17.Try to convince me harder, my Queen.

President Braun allowed her to prepare their meal, not to show off, but genuinely because she enjoyed cooking. She didn't want to be embarrassed and wanted him to appreciate her culinary skills. However, he refused to help her. Ultimately, they both cooked their specialties; he made chicken menudo while she made carbonara and prepared a tuna salad. After setting the food on the table, they enjoyed it together. She couldn't properly marvel as President Braun tasted the dishes she prepared. Not because she doubted her abilities but because she was excited about his reaction. 'So?" she asked him, seeing him drink water. 'It was good." He replied, his tone questioning. She sighed in relief as if his answer had lifted a weight. Even that was enough for her; he liked it, and she didn't hear any criticism. They ate quietly, and she was almost in awe because he nearly finished her carbonara and tuna salad. He didn't touch his dish and preferred what she made. 'What's the matter?" he asked, noticing her hesitation. 'W-Won't your stomach ache from overeating?" she asked him. He raised an eyebrow and soon smirked. 'Don't worry; I won't gain weight from what I eat." She furrowed her brows. 'What does what I said have to do with what you said?" she asked, confused. He chuckled softly and didn't bother answering. 'You should be careful with fats and calories in what you eat. Finish the food; next time, I must watch your diet." 'Why?" she asked, puzzled. 'If you want to be on top again, you need to watch your body and exercise to make you healthy and sexy," he replied. She looked at her body and then looked at Braun with raised eyebrows. 'Do I look fat to you?" 'I didn't say that," he said. 'I said you need to maintain your figure." She nodded and finished the contents of her bowl, then grinned. 'I want more of this, President Braun." 'Try to convince me harder, my Queen," he teased her. She was shocked by his words, and her face turned red. She couldn't speak, and her mouth hung open for a few seconds before she closed it. 'Did I say something wrong?" he asked, clearly enjoying teasing her. 'Y-You're teasing me, President Braun!" she stammered. 'You're my wife, so definitely, I can call you whatever I want," he said, a mischievous smile on his lips. She felt like the ground should swallow her. Why did she even start teasing him? She felt her face burning red and looked down, continuing to eat quietly. 'You're even prettier when you're blushing, Mrs. El Cueva," he said. 'Hey!" she protested, glaring at him because he wouldn't stop teasing her. 'Yes, my wife?" he replied, smiling. 'Stop it, Braun, I-I'm not amused!" she snapped. He didn't say anything, but his wide grin remained. Even his gray eyes were smiling at her. He was so gorgeously handsome! You could never get tired of seeing him smile at you. At that moment, she felt like taking out her phone and taking his picture. It was magical and surreal! 'I like it more when you just call me by my first name, Briella." He smiled, came closer, and wiped the side of her lips. 'But I'm serious. It would be best if you watched your diet. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, we'll have to go to my gym and do some workouts. You got that?" he said, raising an eyebrow. Despite her flushed face, she managed to smile and nod. 'Yes, Braun." He smiled and pinched her nose. 'Good girl." They finished their meal, chatting happily. For those few minutes they were together, Briella forgot her troubles, and all she thought about was the happy moment with Braun. He wanted her to stop calling him President Braun, and she had no choice but to oblige. He was now her husband, and what kind of wife would she be if she couldn't call him by his first name? She was almost done with her meal when her phone rang. She raised her eyebrows when she saw it wasn't registered in her phone contacts. 'What's the matter, Briella?" Braun asked. She showed him her phone, and his face turned serious. He nodded, signaling that he wanted her to answer the call. She took a deep breath before answering. 'Hello, who's this?" she said formally. 'Good evening, this is Janice Ortega, the Head and the CEO of Sun Glow Fashion. Is this Ms. Briella Montañez?" the caller introduced herself. She paused and frowned. Sun Glow Fashion? Is this for real? 'Ms. Ortega, may I ask where you got my number?" she asked formally. 'Oh, I'm sorry about that. I asked some staff to get your number to talk to you privately. I heard that you're going to have your comeback. I want you to be our Ambassador and work with us," the caller replied. Her eyebrows met, and she was silent. She didn't know whether to believe what the caller was saying, especially since not just anyone would know her number. 'I know it's a bit suspicious, but I already sent a proposal to your company this afternoon but haven't received anything from them. So, that's why I call you directly," the caller explained. 'Would you mind sending the proposal to my email?" she asked. 'Sure, just give me your email address, and I'll send it instantly," the caller responded. 'Thank you," she said and politely ended the call. 'Who is it?" Braun asked immediately. 'She said she was Janice Ortega, the Head and the CEO of Sun Glow Fashion. She asked me if I wanted to work with them in their upcoming Magazine Advertisement," she replied. 'Are you sure she's telling you the truth?" he questioned, his eyebrows furrowed. She took a deep breath and shook her head. 