Chapter 25 Cover Girl Wars II
Bianca-
When life gives your rival lemons, you steal them and make lemonades.
Breakfast with Lucien had been exactly that, a stolen opportunity, plated with avocado toast and cameras. The photos had already played their part online, and judging from the tension simmering in the studio as I swept in with my team, Celeste Ashford had seen them.
Good.
Nothing felt more satisfying than watching her unravel while I got the attention I deserved.
For the last couple of months, I'd been having a secret affair with Grant, all in hopes that he would make me a cover girl. To everyone else, I was just a charming socialite with connections. To him, I thought I was more, but clearly I was just a fling to pass time.
For compensation, he secured a column for me in next month's issue. I was upset at first. Hell, I was about to reject the offer. Obviously, it felt too demeaning for someone like me, but when I heard that "she" had stolen my spot, I had to do something.
"Bianca." Grant approached me with an uncomfortable expression. "I didn't know you'd come."
Pathetic. I thought.
I scoffed, flipping my hair with charm and grace. I knew she'd be watching, burning with anger. "You offered me a column, and I showed up. Is that a problem?" I asked in my sweetest voice.
"No," he shook his head, digging his hands in his pockets as his face told otherwise. Either way, I didn't care. I was here, here to shine.
I grinned. "Great, can you show us to our booth please?"
He froze for a moment, like he wanted to tell me I shouldn't be here, but he couldn't. Not really. I had him right where I wanted him, completely tangled in my little game, and there was nothing he could do to change it.
He followed into my booth like a lost puppy, then excused my team. Once they were out of sight, he sat across me and began to explain the usual.
"For your column, we'll have a photo or two, a short bio, a few quotes and maybe-" but I cut him off with a sly smile.
"No," I said, letting the word linger. "If we're doing this, it's going to be a double-page spread. Nothing less. Make sure it shows me and only me, in the way I deserve to be seen."
He cleared his throat, shuffling in his seat. "We agreed on a column, Bianca. That's what's scheduled for this issue."
I tilted my head, letting a sly smile curl my lips. "We did. But I've changed my mind. If it's going to be in print, it's a double page spread. I can't be barely visible in a magazine like Legacy." I paused, watching him prepare to protest. Too bad he wasn't in a position to do so.
"You wouldn't want our little... indiscretion from last month to make it into the wrong column, would you?" I reminded with a smirk.
His jaw tightened, but there was nothing he could do about it. The moment he cheated on his wife with me, he gave me leverage.
Just then, an assistant came in, holding a clipboard. "Sir, these are the interview questions for Celeste Ashford. It's for a final review before it's printed out."
He took the clipboard and set it down, then gestured for her to leave before turning to me with a tense sigh, "Bianca, try to understand, a full page is all I can give right now."
Before he could say more, another voice piped up. "Sir, there's a problem with the main lighting rigs, it's going to delay the rest of the shoot if nothing is done."
He groaned. "I'll be right back," he muttered, getting up to deal with it.
As I sat there, staring at the table, an idea hit me. I snatched the clipboard, flipping through the shallow, light-hearted questions.
They all seemed boring, and scripted.
Why not have a little fun? A thought crept in, and I did just that.
When the assistant returned, I handed her the altered questions with a sweet smile. "He has reviewed them. He must have forgotten to hand them to you on his way out, you can go ahead with printing."
She nodded with a smile as she collected it. I was certain she believed me, girls like her were naïve and easy to deceive. I grinned, leaning back slightly.
"Today... just got even better."
Grant and I finally settled on a full-page. According to him, his hands were tied and that was all he could offer. At least it was better than a sidebar column that no one would care about.
After getting my hair and makeup done, I got tired of staying put and waiting for my turn, so I decided to take a walk, to see what was going on while establishing my presence.
Somehow, I stumbled into Celeste's wardrobe. An entire rack was reserved just for her shoot, top brands lined up, desperate for her to wear their clothes. It was like she'd gone viral overnight, and suddenly, she was all that mattered.
A mannequin stood in the center, draped in an emerald-green gown. It was the next look, no doubt.
Quietly, I pulled a pin from my hair and tugged at the zipper, just enough to weaken it. It would split the moment she moved too hard, and I knew it would.
I smirked to myself, step one was complete. Now, it was time for the real trigger. I needed to be the catalyst.
I made my way to her booth. She was alone, staring into the mirror like she was auditioning for perfection. There was just something about her, too poised, too self-important and it irritated me.
I straightened, letting a practiced smile spread on my face. "Hi, Celeste," I began in my sweetest tone.
Her eye met mine through the glass, sharp and suddenly annoyed.
Lucien's type? Never. She was everything he claimed to loathe: composed, polished, high-society perfection. So why was she his wife?
"What are you doing here?" she asked, turning to face me fully, voice cold and tinged with contempt.
I smiled softly, my boiling from within. "Ah... I see we got off on the wrong foot. I apologize for the other day at Lucien's place. That... that was out of line."
Her eyes narrowed. She didn't buy it, but that was fine. I wasn't here to be believable, I was here to rattle her.
I continued, "And this morning, at breakfast... it wasn't what it looked like. Just a perfectly platonic moment-"
"Platonic?" she cut in with a scoff. "Please. From what I saw, you touched him like you owned him." Her brows knitted together while her face flushed with anger.
Now we were getting somewhere.
"Celeste," I said lightly, "you're being a bit dramatic. Things can be misread, especially when emotions are high."
Her stare turned dark. "Dramatic? Or maybe I just see you for what you are."
I shifted slightly, keeping my voice calm. "I only came here to clear the air. I didn't want tension between us, especially since we'll be working in the same space."
She gave a feigned smile. "How thoughtful of you, Bianca. But I don't need your fake peace offerings. You've made your point. Now, get out of my booth."
I tilted my head. "You're taking this the wrong way. I honestly mean no harm. But you seem... fragile."
Before she could speak, a crew member stepped in, clipboard in hand. "Miss Celeste, you're up next."
Perfect.
I gave her a composed and victorious smile before I walked out satisfied.
All I had to do now, was sit and let the chaos unfold.