Ashley looked at her imprisoned wrist, then at Mr Shaw's face, and when she spoke, the friendly tone was gone. "Let go of my wrist, now." Slowly, Mr Shaw released her, and she gave him one last deadly glare, before leaving the office. After the last incident at Blue Skye Modelling headquarters, Ashley was greatly worried and disturbed. She had invited her friends over, and asked them. "What will I do? How will I become a world class model if Blue Skye Modelling don't sign me?" And Nichole had said. "You're Ashley Williams, a fighter, look at how far you've come, it's a little too late to chicken out now, don't you think?" And Genevieve had said. "We're not going down without a fight." And then, her two friends had come up with different plans. You can involve the press, report to the manager, get a big celebrity to back you up. Ashley remembered everything her friends had said, as she stood infront the impeccable skycrapper once more, but today she spared no time in admirin
"Yes, I did." He said it casually, like it was nothing. He's probably done it with too many times before. 'I don't mean to sound judgmental. But how would you, as a man f*ck a man just to get signed, are you gay? Now that explains the feminine voice, and the girly bracelet.' Ashley said in her mind. But Ashley could have sworn jack was flirting with her the whole time. "But, you could enlist the assistance of a talent manager." Jack was still talking. "There are big patrons that sponsor models without sexual gratification." Ashley was already arranging her bag to leave, she picked up her phone to answer a fake call, and immediately she got up and started leaving. Jack stood up. "Are you leaving?" He asked a bit disappointed. "Yes, there's an emergency I need to attend to." She pointed at her phone. "I didn't get your number." Jack brought out his phone from his pocket. "Some other time kiddo." She patted him on his shoulders, and his face fell. "Thanks for the coffee."
The air was thick with anticipation as the crowd gathered around the grand unveiling of the latest international billboard campaign. The buzz of excited whispers filled the air, as everyone waited with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the celebrity model who had been shrouded in mystery since the start of the event. The lights began to dim, casting a warm, inviting glow across the vast expanse of the billboard, and as the final words of the countdown faded away, a hush fell over the crowd. And then, there she was. The stunning image of the celebrity model, her features captured in high-definition perfection, stared back at them from the billboard. She wore a simple, yet elegant black dress that clung to her curvy figure like a second skin. Her eyes seemed to bore into the very souls of those who gazed up at her, exuding an aura of confidence and sophistication that was impossible to ignore. The crowd collectively gasped, their hands flying to their mouths in awe. Some whispered h
"Why am I doing this again?" Ashley asked herself as she sat in the driver's seat of her Lamborghini Veneno. She drove herself today, dismissing her driver, and assistant who only attended to official orders. She wore a black shade, and covered her face with a scarf. She was on a secret mission, not to be seen by her fans or the paparazzi. She watched the road carefully, and the moment a fleet of Rolls -Royce Boat Tail drove into the Upshot coffee house, she knew it was time to strike. She slowly stepped down from her car, praying that nobody recognized her in her terrible disguise. A few people glanced at her, but nothing lingering, so she was safe. She snuck in through the backdoor, stumbling a few times, and she wondered why she didn't just walk through the front door like a normal person, Oh well, Ashley Williams isn't a normal person. She spotted Aiden as handsome as ever in a grey suit. He sat on a table with five men by his side, and six men across the table. All twelve of
"Good day, Miss. Here is your dress." A blonde lady amazingly dressed in a pink playsuit, who looked nothing like a delivery lady, stood infront Ashley's apartment with a luxurious package in her hands. Ashley looked surprised. "I didn't order any dress. Sorry." She was about closing the door, when the woman stepped her feet in. "The dress was ordered by the billionaire Aiden McCurdy." The lady stressed the name, as though Ashley didn't already know he was a billionaire. Ashley was annoyed at the fact that Aiden had to personally buy a dress for her to wear as his date to the Pinnacle Award, was he implying that she had nothing worthy in her wardrobe to wear. Ashley reluctantly collected the package, and locked the door. Ashley looked at the beautiful package, once more feeling bad for what she was about to do. Then, she tore it open without a second thought. The dress was indeed beautiful, but it was too revealing, a see through dress, with sequence sparingly covering the bod
THE private jet, a sleek and luxurious Gulfstream G650, taxied down the runway, Aiden sat impeccably dressed in a tailored tuxedo, the crisp white shirt and silk tie accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled features. Aiden was more than just a celebrity billionaire; he was a man who knew how to make an entrance. Meanwhile, Ashley, his date for the evening, was curled up in a plush leather seat beside him. She wore a stunning, form-fitting crimson dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, the thin straps of her matching heels peeking out from beneath her long, silk dress. As the plane gained altitude, she adjusted her diamond earrings, the sparkle of the jewels catching the light as she turned her head. Ashley was no stranger to the limelight herself; she was a successful model in her own right. She turned to Aiden, her eyes shining with anticipation, and offered him her hand. Without hesitation, he took it, allowing her to lead him down the aisle of the private jet
