After One Night, Then A Scandal

Prologue

Audrey's POV…

As soon as my car came to a halt, the paparazzi rushed to my car and knocked at my window.

“These reporters never give up,” Lena said as she took the contract file from me. Lena is my manager and also my best friend. She's the one that secures all my contracts and puts my act together.

“They don't as a matter of fact” I said and put my left foot down from the car as the door was opened for me.

“Don't press against her car, you wouldn't afford it even if you sold your entire organs” Lena said. “And don't you try to mar her perfect skin. Her products can buy you and your generation” Lena shouted from the back. I laughed at her statement. I can't blame her. She was right.

The bodyguards were shielding me, protecting me from the pressing crowd. They were asking all sorts of questions.

“Ms Willows, what do you plan on doing next now your name is top tier one?”

I didn't respond to that, I kept walking, placing each foot carefully as I walked. That was my signature walk.

“Ms Willows, how do you feel about securing a billion dollar contract and moving up the dashboard with your agency?” One of them asked. I didn't answer their questions. I never do.

I had already reached the door. The securities prevented the paparazzi from crossing boundaries.

I moved back a bit and looked up at the logo and name ahead.

Audrey's World.

That's more like it. I'm in my own world and nobody controls or counters my decisions.

I straightened up and put my right hand on my waist and titled my head slightly with my lips parted slightly.

I am a supermodel. I control the media and I'm the best at what I do.

I turned and saw Lena walking hurriedly to meet up with me. I turned and kept on smiling, before walking majestically inside.

“Good morning Miss Audrey” the staff members that were cleaning and mopping greeted as they bowed.

I stopped walking and turned to face them. “There's no need for so many formalities, just call me Audrey or rather Ms Willows” I said and kept walking.

I didn't like it when people older than me accorded me too much respect all because I am more privileged than they are.

Lena walked up from behind and handed a file over to me.

“What's this?” I asked as I opened it.

“That's the contract with the Ryders” She announced.

I paused in my tracks. I looked at her wide-eyed. “You mean Jonathan Ryder?” I asked.

“It pulled through?” I asked again and she nodded.

“That's impressive. The contract is with his fashion brand here in New York right?” Lena nodded as she went through the file. “It seems my collection is going to move up and I'm definitely adding that to my catalogue”

“How bad is his reputation?” I asked.

“Bad is not the right word to use. He's impassive, stoic, aloof…”

“Enough with the adjectives. I get your point. He's cold and doesn't talk much… yet he came to me for a contract. That'd show you that I'm good at what I do” I said proudly.

“You have to bag that contract. You know it's fashion week next week and RYDR, his most popular fashion brand worldwide, will be participating. You need to be the one to model their clothes and designs” Lena advised.

“Don't worry” I held her shoulders in assurance. “I got this. For him to have drafted a contract for me to sign, shows that he needs me more than I need him”

Lena smiled. “Let's go for lunch”

“No. I need to lose some pounds for fashion week. My rivals are going to be there and I'm not going to let anything get in my way of ruining them” I chuckled.

“I wouldn't be coming with you to sign the contract. I would be off to secure a deal with a brand that called our agency. They need you” she said and looked at me knowingly.

“They always do. They can't do without me. Don't worry. I can handle myself”

“Go girl” she hyped and gave me a thumbs up.

I turned around and tilted my head to one side. Time to show ‘em who's the best.

My heels clicked on the tilled floor as I walked into my personal space.

“Pleasant evening, Ms Willows” the manager of RYDR greeted me as I walked into the hotel lounge. He had secured a table for us to sit.

“Same as to you” I smiled softly and sat down at the chair he pulled out for me.

“Thank you for the kind gesture” I appreciated.

He sat down across from me and picked up his phone. He seemed to be chatting.

Wow! Poor work ethic. If I were his boss, I'd fire him.

“Aren't we supposed to get the contract signing over with?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure and tone, even though I was slightly angry.

“Yes, we are. But Mr Ryder wants to be present. He's on his way”

I didn't say anything, I just drank some water and waited a bit.

It's time to see how bad or impassive Jonathan Ryder’s reputation is.

He arrived only a few minutes later and after much talkings which was done by his manager, the contract was signed. I will be the face of their brand.

“Cheers to our partnership” Jonathan Ryder said as he and I clinked out glasses of champagne.

“Cheers to more wins in the future” I smiled and we both took a sip from our glasses.

Achieved! Fashion week, here I come.

After a few sips, I began to feel hot. I looked at Jonathan, and he didn't seem to feel hot in any way. I didn't want to appear that I was hot. I took another sip and the heat intensified.

“I need fresh air” I said and without waiting for him to say anything, I stood up and walked outside.

My movements were hazy and my vision blurred. The last thing I remember was standing by the door and using my hands to fan myself.