As Liza prepared for the televised interview, she was nervous. This was a chance to turn things around. She arrived at the tv studio, got into the hair and makeup room, and soon they had her looking ready to conquer anything. Looking in the mirror, Liza couldn't believe it was her own reflection.
She sat down on the uncomfortable studio furniture after a short meet and greet with the interviewer, Pat. Liza felt better already just meeting him. He got some background on her story and told her he wasn't going to throw any curveballs. Quinn was suddenly sitting next to her, wearing her new eyeglasses, with a sympathetic look on her face. Although Liza could see through the act, the audience wouldn't.
As they got on air, Liza was relieved that the questions were what she expected. About corporate culture, how this happened in her life. And then the questions took an unanticipated turn as Pat turned to Quinn.
Quinn admitted to championing Liza's story, but became flustered when it was implied that she knew about her age beforehand. She lied on camera, making Liza look like a fool.
She insinuated that Liza was just confused, since she wasn't in the public much and didn't do interviews.
As they left the television studio, Quinn pulled Liza aside, out of the cameras and microphones, to the far corner of the dressing room.
"What the hell was that?" Quinn asked angrily.
"What are you talking about? I told the truth," Liza said, still bewildered by what had just happened on set.
"And I told my truth on air. As far as they know, I didn't suspect anything about you. When I invested in the company, I believed you about who you were. Don't forget who saved you from scandal before. You're lucky I agreed to this at all."
Liza pushed her way out of the corner of the tiny room, her anger surging. "It was your idea! I can't believe how two faced you are. You never championed me. Only if and when it benefitted you."
"All I can say is you've read my book. Don't blame me for your lack of judgment speaking off the record with Pat. And let me make this very clear," she broke into a whisper. "If you mess this up, if I don't win this election because of what you said, I will make you pay dearly."
Quinn turned and strode confidently out of the room. As soon as she saw Pat again, her facial expression changed. "Thank you for the opportunity to share this important cause with women everywhere. As the election gets closer, let's do more interviews. Bye."
Liza shook her head, amazed by the show she had just witnessed. No, you never could trust Quinn to have your back.
…
Charles was taken by surprise by a call from Kelsey later that day. "I just wanted you to know, Quinn asked me to let Liza go. I think people are doubtful of Quinn's story and she wants to distance herself from bad press," Kelsey remarked.
"Well, we all saw Quinn lie on camera. We both know she was aware of the truth months ago," Charles said.
"We know the truth. But she wasn't happy. I don't know what this means for us."
"Did you tell Liza?" He asked.
"No, Liza feels bad enough. I thought if I told you, maybe you could take care of it. Talk to Quinn. Do whatever you need to do to keep her interested. Sweet talk her if you have to. Maybe she still has a thing for you."
"Yeah, I'm not doing that," Charles said emphatically. "It wouldn't be right. If Quinn pulls her funds away, we have to accept it."
Kelsey sighed. "Okay, I understand. Goodbye."
As expected, Quinn decided they weren't worth investing in. The sudden change left them scrambling. Charles spent the rest of the day trying to find investors.
They walked home, having a discussion about how Liza felt this this was her fault, and she had been saying that a lot lately. Charles insisted it wasn't her fault, Quinn was a bad business partner anyway. Liza told Charles that Quinn had always been interested in more than the company. Charles said he was spoken for, which made Liza feel better.
Charles wanted to tell Liza that he was doing this for both of them, getting more investors for their future. One day he hoped they would be running the company together. He knew Kelsey would move on one day, and it could be him and Liza together calling the shots. But instead, he just told her when the worst things happened, it could only get better. He looked at her face. Liza appeared unconvinced. He kissed her forehead. Charles assured her there were only good things ahead.
"God, I love you," she said, hugging his waist tighter. No one had ever cared this much about her or made any sacrifices to be with her. Of that she was sure. Sometimes she felt that she didn't deserve Charles, that maybe she should cut him loose and let him find a woman who wasn't so self destructive.
"I love you too. I hope you are free tonight. I just want to do something together and not think."
"Of course I can come over. I will see you off for your flight tomorrow morning."
They arrived home after a quiet cab ride and found a silly reality show to watch. It wasn't anything they watched before, but it made them laugh. After helping him pack, Liza relaxed in his arms and drifted to sleep. She wasn't a praying person, but sent a few thoughts out to whoever was listening that for once things would go their way.
