APOLOGY CHAPTER 30- APOLOGY +25 BONUS BRANDY I was scared to face Larry . Not especially after that video and knew he wouldn't waste a second to pin it on me . This was so stupid . I should've thought things through to avoid mishaps like this . I just didn't think and act . I forgot about the security cameras that were nearby and I knew Maya had never been smart to think that far . It's because of that stupid brother of hers . He ruined everything and now , I needed to come up with a solution . A way to get this swept under the camper and more importantly- I needed to find a way to get Larry to forgive me . But I wouldn't let this go slightly . And may have ruined my plans , but I couldn't stop until I made her pay for everything she's done . She may have won this round , but it's far from over and this is just the beginning . Mays would regret ever messing with me . " Miss Brandy , " a maid snapped me out of my thoughts . " Mr Larry is back and he requests your presence . " I felt my blood run cold as I thought of the fact that Larry must be fuming right now . This was bad . This was so bad . The big mansion suddenly felt so small and escape was inevitable . " O - Okay , " my voice croaked . " I'd be there in a second . " She gave me a little bow and left the room . I tried to calm myself down , taking multiple breaths as a way to control the uneasiness I was feeling . I mustered enough courage and walked to the living room where Larry was . He sat down on one of the couches , a glass of whiskey swirling in his hands . Why was it so hard to breathe ? We just stood there . Staring at each other . I expected him to say something . I expected him to flare out and scold me but he remained quiet and if anything , this only terrified me . " Larry , I'm so sorry . I didn't mean for any of this to happen and I'm ready to help and do whatever it takes to find a solution . " He looked at me and back at the whiskey . I'm his hands . " You don't have to tell me twice because you're going to help clean up this mess you made , " he told me . I swallowed back my saliva , preparing myself for whatever consequences I had to face . This was not going to end well . " Anything , Larry . I'm ready to do anything , " I assured him . He took a sip of his whiskey . " You're going to apologize to Maya , " he informed me . That was easy . I could fake an apology . " We're holding a press conference and you're going to apologise to the public , the mall and Maya , " he further explained . I felt the color drain from my face . Like blood just left my whole body . A press conference ? He wanted me to stand in front of cameras ... and say sorry ? To Maya ? To the whole world ? My lips parted , but nothing came out at first . I just stood there , staring at him like a statue . I couldn't believe what I just heard . My chest started to feel tight and my palms got sweaty . " W - Wait , " I stammered . " You want me to apologize ... publicly ? " 1/2 APOLOGY +25 BONUS Larry didn't even look at me . He was still holding his glass , staring at the brown liquid like it was more important than me . " Yes , " he said plainly . " That's exactly what I said . " " No , " I shook my head quickly . " Larry , I can't do that . That's too much . It's humiliating . Everyone already hates me . I can't stand in front of them and say sorry . I'll be a joke . They'll laugh at me . " He finally looked up at me . And the look in his eyes ? It scared me . " Humiliating ? " he repeated , his voice low . " Do you think I care about your feelings right now ? " " Larry , please , " I tried to argue , my voice shaking a little . " We can fix this another way . I can write a letter or post something on social media . I can stay low for a while until things calm down . But a press conference ? That's too big . I'm not doing that . " on the t His jaw clenched . He slowly placed the whiskey glass down on the table , then stood up . He was taller than me - always has been - but now , with the anger in his eyes , he felt ten times bigger . He stepped closer . I backed away a little . " You don't get to decide what you're doing , " he said , his voice rising just a little . " This mess ? You caused it . You dragged Maya . You humiliated her in front of everyone . You lied . And now the company is getting dragged because of it . I'm getting dragged . " " But- " " No , Brandy ! " he snapped , pointing at me . " I could lose everything ! My position , my shares , my name - everything I've worked for ! And you want to talk about feeling embarrassed ? " I swallowed hard . " Let me make this very clear , " he continued , stepping even closer . " You're going to that press conference . You're going to apologize to Maya . To the public . To the mall . To every damn person that saw that video . Whether you like it or not . " I couldn't breathe . I opened my mouth to argue again but his glare stopped me . " And if you don't ? " he said , folding his arms . " Then don't bother staying here another night . I'll cut you off . Publicly . I'll tell everyone the truth myself . And I won't protect you anymore . " I gasped . " You wouldn't- " " I would , " he said firmly . That's when I knew he wasn't bluffing . Larry was mad and no matter what I said , I couldn't change his mind . I lowered my head and bit my lip hard . " Fine , " I muttered . " What ? " he asked , like he didn't hear me . I raised my voice a little . " I said fine . I'll do it . " He nodded slowly , then walked past me like I wasn't even there . I stood there alone for a few seconds , heart pounding in my chest . A press conference . An apology . In front of cameras and strangers and the internet . This wasn't how I wanted things to go . But I had no choice . I had to clean up my mess - even if I had to do it with fake tears and a forced smile .