Suspicious, Eva pulled out her phone and opened the camera. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the glaring red marks on her neck—two perfectly visible hickeys."You!" she gasped, smacking Damien’s arm as he burst into laughter."You… you…!" she stammered, completely flustered. Her thoughts raced in a whirlwind of panic. ‘Oh my goodness! Has it been there this whole time? Is that why people kept staring at me?!’"It’s not funny!" she scolded, now using her purse to hit him, much to the amusement of his bodyguards."If it makes you feel better, you can leave some on me too," Damien teased, winking playfully. She retaliated by swatting at him repeatedly, but he was far too amused by her adorable expression to take her seriously. The mere thought of her leaving a mark on him filled him with excitement, his eyes glinting with anticipation and unspoken hopes."You wish!" she snapped, instantly crushing his hopes, though his smirk only deepened."Careful what you wish for," he murmured,
Okay, now remove your hands."Eva hesitated for a moment before doing as Damien instructed. When she opened her eyes, confusion flickered across her face. Darkness engulfed her entirely, so thick she could barely make out his silhouette ahead of her."What's going on—"Her words faltered as Damien pressed a button. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced with a breathtaking display of shimmering lights.The scenery before her was magical, like something out of a dream. Majestic archways adorned with twinkling lights stretched as far as her eyes could see. Each arch was intricately designed with delicate white metalwork, interwoven with clusters of vibrant flowers. Fairy lights danced across the vivid blooms, their colors blending into a mesmerizing spectrum. String lights cascaded above them, adding to the enchantment.Her gaze drifted downward, and her breath caught. The ground was a carpet of roses—red, white, and pink—arranged in a heart-shaped pattern so intricate it s
She trembled at his words, their certainty sending a ripple through her. He spoke with such confidence, so assured that she would stay by his side for the rest of their lives, and to her surprise, she found comfort in it. There was something deeply reassuring about his unwavering resolve, about knowing he was the kind of man who would cross oceans and move mountains to keep her close—even if it meant chasing her to the ends of the earth just to bring her back."I never intended to run," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute. Her words made his heart race. He tightened his arms around her, unwilling to let go.Eva remained nestled against Damien’s chest, her breath steadying as his strong arms cocooned her in warmth. For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in the magical ambiance he had created. The distant hum of the city and the lingering scent of roses faded into the background, replaced by the quiet, steady rhythm of his heartbeat
Her words seemed to shatter the last of his control. Damien’s movements became more deliberate, his hands exploring her body with a confidence that left her breathless. She felt the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of her dress, and when his lips found the sensitive spot at the base of her throat, a soft moan escaped her.The tension between them built with every touch, every kiss, until it was almost unbearable. Damien’s hands found the straps of her dress, and he slid them down her shoulders, his lips following the path they left behind. She felt vulnerable yet safe under his gaze, the intensity in his eyes making her feel like the most precious thing in the world.Just as they reached the point of no return, the shrill sound of Damien’s phone shattered the moment. He froze, his forehead resting against hers as he let out a frustrated groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, his voice filled with irritation.Eva couldn’t help but laugh softly, her cheeks flushed a
---The next morning, the media was ablaze with photos of their romantic outing. Paparazzi had captured them at the amusement park, painting them as the ultimate power couple. In every image, Damien’s protective nature was evident—his arm firmly around Eva, his gaze never straying far from her.The headlines praised their chemistry, their undeniable connection. While most media outlets dared not mention Eva’s past, a few foolishly brought up her previous engagement to Mark and unearthed unflattering photos from years ago.Damien was swift in his retaliation. The companies responsible were swiftly dismantled, their employees blacklisted, and the malicious articles erased from existence. His actions sent a clear message: any attack on Eva would be met with swift and merciless consequences.Unaware of the media frenzy, Eva woke up to a flood of messages. Most were from her estranged family, whose sudden interest in her life only deepened her disdain.[Mistress]: Ungrateful child! Why did
Kai leaned back in his sleek office chair, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Elite Entertainment’s Miami headquarters. His phone buzzed, and the name “Mr. Carl” flashed across the screen. Sighing, he answered the call, already bracing himself for what was to come.“Kai speaking,” he said curtly.“Good afternoon, Mr. Breaker,” Came Mr. Carl’s smooth and measured voice. “I appreciate you taking my call. I wanted to discuss a matter concerning Evangeline.”Kai’s posture straightened slightly, his instincts immediately alert. “What about her?”“Well,” Mr. Carl began, his tone calculated, “as you’re aware, Christine Carter has been facing some challenges following her recent scandal. While BTG industry has done its best to contain the fallout, her reputation has not fully recovered. This has raised concerns for us at HB Industry, given her collaboration contract with us.”Kai’s eyes narrowed. He said nothing, letting Mr. Carl dig his own grave.“To address this,” M
