Three: Viral Kiss

OPHELIA.

"Ophelia! The internet is on fire!"

I hear my mother's voice before I even walk into the living room and when I do walk in and see the wide bright smile stretched across her face, I freeze.

It's been so long since she smiled at me that I almost forget what it looks like, and the sight warms me but worries me at the same time.

"W-What happened, Mamma?" The word slips out before I can stop myself, and normally she'd tell me not to call her that, but instead, she rushes over to me and practically shoves her phone into my face.

"Look!"

My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets as I stare at the screen.

It's the video of me kissing Killian.

The post has millions of views, thousands of comments flood the screen, the likes keep increasing every second, and people are reposting it everywhere.

Oh no.

How do I explain this to mamma without completely destroying the happiness on her face right now?

"It's probably AI." I turn to find my twin sister sitting at the dining table, and unlike my mother, she doesn't look excited.

She looks annoyed—no, irritated.

Her long legs are elegantly crossed as she picks at her breakfast.

"Honestly, Ophelia, this is embarrassing. You shouldn't have done something so desperate just to trend online."

"But I didn't, Odette... I wouldn't fake something like this...it actually happened..."

"This is incredible!" Mamma squeals and pulls me into a hug so tight that I go completely still.

I can't remember the last time she hugged me like this.

"Do you have any idea who his family is?" She pulls back, "The Knights are one of the most powerful families in this entire country! His father alone has more influence than most politicians!"

Oh God.

What have I gotten myself into?

If I had known Killian came from a family like that, I never would have kissed him, but actually, that's a lie.

Jordan and his horrible girlfriend were standing right there so I probably still would have kissed him.

What if his father decides to sue us for reputation damage?

Could people get arrested for kissing powerful strangers because if they could, I was probably going to prison.

"Do you know what this means for this family?!" Mamma practically squeals. "The same producers who keep telling me they'll call me back are going to be begging for a meeting!!"

"Mamma...."

"Hush!" She waves me quiet without even looking at me, her attention returning to her phone.

"Everyone is talking about you two." Her smile widens. "How long has this been going on?"

"It's not...."

"Never mind, It doesn't matter. The important thing is that he's a Knight, and if you play this correctly, it could open doors for our family." She says as her eyes slowly travel down my body, and the smile slips.

"We need to work harder on your weight. You can't date a guy like Killian Knight looking like this."

My face falls.

"Killian doesn't date, Mother." Odette calmly speaks again as she takes a sip of her wine. "Everyone at NYU knows that"

Mamma frowns. "Then why would he kiss her?"

Odette shrugs.

"Maybe he was bored." She sighs and Mamma's already scrolling again.

"I have to go mamma, I don't want to be late for cl—"

"Don't forget your morning task sis!" Odette's voice interrupts and I turn to find her smiling too wide. "Just thought to remind you before you leave since mother's too distracted to remember."

I force a smile.

Odette never forgets anything that makes me uncomfortable.

Mamma looks up from her phone immediately and nods at one of the maids who already knows what to do because we do this every single morning.

The maid returns with the weighing scale and sets it on the floor in front of me.

My heart immediately picks up speed.

I step onto it slowly, holding my breath, eyes dropping to the numbers and I silently beg it to have something good to show.

The numbers stop moving, and my heart sinks at what I see.

How is that even possible?

I haven't been eating anything!

I look up slowly and my mother is already staring at the scale with an expression I know too well.

"Have you been eating?" She asks.

"No, mamma." I shake my head quickly, "I haven't eaten anything. I've only been drinking water, I promise."

She looks at the scale again.

"Then what exactly am I looking at Ophelia?"

"I..." My eyes immediately fill with tears. "I don't know mamma."

Mamma pinches the bridge of her nose and lets out a long sigh. For a second, I think she's about to yell, but instead, she picks up her phone again.

"Go to class. We'll discuss this when you get home."

"O-Okay."

"I'm leaving too."

Odette rises from her chair, grabbing her designer backpack before leaning down to kiss both of Mamma's cheeks.

Mamma immediately lights up.

"Drive safely, sweetheart."

I look between them before gathering the courage to ask, "Can you please drop me off, Odette?"

"Of course not," Mamma answers before Odette can even open her mouth."

"Mamma..."

"I already told you that you're not allowed to use a car or take cabs anymore. Walking burns calories. If you want to lose weight, then start acting like it."

I nod, lowering my eyes.

"I'll leave now. I love you." I murmur but she doesn't respond.

My chest hurts a little, but I force a smile anyway.

After waiting a few seconds for a response like an idiot, I quietly turn around and leave.

The moment I arrive at campus, students are everywhere, and unfortunately, all of them seem interested in me.

"That's her!"

"Is Killian Knight really your boyfriend?"

"Look over here!"

Phones are immediately shoved into my face, and questions start flying at me so fast that I can't even hear them, all I hear is the ringing in my head that makes me want to scream out loud.

I think I'm going to pass out.

"Move!"

Several men in black suits suddenly appear out of nowhere, and students immediately start backing away.

"Move back!"

The bodyguards begin forcing people aside, creating a path straight through the crowd, and I nearly cry from relief.

"This way, Miss." One of them gestures for me to follow.

Miss?

Where exactly are they taking me?

Unfortunately, I'm too exhausted to ask so I follow them, until we stop beside a black luxury car then one of the bodyguards opens the back door.

I glance inside then immediately freeze.

It's Killian.

He's sitting comfortably in the backseat wearing a hockey jersey, one arm resting against the door.

Even sitting down, he somehow manages to look intimidating, and ridiculously attractive.

My heart does something I refuse to name as those icy blue eyes meet mine.

"Get in."

I pull my lower lip between my teeth, hesitating before slowly climbing into the car, and the door shuts behind me.

The car smells like him—expensive cologne, cigarettes, and something I can't place. I can't help but breathe the scent in, hoping he doesn't notice.

"I..." I start to speak, refusing to look at him. "I-I'm sorry for kissing you, and for whatever is happening online."

He remains silent but I still don't look at him.

"I swear I didn't know the video would go viral. I didn't know who you were. W-We need to tell them the truth—"

"But what if we don't?"

He finally speaks again, and I glance at him, confused.

"W-What do you mean?"I ask, gulping when he leans closer.

His finger trails slowly along my cheek, sending a shiver through me.

"I mean..." His gaze drops briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes. "I want everyone to believe we're in a relationship and that we're madly in love with each other."

"Excuse me, what?" I ask in a whisper, blinking again.

"I want you to be my fake girlfriend."