Chapter Four: Damage control

Xander Savage was sleeping when his bedroom door slammed open.

"XANDER!"

He jerked awake, heart racing, eyes unfocused as sunlight streamed through the tall windows of his room. His phone vibrated violently on the bedside table, screen lighting up again and again.

"What..." he muttered, pushing himself upright.

Wendy stood at the foot of his bed, blue hair loose, face pale but sharp with anger. She was holding her phone out toward him like evidence.

"You're trending," she said. "And not for football."

Xander frowned, rubbing his face. "What are you talking about?"

"Freya Woods," Wendy snapped. "She posted your Snapchat chats."

The words hit him like cold water. He grabbed his phone, fingers clumsy as he unlocked it. Notifications flooded the screen. Mentions. Headlines. Screenshots. His name everywhere.

XANDER SAVAGE EXPOSED?

LEGACY CEO'S SON ACCUSED OF SABOTAGE!

PHOTOGRAPHER CLAIMS REJECTION COST HER CAREER

Xander's chest tightened as he scrolled. There they were. Messages he recognized. Voice notes. Screenshots of conversations from weeks ago. Some cropped. Some out of context. Some painfully real.

Freya's caption sat boldly at the top.

I rejected him. Then suddenly LEGACY wasn't hiring anymore. Funny how power works.

His hands shook.

"She leaked everything," Wendy continued, pacing. "Twitter's on fire. TikTok's worse. Half the internet thinks you ruined her career. The other half thinks she's clout chasing."

Xander stared at the screen, throat dry. "She said what?"

"That you're the CEO's son who couldn't take rejection," Wendy said flatly. "Congratulations."

He let the phone drop onto the bed.

"She blocked me," he said quietly. "I never even..."

"Doesn't matter," Wendy cut in. "This is bad. Mum and Dad are going to lose it."

As if summoned by the thought, footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor.

Wendy crossed her arms. "They're going to kill you for this scandal."

Xander leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes. He drew in a slow breath, then another, trying to steady himself.

"I didn't do anything wrong," he said, more to himself than to her.

Wendy scoffed. "Try telling the internet that."

***

Breakfast at the Savage household was usually quiet.

Greg Savage sat at the head of the table, jaw clenched, newspaper folded neatly but untouched beside his plate. Courtney sat opposite him, posture composed but eyes hard. Wendy picked angrily at her food. Xander sat straight-backed, hands folded, expression calm in the way only made people angrier.

"Do you understand," Greg said slowly, "the position you've put this family in?"

Xander nodded. "Yes, sir."

Greg's hand slammed against the table. "You are not just a footballer. You are our son. You carry our name."

"I know," Xander said quietly.

Courtney turned to him, disappointment sharper than anger in her gaze. "You told me you didn't know her personally."

Xander swallowed. "I should have been clearer. I'm sorry, Mum."

Greg scoffed. "Sorry won't fix the headlines."

Courtney leaned back slightly. "Why did you ask me to give her a trial if you knew her?"

Xander met her eyes. "Because she's talented. And because I didn't want what happened between us to affect her career."

Silence followed.

Wendy laughed harshly. "Look where that got you."

Courtney sighed, rubbing her temple. "I didn't hire her because she wasn't fit. She lacked etiquette, manners, humility, professionalism, and confidence."

"She was rude," Greg added. "Arrogant."

"And now she's trying to destroy us," Wendy said. "She's my enemy for life."

Xander looked down at his plate. "I'm sorry," he said again. "To all of you."

Courtney studied him for a long moment. "This is why we have PR," she said at last. "And they're handling it."

He nodded. "I understand."

Greg's voice softened only slightly. "This cannot happen again."

"It won't," Xander promised. But even as he said it, his chest felt tight.

***

Freya adjusted her camera lens, forcing a smile as her client laughed across the small café table.

"Let's take five," the woman said, standing. "Coffee break?"

"Sure," Freya replied automatically. She set the camera down and reached for her phone. The notification was already there.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM XANDER SAVAGE

Her fingers trembled as she opened it. It read:

(The Snapchat conversations circulating online are false. I have never met or spoken to Freya Woods personally. Any claims suggesting otherwise are untrue.)

