Chapter 22-Audrey Vs Jonathan
Jonathan's POV...
I tried focusing on my work, but I felt restless. I felt like something was about to go wrong.
I sighed. It could be because my tech launch is a few days from now. Maybe I was just overthinking things.
What could possibly go wrong?
"Sir. Sir" Richard came rushing in with his phone in his hand.
"What is the matter?" I asked, uninterested.
"Take a look at this," he pointed at his phone.
I squeezed my mouth and looked at him. "Why are you showing me a picture of Audrey?"
"No, that's not it," he pointed at the screen.
I looked closely this time. In the picture, a girl was standing beside her.
Wait... a girl.
I grabbed the phone from Richard. I zoomed in.
A girl... Alexa, my sister.
I gasped. What was Alexa doing with her and how did they meet to take pictures?
"Meeting with the sweetest model the world has ever produced" I read the caption.
What does she mean by model?
The last time I checked, Alexa was in the UK doing her masters degree.
I looked at Richard. "How did you get this picture?"
"From her story on Instagram. She posted it" he replied.
"This was AI generated. Alexa is in London..."
"I'm not sure it was generated with AI, sir" he cut me off. "Female models worldwide have this event they celebrate annually. It's strictly for female models around the world. Top models are the event organizers. They are the ones that fund it... including Audrey"
"So, what are you saying?" I stared at the picture again.
He gently took the phone from me. He scrolled for a minute and showed me something on his phone. This time it was a video.
"I just want to use this opportunity to acknowledge a special person who affirmed the fact that you can achieve anything you want in life. I'm glad she achieved her dreams and joined the modeling world"
Audrey was speaking.
"A standing ovation for Alexa Cavendish" she gestured to someone in the crowd.
I watched in horror as Alexa stood up and approached her on the podium.
Wait. Wait. Wait. This doesn't make any sense. Alexa... a model?
I looked away from the phone and looked at Richard.
"You're viewing Audrey's story on Instagram," he said.
I snatched the phone roughly and went through her story.
Her story included pictures taken with my sister, videos of them dancing. Realisation dawned on me. Alexa was indeed a model.
How could she venture into that career? My mom made sure that she got the best education and secured her the best hospital in London where she would do her masters degree.
Another thought came to me. "Audrey posted this on her story, meaning her followers, the media... everyone, must have seen this"
"Yes sir"
"If my mother sees this, it'll be bad. I can't let that happen" I said, alarmed.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
I handed his phone over to him and brought my phone.
"I'm going to ask her to take down every single picture and video of Alexa, being a model," I said.
"If this gets the attention of the media... it's going to get messy. And I'm not going to let that happen"
"If she doesn't agree to take it down, what will you do then?" He asked.
"Where are they having this annual model whatever?" I asked.
"In Paris"
"Good. I'm going there" I announced.
"How are you going to get to their exact location? You don't know where the event is held" he said.
"Google it... or go through her story or posts, there must be something there we can use..."
"Found it," he said. "She posted 'See you in Montclairé"
"Get the jet ready. We're going to Paris" I said.
Audrey's POV...
It was already eleven o'clock and the party was nothing near to getting over. I was already feeling sleepy and I was tired as well.
I had been answering questions from junior models and a lot of mentees. I never knew I inspired so many females.
Whatever you do, keep doing it with God's strength, cause there might be people who look up to you.
"I'm tired" I mouthed to Lena. She was sitting by the VIP section. She's my manager, so she gets VIP treatment. Next time, try to be my manager.
Her eyes looked heavy like she was forcing them to stay open. She looked tired herself.
"Let's go" she mouthed too.
I nodded. I looked around and observed how the junior models were all clinging to popular ones. They want to clear their paths in the modeling world. I wouldn't blame them. I would do the same.
I stood up and walked down the podium. A large crowd gathered around me.
"Don't worry ladies. I'll be here for the gala. I can't miss that for anything in the world" I smiled at them.
Someone held my hand and I turned abruptly. It was Alexa. I noticed the resemblance between her and Jonathan.
When was the last time I saw that jerk's face?
We went outside together. I exhaled as soon as we were outside.
The city was lighted. There were lights everywhere.
I looked down at my hand tangled with Alexa's. I gently snatched my hand away. She's been too clingy.
"Thank you for recognising me in front of everyone. I truly appreciate that. It's not everyday Audrey Willows acknowledges someone. That's a game changer for me" she thanked me.
"It's okay. You don't have to be so..."
"Really. She recognised you and it's a game changer for you"
We turned around immediately and I was staring at the cold face of Jonathan.
What was he doing here?
"Johna... Jonathan" Alexa stammered. "What are you doing here?"
"That doesn't answer my question," he said with gritted teeth.
