FATE UNWRAPS

Chapter 4

Author's pov

As he splashed water on his face, Ryder couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered from the previous night's lack of sleep. He felt like he was stuck in a never-ending nightmare.
After ordering room service, Ryder walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain, gazing out at the city below. The bright sunlight was a stark contrast to his dark mood.
He couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped, both physically and mentally. The scandal was suffocating him, and he didn't know how to escape.

When the knock on the door came, Ryder hesitated for a moment before opening it. There was a friendly-looking old woman standing in the hallway with a cart of food.

"Good morning, Mr. Ryder," she said with a warm smile. "I hope you're doing okay."
Ryder was taken aback by her kindness. "Yeah, thanks," he muttered.

After having his breakfast, ryder was going into his bedroom but some noise from the hotel corridor made him halt his steps.

Ryder's curiosity got the better of him, and he tiptoed over to the peephole to see what was causing the commotion. He peered through the small lens, and his eyes widened in surprise.
There, in the lobby, was a group of reporters and paparazzi. Ryder's heart sank, thinking they had discovered his identity. He felt trapped and anxious, wondering how they had found him. He listened intently to their conversation, trying to make sense of the situation.

"I'm telling you, I got a tip that a singer is hiding out here," one of the reporters said.

"But we don't know for sure," another one replied. "Maybe it's just a rumor."

Ryder's mind was racing. Who could have tipped them off? And how did they know he was hiding out in this hotel? What should he do?

Ryder grabbed the phone and dialed the hotel's front desk, his heart racing with anticipation. But as the phone rang, he was met with an automated message saying that all lines were busy.
He tried again and again, but the result was the same. Getting frustrated Ryder threw the phone. Ryder felt a surge of anger and helplessness. He was trapped in his room, with no way to alert the hotel staff about the chaos unfolding in the lobby.

Just as Ryder was about to open the door to lash on the reporters, he heard a woman's voice. She was speaking excitedly, saying something like, "Oh my god, I just saw a celebrity!"
Ryder seemed confused at first, unsure what the woman was speaking about, but as she continued to gush about the supposed celebrity sighting, he understood what she was trying to do. She was creating a diversion, trying to draw the attention of the reporters away from his door. Ryder's initial confusion gave way to gratitude as he realized this woman was trying to help him, and he found himself smiling at her cleverness.

He tried to peek a look at the mysterious woman, but nothing was visible. As the reporters cleared the lobby, he decided to go out and thank her, but to his disappointment, she was already gone. He wondered who she was, why she had helped him, and did she know that it was him she had saved from the chaos. The encounter left him with a sense of curiosity and gratitude, but no answers.

Feeling a headache coming on, he decided to take a short nap, hoping to shake off the stress. As he lay down, he couldn't help but think of the woman's kindness. Finally, his eyelids grew heavy, and he soon drifted off to sleep, his mind still whispering a silent thank you.

To be continued..