Chapter 2
Before long, the screen lit up, and with a heavy heart, I pressed answer. Valerie's worried voice came through the phone.
"Sage, you stubborn girl! Why didn't you tell me about something this big? I just left the lab and saw a message from our class rep saying there's a viral bathroom video online, and the girl looks just like you. I was planning to call you when you called me."
Her words brought me to tears, and I sobbed uncontrollably, letting all my grievances and pain pour out.
"Enoch Robertson is unbelievable, Sage. Don't worry, you've got me. Come over and see me."
After hanging up, Goldie, the driver, handed me a tissue and asked me in English where I wanted to go. The car had been wandering aimlessly for half an hour.
Just then, Enoch's distinctive ringtone sounded.
"Sage, where did you go? I came out of the restroom and couldn't find you. Something came up last minute, so I changed the flight to tonight. Please come back so we can pack and head to the airport. On second thought, just tell the driver to go straight to the airport; we'll meet there."
I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat.
"Okay."
Once at the airport, Enoch hurried over as soon as he saw me, pulling me with him to check in for the flight.
Even when we finally sat on the plane, I was still in a daze.
I've never seen Enoch, who usually loves to procrastinate, board so quickly, and it's his first time packing his own luggage. Usually, I'm the one who packs while urging him to hurry up.
It wasn't until then that Enoch realized something was wrong and looked at my red, swollen eyes, asking what had happened.
I stayed silent.
With concern written all over his face, Enoch reached out as if to hug me, but I pulled away.
"Sage, what's gotten into you now? Yes, I promised a week in the French Riviera with you before heading back, but something urgent came up, so we have to return. I'll take you on another trip next time, okay? Can you stop being so difficult?" He seemed to notice his harsh tone and softened his voice, "Sweetie, please say something, will you? You're making me worried."
With a bitter smile, I opened my phone and showed him the bathroom video that had topped the trending list.
Seeing the video, a flicker of guilt passed through Enoch's eyes.
"It's just a video, right? I've already asked Axel to take care of it. Don't let it get to you. To me, you'll always be the best. Ignore what those people online are saying."
His righteous words made my skin crawl.
I remembered their conversation in the hotel bathroom.
"Bro, the comments on Sage Woods's bathroom video are all sleazy. She's such a conservative girl. If she finds out her video is going viral, she’ll lose it."
Enoch stayed silent for a while, and then Charlotte's voice suddenly chimed in.
"Brother Enoch, it's my fault. I deserve Sage's anger. You should have that video taken down. I don't mind facing a bit of hardship as long as you two are okay."
Upon hearing Charlotte's teary voice, Enoch quickly comforted her.
"Charlotte, you're too kind-hearted. If Sage dares to call you indiscreet, I'll make sure everyone online calls her shameless. She brought this on herself, the way she talks."
There was a time when wearing a knee-length skirt to dinner with colleagues would infuriate Enoch. He thought it was too revealing and didn’t want me being seen by others.
Now, just to appease Charlotte, Enoch personally released my video for the whole world to see, allowing me to be scorned by strangers.
Our love has turned into a joke, but I'm thankful it's not too late to realize it.