The Last Round (19 page)

I breathe in and slowly let out some air. “These past few days have been amazing, Julian. But we were on a small break; our lives were on pause and we were able to fully enjoy each other. But, tomorrow we go back to our regular schedules. I’m booked tomorrow, now you are. Who knows what the week will look like for the both of us. You begin training and promoting your fight soon, which will probably mean you’ll be out at events and parties.”

He doesn’t say a word. Julian’s shoulders are growing tense. I continue.

“My point is, I finish filming the last of
Perfectly Damaged
in the studio this week. After that I have promo events as well. Then if I take this new role with Connely, they want to begin filming in February. Most of it is filmed in Chicago, but we’ll possibly be half the time in
Russia
,” I highlight, trying to show the importance of my statement. “When will we have time for us? I feel like our busy schedules are setting us up for failure already. I don’t want that.”

“What do you want me to do, Natalia? Quit?”

I narrow my eyes. “I would never ask you to give up boxing, and you know it. I know boxing is everything for you. I wouldn’t make you choose your love for boxing over me. I just . . .” I tear my stare away, looking down.

“I know.” He shakes his head in frustration as he cuts me off. “Listen to me, I just got you back, Natalia, and I’m not going to allow our careers to restrain our relationship. We’ll
make
time. I promise. It’s not going to be like it was. I won’t let it.”

“How do you know?” I stress, my eyes finding their way back to him. “My biggest fear is that we’ll end up like we were. And with the distance, Julian, what if you end up back to your old ways?”

His features twist sternly. I want to take it back just as quickly as it came out, because I know I’ve offended him.

“I’ve been doing well on my own for the past eight months.
Eight months
, Natalia,” Julian expresses. “Is it hard for me every day? Yes. Do I struggle with my urges sometimes? Yes. But you know what I’ve learned over the past few months? If I continue down that road, I’m going to lose everything, especially you. I’m learning every day to not take what I have for granted.” He shoves the blanket off of him and stands. “So, no, I will not end up back to my old ways.” Shaking his head, he lowers his tone. “I’m going to be downstairs for a bit,” he says as he walks out of the room.

I blankly stare at the door. He didn’t storm out, or raise his voice like he usually would. I feel like the biggest asshole now. I know he is trying his best and his main focus is to prove to me that he is changing. Slowly but surely.

With guilt settling in, I remove the sheets off of me and hop out of bed, lightly jogging toward the hallway. “Julian,” I shout out as I see him by the staircase. He stops and looks up at me. I meet him toe to toe.

“I’m sorry.”

A small grin pulls at his lips. “It’s fine. Want to watch a movie?”

I nod.

He pulls me into his side, I wrap my arm around his waist and together we walk down the stairs and into the theater room. If I can change anything and improve on our marriage, it would be this. To apologize when I’m wrong and not allow us to go to bed another night angry. I want this time around to be different, and that means not only Julian has to make a difference, so do I.

“I had to sneak out of the house at five this morning to not wake Julian, and meet Jamie and Heather at the hotel so they can give me a new look,” I say through the phone to Viviana as I step into the building. This morning I have the interview with Rose Jefferson of LA WEEKLY. Her new television show is airing a live special today.

“Did you see Julian’s live press conference this morning?” she asks.

“Yeah. I watched it this morning while getting ready. He was great as always.” Although it didn’t stop the nerves I’m feeling about where our relationship will go from here.

The secretary at the front desk directs me to the elevators and states my interview will take place on the tenth floor. I enter the elevator as I continue talking to my sister.

“What are you wearing?” she asks as always. Viviana wants to make sure my attire is appropriate for every event or interview I do.

“An all-white mini dress that has long sleeves. There’s gold studs all around the dress. I have on nude heels and gold stud earrings.” I clue her in. “I’m so exhausted, Viv. I’ve been up since five a.m. just to get ready, and Heather chopped my hair off! And Jamie did a classic smoky eye and nude lip.”

“You’re entire style sounds so classy and chic. You always look good. Do you love your hair?”

“I do, it looks so good. I needed a change. I posted a few photos on Instagram. Go check it out and let me know what you think.”

She squeals, “Yass! I can’t wait to see it. Okay, I’m going to get up and get ready. Don’t forget about your second interview today, and you go into the studio tomorrow to finish up any last scenes that need some finishing touches for
Perfectly Damaged
. And like we spoke earlier, you are definitely interested in
Concealed
, right?”

“Absolutely. I devoured the script last night. I definitely want in.”

“Sounds good. I’ll give Connely a call right now and see if we can get a contract drafted as soon as possible.”

Even though I’m extremely tired, I can’t help but feel excited and a burst of energy surges through me. I end the call with my sister after promising her I’ll make my second interview on time. I reach for my purse and shove the phone inside as I approach another secretary. I tell her who I am and who I’m here for.

“Natalia?”

My entire body stiffens. I can point out his voice from anywhere. Slowly, I turn around and search where the sound of my name came from. Sitting by the waiting area is Julian. He cautiously stands. His features look just as confused as mine. We gently take a few steps toward one another.

“Hey.” I lean in and give him a soft kiss on the lips. “What are you doing here?”

“I have an interview with Rose.”

Raising a brow, my chest restricts. Anger begins to boil within me. “Did she set this up? For the two of us to be here together?”

