The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her heart stopped. Her stomach twisted. Did she hear him right? Her lips parted, but no words came out. He was…he was joking, right? But no—his eyes told her he wasn’t. Pure amusement danced in his expression, like he was watching a little bird trapped in a cage. Selena’s hands trembled. She didn’t know whether it was anger, shock, or something far more dangerous twisting inside her. She couldn’t even breathe properly. “W-What the hell?” she finally whispered. Julian tilted his head to have a better look of her nervous eyes. “What? I thought we were making deals, Selena.” Her body stiffened. She searched his face, desperate to find some sign that he was just trying to mess with her. But there was nothing. Only cold amusement. This was what he thought of her, wasn’t it? That she was just another actress willing to do 'anything' for fame. Julian watched her, soaking in every single reaction. It was fascinating, real
Julian ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his jaw clenching as he watched Selena storm away. What the hell was he doing? He let out a low groan, leaning back against his desk. His fingers curled into fists as a memory flashed through his mind—one that he hadn’t allowed himself to think about in years. Selena. Standing on a bright stage, cameras flashing, her signature dazzling smile lighting up the entire room. She had just been named the youngest top model of the year. Julian had been there too—not as an honored guest, not as one of the powerful figures shaking hands with her—but as a mere assistant to the photographer covering the event. Back then, he was just another nameless face in the crowd, watching her from behind the lens. She had been untouchable. A goddess in human form. And he? He was nothing. Just a man with a borrowed camera, standing in the shadows, admiring her from a distance. How ironic was it that now, she stood right in front of him—no longer
Few days later -Selena stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The place was upscale, with low-hanging chandeliers and plush velvet booths, but the atmosphere felt suffocating. She adjusted the strap of her purse, her fingers trembling slightly. This was her chance. Her 'only' chance. She couldn’t afford to mess this up.The director, a man in his late fifties with a receding hairline and a smug smile, was already seated at a corner table. He stood up as she approached, his eyes raking over her from head to toe in a way that made her skin crawl."Selena," he let out, his voice smooth but laced with something she couldn’t quite place. "It’s been a while. You look... stunning, as always.""Thank you, Mr. Grayson," she replied, forcing a polite smile. She slid into the seat across from him, her stomach churning. She could feel his gaze lingering on her, and it took every ounce of willpower not to squirm."So," he began, leaning back in his chai
Mr. Grayson sat in his office, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The sting of Selena’s slap still burned on his cheek, a constant reminder of the humiliation he had suffered. A 'mere actress', a 'nobody', had dared to strike him.Him! A man of power, of influence. The audacity of it made his blood boil.He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the room. "That 'bitch'," he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with rage. "Who does she think she is?"He pulled out his phone and dialed his manager, his fingers trembling with anger. The call connected after two rings."Grayson," his manager’s voice came through, calm and professional."Find out everything you can about Selena Frost," Grayson snapped, his voice low and venomous. "Where she is, what she’s doing, who she’s working with. I want to know 'everything'."There was a brief pause on the other end. "Selena Frost? The model-turned-actress? I thought she fell off the radar after that scandal.""Well, she
After the meeting, Julian returned to his office with lots of thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Grayson had agreed too easily and quickly. It wasn’t like him to be so...cooperative.He sat down at his desk, his thoughts drifting back to Selena. Why had he even mentioned her? His chest aches at the memory of their argument and how she was on the verge of crying and he rubbed his temples, trying to push the thoughts away. He didn’t owe her anything. He didn’t even 'like' her. So why was he helping her?"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, leaning back in his chair. He didn’t understand why he cared. But the truth was, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. About the way she had looked at him, the way she had fought back even when she had nothing left.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He would talk to her about the movie. Not because he wanted to help her, but because he had made a promise. And Julian Mathers always kept his promis
Selena stiffened the moment she heard Grayson's name. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her breath catching in her throat. The memories of that day came crashing in her and she shuddered. Her lips parted, but the words felt heavy, suffocating. She wanted to tell Julian exactly why she would rather rot than take this role—but she couldn't. Instead, she forced herself to stand tall, masking the turmoil swirling inside her. "I’m not interested," she said coldly. Julian's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "Not interested?" he echoed, disbelief lacing his tone. "You were desperate for an opportunity, and now you're just—rejecting it?" Selena swallowed hard, gripping her arms to steady herself. "I don’t need your help anymore," she glared at him. "So?" he drawled, his deep voice laced with amusement. "This is what you wanted?" Selena stood in front of him, arms crossed, her expression hard as stone. There was no amusement in her face—just cold fury. "What I want
