Chapter 13 – What a Coward!

Early in the morning about a week later there was a knock on Regulus' bedroom door. "Mr. Black? Mr. Black, are you awake?"

Regulus rubbed his eyes and sat up. "I am now. What do you want, Kreacher? It's early!"

"I apologise profusely, sir, but your mother insisted that -"

"Alright, come in," said Regulus, quickly wrapping himself in a bathrobe and went to meet Kreacher at the door.

The butler handed him a newspaper. "As I said, I do apologise, but Mrs. Black said to show you this now."

Regulus looked down at the newspaper. On the front page was a picture of him and Remus - and then a picture of a blond Remus with half-long hair. Scandal in the celebrity world. Regulus Black's boyfriend revealed as an escort!

Kreacher eyed Regulus nervously. "Mrs. Black is on her way here along with your father and Miss Evans."

"W-what?" said Regulus, looking up at Kreacher and then back at the paper. "I... I need to read this with Remus. If they arrive before I come out, tell them to wait in the lounge. I don't want them barging in here."

Remus was sitting up in bed when Regulus returned with the newspaper. "They found out..." said Regulus, holding up the front page

Remus took the paper, his face draining of colour as he started reading the article. "Someone recognised me. They write they got a tip from an anonymous source." He looked up at Regulus, seeing that he was as pale as he felt.

"What a coward!" said Regulus. "They... they make you out to be a fraud. A gold digger. How can they..."

"What are we going to do?" Remus said, feeling his heart crawling up into his throat. "I don't want you to get into trouble."

"I don't know... Tell them it was in the past and that it was only for a short while to be with your dying mother, I guess. They'll have to sympathise, won't they?"

"I don't know," Remus said and bit his lip. "I honestly don't know what to do about it. But... will you… will you stay with me?"

Regulus swallowed and looked out the window for a moment. "Of course." He knew his parents would rave and rant, but he couldn't let Remus go. The way he felt about him - he couldn't remember ever having felt that way about any of his girlfriends. He turned back and looked Remus straight in the eyes. "I'm not giving you up."

"Regulus!" an agitated voice sounded from outside, and someone yanked at the door handle. Thankfully the door was locked.

Regulus sighed. It was typical of Walburga to ignore Kreacher's message to wait in the lounge. Because he had worked for her until Regulus moved out, she didn't respect any instructions from him.

She banged on the door. "REGULUS! Regulus, come out this minute!"

"In five minutes!" he shouted back. "I'm getting dressed!" He quickly got dressed and turned to Remus. "Stay here and lock the door. I don't want her to take it out on you." Then he hurried to the lounge where his parents and Lily were waiting.

"This is a scandal!" Walburga shrieked, pacing back and forth. "You couldn't dress that little whore up better so no one recognised him!?"

"We cut and dyed his hair!" Lily said.

"I bet he called it in himself to destroy Regulus' career!" Walburga went on. "Now we have to come up with an explanation!"

"Don't call him a whore and don't accuse him of calling the media!" shouted Regulus. "He's a good and honest person!"

"You are NOT talking to me like that!" his mother spat.

"Everybody calm down," said Orion. "Look; we are just going to have to fix this." He turned to Regulus, standing tall as if trying to cast a shadow over him. "We will arrange a press conference and you will tell them you had no idea he was a prostitute and that he has been lying to you the whole time. To get money or fame or whatever reason you want to give."

"Yes," Walburga said. "It can ruin your career if they think you would ever knowingly date an escort."

"You want to throw Remus under the bus? That's really not fair -" started Lily.

"I don't care what's fair!" Walburga hissed. "My son's career is more important than some low life whore!"

"Stop talking about him like that!" Regulus shouted. "And I won't throw him under the bus - he's done nothing wrong! We knew everything and even hired him because he's an escort!"

"The public doesn't know that!" Walburga shouted back. "How do you think people will react? If you think they will applaud you, you're a fool!"

"So what? They'll just have to get over it!"

"Will you seriously risk your reputation and career for his ego? No, I will not stand for it!"

"We will, of course, give him a large compensation," said Orion in his authoritative voice. 5,000 extra pounds on top of his salary should do the trick, I should think. I'm certain that he will find that a good deal. He's already used to degrading himself for money, so he must be used to people looking down on him."

Walburga walked over to Regulus. "And you will do as we say or we will disown you. See if you can make it on your own!"

Regulus took a step back in shock. "You wouldn't... I don't believe you! Not over something like this! My career is my business. You don't own me!"

