'I sensed a negative energy from Mason, convinced that he had been concealing the truth and withholding things from me for quite some time.'
'The other day I discovered strands of hair in my hairbrush inside his car. The following day, I came across an unfamiliar stole in our shared post-marital mansion. Although he claimed it belonged to his mother, I doubted it, considering her preference for designer items and sophistication that wouldn't involve sharing a hairbrush.''He was glued to his phone, always acting shady, making sure to keep his conversations discreet and out of my earshot.''The other day, I spotted a blotch on his white shirt, and he brushed it off as paint. I wasn't fooled – it was clearly the lipstick mark from Monica earlier that day.''There are moments when I realize I overlooked the glaring truth about him, oblivious to everything happening right under my nose. How did I choose to ignore the countless red flags while he consistently took advantage of me?'The miserable thoughts occupying Alice's mind were abruptly halted by the beep of her phone, signaling the arrival of a text message.'Have you reached safely?'Alice glanced at the text from an unknown number, furrowed her brow, and decided to dismiss it. Emotionally drained, she wasn't inclined to engage with anyone at the moment.'???' Another text popped up.'May I know who's messaging?' Alice finally edited a text back.'Your husband.''My husband?' Alice pondered, emotions swirling in the aftermath of her ex's betrayal, momentarily overshadowing the fact that she had tied the knot just an hour earlier.'Save my number now.'Even through text, his tone exuded authority, and it dawned on Alice that she had inadvertently offended Andrew Kingston.'Apologies, I was...' Alice was in the midst of composing an explanation with remorse when another text interrupted.'Leave the past behind and focus on the present. Stay loyal to me and don't entertain thoughts of anyone else.'It felt like a directive tinged with jealousy and an attempt to exert control over everything.Alice edited out the last few words, sending only an apologetic text. She sighed at the lack of a reply, but suddenly, the incessant doorbell ringing startled her. Opening the door, she was met with an impatient Skylar rushing in."Man, Alice, I was seriously worried about you all night, but you switched up the door code; they're definitely guilty, huh?" Skylar embraced Alice, offering a comforting rub on her back.Overwhelmed by Skylar's care, Alice acknowledged the depth of their connection. Skylar, her manager for the last five years and closest friend, stood as the sole reliable presence in her world at that moment.Breaking the hug, she activated the recorded conversation from the previous night, tossed the phone to Skylar, and took a seat on the couch. Skylar joined her, and together they listened intently to the recording."Goodness, what a despicable pair of scumbags! And now they're about to bring another scum into the world..."Skylar seethed with anger, but Alice interjected, "Skylar, let's refrain from using such harsh language, especially when referring to an unborn child."Skylar let out a sigh. "You can't go easy on this jerk once more.""Absolutely not; I've already initiated my revenge plan against him," Alice stated, her deep resentment for Mason and Monica seeping through her words."What plan?" Skylar frowned, her concern showing as she feared Alice might be contemplating a reckless move.Alice's phone rang with Mason's call, disrupting their conversation. Before Alice could react, Skylar pressed the green button, putting the call on speaker."Alice, how can you be so inconsiderate?" Mason's voice raised.'Look who is talking.' Alice and Skylar exchanged glances genuinely puzzled."What did I do?" "Thanks to your supposed bachelor party, Monica is now in serious trouble because of you.""But, how.......""Enough with the backtalk; come to my place right now." call after delivering the order with rudeness."What does he think he's doing?" Skylar fumed, reacting to his tone and attitude."Let's find out..." Alice responded, a determined look on her face.With a nonchalant shrug, Alice got up, slinging her shoulder bag over her shoulder and grabbing her phone. Skylar, albeit reluctantly, chauffeured her to Mason's mansion."Why not confront them? You've got evidence against them, after all," Skylar suggested after parking the car."I want to uncover his motives for betraying me. I need to know if he fell out of love or was just using me. Regardless, they both owe me tenfold. Patience; the right time will come," Alice declared, her eyes cold as she stepped out of the car.A frown etched across her face as she observed the scene. Monica lay on the bed in Mason's bedroom, with him seated right beside her. This was the height of impudence.She struggled to appear unruffled, but it proved more challenging than she anticipated. Managing to suppress her emotions, she veiled her disappointment behind a facade of cold aloofness."What was that for?" Alice arched her eyebrows, questioning Mason's behavior."She had a suicide attempt, all because of you. I swooped in just in the nick of time, thanks to some heavenly luck."'That's quite the heroics,' Alice thought with an eye roll. "But how am I suddenly on the hook for this?""She had a morning meeting with her lead model, but thanks to the hangover from your party, she couldn't make it. