Ananya dragged herself into her apartment, exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. Her assistant had already left for the night, and the silence of her home was both comforting and oppressive. Without even changing out of her clothes, she collapsed onto the bed, the weight of the week pulling her into a deep sleep.
When she woke, sunlight was already streaming through the curtains, and the clock on her nightstand blinked 12:30 PM. Groaning, Ananya stretched and grabbed her phone. Notifications swarmed the screen—messages from her mother, a few from Swapna, and a deluge of social media alerts.
She called Swapna first.
"Hey, sweetie!" Ananya greeted, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Wow, look who remembered me!" Swapna teased. "How are you going to make up for ignoring me for so long?"
"Relax, I'm coming to the gathering. Is everyone from our batch attending?"
"There's a poll in the group chat. Fill it out, and you'll see the list. Almost everyone's coming," Swapna replied cheerfully.
Ananya hesitated. "By the way...is it true? The rumors about me and Rakesh?"
Swapna paused. "I didn't believe it at first, but then I saw those pictures. You two looked...close."
Ananya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Don't tell me you're falling for that crap too. It's nothing but PR nonsense."
"If you say so. But it's all over the internet," Swapna said cautiously.
"It'll blow over soon. Anyway, I'm on vacation for two weeks. Want to come over tomorrow? My maid's making your favorite food."
"I wish I could, but we've got a family dinner tomorrow. Let me check with my dad," Swapna said apologetically.
"Okay, let me know by evening. Bye!"
"Bye, bye!"
Hanging up, Ananya opened her social media accounts. The rumors were everywhere—gossip blogs speculating about her relationship with Rakesh, blurry photos from the set, and even a few fan-edited clips of their on-screen chemistry. Her jaw tightened as she scrolled through the chaos.
She dialed the director's number.
"Ananya! Hi!" he answered, his voice harried.
"Hi. What's going on with these pictures?"
"I spoke to Rakesh. He claims he didn't leak anything. Honestly, I have no idea how this got out. I was planning to hold a press conference to address it," the director explained.
"No need for that," Ananya said firmly. "Just send me Rakesh's number."
"Sure. Oh, and remember, the drama airs in a month. Be ready for promotions!"
"Got it. Thanks."
Meanwhile, Rakesh stood on stage at a press meet for his new drama. Flashbulbs illuminated his face as reporters shouted questions.
"Thank you all for coming today," he said, flashing his signature smile. "This is an exciting moment for me. Filming begins next week, and we'll share updates soon."
A reporter interrupted, "Sir, is it true you're in a relationship with Ananya?"
Rakesh chuckled, holding up his phone. "She's calling me right now. Why don't I ask her?" He smirked and walked offstage, ignoring the reporters' buzz.
Inside his caravan, Rakesh answered the call. "Hi, Ananya."
"Cut the act, Rakesh," Ananya snapped. "If your PR team doesn't take down those posts and issue a formal apology, I'll make things very uncomfortable for you."
Rakesh frowned. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything!"
"Really? Then how do you explain the leaked pictures from the set? I'm giving you one chance to fix this. If those posts aren't gone by tonight, I have all the receipts to make it unforgettable. Do you really want this to turn into a public spectacle? Because once it does, a courtroom won't be the only place your reputation takes a hit."
Rakesh's stomach dropped. "Ananya, I swear—"
"You've been warned. By the way, if you're looking for fame, next time pick a target who doesn't have the means to fight back."
The line went dead. Rakesh stared at his phone, his hand shaking.
"Manager!" he shouted.
His manager rushed in. "Yes, sir?"
"Take everything down. Issue a public apology. Now."
"But, sir, the buzz is bringing in offers—"
"Are you out of your mind? She'll ruin me. Do it now!"
That evening, Ananya sat on her balcony, sipping a cup of tea. Her phone buzzed with a notification. A statement from Rakesh's PR team:
"The rumors about Rakesh and Ananya are entirely false. We deeply regret any misunderstanding caused by recent posts and ask for privacy regarding their professional lives."
A smirk tugged at Ananya's lips. The world saw her as just another actress, but she knew how to play the game better than most.
She locked her phone and leaned back, her mind already moving to the next step in her plan.