"Oh, so you think it's none of our business? What about us? You're bringing shame on the whole family! And your father - what do you think will happen to his reputation as a top designer? Do you think everybody will keep buying his creations? You want to drag the whole family name through the mud just to spare the feelings of one person you didn't even know two months ago?"

That got through to Regulus. He might not care that he was embarrassing his parents, but it was unfortunately probably true that this scandal would damage his father's reputation, and he wasn't sure he could live with that. It was not fair that his father should pay such a price for a mistake Regulus had made a few months ago. He slumped down on a chair, hiding his face in his hands.

"So," said Walburga. "You will tell the press what your father just instructed and Lily will pay the escort 5,000 extra."

Regulus clenched his teeth, willing himself not to cry. He could not show such weakness in front of his parents. "Make it ten," he finally said, not looking up at her. "I want to make sure he doesn't go back to escorting."

His parents looked at him and Walburga gave an indifferent wave of her hand. "Well, if that makes you feel better. Just make sure he's gone before tonight, because I'm going to arrange a press conference then. So pull yourself together and get up."

"Not today," said Regulus with determination. "I'm doing what you want, but I want a day to collect myself. You can announce a press conference tomorrow. I'm not doing it today, and that's final!"

"Fine, you just get your business in order," Walburga said and put on her coat. "Come, Orion. We are leaving."

Lily went over to Regulus, who sat with his face in his hands, hiding behind the curtain of his shoulder-long hair. "What do you want to do?" she asked in a soft voice.

"What do you mean? You heard what was said. I have to do things their way - as usual."

"But..." Lily started but seemed to think better of it. "Do you want to tell him yourself?"

Regulus sat for a while, staring at the floor. "No. You do it. Tell him... tell him I'm so, so sorry." He knew it was cowardice, but he just couldn't face Remus with this. He didn't think he could keep it together. Couldn't see the look of defeat on Remus' face and deal with the shame of doing what he had to. He got to his feet and left the lounge, deciding to go out and not come back until Remus had left.

Lily sighed, waiting until she couldn't hear his footsteps anymore. Then she went up to his bedroom and with a bit of hesitation, knocked on the door.

"Come in," Remus voice sounded and a hopeful face that turned to confusion met Lily as she entered. "Is… is Regulus alright?

"He… Regulus is very sorry," she started. "And I just wanted to come and tell you that you are free to go home now."

Remus just stared at her, as if she were speaking a language he didn't understand.

Lily took out an envelope and held it out to him. "Here's a check. The second half of your salary and an extra 10,000 for your trouble. Regulus was very specific about giving you those. He wants to make sure you can afford an education."

Remus stared at her incredulously for another moment, then pushed her hand away. "I don't want it."

"What? But Remus, you have done a great job," Lily said. "And Regulus was very adamant on you getting this money. He doesn't want you to go back to your old life."

But Remus just shook his head, tears appearing in the corners of his eyes. "It's wasn't a job to me. Not the second half, so I don't want that money." He turned around and started to gather his things.

Lily sat down on the bed and watched him for a while. "He really is sorry." she said. "But his parents…"

Remus kept his head down as he packed, struggling to hold back tears, not saying a word until he was done. "You know..." he then said. "I thought… I thought this was real." He sighed and dried his eye with one hand as he lifted his suitcase. "But in the end I were just an escort. Like I always am."

o0o0o

Regulus barely slept that night. When the morning came he was almost looking forward to the press conference just so he could get it over with. He hoped as many news agents as possible were represented there, because he didn't want to tell the story more than once and didn't want to give interviews.

"You look a mess," scolded Walburga when Regulus arrived in casual clothes and without his hair done. She tried to fix it, but brushing the hair out of Regulus' face revealed red and dull eyes. "Have you been bawling? Over a whore? Pull yourself together!" she said. "If you had come in sooner, we could have had a stylist tend to you."

Lily pulled Regulus aside so he could get a break from his mother. "It'll be all right," she ensured him. "It'll be over soon, yeah?" She placed her hands on his shoulders and tried to get a smile out of him.

"She should be glad I look miserable," mumbled Regulus. "I'm supposed to look as though my lying, shameless boyfriend broke my heart, yeah?" He closed his eyes. He couldn't remember a time he had hated his mother more.

The room was packed with journalists and photographers as well the BBC and a few more TV-stations, all ready to broadcast live. He wondered how this could be such big news. How could so many people be so interested in one person's love life? He wasn't even an actor or rock star. The second he went onto the podium cameras flashed and the crowd erupted in questions.

