Chapter 1

“Vanilla Latte.” I ordered.

“Just a minute, Ma’am.”

I nod. I scan the place with my eyes all around. There are also a lot of people here in the coffee shop, maybe because it’s so early. Everyone is busy typing on their laptop while others are reading a book, there are also a few students.

I look behind me as the woman greets the cashier. “Good Morning, Sir!” She greeted the man.

“The usual,” he said.

I accidentally inhale his manly perfume because he’s beside me. I took a glimpse of him. He is standing proudly, shoulders arched back and his chin held high.

I look away at him then I also glance at the clock on my wrist then I turn to the cash register. There was something the woman whispered to the companion. Just a few minutes later the two seem to be arguing. The woman with him is sweaty and restless. “S-sir, We r-an out of b-beans,” she stammered.

“It’s just morning and you ran out of beans?” His voice is deep.

“We only have the usual coffee bean sir, not the expensive one. Maybe it will come later. Your secretary didn’t say—” she didn’t finish what she was going to say when another woman shout from behind her.

“Vanilla Latte!” That’s my order!

I would have taken the coffee from the woman in front of me but the man next to me grabbed it.

“Wait, that’s my coffee!” I growl at the man who takes the coffee.

“Order what you want Miss, I’ll pay for taking your coffee.”

My forehead furrows, my eyebrows sure to meet as well. “Do you have a problem? Why don’t you buy yours ?!”

What did he think? Can he just take my coffee as long as he wants?

I don’t have to give a damn if he pays for my coffee, it would be nice if I wasn’t in a hurry either. Then I let him take my coffee, I will wait again. Mossy will definitely preach to me.

He turned to the woman at the cashier. The woman spoke automatically as if he said something I didn’t hear.

“We have donuts and pancakes to partner with your vanilla latte.” She smiled.

I ignored what she said instead I turned to the man who left the coffee shop.

The heck of this man!

I hurried out of the coffee shop to chase him. I grabbed his elbow from behind to stop him. He turned to me, his eyebrows furrowed.

I look at his face, my gaze dropped on the coffee on his left hand.

“This is mine.” I tried to take it but it only went towards me.

He pulled the coffee back to him. “I’m in a hurry, miss, just wait for your order, I’ll pay for it.”

“Are you the only one in a hurry?” I pulled the coffee towards me again even though he’s hands is still there. His grip tightened.

“Learn to wait and don‘t own something that’s not yours.” I gritted my teeth.

“If you can’t wait for your coffee, It’s your problem not mine.” Who do you think you are?

The man smiled slightly, he scanned me. My forehead furrowed at what he did. I instantly felt conscious.

I felt his warm palm on top of my hand. He removed my grip on the coffee and turned around, he walked away from me. My eyes followed the man, he walked towards the car not far from the coffee shop.

The car was gone but my gaze remained there.

What just happened?

Did he stole my Vanilla latte?

What a jerk!

I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily.

I glanced at my wrist watch. Great. Now I’m late and my coffee is stolen. What a great way to start my day.

I looked up at the studio building. My eyes shifted at the group of reporters bombarding Sandra Martina, the five time MTV winner. His bodyguards blocked the reporters to keep her away from the media. I watched her car leave. The reporter failed to capture her statement.

Every now and then, I come across this situation. I took a deep breath and walked into the group of reporters. No one came or noticed me, no one did.

I touched one. “Hi, I’m—”

“Yes I know you, Artemesia Vena right? Why do you date anyone famous today?”

I covered my mouth with what he said.

So it’s really true. My name is only known because of the men who became my ex.

“Nothing? Then don’t bother me, we’re still waiting for Juliana, the famous singer.”

I rolled my eyes at him. ‘When I have a new date, I won’t let you interview me.’ I whispered in my mind and walked away.

“Artemesia, you’re late again! You know this meeting is important!”

I opened the door. Mossy is already there when I entered the conference room. I arrived and he is immediately angry.

I blinked when I heard his voice, I walked to the front then lazily sat down, I put the vanilla latte on the table.

I was late so I waited for the coffee. I haven’t bought anything yet, it’s just this coffee because I’ve already paid for it. It’s a pity if I just leave, I can’t afford not to have coffee in the morning. Because coffee is already a part of my life.

I get two or more in a day. I know it’s bad but I can’t help it, I tried not to have more than five coffees a day.

“Artemesia! Why are you late?”

I sipped on the coffee before I speak. “I’m still ahead of them so I’m not late.”

“Even though, Artemesia. We begged so we shouldn’t wait for them. What if they were ahead of you?”

“Here I am, Mossy.”

