Chapter 4

I turned away and opened my car door as Ryan grabbed my arm.

“Lisa, listen to me” he begged.

“I have no time. I need to get to work” I struggled to be free.

“Then can I see you later?”

“I’m sorry, I’m super busy” I pulled free and drove away.

I looked at the mirror and I saw a disappointed Ryan. Stupid asshole! What does he want from me. Then the flashbacks came. Of our first date, of how he used to hold me and then how he used to look at Mandy. Tears welled up in my eyes as I blinked them away. No, I’m not gonna cry over this asshole. I don’t wanna waste a single tear on him anymore. Today was supposed to be a happy day. Suddenly Rainie Yang’s song broke the silence.

“Hello babe. I saw you on the papers today. You move fast eh? I thought you said no man. How did you land such a hottie?”

Cindy was teasing. I smiled and realized I cannot let her know about Ryan.

“It was just a rumor” I laughed it off.

“Pictures speak a thousand words ok” Cindy reminded, her voice a little distracted.

I can imagine her admiring her new nail art or playing with her necklace. Ah, good ol Cindy.

“Cin, call you later. I’m driving”

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I pressed the elevator button. It’s been 3 days since my 15 minutes of fame in the newspaper. I have to admit at first I enjoyed the spotlight for a while as I get longing glances and whisperes from people everywhere I go. Now I'm tired of the attention.

“I don’t understand why they would wanna bother printing the story. It’s not like I’m a dating a celebrity” I was talking to Cindy earlier.

“Indeed he’s not but he’s a celebrity’s mother’s bodyguard”

“That doesn’t make sense. So?” I was glad Cindy couldn’t see me frowning through the phone.

“Did you notice him Lis? He’s super hot!”

I had to bite my bottom lip to keep myself from grinning.

“Yes, he is”

I smiled to myself as I got out of the elevator and walked towards my car.

“Lisa” I turned around. Big mistake.

Ryan stood there, looking like he just finished running a marathon. He was sweating and gasping for air.

"Cin, talk to you later" I glared at Ryan.

“Lisa, please listen to me” he took a step forward and I took a step back.

“What the hell do you want from me?” I raised my voice.

Why is he tormenting me like this?

“I was so happy when you were with me. That Mandy seduced me and ..”

I interrupted him with a mock laugh.

“She left you” it was more of a statement rather than a question.

It hit right to his guts as I realized a look of pain washed over his face.

“Lisa, please. Why .. don’t you love me?” he reached out.

I felt really uncomfortable and as I took another step backward, I felt someone was at my back and a gentle touch landed on my arm. I turned and saw a man with cap, sunglasses and a cloth covering his mouth.

“Why are you disturbing this lady?” the man asked, his voice harsh.

“Hey, this has nothing to do with you” Ryan pointed an accusing finger.

“It has everything to do with me” the guy pulled my arm and led me into my car.

“Give me your keys” he demanded.

Oh gosh, am I being carjacked? With trembling hand, I handed the key to him as I proceeded to open the passenger door. Ryan was just standing out there looking dumb. Stupid asshole, letting me being carjacked. The carjacker started driving and it took me five minutes before I dare to open my mouth.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Tom wants to see you” his voice had changed.

Wait a minute. He sounds familiar. I looked at him closely. He glanced at me and pulled his cap lower.

“Why Tom wants to see me?” I asked, losing my fear slowly.

“I dunno. You’re his girlfriend” he said, still staring ahead.

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Somehow my mind was playing the scene of how it would be when I meet Tom again. I thought it would be like in the movies where he would run over to embrace me then twirls me around. It was nothing like that. After the carjacking dude left my car with the valet at Madam Ye’s house, we walked into the house; he yanked off his sunglasses, cap and cover. As I suspected, it was Jay.

“Miss Wang, we need to talk” Tom came and whispered to me.

Uh-oh. Wait, am I his girlfriend? Jay glanced at me and walked out of the room.

“The other day, we knew paparazzi were outside the house and in order to keep the rumor away from Jay, I had to pretend you’re my girlfriend”

Oh, only pretend. Damn, hey I was set as bait. I was used!

“We’ll just slowly let the rumor die down” Tom nodded.

Then he stood up and leans down towards my face and kissed me, on the cheek. Wait, there are paparazzi in the house? My eyes roamed around for camera but I found none.

“Angelisa?”

I turned to see him looking back at me.

“That was for real” he smiled and walked out of the room.

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“I’m so glad you came back” Madam Ye patted my hand.

She’s the only one in the house who I’m most comfortable with. Tom confused me and Jay doesn’t seem to like me.

“I promise I will be back” I smiled at her.

“I’m sorry Jie Lun had been rude to you the other day”

“Oh, it’s ok auntie. I already forgotten about it”

Really, I have. Probably because part of me is kind of grateful he saved me from Ryan today.

“Jie Lun had been very protective of me ever since the paparazzi broke into the house”

“How did it happen? Wasn’t Tom around?”

“Tom wasn't hired yet. It happened two years ago around in the evening. I was just reading in the living room when I heard the window being opened. As I approach the sound, I heard Jie Lun shouting. Seems like a paparazzi crept in the window. After that, within the next two days he hired Tom”

“Oh .. well at least Jay loves you very much. You have no idea how much the media always compliment him on being filial “ I said as the old woman smiled proudly.

“Yes, I’m glad he never forgets his roots and he’s still the same boy whom I brought up”

With a smile, there were silence for a while before she touched my hand.

“How is it being Tom’s girlfriend?” she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Well, since we’re only pretending, I guess it would be ok. People recognize me at first from the papers but since then , nobody really pays attention anymore”

She nodded “ Good, at least you’re in the headlines to accompany him, the rumors would probably go away”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m not some famous person, I’m sure the media would forget who I am. It will not jeopardize Jay’s career” I don't know what I'm saying actually.

“It’s not that rumor I’m worried about” she frowned a little.

Not that rumor?

“Which rumor? “ I was slightly confused.

“ That Tom is gay”

I turned around and saw Jay standing at the stairs.