Chapter 57

He looked dark but I knew his anger was not directed at me so I was relieved. "Thank goodness you're here!" I cheerfully said and sat down.

He attended to me quickly. "Let's go," he said and picked me up in his arms.

I screamed in shock and looked at his face very close. My heart beat fast and both cheeks got hot. I looked away when he looked at me.

"Where are you going to take me?" I asked.

I noticed that he was careful when he walked to the fire exit with me in his arms. After a while, we got out of the building and the fresh night air gently hit my face. The tension in both my shoulders disappeared and I leaned my head on Lyndon's shoulder.

"Thank you," I whispered softly.

"What did he do to you?" he asked.

"I just passed out for two days."

"Two days?" Lyndon's aura grew darker. "Rishel, you've been missing for two weeks! I can't find you." His jaw clenched. "And I will know that you're in the hospital?"

I gently patted his shoulder. "Two weeks?" I frowned. Does that mean I've been unconscious for two weeks?

What did Levi do to me and why was I unconscious for so long?

I looked up at the yacht moored on the shore. My lips parted. "What --"

"Levitus took you to a private island owned by his company. If I hadn't received a call I wouldn't have known he brought you here."

Only then did I understand why the nurse was so strict with me and why I didn't see any other patients when I walked down the hallway. But for what reason and why did Levi bring me to this island?

Lyndon boarded the yacht carrying me in his arms. I glanced back where we came from and noticed that the emergency signal was on in the building.

"How did you get into the island if it's private property?" I asked Lyndon as he lowered me onto a one-seater sofa.

"Connections." He reached for a drink on the table and handed it to me. "Here, take a sip."

I accepted that and took a sip. I felt the yacht move. Looks like we're leaving the island. I clenched my fist and looked up at Lyndon who was looking away.

After a while he looked down at me. "Tell me why he took you to the hospital."

I looked away and sighed. I raised my hand and gently caressed the womb. "I'm pregnant," I whispered.

I'm sure Lyndon heard that because he was stunned. "What did you say?" he asked kindly.

"I'm pregnant, and I don't know who the father is." I looked at him. "That's why I called you to ask if you discovered anything about that man?"

He put his palms on his face for a minute before taking a deep breath. "Nothing as of the moment."

I bit my lower lip. "Maybe he doesn't want to be discovered." I shook my head. "Nah. Stop looking for the man who doesn't want to be found," I just said.

"What are your plans now?" he asked.

"Gonna raise this child alone."

"Does Levitus know this?"

"Of course. He also wants to abort the child."

"No!"

I was startled by his sudden cry. I looked at him with a red face from anger. "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?" I asked.

He shook his head and took a deep breath. "Don't abort the child," he said.

"Of course." I frowned. "I don't want to kill the innocent." The edge of his lips rose. I looked at him. "Since I'm pregnant and don't know who the father is, then we should cancel the engagement."

He rose a brow. "Why should we?"

"This child is not yours and you have no responsibility to me, Lyndon. You better find someone else."

His jaw dropped. "No. I will still marry you, Rishel."

"Seriously?" I stared at him. "Do you hear yourself? I said it, you don't have to take responsibility on a child that's not yours ---"

"No. I will take the child," he said with a grim expression.

I was at lost of words, and I sighed. "No way. I'll talk to my parents."

"Rishel, listen." He held my hand firmly. "I will marry you and raise the child as mine. Don't worry." He smiled at me. "I'll provide for you and our baby."

When I stared at him, I noticed that he looked good and whenever I was with him I felt safe. I have a sense of security when he is there by my side. But... I would feel guilty if I let him have the child.

In the end, I didn't accept nor reject his offer. I just told him I would think about it. Deep inside me, I was thankful for his assistance and even though he knew I still have reservations, he didn't stop me. But I don't want to be stuck in a relationship that I'm not sure about.

After I checked my condition at the hospital in the city, Lyndon drove me to Boljoon. He said that the Larica corporation has issued an official statement to give rewards to whoever can point out where I am. I am grateful to other fans who voluntarily put up posters in the corners to help in the search.

