When Vanessa reached the lobby of the hotel, reporters suddenly flocked around her. "Miss Sanchez, are the rumors true? Do you have a new sponsor? We heard that he's an old man?" A reporter quickly threw those questions at her. Vanessa struggled to walk through the crowd as they were creating a scene.
"Is he your sugar daddy? Is it true that you sleep with men for money to sponsor your dying career?" Another one threw a question at her. Vanessa's face turned red as anger boiled inside of her.She clenched her fist tightly as she stopped to respond to their questions."I guess my senior colleagues feel threatened by me. That's why they're spreading these horrible rumors about me, "she stated."We do not understand you, miss Sanchez? Is anyone after you?" The reporter asked again."Who spread rumors about you?""The same person who paid you all to question me." She replied. Vanessa moved forward and approached the door.As she pushed the door open, she felt a cold liquid splash all over her body and face. Vanessa was dumbstruck as she stared at the middle aged woman who looked at her with rage. The woman quickly threw the bucket away and attacked Vanessa."How dare you try to sabotage my marriage, you bitch? You think sleeping with my husband will help your fallen career?" The woman pounced on her and hit her.Vanessa didn't fight back, but she defended herself and pushed the woman off."I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of me!" She demanded. The woman didn't relent on hitting her at every given opportunity.The woman slapped Vanessa across the face and pushed her off to fall but she ended up in the arms of someone.The bold arms grabbed Vanessa tightly and he pulled her to himself. Vanessa was shocked by the reaction of the man who saved her. She punched and pushed him off her. "Miss Sanchez, is this how you appreciate me for saving you?" She heard the man's voice speak. Vanessa could tell that it sounded very familiar. She looked up at his face and saw him. Fear gripped her when she realized who he was. The man was none other than her ex-husband. Emmanuel Howells.The same man she abandoned three years ago in order to face her career. Vanessa was embarrassed that he had to find her this way after three years of separation. She was scared that he saw she didn't even improve in anything. Nor was she rich or famous like she always wished to be.Vanessa pushed him off her but he had his hands gripped on her dress. "Let go of me, Manuel!" She demanded, riveting her gaze from his face as his cold demeanor made her uncomfortable.Instead of Manuel to obey her, he pulled her closer. "Mr. Howells, we have come to realize that this is your first meeting you miss Sanchez ever since your divorce. Is there anything you have to say about it?" A reporter stepped forward and asked.Vanessa looked at him sternly, she felt like slapping him for asking such a question.Manuel gave her a brief stare before he spoke"What can I say? I am highly disappointed that she didn't even improve after so many years, "he answered. Manuel looked at Vanessa coldly, his lips curved into a smirk. He said that purposely to hurt her but she seemed to ignore him. Making his mission unsuccessful. When she didn't reply, he went on to ask."Am I right, Vanessa Sanchez?" His voice was cold as he spoke. Vanessas' cheeks turned crimson as she blushed in embarrassment. At that moment, she wished for the ground to open and consume her.She was so ashamed of herself. Firstly, it was her sexual scandal, Marina's humiliation, the woman who claimed she slept with her husband and now, meeting Manuel."Hunny, what are you doing here?" They both heard Marina's voice speak from a distance. She soon reached where they stood and she tried to hug Manuel who had just let go of Vanessa. Manuel didn't seem to be interested in the hug but he let her hug him. He looked at Vanessa, hoping to see an emotion on her face but there was none. She didn't even care about them, even if they kissed."What are you doing here, Manuel? Shouldn't you be at a meeting?" She questioned him."Yes, Hun. I should. Coincidentally, the meeting is being held here in this hotel." He replied to her."Oh, " she gave a brief response and turned to Vanessa."You slut. You tried to seduce my fiance" she accused her. Marina raised her hand to hit Vanessa but Manuel stopped her."What are you doing, Hun?" She turned."I should teach this gold digger a lesson for trying to seduce you, '' Marina declared."There'll be no need for that." Manuel responded.He soon turned to the woman who he met, hitting Vanessa earlier. "Madam, you claimed that Miss Sanchez seduced your husband, right?" He asked.The woman nodded instantly. "It isn't a claim. I know she did. She also spent the night with him last night" she added.Manuel was confused and he arched a brow as he stared at her. "Where did you get your information?" Manuel questioned her. Miranda couldn't understand why he was interested in the issue, she was so uncomfortable