" What's going on here?" Nia barged inside the studio.
" Eliza, I know you're desperate but certainly not this desperate to play my role"
" Hold on a minute, Eliza didn't do anything wrong" Julie interjected.
" Julie"
" Eliza, when will you stop trying to play me?"
What is she talking about?
I don't know.
That Nia is so proud and arrogant.
She's not even aware of her own limitations.
Shameless indeed.
"Stop it all of you. How much did Eliza pay you all to defame me"
Nia immediately rushed towards Demian who entered the studio.
" Babe, Eliza wants to defame me"
" Eliza, why are you so vicious towards Nia?"
" I've never seen a more shameless person in my life," Julie retorted.
Julie stepped in front of me.
" Eliza, you were never like this, why this now?" he held Nia's hand.
" Thank you Director for the opportunity. I'm grateful"
I bowed to him. Picked up my bag to leave but before I could, Demian lunged in front of me.
" Are you mad Demian? Move" Julie screamed at him.
" I don't answer to a mere assistant"
" Then you'll certainly answer us." The studio's heavy doors swung open, and the temperature seemed to drop as a line of men in charcoal-black tuxedos filed in with military precision.
" We're Miss Stone's lawyers. And for your sake you'd better have a valid explanation for why you're troubling our client"
Demian's eyes flew open. " We're merely having a conversation"
" Mr. Legaspi this is a restraining order of the court . Your lawyer will contact you for the suit in court"
They hand a document to Demian.
" The only contact you will be allowed to have with our client will be in the court room"
" Eliza, surely you're the King's woman" Demian gave a scoffed laugh.
" Careful not to say what you can't prove," I responded. I put my shades on and walked away with the lawyers and Julie by my side.
Outside the studio I could vaguely guess who had hired the men by my side.
" Thank you for your help back there"
" Mrs. Sterling , we filed a suit against Mr. Legaspi to recover your property still under his name"
" Really?" Julie chimed in.
" Thank you but I don't remember getting your service"
" Your husband hired us. Shall we walk you to your car?"
" It's fine. You may leave"
" Eliza, Mr. Sterling is truly taking care of you"
" As he should his partner"
" Eliza" The photographer walked towards me and Julie just before we could leave the premises
" I spoke to a friend who is launching a fashion line in City B and he wants to sign a contract with you" he hands me his card " give him a call once you get back.
Taking the card " I'm so grateful for this sir"
" I don't know why you stopped modeling,but people who set the standards should never stop shining" he added
"All the best" before leaving Julie and I.
We initially went back to the private suite since we couldn't leave without first informing my husband. The commercial and the photoshoot were set to be released in two days. Though I could casually wait to see how it goes ,I needed to get back to Sun City for the new job I wanted to take on.
At the private suite I found a note in my room.
See you at 8pm.
Mr. Sterling
There was a pretty dress by the side.
I moved my hand over the blue tulle dress on the bed. It was indeed beautiful and elegant.
" My God! Mr. Sterling is truly amazing" Julie picked up the dress.
" Eliza, this is beautiful"
" Julie, were you able to get the CCTV footage of the surrounding building around my house?"
" Not yet Eliza" she puts the dress down " Why Eliza? Do you suspect anyone?"
" No"
At 7pm the stylist arrived at the private suite. She was like those bubbly and happy females who talked more than they should.
" Trust me , you'd look divine"
" Our Eliza, is already a beauty queen , she doesn't need much to highlight her beauty"
" I know, looking at her face , I could tell. Your husband must really love you a lot"
" He does love our Eliza" Julie chipped in.
I wore a blue tulle dinner dress. The shawl accompanying the dress was perfect . Its intricate moon and sun design highlighted the beautiful contrast well.
Just then, the stylist leaned closer with a knowing smile.
"Your husband is downstairs already. He's been waiting."
My heart gave a small, unexpected flutter.
"May I present the ever-beautiful Eliza Sterling," Julie announced warmly as I stepped forward.
Each step down felt slower than the last. My hair had been styled into a regal braid gathered into a neat bun, with two delicate strands left to frame my face. Tiny sun and moon clips had been woven through the braid, subtle but striking, making the hairstyle feel both elegant and dreamy.
The deep V-cut of my dress hugged perfectly, graceful without trying too hard, the fabric flowing around me like quiet confidence. I could feel eyes on me, but one gaze in particular stood out, steady, warm, unmistakably his.
Even before I reached him, I knew he hadn't looked away once.
"You're beautiful," he said simply, his voice softer than usual as he extended his hand.
There was admiration in his eyes, not the loud, showy kind, but something deeper. Something that made my pulse quicken.
"May I?" he asked gently.
Before I could answer, he picked up a delicate necklace from the jewelry box nearby. The cool metal of the necklace was a sharp contrast to the heat of his fingertips. As he leaned in to fix the clasp, the scent of cedarwood and expensive citrus enveloped me, making my breath hitch in my throat.
****
I didn't think Elijah Sterling was ordinary. I've never thought we were equal but I didn't see myself any less. I held my chin high even when the cameras were all focused on him.
" Is the spotlight blinding?"
He whispered to my ears.
This time I was the backdrop of his story.
" I'll use the ladies room"
He nodded.
Eyes still locked on me.
I was at the door when I heard my name.
" Eliza Stone. Are you Eliza ma'am?"
" I am"
" The gentleman in red asked me to give you this" she pointed at a man leaving through the door.
" Thank you"
I collected the letter and when I saw the waitress leave I opened it.
I'm everywhere. Even Elijah Sterling won't save you from me.
A.D