5.His Queen!
'Hello, Deniz? Good morning! I have some good news for you!" Chesley cheerfully greeted their acquaintance, who is a gay fashion organizer. 'Do you have a show today? Can Briella make an appearance? Yes! She wants a comeback and to do it at a small event show first, you know? It's more satisfying to start from a low position," Chelsey explained to Deniz.
Before she became known as a famous model, she also went through Deniz. She attended a few small fashion shows organized by him. She could say that if she hadn't met him, she wouldn't have achieved the fame she had before.
'Really?! Great! Where is it? We're going there right now!" Chelsey said happily. She looked at her, gave a thumbs up, and she nodded smilingly.
When Chelsey put her phone down, she smiled at her. 'It seems like the timing is on our side today. The model who was supposed to be the front and last act stood them up, you're in! So let's go?"
'Sure, I'll just get dressed," she said, quickly returning to her room. She didn't stay long and came out shortly. All her stuff was in the suitcase so she didn't have to rummage around for a change of clothes. What she's wearing now is fine.
The fashion show's location wasn't far, so they arrived at an exclusive Five Star Hotel in less than thirty minutes. Deniz was already in the lobby waiting for them.
'Oh my God, Briella, I missed you! Good thing you came to your senses and returned to modeling. You're wasting your beauty, girl!" he greeted her enthusiastically when she and Chelsey got closer and hugged him tightly.
'Not just hit her head, but hit it hard!" Chelsey commented.
She gave him a stern look to remind her of their conversation. This is why she couldn't tell her friend what happened to her yet. She's too impulsive and always slips her tongue. She trusts her but must talk to her properly before understanding everything.
'We don't have enough time to get ready, so shall we?" He asked with a smile, extending his hand to her.
She gladly accepted, and they all entered the dressing room that was supposed to be for the model who didn't show up.
'Today's event is all about casual summer dresses. You'll only appear first and last and wear two dresses, but those are the main highlights of this event. I know you can do it, Briella! I'll leave you two to get ready," he said.
He pointed to the two Maxi Dresses still dressed on the Mannequin, complete with summer accessories. The first is a white Deep V Neck Backless Spaghetti Straps Floral Casual Maxi Dress, and the second is a red Boho Style Patterned Short Sleeve Maxi Dress.
As soon as Deniz left, Chelsey immediately helped her get dressed. The excitement was evident as she helped her dress and prepare. It seemed like this was what she was waiting for to feel invigorated. After a while, she wore the first dress. It fit her perfectly, and due to her perfect body shape, anyone would be attracted to what she was wearing.
'Wow, no one can still beat your beauty, Briella!" Chelsey exclaimed as she looked at her from head to toe.
They heard three knocks on the door. Deniz came in panting, but when he saw her, he was momentarily stunned.
'You're still a natural Goddess, Briella! Good thing you thought to contact me today! Let's go. You need to be on the backstage," he said, clearly pleased, and led her out of the dressing room.
Chelsey followed them, her eyes also sparkling in admiration. She just responded with a tight smile, her summer dress was simple, but due to her professionalism and experience, she managed to make it look even more attractive to people's eyes.
Almost all the staff they passed by looked at her, but she ignored it and focused on her upcoming walk. Deniz explained what she should do when she walked on the stage, and he adjusted her large hat to cover half her face as he instructed.
When the beautiful beat of the music started, she positioned herself at the front. She took a deep breath and waited for Deniz's signal, who was at the backstage side while Chelsey was taking pictures of her.
When Deniz signaled, she came out backstage, her gaze straight ahead and her forehead high. She could hear the audience's awestruck comments about her. She only stayed on the stage for a few minutes before returning backstage. Deniz was delighted with the impact she had on the audience.
'Get changed quickly, Briella. I'll call you when it's near closing time. Thank you so much!" He hugged her tightly.
They returned to the dressing room, and she quickly changed clothes.
'How did you feel while you were walking?" Chelsey asked her with a smile.
She tilted her head. 'Fine, should I feel something else?"
Chelsey chuckled. 'I just want to make sure that you're okay."
'I told you, I'm fine. I have a plan in my mind, and I want you to trust me," she told him.
'What plan?" he asked.
'I don't plan to let them know that I know they've been deceiving me, but that doesn't mean I won't do anything. From this day on, everything I do will be preparation for their impending downfall!" she answered. 'I will rise and be recognized again while the two will fall and kneel before me!"