The Frosts' family name glittered like the icy diamonds they were known for, and Selena embodied it all. She ascended the stage at the Frost Theater, her sheer golden gown shimmering under the spotlights, hugging her figure in all the right ways. Her cascading, dark hair framed a face so delicate and radiant, it made every pair of eyes in the room linger."Ladies and gentlemen," the presenter announced, voice charged with admiration, "the award for Best Actress goes to...Selena Frost!"Selena Frost, the reigning princess of the big screen, had just been announced as the Actress of the Year, and the audience was on its feet, cheering wildly as she ascended the stage.Selena’s beauty was a spell, and it worked on everyone. Men craned their necks for a better view as she glided up the stairs, their gazes pausing too long on the gentle sway of her hips or the confidence in her stride. Even women, some with envy and others with genuine admiration, couldn’t help but acknowledge her star po
After hearing the man speak on the phone just moments ago, Julian had no doubts. The girl Harrison had been frantically trying to protect, referred to as “S,” was none other than Selena Frost.For years, the memory of that day haunted him—the phone call, the nameless man, and the revelation that turned his world upside down.It had been a warm autumn afternoon six years ago when Julian received the call. At the time, he was nothing—a struggling assistant in the chaotic world of commercial photography. He lived paycheck to paycheck, his dreams of making it big buried beneath the weight of grief after his parents’ tragic deaths.The unknown number that flashed on his cracked phone screen was a distraction he almost ignored. But something compelled him to answer.“Hello?” he’d said, voice weary.“Julian Mathers?” the voice on the other end was low, gruff.“Yes. Who’s this?”“I have information about your mother’s accident,” the man said bluntly.Julian froze. For years, he’d told himself
Selena stiffened the moment she heard Grayson's name. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her breath catching in her throat. The memories of that day came crashing in her and she shuddered. Her lips parted, but the words felt heavy, suffocating. She wanted to tell Julian exactly why she would rather rot than take this role—but she couldn't. Instead, she forced herself to stand tall, masking the turmoil swirling inside her. "I’m not interested," she said coldly. Julian's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "Not interested?" he echoed, disbelief lacing his tone. "You were desperate for an opportunity, and now you're just—rejecting it?" Selena swallowed hard, gripping her arms to steady herself. "I don’t need your help anymore," she glared at him. "So?" he drawled, his deep voice laced with amusement. "This is what you wanted?" Selena stood in front of him, arms crossed, her expression hard as stone. There was no amusement in her face—just cold fury. "What I want
After the meeting, Julian returned to his office with lots of thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Grayson had agreed too easily and quickly. It wasn’t like him to be so...cooperative.He sat down at his desk, his thoughts drifting back to Selena. Why had he even mentioned her? His chest aches at the memory of their argument and how she was on the verge of crying and he rubbed his temples, trying to push the thoughts away. He didn’t owe her anything. He didn’t even 'like' her. So why was he helping her?"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, leaning back in his chair. He didn’t understand why he cared. But the truth was, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. About the way she had looked at him, the way she had fought back even when she had nothing left.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He would talk to her about the movie. Not because he wanted to help her, but because he had made a promise. And Julian Mathers always kept his promis
Mr. Grayson sat in his office, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The sting of Selena’s slap still burned on his cheek, a constant reminder of the humiliation he had suffered. A 'mere actress', a 'nobody', had dared to strike him.Him! A man of power, of influence. The audacity of it made his blood boil.He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the room. "That 'bitch'," he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with rage. "Who does she think she is?"He pulled out his phone and dialed his manager, his fingers trembling with anger. The call connected after two rings."Grayson," his manager’s voice came through, calm and professional."Find out everything you can about Selena Frost," Grayson snapped, his voice low and venomous. "Where she is, what she’s doing, who she’s working with. I want to know 'everything'."There was a brief pause on the other end. "Selena Frost? The model-turned-actress? I thought she fell off the radar after that scandal.""Well, she
