Chapter 4 - The Confrontation

ALIANA'S POV 

"Aliana! Look here!" 

"One more shot, Miss Aliana!" 

"Strike a pose!" 

"Elegant!" 

I smiled facing different directions to satisfy every photographer on the red carpet. I posed as glamorous as I could despite the blinding flashes of cameras. Garnet Gala was among the most prestigious balls attended by many artists and influencers to raise funds for cancer patients in chosen hospitals and communities. These past weeks were so busy for my designer but the outcome turned out good. 

I walked the red carpet with my deep v-neck rose gold sequined mermaid dress. My hair is tied in a slick back bun. I blew the crowd a kiss and turned back to enter the venue with a smirk on my face because of the loud cheers that I got as feedback from my sudden action. 

"There you are! Ricky Jennings really never fails in his designs," Richie exclaimed, praising my designer for my dress.

"Where's Nadia?" I asked.

"Ugh... Just there... interviewing other guests for her assigned article. That woman never enjoyed balls like these." Richie rolled his eyes. I chuckled.

The program started and I admired the grandness of it. The food was great and the venue was just too magical and detailed. 

"Our director also picked you to be on our show but they said you declined. What's the reason?" an acquaintance asked.

"The show's schedule and my upcoming drama shooting will overlap so we decided to turn that down. We actually didn't want to but we had no choice." I smiled. Richie and I socialized a lot and I had a good time with that. 

"And she has a lot of shoots for endorsements. She's too busy. She even forgets to keep in touch with me most of the time," Richie dramatically said.

We laughed and I hit him with my pleated leather clutch. 

       

          

"May I have your attention, please? Now is the time to award everyone who graced the ball." 

Everyone turned their heads to the stage as the host spoke. 

We clapped our hands, praising every person walking up the stage. I've seen a lot of veteran actors, actresses, and models and I was in awe of how diverse fashion really is.

"... and now, for the Darling of the Night, may we call on..."

"Miss Aliana Reeves." 

My mouth parted in surprise but I managed to walk as gracefully as possible, not losing my poise despite my inner self wanting to jump in happiness. I value every award I get because I feel so appreciated.

However, I saw Josh upon reaching the stage. It felt awkward as I didn't expect that he was called for an award, too. Richie and I were busy spotting the guys he has a crush on. Actually, it would be more awkward for me if Chantal was here. But I heard she had a shooting in France. Good thing. If she attended this year’s Gala, I'd be hearing a lot of insults from her now. 

Seeing Josh, something in me wanted closure. He just stopped showing up. Was it all because I refuse to have bed activities? Was it all just that? Didn't he enjoy the moments we shared? I want to know the reasons despite me having a hunch. I still want to confirm it. But that doesn't mean I'm still pushing myself to him. I just want to clear my thoughts.

So when we went down the stage and were left in the back hallway, I took my chance.

"Josh, can we talk?"

"What's to talk about, Aliana? I already have a girlfriend," he said straightly. 

"What happened? Why didn't you tell me before? Why did you just stop showing up and answering my calls? You should have told me, Josh." I was really eager to know. 

"I don't think this is the place where we should be talking about this. Just go back to your seat," he said, fixing the lapels of his suit.

"But when will I know? You never talked to me after our last date." I'm not trying to get him back, I just want to know the reasons so I'll be able to fully move on.

"Okay… You wanna know why? Because I realized how plain... and boring you are. You just like going out, talking about everything, talking about passion... and dogs. You're too innocent. No thrill."

My mouth parted in shock. I didn't expect he'd say such words.

"B-but you told me you liked me."

"Yeah, I liked you. You're beautiful. Everyone likes you. But everyone will also get tired of you in the long run. You're boring, Aliana. I find no thrill in you. You're just a pretty face and nothing more." He fixed his hair and walked away, leaving me alone, questioning myself.

I've never felt this unwanted in my whole life. I wiped the tear that dropped from my eyes. 

"Congratulations, Aliana."

"Well-deserved, girl."

"Congrats!"

