Rise To Stardom: My Villainess

[ November 4, 2019; Monday ]

"You're also here?" Ember cannot help but be depressed upon seeing her fiancé right in front of him. She should have escaped earlier when she got the chance to, but now that she's in the airport— being flocked on by random strangers and paparazzi— she can only hold on to Alessio and put on a lovely show for them.

But from what Ember already knows, this vacation trip has never been part of her schedule. The hired driver just suddenly drove her straight into the airport with Keina-jie, (her manager) out of nowhere, surprising her with a ticket to Bora Bora. Apparently, that crazy woman has also already prepared her passport and some necessary doc.u.ments for the journey. Ember tried to argue, but Keina threw her out of the car and left her just there.

To her misfortune, Ember has no disguise at that time and can only flee from fans. She then eventually encountered her fiancé Alessio along the way— which Ember totally did not think is a pure coincidence. This must have obviously been the scheme of their parents as they have already done these types of things countless times before.

Ember sighs as she tries not to get blinded by the flashes of light that the cameras emit. Scheme or not though… Did they also leak the news that she and Alessio have a flight appointment today? It's so strange how everyone seems to know that they're coming here while they themselves have no idea that they're going to arrive at the airport. People continue to crowd over them for a picture as the couple can only rely on the security guards for protection.

"Please tell me why we're doing this, will you?" she whispers to him with exasperation clearly coated in her soft-spoken voice. Despite what she is feeling at that moment, she is all smiling as everyone in the vicinity has their eyes on them. Tightly holding his hand, Ember wonders how he can stay so unbothered by the chaos that surrounds them. But then it doesn't really come as a surprise, for Alessio has always carried the ice-block reputation.

"Judging by how you are wearing your usual black suit attire right now, are you— perhaps— not also aware of this flight appointment?" Ember bitterly asks while she waves to the cameras. Alessio doesn't reply at first, which makes her roll her eyes as the urge to show her indignation can not be hidden by even someone as talented in faking her emotions as her. While she does that, she conceals her face to the media as she does not want to make unnecessary news that she and Alessio are in some predicament.

While Ember has thought that their almost non-existent conversation was over, the man's brows then twitch as he turns towards her with that smile. "I am aware. I did assume that our parents are up to something again; but even so, I still came because they have wished for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't go if they didn't want me to. Also, I came from a meeting earlier and had to go to the airport right after. As a result, I couldn't change out of my suit." The gentle smile never leaves his face while the depth of his jade-green eyes shows his cold indifference.

Oh, so he knows... What a filial son he is then. Sarcasm noted. If he is faithful to them, then why did he commit those actions? Is this how he intends to repay his sickening deeds by forcing himself to be with her, the one he hates the most because it is the wishes of his parents?

Continuing to walk as a barricade of security guards protect them from the chaos, Ember responds to Alessio with her rivaling fake smile while she nods as if to show that she completely understands the meaning behind his words. He emotionlessly blinks his eyes at her. Ember then looks straight ahead again, trying to ignore the stinging pain of her heart. Pressing her lips, she reprimands herself due to the pain that she involuntarily felt.

'Stupid Ember! Until when are you going to let him hurt you?!' The question has been haunting her over and over and over again for days upon weeks now, and yet she still doesn't have an answer. Ember doesn't wish to remain in this kind of situation, but this is how the process of moving on is.

『 Love doesn't just pop like a bubble; if it did, ask yourself if you were in love in the first place.』While she continues to walk alongside Alessio, Ember suddenly remembers the line of her character Vhlairre Wu from the drama project Across the Stars. She cannot help but inwardly dryly chuckle at the truth reflecting from those simple words

If only life works like that of a fictional novel or drama, then maybe she wouldn't be feeling like this. Why the hell can't she just be the female lead of those revenge novels who get over their cheating fiancés after a chapter or two and who are only hell-bent in just getting their revenge with no feelings hindering them from executing their vengeance. And where in the world is the godly handsome and rich male lead who's gonna sweep her off her feet?

While Ember starts to drift off her thoughts, she recalls the plot of the novel that she once read entitled, The Abandoned Seventh Young Miss. If only reality is like that… she heaves out a sigh before shaking her head to snap herself out of her reverie. Alessio blinks his eyes at the sudden gesture of his fiancée. His eyes soften, which makes several witnesses fawn over. The tenderness instantly diminishes, however, when Ember turns her attention to him.

As the both of them saunter off to the VIP area, the murmurs and squeals of the people along with the flashing cameras of the paparazzi continue as the memories of the couple left a long-lasting impression on all of them.

_____________

It took about four hours before their airplane finally landed on the small island of Bora Bora. While everything was quite chaotic back, the airport they landed on right now is a complete contrast. The facility is not really empty; but still, the amount of people inside is fewer than most airports have. Well, it's not something to be shocked about as this private-owned island is only exclusive to the rich.

As soon as they arrive at their destination, they are quickly approached by the people that are in charge of attending them. While Ember's slightly worried about her things, that feeling of distress vanishes upon seeing that her luggage along with Alessio's is being placed inside the trunk of a quite expensive car. It's clear that their families did plan this situation ahead of time without even bothering to inform them.

'Damn it.' She feels frustrated, but there's nothing she can do as they are already placed in such circ.u.mstances. They can only pretend to be on good terms with each other. While Alessio does his role of being a good fiancé like opening the door for her, Ember plays along with a smile.

Right after entering the car, Ember's sweet smile falters while a blank expression replaces it instead. Sighing, she tucks in a strand of amber hair behind her ear. 'A week with Alessio?' She coldly looks at the young man who quietly takes a seat beside her. 'This is certainly going to be troublesome…'