chapter seven
982 Words
Mila’s POV
I awoke to hearing my phone vibrating at the bedside. My chest tightened with fear even whilst I had not touched it. I was quite fatigued from the previous night, yet fright alarmed me to full alertness. It would not be good, whatever the screen had on it.
The penthouse of Ruben was very silent. I longed as briefly as I could remain in that silence. Then I picked up my phone.
The initial sentence left me with a slap.
TITAN CEO FALLS FOR GOLD DIGGER ASSISTANT
My heart sank, and I unlocked the screen. I was scrolling, and my fingers trembled. One article gave rise to another, whichwas still worse than the one that preceded it.
INSIDE MILA’S PLAN TO SEDUCE RUBEN VERMEER
OFFICE AFFAIR OR CAREER MOVE?
SOURCES CLAIM MILA TARGETED RUBEN FROM DAY ONE
It is not so, I said, and cried. Tears blurred my vision. "None of this is true."
The comments were even worse.
She was fully aware of what she was about.
Girls always work their way up this way.
I feel sorry for Victoria. She was betrayed.
I hurled the phone on the bed like it was a hot potato. I pressed my palms to my eyes, attempting to prevent the tears. It broke my heart, which was something I had never experienced. I was crushed with something inside me being crushed very gradually and deliberately.
A gentle tap to the door.
"Mila?" Ruben asked. "Are you awake?"
I took a deep breath and answered. "Yes."
He left the room and went in with his clothes on. His face was serious but calm. I was instantly gazed at his eyes, and I was aware that he was observing everything.
"You saw it," he said quietly.
Yes, yes, replied I, and my voice shook. They made me a villain in a day.
He approached me and sat down on the bed. It is they who are putting the story around that they believe you are weak.
“I am not weak,” I said, lifting up my head. But I have never been this exposed before. It is all about me, as everybody knows me.
"They do not," Ruben said firmly. They are aware of a version that had been designed well.
I laughed bitterly. "A gold digger version."
His jaw tightened. "This narrative was planned."
I looked at him sharply. "By Victoria."
“Yes,” he said, without a doubt.
I again took my phone and tried to scroll; however, I froze.
There it was.
A video interview preview.
The screen was filled with the face of Victoria. Her eyes were flushed, and she shook like a leaf.
I felt sick.
The interview was automatic, and I was unable to stop it.
“I did not want it,” I said to myself through some tissue dabs, Victoria. "But the truth matters."
I stared at the screen. Slowly, anger overcame the fear as my hands trembled.
"She's lying," I whispered.
She was Victoria, her voice deep. Ruben and I were having a rough time, but I believed in him. I had faith in those about him as well.
The interviewer bent forward. “Do you mean that Mila has betrayed that trust?”
Victoria was uncertain and then sighed. "I don't want to accuse anyone. However, the clues were present: the late nights, the secret meetings, the secrets.
Under his breath, Ruben swore.
She is talking as though I were the one planning it, I said. My chest tightened. "Like I hunted him."
Victoria further lowered her voice. "I hope Mila finds peace. However, I would like young women to also learn that boundaries have a price.
“That is all,” I said, bristling to my feet. She is putting herself and me as the snake; she is making herself out to be the victim.
Ruben stood too. His expression was dark. That is what she is playing with, popular sympathy.
And it is working, said I bitterly. "Look at the comments."
Ruben would not take my phone, but laid it clothily on the table face down. You do not need to read such poison.
"But it's everywhere," I argued. "It’s shaping how people see me."
His voice was lower, and he moved nearer. "Listen to me, Mila. This storm isn’t about you. It’s about control. Victoria is desperate, and desperate people make mouth noises.
I was about to answer when he got a call on his phone.
Once.
Then again.
His features flushed from reading the screen. His shoulders stiffened.
"What is it?" My question came back with fear running back into my chest.
He did not respond immediately, and this made it worse.
"Ruben," I pressed. "Tell me."
He looked at me. His eyes were so solemn, burdened with something heavy which I could not read to the end.
Nine per cent. drop in the stock of Titan Corp overnight," he said slowly. "And it is still falling."
I felt the air take my lungs. "Because of me?"
“I think it's because of this scandal,” he said. And because investors respond to fear.
My heart sank. They are accusing me of destroying the company.
They are making you an excuse, Ruben amended.
My phone went off once more on the table.
I reached for it. My hands were cold.
There had just been a new headline.
TITAN CORP IN CRISIS AS CEO’S SCANDAL SHAKES INVESTORS
I swallowed hard. A horror of a thought came to a crunch in my chest.
It was not simply a question of reputation.
This had been one of power and money and destruction.
And somebody was bent on seeing that I was charged the most.
Ruben hardened his face as his phone rang once again. He said only one thing--
The board desires to have an emergency meeting. And they want you gone."
- Writer
