The moment i stepped onto the stage, the cheers were deafening.
The giant LED screen behind me read LUEUR FRAGRANCE LAUNCH in sweeping gold script.
I waved, smiling for the cameras, the flashes stinging my eyes.
Beside me, Mr. Lim beamed like a proud father. He gave me a slight nod as if to say, You've got this.
I was in my element. Actress. Star. Brand ambassador.
"Let's all welcome our newest face for Lueur Fragrance, Miss Claudia Araneta!" the host declared, voice booming across the mall atrium.
The applause swelled even louder.
I took the microphone, striking my practiced pose, back straight, chin lifted just enough to look regal but approachable.
"Thank you for coming," I said, my voice smooth, warm. "I'm so honored to represent Lueur Fragrance. It's a brand that celebrates elegance and individuality, and I can't wait for you all to experience it."
It was going well.
Until the Q&A.
Until her.
A reporter i'd seen before, the one who liked fishing for dirt.
She raised her hand with that too-sweet smile.
"Claudia," she called. "You look stunning. I was wondering, could you describe for us the exact scent of the perfume you're holding? What does it smell like to you?"
The question sliced through me.
My fingers tightened around the bottle.
What does it smell like?
I stared at the flacon in my hand, its clear glass refracting the bright stage lights.
The world seemed to blur at the edges.
I didn't smell anything.
My mouth went dry.
I swallowed.
Say something. Anything.
But my mind was blank.
Seconds dragged on.
The crowd fell into a curious hush.
I felt heat creeping up my neck, panic clawing at my ribs.
I forced myself to inhale shakily, trying to steady my voice.
Then i lowered the mic a little and admitted,
"I'm sorry. I… can't actually smell it myself."
Gasps. Murmurs.
Mr. Lim's smile faltered.
The host blinked, thrown off.
I clenched my fist around the bottle.
"I don't have sense of smell, since birth" I said, voice cracking just slightly. "So i can't describe it to you the way most people would."
The reporter raised an eyebrow. "Then how do you know it's any good?"
I held my ground, even though my heart pounded so loudly i could barely hear.
"I rely on touch," I said quietly, voice steadier now. "I hold it. I watch the notes being blended. I trust the experts. The people i work with describe it for me. And even if i can't smell it myself, I know it's beautiful. Because i see how people react. I see how it makes them feel."
Silence.
Some unimpressed faces in the crowd.
Phones filming.
One more harsh question, this time shouted.
"Isn't that misleading? A brand ambassador who can't even smell the perfume?"
I bit my lip.
But the host quickly jumped in, changing the subject, thanking everyone for coming, ushering the next segment along.
The music rose, swallowing the tension.
I handed the mic back with shaking fingers.
We got through it.
Barely.
The photos looked perfect.
But i knew the videos would tell a different story.
—
I got home late that night, exhausted.
The condo was quiet. Raphael wasn't home yet.
I kicked off my heels, dropped my bag, and sank onto the couch.
My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
I unlocked it.
Hundreds of notifications.
Articles.
Clips from the launch.
Comments.
"How can she sell perfume when she can't smell?"
"Fake ambassador."
"Just another pretty face."
"The brand deserves better."
My throat tightened.
I scrolled and scrolled, each post worse than the last.
My manager called.
"Claudia." Her voice was tight. "We're getting a lot of heat. Mr. Lim's team is calling for an emergency meeting tomorrow. I don't know how to spin this."
I covered my eyes with my hand. "I'm sorry."
"We need to figure out what to do. Fast."
"I'll fix it," I whispered.
"Just, try to rest tonight. We'll talk tomorrow."
She hung up.
I dropped the phone onto the coffee table and buried my face in my hands.
Hot tears spilled over.
I hated crying like this.
Ugly, broken sobs that made my shoulders shake.
I'm an actress.
I'm supposed to be perfect.
Sell the dream. Be untouchable.
But i wasn't.
Not even close.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.
Then i picked up my phone again.
My fingers trembled as i opened the app.
LIVE.
I tapped it.
The comments flooded in immediately.
I inhaled sharply.
"Hi," I croaked.
Thousands watching.
I swallowed, voice shaking.
"I want to be honest with you all," I said. "I know you're all talking about the mall show. About how i couldn't describe the scent."
Pause. Deep breath.
"It's true. I can't smell it and i didn't want to hide it anymore. I thought i could be upfront about it, but i know a lot of you feel lied to. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry."
The comments kept streaming.
Some sympathetic.
But most harsh.
"Then why even be a perfume ambassador?"
"Such a fraud."
"Cry harder."
I felt another sob choke me.
"I just, I just wanted to do it anyway," I whispered. "I wanted to prove k could. Even if i can't smell. I thought… I thought that was enough."
My voice cracked completely.
"I'm sorry to the brand. Sorry to Mr. Lim. Sorry to all of you. I shouldn't have pretended o could answer that question. I just froze. I'm sorry."
I ended the live abruptly, the screen going black.
I threw the phone aside and curled up on the couch, hugging my knees to my chest.
My eyes burned.
My chest hurt.
This is it. My career. Over.
All because i tried.
I didn't hear the door open.
Didn't hear him come in.
But i felt the couch dip beside me.
Strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me close.
I flinched at first, but then i realized who it was.
Raphael.
He didn't say anything at first.
Just held me as i shook with quiet, miserable sobs.
Finally he spoke, voice low and hoarse.
"Stop reading them."
I tried to pull away, but he held me tighter.
"Claudia," he said firmly. "Look at me."
I sniffled, turning slowly.
His eyes were so damn sad.
For me.
"Don't you dare apologize for being honest," he whispered.
"I ruined everything," I choked out.
"No. You told the truth. You were brave."
I let out another sob. "They hate me. Everyone hates me."
He shook his head, brushing my hair back.
"I don't."
I buried my face in his chest, crying harder.
He held me like i was something fragile, like he was afraid I'd break apart.
And for the first time all day, I felt safe.