Chapter 21:
Katara paced back and forth as she anticipated her guests. She couldn't even watch the news right now without feeling embarrassed. She didn't want to leave the house or be seen. Not like she had anywhere to go anyway considering she stupidly quit her only source of income. Everyone probably hated her.
A knock came at the door. She figured she might as well embarrass the judgement of her family first. She owed them the truth. She opened the door and in came Sokka, Suki, Hakoda, and Gran Gran. Ugh, her grandmother was here. Her grandmother had now seen a video of her not being so innocent. She could die now. Hakoda came and first and couldn't even look at her in the eye when he came in. He knew, there was no way he didn't know. He walked right passed her and didn't say a thing.
"Hey, Katara. Why are there guys with cameras outside of your apartment?" Sokka asked curiously.
"There's WHAT?!" Katara exclaimed. She ran to the window and peeked out of the curtain. There were 10 men out there with camera. Katara rubbed her temples in annoyance. It hasn't even been 24 hours before the media swarmed on her house. She turned back around and looked at her family seated in the living room. "I have to tell you guys something, if you haven't already heard."
"Are you pregnant?" Gran Gran blurted out
"Oh NO. I'm not pregnant. No one is pregnant-"
"Before you tell us your story," Sokka cuddled closer to Suki and placed a hand on her belly. "Suki is actually pregnant and we're moving up the wedding. Ha! Top that announcement Katara"
"Congratulations!" Gran Gran exclaimed
"I'm going to be a grandfather! This is great son!" Hakoda gave Sokka a large hug and touched Suki's still small belly.
Way to go Sokka. He decided THIS was the moment he would announce the baby. Great, now Katara's news would literally petrify her dad and grandmother.
"What do you have to tell us?" Suki asked rubbing her belly. Everyone in the room was now completely invested in what Katara had to say. She let out a sigh and decided to just get it over with.
"I slept with Zuko Agni." Katara waited for the shock value to go down before she pulled out the "but wait there's more" line. Everyone's eyes seemed to widen, except her father who looked so disappointed. Everyone would be disappointed when she finished her story.
"YOU DID WHAT? I'll kill him! Where's that rick jerk face? Oh he thinks he's so hot seducing my baby sister out of her innocence." Sokka yelled on the verge of getting out of his seat. Suki continued to try to get him to calm down.
"Sokka, chill out. ANYONE would want to do her boss. It's understandable." Suki defended. Sokka glared at her so hard Katara thought he would slap her for just admitting she found someone else attractive other than him.
"Well, that's the thing he's not my boss anymore. I quit-"
"Did he harass you?! We can slap that jerk with a law suit! No one defiles my sister and gets away with it." Sokka interrupted.
"Sokka, be quiet and let your sister speak. Tell whole story Katara." Her dad demanded in an authoritative tone. Her dad looked her dead in eyes. She could feel the displeasure radiating from his eye sockets from across the room.
"He didn't force me. He didn't harass me and he didn't seduce me. Although I didn't know it was him, I went with him willingly. It's made very apparent in the video. If no one has seen the news, been on the internet, or read a magazine in the last few hours then I'll summarize it. There is a video out in the public. Someone has been filming and taking photos of me and Zuko. Now the whole world knows about it and can see it in detail for themselves. I'm so ashamed. I know you all are disappointed in me." Katara started to sniffle. She held back her tears, not wanting to cry in front of them.
Hakoda got up and embraced his daughter, "You made a mistake Katara. The media can say what they want about you but your family will never stray."
"Mistakes are what make you human granddaughter. I made quite a few of them when I was your age." Gran Gran encouraged laughing.
"I may hate Zuko, but you're still my sister. As gross as it is to think of you doing the do thing with him, I still love you. It's my job to protect you. So tell the tabloids to bring it on!" Sokka yelled
"We have your back chick! Now considering your apartment is under surveillance by the paparazzi doesn't Zuko have I don't know a team that handles this sort of thing. I mean, how much of a jerk is he for leaving the media to eat you alive with no damage control." Suki proclaimed
"This is the part everyone doesn't know. I met with him and his PR team yesterday morning and they had this whole elaborate scheme to save face for the media. They want me to pose as Zuko's fiancée and act like we're a couple so they can spin the story and not make us look so smutty. We'd have to appear to be a loving and happy couple, who wanted to keep things a secret. There's interviews and book deals and wedding dress specials. The whole thing would be fake just to cover things up." Katara explained
"So you don't actually have to marry him right?" Gran Gran asked.
