Plan A

"So, what is the plan then?" Anna asked calmly after regaining her composure a little bit.

The moment she spelled those words, the soft-hearted old man disappeared as his surface covered a new persona of the CEO of the famous magazine company. In an instant, his eyes became sharp and cunning.

"We have to post a blog about you not being here."

"But how?" Keira twitched her brows slightly.

"It's easy, but we need some connections for that. It can be a full-proof plan."

Connections? Where can she get that? Having connections in other countries is not something like a piece of cake.

"What's the plan actually?"

"I know some famous bloggers outside the country. We can get help from them. They can prove that you were not in Los Angeles. But we still need some connections. It's not an easy task to make up some evidence of living more than a year in a foreign country when they never even went there."

But still, this is kind of a dead end. They can't suddenly get some connections from higher-ups of other countries. They need someone who can at least make up for some fake information legally. But how can they suddenly find this kind of person out of nowhere?

"Can't there be any other option?" Anna somehow couldn't like the idea.

"There is, of course. But that will be a bit tough for you." Mr. Kavin remarked.

"What is it?"

Despite her being hesitant, she decided to listen to the other one.

"You will have to distract the public. Right now, your image is a bit on the bad side after this scandal. Now, revealing yourself as the writer of your book will make things worse. So, we have to do something else."

Both Kiera and Anna didn't say anything but just nodded and stared at the old man to finish his speech.

"If you don't like my first idea, we will have to reveal the reason why you left the music entertainment industry."

The moment Anna heard those words, she became numb again. This old man… he doesn't know anything, right? Then, why is he bringing up this topic? So many celebrities retired just like that without any reason, then why does hers have to be a reason all of a sudden?

"There's no reason for it. I just left the industry because I was exhausted and wanted a break, that's it."

Anna wanted to make her cause of retirement more reasonable though she didn't look a bit confident anymore when uttering those words. She kept her face straight but her hands started to tremble. Why is she so scared? The reason for her retirement was something that can never be revealed to the outer world. It was her decision.

Kavin looked at Annabelle for a long minute as if he was waiting for her to tell him that herself. But it was in vain. This girl can't trust him in this matter. No matter what. He doesn't want to scare this girl, but now this is the vital point they need right now.

"So, I had to do some back research on it and found that 2 months ago before your retirement, some weird things happened at the Grammy Awards Gala. Am I right?"

Kiera was astounded by the result of his investigation. Surely, he was a former reporter who was quite famous in the media at that time. His tactics were unique enough to gather up this type of hidden information. As far as she knows, she used up all her connections to hide those small matters that happened inside the gala hall that night. It was something very small that even other people attending that gala also didn't get to know about what exactly happened there.

Anna was also astonished. But she didn't say anything. She looked at Mr. Kavin as if she was going to make a hole through him by her gaze. As if she was trying to read his soul to know his true intentions. Kavin didn't flinch at this unapproachable gaze. He knew more than anyone that he didn't gather that information to make her suffer.

First, it was his curiosity as he believed this girl wasn't connected to something shady to make her retire since he met her. He knew long ago that she was the famous 'Annie' who went missing after her retirement. Not only this, she comes out to be actually an amazing writer to be exact. No matter how long she wants to hide herself, her persona is a kind that would never let her hide or rest in the darkness. But when he got to know the whole truth, he was more than aggrieved. Kavin knew very well how the whole entertainment industry is, but still, he never imagined this terrible thing to happen to her.

Anna knew that Mr. Kavin was saying it for a solution. Actually, revealing it will really repair her image, but she doesn't want it. She doesn't want a reputation based on people's pity. Once she leaves that path, she will never come back, no matter what.

Kiera was also worried about Anna. Even if Anna agreed to do as Mr. Kavin says, she herself will not allow something like this. She can't push Anna into the same abyss again. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind.

"Mr. Kavin? Do you have someone you know in Korea like that to help us?" Kiera asked all of a sudden.

"Korea? Yeah, I have someone I know there. Why?"

"I know someone too. We can do it there. Let's go with plan A." Kiera stated this time.

Mr. Kavin thought for a while. Going with plan A would be also tough for them. It was kind of impossible but he was hoping to make a way as Anna had the nationality of several countries. As for Kiera, she wasn't sure if she could get any help from the person she was thinking about right now. But she had only this way to make Annabelle choose plan A. she could do anything but push her into the same mud again.

"Don't worry. I know someone powerful there. Also, Anna has the nationality of that country. It will make things easier."

Anna looked at Kiera as she was surprised to know that she had some connections there. Kiera herself had never gone to Korea except for some business matters and concerts of hers in the past. In this short time, how could she pull some connections out of nowhere? Something must have happened when she recently visited that country.

**** **** **** ****

Though Mr. Kavin was not convinced much by the idea, he still decided to agree. They need to do all this as fast as they can. It would be impossible for Annabelle even to come out of the house. They can't go to Korea right now, so they have to solve these problems staying here.

Anna was so stressed this morning that she forgot the most important thing. Though the face was not clear, Theodore somehow got connected to this.

She hates it. She hates it when others get stuck in the mess which is related to her. Not only did she make her life difficult but also she dragged someone else into it. Why do people always suffer for her? She can't afford to see it anymore. By now, maybe Theodore is thinking that she is a very problematic girl.

"Kiera, stop by your apartment before going home."

Kiera was driving the car while her mind was overflowing with thoughts and worries. Her daze broke when Anna called her out.

"Suddenly? Why? We have to pack up things, right?" Kiera asked as she couldn't understand why she was wanting to go to her apartment all of a sudden when they decided to move Anna quickly to a new safe place. That apartment was safe until now but who knows? Maybe the paparazzi followed her to Kiera's and her apartment also. As Mr. Kavin offered them to live in his empty penthouse, Kiera decided to take the offer. It was indeed a safe place for Anna right now.

Anna thought for a while before answering.

"Umm… I know he doesn't care but still, he was also captured in the photo, right? Shouldn't I actually apologize to him for dragging him into this mess?"

That's right. Kiera almost forgot about her cousin in this tension. She was foolish enough to leave Anna here with him. It was nothing but her fault. If she hadn't planned for that shitty punishment for her, Anna wouldn't have to meet him and this won't be happening. And now, when Anna is in a messed-up situation, he just took off for Canada.

Anna should have listened to her. Keeping her cousin by her side would be no good for her. Kiera saw a lot of selfish people in her life. In fact, she herself is an absolutely selfish person. But she never saw someone selfish like him. He was beyond imagination. An animal without any emotions. Only she knew how cruel and brutal he could be. Making relationships at random is not something he would ever do seriously. But she never thought only by meeting Anna would get him involved with her this far. She was right, this guy can never do anything good to her.

Kiera can't let it happen anymore. Never ever. After all, allowing him into Annabelle's life will surely be a disaster for her.

"Don't worry. I will handle it by myself. You just focus on yourself right now. We already have a lot of work at hand."

Anna nodded as she thought Kiera was right.