She and Chelsey looked at each other, and then both smiled. The sparkle in his eyes was different; she knew he understood what she wanted to happen.
'I trust you fully when it comes to these matters, so you can count on my support for any decision you make," she said. 'I also want to let you know that I am thrilled you have returned to modeling."
She gave her a modest smile in return, and shortly after, they heard a knock on the door. When Chelsey opened it, a staff member was there, signaling they needed to prepare for the finale. She took a deep breath before exiting the dressing room.
As soon as they arrived backstage, Deniz quickly instructed her to take her position, as she would be joining the designer who created the summer dresses she and the other models were wearing.
'Wait, who are you?" The designer asked her, eyebrows furrowed.
She glanced at Deniz. Does this mean he hadn't informed the designer of the changes?
'Never mind, we'll talk later," the designer said, turning his attention to a suddenly flustered Deniz.
He grabbed her arm, and they both stepped onto the stage. Many were amazed and puzzled when they saw her, and even though she kept her gaze forward, she couldn't miss the raised eyebrows of surprise from the audience. They probably didn't expect her appearance.
As they returned backstage, a man ascended the stage, glaring at her.
'What the hell is this? Where is Samia Mercado?" he asked the designer, his expression stern.
'Sir, I'll explain everything later, please—"
'No!" he forcefully interrupted. 'You're not the one I'm talking to!" he snapped at Deniz, who had just emerged from backstage. 'And you, Miss Montañez, I'll see you in court for trespassing and ruining my fashion show! I'll call your management immediately!" he shouted angrily, grabbing her arm to drag her down. She struggled to free herself from his grip, but it was too tight, and she was sure it would leave a bruise.
'Let me go, Mr. Cayab. Listen to your staff because if I hadn't come, your show would probably have been ruined—"
'Don't deceive yourself!" he cut her off and tightened his grip on her hand. 'No matter what you say, no one will believe you! Are you that desperate to take over a show that isn't rightfully yours?"
She heard hurtful words from the people present. Some even started throwing plastic bottles at her. Nonetheless, she didn't show emotion and couldn't lose her heart because she knew she had nothing to fear and wasn't guilty.
The commotion stopped when a man ascended the stage. People were mesmerized by his god-like stature.
'That's Braun El Cueva, the CEO of Crown Star Entertainment!" a photographer exclaimed, quickly snapping photos of the man approaching them.
She took a deep breath and nearly choked. They had a clear understanding. What was he doing there? She had thought he had a meeting to attend. She remained silent next to the CEO, who still had a grip on her arm.
'Mr. El Cueva! What a pleasant surprise! It's my honor to have you here as a guest." Mr. Cayab joyfully exclaimed, releasing her and turning to face Braun.
'I just happened to pass by, and I found it quite interesting," Braun spoke authoritatively, giving her a side glance.
She looked away and took a deep breath. She wanted to pull Braun away and question his intrusion into her problem, but if she did that, her image would likely worsen. After all, who was she?
A washed-up model was clinging to a fat fish to return to the world of modeling!
'Oh, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. This bitch ruined the—"
'Mr. Cayab, you're using my artists' image without proper consent. Expect my lawyers to sue your company," Braun interjected calmly. 'And to this woman, you did a great job. The outfit suits you, and I'm sure you'll be one of the top models in the future."
She was stunned by his words as he briskly walked out of the room. There was a moment of silence in the room. Then the noise returned as the reporters scrambled to capture the retreating figure of the powerful man leaving the scene.
She descended from the stage, seemingly forgotten by everyone as all attention turned to Braun El Cueva.
Upon stepping down from the stage, Deniz and Chelsey quickly approached her. Deniz profusely apologized to her, but she assured him she was okay and he had nothing to worry about.
'Chelsey, I'll go ahead. Please help Deniz explain things to the Designer and Mr. Cayab. I'll call you later when I get home." She didn't wait for a response and quickly changed out of her outfit.
After getting dressed, she left the dressing room. Almost everyone she passed gave her harsh looks; some even made snide comments.
After leaving the hotel, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like a weight had been lifted from her chest. She received a text from President Braun and saw the familiar blue car parked near that place.
Upon her entry, she was greeted by Luigi's smiling face. She nodded at him and finally got inside the car, then he started driving.
She took a deep breath and looked at President Braun, who was busy reading the document in his hand.
'Speak up," he interrupted her train of thought and then looked at her. She had another chance to observe his eyes, which suggested that he was a King who demanded respect, honor, and reverence from everyone.
