The Interview
1631 Words
Chapter 13 — The Interview
The Sapphire Luxe Magazine studio overlooked the Atlantic Ocean, its modern glass walls glowing beneath the late afternoon sun.
Inside, makeup artists, photographers, assistants, and journalists rushed around preparing for one of the biggest luxury interviews of the season.
The Henry Group collaboration had become the hottest topic in Cape Town’s fashion industry.
And unfortunately for Amara—
So had her connection to Jake Henry.
She stood near the makeup station adjusting the sleeves of her cream-colored jumpsuit while trying to ignore the nervousness in her chest.
“You look stunning,” Veronica announced dramatically.
Amara sighed.
“I look stressed.”
“Same difference.”
Across the room, photographers prepared lighting while magazine staff whispered excitedly.
Every few seconds, someone mentioned Jake’s name.
Amara already regretted agreeing to this interview.
“Relax,” Veronica said softly. “It’s just a magazine feature.”
“It feels like public interrogation.”
Before Veronica could answer, movement near the entrance drew everyone’s attention.
Jake had arrived.
And somehow—
The entire room’s energy shifted instantly.
He wore a charcoal-gray suit with no tie, his expression calm but unreadable as assistants greeted him nervously.
Several women visibly straightened the moment he entered.
Amara noticed immediately and rolled her eyes internally.
Ridiculous.
Jake’s gaze moved through the room lazily before landing directly on her.
And staying there.
For half a second, everything else blurred into background noise.
She looked beautiful.
Not overdone.
Not artificial.
Just effortlessly elegant.
Jake hated how naturally his attention always found her now.
He walked toward her slowly.
“You clean up nicely too,” Amara said before he could speak.
Jake smirked faintly.
“You noticed.”
“Hard not to. The entire room stopped breathing when you walked in.”
“That sounds unhealthy.”
“It sounds arrogant.”
“There she is.”
Amara shook her head while hiding a tiny smile.
This was becoming dangerous.
Too easy.
Too familiar.
A woman holding a clipboard approached them quickly.
“Mr Henry, Miss Dlamini, we’re ready for the interview.”
Jake nodded once.
“Let’s get this over with.”
The interview setup looked elegant and intimate.
Two chairs positioned near massive windows overlooking the ocean while cameras and lights surrounded them carefully.
The journalist, Nadia Jacobs, smiled professionally as they sat down.
“Thank you both for joining us.”
Amara returned the smile politely.
Jake simply nodded.
The cameras started rolling moments later.
Nadia began smoothly.
“Cape Town’s fashion industry has been buzzing nonstop about this collaboration between the Henry Group and emerging designer Amara Dlamini.”
She turned toward Amara first.
“How has this experience been for you so far?”
Amara answered carefully.
“Overwhelming, honestly. But also exciting.”
“And working with Jake Henry?”
Amara glanced sideways briefly.
“Interesting.”
Jake almost smiled.
Nadia noticed instantly.
“Interesting how?”
Amara folded her hands calmly.
“We challenge each other creatively.”
“And personally?” Nadia asked smoothly.
Jake laughed softly before Amara could respond.
“There it is.”
Nadia grinned unapologetically.
“The public is curious.”
“The public should mind their business,” Amara replied dryly.
Several crew members laughed quietly behind the cameras.
Jake looked amused now.
Nadia turned toward him.
“Jake, you’ve built a reputation for being extremely private. Yet lately you and Amara seem inseparable professionally.”
Amara internally cursed the word inseparable.
Jake leaned back slightly.
“She’s talented.”
“And difficult,” he added casually.
Amara looked offended immediately.
“You say that like it’s a flaw.”
“It’s definitely not easy.”
Nadia smiled knowingly.
“But you enjoy it.”
Silence flickered briefly.
Jake’s eyes shifted toward Amara again.
Too long.
Too intense.
Then he answered quietly:
“Yes.”
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Even Amara felt it.
Something unspoken lingered heavily between them now.
Nadia definitely noticed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
“So Amara,” Nadia continued carefully, “many people online are fascinated by the chemistry between you two.”
Amara nearly sighed.
“People online create stories out of anything.”
“But are the rumors completely false?”
Jake watched her calmly now.
Waiting.
Amara crossed her legs carefully.
“Jake and I are business partners.”
“That sounds diplomatic,” Nadia teased.
“It sounds true.”
Jake smirked faintly beside her.
Then Nadia shifted unexpectedly.
“Jake, you’ve also faced criticism recently regarding your relationships and behavior.”
The room’s atmosphere tightened instantly.
Amara noticed Jake’s posture change immediately.
Harder now.
Guarded.
Nadia continued cautiously.
“There have been rumors describing you as controlling and aggressive in past relationships. Would you like to respond?”
