Hollywood Abs: My Viral Moment

After getting exposed online, I joined a dating show with the popular movie star, Heath Osborne.

I was a controversial celebrity, and after a livestream, my alternative account got exposed, which shot me straight to the top of the trending list.

My manager, hands shaking, took a deep breath and asked me, "Apart from writing novels, you don't have any other skeletons in your closet, right?"

I nodded seriously, indicating there was nothing else.

But in the next second, my assistant's hand started shaking too.

"Tamara, someone dug out your alternative account. We can't hide the fact that you drew those abs of Heath Osborne," she said.

...

What was supposed to be a normal fan livestream turned into a public humiliation when a distant login went wrong, exposing my fan art of abs.

Before I could even assure my manager with a straight face, they had already dug up all my secrets, down to the last bitter seed.

They even found those risqué fan arts I drew on three years ago.

I thought I had everything balanced, but now look at what happened.

Before I could deny anything further, both my pseudonym and alternative account were dragged out, and I was stuck on the trending list for seven days and seven nights.

"What else do you have to say for yourself?" said my manager.

She clutched her heart and swallowed two quickacting heart pills.

I thought for a moment and said, "Well, things have come to this, so I might as well quit the industry."

My manager fainted.

Her mental fortitude was not that great.

I stayed offline for as long as the trending topic lasted.

While I was contemplating which organic fertilizer to use for my farm, my resilient manager called me from the hospital.

She said, "Tamara, I got you on a variety show."

I was shocked.

She continued, "Since you're quitting the industry anyway, might as well earn as much as possible before you go."

She hung up, clearly not wanting to talk to me any longer.

I consoled myself to make money while I still could.

Some money, though, was best left for others to earn.

For example, the show my manager got me into was a dating show named 'A Couple of Things About Me and Them'.

I laughed out loud.

I asked, "Hey, Rebeca, I was wondering why the show you found for me is..."

She replied, "The penalty for breach of contract is eight million."

I said, "Okay, I'll do my best."

It wasn't until the day before filming that the show finally released the cast list.

The guests included the threetime awardwinning actor Heath Osborne, pure actress Earlene Lam, washedup actor Brain Camacho, controversial rapper Jonathan Marshall, and popular singer Mia Grimes.

This lineup immediately shot to the top of the trending topics.

The hashtags included ##Heath on a Dating Show, #Heath and Earlene Collaborate, #Heath and Earlene CP, and #Jonathan's First Variety Show.

And, of course, a few involving me. Such as #Tamara Announced Dating Show Appearance and #Heath and Tamara Collaborate.

After playing dead for days, I had to crawl out and retweet. [Looking forward to working together.]

Then I went offline again, opting for strategic ghosting.

The next day, the van drove for over an hour, rocking me to the point of sleepiness. I was still groggy when we arrived at the filming location.

[I can't believe Tamara actually showed up.]

[How unlucky, why did the show invite her?]

[Oh wow, she must have some serious connections to still get work.]

[Famechaser, get out of the entertainment industry.]

[Spreading vulgar rumors, how disgusting.]

[Mind your words up there. Your alternative account is exposed.]

[Lol, who's got more accounts than your idol?]

[Ahhh, Mia is here.]

I rubbed my head as I got out of the van, and Mia from the neighboring van just stepped out too.

I gave her a polite smile and greeted her.

[Tamara's smile is so creepy.]

[Run, Mia, she's trying to steal your spotlight.]

[Don't be ridiculous. Does Tamara even need to steal the spotlight?]

Mia was a cold, talented singer, who was popular from the moment she debuted and had stayed that way. She had high popularity and a great public image, totally different from someone like me, a controversial celebrity.

The comments were going crazy, practically ecstatic.

[Ahhh, if only Jonathan were here right now, I want to see Tamara's reaction when she sees him.]

[Me too. Just thinking about it is enough to make me cringe and laugh.]

These comments had a reason. When I was young and naive three years ago, I drew fan art of her and Jonathan.

They were a cool singer and a badboy rapper. I was all about shipping them back then, cranking out fan art like crazy.

Now it had backfired.

[OMG, isn't that Jonathan getting out of the car over there?]

[Damn, I love it, bring the camera closer.]

Mia had just nodded at me politely when Jonathan got out of another car.

We stood there, six eyes meeting.

The comments started going wild.

[Ahhh, my toes are curling with embarrassment; I can't even look.]

[I wonder how Tamara feels right now.]

"How do I feel?" I thought.

I took a deep breath, my retirement funds waving at me from afar. I told myself to hang in there.