"One at a time!" shouted Lily, who stood next to Regulus to support him and moderate the conference.

"Mr. Regulus Black," said the first reporter to be allowed to speak. "Is it true that your boyfriend was an escort?"

Regulus didn't say anything for a moment. "It is true that he has been an escort, yes. In the past."

The reporters again started talking over each other and Lily had to step forward and regain control.

"Did you know about his past?" asked the next reporter after order had been restored.

Regulus could barely get the words out. Then an image of his mother's stern gaze popped up in his mind. "No," he mumbled. "Obviously I didn't. Else, I wouldn't have got involved with him."

"So how does it feel to be betrayed like that?" someone asked, but before Regulus could answer, another one had cut in, "Do you believe he was just after your money?"

"No!" said Regulus. "It wasn't like that. He didn't tell me, because... I reckon he was afraid I wouldn't have anything to do with him if he did. Afraid I would judge him."

"This must be a big blow to your career. Have you considered how you will proceed from here?"

"I don't see how it's a blow to my career. I didn't know about it, so I haven't really done anything wrong, have I?" said Regulus, feeling sick from guilt.

"Several bloggers have speculated that you must have known and that you might even have been a costumer at first. What is your comment to those accusations?"

Walburga could be heard screeching "That's preposterous!" from out back, and Regulus closed his eyes and wished she would shut up for once in her life.

"Look at me," he said, fixing his gaze at the reporter. "Do you think I would have a problem finding people who want to have sex with me for free?"

"Have you been to the doctor's for a full STD check? Having slept with a prostitute, and all," one called out and a few laughed.

"My personal health is really none of your business!" said Regulus. "And Remus was not a crack whore from the street corner, you know!"

"How do you know that, if you didn't know he was a prostitute?"

Before Regulus could answer, some started again: "We have a few quotes from other celebrities and models who have met you and your boyfriend. One said that it's scary that someone so charming could be a - and I quote: whore. Another says that it's no wonder he was so good at playing the piano since he clearly is good with his hands and fingers in his type of work."

The comments made Regulus' stomach turn. He had seen a few of the horrible things written about Remus while skimming the social media on his phone the day before.

"Someone else says that it's hard to believe that someone so well-behaved and polite could be a prostitute. And last, but not least, an anonymous person wonders if he could get Remus' number."

Regulus stared at him. He hated that particular reporter. He was known for being very aggressive and offensive in his questions. He had been one of the worst in the shit-storm that arose after Regulus' inappropriate comment about homosexuals. "Why don't you just admit that you're that so-called anonymous person?" Regulus snapped at him, feeling a small sense of satisfaction at the look on the man's face and the laughter of some of the others.

"Are you afraid to get into another homosexual relationship in the future?" asked a woman from The Sun. "Now that you have been burned so badly." Her sympathetic tone almost made Regulus feel worse than the offensive questions.

"Why? Because one bad experience with a man should make me conclude that all gays are bad? Is that it? And to think of a few months ago I was the one accused of being prejudiced!"

"No," she quickly replied. "But all who have tried being betrayed by a lover knows what a blow it can be to their trust in future partners."

Regulus closed his eyes, feeling himself getting dizzy and nauseous listening to all the journalists hailing questions down on him. Then suddenly he slammed a hand into the counter, making everyone shut up and stare. "This is wrong! What is wrong with you people? What is wrong with... me." He took a deep breath. "Remus didn't betray me. I knew from the start that he used to work as an escort. I didn't care. Well, I admit it did shock me a bit at first, but I found him so intriguing that I decided to give him a chance anyway. And I found out that was a smart decision. He's a truly good person. Honest, loving; all the things that really matter."

The room was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. Regulus saw Lily rushing off the stage, no doubt to control his mother, in case she had a meltdown, and make sure she didn't run out and made things worse. Regulus quickly continued before the room exploded in questions.

"You disgust me. Not just you vultures (his gaze skating over the crowd of reporters) - at least most of you don't pretend that scandal isn't your bread and butter. No, the worst is the hypocrisy of all you celebrities and fans who were doting on Remus at parties and on social media; going on and on about what a wonderful and sincere person he was, what a breath of fresh air he was, what a perfect couple we were, how happy he clearly made me, and how happy for us you were. You loved him and now suddenly, just because you found out which job he used to have, you find him disgusting! Well, let me tell you - he's exactly the same charming and genuine person you met and knew before. You think you have the right to judge him? Try taking a look at yourselves! Are any of you free of skeletons in the closet? Dirt that can be dug up? Have you never done something you're not proud of?"

