I QUICKLY finished the meal and said goodbye to my father. I went straight to Cindy’s boutique. Even though I was nervous, my decision to refuse the offer was final.
“Are you really sure about this?” Her question crept up on me. Obviously, she’s disappointed with my decision.
“Yes. I was sent back to work by my boss. I’m sorry for the inconvenience I’d caused,” I said shyly.
“Is it about Rexon?” She leaned back in her swivel chair and looked at me.
I quickly bowed and could not answer.
“Maybe I can ask him. After all, Carrick and I are his friends. You can work here as a part-timer, yes?” she convinced me.
My face lit up at what she said.
“My boutique is always open in case you change your mind.” She gave me a handshake that I reluctantly reached for. She also gave me her contact number in case I had any questions.
After I talked to Miss Cindy,
I’VE BEEN facing the full-sized mirror for a few minutes, and it was as if I didn’t want to close my eyes.I tilted my face and slowly touched my skin with care. The pink blush added a touch of shine to it. My brows were precisely aligned, and my naturally red lips become scarlet red, giving me a powerful and elegant look.My hair has been colored a dark mahogany hue. I took a closer look at the red velvet gown I was wearing. I was taken aback once again. I can’t believe how much this makeover has changed me.“Wow! As in wow!”I turned to Cindy, who was just entering the dressing room where I was. She quickly reached for me and grabbed my two shoulders.“Seriously, you’re so beautiful, Cherry! You look like a goddess!” Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she uttered those compliments.“Thank you, Miss Cindy,” I replied, a little embarrassed.“Let’s go upstairs. The gown
DAYS PASSED, I didn’t hear a call from Rexon, so I took the time to train at Cindy’s Fashion & Style. My trainer Farrah taught me almost everything, from proper walking to projecting and how to pose in case I stumble on the stage—that is unlikely to happen.“Apart from the gowns that you will wear, the guests will look more at the model’s face. You should look fierce, especially when you do your catwalk that everyone is waiting for. You are the main attraction of the event, so you should improve.” Farrah grabbed my two arms after we practiced the proper walking.I nodded with a sigh. I didn’t want to disappoint Miss Cindy and Dad in his dream for me, so I followed everything she taught me.“Perfect! Now give me your fierce look, Cherry!” Farrah shouted below the stage. I quickly posed and stood bravely in the middle of the stage.“Bravo! You did a great job!” She applauded.I imm
MY HEART has been full of nervousness since I got off the stage. Farrah greeted me with her tight hug.“Just a final ramp, and we’re done!” she said to me.I just nodded. Even wearing the gown didn’t seem to matter to me because Rexon occupied my mind, and I can’t get out of my mind the way he looked at me earlier.“You look dashing!” she said loudly at me. I just blinked and glanced at my high-waisted gown in peach color. It has lace on the hem matched with glass shoes.“OMG! You look like Cinderella in your style!” she exclaimed.My lips twitched, even I can’t recognize myself now. I never imagined that I would look like this when I was wearing the gown.“After your final ramp, Miss Cindy will join you on stage so you can go on the final walk together.”I nodded at what she said and took a deep breath.“Good luck!” She patted my two shoulders,
I was stunned by what Nicholas said.“Aside from being a model of the month, you will be featured in the magazine along with your modeling clothes. Plus, a personal interview regarding your background and your journey being a top model,” he said directly.I felt my throat go dry, so without warning, I drank and swallowed the wine.“Hey, how are you okay?” His lips twitched in surprise.“Y-yeah. I was just shocked by what I heard,” I replied.“You have to get used to it because this is your world now, Cherry,” he said with a smile.“I don’t know what to answer. Can I talk to Miss Cindy first about this matter?”“I already talked to Cindy about my proposal. I also heard that you are only a part-timer with her company. Well, if you want, I can also hire you as a part-timer model. I also want to talk to Rexon. Is it true that you really work for him?” he asked.
I TIMIDLY go with the flow. I don’t know how to react at this very moment. He seems to have eaten me alive.“But you have the most gorgeous pair of eyes I’ve ever seen so far,” he complimented me again.“Thanks, Mr. Galvez.”He gave me his wide smile and pulled me closer to him. I heave a deep sigh of discomfort because he was so close to me.I can’t breathe properly. I couldn’t help but tightened my grip on his neck.“Relax. I won’t eat you . . .” This time he bravely whispered his words to my ear.I couldn’t help but smile at what he said. How can he be so sure that’s what I was thinking?“Can we exchange partners?” I seemed to go back to reality when I heard the familiar voice of the man at my back.Its Rexon!“Sure!” Nicholas answered directly.I glanced at the girl slightly before she smiled broadly at Nichol
I DON’T WANT to breathe anymore and stay leaning on his shoulder. I want to hear the words he uttered. That even for a moment, I will feel special to him, but how can I believe those words when, first of all, I know he was only referring to work?“I wish I could resign,” I started. I barely moved away from him that he couldn’t resist. I also didn’t let him answer because I quickly amended what I said.“I’ll pay you, not just today.” I avoided his stares.“You got to be kidding me.” He just shook his head after grinning.“I’m serious,” I raised my voice because of his reaction.“How many times do we have to argue about this? I already said no. I won’t accept your resignation,” he replied. I feel like he was just holding back his anger when he said that to me.“If you think I’ll run—”“Enough!” He cut what
I ROLLED my eyes at him and show my frown face. “Will you shut up your dirty mind?!” I fired him a look.I stood up again because I intended to leave his room at any moment.“Yes, I have a dirty mind, and right now, you are running through it . . .” He cut off what he was saying after his gaze hovered over my body.I didn’t wait for him to say more because I had already stepped out to get out.“When you get out of here, I’m not responsible for what will happen next,” he warned me.I seemed to soften at what he had said. I faced him with weak emotion on my face.“What do you want? Because I can’t understand you anymore . . .” My voice got weaker and weaker. I was just leaning against the closed door as if giving up.I heard her violent sigh, and without saying a word, he went to his kitchen.I firmly shut my eyes and heave a deep sigh of relief since he disappeare
I WAS HURT TOO. I could feel the pain and disappointment too.“I’ve spent months moving on, and one small thing brings me back to square one whenever I am with her,” he uttered.My lashes fall down. My heart can’t seem to penetrate what he said. Because I also feel the weight of the stone running through his heart right now.“I am the one who should be there and love her unconditionally, but I wasn’t because I am not enough.”I closed my mouth and let my silence spoke for myself. I knew it’ll be going to hit me big time, but I chose to swallow the pain. What the fuck is going on with me? And why do I still get those stupid butterflies in my stomach?“I’m sorry,” I whispered.His head slowly raised, and his heart-stopping eyes pierced my soul. I saw him licked his lower lip first before speaking.“The difference between you and me is, I care, and you don’t, s