Kapitel 19: STATUS

Alvan draped his jacket around Yanarym's shoulders and gently embraced her.

"A-Alvan?" Eliza stuttered then backed away. He glared at the woman who hurt Yanarym. "Alvan, let me explain! This bitch is bewitching you! She didn't fall like that the first time I slapped her. It's obvious she's just acting like a victim!"

"You slapped her twice?! Are you stupid?! She's a public figure! You should be thankful that I don't hit women or else… FUCK!" Alvan Eliza bit her tongue and looked at Yanarym who's acting so good that she could also be fooled if she was not the one who slapped her. She did not even flinch when she hit her the first time. Now she's wailing like a bullied little girl at the kindergarten!

"Rym? It's alright. We'll leave now." He turns to Yanarym and pats her back to calm her from crying. He lifted her off to the ground. Alvan aimed a murderous stare at Eliza as he walked away. "You should know the consequences of your actions."

"Alvan! No! That slut is just acting! Don't get fooled by that snake!" Eliza was about to chase Alvan to explain her side but Alyx entered the scene. He came together with Alvan, and saw the slapping scenario.

"Are you done speaking?" His voice sends shivers to the spine of the people in the dressing room. The atmosphere turned cold, and everyone feels like they are walking on a very thin ice that would give out anytime.

"M-mister Villalias, I-it's not what you think! I have witnesses! You can ask them what happened!"

"There's no need, I saw everything." He replied in a grave tone staring emotionlessly at the people around. Making everyone stiffened and scared, one thing for sure, they are in deep shit.

"Sshhh, it's okay now, CHLOE! WATER!" Alvan headed back to their floor and assisted Yanarym who had stopped crying but was still sobbing and silent the whole time. While the assistants were supervising her, Alvan talked to Sir Meci to excuse them today.

"Sir Meci, we'll head out first."

"Oh yes! Sure! Sure! Yanarym will get well soon, okay? I'll be sure to ban those women in my territory."

"Thank you...sir Meci, I'm sorry for ca-causing trouble."

"No-no-no honey it's alright. You better go first and take care of your skin." Yanarym nodded and walked out with Alvan from the building. Although he was insisting on carrying her, she persisted in walking by herself.

"Thank you Alvan." She was about to get in on her own vehicle but was interrupted by him. "Hey! Hey! What are you doing?!" He wrapped his arm around her body and to her legs, then lifted her to his own van.

"You're not getting away from me this time." He murmured and put her on the back of the van where there is a bed. "Let me see your face," he examined her face with a hawk eye, she could see dark clouds brewing on him upon staring at her.

"How dare she touch you. She's not getting away with this. I'll make her fucking pay. " Gritting his teeth, he let go of her chin and clenched his fist.

"You look mad." She commented, peering at him. Alvan furrowed his eyebrows and redirected his gaze to her. Her cheeks are swollen and red, her lips have bruises on them. Her nose and eyes are red from her crying too.

"I don't look-like mad Rym. I'm mad." He took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves. In this life, he was used to seeing dramatic cat-fights of women in this industry. He doesn't care about it, however, witnessing how some actress bullies Yanarym and she did not even put up a fight, he feels infuriated.

He saw this coming, there would be violent reactions regarding how fortunate Yanarym life could get. Jealousy, hatred, anger, envy, doubt, judgements, negativity is all over the place. He thought that he could use those to his advantage in taking control of her. Yet, he did not like what he saw, how can she even survive being so weak?

"Why?" Yanarym asked with innocent eyes, Alvan's forehead wrinkled, perceiving how clueless her expression was.

"What do you mean why?"

"Why are you mad?" She added, his lips parted and was about to answer her but halted for a second.

"Isn't it obvious?" He reached out for her hands and held them tight. "Because you were slapped."

"It doesn't concern you." She pulled away from him and instilled in him a platitude reaction.

"What?"

"Why does this matter to you?"

"Of course, it matters because it's you! Why are you acting like this?"

Silence reigned the entire vehicle, and Alvan was confused by this confrontation. Why is she being obstinate?

Isn't it obvious what's between them? Does he have to say it out loud? He spent effort, money and used his power and influence to pull her to his side. And he is not allowed to be concerned?

After some moment, Alvan managed to pull himself together, that's when he noticed her smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes were cloudy, like it's about to rain. He cupped her chin and bent over to her lips and granted her soft kisses, he gulped by the sensation she sent to his body. He missed her. However, the taste is bitter. She's not responding or declining, she's letting him kiss her but it somehow made him feel cold.

"I don't know if you heard it but those women said that I am using you to climb up." She muttered when he made a gap between their faces. He stared at her eyes and she did as well. "Which was true, right? I gained all of this because you want my body. And between us, there is a tacit understanding that I agreed with what you wanted." Alvan was startled with her statement. He felt a cold bucket of water pour all over his body.