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@loveofcharacters
Hello Writers!
My name is Lane, I'm 25+ and will write with those who are also 25+ and have it listed on their blog. I am in pst timezone.
NEW PINNED - Updated March 2026
My activity status: I'm really busy. Probably won't reply unless plots been discussed.
I don't track my threads.
Using the Chat: I encourage it for plot purposes.
Starters are open to all writing partners for ✨forever✨
When Kade took his phone back he flipped through a few more of the messages, smiling to himself at what seemed to be mostly positive encouragement. He'd never been in a real relationship before. Most were just stunts or something to pass the time. It was definitely different with Chloe and the people around him clearly saw that. She was good for him, without a doubt. "Anyone who has anything negative to say isn't worth our time. It's going to happen, we both know that. But you're happy, right? I know I am. I know this is what I want. So this is just something we have to get through together. The interest will die down. It always does." He watched her look through her phone, hoping there was at least some positivity there, before settling back down beside her again and wrapping an arm around her middle. "And where would I go? I'm right where I want to be."
She pulled her knees to her chest, crossed her arms and rested on her knees as she looked at him. Taking a deep breath she smiled before lifting her head to look at him. "With you? Yeah, I'm happy." She uncrossed her arm and reached for his hand, "I like the sound of that... Together." She smiled, "I guess it's you and me against the world?" She chuckled lightly. As she looked through a few of the messages, she let out a sigh. "No negatives at least," She said her tone not holding the same relief it had when seeing his messages. "A lot of hesitancy from the team," she informed. "They'll get used to it. I'm hoping no one suddenly turns on me like Brenda did because of this." There were so many layers unfolding now. Having his arm wrap around her middle, she untangled herself and settled next to him. "I-" she stopped herself, that's the second time today she wanted to saw those risky three words. "I'm really lucky to have you in my life." She scooted closer to him, close enough to peck his lips. "I really wish we could have one of our shut out the world days today."
Listening to her read comments Kade suddenly wished he had been more adamant about her not looking. It was going to happen eventually but it didn't have to happen right away. The deeper she got into it the worse he felt and soon he was settling her phone down to instead open his own. She was trying to spin it in a positive light, to discuss the statement they needed to make, but he ignored her in favor of reading things aloud off his own phone screen. "I didn't know you and Chloe were dating - she's incredible. Don't mess this up!" His eyes didn't leave the screen as he kept going. "I hope she walks you like the dog you are. Congrats!" He glanced up this time. "There are more. And missed calls, voicemails. There's even one from my grandfather." He held the phone out to her. "These are people who actually know us. Coworkers, friends, family... people who matter."
Something in her felt guilty as he started looking through his own phone. Was he going to look too? Get obsessed with this like he'd warned her? She wanted to stop him, though maybe he deserved to read all the negative comments. Maybe they were right? When he started speaking it took her a second to register what he'd said, her head snapped to him, like hearing a message of support was astounding. Well in this scenario it kind of was. She gently grabbed his phone and scrolled through his text previews. All astoundingly positive, she stopped to chuckle at a one from his cast-mate 'You mean to tell me you worked beside me for TWO MONTHS acting normal while secretly dating Chloe??' she looked up at him and nodded "You're right, thank you," she smiled teary-eyed, offering his phone back to him. "You should read Ethans message," turning her attention back to her laptop, she took one more look at the article before deciding that these people didn't matter. She quit the tab and closed the laptop. Feeling inspired she opened her phone, her texts were mostly shock, but of course she'd had some concerned coworkers. Placing her phone down, as she's not sure how exactly to deal with her own outstanding notifications. "I would have spiralled even further if you weren't here."
He didn't want her to look and for a moment to long he held the screen in place before letting go. She was going to see it eventually but he definitely didn't think right now was a good time. Of course, Kade hadn't seen any of the comments himself he'd just been subject to them for as long as he could remember. There was rarely anything good enough to pay attention to. "Fine, okay. Through a research lens. Which means, you're gauging the public's reaction you are not taking anything negative to heart. People say mean shit on the internet because they think anonymity means they can be cruel. To you, to me, to us." He hated this. "And we limit how long we look. Because we can't obsess about this all day and we both know I will." Taking her phone he didn't do more than turn it over in his hands. "Babe, I am not going to go through your social media. That's a middle of the night, liking all your pics activity."
