Right after him and Keira "talked", Orlando went out to look for Gore to talk about their plan to fix things when suddenly he bumped into someone he thought had left.
"Kate" he said confused and surprised.
Kate tuned fast with wide eyes as she saw who had spotted her. "Oh Orlando" she said a little too quickly. She flashed him a smile to make things seem normal but things were far from that. If Kate had tried to help Orlando by trying to get herself and Rupert fired what brought her back here?
"What are you doing here?" he asked still confused as he saw her playing with her fingertips. "I mean not that it's not a pleasure to see you. After all you did try and help me with everything that's been going on…"
"Right!" said Kate nodding. "Yeah I did and well that actually why I'm here. I needed to handle last minute paperwork with Edward and I also wanted to see how things with you and Keira are." As Orlando started telling her how everything was, he didn't notice obvious things he should have taken as a warning. Kate was acting as if she had just gotten caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing but of course all went unnoticed by Orlando since he believed she had moved all of her scheming.
"-At least she's starting to figure out things on her own-" Orlando said which caught Kate's immediate attention.
"She's what?" she asked with confusion and what seemed to be frustration on her face. "Are you sure?"
Orlando nodded as a grin came upon his lips. "Yeah, the day you got fired she and I had a discussion and well one thing led to another and she slowly started to piece things together from there. She's discovered so much in such a short time without anyone helping her. I think soon I might actually get to have her back-" he said completely smiling as he pictured having Keira back soon.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up" Kate said coldly by mistake as she didn't mean to say it out loud. She saw Orlando give her yet another look of confusion but fortunately, for her she was able to correct herself quickly. "I mean, I just wouldn't want to see you get hurt again and all."
Orlando nodded completely pushing aside her coldness thinking it was nothing. "Anyway, I actually have to go start getting ready for a scene and I have to talk to Gore before that but it was nice seeing you again" he said as he gave her a warm smile and walked away.
Kate looked as he walked away making sure he was completely far enough that she wouldn't hear the phone call she was about to make. "Rupert" she said looking around through the hall. "Looks like you haven't been doing your well enough."
"Alright so here's how this works" Gore said as he had Orlando and Jerry in his office. "Edward only has power over all of us as long as he has the rights to the franchise which gives him the right to fire and hire whoever he wants, whenever he wants."
"He's made that pretty clear" Orlando said as he laid back on his chair and thought of how many times Edward had threatened him and Keira.
"The only way to ever stop him is if we take those rights away" Gore continued.
"How would we do that?" Jerry asked as he rubbed his chin as he thought. "I mean like you said he controls all of us, there is no one above him."
"Not necessarily" Gore said as he got up and started walking behind his desk to get all paperwork related to Pirates. "It says here that although he has the rights, he can be forced to sell his rights if there are any major complaints or if he puts anyone in a dangerous situation which he or she is not comfortable with-"
"No offense Orlando" Jerry said knowing that what he was about to say was about to weaken Orlando's hopes. "I know I mean we all know how important Keira is to you but I wouldn't classify him making you break up with her as a dangerous situation-"
"I wasn't finished" Gore said interrupting him as he continued ready on looking for something specific he had read before. "Bingo" he said as he grinned at himself and sat back in his chair. "If the holder of the rights has had complaints against him before or has been fired in the past because of complaints and or/and has been proven to not have the capacity to run a film successfully, any other leader such as the director or producer directly under him has the immediate advantage to make an offer to purchase the rights him or herself at any time whether it be due to a complaint or just mere desire to be in control. However, the person must be able to prove themselves capable of being in charge of the film as well as all the responsibilities that come with it."
As Jerry and Orlando listened to every word carefully, Orlando couldn't help but smile realizing that this might actually be the way he frees himself from Edward Russo and Rupert Friend for good.
"Okay so now we have this way to get rid of him" Jerry said as his gears started to turn. "But do we know exactly how much Edward originally paid for the rights? I mean, I know Disney wouldn't sell it for anything less."
