THE SECRETS THAT WE BURY
949 Words
The phone slipped from Ayana’s hand, landing with a soft thud against the balcony cushion. Her heart thundered louder than the city traffic below.
What you did at the salon.
The words echoed like a scream in a tunnel, pulling her back to a memory she had buried deep locked away and never spoken about. Not to Zara. Not to Ethan. Not to anyone.
“Ayana?” Ethan’s voice broke through her spiral.
She turned slowly, her face pale, lips parted.
He stepped onto the balcony, still holding his phone. “Everything okay?”
She forced a shaky smile. “Just another message. They’re taunting me.”
He walked over and picked up her phone. His eyes scanned the screen. His jaw tensed. “What happened at the salon?”
Ayana looked away, fingers twisting in her lap.
“Tell me the truth,” Ethan urged gently, kneeling in front of her. “I need to know everything if I’m going to protect you.”
Ayana stared into the city’s glittering chaos. And then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.
“There was a client. Months before I ever met you. She came in for a treatment hair color. She insisted on a stronger product… something I advised against. But she pushed. I eventually agreed.”
Her voice broke. “The chemical burned her scalp. She sued the salon. Went to the press. The owner threw me under the bus, said I acted against protocol. I lost everything, Ethan. My job, my reputation. That’s why I started freelancing. Why I was so desperate.”
Ethan’s eyes softened. “You were trying to help her.”
“She was influential. Claimed I did it out of jealousy. Said I wanted to ruin her look before an event. People believed her. I even got threats. That’s when the stalking started. It never truly stopped.”
Ethan’s hands curled into fists. “You should’ve told me.”
“I was ashamed. And I didn’t want you to see me as a liability.”
He stood up, paced a few steps, then turned back to her. “You’re not a liability. You’re human. You were cornered.”
She looked up, eyes glistening. “This person whoever they are they know about that woman. They’re using it against me.”
“Then we bring it into the light before they do,” Ethan said.
Ayana frowned. “What?”
“We go public. On our terms. I’ll have my PR team help craft a statement about the old case, the harassment, your resilience. We show them they can’t use your past to break you.”
Her stomach twisted. “That’s career suicide.”
“No,” he said firmly. “That’s freedom.”
---
Scene: The Next Day Ethan’s Office, Westlands
The PR team sat around the sleek glass table three sharp-dressed professionals, all flipping through documents and typing notes.
Ayana sat beside Ethan, clutching a copy of her old legal report. Her hands trembled as she relived the media frenzy from years ago.
One of the PR managers, a woman named Lillian, spoke up. “We can frame this around redemption. How you overcame being wrongfully blamed. Add Ethan’s voice of support, and we’ll get ahead of the narrative.”
Ayana nodded slowly. “Okay. But no lies. Just… not everything either.”
Lillian smiled. “We’ll find the balance.”
As they mapped out the strategy, Ayana’s phone buzzed again.
This time, it wasn’t a threat.
It was a picture.
A grainy photo of her and Ethan on the balcony last night. Her leaning on his shoulder.
The caption: “How brave of you. But I’m always watching.”
She shoved the phone across the table.
Ethan leaned forward. “We need to tap her phone. Now. Whoever this is, they’re too close.”
Lillian’s expression darkened. “We can get our cyber security partner involved immediately.”
Ayana exhaled shakily. “I just want this to end.”
---
Scene: Claudia Returns
Meanwhile, in a luxury café across the city, a familiar face walked in heels clicking, a silver designer bag in hand.
Claudia.
She sat at a table, her long lashes fluttering as she sipped her espresso.
Nina joined her moments later, slipping into the seat across from her.
Claudia raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been busy.”
Nina smirked. “She’s breaking. One message at a time.”
“And Ethan?”
“Still playing house with her. But not for long.”
Claudia leaned in, voice cold and smooth. “I want him to hate her. Break her so badly, he never looks at her the same way again.”
Nina’s eyes sparkled. “Then we’ll need the video.”
Claudia’s lips curved. “Already sent it. The moment it leaks… Ayana’s fairytale ends.”
---
Scene: Later That Night Ayana’s Apartment
Ayana sat by her vanity, staring at her reflection.
Everything felt heavier now like she was carrying her past on her shoulders and dragging it into her future.
Zara called.
“Hey,” Ayana said quietly.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Then come over. We’ll binge something stupid and eat chocolate.”
Ayana smiled faintly. “I love you.”
“Duh.”
Just before she hung up, Ayana’s phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a YouTube link.
The caption read:
“What she did before becoming a billionaire’s wife. Exclusive footage inside.”
Her hands went cold.
The link opened to a blurred security cam video.
Ayana.
Arguing with the woman at the salon.
The woman screaming.
Ayana’s voice raised.
Then the screen went black.
TO BE CONTINUED…
- Writer
