Chapter 2

HATTIE’S POINT OF VIEW

It’s been weeks since the interview happened. Inigo threatened me that I will pay him big time.

How dare he blame me when in fact he liked my kiss. He even responded to it.

I've been locked up here in my condo for three weeks now because there is a lot of media waiting for me downstairs. Gossip media!

Fannie is not here at my condo either because she is fixing my name. I fully thought that the issue would pass, but it got worse because of Inigo's interview.

I didn't ruin his marriage though, he's the one who ruined it. He responded to my kiss and he's the one responsible for it. Why me? Why me huh?

I merely shook my head. I took a zip of wine from the wine glass I was holding. I frowned while looking at the television.

I'm thankful because my name doesn't appear in the flash news anymore.

I stretched out my hand to reach for my cell phone which was ringing. I checked who the caller was and it was Amanda, one of the heads of the agency I work for.

I rolled my eyes before answering her call and asked, "Yes, Amanda? What do you need?"

"Where the hell are you, Hattie?" She asked, I can sense that she is entirely mad at me.

"Condo and I can't go out here. There's a lot of media and press down there," I answered listlessly.

It's true. They have been going back and forth to my condominium building for three weeks. They thought they could get my sides? No! I will never do that. I'll let them think what they want to think about me.

I hate pleasing them though.

"I will go to the agency, but send the press out of the building. God! They look like stalkers!" I uttered hysterically.

Amanda hissed from the other line. "If you're not the top rating in the agency, I'll let you go..."

"Whatever, Amanda!"

"Wait for 5 seconds and we will detach them. Your manager will go on live to tell them that you go abroad... and we will get back to you once they're gone on your building," Amanda uttered from the other line.

I nodded my head as if she saw me. "Alright. I will wait for it. I'm just gonna message Fannie to send Mang Rico here back to my condo."

"No need to text her. I'll say it since Fannie is right next to me. She already texted Mang Rico anyway."

"Okay. Thank you, Amanda. And send my thank you to Fannie." And with that, I ended the call.

I put my phone back on the couch and leaned on the headboard of the couch. My eyes were focused on the television, where Fannie was playing live. I connected my phone to theirs so that I could watch her live on Twitter.

I already fixed myself this morning because I was going to leave. But it didn't work because there was still a lot of press on the chin.

How did I know? Of course, Fannie told me.

When her live interview started, Fannie announced that I went abroad. Lots of comments and criticism. As usual, some of them are good and some are worst.

But they're all worse than me. I earn money while making an issue while them? No! They have nothing to gain from being gossipy.

My eyes were only focused on Fannie until the end of the whole live. I didn't pay attention to the comments of the whole audience because they were also pointless. I'm already used to the feeling because that's the life of a public figure.

Being a public figure we have no privacy. All your actions are watched by many eyes, the press, and media, the eyes of judgmental people.

We have no escape from them. Once you enter being a model or a public figure, you must be strong-willed, brave, and have stable mental health. Because if not, for sure your first issue will break you down.

In today's society, people are quick to pass judgment on others without first listening to the other side of the argument. In addition to this, they are quick to criticize other people without ever taking the time to look at themselves in the mirror. They don't follow the advice that they give online when it comes to their own behavior.

****

When the press and media were gone, I stood up and carried my beloved bag. I left my unit wearing shades to hide my identity. I also wore a cap so no one would recognize me.

I got on the elevator and hit the ground-floor parking lot. I waited five minutes to finally get out.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, I made my way to the SUV van in which Mang Rico was riding as the driver. After buckling myself in, I moved to the rearmost seat of the vehicle.

I removed the cap, as well as the sunglasses, that I had been wearing earlier. When I checked my reflection on my phone, my hair did not appear to be in a mess at all.

"La Belleza Agency, Ma'am?" Mang Rico asked me.

I nodded in response.

Mang Rico drove the SUV van out of the parking lot. But it stopped immediately and I don't know the reason behind it.

"Mang Rico, why did the car stop?" I asked him, wondering.

"Ma'am, there is a car blocking the road. We can't pass," he answered in a panicked voice.

I let out a big sigh of relief. When I looked up ahead, there was a car blocking the way. I gave Mang Rico the instruction to whistle at it in order to get rid of it. However, it does not seem to be going away, and the continued occurrence of it is becoming increasingly frustrating.

After what seemed like an eternity, the driver of the BMW finally emerged. The mere sight of it made me frown. He took off the sunglasses he had been wearing and turned his gaze towards me. The shock nearly caused my jaw to drop. As I looked at him, my eyes grew larger, and the corners of my mouth began to pull back. He then walked over to our vehicle and, once he was there, rapped on the back window of the vehicle.

I don't even know where to begin! What exactly is it that he is doing in this location? Is he planning on causing a commotion in this area?

"Ma'am, shall I open it?" Mang Rico asked me.

I shook my head. "No! Don't Rico that guy is insane. Don't open the window."

The young man kept knocking on the window. It was loud enough to annoy me.

"Mang Rico, open it so we can leave immediately. This man needs something from me." I ordered Mang Rico.

He immediately opened it. I faced Inigo, it was as if he was looking at me. But I just gave him a bad look.

"What do you need?" I asked him, annoyed.

He smirked mischievously. "Now you're asking? Didn't I tell you that you will pay for everything?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's not my fault you idiot! If you two stop the marriage, the hell I care! Don't blame me for what happened because in the first place… you enjoy my kiss." I grinned widely when I saw how his facial expression changed. Earlier, he was grinning at the foolishness, but it was changed to anger.

"Wanna bet you want to taste my lips again that's why you're here." I teased him.

He shook his head. "You're insane!"

I grinned. "Yeah I am, so get that car out of our way before I run over it. You will know how Hattie will get angry, Mr. Thompson."

"Then we will see each other on the court then..."

I smirked. "Alright. If you say so."

"Mang Rico, run over his car," I said.

"But Ma'am, your agency might scold us," replied Mang Rico.

I took a deep breath. "I'll take care of it. If that's the only way we can get out of here. Hit that fucking car! If you don't want to do it I will."

I looked again at the man beside me. His look was blank so I grinned. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. I went to the driver's seat and opened it.

"Move!" I ordered Mang Rico.

It moved towards the shotgun seat. I got into the driver's seat and put on my seatbelt.

"One last time, Mr. Thompson, will you move your car in front, or I will hit your car?" I asked her while looking in the mirror.

"I'm not kidding, Inigo."

He still didn't speak. I started the SUV again and drove towards the vehicle blocking our way.

If he doesn't want to leave, I make a way.

I turned my head to the side and noticed a gap in the wall that I could squeeze through. I flashed a grin before turning the car around to drive away from the building.

Mang Rico drew my attention to him by saying, "I thought you were going to run over his car, Ma'am," and he forced me to look at him.

I cracked a grin. I responded by saying that although that had been my intention, I had discovered another way to get there.

Did that man think I was going to run over his car? Duh already promises Fannie that I will never make trouble again.

Mang Rico didn't speak again so I just quietly drove to La Belleza Agency.

Inigo Dusk Thompson is a pain in the ass.