Chapter 9: Attack of a Fan
Sonya knew how much she could drink, but tonight was different. She left the bar after midnight, and the streets were deserted. The villa was far, and it was difficult to hail a cab.
Leaning against a mailbox, Sonya decided to walk home.
Her heart pounded, and she stepped back a few meters when she saw a man in his fifties approaching. His hair was slightly graying, and he was walking toward her.
“Are you Doctor Ella?” he asked from a distance.
Sonya nodded. “I am.”
The man smiled. “Doctor Ella, I’m Mr. Sullivan’s driver, Lake. He sent me to pick you up and take you home.”
Sonya checked her phone. Henry had indeed sent the message.
“I’ve sent Lake to pick you up. Have some rest,” the text read. Relieved, Sonya replied, “Thank you.”
Lake was a kind-faced, sour man. “My pleasure,” he said, opening the door for her.
In the car, Sonya was curious. Henry was just a writer, but he had a private driver? That was surprising, considering his humble background.
Mr. Sullivan’s words echoed: You can call me anytime for a ride, and if you meet Henry or need something else, just let me know.
Sonya nodded. “Okay.”
Despite her questions, she wouldn’t ask Henry about it. Not tonight.
Back at the villa, Sonya texted Henry to let him know she had arrived home safely. She didn’t expect a reply, but he texted back: Goodnight.
She smiled and replied: Good morning.
After showering, Sonya noticed the bedroom was neatly arranged, and her heart warmed slightly. She stepped onto the patio and saw a car parked across the street.
Leo and Julian were outside the villa, talking in low voices.
“This is your house. Why don’t you know the password?” Leo asked incredulously.
Julian ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I only come over when she’s home. I knock, and she lets me in.”
“What about the fingerprint?” Leo asked.
“Never used it,” Julian mumbled.
Leo sighed. “We have to call Sonya. You do it.”
Julian kicked the door in frustration. “She blocked me.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do?” Leo asked.
Julian frowned. “Sonya said if I called her again because of you, she’d cut me off.”
“So, what? You can’t ask me not to talk to her,” Leo said, glaring at him.
“I really want to beat you,” Julian muttered.
Leo chuckled. “But think about it. Is there a significant date you both share? Some memorable day?”
Julian frowned. “It seems to be the day she became my girlfriend.”
Leo snapped his fingers. “That’s it! Open the door.”
Julian hummed. “How would I know when that was? There are so many important dates. Who can remember them all?”
“But this one’s different.”
“I doubt that.”
“Hey, 160805.”
Julian frowned. “How do you know that?”
“Because it’s also Sonya’s birthday. You asked her to be your girlfriend on her birthday. We were all there. It was moving.”
“Her birthday?” Julian asked, his voice softer now.
“Yeah. You’ve been dating for years, but you’ve never celebrated her birthday, have you?”
“What’s so special about a birthday?” Julian muttered.
“But you prepare a huge birthday party for Seraphina every year.”
Julian glared at Leo before entering the password. The door clicked open.
“You should change the password. How about Seraphina’s birthday or your wedding anniversary? You won’t forget those,” Leo joked.
“Get lost,” Julian shot back, walking inside.
Sonya felt oddly at ease hearing their banter. It seemed like Leo and Julian were still friends, despite everything.
Sonya slept soundly that night. She didn’t hear from Julian, and for the first time, she felt some peace.
She would buy back her parents’ house, but not now. Julian would make it difficult. She’d wait until he married Seraphina.
The next morning, Sonya was working when Ashley showed her a trending topic.
“Seraphina’s team responded, denying any relationship with Liam Stone, threatening to sue those who spread rumors. They also claimed Seraphina and Julian started dating in college and had been faithful,” Ashley said.
Sonya scoffed. “Faithful? Started dating in college? They’re covering their tracks.”
“They didn’t deny the suicide attempt, though,” Ashley noted. “They chose to trust her fiancé.”
Something didn’t sit right with Sonya.
“They cleared up the rumors about Seraphina and Liam, but not about you. They indirectly accused you of seducing Julian, ruining their relationship, and causing Seraphina to attempt suicide,” Ashley said, her voice tense.
Sonya frowned. She wasn’t in showbiz and didn’t want to be caught up in this mess. But as Ashley had pointed out, if the rumors continued, it could ruin her life and career.
As she was considering her options, a girl in sunglasses walked into the office.
“Hello, please have a seat,” Sonya said, trying to compose herself.
The girl didn’t sit down. She just stared at Sonya, her eyes burning with anger.
Before Sonya could react, the girl threw a bottle of ink at her.
It happened too quickly for Sonya to dodge. The cheap, smelly black ink splattered all over her face and clothes, staining her white coat.
Ashley reacted first. “What are you doing?! Security! Security!”
The girl laughed triumphantly. “Pathetic, aren’t you? Why else would you seduce another woman’s fiancé? If you’re so desperate, why don’t you go into prostitution? You’re nothing compared to Seraphina!”
With those final words, the girl ran off.
Sonya stood frozen in shock. Onlookers had gathered, many filming with their phones.
“Go, go! This isn’t your business. Get out of here!” Ashley yelled, closing the door.
Seeing Sonya’s state, Ashley was furious. She quickly found a wet towel and wiped Sonya’s face. It took several wipes to clean off the ink, but her coat was ruined.
“Sonya, are you alright?” Ashley asked, her voice soft with concern.
Sonya sat silently, still processing what had just happened.
“Do you have any ink?” Sonya asked after a pause.
“Huh?”
Sonya took a deep breath. “Ashley, find me a bottle of ink.”
