Chapter 7
Virginia scrambled to her bedside table to find the remote for her TV.
“Is something the matter?” Dmitri asked. He collapsed on the bed beside her. Petals floated about in all directions, mixing with the pure white petals below.
Virginia wasn’t sure if there was anything to be worried about, but Nancy didn’t sound too happy. She was off the line now. Virginia wasn’t sure if in her panic and scramble to get to the remote she had hung up on Nancy, or if Nancy was already gone from relaying her message.
The TV was on with a familiar indescribable sound and Bravo appeared instantly. Virginia turned to ABC in the middle of a news story. She feared the worst. That her designs had been stolen, or a plummet in stocks, or another nasty rumor that she was dating Justin Bieber. She held her breath and concentrated on. She had gotten to NBC right before the next commercial break.
“And coming up next on Access Hollywood, designer and socialite Virginia Maxwell seen arm in arm with a new beau…and she’s wearing what looks like a wedding ring. That and a lot more to come after this. Stick around,” Virginia could hear Billy Bush’s voice, but on the screen was a photo of her and Dmitri holding hands. She was smiling up at him. It looked like they were just about ready to get into the car after they had said their I dos.
“What the fuck?” Virginia whispered. She had no idea that she was being followed. Who could have known about their secret nuptials? The photo almost looked staged with the way she was smiling at Dmitri, but sure enough, the arm that was wrapped around him was sporting her new wedding ring.
They sat silently until Access Hollywood was back on.
“Last we heard from Virginia Maxwell, she was paying off her hunky model boyfriend Julian Walker to never speak to her again,” Liz Hernandez said as the camera zoomed in on her face. At the corner of the screen was a very unflattering picture of Virginia.
“And just a little over a month later we’re getting word that the billionaire designer could already have another man in her life,” Billy Bush said.
“So is the gorgeous designer really married to the guy? Where did he come from? And why are we only seeing him now?”
The show spun off on a tirade about an alleged affair. Someone speculated that she launched her new line in Moscow just for a chance to get closer to her husband. All of this was completely false, and she wanted to know who was spreading these awful rumors.
Dmitri and Virginia’s relationship was completely legitimate. Being in the public eye had so many disadvantages. Her life was no longer her life, it belonged to the world.
“Oh no. Oh no no no,” Virginia groaned when the story was finished. She grabbed a pillow and buried her face in it. “I have to do something about this.”
“What for? You and I both know those are total lies. Rumors like these? Ephemeral. If you poke and prod it more, the longer it will last. Allow it to play out.”
Virginia lifted her head slowly and turned to look at Dmitri. She couldn’t help but be suspicious. Every man she had ever tried to date had been a scoundrel.
“Did you….did you do this?” she asked softly. She sounded more hurt than accusing. Dmitri frowned and looked her directly in the eye.
“Of course not. What would I have to gain from sleazy tabloid press? You and I both know the truth about our relationship. Why should it matter what anyone thinks? They’re not here in bed with us are they?” Dmitri said. He was trying to lighten the mood. He could see that Virginia looked distressed.
Virginia sighed. She didn’t think he was lying, but she was still nervous. It was difficult to trust anyone in this industry. People tried to get money any way they could.
“I may not have to prove anything to anyone, but I still need to stop whoever’s spreading all of this bullshit,” she growled. She was already done feeling sorry for herself. She wasn’t going to let some sneaky paparazzo or anyone else get the better of her. The only thing stopping her was not knowing who it was that was behind all of this.
*****
The rumors had gotten worse by the following morning. Some of her clients even had the gall to ask her about them. If she had been faithful to a boyfriend who she only had for 2 months, and if she really paid him off so that she could continue her affair. The reports even questioned the legitimacy of their relationship.
Virginia kept her head up and mostly ignored the questions. She let everyone know she was happy with her husband, and there had been no infidelity.
Then the questions were aimed at Dmitri. Where did he come from and why were they married so soon? Was this a fake wedding for him to get a green card? Was he really gay and marrying her so that he could put those rumors to rest? Was he famous in Russia? It was all too much to keep track of. Virginia’s head was spinning, and her temper was flaring every time she had to really think about it.
The last thing she needed to do was lock herself in her office like she had been doing. It was time to face the music and clear her name with whoever came to her with any lies. It was ludicrous that people were so invested in the lives of others. All she wanted to do was work on those dresses for the First Lady, and the bridal line she was hoping to launch after Milan Fashion Week.