Gore looked through the papers when he found the amount and his eyes opened wide at the huge amount. "Wow-"
"I'll pay it" Orlando said interrupting him in fear that his hopes would be crushed once again. "Whatever it is, I'll pay it-"
"Orlando" Gore said. "We all want you and Keira together but let's think rationally and calmly for a minute. It is a rather large sum and-"
"I don't care" Orlando said. "I could care less about how much it is. I would rather lose my entire fortune then lose Keira. The only thing I need you two to do is to decide whose name the offer is going to be made under."
"Wait Orlando slow down" Jerry said Orlando was already getting excited. He loved seeing the old happier Orlando start coming back but he also wanted to make sure he wasn't getting his hopes up, at least not yet. "Okay like Gore said we have to stay calm and think wisely for a moment-"
"No" Orlando said standing up. "Jerry, every minute that passes by is every minute Edward or Rupert could be using to plan something else. You never know what could be going through that man's head. Every minute that passes by is every minute I give to him to keep manipulating me. This game he has me playing is getting old and I know for a fact that you along with everybody else are tired of playing it."
"Of course we're tired of playing it" Gore said. "This is supposed to be a movie set and for some reason it has turned into a soap opera. Believe me that besides you I am the person who most wants this all to end. But, if we want this to work we have to do this quietly and carefully. If we act too quickly I'm sure that he will figure it out and that also gives him the advantage to plan something else. We have to make sure we stay one step ahead of them game-"
"That's even if we are one step ahead already" Jerry asked. "Yes, we just came up with this plan and yes, Keira has just about the entire secret completed which makes us seem like we're ahead. But what if we're not?" he asked as he stood up and walked around his chair thinking. "I don't want to keep thinking negatively but we're talking about Edward Russo. We all know what he's capable of now and what he's willing to do to make sure that a movie is a success and that it along with himself makes money. We all know he has gone way too far and we all know that he is willing to go even farther and on top of that he has the smarts to do it. So, saying that, what if we're really not ahead? What if making us believe we had him was the plan along to catch us at a weak moment?"
Orlando and Gore both stayed silent as they realized that Jerry was absolutely right. No one knew what exactly was going on now, no one knew who was ahead of whom, and they weren't sure if anyone knew what the game was anymore. They were all stuck in a game they didn't know the rules for making them all defenseless.
"If that's his plan" finally Gore said "Then we still are ahead. We still are ahead because now we know what he's trying to do."
"That still leave an important question" Orlando said as he looked at them both. "Who is he using as a rat to find out what we know?"
"The little brat is catching on to us" Kate told Edward Russo in his office as she, he, and Rupert sat down trying to find a way to save what was left of their plan. "Orlando flat out told me that she's start to figure everything out therefore leaving us all screwed."
"That's impossible" Rupert said as he rolled his eye. "Keira still hates Orlando for dumping her without an excuse-"
"Are you sure about that?" Kate snapped at him. "Right after your beloved defended you she ran straight to Orlando. Apparently, after that conversation she started to find out things, things that you were suppose to keep hidden from her."
"If you wouldn't have tried so hard to stay on his good side you would have had time to seduce him back to you-"
"I only tried to get on his good side to gain his trust. Because of that I know that she is getting closer and closer to the truth."
"Who cares?" Edward asked which caused Rupert and Kate to look at him with wide eyes. Edward chuckled as he saw their pathetic faces. "So what if she finds out, what is she going to do? As long as I am in control she, Orlando and their group of pathetic idiotic friends still have to do what I say. If I tell them to stay broken up because I want them to focus on the film then they'll have to do it giving you two the opportunity to get what you want."
"Have you ever thought of the idea that they could just decide to quit this damn movie in order to live happily ever after?" Rupert asking in a sarcastic tone.
"Orlando and everyone already know that if they dared to threaten me their career would be history. But, if that doesn't work I'll sue them for breaking their contract with the Pirates franchise forcing them to give back money on everything they've earned and everything that has been spent on them. The sum would be large for each so if they refuse to pay they will be forced to face a judge" Edward said as he grinned at how perfectly he had everything planned out.
