Annabella’s Point of View:
“Hey Lee, nice to see you,” I said with a formal voice, trying to hide my discomfort.
Lee Eul stood up and walked towards me menacingly. “Baby, I have told you several times to address me informally,” he cried out, pouting his lips. He sat down beside me and held my hand.
I looked at him with an irritated expression and shook my head pitifully. Just looking at him acting cute disgusted me, but there was nothing I could do because I was stuck with him.
“Why were you calling me yesterday?” I inquired, as I remembered the numerous times my phone kept ringing during my shameful act.
“Well, I was scared you might get hurt,” he replied with a baby voice, pecking my cheeks. I stylishly shifted away from his side and cleaned his peck away from my cheeks.
“Scared my foot! If you were really scared, you wouldn’t have told your fans we were dating without my consent. Also, you had no right to compare me to your baby mamas.” I replied angrily as I remembered the way my fans kept bombarding me with questions.
“Well, we’re actually dating, and I thought it would be nice if I told them since you’re shy about us, and about the baby mama stuff, I’m sorry.” He replied and twisted his lips, giving me a guiltless expression.
“Dating,” I scoffed and shook my head hysterically. “We are……..”
“You guys should slow down with your lovely couple’s fight.” Rachel interrupted my sentence with her words. A mischievous grin was on her face as those words left her lips, and she winked at me. I knew she was trying to tease me, and I sighed in defeat.
“Sorry, Rachel, we will,” Lee Eul replied, grinning like a fool, and it irked me.
“Oh, come on! We are not a couple. It’s all fake, and you guys know.” I yelled at the top of my voice. I hated to be called his lover because he had numerous girlfriends and baby mamas.
“But you agreed to it,” Rachel quickly chipped in, looking at me with arched brows.
“Yes, I did! And I’m not saying no. All I’m trying to say is that we are both saving our reputation from being damaged, so stop acting like Lee and I are a real couple,” I explained curtly, giving it my best shot.
“I am literally saving you from the scandal you got yourself into. What do you have against me? Why can’t we date in real life?” Lee asked with raised brows and stood up from the couch.
“Firstly, you aren’t saving me from any scandal; we are saving ourselves. The rumor that you seduce young fans into sleeping with you is still going around. Also, I can’t date you in real life because we are very different. You are a playboy, and you have numerous mistresses, while I’m somehow a saint,” I explained, wincing like a child.
“A saint?” A scowl appeared on his face. “Your news is all over the internet. You excessively edit your photos to improve your physical appearance and to seduce those at the top in order to win an award. Yet you claim to be a saint. You are no saint, Annabella, you’re a sinner!” He sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.
My eyes widened in shock and indignation, and my face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “You know it’s not true.” I protested, my voice shaking. “Those photos were manipulated without my knowledge or consent. I’m a victim of sabotage, not some kind of deceitful seductress. I’m sure it was Pamlet; she badly wanted to win the model of the year award. When I got nominated, she was jealous; that might have driven her to sabotage me.” I explained, stood up, and took a step forward, my eyes blazing with anger.
“And even if I did it, what business is it of yours? You’re just a hypocrite, Lee. And we’re both here to save our public image from being tarnished. So please, let’s stay out of each other’s personal lives and focus on faking our relationship to gain the fans’ support. It’s my life, and I can choose to live it however I like,” I said, took a deep breath, and went back to the couch.
The bitter taste from earlier returned. And at that moment, I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I looked around the room, and thankfully, I spotted a refrigerator beside the couch. I quickly rushed to open it and took out a cold bottle of Malta. After gulping it down, I felt much better.
“You don’t have to be so furious; fine, I am sorry for anything I did wrong.” He apologized and sat down beside me again.
Rachel sat at her desk, watching the drama unfold before her eyes.
Sniff..’ Lee Eul sniffed my neck and furrowed his brows. “What were you up to last night?” He asked curiously.
Before I could yell at him to mind his business, he spotted a red hickey on my neck and stood up. He was taken aback and responded with a mischievous growl. I knew precisely what that growl meant, but I feigned innocence, regarding him with an awkward expression.
“What is it again? I’m exhausted! Yesterday’s concert took a lot out of me,” I remarked, sighing as I recalled the memories of my encounter with Adriel. His presence, despite his absence, continued to send shivers down my spine.
It was rumored that he came from a wealthy royal family, which had been in existence for centuries. I was genuinely frightened of him due to the disturbing rumors surrounding his actions.
At one point, a shocking rumor had spread widely, suggesting that he had killed one of the prime minister’s daughters. The child in question happened to be his ex-girlfriend, and the rumor claimed he had murdered her because she had cheated on him. I hadn’t paid much attention to the news, but during that period, I couldn’t help but follow the story for a month. It was revealed that the ex-girlfriend’s sister had confessed, explaining that she had discovered her sister’s diary. A few hours after the sister spoke out, her dead body was found by a pool, and the case was closed like it never existed.
…….
Back to the present:
“You are really something else! So you had intimacy with someone last night, and here you are blaming me for your misfortune,” Lee bemoaned, and clapped his hands.
“Ummm,” I sighed again; my mind was in turmoil, and I needed to calm my nerves. “Rachel.” I called my manager’s name softly.
“What is it, baby girl?” She asked and moved closer to me, her phone in her hand.
