Page 104 of Fake It For Glory

JENSEN

The interview had been grueling from the start, and I could feel my patience wearing thin. The questions about the recent article on Full Disclosure were relentless, and every answer I gave seemed to dig me deeper into a hole of speculation and doubt. I had prepared for this interview, rehearsed my responses, and coached myself to stay calm under the intense scrutiny, but nothing could truly prepare me for the storm that was brewing.

Halfway through the interview, the host abruptly interrupted, a look of astonishment on his face. He turned to his producer, who had just handed him a note, and then back to the camera.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a breaking development,” the host announced, his voice tinged with excitement. “It appears that another article has just gone live, and it’s related to the very subject we’ve been discussing.”

Are you fucking kidding?

My stomach clenched as I exchanged a worried glance with Hattie, who was watching the proceedings from backstage. She put up a finger, telling me to hold on while she held her phone in the other hand.

The host smiled and I just knew I was about to get my ass handed to me. “This article is quite a revelation, and I believe we should all read it together,” he said.

I could hardly believe what was happening. My eyes went to Hattie again. She wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes were glued to the phone. I felt like I was tossed into the ocean without a life preserver. I was being fed to the sharks on live TV. I couldn’t ask for a timeout. My reputation was already taking a hell of a beating. The host’s team quickly pulled up the article on the large screen behind him, and the words came into view, making my heart race: “Confessions of a Journalist: My Unexpected Journey with Jensen Loxley.”

As the host began reading aloud, I felt a mix of anticipation and dread. The host was giddy. I couldn’t read the article because my eyes wouldn’t focus. I was looking for an escape at that point. The idea of an isolated island sounded really, really good just then.

“This article is a confession written by the journalist herself, Merida Moore!” the host announced.

I listened to the host introduce the article. “She started with the intention of crafting a sensational story,” the host read, his voice echoing through the studio. “Something that would give her a big break in the world of journalism.”

I swallowed hard, my mind racing as I listened to Merida’s words. She was exposing the initial motive behind the article. She started out with the intention to depict me in a less than flattering light. It was a confession of her ambition and desire for success at any cost, even if it meant throwing me under the bus.

“But something unexpected happened along the way,” the host continued, his tone growing more somber. “Merida Moore fell for her subject. She fell for Jensen Loxley in a way she never anticipated.”

My heart skipped a beat. Merida was baring her soul in front of the world, admitting to her feelings for me. It was a shocking revelation, one that I had never expected to hear from her. I would have preferred to have had the conversation in private, but I couldn’t really blame her for going this route. I didn’t give her a chance to talk.

“The original piece she wrote came from a place before she truly knew him,” the host read, his voice tinged with empathy. “Her focus was on writing a compelling story, a story that would make headlines. It wasn’t about representing Jensen Loxley accurately.”

The host’s expression shifted from surprise to understanding. He was beginning to grasp the complexity of the situation, as were the members of the audience. I was absolutely mortified to have all of this coming out while I had four cameras trained on my face. They were hoping to catch my reaction. I kept my poker face on, refusing to give them the image they needed for a meme.

“Now, she’s determined to set the record straight,” the host concluded, his voice filled with gravity. “Merida Moore has taken it upon herself to paint a more accurate picture of Jensen Loxley, the man behind the headlines.”

The studio fell into silence, Merida’s words sinking in. I could hardly believe what was happening. Merida had confessed her true intentions and her unexpected feelings for me.

The host turned to me, his expression thoughtful. “Mr. Loxley, I have to ask, how do you feel about this confession from Merida Moore?”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s a surprising turn of events,” I admitted, my voice steady. “I appreciate her honesty, and I hope that her new perspective will shed light on who I truly am.”

“Are you going to give the woman another chance?”

“I don’t know,” I answered.

“Do you love this woman?”

I found myself in a unique position. The world was now aware of her change of heart, but I was still not all that willing to talk about my relationship with Merida to twenty million strangers. It was going to piss off Hattie and all the people working hard to make me look good, but I wasn’t going to bend to anyone.

“I’m sorry, but I have to draw a line between my personal and professional life,” I said with a smile. “I know I’m not the only public figure to want to keep elements of their private life private. This is a sensitive situation. I’d like to handle it privately.”

I quickly glanced over to judge Hattie’s reaction. She gave me a thumbs-up and a big smile.

The interview had shifted from an interrogation to a conversation about redemption and forgiveness. The host turned to me once more. “Jensen, how do you feel about Merida’s words, her confession?”

I took a moment to collect my thoughts. “I appreciate her honesty,” I began, my voice steady. “Merida’s journey with me has been unconventional, to say the least. And while her initial intentions may have been misguided, I believe that people can change.”

I looked directly into the camera, addressing not only the host and the studio audience but also Merida herself, wherever she was. “Merida, if you’re watching, I want you to know that forgiveness is possible. We’ve both made mistakes, and we’ve both learned from them. What’s important now is moving forward with integrity and a commitment to truth.”

The host nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. The atmosphere in the studio had shifted once again, from one of scrutiny to one of reflection and hope. I could see it in the faces of the audience members and in the eyes of the people behind the cameras. An eruption of applause from the audience took me by surprise.