"Is that how you kiss a man you don't like?" Nichole asked Ashley, as she treated her toes. Ashley sat on a leather cushion in Nichole's private sanctuary within the bustling salon. The office was tastefully decorated with plush chairs, a crystal chandelier, and a large mirror surrounded by light bulbs, perfect for hair and makeup touch-ups. "What?" Ashley looked at Nichole, thinking of an excuse. "Thomas was there, I just wanted to make it look real." "Hmmm, the video I saw online looked too real." Nichole made a face, and pinched Ashley's pinky toe. "Ouch... You know how much that toe makes in a week, you want to destroy it?" Ashley kicked playfully at Nichole's hand. "But why are you keeping secrets from me, I know you like Aiden." Ashley laid her back on the cushion with her eyes closed. "Who are you seeing Nichole?" "This is not about me. Ashley tell me about Aiden, I know you like him." Nichole dropped Ashley's toes undone and folded her arms infront her chest, and sm
Ashley returned home extremely tired, and the moment she entered her apartment, her door bell rung simultaneously. When Ashley opened the door, you will never believe who she saw, Thomas McMahon on his knees with a f*cking engagement ring. And for that brief moment, it was like everything stopped, and Ashley just stared at him, she didn't know what to do. If Thomas had proposed to her any other time in the past, she would have happily accepted, without thinking, but things were different now, everything had changed, and it was all because of him. Ashley rubbed her hands on her eyes, so that she could see clearly, maybe it was a dream. "I had a long day." "Ashley, please marry me." His eyes looked so innocent, he had a look of repentance, the look of someone that was ready for a fresh start. He looked genuinely sorry, but Ashley was not buying the pretence. "You're not serious right now." Ashley chuckled. "I'm serious, I want you to marry me. Give me another chance, I will mak
Ashley's heels clicked against the gleaming marble floor of the private airport terminal, echoing through the vast, empty space. She looked around anxiously, her eyes scanning the sleek lines of the chrome and glass walls, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aiden's unmistakable silhouette. The sound of engines roared in the distance, muffled by the thick panes of soundproof glass that separated the opulent lobby from the tarmac. Her heart raced, a frantic drumbeat in her chest that grew louder with every passing second. The clock above the bustling departures board ticked away, reminding her of the dwindling time she had left. Aiden's flight was due to take off any minute, and she had to find him. She had to apologize. Her thoughts were a tumultuous storm of regret and fear, a toxic brew that threatened to spill over at any moment. The weight of her actions bore down on her, a heavy burden that she hadn't realized she'd been carrying until it was almost too late. Her eyes darted around t
"YES, I did it." He attempted to touch her, but Ashley stood up and screamed. "Don't touch me!" The force of her anger scared him, and he retreated back immediately. "I can explain.""Explain what?" Her chest rose and fell in quick successions."My plan was never to hurt you.""But you did." Ashley chuckled. "You sent men to kidnap, torture and rob me, as if that wasn't enough, you still accused Aiden.""There weren't supposed to hurt you."Ashley shook her head. "Do you want to know what is so disgusting? It's the fact that you imputed your guilt on Metaphor."Thomas took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "Metaphor is actually guilty."Ashley shook her head again. "Why are you so confused?""The men who kidnapped you, they are members of the Metaphor." He paused. "I'm sorry. I was too jealous when you and Aiden were together. I--I had to find traitors amongst Metaphor and pay them enough to just make you disappear for a while." He desperately tried to
"ASHLEY, you're not going to believe this," Nichole announced breathlessly, her eyes wide with annoyance. She and Genevieve bursted into the room, their footsteps echoing off the walls.Ashley looked up from her wineglass, curiosity piqued. "What's going on?" she asked, setting the wine bottle in place. The light from the pendant lamp above her cast a warm glow on her face, illuminating the puzzled expression.Nichole's features hardened as she handed over a thick envelope to Ashley. "It's the report from the detective," she said, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "They've found out who was behind your kidnapping and robbery."Ashley's hand trembled as she took the envelope. The weight of it felt like a brick in her grasp. She stared at the unassuming paper, unable to process the words. "What does it say?" she managed to ask, her voice a mere whisper.Genevieve sat down beside her on the couch, her own expression somber. "Thomas," she said simply. "It was Thomas. He's the one behi
