CHAPTER 5: Scandal

Wasn't he just with Marian earlier? How can he be here at this moment? No, how did he even know that I was here?

I looked around and saw Faye hiding behind him.

I bit my lower lip. I thought she was already asleep! She really went and told Ezekiel. But did he really leave Marian just to get here? Is he for real?!

I stared at Ezekiel, feeling confused. While he glared at me with anger and occasionally glanced at Brantley behind me,.

"Who are you?" Brantley asked, stepping forward to hide me behind him.

I closed my eyes tightly. What is he doing here? No one knows that we're married!

"Serena!" Ezekiel called me authoritatively. "Come here."

I swallowed nervously. I was about to take a step when Brantley blocked me from behind.

"What the fuck, man? Who do you think you're ordering around?" he emphasized.

"What did you say?"

I looked around in panic and became flustered when I realized that we had caught the attention of the staff. The music also quieted down, and their voices dominated!

"Who are you to speak to Serena like that? Watch your tone. Are you even invited here? Who the hell let you in?"

"L-Ley—"

"Do you really need to know who I am? I have far more right to call my wife however I want than you do."

I held my breath at his words. N-No! No!!

I quickly pushed Brantley aside to approach Ezekiel.

"Shut up!" I tightly squeezed his arm, and our eyebrows met.

But he didn't even look at me. He pulled me closer to him. "What the fuck are you doing with him?" he asked me angrily, his anger palpable.

I furrowed my eyebrows, resisting his gaze. "Whatever do you mean?"

He frowned even more and pulled me away. "Let's go home."

"I know! Stop pulling me so hard!" I would go with him, but it seemed like he wanted to drag me forcibly. It's embarrassing for people to see.

"Serena! Where are you going?!" Brantley pulled one of my arms from behind, causing me to stop walking, and Ezekiel did the same.

I turned around in a panic and looked at him, trying to free my arm from his grip. "Ley, I'll explain to you the next time we meet—"

"Let go of my wife!" Ezekiel's voice echoed like thunder, shocking everyone, even me!

I looked at him with mixed emotions. "Ezekiel! Shut up!"

But his dark gaze was fixed on Brantley, as if he were ready to hurt him at any moment. He tightened his grip on my arm and forcefully pulled me, causing Brantley to release me from his other arm. My face hit his chest, intensifying my emotions even more.

Why is he making a scene?! If he doesn't care about his reputation, well, I do!!

"What the hell, man? Who are you calling your wife here?!" Brantley asked, confused but sarcastic, and I heard him chuckle. "If you're drunk, don't drag Serena with you! Do you even know who she is?! Let her go!!"

"Ha!" He chuckled horrifyingly. "Of course I know who she is. She's my wife, and I am her husband!"

My eyes widened in shock. I heard the gasps of the people around us. The music died down, and everyone inside the bar was focused on us.

I gasped for breath, looking at Ezekiel in disbelief. Our privacy... Why is he revealing our secret?! Why is he making a scandal over nothing?!

"S-Serena?" Brantley's voice called my name.

I closed my eyes and held my breath. I forced a big smile, as if I found the situation amusing.

"Please, I'm sorry for this! My cousin is just drunk and spitting nonsense! Please pardon us, I need to take him home!"

I quickly pulled Ezekiel away from the crowd, even though he resisted and seemed to want to argue with me.

Once we reached the parking lot, I let go of him and faced him.

"What the hell was that, Ezekiel?! Are you thinking straight?"

But the darkness in his eyes remained, and he looked even angrier at me.

"Fuck it, Serena! You're kissing a guy behind my back even if there's no camera! Are you really fooling me?!"

"WHAT?!" I couldn't believe my ears as I raised my voice. "Kissing someone without a camera? Are you blind or something?!"

"Now you're denying it?" He snorted in disbelief. "Do you really take me for a fool, Serena? Is that how you see me?"

My heart raced with anger. "But then what? Do you see me as a flirt who actually did what you accused me of?!"

He clenched his fists. "Damn it! If that wasn't the case, what in the goddamn world are you doing in a bar with him late at night?! Isn't it as clear as day that you sneaked out to secretly flirt with him?" He sarcastically sneered. "What? You enjoyed those kissing scenes you're making with him so much that you can no longer wait for another take?"

My lips trembled, feeling insulted by his words. I felt my eyes heat up, and I knew tears were starting to form, so I averted my gaze to hold back the tears.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say, and silence prevailed.

I didn't know what to say because I had never seen him react like this before. The last time I checked, he was also flirting with another woman.

In that thought, I fake laughed and found the courage to look at him with malice.

"Seriously? What do you care about my life if that's what I'm doing behind your back? Why? Do I also meddle in your affairs? Have you heard a single word from me about your meetings with Marian?"