As his grip on the laptop screen loosened she slowly tilted it in order to see the comments. As he suggested, they were mean. The first she laid her eyes on was a bit of a blow, "I'm sorry but I would've kept this secret too" she read trying to force a chuckle, "You cannot tell me she didn't know exactly what she was doing." she read the next that stood out to her. "I thought Kade's standards were different, I'm just saying." Chloe looked to Kade as she read them aloud, "So not great..." she said softly, as she continued to read there were a mixed bag of negative comments, some directly criticizing her like: 'She literally looks like every blonde influencer copy-and-paste starter pack.', other targeting him 'Kade wtf!! You could have anyone and you chose her?' then there were a few that showed general distaste: 'Not me getting mad over a relationship that has nothing to do with me.'. Overall, Kade was right. Maybe this was a bad idea, she knew people could be mean, but directed at her or her boyfriend or relationship, it hurt. Then her eyes finally caught a good one, "Wait, there's a positive one... '"'Okay why is this a big deal? It's a shock yes, but it's not like this is a Leo age gap situation?? This is the celebrity equivalent of dating your coworker. Can y'all grow up?'" Chloe looked at him, "Positive-ish," She could see how getting sucked in would be so easy. She found one positive, she was almost eager to find another, her eyes scanned through about a dozen more comments, but each hurt a little more than the last simply at the quantity. "There are so many," she looked up at total comments and it's grown by six hundred just in the last few minutes, "They really hate me," she whispered feeling the pang of hurt in her chest. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea." she sniffled, holding the tears at bay, "We can work with this," she said trying to be strong though her slight lip quiver betrayed her. "We can add a few more details to the... uh... the statement," she struggled to get out.
"It's rude but it tracks with the stupid things I've done. But I've made a lot of progress so of course there are people out there looking for me to slip." Chloe was definitely not just some drunken hook up but Kade knew what tabloids were like. Whatever sounded most scandalous got the most clicks. Clicks meant money. "A little. Just makes me want to solidify that we are in an actual relationship." It did make sense what she was saying about not mentioning the 'workplace relationship.' He could fight technicalities all day he understood why people thought that was what this was. "... yeah, that's why you're part of my team because I never would have thought of that until well after the fact. I can be mad about it but we don't have to mention it. Just makes me look guilty when I've done nothing wrong." He lunged forward when she stated she was going to read the comments and pushed the laptop so the screen was tilted down. Kade hadn't wanted to shut it on her fingers but he knew what she was doing was definitely the wrong idea. "No, no comments. That's where things get nasty because people have this idea that they know me and know what's best for me. It's best to avoid that."
Nodding along with his plan to solidify their relationship to the public she pushed her uncertainties down because this was more a big picture moment she needed to keep in mind. Both as his girlfriend but as a member of his team. "Exactly you haven't done anything wrong, the article was basically a trap. Which is why the statement should be clean, clear and simple." her eyes scanned the laptop screen until it was propped at 15 degrees. "Hey, Kade-" she looked up at him interrupting his protest. "If we avoid it, we're turning a blind eye to research, or like that round table thing the producers do like a screen test to gague audience reactions..." the name for it escaped her, "Whatever that thing is called, reading the comments is like that but for the statement." Maybe she was naive to all this, but she knew she couldn't avoid bad comments for forever. Maybe looking at them through a research lense it would be easier to digest. "I'm bound to face the negative comments, what are the chances my own social media is filled with mean opinions." she reached for her phone and gave it to him.
aurora's breath caught when his hands touched her face. it was ridiculous how easily he still affected her, even after everything. after all the time and distance between them, not to mention everything that had happened. as he leaned down, aurora's fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket and when he kissed her it made her chest ache with the reminder of what they used to be before everything had become so complicated and dangerous and impossible. she kissed him back anyway, because they were pretending to be a normal couple, and this was perhaps the only chance they would get to do so. she hadn't thought much about what getting rid of her father might mean for them because she didn't expect to survive that long, but she thought it might look something like this. being able to kiss him out in the open without worrying who might see them. "i missed you too," she murmured. "just like, a little bit."
