“This is your flight attendant speaking, ladies and gentlemen; we are starting our approach to Los Angeles. Fasten your safety belt at all times.”
As the flight attendant announced their landing in Los Angeles, Anita's heart raced. It had been five years since she left Los Angeles and moved to London to begin over following an unexpected turn of event.Her heartbeat increased even more when she felt the gentle thud under her feet, which indicated that the plane had landed successfully.‘It's official; I'm back here once again!’ She thought as she walked off the plane.The cool breeze blew across Anita Fredrick's face, spreading some strands of hair across her face, as she walked down the stairs of the plane along with her friend and her son, Austin. She felt a mixture of anxiety and disgust as her eyes darted around the airport, remembering how her father's secretary had dragged her here five years ago, forcing her to board a plane to London with nothing but a few clothes on her back.Anita used the tips of her fingers to push back the strands of her blonde-dyed hair that the wind had blown in her face as she thought about how much she had changed. "Isn't that Anita Frederick?" Someone shouted as they made their way through the airport's crowded terminal. Anita heard another voice reverberate through the building, but she paid it no mind and kept walking with her head held high."Everyone's staring at us, Anita," her friend stated as she realized how many people in the crowd were staring at them. She was used to people staring at her and Anita whenever they went out, but seeing them get the same result in America was unexpected.Five security men were seen walking out of the airport towards a black limousine with their luggage. Her friend Angie and her five-year-old son Austin were walking behind the security, but not without two others walking behind them.The agency that just signed Anita had sent security to pick them up. Reporters had already gathered at the airport, and their curiosity was piqued by the presence of not only securities personnel but also a senior executive from Blue Ray Movies Agency who had accompanied Anita.Even though Anita had nothing to do with the reporters' presence, her presence on the scene piqued their interest and made them eager to gain an exclusive for their publications.The subject of their interest was the reason why Anita was with the top manager of Blue Ray Agency. It was unusual for him to go with his entourage to the airport to pick up any actor; she must be special to the company for him to go through all of that trouble himself.Anita's beauty, which captivated the attention of everyone around her as her black sparkling short gown and glass silver heels brushed the ground, was another reason why everyone was staring at her. The wind blew her gown, revealing her upper thighs, but she continued walking nonetheless.The combination of her proud stance and her striking features—a sharp nose, blue eyes, blonde long hair, and lovely white teeth—made her the center of attention wherever she went.Her other close friend, Angie, was also very beautiful, but no one could hold a candle to Anita. The kid with them was included as well. He was just as handsome as Anita and Angela. In fact, no one would have suspected his illness at a casual glance.In an effort to persuade Anita to speak, reporters began to chase after her, but the security guards were not going to let them get close to her. It wasn't hard for them to go away without answering any of their questions, but now they can't hear themselves think because someone is constantly shouting behind them.“Why are you in California, Anita Fredrick?" Are you here on a short-term basis? Otherwise, what brought you to this city? Do you happen to be doing a film in California?”“Please explain why you are here in Los Angeles. Will Blue Ray Modeling and film agencies be representing you now? Please elaborate... Anita… Anita…"They harassed Anita relentlessly until she finally walked out of the airport without speaking to them.After the impact of fake news on her life, Anita never warmed up to reporters or wanted to talk to them. Since reporters were widely known to present both true and false tales in order to appease their followers, she decided to stop giving them any of her attention. She ignored the negative comments made about her online and continued living her life carefree. Many of Anita's devoted Californian fans learned about her arrival at the airport thanks to a viral video clip that went viral online, and they couldn't contain their glee at seeing their favorite actress in their homeland. Many saw this as their chance to finally meet their hero, and plans for fan meet-and-greets with her were already being floated.The news shocked her London followers, who were eager for her return.Within a short time, Anita had become the most talked-about star on the internet across three continents, once again obliterating all of her rivals.Austin and Angie made an effort to adjust to their new surroundings as soon as they arrived at their three-bedroom apartment in one of the outstanding estates in Los Angeles, but Anita wasted no time in calling the doctor to come over and check on the sick Austin, as his London Doctor had advised her to do so.Anita stood by the window, staring into space, while Austin dozed off with his head resting on Angie's thigh and Angie gently running her hands through his hair. A wistful grin spread across Anita's face. Returning to Los Angeles would undoubtedly bring about a lot of changes, but she was prepared for anything that may come her way.A lot of thoughts ran through Anita's head