Chapter 3
My mind went blank.
People around chatted, "Isn't that Ryan? He had a fight with his girlfriend and now he's here trying to patch things up."
"I thought he used an innocent girl in this apartment to cover for his girlfriend. What's this about?"
"Oh, that whole rumor? He explained it away last night. Turns out they were just arguing."
"That story was just fans guessing. Ryan himself never admitted to any of it."
Hearing the chatter from downstairs, I immediately grabbed my phone.
Ryan's statement was the number one trending topic.
While I was sleeping, he posted a video.
He had that classic breakup vlogger look. With red eyes and a trembling voice, he held back tears as he took a deep, shaky breath.
He started off with, "Hey everyone, it's 2:31:07 A.M. on March 26th, 2024.
"I just can't sleep tonight.
"I've seen all your comments about us.
"The reason I'm only responding now is... we broke up."
He even edited in a few sobs for effect.
He went on, "Honestly, being the girlfriend of someone in the spotlight is really tough. I know it's been hard on her.
"I understand why she decided to end things.
"Honestly, when work gets busy, I just don't have time for her.
"I just never thought it would all end so suddenly..."
The video dragged on for over five minutes, with him just beating himself up over how he'd ignored my feelings.
He made it sound like I'd always been his girlfriend.
That note was just me acting out of spite.
All along, I was the only one he ever dated who wasn't part of the industry.
And as for his actual girlfriend, nobody even remembered her anymore.
I clenched my fists.
That was such a dirty trick.
I did all this just to avoid the drama, but as soon as I woke up, he'd camped downstairs.
With all this commotion, everyone'd gotten their phones out, ready to catch me on camera.
If I showed my face, the whole internet would see me for real.
He was trying to turn me into a complete replacement for his so-called girlfriend, making everyone forget the real one ever existed.
No way I could handle that crowd. This was the worst possible time to show myself.
I bundled myself up tight, headed down to the first floor, slipped into the restroom, popped open the window, and climbed out.
I took off my gear before getting on the subway, fixed my makeup on the train, and strolled into the office like nothing ever happened.
I barely had time to sit down before an employee rushed over.
She said, "Ms. Hayes, a client is looking for you."
When I walked out, there was already a crowd waiting outside.
Camera flashes blinded me, so I raised my hand to block my face.
"What do you guys think you're doing?" I snapped.
Suddenly, Ryan's voice sounded, "Olivia..."
He swallowed hard, holding out the newest Cartier couple necklace.
He said, "You've always wanted this. I went abroad just to get it for you.
"I'll quit streaming for good. I just want to be with you, okay? Can we go home together?"
My vision went black with rage. I snatched the necklace and hurled it to the ground.
I said, "Will you ever stop? We broke up ages ago! Now you want me to be the shield for your new girlfriend? Get lost. If you don't leave, I'm calling security."
His eyes got even redder.
Ryan choked out, "Olivia, I swear, there's nothing between me and any of those fangirls.
"You're the only one I care about."
I didn't hesitate. "Security!"
Security cleared out Ryan and all the rubberneckers in no time.
I finally got a moment to breathe.
But before I knew it, the trending list went wild.
It went with hashtags, [Ryan, Wronged Puppy].
Turned out, once the clip of him apologizing at the company got out, everyone online started feeling sorry for him.
Netizens: [He looks just like a sad little puppy with those red eyes.]
[This is the ultimate groveling-for-love arc.]
[Olivia, I was wrong, come back. Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn't even be mad. I'd just tie myself up and toss myself onto his bed already.]
[Oh my, Ryan literally flew abroad to get her that necklace. How could she just throw it on the ground? How could she!]
*****
An employee hurried over to me.
"Olivia, it's probably safer if you just stay at the office tonight. There are a bunch of Ryan's fangirls hanging around outside," she warned.
My vision went black again.
Ever since Ryan chased me all the way to my company, all my private details had been splashed all over the internet.
People were camping outside my apartment and the office, hoping to snap a pic of me.
My phone was blowing up with dozens of harassing calls every single day.
They were all calling me shameless, saying I didn't know how to appreciate what I had.
And then there were the really nasty insults.
The company website was swamped with reports and accusations about me.
Most of them had no clue what they were even reporting, just throwing out whatever charges they could think of.
None of it stuck, but all those reports were draining the company's resources.
My superior said, "Olivia, this is really starting to affect how the company runs.
"Maybe you should just... quit?"
That night, I knocked on Ryan's door.
He looked totally fine, nothing like the miserable act he put on in his video.
When he saw me, he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, well, people don't just show up for no reason. What do you want?" he said, smirking.
I stood there with dark circles under my eyes. "Fine, I'll be your girlfriend's substitute. Now quit this circus."
He grinned. "I know you'll regret this."
I smirked right back at him.
He had no idea I had a little drama of my own ready for him.