Meanwhile Eva was busy panicking in her room. Every dress in her closet was stunning, crafted from the finest materials, yet none of them fit her properly! She hadn't gotten any sensible dress for the banquet when she went to the mall. There wasn’t enough time to reach out to a designer for a custom dress that fit her current size. She called the best tailors she knew, but all of them were fully booked. It wasn’t hard to figure out why—the socialites attending the banquet had monopolized their schedules.Eva considered skipping the event altogether but quickly dismissed the thought. Her grandpa Smith would never allow it. Letting out a frustrated groan, she collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling in defeat.Suddenly her phone vibrated against the table, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen. Trix.She picked up, her voice composed despite the knot forming in her stomach. “Trix. What’s the news?”Trix hesitated briefly before speaking, her voice laced with concern. “E
Eva stepped out of Kai’s office and made her way to Gwen’s. The polished corridors of Elite Entertainment seemed quieter than usual, but Eva’s mind was far from the ambiance around her. When she entered Gwen’s office, she found both Gwen and Trix waiting for her. The moment Gwen spotted her, she stood with her arms crossed, her expression simmering with frustration.“This is outrageous,” Gwen started without preamble. “Trix just told me everything. What does Mr. Carl think he’s doing? Pairing you with Christine? Is he out of his mind?”Eva closed the door behind her and approached the seating area, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to Gwen’s fiery tone. Trix sat on the couch, her face a mix of concern and uncertainty.“It’s not ideal,” Trix admitted, “but Mr. Carl is thinking from a business perspective. He believes Eva’s influence can salvage Christine’s reputation. That’s the only reason he’s doing this.”Gwen let out a sharp laugh, incredulous. “And we’re supposed to let Eva clea
--- After the Fitting As Eva stepped off the platform, Gwen handed her a bottle of water. “You handled that beautifully.” Eva took a sip and smirked. “Christine’s getting predictable.” Trix rolled her eyes. “What’s next? Tripping you on the runway?” Eva chuckled. “If she does, I’ll be ready for that too.” Christine might have thought she could sabotage Eva with clumsy tricks, but Eva wasn’t easily shaken. When they got to her room, Eva sighed in relief as she kicked off her heels, rolling her ankles to ease the tension. “What’s my schedule looking like today, Trix?” she asked, rubbing her temples. Trix scrolled through her tablet, barely glancing up. “You have a photoshoot with Victoria this afternoon after you wrap up here.” Eva groaned, sinking into the plush chair. “Can’t we reschedule? At this point, I can’t tell if she’s just dedicated to her work or if she’s obsessed with overworking me to death.” Gwen chuckled, settling onto the couch beside her. “She’s taken a real l
The fashion house hosting the campaign had scheduled a fitting session for all the models. The room buzzed with activity as assistants, designers, and stylists adjusted gowns and accessories. Eva arrived, poised and confident, dressed in a sleek black dress. Gwen and Trix trailed behind her, chatting about the campaign’s recent success. Christine was already there, surrounded by a few stylists, her laughter deliberately exaggerated as she chatted with a designer. Eva ignored her and focused on her fitting. A stylist handed her an elegant white gown, its fabric shimmering under the lights. It was one of the most anticipated pieces of the campaign, and Eva knew this photoshoot would be critical. As she stepped onto the fitting platform, Christine made her move. A designer approached Eva with a clipboard, giving her details about the shoot. Christine, pretending to walk past, "accidentally" tilted a cup of coffee in Eva’s direction. Time seemed to slow. The dark liquid splashed on
Christine arrived at the elegant restaurant exactly on time, her usual sweet smile in place. Despite her outward composure, she couldn’t deny the slight unease settling in her stomach. Victoria had announced Eva as her chosen model two days ago, yet here she was, inviting Christine for lunch. It didn’t make sense. Christine had had done everything in her power to sway Victoria against Eva, planting doubts, twisting the truth, and playing the concerned friend. But it had failed. Eva hadstill won. So why am was. she here? Pushing aside her skepticism, Christine decided to play along. If Victoria wanted to meet, she would act as if nothing was wrong. “Victoria,” she greeted warmly as she reached the table. “It’s so good to see you. I was surprised by your invitation.” Victoria, sitting across from her, barely reacted. Her expression was unreadable, her fingers lightly tapping against her wine glass. Christine took a seat gracefully, keeping her smile in place. “I have to say, you
