The Cursed Proposal

Chapter 8: The Crying Sound of a Silent Woman

Headline: Sebastian Blackwood's Latest Romance Sparks Controversy
Multi-billionaire Sebastian Blackwood is on the hunt for fresh blood in the dating scene. Apparently, he's still trying to find love after a nasty breakup just a month ago. A picture taken yesterday at a small restaurant called "The Hart & Blus" shows him conversing with the alleged current girlfriend of the cursed man. They appeared to be having the time of their lives, oblivious to their surroundings. Is a man's heart that easy to satisfy? Is any woman who can warm a bed a thumbs up? We will continue to investigate this matter further.

Kaya couldn't believe her eyes—or ears for that matter—when Emily showed up at her house this morning. Emily never visited without calling first or looking like she was on her way to work. But today, she arrived early, clearly confused and staring at Kaya as if she were an alien.

"Kaya, did you see the news today?" Emily asked, her tone urgent. Kaya shook her head, explaining that she had just woken up. "I can't believe this is happening again, and now you're caught up in it. I don't like it," Emily said. handing over the tabloid she had brought from her house.

Kaya read it, shocked. Someone had taken a photo of her having lunch with Sebastian the previous day. Though her face was blurred, anyone who knew Kaya could easily recognize her in the photo with Sebastian.

"Oh my God," Kaya exclaimed.

"I know. Look at the author of the article," Emily said furiously. Kaya checked - and there it was, her ex-boyfriend's name, Dimitri Malcolm. Memories from early college days flooded back, when she and her high school sweetheart, Dimitri, had broken up. Dimitri, half-Russian and Spanish, six feet tall with a handsome boyish face, had looked at her with contempt and coldly ended their long-distance relationship. He needed someone who could be with him, just like Stacy.

Dimitri had left the park where they used to hang out in high school after breaking up, leaving Kaya to cope alone. Kaya had felt shattered that day, having driven hours to see the lover she missed, only to be dumped on the spot. She stared blankly at the park, her stomach churning. After that day, Dimitri immediately announced his relationship with the new girl and deleted all photos of Kaya. Even his high school friends supported the new relationship, making Kaya feel even worse because they knew how deeply in love both Kaya and Dimitri had been.

After a few months, Kaya turned that pain into fuel to become a better person, focusing solely on her studies. She never returned to her hometown, avoiding her parents' house for fear of running into someone who knew what had happened and would gossip about it.

"What Happened? I thought Sebastian hated you just like you said," Emily asked, sitting on a breakfast chair and sipping coffee. Kaya hadn't even noticed when Emily made the coffee.

"Apparently, your husband asked Sebastian to beg me to return to work for him. Sebastian doesn't hate me; he's just awkward around me, and I don't know why," Kaya said, sitting across from Emily. Emily looked shocked, then furious.

"That good-for-nothing husband! How could he ask you to come back and drag someone else into it? I always knew Sebastian was the better guy out of the four of them. Liam's nice too, but Sebastian is kinder—unlike my husband," Emily fumed, stomping her feet and folding her arms.

"Finally, you see the real him," Kaya said in a relieved, mocking tone. Emily was annoyed but still, she chose to defend her husband because she loved him. Kaya thought something was off with her friend—how could she be mad at her husband, yet still defend him so fiercely?

"I don't get it. Why does Alex really want you back?" Emily questioned. Though it seemed rhetorical, Kaya still answered.

"Sebastian says only I can handle his antics. Shouldn't that be your job, Mrs. Wife?" Kaya joked. Emily jolted as if deep in thought about Kaya's words, but quickly masked her expression and laughed. Kaya didn't like what she saw but knew she couldn't force Emily to leave Alex. She had tried but failed.

"Ugh, I've got to go. I'll ask Alex to handle this, and I'm sure Sebastian and the others will sort this out right away. So, be patient, okay? And make sure not to answer any calls or go out until this rumor is cleared up. It's for your safety," Emily said, hugging Kaya.

