At home, Mia sat on the couch, phone in hand, eyes glued to the TV screen.
— This is a joke! she exclaimed, exasperated.
— They're harassing him live, added Rose, outraged.
Mia clenched her fists. She knew Cid. He never responded to attacks, but that didn't mean he didn't suffer.
— Fight back... Answer them, Cid... she murmured inwardly.
On the set, Cid remained calm, mastering his answers until a journalist asked a question that made his mask waver.
— Some think you're just a pretty face without talent, that your success is only due to your appearance. What do you say to that?
Silence fell in the room.
A dull rage rose within Cid. He wanted to explode, to scream that they knew nothing about him. But a voice echoed in his memory.
"Why do you let them do this? Why do you let them trample you? Even if it doesn't hurt you... it hurts me."
Mia...
He raised his eyes and, for the first time, fixed his detractors with determination.
— Tell me... Who are you to decide my worth?
The journalists froze.
— You don't know me. You only see what you want to see. You don't try to understand who I really am. You base your opinions on rumors, assumptions. But I know who I am. And I don't need your validation.
A stunned silence preceded a wave of applause.
At Mia and Rose's home, it was euphoria.
— OH MY GOD! screamed Rose, jumping on the couch. He did it! He put those idiots in their place!
— It's incredible... murmured Mia, her heart pounding.
Rose grabbed her phone and showed it to Mia.
— Look, Mia! He's going viral!
On the screen, the host smiled, impressed.
— Cid, this is the first time we've seen you express yourself like this. What pushed you to speak today?
Cid chuckled slightly before replying:
— Let's just say a friend reminded me of something important.
The word friend was emphasized, which didn't fail to make the audience react.
— A friend, huh? And who is this friend? asked the host with a sly smile.
— Just someone I appreciate a lot.
— Oh? How much?
Cid hesitated a second, then said sincerely:
— Enough to risk my life for her.
A scream echoed through the house.
— WHAAAAT?! yelled Rose, running around.
Mia, meanwhile, remained frozen, bright red.
— He... he's just grateful... she stammered.
Rose collapsed, laughing.
— Oh Mia, you're hopeless.