Chapter 16: Enough Is Enough
It was all over the tabloids again.
Bachelor billionaire and forgotten heiress spotted again?! What is this scandal? A bidding romance or a passing fling.
I scoffed dumping the paper by the bedside table. They should know that I have a name and not the forgotten heiress.
And let's not talk about how the front page was Aurora modelling for the Loui Vuitt new fabulous bag.
She should keep on enjoying everything while it lasts, as for I, I am going to sleep no more.
I picked up my phone and dialed a number. The person picked almost instantly.
"I am going to kill you."
"Well that's one way to greet your friend."
The voice huffed, "Where have you been? All I am seeing is news about you on the gossip monger. No calls, no returns of my calls, no messages, fuck, no bird even appeared on my window to inform me if my friend is dead or alive. Which is totally not cool, do you know how anxious I was?" I could hear the anger in her voice. "I know I am not Hailey, even Hailey didn't say anything all of a sudden she came to work to take over your position. I…oh my goodness, you are going to give me high blood pressure."
I sighed, I only spent time with Hailey that I forgot about people that actually cared about me.
"I am sorry Jules, I really am."
"Sorry? You are sorry?"
Her words hit me like a slap in the face, and I winced at the sharpness of her tone. It was clear she was hurt, and I felt a pang of guilt for causing her distress.
Jules Reynolds was one of the best managers at Lumiere Couture, my mother's company and my only other friend apart from Hailey. Jules had always been steadfast and goal oriented, she was a no game kinda girl, strict, I was always envious about her courage and that envy led me far away from her.
We only talk every two months and now here I am, alone and she was the only person from my past that still cared. I had ignored her missed calls, her messages, her emails, everything because I could not face the shame.
"What can I do to make it up to you?" I asked earnestly, desperate to mend the rift I had unintentionally caused in our friendship.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Jules let out a heavy sigh. "Honestly, Ember, I don't know," she replied, her voice softer now, tinged with a hint of resignation. "I just... I guess I just want to know that you're okay, that you're safe and sound."
Her words tugged at my heartstrings, reminding me of the importance of nurturing the bonds with those who truly cared about me. "I understand," I said, feeling a surge of determination to make things right. "I promise I'll make more effort to stay in touch and let you know how I'm doing."
Jules let out a small chuckle, the tension in her voice easing slightly. "That's all I ask for, Ember. Just don't disappear on me again, okay?"
"I won't," I assured her, grateful for her forgiveness and understanding. "Thank you, Jules. For everything and I am really sorry for being such a bad friend."
"It's alright, Ember," Jules replied with a hint of warmth in her voice. "We all have our moments. Just promise me you'll keep me in the loop from now on."
"I promise," I affirmed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
"Good," Jules said cheerfully. "Hey, how about we go get some fondue tonight? My treat."
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "That sounds perfect," I agreed eagerly. "I'll meet you there."
"Great! See you then," Jules said before we ended the call.
****
The fondue place was cozy and inviting, with warm lighting casting a soft glow over the rustic wooden tables and plush chairs. The scent of melted cheese and chocolate filled the air, tantalizing my senses as I entered.
I had opted for a simple yet stylish outfit, wearing a fitted black dress that accentuated my figure, paired with a delicate necklace and heels. It was a far cry from the glamorous attire I had grown accustomed to, but tonight, I felt comfortable and confident in my own skin.
With my hair in a bun, it was easy for me to take off my black jacked and placed it over my chair.
As I took my seat, I couldn't help but admire Jules as she approached. She was the epitome of elegance, with her tall, graceful stature and striking features that could easily grace the covers of magazines. Despite her natural beauty, Jules had always shied away from the spotlight, preferring to work behind the scenes.
Yet, her talent was undeniable. As the manager of Lumiere's greatest supermodel, Arya Jackson, she had navigated the cutthroat world of fashion with poise and finesse, earning the respect of industry insiders and competitors alike.
Arya was the only person who could rival Aurora in her game, and Jules had played a pivotal role in her rise to stardom. That was before Arya died from drug overdose.
Despite her impressive achievements, Jules remained humble and down-to-earth, her genuine kindness and warmth drawing people to her effortlessly.
Jules was dressed in a chic ensemble, wearing a sleek black blouse paired with form-fitting jeans that accentuated her long legs. True to her love for knee-high boots, she had opted for a stylish pair in rich brown leather, adding a touch of edgy sophistication to her look.
As she approached, a grin spread across her face. "Scoot over, darling. I ain't sitting opposite of my best friend," she declared playfully.
I chuckled and shifted in my seat, making room for her beside me. Before I could say anything, Jules enveloped me in a warm hug, her genuine affection palpable. "But first," she said, pulling away with a grin, "I miss you."
Touched by her words, I returned her smile. "I miss you too, Jules."
As we settled in and placed our order, the conversation flowed easily between us. But as the meal progressed, I noticed a shift in Jules's demeanor. Her usual cheerful expression had been replaced by one of sadness, and I could see the concern in her eyes as she looked at me when I recounted what happened in the past month.
"I can't believe Hailey would do that," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. "I mean, I understand Jaxon, because he is a man and men...let's not go there. But Hailey... I mean, we even have friendship bracelets. I know I've been so busy, but... gosh."
Indeed, we were a trio and like all trio, I was closed to Hailey. I cared for her, she was like a sister I never had. She was the only one amongst us not from a rich family and we didn't care. For everything to have been a plan, it…hurts.
"And then Aurora," Jules said, "She took your career, she took your company, she took your father and your home. And now she took your fiancé."
I clenched my fists in anger as I rested my back against the chair, feeling the weight of betrayal and disappointment heavy on my shoulders.
"Enough is enough," I declared, meeting Jules's gaze.
Jules raised an eyebrow, sensing the gravity of my words. "And?" she prompted, her voice gentle yet probing.
Taking a deep breath, I answered, "I am going back to modeling," I stated firmly. "And I need you to be my manager."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone