Chapter 4: Photo Album Bombshells

The first photo in my album... I’m pretty sure it’s that viral crying pic of Mason from a few days ago. If he finds out, I'm dead.

I tried to remember—had I deleted it? My thumb hovered over the gallery icon, cold sweat beading on my neck.

"Who wants to go first? Let's start with 'Dad', okay?" The host started warming up the crowd.

'Dad' was the actor who played the male lead's father—the one who dies on the battlefield.

He was a legend, always cracking jokes backstage. He gave a mock salute, earning cheers from the audience.

His first photo was a screenshot of a contract. He laughed, "Getting old, can't understand it, so I took a screenshot to ask someone for help."

The crowd laughed, and he winked at the camera. "My daughter says I’m hopeless with tech. She’s right."

The next two were photos of his kids. No match.

He shrugged, "Guess I’m just a boring old dad."

Comments:

[Lol, stop bullying the elders.]

[Where's Mr. Parker's legal team?]

[Why make him read the contract himself?]

[When's it Mason's turn? I want to see him!]

The audience was getting restless, chanting Mason’s name. He just sat there, stone-faced.

The host glanced at the big screen, then, as expected, didn't pick Mason.

"Alright, 'Dad' didn't win. Let's look at 'Sister', okay?"

'Sister', played by Mariah Li, shyly showed her phone. The first photo was a group shot with the crew. The fifth was also a group shot.

Mariah giggled, hiding behind her hair. "We take so many photos, I can’t keep track."

"Oh! Just one more group shot and she'll win. Will Mariah be the first?"

The crowd cheered her on, clapping and stomping their feet.

But Mariah suddenly got bashful, clutching her phone to her chest.

She blushed, shaking her head. "No, can't show the ninth one!"

"No breaking the rules."

The host teased her, and everyone chanted, "Show it! Show it!"

Everyone egged her on, so the ninth photo was revealed.

Mariah squeezed her eyes shut as the image popped up.

It was a photo of Mason! The same one that went viral a few days ago!

The crowd erupted, and Mason shifted in his seat, looking away. Mariah peeked through her fingers, laughing nervously.

Mariah put her hands together apologetically. "Sorry, Mason, you cried so beautifully, I couldn't help it."

She gave him a sheepish grin, and the audience aww’d in unison.

[Understandable.]

[I saved it too! Mason really cries beautifully.]

[Can Mason cry again, just for the fans, please?]

The comments scrolled faster than I could read. Mason just stared straight ahead, jaw clenched.

Even called out, Mason kept a straight face. Classic. He hardly ever did variety shows, so no one expected much from him anyway.

He was the picture of restraint, barely blinking. The host tried to get a reaction, but Mason just nodded.

But just as the host was about to move on, he brought me up himself.

"Let's check Riley's."

The spotlight swung to me. My heart dropped. I tried to play it cool, but my hands shook.

Me, grinning with everyone: "Huh?"

I forced a laugh, hoping no one noticed the panic in my eyes.

[So this nobody is called Riley Monroe.]

[She's pretty, does she have any credits?]

[Riley, baby, we love you!]

[It's not easy to get on this show, right?]

Some comments were kind, others not so much. I tried to focus on the positive.

Between the kind and the snarky, my palms went clammy as I handed over my phone.

I wiped my hands on my jeans, praying for a miracle. The host winked at me, and I managed a weak smile.

Please, let the first photo not be Mason’s.

My stomach twisted. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for impact.

The host took my phone, joking, "I wonder if Riley has Mason's crying pic in her phone?"

The audience roared with laughter. I forced another smile, cheeks burning.

"I'd like to know too."

Mason shot me a cool glance. Deadpan, he leaned over to look at my phone. He wasn't this nosy a minute ago!

He leaned in so close I could smell his cologne—something sharp and expensive. I shot him a look, but he just stared at the screen, unreadable.

Everyone froze for a second. The atmosphere got weird.

It was like the world held its breath, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

[I told you, these two definitely have something!]

[Someone investigate!]

[By the way, the only tabloid about the movie star was with this girl.]

[Finish your story, please!]

The speculation was relentless. I wished I could disappear.

With all eyes on me, the host tapped the first photo.

My heart stopped. The screen flickered. Then—

On the big screen appeared a photo of abs. The kind that makes your heart race.

The crowd gasped, then burst out laughing. I felt my face go up in flames. The abs were front and center, glistening, practically winking at the camera.

The whole place erupted in screams. I wanted to crawl into a hole, but I was also a little relieved. Luckily, I'm a total thirst goblin—otherwise people would think I'm some ex who can't let go.

I ducked my head, grinning sheepishly. "Guess I have a type," I joked, trying to play it off.

My face grew a little hotter.

I could feel Mason’s eyes burning holes in the side of my head. I risked a glance—yep, he looked ready to murder someone.

Mason looked like he was about to freeze over. His face darkened, his eyes full of contempt—and something possessive.

His lips pressed into a thin line, and his jaw ticked. He looked like he’d bitten into a lemon.

"Aren't you afraid your boyfriend will get jealous with these on your phone?"

His voice was low, almost a growl. The whole set went quiet, waiting for my response.

Me: "Huh?"

I blinked, genuinely confused. "What boyfriend?"

Come on, I'm still in the industry. Nobodies don't just date anyone, okay?

I laughed, shaking my head. "My love life’s not that exciting, trust me."

I flashed him a sweet smile. "Is the movie star jealous?"

I batted my eyelashes, leaning into the joke. The audience oohed and aahed.

Mason froze, then bristled, laying it on thick:

He huffed, crossing his arms. "Ha, why would I be—"

I cut him off, "Just kidding. No boyfriend, I just saw it online and saved it."

I winked at the camera, hoping to lighten the mood. "Inspiration for the gym, you know?"

"Who asked you?"

He looked away, cheeks tinged pink. The audience ate it up.

"Oh, oh."

I shrugged, grinning. The tension broke, replaced by laughter and a few wolf whistles from the crowd.

[Mason, you're acting weird.]

[I~jea~lous~who~asked~you~]

[Hasn't my PR team finished investigating?]

[Forget it, Mason just can't stand shameless people.]

[What's shameless about saving abs pics? Don't you save them too?]

The comments flew by, some defending me, others teasing Mason. I tried not to let it get to me.

Mason was so mad he turned away. Victory!

I did a little victory dance in my head, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out at him.

I held back a grin and kept going. "Let's look at the fifth photo."

I took a deep breath, bracing for whatever came next. The host gave me a thumbs up.

For privacy, the tech set it to voice control. After I spoke, the fifth photo popped up.

The tech guy gave me a reassuring nod, mouthing, "You got this."

On the big screen was another chest photo. A gold chain draped over pale skin... swaying, making people dizzy.

The crowd screamed again. Someone in the back yelled, "Bless you, Riley!"

[This girl treats herself right.]

[Lol, how can someone's album be all abs and chest?]

[Say no to unhealthy temptations—not enough!]

[Dare to show the whole album?]

[Hey, I want to see too.]

[Will the ninth be the same?]

[No one's noticing Mason? He looks like he's about to explode.]

[The cold movie star—most emotional ever off-screen.]

The comments were relentless. I tried to keep a straight face, but inside, I was dying.

Mason took a few deep breaths, his chest rising and falling. I could see the veins on his forehead pulsing.

He looked like he was about to lose it. I almost felt bad—almost.

Honestly, it felt great. Seeing my ex still get jealous over me—so satisfying!

I bit my lip, fighting back a grin. Lauren would be screaming if she were here.

I tried not to let my grin get too wide. Holding the mic, I tried to explain:

Total coincidence—I’m not usually like this.

The audience laughed, and the host winked. "Sure, sure."

"Really? Will the ninth be the same? Will Riley be the first winner today?" the host teased.

He leaned in, drawing out the suspense. I shook my head, praying for mercy.

I shook my head quickly. "No, no."

I crossed my fingers behind my back, sending up a silent prayer.

But I wasn't sure. Still, nobody could be that unlucky.

I glanced at Mason—he looked like he was about to combust.

Mason stared at me, the veins in his hand bulging around the mic, his eyes rimmed red.

He looked like he was holding back a scream. I almost felt sorry for him—almost.

That body’s not even that great. No taste at all.

He muttered it under his breath, but the mic picked it up. The audience howled.

[Mason, stop.]

[We're eating good today, thanks to the movie star's vintage jealousy.]

[Mason, you strip too, we'll judge whose body is better.]

[Are you people serious?]

[Why ship two people with no connection?]

The comments were wild. I tried to hide my face, wishing I could melt into the floor.

I looked away guiltily.

I focused on the stage lights, counting the bulbs, anything to avoid Mason’s glare.

Then the big screen showed the ninth photo. To build suspense, they threw animated stickers over it. So when another muscleman photo appeared, I admit—I wanted to die a little inside.

The host gasped, then burst out laughing. The whole studio shook with applause.

Some people really are that unlucky. Or maybe that’s the tax for being a thirst goblin.

I buried my face in my hands, groaning. Lauren texted: "Iconic."

[Lol, it's actually another abs pic.]

[Some people win the game but die of embarrassment.]

[Sis likes big pecs, got it.]

[I like them too. Licking a guy's pecs is especially great.]

[Upstairs, spill your story.]

[Sis is too much of an expert.]

[Someone do something about Mason, he's about to lose it.]

The comments flew by, and everyone on set laughed at me.

Even the crew was chuckling behind their hands. I shrugged, playing along. "What can I say? I know what I like."

The youngest, Mariah, unconsciously read a comment aloud:

"Licking is especially great... what does that mean?"

She looked genuinely puzzled, and the audience burst out laughing again.

The host quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Probably a typo. Next comment says... look at Mason's abs."

He shot Mariah a look, mouthing, "We’ll talk later." The crowd roared.