Will You Marry Me, Again by Pear Heart

Chapter 228

Chapter 228 Fat Chance

Buck knew that Hope’s career was taking off. Not only did she need to work hard, she also had to keep herself free of any scandals if she wanted to ride the wave of her success for a few more years.

If news ever got out that she was in a relationship, then it would been a big hit for her career.

He was her most loyal fan. He had seen every social media update she had ever written. He knew how much courage it took for her to step foot into the entertainment industry. He knew about the lonely moments she had to endure during her time as a student overseas.

He knew how much she loved her career. The level of dedication she demonstrated in the past few years made her a role model for her fellow celebrities to follow. That was exactly why he was reluctant to ruin it for her. After all, she had not known him for very long.

Buck was no fool. He could tell Hope had a thing for him, but he could not cross that line with her. People could easily tell by the way they looked at each other.

“We're nearly at your place, Hope. I'll walk you up later.” There was a lingering silence after that..

Hope hid her disappointment very well and said, “You don’t have to. | can go up on my own. I’m not a kid. Why would | need someone with me just to ride the elevator?”

“Ms. Maia’s orders. | need to see to it that you've returned home safely. It’s my duty.” Hope was stunned. So, sending her home safely was just a job for him.

They drove to her place and went upstairs together. Hope kept quiet the entire time. She said a curt goodbye to Buck when they were at her doorstep.

True to form, Hope kept her emotions well hidden. Her acting skills were coming in handy now. Buck stood at her door for a long time after she closed it. He did not realize that tears had formed in his eyes.

“| can’t ruin the career you've built for so long just to satisfy my desire to be with you.”

Buck looked at Hope’s door longingly before eventually leaving. What he did not know was that Hope had been leaning on the other side of the door. Her body trembled as she burst into

tears...

Meanwhile, at Cloud Nine Residences, Maia had just taken a bath. As she walked out of the bathroom, her phone vibrated. At first, she did not recognize the number. Nevertheless, she picked up the call.

1/2

+15 BONUS

It was almost nine o’clock by the time they were done with dinner.

Hope yawned a couple of times. “I should head back, Maia. | have two magazine interviews tomorrow.” Maia nodded and looked at Buck, “Send her home, Buck. Keep her safe. Okay?”

“Leave it to me, Ms. Maia!” Buck nodded instantly.

As Maia walked them out the the hallway, she whispered in Hope’s ear as Buck went to the elevator. “Now’s your chance to make a move on your future husband.”

Hope blushed and nodded. Then, Hope and Buck waved Maia goodbye and went into the elevator together. Hope stole a glance at Buck and lowered her head timidly. Her words were caught in her throat. “| think your interviews are going to be exhausting tomorrow. Have the interviewers been briefed already?”

Hope nodded and said, “They have. Wesley talked to them and made sure there won't be any complications. I've also gone through the questions they’re going to ask in the interview as

well.” “That’s great. Wesley’s doing a good job.” Hope smiled, “So are you, Buck. You do a wonderful job as Maia’s assistant.”

“Ms. Maia gave me a job that suited my talents. | can’t thank her enough. Naturally, | have to put everything | have into it and make her proud.”

“What's that thing people are always saying? A man is judged by his family and his career. The pay and benefits package you received from Starlight Entertainment was very good. You've got the career part covered.

“Do you have any plans to start a family? If | recall correctly, you don’t have a girlfriend.”

Hope had shot countless films and played various characters. She acted out numerous love confessions and romantic scenes on camera. Never once did she think it would be this difficult

to do it in real life.

Buck was no fool. He knew where she was going with this. He looked at Hope from the corner of his eye as they walked to the underground parking lot together. He did not give her an immediate answer. Instead, he remained quiet for a good while.

When they got to the car, he started the engine and tried to keep his emotions in check. As she got into the car with him, he said, “| don’t have a girlfriend right now. I’m still single.”

2/3

“Hello? Who's this?”

+15 BONUS

“lm from the CelebClicks, Ms. Maia.” That was when Maia recalled that it was indeed their number. “Is there anything | can do for you?”

“Are you aware that Hope, one of your artists, is in a secret relationship with someone?”

Maia chuckled, “Are you serious? Where did you hear that from?”

“So, are you admitting that Hope is indeed in a relationship? One of our own shot some pictures near her apartment. Aman drove her back to her place and they went upstairs together.

“It's late now, Ms. Maia. It’s peculiar that she should go back home with a man at this hour. Furthermore, we got a picture of the man’s side profile. It’s not her assistant or chauffeur.

“Now, who exactly is this six-foot-two man? I’m sure the netizens are dying to know.”

Maia understood the situation. The paparazzi from CelebClicks must have gotten pictures of Buck sending Hope home. They were trying to extort money from her. They wanted her to buy their silence.

She did not give the caller an answer. She merely kept quiet, which made him impatient.

“Pictures. Videos. We have them all, Ms. Maia. You should forget about the public relations angle. Hope is such a big name in the industry. Her rendezvous with the six-foot-two man would cause quite a stir.

tell me how much you

Maia laughed. “Why don’t you just want?”

“Splendid, Ms. Maia! It wasn’t easy getting your number, but it looks like my work paid off. | knew I'd have to talk directly to the top brass.” He sounded so pleased with himself.

“Ten million dollars and the evidence is all yours. What do you think?”

Maia said nonchalantly, “Fat chance!”

She hung up the phone. The guy from CelebClicks stared at the phone, puzzled. Then, Maia gave a call to Buck. It just so happened that he had just arrived home.

“| just got back home, Ms. Maia. I'll get started on that research on Victor and his company. “We can talk about that later. How are things between you and Hope?” a “Huh?” Buck paused for a while before answering. “Nothing happened between us. | sent her home, like you asked. That's all.” Maia was a little puzzled. She asked incredulously, “Is that all?” « 15 BONUS Did Hope not confess to him after all? Did she not say that she would seize this opportunity and confess? “That's all,” Buck said, firmly. “Did something happen, Ms. Mala?” Buck’s scases were sharp. He knew something was amiss based on the way the asked him.

“Paparazzi from CelebClicks took pictures of you sending Hope home. They found her new address and shot both of you together. One of their higher—ups contacted me and asked for ten million dollars for the pictures and videos.”

“What? Those paparazzi are truly everywhere!” Buck was surprised too. He had been extra careful, but he still fell prey to them.

CelebClicks were infamous in the industry. They took pictures of celebrities’ private lives and extorted their companies for a huge amount of money!

Shaking them off was no easy feat. Buck was glad of the choice he made earlier. Otherwise, they would have been in a world of trouble. He made the right call.

Maia had not been there. She needed to have a full understanding of Buck and Hope’s situation.

She would reveal their relationship to the public if the paparazzi took pictures of them together in an intimate way. Otherwise, she would ask the public relations department to foil the rumors.

“| sent Hope back home, Ms. Maia. That’s all. We didn’t do anything unseemly. | took off once | saw her enter her home. | didn’t stay there.”

Perhaps Hope decided not to confess to him, Maia thought.