72. Wouldn’t she look embarrassed in front of them?

'One more pose, Briella!" shouted the Photographer to her. She changed her position and even the angle of her face. The camera flashed continuously, and both the Photographer and some staff cheered in satisfaction due to her professionalism during the photoshoots. Despite struggling with the height of her heels, she endured the two-hour session, repeatedly going back and forth to her dressing room to change outfits. 'That's a wrap! Job well done, Briella!" the Photographer exclaimed, and the staff clapped and congratulated her. After a long series of photoshoots, she was finally finished. Chelsey quickly approached her and assisted her in walking. 'Can you still walk?" she asked with concern. She nodded and took a deep breath. The truth was, she was already feeling tired, but she needed to finish the shooting because she couldn't disappoint Lenneth, the CEO of HEIL. Upon reaching her dressing room, she immediately removed her high heels. Chelsey handed her an ice cream, and on top of it were some nachos. 'Big Boss called and said he would pick you up now," Chelsey said, handing her a glass of water. 'Thank you," she replied. Soon, they heard a knock on the door. Chelsey quickly opened it, and they paused eating upon hearing Lenneth's voice. 'Hi, Briella! I just want to congratulate you on the success of the photoshoots. They were right; you're an amazing model," Lenneth said, approaching her to hug and kiss her on the cheek. 'Thank you. The beauty of your designs just inspires me," she replied with a smile. 'If you don't mind, I would like to invite you to dinner tonight. Is that okay?" Lenneth asked. She bit her lip and hesitated to answer. 'I would love to, but my husband is going to pick me up now. I promised him a dinner date." 'Oh, I see," Lenneth responded with understanding. 'Maybe another time. You won't refuse me next time, will you?" she said playfully. She laughed. 'Of course not, Lenneth. It will be a pleasure," she said. From their first meeting, she already felt comfortable with Lenneth. Though a few years older, no one would guess Lenneth's age from her appearance; she looked like she was still in her mid-thirties with four children. She had also met her husband, Kenneth, and as she observed them, she hoped for the same kind of relationship with Braun. After bidding goodbye to them, she noticed Chelsey's admiration on her face. It was evident that she greatly admired the woman. 'Maybe Ma'am Lenneth is a vampire, huh? Can you imagine? She has four kids, and she's not getting any younger, but she's still so beautiful," Chelsey exclaimed in admiration while looking at the closed door. She didn't respond and just stared at the door. Lenneth could still be considered young; she wasn't even forty yet, and despite makeup and other beauty technologies, one of her secrets was her happy and contented family life. Again, she wished the same for her and Braun. Her phone rang, and she saw Braun's number. A smile spread across her lips as she answered. 'Hello?" she said. 'I'll be there in a few minutes. Are you done?" he asked. 'Yup, I'm resting here in my dressing room," she replied, gesturing to Chelsey to prepare for their departure. She heard him sigh on the other end. 'Are you tired again?" he asked with a gentle tone. 'I'm fine, don't worry too much," she said, chuckling, even though her feet were aching from all the walking and standing. 'This will be the last time, wife. You need to take care of yourself," he reminded her. 'Yes," she said and chuckled softly. 'Alright, call me if you're already here. I have to change my clothes. Where did you exactly want us to go for dinner?" she asked him. 'See you soon, wife. I love you," he said without answering her question. She scowled as she put down her phone. She had been asking him where they were going since last night, and all he said was that they were going somewhere without providing any further details. 'Why the sour face? Do you really want to subject your first child to your bad mood? Gosh, one grumpy Big Boss is enough; don't add another one!" Chelsey said, noticing the crease on her face. She glanced at her and scowled even more. 'Shut up," she snapped, standing up to get dressed. 'Hey—" Chelsey couldn't finish her sentence because she knew why she was being grumpy. 'Big Boss didn't give in to you again, did he?" She didn't respond and continued getting dressed. She was wearing a loose casual dress because her belly was already noticeably protruding. After putting on her flat shoes, she went back to her bag and her phone. She took a deep breath. 'Do you have anything to do now?" she asked Chelsey. 'Yup," Chelsey quickly answered, returning the clothes she wore to the hanger. While she looked at her, she thought about what her life would be like if she hadn't run away and abandoned her own family. She might have fulfilled her dream of becoming a famous photographer, but she knew that everything came with sacrifices, so she needed to be practical in life. 