The Night It All Went Wrong

The flashing cameras found me before I even stepped out of the building.

“Ari! Is it true you're in a relationship with Derek now?” One reporter yelled.

“This is the third man this month. Do you enjoy using men and discarding them whenever you want?”

What the hell? What are they on about this time?

I lowered my sunglasses and kept walking, my heels

striking the pavement with practiced confidence.

Years in the spotlight had taught me never to let

them see me crack.

“Ari! Say something!” Someone yelled again.

Say what? I don't even know what you're talking about!

“Move,” one of my security guards barked, creating

a path through the crowd and escorting me to my

car; with my assistant, Stella, close behind. I slid into

the seat, my heart still racing.

“So,” I said, trying to catch my breath, “who am

fucking this time?”

Stella didn't answer immediately, her eyes glued to her tablet, her nose scrunched slightly.

That couldn't be good.

“Dave Montigo,” she said finally.

That name sounded familiar, and suddenly, it clicked.

“The artist? We met briefly at the gala last week,

and they're turning it into a scandal already? That's

ridiculous!" I exclaimed.

Stella paused, her jaws clenched. “There’s a video, Ari.”

My stomach dropped. “What video?”

I snatched the tablet from her hands, and there it was, glaring back at me was a bold headline ‘International model, Ari, ‘strikes’ again.’

Below it was a thumbnail; I pressed play and dropped the tablet when I saw the content.

It was Derek and me at the beach, naked, having sex. The clip was short, but it didn't need context; it was clear.

My fake sex tape is on the internet!

Good Gods!

“This…..this isn't real.” I stuttered, looking at Stella.

“I know,” She said quietly. “But the world doesn't."

“I want it gone. The video, everything. I want it erased,” I told her.

“My Dad can't see this,” I added, shaking.

“I'm on it already,” she said, dialing rapidly.

“Thank you” I murmured, praying to everything holy that my Dad hadn't seen the news.

I'm not about to lose the one thing that mattered the most to me over a fake video.

Modeling. My Dad loathed it.

He wanted me to follow in his footsteps, continue his legacy as the CEO of his company.

He only agreed to it after months of pleading and even then, with conditions.

I can model till I was twenty-five, then I will take over the company, I would earn a Business degree, and most importantly, no scandals.

This is the third scandal this month; I'd managed to explain my way out of others, but this?

There's even a video.

My phone vibrated beside me. I unlocked it and saw a message from an unknown number.

UNKNOWN:

Did you see my little gift?

Another message came in almost immediately.

UNKNOWN:

You think you can erase it? Or should I send the full video to your Dad?

My heart thundered. Fear, gripping me like a vice.

I typed with trembling hands, sweat beading my brows.

ME:

Who are you? What do you want from me?! You're behind all these, aren't you?

UNKNOWN:

That's right. You don't need to know who I am. This is just the beginning Ari.

ME:

Please. Don't do anything rash. I'll do whatever you want.

UNKNOWN:

Good. You should.

I dropped my phone, still shaking. Who would do this to me?

The car came to a stop.

“We’re here Miss.” The driver notified me.

I said nothing, dread pooling in my stomach.

“You can go home Stella,” I finally say. “I'll see you

tomorrow.”

I came down from the car, standing in front of the mansion and it looked dark and imposing, just like

the owner.

I walked in, heading straight for his study; I stopped at the door after hearing strange noises coming from inside.

”Yes. Just like that.” I heard my Dad groan out, followed by a slurping sound.

Is my Dad with a woman right now? Eww. I turned to leave when his voice rung out again.

“That’s a good boy. You’re daddy’s little slut, aren’t you?”

I paused, did I hear correctly? I turned back to his study and opened the door; the scene that was waiting behind that door made my mouth slack with shock.

My Dad was leaning against his mahogany table and a man was crouched in front him, his dick in his mouth.

A man!

Is my Dad……gay?

I must have made a sound because they jolted apart, my Dad trying to adjust himself.

Wait….is that Finn?

My boyfriend?