ntire restaurant, with its velvet dra

h was d

s expensive wears like blood. Her hand still hovered in the air, finge

say a word

piercing, unreadable. Tessa felt like the room was tilting. She o

let out a low whistle and mutter

face flushed, her throat tight. "I

ir, dabbing his jacket with a napkin, though the deep red stain had already

n carefully. "It's not a big deal

ith a mixture of disbelief and distaste. "Accidents happen, sure. But

sped. Someone whispered, "That's Clinton A

she blinked rapidly, will

econds, moving with urge

voice syrupy with panic, "please accept our de

ton said evenly. "Th

ning-and comp your entire table, of course. Please, allow

nterrupted, brushing past the manager. "I wa

k as he followed his friend toward

idn't sto

em. No one means

e hot weather, cool air rushing in behind them. Clinton's expres

nager turned to Tes

kitche

id it wouldn't matter. She cast one last look toward the door where Clinton had di

d the swinging doors,

's d

r th

her on t

veryone w

uple exchanged a look. The man said

d the swinging doors,

niel added after a moment.

and ignored the comment. "She shouldn't

f, And you know that place hires girls based

sideways glance.

you acted like a dick in fr

rough his nose. "She dumped a full glass of red wine on a cl

ed jacket into the back of the c

anything tha

aid it like a man who doesn't

e staff entrance to the kitchen, arms crossed

Tessa. This is your last chance. If

and," she

then sighed, rubbing his temples.

t through the back entrance with quiet steps, the

de bruised-but somewhere beneath all that,

ssa's

humiliation she'd just faced at the restaurant. The soft click of the door closing

nyone to be home, so when she turned the corner into the living room and saw

surprise evident in her tone. "What are you doing

y beads onto a delicate bracelet, paused an

n't left her cheeks. Her shoulders sagged as she kicked off her sh

rward. "Why? W

a mistake," she said softly, more to herself than to them. "I spilled an e

n concern, but she didn't speak. Mirabel, on

le? I was nervous. It was one of those private VIP tables, and he kept watching me like I was some sort

Tessa's chair. "That sucks. But hey, accidents happen. You've been working nonstop

n't even know if I still have the job. He told me to

defined by your worst moments, darling. And no job-no matter how fanc

h of home and the two people who never judged he

tired, overworked, and human. Rest tonight.

sting of shame slowly beginning to fade.

essa leaned into it, but before long, her stomach growled loud enough to be heard.

sked softly, though the answer w

d. "Just a granola

herself up from the couch. "Alright

eir pantry was nearly empty-Tessa knew it. Most nights, Granny scraped meals together f

mbled stock cube and added a handful of broken spaghetti pieces-leftovers from the bottom of a bag. She stirr

tly, saying nothing. Tessa slumped back in th

, Mirabel returned,

he said, setting them on the floor in fro

p, confused. "

open

leggings, and a brand new pack of socks. Another bag

a's voice broke.

k for help, but that doesn't mean you don't need it. You and Granny do everyth

ds. She placed it gently on the small table in front of Tessa. It was watery noodle

with a small smile. "But it's

at the new clothes, then at the tw

what I'd do

ing, Tess," Mirabel said ge

feel everything-grateful, tired, safe. Poor as they

el the heat radiating off Clinton-not just from the sun beating thr

ith a sharp twist, and t

ered as he pulled out of the lot. "She w

over. "It was a

"She dumped a whole glass on me in front of half the

ook stupid. Y

"Yeah, by walking away with

emper-not explosive, but icy, cutting. When he felt humiliated, he shut the

he rhythm of passing tires filling the car. Daniel's phone buz

u

ered. "

still gripping the wheel l

his mother's voice came t

," he replied. "

ht here. And bring

nked. "Cli

enough food, and I have m

ay. I'll

at Clinton, who was sti

you to come

rched a b

food. And my uncle

"I'm not exactly

ally if you don't show

is grip on the wheel. "Fine

ur

the roads. Tall gates, polished lawns, marble driveways-their world. The car pulled through Daniel's security gate

heir grand estate, her scarf tied elegant

her arms. "You came. I heard what ha

d smile but allowed th

with light pouring in through tall windows. The smell of r

e sitting room, grinning. "A

he smile didn't reach h

ng table had already been set. Crystal glasses,

ned jacket and draping it over the back of

had spilled the drink. The way she looke

ved the th

ne who owed any

aniella ( Daniel's mum) said which m

ing a soft glow on the long mahogany table set with crystal glassware and pol

of goat meat, buttery yam pottage sprinkled with crayfish, and a medley of sautéed vegetables drizzled with olive oil. Thick slices of fried p

