Chapter 14: Headlines

"Sir?"

"Mmmm"

"There are headlines everywhere"

I nod my head as I continued watching the news channel. Ik there are headlines about her more than my party and Idk why but I'm not angry.

I watch the news channel that is been going on and on about her,

"Now for the main highlight, Former model Veronica Matthews who almost ended her modeling career last year because of her feud with Miss Nicole Jasper was seen last night attending the 19th galaxy party of Mr. Leonard King, the popular ruthless Business tycoon of 21st century.

Not only she made a surprise visit, but she was seen with her rumored boyfriend Lucas Calbero as his plus one. There are many rumors about Miss Matthews that she might make her runway come back this year. Previously she was seen doing few cover shoots but her recent visit to New York has engaged some new theory

Our channel exclusively bought this information that soon Miss Matthews will collaborate with Opera and launch her side of the story which by far everyone is been waiting for.

Our teams did an interview with Miss Nicole Jasper who refused to answer any question regarding her feud with Miss Matthews. Right now all the reporters are standing outside Miss Matthews agency "The Silver Lining" but so far no statements have been made."

It's been like this since morning. Every news channel is talking about her, every news anchor is asking the same damn question. It's like they are obsessed with her. I didn't even know she was capable of grabbing so much attention that not even one news channel is talking about my success party.

Not that I care but still I like to be mentioned. The reason I threw that party was to grab some attention and let the rumors slide but now I think the hottest topic of today is her.

That woman is really something, she even dragged me into one of those controversial headlines that mentioned me being her night in shining armor. Needless to say, I'm impressed but seeing our names together makes me think a little differently.

When she left last night I immediately asked Andrew to run a background check on her, that's when he mentioned his relationship.

Apparently, his sister is her close friend so of course, Andrew knows her too. He always treated her like his sister so running a background check on her seemed a little disapproving from his side.

Not that I forced him but he found a way to give me some deets about her. I even asked him but he just refused like it's some kind of violation of his brotherly relationship. Whatever at least I have the files, I'll just look through it.

I saw her profile and came across some pretty interesting facts. She is originally from D.C but she moved to Chicago with her mother, reasons unknown.

She started her modeling career when she was 16, did some runway projects with LV, Cedro, Lonson, and other big names and after four years she moved to New York where she officially signed a contract with an agency but around last year something happened and she disappeared from the modeling industry.

Nobody saw her physically but she continued doing few cover shoots around Europe and Some parts of southeast Asia before she decided to return.

I noticed there isn't any information about her father. Some parts seem to be hidden intentionally, just like me, I also blocked all my unnecessary details and provided only the minimal amount for the world to know.

Looks like we both like the privacy of our life but considering our position it seems pretty difficult to maintain it.

I read her files for few more minutes before I decided to help her. I mean she is my woman now, whether she accepts it or not. I can't just wait and let those scoundrels play with her like this.

They need to know what happens if someone messes with my woman.

~

Veronica's pov

"I'm okay, mom"

This is the fourth time my mother has called me since morning asking me if I'm okay. She was very worried when she read the newspaper and all the stupid headlines about me.

I have to assure her that the situation is not that bad but who am I kidding it's like she has some kind of mom power that she immediately caught my white lie. She was so eager to fly me back to D.C again that for a second I thought she wanted me to run away.

I couldn't blame her, that's what I did last time. When things got out of control, instead of facing them I chose to run away. I was never strong to protect myself and look where it got me.

The same thing is happening again, my past is still haunting me. Whether it's my dad or my career both my private and professional life has become a poison.

It's slowly killing me and my mom is not making it any easy. Don't get me wrong I love her but after dad's death, she kind of became too apprehensive.

Whenever things go sideways she would continuously pamper me to come back home like it's the only safe place in the world. She would freak the hell out of me if I didn't listen to her.

I want to convince her that maybe she should move here, live with me but every time her answer will remain the same "I will not leave this house that your dad bought for me"

Why doesn't she understand that dad is not there? that it doesn't matter if she lives in that house or not. She should understand that I need her more than dad. Why couldn't she just think of me for once?

