Having freshened up and slipped into a fresh outfit, Felix strolled leisurely through the gardens. A glass of chilled Merlot swirled in his hand, its ruby red depths reflecting the setting sun. As he passed the gurgling water fountain, he spotted Audrey perched alone on a bench, savouring a pomegranate. Hesitation flickered across his face before he strode over to join her.
Audrey sensed his presence but kept savouring the juicy pomegranate before finally turning to face Felix, who was silently staring at her. Felix knew his sister well enough to recognise when something was bothering her. Taking a sip from his wine glass, he spoke in a soothing voice, 'My beautiful sister, you've never been one to stay quiet unless something is troubling you. Perhaps the guys you met at the mall today all had a crush on you. It's settled then. You can choose any one of them as your escort.'
Audrey grunted in response and stood up, ready to leave.
Felix didn't try to stop her but leisurely turned around, observing her retreating figure. With a smirk on his lips, he added, 'And that man could have been the one who caught you when you were about to fall.'
Audrey froze in her tracks, but she didn't turn to face him. Instead, she wondered how Felix knew about the incident.
Felix raised his glass to his lips and took another sip, wearing his most charming smile that could melt anyone's heart. 'When you were about to fall,' he continued, facing her back, 'like a scene straight out of a romance novel, he appeared out of thin air to save you. If you're wondering how I found out, well, I guess your thinking is a bit naive. Gossip travels fast, especially now that everyone is looking for scoops to write and share.'
Audrey stood there for a moment, processing his words before slowly turning to face him.
Felix smiled, swirling the wine glass in his hand. 'Don't worry, I've got your back,' he assured her.
Audrey smiled, understanding his meaning behind those words.
'I picked up flowers for Chioma,' Felix said after a brief pause. 'Think she'll like them?'
'Without a doubt,' Audrey replied.
'Would you mind delivering them?' he asked.
'I'd love to, but I have classes on Monday. Maybe Peter could help? I don't know where she lives, otherwise, I'd drop them off myself tomorrow. However, I have a pool party to attend tomorrow evening. One of my coursemates invited me, and I can't turn down her request. It's her birthday so I should go,' Audrey explained.
Felix let out a sigh and nodded, understanding her situation.
As Felix turned to leave, Audrey pulled out her phone and began to scroll through the notifications. She saw that the internet had already exploded with the hashtag #AudreyTakesATumble, accompanied by memes and mock headlines painting the near-fall as a fashion faux pas of epic proportions. News outlets, particularly those focused on entertainment and fashion, were quick to pick up on the incident, and articles were already live. Headlines like 'Audrey's Almost-Ascension: Saved by a Stranger in a Shopping Stumble!' were splashed across her screen, each one vying for her attention. Scrolling through the endless feed, Audrey realised the watchful eyes of social media hadn't missed a beat. They had dissected the incident, adding their own sensational spin to attract clicks and shares.
Browsing Naija Now, a popular Nigerian-owned magazine, she saw a photo of herself mid-stumble, caught just as Daniel's arm reached out to steady her. The headline screamed: 'Audrey's Almost-Ascension: Saved by a Stranger in a Shopping Stumble!' The article offered a dramatic retelling of the incident, complete with eyewitness accounts and a detailed analysis of Audrey's near-disaster.
'An almost-ascension?' Audrey scoffed. 'It was a minor misstep, not a religious experience.'
Next, she checked The Lagos Ledger, another Nigerian-owned publication, which had already published an in-depth feature. Their coverage included a single, artfully shot image of Audrey's hand, perfectly manicured and adorned with a diamond bracelet, gripping the railing of the staircase. The text, 'A Misstep or a Mastermind? Decoding Audrey's Fall from Grace and the Stairs,' promised a deeper look at the incident, questioning whether it was a genuine misstep or a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt.
The Lagos Ledger's highbrow approach, questioning her motives, was even more irritating.
'A masterminded fall? Are they implying I orchestrated this whole thing just for publicity? Give me a break,' she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes.
Moving on, she clicked on Buzz Nigeria, a Nigerian-owned digital media outlet, which had quickly jumped on the trending topic. Their feature showcased a cartoon Audrey, clinging to a shopping bag for dear life, with Daniel transformed into a superhero swooping in to save her. The caption, 'Whoops-a-Daisy, Audrey! Even Diamonds Can't Prevent a Tumble! #AudreyTakesATumble,' offered a lighthearted take on the situation, sure to go viral among social media users.
She also saw an article on TMZ, the American celebrity news website, which had already posted a sensational headline: 'Nigerian Heiress Audrey's Shopping Trip Turns into a Near-Disaster!' accompanied by a video clip of the incident, which was racking up thousands of views.
'Seriously? This is what international media thinks of me?' A pang of frustration shot through her. All this focus on the fall, the dramatic narratives, the memes – none of it captured who she truly was. Finally, she scrolled through Vogue, the renowned international fashion magazine. They had published an editorial on Audrey's style, with a focus on her resilience and grace under pressure. Their headline read, 'Grace Under Pressure: Audrey's Chic Recovery from a Fashion Faux Pas.'
Then, a small smile played across her lips. Underneath Vogue's article praising her 'chic recovery,' a comment caught her eye: 'More impressed by the mystery guy who saved the day! #FindTheSuperhero.'
A warmth spread through her chest. Amidst the noise, there was genuine curiosity about the person who helped her. Maybe it was fate that brought them together. A memory sparked in Audrey's mind. Daniel. That was the name of the charming stranger who had saved her. She knew how to find him, and it seemed Audrey was already starting to fall in love with her 'superhero.'
With each click and share, the incident became a social media spectacle. Even a near-fall on the grand staircase couldn't keep Audrey out of the headlines. But then, Audrey wasn't the type to mind. She was more engrossed with the superhero who had saved her from a fall. She shut her phone with a sigh. This social media storm wasn't going away any time soon. But she, Audrey, wouldn't be just a character in their stories. She would take control of the narrative, find her 'superhero,' and rewrite the ending.