MARRIED TO THE ARROGANT STAR

Married To The Arrogant Star Episode 2 By peachlips Liana's POV I get to the dining area where breakfast has already been served for me and I sit to eat. It's bagel and cream cheese. Eating alone is so boring, but I'm already used to it since Mum hardly stays at home. Sometimes, I wish my life were a little different. After finishing half of the meal, I stand up and leave, walking out to the parking lot where my driver is already waiting. "Good morning, ma'am Liana," he greets as I approach the black van. "Good morning, Josh," I reply cursorily and slide into the back seat. He gets into the driver's seat and takes off. I bring out my phone to while away time before getting to school. The driver turns on the car's FM, and the channel tuned in is talking about Ethan. Perfect. I tuck my hair behind my ear and try to listen to what they're saying. Well, what else could they say? 🎬 "It's really a pleasure to know Ethan's back in Dallas his hometown. At least the country's pride is now here with us," 🎬 the presenter says. 🎬 "Yeah, I'm so excited. Even my little girl was dancing when she heard the news!" 🎬 someone else says and laughs. 🎬 "I really can't wait for his concert. I have a feeling the entire city will be there," 🎬 the other laughs. 🎬 "Yeah. It's not something anyone would want to miss Ethan Blackwell live on stage!" 🎬 🎬 "It's gonna be a blast!" 🎬 I sigh and return my eyes to my phone. Geez! His pictures are everywhere online. I can't believe it Ethan, Ethan, Ethan everywhere. Can't they think of someone else? I roll my eyes and log in to my inbox to reply to some messages. After a while, we arrive at Royal High School. When the driver stops the van, I open the door and step out. "Bye, ma'am," he says, and I wave at him before heading to my classroom. As I walk across the premises, the whole school buzzes with the news of Ethan's return. Every student I pass are in pairs or groups, talking about him while scrolling through his pictures on their phones. 👥 "He's so cute!" 👥 "I wish I could touch him at the concert." 👥 "How on earth will you touch him? Do you plan to turn into a ghost?" 👥 "Oh! Ethan... I wonder who his girlfriend could be. If I were her, I'd kill my own father just to keep him." Geez! I roll my eyes, trying to ignore all the buzz, but I can't, the entire building is filled with Ethan's name. I take the stairs and follow the right route to my classroom. Okay, now this is even weirder. As expected, every student in the room is grouped and paired, talking about... Mr Popular. I sigh and walk into the class. Nicole, already waiting on our seats, waves at me before I get there. We're seatmates. "Hello, girlfriend!" she beams as I sit in front of her. She isn't really in her seat, but on the seat in front of mine, facing me. "Hi," I roll my eyes, remembering how she disrupted my sleep over Ethan. "Come on L, don't tell me you're still angry over that little issue. You should be happy I woke you up," she pouts. "Indeed. You're so annoying, Nic," I tell her, and she smiles. "Whatever. By the way, aren't you glad Ethan's back? I mean, you're gonna be in the same state as Mr Popular," she says ecstatically. "Like I'll get to touch him, or that it'll add anything to my life," I reply. "You're so funny Liana. You act like you don't like him but deep down, you'd kill for him," she teases. "FYI, I already have a boyfriend," I brag, showing my ringless finger. "That anonymous boyfriend of yours? You're not in love with him Liana, You're only in love with love," she says, and I hit her shoulder. "Are you crazy? Stop speaking gibberish! I love Jackson with my whole heart," I tell her, and she rolls her eyes with a 'whatever.' "By the way Liana, hope you're coming with me to Ethan's concert? I got a ticket already," she says, and I scoff. "I'm not going, You can find someone else," I reply. Of course, that's a lie, I mean what else would I do alone at home? "Come on liana, are you kidding me? The entire city will be there. You're coming with me no matter what!" she says with a playful frown. "Oh! Really? Well, I'd love to see you try." She opens her phone and scrolls through his pictures. "Oh! Liana he's so dreamy! I wish I could attend his homecoming party tomorrow at his house. Too bad it's strictly VIP," she says wistfully. "He's holding another party tomorrow?" I ask. "Oh! Not really him, but his mum she's holding a special party to celebrate his return. She treasures him a lot." "He's her only child, right?" "Yeah. And the heir to Winthorp Incorporated, though his step-siblings have their eyes on it." "How did he end up in a polygamous family? I heard his mum betrayed her best friend, Ethan's father's first wife, by sleeping with her husband and getting pregnant