Julian shrugs. “I have no idea. It was a last minute interview. My PR rep set this up earlier this week. I was resistant at first, but they have been pushing me to take risks. She has this crazy idea that this is good for my image.”

“She thinks it’s a good image for you to face the woman who has clearly done nothing but bash your reputation?” I cross my arms. “Classic.” Angry for him, I look down, taking him in as I do. Julian has always dressed sophisticated, in business attire when it came to interviews, press conferences and any appearances. Which is one of the things I have always loved about him. He took his career seriously, when it came to the business part of it. He always worked hard, but in the past couple years, he played just a little harder.

His fingertips hook under my chin and he lifts my head. My eyes meet his. A small grin pulls at his lips, his eyes slowly take in my face. Julian’s thumb caresses my cheek before his hand finds its way to my hair. He twirls a strand between his fingers. “I like your hair like this.”

“Yeah?” I ask, my breath leaving out harsher than necessary.

He nods in approval. “It looks good on you.” His eyes trailing down the length of my body. “And that dress . . .” he groans. “I have a better idea . . .” He looks up, his eyes burning with desire.

“What’s that?” I play along, my body slowly pressing against his.

He groans again as my belly rubs against his growing erection. “Let’s skip this crappy interview and go back to my car.” He wiggles his brows.

I slap his arm and giggle. “I’m a lady!”

“And I’m a man on a mission to make you scream out my name in pleasure.”

Just as I’m thinking about even taking him up on his offer, because let’s face it, it sounds a lot more pleasurable than the interview we’re going to go through, someone comes out and interrupts us. “Julian, you’ll be up soon. Rose says she will be ready in fifteen minutes.”

Both Julian and I look over my shoulder and I find the same woman who was with him on the night of the gala. Her eyes land on me and she smiles. She walks over, extending her hand. “Hello, we were never properly introduced. I’m Kim Campos, Julian’s public relations manager.”

Oh. That’s right, I almost forgot in the midst of everything we have been going through. Politely I shake her hand. “Hello. Very nice to meet you; I’m Natalia.”

“I know who you are.” She tilts her head, her eyes examining me. “You’re more beautiful in person,” she says.

“Thanks?” I question rather than state. I try to stay positive and take it as a compliment.

Kim continues to stare at me as her eyes bounce from Julian to me and then back to Julian. “Are you here for an interview as well?” she asks me, straightening, her features beam as if an idea just lit up in her head.

“Yes,” I answer, but something in me feels like everything is about to change.

“I have an idea!”

Julian steps forward. “And that is?” he asks, his tone just as skeptical as my features.

“What if Rose Jefferson interviews the both of you together?” Her eyes widen as if it’s the best thing since sliced bread.

“No.”

“No.”

Both Julian and I agree as our answers blurt out in unison.

Kim’s shoulders drop. “This can be big for the both of you. Imagine.” She spreads her arms, forcing us to see the bigger picture. “If the two of you can pull this off, you will be loved by many. High school sweethearts, married for nine years, separated, but through it all still remain close friends.” She eyes the both of us for approval.

“Absolutely not,” I argue. “I will not use Julian and my relationship for views or an
image
. And not only are we remaining close friends, but we’re working on our relationship.”

“Even better!” Kim exclaims. “This is amazing. What better way to announce you’re back together than in a live interview together with Rose!”

My brows pinch together and my head slowly tilts toward Julian.
This bitch has to be kidding me.

“Um, Kim,” Julian warns after seeing my expression. “I agree. If she’s not ready to announce us yet, then I don’t want to force anything.”

Kim doesn’t seem to get the hint. She slowly backs away. “I’ll be back . . . this isn’t over,” she states as she pulls out her cell phone and begins to dial a number.

Wow. I turn to face Julian. “She’s persistent.”

“She is also the best, states my bank account,” he says with a chuckle. “What are you doing today? Have time for lunch with me?”

I press my lips. “I can’t. I have another interview.”

His smile broadens with pride. “You’re doing big things, I see.”

“I’m just going to be really busy with promoting the movie. It’s all a good busy, though. You know?”

“Oh, I know.”

“Okay, it’s settled!” Kim storms back into the room where we wait; she waves her phone in the air. “I’m on the phone with your manager, Natalia. She agrees that it’s best if you both do the interview together. Rose loves the idea as well.”

“Of course Rose does!” I say, angrier with my sister at this point. “Why are you on the phone with my manager?”

Kim shoves her phone in my face. “She wants to talk to you. Rose Jefferson, your sister and I came up with a plan that would be great. We decided instead of the forty minute each interview, we will have a total of forty-five minutes. The first fifteen minutes will be of the both of you answering of a few questions from Rose, and the other half will be answering questions from twitter fans. They will be questions that we choose during your first fifteen minute interview.”

I snatch the phone from Kim’s hand and storm off, giving my sister a piece of my mind.

Julian

Natalia walks away from Kim and me. It takes everything in me not to flip on Kim. I face her, my glare hardens. “What the hell are you thinking? We said no. What makes you think you can go behind our backs,
my
back and disobey our wishes?”

“Julian, you have no idea how great this is for the both of you. You should know better than anyone about the importance of a
good
image.” Kim straightens her posture, pointing a finger at my chest. “You should be thanking me, if anything.”