“Well, who knows?At least we’re showing up as part of the family.People would start talking if we didn’t,” he says casually.
“So, you mean this is all just for Amy’s image?”I press.
He goes quiet for a second.Did I say the wrong thing?I open my mouth, trying to say something to smooth things out, but Alan holds up his hand.
“Fenella, please, just behave tonight.After this, we’ll be free.”
“Free?How so?”I blink at him.
“As I told you a few days ago, you’ll see.We’ll be going far away from Peter, Laird, and Amy.”He smiles, full of excitement for his plan.
My heart beats faster.What does he mean by that?“How far?”My voice trembles slightly, a strange feeling curling in my gut.
“So far away… I can promise we’ll live happily ever after, just the two of us.”He squeezes my hand with a deep breath before the car fully stops in the drop-off lobby.
Alan circles the car and guides me out with his arm.With some lights from the press flashing, I smile as I hold his sturdy arm.We walk together inside the house as if we’re a perfect couple straight out of a magazine.
The pointed black high pumps I’m wearing make everyone look smaller tonight.Their faces tilt slightly up when they look at me.It’s probably just my imagination, born from this sudden rush of confidence.Still, I feel great.
Some familiar faces gather around us—Jemima Hors, Oscar de Ragetti, and other celebrities we’ve seen before.They praise us, especially me.
“Oh, Fenella, darling, I’m so happy to see you again.You look stunning.”Oscar gives me a quick peck on both cheeks.
“Yeah, I thought I’d never see you again after that commercial,” Jemima says with a chuckle, kissing both my cheeks.
“Why?You think I’d actually kill myself like the netizens told me to?”I laugh lightly, though the subtle edge in my voice makes it clear it’s not a joke.
“Oh, of course not, dear.I’m glad you ignored those awful people.Scandals come and go.Give it time, and they’ll move on.We should focus on next month’s fashion show instead.”Oscar waves a hand dramatically and lifts his chin.
Yeah, says the one who almost cancelled me from all his product lines.Jessy said Alan convinced him to keep me as his model, maybe with a quiet warning to cut funding to his brands if he dares cancel my contract.
“My girl’s tough as hell, isn’t she?”Alan says, his lips curling into a proud grin, like he’s staking his claim on me.
“I’m so jealous right now.”
The female voice catches everyone’s attention.Alan and I turn to see Mallory West, stunning in a tight white dress that pops against her brown hair.She’s with Roger, her manager slash boyfriend.The crowd lights up when they see her.
“Hey, Fenella.Good to see you again.”Mallory smiles and hugs me, kissing both cheeks.
“Yeah.Nice to see you too, Mallory.”I flash a polite smile, even though the sight of her twists something sharp in my chest.That two-faced bitch dares to show up like nothing happened after she threw me under the bus.
“I’m glad you guys could mend things,” Mallory says brightly.
“Oh, you know, feelings are unpredictable.”I shrug.
“And we’re engaged,” Alan cuts in, loud enough for everyone to hear.The crowd bursts into cheers and excitement.
“Show us the ring!”Oscar shouts.
They all lean closer, demanding to see it.I sigh like I’m already used to this circus and raise my hand, showing off the diamond on my ring finger.A brand-new Prestishe premium big-ass diamond cut.The crowd lets out a chorus of laughs, cheers, and admiring oohs.
“Wow, congratulations,” Mallory says with a genuine beam.
“Yeah, congrats!”another woman squeals from behind.
I turn and there’s Amy, glowing in a sparkling gold dress.Of course.She couldn’t have picked anything more dramatic.
That’s Oscar’s new design, the one I modeled last month for an editorial spread.Why the hell would she wear it in front of me?Fishing for some public commentary online about how she wears it better than me?
