Congratulations, You’re the Internet’s Favorite Disaster

Eliana's POV

My phone buzzed like it was trying to ruin my life on purpose.

I groaned, reached for it, and blinked blearily at the screen.

[100+ Messages] — Group Chat: "Eliana You Went Viral 😱"

Viral?!

I tapped the link with shaking fingers.

The video started playing—Me.

At the café.

Dramatic fake crying.

The water splash.

A full-blown, telenovela-worthy performance.

"Oh no… No. No no no…"

I covered my face with both hands.

I knew this was a disaster, but now it's official.

The internet agrees: I am the Main Character of this week's drama.

The universe had crowned me as this week's main character, and not in a good way.

Full panic mode activated.

I shot out of bed, bolted toward the door—

—and missed the stairs completely.

Boom. Crash. Ouch.

Hendrix's POV

I sat in my office, watching the now-viral video on loop.

Again.

And again.

No matter how many times I watched it, I still couldn't believe it was all… an act.

Eliana looked like a woman completely betrayed by love.

She cried like she meant it.

Fought like she meant it.

Loved like she meant it.

Did she even know someone was recording her?

Whoever filmed it was behind me. The camera only caught her face—furious, glowing, unforgettable.

Now it was everywhere. And this might be a huge problem… for her.

I was still staring at the screen when the door opened.

"Mom?"

I blinked, startled.

My mother stood in the doorway, suitcase by her side, arms crossed like she was about to interrogate a criminal.

"I thought you were coming in two months," I said, confused.

"I wanted to surprise you," she said, walking in. "But instead—you surprised me.

"She held up her phone.

The video.

Oh. Great.

"No, Mom, wait—"

"Don't try to lie to me, Hen."

Her voice was sharp.

"You're my son. I could recognize you even from behind. And that outfit?"

She pointed accusingly.

"I picked that shirt for your date, remember?"

…Busted.

I ran a hand through my hair.

"Okay, yes, it's me in the video. But it's not what you think."

"Oh, really?" Her eyes lit up.

"Then explain why you're publicly confessing your love to a pregnant woman—in a café."

"She's not pregnant," I muttered.

My mom gasped. "You mean she already gave birth?!"

"No—Mom!" I groaned.

"She's not pregnant at all. And she's not my girlfriend either."

"But in the video—"

"I know, I know!" I cut in.

"I said all that stuff because I was trying to get out of a blind date. I didn't expect her to show up and—pretend to be my girlfriend."

Mom narrowed her eyes. "So… you're telling me a total stranger showed up and you just rolled with it?"

"She's not a stranger," I said slowly.

Mom tilted her head. "You've never mentioned her before."

There was a pause.

She waited. I hesitated.

Her brows rose. "You've never mentioned her before."

There was a pause.

She looked at me. I hesitated.

Then she crossed her arms. "You're hiding something."

I swallowed.

I wanted to tell her.

Tell her how long I've known Eliana.

Tell her that she knows Eliana too.

Tell her about the past.

About everything we left behind.

But if I told her who Eliana really was…

She might remember.

Everything.

All the things we both tried so hard to bury.

I looked down for a second—then back at her.

"I'll tell you everything, Mom," I said.

" I finally said. "Just… give me a little time."