"This isn't happening to me!" Emilene groaned. "Why are they now just deciding to print this with such a false story?"
Michelle raised her eyebrows and grabbed the gossip magazine Emilene was tightly gripping onto.
"Lovers Quarrel? Tom Kaulitz and Mystery Woman Upset!"
"What's worse is that they spun some story about me being pregnant, being Tom's mystery chick for years and what not. Its such… such bull!"
"Did they identify you at all? Do you notice anyone following you around?" nervously Michelle asked.
Emilene shook her head. "I saw several of the magazines and purchased them once I saw my face on the cover. If you look at the InTouch magazine they have a call out with some information on me. I have a feeling Rico is going to be upset."
Emilene let her head fall into her hands as she continued to groan. She knew that eventually there would be a possibility of her being spotted with Tom. But she didn't think it would be this soon, nor would anyone be interested about their goodbye at the airport almost two months ago.
"What does Tom think about this?"
Michelle's question brought her back to reality. Tom. What was Tom going to think? The guys were used to being in the spotlight and having stories, fictitious or not plastered throughout magazines.
"I don't know, I haven't spoken to him about this yet." Emilene began to chew on her lower lip, afraid that Tom would be upset. Afraid that Tom would think she wanted the publicity, when in fact, she would rather be in the background, unseen and unheard.
"Well, my opinion is that he won't be upset. If he is going to have an attitude it will be with the photographers and horrible writers at these magazines." With that, Michelle grabbed the stack of magazines and threw them into the trashcan near the coffee bistro's door.
Slowly Emilene grabbed her purse and workbag, she was still breathing fast and had to steady herself as she got up. Her feet felt heavy as lead as she made her way to Michelle's side. The walk to the studio felt longer than usual, it seemed that every stranger they passed was staring at her. She was becoming uncontrollably paranoid; Michelle could sense it and wrapped her arm around Emilene's shoulder.
They separated once in the lobby, now this would be the walk of shame to the photography studio. She could hear the music as she made her way, going over scenarios in her head of how Rico would react. She began to tug at her silver tunic and her hands were shaking as she opened the oversize metal doors to the studio.
"My dearest Em, please come into my office please."
Here it goes, first he will cut me down and talk about the awful decision I made in becoming involved with a musician. Then he will rip apart my work and hand me my pink slip.
Tears began to take over her vision; quickly she wiped them from her eyes and stood in Rico's office doorway.
"Are you ok? You look like you've seen a ghost or heard some bad news! Please sit Em." Rico motioned to the white chair in front of his desk.
Emma plopped down into the white fabric, clutching onto the chair arms. Rico walked from behind with a cup of coffee in his hand and a stack of magazines in the other. Magazines?!
Her breathing began to get heavy and fast, her palms started to become sweaty and she felt her heartbeat escalate.
"I would like to discuss some things that have to my attention."
Emilene gulped and nodded her head.
"Now I know that ninety five percent of the stuff in these trash magazines are fabricated. But please understand that I don't see you just as an employee but an extension of my family personally."
Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest; she just wanted Rico to get on with it.
"Thank you." Her voice cracked.
Rico began to chuckle, "Em, believe me you have nothing to be worried about! Please relax, you look like you are about to fall over any minute."
Emilene looked down at her hands, they were gripping on the arms of the chair turning her knuckles white. She didn't realize how tightly she was gripping until she unlocked her figures and rubbed them on her hips.
"Now, as I was saying, I just want to make sure that everything is ok. Is your relationship with Tom Kaulitz ok? These stories just do not sound like you at all and I just want to make sure that you are ok."
Emilene sighed with relief; she needed to stop over analyzing and worrying so much.
"Everything is absolutely fine with Tom and I, I can assure you that I am not pregnant, we were not fighting or causing a scene. The photos are over two months old; it is just me upset about leaving him." Hastily, Emilene pulled out her water bottle from her bag and gulped down some water.
"I am more worried about Tom and the band, about what they would think. I know that they are use to stories being fabricated, but I don't know if he would be offended."
Rico pressed his fingers to his lips, shaking his head in agreeance. "You know Em, there has been a great opportunity offered recently and to be honest you were the first person that came to mind. I think a change of scenery will do you good, help clear your head and get you exposure at our sister office."
"A recent opportunity? What is it about?" her interested pique.
"Sylvia over at MTV Germany has been looking into expanding their photography studio, but there is a catch. Not only would you be in charge of photography, there is also some hosting duties also."
Hosting duties? As if Rico didn't know how painfully shy he was already, why was she his first choice?
Rico continued, fumbling through some papers on his desk. "I know you aren't the person to jump at the chance of speaking in front of people, but you would be eased into. First, some news shorts, then some video interviews as you shoot cliental, and hopefully some hosting on carpets of events and shows. I wouldn't have thought of you if I didn't think you were qualified and capable of doing it."
Emilene was floored, not only was she going to be the head photographer but she was also going to be seen and heard.
"The catch is that you have two days to pack up everything and move to Germany. There is a furnished apartment and car with your name on it, it is a trial run so you will be there for six months. If you need time to think it through, I understand."
Emilene got up from her chair and made her way over to Rico. She bent down and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Thank you" she softly spoke and tears came down her face.
Rico patted her arm and returned the hug. "I really hate to see you go, but I am very proud of you. Now go home, pack and enjoy your last few days in New York."
Emilene smiled and made her way out of the studio, she hurried down the hall and out onto the street. She threw her arms up in the air and let out a huge laugh, ignoring the stares from strangers. She began to think about the time she would spend with Tom as she made her way back to her apartment.
"You will be in Germany for six months! That is fantastic! Possibility of longer if your trial period is good? Emma, I am so happy for you!" Tom beamed.
"I will be arriving in Berlin on Friday around four o'clock."
Tom was ecstatic; although it has only been two months it felt like an eternity. Emma was going to be living in Germany, in Berlin, only a two-hour drive from him. HE would be able to see her as much as he could, and he knew that they would cross paths at her work. Tokio Hotel was a fixture at the MTV Germany studios
"Tom?" Emma's worried voice brought him back from his thoughts.
"I don't know if you have had a chance to see any of the gossip magazines recently."
Tom began to chew on his lip ring; he didn't know what Emma was getting at. A worrisome feeling began to boil in his stomach; he figured that some old groupie sold a fake story.
"No, I generally try to not focus on them." Coldly he replied.
Being taken back by his response, Emilene didn't know whether to continue or not. But, she decided it was for the best to just get it off her chest. After she re-told the fabricated stories to Tom she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
"Oh Emma you had me worried for a minute. They are going to spin any photo into a story that they can make money on. If it bothered you I am sorry, please don't be offended by what some stranger says."
They both began to laugh. "I can't believe that they even said that I was pregnant!"
"I think I would know if you were pregnant, you would tell me." Tom hesitated for a moment. "You're not pregnant are you?" Sheepishly he asked.
He had to pull the phone away as Emma's loud laughter startled him. He knew what the answer was and chuckled at himself for thinking otherwise.
"I will see you Friday Tom."
"I will be waiting for you Em."
"I love you."
"I love you too." With a click the phone went dead. Tom lay back onto the couch and smiled. It seemed as everything was beginning to fall into place.