Page 158 of His Flash Mate
He hung up, but I wasn’t paying attention to him anymore.
I was on my phone, searching the trending news.One headline was rapidly gaining traction.
Steele Data Leak Gold-Digger Targets Two of Motan’s Billionaire Bachelors.
The article had two pictures.The first was of me straddling Konni’s lap in the backseat of his car.The second was with Edward.He was holding my arms and an inch away from kissing me.Their faces were blurred just enough not to see them clearly, but not enough to mistake them for the same guy.Mine, however, was perfectly unblurred in both.
It gave my full name and brutally exposed my upbringing as one shaped by a single mom who couldn’t hold a job.It didn’t just bend the truth; it glanced at it and ran the other way, painting me as an unwanted child from an unwanted marriage who had no self-worth and would sleep with anyone just to feel valued again.
Criticizing remarks were already flooding the comment section.
“Mrs.Elmantas, considering everything, I would feel better if you and Sophia didn’t stay here tonight.Sophia, help your mom pack an overnight bag.”
I nodded and turned while I read a netizen's promise to slap some integrity into me if she ever saw me in person.
“Screw humanity,” Mom said, still in the living room.“Burn the village.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Mom was still tryingto talk Konni into going on a dragon rampage as I sat in the backseat, fielding messages from my girls, who’d also read the article.
Miranda:I’m not kidding.Tell him I’ll meet him at the museum and pick off anyone who tries to run from the flames.
Me:I think that’s a little excessive.Half the people there probably don't even know what happened.
Wrenly:But someone knows.How else did they get a picture of you and the creep who’s hopefully taking a forever nap in a ditch by now?
Me:Still excessive.He tried to kiss me and slapped me.I’m not saying that’s okay, but I feel the ear bite and the knee to the procreation pearls were just punishment for the crime.
Miranda:Disagree.
Wrenly:Same.The pain will fade.He’ll forget the lesson and try it with someone else who won’t bite or knee.
I sighed.
“What’s wrong?”Konni asked as he took a turn.
“Wrenly and Miranda are being bloodthirsty about this.”I didn’t add, “Like you two,” but he knew, based on the look he gave me in the mirror.
“Are they, or are you so used to dealing with everything on your own that this level of protection and love makes you uncomfortable?”Mom asked.
I shot her a horrified look, and she laughed.
“Don’t let her fool you, Konni.She’s extremely affectionate once you’ve made it to her inner circle.She’s a hugger and a cuddler.”
“Mom.”
She turned to shoot me a sly look.“He should know a little bit more about you.”
“He has Miranda for that.”
“I’m your mother.I know more than she does.”
“Exactly.”
Konni chuckled.
“And in the spirit of transparency and to prove I’m not trying to deal with any of this on my own, unlike some people, did you notice the picture in the article was the same one I received in that text message?Did you find out who sent it?”
