Chapter 29
The Gossip Minute Host's face was lit with a smirk. "Hello everyone and welcome to TVM's Gossip Minute. Today we've got some shocking news. Fiona Coyne, troubled socialite, has caught the media's attention once again! This morning, we caught her and twin brother Declan at JFK airport." The scene switched to a video clip of Declan and I hailing a cab, recorded from behind us. The camera came closer to us and showed me hobbling into the airport.
"Weird, right?" The scene went back to the studio. "Several hours later, Fiona was brought out of the men's' bathroom, covered in bloody wounds!" On the screen beside her was a candid photo of me unconscious on a stretcher with Adam lurched over me worriedly. A red circle appeared around Adam's face, and the photo was zoomed in on him. "Fiona's beau has been identified as Gracie 'Adam' Torres," she made air quotes around his name.
I glanced up at him. To my surprise, his expression was void of anger, or sadness, and his eyes were locked in an intense stare down with the TV. "Anyway, Fiona was allegedly drowned, cut, and brutally beaten by ex-boyfriend Bobby Beckonridge. We caught up with him outside the airport, two hours before Fiona was found." The screen was filled with Bobby's face, which was beet red with anger and dripping with sweat.
"Bobby, Bobby! Did you beat up Fiona Coyne?" Bobby rolled his eyes. "God no, that bitch is dead to me," When he said that last part, his mouth cracked a tiny evil smile. I shuddered. The camera returned to the host.
"On many gossip sites, it says that Fiona had actually faked the whole injury for media attention. Fiona's injuries have not been confirmed. So, what do you think? Weigh in on our video message boards on our website. That's all for today's Gossip Minute,"
Anger broiled inside of me. Why would I fake something like that? Adam turned to me. His eyes were full of rage. Holly J and Sav frowned at each other. Adam took a
sharp breath, stood, turned and slammed his fist against the wall. "That- that-" he stammered angrily. I leaned back against the hospital bed.
"Adam, I'm so sorry," I apologized. If it weren't for me, Adam's secret wouldn't have just been broadcasted on national television. "You're sorry for me?" he spat. "If it weren't for me, your secret wouldn't have been spilled to the nation!" I exclaimed bitterly. I ruin everything! Adam's expression softened. He took my hand gently in his.
"Fi, I couldn't care less about that. What I care about is finding those TVM people and making sure they know what happened!" he explained, clearly upset. A smile spread across my face. "I can always count on you, Adam," he smiled back. "That's what I'm here for," he grinned. "You can count on us, too!" Holly J added. "Yeah. I'm sure all this TVM bull will blow over," Sav assured. Or it will spiral out of control and boil over, I thought to myself.
A nurse walked in. "Ms. Coyne, your mother called and asked if your friends could leave to go get breakfast for an hour while you two talk," I groaned. Holly J and Sav looked at each other, probably planning some romantic meal. "See you later," I said bleakly to Adam. He bent over and kissed me on the cheek before shuffling out with Sav and Holly J.
