For The Stars Have Sinned

“You are Rishel?” The CEO’s eyes narrowed.

I swallowed and nodded while smiling sparingly at the man sitting behind the large table. “I am, Sir.”

“I see.” He folded his hands and looked me over from head to toe.

I’m not comfortable under his gaze because he was gawking at me like thinking whether I sell or not. I swallowed secretly and clenched my fist hidden behind my back.

The management instructed me to meet with the CEO of Topzan Entertainment, one of the company’s partners. The management said that the Topzan want to talk with me before investing new funds in Anew Entertainment.

I was nervous when I first heard that from the management and begged Levi to accompany me, but Maingey stopped me and reprimanded me in front of a large crowd. Vine has an upcoming concert so Levi will be busy and what I’m doing is said to be dragging down Levi’s career.

Seeing that Maingey reprimanded me in front of the staff, Nicole used that opportunity to reprimand me for being a desperate fan of Levi who can’t stand alone and needs a guide. She even showed us the conversation we had on CFM that if I lose I will avoid Vine.

That’s when I remembered the bet we made a month ago. I accidentally drank so I couldn’t perform that night and by default Nicole won the bet between the two of us. How did I forget that conversation?

“See? She’s really a desperate loser! She can’t even do what she promised. What? You’re going to deny the bet?” Nicole grinned and took out her phone. She played a recording where I heard my voice talking about the bet.

I clenched my fist in annoyance. Sly fox! I didn’t know that she recorded that night!

“So a hundred million, Missy~” Nicole grinned. “You won’t forget, right?”

The people around us started to whisper and chuckling with each other. I knew then that I was their topic and ridiculing me with their malicious stares.

“I will give you that amount but it’s because you are asking for it and not that I lose to you. You cheated on that night and treat that money as my alms for you!” I said and smirked. I turned around and walked away.

With her smearing my reputation, I decided to avoid Vine for the time being. I opened my phone and checked my savings, but I only got half of what I promised to Nicole. My lips pursed into a thin line.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was from the management. I didn’t get to say hello because the other line started yelling the moment I answered the phone. “Rishel, what are you doing? You are viral in social media again!”

“Huh?”

I opened my social media account and was stunned to see a viral video of me promising Nicole of that hundred million. Nicole’s fans were clamoring in the comment section that I should pay the debt I owe to their idol, and if I don’t then they will boycott my upcoming album release. And this will greatly affect the sales of my albums.

I sighed. “I will pacify the fans.”

“Good! Now do it!” the other line said and ended the call.

Hah. Nicole’s really too troublesome.

Fortunately, my father must had heard what happened so he called me and gave me the sum with a little bit of scolding. Afterall, a hundred million is not a small amount. My mother also called and scolded me for hours over the phone as I rode a taxi towards Topzan.

“Alright, Ma. I still need to do things,” I said and ended the call.

I went here alone to meet the CEO even though I was nervous. I knew there were a lot of secrets inside an office so I was not complacent.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

No one came with me because the CEO said he wanted me to go alone. When I called Levi, he didn’t answer, even Tiden and June turned off the phone. I don’t want to call Papa because he will definitely demand that I quit showbiz.

Am I going to back down now that becoming an idol is almost within my reach?

“You’re the only daughter of the Mr. Larica?” he asked. “Don’t be shy and take a seat please,” he said in a gentle voice.

But as gentle as his voice was, so was the nervousness in my system. I breathed deeply. “I am, Sir.”

He nodded and smiled broadly at me again. “You see, I called you here not because I have something I need from you.” He raised his hand and gestured. The office door opened and a familiar man entered. It was Rei. “My artist wants to have a little chat with you, Miss. Can you spare him a little of your precious time?”

He had a big smile hanging on his lips as he walked through the office. I gulped nervously as my face slighty paled. I still remember clearly what he said in that night, ‘A man’s loyalty is hard to keep.’

My lips pursed into line. “What do you mean by this, Mr. Rei?” I asked.

Rei turned to me and bowed slightly. “Nice to see you again, Miss Rishel.”

I secretly grabbed my phone in my pocket and was about to call Levi when Rei quickly took my phone. He smiled looking down at me. “Don’t let a stray dog ruin the mood, sweetheart.”

“What are you doing? Give it back!” I yelled and tried to snatch back my phone, but he just raised it above his head so I couldn’t reach it. I glared at him. “What do you want?!”

He flicked his tongue and brought his mouth close to my ear. “Let’s play tonight,” he whispered.

My heart pounded and I looked at the CEO who had been silently watching Rei and me. “Sir, I will excuse myself,” I said then quickly stepped towards the door.

I hadn’t even gotten to the door when someone pulled my arm back and pushed me against the wall. Eyes wide open, I looked up at Rei who had lost the smile on his lips.

“I don’t like naughty kitten…” He pinned the stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Behave, sweetheart.”

My teeth gritted in fear and trepidation, but I forced the fear out of my system. “I am not a lowly woman, Mr. Rei.” I drew a breathe again and secretly hid my trembling hand behind my back. “Aren’t you afraid of ruining your name if someone finds out that you treat a woman like this?”

“Oh?” He just grinned. “If they find out,” he said and effortlessly destroyed the dress I was wearing.

My eyes widened and I quickly pushed him but he didn’t even move. I don’t know how I got the phone back but I quickly called Levi’s number. “Levi! Help! Ah!”

I let go of the phone when Rei pulled me and pushed me onto the sofa. The CEO was watching silently so I knew he wasn’t going to help me. I tried to fight until only a piece of cloth was left on me.

That’s when tears came to my eyes. “Please! Don’t do this!”

Rei stopped what he was doing for a moment and looked deeply into my eyes. I thought he would stop but I was wrong. He bent down and captured my lips.

“Sweetheart, you made me sleepless for nights!” he said and smiled. He gently caressed my cheek while a top of me.

It was at that point when Levi barged in the office. For a few seconds I was stunned staring at him and quickly screamed. “Levi! Help me, Levi!”

I mustered up the strength to kick Rei out from above me and sprinted towards Levi. He slowly took off the cardigan he was wearing and wrapped it around my shoulders.

“Levi,” Rei said with a frown before sitting down on the sofa. “What brings you here, man?”

But Levi ignored him and turned to the CEO with a smile. Levi’s two eyebrows met. “The negotiations between our company are over, Mr. Topzan.”

“Don’t kid around, Mr. Yushen.” The CEO laughed softly. “Just let Rei borrow your girlfriend for a night and I’ll renew our contract for another ten years. Do you agree?”

The corners of Levi’s lips turned up. “Mr. Topzan, you might forget that you should be the one begging me to sign that agreement and not the other way around.”

Just then the smile on the CEO’s lips disappeared. “What do you mean, Mr. Yushen?” He looked deeper. “Just a night and the contract will renew. This condition is fair enough, isn’t it?”

Levi grinned dangerously. “You might not know this but I don’t share what’s mine.”