The Rise of the White Lotus

Meanwhile…

Silence lingered across a lavish dining room. The chandelier giving light on the table below failed to give appetizing light on the cold food.

Rika's eyes traveled across the untouched and cold dishes that were on the dining table. Her throat moved down and up as she gulped. "I guess he won't be home anytime soon." A touch of sadness laced her murmur.

After a deep and long sigh, Rika opened her mouth and mumbled again. "Maybe, I…" However, she was unable to finish her sentence as her voice cracked. Her palm covered her trembling lips as her eyes began welling up, blurring her vision.

"Ah, gosh…" She expressed under her breath, covering her entire face by her palm. "This is so annoying." Through her gritted teeth, Rika rubbed her palms against her face before wiping the tears that were staining her naturally contoured cheek.

Lately, Jaime Liao, her husband, had been returning home late from his job. Rika understood it because being a doctor, twenty-four hours seemed too short for him. Her husband saves lives daily aside from the clinic that he was managing. She knew that very well.

However, unlike before that Jaime could return home in her embrace, Jaime sometimes was too tired that he could barely exchange words with her. Rika knew that her husband was trying, but she wanted more.

It was not enough for her. Still, Rika tried to keep it all in and understand that her husband had one of the most important job in the world. Yet, sometimes, just like today — their first wedding anniversary — Jaime was still not home.

Therefore, no one could blame her if she was extra emotional at the moment. They planned to spend it today, but because of an emergency, Jaime had to rush to the hospital earlier today. He promised her to return home as soon as possible, but until now, he's still not home.

"Whatever…" Rika waved her hand lightly, shaking her head as she changed her mind from eating. "It's useless." She uttered, placing her palms on the surface of the table as she pushed herself up to stand.

Rika then began cleaning up the table, "What a waste." She muttered as she glanced at the food she prepared herself. The food was left cold, and she was unable to eat it before losing her appetite.

"What a waste…" She repeated, but this time, tears continued to flow from her eyes. Muffled cries resonated across the silent dining area with a mix of plates lightly clicking. 

"I hate this…!" Just as Rika placed the last plate on the tray, she covered her lips as she rested her other hand on the table supporting her weight from falling. 

Rika was still on hiatus from the entertainment industry. She refused loads of movie offers because she knew she would be away from her husband until the filming was done. Jaime was already busy enough that they barely have time for each other.

That's why if she worked as well, the two of them wouldn't be able to talk. It's not that she was blaming her husband as it was her own decision despite Jaime encouraging her. Still, at times like this, she could not help but think about it.

If she could compromise, why couldn't he? She wasn't asking for too much, right? She's his wife, after all. It was Jaime's obligation to spend time with her. Not that she was asking for his attention day and night; just for today, he should've made it an exemption.

Just as Rika was sobbing silently, her phone from the kitchen counter rang. "Hmm?" She slowly turned her head towards it, wiping her tears as she trudged towards the kitchen counter.

The second she saw her new manager's name, Abigail Fan name on the screen, Rika cleared her throat and wiped the tears as hard as she could. She then wiped her hands that were drenched with tears on the apron laying on the kitchen counter.

After clearing her throat to sound naturally fine, Rika picked up the line and placed the phone in front of her ear. "Good evening, Manager Fan?"

"Sister Rika, good evening." As soon as the line connected, Abigail's voice reached her ears. "Another batch of movie scripts arrived today. I know you planned to stay in hiatus longer but I still sent you the copies of the scripts. You might find them interesting." Without further ado, Abigail didn't beat around the bush as she expressed her intention behind the sudden phone call.

For a second, Rika's grip on the phone tightened and then relaxed in silence. "Mhmm," She answered with a hum.

Rika's meek response caused Abigail's brows to knit. "Are you alright?" She asked, frowning as she noticed the mood from the other end of the phone.

Normally, Rika would sass and she would immediately reply with an annoyed 'no'. But now, she was rather calm and welcoming about the news? Does that mean she was thinking of going back? Or was her marriage dwindling? 

To be honest, no one knew. Why? Because Rika, who was always high profile and was akin to an open book in the past, had kept her personal life private. She often said to others that she's just selfish that she wanted her happiness — who was Jaime, her husband — all for herself.

"Yes, I am fine, Manager Fan." Rika bit her lower lip before her lips stretched into a meek smile, forcing herself to smile as she restrained herself from breaking down. "I've been thinking of returning lately… I was about to call and ask you to send me some script so I can review them. I might find an interesting character to play." She explained, lacing it the truth with a bit of a harmless lie.

"Ohh…" Abigail nodded her head in understanding, still suspicious at the seemingly normal reply from the latter. After all, Rika was an outstanding actress. Thus, she could conceal her real emotions with fake ones that would appear, sound, and feel genuine.

"Yes. Jaime and I had been discussing about it and he was encouraging me to return if I wanted to and whenever I'm ready." Upon sensing the suspicion from her manager, Rika explained further and mentioned her husband's name to avoid more suspicion from her.

"Oh!" Upon hearing Jaime's name, Abigail's suspicion faded away in an instant. "So, does this mean you will return soon? I have read a few scripts that weren't out yet. Some directors asked me to send them specifically for you since they knew you're the only one that could fit the characters they created and…" Out of excitement, Abigail rambled on an on as she shared some amazing stories that she had been dying to tell her.

After all, Rika was a remarkable actress that some authors and directors personally sought for her to act as their female protagonist. Not to mention, Rika's popularity hadn't died down despite her one-year hiatus.

Her fans had been seeking petition to see her in big screen once again. One could tell that she's still as popular as those rising stars because every rare post she upload in her official social media account would blow up. They wanted her and Elliot to pair up again — although that was a little impossible now as the two of them were one of the top paid actors.

"Mhmm," When Abigail stopped sharing her enthusiastic and very encouraging stories, Rika hummed another low tune. "I'll read them and see if there's something interesting enough for me. I'll let you know once I've started practicing the character." She reassured.

Shortly after that, the call ended with Abigail excitedly sending more scripts that she resisted on sending. Well, Abigail held back so she could send them some other time since Rika wouldn't go through them if she sent them all in one go.

Within the next ten minutes, Rika's e-mail was bombarded with Abigail's emails as she sent tons of script by batch. Upon seeing this, Rika chuckled and shook her head. "Too much." She whispered. 

Yet, thinking that going through all these scripts would keep her busy. At the very least, her mind would be busy with other things than thinking of her sorrow tonight. Just as Rika was going through the emails, a notification bar popped on her phone.

[FROM: HUBBY <3

Love, I'm sorry. There's an accident on the way home, so I had to help. I will go home as soon as possible. I love you. ]

Rika pursed her lips in a thin line as she reread his message. "I don't care." She whispered, feeling a little disgusted at herself for being remorseless before she started replying to him.

[TO: HUBBY <3

It's fine. I understand, love. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. I love you too… I love you so much you can't even measure. Don't forget to eat~! ]

Unlike her verbal remarks, her reply was the complete opposite. Although she was truly and madly in love with him, she knew the first half of her response was a complete lie. "No, it's not fine and I don't understand, love." Rika muttered, sighing heavily before putting down the phone and resume on cleaning the table.