I nodded, “I know. I just prefer to be in condos. Atleast I wouldn't worry too much if it burned or something.”
He nodded. “Right.”
We took the elevator, and Manager Smith made sure to let me wear some sunglasses and a cap for protection.
I chuckled, realizing how I am living my life like this. Making sure people won’t notice me.
It’s not like I killed someone right? For me to take precautions like this and away from the public eye.
He then pointed at room 304 and gave me the key, “Welcome to your new home. I already arranged your things there.”
I nodded, “Thank you, Manager Smith.” I looked at the keys. Good. This is really my new home. It felt a bit surreal and too fast... I know that I wasn’t able to say my goodbyes to my past place but I guess this is for the best.
But I recognize this place. Some other actresses are living here, so it must be under tight security. Well, many more famous actresses are living here.
“Make sure to rest up and get familiar with your place for the whole day. I’ll arrange the press con and let you out on the public tomorrow if that’s alright dear?”
I nodded, “Do it. Tomorrow, I’ll attend that. I miss seeing my fans.”
He smiled, “Good. I know that I raised you strong in this tough entertainment world.”He then leaned to kiss my cheek goodbye, “I’ll return here tomorrow alright? Now get some beauty rest.”
“Alright, thank you, Manager Smith! You’re the best.” I sent him a flying kiss and went inside the place. Sighing, I took a long look around. Same as my place before but this one is much larger.
One master bedroom and one guestroom, a big closet, kitchen, lounge area, veranda to hang out with, nice big french windows, two bathrooms with big bathtubs, large paintings and intricate sculptures, I wonder how much is the rent here?
The face of Ajax instanlty went into my mind and I shook my head. Focus. I have pushed him away. I hope he wouldn't appear again on my doorstep.
I instanlty threw myself on the tub with my bath soap and lit up candles. I watched a movie to calm my nerves and out on lavender oil.
I did my skincare routine, facemasks, and even put some ice on my face to calm my nerves. I then put on my nice comfy pajamas before jumping on the king's bed.
My eyes instantly closed soon after and I drifted into sleep. When I woke up, I could see the sun and I knew that I woke up at the right time. I made my preparations, had a nice short shower, did my matcha latte, and toasted some bread paired with avocado for my breakfast. I put on a black long dress and paired it with a nice jacket from the cold, paired with my victoria's secret perfume and Hermes bag. I put on my stilettos before hearing my phone ringing, urging me that Manager Smith was already down below.
I instantly closed my room and locked the whole door before going to the elevator and outside where Manager Smith was waiting.
He smiled at me, “You look, lovely dear. Ready to face the people now?”
I shrugged, “Only if they are ready to see my face.”
He chuckled at my reply and instantly opened the door for me before turning on the engine and driving me to the event.
Everything was quick as I was backstage with my makeup and hair stylist crew, and Manager Smith gave me the script.
I stared at it, “DO I need to read this?”
“Of course, you are being interviewed in this press. They will ask you questions and you have to dodge them carefully.”
I sighed, nodding at him. I read all the lines and instantly memorized all the answers I have. Well, I wanted to answer from my heart but I'm sure that would only make things worse so I have to listen to Manager Smith.
“I made sure that they wouldn’t even bring up that issue so we’re cleared.” He said and I smiled, knowing that he made sure of that.
“Ten minutes left!” Yelled the crew for me and Manager Smith nodded, rushing me to the spot and making me sit down there to wait for the interviewer.
My makeup crew was constantly. retouching my face and I breathed deeply, calming down.
You can do this, Ellaina. You’ve always been good at this. Just smile and nod if you do not know the answer.
I chanted to myself, closing my eyes. The interviewer was a female, her name’s Jessica, one of the famous and rising reporters here in the entertainment firm and we’ve crossed paths a few times so I felt a bit better that it was her.
She smiled at me and I smiled back in greeting.
“We can do this babe.” She winked at me, “I promise I won’t be hard on you.” She joked and I just chuckled.
The whole crew was staring at us and checking and fixing if they missed any detail before the director yelled, “Alright, quiet on the set! Make sure they are comfortable! In three, two one, we’ll start.”
The cameras were rolling now and everyone was dead silent, except Jessica who has put on her reporter smile for the camera.
“Hi, Ellaina! I missed you so much!” She greeted me cheerily, her smile blinding me with her pearl-white teeth.
I smiled back, “You too dear, It has been such a long time since I was here.”
She nodded, “Well, you know how this thing works so let’s get started.”
She just threw me a bunch of easy questions that I was confident to answer. I could seeManage Smith to the side, giving me encouraging looks and I continued on.
Everything was going smoothly and I couldn't wait for it to finish, except when Jessica paused and looked at me with a serious look on her face.
“So Ellaina, our hottest model in the industry, we know that you’ve always maintained your reputation and there's no denying that you’re indeed the greatest of our models but the people have been asking when will you be back with your shoots. They missed your poses.”
I chuckled at that, “Well, let’s just say I am keeping it a secret for now.”
“That’s our model! Gurl I really root for you, not only does she has a beautiful heart and a sexy body but Ellaina here always proves to us that she’s always been a beauty with brains. We’re excited to see you looking healthy and strong.”
Jessica kept on throwing compliments at me, until she stopped, “Except about the recent issue. Media has many reports about you, and we, your fans included, wanted to know the truth about it.”
I gulped, feeling my chest tightening now. No, why is she bringing this up? I didn’t read this from the script!
I glanced at Manager Smith who was now his mouth hanging open and then went to the crew to yell. He must have not expected this too.
I laughed it off, “Oh, I know that issue has been around.”
Jessica nodded, “You’ve taken a break, and some even saw you entering a house near here. Looks like you seek shelter from your sugar daddy for a week when you’ve been quiet.”
They flashed a picture on the screen with me, holding Ajax by the neck as Ajax kissed me. No, that was the time when Ajax took me to his balcony and we were making love.
I was speechless, but I don’t want them to have the upper hand. I made sure that I came back stronger.
Jessica smirked, “They want you to confirm who that sugar daddy was. He must have been some powerful man to have backed you all the way to this.”