Chapter 61: Chapter 61

"Stay poised, smile, and joke your way through a sensitive question, your head should be straight and your shoulders poised at all times. Looking away is a sign of weakness avoid it." Laura quickly mumbled as the tech guy announced that the interview was about to commence in five minutes. "Lastly, don't ever be silent, being quiet is an admission of its own. Avoid it."

Maya smiled at her even though she felt like screaming and asking her to stop making her even more nervous.

Xavier had refused to come to the studio saying that he can't watch insensitive questions being jabbed at her and not be tempted to hit the annoying popular news anchor of everything celebrity, Mr. Sampson on his mouth.

The bigger the party, the merrier and that was why they had decided to go on National TV rather than the local reporters who wanted an interview.

Consequently, that decision also came with the infamous anchor known for his sly questions, fake smiles, and prodding insensitive replies.

Behind the stereotypical blue eyes and blonde hair that came from the bottle, his personality was at odds with his vain appearances.

He might look laid back, not serious, and to some naive celebrities who had been victims of his ploys and tactics, a friend. But not until he plasters his smug grin after making you confess your lies to the world, do you realize he is a devil.

The makeup crew came forward to retouch her face, but Maya was pretty sure she have had enough and if anyone dares come close to her face, she'll spit out fire.

Thankfully Mrs. Laura sensed the violent tendencies behind her very courteous smile and intercepted them, saving her the shame of being known as the woman who had punched a makeup artist on national TV.

She smiled as Mr. Sampson took his seat beside her, even though her insides were a nervous tingling knot. He returned the smile and then brought out his iPad which she bet had the different questions he was going to lurch at her.

"Going live in 5 seconds." The cameraman and everyone on set was already in their position. She rubbed her hand against the sequin fabric of the designer gown she had on.

This was really happening she thought as her heart drummed while she tried to breathe in and out as discreetly as possible.

The lights came on announcing that they were on and Mr. Sampson had a big fake smile on his face as he faced the screen.

"Hello, people. It is another beautiful day in everything celebrity and our guest is___" he paused and Maya found herself counting to 5.

It was the same lines he'd been using for his openings for the past 7 years and even though she wasn't a fan, Jasmine had watched the show way too many times, even without watching it, Maya could recite his lines just by hearing.

"Maya Edward. Xavier's fiancée."

She cringed inwardly knowing that, that was her new identity. Most people won't even know her name or worst will get it wrong like the TV host and will just know her as Xavier's fiancée and soon, the woman he dumped.

Refusing to let the fact he'd called her Edward, like who the fuck was that? Sidetrack her focus from being as sweet as possible and acing the interview she looked straight ahead, making sure she gave him a wide smile ignoring the creeping suspicion that he just might have intentionally made a mistake with her name judging by the little smirk on his face.

Light questions first then the heavy ones, she repeated to herself knowing that, that was always the cliche procedure.

But no matter how expected the questions have been she couldn't ignore that it was still a process that has made celebrities before her, that have sat right at her seat fidget, swallow hard and end their career without even knowing.

***

"I don't think you should be watching this, especially as the studio is a stone throw from here and you don't want to storm over there and do something reckless." He gave his sister a look, knowing that there was no way in hell, he would let Maya go through this alone.

Pretending that he would was just a pathetic lie he had told himself. He couldn't even eat and it was one of those moments he had been so thankful for having staffs that do things that seem mundane and little to him on a normal day like driving.

Because with the frame of mind, he'd been in before he had rushed to his sister's art gallery, knowing it was not far from where Maya was not bearing to stay so away from her especially knowing that he was the reason she was going through all she did, he didn't trust himself driving anything even a tire.

He cursed under his breath as he saw the sly bastard intentionally mess up Maya's name, trying to rile her up.

"You do know that Sampson will try to chew her and then spit her out. You shouldn't be watching this if you ain't ready for that." Melissa raised her brow not trusting Xavier to be calm and not ruin everything.

She was aware of what was going on. Maya had told both her and her friends a day before yesterday, though they were really worried and weren't sure about using her as bait, Xavier acting out of line will just pile more trouble for them all.

"So you were once Xavier Salvador's personal assistant from the data I have on you right?" Sampson asked.

Xavier raised his brow while Melissa cursed not believing he was diving right in for the kill, not even sparing her a minute of niceties.

She nodded.

"There was speculation which has been quite popular since the news of your engagement to your boyfriend got out. Things like you were not qualified for the job and you've only gotten in because you were romantically involved with him. Do you have anything to say in that defense?"

"I've nothing to say."

Melissa squirmed beside Xavier while Mr. Sampson flashed her a triumphant smirk, the bastard she thought with disdain.

"Again, there are also rumors that you might have gotten pregnant and used your pregnancy to entrap him."

Maya smiled, Amused.

"The only reason why I didn't reply to the first question is also the reasons why I'm almost tempted to ignore the second." Maya sat up, grinning at him.

"If you seriously think Xavier, my fiancée will hire me if I was incapable only because of our relationship then we shouldn't be having this discussion because you don't know Xavier Salvador."

"I said these are speculations"

"Give me a few pointers to these so-called speculations. Facebook post, tweets, blogs, anything!" Her eyes flashed with slight anger that had Melissa wrapping her hand around her brother's.

"Do you know I was the best graduating student in my class and have never mixed up an instruction ever working with Salvador's inc? I run to keep up with his strides even with stilettos heel, come 30 minutes earlier than every other coworker and drop his cup of coffee at exactly that time. Mr. Sampson, I'll let this slide because I've agreed expressly to this interview but any direct insult to my person or character will force me to sue you for such actions," Maya batted her eyelashes making Xavier chuckle out loud.

"Hope you understand what I'm trying to say?"

And for once Mr. Sampson looked flushed and stuttered completely overwhelmed and thrown off guard by her reply as he nodded twice then went on a commercial break.

Xavier stood up grinning, "I've seen enough."

"Where are you going to?" Melissa asked, eying him keenly.

"I'm going to see my baby."