Few days later -Selena stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The place was upscale, with low-hanging chandeliers and plush velvet booths, but the atmosphere felt suffocating. She adjusted the strap of her purse, her fingers trembling slightly. This was her chance. Her 'only' chance. She couldn’t afford to mess this up.The director, a man in his late fifties with a receding hairline and a smug smile, was already seated at a corner table. He stood up as she approached, his eyes raking over her from head to toe in a way that made her skin crawl."Selena," he let out, his voice smooth but laced with something she couldn’t quite place. "It’s been a while. You look... stunning, as always.""Thank you, Mr. Grayson," she replied, forcing a polite smile. She slid into the seat across from him, her stomach churning. She could feel his gaze lingering on her, and it took every ounce of willpower not to squirm."So," he began, leaning back in his chai
Julian ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his jaw clenching as he watched Selena storm away. What the hell was he doing? He let out a low groan, leaning back against his desk. His fingers curled into fists as a memory flashed through his mind—one that he hadn’t allowed himself to think about in years. Selena. Standing on a bright stage, cameras flashing, her signature dazzling smile lighting up the entire room. She had just been named the youngest top model of the year. Julian had been there too—not as an honored guest, not as one of the powerful figures shaking hands with her—but as a mere assistant to the photographer covering the event. Back then, he was just another nameless face in the crowd, watching her from behind the lens. She had been untouchable. A goddess in human form. And he? He was nothing. Just a man with a borrowed camera, standing in the shadows, admiring her from a distance. How ironic was it that now, she stood right in front of him—no longer
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her heart stopped. Her stomach twisted. Did she hear him right? Her lips parted, but no words came out. He was…he was joking, right? But no—his eyes told her he wasn’t. Pure amusement danced in his expression, like he was watching a little bird trapped in a cage. Selena’s hands trembled. She didn’t know whether it was anger, shock, or something far more dangerous twisting inside her. She couldn’t even breathe properly. “W-What the hell?” she finally whispered. Julian tilted his head to have a better look of her nervous eyes. “What? I thought we were making deals, Selena.” Her body stiffened. She searched his face, desperate to find some sign that he was just trying to mess with her. But there was nothing. Only cold amusement. This was what he thought of her, wasn’t it? That she was just another actress willing to do 'anything' for fame. Julian watched her, soaking in every single reaction. It was fascinating, real
Julian was in his office, flipping through a document when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. A number with no name. His muscles tensed. He knew this number. He hadn't seen it in a while, but the memory of the last call burned in his mind. The call that changed everything. Slowly, he reached for the phone, his fingers curling around it like a loaded gun. A strange feeling settled in his stomach—a mixture of anticipation and dread. He exhaled sharply before pressing the answer button. “Julian Mathers,” he said, keeping his voice steady. A low chuckle greeted him on the other end. “It’s nice to speak to you again, Julian.” That voice. Smooth, almost robotic, yet dripping with something sinister. His grip on the phone tightened. “Who are you?” The chuckle deepened. “Just someone who wants the best for you.” Julian’s jaw clenched. “Cut the crap. Why are you helping me?” “Helping?” The man sounded amused. “Oh, Julian. Do you really think I 'helped' you? I
The dining table had already been cleared, and Samantha, with her perfectly practiced smile, was saying her goodbyes. Grandma, always warm and welcoming, held Samantha’s hands. “You should visit more often, dear. You’re always welcome here,” she said, patting Samantha’s hand affectionately. Samantha nodded sweetly. “Of course, Grandma. I loved staying here. I’ll come again soon,” she promised, though in her mind, she was thinking something entirely different. 'Oh, I’ll definitely come again. Especially now that I know what I want.' She turned to Selena, who smiled at her warmly, completely oblivious to the venom hidden beneath her sister’s kindness. They hugged, and Samantha put on her best affectionate act. “Take care, okay?” Selena said, squeezing her lightly. Samantha pulled away, plastering on a pout. “Of course. And you too, sis.”And then, it was Julian’s turn. As she turned to him, she hesitated for just the right amount of time, as if nervous. Then, without waiti
Samantha adjusted her nightgown, tugging it slightly lower until the swell of her breasts became more pronounced. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror of the dark hallway, smoothing her hair and letting her lips curve into a sly smile. Time to start the plan, she thought. She wasn’t here just because she hated Selena—though that certainly sweetened the deal. Samantha had bigger goals, and Julian Mathers was the key to unlocking them.As she wandered down the hall, she spotted a faint light spilling from a crack in a door. The guest room? she thought, but as she moved closer, she realized it wasn’t. Peering inside, she saw Julian sitting in his study, his sleeves rolled up and his dark hair slightly mussed. He was leaning over his desk, focused intently on the papers in front of him.Samantha hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. Julian in person was even more intimidating than she’d imagined, but she wasn’t one to back down. You’ve got this, she told herself. Schooling her