Chapter 29
Kaylee
New York is such a beautiful place. I stood by my window, watching the massive billboard with my face on it–Kaylee Kingsley. The lights of the city twinkled around my name, like stars in the night sky, reminding me of all the heights I’d climbed to get here. Well, not heights- more like a trail of perfectly calculated betrayals and backstabbing, but let’s not ruin the poetry.
Fashion Week was one of the biggest events in the industry, and I was going to own it. I always have. No competition could ever measure up to me, anyway. I’ve carved my place in this world, and now, no one can take it from me.
My assistant came in, her voice barely audible. “Ms. Kaylee… you’ll be walking the runway at 9 p.m. tonight, and Luxavita wants an interview with you, so I-—”
“Hold it.” I raised my hand to stop her. “Can’t you see I’m in a moment of solitude? What the hell gives you the audacity to barge in here and start talking?”
“I’m s–sorry, ma’am,” she stammered. Her voice trembled, her entire body visibly shaking. She kept fumbling with her falling glasses, and the sight of it all only irritated me more. How pathetic.
“Judith,” I called, still facing the window as I tied my robe. “You disgust me,” I hissed, narrowing my gaze and glaring at her. “Why can’t you do anything right?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” she whispered, her head bowed in shame.
“Just get out. Out!”
She rushed out the door, and I exhaled sharply. Everything pissed me off lately–especially this stupid assistant of mine. How had she lasted this long in my world? She was a mess, clumsy and insecure. Not fit for someone like me.
I turned back to the window. The city pulsed with life below me. I could practically feel the energy vibrating through the air. Nothing sets my soul ablaze like the scent of fashion in the air. The world was watching—and I had no intention of disappointing. Tonight, I was going to remind everyone exactly why they should bow to the queen.
Still in my robe, I stepped out of my hotel room. Paparazzi weren’t allowed on my floor, but the rich elites staying nearby still snapped pictures of me. I didn’t mind. I was born for the spotlights anyway. They could watch, but they could never touch.
When the elevator doors opened, flashes exploded. Cameramen swarmed, and my team quickly ushered me toward the suite where I’d get my makeup done and slip into my show–stopping outfit. The flashing lights were like a second heartbeat, a pulse that synchronized with mine.
Seated in front of the mirror, my makeup artist had just started her magic when Judith walked up behind me and whispered something in my ear. My eyes widened in shock and disgust.
What the fuck was she doing here?
“Kaylee!” I heard my name from the door, and I instantly camouflaged the look on my face with a big smile. My expression snapped into place, practiced and flawless.
“Oh my gosh, Olivia! What are you doing here?” I said, the smile in my voice too forced for even me to believe, Not like she’d notice anyways. Olivia rushed up and wrapped her arms around me lovingly. “My best friend is walking the red carpet–you don’t expect me to miss it, now do you?”
I let out a small, measured laugh. My hands clenched by my side, the nails biting into my palms as if to hold myself together,
“How did you even get access to this place? I mean, this is a restricted area,” I said, trying to keep the mockery out of my tone.
“I have my ways,” she smirked. Of course she did. It wasn’t a surprise–Olivia had always been the type to slither in unnoticed, making her way through life on her charm and connections.
I arched an eyebrow, still processing her unexpected arrival. “Always the mystery, huh?”
Olivia just grinned, clearly enjoying the chaos of the moment. “You know me too well.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. She had this annoying way of showing up unexpectedly and uninvited. But there was something different about her lately–something off. Philp kept telling me to forget about it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling. A knot formed in my stomach, the kind I usually ignored, but today, it wouldn’t go away. Still, I didn’t want to give it any attention.
“Well, you’ve already disrupted my peace, so you might as well stay,” I said, adjusting my posture as I took a seat back on the chair, letting the irritation simmer beneath my skin.
Chapter 29
+25 Bonus
My makeup artist gave her a pointed look but said nothing. The rest of the staff looked mesmerized by Olivia’s presence, but my glare made them return to work.
“You always know how to make an entrance,” I muttered. I was pissed, but I kept smiling. She wasn’t going to steal the spotlight from me- not today. My chest burned at how effortlessly beautiful she looked without needing to do too much. And here I was, dressed to kill, but still feeling that sting of jealousy creep in. She had the effortless charm, the kind that drew people in without a single effort. Bitch.