'I don't know. She told me she sent a Proposal Letter to the Agency earlier, and tomorrow I'll confirm it with Xander. I also asked her to send me the Proposal Letter so I can read it myself. I have a feeling that Xander will sabotage this project of mine," she said. Braun did not speak, clearly deep in thought. She stood to clear their plates, planning to call Chelsey and inform her of what must be done tomorrow. She felt this was her first step toward reclaiming the title she once held. 'May I know who's your manager?" he asked her. 'It's Chelsey, my best friend and constant companion ever since," she replied. 'Is she eligible to handle all your projects?" he queried, his eyebrows meeting in concern. 'Braun, it's okay. I'll guide her. Besides, I'll be choosing the contracts I'll accept. She's assisting me and taking down important details for my future projects. Don't judge her; she'll be of great use to me, and above all, she's my best friend." She smiled and tied her hair up, ready to wash the dishes. 'What are you doing?" he asked, suddenly behind her. 'Uhm, washing dishes?" she answered, gesturing to the dirty plates. He frowned, quickly pulling her away from the sink. 'Go and call your friend, and wait for me in my office. I'll handle this," he said, turning on the faucet. She was stunned for a few minutes, unable to move, merely gazing at him like a fool. She was about to speak, but he swiftly stopped her. 'Don't worry about me. I lived for more than twenty years washing my plates. Go ahead; I'll finish this and join you soon." She could only thank him and leave, somewhat embarrassed. She went straight to his office, entering it for the first time. The room's design was simple, with large bookshelves facing each other and a large black office desk in the center. On one side, a black sofa stood across from a small Bar Island filled with various types of liquor. As soon as she sat down, she dialed Chelsey's number, knowing she would still be awake, addicted to watching KDrama. The phone barely rang before she heard her voice. 'Yobosseo?" Chelsey greeted. She rolled her eyes and laughed. 'Stop it, Chelsey, and listen to what I have to say, okay?" 'Is our conversation serious?" Chelsey asked. 'Yes, a very confidential one," she replied. 'Okay, I'm all ears," Chelsey said seriously. 'I want you to do some research about Sun Glow Fashion. Check if the CEO's name is Janice Ortega," she instructed. 'What? The SG Fashion? Why?" Chelsey asked in rapid succession. 'I received a call from Janice Ortega herself. She wants me to be their Ambassador and cover their Summer Magazine this May. She contacted me directly after sending a Proposal Letter to the Agency," she explained. 'Let me guess, and she didn't receive any response from Xander?" Chelsey asked, dismayed. She took a deep breath. 'Is that new?" Chelsey sighed softly on the other end. 'Anyway, don't waste your time on nonsense things, Chel. I was hoping you could find any information about Janice and her company. Even if her business is well-known, I still need to ensure I won't be taken advantage of," she said. 'Okay, I'm on it. I'll call you again later. Bye." 'Thank you, bye," she said, hanging up. After ending the call with Chelsey, she received another call from Janice and answered it promptly. 'Hello, Miss Briella? This is Janice again. I want to tell you that I already sent a copy of the Proposal Letter I sent to your company," Janice said on the other end. 'Thank you, and I'll read it tonight. Can I ask you a favor, Miss Janice?" she asked. 'Sure, as long as I can help. What is it?" Janice queried. 'Can you keep this a secret between us? I don't want everyone to know about this until we finish everything. I want everything to remain private. You don't have to worry about anything because I already signed a contract, and it says that I will be the one who decides everything," she explained. 'Sure thing, no problem. If that's what you want, so be it. Besides, I see nothing wrong with your request, and from what I heard about you, you're always private regarding your modeling career," Janice replied, surprising her. 'From what you're saying, you knew me even before, didn't you?" she asked. She heard Janice's soft laugh on the other end. 'Let me tell you a secret. When I started my business, I often watched you on some international runways. You were once the top model around the world. I dreamed of you becoming our Ambassador, wearing clothes I designed for you, but sadly I heard the news of you withdrawing from modeling and breaching your contract. But I never gave up, hoping you would return to modeling one day, and it happens!" She was speechless, truly shocked by Janice's story. 'Miss Briella, are you still there? I'm sorry if I—" 'N-No, it's okay. I was just shocked, but..." She took a deep breath before continuing. 'Thank you, Miss Ortega. I'll read your Proposal Letter and call you in the morning. Good night." 'Thank you, and hoping to work with you. Good night too," Janice said, hanging up. She put down her phone, staring blankly. If Janice's words were true, her simple thanks would hardly suffice. In truth, she had been wondering how she could land her first project, especially with the media hot on her trail, and most companies interested in hiring her as a model were insignificant, merely wanting to use her controversy for profit. That was something she wanted to avoid. She couldn't start with such companies and would never stoop to that level to gain further recognition. She needed to prove herself legally. That was the only way she knew to be worthy of staying by President Braun's side.