CHAPTER EIGHT : THE SCANDAL
1619 Words
For some time everything seemed like a dream.
Ella and Jayden eventually ceased pretending.. For the first time in months, tranquility seemed genuine.
They shot a scene more chuckled effortlessly and drank coffee with no uncomfortable quiet.
Their followers observed.
> "They shine more 😭💞”
“The Love Coach and the Cameraman are endgame!”
“Can someone please arrange a wedding for us now!”
Existence seemed flawless.
Until the internet performed its act. Turning flawlessness into disorder.
---
☀️ A NEW PROJECT
On a Friday morning Ella received the call that altered everything.
Her supervisor, Sandra, appeared enthusiastic.
“Ella! A major media company wants to showcase your Love Coach program. TV slot, babe!”
Ella exclaimed. "You’re kidding?”
“Seriously. They aim to transform your series into a complete talk show. With cameras, staff, sponsors, the whole setup!”
Ella’s pulse quickened. This was what she had always wished for.
Her thoughts immediately envisioned Jayden next, to her behind the cameras beaming with pride.
However Sandra added, "There’s one detail. They require a complete media team. This means they will provide their videographers.”
Ella stopped abruptly. "So… Jayden isn’t able to film ”
Sandra paused. "They mentioned they already employ specialists.”
Her enthusiasm diminished slightly. "Oh.”
“Ella " Sandra whispered gently "this is a deal. Don’t let one individual mess it up.”
Ella nibbled on her lip.
“Alright. I get it.”
Inwardly she wasn’t.
---
🎬 THE CONVERSATION
That night she informed Jayden.
While he was assisting her in packing the lights she spoke.
“They intend to broadcast the Love Coach show on television.”
He glanced upward, eyes opened wide. "What? That’s incredible!”
She gave a smile. "Yes. It’s… large.”
“Then when do we begin?" he inquired.
Ella’s tone softened. "That’s the issue. They have their group already. You’re not included in this arrangement.”
Jayden halted. "Oh.”
She moved nearer. "Jayden I attempted—”
“It’s okay " he cut in swiftly. "I understand. This is your moment. You’ve earned it.”
His grin was unnatural. She immediately recognized it.
“Jayden—”
He shook his head. "No, seriously. It's okay. Don't be concerned about me."
However that evening she saw him gathering some of his equipment from the studio.
“Where do you plan to go?" she inquired softly.
He gazed at her his eyes weary. "I suppose you might not require me longer."
“Please don’t say that " she murmured.
He gave a smile. ". It’s the truth. You’re moving forward now. I don’t want to be what stops you.”
“Jayden…”
He stepped nearer, wiping a tear, from her face. "Keep in mind you’ll forever be my sight.”
After that he departed.
---
📱 THE SCANDAL BREAKS
Ella awoke to disorder two days afterward.
Her phone was flooding with alerts.
Messages. Tags. Comments.
She pressed one.
TRENDING: "Love Coach Ella embroiled in a hidden romance controversy, with her cameraman Jayden. Supporters doubt professionalism!”
Ella twitched her eyes. "What—?”
The article contained screenshots, pictures from their café gatherings and snippets from their behind-the-scenes footage. All distorted to suggest she exploited her "intern" for publicity.
The headlines were cruel.
“Did she use her sexuality to reach stardom?”
“Love Coach or Love Scandal?”
Her fingers trembled while she browsed.
Her heart raced so quickly that she became lightheaded.
Then she came across an image that shattered her entirely —
An image of Jayden embracing her inside the studio with the caption:
> “The real reason behind Ella’s success?”
She clasped her mouth, tears flowing out.
Her phone vibrated more. Sandra was calling.
“Ella! Please don’t post anything on the internet alright? The PR department is managing the situation. However the sponsors are putting the TV agreement on hold until this situation settles.”
“What?!”
“I’m sorry love. They’re not looking for any drama.”
Ella let the phone slip panting heavily.
All that she had strived for. Vanished in a night.
---
💔 THE WORLD RALLIES AGAINST HER
She was unable to access the media for several days.
Her audience was split. Some stood up for her, others criticized her harshly.
“We relied on her guidance 😭”
“She’s just as insincere as the others.”
“Poor Jayden, he was just her tool.”
She hadn’t received any news from Jayden either.
He had become utterly silent.
Every day apart from him grew burdensome and more isolated.
In the end she chose to seek him out.
