Chapter 5

SIENNA'S POV

“ Pls calm ..down ma'am, we …the PR team is working on it” Louis said, her voice trembling.

I breathed in trying to suppress my frustration. I had expected better from my PR team, the constant rumours about me were unnerving.

“ Miss Claire had announced to the internet that the role was hers at first …but you …used your reputation..”

“ so, it's her ….” I mumbled, cutting Louis off . My hand tightening around my phone,“ if she thinks that she could take this role away by letting the citizens fight for her, she could try!” I said , my words sizzling with raw hatred.

“ Ma'am, actually the director of this movie is ..uhm.. compromised, he asked to meet you in person …he..he sounded …different” Louis said , her voice shaking.

My hands went cold , my heart sinking to the pit of my stomach, I swallowed as I tried not to expose my feelings, “ where ..is the meeting scheduled?”

“ Tonight, Frinzly hotel” Louis pressed out immediately.

I suck in one breath , tonight ? Frinzly ? Wasn't that the hotel closest to the new media company? My eyes flashed with suspicion “ thank you Louis”

“ Uhm..okay ma'am”

I disconnected the call, letting my phone slide to the cushion, shoulders sagged. I turned around and only then did I notice the man leaning on the door frame beside the lobby.

His brows were arched in worry but it disappeared the minute I looked , it was almost like I was imagining it .

“ How long have you been there ?” I asked, my gaze fixed on him .

“ Long enough to know that you might be leaving tonight” he casually said , shrugging his shoulders.

My brows furrowed, “ stand properly when talking to me!” I snapped, I wasn't his friend nor his wife !

He immediately stood erect …awkwardly, he adjusted his ruffled clothes and wiped his sweaty palms on his cotton top.

“ I'm.. sor..ry ma'am” he said, my gaze flew to his hands which were clenched.

He was really a ..maid who couldn't say sorry ?

“ Would I be joining you ?” He asked, his gaze boring through mine .

I cut off the eye contact and walked past him directly into my room, I paused and looked back , “ No” I said and entered my room locking the door .

He seemed to remain there for a few minutes until I heard a slight noise in the kitchen. I sighed , looking around the bedroom . It was really organised, the dusty shelf was cleaned up, my wardrobe was a breathtaking look ..simple yet elegant.

“ Not bad” I said and looked away , dashing into the bathroom. I needed to leave immediately to meet the director. This role was my hard work , I can't possibly let anyone ….just anyone take it from me !

“ Goddammit!” I heard him hiss the minute I was done dressing.

I rushed to the kitchen only to be met with a disastrous scene .

Plates scattered ….

Pot on fire …burning….

Whatever was in the oven was burning .

“ What are you doing ?” I snapped, my voice sharp with my eyes wide.

He immediately turned off the stove, the burning fire subsiding . The kitchen looked like a mess .

He sighed, covered in sweat , “ I'm sorry ma'am” he said , lowering his gaze a little bit.

“ You ….” I said hesitating to complete my sentence, “ uhh” I let out a frustrated grunt.

A lot of employees would be on their way to wherever they came from by now.

“ I wanted to make white bread and Spanish soup, I didn't…know it …”

“ And you ended up turning the kitchen into a desert , thank you” I snapped, turning off the oven. The smell of burnt bread makes my stomach churn. I scrunched my nose , thick lines appearing on my forehead.

“ Fix this mess” I said , gaze fixated on him, I bit my bottom lips fighting back the urge to lash out on him.

“ If there is a next time ? You are out !” I said and stormed off. I felt his gaze linger on my back for a while before I left .

What was he staring at?

A few minutes later, I stood in front of the hotel, a large banner displaying the name of the hotel. A red and milky beam of light dancing around the name making it seen from anywhere. I wore an inconspicuous brown shirt with black denim jacket and a tight fitted jean trouser which accentuated my curves. It was the simplest outfit I owned and also less conspicuous.

I walked into the hotel, my eyes scanning the entire space . On the right end was the receptionist who was attending to people . A little bar stood in front of me, rays of blue light flashing towards me.

I flicked my tongue, my brows furrowing, was I in a bar or in a hotel ?

“ Strange” I muttered under my breath. I asked towards a table and sat down, my eyes scanning the people around me . For some weird reason, I seem to capture the guys’ attention as they whistled and whispered to themselves.

“ You are here?” A sweet melodious voice rang out, a slight lavender perfume, not too strong or light hit me.

Familiar !

My body froze, my head buzzing like I had been caught stealing. My body felt like it had been set on fire , hot.. unnerving…

Claire walked towards me with long strides. She was a bit taller than me, about 5 '10 while I'm 5’9.

My eyes widened, what was she doing here ? I was …supposed to meet with the director instead.

She wore a flashy emerald dress with elegant silver patterns. The emerald dress was square-necked which helped accentuate her breasts. Her skin was jade-like , tanned to be exact.

She had gotten even more beautiful compared to the last time. My hands unconsciously flew under the table. I adjusted awkwardly , the surrounding air tense and thick.

She sat down, a bright smile on her face , “ sorry, I made the director organise a meeting for us. I thought maybe …I could clear the air” she said , the smile not leaving her face.

My hands clenched under the table, my lips trembling a bit. I wasn't prepared to meet her …it's been . …it's been two years , two whole years since we parted .

“ Clear the air ?” I asked, lines deepening on my forehead .

“ Give up the role” she said, straight ,blunt ,her words unfiltered .

My jaw clenched, my pupils contracting . How dare she?! Who did she think she was ?! I worked harder than most actresses. I achieved what could be achieved in a decade in just two years and here she was , legs crossed , point blank ….telling me to give up my role ? Who the hell did she think she was ?

“ If you came all the way here to say this? Then I would rather the meeting ends here”

Claire smiled and casually brought out her phone, she flashed the phone towards me .

“ If you don't give up the role , I will make sure your brother ends up in jail” she threatened, her voice cold . Not the usual sweet and melodious one.

My blood ran cold , my body shivering from the chilly impact her words had.

Darius ? What ..what was he into ? He ran someone over ? And ran off ?

My eyes snapped up , meeting her manipulative gaze. I swallowed, my fingers scratching the table underneath, “ you ..he wouldn't do that” I said trying to convince myself that the brother I haven't seen for years was the same I had known as a teen.

Claire sneered, “ suit yourself, you have 24hours to give up the role ... .up to you” she merely said and stood up .

“ Ah yes” she paused and turned around , “ Maxwell extended his heartfelt greetings to you” she dropped , a smirk on her face as she walked away.

I banged the table in anger, she turned around , the smirk still plastered on her face .

“ What ?” She asked , her eyes wide with taunt, “ are you going to beat me up ? ….do it” she said , a sneer on her face .

Only then did I notice she had brought the paparazzi with her . I smiled….bitterly , this was who she really was after all…

I stood up, and brushed past her…I can't be stupid twice . Cameras flickered towards me, a shutter of light flashing on my eyes as I walked out . I felt her gaze lingering on me , obviously she had a taunting smirk on.

What headline was this going to make this time ? I wonder!

I didn't realise I was on the stairs that led out of the hotel. I missed a single step and my ankle yanked sideways, making me slip, the sharp pain spread towards my entire muscle rendering me numb.

Oh no! One thing was making a headline, the other was making an embarrassing one.

Just when I thought I would fall to the ground , a strong arm caught me. A strong scent of sandalwood hit me. It was earthy and for some weird reason …it was relaxing too . He yanked me up towards him, my little frame wrapped around him.

“ Told you I could serve so many purposes” a chilling masculine voice rang out ….familiar !

What …Joe ? What was he doing here ?!