41. | Paparazzi

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When I woke up this morning, the last thing I expected was to be bombarded by paparazzi

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When I woke up this morning, the last thing I expected was to be bombarded by paparazzi. Turns out, when you date a tech multibillionaire, word spreads fast.

I've never wanted to get into the buzz of social media or the front page news, but it looks like that plan went out the window.

I try to hide my face from the flashing lights as people throw questions at me. I push past them, hurrying inside as security pushes them back out the door. I fix my hair and my clothes as I struggle to calm my nerves.

The one thing I didn't want. To go public. Because I knew this is exactly what would happen.

"Are you alright?" Lisa from the front desk asks.

I nod, smiling thinly at her. "Thank you. I-I should get to my floor." I walk away, running my fingers through my hair.

What I want to know is how they found out. We were careful. We were secret. So how did it all go up in flames?

The elevator doors open and I storm over to my desk, setting my bag down and taking off my coat jacket.

"You and Rhys are together?" Mason asks as soon as I'm there.

"That's what it looks like." I mumble. I dump out my purse, trying to find everything I need. My phone, my wallet, my charger, my tablet, my perfume, my makeup bag — in case I need to fix my makeup. "Oh, no." I whisper.

"What?"

I go through all my stuff, trying to make sure I didn't drop it or get stuck anywhere. "No, no, no." My eyes begin to burn, and I feel a weight on my chest. "Why did this happen?" I whisper to myself. "How did this happen?"

"Naomi, you're scaring me, a little. Are-Are you okay?"

"No!" I snap, my voice cracking. "I'm not, okay?!" Tears begin to rush down my face, and I can't seem to get them to stop.

"Hey, it's okay." Mason has me sit down. "Don't stress yourself out. Take a deep breath, alright?" I inhale shakily, my hands shaking. "I'll be right back."

I manage to calm myself down, my tears finally stopping. I wipe them away and stand up, facing my desk.

My head snaps to the side as I feel a hand on my upper back. "Hey, what happened?"

I wave a hand, shaking my head as I swallow. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Naomi, that wasn't nothing." Mason speaks up.

"I'm fine, Mase. Just a small attack." I smile shakily at him.

"If this is about us getting out, I'm so sorry. I promise I didn't tell anyone." Rhys worries, his face scrunched together.

I press a hand to his chest. "I know. I trust you." I step away. "I'm going to get a coffee." I mumble, walking away to the break room. And maybe a few melatonins to knock my ass out. Anything is better than this.

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