Please vote and comment if you like this chapter. It may sound monotonous but it really does mean alot. Thanks in advance. ♡
Episode 16: You Reap What You Sow
By some means, the hellacious disaster that went down among Emily, Stella and Jake had been leaked online the following day.
It was edited in a way that made it seem as if Emily was the antagonist in the love story between Stella and Jake. Despite the public being told that the two weren't an item, after the part about Jake wanting to break it off with Emily played, everyone was thinking otherwise.
Nobody defended someone like that unless they had something going on with them. He didn't even seem surprised by his supposed fiancee's cruel actions as he had rebuked her. It was almost as if he expected something this horrible coming from her.
The public was not taking Emily's side, however. They were saying that she was a terrible person for pushing Stella down when she was only being nice to her.
What a bitch!
How could she do that to someone as angelic as Stella?
This is what you get for being nice to people nowadays? Smh.
No wonder Jake is leaving your ass.
There was no evidence, but Emily had a hunch about who would go to great lengths to retrieve the tape from the security staff and tamper with it.
Her name started with 'S' and ended in 'lut'.'
Once again, the mass had turned on Emily.
It was only her fanbase that came to her rescue when the heat was on her.
Emily would never do something like that for no reason!
Did you see the sudden jump in scenes? The tape is messed with!
Even if Emily pushed Stella, she deserved it. Someone's gotta bring her down to her rightful level.
Omg, did you see Emily's shoes?!
The lead in the gossip online was getting her makeup done as she prepared for the day.
Nicholas looked at her through the mirror as he put his phone away that held the article about her.
He walked up to her and wrapped his bulky arms around her shoulders. "Are you okay?"
Emily looked at him through the mirror as she powered her face.
"I'm fine."
"Your dark makeup says otherwise."
Nicholas pointed at the amount of black eyeshadow she was using today.
"It's my battle armour."
"For what?" Nicholas said raising a perfectly arched eyebrow, suddenly intrigued.
"The war that's about to begin."
Emily got up and patted his cheeks affectionately before she grabbed her purse and car keys.
"I'll see you around dinner time."
Nicholas caught her wrist.
"Where are you going? I thought your schedule was clear for the day."
Emily gave him a perfected smile.
"I'm going to visit an old friend."
She thought that had been enough information but he stopped her again.
Sighing, Emily sighed heavily.
"Nicholas, I'll be fine."
"Take our new car out for a spin." He said putting the car keys in her hand after replacing hers.
Emily smiled so wide it could be mistaken as painful, however she had never been more ecstatic.
"Have I ever told you how amazing you are? What did I do to be blessed with a generous partner like you, Nick?"
He rolled his eyes at her faux appreciation but found it adorable nonetheless.
She was running out the house like a squealing mess after that.
Her husband bit his lips so that he wouldn't laugh, his eyes dancing with merriment.
Nicholas had seen her eyeing the new Lamborghini Veneno Roadster he had shipped over the other day and knew she had fallen in love with.
Emily was in love indeed.
When she clicked the driver's door open to the red sports car she felt her heart begin to pound out of her chest.
Oh my god! It was so beautiful.
Emily sat down.
She began to bounce up and down in the leather seat.
"It really doesn't get better than Nicholas King huh?" She decided with a hint of finality in her tone.
No other man was going to cut it after this experience with Nicholas it seemed.
Emily put the key into the ignition before she reversed out of the estate and on the way to the studio.
"Talia, are you set and ready to go?" She asked as she rang up her manager.
The manager sat by the computer as her acquaintance, Reporter Smith, was typing up the last few touches to the article they were working on.
"In five minutes we will be."
"Great," Emily smiled wickedly. "That gives me more than enough time."
"This might be the evilest thing I've ever seen you done." Talia said, making Emily falter for a minute but then she added. "I love it!"
Emily laughed as she took a sharp turn.
"I'm glad you do. I can't wait to see the look on her face as this goes down live."
"Me too."
"I'll talk to you after I'm done with her."
"I'll wait for your call."
The actress hung up and pulled into the parking lot of the studio where Stella was being filmed for a personal interview. It was for her movie where they were going to do a follow up on the cast. Her private life would also be brought up as it was like the 100 questions thing that Vogue always did.
Emily parked the car as best as she could. She didn't want to get a scratch on her new baby.
Everyone's head turned out the window when they saw Emily step out.
First it was her legs that a glamorous slipper was wrapped around then her skin-tight black dress.
Their eyes finally made it up to her face where they realized it was Stella's most recent rival.
The interviewer looked to Stella from across the table.
"Stella, you didn't tell us that Emily Pinault would be joining us today!"
Stella watched with her mouth touching the floor as Emily strutted away from the freaking Lamborghini she had just parked.
Unbelievable.
"Neither did she." Stella laughed nervously as Emily opened the door to the studio and invited herself inside.
"Emily!" Stella shot up and greeted her friendly as the cameras were still rolling.
"What are you doing here?" Her teeth were clenched as she tried to appear genuinely moved.
"I came to ask you to eat out with me after this shoot. Louise told me you'd be free." Emily said just as amicably.
The crew was shocked by how close these women appeared.
Weren't they the ones trending online for fighting each other yesterday?
"Stella...are you and Emily this close? Then why are there those videos of you two circulating as if you had bad blood?"
Stella's foot was stuck in her mouth.