with the whole situation already. And all she wanted was to leave the hotel with him. She didn't want to get exposed for setting Vanessa up."It's none of your business, Mr. Howell. Please stop meddling in my affairs" Vanessa warned him. She was frightened that her secret might get exposed. Indeed, she woke up beside a man whom she didn't bother to check who he was and had just left. She didn't want anyone to find out about it. I'll only add up to her problems. She was cold, wet, embarrassed and needed to return home to rest.Vanessa wanted to leave but Emmanuel held her back. They both stared at each other. "Why are you leaving? Do you not want to vindicate yourself from their accusations?" He questioned her.Vanessa glared into his crystal blue eyes that held dark emotions in them. She was so uncomfortable, especially with his touch."What does it matter to you? Please stay away from this" she warned him.Manuel tightened his fist on her arm."You are indeed right, madam. But Miss Sanchez here spent the night with me" Manuel suddenly blurted out.Everyone was stunned by his sudden confession. Vanessa looked at him in shock. Why did he lie just to defend her?The reporters flashed their cameras at them, especially when he held her and looked at her so intimately."Miss Sanchez, is this true? Did you spend the night with your ex-husband again? Was it for a sponsorship?" They began to throw numerous questions at her.Vanessa was so embarrassed by everything, her face turned red immediately. She grew more enraged and felt like slapping Manuel For doing this to her.Miranda on the other hand grew more confused. No wonder the man she had set up with Vanessa called her to inform that she never showed up last night. It turned out that she had slept in Manuel's room last night and they probably slept together.Marina was furious, she tried to slap Vanessa but Manuel stopped her immediately. "Don't you dare touch her!" He declared. Vanessa stared at him as he warned his girlfriend. She could recognize the emotions in his eyes. Manuel still had feelings for her."Madam, now that I have clarified to you this issue, it's best that you leave the hotel before I have you arrested." Manual threatened her. The woman was embarrassed by the whole situation. Truly, she had accused Vanessa wrongly because she was paid to. She didn't want to get arrested, so she left quickly.As soon as the woman left, Manuel turned to the reporters. "You all should get your facts right about Vanessa. And if any of this news goes viral, I'll make sure to ruin your careers. The companies you work for wouldn't be left out." He threatened." Each and every one if you," he added. upon hearing that, the reporters quickly left the scene, they didn't want to risk their career. They all knew who CEO Emmanuel Howells was, he is cold-hearted, ruthless and powerful. From a highly influential family in the city. They dare not disobey his orders. Vanessa was loosened from his grip and she wanted to leave. Miranda was so angry that her plans were ruined. She turned to Vanessa and tr
By the time Vanessa woke up, it was evening time. She looked around the bedroom that she was in. A huge luxuriously designed master bedroom. She jerked up from the bed immediately. "Where am I?" She asked herself rhetorically as she walked towards the door. Vanessa was scared that she might've been kidnapped by someone. But at the same time she doubted that. A kidnapper wouldn't bring his victim to such a luxurious mansion. She walked stealthily through the hallways of the mansion that seemed utterly familiar to her. Except that some things were changed in it. She finally located the living room. "Where do you think you're going, Miss Sanchez?" She heard a familiar voice speak to her. Vanessa was dumbstruck as she saw who he was. She didn't expect it to be him who brought her here. "Did you save me from those women?" She asked him. Manuel walked down the staircase and he approached her. She was Standing by the door— holding the knob and about to open it."Yes, I did. " He answered
Vanessa struggled to break the kiss but he seemed to hold her with an iron fist. After he was done, he finally let go. Manuel wanted to speak, only to receive a slap from Vanessa. "How dare you kiss me?" She yelled at him. She wanted to slap him again and he held her. A nurse suddenly appeared in the scene. "The patient in ward 6" she said briefly. She knew who Vanessa was so she had to inform her about the health of her grandma.By the time Vanessa got there, she met her grandma in a critical state. Vanessa broke down instantly, crying. She couldn't stand seeing Nanay suffer so much because of her incompetence."Granny, please stay with me. I promise to get the money today. I'll make sure you don't die, please hang on" she pleaded. Vanessa couldn't control the tears that poured down her eyes. While she was inside the ward lamenting her pains, Manuel was outside watching her. Adrian soon arrived."Have you done what I asked?" He asked Adrian and he responded."Yes, boss. Here are
