CHAPTER 28DRAWINGA week after.Ria slowly walked towards her cubicle as she noticed everyone gathering to France’s computer monitor. With curiosity, she went to know what was going on.“Is something going on? Why is everybody here?” she asked.Miles looked at her. Her eyes grew wider. “I can’t believe you’re already here.” She got everyone’s attention. “Everyone, the star is here!”“What are you talking about?” confused, she looked around. All eyes are now on her.The way was given to her. She came to have a view of the screen they have been looking through.And there she was on the monitor, on make-up and up-do hair, laying in silks and other different colors and textiles.“You sure, you weren't a model?” Miles asked.France spoke up. “Oh, darling. You look like a professional model with the pictures that Luci sent us.”“Why are my pictures here? Gosh! This is embarrassing.” She sat beside France and began to look at the pictures.“Oh, darling. Your pictures will be featured in the
CHAPTER 29SEPARATERia brushed her hair to the side as she looked again in the mirror.“Wow! You are gorgeous.” Gwendolyn entered the room.“Is this too much?” she asked and stood up on her heels. Her red evening gown is flattering her curves and skin tone.“No, Ria. You were made to be that way. Someone to be dressed up.” Gwendolyn looked at Lumiere. “What do you think of Mommy? Is she pretty?”“She’s the prettiest girl in the world!” Lumiere exclaimed.Gwendolyn raised her eyebrow. “I thought I was pretty in your eyes.”“Yes, you are. But my mom is the prettiest. You’re second.” Lumiere tilted his head and started thinking. “But I think you’re now third.”“What was that?” Gwendolyn squinted her eyes.“Nothing…” her kid whistled.“Tell me. Who’s your second prettiest girl now?” Gwendolyn crossed her hands.That made Ria laugh.“Oh. So our little man is now having his first crush.”Lumiere blushed.“Stop teasing me. Uncle Justin is now waiting outside.”“Okay. Okay.” Ria grabbed her
PROLOGUERUNAWAYSix years ago.As the music starts thumping, Valeria started to step onto the runway stage with effortless elegance, her silhouette perfectly poised. Her legs seemed to extend endlessly as her stilettos made a click-clack sound on that stage of the gallery hall. She was five feet and nine inches tall after all. She exudes confidence and grace with every flick of her hair and the tilt of her head. Her hips swayed as if she was gliding on clouds. Her facial expressions were fierce and edgy, yet feminine. She wanted others to see her as a work of art, a living canvas draped in fashion.Valeria strikes a pose, arching her back, as their final walk for their practice ends. She can’t make a mess right now. She had taken too many steps just to get where she is. She is going to achieve her dream and nothing can stop her. Even if it means telling a lie.“Okay, models!” the choreographer called out as she clapped her hands for their attention. “Tomorrow is a big day. Give your
CHAPTER 1HUMILIATEDSix years later.As the night progresses, soft lighting and a delicate floral setting in ivory and pastel blue greeted the guests of that magical wonderland made for two love birds who just became one. The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze and warm light filter through the canopy of trees, creating a romantic, ethereal ambiance.The atmosphere is a lively and festive celebration, with the sound of music and laughter filling the air. It was a wedding reception that any girl her age dreams of. But Ria stopped dreaming of this kind of event happening in her life. She will never have a chance to be a bride. That is what she thought.“Ria,” called Trixie, a girl in a solid plain black shirt and pants like hers. “The boss told us to deliver another batch of drinks for the guests by the fountain.”Ria signaled her an “ok” with her fingers. She took a sigh and refilled the wine glasses on her tray just as she was told. Thankfully, Trixie, her workmate for that night
CHAPTER 2CINDERELLAShe trudged wearily up to the stairs of her apartment building, her feet heavy and her shoulders slumped under the weight of a long grueling night. The hum of the city outside was muted by the thick walls, but the fatigue in her bones was palpable.As she fumbled with her keys and pushed open the door to her apartment, the stale air inside hit her like a wall. The dim light of the hallway cast a melancholy glow over the space. She was drained because of what just happened and the giggles inside the room lifted her soul.“I’m home!” she announced upon closing the door, kicking her shoes to the side.A girl in her messy bun and circle-framed lenses was sleeping on the sofa. Beside her was the five-year-old little boy who left his open bag of chips just to run towards her open arms.“Mommy!” he shouted in joy. With that, the girl on the sofa woke up and immediately stood up to recite some scientific words that looks like alien words to her ears.“Gwendolyn,” Ria utte
CHAPTER 3REJECTED“Have a seat, please,” he presented the chair in front of him. “I think, I did not reserve this café for nothing. Now, sit.” Grant’s voice was deep and resonant, imbued with confidence and authority.With a gentle smile, she took the chair across him. Her eyes were glued on him, waiting for some news that could be good or bad. And worse, this man could have found out about her secret.His eyes were deep-set and piercing, like a hawk surveying its prey.Trixie came over with a tray in her hand. She put down two cups of freshly brewed coffee. One is their best selling and the other was her favorite. With a naughty smile and a wink, she left.“So, Ria. Am I right?” he began.She nodded, taking a sip of her latte. Her eyes dodged his gaze. There’s no use in telling him a lie about her name now. She can’t even imagine how this man found where she works.“It was really you whom I met in Paris before.”Again, she nodded. As much as possible, she keeps on running away from