I thought the effects of Virexil Noir were supposed to start showing by now. Considering how expensive it was to acquire, it sure was taking its sweet time to work. But that only made the situation worse. Olivia didn’t have to try, and that made me hate her more.
Olivia’s grin softened, “Someone has to keep you on your toes, Kaylee. Besides, it wouldn’t be Fashion Week without a little drama.” She shot me a terrifying smile–or maybe I was just imagining things. Nonetheless, a shiver crept up my spine.
“Right…”
She walked toward me as the makeup artist continued working. “You look so gorgeous tonight,” she said.
“Thank you,” I replied, my pride tilting my cheeks higher. I was gorgeous. I knew it. No one else could compare.
She picked up something from the table with curious eyes. “What’s this?” she asked–and then, before I could react, she sprayed it directly on my face.
Whatever that spray was, felt like warm water and I closed my eyes, unable to see for a moment.
“I’m sorry! Sorry!” I heard Olivia’s panicked voice. “I’m really sorry, Kaylee! Is that setting spray? I didn’t know you weren’t done with your makeup. You already look perfect and-”
“It’s okay, Liv, it’s just a harmless mistake. I’m sure you’re just as excited as I am right?” I forced a smile, but it felt wrong. I felt a slight sting that made my brows furrow, was setting spray supposed to sting?
Olivia excused herself out of embarrassment, and finally, I could breathe again. That dumb girl had jinx written all over her.
The makeup artist continued with my makeup like nothing happened, and within minutes, I was dressed in the most stunning black, flowery avant–garde dress I’d ever seen. Slipping on my heels, I stood in front of the mirror. I had never felt so striking–and I was certain Olivia envied me. Everyone in the industry did. She just hid hers behind a mask of pretension.
I peeped through the curtains slightly. The place was already packed, and I couldn’t wait to hit that runway. The energy in the room was electric, buzzing with anticipation. The models were beautiful, yes, but none of them would match my standards.
I looked at myself in the mirror again and felt a slight tingling sensation on my face. I looked gorgeous–and I felt even better.
It was finally my turn.
“Break a leg,” Olivia suddenly whispered from the side, jolting me briefly. That disturbing smile still on her face, but this time, I was too caught up in the moment to let her get under my skin.
I grinned and flipped my hair before stepping on the runway. The lights hit me like an avalanche, and I started to catwalk–one foot in front of the other. A bright smile spread across my lips as I twirled and swayed to the magnetic beat, drinking in the applause from the crowd. Camera lights kept flashing nonstop. I struck a few poses, making sure every movement was sharp, controlled—perfect.
That was when I started feeling something strange on my face.
The crowd erupted with cheers, but my face had started to burn. I touched my skin, and the moment my hand made contact, it worsened.
I didn’t understand what was happening–this had never happened to me before. The makeup artist had done her job; I’d worn this look before. Why was today different?
I tried to stay composed and walked back. Maybe the makeup products didn’t sit well with my skin, that stupid makeup artist had been sloppy tonight!
But the burning only intensified. I suddenly missed a step, tripping–my life flashing before my eyes as I fell to the ground. The world seemed to tilt as everything went wrong in a single, crashing moment.
The crowd started whispering.
“Oh my God…”
“Did the famous KK just fall on the red carpet?”
The whispers grew louder, the sound of my heart thudding in my chest, but I couldn’t focus on that. It felt like someone was carving into my face with knives.
Chapter 29
+25 Bonus
I let out a yelp of pain–and then the burning got even worse. I started to scream, unable to hold it in anymore.
“It burns!” I screamed. “It burns!”
I felt a strong hand pulling me out of there as I kept yelling and crying. What the heck was happening? This had never happened before. I didn’t change products–it was the same thing I had been using. So why was today different?
“KK, are you alright? Oh my gosh, what’s happening to you?!”
I felt them start to pour water on my face, and I screamed louder, crying, “Stop! Stop! It burns! Make it stop!” Tears streamed down my face as everyone gathered around me, confusion spreading everywhere.
“Somebody call 911! Hurry!” Olivia screamed as she rushed to my side. “You’re going to be okay, I promise,” she said, holding my hand tightly.
Within seconds, the ambulance arrived, and I was carefully loaded inside. As it pulled away, a sinking feeling settled in–I could feel my career slipping away.
