Devoted 2 : Where the Ivy Grows Read Online Free PDF

still not too late to back out of this.’
    I shake my head. ‘No . I love you, Marc. Thinking about this interview makes me more sure of that than ever.’
    ‘Y ou weren’t sure before?’ Marc’s smile becomes even more dangerous.
    ‘ I was sure. But this interview makes me realise I don’t care what people think of me. I only care about being with you.’
    Marc squeezes my shoulders. ‘I hope I won’t disappoint you, Sophia. There are things about me ... my life ...’
    There’s a knock at the door.
    ‘Are you ready for this, Sophia?’
    ‘Ready as I’ll ever be.’
    ‘Come in,’ Marc barks at the door, not taking his hands from my shoulders or his eyes off mine.
    The door opens, and a young woman in a beige coat, with blonde frizzy hair tied back in a ponytail, comes into the room.

11

‘Oh! I’m sorry. Is this a bad time?’ Her voice is a little high and wobbly, like she’s gargling something.
    ‘Not at all,’ says Marc. ‘We’re ready for you.’
    The woman smiles, and pink lipstick stretches right across her face, almost to her ears. She looks kind, and I feel relieved.
    ‘Good to see you again, Marc.’ The woman bounds forward and shakes his hand. Then she holds her hand out to me. ‘Arabella Price – Gossip magazine. You must be Sophia. So nice to meet you. This must be very nerve-wracking for you.’
    I nod and try my best to smile. I like her energy.
    ‘Well? Shall we take a seat and get started?’ Arabella takes off her coat and throws her black handbag by a chair. She’s wearing jeans, riding boots and a pink v-neck sweater, and sinks into the armchair like she’s in her living room.
    I nod and swallow, realising I’m still wearing my coat. I take it off, fold it and place it on the windowsill.
    Marc guides me to a sofa, and the two of us sit down opposite Arabella.
    Marc feels solid beside me. Calmin g. And he looks totally relaxed. I’m so proud of him. I let my fingers weave into his, and he squeezes them tight.
    I smile inwardly, and I know he’s smiling inside too.
    ‘So.’ Arabella takes an iPad from her handbag. ‘How are you feeling, Sophia?’
    ‘Nervous,’ I admit. ‘There are lots of girls who want to be with Marc. I have a feeling plenty of people are going to hate me. Especially considering how we met.’
    Arabella nods. ‘Tell me about that.’
    Marc leans forward, but he doesn’t let go of my hand. ‘I can’t pretend I like how things are. I wish Sophia hadn’t met me. She doesn’t deserve all the rubbish that comes with being par t of my world. The gutter press and the garbage they write. They can write what they want about me. No one thinks I’m a decent man, anyway. But I hate the idea of her reputation being dragged through the gutter.’
    ‘ I think you’re a decent man,’ says Arabella. ‘You give millions to charity. You founded Ivy College to help struggling young actors. I’d say you were a very decent man.’ Her eyes dart to me for a moment, then return to Marc. ‘Of course, people are going to question what sort of man starts a relationship with a student.’
    ‘They should,’ says Marc. ‘Believe me, I’ve asked myself all the questions there are to ask. But the bottom line is, I love Sophia. And this is her choice.’
    ‘It’s her choice?’Arabella perks her head up. She looks at me, her head tilted expectantly.
    I nod. ‘He never ... I mean, it was all me. My choices. I wanted to be with him. Marc didn’t want any of this.’
    ‘Marc has a reputation,’ says Arabella. ‘As the strong, controlling type. What do you have to say about that?’
    I can’t help but smile. I glance at Marc, but I can’t read what he’s thinking.
    ‘Oh, he’s strong and controlling alright,’ I say. ‘But I think he’s softer than people realise.’ I try to catch Marc’s eye again, but he’s looking away.
    ‘What did you think of Marc when you first met?’ Arabella asks.
    I think back to that first audition. ‘He was very