It was the weekend of Maliwei's comic book event. He was a little nervous, but when he saw how enthusiastic Violet was rehearsing her script, he was so happy to have her support. The crowd that turned up was a mixture of near and far fans, which was even more touching.
Violet's natural talent that afternoon, coupled with her familiarity with Maliwei, made his event a huge success that the press was covering in the news. Unfortunately, she had to rush off to get ready for the gala dinner that she did not manage to watch Maliwei being interviewed by the press live, but she knew she would get to see the news the next day.
She was beginning to get used to her new life as she rushed to put on her heels in the taxi before it arrived at the entrance. She was stuck in the jam for half an hour, and by the time she arrived, the event had already commenced. One thing she noticed she was comfortable with lately was running in heels. It gave her the speed and also the confidence at any event.
However, she had been noticing a familiar piercing pain in her abdomen that bothered her from time to time. Today she forced it away, thinking she must be hungry from the gastric and hoped to reach the place for some food quickly. With a paper bag filled with her formal wear, she had no choice but to bring it along. She expected to find Sam at the entrance, but instead, she met with a familiar gaze from afar who was approaching her.
"Sebastian?" She gasped at his old business look for once as he hushed her.
"Mr. Phor Tat…" He introduced himself as she giggled at the name, knowing it must be his birth name in Phut Bi. They noticed there were a couple of eyes darting in her direction as her bright yellow dress stood outshining in the ballroom. She tried to move aside to not attracting so much attention as he followed her.
"Hey… You look dashing." Sebastian admired her beauty as she waved his compliment away, feeling even more shy.
"Sorry… Ran late… The event overflowed a little as Maliwei was getting the press attention." She explained to Sebastian as Sam rushed over to them and helped her hold the paper bag.
"Nearly thought you couldn't make it…" Sam whispered to her.
"And I did… So, what did I miss?" She asked as Sam kept his smile courteously. She knew they were being watched, and it meant business.
"Nothing much, honestly. All seems fine." Sebastian filled her in as he hooked Violet's arm next to his. It took her by surprise for a moment, but not till they heard a soft wave of gasps from the crowd next.
Sebastian's eyes were directed at his ex-wife, Janice, who had just arrived in a shiny silver dress. Sam raised an eyebrow at them both as though missing out on something, but a potential business contact approached him for a chat.
"What do you need me to do, Mr. Phor Tat?" Violet whispered her teasing the moment she recognised Janice as she grabbed a bunch of her long, flowy hair to the back. It made Sebastian admire her beauty even more than Janice, who was studying the room.
"Nothing… Just act normal and drink some champagne. Have some food." Sebastian kept her at ease and tried to avoid being spotted by Janice as they quickly strolled by the dessert table while people kept their attention on Janice.
"No one seems to recognise you once you have these nerdy glasses on." Violet praised him while taking a tart.
"Not all, but she certainly does…" Sebastian stared straight into Janice's gaze he had been avoiding, and she instantly knew it was him. The sight of Violet by his side made her furious as Sebastian discreetly dragged Violet away from the crowd, knowing Janice was about to make a commotion by tracking them down.
Sebastian quickly grabbed the paper bag from Sam and made a discreet glance towards Janice. Sam instantly knew he needed to prepare the car to get them all to escape before they were discovered, as he sprinted into action.
Violet, who was taken by surprise, could not catch her breath as they were running up a spiralling staircase. He shielded Violet from being seen from behind. "Don't turn back. Keep going." He whispered as he let go of her hand, and she obediently made her way to the door.
Sebastian abruptly halted his steps, turning to see Janice, who was panting but still keeping her gaze fixated on them from a distance. He grinned at her triumphantly before running up the stairs to find Violet's worried face waiting for him. He opened the door, turning his gaze back at Janice as though to spite her with a mischievous plan in mind.
Janice could not see Violet clearly earlier, and neither could she see her now that Violet had probably run off. However, Sebastian's next move surprised her. That was when Janice noticed the ends of a yellow dress on the other side of the door. Anguish overwhelmed her when she realised who was standing in front of him at the end of the door.
"Leave and wait at the lobby for Sam, wearing your top here," Sebastian instructed Violet while taking her formal t-shirt out from her paper bag. Violet, who was still staring anxiously right into his gaze, nodded obediently.