CHAPTER 4 CONTRACTED As she sat there, staring at her phone, Ria couldn’t decide whether or not to call him. She thought about all the possible outcomes and wondered if she was ready to take the risk. It has been days and her son was already discharged. The doctor reminded her to make an appointment upon finalizing her decision. The only problem is that she needed a bigger budget for the surgery. Her son had been a sickly child. They already tried a blood transfusion for his anemia but it was not enough. After a year, his unstable illness reoccurred. And the only person that she could call right now is the owner of the number punched into her phone. With a deep breath and a sudden wave of courage, she knew that she had to take the chance. She dialed and heard a few rings before someone picked up. “I’ve been waiting for your call, Ria,” said a baritone voice from the other line. Her jaw dropped even before she could say hello. “How?” she said not knowing what exactly to say. Ho
CHAPTER 5 TELL As Ria stood at the locker, her tired eyes scanned her lifeless phone screen, longing for any sign of connection or excitement. Her long, auburn hair was tied up in a messy bun, revealing a few loose strands framing her pale face. The fluorescent lights of the locker room cast an unflattering glow on her features, highlighting the dark circles under her eyes. Her cute apron, adorned with coffee stains and crumbs, hung loosely off her this frame. It was a reminder of the long hours she had spent on her feet. It has been a week since she and Grant signed a contract for their fake relationship, yet he was not calling or texting her about her new tasks. Well, her pride is telling her at the back of her head not to call him first. It would make her look so desperate. In fact, she really is. She took a deep sigh and headed towards the exit of their locker room. “What with the long face? Got a problem with your boyfriend?” Trixie asked from the counter. She was still on
CHAPTER 29SEPARATERia brushed her hair to the side as she looked again in the mirror.“Wow! You are gorgeous.” Gwendolyn entered the room.“Is this too much?” she asked and stood up on her heels. Her red evening gown is flattering her curves and skin tone.“No, Ria. You were made to be that way. Someone to be dressed up.” Gwendolyn looked at Lumiere. “What do you think of Mommy? Is she pretty?”“She’s the prettiest girl in the world!” Lumiere exclaimed.Gwendolyn raised her eyebrow. “I thought I was pretty in your eyes.”“Yes, you are. But my mom is the prettiest. You’re second.” Lumiere tilted his head and started thinking. “But I think you’re now third.”“What was that?” Gwendolyn squinted her eyes.“Nothing…” her kid whistled.“Tell me. Who’s your second prettiest girl now?” Gwendolyn crossed her hands.That made Ria laugh.“Oh. So our little man is now having his first crush.”Lumiere blushed.“Stop teasing me. Uncle Justin is now waiting outside.”“Okay. Okay.” Ria grabbed her
CHAPTER 28DRAWINGA week after.Ria slowly walked towards her cubicle as she noticed everyone gathering to France’s computer monitor. With curiosity, she went to know what was going on.“Is something going on? Why is everybody here?” she asked.Miles looked at her. Her eyes grew wider. “I can’t believe you’re already here.” She got everyone’s attention. “Everyone, the star is here!”“What are you talking about?” confused, she looked around. All eyes are now on her.The way was given to her. She came to have a view of the screen they have been looking through.And there she was on the monitor, on make-up and up-do hair, laying in silks and other different colors and textiles.“You sure, you weren't a model?” Miles asked.France spoke up. “Oh, darling. You look like a professional model with the pictures that Luci sent us.”“Why are my pictures here? Gosh! This is embarrassing.” She sat beside France and began to look at the pictures.“Oh, darling. Your pictures will be featured in the
Chapter 27STRIKED“Ria, would you mind helping me here, darling?”Ria went back from her thoughts when France asked for her. The rolls of fabrics were still in her arms, as she went near him.“You got some serious headache, huh?”But deep inside her, she felt guilty. Everyone is getting busier since the day their model, Bianca, rejected to return. Almost all of them were getting headaches because of the stress. They were rushing everything to meet the deadline.“Well. It’s been like this for a couple of days now. But don’t worry, darling. It’s always like this with the last two weeks before the events.” France looked at her. “You were watching the models’ auditions?”She nodded.“What can you say about it?”“Miss Hanna sure is strict. She was really looking for a perfect figure and a walking mannequin for the show.”“Did someone cry already?”“I guess so. Almost.”“I always told her not to act like that. She will be getting more wrinkles because of that.” France took a sigh.“So, any
