Alex's POV
*****
"This... This isn't right." The director's face scrunched with horror when he saw my nudes projected on the screen.
He turned his head to a tech guy at the corner, making a not-so-subtle slicing movement across his neck. "Cut the video. Cut it."
My mind reeled, my fists clenching and unclenching as my eyes trailed to Mathias in the crowd.
He had a seemingly innocent expression but I wasn't dumb. The timing was impeccable... Way too obvious.
Minutes after he arrived, the video started playing. It wasn't a coincidence.
I closed my eyes, taking in a few deep breaths and wishing for nothing other than this nightmare ending. There were no paparazzi at the event, thankfully, but the people attending were pulling out their phones, and the murmuring only increased.
"Who could've taken such an intimate video of him?" Someone in the audience asked.
"This is like Kim K all over again. I bet you it's another PR stunt."
"Well, it's definitely working."
"Damn, look at that ass..."
My eyes twitched until they opened, my jaw tightening so hard I felt like my teeth would fall off any second.
But then—
I glanced back at the screen just in time to witness the video flicker off, leaving it black and blank. But the damage was already done.
At the corner of my eyes, I spotted Vincent glancing at me awkwardly.
He'd seen that fucking video! He'd seen my rump!
Fuck, I wasn't going to hear the end of this from the bastard!
"Sorry for that... Minor setback." The director cleared his throat with a light chuckle into the microphone, waving at the audience and signalling everyone to settle down.
During all that, my eyes never left Mathias, even as he sat on a chair in the corner of the hall.
My eyes twitched with barely contained anger, especially when I watched him rubbing shoulders with some New York socialites sitting around.
After the Director's speech, he called up Vincent and me to make the announcement of things to expect from the movie while answering a few questions from people in the audience.
Yes, my butt and goods had been seen by everyone in the hall... But the show must go on I guess.
When the screening was over and it was time for a dance, I didn't waste a moment's breath and walked down the stage, my gaze fixed on Mathias who was slowly getting off his seat.
I tried ignoring the subtle glances and whispers that surrounded me like a cloak of shame, keeping my head lowered.
"Alex." Rita grabbed me when I tried walking past the audience seats, her face filled with concern. "I know this is an odd question to ask after what you just went through but—"
"No, Rita. Before you ask, I'm not good." I yanked my arm out of her grip, my chest heavy.
I drew out my phone and scoffed with frustration at the first headline that greeted me.
"Hollywood's rising queer star can't catch a break. Gets nude video leaked at a gala with two hundred guests present." I read the article out loud, smiling with pure sarcasm. "Just great."
"Hold up." Rita frowned, scanning her eyes around as the people took the dance floor. "There are two hundred people here? Also, who—"
"Mister Cross!" A familiar voice that I sure as heck didn't want to be hearing right now called out from behind.
I turned around, glaring at Marcello and that apologetic look in his eyes as he approached me.
"It's a PR disaster, but I'm already working overtime to take down the pics circulating before this gets worse." He grabbed my shoulder when he got to me, but I swatted his hand.
"Yes, it's a fucking PR disaster. One that you should've prevented if you were doing your job right!" I sneered, barely trying to keep my voice low.
He arched his brow, stuttering. "How's… how's any of this my fault? After all the PR stunts you've pulled the past week, I made sure no paparazzi got into this event."
I flung my arms. "Yet somehow my ass is all over the internet."
Rita raised a hand just when the bantering was about to escalate. "Who the heck was able to take pics of the video when it was only on the screen for like... Five seconds?"
I rolled my eyes, swerving my head to my main suspect.
Mathias stood close to the exit of the event hall, a small smirk curled up his lips when our eyes met.
I fucking knew it.
That wasn't a "hey, it's nice to see you again" smirk.
It was an "I fucking got you" smirk!
"Excuse me. For one second." I chimed before Rita or Marcello could speak, walking past them and heading toward Mathias.
His smile never faltered even as I approached, although I was certain my face had gotten five years' worth of stress lines by now.
"I thought I made myself very clear when I said I don't want to see you close to me anymore." I blurted when I finally got to him, squinting. "Or are you so eager to get that restraining order?"
He folded his arms in front of his chest, his eyes softening in that warm way that always made me blush.
But right now all I could think about was strangling him until HIS face got red.
"I know one of the people who got invited. Samuel De La Cruz." He remarked and I couldn't help but snigger.
"Oh, is that another one of your hookup boys?"
He shook his head with a heavy sigh. "Listen, Alex. I'm sorry you had to find out about my husband the way you did."
I froze, a cold shiver running through me.
H–Husband?
Were my ears going faulty or had the world gone mad?
"That... That man on your bed was your husband?" I repeated, my eyelids fluttering rapidly with disbelief. "You have to be joking. You've been in a relationship with me for months and you had a whole ass husband?!"
The lack of remorse on his face was getting me really close to being one of the Manhattan Detention Complex's newest inmates.
"It's an open marriage. We agreed to spice things up a long time ago." Mathias explained like we were discussing his grandmother's recipes, stretching his hand forward and attempting to touch my face.
I flinched, glaring at him with disgust.
His shoulders dropped with what seemed like... Remorse?
"I should've told you, I know." He continued his insane rambling. "But I didn't want to hurt you. And now you've broken up with me and that... Hurt. I would've never—"
"Shut up." I couldn't take it anymore and interrupted slowly, closing my eyes to calm myself. "Just shut all the way up before I do something that'll make headlines. Can you hear yourself?"
He blinked at me for a few seconds, the classical music playing through the hall drowning out the silence between us.
But then... His lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Yes, Alexander. I can hear myself." He raised his chin, exuding a confidence that seemingly came out of nowhere.
My brows knitted into a deep frown but he was far from done.
"Tonight was just the tip of the iceberg for what I have in store for you." His face inched unnervingly close, his words a clear warning. "I deserve compensation after all those months wasted trying to fit into your circle."
This was a dream. It had to be a dream…
Maybe I died during the day of the shooting and this was hell... Because what the fuck?!
"Are you on some new meds?" I questioned with genuine concern. "You just admitted to being behind that nude video. Do you know how much trouble—"
"I admitted to nothing, Alex." He placed a finger on my lips, shushing me. "I'm just giving you... Free advice. You either take it or leave it."
His eyes bored into mine far longer than necessary before he finally adjusted his suit. He flashed me one last smile before brushing past me, leaving me standing there like a statue.
"What the fuck have I gotten myself into?" I mumbled, scratching my scalp as I glanced back at the party behind me.