She's My Sleeping Pill

Since Cayenne was very elusive, plus there were many bodyguards around her when she appeared in public, showbiz reporters were unable to get any scope from her.

On top of that, she liked posting her comments online, so there wasn't really a need for them to create gossips. Unless they want to earn the wrath of the wife-doting husband, Stefan Dumrique, they could totally make things up.

Sadly, no one, in their sane mind, wanted to go up against Stefan.

However, there were some reporters who were wise enough to look for another source of scope. If they could not get anything from Cayenne, they could totally get something from the people close to her.

The first on the list was Luiz.

Today, he was attending the Jade Film Festival ceremony as Riley's partner. Due to the recent rumor involving Cayenne, Shein's braincells were borrowed by Stefan and he could not make it to attend Riley's event.

In return, Luiz has to attend the said event.

Jade Film Festival was held every 30th of October. It was to recognize the hardwork of many artistes, directors and producers over the year.

As one of the rising stars, Riley was nominated in three categories and many were expecting her to snatch the Jade plaques.

Reporters flocked outside, waiting for the event to come to closure so they could interview the guests.

After a few hours of waiting, one after another, the guests of the nights slowly came out. Their fans screamed in happiness while cameras flashes endlessly.

It was almost blinding.

"I still can't get used to this type of event," Luiz commented as he walked beside Riley. "It's always -"

Before he could finish his words, reporters surrounded them immediately, not letting him escape.

"Luiz, can we ask you a few question?"

"Luiz, what can you say about the rumor involving your sister?"

"Luiz, is it -"

"I'm offended," Riley stated while pressing her hand on her chest as if she was really hurt. "I just won some awards but you're asking him about the rumors."

The reporters finally realized their mistake and apologized to her. They then continued with their interview and decided to start with praises and compliments to the award-winning actress.

Riley just laughed it off and went along with them. Once they were done with her, they moved on to their main target - Luiz.

As a brother, and someone who joined the entertainment industry, Luiz knew that he shouldn't say too much as it might be used against him or the person he was talking about.

How much more when he was speaking for his sister.

"There was no official statement from your sister and brother-in-law yet regarding the rumor that your sister got involved with. Is there marriage okay? Is it really just a rumor?" Asked the reporter who stood right in front of Luiz and Riley, just separated with a one person boundary, which was their bodyguard.

Luiz scoffed at the statement and sighed with a smirk dancing on his lips.

"First, their bond is one of the strongest bond I know. My sister doesn't know the actor. Second, the reason why they're not giving any official statement at this point is because they are gathering evidences."

Reporter: "In this matter what can you say about those vicious comments that slanders your sister."

Luiz shrugged his shoulder upon hearing this question and his expression from confidence turned to sadness. "Of course, it pains my heart knowing that a lot of people out there are insulting my sister. At the same time, I know my sister is strong. Those comments online won't really affect her. She lives her life by her own rules and not the rules that people set for her."

The reporters wanted to ask more but Luiz already gave his bow in front of them and the bodyguards ushered him, along with Riley to their waiting car.

As soon as they got inside, Riley took a selfie with her Jade plaques and posted it online with the following caption:

"I just won two awards out of three, but the reporters are more interested in Yenyen compared to me. Sigh, reporters really love to gossip."

Her post was flooded with comments expressing their happiness for her, encouragement to keep going and advises to just ignore the gossip-mongers.

"Someone out there must be holding a grudge against Mrs. Dumrique. Imagine, they even went to find her brother just so they could get some scope about her rumor."

"When I analyze this ongoing issue, I think the real target must be Stefan. I mean, Cayenne was always nonchalant when people attack her, but Stefan always gets affected by it."

"There was no official statement from Steve's camp. Cayenne and Stefan chose silence as well. Why do people kept bothering them?"

"I must say, Cayenne should join entertainment industry as well. Look, her fame is on par with Riley." This comment gained a lot of laughing reaction and the person even tagged the two women.

Riley read the comment and replied "I think I'll be riding on her coattails. People love to create news about her and whenever there's news, there is publicity. I like this idea."

However, Cayenne did not respond to this.

She was busy sorting out the gifts that will be sent to the three orphanages the next day.

***

Athalie woke up and stare into the distance. Her family knew she was disheartened with the recent event and most likely, they resented her.

Well, they were not far off from their guesses.
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Athalie sat in silence on her bed. Her hair disheveled, not the kind of princess that you see on tv or in books. She looked like someone who lost her soul.

At the same time, amidst the deafening silence, her brain was working rapidly, thinking of ways to get rid of her supposed fiancee and to locate Steve as soon as possible.

As long as there was no dead body found, she would continue to believe that he was alive.

And she knew exactly who the culprit was.

After an hour of deep thinking, she got out of bed and knocked her door.

The guard standing outside her room opened the door for her and inquired what she needed.

"I want to eat," she said before closing the door. She heard the "click" sound of the lock from the outside and snorted. "I need lots of energy," she told herself before walking toward her closet to get a change of clothes.

When the Queen heard that her daughter finally gave in and asked for food, she sighed in relief. She instructed the servant to prepare all of Athalie's favorite food so she could choose which one she would eat.

Not suspecting her daughter at all.

Athalie had visited the manor of the Darian family and she had memorize every corner of the property. However, it was several years ago, on the day she escaped her engagement.

Surely, there would be changes on the property.

She looked around to find something she could draw the layout on, but all she found were books and small sizes of illustration boards. She needed something big.

Then her eyesight fell into the large portrait of herself. She could totally use the back of the portrait. The question was, how could she bring it down.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in!"

The guard opened the door and the servant came in with a tray of food - all of the dishes were Athalie's favorite. After putting her food on the table, Athalie dismissed the servant and asked the guard to call two other people to help her take off her portrait.

No questions asked. They just followed what their princess requested them to do, but they also reported it to the King and Queen.

It wasn't even half an hour after she took off the large portrait yet her mother came in with her hands on her hips.

"What are you planning this time?" interrogated the Queen which Athalie ignored. "Your second brother painted that for you."

Athalie stayed silent. She continued to stare on the portrait as if she heard nothing.

"Your brother will be hurt if you ruin that just because you are mad at me - at your father."

No answer.

"Fine! Be rebellious! Rebel all you want, but that won't change anything."

No response at all.

Athalie's mother finally left in irritation at her daughter's silence. She thought that Athalie has learned her lesson, it turned out she has not.

The moment her door was closed, Athalie turned the painting over and started sketching the Darian's mansion. Her hand was very quick to draw the layout while pausing from time to time whenever she heard someone talked to the guard outside her room.

She can't let anyone find out her plan.

"But where can I get a computer to contact the outside world?"

****

"Are you sure you'd like to wage war against them?" Travis asked Stefan when he learned from Shein the complicated situation that Cayenne got involved.

If it was someone else, Travis won't even bother to spare a second to think of helping them.

But they're talking about Cayenne - his bestfriend's wife and someone that his beloved wife, Jill, likes as well.

"Yes. I have Shein and Tristan. Having them on my side is already a great advantage. I know nothing would go wrong with them."

"Mhalik Darian might be brawns over brains, but his sister has it both. She would know."