Chapter 19 Good riddance
Lisa's POV
Anger surged through me like wildfire, my blood getting pumped in my veins.
I gritted my teeth, my jaws clenching, but all I did was watch her leave.
The elegance she carries in the way she walks was topnotch. But what does she have that I don't? Why is she more preferred by everyone than me?
“She isn't Arielle?”
I scoffed. I'd never believe that she isn't my stepsister. The look…. The way she talks… everything points to her as the same girl we had thought died three months ago, except from her new elevated status.
Except from the fact that the stepsister I knew would never make it to being a model.
I left the store, heading back to the agency. My gaze searched for Adrian among the numerous people who were laughing while discussing.
When I found him, I walked to him, stopping in front of him without a smile. “We need to talk”
I walked away immediately, but I could feel his presence behind him.
I found us somewhere quiet, which was the hallway to the restrooms.
I blurted. “Rielle is playing with us. She's Arielle”
Adrian's brows furrowed, his legs moving slowly as he moved closer to me. “You met with her?”
“Yes! The girl was acting like she didn't know me. She was lying, acting like a real actress and yeah, she deserves an award” I said, rolling my eyes.
Adrian ran his hand through his hair. His action made me frown. I expected him to agree with me, start yelling or cursing Rielle, but he didn't.
I shook my head frustratingly. “You should do something about her, Adrian”
Adrian closed in on the space between us, his gaze sending shivers down my spine. He grabbed my shoulders, tightly at first, before his grip on me softened.
“Lisa?” He called.
The tone…. The way he called my name like I was just someone random made me blink.
“What’s happening?”
“Don't do anything dramatic” His voice was stern, his gaze which was on me making me gulp unknowingly.
“What's wrong with you? We can't let her shine. She's my stepsister! No matter how much she lies and tries to fool us with her game, we should know she's Arielle!” I yelled.
“Just don't do anything,” he said.
It sounded more like he was giving a warning. This wasn't Adrian, not the one I know.
He'd always do anything I say. I thought I had him, I thought he would always agree with me and do whatever I want. But right now, he's different, all because of the new model who's no one else but my stepsister!
I yanked his hands off me, taking a step away from him. “You must be insane! You now want to choose Arielle over me?” I asked, but he gave no reply.
I scoffed. “Is that what this is?” Still, no reply.
“Fuck you, Adrian” I spat angrily, storming away from the restroom.
Before I could reach the model's quarters, I heard noises coming from outside.
I was tempted to see what was happening, so I walked outside.
People were trying to get a selfie with someone who I later got to see was Rielle after taking a good look.
“What is this? Why is she here?”
I rushed outside, watching everything closely. I thought the attention would divert to me, but none did.
Arielle's smile was wide, brightened by the rays of the sun landing gently on her skin.
She smiled at cameras, while people struggled to take a picture with her.
But no one….. no one noticed me.
“That's Rielle!” Someone yelled, rushing over to go meet Arielle. She bumped into me as she walked by, and didn't even bother to apologize.
My fists curled, nails digging into my palm. I was reduced to nothing, made to feel like nothing, all because of Rielle.
Someone called my name from behind, making me a bit startled.
I turned. My darkened gaze landed on a guard who bowed slightly.
“What's it?” I asked, anger slightly evident in my tone.
“The CEO requires your presence in his office,” he said.
The CEO? Was I finally getting recognized?
“Okay, thank you” My face brightened with a smile and I walked inside immediately, forgetting Rielle.
Inside the CEO's office,
I smiled widely, tucking some strands of hair behind my ear. “You called for me, sir?”
“Yes,” He placed his hands on the table, a grin on his face.
“I’ve been thinking about this.” He paused. “Rielle is a fast rising model, but we need her to sign a contract with us,” he said.
My face dropped and my fingers curled immediately. I never expected that he'd call me here to talk about Rielle.
What about me? Why is everyone going on and on about Rielle?
I stayed calm and let him continue. “Since she looks like your dead sister, you can use some emotional depth to communicate with her into signing with us”
I scoffed. “What the fuck is wrong with everyone?!” I yelled. “Why Arielle? What's so special about her? Why does everyone think she's so good?”
I kept flailing my arms, adrenaline rushing through my veins.
The CEO was still, his face filled with shock. “You need to go home, Lisa.”
I didn't process his words, instead I just kept talking. Not until he stood up, grabbed my arm and threw me out of his office.
I held the door before he could shut himself back into the office. “You don't think this is unfair?”
The CEO looked frustrated, but he yelled back at me. “Go home, Lisa!”
People in the agency were starting to gather, whispers flying among everyone.
Before I could part my lips to speak again, someone stepped in, roughly getting my hand off the door.
Adrian.
“I'm sorry. She's been a bit tired lately, please don't fire her,” he said. “I promise to take care of her”
I scoffed at his words. They are supporting Rielle, licking her feet like she's some goddess.
“Just take her home” the CEO said, his face twisting in disgust before he disappeared into his office.
Adrian dragged me out of the agency, into the car and drove me home, the drive filled with silence.
Once we were in my room, he made me sit on the bed, while I still fumed silently in anger.
“Don't ruin your career, Lisa! I told you not to do anything dramatic!” He growled.
I stood up and scoffed. “Then what? I stay silent while everyone treats her like she's a god?”
“We'll talk about this later. I need to get back to the agency” Adrian said. Without a second glance at me, he dashed out of the room.
Ignoring me? If this is how he wants to play it, then we'll do it just that way.
I moved to my bag, fumbling for my phone without hesitation. After a few clicks of the keypad, I dialed a number.
“I need you to deal with someone. Arielle, the fast rising model” I paused. “Make it quick, brutal, so that she never gets to rise again”