"Hi." Jonathan greeted us.

I said, "No need to say hi to me.

"I'm not human; I'm a rare coconut from the coconut tree."

I winked at both of them, grabbed my suitcase, and walked off swaying.

It was either explode in silence or die in silence.

Either way, after this job, I was done. After being scolded for so many years, who cared if my standards dropped a little?

Sure enough, that day, I shot up the trending list, and I got scolded once again.

I opened the door and saw Heath sitting inside.

[Holy cow, it's Heath Osborne.]

[He's so handsome.]

"Lol, I remember Tamara drew him once.]

[Hehe, I've still got that saved.]

[Hey ladies. My friend wants to see it too.]

[Don't you guys ever quit? Spreading that stuff is illegal.]

[How come Tamara isn't in jail yet?]

[I reported her. You're welcome.]

I started to consider going over to beg for his forgiveness.

The main victim seemed calm, so maybe he'd forgive me.

I tried to recall what I'd drawn back then. All I remembered was his killer sixpack.

And those pecs too.

"Tamara? Why are you standing in the doorway?" Earlene came out of the bathroom.

She was surprised.

She was a child star turned sweetheart actress. We were total opposites.

I smiled awkwardly and lugged my heavy suitcase to the farthest corner.

"Aw, Tamara, isn't that heavy? Didn't anyone help you? Heath carried mine," Earlene cooed.

"These guys, I swear."

She giggled and said to him, "Heath, go help Tamara with her suitcase."

[Wow, Earlene is scoring big!]

[Earlene is so kind, even willing to help Tamara!]

[So sweet. Turns out Heath only helped Earlene with her luggage!]

[The matchmaker is here. Everyone makes way.]

Heath glanced at me and stood up.

I panicked as he strode over purposefully.

"No need, I've got it," I said.

But it was too late.

He effortlessly picked up my suitcase, his muscular arms on full display in his short sleeves.

I couldn't help but notice how perfect they still were.

I swore that it was just a glance.

But the chat caught my look.

[Tamara: I'm watching, and I'm drawing.]

[The previous comment made me laugh so hard. It's so obvious with just one glance!]

[The whole internet is waiting for her new drawing.]

[Tamara is at it again! I can't believe I'm shipping this.]

[Tsk, you people trying to ride the wave. Aren't you annoying?]

[Exactly, who would want to be tied to Tamara?]

[The ones shipping this aren't worried about breaking their teeth, huh? Can't you see who Heath likes more?]

The comment section was in chaos.

I thanked him as he set my bag down.

True to his reputation, he just hummed in response and stood there silently.

Watching Earlene chat him up, I realized something.

I'd just been roped into their publicity stunt. Sneaky.

When everyone arrived, we did icebreakers, taking turns to share impressions of each other. It was corny, but I kept smiling.

Most people were polite strangers, piling on fake compliments.

When it was Earlene's turn, I knew she'd ham it up.

"Should I talk about my first impression of Heath from the show, or from when we first met?" she asked coyly.

The audience went wild speculating about their relationship.

[Yo, Earlene and Heath have such a natural advantage!]

[Wild guess: Heath only joined to confess to Earlene.]

[Just a little couple's trick.]

Not expecting her question, the staff members picked the former, probably for drama.

She smiled even more brightly and shyly said, "Since we're just getting to know each other, well, in my impression, Heath is a gentleman—handsome and gentle."

The comments began to flood in, mostly praising how cute it was and shipping the couple, completely ignoring the other protagonist sitting far away, who hadn't said a word.

When it was my turn, all eyes were on me.

I raised my head bravely and quipped, "Sorry, I have amnesia. I can't remember who my darling is."

[Is Tamara losing it?]

[Haha, this is funny.]

[[I'm your darling, Tamara,]

[Get out of the entertainment industry, you fameseeking monster!]

Finally, it was Heath's turn. He sat there coolly, fingers tapping the table as he smoothly complimented everyone but Earlene and me.

The chat was on the edge of their seats, expecting a big confession. [Confess!]

[If those two aren't involved, I'll wash my hair while standing on my head!]

[I have a feeling Heath is about to do something big—could he be about to confess on the spot?]

[Take Heath away, we're going to be the only ones shining!]

[Can the antifans open their eyes and take a look?]

[Stop arguing! He's about to say something!]

He smiled warmly and said, "Earlene is a former costar. As for Tamara..."

He paused dramatically, then casually dropped, "She's my oneinamillion darling."

The chat went berserk. I was shocked.

That was how we ended up together.