Anna hesitated for a mont, her eyes flickering toward the phone still resting on her lap. The screen was lit up, the last ssage from DarkKnight_07 still visible taunting her with that ridiculous mix of sincerity and arrogance.
A small, dry laugh escaped her lips. "No, it’s not the ssage," she said quietly, shaking her head. "Just... everything else."
Betty studied her for a second longer, then offered a small smile. "You know," she said gently, "you’ve already done the hardest part."
Anna tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you an?"
"You stopped letting them decide for you," Betty replied simply. "That’s the first step. The rest... you’ll figure it out."
Anna looked at her, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself. For soone so young, Betty sotis said things that hit deeper than anyone else’s advice.
"Maybe you’re right," Anna murmured as she already confided everything with Betty before eting up.
"So, what are your plans for today?" Betty asked suddenly, clearly deciding they’d spent enough ti dissecting the mysterious DarkKnight_07 and his shaless text.
Anna blinked, then shrugged lightly. "I don’t really know. But Kevin said he’s joining us soon. He said needs to discuss a few things with ."
Betty’s eyes widened. "Wait. Kevin? As in your manager Kevin?"
Anna humd an absentminded "mm-hmm," scrolling through her phone without looking up.
"And you called him here? To the café?" Betty’s voice rose an octave, disbelief lacing every word.
Anna finally looked up, her tone calm but firm. "Yes. I couldn’t stay at ho any longer, and he happened to call while I was on my way to et you. So..." she gestured around the cozy café, "he’ll have to co here."
Betty shook her head dramatically, muttering, "You’re impossible," just as the faint chi of bells rang through the air—the sound announcing a new arrival.
Both girls turned toward the door.
The midday light poured through the glass as the café door swung open, and in walked Kevin.
He looked different from the last ti Anna had seen him gone was the crisp suit and formal deanor he’d worn at Daniel’s office during contract signing.
Instead, he wore a simple fitted shirt and jeans, sleeves rolled to his elbows, a look that made him appear effortlessly professional yet approachable. His hair, usually styled with precision, fell more naturally today, adding to his relaxed aura.
"There he is," Anna murmured, straightening in her seat, her expression turning neutral in an instant.
Kevin spotted them quickly and made his way across the café, his usual polite smile in place. He gave a small wave as he approached, the soft chi of the café bell fading behind him.
"Anna," he greeted, his voice calm and even, but his gaze lingered a mont too long on her before shifting to the girl beside her.
"Oh, that’s Betty," Anna introduced quickly, noticing the curious flicker in his eyes. "My friend."
Kevin nodded in acknowledgnt, offering Betty a courteous smile before turning back to Anna. "Good. I was told you’ve been spending ti with a few people lately. It’s nice to see you relaxing a bit."
His tone was polite enough, but there was an undertone of subtle evaluation—professional, maybe even watchful.
"So," he continued, lowering himself into the chair opposite them, "there’s no harm in talking business before her, I assu?"
Anna shook her head. "It’s fine."
Kevin leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. To Anna, he was her manager—the man who helped her navigate her new career. But behind that, he was also Daniel Donovan’s silent informant. His job was simple: keep an eye on Anna and report back. Nothing personal, nothing emotional. Just updates.
Or so he told himself.
Still, there were monts like this when he found himself wondering what exactly she ant to Daniel, and why the man who rarely cared for anyone suddenly seed invested in her every move.
"I’m sorry for the abrupt call," Kevin began, pulling himself back to the matter at hand. "But I’m sure you’ve already seen the chaos on your social dia."
Anna exhaled softly, rubbing her temple. "If by chaos you an the rumor about being taken, then yes. I’ve seen it."
Kevin nodded grimly. From the very beginning, he had briefed her about the golden rules of the entertainnt industry, maintain an ideal public image: a perfect figure, a charming face, and most importantly, a clean relationship record. No past scandals. No ssy entanglents.
But ever since Anna had posted that photo of her hand—the one with a ring glinting faintly in the fra, the internet had gone wild. A certain soone had publicly claid she was taken, and the rumor spread like wildfire.
Kevin had confronted her about it, of course, but she’d calmly denied having any lover in her life. Still, the speculation hadn’t died down, and with her debut approaching, the situation was starting to concern him.
"I think you should make an official statent," Kevin suggested gently. "It’s better to clear the misunderstanding before it damages your reputation. This is the start of your career—your image matters."
He wasn’t just saying it as her manager; it was also an indirect reminder of the instructions he’d been given. Daniel had been clear—protect Anna’s image at all costs until the movie’s release. Even Wilsmith, the director, was unusually secretive about her involvent, insisting her identity remain under wraps to build anticipation.
Kevin didn’t understand why both n were being so cautious, but he didn’t question it. His job was to manage and report. Nothing more.
"I don’t think that’ll be necessary," Anna said suddenly, breaking into his thoughts.
Kevin blinked, surprised. "What do you an?"
"The rumors have already been taken care of," she replied, her tone calm, almost dismissive.
His brows furrowed. "Taken care of? By who—"
"The one who started them," Anna interrupted before he could finish. "He cleared it himself. Though," she added with a faint sigh, "so people still aren’t convinced."
Kevin studied her face for a mont, processing her words. Then, slowly, he nodded. "That’s... actually a relief. I’m glad it didn’t escalate further."
He leaned back, exhaling quietly. There might still be doubters online, but hearing that the majority had dropped the issue eased him. For now, at least, the fire had been contained.
"That’s good to hear," he said finally, allowing himself a small smile. Then, slipping back into work mode, he continued, "Anyway, I ca to discuss the final preparations before the shoot."
Anna nodded, her focus sharpening.
"The schedule officially starts in three days," Kevin explained. "I’ve already made arrangents for your costu fittings, your script revisions, and your vanity. Everything’s been handled. There’s also a second promotional poster shoot coming up, where you’ll be introduced alongside the rest of the cast—though your full reveal will still be withheld until Wilsmith approves it."
Anna listened carefully, absorbing every word. She could feel the quiet thrill building in her chest as Kevin spoke—the rush of being part of sothing real, sothing hers.
Starlight Agency, the company managing her, was known for treating its artists like family. They polished their talents, nurtured them, and launched them into stardom with precision. And now, it was her turn.
As Kevin continued outlining her schedule, Anna felt that familiar pulse of excitent—a blend of nerves and adrenaline. Her life was no longer quiet or predictable. It was busy, uncertain, and wild.
And for the first ti in years... she was okay with that.
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