"Orlando Bloom has been in a handful of Blockbuster hits" Kate said as she sat "I'm sure paying the sum won't be a problem. Even that miserable little troll has earned a large fortune over her career."
"If the situation does go that far and if am forced to sue for the money and if in fact they do pay," Edward started as he rolled his eyes at all the ifs he was forced to answer. "Then I'll sue Keira again for breaking and entering."
Kate stayed quiet as she heard everything that Edward had planned out. She had joined this all to see if she could get a second chance with Orlando and knew she would be forced to do some lying and scheming but she never thought Edward would be so serious about it and go that far. She knew that everything has gone too far since they were not talking about suing, judges, and trials, and sending Keira to jail. The small good part of her started to wonder if everything was worth it. Was having Orlando maybe only for a few more weeks worth risking sending Keira to jail and making both her and Orlando go to trial and be miserable for the rest of their lives? Was it worth her having to live with the guilty conscience and maybe even facing a judge since she and Rupert technically could be charged with harassment?
Rupert glared not wanting Keira to be sent to jail for something she didn't do and he also glared at Edward seeing as he was enjoying their suffering a little bit too much. He too started to think if all this was worth all the scandals and consequences that would arise from it. .
"But she didn't do that" Rupert said trying to defend Keira.
"Think again Friend" Edward said as he pulled out Keira's skull ring. "How much do you want to bet that this is her ring that I found this morning in my office with the door locked?"
"What did she take?" Kate asked worried that Keira had actually done something that could ruin her name in some way.
"Nothing" Edward said as he played with the ring.
"What did she find out?" Rupert asked worried that Keira knew everything he had done, everything horrible.
"I'm not quite sure" Edward replied "but rest assured. As soon as I find out, I'll handle it."
"Hello! Thank you for calling the Good Morning America studio! Please hold as we work hard to connect you with a representative as soon as possible."
Keira sighed as she tapped her foot impatiently waiting to talk to someone. She had heard the woman on her cell phone say that line about forty times and she was growing impatient.
"But I need to talk to Patrick Wilkinson" she mumbled to herself out loud in her dressing room. "Just be patient." As she waited, and waited, and waited, she started to play with a lose string from her teal sweet heart neck line top that was flowy at the torso that hid her feminine figure. Finally as she was about to give up she got connected to someone.
"Hello and thank you for calling. My name is Sophia and I will be you representative today, how may I help you?"
"Hello..hi. This is Keira Knightley speaking and I was wondering if by any chance someway somehow I could arrange to have Patrick Wilkinson to interview me at the red carpet at Sunday's Titanic event."
"You would have to talk to him directly about that but no worries, I will you direct you to him immediately."
"Thank you so-"
"Please hold."
Keira sighed again eager to speak with Patrick Wilkinson. She knew how important talking to this man was because if she was able to convince him to tell her what his complaint was about; she would know what had been keeping Orlando and her apart for the past three months.
"Hello, my name is Patrick Wilkinson from Good Morning America how may I help you?"
"Patrick! It's Keira, Keira Knightley" Keira said with a smile as she thanked God that this man finally picked up his phone.
"Keira? Wow it's unusual for the star to be calling the interviewer" Patrick said surprised to hear her voice. "But hey, how can I help you?" he asked very curiously. What could she want with him?
"I wanted to know if by any chance you could be the one who interviewed me on the red carpet, it's really important that I see you that day because I need to-"
"Umm I'm sorry but I was given a list of all the stars I could interview and I don't think you were on mine-" Patrick said as he held the list in his hands searching for her name.
"No, please it's really important that I meet with you. I have to ask you something extremely important and I would ask you this over the phone but it's important that I see you face to face when you tell me this to be safe."
"Sorry Miss Knightley but I'm afraid I won't be able to interview you" Patrick said as he read all his stars names.
"No no you don't understand" Keira said as she grew frustrated "You interviewing me is the only way I will find you in the crowd of people and I need to see you to ask you something important please."
"Why don't you just ask me your question right now? I have a minute before I have to be on set?"
"No, believe me a minutes is not enough" Keira said crossing her fingers hoping that all this would work out. "Please I need to see you face to face and it needs to be longer than a minute. What I have to ask you really is important."