I tried my best to smile as I walked back to our table. My hands are trembling from the words that had just stabbed me but I can't show it to anyone. 

Now I wonder, all these people clapping for me, do they really like me? Or they're only liking what they physically see? 

"you're too plain... and boring. you're just a pretty face."

I bowed my head after sitting down. I secretly looked at the people around me to see if they were looking at me. I wiped the tears that fell again after seeing that they were all attention to the program. Hope no one saw me doing that or I'll be in the headlines again. 

"Come on, Aliana. Time for the after-party. Let's change," Richie said. I nodded and followed him out. 

I changed my dress into a black satin cowl neck midi dress with a slit and transparent high heels. I untied my bun and let my loose curls fall on my shoulders. However, instead of going to the after-party, I drove the other way. I went to Twilight. 

I can't have the presence of others this time. I want to be alone. I don't have the energy to be nice and be all smiles. 

          

         

"I'll have a glass of vodka." I sighed, staring at the drink the bartender just gave me. 

Was I really that boring?

"Give me another one, please." 

Is that why he chose Chantal? Of all people? Because she's daring and outgoing?

"One more," I said after drinking the whole glass in one shot. I looked at the other people partying. The night is deep and everyone is enjoying it too much to notice me. 

I got so used to people's attention and praises that I seemed to forget to think if they really mean those. Others find me boring, too. That's for sure. 

"God, I feel too worthless. Damn," I mumbled.

Looking down, I raised my index finger, signaling the bartender to give me another glass. 

Time passed and I started feeling drowsy. I feel numb at the same time. I chuckled and leaned my head on the table. This way I can escape the pain. 

Suddenly, a picture of a man appeared in my mind. 

That man.

Who in the right mind would spend a lot just to meet the woman whom he had a one-night stand with?

But he hadn't shown up ever since that talk we had in his company last week. I raised my head and opened my clutch. The only thing I had was the calling card of his secretary—the one they gave us when they met our agency's big boss.

"Argh!" I exclaimed as I struggled with dialing the number. It's getting jumbled in my sight.

"Hello? I'm sorry it's past office hours. Please call again tomorrow," the man on the other line said.

"Ugh.. w-wait. Is this Rico Maddon? I’m Aliana Reeves. C-can I have… your boss's number? S-sorry for calling this late." I kind of felt embarrassed about how I sounded. 

A short silence came from the other line. "Sure, Ma'am. I'll send it to you."

"Thank you." I ended the call.

I leaned my head on the table once again while putting down the phone that I was holding. I don't even know why I'm asking for his number. 

My phone rang again. Dizzy, I answered it without looking at the screen.

"Hello, Secretary Maddon?" My voice got louder this time because the music and the people got louder, too. 

"Where are you?" My eyes widened after hearing that cold familiar voice. I immediately took a second look at the screen of my phone and saw a different number.

"Is that a bar?" I looked at the crowd of people on the dance floor. 

"I'm asking you."

"I'm in Twilight—" 

The call ended. 

Huh? What was that? Did that man just hang up the phone?

I rolled my eyes. One day he was trying to get to me and now he's hanging up. People really change too fast.

Annoyed, I shrugged and started drinking again. A few minutes later, I drank more than I thought I could. I tried dialing Richie's number but looking at my phone's screen makes my head hurt more. 

Suddenly, my attention shifted to a familiar man walking toward me. Realizing who he is made my mouth part in shock. Why did he come here?

"Why are you drinking alone?" he said upon reaching my spot. His eyes went to the glasses in front of me and then to everything near and around me. His jaw clenched.

"Come on. I'll bring you home," he said, gently sliding his hand on my waist and pulling me to stand.

"N-no. I don't wanna go home yet," I said, slightly going off balance as I stand. 

"I'm going back to the after-party." 

"You're not going anywhere. You're drunk." 

"I'm not drunk!"

He pulled me closer, almost looking like he was hugging me. I gulped. 

"Really huh? Drunk calling my secretary?" he whispered in my left ear. 

"You told me not to show up again. Asking for my number now isn't a sober thing you'd do."