04

The phone started ringing again. This time it was Leo.

I picked up.

"L—"

"What the hell, Solayne? Did you sell your phone to buy more dreams or something?"

"Leo, you can be a brat another day. What is going on? Everyone's calling."

"Of course everyone's calling 'cause you're the latest celebrity in town."

My head throbbed the more trying to wrap around it.

"What happened with you and Marshall?" He threw at me, and it felt like I'd been asked what happened with me and the sun. What could possibly happen?

"What're you talking about?"

He sighed. Another call came in from my dad on waiting. Jesus, what the hell is going on?

"This is beyond awkward to say to my own sister, but I'm talking about you two kissing with him running his hands up your thighs and all."

My heart dropped straight to the pit of hell.

I looked at the window again, then pinched myself. This wasn't a dream.

"Leo, what video?" A small tremor ran through my voice.

"It's making waves online. Check it yourself. I already shared it with you."

I didn’t even say goodbye. I hung up and lunged for my phone, my fingers trembling so badly I could barely tap the screen. I opened my inbox and caught a glance at the numerous messages waiting for me.

Dad: you better have a good explanation for this, Solayne. Otherwise, I hope you have someone else to call parents.

Mum: What is going on??? Take my freaking calls!

There were so many others from friends and acquaintances.

I clicked on the link with shaky fingers, my heart starting to race heavily as though it'd not carry me through the rest of the day.

It loaded, and the nightmare unveiled before my eyes.

There I was, pressed against a wall, Marshall Domayne’s mouth on mine, my leg hooked around his waist, his hand sliding up my thigh.

The kiss was intimate; too intimate, like we had done some bedroom business right after that.

And the caption beneath it made my blood run cold:

Marshall's New Slut.

Right then, I got a glimpse of what a heart attack might feel like because the poor organ threatened to fail.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

When had this happened? I racked my brain; there was nothing but a blank screen where my memories should’ve been.

It wasn't even in the pool house. This looked like a corner around the bar. God, I could swear I didn't remember kissing that devil! Who the hell even recorded and released the video?

My phone started ringing again—Mum.

My hands shook so violently that the phone slipped from my fingers and hit the bed with a dull thud.

And then, like a flash, something came back: Someone tapping me. Me laughing. Walking near the bar.

It all blurred, fuzzy edges and chaos. How did I stupidly get so drunk? Did I really kiss that asshole?

Wait...

I slipped a hand under the duvet and down to my pants. It wasn't wet. No soreness either. There was no way we could've... No. I'd be charged for murder if that happened.

My phone ringing again reminded me of the mess I was in. This was worse than a scandal. Dad was going to kick me out, then mum would kill me.

I quickly dialed Leo.

"I hope you weren't proud of yourself watching that?" He spoke before me.

"Leo, did you bring me home?"

"Well, yes. After an anonymous number texted me, telling me you were passed out in your car."

Had that been Marshall?. Shit, why couldn't I remember a damn thing?

"I—I don't remember doing anything in that video," I admitted, but of course he scoffed. Who was going to believe me?

Mum was calling again. I hung up on Leoz deciding to face the lioness.

"Mum—"

"Have you lost your mind, Solayne?" She snapped. "Your father and I were just about to come to your place. What is wrong with you?"

"I'm—I'm sorry, mum. I'm just waking up. I—"

"You have a lot of explaining to do. Your father wants you at the house right now."

Jesus.

"And you better have a good explanation for that video, Solayne. He’s already talking about stripping the company from you! Oh, dear, if you make me lose to that witch, you will never stop paying for it. Get your ass here. Now!"

The line went dead.