[Chapter 55: The Date and the Reaction]
At a French bistro in Tribeca, Manhattan.
Orlando looked up, amused by Shania's shy expression as she got caught stealing glances at him.
"What's wrong? Don't like the food here?" Orlando quickly changed the subject, not wanting to keep Shania feeling awkward.
"No... no, it's great. Actually, it's delicious." Shania suppressed the flutter in her heart, then glanced at the paparazzi crowding outside the restaurant, snapping photos of the two of them. She quietly tested, "Boss, aren't you and Madonna an item? If she finds out about this... will she get mad?"
The afternoon had just been a simple low blood sugar episode. After falling while jogging and ending up with a tiny scratch on her face that wouldn't scar, Shania was discharged from the hospital quickly.
Once out, she was told about the company's upcoming promotion and marketing plans for her. The big news was that they planned to stir up rumors and a romance between her and her boss, Orlando -- the hottest new artist in North America this year.
Shania barely informed her agent before agreeing to the company's entire plan. 'Oh my god, to create a fake relationship with Orlando!'
Never mind that one of his rumored girlfriends was the super-pop diva Madonna.
For most female stars, stirring up a romance with Orlando was a massive boost to their profile.
And just himself, with his fame, looks, and talent, was more than enough.
Shania was absolutely sure about it.
Following the plan, their dinner tonight kicked off the company's hype strategy.
Faced with Shania's cautious questions and her transparent feelings, Orlando said, "Madonna and I are just good friends. Our relationship is mutually beneficial -- to help sell more records."
"But the media keeps saying..." Shania hesitated.
"If everything the media says were true, we'd all be Soviet citizens basking in the glory of the Communist Party by now," Orlando laughed, putting down his cutlery. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and waved to Washington at the next table.
The towering two-meter-tall white bodyguard came over, pulling two tickets from his pocket and handing them to Orlando.
Orlando took them and waved them teasingly at the curious Shania: "These are two tickets to the Yankees game tonight. Once we finish dinner, we're going."
"Awesome!" Shania beamed, her long, beautiful eyes crinkling with excitement.
Watching the game was secondary -- the real thrill was going with Orlando.
Though Orlando said it was just marketing, a company move, Shania felt differently.
Sure, his relationship with Madonna was business and promotion.
But with her?
That was different.
How so?
Because the moment he met her, he wrote sixteen songs tailored just for her!
For a singer who'd dreamed of being a songwriter since childhood, what could be more romantic?
In Shania's eyes, this was Orlando confessing his feelings.
Otherwise, how else to explain those almost-love confessions in the lyrics?
Plus... she thought, he saved her today.
He even performed CPR on her, giving chest compressions.
She hadn't forgotten that when she arrived at the hospital, she was conscious and had taken off her shirt to show doctors her chest, which was bright red.
All these thoughts made even telepathic Orlando a little speechless.
He suspected that if he wanted, sneaking into her room later that night wouldn't be an issue.
---
After dinner, as they stepped out of the restaurant, camera flashes exploded from all directions.
Orlando wrapped his arm around Shania's shoulders, pulling her close and protecting her as the bodyguards cleared a path. They quickly made their way to the car, letting Shania get in first. Orlando followed and shut the door without hesitation.
Throughout the evening, the big screen at the old Yankee Stadium flashed images of Orlando whispering excitedly to Shania, and her radiant laughter.
During halftime, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner arrived with the head coach and star player Bernie Williams to chat briefly and pose for pictures.
Shania, a country girl from Canada who'd never seen anything like this, was thrilled beyond words.
The second half was her show.
Every time the Yankees scored, Shania, seated front row, stood up cheering and clapping. Bernie Williams and the others teased and interacted with her playfully a few times.
So, just one night later, Shania Twain's name appeared everywhere across the U.S. entertainment news.
Photos and stories of her and Orlando at the game dominated the headlines.
---
The New York Post: [Yesterday, a shocking new "relationship" broke out at Yankee Stadium!
Hotshot Orlando Keller and his newest million-dollar signee Shania Twain, appeared intimately in a private room.
They were seen whispering and laughing throughout, Orlando offering drinks while Shania shyly leaned in to whisper.
Following her morning emergency at the hotel, sparks flew again tonight. Has Madonna finally been pushed aside? Is this romance real or just album hype? Stay tuned!]
Rolling Stone: [Music Phenomenon Orlando brings newcomer Shania Twain to the Yankees' game, sparking love rumors. At a sensitive moment -- Orlando just signed the Canadian star for a record-breaking deal -- this flirtation might be a promo strategy. Miracle music or sharp marketing? Industry watches this 'muse incubation' closely.]
These two styles -- The New York Post's celebrity soap and Rolling Stone's industry angle -- summed up the two main news narratives around Orlando and Shania from yesterday.
One, a crowd-pleasing love triangle and rumor report.
The other, a professional discussion about Orlando's record deal and the surprising fact he had written sixteen songs for Shania before they really got to know each other.
Many consequences followed.
---
For Orlando, the most direct one was that Jennifer was upset again.
And a certain pop diva, who was about to head to Houston for her Blonde Ambition tour, called him.
"That Canadian girl, is she your new sweetheart?"
"No, it's just a publicity stunt. You should understand -- it's like what we did two months ago."
"You admit it? You slept with her, just like with me."
"Come on, Louise... I didn't admit anything!"
"Did you or didn't you?"
"No!"
"Then why give her so many resources before even being with her? What she got that made you so invested?"
"She's my label's first signee besides me. Of course, I'm gonna support her to make money. Isn't that obvious?!"
"Just wait till I get back to New York -- I'm gonna drain you dry! This time, I'm going all in to take you down!"
"If there's nothing else, I gotta go now."
"Fuck..."
*****
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