He let out a chuckle, "I think it was more than a little bit," he winked. Thinking of what they've been through, the highs and lows, his heart broke for her. He felt lucky to hold her and kiss her again. He pulled away and instead of sitting in the chair opposite her, he leaned against the high table, wanting as little space between them that was socially acceptable. He scanned her face, drinking in her beauty with such adoration. He smiled gently, pulling back on every intention to get serious with this role-play. He'd tell her he loved her, he'd pull out the engagement ring that inspired him to go to her apartment instead of her father at the clubhouse which in reality was a suicide mission. He wants nothing more than to comfort her the way he used to instead of allowing her to walk away. "As your normal boyfriend, I should tell you," he paused smiling gently. "You're beautiful," looking into her eyes he saw so much pain, “and as my normal girlfriend you should know that I will always show up when you need me. You won’t be alone, you’ll always have someone who wants to be the person you come home to.” He stared at her intensely letting his tone convey that he isn’t speaking behind a ploy anymore, “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he paused almost to silently insert the word ‘anymore’ to keep this charade going.
archie's grip on erin tightened slightly when she asked him to stay. he looked down at their joined hands, at the way she held onto him like she thought he might disappear if she let go. the way things were right now, he probably would have, if she hadn't said it like that. "you're making it really hard to leave," he murmured with the faintest hint of a smile. in some ways she was right - nothing good was waiting for him out there tonight. just family chaos and the constant feeling that the ground beneath him was about to give out. or maybe he just didn't want to leave regardless. he slid his arms around her waist and let out a slow breath before resting his forehead lightly against hers. "early," he repeated softly, unsure if he was trying to convince himself or erin. "i'll leave early."
Eden hummed in response to his ever so small of a smile, she knew that she had him. Feeling sure of herself, she started to pull him deeper into her apartment, acting as if with every step he took away from the door the more sure she was he'd stay. "Okay," she said pulling him to her bedroom. "You'll leave early," she agreed, smiling as she closed the space between them. "I'll set my alarm to... 10:00am." she murmured as she re-connected their lips as she passed through the threshold of their bedroom. She knew that wouldn't be early but she could always hope.
While Chloe read the article aloud, Kade listened carefully and dressed himself. There was a lot there that sounded bizarre to him. Everything from the lack of connections (he knew at least a dozen people that knew both of the potential girls that weren't Chloe, of course he could know them) to the part that called this a potentially scandalous employer/employee relationship.
"Sounds like a load of bullshit." Announcing his opinion, he moved to sit back down on the edge of the bed, still looking messy but at least more awake. "Sounds like someone took a picture somewhere they weren't supposed to be and accidentally saw something private and then put it out there for everyone to dissect. Sell it to a tabloid, profit. It's probably this same 'source' that's listed." He could spend all day trying to think back to everyone there that might have made a profit off of him. "Aside from the fact that people are trying to dig into your life, which isn't fair, I didn't hear much about you that was negative. It was more directed at inappropriate workplace relationships, or maybe that just stuck out to me because it's not true and it makes me mad. People want to know who you are. Which is better than what usually gets said in articles like this that also involve me."
Staring as he walked from the closet to the bed, there was something comforting about the tinge of anger from his statement. Looking back over to the screen, she realized he was right. The article was pretty tame, more speculatory than anything diminishing or degrading. "I was more annoyed at the suggestion that we were just a drunken hook up." she looked at him, "Yeah, I didn't even think about them trashing me at first, I was more worried about them wanting to know me." she clarified. "Also, I haven't looked at the comments, this author gave a lot of heavy suggestions for fans or haters to run with." She sighed, "Does this help at all with the statement? I feel like what you suggested earlier was still pretty good." She looked at him, "I know your pissed about the workplace relationship, but you can't put it in the statement because that's what we were. If you go into details about how I'm not technically you're employee you're going to look guilty, like you're trying to avoid the fact that you slept with your assistant." She reached and grabbed her computer acting on a thought. "We should look at the comments, if we know what they're saying, we can write something better." She adjusted her position so he could see the screen as she scrolled to the bottom of the page.
