Renaming Destiny : Apsara To Myla

Fast Forward

 8 years later

I parted my lips to feel a cold touch on them. I closed my eyes and felt feathery touch all over my face as the music in the background continued. My hair was in someone's hands and I felt a sharp pull making me hiss. All noise faded as I looked at myself in the mirror in front of me. Bold eyeliner, smokey and glittery eye shadow above it, red lipstick as Elodie, my stylist, worked with my hair. Her assistant brushed some blush on my cheekbones while Elodie quickly tied my hair up in a bun. "And, done!", she announced. I quickly got off the chair and walked to the dressing room and she ran behind me. 

I saw the outfit I was supposed to wear and sighed. It was a black sequined gown that sparkled under the lights of the room. Elodie took it off the mannequin and brought it to me as I stripped. She and her assistant helped me wear the dress without harming my makeup or hair. I stood in front of a floor length mirror and looked at what I was wearing. The gown featured a plunging V-neckline that elegantly showcased my glitter-covered collarbones and added a touch of allure. The corset was form-fitting, hugging my curves before flowing out near my waist, with silver details on the waistline and I was sure it would create a mesmerizing effect with every step I took tonight under so many lights.

The gown had bishop sleeves, adding a hint of sophistication and modernity. The high slit on one side revealed a glimpse of my toned leg, adding an element of seduction to the look. The back of the dress was just as captivating, with a deep, open-back design that accentuated my posture.

To complement the smokey eye makeup and bold red lips, Elodie brought out a pair of statement chandelier earrings that caught the light. My high bun hairstyle was, then, adorned with a subtle, sparkling hairpin, completing the glamorous look that exuded confidence and sophistication.

I took one last look at myself, smiled at Elodie, who gave a happy thumbs up, and walked out. I waited for my turn and straightened up and took a deep breath in before walking out with a confident posture and a straight, model face. My steps were calculated but effortless as I walked down the runway while the cameras around me clicked multiple pictures. I did not look at anyone like always, even though I knew my mother was watching me proudly from the front seat and walked back to the back of the stage with the same confidence and grace. I had another change of clothes which did not take much time. But it was definitely heavy and tough to carry. But being a model for a while teaches you how to carry outfit with grace. And just as I expected, everything went well. 

The show continued for a couple hours more and by the end of it, I was exhausted like always. I sat in the car in my black bellbottom denim pant and white baggy button-up shirt and started to eat the same green salad I had everyday. I hadn't had anything for the show since morning and I couldn't wait until we reached home. The door of the other side of the car opened and I saw my mother sit beside me. "Mylaaaa!!! The show was a success! I'm so proud of you, honey!", I leaned in for her to kiss my cheeks and laughed. The car's engine roared and we left the parking lots of the venue, "Enzo is so jealous he isn't here to see you. And your father kept saying how relieved he is at every show to have you", I smiled at her words and said, "Well, all thanks to him for showing me what I could actually do", I stuffed my mouth with food again and sipped some water.

We spoke about the interview we had for later this evening until we reached home. I ran up the stairs as I yelled, "I'm tired! I need to get some sleep!!", and ran to my room. I closed the door behind me and jumped under covers, not bothering to take a shower before. Sienna Thorn, my colleague, a good friend and my brother's girlfriend woke me up with her thick British accent while scolding me for my laziness. "Ok, mom. I'm up!", I declared and sleepily dragged myself to go freshen up. "If I were your mother, you would have been up by now and ready for the show. My daughter would never be a lazy-bum", she angrily stated. "We'll see when you and Enzo have kids!", I sang while stripping to take a quick shower.

I left the house with her after meeting my mom near the pool and reached the studio in an hour. My bodyguards opened the doors for me as I stepped out of the car and walked to the front to meet Sienna. We held hands and walked into the studio while waving at the cameras which were flashing bright light at us. I released a sigh of relief as soon as I stepped inside and looked at Sienna to laugh. I met the host and shook hands with him in the makeup room. I had to greet a few more people but soon they all left for us to get ready. The stylist started working on my hair and makeup while I lazily scrolled through my phone. 

"Can you believe that Rachel is really pregnant? I mean she has a history of pranking her followers online. What if this is one of her pranks? She is a Hollywood actress for God's sake! Can't she behave like that?", Sienna asked. "Sienna, at this point, your pregnancy is all I am waiting for. I can't wait to be an aunt!", I sat while squealing happily. "Yeah, don't give ideas to your brother", she said and sipped on her coffee. I clicked a mirror selfie and posted it after blurring out my stylists. I did not forget to add a nice caption for it before posting it onto my story. I, then, wore the outfit that was for me for the interview. It was a simple white crop top with baggy jeans and a bright red jacket that went well with my red lipstick. My hair was free except for the two little, messy ponytails on the top of my head making me look cute, playful, stylish and relaxed at the same time. 

We did not have to wait for a long time before we were welcomed on the stage and the show began. The host, Shawn, was my father's good friend so he knew from the day I debuted. "So, Sienna, how was Italy?", I nodded and looked at her teasingly. "It was good, Shawn", she replied while audiences teased her with collective drawls. "Yes, Sienna. Tell them how it was", I supported the audiences while she turned red in embarrassment and shyness. "Well, Italy is a beautiful city-", Shawn cut her off in a robotic voice, "But her eyes were too preoccupied to see anything else other than her hot, Italian boyfriend".

We all laughed at her face and then moved on to the next question which was for me. "So, Myla, how's everything home? My dear friend hasn't texted or called me in a while. Is it because he is preparing for your debut to Hollywood too?", I sucked my cheeks in and looked at the shiny black floor to cover my smile while the audiences cheered for me. This was a false rumor going everywhere around the modelling industry and Hollywood and this interview was mainly set up to clear things out. I looked back at Shawn and said, "No", I looked at the audiences and declared, "I am not debuting to Hollywood. I don't plan on right now and I don't think I ever will", there were mixed reactions in the crowd. "But after Enzo, we all thought we were getting another Moretti for Hollywood!", Shawn said dramatically. I laughed and everything turned silent. 

"I think my career as a model matters to me the most right now and acting isn't everyone's cup of tea. I also believe that if we are doing something, we need to give justice to the art and the effort of the people involved in it. So, I don't think I am ready for it. I highly doubt I ever will be. I think Enzo does a great job in front of a camera and I will always be proud of him for that. But I don't think I could ever act like him. So effortless and graceful", Shawn made a sad face but the audiences cheered for my brother. The show continued for an hour more where we played a few easy games and had fun with the audiences laughing at our game. After the goodbyes, we had a signing event where I got to meet many fans who were cheering for me while I autographed for them. I even posed for a few pictures with the fans and then with Sienna and we left the venue. 

I went back home and after freshening up, I decided to pass some time scrolling on my phone and opened my social media app. I decided to see a few stories of the few people I followed and I swiped mindlessly until my eyes fell on one particular story. His hair was sticking to his sweaty forehead while his face was covered by the camera in the mirror selfie. His strong bulging biceps were shining as the sweat on them told me he had just had a long workout session. "Looks like someone finally remembered they had a social media account", I typed and sent it to him. I got the response almost immediately. "What can I say, Apsara? Ashwin Simha is a very busy man these days".

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