CHAPTER 24
Monday, May 15, 2017 – Casey Corporate HQ, Los Angeles
Standing in her husband's office ahead of his press briefing this morning, Gabby Casey took a breath due to the fact that she is worried. Worried for her son and his safety. Well, a little less now considering he is in Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii. She and Matt agreed last week to send him to Hawaii with her mother. But still, it's hard being hours away. God, the calls that she has had with her best friends. It's so hard being so far away from her. While Gabby lives in Los Angeles (and soon, Hawaii); her best friend lives in Chicago. But what Gabby didn't know was that Matt changed that. That Matt has called both her and her supervisor at the Chicago First Responder's Academy in Chicago to tell him that he is transferring her nearby. But to where? Shay will now be a professor of paramedicine at CFRA Los Angeles's Downtown Campus in LA.
But that's not for a while. Rather, she will start when there is less stress in both the CEO's marriage and this situation is over. For now, she will be joining the family in Honolulu. But back to Gabby. Looking at the picture of her son that she has on her phone, she took a breath. She misses him so much. But she also knows that she needs to be here. She wants to face the press and put on a brave face. Yet at the same time, she wants to hold him. And that's exactly what she is going to do when they are in Hawaii later. It's why she wanted to do the press briefing right away. She wanted to get it done so that they can get to Matteo right away. But right now, Gabby needs to take a breath and relax before her husband comes to get it. But what she didn't know is that her best friend will come see her before Matt does.
"I swear, the minute I learn who the hell hacked you guys…I am going to strangle them to death, and you better hire me the best lawyer to defend me." Turning around when she heard that voice, the voice she needs to hear now was shocking. There was no way. "Shay?" Shay then proceeded to walk into her best friend's husband's office to come see her best friend. Gabby then ran over to her and just went to hug her. "Oh my god. What are you doing here?" Holding her close, Shay held her close and just took a breath. "What are you talking about Gabby? Where else would I be? Do you really think I would be anywhere other than with my best friend in her time of need? Sure, your husband can help you. But he needs to take care of this. You need someone to take care of YOU full time." Gabby laughed and smiled.
"Oh god, I am so glad to see you." Shay agreed with her. "You can thank Matt for that. He called me on Friday and gave me an update on you. I have been so worried. And after hearing that, and hearing that you guys are moving to Hawaii…I told him that I just finished my last exam, and that he needs to find a new professor of paramedicine for the summer semester; and until we are done dealing with this. I told him, I am going to be with my best friend until this nightmare is over! I am here for you Gabby. And I am going to make sure that you and Matt get through this. And I am not leaving you after this. I have been trying to get a job here for a while so we can be together. But no, my boss hasn't let me transfer due to the fact that I signed a stupid contract there." That's when the girls heard the CEO walk into his office.
"Well, I am not happy that you didn't tell me that until now. I hope you know Shay, that I would've gone over his head and transferred you through my powers right?" Shay then turned around to look at Matt and smiled at him. "Matt, I am so glad that you called me." Matt nodded and agreed with his 'sister-in-law'. Yes, the CEO considers Shay to be his 'sister-in-law' due to the relationship that Gabby and Shay have with each other. But that's not what we have to deal with right now. Rather, we need to make sure that the main couple in our story make it through this together. Shay then proceeded to walk over to Matt. "Just to let you know, I expect you to treat me as your sister instead of your employee for a while. I am here for your wife." Matt laughed and agreed with Shay when she said that, going to hug her.
Shay then proceeded to hug her boss/brother-in-law, glad to have him be there for her best friend. "I am so glad that you called me." Matt nodded and agreed with Shay when she said that. "As much as I want to be there and help my wife through this, I know that you are the one she really needs to get through this. So, I decided to just call you and make sure that you come. Just to let you know, I already sent my team to your hotel that we paid for. They are already getting your bags and bringing them here to our place. We'll put them in our travel bus that we have to take us to John Wayne Airport." Matt then turned to look at his wife. "I just spoke to the Pilot. They have the flight plan filed with the FAA and they are going to be waiting for us on the tarmac. We'll get changed quick, then we'll go okay babe?"
