Tilting her head back, Mia let out a deep sigh before turning to face Maya. Her teeth grazed her lower lip as she hesitated, her eyes filled with uncertainty. Maya raised an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Mia?" Maya asked, her tone sharp but curious.

Mia chuckled nervously, her gaze dropping for a moment before meeting Maya's again. "I..." She swallowed hard, searching for the right words. "Can I announce it? I mean... if they ask about my relationship status—can I say it?" Her voice wavered as if she needed confirmation.

Maya clicked her tongue and stepped closer, her expression softening. "What do you want to do?" she asked pointedly. "Do you want to announce it? And if you do, can you handle the criticism—if there's any?"

Mia bit her lower lip harder this time, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Ashley's been so supportive from the start. She's never said a harsh word about how much I bury myself in work or acting. The least I can do for her is let the world know I'm with her. That I'm not stuck in my divorce anymore—that I'm happy now. Happy with her."

Maya's expression softened further as she reached out to cup Mia's face, gently tilting it up to meet her eyes. "Look at me, Mia," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "How long have we been working together? Five years now?"

Mia nodded silently.

"Then trust me on this—I've got your back," Maya continued. "This press conference? It's for you. To clear up all the rumors, to set the record straight, and to answer the media's endless questions."

"But...the management...the agency..." Mia trailed off, her voice tinged with doubt as another sigh escaped her lips.

Maya patted Mia's shoulder firmly, giving it a light squeeze. "You're the company's star, Mia," she said with a soft laugh. "If management doesn't support your choices, you've got other options. Your mom's management has been trying to recruit you for ages—they'd back you in a heartbeat."

Mia let out a small laugh, shutting her eyes as if to steel herself. When she opened them again, her expression was resolute. "I'll do it," she said, clasping her hands together tightly, almost like a prayer. "I'll do it for myself, and for Ashley."

Maya grinned, pride shining in her eyes. "That's the spirit. You go out there and do it, Mia. I'm with you all the way." She gave Mia's shoulder a final encouraging pat. "Attagirl."



All eyes and camera flashes were on Mia as she sat composedly at the long table, her heart pounding beneath her poised exterior. Across from her, reporters prepared for the press conference. Just off to the side, the host waited, ready to guide the session.

Since her divorce, Mia had avoided press conferences. She had handled her personal issues privately, without the need for public scrutiny. But now, with her ex-husband Zachary spreading rumors to tarnish her reputation, she realized it was time to set the record straight—about the divorce and everything else.

"Good day, everyone!" the host began, standing center stage. "Seated here with us today is the ever-beautiful and talented actress, Ms. Mia Tran." They smiled warmly at her, offering a slight bow. "Mia has graced the industry for years, captivating audiences with her performances in major film and television roles."

Mia returned the smile, scanning the room. The reporters appeared attentive—at least, she thought they did.

The host turned to her with a welcoming gesture. "Ms. Mia, you've been working on an exciting project. Could you share some details about your upcoming movie?"

Mia nodded, gripping the microphone as camera flashes went off. The clicking sounds echoed, amplifying her nerves. Still, she managed a smile. "Hello, everyone! It's a pleasure to see you all today. I'm Mia Tran," she began, standing to bow respectfully before sitting back down. Gathering herself, she continued, "I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be starring in the upcoming movie Catch-22: To Die Is to Live Hard, written by Tonnie Collins."

She paused briefly, letting her words sink in. "This film is a girl's love action-romance that explores the main character's challenges and internal conflicts as she unravels the mystery behind her wife's death. I'll be working alongside Meier Laurent, who plays the other lead. The movie premieres next month, and I sincerely hope for your support as I take on my first role in a girl's love film."

The host clapped lightly, smiling. "That sounds fantastic, Mia. Given how inclusive our society has become, I'm sure this film will resonate deeply with audiences and shed light on the beauty of LGBTQIA+ stories."

Mia nodded, her smile widening.

"Now, let's open the floor to questions," the host said, gesturing to a reporter who raised their hand.

"Hello, Ms. Mia," the reporter greeted, earning a polite nod in return. "Recently, there have been articles and photos circulating about your alleged relationship with your former personal bodyguard. Could you address these rumors?"

Mia inhaled deeply, gripping the microphone tighter. She chuckled lightly to ease the tension. "Yes, I'd like to clarify that today," she began. "The truth is, those photos are accurate. I am, in fact, in a relationship with my former personal bodyguard."

A murmur spread across the room, but Mia raised her hand to stop any interruptions. "To provide context—she was assigned to me temporarily while I was searching for a permanent bodyguard. During that time, we developed a deep emotional connection. Both of us are consenting adults, and neither of us was in another relationship at the time."

"But," the reporter pressed, "isn't this a conflict of interest, given her professional role as your bodyguard?"

Mia nodded, her expression calm. "You're absolutely right. While our relationship doesn't break any societal norms, it does raise professional concerns. To respect her career, I won't go into further detail, but rest assured, the matter has been handled appropriately on both sides."

Another reporter raised a hand. "Ms. Mia, could you shed some light on your divorce? It's been over a year, yet there are still rumors surrounding what led to the split."

Mia exhaled slowly, shaking her head with a small laugh. "Good question," she said, flashing a smile. "Yes, I initiated the divorce, but I want to be clear—I was not involved in any third-party situation, contrary to what Zachary has claimed."

The room buzzed with whispers.

"Zachary and I had a legal agreement to keep the divorce private," Mia explained, her voice steady. "However, he chose to make it public, painting himself as the victim. Let me set the record straight—Zachary was in another relationship during our marriage. I stayed silent to protect his career, but his recent attempts to tarnish my reputation have left me no choice but to speak the truth. I won't tolerate dishonesty or cheating, and that's why I ended our marriage."

The murmurs grew louder, but Mia stood, raising her hand for silence. "Let me say this once—I'm done with Zachary. I'm no longer his wife, and I have no interest in being associated with him. I hope this clears up any confusion. I'm happy now, and I ask that you respect my current relationship. If you can't, at least refrain from inserting yourselves into it."

As she turned to leave, a reporter called out, "Ms. Mia! Ms. Mia! Who's the lucky girl?"

Mia paused, glancing back with a confident smile. "I am the lucky girl. I'm lucky to be in a relationship with Detective Ashley Amosa," she announced, sparking an eruption of excitement from the crowd.

Backstage, Mia blinked in surprise as she spotted Ashley standing with her arms crossed, an amused eyebrow raised. "Ash," Mia mumbled, walking toward her. "What are you doing here?"

Ashley chuckled, her lips curling into a smirk. "That was quite the show, sugarplum," she teased. "I'm here to fetch the lucky girl."