Daniel and his uncle. Though the tension hadn't fully left his face, he ate steadily. H

ion lingered subtly on Clinton. She didn't pry, didn't ask questions about his mood, but her warmth was there-in the way sh

often," she said with a smile, clearing e

thoughtful. "If I had your cooking e

of the table. "That's why she doesn't

on wiped his hands with a war

sure you don't want t

d. "Nah. I've got a f

engine echoed faintly in the driveway where Clinton's car-a sleek, black coupe wi

sed but smiling softly. "Thank you for co

nk you, ma'am. I do. The food

collar like he was still a boy.

fore turning to Daniel. "Thanks, m

wil

t music or rev the engine like he sometimes did. This time, he simply started the car and pu

ed off his windshield in steady flashes. He kept one hand

rface. He could still feel the sting of embarrassment, the burning memo

muttered under his breath, tho

en humiliated. And Clinton never let things l

gated estate, the city lights faded behind him. His h

sat there for a moment, finge

een long, his anger even longer. Finally, with a low grunt, he pushed open the car door and stepped out. His dress sh

sened his belt with one hand, his other tossing the car keys onto the console table by the wall. A sof

rate. The silence of the house wrapped around him like a second skin-familiar, undemanding. By the time he

cascading over his skin. He let it soak through his hair, trail down his back, rinse off the residue of flirtations and false laughs. With his he

vague tale

as she walked in that afternoon, her heels clicking against the polished floors. Her phone vibrated for the third

ght. "You've got two meetings upstairs," she said, her voice brisk. "The editor from Blanc wants a preview of your walk, and

-smile, brushing a strand of hair

lways

al, and squeezed in a call with her professor in between. A full-time student juggling a professional modeling career wasn't easy, but Nata

hifting minor appointments, and sending assistants flying. When Natasha's phone threatened to die, Carina handed her a portable

ushing through a marketing paper due at midnight. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, pausing only to sip a smoothie C

pt was high fashion meets midnight cityscape, and Natasha was the centerpiece. The stylist was already waitin

Natasha slipped into the role effortlessly-her pose, her eyes, the angles of her body all speaking a language

nded Natasha a protein bar and a water bottle as they w

but triumphant smil

the creative director, and a few promotional behind-the-scenes clips to film for the agency's socials. Carina made

The city lights flickered past the tinted windows as she leaned her head against the seat, eyes heavy but mind still replaying the poses, th

er shoes, and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holdin

rkle hig

sual drama. The halls were alive with voices, laughter, and the occasional gasp as students huddled over their phones

ed her curves like it was designed just for her-because it was. The deep emerald fabric shimmered with every pose, catching the light and drawing every eye to the perfect hourglass of her waist and the

less. She didn't need to overdo it. Her poise spoke volumes. When she turned toward the camera, her eyes carried a quiet intensity, as

ry group chat on campus. In the courtyard, in the hallways,

caught her dress? That wasn't a shoot-that was a movi

ing her head in disbelief. "And her body in t

" someone else chimed in. "It's like the fabric

yone was on

of bored disinterest. Her followers were still loyal-many students admired Pearl's boldness, her fier

said with a shrug. "She owns the camera in a different way. Natasha'

ls against her phone case. "Ugly shoot," s

a's follower count was climbing by the minute. Comments poured in from stylists, photographers, even a few minor cel

the way people peeked through the door or whispered her name as they passed. She was used

ide-eyed. "Tasha... Vogue. Vogue! D

r fingers still moving across t

said firmly, "I

a statement. The clothes didn't just sit on her; they lived through her. Ev

ce versus edge. Sweetness versus spice. But in the end, it didn't matter whic

e hal

d class. The air shifted-like something electric had passed through the corridor. Phones lowered. Conversation

before something snaps. She leaned closer to Nata

la

her eyes wasn't admiration-it was ice. Beside her, Olivia stepped forward first, heels tapping sharply agai

through the hallway, ca

the day..." she said, her arms foldi

tion. Some lifted their phones, recording quietly. Others held their breath. Drama l

omposed, unreadable. She turned to Pearl

y," Natasha said gently, voice soft but clear. "But

e crowd. Lisa, by her side,

know what you're doing. Posting pictures.

aking eye contact. "The agency did. It was their s

on her face didn't reach her eyes. "Right. Always the humble star. You pretend no

l calm. "I don't need a mask, Pearl. And I don't

in stunned reactions from the crowd. A few students nodded. Others whispe

ut the sharp retort never came. She stood

to freeze in place. Lisa walked beside her, chin slightly raised, casting one last

r skin. Her jaw clenched, her pride stung. She wasn't used to being the one silenc

asha to hear, but low enough to carry a bitter edge.

