Chapter 29-They kissed
Audrey's POV...
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red and felt painful. There were black smudges under my eyes. My makeup was ruined.
I lowered my head towards the sink and washed my face. I stared at my reflection again, I felt like a complete mess.
Dragging my feet, I walked out of the bathroom and back into the dimly lit bedroom. The soft hum of the medical equipment filled the silence. Jonathan lay on the bed, unmoving, his chest rising and falling slowly beneath the white cotton sateen sheets.
I sat beside him carefully, as if any sudden movement might worsen his condition.
"His health condition worsened. Without your permission, we can't diagnose him," the doctor's words echoed in my head. "This treatment is only temporary. He needs proper medical attention now."
I placed my palm over his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my hand. It was there...thank God.
My fingers trembled as I slid my hand beneath the covers to touch his fingers. They were warmer now, no longer icy and lifeless. Some color had returned to his face now.
I tilted my head and glanced at the electronic wall clock mounted opposite the bed. It was getting late. The gala must have commenced, but I couldn't leave Jonathan in this state.
My gaze shifted from him to my phone buzzing on the bedside table.
I reached for it and checked the caller ID. It was Lena.
"Yes Lena" I said tiredly, placing the phone on the loudspeaker and dropping it on the bed beside me.
"Is Jonathan okay now?" She asked.
"Yes," I muttered. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, then leaned against the headboard. My eyes felt heavy. I needed a proper sleep. I had been crying for almost two hours.
There was silence. I thought she had disconnected. I opened my eyes and picked the phone from the bed. I stared at the phone.
"Lena?" I called.
"Sorry, I'm still here," she replied quietly. Then she sighed deeply. "It's just that... things are not good."
I sat up immediately.
"What's wrong?" I asked sharply.
"Maya Benjamin is stirring the fans"
"What?" I blinked several times. The same Maya Benjamin, Jonathan's childhood...
"She's using your absence to turn the fans against you," Lena continued. "She's making it seem like you don't value them."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. "What is she even doing there? That gala is strictly for models alone."
"I don't know how she got in," Lena said, her tone frustrated, "but that should be the least of our worries. Listen to this."
She brought the phone closer to whatever was happening on her end. The background was noisy; music, chatter, but I could hear the supposed Maya's voice clearly enough.
'Where's your Audrey Willows?' her voice rang out mockingly. 'She's nowhere to be found. It just implies one thing... she doesn't value you. She's only using you to achieve fame.'
My fingers curled slowly into a fist. I let out a humorless laugh. Ohhh, that girl is playing with fire, I thought coldly. And she's going to get burned.
For even daring to go one-on-one against me and executing it... she was going to pay.
No one does such things with my reputation... especially not with my fans.
"She's trying to turn the fans against you," Lena added, her voice low. "And I think... she's succeeding."
I glanced back at Jonathan, still unconscious, still vulnerable.
The world was pulling me in opposite directions and no matter which way I turned, something was going to break.
"Don't worry. I'll fix this mess" I said with finality and ended the call.
Taking one last look at Jonathan, I walked out of the room. I didn't know this Maya Benjamin and what gave her the balls to think she could turn my fans against me, but I was going to put her in her place.
The door opened and I put my right foot down from the car. The moment the car came to a halt, everyone; the paparazzi and reporters gathered around and started taking pictures.
"It's Audrey Willows. She finally made an appearance" the entertainment media announced.
Oh yeah, that's more like it.
I placed my left foot on the carpet and stepped out of the car. Instantly, camera flashes exploded around me, bright and blinding.
I straightened my shoulders and walked forward majestically as if the entire world wasn't watching my every move.
The red gown clung to my body like it had been tailored just for this moment, its rich color melting into the red carpet beneath my feet.
Flashes followed me from every angle. Cameras clicked rapidly, voices overlapping as reporters called my name.
"Audrey! Over here!"
"Look this way!"
Red gloves hugged my arms up to my elbows, matching my red heels perfectly. A gold handbag rested in my hand, catching the light each time a flash went off. My red lips curved into a smile when my fans gushed at my appearance.
"Oh my God. It's Audrey" my fans shouted in excitement as I walked the red carpet.
I reached the entrance and stopped. Turning around, I motioned to one of the reporters who placed a microphone below my lips.
The crowd slowly quieted. Even the flashes seemed to stop.
"I've got just one thing to say...."
I watched everyone. I saw the anticipation in their eyes.
"I think we spend too much time chasing perfection," I said calmly.
A soft smile touched my lips.
"But tonight..." I let my eyes sweep across the crowd, the cameras, the fans.
"Tonight is about owning your story."
For a second, there was silence.
Then the flashes exploded.