'I told you not to come on my behalf," she said.
The corner of his lips curled upwards. 'I didn't. You probably heard what I said. That company is using my model's image, and I need to take action, honey."
She raised an eyebrow at the endearment he used. She was thrilled, but she couldn't show it to him. Who wouldn't be excited when the most powerful man in the Showbiz Entertainment world, admired by everyone, called her ‘Honey'?
'Do you need to attend such a small event personally?" She questioned him with a raised eyebrow.
He averted his gaze and went back to reading the document. 'I'm coming to pick you up so I don't bother my lawyers."
She suppressed a beautiful smile that wanted to break out on her lips. She subtly looked at his driving assistant and caught him smiling, but it quickly disappeared when President Braun started talking again.
'Take us to the Glamour Hotel. We'll spend the night there," he directed at her. 'I can't take you home yet, and I can't enjoy our honeymoon there."
She couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle and swallow repeatedly. That's right, and they got married earlier that day.
Luigi immediately followed the instructions, and after they were dropped off at the private lobby of that luxury hotel, he promptly left.
He held out his hand to her, and she immediately took it. Whatever happened now, she wouldn't regret it. She wanted this to happen, and she was doing this to get back at the people who stepped on her.
Once they got on the elevator, he pressed the button for the twentieth floor, one of the penthouse suites based on the signage. She moved a bit away from him, fearing someone else might enter. She didn't want to add more to the hot news she made that day.
She was startled when President Braun drew her closer.
'People might see us," she said anxiously.
He let out a soft chuckle. 'Don't worry. It's a private elevator made for me."
'Oh!" she exclaimed and laughed. 'Perks of being The King," she agreed, nodding.
'You can say that," he said, his head tilted.
Since the elevator didn't need to stop, they quickly reached his Penthouse. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she was greeted by a classy-themed suite. The color palette was minimalistic, and the room, adorned with expensive furniture shining in the sunlight, belonged to a king. Suddenly, she felt too shy to enter.
'What's the matter?" President Braun asked when he noticed her hesitation.
She grimaced and bit her lower lip. 'It's too good to be true. Are you sure it's fine if I—"
He pulled her inside because she couldn't finish what she was about to say. Surprised, she buried her face in his sturdy chest, her nose filled with his expensive cologne mingling with his natural scent. She felt dizzy from his intoxicating smell.
'You're my wife now, and what's mine is yours, too," he said in a deep and sexy voice.
'Okay!" she gasped and pulled away a little, afraid that if she stayed close to him for too long, she wouldn't be able to move out.
'Are you hungry?" he asked as he removed his jacket, unbuttoned a few buttons on his long-sleeve polo shirt, and then rolled it up to his elbows.
For the second time, she couldn't help but admire his manliness. He was indeed one of the descendants of Greek Gods. His triangular body, tight muscles, muscular shoulders, and six-pack abs were visible under his polo shirt.
She felt like undressing him and running her hands over his robust body.
'Hey, honey, I just told you, what's mine is yours. If you want me, say so," President Braun teased.
'Huh?" she seemed to return to reality after his words, and she wanted nothing more than to bury herself in the ground out of sheer embarrassment.
He laughed at her and came closer. 'Are you hungry? What do you want me to cook for you?"
'Huh?" She cursed inwardly. Why did her tongue seem to retreat suddenly, making her unable to speak correctly? Was that the effect of the man standing in front of her on all the daughters of Eve?!
She tilted her head and secretly pinched herself to snap out of it. 'Sorry, I—"
'What's this?" he asked when he noticed her bruised arm.
She let out a harsh breath. She expected this due to Mr. Cayab's tight grip on her.
'It's okay. It's just a scratch, and it will fade away," she said, hiding her arm.
'It's not okay," he declared sternly, and she wanted to shudder at the dark aura suddenly surrounding the man.
He's pissed off. What will I do? She panicked internally.
'Who did this to you?" he asked her grimly.
She remained silent, not wanting to name anyone because, at that moment, she could see the influential figure of a King who could punish anyone who had committed a crime.
'It's Mr. Cayab, am I right?" he asked again.
She took a deep breath. 'I'm okay, President Braun. It will fade away—"
'He dares to hurt my Queen, then he'll suffer the worst punishments I have in mind," he stated and casually picked up his phone.
She stared at him blankly, unsure of what to feel. His words kept echoing in her mind.
His Queen!