Gabby took a breath and agreed with Matt when he said that, looking at her husband. "Shay, do you mind if I speak to Matt for a moment. I am so glad that you are here. But I want to speak to…" Shay just agreed with Gabby when she said that, understanding that she needs to talk to her husband. "Of course. Anyways, I have to go find Kelly. He knew about this for a few days before me. I'm your best friend, and he should've called me! Matt, I understand waiting. He had to take care of you and your son; as well as the company. By the way Matt, I just spoke to my contact in the paramedicine department…we wrapped up our term early and all of the students are gone. We also cancelled the summer term. If you want to send IBM or whatever company you chose to do our department, go ahead." Matt agreed.
"Thanks Shay. Do you remember who Evan is?" Shay agreed with Matt when he asked her if she remembered who Evan (Hawkins) is. "Yes, I am friends with his girlfriend Violet. Wait, why is he here? I thought he was the Chief Technology Officer at CFRA Chicago-Evanston?" Matt agreed. "He was. But since that was the original source of this hack, I have transferred Tyler James to work out of CFRA Chicago-Evanston. I have asked Evan to join us here. He will be coming to Hawaii with us so that I can have a contact with us in Hawaii." Matt then turned to look at his wife. "That's why I brought Shay with us. She is going to be there with you so I can work on the company more, I mean…if that's okay." Gabby smiled and agreed with her husband. "Shay, a moment with my husband please?" Shay agreed.
"Matt, if you ever need me to do something…then you tell me, okay? I will do whatever you need. My job here is to make your life easier, and that includes work. In fact, Gabby?" Gabby then looked at her best friend. "Yes?" Shay then smirked. "Gabby, you are fired as Matt's personal assistant." Matt just looked at Shay when she said that. "Excuse me?" Shay then looked at Matt. "I need a job. And I am going to be at your place all the time. Remember, you promised me that I could have a room there. And I am going to take you up on that offer. And right now, Gabby needs to rest. She needs to concentrate on your son, and not your business. Meanwhile, I need to help you guys. I need to make sure that you guys get through this." Matt and Gabby both agreed with Shay when she said that, knowing that was true.
"So, that's why I'm going to become your personal assistant until further notice. Gabby, on the flight there. I want a briefing on everything you do for Matt. Matt, I want your secretary to send me all the information I need that she normally sends to Gabby. And I want your calendar. I also want Gabby off of it, and I want you to talk to me when it comes to work. Right now, your wife needs to protect your son. And so do you. So, we will figure this out. And you will find a way to balance your job as a husband and daddy, as well as your job as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Matt, I think your wife already knows what I am saying is the right thing, so just agree before you make your wife have to choose between her best friend and her husband. Gabby, I got you girl!" Shay then went to walk away.
Turning to look at his wife after Shay walked away, Matt was just shocked. And wow, Shay was perfect. He then took a breath while walking up to his wife. Wrapping his arms around her, Matt pressed his lips against her forehead and just held his beautiful wife close to him. He then watched as Gabby looked up at him. Meanwhile, Matt put his hand on her neck and just held her close to him. Stroking her cheek with his thumb, Matt stared into his wife's eyes before bending down to kiss her softly. Taking things slow with his wife, Matt showed her love and comfort right now. "Thank you." Matt nodded, agreeing with his wife when she thanked him. "Gabby, as much as I know you want to talk to me…I also know that you need someone else to talk to. You need someone other than your husband to talk to."
Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that and just took a breath. She then grabbed his hand, leading him towards the couch that Matt has in his office. She needs to just sit down with her husband and hold him close. "Are you okay with sitting down for a minute?" Matt nodded and agreed with his wife when she asked him if they can sit down for a minute. "Hey, I am your husband first Gabby. Today, I am your husband, and we are going to just hold each other close okay? If you need me to sit down for a minute, then we will okay? Let me say this again, I am your husband and Matteo's dad first. That is why I am taking you and Matteo to Hawaii. It's why we're getting away. Right now, you need this. We need this. We need to be together as a family. And you need me to be with you more often." Gabby agreed.
Matt then proceeded to sit down on the couch, looking at his beautiful wife. Walking over to her husband, Gabby proceeded to sit down in his lap and cuddled up to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Matt smiled as he ran his hand up and down her leg. Feeling Matt hold her close, he put his hand on her back and rubbed it. Afterwards, he turned his head and kissed his beautiful wife softly. Whispering to her, Matt smiled. "Right now, I need you to remember something okay? I am here for you. I am your husband Gabby. My job here at the company will always come second to my job that I have here as your husband and Matteo's daddy." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that, smiling. "I love the sound of that. Matteo's daddy." Matt agreed with his wife, smiling as he kissed her forehead.