“Well well, Virginia Maxwell,” she was down in the lobby meeting with a client who was also a bit of a financial rival. Marketa Versace, who had legally changed her last name in order to sound richer and more established than she really was. Virginia offered her a hug, and a kiss on both cheeks.
“Marketa, you’re looking very…tan,” Virginia said. Their smiles were disingenuous, but that was just the way their faux friendship was.
“And I had my hair extra bleached to balance it out,” Marketa laughed. She looked Virginia up and down while holding onto her hands. “My my…marriage does give you a certain glow, unless you’ve been tanning too, but with your skin tone I rather doubt that.”
“Happiness is a beautiful and natural glow, Marketa. I’ll be sure to share my skincare secrets with you when you find love too.”
Marketa threw her head back and cackled. They had always made snarky remarks to each other, but Marketa was one of Virginia’s richest clients, and Virginia was Marketa’s favorite designer.
“So is it true?” Marketa linked arms with Virginia as they walked towards the elevators. Virginia knew just what she was referring to, but she decided to play dumb anyway.
“Is what true?”
“Is he really a mysterious Russian spy who swept you off your feet and stole you away from that model hunk. I mean the new guy is cute, but you know I much prefer blondes.”
A Russian spy? People would say anything nowadays.
Virginia rolled her eyes and stepped out of the elevator when they had reached the floor that her office was on. She waited until she and Marketa were inside before speaking.
“Marketa, my husband is not a spy.”
Marketa had already made herself comfortable. She had taken off her coat and tossed it on the arm of the settee that she was now sitting on. Her legs were crossed, and she was flipping through a magazine that had been on the coffee table. She responded with a look of sheer boredom. She wanted to know the full story. Marketa was keen on gossip and she would say anything to anyone if it meant finding out the truth about something.
“Disappointing. It would have made you seem less dull,” Marketa said. Virginia was the antithesis of dull. If her personality didn’t show it, then her designs certainly did.
“So, what is it that your mysterious new husband does? Why does nobody know anything about him?”
Marketa sounded like she was conducting an interview for a sleazy magazine spread. She leaned back on the settee and rested an elbow on the arm. She looked like she was planning on being there a long time if Virginia didn’t spill something interesting.
“Marketa, do you want to talk to me about some designs for Spring, or are you here to talk to me about my husband?”
“A bit of both,” Marketa admitted. Her tone was still one of boredom. Virginia hadn’t given away anything yet, and Marketa was beginning to think that this meeting was going to be strictly business.
“Spring is next year darling, let’s talk about what’s happening right now. Come. Sit,” Marketa patted the empty space on the settee beside her like it was her office.
Virginia sighed internally but joined Marketa.
“We like to keep our relationship private…”
“Private or secret?”
“Not secret, Marketa. We have nothing to hide. Dmitri and I met and it’s been a whirlwind romance,” Virginia was being as honest as she could be without having to give away the whole story.
“Ah, he has a name. And what is it that Dmitri does?”
“Dmitri is an artist. A brilliant one at that.”
“That is most fascinating. I am opening up a gallery next week. I’ve been looking for some artists to showcase their work. If he’s any good then I’d love to do a feature on him. He can get a full thirty days just because we’re such great friends,” Marketa beamed. She was getting the inside scoop. Knowing his name and knowing that he wasn’t a spy who had stolen Virginia away from her model ex-boyfriend was enough to satisfy her. Marketa was in the loop while the rest of the world was not.
“That would…wow, that would be lovely Marketa. I’ll let him know and we can keep in touch with you.”
“And that is why I am here. I need a fabulous outfit for the grand opening. Something bright and never seen before.”
If Marketa wasn’t born a socialite, she should have been a Broadway actress. She had such an animated face and personality, even after countless plastic surgeries and Botox. She had opened up a wildlife conservation center in Upstate New York, a photography studio on the outskirts of Philadelphia, and even had two vineyards; one in California, and another somewhere in Northern Italy. Her latest endeavor was art. She had an extensive collection that even Virginia couldn’t match.
“I will send you the details, and you…” she poked Virginia on the nose, “you will have your husband call me, ok?”
Virginia nodded. Marketa stood and took up her coat. Virginia followed her to the door to let her out. As Marketa walked out, Nancy walked in.
Nancy didn’t look too pleased.
“Uh oh. I know that face,” Virginia said. She didn’t know if she could take any more bad news or any more surprises. She had been surprised enough over the last month to last her a lifetime. She wanted work to be the only thing overwhelming her.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Nancy said. She had two cups in a holder in one hand, and a plastic bag of food in the other. She had brought lunch for the two of them.
