packed for her when she was leaving from work earlier. She declined to accept it at first fearing the cook will get into trouble on her behalf. But when Janette insisted and mentioned it was with their Boss's consent that she accepted it.
Quickly flagging down a taxi, she gave her destination to the driver and made it at the nick of time as Skylar was being wheeled out of his room to the laboratory.
Rushing over to him, she hugged and kissed his cheeks.
"How's my superhero doing?"
"Cool, Sis!" he replied with a wide grin. "Dr Mark said they are gonna take a picture of my tummy, " he enthused in his childish prattle.
"Wow! That sounds pretty cool!" Lolly ruffled his soft brown hair, throwing a grateful look at the doctor. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what monsters are hiding in this tummy then," she added, tickling his sides.
"Stop - sto-ppp! Ticklish..." he pleaded as he laughed.
Lolly straightened up and faced Doctor Mark. Guessing Lolly wanted to say something she didn't want her brother to hear, he spoke to Skylar.
"Hey Champ, could you go ahead with this lovely nurse here while I speak with your sister? I'll join you in a bit"
The boy nodded in agreement and the nurse wheeled him on.
"See you Sky!" Lolly called after him. "Will he be in pains?" she asked the doctor.
"No, not with the AU. But there may be slight discomfort with the upper GI test."
"Do you need me to stay with him while it's done?" Lolly asked worriedly afraid for Sky. What if he gets cranky? Her presence may give him comfort if that happens.
Dr Mark shrugged his shoulders. "I don't. But if you think your presence can help, you're welcomed to stay."
"I'd love to stay. Thank you, Doctor."
All the test was done within an hour, and like the doctor mentioned earlier, Skylar only experienced discomfort with the latter test. Outside that, everything was smooth.
"We'll know the results of the test once the radiologist sends the diagnosis across to me latest tomorrow," the doctor explained once they were back in Skylar's ward.
"Do you think he can be discharged after that?" Lolly asked, still worried about the medical bills. It must have piled up a ton. Mrs Martins and Elizabeth did offer to help with some part of the bills but Lolly didn't want to be anyone's charity. She intends to pay them back as soon as she can.
"The results tomorrow will decide that." At Lolly's crestfallen look, he patted her shoulders gently and comforted, "Hope for the best, Ms Lolly. Don't lose it yet."
~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, at Harris Conglomerates earlier that morning, Xavier sat in a meeting with his head of PR, Greg, who happens to be his childhood friend and a couple of his trusted PR team. His PA sat on his right taking notes on his Macbook. For the past half hour, they've been considering the best options to counter the tabloids. Going by Xavier's thoughts, all he needs to do is tackle the issue head-on by denying having any relationship with the girl through a press conference and damn the consequences. The nerve of that Randolph's daughter to set him up like this! He's been played for a fool and Xavier Harris is no one's fool.
Greg had a different opinion though. He advised Xavier against taking such action mentioning that it might leave ripple effects that may impact the Harris's negatively. In their circle, image is everything and even more to the Harris's. According to Greg, the right card to play is to ignore the tabloids. One thing about the tabloids and even the social media is that once they latch on to any story about you, no one cares to know if it holds true or not. Any effort made to deny or refute the story may prove damaging as netizens and the public will often choose to believe that you're only trying to cover your tracks. It's like flogging a dead horse, totally useless and a waste of effort.
"You're saying I should let that brat get away with the crazy prank she pulled?" Xavier asked, clearly irritated with the whole idea.
"Yes and No."
Xavier glared at Greg. "I don't pay you six figures to give me such answers.
"Let me explain," Greg raised his hands in defence. "You're going to ignore the tabloids because it's a waste of time and energy. The public doesn't give a hoot if the speculations are true or not. So making a statement will only fuel the hunger of the public for more drama giving them something to speculate on"
"I'm listening..." Xavier urged when Greg paused to see if he understands his line of thoughts.
"The point is by keeping quiet, you'd have kill two birds with one stone."
"How's that?" Xavier strums his fingers lightly on the conference room table in deep thought. He knows Greg is a top shot in his profession. That's why he trusted him with the public relations department of the conglomerate. And having him manage the department for years now, Xavier has never had cause to regret hiring him at all.
"The first bird to die is the rumour. Having nothing to feed on, it'll die a natural death. The second is more deadly. Sophia Randolph gets shamed since there won't be evidence anymore to support ehm - you know..." Greg chuckled, trailing off.
"Know what...?"
Xavier gave him another hard glare. The duffball was probably going to mention the words about him finding his missing ribs. "I see you are having fun at my expense, huh? Let's see - I think the finance department need to replan the holiday package - maybe scrap the bonus. Don't you agree, Mr Greg Logan?"
The wide grin instantly died on Greg's lips. Faking a cough, he spluttered, "Ehm - didn't mean it, sir. I was only going to say that Sophia Randolph will be at the receiving end of snide remarks from the public having nothing to back her claim of relationship with you."
"Okay. Let's give it a try then," Xavier agreed after a moment thought. "Are there things you require of me?" he asked the team.
"Yes. First, try not to be caught on camera anywhere near the lady."
"Is that even a thing? Greg, you know me well enough to know that's never gonna happen again."
Nodding, Greg added, "We need pictures of you with others -" Greg eyed him warily. Even though Xavier is his employer now, he has known him long enough to know he may not like this next idea. "...maybe ladies - or not." he gulped as Xavier frowned at him in displeasure.
"Are you crazy!" he bellowed. "Which part of I don't want my pictures splattered across papers for idiots to ogle at don't you understand?" He stood up from his seat and buttoned back the suit button that he undid when he sat down, preparing to leave the conference room.
"Wait, wait! Just saying... Pictures of you with other ladies will make Sophia looks stupid -"
"And me, a Casanova, don't you think?" Xavier cuts him off mid-speech looking at Greg like he's lost his mind.
"You mentioned something about your family having dinner with the Graham's this evening," Greg interjected.
"Yes. What about it?" Xavier asked with irritation.
"Olivia Graham, American golden lady will be there..."
"And my parents, and hers. So?" Xavier pointed out with a raised brow.
"A picture of the din-"
"Not gonna happen." Xavier headed towards the door. "Find another scoop, Greg, and get busy." He walked out.
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