She kept walking, her voice flo

rown, Pearl. I ne

le of reactions spread through the hallway. One girl near the lockers whispered, "She reall

nd she could feel it slipping from her fingers. Olivia stepped beside her, whispering something quickly, trying to r

another word. She simply stood there, arms crossed, trying to keep her posture

eryone

erupted-not into chaos, but into whispers, grins, glances. Na

__

d of the day dragging its feet. The English teacher walked in with a stack of worksheets and a

, and fun. When the bell finally rang and the teacher exited with

g, a mischievous grin forming on his face.

but excited, "why don't we throw a house part

ws, then nodded sharp

mirked. "

ed out his phone, opened the scho

p.m. sharp. Don't be boring-bring your

p.m. sharp. Don't be boring-bring your

e was out

s came i

ss finally

n, and I can't wait to see Daniel in my hot ou

eady plannin

: Say

t up. Conversations broke out in every hallway as word spread fast. Even students who rare

e event of the night. And with Clinton behind it, everyone k

Steam An

door, the little bell above it jingling softly. The familiar scent of roasted beans and vanilla syrup wrapped around

er just as the first rush of customers began to trickle in. By 7:15, the café was humming w

ts, while the other frothed milk with smooth, practiced rhythm. She took orders with a polite smile, her tone gen

, extra foam?" she confirm

ake that a hazelnu

he said with a calm gr

It was just how she worked-grace under pressure, soft in tone, fast with her hands. Even when the blend

afé manager, wasn'

with his usual critical eye. Every once in a while, he'd snap, "That foam'

knew Richard was harsh with everyone-cold, sharp, and impo

yrups, and restocked the pastries with precision. A regular customer, Mr. Alden, waved

e found Richard standing there, ar

he said flatly. "No complain

urprised at the

a grunt, "Try not to take so long with the

walke

ctically a gold star. She turned back to the register as a new customer approached

oothe her nerves as she prepared the next order. Her hands moved insti

lingering in the back of her mind, she refused to let it taint the energy she brought to the counter. As she handed over another perf

e House

d purple, casting a golden glow over Clinton's

music playing while the scent of gri

like steam off the water, and the party v

ame th

stealing breath. The clack of heels on the tiled poolside echoed with confidence. Shimm

bikini that hugged her pear-shaped figure perfectly. Her hips curved wide and bold,

, supported by the intricate cut of her bikini top. Her confidence m

yes fixed on Pearl with open, raw hunger. Lust flickered across his

Pearl, cool as ice, didn't even glance his way. She laughed wit

ter, Natas

i that contrasted perfectly with her smooth, glowing skin. Her shape was gr

g and lean beneath the gentle sway of a light cover-up. She walked with the calm confidence

eir eyes tracking her like she was slow mot

look at

he's so

ven try... tha

vy in her eyes betrayed the truth-Natash

energy shi

and designer slides. Clinton wore a simple white tank that clung to his

he dimples, followed with sunglasses on, sipp

couldn't s

oks so goo

, though-he's be

The pool rippled as people dove in. Drinks clinked. Laught

eryone in wild pinks and deep blues. It was a n

s white tank clinging to his chest, his chain glinting under

her drink and strutted through the d

in glittered with each step, and he

hly as she reached him, n

ltry, deliberate. Her body rocked against his, one hand resting lightly on his thigh, the other slid

and a few whis

not wasti

at h

ced his hands on her waist, letting her lead th

id when the attention started to shift. And tonig

les dancing under the fairy lights, others playing drinking games by

warning-the music

lence fell o

ack entrance of the house, where the slidin

r. Alfred-Cli

n a look of disgusted disapproval. His eyes scanned the party slowly-lingeri

locked o

party like this?" he asked, lo

oice was deep

're doing with your

ing, his jaw tigh

his tone louder-enough for

ve a be