7. Ready to deal

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 how to reach me if he wanted to.

He should at least try to resolve this from his end. The same way poor Kristen had been suffering on my behalf all day, receiving calls and all.

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted my thoughts as a face popped up in the intercom.

Kristen.

Good heavens! It's about time.

*Open the door quickly, Anita. It's me.* Her text came up on phone's screen.

I immediately opened up and the moment she was in, I threw my arms around her in an embrace.

"I know, I know," she chuckled.

"I am so sorry for the stress, Ms. Kim." I said, pouting my lips and making a puppy face.

"Oh, dear. I am also sorry about the cancellation of your commercial today." She took my arm in hers immediately. "Let's get you dressed in disguise and take some of your things as well. We're leaving this apartment immediately."

"What?" I stared at her in surprise.

"Hurry up, we have little time." She said, pulling me with her into the living room, across a mini hallway and into my bedroom.

___

And that was how I found myself in Kristen's family home in the outskirts of the city. All through the drive there, she informed me on what my agency wanted me to do.

They wanted me to agree and be prepared to set up an interview with Mr. Rivers and also get ready for a press release concerning my relationship with Ryan Rivers of Opulence Entertainment, while also scheduling for several interviews with him.

Kristen told me she tried to resolve this and plead the agency's understanding but they just wouldn't understand. And neither was there any other solutions to this. Since we couldn't tell them I wasn't really married to Ryan.

The only way out was to do the interviews, otherwise there was a possibility that I might lose some top deals and commercials if I kept being silent about the media's speculations.

In the end, I was in a dead end.

I went to bed feeling flustered and unhappy, which resulted in me having a nightmare.

In my nightmare, unpleasant photos of myself from the past had been released all over the internet, and I was being mocked.

I began to lose a lot of commercials and my career was hitting rock bottom now. My agency wanted to terminate my contract.

And the man I dreaded the most was the champion of the people who mocked me. He stood above my messed up form on the floor and laughed hysterically while tears rolled down my cheeks. Then suddenly, he began to kick me severely against my tummy.

"No please, don't..." I begged, trying to cower away as I tried protecting my tummy with my hands. The man laughed wickedly and increased his kicks.

I had no where to run to...

Then, Ryan.

From the shadows I saw a glimpse of his face. Relief washed over me immediately. And he leaned down and whispered to me. "Let me save you, Anita. Just... fake it, with me." He said, stretching out his hand to me.

"Anita!" Someone screamed my name from a distance and I woke up with a start.

My body was trembling greatly and my nightie was drenched with my sweats.

I raised my teary eyes to meet Kristen's worried face.

"I'm so sorry, Anita. Are you alright? You were screaming and I knew you were having a nightmare again." She reached out and placed her arms around me, hugging my trembling body to herself.

"K-kris...K-kristen," I stuttered through my sobs.

She shushed me. "It's okay, dear. I understand." She pat my back gently and continuously. "I got you. It's going to be fine."

"P-please arrange a meeting with Mr. Rivers. Tell him I am ready and willing to deal." I said as I wrapped my arms around her back, fearing she would leave me.

I never want to be alone again. I never want to see that evil man ever again.

"Are you sure?" She asked and I nodded from her shoulders as tears continuously flowed down my cheeks. "It's alright, I will." She gently patted my back again.