05: Hi

lla'

s for you!" Chelsey said excitedly over the pho

s calling so early. From how she sounded,

Yes! She wants to come back and start with a small event, you know? It's

rumental in launching my modeling career years ago. I had walked a few shows for him before I became k

med. "Great! Where is it?

bs-up. I returned the smile with a nod, feeling

e luck is on our side today! The model who was supposed to open an

o the room. It didn't take long, my suitcase was already pack

pulling up at a posh five-star hotel. Deniz was already waiting

've missed you! Thank the heavens you've come to your senses and r

rin, "She didn't just come to h

al reason I was doing this. I hadn't told her everything yet. She was loyal, yes, but als

dy, so shall we?" Deniz asked with a bri

into the dressing room initial

to his assistants. "You'll be opening and closing the show. There are only two outfits, but they're the

elsey in the dressing room. I took

o the runway. And I'd make damn sur

ith summer accessories. One was a white, deep V-neck, backless spaghetti strap flora

rated her, and honestly, it was contagious. Within minutes, I was wearing a white dress that hugged my frame perfectly. The soft fabric, the

y, Briella!" Chelsey said in awe

nded at the door. Deniz entered, slightl

asped. "Good thing you thought you would call m

glowing with pride. She wore a simple summer dress, yet she somehow pulled off an effo

spers followed us, curious glances trailing my every step.

ad to ensure it tilted just enough to hide half my face. "Keep it a

nce of the runway. I could hear the crowd's energy buzzing in the distance. Chelsey had

hen glanced at Deniz for the cue. He

t need to speak or smile. The audience's reaction said everything, the gasps, the rustle of excitem

the end, pivoted, and walked back. Deniz was wai

you when we're close to the finale. Thank you so m

sily slipped into the red boho maxi dress

satisfied grin. "How did i

slight shrug. "Fine. Should

hook her head. "Y

estly, all I felt was clarity. I was finally back where I needed t

I just want to make

eting his eyes. "I have a plan in

yes slightly. "Wh

, my voice low and resolute. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stay q

recognized. And when that happens, those two-" I didn't even n

full of quiet fire and shared purpose. Her eyes had a different

I'm all in. Whatever you need, I've got your back." Then, her lips cur

her of us could say more, a knock came at the door. Chelsey opened it

od, adjusting my posture. No

quickly ushered me to position, whispering that I'd be joi

esigner eyed me with a furrowe

sly? He didn't tell the de

ive hand. "Never mind. We'll talk later." He turned

st like that, we were stepping

audience. I held my head high, my expression composed. I could see the raised eyebrows

their approval. I was

fore a man in a crisp suit stormed up, anger written all

he barked at the designer.

plain everyth

to you." He turned his wrath on Deniz, w

ttention sh

e you in court for trespassing and ruining my

ying to yank me offstage. I struggled

incing. I knew I'd have mar

would stop me, he had no i

hake off his grip. "Listen to your staff, if I had

n my arm. "No matter what you say, no one will believe you! Ar

al. Some even started throwing plastic bottles in my direction. But I stood tall, refusing to

e stage, and instantly, the atmosphere shifted. He exude

Star Entertainment!" a photographer gas

arly choked. Braun? What

sed to be anywhere near this event. And yet, he was walking st

de Mr. Cayab, whose hand was

ttle event," Cayab said, practically beaming now as he finally

. "I just happened to be passing by.

drag him aside and ask why he was interfering in something he had no business in. But I couldn't, not in front

trying to latch onto someone powerful

his mouth again, and

he inconvenience. Th

ice. "I heard you're using my artist's image without con

Artist? D

oday," he said plainly. "The outfit looked good on you. K

eaving behind a stunned silence that lasted for a beat before repo

there as all the attention shifted to

naline still humming in my veins. Deniz and Ch

breathless with guilt. "I didn't know

ld him gently. "R

ine. I was awakened. And I

the designer and Mr. Cayab," I said quickly, already slippi

too overwhelmed, too desperate to e

thrown my way. Some people didn't even bother hiding their cruel remarks. But I didn't react. I couldn

ir was sharp and fresh, washing away the tension

iar blue car parked nearby. I climbed inside, greeted by Luigi's warm smile. I nodd

nothing had happened, like he hadn't just flipped the

s lifted to meet mine, and I saw that look again. The one that demanded respect an

my behalf," I said, forci

You heard me. That company used my model's image withou

e .

t. I played it cool, raised an eyebrow, and said,

I came to pick you up. No point bothering m

sed. I noticed Luigi suppressing a grin from the corner of my eye. But t

end the night there. I'm not taking you home just

ht. We did get mar

tion, and minutes later, we arrived at the privat

nd held out his hand. Wit

d this. I wanted him. And I wanted to reclaim the power

e pressed the button f

orried someone else might step in and see us

ee us," I whisp

. This is a private elevator. N

n I laughed softly. "Perk

urmured, tilting his hea

ator doors op

. Expensive furniture gleamed in the sunlight, spilling through floor-to-

ed at the

er?" he asked, n

true," I admitted, biting my lower

could think, I was buried in his chest, surrounded by the c

aid, his voice deep and ri

tepping back before I

irt and rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong forearms that made my mouth dry. His polo

d to run my h

. "I meant what I said. What's min

My face burned. Why did he

oser. "Are you hungry? Wa

yself. Snap out of it! Was this

, trying to reset my brain.

" he asked, f

uise. Of course. I

scratch. It'll fade," I sai

vinced. "It's

angerous. A storm beneath

e asked, and I swore the

ng names wouldn't hel

. Cayab, w

. "It's fine, President

ay a hand on my Queen..." he

caught-h

like a drumbeat. I stared a

ing... was about t