Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen



Eileen sat there in silence, staring up at Egbert as he set down the crystal ball and casually plopped down beside her.

At first, Eileen didn't react, but then she felt Egbert's hand wandering behind her, brushing against her waist, just as the housekeeper was still pottering around the room.

In a split second, Eileen shot up from her seat, shooting Egbert a glare that could freeze boiling water and snapped, "I'm going to take a shower!"

With that, she bolted up the stairs, her footsteps thumping a rapid retreat.

The next day, the shrill ring of the phone dragged Eileen from her slumber.

Groggily, she grabbed her phone and mumbled, "Hello?"

Janice's voice crackled through, "Eileen, you remember you've got to head to the office today, right?"

Rolling over, Eileen muttered a half-hearted, "Yeah, I remember."

"There's an award ceremony for the TV series tonight. 'Fancy Island' is up for Best Drama Series. We thought you'd be too busy, but since 'Romantic Revelations' just wrapped up, Ophelia said you should come. We'll get your gown fitted at the office too," Janice explained.

Eileen, barely above a whisper, said, "Fine."

"I'll swing by your place soon then," Janice added.

Eileen was about to drift off again when she mumbled, "Mhm." After hanging up, she tossed her phone aside, buried her head under the covers, and dozed off once more.

Later, the persistent buzz of her phone jolted her awake again.

Frowning, Eileen fumbled under the blanket, finally found her phone, and pressed the answer button, saying, "Hello?"

"I'm at your house, open the door," Janice said from the other end.

With a resigned sigh, Eileen sat up, slipped on her slippers, and shuffled out of bed.

As she reached the stairs, she spotted Egbert downstairs, brewing coffee. She casually called over the banister, "Hey, can you get the door?" Egbert glanced up at her.

Janice on the phone sounded confused, "Me? You want me to get the door? Okay... I tried, but it's not opening."

Eileen clarified, "Not you." She then repeated to Egbert, "Egbert, can you open the door?"

There was silence on Janice's end.

Egbert finished his coffee, wiped his hands with a sanitized cloth, and walked to the front door, swinging it open. But outside, there was no one to be seen.

He looked up at the girl on the stairs and raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"

Eileen let out an exasperated sigh.

She glanced at the door and then took in the view of the first floor. As reality dawned on her, cold sweat beaded on her forehead. "Janice?" she said tentatively into the phone.

Janice didn't respond, just a dead silence on the other end.

That's when it hit Eileen. Janice and Ophelia had no idea she'd secretly moved out!

Eileen dashed back to her room, slammed the door, and said in a panicked voice, "Listen, I can explain!"

Janice was still silent.

"Meet me in the office lobby, we'll talk there!" Eileen declared before ending the call.

She got ready at lightning speed and bolted downstairs, commandeering Egbert's car and speeding off to work.

Thirty minutes later, she found a bewildered Janice loitering outside the office building.

Eileen, feeling like she was about to be caught in the act, yanked her mask over her face, grabbed Janice, and dragged her into a back stairwell.

In the confined space, Eileen grabbed Janice's collar and hissed, "You can't mention this to anyone!"

Janice, looking utterly lost, muttered, "You're secretly living with Egbert?"

Eileen was flabbergasted.

"It's not like that. Just don't tell Ophelia, or we're both toast!" Eileen threatened.

Janice stumbled back, realizing she knew too much for her own good.

"I... won't tell her," Janice finally said.

Eileen's eyes lit up, but Janice added, "Ophelia will find out eventually."

Eileen waved off the concern, "If you don't tell, and I don't tell, how will she ever know?"

Ten minutes later, they were in Ophelia's office, where Ophelia was giving Eileen the third degree.

"You better explain yourself! The property manager says you haven't been home in over a month. Where were you last night?" she bellowed.

Eileen was taken aback, she had no idea Ophelia was in touch with their building's property management.

"I... stayed at a friend's place..." Eileen stammered.

"And before that? During the time before 'Romantic Revelations'? They say you weren't home then either!" Ophelia pressed.

Sweat trickled down Eileen's face as she struggled to find an answer, "I... stayed with a friend then too."

Ophelia's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Which friend? A guy or a girl?"

Eileen's eyes zipped around nervously as she quickly said, "Female, definitely female, a relative who's tight with my mom!"

Ophelia narrowed her eyes, asking, "Really?"

Eileen nodded vigorously, "Of course. She was worried about me living on my own, not eating right, so she invited me to stay at her place for a bit, and I went."

Ophelia's brow furrowed in concern, "And why didn't you tell me?"

Eileen shrank back, chuckling awkwardly, "Well, it didn't seem like a big deal, I didn't think I had to mention it."

Ophelia insisted, "Of course you have to tell me! You're a public figure. Your living situation needs to be totally secure. What if paparazzi sneak a pic, or your information gets leaked? Where are you staying now? Is it a busy area?"

Eileen shook her head hastily, "No, not busy at all!"

Ophelia wasn't convinced, "Write down your new address for me. I'll send someone to check it out."

Eileen didn't dare write it down. Pretending, she said, "I can't remember it clearly, I just moved there. How am I supposed to know all the details? It's really safe there, and, and there are celebrities living nearby, the neighborhood's privacy is top-notch!"

Ophelia was surprised, "You have a celebrity neighbor? Who?"

Eileen choked, her eyes darting to the ceiling, "A really famous guy, what's his name... It's on the tip of my tongue, I forgot. You know, just that guy." Ophelia pressed, "What do I know? Is he an actor? What has he been in?"

Eileen stammered, "That one, that one show, you know the one."

Ophelia was silent. How was she supposed to know!?

She felt something was off with Eileen's behavior and said with a frown, "Forget it, we'll talk about this later. But you have to tell me about big changes like moving, got it?"

Eileen nodded frantically. Then she asked, "Ophelia, how did you get to know the property management at our complex?"

Ophelia glanced at her, "Your little apartment is part of the staff housing. Our company has leased several floors in your complex for our artists to live in. Agents for different artists regularly communicate with the property managers to ensure their clients' housing is secure."

Getting the hint, Eileen nodded along, trying to butter her up, "Ophelia, you're so responsible, such a good person." Then she added, "So, what happens to my apartment now that I've moved out?"

Ophelia asked, "Are you planning to stay at your relative's permanently, or will you move back?"

Eileen replied, "No, no, no. If I ever have a spat with Egbert, I'll need to move back in!"novelbin