My grip on the phone tightened. I didn't call my parents because I wanted to face them myself. But as the car drove along the coastal road heading south, I couldn't help but be nervous.

Papa suspects Levi in ​​my disappearance but there is no evidence against the latter. In the end, Papa did not release a statement on his conclusion but Larica Corporation fought the entertainment company Anew to bring it down.

I know that Lyndon's company helped and just this morning the merging ceremony of Larica and Lyndon's company was held. I know Lyndon and I's wedding is inevitable by now.

The car soon reached the mansion. I got off the car.

"Ma'am Rishel?" the guard called after noticing that I had been standing outside the gate for a few minutes staring into nothingness. I turned to him and saw his eyes widen in disbelief.

"Are my parents here?" I asked.

He quickly nodded and led me into the big gate. I stopped for a moment and looked up at the towering mansion. I sighed and finally entered.

The first to greet me was Mama who was sobbing, followed by Papa whose eyes were red from suppressed tears. I gently smiled at them and told them what happened. I have also said that I am pregnant and do not know who the father is.

Papa frowned. "I will find that man, Rishel!" he said grimly.

"Well, it's hard to find him. I asked Lyndon for help but he couldn't find that man either."

Papa's face became even more grim while Mama was swearing at that man. Suddenly, Mama looked at me. "Lyndon knows what happened to you?" I nodded and she gasped for a second. "And what did he say?"

"Lyndon is still going to marry me."

They were silent for a moment and then looked at each other. "It's not good to let Lyndon have the child but what can we give back to them now that the merging ceremony is over?" Mom asked.

"Rishel will marry Lyndon," Papa finally said.

I didn't question Papa's decision knowing that marriage was necessary for the two companies. I thought my fate was sealed in Lyndon's hands but I woke up one morning with my face on the headlines of the national news.

"Rishel! How did the media find out about your condition?" Mama asked confused.

I looked at the television where it was reported that I had been gone for two weeks because I had a non-showbiz boyfriend. But I came back when I couldn't handle the poor life because I grew up rich. And now I am pregnant and want to abort the child.

I shook my head and sighed. Looks like the news got leaked after I checked my condition with Lyndon. There is a picture attached where the camera angle looked stolen. The side view of my face and Lyndon's back could be seen clearly in the picture. There's also a picture when I entered and exited the OB office.

Many believe that the man with me in the photo was my non-showbiz boyfriend. When I looked at the comments, that's when I realized that many of my fans believed the news and they criticized me for the reason that I don't have dignity as a woman and indulged in sex outside marriage.

My lips became a line. This is how it is in showbiz. No one really loves idols and there are only a handful of true fans like me. Maybe that's why I wasn't too hurt when they criticized me because I knew the day would come when no one would stand up to support me.

I was surprised when someone called my number. The management. I bit my lower lip and answered. "Hello."

"What the h3ll's happening with you, Rishel? You just started in the industry but you got involved in a scandal? Not just a scandal but a premarital child?! You know that a scandal like this will ruin your name and it will be difficult to come back! Now tell me , how will you answer the sponsors' contract? Rishel, the penalty is one billion! I don't know if the company will bear it but I'm telling you this, quit showbiz!"

I tightened my grip on the phone and took a deep breath. "Is Levi there?"

"And you're still looking for Mr. Levi now? Why? You're going to report? Well, don't get your hopes up! The company is already losing money because of the declining stocks, so don't expect the company to take responsibility for breaching your contract!"

My eyes squinted. "Okay." Then hung up.

"Rishel," Mama called.

I looked at her. "Why?"

"We know this is not the right solution, but you should go and make trip to another country. Your father and I will take care of this issue first."

"Ma --"

Papa suddenly entered the living room and looked at us. He seemed to have heard what Mama said because he suddenly said. "Your mom is right, Rishel. I talked to the board of directors and it was decided that the wedding will be postponed until the news died down."

I looked at them. I can see that Mom and Dad are very stressed about what is happening and it looks like this will make things better. I didn't know where Levi was and I didn't have the face to show up in front of Lyndon after the news broke.

He got involved in the scandal because of me. So the next day I packed and flew out of the country.