Chapter 5: Scandalous Videos

Nadia’s POV

I couldn’t stop the video anymore. The reactions from people kept me going. Every day, I will find a comment that motivates me to continue till I get a reaction from Sidd. I aimed to get Sidd’s attention and make him come see me. When the fire of threat starts burning high, he will have no choice. I just hope I am not getting myself into a bigger problem. I became a laughingstock on campus. Everyone murmured at my presence.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Nadia?” Joy came along, blocking my way to class. She was my coursemate. Not that we are friends, but we relate like coursemates. “What is the video all about? Who the heck is Sidd anyway? Why are you trying to tarnish the image of the poor guy?” she confronted.

“Are you one of his fans, Joy?” I asked, walking past her into the class. She trailed me.

“You have become the talk of the campus, if not the whole city. Have you ever crossed the border before? When did you go backpacking in India?” she quizzed. I put my books down on the desk and faced her.

“What is it, Joy? Why are you prying my privacy? It’s my life we are talking about here, okay? If you don’t mind, leave me the hell alone,” I retorted and sat down.

“Hmm. Seriously? Well, it’s fine, I guess I will join the thousands of students mocking you on campus for seeking shameless attention. Nonsense,” she sneered and went away. To me, it doesn’t matter what anyone says or does, I want Sidd and that’s final.

Waiting for the second lecture on a bench on campus, I decided to continue my novel. I started a new novel a few days ago and so far, I have written 30k words. Kudos to me. Typing into my phone and glued to my screen, the sound of footsteps next to me caught my ears. I saw feet first and I looked up to his face. Noah. Not today, dear, Lord. I groaned in my mind. Noah has become a thorn in my flesh since a year ago. Why God allowed him to notice me bothered me so much. He was a bad face. Claiming to love me has been his daily words to me. As I stared into his deep-set, grey irises, my heart thumbs up. His spiky hairstyle has become a dread over time. His strong facial features clearly defined his adamant attitude. His unceasing stare pierced my skin like a cold blade and I was forced to speak out.

“What do you want, Noah?” I queried boldly. I have never been known to fear anybody no matter how huge you are. My body can only react to your aura but my courage can’t be seized. The corners of his lips slowly rose into a sly smile.

“I should be asking you, Nadia,” he said, sitting beside me. “What do you want? Why are you disgracing yourself on social media? What do you want from the actor?” he queried.

“That should be my business, don’t you think so?” I retorted.

“And when your business becomes mine, I have to pry,” he whispered into my ear. His hot breath fanned over my ear and I glared at him.

“I don’t have time for this, Noah. As you can see, I was busy before you intruded. Start going,” I ordered.

“Not so easy, Nadia,” he snaked his broad hand around my waist, pinching my sensitive spot. I flinched from him and stood up.

“You are insane, Noah. Stay away from me,” I warned and walked away. I glanced at him and a mischievous smile fueled his face. Thank God Mother isn’t on social media, my phone would have been begging to stop ringing endlessly by now.

Upon reaching home, I dumped my bag on the stool in front of the vanity table and I dropped it on the bed. Yawning tiredly, I lifted my phone, only to discover a missed call from my mom. My heart thumbs up and my stomach churned. Does she know? Did any of her friends show her my videos? How is she going to react? Dear Lord, save me from this. I took a deep breath and dialed her number.

“Hello, Mom?” I whispered into the phone.

“Hello, dear?” she said from the other end and I puffed. “How are studies?”

“Uh, I am doing great, Mom. How have you been?” I responded. She hadn’t seen the video, that was a huge relief. Though I never thought I was going to get bothered by my mom if she got to see the video, seeing the reactions from my university mates, my stomach flustered upon thinking about my mom’s reaction.

“We are facing the hurdles of life as it presents itself,” she said and sighed. “That’s why you have to focus on your studies, Nadia. I don’t want to hear stories that touch your heart from you. I don’t want you to end up like me so, keep your distance away from all those campus boys. Are you listening?” she advised. My mom has never been on the good side with men. After my father left her for another woman, my mother hasn’t been the same. But her life goal was for me to become a graduate, become an independent woman, and build my career. She doesn’t wish me to have the same fate she had with men. My mom’s stories were pathetic. She lost all the men she ever loved and was left with no choice but to give up on men. But I can’t get Sidd off my mind and I don’t seem to care about what the world thinks.

Sidd’s POV

The internet is blowing up with the video of this certain lady. Why is she trying to ruin my reputation? What does she want in the first place? Confined in my room for over six hours without wishing to step out. I don’t want someone telling me about the video, I will lose my mind. The swinging of the door jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Mother?” I mumbled, sitting up on the bed.

“Why aren’t you doing anything about those videos?” she snapped, throwing a big frown at me.

“I have been trying, Mother. That psychopath of a lady is getting on my nerves,” I defended. “I have been on social media forever, trying to defend myself from her accusations. Nothing is working. The more I tried, the more fallacy videos she keep uploading.”

“Hold on a minute. Is she in any way telling the truth, Sidd?” Mother queried. She changed her angry look to a plea of curiosity.

“Come on, Mother. You know I don’t mingle with girls; they are very cunning and shrouding.”

“Then get your ass in gear and get rid of that girl’s threat. If it’s money she needs, give her millions. Just nail her, Sidd. Do whatever you must. I don’t want to face bad reactions from my friends because of you,” she spoke out.

“I will try my best, Mom,” I assured her.

“Your best must be more than good enough. I repeat, nail her down!” Mother groaned and went out.

“Argh!” I grunted, falling back on the bed.

The following morning, I decided to step out. I can’t just hide because of a mere lady posting rubbish videos about me. I reached my office space, taking the secret lift that prevented anyone else from seeing me. I entered, getting startled by the presence of my secretary. Oni. She is always everywhere.

“Good morning, sir,” Oni greeted, wearing her usual warm smile. Running my fingers through my hair, I walked to the swivel chair behind my desk.

“What do you have for me, Oni?” I queried, looking into her amber eyes.

“Sir, I’m afraid the appointment with the DHR Modeling Agency is canceled,” she reported.

“What?” I exclaimed, dragging her eyes to the floor. “What was their reason for canceling the appointment?” I queried, calming my voice down. She looked directly into my eyes. Oni has never been someone to shy away from. She is overconfident and loves showing it off. Maybe that’s why I employed her. She has over the years been sharp, smart, and overly diligent in her work.

“It’s about the video, sir,” she mumbled, as if careful not to arouse my temper. Who wouldn’t?

“Fuck!” I groaned, punching my fist into the desk and jerking up. She shuddered, stepping back. “What kind of a bloody reason is that? How can they cancel an appointment that was meant for the signing of the contract because of a mere video?”

“I’m sorry, sir. I tried convincing them, but they were adamant,” she stated. “If you ask for my opinion, I think you should do something about the lady. She is going to jeopardize your reputation if care is not taken,” she suggested. I glared at her. She shrugged.