Rise To Stardom: My Villainess

Ember looks at the quite a well-furnished room before them. It looks extravagant and rather romantic as well with rose petals scattered around the room. A large bed simply stands at the center of the spacious room. With the rose-scented candles placed all over the room, she initially assumed that this is a room designed for lovemaking purposes; but then she immediately recalls that they are in Hotel Cristallo— a renowned 5-stars resort hotel found in Bora Bora and not a love hotel just found outside.

Alessio's eyes are slightly narrow as he takes in the sight of the room. He shakes his head as he tries to conceal the irritation he is feeling, remembering that both he and Ember are public figures and have to maintain their reputation— even to a single person. Averting his attention to the manager, he coldly speaks, "My fiancée and I have decided to separate rooms for this trip as we are not yet married. Move my luggage to some other room where I can instead stay."

Despite slightly trembling, the hotel manager sustains his professionalism stance. "Forgive me, Mr. Xu, but there are no other rooms available at the moment." He then deeply bows to show his respect, trying to ignore the anger that somehow seems to vibe off the famed businessman. His hands start to get sweaty, but he doesn't dare wipe it off in front of the prestigious guests.

'Would he kill me if he found out that I was paid off by the Xu's to lie?' The manager drops the bow as he puts on a superficial smile. A shiver runs down his spine when he spots Alessio's jade eyes harshly glaring at him.

'Why must he be mad though? Am I not doing them a favor? They are engaged? Doesn't he want to have an intimate moment with his fiancée?' The manager is confused by these gestures as he blinks his eyes at them. He then eventually begins to get uncomfortable by the glares Alessio mercilessly sends his way, not understanding the situation. When the man doesn't say anything at all, the poor manager simply awkwardly stands there and waits to be finally dismissed by the two.

Ember raises a brow at Alessio, finding his reaction quite offensive. She keeps her mouth though as that is Alessio's business. However, she can't help but scowl at her thoughts. 'If he doesn't want to share a room with me, then he should just better get out and not trouble this poor man with our problems?!' It's so easy to do that he doesn't even have to necessarily involve others?! She calmly takes a seat on the rose-filled bed, breathing out a small puff of air in concealed exasperation.

Alessio takes a glance at her before turning to the manager with crossed arms. "Are there any more hotels around here?" he then asks, almost sounding too eager for a second that it makes the manager puzzled for a second. The answer turns out into a disappointing "no," however— which makes his lips twitch into a frown. The man runs a hand across his black hair as he gives out a frustrated sigh, unfortunately realizing that this island is a private island; and that the owner only allows his hotel resort to operate here.

Seeing that the manager is getting more confused by the seconds of the status of their relationship, Ember finally decides to step in. She knows that she can't let this situation go on any longer, seeing that the manager might misinterpret and cause unnecessary troubles in the future. Placing her hand on his back, she feels him stiffen under her touch. She almost snickers but prevents that sound from escaping as she lets a gentle smile to rest on her beautiful face instead.

"Alessio, it's fine. Since we have no choice, then we better not trouble the staff anymore. It's not like we have shared a room before, but I'm really happy that you care about my request." She closes her eyes and makes her smile even sweeter than ever. "For that I'm grateful. Even though my request is kinda silly since we're close, but you still choose to abide by it. Thank you so much, Zio-ge," she lies in the most enthusiastic manner.

Alessio looks at her before quietly averting his eyes away. Ember doesn't know what his feelings are right now, but he must be angry… since she dared to b.u.t.t in and act in that way. Well, he can't blame her. Rumors might just spread if she let this on.

Turning to the manager, she expresses a bashful expression, "Please don't misunderstand what just happened. I just… Since we're not yet married, I thought that we should better learn to refrain from acting too intimate. I love him, but I think it's not necessary to—" she stops and bites her lips as if embarrassed by the incident that just occurred. With the acting that she greatly performed, the manager easily believes it without a thought.

The manager's face is slightly red, and he awkwardly chuckles from hearing such words. Now, he understands why… He almost misunderstood Mr. Xu's behavior and thought that he hates his fiancée. But the truth is he's just thinking of her too dearly. What a lovely couple. "I understand, Ms. Wang. Forgive me for almost misunderstanding."

Ember nods with a kind smile and finally grants him his most awaited dismissal. When the manager is no longer on sight, she turns to her fiancé with a displeased expression. The smile on her face is completely wiped off. "You know what… If you really hate to share a room with me, then you're free to leave. There's no one here stopping you anyways. Just don't cause unnecessary troubles," she spits out as she gives him a dirty look.