"We love you Audrey" my fans raised a banner with a big heart on it.
I blew them a kiss and saw how they each struggled to catch it.
I turned around, flipped my hair and walked inside.
As soon as I got inside, I didn't wait to speak to anyone. I walked straight to the podium. I climbed the stairs carefully.
The lady at the podium knew better than to keep me waiting.
"Let's give it up for Audrey Willows. A standing ovation please" she said as she left.
The entire room was filled with claps and screams.
"Good evening ladies" I said, when everywhere became quiet.
"It's such an honour to stand here before you all. I'm truly grateful" I bowed slightly.
"As the elite model, my presence is mandatory. So, I'm truly sorry for my absence. I apologise"
Cheers and claps filled the air.
"I couldn't be present because something came up. The love of my life, Jonathan, who couldn't stay a day without seeing me had to fly all the way from New York to Paris, just so he could see me"
"Aww, that's so sweet," someone said from the crowd.
"Unfortunately, he fell ill along the way so I had to take care of him. In as much as I love galas so much and can't afford to miss it..." I paused and looked at the faces of everyone there.
"My fiance means a lot more to me. I can't jeopardize the health of the man I love so much just so I can attend this gala. There's always a next year, but there's nobody that can ever replace Jonathan in my life"
The room was dead silent. I could literally hear the breathing of those at the front row seats.
"I promise you guys to do better next time and to my loyal fans, I just want to say that I love you all so much and I hope that one day, we could all go on a vacation to Dubai"
The entire room burst into laughter. I smiled as well.
"If I'm given the honour to be the elite model for next year, I promise you all that it'll be better than this... probably on a ship"
I caught Lena laughing at me by the end of the room.
Cheers and claps filled everywhere once more. They all stood up and applauded.
"One more thing I'm promising is that there will be no intruders" I said and looked over at Maya Benjamin that was causing a ruckus earlier. Lena had pointed at her when I was talking earlier. She was the same girl I saw kissing Jonathan.
"Any intruder will go in for whatever consequences that follow" I said.
Everyone started clapping again. I looked at Maya, she wasn't smiling. I didn't care.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a fiance that needs my attention" I added and they all cheered me on.
I bowed once again and walked down the stairs. They were still clapping as I walked past them.
Before walking out, I glanced at Maya. She was looking defeated. I made sure she was looking at me, then flipped my hair and walked out.
Mission accomplished. I could only hope one thing, that Jonathan was still okay.
I entered the suite with my heels in my hands. I was so tired from all the stress. I hadn't even had anything to eat since today.
I saw Jonathan sitting on the couch with a mug in his hand. He was looking better than when I left him.
Dropping the heels by the door as soon as I closed it, I went to sit by him.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
He nodded.
I checked his temperature by placing my hand on his forehead, it felt normal.
"You look stressed," he said.
How could that be the first thing he noticed? Couldn't he compliment my look?
"I am stressed" I said and stood up.
"You didn't have to do that" he said and I turned.
"Do what?"
He pointed the remote towards the television and it went on. It was all over the news.
Audrey Willows forfeits luxury gala because of her love for Jonathan Ryder.
Great! I deadpanned myself. He must have watched everything.
"You didn't have to do that"
"I know" I sighed as I sat down back on the couch. "But I did it"
"Why?" He pressed on. "Why did you stay with me?"
I bent my head. Why did I worry so much about him and why was my heart beating now?
"I don't know" I shook my head.
"Probably because I feel I'm responsible for you" I said as I looked up.
He smiled with the corner of his lips and looked so handsome with that smile.
His hand reached forward and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
"You look stunning in that dress" he complimented.
"Thanks" I looked away because I knew I was blushing.
My gaze returned to him when he held my hands.
"Thank you for staying," he muttered.
I didn't know what to say to that as I was so drawn in by his eyes.
I saw an emotion in his eyes. He had never looked at me like that before.
He leaned closer and shortened the gap between us. I didn't move. I just sat there, his hands holding mine, while he kept leaning in.
His face was only inches away from mine. He tilted his head to the right. I closed my eyes in anticipation for what was coming.
My heart was beating so wildly in my chest, I felt like it was going to burst.
I could feel his breath on my cheeks. I opened my eyes slightly and looked at him. His lips were parted slightly. I moved forward and closed whatever gap remained.
His lips had just met mine when...
Knock! Knock! Knock.
We froze. His lips were still on mine. I pulled back abruptly, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
I turned to the other side, my fingers slowly reaching to my lips as I touched them. Jonathan and I nearly kissed.
I clutched my chest with both hands. What was I feeling for Jonathan?
Whaaaat ????. They kissed, though it was interrupting. Ooh. Better things to come, stay tuned.