Chapter 26SADDER“You heard me, right? Bend down and tie my sandals,” Bianca ordered, her lips grinning.Ria gulped before she decided to bend down. She doesn’t want any issues in her workplace.“Because if you don’t, then I’ll the director that you don’t like me.”And she can’t risk Justin knowing what really happen back in Paris.“You should know that your director takes care of his models very well.”Miles looked at her and shook her head slowly. “You don’t have to do this, Ria.”“It’s okay.”Her knees felt the coldness of the floor. She did lowly jobs before, like swiping the floor with her bare hands and even cleaning someone’s bathroom. But those jobs were easier to do than being humiliated like this. But she got no other choice.Her hands were about to touch the lace of her sandals when someone grabbed her hand. And pulled her up angrily.“What do you think you’re doing?!” he asked, raising his voice. Their director, Justin just roared like a lion inside that very room.“Direc
CHAPTER 25FAKEIt’s been more than a week since Ria was accepted on her new job at La Grace. And every day feels like unending for her.She sometimes runs around their office delivering fabrics to various requesters. She seldom did some clipboard assignments whenever her co-worker is not around. And most of the time, she keeps on obeying orders from Miss Hanna, trying to keep up with her endless demands.Deliver fabrics, pick up samples, book appointments, make coffee, and do anything else that is needed to keep the fashion line running smoothly. Those were her daily job.But she got the hang of it. She loves it there, watching models and fashion designers compelling to make masterpieces.One day, Ria was sorting through some papers on her desk when she heard a loud squeal. She turned around to see Miles approaching her table.“Ria!” Miles is even panting after taking her steps in haste. “You won’t believe it! They loved the new revision that I made on the dress.”That made her happy
CHAPTER 24IMAGEIt was Lumiere’s first day at school.It was his first time meeting new kids around his age and his first time having new friends.He was nervous and excited at the same time. He tightened his grip on his mom. She bends down so she could see his face.“Are you ready?” his mom asked.He nodded as his eyes roamed around.“You got this kiddo. Make your mommy proud, will you?” his uncle Justin cheered for him. He was his mother’s friend.His mother kissed him on the cheek and gently nudged him towards the door.He took a deep breath and stepped inside as he saw the friendly teacher waving at him. He has seen this lady.“Good morning! You must be Lumiere. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the class.”The kids all clapped when the teacher announced his name. He was seated in front of the row, beside a familiar girl he met before. Her hair was tied in pigtails and her cheeks are squishy.“My name is Teacher Quinn. Everybody, stand up and let’s do some exercise!” the teacher sta
CHAPTER 23WHORia felt her blush rise to her cheeks as she heard a chorus of oohs and aahs from her team. They just saw that Justin, their director, drink the glass for her, and saved her from getting drunk. He even bought him a Sprite.“What’s with you two? Looks like the director is into our darling, Ria,” France giggled.And Ria just laughed it off.“Oh.” Ashley stared at her with a teasing look. “The director just drank your glass. I wish he would drink mine.”Ria just smiled plainly. She doesn’t want to make herself special. She and Justin doesn’t even have a special something going on between them. They are just friends.The party was a blast. Ria came to know a few things about her coworkers. They have enjoyed delicious wings and drinks, and even each other’s company.These people around the table were happily holding bottles and glasses, raising their toast to their arrival as new members of the team. They even played some games and tried their luck on the karaoke. But then f
CHAPTER 22SAVEDRia couldn’t stop herself as she turned around to face the way Miss Hanna took. She just got fired on her first day at work!She began to go to the direction of their boss’ office but was held by a coworker.“Where are you going?” Worries are painted in her eyes. It was Miles.“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to confront her.”“Are you out of your mind? She’ll be madder if you do that.”“Well, apparently, I’m already fired. So, I don’t work from her right now.”Miles could not do anything but to let go of her arm.Ria finally opened the door and let herself in without permission from the owner of the office.“Excuse me?” Miss Hanna looked up at her from her seat.The table was overflowing with the fabrics that she delivered a while ago. Others were slightly scattered on the floor and edges around her working table.“I wanted to tell you that I did what you told me and even did it maybe four or five minutes earlier. Your instruction is clear. Take the list of fabrics to yo
CHAPTER 21AMAZED“Let us all welcome the new members of our team, Ria and Ashley.”Everyone in the office clapped with excitement as they went in front of them.Ria felt very proud of standing as their new staff, even with one of the lowest positions. She was ready for the self-introduction but the head of their department never spoke more of who they are and what is their job.Even Ashley gave her a confusing look like asking her “Is that it? It feels like we won’t feel at home here.”Ashley was an average tall young lady around her age. Her vibes are so bright with the rainbow dress she wears. Even her curly hair was full of rainbow clips.Their department head, Miss Hanna, faced her. She was wearing a tailored suit that accentuated her slender body, topped with a silk scarf to match her outfit. Her hair was styled in a sleek bob that made her look younger than her real age. She was the one who interviewed her yesterday.Miss Hanna looked up to her so she could see her face clearly