His right eyebrow rose. “Why are you late?”

“The man at the coffee shop stole my coffee, so I waited again!” I was irritated by the promise.

“You’re stupid reasons again. Late because you’re late for coffee again!”

I stared at him. “If the man hadn’t stolen my coffee, I wouldn’t be late! Then I’ll be ahead of Julia so don’t worry, they might be late!”

“Moses!”

We glanced at the conference room door. My eyes landed on the woman behind the old man.

Mossy went to them quickly, held out her hand to the man but ignored him. He reached me.

I glanced at Juliana who was still wearing shades inside the conference room. There’s no sun here inside, so where is she dazzling?

“Can we make this fast? I still have a mall tour at nine.”

My eyebrows raised at her. Mall tour at nine in the morning? Is she serious? Aren’t malls open about ten or eleven?

The two sat in the vacant seat in front of us.

“It’s just so fast, isn’t it Moses?” Noel, his manager.

“Noel, it’s just Mossy! It’s like I’m holding a rock with only the ten commandments of Moses, I’m Eve!” Mossy laughed.

“Shall we start, Moses?” He ignored what he said. Mossy sat up straight, ignoring what Noel said, because the old man looked serious.

“Sure, Juliana!”

Mossy took a deep breath first. “I would like Juliana and Artemesia to have a collaboration, Noel. They are both famous now so they will be even more famous if—”

“Let me stop you there, Mossy.” And Juliana. My eyes narrowed as I looked at him.

“Artemesia?!” She asked incredulously.

He barely laughed. “The only reason why her name is popular is because of her exes, not her songs. Everyone is so tired of her writing songs all about her exes. Others pity her because she can’t move on from all of them.”

I glared at her. I sit up straight while my hands squeezed into fist below the table.

I can feel it shaking.

Heat rushed inside my body.

“Not like that juli—”

“I don’t know your definition of fame. At least you only get attention once so you think you’re very famous.”

I gritted my teeth. “Yes my songs are all about my exes. It’s all bout me being broken, atleast it doesn’t include my sex life unlike you.”

“My music videos reached millions of views!”

“We all know that your music videos have a lot of views because you’re naked.” I smirked.

“Atleast I’m not obsolete like you Artemesia, even if you undress you won’t be as famous as I am. You will remain obsolete!”

I don’t know why so many young people idolize her, maybe because they thought she is nice. Juliana is kind of pretentious in front of the camera but when it’s not focus on her, she’s even worse than a monster.

I smiled at what he said. “You know that’s a good idea…” I got up from the chair.

“Can I just undress to be famous like you? My body is better than yours.” I turned to Mossy who looked bad at me.

“There’s no need for collaboration, maybe I’ll just undress.” I laughed and then turned to Juliana who was already red with annoyance.

“I would like to produce that Artemesia if you’re really going to take it off.” A smiling Noel promised as he hovered over my body.

“What ?!” and Juliana.

“No one will undress! Artemesia won’t do that!” angry cry of Mossy.

“Then there’s nothing to talk about here.” It turned into Juliana who quickly stood up and left. The old man also followed.

“That perverted old man!” Mossy said when they left.

Mossy’s forehead blushed. The vein in his neck is also coming out. “You’re too young! What are you talking about, undressing? No undressing! You’re better off than undressing, Artemesia!”

“I’m not over yet! So I’m not going to undress, not yet!” I smiled.

“You’re young don’t do it, there’s a lot of opportunities out there! And I won’t let you sell your body for fame! You’re making my headache Artemesia! Shut up and turn on the TV first so I can calm down!”

I turned on the TV in the conference room.

‘Artemesia Vena is seen together with the bachelor billionaire Braxton Rozx Bentley an hour ago in a Coffee shop near Artemesia Vena’s condominium. As you can see in the picture from our source. They are close to each other while both holding a cup of coffee. Artemesia Vena is famous for being a clingy girlfriend because of her songs and she’s also called by the netizens as the psycho clingy dater. One question is left in our minds. Is Braxton Rozx Bentley her next target? Are they dating? Are we going to hear another break up song from Artemesia Vena a month from now? “

“What’s the news Artemesia ?!” he shouted.

“It’s just that there’s a problem again!”

My eyes stayed on the TV.

I could see my face, as well as the man who took my coffee.

“Artemesia! Answer me, Ugh you’re such a headache!”

I turned to him. “Calm down, Mossy!”

“How can I calm down? You’re in the news, your face is on TV again! It would be good if it’s good news, but not, it’s an issue again!”

“You really hid from me that you have a relationship again, look what happened!”

