The ballroom is filled with flashbulbs and smiles, glamorous facade hiding a minefield of secrets. Irina stood at the back of the room, hidden beneath layers of a black dress, she pinned her hair, wearing a black funny mask. She didn't belong here, not with her suitcase still waiting in the hotel room and her entire life unraveling by the second.
But Liam was here, and she needed to see him one last time before she disappeared for good because she couldn't get any information about May that could scare her off.
The press event was for his latest campaign, a charity collaboration that painted him as a reformed man, focused on purpose beyond fame. Irina watched from the back as he took the stage, he looked dazzling as ever in his navy suit, his expression was all impassive, but his smile, seemed as if he had been practicing it. He was every inch the untouchable celebrity. The man she had let herself get too close to.
Then May took the stage.
She was dessed in icy silver, she glided to the microphone like a queen assuming her throne. "Before we celebrate the work being done, I believe transparency is important." She turned slightly, her eyes scanning across the room until it locked with Irina's across the room. "Especially when it comes to the company we keep, she continued."
Irina froze.
"I'd like to introduce someone special," May continued, a wicked smile curving her lips. "Many of you may recognize her as Liam's new assistant or the Lady from the balcony news.
But what you might not know is that her real name isn't Samantha Ludona." Gasps erupted from the crowd. "Her name is Irina Viktor, a daughter to Petrov Viktor, a wealthy businessman with strong ties to Russian politics.
It was a slow-motion disaster, the crowds were turning their faces one after the other, whispers and hissed were coming from all directions through the crowd like wildfire.
Within seconds Paparazzi surged forward, Irina felt like her lungs had stopped working.
She couldn't look away from May, who stood victorious in the spotlight, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "She lied to everyone, most of all to Liam."
The next few minutes went in a flash. Sylvia stepped in, the press handlers scrambled, and security began escorting Irina toward the side entrance. But Liam, Liam didn't move. He stood motionless, staring at her with an unreadable expression.
Irina stopped before the exit and met his gaze. "Liam, I was going to tell you. I never meant…."
"Don't," he said, then he approached her slowly, each step felt like a punch. "You played me. FROM the beginning."
"That's not true, I was desperate when I applied, yes, but everything else…" Her voice cracked. "Everything I felt was real."
He laughed, humorless. "You expect me to believe that after everything? You're not special, Irina. You were just another fan with a sob story and a fake name. So please son't flatter yourself."
The words hits her hard, he didn't yell or raged out, he just… shut down… cold and detached.
Tears burned behind her eyes.
"I didn't want this to happen," she whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Liam looked past her, already done. "Get her out of here."
Security didn't need to drag her. Irina walked herself out with head high but inside, she was crumbling.
Outside, Dmitri was waiting with the car, he opened the door without a word. As the door shut behind her, the noise of the world was muted. All that remained was the hollow ache in her chest.
"He hates me," she whispered.
Dmitri didn't look at her. "Then prove him wrong or go home. But you can't do both."
She turned to the window, watching the lights of LA, she had nothing left here, no job, no protection, no Liam. Just the truth and the decision of what to do with it.