CHAPTER 22...
^_________^
After dropping such a bomb on the internet... Nina's phone has been buzzing like crazy with notifications and calls. Her boss knew that was definitely her doing cos Nina's known for dropping dangerous articles.
Nina picked up her phone and switched it off.
Mabel placed her phone on DND.
They both sat down on a sofa sipping on an orange juice with a straw.
"You moved to a prettier place.." Mabel complimented looking around.
She sighted a flower pot. It was the flower they planted together in college before they parted ways and a smile appeared on Mabel's lips.
"You've had that all this while?" Mabel asked.
Nina nodded with a smile.
"You chose Charlotte over me but I'm not that disloyal. We were sworn sisters in highschool... I was surprised how you became so close to Charlotte after high school"
"Were you mad I left you for her?" Mabel asked slowly.
Nina smiled calmly and sipped on her juice.
"I'm not that petty... I also wanted you to be close friends with her, I pushed you away intentionally... I knew you needed that for your acting career, you needed influential people to make it in the acting industry..." She uttered slowly.
Mabel looked at her, her eyes almost getting watery.
"Have you always been this considerate... Do you also think I made it this far cos of Charlotte?" She asked.
Nina scoffed.
"Of course not... You made it this far cos you're determined, you love what you do! I saw that in you and that's why we became friends. I wanted to support you in every way I can and that's why I became a reporter. I'm glad I am able to do something for you after so long! I'm not just a useless friend..." Nina uttered feeling a bit inferior.
Mabel dropped her glass of juice on the table.
"Nina, you became a reporter cos of me?" She asked in surprise.
Nina laughed and brushed it off with a sip of her juice.
"Of course not... What do you take me for?" She uttered looking away.
Mabel hugged her tight.
"Silly girl... You run off whenever you please.." Nina scoffed ruffling Mabel's hair.
"What happened between the both of you? Is it okay to put up a fight with her? What are you even fighting for?" Nina asked and Mabel broke the hug.
She took a few deep breaths and smiled.
"I'll tell you all about it on a good day..." She smiled and glanced at her wrist watch.
She widened her eyes in shock.
"Oh no.. I have to rush down to the agency... Mr Lee must be pulling his hair out already!" Mabel gasped and jumped out of the couch.
Nina laughed.
"This is why I would never agree to be a celebrity... Do you want to take down some of the articles or even block them with something else?" She asked standing up also.
Mabel glanced at her dress and pouted.
"Nina..." She pouted pointing at her dress.
"You can take mine and I'm sure it'll look good on you for a disguise!" Nina uttered and Mabel ran into Nina's room and changed into a jogger and a hoodie.
Mabel ran out to the door.
"Perfect disguise... I'll keep in touch!" Nina said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Nina... You're the best homie indeed!" Mabel uttered and dashed out of the apartment.
Nina sat down and switched on her phone.
She swiped into one of the notification on the news app and she widened her eyes in shock seeing Mabel's intimate photos with Raphael.
"Silly girl..." She shook her head, scrolling down the comments.
She came across a comment saying
("Just kill yourself... You're not worth that title actress!")
"What a jerk! How dare you! Do you have any idea how hard she worked to be an actress? Some weeks she wouldn't eat just so she could fit in, in some roles.. how dare you?" She muttered angrily and adjusted her arms properly so she could finish him up with a dangerous reply.
~ MEGA HIT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY ~
Mabel sneaked past the reporters outside. Outside the entrance was choked up with paparazzi and reporters from all news company.
Mabel's disguise was perfect so it was indeed hard to tell if she saw the one.
She got to Mr Lee's office then took off her face cap and nose mask.
"Mr Lee, I'm here!" She uttered falling on his couch like she had zero strength left in her.
Mr Lee was facing the window with his phone placed on his ears, he was actually dialing her number.
He turned around swiftly at the sound of her voice.
"Mabel, what the hell have you been? You promised to stay out of trouble till the project was over? You promised your fans, you wouldn't be in a relationship or any love scandal cos you want to give them your best acting skills and now this..." Mr Lee yelled at the top of his voice.
Mabel flinched with her gaze down, she looked like a drained kitten.
Mr Lee walked up to her angrily.
"You better don't act like the victim here? You caused all of this... Don't you know how severe it is for a celebrity to go back from his words... What would your fans think of you now?" He ranted.
"Mr Lee, I thought you liked Raphael..." Mabel uttered slowly looking up at him.
Mr Lee glared at her.
"And you think now's the right time to think about that... I might like him cos he's hardworking and a good catch but that doesn't mean I want him to ruin everything we've worked so hard for... Mabel, you're at the prime of your career, you can't afford to make mistakes don't you get it..." He stated tiredly and joined her on the sofa.
Mabel took in a few deep breaths.
"I can handle it... Raphael and I are a thing now so I'll say the truth to my fans. I believe they'll be happy if I'm happy. Yes, I said I wouldn't be in a love scandal till the project was over but who am I to control love?"
Mr Lee looked at her tiredly. He groaned frustratedly holding his head.
"You think now's the time for you to talk about love... Mabel you have to deny that article... Your investors have been calling and they threatened to pull out if you don't deny the rumors... Mabel if your investors pull out, you'll be removed as the main lead... Is that what you want? It is "Writer Kim Hyung Jee's movie we're talking about here? Are you willing to let go of it?" Mr Lee tempted.
Mabel looked at him with worried eyes.
"Ahhh... Boss please don't do this to me... If I can't even man up to my decision of being with Raphael then I'm not worth his love..."