I so badly want to help my mother to let go of dad but it's useless. She would either throw a tantrum or mock me for not understanding love.

Which always ends up with me breaking some vase. I fucking hate that word, I hate love, I hate attachments, I hate promises because, in the end, they all are responsible for making me like this, broken, empty whatever you name it,

I sometimes think that if I didn't love dad so much then probably I wouldn't be this broken. I wouldn't be in pain.

I try to cheer myself up but Idk why it seems like the hardest job of my life. Like right now, the more I'm trying to convince my mother, the more heated our conversation is getting.

How do I tell her that I will not run away this time? That I will protect myself and put more priority on me. That I will tell the world who is the real victim.

I cut the call and throw my phone on the bed. I let out a heavy breath and massaged my forehead, Idk why I always lose this heated topics with mom. No matter how much I try to convince her she will do things according to her, like booking the next flight tickets to NYC.

She wants to visit me and see for herself that whether I am really fine or it's just another one of my lies.

I walked out of my room and went straight to the kitchen. Whatever it is at least I can have some mom-cooked meals. I am so sick of these leftovers that just reheating them is making me nauseous.

I looked outside the window and saw the sun was setting, it was evening and there was no news from Mr. Lewis. He told me to wait until the drama calms down but I'm getting impatient.

I quickly pour myself some almond milk and took a seat on my couch. I was about to turn the Tv on when I heard the doorbell. I open the door and Mr. Lewis enters with some paperwork.

He exchanged some greetings before he took a seat on the couch and hand me the papers that he was carrying.

"You okay?" I ask him while arranging the papers,

He looked at me and smiled "I'm good, don't worry about me"

I slightly nod and took the papers he assembled for me, "what is this?"

"Umm, you know Opera wanted to do a shoot with you for the coming fall collection,"

I nod my head as I remember how I sleep texted Mr. Lewis and agreed to this project. Had it not been for kelly I definitely would have read the email before confirming it.

Now that he mentioned it, I have no problem working with Opera but I think it will create a huge buzz in the industry, after all this is my first shoot in New York after that incident.

Should I really do it? I need to ask him if it's ok to do shoots now I mean I was going to use Opera for announcing my return but that didn't turn out the way I wanted so it's better to take precautions.

"Isn't this going to cause more controversy, I mean they are talking about me and Opera for a long time now"

"So, that's their job Veronica and you know Opera was already hanging for a year to work with you,"

I nod my head in understanding, "Fine I don't mind doing the shoots with Opera but I will not accept any runway shows"

"Yeah Ik don't worry I've already informed them, they only need you for the magazines internal and "

"And what??"

"They want to do an interview with you"

See this is what I was hoping to avoid. I don't want to do any interviews, I don't want to answer their baseless theory about me. They are the ones who labeled me with those meaningless tags and now they want an answer. Answer to what? how they fucked me? or how they almost ruined my career for their stupid ratings?

Never in the hell am I giving them another opportunity to write dirt about me "I'm not doing any fucking interviews" I said straight up and walked out of the living room,

"Veronica " I heard him yell,

"Nooo I'm not doing any interviews"

"yes, you're doing it. As your manager, I'm asking you to do this" he said while pointing his arrogant finger at me. "You need to clear your name and stop bull-shitting yourself, it's already been two years for god sake"

"Really? like I haven't been counting the days since they started their little game" I said, my voice filled with sarcasm

"And what you're letting them win?"

"No, definitely not letting them step over me again"

"Then, what do you plan to do?"

"I'm taking insurance this time, "

"Pardon?"

I widened my eyes as I recall what happened this morning.

My phone was ringing like a maniac for the fifth time. I had to take the call in the middle of my shower. Whoever it was will definitely get an earful from me.

"What?" I screamed as soon as I accepted the call.

"Yeah, almost deaf" a thick masculine voice replied from the other side.

I check the called id and it was a private number.

"Who is this?" I asked as I tightened the towel around my body.

"Don't tell me you already forgot me sweetheart?" his voice was filled with arrogance and pride and just my damn luck I knew who it was.

"Leonard?"