Author’s Point of View:
Now before we proceed any further, let me tell you a little about Amanda. For the record, we are going back in time. Five years ago to be precise!
….
Flashback To Five Years Ago:
Annabella’s Point of View:
“Ma’am, I am telling you the truth, I am innocent of those allegations! I don’t even know the chief judge’s house.” I yelled for the umpteenth time, gradually losing my cool, but this mysterious woman in front of me refused to let me breathe.
She kept pushing her microphone to my front, asking me numerous questions all at once. At this point, tears were already rolling out of my eyes, and I was frustrated.
“Well, your fans don’t believe you, nor do the rest of the world. We have proof of you leaving the chief judge’s condo very late at night, and your gown was unzipped. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
You just got into the entertainment world a few months ago, and boom you won the Best Model award, this is not ordinary. I am certain that you bought your way to the top. You slept with the judge!” Amanda, a middle aged woman journalist, accused me with a menacing smile on her face, and the little crowd that was with her cheered her up with their taunting laughter.
Five journalists were in my front, and the accusing look on their faces was really intimidating.
I didn’t know what to do, and worst still, they refused to let me pass, and all available existence was blocked by the angry fans of my competitors.
“I have never met the chief judge before, believe me!” I tried to talk slowly, but the tears gushing out of my eyes didn’t allow me. I thought my tears would convince them that I was telling the truth, but it didn’t work out as I planned.
“I am actually telling the truth. What happened was a planned scandal, and the pictures of me leaving the chief judge’s house were photoshopped. I don’t know for sure who planned this, but I am certain it was Pamlet.” I yelled at the top of my tiny voice, but the crowds resorted to throwing things at me.
Pamlet was the former Miss Beauty Goddess of Limiha City, and of course, when I came into the spotlight, my fans voted for me to be elected as the new Beauty Goddess. Luckily for me during the beauty competition, I won first place.
This made me really happy and popular, considering it was my first award. I thought Pamlet would be happy for me because she had been winning the award for five consecutive years, unfortunately, it was the opposite.
Pamlet turned me into her greatest enemy, and she made the entire social media and stations to vote against me by spreading rumors that I slept with the chief judge, in order to win the award.
Without listening to my side of the story, the entire entertainment industry turned against me.
Fans of the other models began to threaten me. Some even went as far as following me around, sending scary messages to my social media handles, leaving insulting and super offensive comments on my posts, ruining my events and concerts, and coming to my house uninvited.
I felt scared. I was new to the entertainment world, and my parents were making things difficult for me by asking me to leave everything and return back to Saga City. My sisters weren’t allowed to visit me. Yes, things were that bad.
My loyal fans tried to assist me in reporting the bullies, but they were also picked on.
Eventually, things got better because my mother sent Rachel, a powerful supernatural being to act as my manager, and Rachel dealt with the haters, and got the stalkers and bullies arrested.
Pamlet was called to court, and she was instructed to get her fans under control, or else legal actions would be taken against her, because she spread the rumors. That was how I was saved.
Just when I thought everything had ended, Amanda, a popular journalist, appeared out of nowhere and brought up the dead rumor.
I stood still, my hands and legs trembling, as I faced the merciless glare of Amanda. Her hoarse voice cut through the air, sending shivers down my spine, “So, you’re still denying the allegations? You expect us to believe you’re innocent?”
I tried to speak, but my voice cracked out of fear and humiliation. “I-I’m telling the truth. I don’t know the chief judge. I’ve never even met him.”
Amanda sneered, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Save your tears, sweetheart. You think you can fool us with your innocent act?”
The crowd around us jeered, their taunts and laughter piercing my heart. I felt like I was drowning in their hatred.
Just then, Rachel’s car pulled up in front of my gate. I don’t know how she managed to bypass the angry crowd.
She was supposed to be at the airport, on her way to her engagement party, but she decided to leave it behind, all because of me. Her presence immediately calmed my soul.
“That’s enough, Amanda. You’re crossing a line. Back off, or else you will see the other side of me.” Rachel growled, and pushed the crowd out of her way, as she came to my side
Amanda snarled, and the crowds tried to scare us, but Rachel stood firm, her eyes flashing with a fierce inner light.
“Annabella, don’t worry. I’ve got this.” Rachel assured me and brought out her phone.
“I give you all sixty seconds to vacate this building, or else, I will inform as many police officers as I can, and I will make sure that every single one of you spends at least a year in prison!” She threatened the crowd with blazing eyes, and they were frightened.
They began to murmur among themselves about the fans Rachel got arrested. Reluctantly, one by one, they left my apartment. I was relieved, and I hugged Rachel happily.
“And to you journalists,” Rachel continued, turning to face the five journalists. They were shocked and looked at their backs. No one was left, all their supporters had left them alone.
“Get out of here right now, or else, I will sue each and every one of you, and your office will be shut down permanently.
Also, you will pay millions of pounds as compensation fee, if it is found out that Annabelle is innocent of your accusations. Lastly, for entering her personal space without a legal permit, you will pay a huge amount for compensation.” She informed them, a triumphant grin on her face.
The journalists looked at Amanda, their leader, wondering what they should do next.
“Stay strong, she is just bluffing.” Amanda stuttered with an unsecured voice, but the journalists weren’t convinced. They apologized to her and left, they couldn’t even look me in the eyes.
“What about you, Amanda?” I asked as I found my voice again.
Amanda’s face twisted in disgust and she hissed at me. “You’re just a pawn in a bigger game, dear. And you’ll pay for your sins.” Her voice sounded menacingly, and without waiting for my response, she turned to leave.
“Amanda, I’m telling the truth. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not lying.” I said slowly but determined, and Amanda paused and burst into evil laughter.
“I know, but I will make sure I bring you down. I wasn’t able to follow my dreams, so neither should you or anyone else.
Also, by the time I am done spreading rumors, no one will remember you, and I will be promoted and respected in place of work.” Amanda replied with a malicious smile, confessing her true intentions, and I was perplexed.
After that incident, I nicknamed her Amanda, the wicked newscaster; and I did all within my power to distance myself from her.
Unfortunately for Rachel, her fiance broke up with her, under the pretense that she didn’t care about him.
I felt really bad because it was all my fault, luckily for …. anyone. A week later, his new girlfriend took his entire fortune and ran away, leaving him with nothing.