with Ethan." Three girls beside us suddenly turn and look at me, and I realize I've been a bit loud. I raise my brows at them, They look away and continue with what they're doing. Yeah, whatever. "Well, Nicole lowers her voice. "That's what the rumors say. Ethan has two wives and five kids ,two girls from the first wife, one boy from the second wife (his mum), and one boy and girl from the third wife. They all live in the Winthorp mansion." "Woah! That's crazy," I flinch. "Yeah. And how it all started, his first wife couldn't give him a son. She struggled to get pregnant at first, and when she gave birth, it was a girl. Ethan's father tried again, and another girl. He lost patience and became a flirt, and that's why his children are flirts too." "So, Ethan's mother was friends with his father's first wife, and according to rumors, she always had her eyes on the Winthorp wealth. His father approached her, she fell for him, got pregnant with Ethan and boom he became the first legitimate son and heir of Winthorp Incorporated." "But soon after, a mistress got pregnant giving birth to a son. Desperate his father married her too, making three wives in total. Now, the Winthorp family is... on fire." "On fire?" I cut in, and she nods. "Winthorp Incorporated is the richest company in the US. They deal in UK buildings and real estate. Who wouldn't want to be the heir?" "Ethan's the first legitimate son and rightful heir, but his siblings are trying to take the position from him. They're all at loggerheads." "So... they're competing for the company?" I ask, folding my hands. Immediately, the ABC girls walk in, drawing all eyes. They're the school's most troublesome bullies. Alma, Blair and Cheryl. Blair snatches a phone from a group of girls ogling Ethan's pictures, and the others gasp. "Blair, what are you doing?" one asks. She giggles, refusing to return it. "Seriously, why waste your time dreaming of something that can never be yours?" Alma says bluntly. "Well, none of your business. Give me back my phone," the owner cries. "You wouldn't even bother going to his concert. He might end up in the hospital the moment he sees your face, Cheryl laughs. The girl cries and Blair drops the phone, walking away with her crew. They come to Nicole and me. "Hey puppy you're on our seat," Cheryl says sharply. Nicole jumps up. "Well, that doesn't make her a puppy," I tell them as Nicole returns to her seat. "Oh! Look who's talking," Alma scoffs. "Mummy's little girl. Did your mother get pregnant on her own?" Cheryl says, and I spring up. "What did you just say?" I demand. Nicole grabs my hand, trying to calm me. They chuckle and take seats in front of mine. I glare at them ready to drag Cheryl's hair, when the English teacher walks in. Everyone settles, but I remain standing, staring at the three troublemakers. "Good morning Mrs Lee," the students greet uniformly. "Liana, come on please," Nicole whispers, dragging me down to my seat. Oh God! I swear, I'm gonna smack these ladies. "Good morning students. How was your night?" Mrs Lee asks adjusting her glasses. "It was fine Mrs Lee," a few students mumble. She begins teaching. We have two more classes before lunch. Once the last teacher leaves, the class becomes noisy as students troop out. ABC stand up, and I stand with them. "The next time you talk trash about my personal life, you'll wish you never had a tongue," I say to Cheryl in particular, grabbing my bag and walking away with Nicole scuttling behind me. I hear them laugh but ignore it. "Seriously those girls are becoming something else," Nicole says as we head to the canteen. "Well soon I'm gonna shut them up for good," I reply still angry. We enter the canteen, order snacks and return to class for more lectures. Three more classes pass, and the bell rings school is over. Piquant! I'm going to see Jackson. "Don't forget to get ready for the concert Liana, We need to go on time to be close to the stage when Ethan performs," Nicole enthuses as she walks me to my driver. "You talk too much Nicole," I say itching my ear and she laughs "So... are you really going to see Jackson at home?" She asks and I nod. "But Liana, are you sure about this Jackson guy? You don't even know his family." "Well, we just started dating less than a month ago," I reply and She sighs. "Why does he want you at his house anyway?" she asks as we reach my van. "How am I supposed to know? He just wants me to come over," I reply tucking my hair behind my ear. "And you feel comfortable going alone?" She asks and I shrug. "Please Nicole, Jackson's a nice guy. Stop worrying," I tell her. She sighs and gives me a side hug. "Just be careful, okay? And don't forget the concert." "Sure bye," I reply waving as I get into the van. Josh drives off. TBC