Chapter 2
The green room was super soundproof and private, so honestly, the only one who could've caught me on video was Camille, who opened the door at the end.
The clip started right at the moment I was "confessing" to Ryan.
From the footage, it looked like I was totally losing my mind, yelling "I love you" at Ryan, and he was practically scrambling to turn me down.
Thinking it through, I tracked Camille down and pulled up that three-second clip to show her.
I demanded, "Did you secretly record me?"
Camille let out an awkward chuckle.
She said, "Don't get the wrong idea, Diana. I was just snapping a selfie, and you accidentally got in the shot..."
I snapped, "If you were just taking a selfie, why was your camera aimed straight at me? And if it was really an accident, why did you post it online for everyone to see?"
Camille's face went pale.
She suddenly realized that if she admitted filming it, she'd basically be admitting she was the one who leaked the video.
But she had built her whole image around being that sweet, innocent girl—the kind who would never hurt anyone.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she started crying.
She choked out. "Diana, please, can you just stay away from my boyfriend? I've asked you so many times, but you never listen. I'm not good at arguing. I didn't know what else to do.
"He's the first guy I've ever felt this way about. Please, just let me have this..."
I interrupted her, "That innocent routine might fool him, but it doesn't work on me.
"Keep up these tricks, and he'll catch on sooner or later. He'll kick you to the curb before you even see it coming. Don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, I just turned around and left without even looking back.
This variety show was set in the countryside, and I was just getting ready for the next round of our rural shoot when my agent called.
She sighed, "Sweetheart, can you try to stay out of trouble for just one day? You've already hit the trending charts three times today."
I quickly checked my phone.
The number one trending topic was blowing up with a huge tag, "Diana threatens Camille."
Just now, an audio clip got leaked online—supposedly by someone from the show's crew.
And guess what? It was a recording of me and Camille talking.
I was 100% sure that no one else had been around when we spoke.
My socials were blowing up with hate.
[Hey, open your eyes. Camille is Mr. Pierce's official girlfriend. He said it himself. And you have the nerve to threaten her? Seriously?]
[I hope your whole family rots, you homewrecker!]
[Oh, it's you, the phony. No wonder. Karma's coming for your whole family sooner or later.]
*****
Meanwhile, Camille was livestreaming from her car.
Her eyes were a little red and watery, but she forced a brave smile for the camera.
She said, "Hey, guys, please don't make a big deal out of this. I'm sure there's just some misunderstanding between me and Diana.
"If anyone was hurt because of this, it honestly breaks my heart."
Her fans were losing it in the chat, totally heartbroken for her.
[Camille, you're way too kind. Diana's just out to get you. Don't even give her the time of day.]
[Camille, you're such a sweetheart. I'm literally sobbing. Off to Diana's page to drag her.]
[Gotta protect the best girl ever. Diana can go to hell for all I care!]
I slumped into the car seat, my head spinning. Honestly, I was about to pass out from all this drama.
Feeling completely overwhelmed, I grabbed my phone and dialed Ryan.