"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 her work and is consistently behind schedule with designs," Skylar affirmed, nodding her head.
Chewing her lower lip, Alice contemplated deeply before saying, "I see."
As she attempted to head again to the green room, Skylar gripped her wrist to halt her. "You've got to see this," she insisted, passing her mobile to Alice.
"Oh, interesting..." Alice's lips curved into a smirk. "What else do you have?" She gazed at Skylar's broader smirk and prompted for more.
"Indeed, not just Monica; three additional designers from 'Pristine Moment' are competing. The victor secures not only the movie contract but also receives generous rewards from Chairman Mason Rex, along with a promotion to head the fashion department."
"Hmm, intriguing...." Alice pivoted on her heels and continued walking towards the green room, with Skylar following closely.
The iPad in Andrew's grasp chimed, displaying a notification of an email from Ronny. Andrew promptly accessed the email, revealing Ronny's message: 'Boss, presenting an exclusive footage for you.'
Andrew, puzzled, tapped on the attachment, wearing a frown at Ronny's boldness. The CCTV footage captured Alice striding through the hotel corridor, showcasing her graceful walk and elegant style in a black dress. However, Andrew, with a stoic expression, remained unswayed by her charm.
Andrew carefully reviewed the entire footage, scrutinizing every nuance—her pauses, conversations with Skylar, the graceful slide of her shades, and the elegance of her slender hands. Unconsciously, he found himself replaying the footage once more.
"Hmm, while Alice's classy demeanor and grace align with mine, she falls short of being Mrs. Kingston," Andrew murmured, studying Alice's visage, and then proceeded to delete the email.
Escorting Alice to the greenroom, Monica's assistant Ella White presented the chosen ensemble. "Alice, this is your attire for the first round."
Glancing at the outfit and then at Skylar, Alice engaged in a silent, meaningful eye conversation with her.
"Are you confident about this outfit, Ella? Is it Monica's design?" Alice questioned, shooting a pointed glare at Ella.
"Alice, don't doubt my capabilities. Put this on and get ready," Ella replied in a stern tone.
In the face of Ella's impoliteness, Alice maintained her composure and inquired calmly, "I'm not casting doubt, but can you confirm that this outfit is indeed designed by Monica for the Iconic Mode contest?"
Ella scowled and reprimanded, "Alice, as Monica's assistant, I know her designs better than you do. Quit bothering me and get dressed quickly. Also, don't leave the greenroom until it's time to walk the ramp. Clear?"
Ella is intimately connected with Monica, involved in all aspects, and her closeness to the chairman's new favorite girlfriend makes her audacious. Nonetheless, Alice has no grounds to endure her disrespectful demeanor.
"Ella, don't overstep your boundaries, understand? While I may be modeling your boss's design on stage, I've earned respect as a celebrity. No one has the right to belittle me. Show some respect and refrain from getting under my skin."
In a composed yet firm tone, Alice cautioned Ella and signaled for Skylar. Skylar handed a memo to Ella, leaving her visibly startled.
"One million is an exorbitant amount for a designer to pay their model, especially considering you're friends with Monica. Where's your conscience in charging her so much?"
'Ahh, look who is talking about conscience; how could one be so brazen?'
"I have to earn a living, and my conscience allows me to charge Monica a reasonable fee," Alice shot back, entering the greenroom and slamming
"Ensure the stated amount is in this account before Alice gets ready; otherwise, she won't come out of the greenroom," Skylar conveyed, passing a document with Alice's account details to Ella and swiftly entering the greenroom.
Amidst a workload, Andrew's attention was diverted by yet another email notification from Ronny, presenting another video of Alice in front of the greenroom.
"This punk requires some serious treatment."
While viewing the footage, Andrew called Ronny and put the phone on speaker. "Ronny, it looks like you've been pushing yourself too much. Take a break and switch your responsibilities with Vicky."
"No worry, boss, the work is not tiresome at all and you'll not be bothered again for anything. I'll excel at my job even more."
In a rush, Ronny offered his apologies for being cheeky, recognizing that Vicky's tasks were too challenging for him to manage.
"You had better be..." Andrew shook his head and ended the call after issuing a warning to Ronny.
"While Alice was getting ready for the event, her phone rang. "Who's on the line?" she asked Skylar.
"As anticipated..." Skylar displayed the mobile screen to Alice. 'Mason calling.'
Alice gestured for her to respond to the call on her behalf. The purpose of his call was known to both of them.
"Hello Mason...."
"I'm sorry, but Alice is currently in the midst of her makeup and unable to speak. If it's crucial, I can switch to speakerphone."
Skylar simply followed Alice's instructions, arching her eyebrows and receiving approval with a thumbs-up.
"Fine, put it on the speaker." Mason clenched his fist and said.
Aware in advance that he would call regarding the contest fees, Alice recognized Mason as a self-centered manipulator who had taken advantage of Alice while she was blindly in love. However, that phase of madness had ended, and she was no longer willing to let anyone use her for their gain.