THE next few days in Ashley's house was a hide and seek game between Ashley and her mom. Ashley did everything in her power to ignore Mira, and Mira sensing it, intentionally ignored her, but she still prepared breakfast, ste the alarm clock so loud so that it would wake Ashley on time to be early to work. Mira never brought up the topic of a fresh start again, but her presence and conducts were literally begging for a fresh start. Her presence was like a taunting nightmare, which caused Ashley to leave the house very early in the morning, her herself as worked up as possible and return home very late. They never had to cross paths for a conversation lasting more than 15 seconds. Mira's presence and constant effort was slowly weakening hee resolve. She needed to know her mother's side of the story. She needed someone to hug...she needed a friend but more importantly, she needed her mom. Ashley returned on Wednesday with a changed mind, but she was welcomed by the greatest surprise
ASHLEY stirred, her eyes slowly opening to the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through her blinds. She took a deep breath, inhaling the tantalizing aroma of pancakes and coffee wafting from the kitchen. The smells filled her room with a comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she had barely eaten the night before, consumed by the shock of her mother's unexpected return.Her mother's voice, filled with an awkward nervousness, called out from the hallway. "Ashley, sweetie, I made breakfast. It's ready for you."Ashley sat up in bed, her body stiff from a restless night. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand. It was almost 9 AM, later than she usually woke up. Her mind raced with the events of the previous evening: the doorbell ringing, the awkward meeting at the parking lot. Her mother had been gone for 22 years, and now she was here, trying to slip back into her life as if nothing had happen
HER final destination for the day was Blue Skype modelling. The moment she pushed the glass door and entered inside the building...the models, the talent managers, and other employees all stared at her, and she knew something bad was about to happen to her. She asked herself, what's the worst that could happen?Mr Shaw stood in the gathering of some important shareholders and signalled her to come over. She nervously reached them in just a few steps. Mr Shaw gave her an envelope. Was she being dismissed? Her first reaction was to turn around and leave, but mr Shaw stopped her, and all the eyes in the building were literally begging her to open the envelope. She opened it and retrieved a white letter, before her brain could process what she saw. The crowd cheered, clapped and choruserd congratulations.She will be going to Paris to feature in the international fashion magazine, that was the biggest job ever yet. The entire building was full of cheers and clapping, how did they know?"A
THE last person Thomas expected to see after a stressful night at the Met met gala was his wife, Maris laying on his bed. He absently entered his room, threw his tuxedo to one corner while he undid his tie. Thomas stopped dead in his track when he saw Maris, his eyes widened in shock. "Maris?" He managed to ask."Hi Thomas. Where have you been?" She laid on her right side and stared at him."What are you doing here?" He hesitated. "Chole, she's still out there, what if she find you?"She slowly stood from the bed. "Oh relax husband. My daddy has taken care of chole, she will never have to bother us ever again." She traced a light touch down his chest.Thomas was still not convinced. "It's not safe here.""Hmmm...is there something you're hiding from me?""What?" Thomas laughed nervously and pulled her closer to him. "There's nothing I'm hiding from you.""Good." She placed her hands on his chin and tilted his head to the side, she kissed him. They stumbled backwards and fell on the be
JUST as she thought she had found a safe haven, she collided with a man dressed in an eccentric outfit that matched the avant-garde theme of the gala. She stumbled back, her hand shooting out to steady herself. "I'm so sorry," she said, her eyes flicking up to meet his. To her horror, it was Thomas, his handsome face etched with confusion. "Ashley?" he questioned, his voice a mix of surprise and concern. Her mind raced as she tried to formulate an excuse. "Oh, Thomas, what a... pleasant surprise," she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "I was just looking for the restroom, and I seem to have gotten a bit turned around." He tilted his head, his eyes searching hers. "You okay?" Ashley's pulse hammered in her ears. "Yes, yes, just a bit overwhelmed by the grandeur, you know?" Thomas nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long. "I can see why," he said, his voice low and comforting. "Would you like me to walk you there?" Her heart skipped a beat. "No, no, th
"WOULD you like a drink?" Thomas asked, mistaking her nervousness for thirst. "I'll grab us some champagne.""No, no, I'm fine," she replied a little too quickly. "Just...just give me a moment to admire this piece." She gestured to a mannequin dressed in an outlandish outfit that looked like it belonged on an alien runway.Thomas nodded, his eyes lingering on her before he stepped away. Ashley took a deep breath, willing her heart to calm down. She had to find a way to get to Aiden without Thomas finding out. The room was crowded, but she spotted a narrow corridor leading to the next exhibit. It was her chance."Thomas, I think I'll just step out for a moment to...uh, to check my makeup," she said, her voice shaky.Thomas nodded, engrossed in a nearby conversation. "Take your time, darling. I'll be right here."With a silent prayer to the fashion gods, Ashley slipped away. She stepped into the corridor, her heels clicking against the floor as she moved swiftly. The walls were lined w