Bound By Paper Hearts

Alice's heart raced, contemplating her bold move to offer herself in marriage without meeting her future spouse, only to find herself in a surprisingly favorable situation.'Isn't that Andrew Kingston, the famed business tycoon? Word has it that even Richie Rich can't tally up the sheer number of businesses he commands. And, as if that's not enough, he's the singular force behind Royman Productions, consistently delivering box office hits. Is he born into wealth, or is there a lucky charm in play?'''Did I really just propose to that notorious, perpetually stern businessman?' Alice pondered, nervously fidgeting with her fingers as tiny beads of sweat formed on her forehead."Excuse me......." Andrew's voice, cold and weighty, snapped Alice out of her reverie.Noticing his furrowed brow, she came to the realization that she hadn't removed the mask and shades—her usual strategy to sidestep unwarranted attention—from her face. Without hesitation, she took off the barrier, presenting her f

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

"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

'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

'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