Chapter 6_ The Media intrusion.

VANESSA

I am standing in front of the civil affairs bureau, clenching tightly onto my purse.

I am dressed in a short beautiful white satin wedding dress, with long chiffon hands. Surprisingly, it fit me perfectly, outlining my hourglass shape. An ideal wedding dress, chosen by Manuel. I felt uncomfortable in the dress, not because of anything but it got me wondering how he managed to get my exact size of dress. In the past, Manuel barely showed me any attention or care about me. This is his first time offering to pick my dress. I hadn't planned on accepting to wear what he chose for me, but I had no choice but to accept it.

Manuel was persistent, and his threats over me because he had my grandmother made me come here to get married to him again. I looked at the time on my mobile phone, it was thirty minutes past eight a.m., Manuel was late for our wedding again. I wasn't surprised because this is how he normally acts.

It made me recall how he missed our engagement party and our wedding reception in the past with an excuse of being busy. For as long as I've known Manuel, he is a workaholic who isn't ready to back down on that attitude. I used to beg him for his attention and care in the past. I could barely get the chance to see the man I refer to as my husband.

He married me because I needed a sponsor, but I ended up falling in love with him.

Manuel cast me away, made me feel unwanted. I could count the amount of times in which we've had sex. He barely looked at me sexually or was around to touch me. I didn't want that life for myself again. A life where I'll have to put myself down for a man who doesn't value me. When we got divorced, I had peace and freedom. Not thinking about a man who doesn't think about me. Now, I'm going back into the hell that I've once been in.

Another extra ten minutes passed and Manuel is yet to be here. Angrily, I took out my mobile phone and dialed his number again. It wasn't available. Is he in another meeting again and abandoning me? I never should've accepted his proposal. He is never going to change his attitude towards me. Feeling jilted again, I decided to leave the venue before anyone noticed.

As soon as I headed out of the premises and I waited to board a taxi, I noticed a group of reporters suddenly appear around me, with their microphones. I'm not that popular, for a moment I wondered how these reporters keep getting information about me. How the hell did they find out I was here?

I tried to avoid them and I hurried away. Not caring about finding a taxi anymore. I needed to leave before they found out that I've come here to get married amidst the ongoing scandal. More rumors would totally end my career.

"We got information that you're about to get Married for a sponsorship. Just like you did with Mr. Emmanuel Howells. Is that true, Miss Sanchez?" One if the reporters asked me.

I ignored them and I hastened my steps. Suddenly, one of them grabbed my arms and pulled me back, almost making me fall.

"Get away from me" I yelled and pulled my hands away from his grip.

I didn't expect him to fall on the ground. The other reporters continued to take pictures.

"I.. I'm so sorry" I tried apologizing but he instead started to accuse me.

"Miss Sanchez, do you know that you've just assaulted me?" He said. The reporter managed to stand up after several pictures had been taken by other reporters.

"You touched me first. I was only defending myself" I retorted quickly. I wouldn't allow anyone to frame me for what I didn't do.

"But I didn't push you. I was trying to ask you a question which you can kindly decline" he stated.

I breathed deeply. He isn't backing down with his claims and I'm already in a bigger mess. I wouldn't want this one to get in the news too.

"I'm sorry" I apologized again. Hoping that he would accept it. He snorted at me and ignored me. The reporter arranged his glasses, frowning at me.

"I'm afraid I'll have to report the police of your assault, Miss Sanchez." He started, and took out his mobile phone to make a phone call.

"Please, don't" I begged him.

"I'll do anything you ask me to" I said, my eyes were watering already. It was so awkward that I had to get into this situation.

I felt so embarrassed, the other reporters made video recordings of us. They rolled their eyes at me awkwardly, I could barely breath from the shame I felt. Here I was, dressed in a wedding dress and in another scandal. The internet would have a lot of news to post about me today.

"What do I have to do?" I asked him. I looked at his face, he smirked maliciously at me.

"Kneel and apologize" I heard him say all of a sudden.

"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief. How could he demand such a thing from me?

Is he crazy?

I stepped back from him a bit, while I stared at him confusedly.

"Are you being serious right now? How can I kneel to you?" I asked him.

"Oh, it's difficult right? Because you're a celebrity. Normal citizens like me are to be trampled on because we aren't important" he stated. "Y'all please get this on the news." He turned to his fellow colleagues and they took more pictures.

Their cameras flashed at me, nearly blinding my eyes.

