Chapter 50-Everyone loves them
Jonathan's POV...
"Miss Benjamin, thank you for gracing this media house with your presence," the interviewer said.
Audrey and I sat on the couch facing the television. Lena and Richard were seated with us. They had come to the house after seeing the news that morning.
We watched in horror as Maya was being interviewed on how she knew our engagement was a contract.
"It's nothing," Maya said. "I just want to expose the truth,"
Audrey scoffed. "What truth?"
I looked at her, but she was glaring at Maya through the screen.
"What evidence does she have to prove that?" She added.
I looked away thinking. How did she get the evidence?
"For our viewers joining us for the first time... I'm Bennett, host of Inside Spotlight. Just like the name suggests, we bring you insider news straight from the source,"
She smiled brightly at the camera.
"Oh... and before anyone asks, Bennett is actually my last name. I just happen to love it" She laughed lightly. "Ha ha"
The sound of her laughter echoed from the television. But in the living room, no one laughed.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. My jaw tightened as I stared at the screen. Millions of people were about to discover the truth. That could ruin mine and Audrey's career.
Audrey shifted uncomfortably on her side.
"What's so funny about this?" Lena pointed out.
None of us found the joke funny. The cheerful laughter from the television only made the situation feel more absurd.
Because this wasn't entertainment for us. It was a disaster unfolding live on national television.
"And tonight, we're speaking with the woman who claims the billionaire couple everyone admires... may not be in love after all"
"Without wasting any more of our viewers' time," she continued. "We would like to know how you came up with this news,"
The camera shifted to Maya. She had a wide smile on her face. Was she that happy that she was about to ruin us?
"I was at Jonathan Ryder's office just yesterday," she started.
I stiffened. Maya came to the company and into my office. From the corner of my eyes, I felt Audrey and Lena's heads snap to me.
"I didn't know she came to the office," I raised my hands in defense. "We were in a board meeting,"
Audrey didn't say anything. She just turned and focused her attention on the television.
I lowered my head. Tracy, you're so dead. I thought to myself.
"I saw a file right there on his table and curiosity got the better of me,"
No. No. No.
"Richard," I called. I saw the look on his face. His eyes widened in realization of how Maya knew about the contract.
"The contract?" I questioned. "Tell me you did as I told you to,"
He kept silent and shook his legs nervously.
"Why didn't you burn it immediately?" I shouted in anger, hitting my palm on my lap. I didn't feel the pain. I was too angry.
"I'm sorry. The meeting started immediately," he said. "Besides, you dropped it there and asked me to do it later,"
"You..." I pointed at him.
"Can you both just stop and keep it down?" Audrey cut me off. I looked at her. She wasn't looking at us, but when she did... I couldn't look into her eyes like I usually did.
"You've made the mistake. Shouting doesn't change anything here," she said and faced the screen. "I want to watch this in silence,"
That seemed like an order... and I was willing to obey. She was mad... I knew.
"So, you're saying that Jonathan Ryder, all time tech founder and multi-billionaire and Audrey Willows, World wide sweetheart and supermodel, were never in love?" the interviewer asked.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Audrey doesn't love Jonathan" Maya said with so much resentment.
"Oh my goodness," Audrey murmured.
The host nodded slowly. "Well, let's see what the public thinks about it. Our reporters are in the streets of New York and cities all around the world seeking out people's opinions about this,"
She picked a remote and pressed a button. The interview was minimized to the lower right while another scene replaced it.
A lady was holding a microphone next to another lady.
"What are your opinions on this news circulating about Audrey Willows and Jonathan Ryder?" The lady asked. "Do you think it's true"
"I don't think," the lady shook her head. "I know what is true... and that is the fact that whoever spread the news, is just a loser trying her luck,"
"Whaaat," Lena dragged out the word. Audrey quickly bent her head and looked at her. Lena bent her head as well. Amusement was written all over her face.
Audrey smiled and straightened up. Seeing her smile made me feel better. But for some reason, this line 'loser trying her luck' made me happy... so happy.
"So you don't believe it?"
