Chapter 29: Rising Phoenix

I’m an idiot.

After my confrontation with Kevin and Arthur, I spent my time drowning myself in self-pity as I curled up in my bed. My thick and warm blankets were covering my whole body as I hugged my pillow close to my body for comfort. I spent the night crying over everything that has happened recently - from my past in KB Studios, and my recent encounters with Kevin to the conversation that I had with Arthur last night. I knew that what I did was right, but I couldn’t help but feel sad about it. I genuinely enjoyed working at Williams, Inc. and I love Arthur. I hated the way things ended between us and I knew that I’ve only got myself to blame for that.

If only I stood my ground and continued to refuse Ellie’s offer to go to that party; if only I stayed with Ellie that night instead of going directly to the bar; if only I didn’t come home with Arthur that night; if only I left my own glass slipper.

If only…

The sadness that flowed through my veins deadened my mind. It was a poison to my spirit, dulling me and killing off my other emotions until it was the only one that remained. It was as if a dark mist had settled upon me and refused to shift, and no matter how bright the day was I would feel no sun and hear no bird song. In that moment, the world felt lost to me and I knew of nothing that would bring it back into focus.

I knew that things would eventually get better, but how? I am still jobless, and my rent is due soon. I haven’t received any other offers yet from the entertainment companies I’ve applied to before and I still haven’t applied to any other job because I am too sad to even leave my bed. All I wanted to do was to lie down and to let myself be consumed with thoughts of ‘what if’ and ‘if only’.

My thoughts were interrupted when I started hearing my phone pinging multiple times. I scowled in annoyance, regretting that I did not turn it off last night. I closed my eyes tightly, trying my best to ignore the irritating beeping sound, but it never stopped. I groaned in exasperation as I lazily reached for my phone at the edge of my bedside table.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach once I saw all of the messages that I’ve been receiving. I placed a hand on my mouth as I read through each one. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Kevin was sending me multiple threatening messages. Each message became more aggressive and terrifying. He warned me that if I ever attempted to go back to the entertainment industry, then I will face terrible consequences. He will spread rumors again about me to ruin my image, make sure that every project I had will fail through his connections and exaggerate the truth about the “fling” that we had when I was still working at KB Studios. Tears started rolling down my cheeks as I threw my phone at the end of my bed and buried my face in my pillow. I felt a sense of loss and defeat, knowing that he has the power and the connections to do this to me.

The fear that has consumed me soon after overwhelmed me until I finally broke down entirely, all my defenses washed away by my salty tears. I tried to hold it and be strong for once but the pain came out like an uproar from my throat in the form of a silent scream. The beads of water started falling down one after another, without a sign of stopping. I squeezed the pillow tightly as I tried to scream into it, but my voice was melted by it. The muffled sobs wracked against my chest.

I laid on my back and faced the ceiling. The tears that fell from my eyes pooled in my ears as I stared blankly at my peeling wallpaper. My eyes were burning and my chest felt heavy as if it were filled with lead. I could no longer see clearly.

All I knew was that because of him, I would never be able to pursue my dreams as a makeup and hairstylist again.

I picked myself up from the bed. I walked up to my vanity to look at myself in the mirror. I sat there looking at the reflection in front of me. I looked so miserable.

Why have I allowed myself to turn this way? I can’t make up any more excuses as to why I allow Kevin to step on me. I should take control of how I live my life from now on, not Kevin. The world doesn’t revolve around him.

Enough is enough.

I wiped my tears away and decided to go back to something that makes me happy: makeup. Putting on makeup on myself relaxes me. It’s my way to relieve unbearable stress. With every stroke of my brush, it takes me back to the time where everything was stress free. I remember the time when I first had my own makeup kit. I tried to recall the happiness I felt that time.

It made me look back to the time where my friends and family encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I reminisced about what my dad told me before I moved out of our house. His words made my heart clench as I tried remembering every word.

“You’re my most precious daughter, I only want what’s best for you. If that means moving miles away from us then I’ll learn to live with that. Just promise me that you’ll always be happy and do not let anyone trample on you.”

I stared back at myself in the mirror. I smiled as I recognized the familiar figure in front of me. This is who I am. I won’t let Kevin or anyone walk all over me. He’s going to regret all of his threats. I stood up to call Ellie. Maybe she can help get back at him.

“Hey, Ellie! It’s me.” I greeted her as soon as she picked up.

