ANITA'S POV
"Thank you," I muttered to the waitress as she served my third glass of Pimm's cup. She was looking at me curiously and I had to stylishly adjust my huge dark sunglasses and pull the baggie hoodie over my head even more. I couldn't afford to let her discover my identity. I took a sip from my drink and impatiently glanced at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time. I needed to see this person and be out of here as soon as possible. I couldn't sit still, and he was running really late. Another episode with those god-damned reporters was certainly not a welcomed idea to me at the moment. This was the only café in the city I knew would be difficult for them to find me. It was unpopular even though it was located downtown and Kristen had insisted I could have a smooth meeting with Mr. Rivers here. He seemed like the only one who might be able to rescue my falling career and stop me from reaching rock bottom permanently. In Kristen's words; 'Ms. Richardson, it was difficult arranging this meeting with Mr. Rivers' secretary. So you must be there on time and hopefully, we can get him to help you.' I glanced towards the waitress again, she was behind the counter now, stealing uncertain glances at me while she discreetly answered a call. One glance at the mini television hung at the top wall of the café, made me realized I was in a really deep shit. A broadcast was ongoing and it was about me. And of course, it wasn't a good one. *NYC's top model 'Anita Richardson', involved in a 'one night stand' scandal.* The headline itself was tantalizing enough for anyone who cared to listen to become immediately interested. Thankfully, there weren't much customers in the cafeteria presently, otherwise someone would have discovered me. How my life changed overnight after that unfortunate one night stand was something I couldn't have imagined. One thing was certain though; I was framed. But by who? Who hated me this much in the industry to take such lengths just to bring me down? As far as I was concerned, I had always minded my business and never intentionally offended anyone all through the five years of my profession as a top model in New York City. "Ms. Richardson?" I heard someone suddenly said, making me choke on my drink. Slowly, I stared through my huge dark sunglasses at the intruder, hoping it was Mr. Rivers; whom I have never met before by the way, although I was certain to recognize him at first glance because Kristen had showed me some photos of him before she had dropped me off. An averaged height, chubby looking man stared back at me with widened eyes, filled with a curiousity I'd been forced to become familiar with since the last few days. This was certainly not Mr. Rivers. My gaze trailed him from head to toe. He looked absolutely-nothing like him. "Uhm...Excuse me?" I glanced back at him warily, hoping he wasn't a reporter. He wasn't dressed like one but there was no way I could mistake the look in those small eyes of his. It seemed like that of a curious, scheming reporter. "It's you, right? You're the famous model, Anita Richardson, right?" "..." I hadn't had time to even react when the cafeteria suddenly became crowded by newsmen and the media. It happened so freaking fast. But how? How did they find out I was here? Instantly, it dawned on me and I turned to send her a glare. On finding my eyes on her, the brunette haired waitress immediately avoided meeting my gaze, and pretended to be busy. Ha! It was her. I needed to leave immediately. I stood up and tried to run off but they'd already crowded me now, pushing those damned microphones and cameras to my face as their list of endless highly ridiculous questions, rolled off their tongues. "Ms. Richardson, how do you feel about your body being exposed to the public without your consent?" "Was it a publicity scheme?" "Could you share the identity of the mysterious young man you had been with that night?" "Is he your boyfriend?" "How do you feel about this scandal?" "Are you going to quit modeling because of this?" "What has your agency said about this?" With their numerous questions, came the constant flashings of their camera lights on my face. My breathing became uneven as my heart pounded furiously against my chest. How do I get out of here? Ah, Kristen! How do I call her to come get me out of here immediately? "..." My lips trembled visibly while my legs seemed to be rooted on the spot. Words failed me at this point. How was I to explain the situation, answer their questions or even get them to get off my sight and leave me alone? 'Anita, try to run.' I chided myself mentally but my legs refused to budge. I was frightened to the point I recounted the first time I had experienced stage fright. "What insolence are you displaying in the presence of my wife?!" A deep masculine yet unfamiliar voice suddenly said loudly, causing an instant commotion amidst the reporters and media. 'Wife?!' I scoffed within me, raising my gaze to see who dared addressed me as a 'wife'. They gave way for him to walk through as their camera lights began flashing and their ever ready questions kicked off. "What? Wife?" "Ms. Richardson is married?" "Isn't this the CEO of Opulence Entertainment?" "I know this young man. He's Ryan Ri..." I zoned out their voices instantly at the sight of the tall, well built, handsome young man, dressed in a fitted black business suit, and my jaw dropped. Mr. Rivers? My eyes were widened even more when he walked up to me and placed an arm around my shoulders passionately. "Now, what accusations have you been declaring against my dear wife?" He said, flashing the reporters a stern look. What the hell is going on, Kristen? Is this Mr. Rivers' pattern of saving me?*Few days ago* RYAN'S POV I sighed as I stared at the divorce document on my desk once again. *Divorce agreement between Yun Blake and Ryan Rivers.* My fingers caressed the part of the paper where her name was, while her words to me few days ago after I had signed the documents, reoccurred to me. "Ryan, it's important I leave. But as you've pleaded, I would stay a little while until you've accomplished the task you must carry out as your father's son. Afterwards, I would leave." Yun had said to me. We were married for six years, she was only twenty one at that time, and her career as an actress had only just began. We'd met at a gala seven years ago, fallen in love and had gotten married one year after. However, our relationship and marriage had been a private one only known to our close friends and family, because Yun wanted it that way. Because she was married to me, Yun had given up a part of her dream just to be with me. She had gotten pregnant few months after w
