Chapter One

One month ago…

       “Good Morning people of New York, this is Radio Splash FM and I’m your girl Miranda Lain. Now I’m sure I told everyone last week, that Splash FM will be having an interview with the sensational, one and only, L.K, aka the Masked Queen of New York City. We’re going to be having an impersonal, phone interview to give everyone a chance to know what’s behind the sudden news of a breakup between L.K and her agency. Please, everyone, hold on while we make this call.”

*~*~*~*

“Over here, she ran over here!” I increase my pace and barge through the emergency doors, running down the stairs with heavy breaths. 

I stop on the last stair and wait to hear if they’re still chasing after me, but after hearing nothing except the sound of my heavy breathing I finally relax in relief. 

Slumping heavily onto the steps of the stairway to take a little breather, I press the blue sequin Venetian mask covering half my face tightly against my skin. 

My heart still racing in fear when I thought about how close I’d come to exposing myself to my persistent pursuers earlier before.

Distracting me from my thoughts, my cellphone vibrates deep within the pocket of my hoody sweatshirt and I flinch in surprise over the sensation, still a little shaken. 

Taking it out I answer the call without looking at the caller ID, fully expecting it to be my manager, only to be startled when an unfamiliar feminine voice filters through the speaker.

      “Hello L.K, this is Miranda Lain speaking. You there?”

“Who?” 

There’s a brief pause on the other line before the person responds, albeit hesitantly. 

      “Miranda Lain… from Radio Splash FM. We scheduled a phone interview with you today.” 

Letting out a curse internally I throw my head back while withholding a groan, eyes clenched shut while I curse myself out for my utter stupidity. 

     I’d forgotten about my interview with the radio station. 

“Oh, course I remember, I’m quite sorry Miranda if I sounded rude just now I was a bit distracted.” 

The woman on the other line laughs breezily in response, saying.

      “Oh, of course. I’m not the least bit offended. Since this phone interview was scheduled for only 30mins, I hope you don’t mind me getting straight to the point of my questions?”

“No, of course not. Go right ahead.” 

      “Great,” She replies enthusiastically. “About the recent split between you and your former agency, Golden Horse Modelling Agency, we’ve all heard what they had to say about it, but L.K we’d like to hear your side. Was there a reason for this sudden decision not to renew your contract with them, who initiated the idea?”

“There is a reason, but it’s not what everyone is thinking. Golden Horse Modelling Agency and I don’t have any controversy and I was the one refusing to renew my contract.”

      “Oh, well, that’s a surprise. Why did you do it?” She questions, continuing with her inquiry before I can respond. “I know your former agency is very favourable and generous to their prized star talent.” She points out.

      Oh, they are, when we’re loading their pockets with money. 

“Yes, they are, they’re the best. They’ve skillfully taken care of my career for many years and I will be eternally grateful for all they did to build my career, but as every child needs to leave their parent's nest one day, so do I. Which is why I’ve decided to take a month-long hiatus, I just think it’s time to relax and not think about work for a while.”

     “Wow, that’s serious L.K-”

“She’s here… I can hear her!” 

As soon as I heard the excited yells of the people pursuing me, I bolted to my feet in panic, holding my breath I didn’t hesitate to hurry down the staircase as fast my feet could take me.

“She’s here, I hear her now!”

    “-L.K are you there?”

“Sure, sure. What did you say?” 

       “Oh,” She paused, probably wondering why I sound so panicked. “Well, I just said that messages are pouring in and a lot of people have questions they’d like to ask if that’s okay with you of course.”

“Huh-uh, it's fine.” 

Stopping for a minute, I bent to catch my breath and groan in irritation when I heard them drawing closer. 

I look up and let out a grunt of relief to see a green coloured exit door to the left, stumbling forward I push my way out the door look around the smelly alley in panic and hide between two green dumpsters.