The next morning.

Natalie peeped out of her room and looked at the hall. ''It's empty'' she muttered and walked out in her black pyjamas. Her phone buzzed and she took it out.

''It's Lucy. Hello, Lucy. Really? Wow. He is quite the impatient one. I told you there was no way he wouldn't like you? So? You two are now official? I will be at work on Monday. Mm, see you then, bye''

Natalie smiled and went to the hall. She saw a script on the table and looked at it, ''what book is that?''

Taking the script, she sat down as curiosity got the best of her, ''Purple Romance 1? This must be a script'' Natalie looked around the hall and didn't see anyone, ''where did he go to?'

Natalie opened the first page and started reading it. She smiled and muttered, ''this looks interesting'' she turned when she heard noise at the door.

Mikael changed into his slippers and walked in holding two paper bags. He stood at the doorway and looked at Natalie, meeting her gaze.

''HI'' he said and smiled.

''Hi'' Natalie said awkwardly as she remembered what happened the night before. Her face became red and she looked away.

''I bought us breakfast. You must be hungry'' Mikael walked towards the dining table as he spoke.

Natalie placed the script back and walked to the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down as he brought out the breakfast he bought.

''I bought porridge for you. It's that okay by you?'' Mikael picked two spoons and placed them on the table. He turned used one to stir his porridge and licked the spoon before putting it beside the other one.

''Yes. Porridge is okay'' Natalie pulled the porridge bowl closer to her side and opened it. She picked a spoon by the side and fetched some of the porridge and ate before she heard Mikael saying.

''That is my spoon. I used it already'' Mikael looked at her nonchalantly and Natalie flushed.

''I'm sorry, I didn't know it was used by your'' Natalie said.

''I was messing with you'' Mikael chuckled and Natalie glared at him.

''Hey!!''

''Natalie, you should have seen your face'' Mikael sat across him and started eating.

''I'm going back to work on Monday'' Natalie announced.

''You're going back to Janice?'' Mikael paused.

''Yes''

''You don't have to work because of what I said''

''I know, but, I'm doing this for me. I need to get myself out to the world''

''Natie, I'm sorry. I misjudged you and accused you when I didn't even know anything about you. I know it's going to take a lot of time before you can trust me but…''

''I trust you, Mikael and I know that you've changed and I appreciate everything you've done and still do. But, I think the person that can help me the most right now is myself. So I'm going to do whatever it takes to pull myself together and live the kind of life that I want''

''Then, promise me one thing. You will tell me if anyone tries to bully you or something happens. I want to be the first person you call when you need someone''

''You are always busy''

''It doesn't matter. You are number one to me now and it's going to stay like that from now onwards''

Natalie smiled and nodded her head. ''Alright, I will call you''

''Our deal is still on, right?''

''What deal?''

''My mother asked me to always send you to work and pick you up from work''

''You don't really have to do that. What if someone writes something about us, again? I am a widow and you are an actor. Getting into a scandal with me is not good for your reputation''

'I don't mind getting into a scandal with you, but you don't have to worry about that because I won't put you in harm's way''

'I know''

Mikael's phone buzzed and he looked at it, ''it's mom. Hello, mother. We are doing well. airport, alright, we will come and pick you up at that time, bye''

''What did aunt, say?''

''She will be in by afternoon. She wants us to pick her up so we can have dinner together tonight''

''That's fine. I missed her''

….

Mimi was having her massage when her phone started buzzing.

''Miss, your phone is ringing'' the masseuse said and Mimi opened her eyes.

''Ignore it'' she said and closed her eyes again but the phone soon started buzzing again so she cussed. ''Who is so bold to disturb my peace?'' she stretched her hand and the masseuse placed the phone in her palm.

''What is it, Aileen?'' she asked her assistant before sitting up abruptly and screamed, ''what? what did you just say? I am coming right now''

…

A few minutes later.

Mimi got down from her van and hurried into the company. When she entered the office of her agency CEO, she asked.

''Ike, what do you mean all the companies boycotted me and asked for another actress? How did something like this happen?'' she was furious and beyond speechless.

''Mimi, sit down first''

''No, Ike. Explain the situation to me first. what is going on?''

''I received a call this morning from the Five Magazine saying that they no longer wanted to collaborate with us on the summer pictorial. They didn't give much reasons and said they have found some questionable trends in you after the incident with Miss Jun. HZ Fashion house also called to cancel your appearance on the runway. Director Ann suddenly requested for the script of ''Naughty Boyfriend' back saying he had found someone who could portray the character of Azin better than you. Mimi, do you know what is even more ridiculous about this entire situation?''

''What?'' Mimi asked.

''All those projects were given to the same person. You know her''

''Who?'' Mimi's face twisted unpleasantly.

''Alice Jun. All your projects were given to Miss Jun and not only that, the amount they are willing to pay for her appearance is insane''

''Alice Jun! I know who is behind this. It must be Mikael Sun''

''How did you offend someone like Mikael Sun?''

''It's because of her, Natalie Jun. now that I think about it, I need to find out what kind of connection those two have. Am I missing something?'' Mimi frowned.

''We need to do something fast, Mimi. Your image is crumbling to the ground'' Ike said worriedly.

''Natalie, you are using your brother in law to mess with me, right? Okay, let's see how that is going to last. I will make you make for messing with me once I become the spokesperson for Janice. I will make you fall to your knees and beg me to let you off'' Mimi sneered. She turned to Ike saying, ''Ike, don't worry about those projects. I will definitely get a lot of projects in the future. Let's just say I am taking a break. Let the agency publish the news that I am taking a short break from entertainment to focus on my health and that I will not be accepting any projects until I'm fully well again''

''I think that's the best. You will win a lot of sympathy from the netizens and at the right time, we will publish a documentary on your journey as an actress and also how Alice is using her connections to sabotage you. This will be a win-win for everyone''

''Of course, I always bring out smart ideas. You can handle the rest, I need to go back and do something'' Mimi picked her bag and walked out.

…..

''Mommy'' Mimi started crying as soon as she got to their house. Her parents were in the hall playing chess.

''Darling, what's wrong?'' Mrs. Solace stood up and hugged Mimi as she asked.

''Mommy, I really don't know what to do again. Since the scandal issue with big sis, I've been trying to get her to forgive me and I even asked aunt Eunice to say a few good things about her to Janice so that she could be treated well at work. But just now, Ike called to inform me that all five of my projects have been handed over to someone else'' Mimi said and sobbed even more.

''What? How did something like this come to be?'' Her father asked.

''How can this happen? Who did they give your projects to? Tell mommy''

''Alice Jun. She is now being backed by Mikael Sun. He must be the one who stole all my projects for her. Mom, what should I do? I think sister misunderstood me again and asked Mikael Sun to harm me''

''That girl is always making me worried. Mimi, it's alright. I will have a talk with her tomorrow and get her to make Mikael Sun return your projects back to you''

''Mom, when you are talking to sister, please be patient with her. I don't want her to think you are always supporting me''

''You still worry about what she has to say. Mimi, when will you grow up? Silly girl'' Mrs. Solace consoled Mimi.