Rivals in Business, Allies in Love

Chapter 21

~Ivy~

I feel like a pinned up doll. Seated, prodded and groomed. I've sat through this on numerous occasions yet I can never get used to it. I can't get used to being slipped into a dress I don't like. I can't get used to the mixed smell of expensive perfumes.

After years of being the poster chill, I still hate to be up front and center. There's going to be a lot of cameras. I'll be forced to smile and look like I'm having the best of times. There may be a reporter or two which means I may or may not have to talk with them. A lot of rich families is out of the question. I won't be surprised if a few of them try to dangle their sons in my face.

To sum up the night, let's just say it'll be exhausting. Aching face muscles, sweet talking and fake pleasantries.

"This here is some lip gloss you should keep in your purse for the night." Bea, my stylist hands the glossy tube to me. I do often get wary with her Barbie dress up  play time but I have to admit, she's damn good at it. I look amazing.

The girl is beautiful herself. Only twenty five and she has already earned her name in the industry. Her soft bronze skin practically glows from all the self care. Today her curly hair is up into a bun and her brown eyes are wide with appreciation for her work of art. "I think I've outdone myself this time. You are going to eat that red carpet." I scrunch my nose as she clasps her hands in front her in awe.

"That sounds...like it's going to be a horrible case of indigestion." Eating a carpet sounds brutal.

"You know what I mean." She waves me off. "By the way, red is definitely your colour."

"I'll go out on a limb here and say all colours are my colour." I reach for the loose strand of hair near my eyes but Bea gently removes my hands away so that I won't ruin her work of art.

"Eh, orange washes you out." She shrugs. Bea begins to pack her things into the tote bag she came with earlier. I'm honestly surprised it all fits into that one bag. I swear she's like Doraemon or something. "Anyways I have to go now. My boyfriend has been giving me hell about not spending enough time with him. Like hello, I'm out saving the industry." I step over to the mirror to check my dress again. "Have you seen the catastrophe the Riley sisters want to bring to the trends. My gosh, it's like fashion suicide." I actually don't know who they are. I'm not very up to date on the fashion industry. "Anyways, I promised him we'll go on a date. You know how it goes."

Bea waves me and I watch as she turns into the hallway and waltz out of my sight. I actually don't know how it goes. This is exactly why you shouldn't date when your job is demanding. There will be a lot of disappointing people you care about.

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Henry turns to me from the front seat. "When I past by earlier, the place was jam-packed. You sure you'll be okay?" The concern grows on his face by the second. Oh, Henry. He thinks they'll swallow me up out there.

"I'll be fine." I mean my parents totally left me to the wolves by going in earlier to avoid the crowd but forcing me to walk the carpet as our company's representative. The same company who deemed me unready and lacking responsibility. Damn it, I hate that I have to do as I'm told just in case they change their minds.

"I'll wait a few seconds after you get out just in case you want to hop back in." I give him a soft smile. Henry is sweet. He stops in front the red carpet. The large crowd is currently flashing their cameras at some guy making his five seconds catwalk for the duration of his five seconds of fame.

I can face these people. This is my world, they're just living in it.

With that thought in mind, I step out of the car. My legs slide out of the car, revealing the mid-thigh high split in the red dress. I poke my head out and straighten once both my legs fall on the plush carpet.