Mae opened her room door and confirmed that the paparazzi had vacated the area. She knocked on the door of room 311.
"Room service, open up", she announced, and the door swung open, with Bella immediately embracing her.
"Have I ever mentioned how much I adore you?" Bella sighed with relief.
"No, but am sure you can demonstrate it by compensating me with cash. I had to book a room just to come to your aid", Mae remarked in a serious tone.
"I'm truly sorry", Bella apologized giving Mae the pleading look.
"Where's he?" Mae inquired, not allowing Bella's puppy eyes to sway her.
"Robert your ride is here", Bella called out as a young man emerged from the room.
Mae handed Bella the key to room 310 and then switched the room tags so that room 310 became room 311. She then took the key to room 311 and linked her arms with the young man. "Go stay in room 310 and when they come back, open the door for them. I will be back after I drop Robert off at home", Mae instructed to which Bella nodded in agreement. Mae then departed with Robert while Bella entered room 310.
Several minutes later the press and paparazzi returned after hitting a dead end with the Shaun Grayson rumor. They knocked on room 310, now labelled as room 311. Bella opened the door and recoiled. She gazed at them with wide-eyed surprise.
"What's happening in here?" she inquired, looking bewildered.
"Who was the man that accompanied you to this hotel last night?" a lady inquired.
"What man?" Bella asked, still perplexed.
"Let's enter", a man commanded as they all barged into the room.
"Excuse me, do you not possess any manners? There is no one present", Bella stated with a radiant smile before following them inside.
In the room, they noticed the bed was slightly disheveled with no trace of a man. The room was infused with a pleasant, lovely fragrance and a used towel was visible on the bed. Mae entered the room and appeared surprised to find the paparazzi inside.
"Bella what's happening?" Mae inquired.
"I have no clue. I am also why you intruded into my room claiming a man is present", Bella replied, crossing her arms anticipating a reasonable explanation.
"Our sources informed us you arrived here last night with a man", another man stated.
"Yes, a gentleman kindly brought me to this hotel because I had imbibed too much, and was incapable of returning home on my own. I was inebriated to the point that I could not even recall my home address, so he escorted me here and departed thereafter", Bella explained with a sympathetic expression.
"So how much compensation are you willing to provide this time? She is late for her photo shoot due to your foolishness. Will you provide restitution, or shall we proceed to court- either option suits me as I emerge victorious in any scenario", Mae declared with a mischievous grin.
All the paparazzi and media personnel promptly dropped to their knee, pleading.
"There is no need to proceed to such lengths, Miss Mae. It was all a misunderstanding, and we assure you it will not recur", a lady interjected.
Your apologies do not rectify the financial loss she will incur for being late, so provide compensation", Mae declared, extending her right hand towards them.
"Mae, why don't we let them go? You are frightening them", Bella suggested.
"Do you truly wish to let them go", Mae inquired.
"As long as they vow not to encroach upon my personal space again", Bella replied.
"Did you all hear that? If I ever catch you within ten feet of Bella, I shall promptly take legal action against you all. I have captured images of each of your faces, so be cautious with your actions as far as Bella's concerned. You may leave now", Mae stated.
"Thank you, Mae," they responded as they hurried out of the room.
Once they exited, Bella embraced Mae so tightly that Mae struggled to breathe.
"I adore you so much, Mae", Bella expressed as she loosened her grip.
"Please release me. I am unable to breathe", Mae pleaded as Bella let go.
"I'm sorry", Bella said.
"I really must go right now. Please refrain from any reckless behavior", Mae stated.
"I won't", Bella assured.
"Very well then. Goodbye", Mae bid farewell as she exited the room.
"That was close. I almost got exposed. I mist exercise caution around the media", she remarked as she seated herself on a sofa, exhaling a heavy sigh of relief.