"No, I don't but I don't think I could pull off such a big lie."
"Can we just all agree that his PR team are geniuses?" Sokka declared "But you don't have to sell your soul to those people if you don't want to Sis. Whatever you pick I'm going to support you. So can you give me this PR team's number because one time I ripped my pants at work and my co-workers just can't let it go? Can we spin that or something or like-"
"SOKKA! Shut it. Katara, I mean it isn't A LIE. It's just making a well put together illusion. It'll protect both of you and you get perks right? There has to be money, housing, jewelry, clothes, and exposure involved. This is an opportunity where you could be set for life. I don't see why you can't stick it out and pretend to share toothbrushes or something for a few months." Suki stated
"I already burned that bridge so to speak. I completely flipped on Zuko for not telling me it was him that night and I quit. I can't go back now. Plus I missed my window to notify June."
"You better beg for his rich and handsome forgiveness! Seriously, if he has an interview set up with Oprah or something there's no way I'd decline."
Katara shrugged her shoulders.
"Wait? Oprah, seriously Katara! Take the deal!" Hakoda ordered. "I mean um do what you feel is best."
"I still have to tell Aang about everything too." That was something she really didn't want to do.
"You're in between a rock in a hard place with this granddaughter. In other words, you're screwed." Gran Gran blurted out. Everyone let out a loud laugh, except Katara who was just as confused as she was when she started.
~/~
Zuko had called his entire family to a meeting meanwhile on the other side of town. His entire dysfunctional family was now sitting in front of them. Half of them wouldn't have even showed up had it not been for the promise of wine and food. From the moment Azula walked in she cracked on the bottle of wine. Mai had her normal vengeful expression with her shoulders crossed. Uncle was busy sipping his tea and humming whatever song was stuck in his head. He couldn't bring himself to call his father, who probably would only make things worse. June was the only one who had the best attitude during this situation, although she had her face buried in her phone. This was anything but his ideal support system right now.
"ZuZu this is quality wine! Is there cheese with this?" Azula questioned.
"Yes, there's cheese Azula. Lay off the wine. Now to the task at hand-"
"Can I have some milk for my tea? Only a mad man drinks his tea without milk!" Iroh cut him off.
"Sure whatever but listen-"
"Can I leave now? I have a hair appointment and your daughter needs food to eat so unless this is about my grocery list I'm not interested." Mai snapped with attitude. She looked completely disinterested as usual.
"No Mai you cannot leave. June can you help me out here?" Zuko scratched his head in frustration.
"Of course Mr. Agni." June stood up in front of the group. "Zuko is caught in yet another scandal, but have no fear my amazing skills will save him."
"Ugh, always a scandal with you Zuko! Are there more sluts? Really what would Maya think?" Mai stated in an annoyed tone.
"It's always about you ZuZu." Azula sipped her wine again. "No one seems to care that Azula discovered the wonders of gold facials. Noo it's all about my screw up little brother. Why can't you just pay everyone involved and call it a day?"
"I know everyone here is a little annoyed but this time we can really turn this around with proper cooperation, unfortunately the other person involved is refusing my help." June stated
"So who is she?" Mai asked
"Mai! That's not important. Our daughter's future is more important."
"I bet it's that girl you had working here. You got caught banging her in broom closet or something and now she wants all your money for compensation right? You're disgusting." Mai declared.
"Ms. Stone, my nephew has enough to worry about without your negativity weighing heavy on his spirit. BE respectful and let the lovely lady finish speaking." Iroh scolded. He no sooner went back to drinking his tea.
"Thank you Iroh. Now at the moment my little plan is not a go yet but I have confidence the other party will agree to it once she's drowning from the negative attention. We need full cooperation from you all as well. Mr. Agni and the young women will pose as a recently engaged couple who can't get enough of each other. If anyone asks questions or you have an interview the story is that you love his fiancée, she has really made real changes in him, and you're excited to have a new addition to the family. We will also need some carefully fabricated family scenes as well."
