Chapter 6 Yours Truly, Lover

“Am I even allowed to talk to you even if we’re not on camera, or will your husband be offended again?” Daniel asked in a bitter tone while keeping his million-dollar smile for everyone inside the spacious venue to see.

Andrea was growing tired of his passive-aggressiveness during their filming and promotions, ever since that embarrassing encounter with the Elysian CEO. “Yes, Daniel, we can talk,” she said as if talking to a child. She, too, maintained her affable expression as she mouthed Hello’s and Thank you’s to the crowd. “You’re just not allowed to violate women.” A sentence that made her co-star scoff, “Whatever.”

Andrea almost lost her senses when all cameras flashed at the same time while the roar of the fans’ cheers filled the area. She knew that most of them came for Daniel, but it felt good to have a few support her. “Let’s welcome the cast and crew of False Assumptions!” The host of the press conference excitedly said from his microphone.

They were guided through the line of seats for the cast and production crew, being told to sit in the middle. A wide poster of their movie served as a backdrop while hundreds of cameras covered the front. It was no wonder why more photographers and journalists came to what was expected to be a moderate event.

After a few pleasantries and poses, the event has now gone to the main interview. “Now that those are all out of the way, we have to address the elephant in the room.” Everyone’s eyes shifted expectantly towards Andrea.

And that was when her instincts kicked in, suddenly telling her to get out of there. Her eyes roamed the area to find what it was that gave her this dark, ominous feeling, but found it hard while also having to pay attention to the interviewer.

“The sudden news of your engagement with Mr. Sebastian Adams in the middle of your filming, in addition to your exclusive wedding right after. Was it all planned?” What a loaded question. The interviewer sounded like he assumed it was all a publicity stunt to boost Andrea’s career, which was far from the truth. Andrea could already imagine Ren preparing to attack the host.

Andrea gave out a small chuckle, “I hope it was, Nate. But one thing I love about him is how spontaneous he can be, despite Sebastian being one of the most organized people I know. So no, none of it was planned” The women inside shrieked in excitement while the others gave out a collected “Aww.”

Chris added, “And we have the Adams couple to thank for offering the Elysian Center to have our press conference and maybe more promotions in the future.” He motioned to the expanse of the center, showing the grandness the Adams can give. Whatever attacking statement Nate planned to give after that was squashed by the people’s reactions. No one would now dare antagonize the billionaire’s wife, except behind their screens and keyboards.

The questions moved on, focusing more on the movie than her marriage to Sebastian. Andrea shook off the nagging feeling, chalking it up to anxiety facing many people again. She could hear Chris explain the movie he directed, “False Assumptions talk about the parasocial relationship that some people may take too far. How for example the actors with me today would sometimes have a brush with a stalker or two.” But the rest blurred as time passed until Ren had to tap her on the shoulder to inform her, “We’re done here, Andy. Time to go backstage.”

She watched as everyone on stage began to walk towards the passage going backstage, signing autographs, and taking pictures with the fans. As much as Andrea wanted to run in the comfort of her solitude, she had no choice if she didn’t want to be branded as a snob again. “Let’s go.” For the first time, she wished for Sebastian’s comforting hand around her shoulders to move forward. “Stop it, Andy. Don’t you dare depend on him,” she lectured herself.

A few selfies and professions of love with her fans made Andrea forget what she felt before. She listened as one girl droned on, “I’ve been a fan of yours since you were nine. We’re the same age so I feel like we were growing together.” These comments were so common for Andrea that she automatically knew what to say, “Aw, thank you. I’m glad you feel that way. I hope you keep supporting me until we grow old together.” How Andrea wished she had their childhood, growing out into normalcy with no one recognizing them.

The light from backstage was now closer and Andrea wanted to just run inside. But before she could take another step, a calloused hand grabbed at her wrist. All energy was drained out of her body as the thought of death crossed her mind. The hand tugged at her but she couldn’t look back, she was too frozen to do anything else. “Hey, Andy, what’s the holdup?” She heard Daniel ask from behind her.

When she got the strength to look back, both the fear and the hand grasping hers were gone. “You okay?” Ren held her back, pushing Andrea to go backstage. “Did you see someone hold my hand? Or anyone suspicious in the crowd?” The actress asked while her heart still pounded loudly. “No, I didn’t see anyone. Want me to tell your bodyguards?” Being guarded by three burly men was helpful, but even they admitted to not seeing anything disturbing.

