The next evening, Liana was in an online meeting with the CEO of her label. Her fans had begun to suspect something was wrong, and the CEO wanted her back immediately.
Running her hand through her hair, Liana sighed. "Sir, I understand, but the fact is, they're still after me. They literally texted my guards while my phone was in my bedroom."
The CEO nodded, then lifted a sheet of paper from his desk. "We understand your situation, Liana. But you need to return. Right now, it's only your fans who are noticing. Imagine what will happen if the media gets involved. Do you understand me?"
Liana glanced at Char, who was sitting on the bed, quietly watching the meeting. She herself sat on the couch, her laptop balanced on the low tea table.
Hours of back-and-forth with arguments, denials, and reasoning. Finally, it ended with Liana giving in.
She slammed the laptop shut and leaned back against the couch, arms folded tightly across her chest.
Char huffed and moved to sit beside her. "Liana… don't be angry. You know your CEO was right. And you have Alex, Rio, Mark, and the others. Nothing will happen to you."
Liana's gaze flickered toward her. "I know nothing will happen to me. But I also know… they've found new ways to reach me."
Char sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Then tell me, why exactly are they doing this?"
Liana slowly shook her head. "That's the problem. I don't even know. It all started after I won the Best Visual Award."
Char hummed and tilted her head. "What if…" she began, catching Liana's full attention.
"Just a prediction that it's the work of one of your rivals? Who was competing against you for that award?" she reasoned.
Liana bit her lip and thought for a moment. "Honestly? I don't think so." She shrugged lightly.
Char raised a brow. "Why not? Why can't it be one of the other nominees? It's possible that they got jealous."
Liana shook her head and rested her hand on Char's knee. "Because they were all well-known actresses or idols. They wouldn't even bother about losing a small award like that. They have plenty of bigger ones to think about."
Char nodded thoughtfully, and, chewing at her nails, her usual habit when she was deep in thought. "Alright then… tell me this. Is there any upcoming project? Something big? Something that can make you touch the sky?"
Liana blinked. "Touch the sky?" Her brow furrowed in confusion.
Char rolled her eyes dramatically and crossed her arms, "Come on, girl. You've been with me for years, and you still don't understand my language?"
Liana chuckled softly and bowed her head teasingly. "Forgive me, Majesty. I'll never understand some of your phrases that make absolutely no sense."
Char swatted her arm playfully. "Alright, alright, now be serious. Has your label planned anything for you that could make you even more famous?"
Liana rose from the couch and nodded. "Yes. A tour. It wasn't originally meant for me. It was supposed to go to another singer from my label. But she's already well-known, so they decided to give it to me instead, to push my name further."
Char clapped her hands, but before she could say anything, Liana added quickly, "She's like a mentor to me. I don't think she'd go this far over something like this..."
Char arched a brow. "Maybe not her directly. But what about someone close to her? A fan? A lover? Anyone who believes she was more deserving?"
Liana paused mid-step, leaning against the wall. "Laura is single. She doesn't have a lover… but yes. Her fans are wild."
Char's lips curved into a smirk. "Then leave it to me. I'll take care of the rest."
A chill ran down Liana's spine at that smirk, but she nodded anyway. "Alright. But if I return… what about Ethilia and Alena?"
Char walked over and stood beside her. "We'll assign the best bodyguards for them. Okay?"
Liana hesitated but nodded. Char was her childhood best friend. The one she trusted the most, after Alex and Rio.
She walked to her bedside table and grabbed her keys. "Okay… I'm leaving then?"
Char quickly stepped in front of her, blocking the way. "Where?"
Liana smirked and pushed her playfully. "To Ethilia."
Char placed a hand dramatically over her chest. "Haw! My wife is leaving me for another woman?"
Liana burst into laughter at her tone. They often called each other "wives" as a joke, since back in school everyone used to suspect they were dating.
Crossing her arms, Liana nodded firmly, still smiling. "Yes."
Char gasped and covered her mouth. "That's cheating," she chuckled.
Liana pulled out some bills and handed them to her. "Here. Get yourself something, wifey." She winked and walked out of the bedroom.
Char laughed, shouting a thank you as she sat down to start her online shopping.
___________
Meanwhile, Ethilia was finishing dinner when a knock sounded on the door. A small smile curved her lips as she wiped her hands and walked over. Opening it, she murmured softly, "Welcome."
Liana chuckled as she stepped inside. "Is dinner ready?" she asked casually, heading straight toward the bedroom.
Ethilia raised a brow and followed with her hands on her hips. "Aren't you behaving a little too..."
Before she could finish, Alena leapt from the bed into Liana's arms. Liana caught her easily, smiling. "Hey, cutie."
Alena giggled happily and nuzzled against her, making Ethilia completely forget what she was about to say.
"If dinner isn't ready," Liana said, glancing at Ethilia, "then maybe we can go out instead?"
Alena's eyes lit up with joy, while Ethilia's widened in shock.
Ethilia walked closer, rubbing her hands nervously. "Liana… I don't think that's a good idea."
Liana frowned, setting Alena down gently and handing her a chocolate to keep her busy. Then she turned back to Ethilia, her voice firm. "Why not? What's the problem?"
Ethilia lowered her gaze, clearly struggling. It wasn't that she didn't want to go. It was the fear of what others might think that held her back.
Liana reached out, hooking a finger under Ethilia's chin and tilting her face up. "Tell me…" Her voice was soft, almost impossible to resist.
Ethilia's lips parted, her walls crumbling under the weight of Liana's touch and tone.
"What will people think? You're rich, established… everyone might say I'm just…" she admitted in a whisper, so faint that Liana had to lean closer.