Alex holds her tight after they go to Piper's old room. "How you doing babe? I hate that my my beautiful, intelligent girlfriend was spoken to that way. It took every ounce of my restraint not to lay a hand on her. I'll apologize to your Dad for causing trouble but I refuse to watch you getting emotionally abused by anyone, much less from someone who is supposed to love you."
"Al, my sweet, sexy love, I'm still in shock. Ll I ever tried to do, is please them, but I'll never live up to her impossible standards."
"Pipes, you shouldn't have to. Your an intelligent, driven, accomplished young woman who takes on more than anyone I've ever met. That includes my Mom who worked three or more jobs and often did without to provide for me.
"I feel so much for you right now. No one has ever stepped up and protected me like that. I feel honored. Once again there you go proving that you truly are my everything. I have so much love for Diane and infinitely more for you. Please just hold me till we have to go to whatever circus is waiting."
"Anything for you my love. Let me give some quick info to the guys, then I'm all yours."
Alex returned a few minutes later and gave Piper the comfort she needed to calm down from what she called 'typical Carol'.
"Babe, who that you actually know and actually care about is likely to be here. And who besides your Mom, do you want nowhere near you?"
"Cal and my Dad are good. Me and my Dad don't always see eye to eye, but he listens and explains why he does or does not agree and tries to compromise if he says no. I've always gotten along with the head cook. She isn't a fan of Carol and has always snuck me whatever I wanted regardless of whether it fit Carol's menu or standards. My grandma Celeste is my favorite relative. She always welcomed me when I couldn't deal with my parents. She was more of a friend than anyone I was supposed to be friends with.
As for the don't wanna see. That's a long list. Any of the vapid girls that Polly knows. Any guy who tries to touch me with more than a handshake or platonic hug. I can't avoid press, but don't wanna deal with too many. I'm really not into that kind of thing anymore."
"Wait, you said Polly, why would she be here"
"Because my Mom is a bitch and doesn't care about anything but image. If she's friends with or wanting to impress someone, she'll invite the entire family."
"Damn. Could you show me pics of the chicks who are likely to give you a hard time. I'll have Chase see if he clocks any of them on the video feeds."
"I'll see what I can find. Though I don't recall leaving most of that sort of stuff here."
"Hey team, I was talking to Piper and there's definitely a chance that many females around the age of Pipes and Polly could be here. If you happen to see them, let me know where. I'd rather Piper not have to run into people who could be negative towards her, Also add Carol Chapman to that list. We've already had one confrontation and don't want anymore... cause I'd probably physically hurt her, and that would be horrible for everyone. Me and Pipes are heading out the back door by the kitchen, Bradley please meet us there.
"Come my darling, let's get your obligations out of the way. And if we're really lucky maybe we can disappear at some point. Should I apologize to your Dad now or later?"
"Save it for when he's alone. I doubt Carol ran to him since he has a long of list of clients and possible clients to talk to. He'd be pissed if he was interrupted."
A few hours later and all is going smoothly. Piper's been pilling me away from those she doesn't want an audience with, but she has allowed a few photos, including one of the two of us with Bradley nearby.
"Hey Alex."
Alex signals to Bradley that she's stepping away from Piper to hear. "Yes Colton, go ahead."
"Alex I've just seen Carol talking with Polly when I walked past the kitchen."
"Do you have a way to get the audio without being spotted?"
"I think so. Should I keep observing?
"Put the audio directly in my ear. Find a place to observe without being seen. And if they part watch Polly in the kitchen. I have a bad feeling about her being there."
"Hey Alex, I'll check the video feed and see how they both ended up there."
"Thanks Chase. Also keep an eye on the live feed to make sure Polly doesn't do anything dangerous, per our uncommon threat drills."
Alex returns to Piper and isn't thrilled with the attention the guy she's talking to is showing her. She shoots a look to Bradley asking if she should be concerned. He shakes his head no.
She settles in besides Piper and whispers love you in her ear. Piper turns to her and smiles. She then introduces Alex as her roommate and includes her in the conversation. The finishes talking about media stuff and excuses himself to get a drink. Piper talks to a few more people who could be useful to her media aspirations.
"Alex, Polly was in the kitchen before Mrs. Chapman entered and after she left."
"Thanks Chase, did you see any actions from Polly that should concern us?"
"Alex, sorry to interrupt, but I saw something in the kitchen that might be concerning. Don't let Piper eat on touch any food or tray being passed around. Chase, what time did Polly enter the kitchen?"
