Chapter-1

The morning sun warmly greets the city of New York. At the most famous and modern photo studio, Lilyana is preparing for a photo shoot for a famous fashion brand, which will take her name to the next level and make her a global model. Today, she will be the new face for the brand's summer collection.

Lilyana Aaralyn Sterne, a young model with lustrous blonde hair and piercing emerald eyes, has become the belle of the US modeling scene. Not only did she have a beautiful face and stunning modeling talent, she also came from the most wealthy and influential family in NewYork.

"Lily, you look so beautiful today! The color, the shade of this lipstick really suits your skin. See! Your skin looks even more radiant." Lilyana just smiled at her makeup artist's words.

"Okay, Lily, try on this dress. This is a dress that I made especially for you. I don't think anyone deserves to wear this dress more than you."

"Excellent work, Emi!"

Lilyana wore a light blue patterned dress with small flowers. The dress fell gracefully on her body, accentuating her beautiful curves.

"Very good! As expected, this dress was made for you. You really look like a fairy."

"Lilyana, you are always perfect."

"Look at her! She really is like a goddess."

"I guess no one can beat her beauty."

The sound of camera shots and flashes combined with a woman who skillfully played with her facial expressions and body posed so beautifully. 

"Good. Now turn your gaze to the window. Let the sunlight come in and illuminate your face," said the photographer.

Lilyana followed the photographer's direction perfectly. She posed gracefully and naturally, showing off her natural beauty and stunning charm. In fact, anyone who saw her would have thought she came out of a painting.

"Well done Lily, you are a true professional."

"I'm sure the photos will be great."

"Yes, I can't wait to see the results."

"Always perfect."

The amazement of the photographer and the people involved in the photo shoot of a famous fashion brand was heard one after another, filling the atmosphere of the photo shoot. It was always noisy, but not once did it break the concentration during the shoot. Everyone worked very professionally.

The photo shoot lasted for several hours. Lilyana posed in a variety of dresses and accessories from the fashion brand's summer collection. She showed a variety of expressions ranging from cheerful and playful to graceful and elegant.

Finally, the photo shoot was completed with satisfactory and perfect results. Of course, praise after praise was heaped on her, as the main star of the shoot.

"Thank you so much for your hard work today. It was a pleasure working with all of you," Lilyana said to end today's photoshoot. 

"You're welcome, Lily. It was a pleasure working with you too."

"You really are an amazing model."

Lilyana leaves the shooting room for the break room that has been reserved for her followed by her assistant and manager. 

"Good job, Lily!" exclaimed Celestine as she approached Lilyana who was being wiped off her sweat by her assistant.

"Well, you must know that your model is very talented," she said with a haughty look on her face as she shook her hair in the heat.

Celestine snorted at Lilyana's arrogance, very Lilyana, haughty and arrogant.

"Anas! Why is this room so hot? It's like in a sauna," chuckled Lilyana.

"Okay, I'll adjust the temperature again."

Lilyana waved her hand at her assistant, "Yes!"

"What rubbish food did you buy me?!" shouted Lilyana in annoyance as she looked at the food and drinks on her table.

"You want me to die quickly? Huh!"

Anas, the innocent-looking woman, broke out in a cold sweat and turned pale at the sight of Lilyana's anger. Although she had been her assistant for almost a year, she was still not used to Lilyana's anger. That woman had a bad temper, especially when she was in a bad mood.

"I won't eat it. Buy me a new one!" said Lilyana who immediately got a nod from her assistant and walked away quickly.

"Come on, Lily. You're too harsh on that assistant of yours. It's a hassle to find a new assistant."

"That's your business as my manager," Lilyana snapped.

Celestine shook her head. Lilyana had never changed, still rude-mouthed and short-tempered.

"What's wrong with your face? I thought you were in a very bad mood."

Lilyana looked at her manager and best friend fretfully. Indeed, she was in a bad mood at the moment. Fortunately, she could still be professional at work and not mess up her work.

"You know, I haven't seen Rafael in weeks," she said.

Celestine let out a rough sigh. Lilyana, her best friend would look different when it came to her boyfriend whom she had been dating for a year. Lilyana's longest record in a relationship. Though both of them were busy, moreover, Rafael was currently an actor who was rising in popularity.

"You guys don't communicate?"

Lilyana shook her head, "You know, my schedule is very busy from this week."

"And well, you always forget about everything. Rafael must have contacted you, but you didn't respond. So, he got angry and ignored you."

"You're right. And this week, he was busy shooting a commercial in Berg. His manager said he would be home today. However, he didn't update me at all."

Celestine looked at Lilyana with concern. 

"What if you come to his apartment and make a surprise for him? Hopefully she will melt."

"Wow! Cele you are so smart. Thank you, my love," Lilyana said with a happy face and hugged Celestine.

"Yeah, you love slave!"

Lilyana ignored Celestine's grumbling. She began to plan her surprise for her lover. She really couldn't wait to meet her longed-for lover.

The plan was just a plan. In fact, after returning home early, Lilyana overslept into the night. Today's photo shoot was more tiring than usual.

"Shit!" cursed Lilyana as she looked at her phone screen.

Lilyana parks the million-dollar luxury car in the basement of the apartment where her boyfriend lives. She got out of the car carrying a paper bag with the logo of a famous restaurant.

"What bad luck!"

"Why isn't he answering my calls?" muttered Lilyana as she entered the elevator.

Maybe Rafael was asleep or still angry with her and ignored her calls. 

Fortunately, Lilyana had an access card to enter and exit Rafael's apartment freely. The access card was used when entering the main door of the apartment and the elevator, while the password was used to enter Rafael's apartment unit. However, Lilyana didn't use it because of her busy schedule. After all, why would she be in Rafael's apartment if the owner wasn't there.

Lilyana opened the apartment door slowly. She smiled when she saw Rafael's shoes that he used to wear. The shoes were a birthday present from him. 

"Rafa-"

Lilyana swallowed her words again, when she saw a pair of women's shoes lying in front of the door. She didn't have any shoes of that style. Moreover, they looked cheap and not her taste. Nevertheless, they looked familiar to his eyes.

Whose cheap shoes are these?

Lilyana's heart was beating fast. The paper bag in her hand had fallen over with its contents scattered. Lilyana's mind was racing. However, Lilyana tried to dismiss all her bad thoughts. However, the more Lilyana walked into the apartment the facts showed otherwise. A woman's dress was lying on the floor. And not far from it, there was a bra and panties. 

Lilyana's eyes heated up as she approached the door of Rafael's room which was slightly open and there were sounds like someone out of breath gasping for air accompanied by moans.

"Shhh... nghh... Rafa."

"Faster."

Lilyana closed her eyes as she endured the pain and peeked through the crack in the door. Furthermore, the sight in front of her made her stomach churn. In there, Rafael without a single thread was supporting the body of an equally naked woman. Meanwhile, the woman was incessantly chanting Rafael's name. 

DEG

Lilyana's heart seemed to stop beating, as if a knife had stabbed her right in the heart in the most painful way. Her mind was reeling and could hardly believe what she was seeing. This couldn't be them, right?

However, anger and mounting emotions began to overwhelm Lilyana. Her breath came in gasps, the muscles in her body tensed with trembling hands that wanted to crush everything in front of her.

Why her? Of all the women, why her?