Chapter 6 - The Video
Sebastian waited until one week before Nora’s grand opening.
Then he posted his version of the story.
The video was edited carefully.
Nora appeared angry.
Sebastian appeared calm.
Vivian was shown only briefly.
The stolen phone was missing.
The wrist grab was missing.
The broken heel was missing.
The caption read:
HOTEL EMPLOYEE ATTACKS GUEST AFTER PRIVATE DISAGREEMENT.
By noon, the video had millions of views.
Nora’s new shop page filled with comments.
Some people defended her.
Others called her violent.
Some threatened to boycott a business that had not even opened yet.
Vivian arrived carrying her phone.
“He finally did it.”
Nora was stacking books.
“I saw.”
“Matteo wants to speak with you.”
“No.”
Vivian blinked.
“You don’t know what he wants.”
“I know exactly what he wants.”
“What?”
“To solve it.”
Vivian smiled slightly.
“Yes.”
“I’m not shutting Sebastian down with twenty security vehicles.”
“Twelve.”
“Still excessive.”
Vivian sat on the counter.
“Then what do you want?”
Nora put down the book.
“The truth.”
Vivian nodded.
“Good.”
They made the response that afternoon.
No dramatic music.
No threats.
No Matteo.
Just Vivian sitting inside the unfinished bookstore.
She spoke directly to the camera.
“My name is Vivian Moretti. The woman in Sebastian Vale’s video is Nora Hayes.”
She explained everything.
The wrist grab.
The stolen phone.
The humiliation.
The hotel management’s reaction.
Then she played the relevant section of the original audio and hotel security footage.
Sebastian’s voice was clear.
So was Nora’s.
The reaction changed almost instantly.
Within hours, Sebastian deleted his video.
Too late.
The story had already spread.
By evening, reporters were outside the Calder.
Charles Whitaker issued an apology.
Vivian refused to appear beside him.
The hotel announced new harassment-response procedures and accessibility training.
Sebastian posted a statement saying his actions had been “misinterpreted.”
The internet was not impressed.
That evening, Matteo arrived at the bookstore.
Nora was sitting on the floor surrounded by unopened boxes.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“That answer sounds dishonest.”
“I’m tired.”
“That sounds accurate.”
He sat across from her on the floor.
Nora looked at him.
“Do you normally sit on construction dust in thousand-dollar pants?”
“No.”
“Special occasion?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
Matteo looked around.
“Your opening is in six days.”
“If people still come.”
“They will.”
“You sound certain.”
“I’m usually certain.”
“That must be exhausting for everyone around you.”
“It is.”
Nora leaned back against a box.
“Vivian handled today perfectly.”
Matteo nodded.
“She did.”
“You stayed out of it.”
“She asked me to.”
Nora looked at him.
“Was that difficult?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
Matteo continued.
“But she doesn’t need me fighting every battle.”
“No.”
“She just needs to know I’m there if she asks.”
Nora looked at him for a long moment.
“That sounds familiar.”
Matteo glanced at her.
“I learned it recently.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Matteo said, “Have dinner with me.”
Nora blinked.
“Now?”
“No.”
“When?”
“After the opening.”
“Why?”
Matteo frowned slightly.
“Because that’s how dinner invitations work.”
“No. Why are you asking?”
He looked at her.
“Because I like you.”
Nora smiled.
“That sounded painful.”
“It was.”
“Ask properly.”
Matteo sighed.
“Nora Hayes, would you have dinner with me after your opening?”
She let the silence stretch.
Matteo narrowed his eyes.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.”
Then she nodded.
“Yes.”
Matteo exhaled.
“One condition,” Nora added.
“Of course.”
“No convoy.”
“How many cars?”
“One.”
“That’s unreasonable.”
“One car.”
“Two.”
“One.”
“Driver and one security vehicle.”
Nora considered it.
“Fine.”
Matteo extended his hand.
“Deal.”
Nora shook it.
May you like
“Your negotiating skills are weakening.”
“Only around you.”