at the same time as she stood at the window. She quickly recalled how her father had sent her away and treated her like a criminal after she was tricked into having sex with a complete stranger by her step-sister. Her father neither believed her at the time nor checked in on her to see how she was faring.Being back in Los Angeles reminded her of everything, although she felt fulfilled. At least she was able to make a life for herself outside of her millionaire father's name.She was able to achieve that goal, which her dad didn't even want to hear with his ear back then. He always wanted her to become a businesswoman who would get married to a responsible young man from a reputable family, and together, they would run Warren's Inc.When Anita felt a hand on her shoulder, she whirled around and saw Angie following close behind. A huge sigh of relief escaped her lips."What are you thinking about this time?" Angie's soothing voice brought Anita back from her train of thought."Hmm, everything. Coming back here reminds me of a lot of stuff I tried to forget." Anita replied, forcing out a smile, and continued,"Thank you so much, Angie. You played a huge role in my life and made me what I am today. You played the roles of a father, mother, and even baby daddy to make me what I am today." Anita said as tears dropped on her left chin.With a gentle grin on her lips, Angie reached up to wipe the tears off Anita's face.“You have earned this yourself, Anita.” Angie put her hands on Anita's shoulder as they laughed, saying, "You are lovely and hardworking, and you are diligent as well, and that is how you gained all that you have right now, not because of me.”Anita hugged Angie, and her eyes fell on Austin, who was already fast asleep, and once again, she was grateful to God and Angie for everything.She heard the doorbell and both of them disengaged from the hug immediately"That's the doctor." Anita assumed."I would leave you to go get the door then," Angie said, kissing Anita on both sides of the cheek before letting her go."Mom?" Austin called softly as he rolled over in bed and coughed.Anita was walking towards the door but stopped halfway when she heard Austin's voice and turned around.Anita sighed. She assumed he was already asleep, so she and Angie hurried over to him, forgetting the visitor was waiting for them.Anita sat by her son's side, stroking his hair as she stared at his drowsy face. The doorbell rang again, and Anita realized she had no time. She didn't want to keep the doctor waiting. she tried to rush out the door, but Angie stopped her."Anita, attend to Austin while I go get the door," Angie suggested, and she nodded.After returning to the bed, Anita sat down next to Austin and gently brought his head to rest on her leg as she ran her fingers through his hair.She leaned up close to his ear and murmured, "I love you so much, kid," eliciting a grin from him.He answered in a drowsy whisper, "I love you more, Mom," and she kissed his chin before getting to her feet to greet the doctor."Hi, I am Anita. Anita Fredrick," Anita introduced herself as she stretched her hand toward the doctor, who was walking toward her with Angie.“Just call me Doctor Sam; it's great to see your face for the first time.” The Doctor announced, beaming and shaking Anita's hand so vigorously that Anita, confused by the Doctor's behavior, had to withdraw her hand.Is he a fan of hers?Sandra sat in her modern office, her gaze fixed on the document she was working on. Her father, the chairman of the company, had handed the project to her to work on without his involvement since she wanted to bid on a project with other top businessmen.Sandra believed this was the chance she had been waiting for—an opportunity to prove herself worthy once more—and she hoped her father would grant her the one wish she had for the company: to be the CEO of Warren's Inc.She was so focused on the document she was working on that she didn't notice her phone was ringing the whole time.She heard a tap on her office door and knew it had to be her secretary, so she ushered her in without looking away from the project she was working on."Ma'am, Miss Bridget said she had been calling your personal line for a while now," the secretary replied with a smile, and Sandra's eyes searched her enormous table full of documents for her phone."Thank you; I will return her call," Sandra said calmly wh
After checking on Austin, Doctor Sam left the house, and Angie had to see him off while Anita stayed behind with her kid.He explained how he would be coming to treat Austin at home while still requiring them to bring Austin to the hospital twice a week for necessary tests and chemo until they found a bone marrow match for him. Anita sat next to Austin and ruffled his hair with her hand, thinking about how to actualize her plans. She couldn't continue to wait for a donor; she needed to get pregnant as soon as possible so she could save her son.Angie returned to the room and kissed Austin lightly on the chin, then Anita concentrated on her phone."I'm hungry, Aunt Angie. I'm craving something spicy," Austin declared, making puppy eyes."Baby, you know mommy wouldn't want you to eat something spicy," Angie said, taking the boy's hands in hers as she sat by his side."You are hungry, right? So let's go get something to eat. But not something spicy," she added with a smile.Angie carried