She didn't know how to answer the female interviewer without coming off as malevolent.
Emily did.
"Oh, those videos are a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding? What do you mean?" The interviewer said drawing closer and so did the cameras.
At this point it was like it was Emily's interview and not Stella's.
She almost gave her a nasty eye.
"You see, those videos only show half of the story. They don't show the truth to the entire issue."
"And what might that be?"
"That Stella pretended to fall."
"Emily!" Stella snapped.
"What?" Emily said with her eyes big and innocent.
"It's true. If you look online right now you can see why. I was simply walking away after she had poured salt into my wound after doing something so terrible but she had to make me out to be the bad guy instead."
"Ms. Falconer look!" A guy behind the scenes ran into their frame to show the interviewer the hot topic online.
STELLA PETERSON AND JAKE MALLION OF STARZ ENTERTAINMENT: CHEATING COUPLE CONFIRMED.
Stella watched as the interviewer replayed the video of her and Jake.
It was when they were in the hospital about a month ago. The pictures that went up were similar, only this time this was a clip; one that showed them both making out in the hospital bed after she had 'tripped' onto him as they had claimed.
Everyone in the room were on their phones seeing the proof of Jake's infidelity after his strong opposition.
Stella was like a statue as the shock ran through her veins, planting her feet to the floor.
The interviewer looked to Stella in disgust.
"This is what you meant about being someone that's honest? A person who acts so that she can make a change and bring joy to people? You could have fooled me, Stella. No wonder you majored in acting and became an actress. There's nothing else that suits a liar best for a profession."
Emily interjected.
"I beg to disagree. I'm an actress and not all of us are like her."
"Emily, you bitch! You set me up!" Stella shrieked, her little courteous act coming to an end instantly.
"You mean just like you did when you posted that video of you falling online?"
Stella struggled for words.
How did she know? She thought Emily had no clue, maybe even thought it was Jake and that's why she hadn't stormed into her office all day.
Turned out she had something bigger cooking.
Stella was so stupid for letting her guard down around her.
She had underestimated her.
Emily also could be profoundly immoral and use dirty low-down tricks too.
"Wow. Emily Pinault, you sure are scary."
"Right back at you. You acted like my friend in front of my face and screwed my boyfriend behind my back."
"Why? Does it hurt that he wanted me and not you? The spoiled little girl can't handle not getting her way for once?"
"Why?" Emily mocked.
"Does it bring you pride to become a national enemy? That your greatest achievement will be stealing another person's man and not your low quality acting?"
Stella released a cry like an Amazon warrior as she lost her temper and slapped Emily across the face.
Loud gasps filled the room as Emily's face flew to the side with the harsh impact.
Stella stood, folding both arms over her chest.
She didn't fear Emily in the least, she was too much of a good girl that cared for her image to do something like that.
But when she approached, Stella was close to changing that disposition when Emily's balled fist collided with her cheekbone, flaying her neck backward like a drying shirt caught in the wind. As Stella stumbled, she nearly fell over the lighting equipment, rubbing her cheek with her palm. Emily's action certainly took her by surprise.
"What the hell!" She cried, regaining her balance. "Do you want to get yourself arrest-?"
"You're the one that hit me first-- the cameras are here to prove it in case you want to plead otherwise," Emily indicated to the recording cameras aimed at them still. "I'm the type of girl that dishes out what she's served. The way you treat me is the the same way I'll treat you."
Stella growled, her cheeks burning.
The phone in her jacket pocket started ringing and she groaned before she picked up.
"Stella, where are you?" Jake's panicked voice filled the phone's speaker.
"I'm at the interview as scheduled...but guess who decided to show up?"
Stella grimaced at the cocky stance Emily held.
There was a pause.
Jake drew in a sharp breath.
"No she didn't..."
"Yes she did." Stella growled.
"Could you please tell her that I don't back down from a fight? She seems to think she's won here."
"Stella, babe, listen to me...the awards are right around the corner. The beginning of next year. You cannot afford to tarnish your reputation over this."
She was too overwrought to listen to his reasoning.
"Haven't you seen the video Jake?" She blew up, finally looking like the crazy person she was. "My reputation is already in ruins!"
"No." Jake said quickly. "It's not. I'll fix it. I'll-"
"That's what you always say!"
"I mean it this time! Trust me, Stella," he rushed, "I'll fix it. The PR team is fixing a statement right as we speak addressing the video. They'll say Emily and I broke up months ago. That you're not a homewrecker but my girlfriend. Nothing can refute that. Don't do anything stupid. I'll be right there."
Jake hung up as he hopped in his car to make his way over to the studio.
Meanwhile, Emily was leaving the scene since she had done what she came there to do.
"Emily!" The interviewer called after her.
"What are your thoughts on Jake being liar and cheater after all these years? Do you think this is the reason why he has always favoured Stella's career over yours?"
Emily smiled.
"Jake Mallion is the most pathetic, cowardish and inexpert businessman to walk the planet. I, Emily Pinault, am embarrassed to have any romantic ties with him and as for any professional ones..."
Her eyebrows raised aggressively.
"I'll see him in court regarding my contractual details. Thank you."
Emily jogged over to her car as the interviewer hounded her still asking more questions about Jake and Stella but she was driving away, leaving behind a trail of dust and the sweet smell of revenge.
***
A dish best served cold indeed.