CHAPTER5
1106 Words
Mia’s POV
The Phone kept ringing.
I Swallowed hard.
Kane watched me Silently from the floor beside me.
“Don’t answer it,” he Said quietly.
But I already knew I was going to.
Because ignoring things had never made them disappear… It only made them worse…
I exhaled Shakily then Pressed accept.
“Hello?” My voice Came out Smaller.
“Is this Mia Carter?”
A woman’s voice boomed.
“Yes,” I answered Carefully.
“This is Elena Marks from Horizon Media Relations.”
My Stomach dropped.
Media relations?
My grip tightened on the Phone.
“I’m Calling regarding the incident at the National Music Awards involving Alex Ashton.”
My throat tightened.
“I already apologized,” I Said quickly, even though She hadn’t accused me of anything yet. “It was an accident.”
“I understand,” She replied Smoothly, like She had Said this a thousand times before. “However, the Situation has escalated Significantly overnight.”
I Closed my eyes.
Kane Shifted beside me… I Could feel his attention Sharpening.
“Elena… I don’t understand what you want from me.”
There was a brief Pause then her tone turned Sharper.
“Right now, the Public narrative is extremely damaging.”
My heart beat louder.
“Damaging… to who?”
“To both Parties.”
My lips Parted Slightly.
I already knew what that meant.
They didn’t mean both equally… They meant him.
Alex Ashton. The golden idol. The untouchable Star.
Not me…
She Continued.
“There are already trending hashtags targeting you Specifically.”
I Shut my eyes again.
Of Course there were.
“They are escalating rapidly. We Strongly advise you to refrain from making any Public Statements until further notice.”
“Further notice?” My voice Cracked.
“Yes. Any comment at this Stage Could worsen the Situation.”
I looked down at my Shaking hands.
Worsen it?
How much worse Could it get?
“I didn’t do it on Purpose,” I whispered.
“I understand however Perception is what matters right now.”
I laughed bitterly under my breath.
That Sounded about right.
“You are Currently the Center of a very Sensitive media Situation,” she Said Carefully.
Kane leaned forward.
I Could feel his anger rising beside me, but he Stayed quiet.
“Do I need a lawyer or Something?” I asked before I Could Stop myself.
That earned a Short, uncomfortable Pause.
“No, nothing like that. This is Purely Public relations management.”
Purely Public relations?
As if my life had turned into a Crisis report.
As if I was just a Problem to be managed, not a Person.
“I see,” I whispered.
“We recommend you Stay off Social media for now. Your team will Contact you regarding next Steps.”
And just like that, the Call ended.
I lowered the Phone Slowly.
My hands felt numb.
For a moment, I didn’t move.
Kane finally broke the Silence.
“What did they say?”
I laughed again but this time it Sounded broken.
“They told me to disappear.”
His expression darkened instantly.
“Why?”
“It’s not like that though,” I added quickly. “They just Said I Should not Speak or Post anything.”
Kane Stood up immediately.
“Because of him?”
I hesitated.
That hesitation answered for me.
His jaw Clenched.
“This is ridiculous.”
I hugged my knees to my Chest.
“It’s not his fault.”
Kane looked at me Sharply.
“Mia—”
“It’s not,” I repeated Softer this time. “I ran into him.”
Kane exhaled Slowly, trying to Calm himself.
But I Could Still feel his frustration burning through the room.
I Stared at the floor.
“My whole life keeps turning into this,” I whispered.
Kane Softened. “That’s not true.”
“It is,” I Said. “First, Aurora Girls, now this. It’s always Something and it’s always me.”
My voice Cracked.
“I try So hard and it Still ends the Same way.”
Kane knelt back down in front of me.
His tone lowered. “Mia, look at me.”
I hesitated then Slowly I did.
His expression was firm.
“You are not the problem,” he Said Clearly.
I laughed weakly..
“I think the internet disagrees.”
“The internet is wrong.”
Before I Could respond, my Phone lit up again.
It was a new notification.
I froze.
Kane Saw it too.
His expression Changed instantly..
“Don’t—” he Started.
But I already Picked it up.
The Screen loaded and my breath Stopped.
A new headline:
“IDOL ALEX ASHTON SPEAKS AFTER AWARDS INCIDENT”
My fingers went Cold and my heart Slowed.
I tapped it and the video loaded.
Alex appeared on Screen with a Controlled expression and Cold eyes.
He was Standing in front of Cameras and reporters were throwing questions at him…
Then a reporter asked a question:
“Alex! What do you think about the incident with Mia Carter from Nova Girls?”
My Stomach tightened So hard it hurt.
Alex Paused.. Then he Spoke.
“I don’t have anything to Say about that.”
My Chest Sank Slightly.
But then, his eyes hardened.
“And I expect Professionals to be more Careful in Situations like that.”
The world Stopped.
My grip on the Phone tightened Painfully.
Professional?
That wasn’t an accusation but it felt like one..
The reporter Pushed further.
“Are you blaming her for your fall?”
Another Pause.
Then Alex Said Calmly:
“I’m Saying mistakes have Consequences.”
That was it but Somehow, it hurts worse than anything dramatic Could have..
The video ended and my hand Slowly lowered.
My throat felt tight.
Kane Spoke immediately.
“That’s not fair.”
But I didn’t respond, because I Couldn’t.
My Chest felt hollow..
My Phone vibrated again.
I almost didn’t look… But I did.
Another headline.
“FANS CALL FOR NOVA GIRLS TO BE REMOVED FROM AWARDS LINEUP”
My breath Caught Sharply.
“What?” I whispered.
Kane leaned in quickly.
His face darkened as he read.
“This is getting out of hand.”
My hands Started Shaking again.
More notifications flooded in.
Messages. Comments. Clips.
My name was everywhere. My face was everywhere.
I was being mocked, blamed and dragged.
I Stood up Suddenly.
“I need air.”
“Mia—” Kane Started.
But I was already moving.
I grabbed my jacket and rushed out before he Could Stop me.
- Writer