Her vision blurred. She scrolled. She glared at thousands of comments: 

"She's lying."

"Clout chaser."

"Trying to bring him down."

"Disgusting behaviour."

Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.

"He denied everything," she whispered. She locked her phone, swallowing hard, trying to breathe.

***

The art gallery at North Fall University was quiet, the way Freya liked it. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, dust motes floating in the air. She walked between shelves, searching for a magazine she needed for a project, her mind spinning.

"Freya."

She turned sharply.

Xander stood behind her, hoodie pulled low, hands raised slightly as if to calm her.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped.

"I need to talk to you," he said.

"You ruined my life," she shot back. "And now you want to talk?"

"I didn't tell my mum not to hire you," he said quickly. "I swear."

She laughed bitterly. "Then what about the press release?"

"My mother controls my PR," he replied. "I woke up to it too. It was damage control."

"So you just let them call me a liar?"

His jaw tightened. "You shouldn't have posted our private conversations."

Her eyes flashed. "You made me look crazy."

"And you made me look corrupt," he said. "We're both wrong."

Freya's chest heaved. She pulled out her phone. "Say that on live."

Xander's eyes widened. "Don't."

She tapped the screen. He moved fast, pulling his hoodie over his face and turning away as the live notification flashed.

"XANDER SAVAGE JUST STALKED ME," Freya said loudly into her phone, already moving. "Look at this."

He ran.

Freya dropped her bag, camera clattering to the floor as she chased him, breath burning, phone held high. Comments flooded the screen, hearts flying, messages scrolling too fast to read.

"He's running!" she shouted. "Why are you running if you're innocent?"

They turned corners, students staring, voices rising. Then he was gone. Freya stopped abruptly, chest heaving, spinning in place. She had lost him. The live video continued.

Chapter Five: One minute

The stadium at North Fall University vibrated with noise. Chants rolled through the stands like waves crashing against stone, drums beating in time with racing hearts. Floodlights cut through the evening sky, turning the pitch into a glowing stage. Every seat was filled. Every eye was fixed on the field.

The scoreboard blinked. 0 - 0

Five minutes left.

Sweat clung to Xander Savage's skin as he jogged back into position, chest rising steadily, mind sharp despite the pressure. The match had been brutal...tackles hard, passes tight, tempers high. The opposing team had marked him relentlessly, two defenders shadowing his every move.

He wiped his face with the back of his wrist and glanced at the clock.

Four minutes and thirty seconds.

From the sidelines, Wendy Savage bounced on the balls of her feet, pom-poms shaking as she shouted with the rest of the cheerleaders. Her blue hair caught the light, flashing bright as she cupped her hands around her mouth.

"COME ON, XANDER!"

The chant started again.

"SAVAGE! SAVAGE! SAVAGE!"

Across the pitch, Freya Woods lifted her camera, adjusting the lens without hesitation. The scandal had not stopped her from working. It couldn't. Rent still needed paying. Food still cost money. And Xander Savage, no matter how much the internet burned...still sold.

She followed him through the viewfinder, finger poised. The ball was passed wide. A defender slipped. Xander moved.

It happened fast, one clean touch and a sharp turn. The defenders were a step too slow. The crowd inhaled as one.

Xander struck.

The ball curved beautifully through the air, kissing the inside of the net just as the clock ticked down to one minute remaining.

For half a second, there was silence. Then the stadium exploded.

"GOALLLL!"

Wendy screamed, leaping into her squad, tears springing to her eyes as she jumped and laughed. The cheerleaders broke formation, spinning wildly, voices raw with joy.

"That's my brother!"

Teammates slammed into Xander, arms wrapping around him, shouting his name. He staggered under their weight, breathless, heart pounding but his face remained composed. Focused.

Freya caught the moment perfectly. Click!

Xander pulling free...another click.

His fists clenched at his sides...a faster click.

The crowd behind him rising to their feet. She lowered the camera slightly, already reviewing the shots when the noise moved from cheering to angry shouting. She looked up. Police officers were moving onto the pitch. At first, no one understood. Then someone pointed.

"They're going for her!"

Hands grabbed Freya's arms.

"What?" she gasped. "Wait...what are you doing?"

