Lying
The lobby of the Celebrity Life studio buzzed with activity as Abigail entered, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. The air smelled faintly of coffee and freshly printed paper, and the muted chatter of staff filled the space. A young assistant approached her, clipboard in hand and a nervous smile on her face.
"Ms. Abigail," the assistant said, her voice polite but brisk. "Welcome. The interviewer is ready for you. Please follow me."
Abigail nodded, her heart pounding as she adjusted the hem of her fitted black dress. It was simple yet elegant, paired with a silver necklace that gleamed under the studio lights. She felt a mix of nerves and determination. This was her first public appearance since the scandal broke, and the weight of public scrutiny pressed heavily on her shoulders.
She was led into the brightly lit interview room, where the host, a charismatic woman in her early forties named Lila, greeted her with a warm smile. Cameras were positioned strategically, and a small crew moved silently in the background. Abigail forced herself to return Lila's smile as she took her seat across from her.
"Thank you for joining us today, Abigail," Lila began, her voice smooth and inviting. "We're thrilled to have you here."
"Thank you for having me," Abigail replied, her tone calm but measured.
Lila nodded, glancing at her notes. "Before we dive in, let's start with a bit of background for our audience. You've been in the spotlight for years now, building a career that's inspired many. But recently, your name has been tied to a rather controversial situation involving Ace Dims. How are you holding up?"
Abigail took a deep breath, her fingers clasped tightly in her lap. "It's been… challenging," she admitted, her voice steady. "But I'm focusing on moving forward and rebuilding."
Lila leaned forward slightly, her gaze intent. "Understandably so. But if we may address the elephant in the room—the video Ace released claiming you cheated—what would you like to say about that?"
Abigail's lips curved into a small, dangerous smile, her confidence returning. "The video Ace posted is completely false," she said, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "He created it to gain favor with the public, to play the victim, and to tarnish my reputation. It was a calculated move, nothing more."
Lila blinked, momentarily stunned by the sharpness of her tone. "That's a strong statement," she said. "Are you saying Ace was… using you?"
Abigail's smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet sorrow. "I was foolish to believe he cared about me," she said softly. "The truth is, Ace was always looking for ways to climb the ladder, and I was just a stepping stone to him. I gave him my trust, my time, and my love, and he used it to fuel his own ambitions."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Lila cleared her throat, glancing at her notes again. "Did you two have a falling out before the video was released?"
Abigail hesitated, her expression thoughtful. "He told me not to visit him anymore," she said finally. "He said he was… engaged with someone else. I didn't realize at the time that the 'someone else' was the same person trending with him now."
Lila's brows knitted together in concern. "How did that make you feel?"
The question hung heavily, and Abigail's fingers tightened on the fabric of her dress. She knew the question was tricky—it demanded vulnerability in a way she wasn't sure she could manage. After a long pause, she replied, "I felt bad for him."
Lila blinked in surprise. "For him?"
"Yes," Abigail said, her voice quiet but steady. "Because he's so desperate for fame and validation that he's willing to destroy the people who cared for him. That's… a sad way to live."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she let a single tear slip down her cheek, brushing it away with a trembling hand. Lila immediately leaned forward, her voice gentle. "I'm so sorry you went through that," she said.
Abigail nodded, regaining her composure quickly. She straightened in her seat, her confidence returning. "Thank you. But I'm stronger now, and I won't let his actions define me."
Lila smiled warmly. "That's inspiring to hear. One final question: Do you have any idea who might have posted the video of Ace and Gia that's been circulating online?"
Abigail shook her head, her expression calm but unreadable. "No," she said simply. "I've been focusing on myself and haven't been paying much attention to what's happening online."
Lila nodded, seemingly satisfied. The interview wrapped up with lighter questions about Abigail's future projects, and soon she was walking out of the studio, her steps steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.
Later that evening, as she drove home, her phone rang. Seeing her brother Drayce's name on the screen, she answered immediately.
"Abigail," his warm voice greeted her, tinged with concern. "I saw the interview. You did great."
"Thanks, Drayce," Abigail replied, her voice soft. "I just hope it helps clear things up."
Drayce sighed. "You've been through so much. Why don't you come to East City for a while? Stay with me, clear your head."
Abigail smiled faintly, touched by his offer. "I appreciate it, but I have so much going on here. I'll visit soon, I promise."
"How's Mom?" she asked, changing the subject.
"She's good," Drayce replied. "Still jet-setting for business as usual."
They talked for a few more minutes before ending the call. Abigail set her phone down, a wave of sadness washing over her. Drayce's concern reminded her of how much she missed her family's support, even as she tried to stand strong on her own.
Shortly after, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Thomas.
"Abigail," his voice came through, calm but tinged with irritation. "Where are you?"
"I'm just heading home," she said cautiously.
There was a pause before Thomas spoke again. "You embarrassed me last night, you know."
Abigail swallowed her pride, knowing she owed him an apology. "Thomas, I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to put you in that position. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Thomas's voice softened slightly, though the frustration remained. "You're lucky I like you, Abigail. Are you free tonight? Maybe we can meet and clear the air."
Abigail hesitated. "I'm busy tonight. Can we reschedule?"
Thomas sighed but didn't press further. "Alright. Let me know when."
As the call ended, Ed's name appeared on her screen.
"Abigail," he said when she answered, his tone warm. "How are you holding up after the interview?"
"I'm okay," she replied, her voice tinged with weariness. "But I hate lying about things. It doesn't feel right."
Ed chuckled softly. "Sometimes, protecting yourself is more important than the truth. You're doing fine, Abigail. Stay strong."
His words brought a faint smile to her lips. "Thanks, Ed. I'll see you tonight."
"Looking forward to it," he replied, his voice steady with quiet support.