VANESSAI am standing in front of the civil affairs bureau, clenching tightly onto my purse. I am dressed in a short beautiful white satin wedding dress, with long chiffon hands. Surprisingly, it fit me perfectly, outlining my hourglass shape. An ideal wedding dress, chosen by Manuel. I felt uncomfortable in the dress, not because of anything but it got me wondering how he managed to get my exact size of dress. In the past, Manuel barely showed me any attention or care about me. This is his first time offering to pick my dress. I hadn't planned on accepting to wear what he chose for me, but I had no choice but to accept it. Manuel was persistent, and his threats over me because he had my grandmother made me come here to get married to him again. I looked at the time on my mobile phone, it was thirty minutes past eight a.m., Manuel was late for our wedding again. I wasn't surprised because this is how he normally acts. It made me recall how he missed our engagement party and our wed
VANESSAIt barely took thirty minutes for the marriage registration to be done. From what I noticed, it seems like Manuel has already had everything planned out. Even the time when the registrar arrived. He knew that he wouldn't come by 8 a.m. but 9. And he purposely made me wait for him for one hour. Is he trying to test my patience?The marriage certificate was handed to us and we took a few pictures as evidence. "Here" Manuel handed me a copy of the certificate and he gave one to Adrian to keep for him.I stood up to leave the office, Manuel held and pulled me back."Where do you think you're going, Vanessa?" He questioned me. His cold gaze still bothered me so I tried not to keep eye contact with him."I have to go to the studio. I have a shoot today by 10 a.m. and it's almost time" I explained to him. I didn't allow him to say anything and j just left the office with my certificate in my hands.I was heading outside the office whenManuel suddenly appeared and grabbed me."What
VANESSA After Adrian dropped me off at the studio, I went inside and directly to my Manager's office. I know that Mr. Adams must be so disappointed in me for arriving late. I thought of excuses to give him as I proceeded inside, I couldn't possibly tell him that I've just gotten married. That might just cause another scandal in the news. No matter what, right now, my marriage to Emmanuel Howells must remain a secret from the entertainment industry. As I went inside the huge video production studio, all eyes were on me, including the actors, directors and props. I know that they all saw the news yesterday and must be curious to ask me about it. I rolled my eyes around, trying to make myself comfortable as I walked past them. "Isn't she the slut?" "Why is she here today?""Vanessa Sanchez has no shame! How could she show her face here?" I heard several whispers flying around about me. I ignored them and continued to walk through the crowd of people. Many of them stopped their ong
VANESSAAfter I've just had a mini brawl with Marina, I left to visit my friend Ciara who lived near my old apartment. Whenever I'm distressed, Ciara is the one who always talks to me and makes me feel better. At this point, I am so confused on what to do. As I boarded a taxi and took a seat on the passenger side, I laid my head, resting it upon the seat in the car as the taxi began to move. I subconsciously gaze outside from the car, my mind is filled with different thoughts.In Just two days, my life changed, taking a worse turn. My career is going down the drain and I've just accepted to be remarried to my Ex-Husband who has cost me so much pain in the past.The thoughts of the whole marriage irked me, and I felt uncomfortable about it.Tonight is our wedding night, did Manuel expect me to show up so that he can have his way with me. A few days ago, if I had known that it was Manuel who was In bed with me, I would've done something about it. Now, it's all too late as he's already
I spent an extra hour with Ciara. I wasn't in any way feeling like going back to the mansion— recalling the fact that it's my wedding night. Soon, Cia returned from the kitchen with the meal she cooked, while I was on my phone. Manuel called me an extra two times but I didn't take the calls. He even sent a text message, asking me to return before it gets dark. The time was only 6 p.m. and the day was still so bright. "Here's yours" Cia said as she dropped the meal on the table. When I sighted the food, I heard my stomach rumble in anticipation. I've just realized that I haven't eaten anything all day, while I was busy trying to fix my life.I instantly took the dish and ate it."It's delicious" I complimented her."I bet you can cook better," Cia said, as a brief smile curved on her lips. We continued to eat until a knock came on the door. For a moment, my blood froze. I turned to Cia and I asked her."Are you expecting anyone?" "Yes, sorry. I ordered some drinks for us" Cia ru