Chapter Twenty One

Antonia's Pov

The lights were blinding, and the heat from the stage lighting added an uncomfortable layer to my already messed-up nerves.

I was standing in front of the cameras, trying to pose for the swimsuit campaign that I had been selected to model for, thanks to my fake relationship with Gabriel. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake off the distraction I felt from my conversation with Gabriel last night.

My thoughts kept drifting back to his probing questions and how my responses had been instantly defensive, and for this reason, I just couldn’t get the expression on my face right.

“Stop!” The sudden yell from William, the photographer, startled me. His voice was furious, and I could see the frustration etched on his face. “What is going on with you, Antonia? Why are you being so sloppy?”

“I’m sorry, William,” I mumbled, feeling overwhelmed. “Can I perhaps take a ten-minute recess?”

William scoffed, clearly unimpressed. “Yes, you can, but you better make sure you’re in better condition when you return. This is a huge campaign, Antonia. We don’t have time for this.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I understand. Thank you.”

I rushed to the dressing room, feeling my anxiety worsen by the minute. As soon as I took a seat, Kyle, who had followed behind me, handed me a water bottle.

“Are you okay, Tonia?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” I lied, taking a sip of water. “I’m just a little distracted. I need to get myself together so I don’t mess up this opportunity. I can't mess this up, Kyle.”

Kyle nodded, his eyes sympathetic. "Do you want to talk about it? Maybe it will help you feel better. You know I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

I shook my head. "No, it's just...personal stuff, Kyle. I'll be fine. I just need a moment to clear my head."

Kyle didn't press further, giving me the space I needed. I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths. I knew I had to pull myself together.

This wasn't just about getting the shoot right; it was about protecting my dignity. So many people were counting on me to fail, so that they could have even more reason to call me old, washed up, and tell me to my face that I only got the contract because of my relationship with Gabriel, and I couldn't let them have that pleasure.

I just couldn't let myself be humiliated like that.

I stood up from where I sat and proceeded to stand in front of the mirror for a while to calm my racing heart.

The ten minutes I had asked for were slipping away too quickly, but instead of feeling less stressed out, I still felt like a mess.

Gabriel’s questions from the previous night had dug up feelings and memories I preferred to keep buried, and the fact that I couldn't get the look he had on his face when he asked if the rumors about me were right out of my face pissed me off so much.

Why was I letting a man I had nothing but a business-like relationship with get into my head and bother me so much? Why was I hurt by how he looked at me?

I took a deep breath, telling myself to focus. This campaign was a huge opportunity, and I couldn’t afford to blow it because of a rich snob like Gabriel.

“Come on, Antonia,” I whispered to myself, splashing some of the cold water from the bottle on my face. “You can do this.”

With one last deep breath, I stepped outside and headed back towards the stage. As I approached, I saw William waiting for me, his expression unreadable.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asked, his tone neutral.

“I’ll try my best,” I replied, hoping it would be enough.

William’s face was twisted in annoyance. “Trying your best isn’t enough, Antonia. You need to be perfect. If you can’t do that, the shoot for today will be canceled because I don’t have time to babysit a model who doesn’t take her job seriously.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. “I understand, William.”

Mentally, I told myself to get it together. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions control me right now. I struck a pose, trying to channel every bit of professionalism I had. I focused on the camera, making sure my expression was exactly what they needed.

We took a few pictures, and I could feel William’s eyes on me, scrutinizing every move I made. After a few minutes, he suddenly grunted in frustration.

“Is there another model who can take Antonia’s place?” he yelled. “I’m not getting what I want from her.”

Out of nowhere, Celia, who wasn't supposed to be here, strutted in. She walked up to William with a confident smirk. “I can model for the campaign if Antonia isn’t up for the job.”

Panic surged through me. “I’m fine!” I quickly chimed in. “I’ve already been contracted by the brand. They want me for the campaign, and that's a done deal.”

William looked between Celia and me, clearly irritated. “But you're not giving me something worth my time then, Antonia. It's a swimwear brand, and we have several pictures to take for the campaign, but with you, we don't even have one good picture. You look stiff and lost in all of them.”

"I apologize, William," I responded, knowing very well that he was right about me being lost.

Celia sniggered suddenly, and I glanced in her direction, annoyed with the smug expression on her face.

“You’re really doing whatever you want because you’re confident the brand won’t fire you, Antonia,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “Your boyfriend’s a billionaire, after all.”

She turned to William, her expression feigning concern. “Unfortunately, William, you’ll have to keep dealing with a lazy model like this one. Nepotism’s a powerful thing, isn’t it?”

Her words stung more than I cared to admit, and I wanted to defend myself, to shout that I deserved this campaign even if Gabriel had helped me get the offer. But I felt too weak and too defeated to say anything. My mind was a jumble of anger, shame, and frustration, and I couldn’t find the strength to argue.

I turned to William, who was glaring at me with an irritated look on his face. His voice was cold and filled with disgust. “The shoot is postponed until further notice. Get out of my sight, Antonia.”

The disgust in his eyes was like a dagger to my heart, and I felt even more dejected as I turned and walked out of the studio without saying a word.

My steps felt heavy, and my mind was numb with disappointment. I headed to my dressing room, and as soon as I closed the door behind me, the tears came.

I sank to the floor, my body shaking with sobs. The pressure, the accusations, the feeling of inadequacy—it all came crashing down on me. I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible.

I felt so tired and so utterly defeated, but even with what happened now, a huge part of me was still more concerned about the way Gabriel had looked at me last night, and it hurt me even more.