"No! I'm not going to sit back and lie while some other woman gets to reap the benefits of the man I had first!" Mai protested
"I understand you're bitter but I frankly don't give a damn. Unless you want the father of your child to be known as a low life womanizer you'll shut up and smile when asked questions Ms. Stone. No one cares how you feel because it isn't about you. I'm sure your daughter will benefit greatly from a change in her dad's image. The story is you hated his fiancée, but once you saw how caring and wonderful she was you found yourself becoming fast friends. No 'I'm a bitter and scorned woman, hear me roar' in public. Unless you want everyone to hate you as much as you probably hate yourself right now." June snapped
"Well isn't she full of fire Nephew. Where did you find her?" Iroh joked.
"Now, Azula your role is important. As the primary woman in Zuko's life it's important that you and she are seen together often. Go get your nails done, go have a spa day, and hell go mountain climbing if cameras are going to be there. You attract cameras and attention. Attention is what we need to turn this story around. Pay nice. Understand?" June said to Azula
"Yea, yea I'll do whatever you want if I get some booze. I'll help ZuZu cover up his sex tape with the Maid Girl." Azula said nonchalantly
"SEX. TAPE." Mai was so shocked and looked completely appalled
"Can we not give the alcoholic anymore alcohol? It isn't a sex tape. It's just a sexually suggestive situation that does not explicitly show any activity." Zuko explained
"I am NOT an alcoholic Mr. Pot Calling the Kettle Black! Besides let's not play coy. I saw the video. I'm not sure how no one else here has though. Does no one follow TMZ?" Azula refilled her glasses and continued drinking.
"Oh, I know you Zuko. You probably banged her life out and then left like the gentlemen you are. I can't believe you could ever get so low." Mai rolled her eyes.
"Great job giving me the heads up that everyone in your family is insane. I couldn't spin the dysfunction if I worked my whole life." June whispered to Zuko then turned back to the group. "The video is not the issue. How we respond to the video is the issue. We need people to not care about the video anymore because they're swept up in the romantic. Love trumps the raunchy video a hundred times over. Now we have contracts for everyone to sign in agreement."
"Great we dress the whore in a white dress and turn her into a housewife. Can I go now?"
"How is it even possible to show so much scorn when you JUST threw yourself at me? Maybe I would've given you a bone if you weren't such a bitch Mai. Get over it!" Zuko retorted towards Mai
"I THREW myself at you. Well that isn't an accomplishment since you throw yourself at anything with legs. I can't help it if my child's father is largely a disappointment!" Mai yelled
"You know I think you leaked the video because you're just that crazy! Considering you threatened to expose her, I'm sure you were pretty upset when I didn't call your bluff. That's terrible Mai. Do you have any idea what this could do to the entire family?"
"You think I did this? Wow! And here I thought you had changed but here you are blaming everyone else for your mistakes. I don't have to take this." Mai shouted.
"This argument is just delightful! I love the low blows." Azula clapped in confirmation, chewing on a cube of cheese.
"Can we all calm down for 30 seconds? Sign the contract agreeing to full cooperation then you guys can fight all you want." June slid the contracts to Iroh, Mai, and Azula.
Mai took the contract and ripped it in half while Azula and Iroh signed it.
"I'm out. I'm not signing a thing. By the way, Maya won't be seeing you as long as you're with her." Maya dropped the ripped pieces of paper on the ground and left the house. Zuko groaned loudly and flipped the entire table over, storming upstairs. The glass table shattered all over the floor in big shards. Iroh, June, and Azula were the only ones left in the room.
"Well that might come back and bite us later. Way to go Team Zuko." June sarcastically said.
"Please, Mai is just really bad at holding grudges. She'll come around once she realizes she had nothing better to do in her life but participate in our little play here. SO is there booze in my contract?" Azula changed the subject.
"I'll go talk to Nephew." Iroh said heading upstairs.
"Uh, you guys are the absolute worst! Not only is Katara not caving like I thought, Madame Misery folded before we could even start." June kicked the glass in annoyance and poured herself some wine. "I DON'T get paid enough to deal with this."
~/~
Aang had not been answering Katara's calls, much to her surprise. She decided to pay him a visit at his house. Since the media now knew what she looked like she had to disguise herself. She put on a blonde wig and wrapped a back scarf around her head. She put on a pink maxi dress and a black cardigan and headed out. When she pulled up he was walking out the door. She parked, got out fast, and ran up to him.
"AANG! I've been calling you." Katara yelled.
