Page 64 of The Actor and His Secret

Selina

The leaks came with a message. Whichever media firm that will pay the highest price, they’re promising photos of a scandalous nature

Define scandalous?

Selina

I’m sorry, Nikos. I’m attempting to put forwards our own offer but I’m being blocked. It would seem the leaker has higher ambitions

I want to vomit. I feel it in the back of my throat, burning acid. I go to open the window but look up to find the seat beside me is empty. Panic overwhelms me as I look out the window and watch the back of Oli disappear into his front door, lugging his suitcase behind him.

Gone, just like that. And he’d think I ignored him purposefully.

I fumble with my buckle, throwing open the door just as Oli leaves my view. His name claws out of my throat, a garbled, panicked shout. But he doesn’t turn around. I’m left to watch as his outline fades behind the warped glass of the door.

I don’t even care for the driver who is looking at me like I’m a madman. He has no idea. Maybe, come tomorrow, he will work it all out when every newspaper, magazine and blog has mine and Oli’s faces - and probably far more than that - plastered all over them.

Unless I can convince the leaker myself.

Panic melts to fury until I’m simmering in the back of the car. Sweat beads across my brow, even sticking to the skin at the back of my neck. I don’t snap out of the trance until I hear a crack in my hand. Looking down, a jagged line has spread across my phone screen. It splits the photo of me and Oli, set as my background, down the middle.

I played with fire, and this was what I get in return. But it isn’t my life that I care about anymore. It’s Oli I worry about. How tomorrow, if I don’t solve this issue with my father, his life will be turned upside down.

Hounded. Stalked. The comments on social media. The hate and aggression. I brought this all to his door.

This is my fault.

This is my fault.

This is my -

‘Nikos, this is your fault. I warned you, and you didn’t listen. In fact, you taunted me.’

I sit still on the chair, clutching my glass of vodka and ice as my father towers over me. Even in his old age, with the deterioration of his posture and the grey hairs, he still makes me feel like a little boy.

‘Don’t treat me like a child,’ I snap, knuckles pale as I clutch the glass, contemplating how hard I need to throw it to break his skull. The liquid sloshes as I lift it to my mouth and take a sip. It’s more like a desperate gulp, because the glass drains and my throat is left burning.

‘Then stop acting like one, Nikos.’

I peer up at him, longing to wrap my hands around his throat. I haven’t had a real conversation like this with him in years, and I’m remembering exactly why. ‘Why? Why are you doing this? I’ve given you everything you’ve wanted for years.’

‘You just had to take that little slut to our family home, didn’t you? Surely you knew what you were doing - taunting me, playing with me as if I am just some fucking toy like those helpless people you plough through. No. I’m your father.’

I lean forwards, trying everything to still my breathing. ‘Call back the leaks.’

Father shrugs and then smiles. ‘Your secret is out there. Even if I withdraw, the press has access to images that will taint your image forever. But better this secret than the other one, right?’

My heart is pounding. ‘Don’t threaten me.’

Father pulls a chair, drags it across the room, and plants it directly in front of me. He takes a seat, smelling like alcohol and stale cigarettes. No different to me, I suppose. ‘Now. About that money. You’re going to need to exceed whatever is given to me by my highest bidder. Otherwise, the next leak will not one that taints your career, but ruins you completely.’

‘You wouldn’t dare,’ I spit.

‘Do you wish to test that theory, boy?’

I hate how he looks at me as if he has already won. Even though he has and I know it, deep down I’m helpless against him.

‘Fuck off,’ I seethe.

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