The lights in the sitting room seemed to grow brighter as the interviewers leaned in, their eyes fixed on Ray. One of them, a woman with a sharp jawline and piercing gaze, took the seat and spoke up. “Mr. Raymond, can you tell us about the chaos on the internet? What do you have to say about the allegations?”
Ray was looking different since we parted ways this afternoon, he is looking more business like and more serious, he had a black suit and waistcoat on, with tie to complement it, his hair perfectly styled. Did he dress up just for an interview ? Well he certainly doesn’t need it, he looks perfect even without putting in any effort.
Ray’s expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. He cleared his throat before speaking, his voice measured. “Firstly, I want to apologize to everyone affected by this situation. I understand that my personal life has caused concern, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”
The woman interviewer raised an eyebrow. “Sorry? That’s all you have to say?”
Ray’s expression remained calm, but his voice took on a hint of steel. “I’m willing to cooperate fully and answer any questions you may have. However, I must remind you that my personal life is just that personal.”
The interviewer smirked. “Well, Mr. Raymond, it seems your personal life has become very public. Care to explain the videos and pictures with Nora Grey?”
Ray’s eyes flickered, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of anger. But he quickly regained his composure. “I’ll say this: people are trying to tarnish my name. I’m a widowed man, and I’m entitled to live my life as I see fit.”
The interviewer leaned in, her voice taking on a confrontational tone. “So, you’re saying the videos and pictures are fake? Photo-shopped, perhaps?”
Ray’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with irritation. “I didn’t say that. I said someone is interfering with my personal life. I’m not going to dignify these allegations with a response.”
The tension in the room grew thicker, the air heavy with unspoken accusations. The interviewer pressed on, her voice relentless. “Well, there are also rumors that Nora Grey was in a relationship with your son, Jake. Care to comment on that?”
Ray’s expression turned glacial, his eyes freezing over. “I wasn’t aware of any relationship between Nora and my son. And even if there was, I fail to see how that’s relevant to this conversation.”
The interviewer smiled, a cold, calculating smile. “Oh, it’s relevant, Mr. Raymond. It’s very relevant. You see, people are starting to wonder if the McLaren family shares partners. After all, you’re all young and healthy…”
I felt a surge of anger at her insinuation, but Ray remained calm, his voice dripping with disdain. “That’s a disgusting suggestion. I won’t dignify it with a response.”
The interviewer leaned back, a triumphant look on her face. “Well, Mr. Raymond, it seems we’ve reached the end of our questions. Thank you for your time.”
Ray stood, his movements economical and precise. “Thank you. I’m glad I could clarify things.”
As the interviewer stood up to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Ray’s reputation was still on shaky ground, and I wondered what other questions will be posed at him, this interviewer seemed too bold, for some reason I believed she was specifically asked to infuriate him.
The interviewer’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Mr. Raymond, one more thing. Can you tell us about your relationship with Nora Grey? How did you meet her?”
Ray’s expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I met Nora at a club. We struck up a conversation, and… that’s it.”
The interviewer raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? You expect us to believe that?”
Ray’s voice turned cold. “I don’t expect you to believe anything. I’m simply telling you the truth.”
The interviewer smirked. “Well, Mr. Raymond, it seems we’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.”
As the interviewers left, another one stepped up.
Interviewer: “So, Mr. Raymond, you met Nora Grey in a club and you expect us to believe that’s the entirety of your relationship?”
Ray: “Yes, that’s the truth. We met, struck up a conversation, and that’s it.”
Interviewer: “So, you’re trying to say that Nora Grey, a young woman, goes around clubs, meeting total strangers, and getting involved with them? Is that the kind of person she is?”
Ray: “I’m not making any assumptions about Nora’s character. I’m simply stating the facts of how we met.”
Interviewer: “Facts? Really? Because it seems to me that you’re trying to downplay the situation. You’re a wealthy, influential man, and Nora Grey is… well, she’s not. It’s convenient that you met in a club, isn’t it?”
Ray: “I don’t see what you’re insinuating. We met, we talked, and that’s it. There’s no hidden agenda here.”
Interviewer: “No hidden agenda? Really? Because it seems to me that you’re trying to protect your reputation at all costs. You’re not willing to admit the truth about your relationship with Nora Grey.”
Ray: “I am telling the truth. I’m not going to engage in speculation or rumors. I’m simply stating the facts.”
Interviewer: “Facts? You call that a fact? We have pictures, videos, and testimony from multiple sources that suggest otherwise. Are you saying they’re all lying?”
Ray: “I’m saying that my personal life is my own, and I won’t be bullied into admitting something that’s not true. And moreover you’re being to bold, you should know your place.” Ray said his tone rising a bit.
The interviewer’s eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical.
Interviewer: “My apologies. Mr. Raymond, we have pictures of Nora Grey dating your son, Jake. Care to explain please?”
Ray: “I… I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t aware of any relationship between them.” Ray said trying to be calm.
Interviewer: “Not aware? Really? Because these pictures suggest otherwise.” The camera turned to the screen where she showed pictures of I and Jake when we were still in a relationship,”You see, Mr. Raymond, it looks like Nora Grey was in a relationship with your son, and now she’s with you. What do you have to say about that?”
Ray: “I… I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know about their relationship.”
Interviewer: “Didn’t know? Or didn’t want to know? It seems to me that Nora Grey has a habit of dating wealthy, influential men. First, your son, and now you. What do you think about that?” From the look of it the interviewer is trying to gain Ray’s favour by turning the tides on me.
At that point someone came up requesting to speak to Ray and they had to go in for a short break.
I recall the face of the person cause he happened to be in the parking lot earlier today.
The tension in the sitting room as become even more intense and for some reason I think my fate lies on this interview. But why is he the one on the screen and not Jake, I still find it difficult to understand that aspect.
The advert was over and the interview came up again, this time Ray was looking more composed.
Interviewer: “Shall we continue ?”
Ray : “Yes sure.”
Interviewer: ” So Mr Ray, please tell us…”
Ray: “As everyone is aware, I haven’t been in town for quite some time, so there was no means for me to know she was in a relationship with my son, I met a young beautiful lady in a club and we moved on from there…”
Interviewer: “So you’re saying Miss Nora wasn’t aware you’re her boyfriends father ?”
Ray : “How will I know that, I can only speak for myself.”
Wait what ? He could have defended me but he choose not to.. Why ?
Interviewer: “So you mean to say she’s aware ?”
Ray: “Probably.”
Interviewer: “And what can you say about people’s opinion on you going out with a random stranger in the first place ?”
Ray: “A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinion of the sheeps, my personal life is my personal life, and I won’t be receiving any more questions.” He said, and stood up immediately, leaving the interview room with large strides.
“This is the man you claimed will defend you, this man that is trying to protect himself his company and his son by all means. They literally just called you a whore on national TV..” My Dad shouted, as he angrily left the sitting room.
All I could do was cry, he literally gave me his word that he’ll sort everything out, but he couldn’t even defend me, the least he could do was tell everyone the truth.
Jessica who was still seated close to me rubbed on my back lightly to console me.
“At least no one will blame me anymore,” Emma said, flinging her hair as she left the sitting room.
“I really don’t know what to say to you Nora, you’ve brought disgrace to this family.” My step mom who has been quite ever since spoke up. “I’m really disappointed in you,” she said before leaving the room.