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Chapter 53: Taking Flight
Последнее обновление:
2025-01-09 22:04:18
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The plane touched down with a gentle jolt, and Riele inhaled deeply, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The sprawling city below stretched into the horizon, its towering buildings promising a world of new possibilities. She felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement dancing in her chest as she disembarked with the team, each step feeling like a leap into something bigger than she had ever known.Kim led the way confidently through the terminal, his focused expression masking the swirling thoughts that had followed him throughout the flight. Jay walked beside Riele, his easy demeanor unchanged, while Jane hovered close to Kim, her eyes scanning their surroundings. The four of them moved as a team—however fractured—and soon arrived at the transportation arranged by the company hosting the competition.When they reached the entrance to the sleek corporate building that loomed ahead, they were greeted by a neatly dressed receptionist. Her smile was warm but professi
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Utter sat in his dimly lit living room, the cold glass of whiskey in his hand reflecting the soft glow of the lamp beside him. The room was still, save for the low hum of a nearby fridge and the occasional clink of ice as he took another drink. His thoughts swirled in a haze of frustration and regret, the burn of alcohol barely numbing the ache in his chest.He had been planning to leave for the competition, eager to reclaim some semblance of control in his life, but that had all been derailed by Madison. She had shown up, as if out of nowhere, and completely dismantled the fragile plans he had made. The anger still simmered beneath the surface. He had to admit, he wasn’t ready to face the competition now—not with everything weighing on his mind. Not with the unresolved mess that was his life.But what else was left for him? He had rejected Charlotte’s pregnancy, and the fallout from that decision had been harder to ignore than he had anticipated. He hadn't been prepared to see her lea
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The morning light filtered through the sleek windows of the luxury car, illuminating the faces of Kim, Riele, Jay, and Jane as they sat in silence, the anticipation thick in the air. The competition was just a few hours away, and the nerves that had been building up over the past four weeks were reaching their peak.The car was spacious, comfortable, and equipped with everything they could need for the journey. Plush leather seats, tinted windows, and soft music playing from the speakers set a calm tone, but the undercurrent of excitement could not be hidden. Kim was at the front, his face set with determination, while Jane sat next to him, her posture stiff, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. Riele and Jay sat together in the back, the distance between them and Jane palpable.As they drove toward the venue, Riele couldn’t help but look out the window, trying to calm her racing thoughts. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for, the chance to prove herself, and t
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The music pulsed through the venue, echoing off the high ceilings and filling the space with an energy that was impossible to ignore. Riele stood backstage, her hands trembling slightly as she waited for her name to be called. The sound of other models walking, the faint murmur of the crowd, and the laughter of the host were all distant noises in her ears. Right now, the world seemed to narrow to the space right in front of her—the runway, the lights, and the anticipation building with every passing second.“Next, Riele,” came the voice of the assistant, calling her forward.Her heart thudded in her chest as she took a deep breath. She had prepared for this, practiced for months, and now it was time to shine. She couldn’t let her nerves control her. This was her moment.Jay gave her an encouraging smile as she passed by him on her way to the runway. “You got this,” he whispered, his words simple but full of conviction.Riele’s smile was small but genuine. “Thanks, Jay.”The moment she
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The atmosphere in the venue had shifted again, this time to a celebratory one. The excitement in the air was palpable as the models, their looks still sharp and ready, mingled backstage, awaiting their next assignment. The host, a charismatic woman in a bold red dress, stood before the crowd, her eyes glinting with enthusiasm.“Now, everyone,” she announced, “it’s time for something special. We want all the bosses of our incredible models to join them on stage for a photo op. It’s time for a snapshot of success, a symbol of the hard work and collaboration that’s gotten us to this moment.”Riele felt a small wave of anxiety at the mention of the "bosses"—that meant Kim would be front and center, just as he always was. The others gathered in groups, some laughing, some adjusting their outfits, while Riele remained slightly apart, her gaze flicking to where Kim was already motioning for her."Riele," Kim called, his tone casual but firm, “come on over here. I want to get a picture with yo
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The air was thick with excitement as the awards ceremony reached its climax. The grand hall buzzed with energy, the flashing lights of cameras catching every angle of the designers, models, and industry professionals who had poured months of hard work into the competition. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd eagerly waiting for the final announcement—the winner of the year’s prestigious modeling competition.The host stood at the podium, his charismatic voice booming through the venue, addressing the crowd with flair. “Ladies and gentlemen, before we announce tonight’s winner, let’s take a moment to thank all the incredible participants who have made this competition so remarkable. Without each of you, this show wouldn’t be the success it is today. A round of applause for all our competitors!”The crowd erupted into applause, and the models and designers stood proudly, each one sharing in the collective pride of what had been a hard-fought competition. From the beginning, every one
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After the award ceremony’s excitement settled, the group decided it was time to unwind. The long hours of preparation, the tense competition, and the adrenaline of victory had left them all exhausted. They headed back to their hotel, each person retreating to their respective rooms to savor a moment of peace before the after-party.Riele entered her room and closed the door, leaning against it for a moment. The plush carpet under her feet felt grounding after the overwhelming rush of the day. She took a deep breath, her mind still replaying the events of the evening—the applause, the bright lights, and Kim’s heartfelt speech thanking them all.When Kim had pulled her into that celebratory kiss, her heart had leaped in her chest. The kiss wasn’t just about winning; it had felt like a culmination of every moment they had fought for. Even now, the memory left her feeling warm and light-headed. She had kissed him back, completely forgetting the cameras, the crowd, and the world beyond thei
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The morning sun filtered through the grand hotel windows, filling the room with a soft glow. The air was warm with the scent of fresh pastries and brewed coffee as the four of them gathered for breakfast. The mood was lighter than the night before; the glow of victory still clung to their smiles and conversations.“Any plans for today?” Jay asked, his eyes twinkling with playful energy as he glanced around the table.“I think we should take a break and explore,” Jane suggested, her fingers idly stirring her cup of tea. “After all, we’re in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”Riele nodded, the idea of getting some fresh air and exploring beyond the competition appealing to her. “That sounds great. We should make a day of it.”Kim, his hand resting lightly on Riele’s, looked between her and Jane. “All of us together?”Jay grinned. “Actually, why don’t we split up? I’ve got some places in mind, and I was thinking Riele might want to join me. You could—” He flicked a glance at
Последнее обновление : 2025-01-11
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