"Gabby, that is what I want to be first, the role I love the most. And it's something I want to talk about. If you ever need me to take time with you while we're in Hawaii, don't be scared to tell me OK? I know that this is going to be a hard time for the both of us, and that's why I'm here for you. It's why I brought Shay with us. It's why we're leaving Los Angeles. We're going to Honolulu along with our family. Alex and Jay are coming too. I promise, we are all going to be there so that we can do this as a family." Gabby agreed with her husband when he said that and smiled. "Just curious, how long are we staying there?" Matt took a breath when Gabby asked him how long they are going to be staying in Hawaii. "I am not sure yet. Maybe we go for a couple months? Or we just play it by ear? See how things go."
Gabby agreed with Matt and took a breath. "I have a condition though okay?" Matt nodded, a bit confused and nervous. "What's that?" Gabby then took a breath as she looked at her husband. "No travelling for a while. Baby, I need you with me for a while. I am going to be scared and…" Matt then put his hand on Gabby's leg as he got closer to her. "Hey, I am not leaving you and Matteo for a while. I am your husband. I am Matteo's father. I am going to take care of you and Matteo for as long as we are in danger. Do you not realize that I am scared? Baby, this is the last thing I want for you and Matteo. This is the last thing I have ever wanted for the both of you. Gabby, look into my eyes okay?" Gabby nodded. "If you want me to take leave from the company…I will. I'll talk to my sister and ask her to…"
Gabby shook her head. "No Matt, that's the last thing I want you to do! Matt, that is giving in. That is what they want. They want us to be scared, for us to show weakness. Don't do that. Don't how them that we are weak. I want you to stay on and do this. I want them to know that they messed with the wrong people; that they are never going to break us. We are going to beat them. And you need to be the one to do it. Don't give in to them Matt." Matt agreed with his wife when she said that, smiling as he proceeded to grab her hand. He then intertwined their fingers and just held each other close. "I love you, you know that right Gabby?" Gabby agreed with her husband and smiled as she looked at him. Leaning in, she kissed the man he loves and just took things nice and slow with the man of her dreams.
"Listen, let's get out there so that you can make your statement." Matt agreed with his wife, getting up so that he can make his statement to the media. He then put his hand out and looked at his wife. Grabbing her husband's hand, Gabby smiled as she got up. She then stepped close to him and smiled. "Remember. Chin up, head high. They can't break us, and they will never break us." Gabby agreed with her husband when he said that, ready to get this over with.
After making their way out to the briefing room, Matt smiled as he led his wife and his family out. And of course, Matt and Gabby made their way out first. The reason? Matt and Gabby are the head of the family. Seeing the family come out, the cameras all turned to look at them and went to take pictures. Meanwhile, the company's Chief Brand and Press Relations Officer, Manny Garcia, walked up to the podium with the prepared statement that they have already came out. Taking a breath, he went to set it down and then opened it up. Afterwards, Matt looked at his CB&PRO since he knew that he was ready to go. Giving him a nod, Matt waited for Manny to start speaking to the media. God, this is a hard time. He just hopes that the media understands that they need to have privacy with their family right now.
"Good morning to the assembled press." Everybody agreed with Manny. "Welcome to the Casey HQ and welcome to our press briefing. Before we begin, I have a quick note to make. Today, we will be making a statement. However, no questions will be taken at this time. All questions are the instead be directed to Elizabeth Shay, the Personal Assistant to the Chairman and CEO for Press Relations for this matter." Manny then turned to look at his boss. However, Matt glared at him and just told him to keep reading. Getting scared, Manny agreed. "Only questions that she approves will be put forward to Mr. Casey. No questions shall be yelled at the CEO after the press statement. If someone does, their press pass for future briefings will be suspended. Thank you very much for being here. Now, please welcome our CEO."
Matt then took a breath and proceeded to walk over to the Manny. Putting his hand out, he went to shake his hand before whispering to him. "Thanks Manny." Manny agreed with his boss. Afterwards, Matt walked over to the podium and went to look at the press. "Good morning to the press." Everybody agreed. "Good morning." Matt then took a breath as he turned to look at Gabby. Flashing him a smile, she made sure to tell him to breathe. However, Matt was furious, and he was not going to let them get away with this.