Patrick sighed as he saw that this girl was not going to give up until he at least said maybe. "If your question is that important as you claim it to me, I will try and see what I can do but I can't make any promises."
"That's perfect no, thank you" Keira said as she bit her lip in eagerness and excitement. "See you Sunday" she said before she hung up.
Patrick grinned as he hung up the phone as well but suddenly he grew curious and a little worried. "What could this call want from me?" he asked himself.
Keira walked out of her dressing room excitedly until she ran in to the same person Orlando had.
"Kate?" Keira asked. "What are you doing here? I thought you got-"
"I did" Kate replied coldly "But, it turns out I have some unfinished business here" she said as she gave Keira and evil grin.
Keira unlike Orlando was not blind to Kate's façade and she realized a small sarcastic laugh once she heard what she said. "Now, do you have unfinished business with the film and Edward or with Orlando?"
"Last time I checked even if I do have unfinished business with Orlando that no longer concerns you" Kate replied taking a step towards her "You're not his girl friend anymore Keira. So if I really wanted to try and win him back there is nothing stopping me-"
"That is besides his love for me" Keira said taking a step towards her just like Kate had. "I mean sure he and I are no longer together but you know what's funny? He's not with me and yet he's still fighting to be with me, again. Now I wonder why he would be doing that for?-"
"Don't get too cocky Knightley. You're an idiot if you think you have everything figured out in this game. You don't know just how deep this has all gotten to be and your barley scraping through the surface."
"I never said I had everything figured out. But, I do have important aspects of it figured out so that actually makes me one step ahead of the game."
"How can you be ahead if you don't even know what the game is?" Kate said challenging her. "You don't even know what this game is about and you don't even know how to play."
"That's where you're wrong" Keira said glaring. "I have my ways of finding out important information without getting caught."
Kate laughed knowing that she was talking about the time she went into Edward Russo's office. "Yeah sure, you most likely will never win as long as the rules keep getting changed."
Keira looked at Kate in confusion before Kate turned on her heel and walked down the hall. Suddenly she turned back around. "Cute outfit and accessories by the way, although a nice big ring would really tie the look together."
Keira's eyes widened as she realized she was missing her skull ring which meant she must have dropped it in Edward Russo's office.
Kate saw Keira start to freak and something happened that shocked her herself. She started to feel bad for her. "Just try to cover up your tacks more carefully" Kate started to tell her. "And your little breaking and entering won't be used against you unless he feels he needs to. That doesn't mean you should go break into every office though."
Keira looked at Kate in shock for numerous reasons. Had she really just tried to help her? "What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Keira asked as she took in everything Kate had just told her. "The rules keeps getting changed?"
"If it isn't my great old pal" Rupert said as also ran into Orlando down the halls. "I haven't spoken to you in a while."
Orlando gave him an evil smirk as he walked closer to him. "That's because I've been too busy trying to find ways to show people just how much of a bastard you are."
"Whoa ouch" Rupert said pretending to be hurt. "You know the line would have really sounded threatening if there actually was a way you could "unmask" me as you more or so said."
"I'm sure there is a way and believe me once I find it I'm going to bring you down" Orlando said threateningly as he stepped closer to Rupert.
"Give it your best shot Bloom" Rupert snapped. "Go ahead; pretend like your one up, in the end we're the ones who have the advantage-"
"Believe me that won't be for long" Orlando said releasing a small chuckle. "Soon you and Edward Russo will be begging for forgiveness as you get caught in the act. To be quite frank I don't know if I'll be merciful that day."
This time Rupert laughed. "Oh please" he started. "You know I'm not even going to try and help you out by warning you anymore. If you want to believe you're ahead of us go right ahead. If you want to try and get Keira back you have every right to do that. But, you don't have the right to sacrifice her career and her good name-"
Orlando having believed Rupert threatened Keira shoved him against the wall as he held him there. "Don't you dare try anything against her-"
"I never said I was Bloom" Rupert said as he pushed him off. "Let's be serious for a moment. You and I are two of the only people who know what the hell is happening here. We both know Edward Russo and we both no he has no limit and we both know that the reason you and I are here is because we both love Keira and we'd do anything to get her back safe and happy" Rupert said as he looked sincere and honest for the first time in while to Orlando. "I am not talking to you as the man who wants her back, I am talking to you as the man who cares for her. If you really love her and want her safe, you'd back off or at least make my job a little harder by covering you tracks a little bit better."
