The Mayor's Star

CHAPTER TWO

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bells rock.

Jonard opened his eyes and groaned. He grabbed his phone on the bedside table and answered the call half awake.

"Jo!" Max yelled. Jonard flinched at his voice and yawned.

"Max, why the heck did you change my ringtone again? You know I hate the holiday season," he firmly said.

"Jo, that's not important right now. F*ck, wait for me there, and whatever happens, do not open the television or any of your social media accounts!" Max said and ended the call.

Confused as to why Max was panicking, Jonard put the phone down and looked around him. To which he noticed that he was alone in the room and Carlo was nowhere to be found.

"Love?" he called, but no one answered. Jonard grabbed his shorts and wore them as he stood. He exited the room to look for his lover, but Carlo was nowhere to be found. There were also no notes or texts to be found. Jonard's brows furrowed.

"Where the h*ll are you?" he said.

Jonard returned to their room, his feet dragging him to the closet. When he opened it, some of Carlo's clothes were missing, also one of his suitcases. Jonard had a gut feeling that something was wrong.

After checking their joint account, Jonard sat down on the bed, feeling disheartened, and stared at her phone. All of the money in their joint account was withdrawn.

"What is happening?" he asked himself while trembling.

The door dinged and burst open, and Max entered.

"Jo? Where are you?" he yelled.

"In here," Jonard replied dejectedly. Max hurriedly went inside the room and saw Jonard on the bed.

"Jo..."

"Max, my money's gone," he said and looked at Max, eyes watering. "And Carlo's gone too," he added.

"Oh f*cking h*ll! I'm f*cking right with that guy!" Max yelled, frustrated. Jonard's tears fell from his eyes as he continued to call Carlo, but he wasn't answering.

"Jo, I need to tell you something," Max said and kneeled in front of him. "Jo, we will fix this together, okay?" he added. Jonard looked at him.

"Max, what are you talking about?" Jonard said. Max was about to talk, but his phone rang, and Jonard saw it was his agency calling.

"Please, just give me a few more minutes. I am talking to him," Max said. Jonard stood up and turned the television on before Max could stop him.

Speculation surrounds rising star Jonard Brooks amid an alleged leaked video.

A recent controversy has emerged surrounding rising star Jonard Brooks after claims of a leaked intimate video surfaced online. The video has sparked widespread discussion, with many questioning its authenticity and speculating about Brooks' personal life.

While some rumors suggest the video reveals details about Brooks’ sexuality, the actor has not yet addressed the allegations publicly. Fans have flooded his social media accounts seeking an explanation.

Jonard slowly turned towards Max, his heart beating loudly in his chest. Max was calling for his name, but Jonard totally blacked out. His legs gave out, and he sat on the floor, sobbing really hard.

"Jo," Max called, his tone worried.

"Max...what is happening?" he asked, trembling. Why was his face all over the news?

"Oh, Jo," Max said and embraced his friend. Before Max became his manager, he was Jonard's friend. It also hurt him to see Jonard this way. He felt both heartbroken and humiliated.

"It's him, right? It's Carlo!" Jonard yelled. "He did not only steal my money but also took a video of us having s*x without my permission?! How dare he!" he added in anger. His chest rose and fell. Jonard built his career for years, and he did not expect it to crumble so fast. He is just beginning his dream career!

"Jo, we will file a case against that b*stard!" Max angrily said. "That f*cking douchebag!" he added.

"Max, what about the damages?" Jonard asked, tears falling from his eyes. Max bit his bottom lip and let go of him.

"Some of the major brands have pulled out their sponsorship. You know how the society thinks and feels about us," Max said, his tone sad and apologetic.

"And what about the drama series with Director Chan?" Jonard asked.

"It was tagged as hiatus," Max answered. Jonard closed his eyes, feeling hundreds of knives stabbed through him.

"Don't worry, Jo. We will get everything back. Let's just talk to your agency first, okay?" Max said.

"I feel like puking, Max. I have no face to show them," Jonard said, gasping for breath. "I... I don't know what I did to make him betray me... I feel disgusted," he added, hands trembling and stuttering.

"Jo..." Jonard looked at his manager and sobbed.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you, Max. I should have listened," he said. Max pitied Jonard, as he didn't deserve all of this. There’s nothing wrong with them being different from societal norms, yet they are unfairly persecuted and met with hatred.

"Shh, hush now, Jo. We will fight for this," Max said.

An hour later, Jonard, with cap and facemask on, went out of his penthouse, following Max closely. Reporters have rallied outside of the building, likely waiting for Jonard to go out.

"We will be using the other exit," Max said as he was talking with someone on the phone. "Have the guards ready. He's still the agency's actor. This is a must!" he added seriously.

Max grabbed Jonard and led him toward the opposite exit, but the reporter caught on and quickly headed for the other side. Acting swiftly, Max pushed Jonard into the car and shut the door. Jonard wasted no time and immediately locked it.

The reporters stood outside the car, shouting their questions at Jonard.

"Jonard, what are your thoughts on the leaked videos of you and your non-celebrity partner?"

"Jonard! Several brands have withdrawn their support for you. What’s your reaction to this?"

"Is this why you keep rejecting Gwen?"

Max went inside the front seat and cursed while he glared at the reporters outside.

"These f*cking reporters," he said, shaking his head. "Jo, are you alright in there?" he added and looked at Jonard through the rearview mirror. Jonard nodded, and Max ordered the driver to drive.

They arrived at Jonard's agency, Sparkle Stars Entertainment. Max looked around him before opening the door for Jonard. He quickly pulled the actor out and went inside the building.

"Jo, let me talk to them, okay?" Max said. Jonard nodded absentmindedly.

Inside the boardroom, the tension was suffocating. Mr. Soriano, the agency head, glared at Max and Jonard.

"Max, this leaked video is everywhere. Do you have any idea what kind of damage this is doing to us? To him?" he said, his voice sharp and cold.

Max met his gaze, steady but visibly tired. He too was worried about Jo and everything he worked hard for.

"I know, sir. But abandoning Jonard now isn’t the answer. He’s our biggest star. We need to take control of this before it spirals further," he said.

"Control? The brands are pulling out, and the media is eating this up. What’s your plan, Max? You know our society doesn't easily accept... excuse me for the word...gays," Mr. Soriano said, almost making Max curse loudly.

"Sir, Jonard's an exceptional actor. His s****l orientation isn't the problem here; the people's thinking is," he said, which made the whole boardroom silent. Jonard, with his teary eyes, looked at his manager, and Max smiled at him. Mr. Soriano cleared his throat and crossed his arms.

"Fine. Draft the statement. But if this backfires, it’s on you," Mr. Soriano replied. Max nodded.

"Don’t worry, sir," Max said quietly. "We’ll get through this," he added and looked at Jonard determinedly. Max was hoping to save Jonard's career and future because Jonard does not deserve any of what is happening.