Chapter 135 - The Hyenas Have Gone Out To Feed

Warsaw looked very nice, although it definitely wasn't New York. Even so, Scarlett had a lot of fun hanging around her streets unrecognized by anyone. Although she was a Hollywood star known even in this part of the world, none of the passers-by or even the saleswoman in the store could expect to meet her, so no one paid much attention to her. It was enough to change her hairstyle and makeup.

Of course, Scarlett wasn't crazy enough to venturing out into a strange city in a foreign country all by herself - especially after an adventure a few days ago. Definitely not. A few steps away, she was accompanied by a private security guard dressed like a common passerby. Maybe he didn't look too impressive, but he was said to have a black belt in karate and was an expert with handguns.

Scarlett was already stuffed with souvenir bags she had bought in boutiques when she passed a kiosk and saw a familiar, beautiful face staring at her from the cover of one of the magazines.

"This magazine, please," she asked the saleswoman at the kiosk. Her request was, of course, in English.

"What?" The woman asked in her native language.

"This magazine. That one. The "Slavni ..."

"The Lady is asking for Famous and Infamous[1]," her bodyguard interrupted.

"Oh, right away" the saleswoman handed them the newspaper and announced the price. "One ninety-nine."

The bodyguard handed Scarlett the newspaper. She thanked him and tried to read the headline.

"Oh, come on! I cannot read Polish! Can you read me what they say about Slyvinsky?"

""Dirty secrets of Śliwiński. Maciej Werner's posthumous confession casts a shadow on the true nature of the popular actor "

"'Dirty Secrets'? I need to know more. Let's go to some cafe!"

Scarlett was really intrigued. The headline was very flashy and promised a huge sensation. Is this pretty and charming man really hiding "dirty secrets"?

Her heart skipped a beat.

From the first meeting, she felt something special for Śliwiński. She liked his face and the blue eyes just charmed her, but in this man not only his appearance was beautiful. Then, when these two trapped her on the sidewalk when she asked them for directions, the actor immediately rushed to her aid. Though short and petite, he was remarkably brave and, without a doubt, they respected him. Coming to Poland, she thought Dominik was just a pretty face and perhaps a handful of talent, but after five minutes alone with him, she knew that he also had an extremely attractive and warm personality, although he was polite but cool towards her.

He said his friend died, she remembered. He was probably in mourning and had no head for social chats or even professional conversations. It only confirmed how sensitive and sympathetic he was, when he really mourned someone's death. Was it this friend who made this "posthumous confession"? How exciting is that!

Immediately after seizing the table and placing the order, Scarlett leaned toward her bodyguard.

"Read," she ordered, her eyes twinkling.

"I don't know if I will translate ..."

"For sure! Read on!"

"A few days ago, we were surprised by the news of the untimely death of the talented director and screenwriter Maciej Werner, who made preparations for a new film. The death of a twenty-five-year-old healthy man came as a surprise to everyone and gave rise to speculation that it was a suicide. We now have proof of this - Werner's suicide letter, which the director sent to us before his death ... "

"Yay, like in some movie!"Scarlett was clearly excited.

"In it, Werner admits that for years he had loved none other than the mysterious star of our cinema, the young and handsome actor Dominik Śliwiński!"

"Really?!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"That's what they say here. Read on?"

"Yes yes!"

"We wrote about the suspicions we have about Śliwiński's sexual orientation a few issues ago. The actor is seen much more often in the company of his handsome roommate than any woman. He is not seen on dates and at the last party he was accompanied by none other than his roommate. As you can see, Śliwiński clearly prefers the company of men. In the fall, Werner announced plans to make a new film, the script of which he wrote with Śliwiński in mind, and although the actor was not involved in any project at the time, the shooting was postponed due to his "malaise". So the question immediately arises whether the relationship between the two remained purely professional? We present to you the suicide letter sent to us by a young, promising director, and we leave you to draw conclusions whether these two could actually be in romantic relationships? Did Śliwiński use his charms to achieve his professional goal...?"

Scarlett listened with bated breath and growing blush. What a wonderfully outrageous story! Amazing! Romantic, thrilling, tragic! It will definitely draw attention to the person of Śliwiński in the media.

It certainly caught her attention.

***

Dominik closed his eyes.

Looking at him, Andrzej felt as if his heart was breaking. He didn't ask at all if the actor was okay - he knew he wasn't. Śliwiński got up with a headache, and although he changed into his day clothes, he hardly left his room. He didn't say much either. He read the article and hasn't said a word since then. The phones had been dropping since morning, so they turned them off. Journalists chatted outside the house.

"Get some sleep," said Andrzej gently. "The medicine should start working soon."

"I'm sorry. I thought I could take it better."

"Come on, anyone can get a headache."

"Yes, but today ..."

"Today even more. Are you sick of the nausea?"

"Yes, but ... What's going on again?"

There was a commotion outside the house. They heard raised voices and saw the glow of flashes.

"I think someone came" said Andrzej.

"Marek?"

"Maybe. Don't get up, I'll take care of it myself."

"Call me if it's important."

Andrzej came downstairs when the intercom rang. A woman in a red coat stood in front of the gate, separated from the herd of journalists by a bodyguard. She looked young and pretty and familiar. It seemed as if all this crowd saw in her the same sensation as in Dominik. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Miss Yang."

"Yang?"

He picked up the intercom. The girl spoke in English repeating the name of the Hollywood star. It is true that Nowicki knew that she had already visited Dominik, but to see her with his own eyes was a surprising experience. The actress smiled charmingly at the photojournalists, completely ignoring their questions and politely waited for her to be let into the house, which happened as soon as Andrzej recovered from the impression.

"Good morning" she said in English, giving him the same smile as the journalists. "I'd like to see Dominik."

"I don't know if it will be possible, but please come in."

"What? Why? I really care about the meeting" she added going inside. "You live with him, don't you? Are you that photographer?"

"Andrzej Nowicki, at your service."

"Scarlett Yang," she held out her hand, which he squeezed. The American woman gave the impression of a bold and energetic girl. "I like your photos."

"Thank you. I like your acting."

"Thank you."

"I'll see if Dominik can see you, Mrs. Yang"

"Please call me Scarlett."

He nodded politely to her. She was very direct, which didn't surprise him much. As he went upstairs, he wondered if she had read today's article?

"Dominik, are you sleeping?" He asked quietly opening the door. The actor opened his eyes.

"Is that Marek?"

"No. Scarlett. Scarlett Yang."

Śliwiński was genuinely surprised.

"Scar ...? What does she want? Does not matter."

Dominik was irritated, which was a rare sight. Usually he had no problem hiding his emotions when he was going to meet strangers, the fact that he wasn't wearing his professional mask now showed how tired he was.

"Miss Yang, how can I help you?" He asked as he went down the stairs.

Andrzej saw the actress's face glow and her eyes shine. Immediately he felt angry with her. She clearly liked Dominik. Surely she will join the group of his admirers, which will be a nuisance for both of them,

"Sorry for the intrusion, but I read the article and came to assure you of my support. How can I help?"

"Help? In what?"

"Playing with the media, of course."

"Do I look like I'm having fun?"

"So ... That's not your idea?"

"And why would I want such things written about me?"

She fell silent in surprise. It seemed she was just reevaluating the information she read in the article. Slowly she looked from Dominik to Andrzej. Finally she smiled weirdly.

"Well, it won't be a problem for us," she said.

"What won't be a problem?"

"With you. After all, you are a couple."

[1] Originally „Sławni i niesławni", therefore Scarlett had trouble pronouncing the title