'Chelsey," she called out to her. 'What?" she asked, turning to her. 'Don't you miss your old life?" she asked her. She was briefly taken aback by the question but quickly recovered and shook her head with a smile. 'Nope. I'm happy with the life I have now. I've learned a lot and cherish every memory I've made in every second of my life," she said. 'How about your parents? Your Dad? I'm sure they miss you," she said. She sighed heavily. 'If they really missed me, they would have acted long ago to stop that idiot! They all have the power to do that, but they don't!" she exclaimed. There was intense anger in her voice towards her parents. 'Why don't you talk to your Dad? I'm sure he'll listen to you," she said. She couldn't understand what Chelsey's parents wanted to happen. They allowed her friend to run away and never bothered to seek her out or reconcile with her. 'Is your sudden nosiness a side effect of your pregnancy, Briella?" she asked with a scowl. She glared at her and rolled her eyes. It was evident that Chelsey was avoiding discussing her family, so she didn't insist. Her phone rang just in time, and she saw Braun's name, which made her smile. 'My ride's here. You can use my car for now. Take care of yourself," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder and embracing Chelsey, kissing her on the cheek. 'Take care." Chelsey smiled and nodded at her. She left the dressing room and walked straight to the elevator. People greeted her along the way, and she responded with nods and smiles. She rode the elevator with some people, and when they saw her, they couldn't help but ask for a picture with her. She didn't refuse. It was part of her, and it wouldn't go away even if she stopped modeling. When she arrived in the basement, her handsome husband's face greeted her immediately. He patiently waited for her in front of the elevator. He approached her right away, seemingly not caring if anyone saw them, and planted a kiss on her lips. Then, he carefully assisted her into the car. 'Where are we going?" she asked him, but he didn't intend to tell her anything, only responding with a smile. She didn't bother to insist anymore; she knew she wouldn't gain anything from pestering him because even if she threw a tantrum in front of him, he wouldn't tell her if it was a surprise. 'Go to sleep for now, wife. We're going quite far," he said, pulling her closer to him. She didn't protest anymore because she was also feeling drowsy, but even though her eyes were closed, her mind was awake, sensing her surroundings. Luigi was driving with them, and he was as quiet as Braun. She didn't know how many minutes past she just kept her eyes closed, but when she opened them, it was already getting dark. 'Where are we?" she asked as she stretched. 'Let's go, they're all waiting," Braun said with a smile, extending his hand to her. 'Them?" she asked in confusion but accepted his extended hand and let him help her out of the car. When she got out of the car, she only then noticed a large white house in front of her. The entire house was illuminated, and she was sure something was happening inside because of the cars lined up in the garage. 'Let's go?" Braun asked with a smile, but she didn't move from where she was standing and looked at the young man intently. 'Tell me first where we are?" she asked him firmly. Braun faced her and fixed her messy hair from sleeping on the trip. 'It's time to meet my family, wife. They are all excited to see you," he replied with a smile. 'Huh?" she said in surprise and automatically looked at her appearance. Would she face his whole family looking like this? Wouldn't she look embarrassed in front of them? 'W-Wait, why didn't you tell me? Look at me, Braun! Gosh! I feel like I look so wasted!" she said, touching her forehead. Braun laughed at her and couldn't help but slap him on the shoulder. 'You're such a bully! How could you present me to them looking like this?" she exclaimed. 'You're beautiful, wife. Even without makeup, you are still gorgeous and hot," he teased her with a wink. She scowled even more and swatted him. 'Since when did you learn to wink?" He raised an eyebrow and lifted a corner of his lips. 'Now?" She bit her lip, and at that moment, she felt like she wanted to go back inside the car and ask to be taken home so she could fix herself properly. This was the first time she would meet Braun's family, so she needed to look presentable. 'Don't worry, wife. They're all going to love you; just be yourself and let them know that you're my Queen," Braun said, taking her waist and leading her into the house. She took a deep breath and once again looked at the entirety of the large house, then glanced at the large door, also painted white. This is it, Briella. You'll finally meet the family of your loving husband!