Eye Candy (17 page)

Chapter 42

I
told these people I wasn't the one to mess with. But I guess they had to see it for themselves. I wrapped that revenge up in a nice little bow and served it on a silver platter. I leaned back on the sofa and smiled as I watched the TV.

Nelly, or rather Nadra, was scrambling to run from the paparazzi, as they'd been hounding her ever since the story broke. She'd released a statement saying that she was going to rehab to “deal with personal demons” relating to the way she'd been raised. But other than that, she hadn't addressed the issue. But that hadn't stopped the media from hounding her.

“Nelly, why did you do it?” one of the reporters called out after her.

I laughed as she raced to get inside the car.

“Well, as you can see,” the
Inside Edition
anchor said, “Nelly Fulton, aka Nadra Franklin, had nothing to say to our cameras. But those that used to know her in the small town of Chattahoochee, Florida, had plenty to say. Our reporter Alisa Moore is there with the story.”

The camera switched to the high school I had visited. Two women were standing next to the reporter as she began talking.

“Good afternoon,” the reporter began. “Since she won
X Factor
, we've all thought Nelly Fulton was an orphan from New York, but we're slowly learning that was all part of a story carefully crafted by an ambitious woman who decided to carve out her second chance.” The reporter turned to two women standing next to her. Both of them looked like they had lived a hard life. They both had long stringy blond hair, brown, rotting teeth, and wrinkled skin, and one looked like she was one biscuit away from exploding.

“I'm here with Rebecca and Sally. Ladies, tell us again how you knew Nelly?” the reporter asked.

“Nadra—we didn't know Nelly,” the first girl said. The name on the screen identified her as Rebecca. “But we all went to school together here in Chattahoochee.”

“And I understand you have a yearbook,” the reporter said, pointing to the book in the girl's hand.

“Yep.” She held up the yearbook and turned it around to face the camera. “Chattahoochee Middle School, 1995,” the girl said, doing a Vanna White move as she pointed to the book. She then opened it up. “Nadra Franklin,” she said, pointing to a picture of a redheaded girl with oversized glasses and two big front teeth, looking like Peter Rabbit.

“That's Nadra right there,” Sally said, tapping the photo. “Before her nose job. She always has been uppity. Poor as dirt but always tried to act like she was better than everybody else.”

“So, did you all know that Nelly Fulton was actually Nadra Franklin?” the reporter asked.

“No,” Rebecca said.

Sally triumphantly leaned in. “I did. When she was on
X Factor
, I tried to tell everybody that she looked just like Nadra, and everybody thought I was crazy.”

“But everything we read said that Nelly was eighteen at the time,” Rebecca said. “We all knew that that couldn't be right, so we didn't think it was the same person. I mean, really, who would lie over something like that?”

That was the million-dollar question I had asked myself. It's not like
X Factor
even has an age limit like
American Idol
. So there was no need for Nadra to lie. Guess she'd figured America would have much more sympathy for a young orphan girl.

“Why do you think she lied?” the reporter asked.

“She always has been a liar,” Sally added. “When she was in third grade, she said her real parents were Hollywood stars. She said her meth-head mama adopted her.”

“What happened to her parents?” the reporter asked.

“Her mother died when we were sophomores in high school and don't nobody know who her daddy is,” Rebecca said.

I know,
I thought to myself. The janitor told me he'd been a married father of two when he'd gotten Nelly's mother, a local drug addict, pregnant. He'd never claimed Nelly and, in fact, had moved his family away to escape the gossip. He'd said he'd only moved back to Chattahoochee about five years ago.

“Nadra moved to go live with relatives and that's the last we heard of her,” Sally added.

Whatever her reasoning, Nelly had really screwed herself up by doing this. I'd read yesterday that
X Factor
was thinking about taking her title away and giving it to the first runner-up, claiming Nelly was guilty of fraud.

“Well, there you have it,” the reporter said, turning my attention back to the TV. “Old friends of Nelly Fulton—”

“Nadra,” Sally corrected.

“Nadra,” the reporter said. “Of course, we'll stay on top of this story and bring you more as we get it. Back to you.”

I could only shake my head. I didn't know where Nadra would end up, but maybe she would think twice before she screwed over the next person.

I flipped through the TV and started looking for something else to watch when the buzzer rang, letting me know somebody was at the gate. I glanced at the security system, and rolled my eyes when I saw Tamara of all people. I started not to buzz her in, but I had been waiting on this day. I needed to see her face-to-face, if for no other reason than to gloat.

I walked over to meet Tamara at the front door. I didn't know why she was here. The lawsuit had been thrown out, but I supposed she was coming here to apologize. At least, she
needed
to be coming here to apologize.

I watched her pull her silver Bentley into our circular driveway and then strut up the walkway like the true diva that she was. But I was no longer impressed with Tamara. She'd proven to be as ruthless as they come, and I had almost followed in her footsteps. I was glad that I hadn't.

“Hey, Maya,” she said as she approached the doorway.

“Hey,” was all I replied. I wasn't going to be nasty, but I wasn't going to fake the funk either.

“Can I come in?” Tamara asked.