"Ma'am, you need to come with us."

Her camera slipped from her neck, swinging wildly as panic surged through her chest. "I haven't done anything!"

The crowd reacted instantly. Booing erupted from the stands, loud and unforgiving.

"LIAR!"

"LEAVE!"

"ATTENTION SEEKER!"

Freya's throat burned as tears spilled over. She struggled instinctively, but the officers were firm, already pulling her away from the sidelines.

"Please," she cried. "Please, I didn't..."

Wendy turned her face away, jaw tight, refusing to look.

Xander froze. He stared as Freya was dragged across the grass, her sobs swallowed by the noise. Something twisted in his chest. He spat onto the ground and looked away, forcing his eyes forward.

He took a step. He moved toward the tunnel but a hand grabbed his arm.

"Xander," his manager said urgently. "Don't."

"I need to..." he started.

"No," the man said firmly. "Cameras are everywhere. This is not the time."

Xander's fists clenched. He turned back.

Fans rushed the barriers, arms outstretched, shouting his name, asking for autographs. He forced a smile onto his face, moving mechanically, signing shirts and phones while Freya's cries echoed faintly in his head. 

***

The cell was cold. Freya sat on the narrow bench, knees pulled to her chest, arms wrapped around herself as tears fell freely. Her head throbbed. Her throat ached from crying. The smell of disinfectant burned her nose.

The door opened, footsteps approached. She lifted her head slowly.

Courtney Savage stood on the other side of the bars, immaculate as ever. Beside her was Watz, holding a tablet, and two sharply dressed lawyers.

Freya's heart sank.

The officer unlocked the cell and escorted her to the counter.

One of the lawyers cleared his throat. "Miss Woods, we're prepared to secure your release."

Hope flared painfully.

"However," he continued, "there are conditions."

Freya listened, numb.

"You will record a live video apologizing to Xander Savage, the Savage family, LEGACY, and the general public."

Her breath caught.

"You will state that the Snapchat screenshots circulating are false," the lawyer went on calmly. "That you were an obsessed fan seeking attention."

Her hands trembled.

"And you will sign an agreement never to speak publicly or privately about the Savage family or LEGACY again."

Silence stretched.

Freya shook her head slowly. "No."

Courtney's gaze sharpened. "Think carefully."

"I won't lie," Freya said hoarsely. "I won't destroy myself to protect you."

The lawyer sighed. "Then we have nothing more to discuss."

She was taken back to the cell. The door slammed shut.

Courtney turned to the officer. "Let me know when she's ready to sign."

She walked out without looking back.

***

The car was quiet. Xander drove, hands tight on the wheel. Courtney sat in the passenger seat, gaze forward. Watz sat in the back, scrolling through her tablet.

"Mum," Xander said finally. "Please."

Courtney didn't turn.

"She doesn't deserve this," he said. "Let her go."

"I won't," Courtney replied calmly.

He swallowed. "She's just a teenager."

Courtney's voice hardened. "So was I when I learned what it meant to protect a name."

He glanced at her. "Please."

She met his eyes briefly. "I won't let a small girl ruin the legacy my grandfather, Damon Savage, built."

Xander fell silent. The road stretched ahead.

Chapter Six: Bathroom kisses

The cell was loud in a way that scraped the nerves raw. Metal clanged. Voices rose and fell in sharp bursts. The air smelled of sweat and disinfectant, heavy and stale. Freya sat pressed into a corner, knees drawn tight to her chest, arms wrapped around her head as if she could make herself disappear.

"Look at her," one of the women sneered. "Little celebrity liar."

A shove knocked Freya sideways. Her shoulder hit the wall, pain shooting down her arm.

"I said I'm sorry," Freya cried, her voice thin and shaking. "I didn't...please..."

Another hand grabbed her hair, yanking her head back. The sting brought fresh tears, hot and blinding.

"What will your sorry change?" a woman snapped. "You think you're special, huh? Pretty little thing..."

Freya sobbed, curling in tighter as blows landed. Nothing precise, nothing controlled, just cruelty born of boredom and anger. She tasted blood, felt her cheek throb, her ribs ache. Then a voice cut through the noise.

"That's enough."