"Not just me... nobody should," the lady continued. "We're adults here. We can't be deceived easily. We know when two people are in love and when they're not,"
The scene changed again to a bustling and noisy street. It was a man this time.
"Are you a fan of Audrey Willows or Jonathan Ryder?" A woman asked him.
"I'm not a fan of any celebrities. I'm just concerned about myself alone. But the only time I watched them both on TV..." he shook his head. "Nobody misses out on an expensive and luxurious occasion just to take care of someone else,"
"You're saying it's not true?" The woman asked.
"I'm not saying anything. Like I said, I'm only concerned about me... but I do know that you can't pretend being in love,"
The interview came back into full view.
"It seems the public are truly loyal to their role models. Let's see more of what people think,"
The scene changed again.
"It's clearly not true. I once met Audrey and Jonathan in a gallery. The way they looked at each other and held hands, that's love not a contract. I bet they could've kissed if not they were in public," another girl said.
I smirked. I didn't realize we were becoming affectionate in public. Also, people were watching?
"I don't believe it,"
"No, it's not true,"
"They're in love,"
"Whoever said it was a contract needs to be sued,"
People's responses were all in our favour.
"Looks like you both have got really loyal fans who genuinely love you guys," Lena said.
I looked at Audrey. She looked at me too. She was smiling, but when she looked at me, her smile fell and she looked away.
"I have proof that they are in love," a little child said.
Why did his face and voice seem so familiar? Then it clicked.
"Wait... I know that kid," I said.
Everyone looked at me and I turned to face Audrey.
"Strolling date... the kid and his mom that night at the ice cream machine,"
For a minute, she didn't react... then her eyes widened.
"Wait. That kid. Is that him?" She pointed at the television. "You know I didn't see his face,"
"The evening mommy and I went to the grocery store together, we came back late and I wanted some ice cream. Mommy got me ice cream, but before we entered the next street, I saw Jonathan and Audrey come out from behind the ice cream robot... the machine that gives ice cream,"
"Okay?" The interviewer held the microphone closer.
"I saw Jonathan hold Audrey's hand and even hugged her and then..." he paused and looked down.
"Is he blushing?" Richard asked amused. "What did he see you guys do?" He looked at Audrey and I.
Oh no. I shook my head. I knew what came next.
"They kissed,"
"Ooohhh," the interviewer gushed.
"You both be careful where you kiss, so you don't teach kids bad things," Lena said with a smug smile.
We just laughed.
"How did you see that?" the interviewer asked the boy.
"We stopped to buy some candies for bubu, my brother. I could see them from there. Mommy didn't know,"
"So, they kissed when no one was watching them?" The woman asked and the child nodded innocently, peering into the camera.
"Lena?" Audrey called.
"Yes," Lena turned to look at her, but she was looking at the TV.
"Get me that kid," she said. "I'm going to sponsor him,"
Lena nodded.
"Me too," I added.
Then she smiled. "That kid deserves a national award... and he'll be receiving his first award from me,"
"And me too," I chipped in again.
Audrey rolled her eyes at me. "Oh please. Stop copying me,"
"What do you have to say about..."
"I don't have anything to say about anything" a middle aged man said. "I don't care about celebrities," he suddenly said, stepping into camera's view.
Then he lifted his shirt slightly. "But if anyone watching can help me... I need money to buy food,"
The TV went blank. Then the interview with Maya returned again.
"And give some money to that man just now," Audrey added.
"How will I find him?" Lena countered.
"Don't worry. I'll find him," Richard said and patted Lena on her legs. Lena smiled sheepishly.
"It appears the public doesn't believe what you've said," host Bennett said.
"No way," Maya slammed her hands on the table, shocking everyone in the room.
"I saw it with clear eyes. It's a contract,"
"Miss Benjamin," the host called. "We don't slam tables here. And... your reaction just shows how desperate you are,"
"To convince us... what proof do you have?"
I clutched the couch. If she presented any evidence now... we would be done for.
Just when we thought it was all over. Well... Let's see how it turns out.
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