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Several crew members exchanged nervous looks.
Amara suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Jake’s expression became unreadable.
Cold.
For a second she thought he might walk out.
Instead, he answered quietly:
“People believe whatever entertains them.”
“That’s not exactly a denial,” Nadia pressed carefully.
Jake’s jaw tightened visibly.
Amara noticed his hand clench slightly against the chair.
Dangerous territory.
Finally Jake spoke again.
“I’m not perfect.”
The honesty surprised the entire room.
Even Amara looked at him differently now.
Jake continued without looking at anyone directly.
“I’ve made mistakes.”
Silence deepened.
Nadia softened her tone slightly.
“And do you regret them?”
Jake’s eyes flickered toward Amara unexpectedly.
Then away again.
“Yes.”
The word landed heavily.
Because it sounded real.
Not rehearsed.
Not performative.
Real.
Amara’s chest tightened slightly.
Nadia clearly sensed the emotional shift and carefully redirected the interview.
“Well,” she smiled gently, “perhaps growth and creativity make a powerful combination.”
Jake looked mildly grateful for the change.
The interview eventually ended twenty minutes later.
The moment cameras stopped rolling, the room exhaled collectively.
Nadia approached carefully.
“Thank you both. That was incredibly honest.”
Jake stood immediately.
“We done?”
“Yes.”
Without another word, he walked away toward the balcony overlooking the ocean.
Amara watched him quietly.
Something about the interview clearly affected him more than expected.
“You should go check on him,” Veronica whispered beside her.
Amara frowned slightly.
“Why me?”
“Because he only listens to you lately.”
“That’s absolutely not true.”
Veronica simply gave her a look.
Annoying woman.
Still…
Amara eventually walked toward the balcony anyway.
Jake stood near the railing staring silently at the waves crashing below.
The ocean wind moved through his dark hair while tension radiated from his entire body.
For several seconds, Amara remained quiet beside him.
Then softly:
“You handled that better than I expected.”
Jake laughed humorlessly.
“That’s comforting.”
“I’m serious.”
He took a slow breath.
“I hate interviews.”
“I noticed.”
Jake glanced sideways at her briefly.
“You looked uncomfortable too.”
“Because they were trying to turn us into entertainment.”
“They succeeded.”
Amara groaned softly.
“Please don’t remind me.”
Jake leaned both hands against the railing.
“You know what the worst part is?”
“What?”
“No matter what I say…” His voice lowered slightly. “People already decided who I am.”
The sadness beneath those words caught her off guard again.
Amara looked at him carefully.
“Sometimes reputations are earned.”
Jake nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
The honesty surprised her again.
He wasn’t denying his past anymore.
That mattered.
Still…
“It doesn’t mean you can’t change,” she said quietly.
Jake looked at her then.
Really looked at her.
“You actually believe that?”
“I believe people choose who they become.”
Silence.
Ocean waves crashed below while distant seagulls circled the shoreline.
Jake’s voice softened unexpectedly.
“You make me want to try.”
Amara’s heartbeat stumbled slightly.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Before she could respond, a loud female voice suddenly interrupted them.
“Well this explains everything.”
Both turned sharply.
A beautiful blonde woman stood near the balcony entrance wearing expensive sunglasses and visible anger.
Jake’s entire expression hardened instantly.
“Vanessa.”
Amara recognized the name immediately.
The socialite from the gala.
Vanessa crossed her arms coldly while looking directly at Amara.
“So this is the designer.”
The tension changed instantly.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
Jake stepped forward slightly.
“What are you doing here?”
Vanessa ignored him completely while studying Amara with obvious judgment.
“She’s pretty,” Vanessa admitted coldly. “Not worth all this drama though.”
Amara raised an eyebrow slowly.
“Excuse me?”
Jake’s jaw tightened visibly.
“Vanessa, leave.”
But Vanessa looked furious now.
“You embarrassed me publicly, Jake.”
“We were never together.”
“You certainly acted interested before she arrived.”
Amara immediately stepped back slightly.
“Nope. I’m not participating in whatever this is.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Smart girl.”
Jake looked ready to explode.
“Enough.”
The dangerous edge in his voice made the air shift instantly.
Amara noticed it.
So did Vanessa.
But unlike before—
Jake caught himself faster this time.
He closed his eyes briefly and took a breath.
Control.
Fight yourself.
Win.
When he opened his eyes again, the anger remained there but restrained.
“Leave, Vanessa,” he said quietly this time.
Vanessa stared at him for a second longer before turning sharply and walking away.
Silence remained behind her.
Amara looked at Jake carefully now.
His hands still trembled slightly with restrained anger.
But he hadn’t exploded.
Hadn’t shouted.
Hadn’t lost control.
And somehow—
That mattered more than she expected.
- Writer