"Details please Colton. And Chase, I'd like to know that as well."
"Well Alex, I noticed some light layer on something on the trays. At first I thought maybe it was a dusting of flour or powdered sugar. I asked the cook and she showed me what they should look like and then I showed her what I saw and she had no idea what it was. I asked for one or two for testing and she packed them up for me. She was concerned. I told her that if its what we suspected it few if anyone at the party. But there was one person it could effect severely. I advised her to make sure the Chapman family was served by security teams, her, Celeste, or Cal. I passed the caution along to another security team not as a threat but a precaution."
"I would have made the same call Colton. Good work. Chase, you have times?"
"Yes Alex, Polly was in there a half an hour total."
"How many people were in and out of the kitchen in that half hour Chase. Colton put the sample with our things then re-find Polly and keep her in your sight, even if you need to switch out with another team. Bradley did you hear all that? And has Piper eaten anything or touched any serving tray or glass in the last hour?"
"Alex she's only had a glass of champagne. But she did mention she was hungry."
"Colton if your still near the kitchen, have the cook plate up Piper's favorites and either a fresh margarita or a bottle of juice from the fridge. Bradley will get it as soon as I walk back to Piper."
Alex sees that Piper isn't talking to anyone, so she gives her a big hug. "So Pipes, anything you need to do, anyone you still need to talk to?"
"Al, its killing me not touching you, not being able to tell people your my other half."
"I feel the same babe. But its not the time or place. I notice how you skipped over my question though."
"There's one more media person I was hoping to talk to but, I haven't seen him, so we might not have attended. At some point all The Chapman's will be called to the little makeshift stage, and my parents will speak about things that are supposed to be impressive. Me and my brothers get positive things said about us or our accomplishment, not because it's meant, but so we're their little trophies."
"I am so gonna need some calming before that. And I beg of you that we stand as far away from Carol as possible. I feel the same Al. Maybe we should try and find my Dad before hand so he'll understand my reluctance to be near her."
"Are you hungry? I sent Bradley to the kitchen to get a fresh batch of food for you."
"You didn't have to do that Al, they have cater waiters walking around."
"Well I don't want you eating stuff that been hangin out for who knows how long."
A few minutes later Bradley appears with a plate and a Piper's favorite drink. "Bradley survey with Colton for awhile. Me and Pipes are going to try and catch Bill between clients. Hey Chase, any idea where Bill is?"
"Looks like he's in his office. He's with a client, but some of the other guys think it looks like it's about to wrap up."
"Thanks Chase."
"Okay Pipes, looks like your Dad is in his office and finishing up with a client. Let's get this over with."
Knocking on the door after Chase said Bill was alone. "Bill, may we speak to you a moment."
"Enter."
"Daddy, me and Alex had an encounter with Carol earlier. Alex do you want to fill in the details or should I?"
"I've got it Piper." she turns to Bill, "Sir, Piper introduced to your wife and started spewing venom at Piper, insulting everything possible about her appearance. I noticed Piper begin to break down. I truthfully complimented the very things she insulted. Then she lays into me, which is fine. But I did mentioned how astounded I was that she spoke so horribly to and about the daughter. She threatened to fire me, which technically only Piper and yourself can do. I simply made it known that it's my job to protect Piper from anything that could hurt her whether that was physical or emotional.
I want to apologize for having it out with your wife. But I've now seen two people, since I met Piper, go at her with some degree of emotional abuse. It breaks my heart to see Piper sad or scared. So unless I'm told otherwise, I will continue to try and protect Piper from anyone who tries to treat her poorly."
"Dad, I agree with Alex. She supported me when I cut Polly out of my life. I've been distancing Mom for years, just because I don't deal well with that sort of energy. Alex is the only one who accepts me exactly as I am, no expectations. That means the world to me. So if I was ever asked to remove Alex from my security team, I would refuse security all together."
"You've both given me a lot to think about. I have no plans on dismissing anyone at this moment. Alex I understand why you want to protect my daughter in all areas. I do appreciate that notion. But do you know how hard your making my life, having to deal with a pissed off Carol."
"Sir there is another matter I'd like to speak to you about real quick. Excuse me for a second "Bradley come retrieve Piper from her Dad's office please and keep in mind what I told the team earlier."
"Yes Alex, be there as soon as possible."
"While were waiting, Piper why don't you tell us about your media meetings today."