What stunt are you pulling?

Berielle’s POV:

My eyes snapped open when I felt my phone continuously buzzing. I grabbed it hastily and immediately opened the source of chaos. My mouth agape when I saw the news. It was trending#1.

“World’s renowned actress Anna: She climbed the ladder by jumping into the bed of the director.”

“Actress or a prostitute?”

“Director Yang, found guilty of sexually assaulting rookie actresses.”

There was all sorts of news regarding Anna and Director Yang. In fact, it was beyond the point of salvation. I don’t think their careers can get back on track with this sort of scandal.

Suddenly, Fu was calling, “Hello, Elle. Did you see the news?” She asked me the first thing the second I answered her call.

“Yes, I did. What’s going on?” I inquired.

A scandal involving the lead actress and a director, I am sure the filming of the drama has come to halt.

“Yeah, it’s a mess.” She sighed, “Our company is also involved in the production. This is a huge loss. A lot of endorsements have been pulled by the brands.”

“Oh.” I emphasized with her although I don’t know how this concerns me. I have already been out of the drama yesterday.

“A new director will be decided today and I think you should audition for the drama. For a lead actress.” She was saying, “I read in your portfolio that you are a good dancer. You are perfect for the role and after what happened yesterday, everyone is seeing you in a different light. I talked to Duan Yan as well, and he recommended you too. I think you two have chemistry. You are better suited for the role than Anna.”

I was dumbfounded. I did not think that I would get such an opportunity out of nowhere.

“It’s not like you have gotten the role. You will only get it after passing the audition. You better prepare yourself for it. I will send you the script.”

“Thank you, Fu.” I really don’t know how to feel about this entire thing.

Still, it is a good thing that I am getting an opportunity to audition for the role in the drama as a lead actress.

Is the world finally on my side? I laid back on my bed as I stared at the ceiling. The images of the intruder from last night started to subside a bit because of the good news that I have received.

I smiled to myself, “You better not let this chance go in vain. I have to do everything to get this role.” I was determined.

Later, I got ready for my shift at the café. Just because something good has happened, it doesn’t mean I should stop doing the job that I have been doing in order to get by. I took a bus and arrived at the café. However, my ride in the bus was once again full of anxiety. It's been years since I was in a car accident and I still have not been able to completely get over the traumatic experience. Sometimes, the fear subside and sometimes it heightened to the peak.

When I got off the bus, my back was drenched in sweat and my hands were trembling. I rubbed them against my jeans to get rid of any signs of nervousness that I have been flaunting. I inhaled deeply and rushed towards the café as I pushed off all the negative thoughts from my mind. For some reason, my brain was altering me of something that is about to happen. In my entire life, I have never been able to taste happiness entirely. It is always followed by bad news.

Yeah, I have low self-esteem.

“Hi, Elle.” Lily said cheerfully the second I entered the café. It is impossible to resist her cuteness, thus, I smiled as well.

“Hi, there.” There were a few customers in the café. Since it wasn’t the rush hour, we had time to indulge in our little chit chat. I changed into my uniform and got to work.

The sound of door chime notified me that we have more customers but I was busy making espresso, thus, Lily went to greet them.

However, after a few seconds, she came to me, “Hey, Elle. Do you know them? The man in black suit has requested your service.”

I frowned. This isn’t some private bar where you can request the services of a certain host. I found that request completely unreasonable. That’s why I didn’t even bother to put a smile on my face as I turned around to see who had the audacity to ask such a thing and when I did, I wished I shouldn’t have.

I saw him sitting there. One of his legs over the other. A jet black suit that was perfectly tailored for him. His hair neatly combed back, revealing his forehead. However, there was one rebellious strand of hair that was leisurely falling on his forehead, making him look humane to some extent. But it was his oceanic blue eyes that were digging holes in my face.

I clenched the cup in my hand so hard that it is a mystery to me why it did not break in my grip.

“Tell him, I am not free. You can serve him or he is more than welcome to leave.” I coldly said to Lily.

“You can’t do that.” She whisper-shouted at me. Meanwhile, I returned to resume my task.

“We cannot turn away a customer.” She was trying to reason with me, “Moreover, have you seen how handsome he is? He is such an eye candy.”

