Chapter 7 Mirror's Reflection

Emma's pov

The intensity in Maria's voice sent a chill down my spine, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The panic in her words only heightened my own sense of unease.

"Maria, what's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. "What do you mean, 'What have I done?'"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and I could hear Maria taking a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Emma, there are rumors spreading about you. Terrible rumors," she finally said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and disbelief.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, and a sense of dread washed over me. "What kind of rumors?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"They're saying... they're saying that you are involved with the business tycoon and billionaire Ethan, and that you're playing a major role in the issues he's experiencing with his model girlfriend, Ashley," Maria responded hesitantly, her voice laden with concern. "I haven't read all the details, but the rumors are spreading like wildfire. People are talking, and it's causing quite a commotion. There's even a photo circulating that has added fuel to the fire."

A tsunami of shock and disbelief surged through my veins, threatening to sweep away my composure. How could such unfounded accusations gain traction so swiftly, infiltrating the corridors of gossip and infecting the minds of my peers? I had always strived to lead a quiet and unremarkable life, avoiding entanglements and drama, yet now I found myself at the epicenter of a storm of scandalous rumors.

My mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the puzzle. Where had these bizarre news stories originated? Who could have possibly concocted such falsehoods? I wracked my brain, searching for any connection that could explain the sudden onslaught of judgment and scrutiny.

"What? How is this even possible?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Where did these outrageous rumors originate from? I have absolutely no connection to Ethan or anything related to him. How could my life unravel like this? It's a complete mess..."

Maria interrupted my spiraling thoughts, her voice firm and resolute. "Now is not the time to dwell on the 'why' or 'how'," she cautioned, her words laced with urgency. "You need to find out what's being said about you. It's all over social media. Check it now, and then call me as soon as you're done."

Her words pierced through the haze of my bewilderment, jolting me into action. With trembling hands, I reached for my phone and opened the social media app, bracing myself for the onslaught of accusations and speculations that awaited me in the digital realm.

As I scrolled through the feeds and timelines, my heart sank with each new post and comment. The rumors had taken on a life of their own, spreading like wildfire across various platforms. I was shocked to see an image of me and Ethan, it was the moment I had opened the door.

It was captured at a definite point when he was right in front of me, making it look as if there was an intimate connection between us. The image was shared and shared with accompanying captions that twisted the truth and fueled the gossip mill. The comments ranged from speculative to downright vicious, as people reveled in their assumptions and judgments.

The sight of that image struck me like a dagger to the heart. I clutched my heart as I read one of the news posts.

My hands trembled as I scrolled down, my eyes scanning the comments section beneath the post. Each word felt like a sharp arrow piercing through my already fragile state of mind. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to read.

"Ugh, she's such a home-wrecker! Can't believe she would do this to Ethan and his girlfriend."

"Clearly, she's after his money. Disgusting."

"She's just looking for attention, trying to ruin their relationship."

"Who does she think she is, coming between them? Despicable."

Tears welled up in my eyes, a mixture of anger, frustration, and sheer disbelief. How could people be so quick to judge, so willing to believe in baseless accusations without even considering the truth? It felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath me, leaving me stranded in a world of cruel judgment and unfounded assumptions.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into the palms of my hands. These comments were tearing me apart, chipping away at my self-worth and adding fuel to the fire of the rumors.

The world seemed to spin around me, the ground beneath my feet unsteady as I grappled with the magnitude of what was happening. Every step felt heavy, as if I were wading through a sea of judgment and whispers that threatened to engulf me. The sneers and glances from my fellow students felt like daggers, each one piercing deeper into my already wounded heart.

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone, desperately trying to dial Maria's number. My fingers betrayed me, the device slipping from my grasp and clattering to the ground. The sound of the impact echoed in my ears, amplifying my sense of helplessness.

Amidst the surrounding chaos, I felt suffocated by the weight of the accusations, the cruel words that had taken on a life of their own. I needed solace, a sanctuary away from the prying eyes and wagging tongues. Without a second thought, I picked up my fallen phone, determined to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the school.

Walking briskly, I distanced myself from the scrutinizing gazes and whispers, seeking refuge in a nearby park. The fresh air brushed against my tear-stained cheeks, offering a sliver of respite from the storm raging within me.

Finally finding a secluded bench beneath the shade of a towering oak tree, I settled down and dialed Maria's number, my trembling fingers fumbling with the buttons. My heart pounded in my chest, anticipation mingled with anxiety. Would she understand? Could she provide the guidance and support I so desperately sought?