“Is everything ok?” Virginia was concerned.
“I have no idea,” Nancy walked over to the large table to the left of the room and set the plastic bag and drinks down. “Ordered some Chinese. I got your favorite: chicken in black bean sauce with some shrimp lo mein and Chinese steamed buns with barbecue sauce in ‘em even though it’s not morning anymore! And I got a lemonade and a peachade. I don’t mind what I have, but I’m kind of hoping you say you want the peach.”
“Well, I guess I want the peach,” Virginia laughed. Even though Nancy was distraught, she had a way of maintaining her composure and ensuring that all around her remained copacetic. If she was feeling off, and the world around was feeling off, then Nancy’s day would be thrown out of whack. It was a lot better when Nancy felt like she could handle everything. That was something that Virginia taught her. Nancy had to remind Virginia that sometimes if either of them was in a slump.
“Anyway,” Nancy stuck a straw into her lemonade and took a sip. “I was antsy last night. I thought it was because of the Metamorphosis show coming up next week because this is our first year, but even for new shows I don’t get so nervous. I could tell that there was something up, but I couldn’t put my finger on it, ya know?”
Nancy took a fork and pierced a piece of sweet and sour pork. She stuck it in her mouth and closed her eyes to enjoy the flavor before continuing.
“But then there was something in my brain that was like ‘Nancy check your email’, so I did. And in my junk mail was some message from an anonymous person saying they knew the truth about Dmitri.”
“What?” Virginia’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. It just said that they knew about Dmitri, and they called him a mail order husband. Then they said we’d all be sorry. So of course I couldn’t get any sleep after that. I was up all night wondering who the hell it was and how it was they got my email address.”
Virginia was too stunned to speak.
“I mean at first I thought it could be you, like some kind of a sick joke…but why would you do that? I don’t know anyone else who knows besides me, you, and Dmitri.”
“And of course that creep who took pictures of us after we got married. God I’d like to get my hands on him.”
“Have you checked your email lately?”
“Only my work email. I’ve been so swamped with all of the work we’ve been doing that I haven’t checked any personal messages.
“Think you should?” Nancy asked. She mentally crossed her fingers in the hopes that there was nothing in Virginia’s email. Like Virginia, she was hoping if she ignored it and just went through the motions that it would eventually fizzle out and whoever was behind this would get over it and move on.
Virginia had ignored her main course and was already chewing on a soft piece of the steamed bun. She put it back down and walked towards her computer. She never kept her personal email on her phone in case something happened to it.
She logged onto her email and perused. There were over 1800 new messages.
“The one that I found was in the junk mail folder because it was some lame domain created email address,” Nancy pointed out.
Virginia opened up her junk mail, and Nancy pointed to the screen right away.
“That’s it. The one with the subject that says I Know. That’s the same one that was sent to me last night.”
Without another word, and with a shaky hand, Virginia opened the email. What could the person possibly want from her? What were they hoping to accomplish? Did they just want to scare her or get a rise out of her? Was this some kind of revenge? What lengths was this person going to take to make their point? Whatever it was, Virginia and Nancy were scared, so whoever it was was making their point quite well.
“Virginia Maxwell. I know about you and your mail order lover. I know it is a sham marriage build on lies. He is after a green card and you are trying to restore your good name after showing the world that you pay people to get your way. No one will believe your love or your lies. I am going to tell EVERYONE.
Since you have no problem throwing money away, the only way to have peace is to pay me off and to get rid of your fake husband. Everyone will know the truth. You have one week to pay $250,000 to this address. I know more than you think. I know more about you. And I will reveal everything.
There is NO escape from this.”
“Oh my God. I am so pissed off!” Virginia practically roared in her office. The audacity of someone resorting to blackmail in a situation like this. Blackmail was one of the lowest things that anybody could do to another person. This person didn’t care what happened either way, they just wanted their money and to have Dmitri leave.
“I know right? They typed ‘build on lies’ instead of ‘built’. Whoever wrote this is an idiot.”
“Nancy, don’t joke,” Virginia groaned. Nancy snickered a bit but apologized.
$250,000 was nothing to someone like Virginia, but there was no way she would give in and pay off somebody to keep silent. She was worried that people would find out she married someone she barely knew, but it would be worse on her conscience if she gave into the demands of someone who could so easily blackmail her.
Nancy’s expression suddenly turned serious. She scowled at the computer screen and then looked at Virginia.
“You know what we have to do right?”