HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 47: A Trending Post (1)
’’You’re finally back.’’
Those were the first set of words that Ayana heard after getting inside the black SUV in the parking lot, and the vehicle wheeled out of the school premises.
’’Sorry that I wasted a bit of time.’’ She apologized and carelessly tossed her ceremonial garb—both gown and cap into the back seat beside Jason. The seven- year-old barely glanced up at her action, his focus glued to the tablet in his hands.
On the other hand, Noah arched an eyebrow in return at her words.
’’A bit? My dear sister, we waited for over thirty minutes.’’ He stated a matter of fact.
’’....I am truly sorry.’’ Ayana let out a long sigh as she slumped back her body into the leather seat. ’’Somethings came up and I had to deal with them.’’
’’Like Arabella and Liam?’’
’’.....!’’ Ayana straightened her back and her head snapped towards Noah, her surprised evident. ’’How did you know about that?!’’
"She didn’t exactly keep her visit to the school a secret." Noah pulled out his phone, tapping the screen a few times before turning it to face her. "Her post is trending on social media with your name in it."
’’...’’ Ayana took the phone and stared at the post blankly. Below the clear picture of Arabella and Liam was a caption that clearly had her name.
*A wonderful surprise meeting my dear cousin on her graduation ceremony today! Family is everything! Can’t wait for us sisters to have fun on my birthday banquet, Ayana ❤️ #LovingSisters #ReunionVibes*
’Ha!’ Ayana almost laughed out loud in anger. It seemed her dear second cousin really wanted her in the upcoming birthday banquet this time.
’’Will you be going?’’ Noah probed as she returned the phone to him.
’’Of course not.’’ Ayana did not think twice before rejecting the invitation once more. She slumped back to her leather seat and closed her eyes to have some rest.
’’Really?’’
’’Really, Noah.’’ Ayana’s voice held a sharper edge this time. ’’My decision will not change because of some underhanded methods.’’
Though her rejection had forced Arabella to this extent by using her fame, Ayana still wouldn’t attend the birthday banquet. No matter how many likes, shares, or hashtags her cousin’s post garnered, Ayana would remain undeterred by the pressure.
First of, she had promised Matt to attend the Young miss Easmond’s birthday banquet. Besides that, she wanted to witness the downfall of the claimed genius of the Easmond family.
’Her intentions are practically written all over that post.’ Ayana snorted in her heart. It seemed she had overestimated her scheming second cousin.
In her past life, Arabella was definitely smarter and cunning than this.
’Or perhaps I became the smart one and she has always been this way.’ Ayana suddenly wondered if she was seeing everything more clearly just because she decided to step out from the influence of her relatives in this life.
Whatever the case may be, Arabella could only dream that she would attend her banquet just because of a carefully curated social media post.
’’Her fans will talk.’’ Noah gave a warning.
’’And they should talk.’’ Ayana shot back without hesitation. She opened her eyes, and tilted her head towards him with a sharp glance. ’’Let them slander and insult me for not understanding the kind intentions of their precious actress. Believe me Noah, I know the brutality of social media and fame, Noah.’’ She let out a faint sneer.
’Because I have experienced it firsthand.’ Ayana finished the rest of her words in her heart.
The suffocating scrutiny, the unending words, the unkind attention, the remarks and comments of you being a third party and always telling you die.....not knowing that she was a victim and actually telling the truth.
In the entertainment industry, the truth never mattered. What mattered was who held the power, influence and connections.
In her past life, she held none and just an empty position as a puppet. Even if she was trying to protect a so-called love, no one had ever believed her words and only saw her as a third party and villainess in a relationship that was never true in the first place.
That was the reason she suffered stupidly in every scandals, and ended being blacklisted from the entertainment industry.
’’I guess you aren’t that ignorant.’’ Noah remarked with a wry smile. ’’What am I even saying? I should be pitying Arabella for going against you.’’ He shook his head lightly with a sigh as though Arabella was already lost cause.
’As it should be.’ Ayana silently agreed and closed her eyes with another thought. ’Doesn’t she fear that I would end her career with a single word?’
Fame in the entertainment industry was as fleeting as a trend, never stagnant and always demanding reinventions. As an actress, Arabella was selling herself for fame. Unlike many actresses who clawed their way up to the top, Arabella had the safety net of being the daughter of a managing director and a relative of the prominent Kingston family.
The entertainment company backing her was a subsidiary of the Kingston Corporation—a fact Ayana knew all too well.
The same company where she, Liam and that hateful woman had signed with in her past life.
’Come to think of it...she must be a rookie actress now.’
Yes. That hateful woman should have signed in already as a new and growing actress.
’’Since you understand and have your plans, then I won’t bother.’’ Noah paused as his face wore a thoughtful look. ’’When have truly I bothered with you? You’ve always exceeded my expectations that I sometimes wonder if you’re a reincarnation of uncle and aunt. They would definitely be proud of you as their daughter.’’
’’...’’
’’Anyway, you should be mindful of Jason.’’ Noah continued, his tone shifting to one of concern. ’’Now that Arabella had turned the spotlight at you, Jason’s name might come up and it wouldn’t be long before his private life would be disturbed.’’
Ayana opened her eyes with frown when she realized that Jason might be affected because of her.
She couldn’t have that.
No matter what.
’’....I’ll have him homeschooled until the situation cools down.’’
’’Smart move.’’
’’Really?!’’
Noah’s remark and Jason’s exclamation sounded at the same time.
Two pairs of hazel eyes turned to a pair of innocent and shining ones. Jason’s expression brimmed with anticipation, his young face lighting up as though he’d just heard the best news of his life.
’’Pfft!’’ Noah couldn’t hold back his laughter. ’’Why are you eavesdropping on adult’s talk, Jason?’’ He pointed out.
’’Hmph! I wasn’t, big brother.’’ Jason puffed out his cheeks like a chipmunk, and tried to defend himself. ’’You and elder sister’s voices were loud.’’
’’Even if....’’
’’So elder sister, will I be homeschooled?’’ Jason’s voice overwhelmed Noah’s as he stared at his elder sister with undisguised expectations.
’’....We’ll see about that, Jason.’’ Ayana turned away from those shining eyes.
’’~Sis....’’ Jason whined when he sensed that she wasn’t going to give him an answer.
’’Play your games, Jason’’ Her voice became more stern.
’Hmph!’ Jason puffed up his cheeks in frustration. He knew that his elder sister would punish him if he pushed her further for answers.
’Sis will tell me if I’ll be homeschooled at home.’ He could only continue his games like his elder sister wished for him.
Ayana was relieved when she heard nothing from the backseat. Jason could be pushy at times when he desired something from her, and she didn’t have the strength to start admonishing the seven-year-old.
’’Did you meet anyone else at school?’’ Noah suddenly asked just when she was about to close her eyes. She couldn’t help but glance at him in annoyance.
However, his words brought up the image of Axel’s handsome face and piercing gaze in her mind.
’’...Axel came.’’ She said after a moment of silence.
’’That explains why I saw him sometime after the graduation ceremony.’’ Noah said, thoughtfully. ’’I figured it was a figment of my imagination, but it seemed not. It appears your fiancé has his own charms.’’ He teased with a playful grin.
’’Noah.’’
’’Alright, Alright, I’ll leave you to rest.’’ Noah let out a small chuckle as he watched Ayana let out snort and closed her eyes to rest.
With a quiet sigh, he shifted his gaze to the passing scenery beyond the glass window, looking lost in thought. The city buzzed with life outside—the blurs of signs, honking cars, and bustling pedestrians all merging into a chaotic symphony.