"What about you? Will you be alright?" Her questions softened Sebastian's gaze at her as she put on her formal top.
"Just one thing…" He said as she kept her gaze on his, twinkling gently.
"Would you let me kiss you as an act?" He asked directly while they heard Janice's heels slowly continue to climb the stairs as Violet nodded subconsciously.
He leaned into her and took the lead. The rush of the feelings they both felt that night in Phut Bi returned to them bit by bit amidst the chaos they were in. They blend in with each other's rhythm so well as though they were together for a long while, except it was only their second.
Furious and dissatisfied, Janice yelled at his name midway up the staircase as she paused and put her arms on her hips. "Sebastian Lu!"
Instantly, people paid attention to the top of the stairs as the couple pulled away gently. "Go…" He urged Violet gently to run before he closed the door slightly and watched Janice angrily storm towards him, ignoring other people's gaze.
Janice was furious at his smirk, and he knew his disguise was good enough. It was not till the last minute that Janice finally was close to reached him, wanting to slap him, that he ran out of the ballroom to the lobby, continuing the chase for Janice.
Violet was walking hastily in a different direction to the lobby and noticed Sam had already waited in the car. She acted normal after buttoning up her blouse before entering the car's passenger seat, but could not help to feel the same piercing pain in her tummy again. She mentally nagged at herself for not eating enough earlier.
Following the lead of Janice, the reporters gave chase to Sebastian, whom they could not even recognise. Being very experienced, Sebastian had swiftly escaped the crowd and gotten into the car Sam had parked at the lobby corner.
Being not athletic as always, Janice lost track of him before being swarmed by the reporters. Sam made Violet bend down to hide herself before driving off, despite the tinted windows for precautions.
During the car ride, Sebastian's phone was ringing with a call from his agency to confirm his whereabouts. He was too tired to pay attention, so he turned on the loudspeaker.
"Sebastian, where are you?!" A stern voice from his mobile was heard as Sebastian cleared his throat, knowing it was his agency's director, Mr. Chan, instead of his agency manage,r Peter Sim. He knew the matter was once again escalated.
"Home…" Sebastian swiftly said.
"Are you sure? What's this news of your ex-wife catching you at a gala dinner kissing another woman!" Mr. Chan was yelling at the top of his voice when Sam nearly hit the brakes, only for Violet to hold his left arm to calm him.
"Deny it," Sebastian did not say much and hung up when Sam glared at Violet, who wanted to defend herself but ended up keeping quiet, guiltily.
"Do you know what danger you're putting yourself in?" Sam started nagging at her.
"It's not her fault. I needed to get rid of my ex. I'm sorry, Sam." Sebastian apologised as Sam began his silent treatment. That was Violet's nightmare as Sam would be hard to appease when he does that.
Like father, like son. Violet sighed to herself at that thought as Sam continued to rush them home.
Sam furiously stormed home and back to his room, and he accidentally slammed the door in Violet's face. Feeling guilty, he stood by his room's door to eavesdrop on the couple's conversation.
"Sam…" Violet called out in a sad voice that nearly cracked into tears.
Sebastian held her by her shoulders and gently patted them to comfort her.
"I'm sorry…" Sebastian apologised as Violet shook her head.
"You should head home first. I will talk to him." Violet urged Sebastian. He was reluctant to leave.
"I will talk with you later…" But the moment she said that, she closed her eyes, enduring a sharp pain in her tummy.
"Violet, are you alright?" Sebastian panicked as Sam instantly opened the door to find Violet squatting, holding on to her abdomen.
Before Sam could react, he saw blood on the floor.
"Vi! Vi, are you injured? Where is the pain?" Sam squatted and held Violet in his arms.
"My tummy, Sam… my gastric…" Violet said weakly before passing out.
Sam shared a gaze with Sebastian, knowing it was not gastric. They were both worried it was something more serious.
Sam hurriedly carried her to the car and rushed over to the hospital, forcing Sebastian to stay home reluctantly in anxiousness because he knew the press was hunting for him. He lamented his fate and the price he had to pay for fame. He longed for the day he could end the contract once and for all.
Five months more or so seems so near yet so far…