The Lie That Made Me Love You

Chapter 15: Reception

Julian West

I have never been in a situation like this. I mean one that leaves me completely restless and useless to myself. Not even a blunt would satiate the level of nerves that had spiked through my entire system.

All I could do was stand and wait. See what happens. I paced the hallway in front of my room while I left my phone on the table stand in the living room. I had connected it to my charger earlier and left it there to charge while I tortured my mind on if the apology was enough or they would find it provocative.

After several re-watch, I realized how I still sounded like I didn't give a f**k. And that was the point, I really didn't care about issuing an apology. What really bothered me was the fall of a career that I had been so lucky to have, having known many failed writers turned literature professors in school.

I didn't want to be close to Henry either. He didn't help. Though he told me a zillion times that it was going to be fine and the apology was okay, I didn't believe that. I wouldn't believe it until things started to get better…

I heard my phone vibrate against the wooden table top. I rushed to it, not bothering to unplug it before picking it up to see who it was.

Alisha…

I rolled my eyes. “Hey.”

“Good job on the video. The set was perfect. Your words could have needed a little bit more acting but since everyone knows you sound dead cold all the time, I think you will get through. Right now, your apology video is at 102k views. 1126 comments and 700k plus views already. So far so good, it has major good reviews. The women offended on the lady's behalf seem to be saying it is okay now since you apologized—wait, have you even checked the video since you uploaded it??” She stopped giving the feedback to ask.

“Uh…yeah! I mean sure, sure.” I stuttered.

“That means you haven't checked it yet. I understand how it feels, anxiety has a crazy work rate. Anyways, don't forget to go give Sophie a follow, like her story, screenshoot, send and share. Whatever it is you can do for your fans to see what she posted. Do it now. She must have made the post already.”

That was it. The line went dead and suddenly, all of that pressure that built heavily on my back and chest died. Fading off through the Invincible cracks in the wall. I smiled at myself.

“Hell the f**k yeah!” I pumped my fist in the air.

Soon, I am reminded of the little task I needed to perform on Sophie's page. I searched for her and she popped up pretty fast on i********:, as she bore the same name as her real life name. Like any typical influencer, I could see many posts that were generic and baseless short reels. Just a bunch of ring light and a made up face. In Sophie's case, the make up she had on was light but the ring light found its way to highlight it all.

“She's so pretty right…” Henry's voice crept up from behind, startling me.

“No. She is basic like every other Cyndi and Samantha I have seen at the club.” I pushed him away lightly and headed to my study for some alone time to do what Alisha had told me to do.

“Why are you so hard on her? You would only make this difficult for the both of you men.” Henry called me out, probably following me behind because his voice was awfully too close to me to ignore.

“Since when has it been a crime not to just like someone??” I turned around to face him. He frowned a bit. The hallway was darker because night was fast falling, so it created a dark shade over his eyes. Causing him to look a bit more aggressive than he should have been.

“Not when the person you would marry is someone who is in her own way, saving your ass and your career.” He snapped back. He didn't come any closer. His hands are folded across his chest.

“And I am also doing her a favor by boosting her so-called career. Which by the way, is not even supposed to be a thing!”

“You can be so selfish sometimes. You know that right?” Henry sighed.

“I am not selfish. I just stand strong on what I feel. Now if you would excuse me. I am about to send her a request so that we can appear to be a thing to people who probably don't really care except for when it is time to tear someone else down. Something this mother fuckers do so well…”

I walked into my study/office and closed the double wing door. Resting my back against it, I felt like an early 2000's character from a soap opera who's life was crashing around her. I sighed before finally pushing myself off the door.

I would have walked up straight to the leather office chair illuminated by the overheard amber lamp if the brown couch in the room didn't call my name so seductively. I weighed my options. I needed some form of rest. Now that I thought about it, it felt like I had been sitting on my ass all day.

The drop of my body on the couch gave me a comfort euphoria I haven't felt in a while. I sighed heavily and closed my eyes for a bit. Sophie's face flashed behind my eyes.

“Urgh!!!”

I groaned loudly into the couch material. I blindly searched for my phone till I found it after patting everywhere for it.

Turning on the screen, her face was the first thing I saw with her annoying little miss sunshine smile and pearl white teeth.

With distaste in my mouth, I tapped the ‘follow’ button. Shared her story. Alright, that's all of it for today.

I had barely closed my eyes when I heard a notification bell.

Sophie Barnes has followed you back.