Chapter 31-A battle of lovefame
Audrey's POV...
I shut the door behind me and walked slowly to my bed. It felt like ages since I had been here.
My hands reached up to my face and cupped my cheeks. My cheeks burned. I was really blushing.
"This isn't right" I shook my head. "I shouldn't be feeling this way towards Jonathan. It wasn't part of the contract"
I ruffled my hair and fell back in bed. I placed the pillow on my face and screamed into it. "Aaaahh"
"I have two pieces of information for you Lena" I said while Lena and I were at an eatery. We had just bagged another ambassadorship offer, so Lena took me out to celebrate.
"What are they?" She asked as she took a bite from her burger.
I sipped my juice. "Promise me you won't freak out"
"Sure" she answered with food in her mouth. "I'm not a freak so I won't freak out"
"Jonathan's manager was the one who drugged us that night. He spiked the wine"
"His manager?" She asked, her eyes wide. "The one I always watch on TV?"
I nodded.
"No way. To think I was considering going out with him" she sulked.
I grimaced in disgust. "You... like him?"
"I don't like him. I only wanted to hang out with him"
"The man I met should be in his 40s. How can you want to hang out with him?" I questioned.
"Richard is not that old. You're exaggerating" she countered.
I face palmed myself. "I'm not talking about Richard. I'm talking about the man I met when Jonathan wanted me to model for them during fashion week"
"Oh" she sighed in relief. "Thank goodness it isn't Richard" she smiled sheepishly.
"How did you know he drugged you guys and... why?"
"We're still investigating it. We should have a solid answer soon" I said.
"What's the second information?" She asked.
I leaned forward slowly and tapped my fingers lightly on the table. I looked around to know if anyone was eavesdropping.
Lena joined in looking around as well. "Is something wrong? Are you looking for someone?"
"Come closer" I gestured for her to come closer. She dragged herself closer. She had a slice of pizza in hand.
"I think I'm falling for Jonathan" I whispered.
"I didn't hear you," she whispered back.
"I said I'm falling for Jonathan" I repeated, my voice slightly higher.
"What?" She screamed, eyes wide as saucers. Everyone around stared at us. I smiled awkwardly at them.
"You what?" She asked.
"You heard me" I relaxed back on my chair and crossed my arms.
"Why did you fall for him?" She kept the pizza back and dropped her drink on the table.
I frowned. "What do you mean? That was your plan all along. You were the one who was shipping us and creating awkward situations. So..."
"I know. I know. I did do things. But I didn't really believe that anything would happen between you two. You two didn't seem like you'll get along, let alone fall in love. My plan was just to get you both to be friends"
"Well congratulations" I clapped dramatically. "Your plan worked so perfectly. Now, I blush and nearly have a heart attack whenever I see him because my heart would be beating so wildly"
"This is unbelievable" she held her head like a mother whose child had committed something bad.
"Does he feel the same way?" She asked.
I shook my head. "I don't know. But he acts strange though. Like the way he speaks to me, it's not the same as before. He used to sound cold, but now he sounds... sweet"
Lena snapped her fingers in front of me. "Are you daydreaming?"
I shook my head. "Of course not"
"Have you told him?" She asked.
"I have my pride remember. I'm not doing that" I replied.
"What if he feels the same way but is hiding it? That would mean that you two breached the contract" she added.
"It's just hard to stay around him, especially now that I've realised my feelings for him. It makes it harder to hide or pretend" I admitted.
"You have to pretend for the meantime. Until we realise if he feels the same way. If he does... well until then"
"And if he doesn't?"I asked.
"Until then as well" she said.
"Is this how it usually feels? You know, when you like someone?" I asked. I had never liked anyone before. As a matter of fact, I never gave any man any chance in my life, I didn't want to go through what my mom went through in the hands of my father.
"That's how it usually is.... from what I've heard and watched in the movies" she paused. "Why are you asking me anyways? I'm not a relationship specialist and I've not fallen in love with anyone before"
"The two of us are on the same boat" she said dramatically in a sad way.
