6. Married but separated?

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 course." She pulled down a chair and sat down opposite me. "He shouldn't use your situation to satisfy his own wants."

"Exactly what I thought as well. Besides, even if a part of me almost considered helping him when he had knelt down to show how desperate he was, I just couldn't. You know," I paused, lowering my chopstick against the bowl, as I stared into space, briefly going down memory lane. "..not after all I went through."

"Oh, dear," she reached out and placed a hand on mine briefly but reassuringly. "You don't have to change your decision because of him. Trust me, Anita, we would find another way to resolve this." She smiled and I nodded positively, smiling at her as well. I loved how Kristen's deep, pretty dimples showed when she smiled. It makes her look extremely adorable.

"I believe you," I said, picking up my chopsticks and circling some noodles around it.

"Now, that's the spirit!" She slapped her hands on the mahogany table with energetic enthusiasm, making me laughed out loud. "Alright dear, eat up quickly so you could go to bed on time. Remember, you have a long list of commercials this week."

"Yes, yes, Manager Kim." I chuckled, lifting some noodles to my mouth.

Oh yeah, Kristen is asian-american, and Kim is her surname.

"Wait, stop!" Kristen suddenly interrupted, making my chopsticks dropped back to my bowl.

"Why? What happened?" I asked, clearly startled and a bit disappointed by the interruption. Her noodles always tasted better than any I ever had or even made myself.

"You aren't supposed to eat ramen anytime soon. Especially not at night!" She pushed a hand through her hair when I sent her a questioning look. "My, gosh. You have a commercial tomorrow. Damnit! I forgot I swear." She was reaching out to take my bowl of ramen from me when I quickly grasped it away from her hold. "Anita, your face might get swollen by morning if you keep eating it!"

"It won't." I took my bowl and fled to the living room of my apartment.

"Anita, you might." She shouted, coming after me.

"You know I don't care. I would still look good." I laughed as I ran off, putting more noodles into my already full mouth.

One thing was certain, I was bound to take my usual pills before going to bed.

____

The next morning, I woke up and got dressed and ready to leave my apartment to the shooting venue.

I was about to open the door and step out when Kristen's call interrupted me.

"Don't go out yet. You hear me, Anita." She shouted from her end, sounding quite desperate. I could tell she was driving.

"What? Why?!" I paused and removed my hand from my door's handle.

"Reporters are presently crowding your apartment because of an article released today."

"W-what?" My shoulders dropped.

What was it this time?

"So you must not step out yet, okay? Close your window blinds too and wait for me, let me sort this out at the agency. The reporters must not get a photo at all."

"But... W-what about the commercial?"

"That has been cancelled for now. It would be rescheduled for another day. For now, just stay indoors. I would try and find a way to get you soon." Kristen said just as the call disconnected afterwards.

I walked back to my living room and sank into my biggest couch, tossing my bag to the empty couch opposite.

Crossing my legs beneath me on the couch, I went online and hadn't scrolled a bit before images of myself and Ryan Rivers popped up with a quite catchy headline.

*MARRIED BUT SEPARATED?*

I sat up with widened eyes and tapped on the link immediately.

*Why is Anita Richardson and Ryan Rivers, living separately when they are married? Are the latest internet's couples separated or is their relationship suffering a crisis?*

"What absolutely heck?!" I gasped and my hand flew to cover my mouth immediately.