"My mom likes you. You've already made the impression that matters." Kade knew it was unrealistic to always give a good impression but for right now he wouldn't dissect what Chloe wanted. If it made her feel better, he'd let her have it. He also didn't think Grace would really mind if his girlfriend was having an off day. "Remind you as often as you need," he flashed her a smile, hoping a more positive attitude would help the situation a little. As Chloe sorted through her devices and the depths of the internet Kade began rummaging through his closet for something to wear. There was no way he was getting all dressed up and going anywhere today so he just wanted something comfortable. "Absolutely. I haven't looked at it beyond the picture so I don't even really know what it says." It hadn't mattered. Chloe mattered more. "Whoever leaked that though, now that I think about it, must have not been there for long. I remember kissing you that night. We were there for a few minutes. Not getting out of hand or anything but still."
"No, I know, but I don't want her to change her mind," she offered weakly. She looks at the situation with Brenda, how quick she turned on her when the relationship with her son ended. She cares too much about Kade to have it happen again. On the surface she knows Grace is completely different and the chances of her turning on her are slim, but her anxiety pushes forward with the reminder that there's always still a chance. Facing her computer screen she took a deep breath to calm her nerves and began reading.
The Article
Chloe paused after finishing the last sentence, needing a moment to collect her thoughts and her emotions. "Okay, so," she paused again navigating her emotions, placing the laptop beside her on the bed. "First of all, I hated that." She said quietly, there was a lot to digest, a lot of assumptions and narratives that comments could easily work with. "What do you think?"
Background Detail in Leaked Photos Sparks Rumours of Secret Relationship Between Kade Conroy and Assistant
What started as a routine set of event photos has suddenly turned into one of Hollywood's biggest talking points this week after fans noticed an unexpected detail hidden in the background. The images, originally posted from an invite-only industry gathering intended to remain private, weren't focused on Kade Conroy at all. Instead, Conroy is captured all smiles mid-embrace with a mystery woman several feet behind the main subjects of the photos, partially out of focus and seemingly unaware they had been captured on camera.
From there, the internet did what it does best. In a matter of hours, social media users zoomed in on the image, comparing height, hairstyles, facial profiles, and outfits to smaller blonde names in the industry. Some were convinced that Conroy was caught with up-coming actress Zoe Harding, more commonly known for her role in thriller-drama 'Sparks', while others were sure it was, fashion and lifestyle influencer, Lana Davenport. There was talk as to whether maybe this was someone from a new project, but none of these theories made sense.
"There wasn't a single connection people could find," one fan wrote online. "Even if it was one of the actresses being named, how would they even know each other?"
In another image from the same event, the mystery woman could reportedly be seen holding what appeared to be a familiar leather bag and phone case combination. Internet users quickly connected it to several behind-the-scenes airport and paparazzi photos from previous years where Kade's assistant had been carrying the same items. Suddenly everything clicked.The mystery woman wasn't an actress or influencer at all. Fans had allegedly identified Conroy's longtime personal assistant, Chloe Redwood.
Neither Conroy nor his representatives have publicly commented on the images, but one question has quickly taken over online discussions: Who is Chloe Redwood?
Unlike Conroy, Redwood has kept a very low profile despite reportedly being one of the people closest to the actor professionally. According to sources familiar with Conroy's team, Redwood, 29, has worked as his personal assistant for nearly three years and handles much more than simple scheduling. When asked about Redwood, the source initially seemed confused, "Why are you asking about Chloe?" was their immediate question. After further questioning, they explained, "She's basically his right hand," one source claimed. "People around Kade know Chloe. If something needs to happen, Chloe's usually the one making it happen." When asked directly about the possibility of a romantic relationship between the two, the source appeared genuinely caught off guard. "Romantic relationship? What are you talking about?" they responded, seemingly unaware of the rumors now spreading online. We at 'Exposed' wonder if that reaction may suggest their secret was even more closely guarded than fans initially thought — if there was a secret at all. After all, could this simply be a private potential drunken moment between two adults being interpreted as something more? Is this a hidden relationship or a scandalous hook up between employer and employee?