As the call connected, I struggled to steady my voice, but the floodgates of emotion burst open, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. The weight of it all, the rumors and the relentless judgment, overwhelmed me in that moment, leaving me gasping for breath between sobs.

"Maria," I managed to choke out, my voice quivering with anguish. "I don't know what to do. The rumors, the accusations...they're tearing me apart. I can't handle this on my own."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, as if Maria were absorbing the magnitude of my distress. Then, her voice filled with empathy and determination, reached my ears.

"Emma," Maria's voice carried a mix of sympathy and resolve. "I'm so sorry you're going through this. You don't deserve any of this. But please, take a deep breath and try to calm down. We'll get through this together."

I took a shuddering breath, attempting to compose myself. The sound of Maria's comforting words provided a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. I wiped away my tears, my voice still trembling as I shared the events that had unfolded.

"I...I don't understand how it happened," I stammered, my voice filled with frustration and confusion. "Ethan came to my house yesterday, but I walked him out. There was nothing between us, nothing that would justify these rumors. I don't know how it's all been twisted and painted in such a negative light."

Before I could continue, Maria interrupted me with a sense of urgency in her tone. "Emma, listen to me," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I've already spoken to Ethan about this. He was shocked to hear what's been happening, and he promised to take care of it. He acknowledged that the rumors are baseless and hurtful. He'll do whatever he can to set the record straight."

My heart skipped a beat at Maria's words. Relief washed over me, mingling with a glimmer of hope. To know that Ethan was willing to step in and address the situation gave me a renewed sense of strength.

My heart soared with a mixture of gratitude and hope as I absorbed Maria's words. Ethan's commitment to rectify the situation and his swift actions to have the false news posts removed filled me with a renewed sense of faith. The weight that had been pressing upon my shoulders began to lift, and a flicker of optimism ignited within me.

Shortly after our call ended, a message from Maria appeared on my phone screen. I eagerly opened it, my eyes scanning the text with anticipation. She informed me that the damaging news posts had been successfully erased from the online platforms, their false claims vanishing into the digital abyss. The relief that washed over me was palpable, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my chest.

But it was Maria's next words that caught my attention and stirred a mix of curiosity and nervousness within me – one I wasn't ready to delve into. Ethan wanted to meet me again, to discuss the situation face-to-face. I hesitated for a moment, contemplating the implications of this meeting. The wounds caused by the rumors were still fresh, and the fear of facing Ethan's scrutiny gnawed at my resolve.

I also didn't want such trails to appear again, not after the last one. I replied to Maria's message, expressing my unwillingness to meet Ethan until I had gathered my thoughts and emotions.

In the days that followed, I immersed myself in absolute closure, becoming more invincible, even as the whole issue was wiped off the media, those who knew me still sneered and whispered when I passed.

This moment of respite gave me the much needed time to process my feelings, sorting through the wreckage of the past events and the toll they had taken on my life.

Reluctantly, I finally agreed to the meeting, but not without setting a strict condition: confidentiality. I couldn't bear the thought of another public spectacle, of my vulnerabilities being exposed to the prying eyes of the world. It had to be a private encounter, a space where I could share my truth without the fear of further judgment.

On the day of the meeting, a maelstrom of emotions engulfed me, blending anticipation and trepidation into a potent concoction that swirled in the depths of my being. As I readied myself, I stood before the mirror, carefully examining my reflection. I had chosen to wear a black hoodie and pants, pairing them with a clean, white set of canvas shoes.

Gazing at my makeup-free face, I acknowledged the absence of cosmetic embellishments. I had intentionally chosen not to wear any makeup, allowing my true self to be present without any masks or artifice.

Taking a moment to reflect, I contemplated the reasons for taking the day off. Despite not having any lectures scheduled, I had granted myself this respite due to a lingering feeling of sickness that had plagued me for some time. It was easy to dismiss it as stress-related, but deep down, I decided I would try to see a medical practitioner.

As the appointed time approached, the whirlwind of emotions intensified, surging through my veins like an electric current. Anticipation mingled with apprehension, causing my heart to beat with an accelerated rhythm.

In the final moments before leaving, I took one last look in the mirror, meeting my own gaze with determination. With a deep breath, I left the mirror behind, making my way over to the door after grabbing my cross bag.

The moment the door swung open, revealing a young woman, standing there, her hand came hurtling towards my face, connecting with a resounding slap. The force of it sent a shockwave through me, staggering me backward. Stunned, I could hardly register what had just happened.