Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Quiana had this vibe about her, this quiet confidence that made everyone in the room sit up and take notice.
“Almost there!” Lena chimed in, her hands flying over Quiana’s face with practiced precision.
Jack snapped back to reality and noticed Lena. “You did her makeup?”
+5
Lena nodded, looking afraid. “Yes.” She’d heard the gossip, and seen the online chatter, but she couldn’t help but think that someone as stunning as Quiana couldn’t be all bad.
Jack’s eyes flickered with a mix of annoyance and respect. “Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Quiana just smirked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She sauntered out, one hand in her pocket and the other clutching her coffee mug. Her heels clicked against the floor, a rhythmic beat that seemed to match the rhythm of her confidence.
“Always getting the best parts,” someone muttered under their breath.
“Must be some lucky charm,” another voice chimed in.
“Yeah, but let’s see if she can keep it up,” a third voice added, a note of skepticism in their tone.
The crowd watched her go, their expressions a mix of awe and envy.
“A newbie makeup artist, huh?” Winona sneered, her gaze fixed on Quiana. “She’s got some guts.”
*****
In the series, Selina was romantically linked with another. Today’s shoot was all about their scenes together. The male lead was Ralph, a rising star in his early twenties with a face that was turning heads.
After the wrap, everyone headed to the makeup room to freshen up. Ralph caught sight of Quiana next to him, her beauty striking. He grinned, “Quiana, you were on fire. I almost got lost in the moment.”
Quiana’s reply was as chill as a winter breeze. “Then you should keep practicing.”
Ralph, who was just being self–deprecating, was thrown by her response. His smile faltered for a beat, then he smoothly recovered. “It’s a real treat to act alongside someone as stunning as you,” he said, trying to sound smooth.
Quiana’s face was a mask of indifference. “I’m glad you see it that way,” she said.
Ralph was thrown. ‘Huh? Don’t you usually say it’s an honor to work with me too? Why isn’t she playing along? Does she really think I was just buttering her up?‘
He forced a smile and asked, “I heard you’re engaged to that bigwig from the city. Your guy gonna be cool with us getting all lovey–dovey on screen?”
Quiana didn’t even glance his way. “If you know what’s what, you’ll keep your distance,” she warned, her tone as icy as a January morning.
Ralph was taken aback. “Wow, she’s really not playing nice,” he thought, eyeing her up and down. “Let’s get down to brass tacks,” he said, leaning in closer. “You’ve gotta be serious about this comeback, right?”
Quiana finally gave him a sideways glance. Ralph whispered, “With the current trend of powerful women and bold men, we could really milk our on–screen couple status for all it’s worth. Our looks and characters could definitely draw a crowd. What do you say?”
1/2
Chapter 64
As Lena was removing Quiana’s makeup, she overheard Ralph’s suggestion and subtly tugged on Quiana’s sleeve, giving her a look that said, “Turn it down.”
She knew the inside scoop that the public didn’t. Ralph had a reputation for being a player with a messy love life. It was clear he was after Quiana’s looks and wanted to use her for some buzz.
Quiana looked at Ralph, her eyebrow quirking with feigned curiosity, “You don’t worry about my trolls dragging you down?”
“Everyone in the biz has trolls,” Ralph shrugged it off, grinning. “Trolls just mean you’re trending, right? Whether it’s love or hate, being talked about keeps you in the game.”
Quiana’s eyes flicked to the makeup artist by Ralph’s side, her gaze lingering on the pocket of her shirt. She pulled her gaze away and said nonchalantly, “Just so you know, I’m taken.”
“What’s the big deal about being engaged?” Ralph sneered. “There’s talk about Julius being a bit of a hard case, with a mind that’s… well, let’s just say it’s not the sharpest. I heard he had a bit of a family issue recently…”
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