I glanced at her, just to find her shooting hearts from her eyes. I pursed my lips and shook my head in disappointment, “I am at an age where good looks does not mean anything to me but the personality does and just from one glimpse of his face, I can confidently say that he is an asshole.”

“And this asshole wants a coffee made by you.” Suddenly, I heard a deep voice from behind. It startled me so bad that the coffee spilled over my hand. Furthermore, it was hot.

“Shit.” He winced and before I knew, he was standing next to me, holding my hand in his.

“What are you doing?” I snapped at him.

“I am sorry, because of me you are hurt.” There was a clear hint of guilt in his tone and face, “You should keep your hand in cold water otherwise you will have blisters.” He added

I pulled my hand out of his grip, “Please just leave.” I practically begged him. Trust me, when I say I do not need him in my life anymore, I mean it.

He bit his lower lip like he was trying to stop himself from doing something for which I am going to hate him and said, “I will leave after I see that you are okay.” Zen did not stop there further and returned to his seat. Meanwhile, I did not dare to turn around to look at him again.

“Elle, are you okay?” Lily asked me for the first time. The curiosity behind her words did not go unnoticed by me. I am sure she did not understand my conversation with Zen as we were talking in English while she isn’t good at it. However, even a blind could tell that we are not on good terms with each other.

“Yes.” I went to wash my hands. Even though I hate him so much, my hand is still burning and I cannot afford to have scars on my hand. I have an audition coming up.

I found the burn ointment as well in the first aid kit and applied it too. When I got back to work, Lily had already taken care of all the pending orders for me, “Thank you.” I was extremely grateful to her.

“No worries.” She smiled and her eyes drifted to the table, where someone familiar was sitting earlier. However, the blood in my veins started to boil again when I saw that he was still there although he promised me that he would leave. But this time, he was alone. His secretary Louis wasn’t there anymore.

I exhaled loudly and ignored him like a plague. From time to time, I could feel his eyes on myself.

“Elle, why haven’t you served that table yet?” Café owner suddenly walked in and asked.

I was speechless. Was he really waiting for his chance to screw me over?

“Here, I have gotten his order. You should prepare it and serve him immediately.” She said in a commanding tone, “Moreover, apologize to him and give him cake as well.” She was clearly displeased by me.

Lily’s shift was over. Since I am alone now, I have no choice but to do the job myself. I looked at him with the gritted teeth but he did not see me. He was busy doing something on his laptop.

I half-heartedly prepared his drink and went to serve him. Upon seeing me, his gaze immediately drifted to my hand that had smoldered earlier. He let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that I had applied the ointment on it.

“What stunt are you pulling this time, Mr. Warner?” I asked him sarcastically.

However, he did not answer. I placed my hand on my waist as I looked at him dumbfounded.

“Just how many times do I have to repeat myself? I need you out of my life. Period. Is this so difficult to understand? I am not even speaking mandarin.” I am so damn furious at him.

“Mr. Smith, we will continue our discussion some other time. I have reviewed your proposal and it is good, although there are a few changes that I would recommend making. Louis, my assistant will contact you regarding it later.” He was saying and I did not understand what was happening until I saw ear buds in his ear.

Was he having a meeting?

I gasped and my hands immediately flung to my mouth. What the hell did I just do?

He shut the laptop and leaned forward, “I am not pulling any stunt, sweetheart. I know you are filled with wrath and I deserve every ounce of it. I do not mind that. I am willing to accept any punishment, except-“ He paused and stared into my eyes intensely, “Stop pushing me away.”

I could not say a word. I seriously do not know how to react to this request.

“Can you stop working here? I do not like others bossing you around nor do I like you getting hurt.”

“What?” I scoffed, “Are you seriously trying to make decisions for me now?”

“I am not. I very much respect your choices. It’s just that-“ he massaged his temples, “I can’t stop myself worrying about you.”

“Listen, Zen Warner.” Just saying his name caused bitterness to spread in my mouth, “I don’t care about your feelings. I don’t give them a damn. Furthermore, without you I managed to get by just fine.”

“Please leave after you are done with your drink and never come back again.” I warned him.

“I am sorry because you got hurt earlier.” He was saying.

To be honest, his apologies do not matter anymore. There is so much that he has done to ruin me and I am never going to forgive him for all of that.

Thus, without looking back at him, I returned to do my work and this time he did not push my limits. He really left, after he was done with his coffee.