Smile for the Scandal
"Julian, didn’t you want to make Selene Aurevale upset? How about I help you shoot a short video and post it? I guarantee she’ll be furious when she sees it."
A sideways step brought Mike Valquin closer, his mouth curling into a grin that didn’t quite hide its edge. Quiet resentnt toward Selene Aurevale had settled in him long ago, deep enough to make mischief feel like breathing. When chance knocked, he answered without hesitation.
"Wow... you really are a genius, you know that?"
Those amber eyes of Julian settled on Mike, glinting faintly like sunlight off old glass. Mastery in mischief hadn’t quite taken root in him yet. As far as making a scene went - or just pretending one erupted - Mike moved with sharper instinct. The quiet truth? He knew how to tilt the room.
"Alright, you guys get into position," Julian instructed, his voice calm but carrying an authoritative undertone. "Big brother, hold the girls on both sides, and ladies, put on so more expressive faces."
For a mont he stopped, a sly light flickering in his gaze. Keep those words straight, he ant
A flicker of motion caught the screen when Mike lifted his device, movents sharp like soone who’d done this before. Before long, just under sixty seconds passed, yet a brief clip already existed - ten seconds full of glances that lingered too long, sparks flying without noise, mischief held tight by steady hands.
Handing the phone to Julian, Mike asked, "Big brother, see if you’re satisfied. If not, I can shoot sothing even more intense... like going to a hotel..."
"No."
Faster than a blink, Julian snapped his head sideways. Not out to destroy everything he’d built - only aiming to light a fire under Selene. The beat of the MoonDrift Club already pulsed in his bones.
Twice he played the clip, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Just right - like a mischievous spirit full of desire, drifting among eager partners whose laughter, sideways looks, and light brushes turned everything wilder.
"Alright, post it."
Back ca the phone, passed without a word - Julian held still, warmth spreading through his chest at what they’d just shared. The quiet between them didn’t need filling.
A spark lit up Mike’s blue eyes, his smile stretching wider. Straight away, the video went live under his na. Boasting more than six million fans, his presence on the short-form app carried weight. Flashy updates popped up often, stars replied now and then, sotis huge giveaways too - all that built sothing steady over ti.
Inside that circle moved Selene Aurevale. Each belonged to elite ranks, tied through one of the four leading families. Being connected happened without effort - contact always followed.
Mike typed with glee: "Today, my good brother ca to MoonDrift to have so fun. Being handso is just too popular... can’t help it."
Faster than a blink, the upload shot through - approval ca in under two minutes flat. Right after, likes began piling up, then comnts trickled, then surged, shares tagging along like echoes.
"Brother Mike, who is this handso guy? Can I get to know him?"
"Wow, he’s really handso, but sohow familiar... is he a newcor in the entertainnt industry?"
"I like this guy!"
With purpose, Mike ntioned Selene Aurevale, knowing she’d spot it fast. Her attitude had worn thin lately - how she humiliated his decent brother in front of everyone kept grating on him.
Resting at ho, Selene sat quietly. Red edges lingered around her blue eyes, leftover marks from weeping during the drive back. Tears caught the light on smooth cheeks. Anger stayed hidden under calm surfaces.
A flicker on the screen caught her eye mid-scroll, just when she was trying to quiet her thoughts. Then - Mike Valquin ntioned her na.
"Why did he tag ?"
A tremor ran through her hands above the glass. Every heartbeat quickened as mories rushed in, sharp and sudden. Fury tangled with sha, feeding the heat behind her eyes. Silence pressed close, heavy with what ca next.
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