His eyes widened. He blinked and opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Don't you just come from Marian? You really left her just to create a scandal here!" I shook my head. "Since you don't care about my reputation, do me a favor and stop meddling in my life!"

"We have a contract!" He tried to grab me, but I quickly avoided him. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

"So what?! W-We're only husband and wife on paper and nothing more than that!"

Before he could respond, I turned around quickly and walked away from him.

"Serena, wait!" He tapped on the window of my car.

I didn't hear him anymore as I started the engine and drove away from the scene.

Fuck him! I'm never going to come home to that lifeless mansion of his!

If only I could pay off my mother's debts worth a hundred years of hard work... If only I had run away from that burden and responsibility in the first place...

I sped up, my emotions overflowing. Everything is too much to bear!

I grew up with an abusive and deceitful father, a mother who earned money by exploiting me in the entertainment industry, and a toxic husband like Ezekiel!

For once, do I not have a place to go and call home?!

"Ah!" I stopped the car as my stomach churned and vomit rose to my mouth.

I quickly veered the car to the side of the park and got out to vomit near a nearby tree.

"F-Fuck this life!"

I felt dizzy and vomited for a few more moments. It was my first time experiencing the effects of alcohol.

I wiped my lips and the remaining tears from my eyes, then took a deep breath of air. I calmed down as I looked out at the dark sea. Thankfully, I was wearing a jacket and wasn't too cold in the breeze.

"I caught up to you."

I froze in my spot when I heard that gentle voice coming from behind me.

"L-Ley? What... did you just follow me all the way here?"

"What else?" He sighed and stood beside me. Although his eyes were filled with sadness and gloom, he forced a smile. "I heard everything, Serena, about your argument with... your husband."

My lips trembled. Tears welled up again, and I bowed my head to hide them in my shoes.

"I'm sorry, w-we made a fuss... I'm sure it has reached Direk Sam."

"Don't worry about Director Sam, worry about all the people that also heard what happened earlier." He gently patted my head and chuckled. "But it's better if you don't think about it now. You're already carrying too much."

"Aren't you embarrassed of me or even feel a little disgusted? I married someone for his money, Ley. But knowing how heartless he is, I still fell in love with him. How ridiculous am I, right?"

A gust of wind hit me as he suddenly hugged me tightly!

"You're not, Serena. Even at your worst, you're still the best woman I ever met. A true definition of a strong, independent woman. You're brave for not running away, for taking responsibility for your parent's trouble. You're always trying your best, even though you hate something. I now know what has been bothering you for all this while... and I hate seeing you feeling miserable because of them.. I really hate it."

Tears quickly streamed down my face at his heartfelt words. My lips trembled, and I couldn't help but sob.

"L-Ley," I instinctively hugged him back and cried into his chest. "W-What did I do to deserve this kind of life, Ley? I'm tired, I'm so tired! Even if I force myself to be happy, it's always heavy in my heart! I-I can't pretend anymore... I really can't fake it all! I feel like I'm drowning, Ley."

I couldn't contain my emotions and let out all the pent-up tears.

"I only dreamt of a happy and peaceful family... but everything was already messed up from the moment my father left us to marry that man for money!"

I closed my eyes tightly and held my pounding heart. "Whenever I love someone, it only causes me tons of pain. But whenever my heart softens, I always end up being the bad one. T-Tell me what else should I do, Ley? I-I really don't know..."

"Then stop being too selfless, Serena." He stroked my back, as if soothing me. "Be selfish for once and save yourself from the pit of fire. Nobody can save you but yourself, but I'm also here to be the way for that to happen."

I was silent for a few minutes. I held back my sobs and calmed my breathing before responding. I gently pulled away from his embrace to look at him.

"What do you mean?"

He gently cupped both of my cheeks and wiped away my tears. He looked at me intently, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"The truth is... I'm not a good actor, Serena. I could never fake a spark whenever I'm looking at you. It's all... No, all the so-called 'acting' of being in love with you is true. Even before SereLey started, I already had feelings for you, and I fell even harder when we worked together."

"But Ley... I-I'm... already married." My heart pounded with nervousness. "I-I can't be with you—"

"But he's treating you badly. The way he talks to you, yells at you, and even holds you? You don't deserve someone like him! Don't expect me to just stand aside, suppressing my feelings while he hurts you. Because I'm selfish, Serena. I'll fight for you as long as I can, even if you're still married."

My eyes widened in disbelief at his words. I always saw him as a soft and gentle person, but now he looked determined and fierce, which was unfamiliar.

My heart pounded at his confession. It had been a while since I heard such sincere words and promises. Many men tried their best to pursue me, but Brantley's words felt different.

He's like a snake, tempting me to eat the apple.

How I wish... I shouldn't have taken a bite.