Chapter 8: She’s already dead
The next day came by and, the fashion show was tonight. Adriana wore a slopping shoulder sequin dress. James wore a three-piece suit in a light blue color. Aria, who would also model in the runaway, wore a sparkle sequin train gown.
She and James would walk at the end of the show because they would occasionally also have photoshoots for Adriana's clothing lines. Adriana was very much against it at first but, Crysty convinced her otherwise. It's not like she didn't like it either. She gave birth to two little angels, okay? They are beautiful! It would be such a pity not to show them off.
Once they were all ready, they entered the car a set off to their destination.
Adriana sent the kids with Crysty through the backdoor because the front entrance was full of reporters and celebrities.
She had made the fashion show masquerade-themed, which meant she had no excuse to avoid her appearance. Reporters would take pictures of her with a mask on, so that's fine, but it still made her nervous.
Before exiting the car, Adriana glanced at Ralf. "Is it all set?" She asked. "Ma'am, Briana Brooklyn has already signed the contract, and she will be working under you for the next three months. We will head to New York to meet her next week, and she will have no way of backing out." Ralf replied.
Adriana smirked. "Perfect. Contact LABELS. I will also start working with them for a few months." Adriana ordered, and she put on her silver mask. Ralf nodded his head and exited the car to open the door for her.
"Is Bryan outside?" Adriana asked when they came out. The camera's flashed in front of her face, and the reporters surrounded her instantly. That's because the designer mark was in her dress and mask, making them recognize her quickly.
"Here I am!" A man waved. Adriana smiled and, she dismissed Ralf. "My lady." He bowed jokingly. "Stop playing; let's go in." Adriana chuckled, hooking her arm around his. They walked inside with reporters taking pictures.
Seeing that they wanted to ask her questions, Adriana lifted her hand in front of them, signaling that she would not answer any questions tonight.
"He's here!" Someone yelled. "President Noah Preston of LABELS!" Someone else shouted in excitement. The reporters made their way towards him, but a wall of guards stopped them. When the guards made sure the reporters kept their distance they made two straight lines and allowed him to walk through.
Adriana turned around with her lips, parted in awe. He of course wasn't wearing a mask yet so she could memorize all his features carefully. She promised herself that she would just take one last glance and go inside.
She had seen him many times before, and every time she was always amazed. They are both in the same industry so it would be impossible to avoid him. Every time she saw him she would only watch from far and this was the closest she has ever gotten to him.
It amazed her how much more handsome he became. The sweet boy she married in her early 20's was already gone. He became a more mature man and a powerful one at that. He shook the industry and took over everything like a tyrant. She changed, and so did he….
'I guess we both grew up.' She thought. Despite what has happened, she holds no grudge or hatred towards him. She sighed and was about to look away when Bryan tapped her shoulder.
To her surprise, their eyes met from far. He maintained his sight on her as he put on his mask. She glanced away as if she wasn't looking at him in the first place. Those bright blue eyes she fell in love with once had turned into a cold icy and intimidating pair.
His glares were dangerous, his every order was received like a law. His words wise, and his decisions admirable. It's no wonder he became so powerful. The years changed him into a very cold man. Before he was young and still sweet just like her they were both two young adults, naive and foolish.
She grew up to. The circumstances forced her to mature and to become stronger. She learned to become emotionless and cold. In the past, she could not bear to glare at anyone but now it's different. To protect her kids and her career she had to become stronger.
She sighed and ignored the thumping in her heart. 'I really hope there isn't a cold war between us. As long as you give me that fiance of yours I won't do anything to harm you. I promise. I just want to end her no biggie.'
Adriana entered along with Bryan Rivers who is her senior from college and one of her male friends. He offered to be her male partner tonight so of course, she accepted.
"Will Aria and James participate tonight?" Bryan asked. "Yeah, they will be the last ones in the stage," Adriana replied.
As they walked up the stairs to the balcony room, Adriana heard a male voice that almost made her heart drop.
"Mr.Preston this way please." One of her employees led him to his room which happened to coincidentally be next to hers and Bryan's. She stopped walking and stopped Bryan from continuing. 'It's not the right time yet.' She thought nervously.
"Mr.Preston?" The employee called out in confusion when he suddenly stopped walking. Noah turned around but he saw no one behind him and the employee. His lip's twitched at the voice he had heard before. He thought it sounded familiar but then he reminded himself, 'She's already dead.'
"Lead the way." His chilly voice directed at the employee.
….
Adriana waited until he was inside his room leading to another balcony. Once he was gone she pulled Bryan inside either room quickly. "What was that?" Bryan asked in confusion. "Shh don't ask questions." Adriana shushed him and took her seat. She avoiding looking at the masked man sitting in the balcony next to theirs.
"Is something wrong?' Bryan asked once they took their seats. Adriana shook her head in response because she didn't want the man to recognize her voice. Through the whole show, she kept quiet and watched the show unfold. When James and Aria's turn came, she smiled proudly.
They did a fantastic job, and thankfully they were also wearing their masks. She knew there was a chance that Noah would come because she allowed the invitation to be sent; either way, it still surprised her.
"Let's go backstage. Some reporters will appear to ask questions. They are trustworthy and won't disclose your gender as JUSTINE, I promise." Bryan told her when the show ended. Adriana sent him a glare.
'This idiot.'
She gulped when she felt Noah's gaze on her once again. She gave Bryan a smile and walked away from the balcony. She pushed the door open, dragging Bryan with her.
"Are you an idiot? Don't say that so freely!" She scolded him.
Weekly Power Status
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