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" Mason's tone carried a harsh edge.Alice's gaze shifted between Mason and Monica. 'Such deceitful liars, a duo of cunning individuals, intensifying my disdain for them.'"You need to apologize and lend her a hand," Mason asserted with authority.'Ugh, what a sly scoundrel! Has he ever loved me, or was I too blinded to see the real him? He cheated on me, called off the wedding, and has no sign of remorse on his face.'"Apologize for what? Shouldn't I be the one owed an apology?" Alice countered, annoyed by their theatrical display.Mason was caught off guard by Alice's tone. She had always been a pushover, never using such a harsh tone. 'She's upset about me missing the wedding. I need to calm her down first,' he thought."Alice, I sincerely apologize on behalf of Mason. The truth is, he couldn't make it to the civil affairs because of me," Monica hurriedly spoke, attempting to pacify Alice.She intended for Alice to grace the runway and showcase her designed outfits in the designer contest; hence, she orchestrated the entire setup. Offending her was out of the question."But I'm counting on you, dear; you're my last chance. Please be my model for the designer contest," Monica said with a touch of desperation.'What, walk on the ramp as a model?' Alice was slightly shaken. This could jeopardize her image and career in the industry."Surely she will, won't you, baby?" Mason interjected just before Alice could decline, pulling her into an embrace. "Please do it for us, for our company. And I apologize for scolding you; I was upset. Monica is the lead designer of my fashion house, and I can't afford to lose her."Alice suspected Monica might have a hidden agenda in pushing her to do this. It could be a trap, and with Mason in the picture, she felt cornered. Her choices were either to comply, maintain amicable relations, and strategize for revenge, or let go of everything and move forward.'No, I'll go along with this, but I won't let them manipulate me again. This time, I'll be the one using them," Alice thought, replying, "Fine, I'll do it," and pushing his hand off her shoulder."Perfect decision; I will text you the details and make sure to be punctual. Let me see you off." Mason rested his hand on her shoulder again and walked with her to the exit.Monica's lips curled into an evil smirk, as she dialed a number."I executed your plan flawlessly. Killed two birds with one stone. She couldn't register her marriage, and soon she will lose her face in the industry."While strolling into the parking lot, Alice's eyes widened at the text from Mason, sharing details about the designer contest venue. Skylar, already in the car, awaited her patiently. "What was that for?" Skylar asked. With a snort, Alice narrated the entire scene at Mason's apartment, leaving Skylar fuming at Monica and Mason's boldness. "Alice, why on earth did you agree to help her? She's nothing but a dishonest opportunist, a big liar. Both of them are taking advantage of your popularity for their own benefit." "In a low baritone, Alice asserted, "I've never turned down Mason before for anything, and I won't until I've settled the score with them. I don't want him to catch on that I know their secrets." Leaning back in her seat, she closed her eyes. "Instead of wasting time, confront them with the proof you have," Skylar advised while driving, stealing glances at Alice's profile through the corner of her eyes. "It'd be too easy for him. He'd apologize, plead, and coerce me in
"Iconic Mode designer contest" As Alice read the banner, she confidently strutted to the greenroom in her high heels, creating a buzz. Adorned in a chic, shoulderless black dress with a high ponytail and dark shades, she captivated the entire hotel with her elegance and magnificent style. Skylar trailed her, engaged in a phone conversation. "For real?" "Oh is that so?" "Alright, keep me posted; there's a handsome reward coming your way." Skylar hung up and swiftly advanced two steps toward Alice. "I've received some inside info about Monica courtesy of a junior designer at Pristine Moments fashion house." "Bring it on...." "Monica's behavior took a negative turn after her promotion to senior designer – she now bullies her juniors, takes away their projects, and has even been accused of pilfering designs from her colleagues." "Is that so?" Alice halted, turned to Skylar, slided her shades atop her head, and raised her eyebrows inquisitively. "Absolutely, she lacks dedication to
"Oh no, what is this?" Monica's sudden outburst echoed through the room, capturing the attention of the entire audience and leaving Alice visibly shocked. "Alice, why would you betray me like this? The dress you're wearing isn't my design. As my contest model, why wear someone else's creation?" The stage was in disarray as Monica's shouts and tears disrupted everything, leading to the abrupt cessation of the entire performance. 'So, this was Monica's plan to ensnare me?' Alice thought with regret, acknowledging it was futile to cry over spilled milk at this point. It wasn't just Monica's wailing that attracted attention; the commotion escalated as she accused a high-profile Hollywood actress, garnering a large audience. Breaking news reached the media: a lesser-known designer accusing a famous celebrity. Even the organizers and judges were left in disbelief. Alice's career kicked off as a model on the ramp, winning several contests before making a seamless transition to Hollywood
