Coaching My Ex’s Rival To Stardom

2

Cynthia

I barely slept last night after Jaden stormed off. How could I after my entire relationship just turned out to be a big f*****g joke. It didn’t help that each direction I looked at in the house reminded me of him. The times we’d just sit wrapped up in each other’s arms while talking about the future and what we hoped to archive. We were each other’s biggest supporters. He rooted for me immensely, at least that’s what I believed till last night.

I washed my face, feeling numb all over. I’d like to stay indoors throughout, but the team has practice this afternoon, and there’s a fundraiser function this evening that a lot of important people will be attending. The team surprisingly got an invite, and I was looking forward to it so much, but now Jaden’s threat from last night sat heavily in my chest.

Losing my lover was one thing. Losing my career was… I’d rather not think about it.

It’s a good thing I have that s*x tape, right? At least If he tries playing dirty, I’ll be able to get back at him this way.

I searched for my phone and went into the message from last night, only to open it and freeze on realizing that the videos were gone.

Deleted.

“f**k, please no.” I chanted over and over again underneath my breath, my heart pounding hard as I went into my photos, and that’s when I remembered that I didn’t save the videos from last night.

I forgot to after puking my brains out.

A panicked feeling washed over me as I quickly texted the number, asking for the videos to be sent back to me even Though l still don’t know who the person is. After my messages didn’t deliver and I realize that I’ve been blocked.

That’s the one thing I planned to hold over him… and now I literally have nothing else.

Oh god. Why was the universe always against me?

A text popped in at that moment and my heart soared before deflecting on realizing it was my assistant.

Blair; C, check the net. Crazy s**t is flying around.

My eyes widened in confusion at the urgency in her voice.

I entered the Internet, and then I frowned at the sight of the no.1 trending video having a image of Jaden. And it’s just been recorded three hours ago, but had already gathered five million views.

I clicked on it fast, then I almost dropped my phone at the words that kept leaving his mouth in the video.

“This is me being strong enough to be vulnerable to everyone. My coach, Cynthia Grayson has been making advances towards me since I could remember. I dismissed it, thinking nothing of it. But recently, she’s been crossing lines, touching me inappropriately, and I still gave her a benefit of doubt because she was a woman. But this was till tried to seduce me, then I discovered the unhealthy obsession she’s always had towards me. And now, the team is uncomfortable for me, which is why I’d like her to be taken off our coach’s position.”

Even after the video stopped playing, I remained in the same place, unable to believe what I just heard. Jaden’s really determined to ruin my career, this was clear enough. This video was enough to ruin me, no agency would wanna be associated with me after this.

The comments under the video were so horrible.

“Creep! I knew there’s a reason I never liked her!”

“Thank f**k, I’ve always hated that she gets to see all the shirtless players everyday for free!”

“My poor baby, I’ll protect you from her.”

“Kick her to the curb!”

“Finally!”

My hands shook as I hurriedly shot a text to the PR team, asking them quickly to put out a statement denying that accusation.

Instead of responding, they sent me a link to a video, along with a simple, “I don’t think a statement can work in this situation, ma’am.”

I clicked the link, and couldn’t believe the sight of none other than my mother being interviewed by the press.

She was standing beside her latest boyfriend, and they clearly looked so excited to be interviewed.

“What do you think of the controversy revolving around your daughter, Cynthia Grayson?”

“Sadly, it might just be true. My daughter’s always been obsessed with Jaden since highschool and she definitely picked her career choice because of him.”

White hot rage seared through my veins as I listened to my mother answer more questions, each one a bigger lie than the previous. I felt so hurt, my heart ripping apart, that this was coming from my own mother. It shouldn’t be shocking, cause she stopped caring about me since I could remember, but this was still too far.

I dialed her number and she answered instantly.

“How could you do that interview and lie over and over again?!” I demanded angrily, feeling like I was about to explode.

“I was offered money by an anonymous person to do that, and it was a big amount. How could I refuse? You know I’m always low on cash because of your siblings and you never send enough money since hitting big!” She cried out.

A bitter laugh left my throat. “I send back almost everything I make after putting a little savings aside.” I shot back but she accused me of lying and being selfish.

My salary isn’t as big as she used to think cause the team just started being successful, it would take time before our salaries surge high.

“Why don’t you return home then?” My mom’s twentieth boyfriend demanded. “Stop being delusional. Women aren’t made to be coaches. Find a rich husband, settle down and have babies for him. You’ll be able to help your mother better that way.”

“How about you find a house and a job instead of stealing from my mother? Stupid cunt.”

I ended the call after that, fuming and breathing hard.

~~~

“You’re fired.” The agency manager said calmly, standing right in front of me. I had just gotten to his office after he sent me a text asking me to show up instantly.

“But.. you know none of that is true, you knew we were really dating. Everyone in the agency knew.” I pointed out calmly despite everything within me wanting to scream. Another wave of betrayal shot through me, which I tried pushing away, determined to not lose control right now.

“You know it’s not my call. It’s the founder’s, he said all our brands and investors might pull out because of this. Jaden also threatened to switch agencies, so we have to let you go.”

A bitter sound left my throat. Of course Jaden was more important. The star player.

The coach behind the team’s success didn’t matter.

“Did you even fight for me?” I asked quietly, still finding it jarring over how it’s so easy for them to let me go.

Have I always been this disposable without realizing this whole time?

The manager let out an awkward, uncomfortable cough.

“Look, Cynthia, here’s an advise. Maybe coaching isn’t for you at the end of the day. I doubt if another agency would hire you. You should try getting into something else, there are other career options. You’re a hard working girl, it won’t take you long to adapt.”

He walked off after that without a backward glance.

I felt like a lifeless doll as I made my way down the empty hallway. My chest hurt with each breath and It felt like a heavy lump was stuck in my throat. The elevator opened at that moment, and out walked Ashley in a jaw dropping two piece designer outfit which hugged her curves tightly. Her hair was blonde, long and flowing unlike my short boring hair.

She grinned as she strode past me.

“I hope you’re aware of your place now.” She murmured as she stopped for a moment, looking me over like I was dirt on the ground.

“Whatever. I don’t wanna have a conversation with you, it’s humiliating arguing over a man.” I bit out.

She crackled. “And yet you look like you’re about to burst into tears.”

I kept quiet as I walked off. It’s pointless to tell her this is cause I just lost my f*****g job.

She walked off after that, while I gaped at her back in utter disbelief.

Fucking b***h.