AceShowbiz - Elizabeth Lyn Vargas has apparently shaken off a terrifying experience involving an ex-boyfriend. One day after her armed ex threatened her life and barricaded himself inside her house, the reality TV star was seen all smiles.

In pictures obtained by TMZ, the 46-year-old seemed to be in good spirits as she was chatting up a guy, possibly a neighbor, outside her Newport Beach home on Wednesday, February 2. She looked cheerful and laughed at what her friend said while holding the leash of her dog, just before or after walking her husky pooch. Elizabeth gave the man a hug before they parted ways.

Only 24 hours before she was seen outside her home, Elizabeth feared she might be killed by her armed ex-boyfriend. She was reportedly "held at gunpoint" by the ex who barricaded himself inside her home on Tuesday.

According to reports, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star initially called police after the ex, whom she had been seeing on and off for the last few months, began to extort her. "He became obsessive with her and would show up at places and come by her house randomly," an insider told Page Six.

"He asked her for money all the time, so she gave him a little money, but then threatened to start extorting her," the source shared. It allegedly escalated to the point that he demanded Elizabeth give him a car, but she refused.

"She called the police yesterday, so police start monitoring the house, and he shows up," the insider explained. "He runs in the house, holds her hostage, has a gun. When [police] realized he pulled a gun out, they raided."

According to TMZ, 33-year-old Ryan Geraghty was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, felon in possession of a firearm and extortion for the incident. He was seen being taken away in handcuffs following the standoff.

Elizabeth manager David Weintraub said, "She's shaken up and had an extremely traumatic experience." The rep added, "Fortunately, the Newport Police Department saved her and she's doing well."