The front car door creaked as Ronny unlatched it, allowing Alice to slip into the passenger seat. As she settled, she noticed Andrew in the driver's seat, his demeanor cool and unyielding, focused on the road ahead. A moment of shock washed over her. Andrew, sensing her reaction, tilted his head to catch a fleeting glimpse of her face before resuming his forward gaze. "Hi there..." She offered a slight bow and mumbled her greeting. His response was a mere nod of the head as he drove away. A palpable awkwardness lingered in the air between the newlyweds. Alice, being uneasy, cast glances around, and Andrew broke the quietude with a subtle throat clearing. "The windows of my car have privacy tint; no one can see through," Andrew mentioned, his tone characteristically cold and matter-of-fact. In surprise, Alice turned her eyes toward him. Despite his stoic appearance, there was a gentle and caring side that lurked beneath his cold exterior. "With a serene demeanor, Alice questioned,
'You might be a bit on edge, I'm perfectly fine. I'd like some solitude for a while, but I'll be back before you know it.' 'Finish the given task, and we'll discuss the next steps during our call.' 'Prepare yourself for the challenge ahead; it won't be a smooth ride for now.' High above, Alice edited texts for Skylar, despite the impossibility of delivery. Aware it was futile, she engaged in redundant tasks to kill the time and, crucially, evade Andrew, who sat across with a sour expression, leaning on a pile of files. Refusing to make eye contact, Alice confronted the consequences of her actions. She had unwittingly stirred a formidable storm, vividly remembering the moment she succumbed to irrational impulses triggered by the mere mention of the word 'honeymoon.' "What, honeymoon?" she whispered. "Yes..." Andrew extended his hand in front of her. Andrew's face and open palm captivated Alice, setting her heart racing. Without hesitation, she quickly placed both hands beneath he
"No, no, this isn't possible!" Monica flipped through multiple tabloids, shouting in disbelief. She switched news channels sequentially, growing increasingly furious. "How could this be?" Her scream echoed as she violently hurled the remote control, shattering it into fragments. She unleashed her frustration on inanimate objects, tossing and scattering them. Afterward, she grabbed her phone and dialed Mason. "Mason, you've got 15 minutes. Get here." Dismissing an order with arrogance, she contemplated tossing her mobile phone, but she restrained herself, mindful of the expensive model gifted by Mason that she couldn't afford to damage. In the luxurious penthouse of Royman Hotel, London, Andrew surfed through news channels, seeking the same news broadcasted everywhere. "The rekindled embers of quenched flames. A day earlier, the celebrated actress Alice Cooper came under scrutiny, accused of deceiving her designer during her tenure as a model in a designer contest." "This fresh t
'What a cousin or sister? How is that even possible?' Andrew was bewildered as he thought about it.For the first time since Vicky began working for him, he failed to unearth such crucial information which astonished Andrew."Is Monica your sister?""No, no, no, no..." Alice gestured with a dismissive sway of her hand."No, she's not my sister; don't you grasp it? We bear distinct titles. She's my cousin, the daughter of my aunt, but adored by everyone in the family."Sadness crept into Alice's voice; tears gathered in her eyes. She sniffed, took the final sip from her glass, and emphatically placed it on the table. Andrew perceived her pain in her words, yet the undisclosed truth remained a mystery that Vicky couldn't unveil."Do you feel jealous of her?""Hmmm, no..." Alice shook her head emphatically."In fact, it's the opposite. She's been envious of me all her life. She covets everything I possess." Alice wiped away tears, gently rubbing her rosy cheeks.Andrew empathized with her
Despite a rough start, Alice delved into her work, determined to stage a comeback with a blockbuster. She spent the entire day in constant communication with her manager, Skylar, refining plans through calls and messages.After dedicating hours to decisions and script review, Alice, weary from the effort, decided to take a brief rest. Her relaxation was short-lived as her phone rang, revealing "Mr. Money calling" on the screen, prompting her to spring back into action."Ahh, why is he calling me now?" Andrew's call stirred memories of last night's embarrassment for Alice.She was hesitant for a long time before receiving the call, but ended up sliding the green button before it slipped away."What took you so long?" Andrew's usual stern tone carried an added edge, leaving Alice sensing his irritation.Alice couldn't help but think, 'Did I annoy him last night when I was tipsy?' as she nervously bit her lower lip."Why did you call all of a sudden?""Get ready in an hour," Andrew's auth