AS SOMEONE with as high as Vane, she never really expected he would reciprocate her feelings.
She was surprised, yes, yet extremely happy. It was the usual couple's initial experience, he was the sweetest, charming, too unforgetful about her wants and needs— he never change until now. He could be an ideal man every woman wish to have. Perhaps, she was really a lucky woman for pulling him off. Key word, 'was'.
But she was so sick of him.
She admit that she chose to hide the relationship so that his name wouldn't get in a way of making her own. She damn know well the industry, she will surely be branded as social climber, or a 'failed actress who only got famous because of his famous and extremely wealthy, gorgeous boyfriend'. She didn't want that! She could have willingly reveal this relationship when her name is already worthy to be beside his, but he just had to ruin it. She explained this countless time to him but he wouldn't just listen!
She's aware that every secret has come to an end, but they were doing good after all for the past 2 years.
There was no way this was a coincidence. First, the leaked picture that ignite the spark of all this. Second, her invitation to Crissy's show, she was given a hint that it was all just a 'doing a favor for someone'. Personally, she didn't like the host, but in a common sensical sense, the show could give more publicity to her, thus she accepted.
Who might be that 'someone' anyway, the very answer is right beside her, suddenly ready to torment her life in every way possible. That is the third, Vane not going as plan and coming out against her will in the hell she was experiencing from that show last night!
All of that.. all of that happened after her biggest in the middle of her promotional season. Surely it was his doing, who else could be? Now she doubt if the leaked photos was one of his plan too. This was just a start, and she would have to braced for more.
"Why did you do it, Vane?" She sucked in breath, finally finding the voice for some goof confrontation that would probably last for hours. Hopefully not. "Why did you pay people to take and leak that picture of us? I know it was you so save the bother to lie. Do you have any idea what it's done to me?"
Vane leaned back in his chair, a nonchalant expression on his face. "Oh, Elisabth, you always were a bit naive, weren't you? It's called publicity, darling. A little scandal here and there keeps things interesting."
Elisabth's face turned red in disbelief. "That's your definition of naive?! How many times do I have to drill into that stubborn skull of yours that I don't need you or your influence's intervention over mine?! You just never learn to listen. You're fucking despicable!"
He chuckled, unfazed by Elisabth's anger, as he rest his chin on his palm that is resting on the arm rest. "Perhaps. But effective. The media loves a juicy scandal, and you can't deny the attention it has brought to both of us. No matter what your opinion is."
Elisabth shook her head, and released a shaky sigh that build up on her tightening chest. "You're delusional, Vane. You've just ruined everything I've worked so hard for."
Vane's smirk never wavered as he replied, "Oh, come now, Elisabth. It's just a bump in the road. You'll recover, and we'll both come out stronger in the end."
"I fucking trusted you. I thought you cared about me. But you will always be a selfish bastard, you only thought about yourself and your satisfaction. I hope you're fucking happy now."
Vane's amusement seem to fade when he harshly turned to scowl at her— his expression replaced by a cold detachment. "Elisabth.." her name smoothly rolled over his lips with a natural soothing voice, it may be calm but it hardly masked the anger beneath it. "You're going too far."
'And you don't?' she rebutted in her head.
His demeanor brought her a little fear, but whatever may happen, hurt her or whatever. It would precisely leave a mark that she could use against him. That thought made her feel a relief. They are in the industry where everything is big deal after all, why not use it on her advantage? She was pretty sure that a little physical bruised was nothing compared to the emotional damage she received from her parents.. from him.
Oh, especially him.
"Am I the only one labeled as selfish here, darling? Let's not kid ourselves. Wasn't it your idea to conceal everything between us for 2 long years? 2 years, darling. 2 years of compliance on my part, and you heard not even a single complain. Haven't crossed your mind if I do really deserve those unpleasant, silly labels you're throwing at me? My darling, you seem to be afraid of being the victim of your own practice."
"You knew how much I would willingly do everything to put you above. You hid this relationship without considering what I would feel, and that stayed that way because I love you, Eli. I love you... but I've ran out of patience. Not that we can hide this forever, can we?"
Elisabth's voice wavered with a mixture of frustration and furry. "You could have waited a little longer! I could have revealed this relationship when I'm ready. You knew how much I wanted to do this on my own! But no. You keep fucking involving yourself of something I didn't need you to. I was almost there, and you're ruining it!"
"How certain are you that you are making it on your own? Isn't your colleague the one who has been receiving most of the attention? You were there... but barely notice. Too bad, my love, you'll need me either way."
Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, trembling with the intensity of her emotions. That's it! "Fuck. You." Every word that escaped her lips dripped with venom, each syllable punctuated by the sharp inhales of her ragged breaths.
He chuckled in amusement. "Hit the spot, haven't I?"
"You're sick and hopeless, Vane. I'm breaking up with you!"
His eyes darkened. "You don't mean that. You're just talking through your emotions."
"You think I don't—"
"Have you considered what I want just for once, Eli? Just once. And just because of one single moment of acting upon my wants this time, you are gonna simply throw everything we have now? Throw me away? The thought that you see our relationship as a dirt to your beloved career kills me— but none of that you have ever considered. Yet I was the 'selfish bastard' here..." His voice lace with bitterness.
"Screaming the whole world 'I love you' is the best thing I did. No matter how much you hate it, you hate me. Now we are even." He reached for the glass with untouched Vanilla smoothie in the center table.
"I'm going to get you an another one. This one has melted. Thanks to your attitude." He turned his back leaving her breathless with anger.
"And get dress, we're going somewhere."