Chapter 2
Ethan’s agent quickly traced the room and began pounding furiously on the door.
“Open up! Do you even know what you’re doing? That’s Ethan Howard in there! This is a felony–you’re kidnapping a celebrity!”
It was my first time pulling something like this, and my hands were trembling.
Ethan visibly relaxed at the sound of his agent coming to his rescue and moved toward the door.
But I rushed to block his way and snapped, “If you want to walk out that door, you’ll have to step over my dead body.”
He froze, stunned. Probably thought I’d lost my mind. He didn’t dare provoke me any further.
A few hotel staff had also gathered at the doorway, trying to help defuse the situation.
“Miss Collins,” one of them said gently, “we understand how much you admire Mr. Howard, but he has to be willing, too.”
The agent made such a scene that even hotel guests started crowding around to watch.
Within minutes, the internet was flooded with hashtag #EthanHowardheld hostagebycrazed fan#.
More and more people showed up outside the door.
Ethan was sweating with anxiety. “Okay, fine, I won’t leave. But at least open the door. Just think–we’re alone in here. One man, one woman. This will go viral in seconds.”
Did he think I was stupid? The moment I opened that door, the mob outside would rip me apart.
Right now, as long as I kept it shut, I had one sliver of control.
Half an hour later, the hotel manager arrived with my father.
He was polite, of course. My father was a powerful man with deep ties to the hotel. He’d funded several renovations.
But my dad had a temper. He kicked the door hard, voice booming.
“Nina Collins! Open this door right now! You’ve dragged my name through the mud!”
The door shuddered under his kicks. Just a few more hits, and the lock might break.
“You love a celebrity? Fine! Go spend your money, chase him all you want–but kidnapping? Really? You think that’s admirable? Get out here and go home with me–stop making a fool of yourself!”
Hearing my dad’s voice nearly made me cry.
He used to dote on me more than anyone. But in my past life, his company collapsed overnight because of me.
Unable to handle the public disgrace, he’d jumped from the roof of his office building.
All of it because of his useless daughter.
I didn’t have time to explain. All I could do was stop him from breaking in.
“Dad, stop! If I don’t spend the night with Ethan Howard today–I’ll die right here.”
His foot paused mid–kick, and I could see through the peephole that he nearly twisted his back in shock.
“You’ve lost your mind, Nina? You’re throwing away your life over some pop star? You don’t care about your mother and me anymore?”
His face had gone ghostly pale. He patted his chest, then pulled out a bottle of Nitroglycerin and took a pill.
“My sweet girl,” he pleaded, his voice trembling, “just come out. If you love him that much, Daddy will help you,
okay?”
The agent couldn’t wait any longer. He shoved past my father and stepped up.
Chapter 2
“Nina, listen carefully,” he warned, “Ethan’s contract doesn’t allow him to even date publicly. You’re ruining him. Do you know how many endorsement deals he’ll lose because of this? The breach penalties alone–do you have any idea how much that costs?”
I felt a wave of guilt but didn’t back down. I called through the door, “It’s fine. Whatever the number is, send it to my father. We’ll cover
it.”
A cluster of fans had now arrived at the door, quiet out of concern for Ethan’s image.
But once they heard what I said, the restraint snapped..
“Wow, so just because you’re rich, you think you can treat people like dirt?”
“Oh honey, just wait. We’re about to dox your entire family. You’ll be internet roadkill before sunrise.
My father kept apologizing profusely, but it was no use. The crowd was already riled up.
Ethan looked at me with genuine concern now.
“You’re obviously from a wealthy family,” he said. “Is this really worth it? My fans aren’t exactly merciful. Once they figure out who you are, you’re in for a world of online hate.”
I met his eyes calmly.
“I don’t care anymore. Compared to being dead… cyberbullying is nothing.”
