Chapter 21 Under Derek’s Wings
"Damn, it's stunning." Leah held my hand up, staring at my engagement ring. " Pure fucking diamond. Girl, you hit the jackpot."
I gave a half-smile and pulled back just enough to reach for my drink—chai latte. I took a slow sip, letting the spice settle on my tongue.
"Being home feels...weird. Good weird though." She said, releasing my hand and reaching for her rosé. "And I finally get to catch up with you."
"It's really good to see you again," I muttered. "I mean, if I hadn't screwed up, maybe you wouldn't have had to leave in the first place."
Leah waved it off, brushing past my guilt. "Oh no, don't think about that." She leaned in, a grin coming to her face like she wanted to share a sweet gossip. "You should ask me what made me hop on the first flight to Brooklyn."
I looked around. The restaurant was cozy and quiet with just a few people here and there. It was private enough for the kind of conversation Leah was clearly building up to.
My hand tightened around the mug. "Why did you come back?"
I already knew it wasn't just nostalgia. I knew Leah better than that.
When she called that morning to inform me that she was in the city and invited me for lunch, I knew she was up to something.
And then, there was Ryker who hadn't returned since he left the previous night.
I spent the whole morning waiting, checking the door, checking my phone. I intentionally dressed slowly, hoping Ryker would walk in before I left but he didn't.
As much as I wanted to call to find out if he was okay, I didn't want to seem desperate—especially after last night's argument about boundaries. And how the night had ended.
Each time my screen lit up, my heart leapt in hopes. But it was never him.
If he didn't show by night, I'd call the police to report a missing person and whatnot.
"So..." Leah hesitated. "I saw the trending news on the internet. Your appearance caused a serious internet outrage. Showing up with Mr Holland made it even better."
"Hold up. What are you talking about?" My frown deepened. "What news?"
Leah tilted her head, her eyes scrutinizing me as if to determine if I was playing dumb or not. "You seriously haven't seen what's trending?"
I didn't reply. Just pulled out my phone to check whatever news she was talking about.
As far as I know, the only trending topic that was related to me was the divorce case. Derek had cooked up a divorce speech and publicly claimed Annie.
I didn't bother to clear up anything. Nor did I respond to any comments or questions directed to my message box.
I didn't have to find this whatever trending news because it was the first post that popped up on my feeds.
Truly, there were several articles about me and Ryker from Derek's engagement party. I stood by the doorway, Ryker's hands were tucked into his pocket, but his eyes...they were locked on me like I was the only thing that existed in the room.
It was a clean and deliberate shot that made everything about us intimate.
I swallowed hard.
And the captions?
"Nonchalance in the highest grade: Vanessa Thomas crashes her ex-husband's engagement party with his billionaire brother."
The second headline was even more brazen than the first.
"Face-slapping goddess energy: Divorced model Vanessa Thomas might be dating her ex's brother—yes, you read that right."
"Vanessa Thomas and Ryker Holland spotted together. Something's definitely cooking."
There were hundreds and thousands of likes. Even more comments. Everyone had an opinion and most of them were messy.
The screen blurred for a second. I blinked and scrolled anyway. There were also short clips of us entering the venue, another where Ryker leaned in and said something to me in a gentle way that gave the wrong impression.
It was intimate in a way I hadn't even registered in the moment. But now? Watching it from the outside? It was undeniable.
He looked at me like I was his.
And the world noticed.
I locked my phone, placed it screen-down on the table, and sat there in silence. My stomach churned, but I wasn't sure if it was anxiety or adrenaline.
"It's been exploding online since last night. You're literally everywhere." Leah's voice pulled my attention back to her.
I didn't utter a single word. I couldn't.
I wasn't just stunned by this whole thing, I was scared. Scared because somewhere deep inside of me....liked it.
Not the scandal or fame. But the fact that Ryker looked at me like that. Like I mattered to him.
Leah held my hands. "This is it, girl."
I blinked. "This is what?"
She leaned forward, her voice soft but electric. "Your comeback. This is your chance to rise again, Vanessa. Scandal sells and you've got the perfect headline. Let's take it and run."
A sudden weight dropped on my shoulder. I couldn't blink, afraid my exhaustion would be laid bare.
Leah was still staring at me intently. Her eyes were soft, her smile tender. "I know it's a lot, especially with everything you've been through. You know...the divorce, the drama and all of it. Take as much time as you want to think this through, Vanessa. I just want what's best for you."
I pulled back my hands and rubbed my jaw. "I know you mean well, Leah, I do...but you're still tied to Derek's agency. That contract isn't ending anytime soon and we both know it."
My voice trailed off, a bitter taste enveloping my tongue.
"Yeah, I get it. If you go back to modeling, you'll be right under Derek's palm again—competing with Annie for every decent job. And honestly, since your ex-husband's the CEO, he will secure better deals for Annie and leave you with scraps." She voiced every fear I hadn't said out loud. "But I'm still here, right? I'll help you."
"There's just a little you can do, Leah. And this story? Give it twenty-four hours and this will be old news. The internet moves on fast."
Annie and I used to walk the same runways before she took my husband and my place. I was a supermodel in Derek's agency, but I had to stop working after getting married to him. The contract I signed with his firm was far from expiring.
And Leah? She was my manager there. Bound by a contract that was far from expiring any time soon as well. Even if we wanted to leave the agency, the penalty fee was tragic. It wouldn't be worth it.
I was standing at a crossroads—Go back to modeling and be under Derek's control or stay quiet and fade for good, while living the rest of my life knowing I failed myself and the people who believed in me.
The latter wasn't looking good on me.