"It's no... not what... you think"
"No it's not" he scoffed. "You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady"
He walked past me and snatched her hand roughly and pulled her along.
"Jonathan, please stop," she pleaded.
He didn't even acknowledge my presence.
"Audrey," she called out to me.
"You know you'll have a lot of explaining to do as well if eventually someone comes out and sees this display of madness" I said to Jonathan.
He glared at me.
"I could have been that someone" Lena said as she came outside. "I've been watching from inside. It's better we go somewhere safer and then you can do whatever you want with your Alexa"
His lips twitched. He looked at Lena before looking at me.
His eyes held so much rage.
"I'm going to give you the chance to explain yourself," he said, as soon as we entered the suite. The door closed shut with a bang.
Lena left the living room and went inside to the room.
"I... I..." Alexa stuttered. She looked very scared.
"You what?" Jonathan thundered.
I jerked at his reaction. Alexa was shivering like a scared cat.
I suddenly felt bad for her. I didn't consider how this would affect her before releasing those pictures and videos. I was so consumed with getting back at Jonathan and his mother that I didn't think of the general consequence.
I stepped between them, and stood protectively in front Alexa.
"You don't get to talk to her that way," I said.
"This has nothing to do with you," he snarled. "Get out of the way"
"Of course it has everything to do with me. I'm her mentor, so I'm responsible for her"
"Mentor" he scoffed. "So it was you who coaxed her into this?"
"It has nothing to do with Audrey," Alexa said from behind. "I took this decision on my own. She only inspired me"
"What do you mean inspired? Mom gave you everything. She made sure you got into the best university, even though your grades were bad"
"I know I had bad grades, and mum did everything she could. But did you know if that was what I wanted?" she defended.
"You're supposed to be in London finishing your residency, with the assurance that you'll get your own hospital after that. What more do you want?" He thundered.
"I don't want any of that," she shouted. "Did you ever stop for a minute to ask me if that was what I wanted?"
She came out from behind and stood in front of him. She seemed not to be scared anymore.
"I appreciate her efforts, but she did all those things to her own advantage and not mine"
"Don't you say that" Jonathan muttered threateningly.
"She was after the fame and prestige that her daughter attended the top university worldwide. I had to succumb to that because I wanted to please her, but I wasn't happy and you both used my grades to threaten me" she heaved heavily.
Their family had more cracks than I realized. Jonathan wasn't on good terms with his father. I've seen it on the news. Now, the daughter wasn't happy with the mother as she is only after her selfish interest.
"Of all careers, why this one?" He asked.
"I love it. No particular reason. I've always been withdrawn and shy. I could have gotten bullied in middle school and high school, if not for my last name. But in this career, I get to put myself out there and succeed based on my talents, not because I'm from a wealthy family"
"You built your wealth yourself" she continued. "So why can't I?"
He wasn't looking at her anymore. He was looking down. His hands were fisted.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. "Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me?" The anger in his voice was gone and was replaced with something I'd call guilt.
"I knew you would support mom. You will dissuade me. So I decided not to tell you"
Their mom was just trouble. She hated models without any valid reason. On top of that, she was using her children to achieve fame and for her own personal gain.
I sighed. I held Alexa's shoulder and smiled at her as I walked past. That should calm her, though she didn't look so scared anymore.
"You have to delete those pictures and videos" Jonathan said as I walked past him.
I pretended not to hear him. He can't ignore me all this while and then say something to me and expect me to reply.
I kept walking.
Everything happened so fast. One minute I was walking away, the next minute, Jonathan's hands held my wrist firmly. His touch made my skin tingle.
"I said you have to delete those pictures and videos"
I scoffed. "That'll never happen. You can't tell me what to do" I leaned towards his ear.
"I've got two pieces of good news for you.
Your sister should know by now that all this is a pretense.
She's not that stupid. Second, I don't give a damn about your mother seeing it or not. I'll have my editor put it on the news"
I released myself from his hold and walked away. I opened the door and Lena rushed towards the bed. She was eavesdropping. I closed the door and placed my ear by the door as well. She joined me.
"Jonathan I'm sorry if my presence caused a ridge between you and Audrey. You two had a fight because of me"
I laughed. "She's actually stupid"
"I'll advise you as a sister. You have something beautiful with Audrey. I've never seen you smile the way you do whenever you're with her. I see you two on the news. She's the one for you"
Lena put her hands on her mouth as she started laughing.
"But don't let that sacrifice mom made blind you from seeing her wrongdoings, because then, you could end up sacrificing something so important to you, even more than she sacrificed"
The whole suite went silent. I could hear my own heart beat.
I moved away from the door towards the bed.
What exactly did their mom sacrifice that made Jonathan this way?
Woah. What a rollercoaster. Who's excited for the next part?