By eleven a.m., Anita stepped elegantly in her heels into the Blue Ray company, disregarding the stares of the other actresses present. They'd never tire of her attractiveness, and she'd never grow accustomed to not being the focus of attention.The guard pointed her to the director's office, and she wasted no time getting there.Anita knocked quietly on the door of the office, and a voice from within welcomed her in."Good morning, Anita; you may have your seat," the director said, and Anita smiled back.Anita nodded and sat in the chair in front of the director, a bright smile lingering on her face. Her entire appearance exudes elegance.The director took a few documents from the drawer and set them on the table. He began scrolling through them and sighed after a while."Jessica Greg is your manager; she was assigned to you. You don't need to be concerned; she's good at what she does." The director explained, and Anita smiled again, making the director's heart beat faster for her. I
Anita's heart rose as Alexander held her by the hand and took her away from the reporters. His hand firmed on her hand protectively.She was sweating profusely and anxious at the same time, and she was sure that the lovely make-up that Angie had taken her time to do that evening before she left home would have been ruined by now.Her mind was raised with questions and scenarios, fearing what could happen next.Just after they had successfully escaped from the watchful eyes of the reporters, Alexander suddenly let go of her like he had been holding a plague and was relieved to finally have to let it go. And without saying a word to Anita, he walked away from her. Anita felt relief and confusion.Anita, who was still in shock, first looked at her hand and then looked up at his retreating as he walked toward his car.Determined that she would not let him go that night without a word, she followed immediately behind him and suddenly called his name just as he was about to enter his car, b
Anita sat in the back seat of the car as her personal security drove her home. She kept fidgeting and looking through the window all through the journey. Alexander's face and the scene that played out a few moments ago kept replaying in her head over and over again. She was still in a place of uncertainty about whether Alexander had recognized her as the woman he had a one-night stand with or not. But then, if he did, why did he not say anything about it? Or if he didn't, why was he that way toward her?The second question was not a topic of continuous reflection since Anita had come to notice that he was like that towards every other person.But then what if he knew and was waiting for the right time to say it? Or what if he eventually found out in the course of her trying to seduce him?Anita was torn between her desire to seduce him and her fear of him discovering her true identity.And then Lawrence seemed to be another stumbling block to her chances of getting close to Alex and g
CHAPTER 7Anita woke to a pair of small arms wrapped tightly around her. A smile spread across her lips because she already knew who the hands belonged to. She slowly opened her eyes to come face-to-face with her son, who was lying right in front of her and hugging her. He had a bright smile on his face."Are you okay, mom?" You weren't home when I went to bed last night.""I'm okay, baby." She smiled and nodded, running her hand on Austin's head.It wasn't like it wasn't a usual occurrence for her son to go to bed sometimes without his mom being around anyway. She just hoped he would understand that she was just trying to find a way to save him, and Anita was glad Austin always understood her, just like an adult."Guess what, Austin." She had a bright smile on her face as she teased his jaw."What mummy? What are you up to this time around?" He demanded, with one of his brows raised, and Anita smiled."I got a call from the doctor last night, and it seems like there is little hope fo
Hello, Doctor Sam." Anita spoke into the phone the moment she pressed the answer button with shaky hands, her ear eager to hear the next word, that would either change everything and leave Los Angeles for good, or the other way round."Are you there, Anita?" The doctor questioned, his voice thick and low.Anita tried to read the doctor's tone to deduce if she could get a hint of the kind of news he had brought her. But the tone of his voice did not give out any hint; it was neutral. Just as neutral as it was when she sat in front of him the day Austin's doctor in London broke the news of Austin's condition to her.Anita could not help but wonder if they had been trained to properly hide their emotions from showing in their voices."Yes, doctor." She cleared her throat and tightened her fists. "Any good news?""I'm so sorry, Ms. Fredrick; unfortunately, the potential donor cannot help your son due to unforeseen circumstances." The doctor declared in the same neutral voice that he had n
CHAPTER NINEAnita moved close to Angie, her hand dancing on her laptop keyboard and Anita's eyes tracing what she was typing on the screen."So I've been keeping tabs on Lawrence for a while now, and I found out that there is a club he likes to go to." She said, her slender finger tapping on the enter key."Does Alexander also go there?" Anita inquired, perplexed as to how this would be useful."Once in a while, I guess," she said, standing up from the tiled floor."Know what, honey? Lawrence has actually made your job easier by trying to get close to you. As you know, Alexander is kind of a difficult and unapproachable person. I'm not sure it would be easy for you to get close to him without using a tool like Lawrence, you know." Angie said as she fumbled about the living room, sorting Austin's robot toys. Anita's mouth formed a smile, and she exhaled. It was unclear to her where her best friend was attempting to get her attention, but she shook her head in agreement, and she joined