"Please, I'm ready for the end-of-world supplies war—I'm sure I can handle this. I'm here for you, too," Kaya reassured Emily. Emily hugged Kaya one last time before driving away, leaving Kaya anxious about this new development. She really needed to prepare herself, especially her heart.

Headline: The King of the Underworld and A Married-Man Stealer, What a Couple
Breaking news, everyone. Since the last story, we've identified the current girlfriend of our King of the Underworld. It's none other than the married man-stealer, Ms. Kaya Lane. After breaking things off with Alexander Carter, CEO of Titan Ink Press, Ms. Lane is apparently looking for new blood to squeeze. What's better than the best friend of the man you've had an illicit affair with previously? My King, you should end it with her soon, or you'll be the next victim. Or maybe it's better if the black widow disappears for good so no man can become the next victim.

Another article had been published, and Kaya knew for sure who the source was: her editor. Since the article her ex-boyfriend wrote a few days ago, she hadn't found a moment's peace. More and more articles had surfaced, and Sebastian had been calling her daily to apologize. Eventually, Kaya grew tired of his apologies and invited him over for dinner, suggesting they work together to find a solution rather than him tackling the issue alone.

For this reason, Kaya ventured out to the supermarket for the first time since the article was published. As she walked through the aisles, the eyes of every shopper seemed to pierce through her. Each glance felt like a jab, leaving her more uncomfortable and self-conscious. The whispers that followed her echoed in her ears, fueling her growing irritation.

"Some people just can't help themselves," an old lady muttered nearby. Kaya was looking for a carton of milk, comparing two brands when she heard the old lady's comment. Thinking it was directed at her, Kaya asked, "Sorry?" and turned to the old lady. "Oh, nothing, dear," the lady replied. Kaya initially thought the comment wasn't meant for her, but then...

"Always making it all about herself, isn't she?" the old lady remarked again. Kaya realized now that the old lady was mocking her. Instead of confronting her directly, Kaya decided on a subtler approach. Ignoring the woman, she began humming "I Put a Spell on You" by Annie Lennox, letting the sultry tune fill the air. The lady's eyes widened in shock. Kaya put back the milk she didn't want, adding a sultry touch to her movements, and turned to grin at the old lady. She knew that old ladies couldn't resist making judgments, and Kaya was ready to play along.

Kaya rushed through the rest of her shopping, the weight of every glance feeling more burdensome after the confrontation with the old lady. She could handle the judgmental stares, but the constant whispers were beginning to fray her nerves. Even the cashier's sideways looks seemed charged with unspoken criticism, and Kaya felt a rising frustration, eager to finish and leave the store before her patience wore out.

But before she could leave the supermarket, her car was already surrounded by reporters. Flashlights burst like staccato bursts of white noise, the shouts of the crowd creating a chaotic symphony. A sense of panic surged through Kaya. She honked her horn repeatedly, her heart racing so fast she feared it might burst. The reporters' shouts transformed into a nightmarish drone, their faces blurring into a horde of faceless tormentors.

Suddenly, everything went silent. The flashing lights from the reporters' cameras ceased, replaced only by a bright spotlight shining on Kaya's car from afar. Kaya squinted against the light to see what was happening. A tall man approached and the reporters parted as they feared for their lives.

He gently knocked on her window, his voice calm and authoritative as he instructed her to step out slowly. Kaya, still trembling with fear, shook her head vigorously. The man's reassurance that the reporters would not harm her if she stepped out now barely penetrated her panic. Reluctantly, she opened her car door and got out. The man immediately shielded her from the reporters, his presence a reprieve from the chaos.

Kaya's hearing grew faint, her vision swimming as the stress overwhelmed her. The comforting realization that Sebastian was here offered a fleeting sense of relief before darkness closed in. As she lost consciousness, the last thought in her mind was of Sebastian—her blue-eyed knight. She was safe at last.

To be Continued