Can't Ignore Me
Josie's POV
Putting the matter of my job firmly out of my mind, I sashayed back to my terrified driver. I was going to concentrate solely on what I could control and nothing else.
Unfortunately, my job -if I haven't been fired yet- was not something I could control at the moment. Even if Mrs Lou were to give me my job back, I couldn't work until I'd ascertained that my father was just fine.
"To the Gran hotel, please." I murmured once I was back in the car. He nodded dully before making a u turn and driving away from the creepy house of mysterys. I made myself a promise to tip him generously, he had more than earned it.
The drive back to the city would take over one hour and an extra one hour hour to get to the prestigious hotel, meaning the paparazzi would be waiting for at least half an hour, depending on how early or late they got to the hotel. I spent that time making a reservation online for a conference room at the hotel.
I heard several disgruntled murmurings as I stood outside the door that led to the conference room and RuPaul's voice as he soothed them. It was a mean thing to do but I wanted them on the edge of their seats and tittering by the time I made my grand entry. A hush went through the room as they realize that I was present. Like a surge of wave, they sprang forward attacking me with inaudible questions. Involuntarily, I shifted back and back, almost falling on my butt.
"Enough!" RuPaul yelled authoritatively, pulling on my arm forcefully as he made himself my shield, my beacon in this sea of deranged vultures.
"We are all civilized ladies and gentlemen of the press. I understand that we are excited but that's enough reason to forget ourselves." He pulled me with him to a long table covered in green and sat me down. He plumpled his butt down next to me, faced the flashing lights and journalists poised with microphones and recorders and smartphones.
"Thank you all for being present at such short notice. My friend, Josie Braille has some important news to share with us all." He gestured to me.
I gulped and faced them once more as they waited in bated curiousiy. "I have brought some rather disheartening news for us all. Around two am yesterday, masked men broke into our home and kidnapped my father." Shocked gasps tore through everyone, including RuPaul who stared at me in horror.
As one, they lobbed so many questions at me, the cacaphony made my ears bleed. I held my hands up and begged for silence. It must have been my wincing and teary eyes that got through to Rupaul because once again, he rose to the occasion and shushed them.
"Miss Braille will answer all of your questions, but one at a time please." They quietened down somewhat an do was able to understand what they were saying.
"Do you know who did this?"
"No."
"Has there been a ransom note?" "Where's your sister?" "Where were you when this happened?" "Has the police been informed?"
I chose to answer the ones that were pertinent to my reason for being here. "No, well... yes."
"You sound a little confused there Josie. Which is it?" Someone chuckled.
"I mean yes, but I wasn't the one who informed them of the incident."
"Really? Who called the police?"
"My father's friend and business partner, Vladimir Sedof." A strange energy went through them at that and they forgot all about my missing dad and started asking me about Vladimir. I spoke over them and redirected the press conference into my original intent. "I have asked to speak to the press because all it takes these days is one post on social media and crazy stories will be flying everywhere. My sister and mum are at home. We are all worried sick for my father. We have no idea who could have done this or why. And no, there are no suspects as of now. All I know is that the police have been informed of my dad's dissapearnce and they are working tirelessly to find him. More than anything else, I'd like to thank Mr Vladimir Sedof for being such a strong hold of support for my family and I in this trying times." That caught the attention of the reporters and they buzzed like a million bees once more, throwing several questions at me at once, which I ignored.
"Mr Sedof has been as distraught as we are ever since this unfortunate event occurred and he is leaving no stone unturned to find his close frined. As a matter of fact, his exact words to me were, I'll find your father Josie. I will not rest until I do. I will comb every corner of this Earth until I find him. On my honor, I swear to you that I will bring your father safe and sound and you can hold me to this." They went batshit after that but fortunately, RuPaul got the hint when I tapped him discreetly under the table and he helped me escape the frenzied journalists.
I grinned maniacally as I jogged away from the Gran hotel. The fire had been lit, all I had to do now was watch as it's flames spread everywhere. Dear Mr Sedof couldn't dare ignore me now.