Before joining Conroy's team, Redwood reportedly worked in talent management and event planning, earning a reputation for being highly organized and intensely private — a detail that has fans even more surprised by the sudden attention. Longtime followers have also pointed out that Redwood has quietly appeared in the background of behind-the-scenes content, airport photos, and pre-red-carpet preparation clips over the past year, though many assumed she was simply another member of Conroy's staff, not his girlfriend.
As for what the leaked images actually mean? Neither side has confirmed anything. But if the internet has proven anything over the last 24 hours, it's that fans have already started connecting dots of their own.
Grace liked Chloe. Kade knew this to be fact because she had told him as much. Granted, that meant he'd told her a little more about their relationship than he let on to his girlfriend but hiding things from his mom was hard. If he knew even for a second that Chloe thought that concern was a burden he would have swooped her up and insisted differently. "It would have been okay if she had. She wouldn't judge you. She's sort of been in your shoes." Minus the leak, of course. It was more that when Grace and Henry first showed themselves publicly there was a lot of scrutiny. A lot of people assume she was just trying to get further in her career but, in reality, his parents were just in love. "I think I can give that." He smiled, hands holding her waist as neither made an attempt to leave. Instead he met her at her kiss, letting himself get just as lost. "That's all you needed?" He teased, picking himself up off the bed once she was off his lap. If he didn't get dressed now he never would. "I think after we address this and talk to my mom, because we can't avoid that, we just go about our lives as normal. We can't let this control everything. It's still just you and me at the end of the day."
"I know," she admitted, Grace wasn't the type of person to judge her. She got that impression loud and clear the first night they met. She'd never thought she'd have such a casual conversation with her situationships mom. Even if they were teatering more at the time, it was clear she could be free of judgement. Yet breaking free from the traditions or values instilled in her upbringing was a continuous battle and something she was ashamed of. "Still, I want your mom to always have a good impression of me." Getting lost in her boyfriends embrace was the best idea, "For now," she teased in reply. The clench of anxiety in her shoulder blades started to loosen as they went back to their usual banter. Like this morning hadn 't happened... god she wished it hadn't. "Right." She found joy and a little humour in his pep talks, "I'm going to need that reminder every once in a while." this scenario seemed silly to ned one yet here they were. "Time to face reality." she announced and walked back to her phone in the other room. As she re-entered the bedroom with her phone, she decided she might as well rip the bandaid off and look at her laptop too. "Okay, notifications aren't too high... a lot are the google alerts." she informed while sitting back on the bed with her laptop on her lap. "I'm not ready to the look at that," placing the phone down, she took a deep breath and opened the laptop. It wasn't any easier seeing her face so clearly looking back at her, though analysing the image, it was obvious they were both happy. It wasn't actually a gross photo, they were half smiling at each other as their lips were less than inches apart. "an I read this out loud to you? Maybe we can have a better idea of what to write in the statement? I think," she paused navigating her anxiety, "I think I'd feel a bit better reading out to someone."
"It's been a stressful morning." It was easy enough to dismiss the slight oddness behind that smile but Kade was willing to overlook it. He'd not even been awake for an entire hour and today had already been a lot. "She didn't mention it but knowing her, she might." Kade was pretty sure that was the intention behind her call, to let him know she was circling. They were pretty in sync with one another, so Kade could usually tell what his mother's next steps were. "She didn't mention anything. Honestly, she was more worried about you. That was the motherly concern phone call. Later, when she's given us what she thinks is an appropriate amount of time to deal with the shock, she'll let me in on more of that." There was no doubt in his mind that Kade and Chloe had been left out of some conversations this morning and, honestly, it was for the best. "I'm gonna get dressed and draft that statement, okay? I'll let you look over it. But, babe? Don't get lost in your phone. People say nasty things because they think internet anonymity means they can be awful people. It's gonna suck at first and I'm sorry for that."