The room was quiet for what seemed like minutes before a reporter said: "Aren't you worried about your career when you slander your co-workers and fans like this? It has landed you in trouble before."

"I don't care. Anyone who feels offended by what I just said, probably deserves it. I truly don't care what those people think of me. Those who don't want to hire me anymore - well, perhaps I don't want to help them sell their clothes anymore, anyway. I was ordered to go up here and throw Remus under the bus to save my career, and I'm ashamed of myself for agreeing to go along with it at first. I'm ashamed of a lot of things I've done and said, but I'm not ashamed of defending Remus now and saying that I love him and that I'm going to do all I can to make it up to him. I'm going to make him forgive me and I'm not letting him go again." Regulus could hear a strangled scream coming from backstage.

The reporters all stood up, shouting questions and comments.

"That's all I had to say to you lot!" Regulus shouted into his microphone to make himself heard over the noise. "Don't bother following me of trying to get more out of me, because you're not getting it. You can write whatever you want about me. I don't care, and I'm not going to say one more word to any of you." He tore the microphone off its holder and tossed it to the floor to make his point. Then he hurried backstage.

He found Lily struggling with his mother to keep her from running onstage, and Regulus was grateful that she had managed to keep her in check long enough for him to finish what he wanted to say.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Mrs. Black snarled. "Saying you're in love with a prostitute? Do you know what this will do to our name?"

"I'm telling the truth! If you and Father were decent people who cared one bit about their son's happiness, then I would feel bad for you if others judge you for it, but since that's clearly not the case - I don't care!"

"You... you will stop this nonsense right now and go out there and tell them what we told you to say or I will disown you!" screamed a livid Walburga.

"No! I'm done being your puppet! All my life I've done exactly what you wanted! I've never done anything for myself. Well, now I am! Disown me, if you want! The prospect of you being out of my life doesn't exactly sound scary!"

Mrs. Black raised her hand to slap Regulus but Lily grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "If you assault my client, you will hear from our lawyer!"

Mrs. Black set her a glare of death but then forced an evil smile. "Fine... Fine, Regulus, see if anyone will hire you now. Go be happy with your little whore. I hope he makes a decent pay on the street corner so he can support you!"

Regulus clenched his fists, trying to come up with a fittingly hurtful retort but then decided it didn't matter. He left quickly out the back door where he had asked his driver to wait, knowing he would want to make a quick escape after the meeting.

Lily hurried after him, catching him at the door. "Regulus," she said, making the model stop. "He didn't take the money. He was heart-broken."

Regulus felt a suck in his stomach. Both because it was a strong proof how much Regulus meant to him, but also out of worry of what he might do now. Would he go back to escorting? It didn't matter much, though. Regulus was going to win him back, if it was the last thing he did, and make sure he was well taken care of for as long as he wanted. He pushed his way past the journalists and people who had anticipated him coming out this way, and jumped into the car.

"Where to, Mr. Black?" asked the driver.

Regulus thought about it. He didn't feel like going home first. He wanted to go look for Remus right away. "Just... just drive," he said, wanting to get out of there immediately. He pulled put his phone and called Remus. "The number you have called is no longer in service," sounded a toneless voice. "Fuck..." Remus clearly didn't want to be found. Well, it made sense. There was bound to be a sea of journalists trying to get a hold of him. And perhaps he also wanted to prevent Regulus from reaching him, should he decide to try. But where had he gone? Leeds, most likely. Where else? "Leeds," he said. "I want to go to Leeds. "

The driver jumped in his seat, nearly swerving into the opposite lane. "Leeds? Why on earth would you want to go there? If I may ask."

"I'm going to see someone."

Fifteen minutes later, however, Regulus changed his mind. Somehow, it seemed wrong to go there in a posh car with a private driver. No, he would travel like most regular persons would such a distance. It somehow felt right traveling in Remus' footsteps. Also, the train was no doubt quicker, anyway. Just the way through the London traffic would take hours. "No, take me to the central station."

At the station he bought a pair of sunglasses and a beanie, realising that he needed to disguise himself if he wanted to travel in peace. He also bought himself some food and drink for the ride. He hadn't been able to eat a bite all day.

After having received a text from Lily with the address of the escort bureau, he turned off his phone, already tired of the many calls and texts coming in from people.

A/N: Just two more chapters coming up :)