Statement to the Press:
Today is a sad day for my family. It is a day that I never thought I'd ever have to deal with. A situation that I never thought I'd have to deal with. A ransom for my security system and the safety of my son. My precious, 3-month-old son. I will be starting with what the e-mail said. When I received this e-mail, I was blown away. First, they mentioned that they wanted money in return for not releasing pictures of me cheating on my then-fiancé with my now wife. But you know what? I have no regrets in my actions. At the time, our relationship was strayed, and we were broken up. We had ended our engagement.
I was in a bad place, and my wife helped me. Sue a man for taking comfort in the arms of a woman who cares for him. It's happened to everybody who has been through a bad break up. And for the record, this was years ago. For them to bring this up 4 years later, this is unacceptable and highly wrong. It is unethical and I am warning the people who are taking these pictures. We will find you, you will be arrested and you will not be getting a cent from me. The reason? I have decided, with the permission of my wife to release the pictures myself. However, I am here to ask the press for a favor. (Gabby nodded). These pictures are not being released for a good reason. They are being released to help me.
They are being released to take away a threat. And I am telling you right now. In my opinion, I would be very cautious if you decide to print these pictures. I am going to make this crystal clear. I am releasing these pictures under duress and so they are not released to you by the hackers who have my system hostage. But, as a father, as a husband and as a human being…I am asking you all. Those gathered here today, and for all reputable newspapers, include TMZ. To think about what type of news crew you want to be. Do you want to be one who helps hackers and people who blackmail companies? Or do you want to keep your press pass here at The Casey Briefing Room. Do you want to be seen as anti-child privacy?
I leave that in your hands. But the truth of the matter is that I am not going to let my family company be help hostage by these pictures. And if anybody receives them, be prepared to be sued if you run them. This is my family's security and safety we are talking about. If my family is put in danger…then I will not be afraid to sue you and make sure that you do report anymore. Thank you for your time.
Finishing up with his statement, Matt walked away and then proceeded to walk over to Gabby. Getting up, Gabby went to grab his hand and then walked out of the room with Matt. Leading her away, he watched as Manny walked next to him. "I want you to watch all of the publications. The minute you see those pictures, you forward them to my lawyers and they will them. Is that understood?" Manny agreed and then proceeded to walk away. Matt then continued to walk away so that he can make his way out of the building along with his family. But before he could, Gabby stopped him while going to look at their family. "Christie, Jay, Alex and Antonio; can you guys go ahead?" They all agreed and walked away so that they can give the CEO and his wife some time alone. Afterwards, Gabby stepped close to Matt.
Tugging him against her chest, Gabby smiled as she looked at her husband and stared up into his eyes. Matt then wrapped his arms around her and smiled as he is really happy that they are together. Meanwhile, Gabby wrapped her arms around Matt and smiled at him. "That was the perfect statement." Matt agreed with his wife and smiled when she said that. Afterwards, Matt put his hands on her neck and leaned down to kiss his wife softly. Taking things nice and slow with the woman of his dreams, Matt smirked as they are both really happy with each other. "I promise, I am going to keep you and Matteo safe okay. That is my job as your husband, and I promise." Gabby agreed with Matt. "Hey, I already know that Matt. I promise that I know that. You are my husband and the best dad ever."
Matt just smiled and agreed with his wife when she said that, leaving a soft kiss on her forehead. He then bent down and proceeded to kiss Gabby softly. Taking things nice and slow with the woman he loves, Gabby smirked. "I love you Gabby and I hope you know that you truly are the woman of my dreams." Gabby agreed with Matt when he said that and just smiled as they are both really happy with each other. Gabby then wrapped her arms around Matt and smirked. "When we get to Hawaii tonight, I want to start trying for a daughter." Matt was shocked when he heard Gabby say that. "Really?" Gabby nodded. "If we're going to say in Hawaii, let's have a baby in paradise." Matt laughed and agreed with his wife when she said that, absolutely loving the idea of them having a baby in Hawaii. It sounds great.
Moving to grab his wife's hand, Matt smiled as he intertwined their fingers and then proceeded to lead her away so that they can leave. "Let's get out of here and head to the plane with our family." Gabby agreed with Matt, smiling when he told her that. God, she is so ready to get to Hawaii and Matteo.