I slumped down in the chair behind me.

“What do you think you can keep that for so long? With the number of reporters following you, it’s probably not! This is it and that’s it! If you told me I might have done it that way!”

I glanced at him. “Mossy calm down!”

“You’re really used to the issue so you don’t have it now! What’s that immune ?! How’s your career with that!”

“And who are you dating now ?! Braxton Rozx Bentley ?! The billionaire owner of the Bentley corporation ?! Puchaena!”

He next asked me. I’m sure I heard his voice in the other room.

“When else? When did you start lying to me? When else did you fool me ?!”

“Awful Mossy! Are you my boyfriend ? You act like one!” I smiled.

“Admit it.”

“What? Mossy! I don’t even know that man!”

“All right, pick it up and I’ll really pinch you!” He bowed in a pinch, I avoided.

“So you’re always late because you’re meeting that man!”

“And a while ago you met again! Look at what you’re wearing, oh! That was just now! You said you just bought coffee! What is that? Why are you two holding hands ?!”

“Yeah I just bought a coffee Mossy,” I promised.

“Did you buy coffee? Why you’re holding his coffee? I know you’re addicted to coffee but what the hell? Its very impossible for you to get coffee!” From where I was seated I could see Mossy’s flushed face and neck. Even the vein that I didn’t know he have, is coming out.

“He took my coffee so I tried to get it… I can’t get it because he doesn’t want to let go! That man stole my coffee so that’s why we look like that.” I explained.

I took a deep breath. I watched him slumped on his seat. He ran his palms through his hair. His hair isn’t that thick, in fact it’s just a little.

“I’ll really lose all my hair because of you.” He sighed.

I didn’t expect us to be photographed, if he didn’t took my coffee, it probably wouldn’t happened.

“Leave the studio, Artemesia.”.

My forehead furrowed. “Huh?”

“I’m sure there are reporters downstairs, especially since that was just news. They won’t bother you. Wear a disguise. Go down to the ground floor, to the parking lot.” Hee instructed as he inhaled.

My right eyebrow raised. “Where should I go?”

“Even if you wish you wouldn’t be recognized, don’t go home to your condo, there’s definitely a reporter there.”

I took a deep breath, I can’t do anything, I need to follow Mossy otherwise this career of mine is would be over.

I walked out of the studio, I was nervous.

I can’t use the car, I’m sure they will notice that. I went down to the ground floor, I was in the parking lot of the studio and I noticed that theres already hundreds of reporters.

I obeyed the command. I changed into a white dress, I put on a black jacket. I wore a blonde wig to make sure I wouldn’t be recognized. I also erased the make up, I wore shades and cap.

I swallowed hard. I don’t know how to get through the crowd of reporters, they are currently talking to each other, the first is sitting and the others are leaning against the wall. I can’t use the car because I don’t have one and I don’t know how to drive.

My knees are shaking as I start walking. I hold my cellphone tightly, there is a money stuck to it.

I glance sideways when I notice a reporter staring at me. I bow down slightly and accelerate my walk. I turn to the others who are now staring at me as well.

I swallowed hard, I wiped the sweat off my forehead with a trembling hand. My eyes widened as the shades fall. My gaze remained on the shades on the ground. I looked up and all the reporters are staring at me.

“Artemesia!” Only a scream make them move. I quickly pick up the shades, then cover my face even though my knees is stiff and trembling with nervousness I accelerate the gesture.

I don’t want to drown in a sea of reporters.

“Artemesia!”

In less than a minute I was surrounded by them.

“Artemesia Vena!”

“Is it true that you have a relationship with Braxton Bentley?”

“Did you date before?”

“How many months have you been in a relationship?”

“You two were so sweet in the picture earlier, were you?”

“Is it true that he’s your next victim?”

What the fuck that question? I wanted to scold that reporter but I couldn’t see him anymore because of the crowd.

I tried to leave but there are many reporters.

“Mr. Bentley seems to have a presscon at the Teanu Hotel! A reporter shouted, the reason why they’re attention shifted.

I took that chance to get away. I sped up the pace even though I am having a hard time wearing heels. Why am I wearing heels?

They tried to chase me so I ran further. I hid in an alley so they could not see. My pulse was beating fast and my heart almost exploded at the speed it took. I caught my breath.

I was alone, no bodyguard because I am not famous. Should I go now?

“Here’s Artemesia in the alley!” A reporter shouted.

“Oh shit!” I cussed. I took a deep breath and ran out of the alley again.

Just this morning I almost begged for the attention of reporters outside the studio, now I almost call all the saints to hide from them.