*Few days ago.*RYAN'S POV "So you checked and she had really left by herself?" Milton, my friend asked, as he poured me another glass of beer. I was at his hotel, Atlantis Hotel, a five-star hotel in New York City. And we were in a private bar at the top floor. "Yes," I muttered groggily, downing the content of my glass. My attempts to meet up with Yun at the airport proved futile. Her flight had just took off the moment I had arrived. On my way to the airport, Jose had sent me the CCTV footage which proved that she indeed left our home on her own. With tears in my eyes, I had driven down to see my friend. I had to talk to someone or I might really lose my mind. And Milton was the one friend I could trust with any personal information about myself. "This is serious." He sighed. "What are you going to do now concerning the chairman's will?" "Mil, I really...I really don't know. I just want Yun back to me. I k-know I...I shouldn't hold her back against her wish. That's
*Present day*ANITA'S POV "You can pull down your hood and take off your glasses if you want. We are alone now." Mr. Rivers said. I stared around the vicinity we were now in. It was a grand, private cafe, located at the top floor of Opulence Entertainment building. Perhaps just him and a few of his top celebrities have access to it. Or maybe, just him. Aside from the lady at the counter, who had also just walked out, we were all alone truly, with zero reporters in sight. One thing I'm extremely grateful for. "Alright," I said before taking off my sunshade and pulling down my hood, letting my long wavy brunette hair fall freely down my back. After the commotion at the cafe downtown the city, when Mr. Rivers had declared that I was his wife - which was a very ridiculous thing to say by the way - he had informed the reporters that he was the one who had been with me that night and had urged the reporters to stop trolling me and disregard all previous misinformations about
RYAN'S POV I sighed as I stood up from the floor and stared after her retreating figure. I almost couldn't believe I had knelt down to beg her to be my substitute. Well, considering what I already found out about her, it would be crazy of me to think she would easily accept this deal. A few moments after she was gone, I walked out of the private cafe and into the hallway that led to my office. Several employees greeted me as I walked past and some made comments as well. "Mr. Rivers, congratulations on announcing your marriage with Ms. Richardson." "Yes. We your employees always assumed you were married but we never knew who your wife was. It is amazing that you have allowed the public know about her now." "You guys look good together." "Of course. Anita Richardson is a beautiful and top model. She fits perfectly with Mr. Rivers' image." "Thank you everyone." I said, faking a smile at them. "This doesn't mean we should slack off our respective duties, alright?
ANITA'S POV "So, you turned down his offer." Kristen said as she lowered the steamy pot of ramen she had just made on my dining table. "Yeah, I did." I sighed and packed my hair up in a bun, pulling out a chair afterwards and sitting down as she began to serve mine from the pot. "Don't you also think it was ridiculous of him to request that?" I asked. "It really was," she pushed a strand of her short black hair from her face and slurped ramen into her mouth from her own bowl. Five years ago, when I returned to New York City, Kristen had found me, got me signed with her agency; Starlight Entertainment, and turned me into the famous, successful model I was today. Over the years, we had bonded well. I became fond of her and she of me. And our relationship exceeded that of just a manager and an artist, into something sort of a friendship and sisterhood alliance. There was nothing about me she wasn't aware of. "Right?" I said between mouthful and she nodded. "Of cours
ANITA'S POV It was late at night already as I tried to sneak a peak at the intercom to see if the reporters were still out front. They had camped at the entrance of my apartment all day. By now, it's possible that they would be tired and retired for the day at least. It was already past 10pm now. Someone had rang the doorbell outside so I went to take a look, hoping it wasn't the reporters again. I mean, they had been relentless in ringing my doorbell all day. I couldn't even sleep or do anything without the sound of the doorbell interrupting me. At a point, I had to put on my soundproof earphones while I stuffed my face with ramen all day and watched some movies as well. However, I haven't heard anything from Opulence Entertainment all day. At least, unlike I had assumed, Ryan wasn't using this to pester me to become a substitute wife for him. Still, I couldn't help but wonder, how could he have been quiet all day? I don't have his contact but he definitely knew
RYAN'S POV I adjusted my necktie as I stared back at my reflection in the full length mirror in my room. Thoughts of the media's speculations about me and Anita Richardson occupied my mind. It was easy for me to keep the reporters off my home because of my connections but how about her? She was only a famous model and was bound to face the heat of my decision some days back. If nothing was done, I don't think she would be able to hold up anymore. I paused on my attempt at buttoning my suit jacket, as a thought flashed through my mind. I wondered where she was staying at the moment but I quickly brushed off the thought as I knew her management would sort out the issue for her.But for how long? I sighed and buttoned up. Maybe I should just hold a press conference and tell the media everything. A strange chill ran down my spine at the thought and I stepped away from the mirror and walked to my bedside drawer to get my phone. "Doing that would be even more disastro
RYAN'S POV And so, I had my driver take us back to my company in my car. On the way, news report of Anita and myself had already circulated on the internet again. However, it was a different speculation and caption this time. *NEWS FLASH: LATEST CELEBRITY COUPLE ON A DATE AT A PRIVATE MUSEUM.* *The married couple, top model 'Anita Richardson' and 'Ryan Rivers' CEO of the famous Opulence Entertainment, were seen and captured looking all 'loved up' on a date at RR LARIA MUSEUM in city center.* Anita chuckled as I served her a cup of coffee latte which she received with appreciation. "Have you seen this?" She indicated towards her phone's screen at the trending news of us. I loosened the firmness of my tie and sat down on the couch opposite her. "Isn't this what you wanted when you had us meet in public?" I said lightheartedly. She stared at me from beneath her long lashes and smiled. "Still, whoever shot this photos didn't do proper justice to me. Your angle lo