“Yes, Mason, tell me, what's so urgent?" Alice played oblivious.
A sense of satisfaction filled her as she realized he might be seething, yet he couldn't unleash his anger as the call was on speaker, audible to her entire team.
"Alice, you're billing Monica, our company's designer and your friend, who's already facing challenges in the industry. How can you be so insensitive? It's not like you're lacking anything," Mason shouted with excitement.
"So, do you want me to work for free?" Alice's stern tone made Mason speechless.
"I didn't mean it that way..."
"Monica intends to recruit a Hollywood actress as a model to showcase her design, so she should shoulder the expenses for her lofty ambitions. However, I fail to understand why you're favoring her over your girlfriend. Despite her role as our company's designer, this competition is unrelated to 'Pristine Moments.' She's participating as an individual."
"Mason, it's vital that you steer clear of my professional matters, just as I avoid meddling in your work." Alice unleashed the built-up anger that had accumulated since Mason proposed her as a model for Monica's designs.
"But, baby........"
"Mason, unless it's something urgent, kindly end the call and let me focus on getting ready. Or else I will be late on the ramp."
In a veiled threat, Alice hinted to Mason that pushing her further might result in unfavorable consequences for Monica.
"Fine, as you prefer, but make sure everything goes smoothly on the stage."
Without responding, Alice gestured for Skylar to end the call. Five minutes later, Skylar received a message confirming the deposited amount in the account.
Half an hour later, Ella knocked on the door and entered. "Alice, it's time. Please come out."
Tossing her phone aside after a round of Temple Run, Alice rose from her seat and exited, with Skylar in tow.
"You're the primary model for Monica. After the initial turn, two more will join you on either side, and eventually, Monica will make her entrance onto the stage, and..."
Ella was in the midst of explaining when Skylar interrupted, "Ella, Alice is well aware of her role, so there's no need for additional details..."
Ella acknowledged with a nod, shifting to the side to clear the path for Alice. While heading to the stage, a sudden, loud yell from behind made Alice pause and turn to address the commotion.
Alice and Skylar witnessed the designer crying and shouting at her assistant, causing a disturbance in the corridor.
"Skylar, isn't she Sophia, the last bridal collection winner? What's wrong with her?" Alice asked in confusion. She squinted her eyes, getting irritated by that loud yell.
"Alice, as a celebrity, steer clear of gossip. Don't concern yourself with others' issues; let's proceed to the ramp," Ella hastily urged, discouraging Alice from delving into unrelated matters.
"Alice, she's correct; head to the ramp first," Skylar advised.
With a casual shrug, Alice made her way to the stage. Gracefully walking the ramp, she was later joined by two more models. The trio's collective presence, highlighting Alice's magnificent style, calm allure, and charming face, captivated and stunned the audience.
The trio diverged into three separate directions, with Alice positioned on the middle ramp. After striking stylish poses, they turned and elegantly retraced their steps.
"Presenting the designer, Monica!" The contest host announced, and Monica commenced her walk, accompanied by the center model, Alice.
As they took a few steps, Monica whispered near Alice's ear, "What are you wearing?"
"The attire, crafted by you," Alice replied with a similar tone.
"Oh dear, what's this?" Monica exclaimed at the top of her lungs, stunning the entire audience.
"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
"Mason, for heaven's sake, spare me from repeating myself. I've already told you, and I'll say it once more – I don't know where Alice is. Stop calling me for the same answer!" Skylar's frustration echoed through the call.Mason persistently dialed her number countless times in the last two days, skeptical of Skylar's ignorance regarding Alice's whereabouts. However, even when contacted through a private number, Skylar remains clueless about Alice's location."Skylar, mind your language. Disrespect is not acceptable, regardless of the situation. Failure to adhere to this will result in consequences, and I'll ensure you face termination."Mason's vexation heightened due to his inability to reach Alice, and Skylar's temper served as the final straw. His discontentment grew more palpable."Do as you please, but please refrain from calling me again." Skylar ended the call and rested her head in her hands."How could she have the nerve to hang up on me?" Mason seethed, infuriated by Skylar'
After enduring a lengthy 7-hour flight, Alice was chauffeured home by Andrew himself. Relieved to escape his scrutinizing gaze, she eagerly anticipated the comfort of her own space after a challenging 3-day journey.She was in her la la land and a bit late to realize that the turn to her neighborhood had long gone. They are on some other route."Excuse me, Mr. Kingston, you missed the turn to my place; please take a U-turn."Alice thought he made a mistake, but that wasn't the case."We're heading in the right direction," Andrew remarked nonchalantly, then abruptly made a sharp turn and slammed on the brakes."But this is..."Alice's sentence trailed off as Andrew, with a click of a remote control in his car, opened the imposing iron gate of a mansion and smoothly drove inside."This is my private mansion and our bridal house."'What?' It was as if a bomb had dropped on Alice's head; the idea of living with him felt overwhelming, and she still needed her space."I'm only at home in my