Orlando kept looking at Rupert realizing he did all this because he was crazy in love with Keira. "If you want her to be safe why don't you just tell us what Edward has up his sleeve so that we can find a way to tell her everything without getting caught?"
Rupert laughed as the bad in him came out once again. "I never said I was feeling merciful. Plus, you really should pay more attention. I just told you that Keira would be even safer not knowing a thing because the minute she finds out everything, is the minute Edward Russo starts the second part of his plan."
Orlando watched as Rupert walked away and ask his gears started turning after everything Rupert just said. Then he grew surprised when he realized that Rupert had also tried to help him out, in a way. "They know we're on to them and they're just about to release hell" Orlando said out loud to himself as he sighed. "If this isn't hell what the hell is?"
"How about we both share them?" Gore said as he talked to Jerry about the rights of the film. "I mean we only have a few more months left until the third one and working with you isn't so bad."
Both men chuckled as they shared a small happy moment in a time of chaos. "Sounds good to me Gore. Honestly, figuring this out was the easiest part of everything."
"Believe me I feel the same" Gore said as he sat down on his chair and out all the Pirates papers back into their file. " I mean I don't even know what is happening anymore. It started out with a fight between Rupert and Orlando. Then Edward Russo jumped into the mix and told Orlando to break up with Keira threatening almost everyone's jobs and careers if they dared to say a word about it. Also, making Keira and Orlando almost not speak for two months until the interview happened in October. Around that time when she suddenly started figuring things out, Kate and Rupert both get hired as cast members here adding them to the mix as well. Kate got fired, Rupert's still here, Edward's still in control, with who knows what ideas in his head. Now you and I are sitting here looking to buy the rights of the films."
"You know when you say everything all at once like that it's amazing that you and I are still even sitting here" Jerry said with a grin. "We've been through hell with these people."
Gore returned the gin and added a chuckle. "I know. By the way I've wanted to apologize to you and Orlando for a while. I got way to obsessed with the film and the success of it that I started to push away you guys by making lousy threats that really had no malicious intent behind them-"
"Gore" Jerry said interrupting him "Don't worry about it. I've worked with you long enough that I can deal with any chaos you throw upon everyone."
Both men chuckled once again until the room went silent. "Really think we can pull this off Jerry?"
Jerry nodded being one-hundred percent confident in their plan. "If we were all able to survive what we've went through in the past and what we're going through now then yeah, we can pull this off."
Gore nodded feeling all secure now. The feeling of security unfortunately did not last long. "I can't help but worry still though. I don't want to think negatively but like you said to me and Orlando before, we are dealing with a man who has shown to have no limits and no regrets."
Jerry nodded. "We are dealing with a man who has the smarts to manipulate all of us. I'm not even sure who to trust or talk to anymore about this. It's like a game of who knows and who doesn't? Who's good and who's bad? Who left and who's coming back? Who's ahead, and who's falling behind?"
Hello all ;) What do you think? I just totally flipped Kate's part in the story back around. Don't think you know what's going to happen because rules keep changing… MUAHAHAHA. Sorry. :( Anyway thank you for all the reviews and I want to especially thank someone who has been reviewing like crazy. It's an anonymous reviewer and the name says XxJellyxX. Whoever you are thank you so much and I just wanted to ask you to please keep reading because its reviewers like you that really keep me going so thank you. :) Also people please keep messaging me if whether or not I should write a sequel. This story is getting long and I feel like I might want to split it in two since lots of things are about to change and happen so please message me your ideas because I write these stories all for you. Again please keep reviewing, keep reading, and stop trying to figure out what's going to happen. ;) you won't get very very far...