As Lina reached her dorm, she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. She felt something was wrong somewhere. She rushed into the bathroom, peeling off all her clothes. The memory of Daniel hugging her, and touching her makes her skin crawl. She threw the clothes inside the trash can, vowing to never wear them again.
She puts on the shower as water cascades all over her body, making her feel relieved.
Under the warm shower, Lina reflected on her encounter with Daniel. She realized that her anger had subsided, replaced by a sense of detachment. It was as if she had finally closed a chapter in her life. She thought Daniel might still affect her, but she was wrong.
As the warm water washed away her worries, Lina’s mind began to wander. She thought about how far she’d come since the breakup. The pain had lessened, and she was finally moving on.
Suddenly, Raymond’s handsome face entered her mind. His devilish smirk, his cold gaze, and his reassuring presence. Gosh, remembering the kiss they shared that fateful morning she was traveling, her body couldn’t help feeling hot.
Lina’s cheeks flushed as she recalled the intensity of Raymond’s kiss. She hadn’t expected it, but it had left a lasting impression. His lips, firm and demanding, had awakened a spark within her.
As she stood under the shower, Lina’s thoughts drifted to the contrast between Raymond’s kiss and Daniel’s touch. Daniel’s hug had made her skin crawl, but Raymond’s kiss had set her soul ablaze.
She couldn’t deny the attraction she felt towards Raymond. His rugged exterior and mysterious nature drew her in, making her wonder what lay beneath.
Lina’s hands drifted to her lips, remembering the gentle yet firm pressure of Raymond’s mouth. A shiver ran down her spine as she imagined his hands exploring her body. Lina was shocked at her own thoughts. What nonsense is she thinking about? When she was with Daniel, she didn’t even have any urge, why the thought of Raymond makes her want to explore.
“Stop it, Lina,” she chided herself, laughing nervously. “You’re getting carried away.” Apart from that night before her wedding, she had sex with someone she still doesn’t know till now, she hadn’t had an urge for sex.
Lina’s mind halted, remembering that fateful night. The stranger’s face remained a mystery, but the sensations he evoked still lingered. She had tried to brush it off as a momentary lapse, but now, thinking about Raymond, she realized her desires hadn’t disappeared.
They had been dormant, waiting for the right spark. And Raymond’s kiss had ignited that flame.
Lina’s thoughts swirled, conflicting emotions warring within. She wasn’t ready to admit her attraction to Raymond, let alone explore it.
Rushing out of the shower, Lina dried herself, trying to shake off the lingering sensations. She needed distraction.
But her mind refused to listen. Visions of Raymond’s chiseled features and piercing gaze haunted her, refusing to let go.
After putting on a fresh set of clothes, she walked to her study table, trying to study for her next exam, when her phone buzzed.
Ria darling: “Babe, can you accompany me tonight? I know you are busy with exams, if you can make it, let’s meet at the bar we had fun last time.
Reading Ria’s message , Lina felt something was wrong. The tone of the message was sad. She replied immediately, not thinking she had to drive two hours to town.
Lina: “Why not, I will meet you there soon.”
“If she is not there for the person she can rely on most in this world, who would?” She thought.
She changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, as she left for the parking lot. The car had been prepared. She had messaged her driver earlier. Raymond had made the person who drove her to campus be her driver.
“This way ma’am.” The driver led her to the car, opening the back door for her. Checking the time after she settled down, she saw that it’s still early, so she won’t be that late.
***
As Lina was rushing back to town, Mira was sitting down in a cafe, sipping her coffee, when an elegant woman, who was dressed gorgeously, walked up to her.
Seeing the person in front of her, Mira was surprised because it was Ashley Brown, the entertainment industry queen, who is known at home and abroad.
“Hey pretty, can I sit with you?” Ashley smiled at Mira, maintaining her public figure aura. Mira beamed with joy. “Sure, why not.” Though her family can be considered rich, but facing an idol, worshipped by many, she couldn’t help racking her brain to make connections.
“I have an important business to discuss with you, but I don’t think,” looking around them, she said, “I don’t think this place is safe to talk.”
And to be honest, by now, the coffee shop has started getting crowded. People had started taking pictures and videos of Ashley. Some were even screaming her name. She smiled sweetly, waving at the audience, before telling Mira to meet her outside.
30 minutes later, they were both sitting in a private room of an expensive Italian restaurant. Mira had been wanting to be here, but to get a reservation, one had to book down two months before they could be entertained here.
Ashley sipped her wine, her eyes locked on Mira. “I’ve been following your recent scandals, and I must say, you’re quite the sensation.”Ashley had dropped her act, now looking at Mira like a queen.
Mira’s cheeks flushed, unsure how to react. “Thank you, I suppose.” “What an embarrassing reminder.” She thought, making her hatred for Lina grew more.
Ashley chuckled. “Don’t be coy, Mira. You know exactly what you’re doing. And that’s why I’m interested in collaborating with you.”
Mira’s curiosity piqued. “Collaborating?”
Ashley leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. “I have a project that requires someone with your… particular set of skills. You see, I’m producing a reality TV show, and I think you’d be perfect for it.”
Mira’s eyes widened. “A reality TV show?” She had always wanted to become an actress but her dad wouldn’t allow her. Seeing an opportunity now, why wouldn’t she hop on it.
Ashley nodded. “Yes. It’s called ‘Scandals and Secrets. We’ll be featuring high-society individuals with, shall we say, interesting pasts. And I think you’d be an excellent addition to the cast.”
Mira’s mind reeled. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. She could become a household name, and her family’s influence would skyrocket. The fame she always wanted can finally be achieved.
Rubbing her palm together, she excitedly said, “I would be honored to be in your cast.” She grinned. As if coming back to her senses, she said; it’s not like I’m the only one with the features you are looking for, why me? She knew nothing came for free.
“Now we are talking. I like how you are being straightforward.” Ashley smiled.
“I have an enemy who is also your enemy, and with the saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, by working together, we can achieve our goal.”
“And who would that be?” She looked at Ashley warily. The person she took as her enemy would be no one but her sister, Lina. How did she offend Ashley? She thought.
Seeing the understanding reflected in her face, Ashley smiled, “it’s your sister, Lina. She snatched what didn’t belong to her away from me.”
Mira’s eyes widened in shock at Ashley’s revelation. Even though she had predicted this, she still doesn’t believe it. “What?” She exclaimed.