CREME DE LA CREME

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧: exuding wealth

Anastasia stands at the podium, sunglasses hiding her eyes from the flashing cameras. One thing is for damn sure: this girl knows how to command attention in a room.

"Ah, it's good to be center stage again. Anyone missed me?" Anastasia starts. "Well, of course, you did. I'm a pleasure to be around."

The reporters smile or laugh. She's not lying. People tend to gravitate towards her at any event. 

"Anastasia, tell us. What made you want to start Serene Beauty?" One reporter inquires. "And why keep it a secret?"

Good question. Celine really wants to know why Anastasia felt the need to hide something so big from her family.

Bitch what? Y'all insert yourselves into every fucking thing. If I were Stassi, I'd hide some shit from you as well, because you assholes just don't deserve to know.

"Even when I was younger, I was always interested in starting my own beauty business- a cosmetics company came naturally. I mean look at me." That comment makes almost everyone laugh. "Just kidding. On the topic of me keeping my role in this business a secret- well it's pretty simple. Some people in my life don't take me seriously. They seem to have their minds made up about me. 'Anastasia doesn't bring any impact whatsoever. All that girl does is go to parties every night and spend her daddy's money.' Yeah, no. That's not it."

"Did you get help from anyone? Your family?"

Anastasia pauses and takes her Gucci shades off before answering that question. Of course, the answer is a resounding hell no and she's going to make that fact very fucking clear today.

"I received help from every person standing with me on this stage. If it hadn't been for them and Cameron, my fiancé as of last night, I wouldn't be standing here right now. It took them constantly telling me that I can do it. It took a while but as you can see here, I listened to them and here we are." She sips from a bottle of water before continuing. "And to be completely honest with you, my family was unaware of this. I never told them because they've very nosey and don't know how to mind their own business."

Yeah, she's highly aware of the fact that her family is in the room but she could care less about that shit at this very moment.

"I know how they operate. They'll find out something and then try to take over. I'm not having any of that so I kept it to myself. I didn't use my last name to get to where I am or use my parents' resources to get ahead. Nor did I sleep with anyone. Some of y'all like to lie on me. I feel the need to set you straight."

Cameron ignores the flashing lights to kiss Anastasia right on the lips. He doesn't care about toning down the PDA.

"Cameron, Cameron. First and foremost, congratulations on your engagement. You two are beautiful together and I wish you a lifetime of happiness and bliss. How proud are you of Anastasia and all of her success?"

Cameron hugs her from behind and looks out into the crowd with a stupid grin on his handsome face. "I'm so proud of her. We met when she was going through a tough time in life- no I'm not telling y'all what it is. But long before we started dating, she expressed her eagerness to start her own brand- something to separate her from her family. Me being me, always wanting to see her win, encouraged her wholeheartedly to make a name for herself. And she has. Stassi, I love you, my little diamond."

Anastasia doesn't bother to hide her face when she blushes this time. Cameron always knows how to make her feel good in any situation. God, she's so damn lucky to have him.

They hurl a few more questions her way. With a few more praises to her team, her friends, she thanks the media for coming out and watches as they file out of the room, into the lobby for the launch party. Michelle deems the conference over.