I didn't say a word as I stepped aside and motioned for her to come in.

She looked around our grand foyer. “I always have loved the color scheme in here,” she said, taking in the copper-colored walls. “Your mother has such exquisite taste.”

“I'm sure you didn't come over here to talk décor,” I told her as I closed the front door. “So how can I help you?”

She turned to face me, moving her Hermès bag to her other arm. “Look, let me just get straight to the point.”

“That's always best,” I replied.

She took a deep breath, then said, “I'm sorry. You were right. We shouldn't have tried to bring Nelly on board.”

I just raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.

“I'm sure you can imagine this has been a disaster for
Rumor Central
and the execs are having a stroke. We're about to go into the summer blockbuster season. MTV has that new show coming that is supposed to rival
Rumor Central,
and now is just not the time for us to be trying to start over.”

I gave her an
And I care because?
look, but still kept quiet.

“So I'm just here to say I'm sorry.”

“Okay,” was all I replied.

“And um, we were wondering . . .” She paused and took a deep breath. “We were hoping that you'd consider returning to
Rumor Central
.”

I couldn't help it. That actually made a smile come back on my face, and that seemed to make her relax some.

“I mean, I know you were upset about the way everything went down, and we'd be willing to give you a significant pay raise—”

“You know this was never about the money with me,” I was quick to tell her.

“I know that, but we want to show you how sorry we are and to make this right. Yes,
Rumor Central
has some issues, but we believe in the show, the public still likes the show, and I think if we sit down and put our heads together we can figure out a way to make this thing right.”

I actually laughed at that. “You know, I enjoyed my time at
Rumor Central,
” I told her. “It really brought me to the next level. I'll give you guys that, but it was me and my hard work and connections that made the show. And somewhere along the way, you seem to have forgotten that.”

“Okay, you're right.” Tamara sighed. “What can I say? Just come back and we'll fix it.”

I looked as if I was weighing what she was saying, and then finally I said, “You know what? I'm flattered. I really am. I'd like nothing more than to return to
Rumor Central.
”

A look of relief crossed her face, and I quickly held up my hand before she could say anything.

“But I think it's best that we continue our separate ways.”

“Excuse me?” She had the nerve to look dumbfounded, like she'd never expected me to say no. She must not have known me at all.

I walked back over to the door. “Tamara, I have no desire to return to
Rumor Central,
or to you and your backstabbing team of producers, so good luck finding a replacement. Good luck cleaning up the mess that Nelly—I'm sorry—that Nadra Franklin made, and please leave my house.”

She didn't move as she said, “I heard about you in the new Hype Lee movie. You really want to bank on that?”

“Yeah. I'm branching out to acting, and guess what? If it doesn't work out, I'm cool with that. In case you haven't realized”—I looked around at my massive home—“I'll be well taken care of regardless, so I'll be on to bigger and better things.”

“Maya, you're being unreasonable. I get that you're mad. If it's more power you want, we can work with that. If you want us to put it in writing that we won't bring on a cohost without your consent, we can put that in writing, too. Just, please, come back to
Rumor Central
.”

I opened the front door and smirked at her, before saying, “Tamara, don't beg, it's not a good look.”

She stepped on the other side of the door, and turned around and snarled at me.

“I hope you know what you're doing.”

I just looked at her and said, “I do.”

Then, I took great pride as I slammed the door in her face.

Chapter 43

M
y day was finally here, and I didn't think it could get any more perfect.

“You look beautiful,” my mother said, adjusting my cap.

I never thought I'd be so happy to be walking across a stage. But I was actually about to get my high school diploma and, on Monday, begin filming my first movie.

Rumor Central
had been the springboard to launch me into the national spotlight, and I was about to take it from here.

“So, are you ladies ready?” my dad asked. I was thrilled that he had cleared his entire schedule for the weekend. While for some families that may be no biggie, for my dad it was huge. Even my mom was shocked.

“We're so beyond ready,” Sheridan said.

Sheridan and Kennedi stood next to me in the small private dressing area. I don't know how my dad had done it, but he'd gotten me a private room at the arena where our graduation was being held so that I could have an intimate reception before the graduation.

Kennedi actually had to take one more class this summer because not all of her credits had transferred. But luckily, her father had pulled some strings and gotten her permission to walk with us. I would've been sick if I hadn't been able to walk across that stage with my two best friends.

“Come on, honey. Let's go to our seats,” my mom said to my dad. She kissed me on the cheek. “We'll see you out there,” she added before leading my dad out.

“I'm going to meet you guys out there,” Sheridan told me. “My mom wants me to come say hello to her new man.” She shook her head. But I knew Sheridan was glad that her mother, Ms. Glenda, had taken a pause from her world tour to be here today because even though she never admitted it, I think there was a part of Sheridan that was worried her mom would miss her graduation altogether.

“Okay, see you in a minute.”

She hadn't been gone two minutes when J. Love pushed his way into the room.

“What did you do?” he screamed at me.

It caught me off guard, but I didn't flinch. I hadn't heard from him since I'd stormed out of his place. My dad had told me that the producers had agreed to take him off the movie, but I hadn't heard anything since. But I guess J. had finally gotten the word.

