The Platonic Lie I Knew By Heart

When Rhett Maxwell won his Academy Award for Best Actor.

A headline instantly went viral: #RhettMaxwell:ThePlatonicIdeal?

The top comment read: Oh, please. Dont make Rhett laugh.

The accompanying photo was his notoriously predatory stare at his co-star, Stella Reed, during their press tour.

Even I was dragged back into the conversation, cornered by a reporter: "As the lead actress in Rhett Maxwells breakout series, do you think he's the Platonic Ideal?"

I hesitated, then gave a vague, harmless answer: "I... guess so. Hes a genuinely good person and always respectful of his colleagues."

For that, their fans flooded my social media with tens of thousands of hateful comments, calling me a D-lister riding coattails, clearly just jealous of their perfect romance.

Later, on a reality show, the question was inevitably brought up again by a host looking for a soundbite.

This time, I had the perfect, non-committal answer ready: "Oh, I really wouldn't know anything about that."

But Rhett slowly lifted his eyes, the corner of his mouth ticking up. "Whether I'm Platonic or not, you honestly don't know?"

#RhettMaxwell:ThePlatonicIdeal? The hashtag shot up the trending list.

The comments were a unified wall of mockery:

Oh, please. Dont make Rhett laugh.

Can we stop pushing this 'pure fantasy' narrative on our guy?

Rhett: 'Platonicwhat's that even look like?'

I bet Rhett is the type wholl romance you but never stop.

Lies. Hes the type who doesnt romance you and still wont stop!

My agent, Celia, expressionless, clicked on the second trending topic and shoved the phone in front of me.

I paused, slowly scrolling through the thread.

Im done. Rhetts eyes on Stella Reed practically screamed 'I want to devour you.' And people are still calling him Platonic??

Clearly some washed-up ex-cast member is jealous

I'm so disgusted. I actually shipped those two back when she was the lead in his very first show, the one he did at nineteen. Now I feel like I ate dirt.

That was years ago. Look at Rhetts status now.

That woman is going to be on the same reality show as our Rhella (Rhett + Stella) couple. I beg her not to interrupt their moment

She absolutely will. Shes going to try to stir up some 'old flame' drama.

"You have two options right now," Celia said, her voice tight with disapproval.

"You can either lean into the hate and ride the 'Black and Red' route, like theyre suggesting. Or, you can tuck your tail and fade into the background around Rhett Maxwell and Stella Reed. Minimize your existence."

I let out a soft "Mmm."

Celia ground her teeth. "Did you not think before you answered that reporter?"

I sighed. "What was I supposed to say? 'No, Rhett Maxwell is absolutely not Platonic'?"

She stared at me, speechless. "You say you don't know, you aren't sure, it's none of your business. Isn't that enough?"

I froze for a moment.

Right.

It was precisely because I knew the truth so clearly that a neutral answer hadn't even registered as an option. The first thing I reached for was a lie.

"Forget it," Celia waved a dismissive hand.

"Its the journalists looking for clicks who are the real problem."

Rhett Maxwells career had been on a meteoric rise since he was nineteen.

Now, he was an A-list star whose name was synonymous with box office gold.

But every time the media discussed his love life, I was inevitably dragged out.

He had always maintained easy, professional relationships with all his leading ladies.

Except for me.

The lead in his first series at nineteen, I was the one hed had a messy, public fallout with.

But as the years passed, even the lingering hatred had faded, leaving us as two strangers with a shared, distant, emotionally flat public history.

That was until Rhett and Stellas latest blockbuster hit the theaters.

They were electric on screennot lovers, but the connection between their characters was undeniable.

It had earned them a legion of passionate fans.

To capitalize on the buzz, they were appearing on a low-key, slice-of-life reality show.

And as luck would have it, Id been invited, too.

In the sprawling, high-end villa.

I sat quietly in a corner, waiting.

The room stirred when Rhett Maxwell and Stella Reed entered last, the undeniable main event.

Everyone stood to greet them, and I followed suit, but kept my mouth shut.

Stella, however, walked straight over to me, extending her hand.

"You must be June Hall, right? I've heard so much about you."

The atmosphere immediately stiffened into something awkward and forced.

I managed a slight smile. "Hello."

Rhett glanced over nonchalantly, then took a seat on the diagonally opposite side of the large living space.

He wouldn't acknowledge me, and I certainly wouldn't acknowledge him.

Stella gave a brief nod, then turned and sat down next to Rhett.

I clung to Celia's instructions.

Do not look at Rhett. If necessary, be a cheerleader for his and Stella's interactions, just to avoid being branded a jealous villain by the viewers.

One of the other actresses, who seemed to be close to Stella, gave me a saccharine smile.

"So, June, whats your best-known work?"

My best-known work?

I had a new series premiering in the fall, but it hadnt aired yet.

Before that

The breakout streaming show with Rhett seven years ago had amassed astonishing viewership.

Even after seven years of living and working abroad, I knew a lot of people still remembered my name because of it.

"Nothing, really," I said calmly.

Silence fell across the room.

I felt a heavy, weighted gaze land on me.