"Why do you look like a Muslim woman when its 85 degrees outside?"
"The media is stalking me. I have to disguise myself!"
"Oh, because of that." Aang turned his back and attempted to put the key in the door.
"So you know huh? Aang, I'm so sorry. I know I shouldn't have done that but I was drunk and I got carried away. Forgive me." Katara begged. Aang's body noticeably tensed.
"I think you should go Katara. There's nothing you have to explain to me. I saw the video with my own eyes. You obviously enjoy being with him more anyway."
"No, that's not true Aang. I quit my job and I haven't talked to him. I didn't even know it was him until yesterday. I know it looks bad but please let's just talk."
"Was I not good enough for you? I don't care if you knew or not. You cheated on me and you weren't going to tell me. You lied to me. You could've cheated on me but why him. He doesn't love you, he doesn't even care about you. You're just another girl on his long list. You couldn't have told me and let me feel embarrassed alone. Everywhere I go now I hear about people referring to someone I considered to be in a committed relationship all kinds of demeaning names. I hate him. I bet he got off knowing that you were mine right Katara?"
"I know I should've told you as soon as it happened but I was embarrassed. I just felt really lonely that night-"
"You could've came to ME!" Aang yelled in frustration.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Katara began to sob into her hands behind the glasses. She buried her face into her hands as large globs of tears fell down her face.
Aang sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He grabbed Katara and pulled her into an embrace. "I hate seeing you cry. Come in. I can at least be man enough to give you a tissue."
Aang sat her down in the kitchen and got her some water and tissues. He then made her a quick meal of a sandwich and sat next to her.
"Figured you haven't eaten. I wouldn't be able to eat being in the middle of a scandal." Aang said sliding her the sandwich. "Can you please take the Amish woman get up off? I can't take you seriously."
Katara took off the glasses, the wig, and her cardigan. Her stomach growled in anticipation. She hadn't eaten all day.
"I shouldn't be yelling at you and I shouldn't judge you. After all, we both lied. I'm sure you need support right now. I'm willing to offer it but that doesn't mean I forgive you right away. What are you supposed to do now?"
"Zuko's team offered damage control but I'd have to pretend to be something I'm not. I have to pretend to be Zuko's fiancée until it all blows over. I'm crazy for not accepting the deal. I regret storming out now."
"Wait you have to marry him? That's how you fix this."
"No I have to pretend like I'm really excited to marry him. The publicity will focus on our budding love affair. It could completely mend the backlash."
"And if you don't?"
"Then I'm basically Hester Prynne."
"Ouch, rough. Nothing like a little public isolation and ridicule."
"There's tons of interviews I'd have to do and we'd have to be seen together all the time. We'd have to pretend to be the perfect fairytale in public."
"And in private?"
"I don't know. That wasn't outlined in the deal. All I know is we break off the fabricated engagement and I keep the ring, the house, the car, and I got paid severance money. It's complicated."
"So let me get this straight in public you have to act all lovey dovey but in private, away from the cameras you can see who you want?"
"Sure, I guess but does this mean you still want to be with me?"
"I do love you Katara. I want to work this whole thing out. I'm not going to let Zuko pull us a part. I'm still angry at your for this but I'm not losing you. Do what you must to fix your image and six months down the road we can be together, living off of that ass's money. It'll be perfect. We can have a big wedding, buy a house together, have kids, and put money in their college funds and not have to spend a dime. It's the perfect burn to Zuko for what he did to us."
"Are you serious? You want me to compromise my morals so we can live off Zuko's money?"
"We can lead the perfect life Katara. Once you break off the fake engagement we can forget about Zuko and be together. The media is attacking you as we speak. The only way to save your dignity is by accepting Zuko's deal. It won't be for long Katara. Think about the end game here. It's about me and you, not him."
"I don't know Aang."
"I trust you'll make the right decision." Aang said kissing her on the cheek.
~/~
June and Azula were laughing and drinking when her phone went off. Zuko and Iroh had just came downstairs.
"Hello. I knew you'd call. I'm glad you changed your mind. Good bye." June hung up the phone and ran straight over to Zuko.
"Mr. Agni, we need to get you a suit and we need to begin prepping. Tomorrow you will be doing a press conference and appearing on talk show! It will be a busy day." June exclaimed, jumping up and down.
So it begins.
Author's Note: What do you think?