“Hi! What’s up?” She said enthusiastically, making me smile.

“Actually, I have a situation right now. Can you come over?” I asked awkwardly, twirling a lock of hair with my finger. I’m not sure if she’s available today.

“Sure. I’m free today. I’ll be there.” She retorted, making me sigh in relief. I’m so lucky to have a friend I can rely on.

“Alright! See you! Bye!” I told her as I faintly heard her bid me goodbye before I hung up.

I plopped down on the sofa after the call ended. I opened my phone to read again the threats Kevin sent me. I scrolled through everything. It made my skin crawl up in fear but I shook my head and closed the phone. I promise myself that I won’t let him have power over me. It’s my time to get back at him. I already lost my career and Arthur because of him. What’s more can he take away from me? My thoughts were cut off as I heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I shouted as I walked up to the door.

“It’s me!” I heard Ellie’s familiar cheerful voice. I proceeded to open the door and welcomed her inside. I hugged her as soon as she stepped in.

“It’s been a while huh.” I told her after we pulled away. “I’m sorry for calling you out here all of a sudden.” I looked down apologetically.

“It’s fine. Besides, I’m bored at home. Good thing you called me or else I could’ve died from the boredom.” She babbled as we made our way to the couch. “So what’s this situation you’re talking about?” She added curiously as she raised her eyebrows at me.

“Well-” Before I could even start to explain the situation, she cut me off.

“Is this some boy problem again?” She asked abruptly as she wiggled her eyebrows playfully at me.

“Well yes and no.” I uttered seriously to which she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “Let me fill you in on what happened first before I tell you the main reason as to why I called you over.” I added. She turned to me to listen intently to what I have to say.

I told her everything that happened for the past few days. I started with Arthur finding out the truth followed by our awkwardness at work and the abrupt cancellation of my application in LLL, Corp. After those, I told her about my confrontation with Kevin then my confrontation with Arthur up until to my resignation in Williams Inc. She sat there and listened attentively to my story. She would sometimes add a few comments in between. After I finished everything, she seemed to be in shock about everything.

“I’m sorry for bombarding you with all of these.” I ran a hand on my hair nervously. I know everything is too much but she needs to know all of these first before I tell her about Kevin’s threats. She pulled me unexpectedly into a hug as she gently patted my back.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all those things.” Her voice cracked. I pulled away to check her appearance. My eyes widened in surprise as tears started rolling down her face. Panic filled my veins as I gently touched her hand. I didn’t expect her to be so affected by this.

“Hey, why are you crying?” I asked as I wiped a tear from her eyes with the tip of my fingers. I then stood up to get some tissue. “Hey, don’t worry, I’m fine.” I reassured her as I handed it over to her.

“How did you manage to go through all of that? I can’t even imagine going through all those things in a couple of days.” She replied worriedly after she finished wiping away all of her tears.

“I just had to be strong for myself, I guess.” I muttered nonchalantly with a shrug as she pulled me again for another hug. She gripped me tightly as if to comfort me, I loosened my body as I succumbed to her warm embrace. This is all that I needed.

Eventually we pulled away and she stared at me. “Is this the situation that you wanted to tell me?” She asked me seriously. I shook my head in response. “Then what is it?” She tilted her head to the side in confusion as she questioned me.

“Here.” I reached out for my phone and gave it to her. She gasped in shock as she scrolled through the messages that Kevin sent me.

“This is harassment. We should do something.” She shook her head in disbelief as she grimaced in disgust at the words he said. I nodded in agreement as she handed me back my phone.

“Actually I thought of a way to get back at him. I wanted to share with the world everything he has done to me. Including these threats as evidence.” I told her confidently. Her eyes widened in surprise as she nodded her head in acknowledgement. “I know that in this industry, reputation is everything. By the time the public finds out about this, no one would consider even being acquainted with him.”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea.” She furrowed her eyebrows in determination, quickly agreeing to the idea but soon her face had turned into a solemn expression. “Are you sure about this? If you’re going to that, you’re telling the public your most painful memory. I just wanted to make sure before you do this, you have thought about it well.” She added as she gave me a concerned look. I held her hand to assure her.

“Yes. It’s about time people know how horrible Kevin is.” I gripped her hand tightly to reassure her that I will be fine. “And besides if worst comes to worst, and it gets to court, I’ll make sure that it would be him behind the bars.”

I can finally get back at him for the torment he made me experience.