“Do you think Adriel is a wicked man?” I questioned curiously.
“Adriel? Who’s that?” Lee interjected, furrowing his brows. “Or wait. Is he your new boyfriend? Have you found another lover? Are you prepared for another round of heartbreak?” He inquired, his expression showing genuine concern.
I shook my head, understanding his worries. He feared that if I found a new lover, I might not be interested in our deal again.
“Which Adriel is that?” Rachel asked, ignoring Lee’s laments. “Is he an actor, model, singer, footballer, or an ambassador?” She asked curiously.
“Of course not! I’m talking about Adriel Lupa,” I scolded her and playfully shook my head, wondering why she would think so deeply.
“General Adriel?” Lee and Rachel were surprised. Lee tilted his head to face me as a deep frown settled on his face.
“Yes, General Adriel,” I confirmed, and I nodded my head.
“What business do you have with him? Or are you planning to engage in a romantic relationship with him, as you do with every man you meet?” Lee asked with bitterness in his voice, breaking into laughter.
I didn’t find his words amusing and hissed at him. “Get out right now!” I yelled at him; I was in a bad mood, needing rest, and his presence did nothing to improve my mood.
Lee was shocked. “What do you mean? You can’t send me out,” he shouted back at me.
“Why can’t I?” I inquired, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “It seems your ears are hurting. I asked you to get out of my studio.”
Lee raised his brows, looking at me and Rachel. Unable to bear his presence, I stood up and angrily left the studio. I took one of the cars from the garage and drove off to my house, passing a quiet road. Rachel and Lee didn’t bother to ask where I was going, and I preferred it that way.
My house was one of the largest on the street, situated in the heart of the busy city. When I arrived home, I realized my house card was not with me, and I had to call the security officer who opened the door for me. I rushed to my room and collapsed into my bed, still fully dressed. I didn’t bother to remove my jewelry; I simply took off my shoes and closed my eyes. In no time, I drifted into a deep slumber.
The persistent ringing of my house phone jolted me awake. I lay there, groggy and hesitant to leave the warmth of my bed. But when the ringing continued, I finally dragged myself up and sluggishly made my way to answer the call.
“Oh, moon! Who is it?” I grumbled angrily. “It’s so early in the morning! Don’t I have the right to rest as well?” I murmured dreamily, totally stressed out.
“You mean early in the evening. Sweetie, the time is 17:00.” My mother’s voice fully woke me up, and I quickly sat down on my dressing chair.
“Mum, why are you calling? Has the news spread? Is everything okay?” I stammered, hoping Adriel had not posted the news. I quickly reached out to my computer and checked if there was any new update. Seeing none, I sighed softly.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, dear, but everything is fine in Saga City. Believe me, daughter, Prince is getting more prepared; he is doing his best to impress you when you return,” my mother informed me, giggling excitedly.
I took a deep breath as I remembered the deal I made with my parents. In exchange for following my dreams and pursuing my career, I would get married to the man of their choice, Prince. He is my childhood friend, and his parents are very close to mine. I didn’t want to make the deal, but I was desperate to escape from my parents’ tight grip.
“That’s the perfect news to hear after waking up in a busy city,” I said, my voice filled with sarcasm, but my mother squealed in excitement.
“Don’t be like that, love; he’s the perfect gentleman for you. Your father and I made the right choice in choosing him,” my mother continued, trying to convince me to come back home like every other day.
“Did you really call me to praise your husband and yourself?” I asked with bewilderment.
“Heh, heh, heh,” my mother giggled, laughing in a silly manner. “Actually, no, there have been reports of the vampires gathering together once again. Your father asked me to tell you to get prepared; your presence will be needed soon.” Her voice turned serious as she informed me of the latest development.
“Hmmm…” I threw my hands up in exasperation, covering my face with my palm. “Do I really need to be involved in the family’s business?” I whined, my voice dripping with reluctance.
“Not again, dear.” My mother threw up her hands, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and urgency. “You’re a shadow hunter, just like your parents and grandparents before you. It’s your duty to carry on our legacy! And with Prince soon to take over the organization from his father, you’ll both be the leaders of the Shadow Hunters organization.”
“Ummm,” I sighed softly, “I’d do anything to make my family proud.”
My mother nodded her head. “That’s the spirit. I love you, dear. Stay safe, and listen to Rachel. Also, don’t pamper your sisters too much.” With that, the call was disconnected, and I dropped the phone back on the table.
I let out a deep sigh and scrubbed my hair with my hands, feeling like I was at my wit’s end. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, and my unkempt appearance only made me shake my head in dismay. My eyes looked sunken, my hair was a tangled mess, and my expression was a picture of frustration. I was a hot mess, inside and out.
‘But why are vampires suddenly gathering? I thought they were extinct?’ I wondered aloud and hit my cheek with my palm.
“I had a one-night stand with a stranger, and boom, vampires began to gather. I’m really in a big mess, ain’t I?” I asked myself thoughtfully. Suddenly, I remembered clips from last night, and my cheeks turned red. I closed my face, blushing like a fool. I knew I should regret my actions, but deep down, I longed for the strange man’s touch.
My belly growled loudly, informing me that I hadn’t eaten that day, and I sluggishly stood up and headed for the kitchen. A loud shrieking noise echoed from the kitchen, and I knew my horrible day had just begun.