“Hello, J. Love,” I said with a smile. “I don't recall your name being on my private reception guest list.”

“Maya, don't play with me. My agent called and told me that I'm not doing the movie.” He looked frazzled, not his usual cool self.

“Really? And we start filming next week,” I innocently said. “Oh, well. I'll tell you all about it.”

“You wouldn't be in this movie if it wasn't for me.”

“Then I'll have to send you a thank-you card from the set,” I told him.

He stepped closer. I guess he was trying to intimidate me. But it didn't work. “Maya, what did you do?”

“I am flattered that you think I have that much power. And maybe I do. Or maybe I don't.” I turned to the mirror and checked my reflection, completely dismissing him. “But isn't karma a b—”

He cut me off. “How did you do it?”

I turned back to face him. “Do what?”

He studied me for a minute, then said, “Nah, you ain't got that much juice.”

“Okay.” I could just see his mind churning as he tried to figure it out.

“Come on, K. We should go,” I said to Kennedi.

J. Love jumped in front of me to stop me from passing. “If I find out you had anything to do with this . . .”

“. . . you're not going to do a thing.”

I turned toward the door and my heart fluttered at the sight of Alvin standing in the entrance.

“Alvin!” I said, pushing past J., and rushing over to throw my arms around Alvin's neck.

“Hey, pretty lady,” he said, hugging me tightly.

“I can't believe you came.”

“Now, you know I wasn't going to miss this day,” he replied.

“Look, bruh. Me and Maya are talking,” J. said.

Alvin eased me behind him. “Nah, bruh. You and Maya are done.”

“Dude, you have no idea who you're talking to.”

“No, you have no idea.” Alvin stepped in his face. “Don't let the bowtie fool you.”

J. Love looked a little surprised. He wasn't the only one. This was a side of Alvin I hadn't seen.

They had a face-off, and then J. licked his lips and smiled. “You know, you need to be thanking me.”

I cringed because I figured he was about to throw in Alvin's face how he got the job.

But Alvin shocked us all, when he said, “You know, I do. Because you've made me a very rich man.”

The smile left J.'s face and Alvin continued.

“Yeah, see they explained to me how I got hired. And of course, when I found that out, I said thanks, but no thanks. I don't need any hookups from the likes of you.”

“You quit?” I said, my heart racing at the thought that he could be moving back home.

“Yeah,” he finally turned to me and smiled, “but not before Microsoft bought my new patent.”

“Oh my God,” I squealed. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. Seven figures, baby.” He turned, picked me up and swung me around. After he set me down, he turned back to J. Love. “So yeah, I guess I should be thanking you for putting me on their radar because you made me a very rich man.”

J. Love looked horrified, but he pulled himself together. “Whatever. Maya, I'm not done talking to you.”

“Yeah, you are.” Alvin patted J. Love's chest. “I know you play hard. And I know you think I'm soft, but I promise you don't want none of this.” He adjusted J.'s collar. “I mean, it would be real bad for your image to get beat down by a nerd boy, don't you think?”

J. Love looked like he was weighing his options. Finally, he said, “Man, ain't nobody scared of you.”

Alvin grinned. “You don't have to be. The bottom line is you and I can settle our beefs at another time. Today is Maya's day.”

I couldn't help but smile.

“Since I saw you coming in, I thought we might need these gentlemen. Security here is gonna escort you out.” He pointed to two men who appeared in the doorway.

“Is he bothering you, ma'am?” the first officer said.

“Yes, he sure is,” I replied.

“Oh, it's like that, Maya?” J. Love snapped.

I draped my arm through Alvin's. “It is. Bye-bye.”

“Oh, this isn't over. Nobody plays J. Love.”

“It looks like somebody just did.” Kennedi chuckled.

“Get your hands off of me,” he said, jerking his arm away from the security guard who was trying to lead him out.

“We'd better get going,” Kennedi said, looking out the door. “They're starting to line up.”

“Okay, you go on,” I told her. “I'll be right out. I just want to talk to Alvin real quick.”

Kennedi smiled. “Good to see you, Superman.”

He returned her smile. “You, too, K.”

Once we were alone, I knew I didn't have much time to waste. “I'm sorry about everything,” I said.

“It's cool,” he said.

“So, you're really moving back home?” I asked.

He nodded. “I am.”

“So, what does that mean for us?”

His smile left his face, but not his eyes. “It means I miss my friend and that's where I want to go back to. Just being friends.”

I'm not going to lie, that hurt my heart. But if I couldn't have him as my boyfriend, I'd settle for him as my friend. And as he'd once told me, I would just have to work to win him back.

“Come on, let's go get this diploma,” he told me. “You know how hard you had to work to get here.”

“You ain't never lied.” I laughed.

“Hey, how are things with
Rumor Central
?” he asked as we headed to the door.

“Now that they've discovered Nelly is a thirty-one-year-old poser, it didn't go over well. They wanted me back, but I said no. I heard they're planning on canceling the show.”

“How do you feel about that?” he asked.

“I'm good. I left on top.”

He hugged me tightly. “And when it comes to Maya Morgan, I wouldn't expect anything else.”