The women stepped back reluctantly. An elderly woman stood a few steps away, her back straight despite her age. They muttered under their breath and drifted off.

The old woman walked over slowly and crouched beside Freya. "You don't belong here," she said quietly.

Freya lifted her head, eyes swollen, lashes clumped with tears. "I don't know what to do."

The woman sighed. "You do what they want."

Freya shook her head weakly. "I can't lie like that."

"You already are lying," the woman replied gently. "You're lying to yourself if you think refusing will save you."

Freya's chest hitched.

"Courtney Savage doesn't play nice," the woman continued. "She locks people up and throws the keys away. I've seen it."

Fear crawled up Freya's spine.

"You want to rot in here?" the woman asked. "Or do you want to leave?"

Freya pressed her forehead to her knees, shaking.

"I'll do it," she whispered. "I'll sign."

She lifted her head and called out, her voice hoarse. "Officer. I'm ready."

***

The lights in the studio were blinding. Freya knelt on the polished floor, hands clasped tightly in front of her, eyes red and hollow. Cameras pointed at her from every angle. The nation watched in real time.

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I lied," she said, swallowing hard. "The Snapchat screenshots are fake."

Her words tasted like ash.

"I did it because I wanted Xander Savage to notice me. I've been obsessed with him since fifth grade. I confused my feelings. I crossed a line."

Her shoulders shook. She bowed her head. "I'm sorry to Xander. To his family and fans. To LEGACY. To everyone."

She lowered herself further, palms flat on the floor.

"I apologize. Please forgive me."

The feed cut. The room fell silent. Freya broke. She collapsed forward, sobbing openly, the humiliation crashing down all at once. A lawyer stepped forward, placing papers on the table.

"Sign here," he said calmly. "And here."

She wiped her face with trembling hands and signed, barely reading the words. Her signature felt like a surrender.

"You are never to photograph Xander Savage or any member of the Savage family," another lawyer added. "Under any circumstances."

Freya nodded, throat tight. She stood and walked out without looking back. The lawyers exchanged glances, then shook hands.

"Good work," one said.

They went their separate ways.

***

The hall buzzed with excitement.

Fans packed the venue, banners waving, phones raised. The international meet and greet was in full swing, energy crackling through the air. Security moved in tight formation as Xander Savage smiled for cameras, signing jerseys, posing effortlessly.

Freya worked quietly at the edges, camera in hand, doing exactly what she was told. She focused on crowd shots, decorations, the atmosphere...anything but him.

An interviewer's voice carried over the noise. "Xander, any comment on the Snapchat scandal?"

Xander smirked, tilting his head slightly. "I guess the award for my most obsessive fan goes to Freya Woods," he said lightly. "Or... what's her name again?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Freya's fingers tightened around her camera. She swallowed hard and kept working.

The event ended at last. Exhausted, she headed toward the bathrooms, mind numb, steps heavy. She turned a corner and collided with someone.

Xander...stupid Savage! She yelled in her head.

They froze. His eyes flicked over her face, unreadable. "What are you doing in the VIP restroom?"

Freya's heart slammed. "I-I made a mistake."

She tried to step past him. He caught her wrist and pulled her closer. The world tilted. Before she could speak, he kissed her briefly...it was sudden, devastating.

"All these wouldn't be happening if you agreed to be my girlfriend." Xander said, still kissing her. "You know I like you. I told you how I felt about you...you turned around to mock me publicly."

Freya kissed him back before she realized what she had done. She pulled away from him very fast.

"You kissed me back..." Xander chuckled, pulling her back. "Was it worth it, dummy?"

He sighed then he let her go. He walked away without a word. And Freya stood there, stunned, breathless, alone.

"Freya, I hate you for kissing that bastard!" She yelled at herself, hitting her cheeks.

***

"Here's the balance." Watz handed the elderly woman an envelope.

It was the elderly woman in the same cell with Freya. The woman that convinced Freya to agree to Courtney's terms.

The woman collected the envelope, smiling. "It was nice doing business with you."

"I believe you know the rules." Watz said calmly. "Be careful out there and keep this to yourself. You know the consequences."

The woman smirked. "Don't worry, I've got you. Just holla me if you need my services."

She stepped down from the car walking across, to the train station.