Chloe nodded as he gave a little insight on Grace's intentions, knowing his mom was worried about her made her feel a mix of a emotions. Obviously, and the strongest emotions at the forefront is the immediate feeling of being a burden on her, that Grace's worrying was her fault. She'd been learning to break apart those natural reactions and at least not react. The other side of her feels the love a girl is meant to feel when a motherly figure shows concern. That was a feeling that she'd only recently started getting comfortable with. "I'm glad she didn't hear my hysterics," Chloe murmured, "I'd feel extra bad," she sighed and nodded, then his direct warning to her looking at her phone caused her to take a deep breath "Okay, I'll try." While they both said they'd leave, she didn't make any more to get off his lap. "I think I just need some encouragement," She leaned in to kiss him sweetly, her hands playing with his hair as she got lost in him for a second. She wanted just enough where the world didn't exist for just a little while. Her smile broke their kiss, "Okay, now I'm ready." she pecked him once more before climbing off his lap.
They could write it down in a little bit. Kade wasn't going to forget. Right now he didn't feel like he needed to cater to the public considering what they were dealing with was an invasion of their privacy. They would make their statement soon, before his mom and the rest of his team got ahold of it, but it could wait a few minutes while he continued to just hold Chloe. "Yeah, that was an interesting night." He laughed, sighing softly at her touch. "I think I knew right then that I could trust you. Not because you bailed me out but because you wouldn't listen to my bullshit. My actions were regrettable but I don't take back anything that's happened since that night." He didn't think that they would be where they were had he not been in that cell. Fearing getting too sappy, Kade just leaned into her kiss, brow raised as she started to talk but just tilting his head and asking "Huh?" without really pressing. "You good, babe?"
"It helped that you were forced to finally hear me behind those locked bars." Chloe smiled at him thinking fondly as the memories of their relationship spring to mind. As he leaned back and gave her a look resembling a mix between a confused puppy dog and slight concern she's brought back to what she was about to admit. I love you. "Y-yeah," she forced a smile, "I'm good," she couldn't believe she'd almost revealed that. It was so natural, almost a visceral reaction despite the internal surprise. "Did you say your mom was planning to come over at some point today?" She asked wanting a distraction from her thoughts, she needed time alone to make sense of that. "I should probably check my phone before she does." The thought of unlocking her phone made her tense, but this was her job now. "I wonder if anyone's contacted me... usually when there's a leak I'm the person they contact to organize this for you but this time... I'm the leak." she said softly. "I wonder if the team just went straight to your mom. Did she mention anything on the phone?"
It wasn't that Kade didn't trust his mother to come up with something that sounded heartfelt and came from a genuine place it was simply that he didn't want to run it through the machine. It needed to be real, like his feelings, and his mom wasn't in this relationship. He was. "She said we could talk about it later, actually... so, yeah, I'd like to do something before that." Grace was just giving them space to figure it out but Kade knew, while well meaning, that she knew the industry well and would want to help him more than he needed her to. "Just something honest. Like... 'while I love my fans there are parts of my life that don't belong to them. I found a girl who makes my whole world a little brighter and while she shines for me we weren't ready for everyone else to know. It breaks my heart to know that someone took what was meant to be a private moment and made it public without our consent.'" It sounded a little rehearsed, like he'd read this all somewhere before, but he continued. "I hope some day all of you can love her like I do but please give us some space and privacy." Lifting a hand, he carded fingers through her hair, offering a soft smile. That kiss really did make things better. "Yeah but it's still my fault. I did a lot of stuff before that I wish I hadn't."