-- As soon as the meeting ended, Christine marched straight toward Eva, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “Sister,” she greeted with a bright, almost saccharine smile. “What you did back there was so impressive.” Eva remained expressionless, her arms crossed as she stared Christine down. Christine’s smile didn’t falter. “I didn’t realize you had such a creative spark. Tell me, when exactly did you see my idea and decide to… improve upon it? Did you happen to glance at it while I was working?” Her voice was sweet, but the accusation was unmistakable. Before Eva could respond, Trix stepped forward, her sharp gaze locked on Christine. “What exactly are you trying to imply, Christine?” Trix asked coldly. Christine feigned innocence, tilting her head. “Oh, nothing serious. I was just wondering how my idea—one I spent so much time refining—was suddenly overlooked in favor of something… so similar.” She cast Eva a knowing smirk. Eva arched an unimpressed eyebrow. “You mea
The collaborative campaign was one of the biggest projects of the season, featuring elite models, renowned designers, and a top creative team. Eva had spent days preparing for the brainstorming session, refining unique ideas that would make the campaign stand out. However, Christine had no intention of letting Eva shine. This time, she planned to steal the spotlight—by stealing Eva’s ideas. It's been a week after Victoria's incident and just like Tanya had advised her, Christine had piped down. However, it seems her patience is finally going to pay off now that she has seen an opportunity to use. --- The atmosphere in the conference room buzzed with anticipation. Top executives, marketing directors, and creative leads gathered, ready to hear proposals for the campaign’s direction. Eva had spent the past week crafting a concept that was both elegant and modern, something that would redefine high-fashion advertising. She sat at the table, confident but cautious. Christine was
Eva sighed, but she maintained her composure. “That’s not true,” she said firmly. “I have nothing but respect for your designs and what you’ve achieved in this industry.”Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And you expect me to take your word over hers?”Eva met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. But I also believe actions speak louder than words. Let me prove my sincerity by working with you on something that reflects your vision entirely.”Victoria’s expression softened slightly. “So you’re proposing a collaboration—on my terms?”Eva nodded. “I want to respect your artistry, not overshadow it. Whatever you need, I’m here to deliver.”Victoria hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the table.Eva arched her brow. “What? You think I’m lying?”“No, I can tell you’re being sincere.” Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms. “I was just wondering how you managed to be such a bitch last night, and now here you are, offering me a deal. It’s like you’re two completely different people. My frien
After the dinner, Eva sat in her dressing room, her expression calm but her mind sharp with suspicion. Gwen and Trix stood nearby, sensing the shift in her mood.“Something’s off,” Eva finally said, leaning back on the couch. “Victoria was completely different tonight. I’m sure Christine is behind this.”Trix frowned, scrolling through her tablet. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Christine’s tricks are anything but subtle.”“She must have fed Victoria something damaging,” Gwen added. “Victoria isn’t the type to act on baseless rumors unless she was nudged in the right direction.”Eva scoffed. “I expected Victoria to be more rational than to fall for empty gossip.”“Well, think about it,” Gwen countered, crossing her arms. “Victoria has never met you before. If she treated you that way tonight, then someone must’ve gotten to her first. And given the way you reacted, it only reinforced whatever she was told.”Eva arched a brow. “What? You wanted me to play nice and kiss up to her? If she wa
Two days after Christine’s meeting with Victoria, the pre-collaboration dinner finally arrived.Victoria moved through the room with an air of grace, greeting the models with warm professionalism. Even Christine received a polite smile, which only fueled her satisfaction—Victoria had clearly taken the bait.“It looks like she believed everything you told her,” Tanya murmured under her breath as she stood beside Christine, observing Victoria’s interactions.Christine smirked, keeping her expression composed. “Patience. She may have bitten, but we need to see how deep the hook is.” Her gaze swept the room, searching for Eva. She had expected her sister to make an entrance by now, yet there was no sign of her.“Where is Evangeline?” Christine’s voice carried a hint of irritation.“That evil woman is over there,” Tanya scoffed, tilting her head toward the center of the room.Christine followed her line of sight and found Eva effortlessly commanding attention. She was surrounded by a group
The buzz of an elite designer collaboration filled the industry. Working with the renowned designer Victoria Byrd wasn’t just a career milestone; it was a privilege. Known for her impeccable artistry and influence, Victoria's approval could make or break a model's reputation.For Eva, the collaboration was an exciting opportunity, not that she needed it for any particular reason. She just wanted to get her hands on the opportunity so that Christine doesn't. Moreso, Victoria admired professionalism and authenticity, two traits Eva embodied. However, Christine saw it as yet another chance to undermine Eva.“Tanya, get me an appointment with Victoria Byrd,” Christine ordered as she set her phone down with a decisive click.Tanya blinked in surprise before furrowing her brows. “Victoria Byrd? Why do you suddenly want to meet with her?”Christine let out a scoff, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. “What do you think? To put my plan into motion, of course. I’m not about to let this gol