Chapter 5: Betrayed by the lens

Brielle's POV

When I got home that night, I opened the folder in which I saved the picture for the first time since I took it. I wanted to edit it before deleting it. When I saw the picture, my heart melted. It was a very beautiful picture. Chase's eyes were a warm blue, like a calm sea at night. 

The vulnerability and shock in his eyes made him even look more human rather than the idol that everyone adored him to be. This right here was evidence of a man who had put in all his effort and hard work into his career to get to where he was, whether his father was the owner of the club or not.

I finished editing it after midnight and thought about sending it to him. But I was sure he would hate it if I did so, so I decided to leave it in my private folder. I deleted it from every other folder, made sure that even the agency wouldn't have access to it. 

Only I would have access to it in that folder. I turned off my computer and went to sleep. The next day, everybody was chanting in the arena as usual. Girls giggled and screamed at Chase to look at them. Some were even chanting Nate and the other team members. 

I stood close to the rink at the spot I had pre-selected yesterday to get a perfect shot of everybody. Since I had taken Chase's photo the last time, I would take a better one this time and make it up to him. During the game, of course.

As usual, Chase's team won again. Everybody ran close to the rink, screaming and chanting the names of the team members. I leaped up and down for joy, looking so proud of the players. It was as if I had become a hockey fan overnight. 

I smiled to myself when I realized that. After the game, I put my tools in my bag, ready to go home to edit the pictures and release it to them. The director had already told me to come edit the first picture of the big game in his studio tomorrow, so I was getting just ready for that in case there was a picture that he shouldn't see.

I was about to hop on my bike when I heard my name. 

“Bri!”

I turned around and saw Chase standing there, staring at me. I had never heard him call my name like that, and somehow it gladdened my heart that he didn't see me as his enemy anymore. 

“Are you leaving already?” he asked. 

“Yes,” I said. “I've got some work to do.”

“Oh, come on. Don't work all the time. Come join us for a celebratory drink.”

 I looked around, not sure if I should agree to that. 

“Come on,” he said. “It would be nice to have you there. After all, you are a part of the team.” 

My heart warmed instantly, and I accepted. “All right, I'll come with you.”

“Good girl.”

Soon, I was seated in the passenger seat of Chase's car as he drove to the location of the party. A smirk danced on his lips as he drove.

 "I never thought a paparazzi would be in my car." 

I looked at him sulkily. "I'm not a paparazzi. I'm with..." 

"You're with the press," he finished for me. "Yes, I know that. I'm just teasing you." 

Slowly, the corners of my mouth lifted into a smile. We seemed to be getting along pretty well. It was a good thing. Now, I didn't know if it was safe to call him my friend. But he was my boss, I didn't need to get too comfortable.

We got to the location and it was not anything I expected. I was expecting a grand show of fancy restaurants with fancy food and soft opera music. However, the location was a very chaotic place. It was a nightclub where electric guitars were being played and everyone was raving and going crazy in the crowd. 

Chase reached out and took my hand when we approached the entrance. He was wearing a hat, which I thought didn't do much to disguise him. When we got inside, his team members were waiting as well. They also had hats on and I scoffed.

 "Who do you all think you're fooling with this little disguise?" I asked. 

One of the players, named Dan, pulled his hat. "It works all the time, because why would anyone expect the great Jersey players to be here?"

 "True," I thought. 

And so we began partying that night. This was the first time I'd ever been to such an event, and honestly, I enjoyed every bit of it. While the party was ongoing, Chase's phone dinged and he pulled it out. His eyes widened in horror. 

"What is it?" I asked urgently. 

He looked at me with eyes filled with pain and raw betrayal. He turned his phone to face me, and I saw the edited version of the picture of him crying. I gasped and covered my mouth. Now his team members had also gathered around me. They had also seen it.

 "I can't believe you did this," Nate said. 

"I... I didn't. Believe me, it was hacked. I didn't..." 

"You said you would delete it,” Chase said.

 "I... I..” I stammered. 

He laughed harshly. "You sold my picture to someone for money. How much did they offer you?"

 "I didn't…”

“Shut up!" he yelled. "I regret meeting someone like you. I was being foolish when I thought I could believe a member of the press. From now on, don't even smile at me or expect me to regard you as anyone. You are nothing but a piece of trash." 

With that, he walked out. His friends shook their heads at me as they walked out. Nate stood behind,

 "You really disappointed me," he said before walking out. 

Now, I was inside the club all alone. As the metallic music got even louder, every other person was oblivious to what was going on. I pulled out my phone. And the first thing I saw online was that picture of Chase with a horrid headline. 

The Ice King or Ice Baby?

I broke down in tears. I had just made an enemy for myself. This was going to be a tough one to get out of. Who did this to me?