"Mabel, you might announce it to the public later but how about you do it after you're done with this project? It's a big hit for your career and you know it... You want a man to snatch that from you. If you were going to give up this easily then why did you work so hard all these years?" Mr Lee asked with so much concern.
Mabel looked away confusion written all over her face.
~ THE BU RESIDENT ~
MR BU'S STUDY ROOM...
Mr Bu has been getting calls from so many ministers and clients at the law firm to confirm the rumors.
"Chairman Jeon... Please give me a minute to explain... Please don't pull out your support! None of the rumors are true. Those photos were fabricated by my opponent. You've known me for years, do I look like one who would go after men. I even have a wife and a daughter for goodness sake!" Mr Bu explained trying to hold in his anger.
"I'm sorry minister Bu but the rest of the ministers have pulled out their support. A conference meeting will be held by noon, you should be present!" Chairman Jeon stated and hung up the call.
"Ahhhh!" Mr Bu grunted angrily and smashed his phone on the floor.
He threw everything on his desk to the floor angrily.
"Goddamn it! Joon just wait and see what I do to you... I won't spare you for doing this to me!" Mr Bu uttered angrily staring into space as he referred to his opponent.
Charlotte heard the ruckus so she ran into the study.
"Dad, you need to calm down so we can think of a solution together..." She cut in.
Mr Bu glared at her.
"Go join your mother in the kitchen... You can't be seen at the firm. Reporters will be flooded there!" Mr Bu said seriously about to leave but Charlotte stopped him.
"I refuse... I'm going to the firm and say my mind to the media. Why should I hide away when our firm is about to be shut down?" She stated seriously.
Mr Bu glared at her.
"And what are you going to say when you get there? Tell them you're my daughter and a proof that I'm not gay... Charlotte you're not strong enough, you can't face the media cos you know the truth already... Just go join your mother in the kitchen or go fight for a boy that will never be yours. That's what you're good at doing anyway!" Mr Bu said arrogantly and walked away.
Charlotte clenched her fist angrily as she watched her father disappear into the lobby.
"Whatever you're going through right now... Serves you right! Raphael isn't going to be yours either..." She mumbled angrily.
~ RAPHAEL'S APARTMENT ~
Raphael and Josh were seated at the sitting room going through their phone as they watched the havoc that was taking place on the internet.
"Mr Bu's gay?" Josh asked in shock.
"Now this is why I felt weird about his request to get me and his daughter married..." Raphael added as he furrowed his brows.
Josh laughed going through the hideous comments dropped on Mr Bu's article.
"I don't think he will be elected as the vice president... He just lost so many supporters online.." Josh uttered with a smile.
Just then Raphael and Mabel's scandal surfaced.
"Raph, this was last night right?" Josh asked curiously pointing at the kitchen while he showed Raphael his phone.
Raphael widened his eyes in shock.
"We were being followed... Silly me, I wasn't even careful. What was I thinking to leave the curtains open..." He groaned and quickly placed a call across to Mabel.
"This isn't good for her career..." Raphael panicked.
"What would you say to her if she takes the call?" Josh asked curiously and just then Mabel took the call.
"What else... Of course, she should deny it... Mabel and I only had a good time last night, we're not a thing!" Raphael uttered seriously.
Mabel's heart shattered into a tiny piece hearing those words come out from Raphael. She ended the call swiftly.
"What are you saying Raph? You've fallen for her and you know it" Josh said calmly.
Raphael looked at his phone and exhaled tiredly. He knew Mabel heard him.
"I feel strong emotions for her but I would never allow a hardworking woman, sacrifice her dreams and career for me! I'm better off not admitting my feelings!" He uttered feeling even more heart broken as his words sank into his soul.
"Was this the reason you never allowed Rein make your relationship with her public?" Josh asked and Raphael looked away.
He gazed at the kitchen where he played around with Mabel last night.
Nothing lasts forever indeed! He said sadly in his head as he heard the thudding of his broken heart.
HOURS LATER...
AT MEGA HIT ENTERTAINMENT...
An emergency conference meeting was held. Reporters and so many paparazzis were present.
Mabel stood in front of them holding a mic. Her hands were shaking nervously, she was still feeling hurt from Raphael's words.
Was it all a waste of time? Was he just leading me on? Was it all a lie? She questioned herself almost breaking into tears.
"Mabel... They're waiting!" Jennifer whispered to her.
Mabel cleared her throat straighten her shoulders confidently.
Raphael was outside the building in his car with his phone as he watched the conference live.
"Just say the word, Mabel and save yourself the trouble!" He uttered worriedly with his eyes fixed on his phone.
Mabel adjusted the mic.
"Mabel are those pictures from last night true? Are you in a romantic relationship with Raphael?" A reporter questioned.
Mabel was hesitant. She looked around the room, she saw all the scorching eyes and hungry ears, waiting impatiently for her to spill out the words they hope to hear.
Mabel leaned closer to the mic while giving the cameras a direct eye contact.
"Yes, it is true. I'm in a relationship with Raphael Kris! No, I was not in a relationship with him but I will be in 24 hours... Raphael, I know you're watching this... You've got 24 hours to give me a reply...."
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Mabel asked boldly.
Everyone's jaw dropped in shock.
Jennifer covered her mouth in shock. She followed it up with a naughty smile.
"Mabel, my girl!" She whispered grinning from ear to ear.
Mr lee's soul almost left his body. He held his chest in shock.
"Mabel, what have you done?" He gasped almost shedding tears.
Raphael on the other end... His heart skipped a beat as her confession sent shiver down his spine. He blushed hard at her confession.
Deep down he wanted this... Rein couldn't do it and that's why their relationship was in secret.
"Atta girl!" He smirked and drove off.