It was a sunny day and I was already feeling so hot being under the sun for a long time. I didn't need them adding their flashlights to my sufferings..

I hoped that he would change his demands but he didn't. He really wanted me to kneel down and beg him.

"Will any of these get on the news?" I inquired and he shook his head.

"If you kneel down and beg me. Then we never saw you here today" he stated.

I clenched my fist tightly on my dress, trying so hard to control my anger. I bit my lips in the act.

This is unfair, why did all these have to happen to me?

I shut my eyes close as I was just about to lean down and apologize to the reporter.

As I did that, I felt a huge strong hand grab and pull me up, even before I completely knelt down.

I opened my eyes to meet Manuel's cold dark eyes glaring at me. Mixed emotions of anger and anxiety were written in his eyes as he stared at me. I glared down, examining his complete outfit. Manuel was putting on a gray colored designer suit, and his dark shoes matched the color of his jet-black hair. Obviously, he came for the wedding but he was late and I'm angry at him for it.

He appeared so sudden, neither I or the reporters expected it. They all exclaimed in shock when they saw him.

"What the hell are you doing, Vanessa?" He questioned me.

"I.." I wanted to explain to him but I decided not to. What would I say? That I assaulted a reporter and I'm forced to kneel down and apologize to him?

What would Manuel say about it?

"And what are you all doing here?" He turned to them and asked.

"Well, Mr. Howells.. Miss. Sanchez here…" the reporter who asked me to kneel down to him wanted to speak but was cut short by Manuel.

"You asked my wife to kneel down to you" Manuel stated briefly, riveting his gaze back to me. I avoided his cold gaze which made me feel uncomfortable, it baffles me on how Manuel always got to find out everything happening around me.

"Is that right, Vanessa?" He inquired from me.

I didn't know what to say. Even if I was humiliated by the reporter, I wouldn't want him to lose his job. Because, if I confirm to Manual that he tried to disgrace me, Manuel wouldn't spare him.

"That.."

"I saw and heard everything. No need to lie to me, Vanessa" Manuel quickly cuts in.

"What did I tell y'all about hovering around Mrs. Howells again?" Manuel questioned them. His eyes grew colder than usual as he spoke. I could notice the reporters shivering. Soon, a dark blue van pulled aside near us and some men dressed in dark suits emerged from it. They were obviously Manuel's men.

Noticing the men arriving at the scene, some of the reporters tried to flee but were caught.

"I'm afraid I'll have to get all of you arrested for defamation and assault of Mrs Howells " Manuel stated. He pulled up the hand of my dress, showcasing my arm which had a fresh scar on it.

Earlier when the reporter grabbed me, I sustained an injury on my arm but I pretended. I didn't want more scandals as I already had enough to face.

"I think you owe her an apology for this" he declared, pointing at the reporter.

The man was ashamed immediately and he apologized. He was afraid of getting arrested.

"I'm sorry Miss Sanchez, " he said quickly.

I raised my gaze to meet Manuel's, he held a gloom on his face, and didn't seem to be satisfied by the reporter's apology.

"Not good enough" Manuel stated.

"I'm afraid you'll have to kneel, if possible, roll on the floor while apologizing to her," he said.

I tried to speak but he tightened his grip on my arm. I understood what he meant but I couldn't have him do it. This might only get me in deep trouble.

"You don't have to, Manuel." I whispered to him.

Before I could say another word, a gun was pointed to the head of the reporter and he fell on the ground immediately.

"P.. Please.. forgive my stupidity, Mrs Howells" he begged me, stuttering fearfully as he was forced to apologize at gunpoint.

The rest of the reporters laid down flat and also apologized to me.

I noticed Manuel's lips curved into a brief smirk.

"Now, that's how to apologize," he said.

"Take them away," Manuel ordered.

I watched the men load the reporters into the van and drove off.

"Mr Howells, the registrar has just arrived" his personal assistant announced all of a sudden. I looked at my phone and noticed that it was past 9 a.m.

"You were late" I said to Manuel, maintaining a straight face and masking my anger. I didn't want him to think that I care, but deep down, I really cared about his lateness.

Manuel leaned forward near me, I tried to shift backwards but he grabbed my waist and pulled me close. His lips were lowered near my ear, I tried to push him but he stood still and tightened his grip on me.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. The important thing is that I'm here now" He said, whispering softly. His eyes showed no ounce of regret for his actions. All he cared about was that we are going to get married.