I smiled again, forcing a lightness. "I have a new series coming out this fall, but before that, I haven't really had a 'best-known' one."

I knew the script. The moment I mentioned Rhett Maxwells name or that old show, the fans would crucify me for trying to 'steal their thunder.'

Stella unconsciously glanced at Rhett. Seeing no reaction, she smiled brightly.

"Well definitely be sure to support it when it comes out."

"Thats very kind of you," I replied politely.

Stella didn't pursue the conversation, instead turning to Rhett to share a quiet word.

The other guests were already wearing that 'OMG, I'm watching a rom-com' expression.

The cameras were, as expected, locked on them.

I finally let out a silent breath, using the opportunity to discreetly study him.

Seven years on, Rhett hadn't changed much physically, but he carried a deeper sense of maturity.

Yet, that undercurrent of casual arrogance still defined his every move.

When he wasn't smiling, there was an aggressive edge around his eyes.

Like now.

I could tell instantly that he was in a genuinely terrible mood.

But Stella said something, and the tension around his jaw softened, just for a moment.

Stella was called 'Rhett Maxwells Perfect Leading Lady' for a reason.

She had that beautiful, delicate, 'white rabbit' quality. They certainly looked the part of Hollywoods golden couple.

I pulled my gaze away.

The first day of shooting felt like a success, for me anyway. Id survived.

But before the second day, I checked the comments for the first episode.

I am so over June Hall. Can she stop with the playing coy routine? Who doesnt know about that one show she did with Rhett?

Just trying to get Rhett's attention, obviously.

Honestly, no one cares.

LOL, June Hall trying to generate heat. Did you see the look Rhett gave her? Pure disgust and total annoyance.

He probably just knows his perfect little show is about to be ruined.

Thank God for our beautiful, sweet Stella for even bothering to talk to her.

...I had miscalculated.

I was still getting eviscerated.

I was invited by the director! I was there for the paycheck, the show was there for the ratings. I wasn't there to destroy their perfect celebrity romance!

Seeing the frustration harden on my face, Stella walked over.

Her voice was soft, but direct: "Since you left the industry, why did you decide to come back now?"

Her voice was just low enough for only the two of us to hear.

I paused, recognizing the sharp edge of her hostility.

I answered honestly. "Im not trying to take Rhett from you. Our history is actually pretty toxic."

Her smile faltered, her light-colored eyes fixed on mine.

"Take him?" she whispered.

"Honey, you flatter yourself."

She turned and walked away.

Watching her back, I met Rhett's eyes across the room.

He didn't look away. His dark, unwavering gaze swept over me.

It settled, completely empty of emotion.

Only when Stella spoke to him did he finally break the connection.

The theme for today's shoot:

The Cozy Villa Life: Truth or Dare.

I had a terrible feeling about this.

Sure enough, the game started.

Stella lost several times, and each time, she was asked about her first impression of Rhett, or funny anecdotes from their set.

I was starting to relax. My name probably wouldn't even come up.

Until Rhett lost.

One of the male actors chuckled. "Truth or Dare, Rhett?"

Rhett answered coolly, "Dare."

A low wave of excitement rippled through the room. He was the first to choose Dare.

The actor didn't make up a challenge; he drew a pre-written card.

[Choose one person of the opposite sex present and hold a stare for ten seconds.]

Everyone cheered.

I laughed along, until I realized Rhett was looking at me.

Me: "?"

The corner of his eye lifted, his gaze light and detached on my face.

I froze.

Just as his thin lips parted to speak.

I shot to my feet. "Excuse me, I need the ladies room. Sudden stomach ache."

I hurried out.

I knew he wouldn't actually pick me.

But my heart had skipped a beat, and I reacted entirely on instinct, needing to escape.

I returned ten minutes later.

They had moved through several more rounds, and I assumed Rhett and Stella had already done their ten-second stare.

I let out a shaky sigh.

Of course, the very next hand, I lost.

I immediately chose Truth. I couldn't risk some ridiculous Dare that would make me a spectacle.

The very next second.

The actress who was close to Stella smiled innocently. "So, June, about that interview you gave where you called Rhett 'Platonic'? Why exactly did you say that?"

Her curiosity was disarmingly fake.

I stiffened.

She was intentionally bringing up the thing that had gotten me publicly shamed, setting me up to be dragged through the mud again.

I stayed silent for a moment, then shook my head. "I was misquoted. I didn't clearly hear the word 'Platonic' and answered too quickly."

She wasn't letting up. "Well, you've heard it clearly now. What do you think?"

No one jumped in to save me. Even the camera crew nearby waited for my answer, hungry for the high drama and high ratings it would bring.

I gave them a smooth, objective, and utterly cold smile. "Regarding that, I really wouldn't know anything about it."

She scoffed, obviously disappointed.

The other guests who were hoping for some gossip also looked deflated.

Stella maintained a polite, placid smile, saying nothing.

Just as I let out a breath, believing the ordeal was over.

Rhett slowly lifted his eyes, settling on me.

"Whether I'm Platonic or not, you honestly don't know?"