Chloe nodded, "Okay," she was a little unsure about making a statement or speaking out without going through Grace or the rest of the team she was technically also a part of. "That was perfect," she nodded in response to his pitched statement. "It's sounds genuine and honest. We should probably write that down somewhere." She made to move to find a pen and paper but stopped when his fingers ran through her hair. Her kryptonite. She returned his smile, "Really? You mean you regret getting arrested?" She said sarcastically recalling a memory when she was called to collect him from the city jail. "Do you remember when you told me I was too loud to be white noise?" She laughed lightly, "You were so mad and as pissed off as I was at you, it was sexy seeing you behind bars." She chuckled, "I think that's why I was a bitch to you. I couldn’t have feelings for you unless they were hatred. " She verbalised aloud, "Or maybe it was knowing you needed to listen to me, or that I won against your stubborn side. Gave me a little thrill." She chuckled, brushing some of his hair out of his face. She hadn't realised that he'd changed from the man she remembered in the cell, he seemed lighter now. Thinking back to the guy behind bars who now to her looked sad, maybe a little lost, but more or less lonely. Her heart ached at seeing this memory in a new light based on the guy she really knows him to be. She suddenly wanted to comfort him, which didn't make sense because how to can you console someone from the past. Instead she leaned in and re-connected their lips for another lasting embrace. "I-" whoa, was she about to say... no they weren't ready or emotions today are too high... but she felt that way for him right? She isn't sure if she's internally asking or convincing herself.
“We were just outed, of course we’re not a secret.” she let out a chuckle disguised as a scoff. “I don’t think we should deny it. You would be labelled something awful and I don’t think we have the option of making something up. I mean we were caught red handed.” She explained, “I think we’d be better off just making some sort of statement that maybe can lighten the situation while shaming the person who invaded our privacy but in a… classy way.” Chloe shrugged and said the first thing to come to mind, “Something like, 'We weren’t ready to be introduced as a couple but I’m very happy with my girlfriend and ask that you respect her privacy.'” She didn't think anything they said that wasn't the truth would have been accepted. It would have dragged on in the press and she wanted nothing more than for the media to find someone else to look at. "I'm really not that special. I'm an average girl. The only thing that makes me special is dating you." truthfully she isn't sure she wants the world knowing anything about her. She hates what they've learned through public records. "Well you're in luck," she replied jokingly in a sarcastic way. "Anyone who saw that photo would probably say the same."
"I just had to make sure." Kade offered a soft smile, a little timid about admitting his desire to be public with Chloe. This wasn't him though. He'd never do it like this. A stolen kiss during what they thought was a private, camera free function sold to tabloids was not in any way romantic. He also didn't want to come off like he felt that he was benefitting from the misfortune. This should have been their choice, after ample discussion, together as a couple. "I don't want my mom or my PR team getting ahold of this. If I'm going to talk about you, it's going to be genuine. I don't want anyone to filter what I'm going to say. Except you, obviously. So I think, if we're going to say something, we should do it before I start getting more phone calls." He was sure a few had come through but after hanging up with his mom he put the phone on silent and ignored it the best he could. "But you are wrong about that, you know. You're incredibly special and it has nothing to do with me. You're brilliant, you're gorgeous and for whatever reason you picked an asshole like me. I'm lucky." He stopped to kiss her, because he needed it and it felt like maybe she did too. "Eh, my reputation is probably painting it in a bad light and I'm sorry for that."
Kade adamantly not wanting to go through their crisis team didn’t surprise her, though she would have thought bringing in Grace would have been a smart move. Chloe was confident he was receiving calls. She probably has a ton of her own notifications waiting for her in the other room. “So you’re suggesting we publish something really soon…like today? Your mom’s already called you, I’d bet money she’s already on it.” She commented, though not wanting o doubt him she continued “What would you want to say?” She asked. Grace might have been the first person she called for help on this. She was so good at it, she’s also been through this herself when she met Kade’s father. Why her input wasn’t welcome here was lost on her, but she trusted Kade. Chloe was about to make a comment or argue but welcomed the interruption of his kiss. She melted into his embrace and his kiss calming every last frayed nerve in her body. She hummed as they pulled apart, “I needed that,” she smiled before leaning in to press a quick peck on his lips. “I don’t think you need to apologize. If we’d had it our way you reputation wouldn’t be the centre of attention and we wouldn’t have as much… shock value, I guess?”
