What If? - Elettra wasn’t insane
Every choice made can lead to a drastically different world of possibilities, but sometimes the choice isn’t something that an individual could not have consciously impacted. In the world you know, there is one individual who had a strong impact on Malachi Azure from the moment he was born. No, I’m not talking about either of his parents, but his sister. Elettra Azure, the firstborn child of Leonardo and Miranda Azure, the girl who put Kai through hell, for what? Because she had her feelings hurt because she was never the favorite child? What would have become of a world in which Elettra’s instability had never taken a form beyond a mental breakdown once as a teen.
Part 1
An unexpected interview - 2024
“Come on, you know I don’t like dealing with reporters. I’m tired of being asked what happened with Henley.” Kai said with a sigh into the phone. “I’m sorry, the interview was already rescheduled once, and they had to send someone different last minute, so can you please stall until we get back?” Despite nobody being there to see it, Kai rolled his eyes. “Fine, but once you’re here, I’m gone.”
Soon, Kai found himself letting the reporter in, a girl around his age, who appeared to be just as ready for this whole interaction to be over as he was. “Look, Mr. Azure, as much as I love the small talk, I’d rather not spend more time than I have to here. So, if you don’t mind, let’s get started.” The girl said, walking through the door past him. Well, so much for plan A. Kai intended on letting her in, offering her something to drink and making small talk as necessary until his father and sister arrived, but it seemed that would not be an option. Kai walked over to meet the girl who was looking over a paper of notes in her hand. “About this interview…” he began, but didn’t finish as she went on with starting the interview.
“Alright… Mr. Azure, everyone wants to know… are you dating any… what the bloody hell are these questions,” Did she not realize that he wasn’t there for the interview? “Well my company wants me to ask you about your favorite color, your plans for the future, and girls but I think there’s better use of both your time and mine.” No. No she did not apparently. Well, this was going to be interesting. He was going to stop her, but she soon followed up with questions that weren’t anything he would’ve expected. “So, Mr. Azure, over the years the socioeconomic gradient between the higher class and lower class has exponentially been increasing, especially with lobbyist helping… well, families like yours, get richer. So, what are you doing, if anything, to play a part in closing this gradient or are you too busy buying… I don’t know… sports cars to be New York’s Most eligible bachelor?”
This girl wasn’t asking the questions he’d come to expect of most interviews, the basic questions at best that would of course lead to his love life. Perhaps that’s why he decided to simply play along with the situation. “You are correct in that it is a growing problem, miss, and no, I am not just someone who buys cars and spends money frivolously. I personally believe in supporting those who don’t have as much, particularly small, local businesses, public education systems, and anywhere with a clear need. That is not something that can be solved overnight, but I see that even one step in the right direction is an improvement.” Of course Kai was glad to be someone who came from money, but that didn’t make him someone who didn’t think about those who had less. He could look to his own mother for example, before she met Kai’s father, she had fairly little money herself. Even today her side of the family didn’t accept much in regards to money handouts, working to remain with a middle class lifestyle. Perhaps that’s part of Kai’s preference of going under the radar in regards to the details of charity efforts he takes part in. If it’s a good cause, and the most difference he can make is through signing a check, then so be it. The world just didn’t need him taking that attention for himself. He was already more in the spotlight than he ever wanted to be. “Of course, Mr. Azure, I’m so glad that your publicist or manager wrote such a basic response for you, but personally, I don’t believe your words are doing much to even step into the right direction since there’s no action connected to what you’re saying… at least, not that I can see. I think we can all agree that local businesses, the public education system, and others are in need - but darling, your answer doesn’t answer the question about how you specifically, or your family, is making an impact. Anyways, moving on.” What does it truly matter of whether or not he went into details about his, or his family’s, actions? Few, if any, reading an article about it would care to know all of the information. Besides, it mattered more in Kai’s opinion if he could help make a difference without it becoming a media spectacle. A good cause should be noticed for what it is, not when it’s made about him.
“Thoughts on being known only for being New York’s Most Eligible? Or do you like being known by that… what I’d consider, almost a degrading title.” As expected, it was only a matter of time before the questions shifted to more about him personally. Though, the question was still surprisingly in depth for what he had become used to. “It’s not exactly my choice of what the public wants to call me, now is it? I don’t have to like it, but it’s the public’s choice.” Kai could see how it could be degrading in a way. Although it was a title that essentially expressed that he was eligible and someone that people wanted, it also at the same time made him seem like nothing more than a rich bachelor who couldn’t settle down with someone, even if that was something he did want. “Though it doesn’t exactly seem like you have any intention to let them label you as something else. From what I’ve seen, you almost play into it, is that not correct? Or would you like me to list some of the recent articles about you that have hit the news?”
”Either way, it’s not my choice in the end. Those decisions are based on the whims of reporters, such as yourself. You decide what your version of the story is, and sell it to the public. The tabloids are never the entire story.”
“Trust me, Mr. Azure, I’m sure my version of how I feel about you and your family won’t be reported because that one would not be in your favor. Someone will pick and choose the best parts of this interview to make you sound… higher than life. I guess that’s what happens when you call and ask for a promotional piece to be written about you… but who am I except the unlucky reporter who was called to do this interview for your family.”
If there was one thing she had said that was correct, it was that someone would pick and choose exactly what parts of the interview to publicize, even if it wasn’t her. None of it would entirely represent the truth, that was for certain.
“I heard a story recently about you talking down to a fan trying to ask for an autograph when you were with your ex-girlfriend. Do you think celebrities have the right to be verbally rude to others?” Ex-girlfriend. Great… that topic couldn’t be avoided forever. He knew that’s what every reporter would want to know. Henley, Henley, Henley. What happened, why did they break up, are they ever getting back together, who broke up with who? So many questions. Wait, she couldn’t be. Oh, of all the things she could have brought up on the ex-girlfriend topic, it was just a mention of him being rude while he was with her? Although the question was somewhat accusatory, it was not actually an unpleasant question. “Does anyone really have a right to be rude to others?” Kai questioned in response. “Though, everyone will have their moments. Even someone in the public eye can’t always think their words through first in the moment, especially when dealing with something of a greater concern.”
“Would you like to elaborate on what that greater concern was at that moment?”
”I’d rather not talk about the intimate details of the relationship I had with my ex.” Couldn’t some things in life just stay private? Like every single other person in the media, it always came back to what happened between him and Henley. “Got it - glad to know we got that out of the way. Actually… you know, I think I have all I need for today unless you have any residual information you’d like in the article? If not, thank you for your time, Mr. Azure.”
The girl was ready to leave, but luckily for Kai, that was when he heard the door open. He looked over to where his sister was walking in with their father. “Well, I suppose it’s time for me to go, and I’ll let you get to the interview you came here for, Miss…?”
”Pierce.” She answered, surprisingly, as she likely began to realize that their interview wasn’t actually what she was there for.
“Goodbye, Miss Pierce.” Kai said just before turning and walking out the door, hearing his sister apologize for being late and saying she hoped her brother wasn’t a bother. The girl may have been a reporter, but she was something else, somehow unlike anything he could have expected.
@benitz786 - Jess the “reporter”