I burst into laughter. "You're crazy"
She smiled and held my hand on the table. "Don't worry. It's going to be okay"
I nodded.
"Would you ladies mind if I joined you?"
We looked up and the last person we expected was standing by our table.
"Mrs Cavendish. What a pleasure" Lena said.
Seeing her face just reminded me of the insults she gave me that particular day.
Cavendish! I thought to myself. The name sounded like an Italian dish.
She took a seat by my right and placed her bag on the table.
"I see you ladies are enjoying yourselves" she said as she glanced at the food on the table.
"Is there something you want?" I asked. I didn't care if my tone came off as rude.
"Don't worry. I won't take much of your time" she turned to Lena. "If you don't mind, I'll like to speak to Ms Willows... alone"
Lena looked at me. She wanted to object, but I nodded, indicating she could leave.
"I want to make you an offer," she said.
I leaned towards the table. "Nothing you will give can be enticing enough for me"
"You can't be too sure," she smirked.
I crossed my arms over my chest and relaxed back on my seat.
"De Claire will be releasing their list next month. Their slots are open and invitations will be going out soon. Soon after that, they'll be announcing their face" she said.
"What's your point?"
She leaned closer. "I hear you've been eyeing that spot for ages and that is the very one thing that your influence, fame or wealth can't buy"
"So you've been spying on me, huh?"
"Hmm" she shrugged. "Lara Jones seems to have the upper hand here. She's your rival. You've always beat her in everything. Now it seems she's beating you to this very one thing you want"
I fumed internally. I knew what she was trying to do. Lara Jones and I competed for virtually every offer, deal and ambassadorship, but she was always second best to me.
She was trying to get a reaction from me by mentioning how Lara Jones was winning this time.
"But you have a chance. I know the Creative Director. She's a good friend of mine. We met once at a dinner party. I can talk to her concerning you and maybe pull a few strings on your behalf"
"How sure am I that you have access to the Creative Director?" I asked.
She pulled her phone out of her bag. She smiled slyly at me as she dialed a number.
On the first ring, the call connected.
"Hey Lucy. It's been a long time. So glad you called" the speaker at the other end said.
My eyes grew. That was Mary Carson's voice, the Creative Director of De Claire. I looked at Jonathan's mother in surprise.
"Mary. I'm in the middle of something. I'll call you later"
"Okay, bye. Talk to you later," the call ended.
"Is that enough proof or I should invite her over for dinner with you?" She asked.
This was indeed an enticing offer. I've had my eyes on being the face of De Claire for three years now. It was the biggest fashion brand worldwide. But each time, I fail to get that spot.
"What's in it for you?" I asked.
"That's true. My condition. I have only one harmless condition" she raised her index finger.
She paused.
"I want you to end your relationship with Jonathan"
I sat upright. "What?"
"You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. You're at the peak of your career. Get this spot and your name will be on the lips of every brand, industry... everyone"
I slowly lowered my head.
"It seems I can't get Jonathan to end whatever he has with you. So I had to come to you. You're not right for him"
My chest twisted when she said that.
"You're not his ideal girl. I know he loves you..."
"What?" I raised my head. Jonathan loves me?
"I've never seen Jonathan as happy and lively as he is now in the past. That's courtesy of you. He's never even been this happy in his first relationship"
I furrowed my brows. He'd loved a girl before. I felt a sting of jealousy.
"Since you agreed that he's happy, why do you want to break that happiness by separating us?" I asked.
"I don't do emotions. You should have learnt that from Jonathan, the same way I learnt it from his father"
I sensed the pain in her voice.
"You have until 9pm to decide. Are you going to let Lara Jones grab this one thing from you and claim a fame that's supposed to be yours, just to stay with Jonathan..." She paused and looked at me. This was a different kind of look.
"Or will you break up with Jonathan and take what's rightfully yours?"
"Decide quickly" she added as she took her bag and walked away.
Lena rushed in immediately she left. "What did she say?"
I looked down. I wanted that spot so bad. How can I let Lara get it? But to get it now, I'd have to sacrifice Jonathan. How can I do that as well? Especially now that I've realised my feelings for him.
This is not good.