---
🏙️ THE SEARCH
She headed to his flat, in the city center.
As he opened the door his appearance changed. Weary sorrowful detached.
“Ella, " he murmured gently. "You aren’t supposed to be ”
“I needed to be, " she remarked. "Did you catch what they’re talking about?”
He gave a nod. "Yeah.”
“ Why didn’t you reach out? Why didn’t you mention anything?”
Jayden exhaled deeply. "Whatever I say will only make things worse. They’ll distort it well.”
She shook her head. "They don’t matter to me. What matters is us.”
He averted his gaze. "Ella, your profession—”
“I don't care about that either, " she said, her voice faltering. "I only need you to trust me.”
“I do, " he murmured softly. ". Do you have faith in me?”
She scowled. "Naturally I do.”
He exhaled deeply. " Why didn’t you stand up for me when they said to release me?”
She stopped in her tracks.
His gaze met her eyes, with sorrow. "You had the chance to say no. You could have told me you needed me. Yet you chose not to.”
“Jayden, I was scared—”
“I was too!" he retorted sharply, his voice breaking. "Yet I remained!”
The space became quiet.
Tears welled up in Ella’s eyes.
He looked away. "You need to leave.”
“Jayden, please—”
He gently shook his head, his tone above a murmur. "Not, at this moment.”
Just like that the door shut.
---
🌧️ THE BREAKDOWN
That evening Ella was unable to cease weeping.
Her life was unraveling. Her program, her passion, her tranquility.
She gazed at her reflection. Murmured "You instruct on love yet can’t hold onto it.”
Her phone vibrated more. Not from Jayden but a message alert, from the media:
“Love Coach Ella addresses controversy this evening. Live.”
Her team arranged an interview without consulting her.
---
🎙️ THE INTERVIEW
The studio lights were too bright.
Her palms were sweaty.
The interviewer grinned sharply. "So Miss Ella, are you confessing to leveraging your cameraman to enhance your brand?”
Ella held back tears. "No. I created it alongside him, not upon him.”
“. Was there a romantic relationship between you?”
She paused briefly. Gave a nod. "Yes. I loved him.. I’m not embarrassed.”
The space became quiet.
The interviewer leaned forward. ". Do you consider developing feelings for a coworker appropriate?”
Ella’s voice shook. Her heart grew firm.
“Love can’t be arranged. It simply takes place. I never intended to encounter him nor to be fond of him. Yet he had faith in me before anyone. He repaired my camera when everything in my life seemed unclear.. Indeed I fell in love with him. Not as a photographer but as the one who showed me how to experience emotions once more.”
The host twitched, taken aback by her frankness.
The video spread rapidly in a few hours.
> "She expressed her reality 😭”
“That’s affection, not a controversy.”
“Now I have more faith in her.”
The remarks gradually shifted. From hostility to encouragement.
---
🌅 THE CALL BACK
Jayden viewed the video from his residence.
In the end tears streamed silently down his face.
He did not phone her. He was unable to.
He merely remained seated, murmuring, "You still hold my heart, Love Coach.”
His phone then vibrated.
It was Ella.
“Jayden " she murmured gently.
He gulped. "Hey.”
“I said it, " she murmured. "All of it. I revealed the truth to the world.”
“I noticed, " he remarked. "You were incredible.”
“Then return home " she stated.
Silence.
Then. "Are you serious?”
“I’ve never intended anything ”
---
💞 THE REUNION
That evening as he entered the studio she rushed directly into his embrace.
He embraced her firmly as if he had waited an eternity.
“I’m sorry " she sobbed. "For not resisting fiercely.”
He grinned gently. "You did. Right this moment.. You claimed victory.”
She chuckled with tears streaming. "You never stop talking.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. ". You continue to adore it.”
They both chuckled. Exhausted, shattered,. Reunited once more.
---
🌙 THAT NIGHT
They remained close together beneath the illumination of the studio lights.
Ella murmured, "Do you realize what’s amusing?”
“What?”
“The world attempted to erase me for loving you.. That love rescued me once more.”
Jayden grinned, sweeping her hair away from her face.
“Looks like neither of us can be stopped.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. "Yes.. Solely, as one.”
Beyond the urban lights sparkled like stars.
The sounds of the world dimmed. Leaving their breaths audible.
Because sometimes, the loudest kind of love…
is the one that survives the silence.
- Writer
