We got to the press conference venue after getting the fake marriage certificate ready. The press conference was held in the grand ballroom of one of my hotels downtown. The room was buzzing with reporters adjusting their cameras and murmuring among themselves. As we stepped onto the stage, all eyes turned toward us. The flashes of cameras began almost instantly, blinding and irritating. The questions poured in immediately.
Ava slid her arm through mine, her red lips curled into a dazzling smile that looked convincing enough to fool anyone. She was every bit the actress she claimed to be, her body language exuding confidence and charm. I, on the other hand, forced a neutral expression, masking the storm raging within me.
Mike stood off to the side, nodding subtly as if to say, Stick to the script.
I approached the podium and leaned into the microphone, waiting for the room to quiet down. Ava remained by my side, her hand still resting lightly on my arm.
"Good afternoon, everyone," I began, my voice calm and steady despite the chaos in my mind. "Thank you for being here today. Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation about my personal life. I'm here to set the record straight."
A young female reporter moved forward, standing in front of the other reporters. "Mr. James, are the rumors and scandalous photos released on the internet true? Is it true that you have had sexual affairs with multiple men and you can't get aroused by a woman?"
Waoh, so many questions at once.
I took a deep breath in before speaking with a polite smile on my face, "First, let me say this. The photos released were taken completely out of context. The individuals captured are close friends of mine I've worked with and trusted for years. It's easy to draw conclusions based on those images, but I assure you, those moments were private and innocent. However, I can't deny that the timing of their release is highly suspicious. My team is already investigating the source of the leak, and we have reason to believe it was orchestrated by someone with malicious intent—someone trying to tarnish my reputation and disrupt my personal life"
"To be clear", I continued, my gaze steady, "The truth is, those photos were manipulated and taken to confuse but I and my wife, Ava are here to set the record straight and tell y'all the truth"
I glanced at Ava, who gave me a small, encouraging nod, her practiced smile unwavering. The room erupted into a flurry of questions, cameras clicking frantically. I raised a hand to silence them.
"As many of you have already guessed," I continued, "I'm married. I've been married for up to four years. This is Ava Lee, my wife."
"I understand this might come as a surprise," I said, my tone firm. "Ava and I have chosen to keep our relationship private until now, but with recent events, we felt it was time to share our happiness with the world."
Ava stepped forward then, taking her cue. "Jordan and I have been through a lot together," she said smoothly, her voice warm and sincere. "We've supported each other through thick and thin, and we're excited to take this next step in our lives. We hope you'll respect our privacy as we plan our future together."
She squeezed my arm for effect, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She was laying it on thick, but the reporters seemed to eat it up.
The questions came fast and furious after that, most of them directed at Ava. She handled them like a pro, weaving a narration of love and devotion that was entirely fabricated but disturbingly convincing. The only part she told the press that I could remember was that we met in a park and I was drawn to her beauty and elegance so I asked her out and all that bullshit crap.
As the conference wound down, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We'd pulled it off, at least for now. The media had their story, and my father would get off my back—temporarily, anyway.
As we stepped off the stage and into the waiting car, I finally let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Ava slid in beside me, crossing her legs and glancing out the window.
"You're welcome," she said after a moment, her tone smug.
"For what?" I asked, my voice tinged with irritation.
"For saving your ass out there," she replied, turning to face me. "Admit it, Jude. You'd be lost without me."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Keep telling yourself that," she said with a smirk, leaning back in her seat. "But you and I both know this charade is only just beginning. One lie and then we have to keep lying to make the first one believable"
As the city lights blurred past the window, I thought more about her words—she was right. This was only the start of what promised to be a long, messy ordeal.