Chapter 5 Interview Bullshit

• TALIA
• So, Mr Cross, as we all know it, you and your wife are right about the most engaged and significant couple in the whole of Miami, so tell us, tell the whole world the thing you most admire about your stunning wife, Talia!"
• "Well, Talia is the most amazing woman that I have ever been with, and may I say, I am the luckiest man in the world—"
• I cringed hard as I watched all over again, our interview from today that was, by now, going viral all over the internet at that moment.
• There was the proudest smile on Jayden's face as the interviewer had asked him the question, and I could recall how irritated I was to see him smile like that and pretend to the world how much he 'adored' me. I could see how I kept that fake, almost creepy smile on my face as I tried my best to not glare hard at Jayden and laugh as sweetly as I could muster up at the 'sweet words' he said about me.
• Of course, we both knew that all the compliments that he was showering me with was utter bullshit, but as much as possible, we acted in front of the interviewer, plus a dozen cameras that practically aired us live to millions of viewers all around the world. That was it. Over five million people were watching us blatantly lie to them like we were mad people.
• "This question is so hard because there are honestly so many things that I absolutely love about my wife," He had touched me a little on the chin and I had pretended to blush as though it was the sweetest gesture and I was so impressed at the acting abilities that I even possessed, as she continued to talk about me like I was the most prized possession in the world, "She has so many qualities that make me fall more and more with her every day, honestly. Her smile, her charisma, her wits, her humour, her kindness... Everything about this woman is so precious."
• "Aww," The interviewer, an Asian woman, I could tell, who didn't look too far from my age was cooing for us, literally blushing so hard as though she wished that she could find a love like what we had.
• Sis, trust me. You wouldn't want any of this.
• "Man, I can imagine what it would be like to be this much in love. You two are the definition of couple goals, and literally, the entire America looks up to you. We live for the both of you!" She was saying.
• "Well, we can't help, but show the world what it is to really be in love, irrespective," Jordan said to her, "I mean, just because I earn so much doesn't mean I should be 'too serious' to be in love, right?"
• "Right!" The woman had literally jumped to agree with him in a heartbeat and I fought the urge to roll my eyes when she started laughing so hard at what Jayden said when it was clearly not funny one bit.
• She had done that so much and I didn't understand why she felt it was so necessary to laugh when she did not find anything that Jayden said to be funny. I could tell she wasn't cracked up by him, but she laughed when he said anything. I was honestly sick of everyone trying so hard to please Jayden.
• "So, what about you, Talia?" She had thrown attention to me and I watched how in the video, she gave me the brightest smile that showed all her teeth and I scoffed, irritated by the clear sprinkles of fake that seeped into this entire interview. "What is your favourite thing about your husband, Jayden Cross?"
• That question had put me on the spot, I wouldn't lie, but as much as possible I tried to pretend like I was not affected even in the slightest.
• "What I love the most about him?" I hoped she did not hear the waver in my voice and I had caught a slight glimpse of Jayden glancing at me and in the video, it was ever so slight and almost unnoticeable, but knowing that asshole that was my husband, that nano second glance was a warning to behave.
• "Wow, that's a tough question, really," I had forced my smile to stay in check as I laughed softly and the interviewer had laughed too – she laughed hard. Way too hard, and was nearly shattering my ear drums and I twitched ever in the slightest, and tried my best to act like I was not fazed or irritated by her behaviour. I may have failed a little, because judging through my reactions in the video, I could see that slight look of irritation in my face for ever a second.
• "Jayden is the kindest man I know," I said, trying my hardest to not choke on my own lies and keep that smile on my face as I spoke well of the man that I wished I had the chance to strangle to death, "He is so understanding, and warm. He treats me like a queen, and I know it is not just because he loves me. But also, because of how good his heart is. He treats all his workers with respect, and for a man as wealthy as he is, I am honestly overwhelmed by how much humility and goodness he exudes. He is simply the best!"
• "I agree with you, Mrs Cross!" The interviewer jumped to agree with me. "Even with the way he carries himself around and the way he clearly treats you, anyone could tell that Mr. Jayden Cross is a wonderful human being who cares so much about his wife, as well as the people who work for him. He is nice and known to be kind and sweet and loving and understanding and—"
• I stopped playing the video and threw my phone on my bed because I honestly could not stay there and relive another disgusting experience of having that woman kiss up to a horrible man like Jayden Cross and paint him as such a good person. It was beyond irritating and I couldn't stand it a second time.
• It was evening, and I was exhausted from everything that we had to do today. Worse still, I heard that we had more activities pending for the next day and thinking of having to wear makeup all over again, a nice dress, and a fake smile and a loving attitude with Jayden made me already so exhausted.
• I was so relieved and filled with a moment of peace of mind when Olivia texted me, and having that my little sister was a form of therapy and medicine to me, I was more than happy to see her text and hear from her.
• *Baby Sis Liv: Hey, big sisturrrrrr! I just saw you trending on Instagram tonight, and you looked FIREEEE! I loved the hair and OMG, those shoes!!!!! They looked like they cost my entire tuition! You have to give me some of those! I love you!!
• I laughed. I actually laughed so much and just like that, a huge burden was lifted off me, and I was laughing at Olivia and her drama all over again.
• *TaliaCross: Thank you so much and definitely, I can send you the shoes and a lot more, if you want. Love you too XOXO.
• Olivia was texting back in less than a second and I was laughing to myself at how much energy she possessed even through something like a text message.
• *Baby Sis Liv: Yay!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! YOU ARE THE BEST! MWAH!!!
• Seeing this kind of happiness from Olivia filled me up with so much energy and in all honesty, it kept me going. It was hard to see her these days, since my schedule was always so tight, and we talked as frequently as we possibly could. I asked about our Mum as much as I could too, and every time that Olivia confirmed that her health was doing fine, it made me even happier. It made me tolerate Jayden more. It made me want to keep sucking up his nasty attitude as far as it provides food on the table for my family, sponsored Olivia's music career, and paid my Mum's hospital bills.
• I made up my mind that for these reasons, maybe everything was worth it.
• My phone had buzzed with another message from Olivia and with joy in my heart and a smile on my face, I checked it out once more.
• *Baby Sis Liv: Uhh... Sis?
• It was odd, really. Such a quiet toned message from Olivia was odd, and I started to suspect that something was wrong somewhere.
• *TaliaCross: What's wrong?
• My mood seemed to dissipate in less than two seconds and I was on the verge of a panic attack. Abruptly standing up to my feet and fast, on that note, my heart was suddenly a thundering mess as I waited for the message that Olivia seemed to be typing for ages to come in.
• Finally, it did, and surely, it took my breath away.
• *Baby Sis Liv: Don't Freak out, sis, but the internet is talking about you and Jayden Cross right now...... And it is NOT good!