For awhile Kade just held her, mirroring her hold, squeezing when she did. It seemed like she needed it, like she almost relaxed in his embrace and he totally understood. Some days all he wanted to do was bury himself in his bed, the weight of the pillows never enough. Lately, on those kinds of days, Chloe would be there sometimes and everything felt a little easier when she would press up against him. The two of them were definitely figuring out how to be a couple but it wasn't fair to either that this had gotten out without their consent. Chloe was right, they weren't going to be a secret forever, but they were supposed to be allowed their own time to navigate this. It wasn't the first time something about Kade had been in the media that was supposed to be for him only but that didn't make it hurt any less. That hurt mostly existed for Chloe who was dealing with this for the first time and entirely unprepared on how to handle it. "You and my mom, man," he chuckled, looking up at her, finding her eyes. When he wasn't sitting he was so much taller than her that this was rare but he did like it a lot. Her touch was gentle and relaxing even though he knew she was the one who needed the soothing. Didn't matter, he supposed. They could be there for each other. "So... we aren't a secret anymore?" Even though it was definitely out there the two of them actually acknowledging it was something else entirely. They could have ignored it, denied it, come up with some story but that wasn't really what Kade wanted. "'Cause I never really wanted you to be a secret. Wish everyone knew how special you are. But I also understand why it was necessary... I just... I dunno. I have a lot of feelings about you and none of them are easy to hide."
“We were just outed, of course we’re not a secret.” she let out a chuckle disguised as a scoff. “I don’t think we should deny it. You would be labelled something awful and I don’t think we have the option of making something up. I mean we were caught red handed.” She explained, “I think we’d be better off just making some sort of statement that maybe can lighten the situation while shaming the person who invaded our privacy but in a… classy way.” Chloe shrugged and said the first thing to come to mind, “Something like, 'We weren’t ready to be introduced as a couple but I’m very happy with my girlfriend and ask that you respect her privacy.'” She didn't think anything they said that wasn't the truth would have been accepted. It would have dragged on in the press and she wanted nothing more than for the media to find someone else to look at. "I'm really not that special. I'm an average girl. The only thing that makes me special is dating you." truthfully she isn't sure she wants the world knowing anything about her. She hates what they've learned through public records. "Well you're in luck," she replied jokingly in a sarcastic way. "Anyone who saw that photo would probably say the same."
"she scares us all," archie said as he walked over the threshold. some of the tension receded a bit; he was glad to be inside and not out in the open, even if realistically he knew that being behind a closed door wouldn't stop anyone from arresting him. when erin placed her hands against his chest, more of that tension started to ease. her touch was like a balm. even more so when she began to point out his lack of injuries and incarceration. his earlier conviction that he would be arrested has lessened somewhat. surely it would have happened by now? at least, that's what he kept trying desperately to convince himself. "i was worried about you." there was any number of people who could use her to get even, as leverage, as bait. the danger of that was generally quite high, but now more than ever. "i can't stay long," he murmured. he had to find out what the hell was going out, not just for his own sanity but for erin's safety too.
The ink isn't even dry on Naomi's departure and yet beyond her own anxiety that someone knew the part she played, there was comfort in Archie. Comfort she is not supposed to have. He was her target, but he's grown to be so much more than that. "I'm not the one claiming to have a warrant for their arrest." She didn't want him to leave, she didn't want him potentially learning her part in Naomi's plan, she didn't want him arrested or killed as he presumed he'd be. None of those things can happen if he stays in her sights. Thinking of how to navigate this, she let out a deep breath and snuggled her head into his shoulder for a few seconds enjoying his warmth before calmly saying, "Yes you can," she pulled back gently to look at him with a assurance in her eyes. "It's midnight, nothing good can come out of you leaving," she said as a matter of fact not letting go of him. She lifted her arm off his shoulder and reached for his hand, "You can leave early," she was prepared to say whatever she could to convince him to stay. "but please, stay." she whispered, softly pleading. "I'd rather not sleep alone,"