Alessio looks almost dumbfounded by the words she gave him, but she pays no heed to that as she instead takes her hand off from his back with a repulsive expression. Making her way to the restroom, she shuts the door behind him in a loud manner. She turns herself to the mirror, coldly staring at the identical reflection of herself. While she opens the faucet to wash the dirt off her hands, she unwillingly recalls the memories of her past. Almost similar to this present; but unlike what just occurred, it's filled with nothing but warmth and happiness.

*Flashback — 3 years ago*

"Zio-ge!" a 19-years old Ember w.h.i.n.ed as she tried to drag the young man away from his seat by pulling his hand. After being in such a toxic industry, her childish and spoiled princess-like attitude was suddenly reserved for her fiance. Despite scouting the island for hours now, Ember hadn't been drained of her energy yet and wanted to explore the beach furthermore with her beloved fiancé.

Unlike her who was quite lively right now, Alessio was far too exhausted to accompany her any longer. He was still panting as he took a seat on the sand. It's not like Alessio didn't want to assist her, but he should gather rest first to be able to have the energy again to go with her wherever she wants to. "Come on! Come on! Zio-ge! Please! Please! Pretty please!" She cutely pouted as she desperately tried to persuade the young man with her adorable expression. That, in turn, made him slightly laugh at her childish antics.

"Oh, Ember.. we have been sightseeing ever since we got here. Why don't we sit down first and rest for a bit, princess? I promise we'll go out after we have our lunch. Okay?" Alessio said as he carefully shuffled the crown of Ember's head. The gentleness of his touch made the young girl forget her previous sadness as she beamed at her fiancé who was gazing at her with just as much happiness in his tender jade eyes.

"Alright, Zio-ge!" She giggled as she took his hands into hers while her cheeks were very flushed deep red. "But you have to promise me that we'll go to Wonder Dolphin later, okay? I haven't swum with a dolphin ever, and it will be nice to do it with you…" She shyly murmured as she looked straight into his eyes with so much emotion.

Alessio's look softened, and he nodded without even a thought. "If you want to, then we'll go, Princess. Anything for you," he affectionately whispered and gently squished her hands in his. Ember blushed even more as she immediately retrieved her hands from his large ones. Not withstanding the look on his face, she bashfully looked away with a pout but not before pulling out a hand to show her pinky.

"Promise me," she childishly demanded.

Despite being so silly, the m.a.t.u.r.e Alessio wrapped his pinkie around hers. "I promise that I'll go anywhere with you as long as you want me to, Princess." His green eyes, earnest as ever, as he expressed devotion. Ember smiled, satisfied by his oath. Changing the position of their hands, Alessio tightly grabbed her as he pulled her up along with him. "Before that, we should feed that stomach of yours." He tenderly smiled at her, leading her to the restaurant that is closest to their location. She quietly nodded. As their hands remained intertwined together, both of them walked while sharing the pleasant warmth that silently lingers between the palms of their hands.

*End of Flashback*

Turning off the shower, Ember blinks her eyes as she blankly stares at the wall in front of her. The water continuously but slowly drips down Ember's slender body. She gives out a deep exhale as she gently places all her amber hair to her right shoulder. Taking a towel to dry herself up. Afterward, she steps out from the restroom with a white bathrobe on. Not intending to be shameless, however, as she assumed him to have left their room.

As expected, only silence and emptiness greeted her when she came outside. She can't help but dryly chuckle at the memories that she just recalled. "Hahaha… well, is he not a better actor than me?" She shakes her head to herself as she bitterly laughs out more. 'What a liar; he promised that he'll go with me anywhere, but he can't even stand my presence.' She places a hand on her c.h.e.s.t, feeling her racing heart underneath.

"Liar," she laughs.

______________

A few hours have gone by, and Alessio is yet to return from wherever he has been too. Ember can't help but look at the door every now and then while she scans her phone throughout the day. As much as she doesn't want to be with him, she feels somehow lonely being cramped up in this room. She gives out a huff as she eventually gives up on waiting for him. Taking the whole space of bed for herself, she intentionally lies down at the very center.

'Whatever… If this is what he wants, then he should just sleep outside then.' She's not going to be merciful with him any longer, not when he doesn't even want to be in the same room with her. Taking the whole blanket to herself, she covers her body from the cold. She thought that she'll have trouble sleeping, but it doesn't even take a while for her to drift off to a dreamless sleep. Maybe it's because of the exhaustion from the things that she went through earlier.

As time slowly goes by, the sleeping beauty is barely aware of the presence of the man she has loved and hated at the same time. Slipping inside the room at the dead of the night, Alessio neatly places his black suit by the table before glancing at the lady that is currently peacefully lying on the bed. The black-haired man sighs; his thoughts, unreadable. Moving closer to the bed, he takes the fallen blanket from the floor and gently places it over her.

He then silently turns around and lies on the couch that is right across the bed. Stretching out his hand in front of him, Alessio gives off a sigh as he wonders where everything went wrong.