Daniel, who had been prying in on the conversation, discredited Andrea, “I was behind you the whole time. If someone held your hand, I would have noticed.” He scoffed once more, “Or maybe the newfound fame’s gotten into your head, thinking the world wants to hold the great Andrea’s hand.” He brushed past the two women with his chest puffed out and his grin evident, satisfied with the insult.

Andrea convinced herself, “Maybe, I was just imagining it. Maybe because I was thinking of Sebastian, that’s why.”

Upon reaching her private room backstage, both Andrea and Ren plopped on the couch. “Man, that Nate was getting on my nerves. Good thing you and Chris put him in his place. Now all that’s left is that brat Preston,” Ren said passionately. “Andy, are you listening?” She raised her brow when Andrea leaned her head away. “What is it?”

Andrea sighed, “It’s mom, she had been nagging me to get Becca signed as a talent in Elysian Pictures.” She hear Ren laugh hard that she had to gasp for air only to continue. “Your step-sister? God knows that girl is not meant for show business. You’ve seen her audition tapes, right?” It was bold for Laura to audition her second daughter for shows and movies Andrea was auditioning for, knowing that Becca didn’t have the least talent or even experience that Andrea had.

“I have. That’s why I kept explaining that I don’t have the power to do that, even if the CEO is my husband. She never understands.” Andrea sighed. Now that she chose to stop their connection, Laura decided to use her other child to live her dreams for her.

“I need some cheering up.” She looked at the stacks of letters and gifts in the corner of the room. Flowers and fruit arrangements were carefully placed on the opposite end. While choosing which side she’ll indulge in first, a dark red-tinted paper caught her attention.

Andrea reached for the letter with peaked curiosity. It looked unique and  When she took it out, a gasp left her lips. “What, is it Laura bothering you again?” Ren looked at her friend’s quivering back and grew concerned. “Andy, what’s wrong?” The assistant asked when her friend didn’t reply.

“I-I, this-, I don’t-, what-,” Andrea’s words struggled to come out coherently. Ren, quick as lightning, sat by the actress’ side, snatching the paper from her. Ren’s eyes widened and slowly breathed to calm down. She may be a strong woman, but even this would shake her to the core. The crimson letter smelled horrible with metallic rust. It appeared to be white paper painted dry with the red liquid. Faded white, erratic letters made up what the author was trying to tell Andrea.

“Dear Andy,” it started. Only the people close to her called her that nickname and for this person to casually throw it there was already terrifying.

“As you well know, I love you. A sentiment I am very sure you share. So imagine my surprise when I saw pictures of that fucking bastard, Adams, parading you around like he owned you. Only I own you, remember that. Lover, I got tired of everyone talking about the 'new power couple' and you smiling about it. That is why I made the decision to approach you this way. I know you are being forced to say all those things and smile in front of the camera because I know the real you, Darling. You two were never in a relationship. I know because I've watched almost every second of your life. Hopefully soon, I'm able to take you away from that man and we'll be together forever.”

Ren almost dropped the letter and it took all her courage to continue.

“Yours truly, Lover,” she felt like vomiting after the last sentence.

“P.S. I left another gift with this letter, but I know you’re more than satisfied with this.” She looked in horror at a box with the matching colors, too scared to even get close to it.

It finally dawned on her that it wasn’t paint but blood used to cover the sheet and possibly cum for the ink, Ren threw the paper and took Andrea, who never moved an inch, to the restroom. “Quick Andy! Wash your hands.” She squeezed everything she can from the liquid soap container and poured it on both their arms.

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“Sir, we’re looking into who might’ve sent the letter and the other ‘stuff’ to Miss Andrea, “ Robert reported to his boss. Even he wasn’t able to stomach it when Ren told him about it and what was contained in the box. What they presumed to be a bomb or dangerous item turned out to be a sex toy, an obviously homemade dildo that they assumed were molded by the stalker himself.

“Alright,” Sebastian nonchalantly replied.

Robert bit his tongue before he could even say, “How could you not be worried about this?” But his boss continued, “From now on, check every single thing that she receives.”

But his disappointment lingered when Sebastian said, “I’ve told Andy it’s normal to have a stalker for someone like her. Hell, I’ve received worse gifts than that. She shouldn’t worry about those because they can’t really do anything in the end.”

Hopefully, he wasn’t wrong.