Chapter 40: Model / 6.4 : Breaking your pretty little necks
Eden woke up when an alarm resounded in the entire villa. He decided to take his time in the shower. He heard a knock once he came out with a towel around his waist. He opened the door and saw Ezra, he raised an eyebrow. Ezra looked at his body in a trance for a few seconds and then woke up. He smiled.
"Hey, Eden. I was wondering if you would join me for breakfast if I cook something for us?"
The cameraman zoomed in on Ezra’s nervous face as he waited for Eden’s answer. Eden thought for a few seconds then he nodded. Ezra’s face immediately lit up.
"I’ll call you when I’m done cooking."
Eden nodded again then closed the door. Ezra ran down the stairs excitedly and started to cook.
When Eden was done dressing someone knocked on his door again. He opened the door and came face to face with Kalel. Kalel simply grabbed his hand and decided to take the back stairs that led to the backyard. When they arrived he sat Eden on one of the seats around the table near the pool and sat on his right. Eden looked at all the food in front of them expressionlessly. He felt like smiling but he didn’t. He looked at the food and pointed.
"I want that."
Kalel put it on his plate. Every time Eden would point at something he would put it on his plate and wait for the next order. When Eden was satisfied he grabbed his chopsticks with a smile. Kalel smiled and they started to eat.
Astrid walked to the kitchen. She grinned when she saw Ezra cooking for them. She sat behind the counter gazing at him. She would love to wake up every day and see the man she loves preparing breakfast for them. When Ezra finished he put everything on a tray and decided to bring it upstairs so he and Eden can eat together. When Astrid saw him leave she was confused. When she realized that he just hadn’t seen her she stood in front of him to let him know that she was there. She smiled
"Ezra I’m here."
"Hey Astrid we’ll talk later Eden is waiting for me."
Astrid watched him leave humiliated. She decided to follow him and she stood behind him when he entered Eden’s open bedroom. Ezra put the tray on the bed and looked for Eden in the bathroom. When he saw someone pass he asked:
"Have you seen Eden?"
"He is in the backyard."
Ezra grabbed the tray and immediately left there still followed by Astrid. His heart dropped when he saw Eden having breakfast with Kalel with a smile. Astrid never felt happier at that moment, plus she could tell that Kalel truly liked Eden.
She noticed yesterday but she wasn’t sure if it was just a game for him, now she knows it’s more. Kalel’s happiness was practically palpable. She looked at Ezra’s crestfallen face.
"I told you he’s never going to forgive you and it looks like he likes Kalel. They were even dancing together yesterday."
Ezra narrowed his furious eyes. He walked to the table and looked at Kalel with disdain. He put the tray loudly on the table and the sound resounded.
When Eden looked he asked:
"Eden, didn’t you know that I was preparing breakfast for us?"
Eden answered:
"I did but Kalel had already prepared breakfast for me and I didn’t want the food to go to waste."
Ezra asked angrily:
"What about the food I cooked for us? Won’t it go to waste?"
Eden answered as he looked at Astrid who had arrived:
"I figured you could eat with Astrid, I know how much she enjoys spending time with you."
Eden smiled and Ezra looked at Astrid confused. Kalel ordered:
"Leave we want to eat alone."
Ezra left angrily. Astrid ran after him but she came back to take the tray and then left again.
When Eden finished eating he stood up after wiping his mouth. Kalel stood up as well his expectant grey eyes on him. Eden sighed, this annoys him to no end. Gege does things he hates in the original timeline but then he can’t hold it against him in the present since he hasn’t done it. Plus he looks so adorable and gorgeous. Eden kissed him on the cheek and left. Kalel smiled with shiny eyes.
An hour after breakfast a few cars came to drop them off at the hotel Atom. Ezra pulled Eden into one of the cars to make sure he wouldn’t sit next to Kalel. Kalel and Naomi sat behind them but Ezra was too happy to notice. After making sure the camera in the car had his best angle he looked at Eden with longing eyes.
"Eden?"
"En?"
Despite answering he was looking out of the window.
"What did you mean earlier?"
Eden looked at him.
"What I meant is that you should have breakfast with your girlfriend, not me"
Ezra looked at Eden confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"I’m talking about your girlfriend Astrid."
"No Astrid and I are just friends I swear."
Eden looked away in silence. He turned his face and swore:
"I swear nothing is going on between Astrid and me and it never will."
When Eden nodded he relaxed and let go of him. Nothing ever happened between them he only sees her as a friend.
Eden could actually feel Kalel’s anger without having to look at him but he didn’t look at him. When they arrived the ten candidates had to stay in the car until security paved the way. They were a lot of reporters and fans of the show who wanted to see this year’s candidates. They know that all the challenges take place in the hotel Atom. When the way was cleared Ezra got down from the car and gave his hand to Eden. Eden took his hand but he let go once he was down. Ezra was disappointed but he put on a smile and entered the hotel next to Eden. As long as they have pictures and video of him and Eden next to each other he is fine.
Plus he knows that people will love him more if he is trying to win the heart of the person he loves. He wants Eden but if he doesn’t get him people will love him even more so it’s a win-win situation. He is by far the most handsome man in the villa and he is experienced all he needs is the viewer’s help since their votes count for half.
They rode the elevator to the rooftop. When they arrived they all looked at the runway horrified. As they stood facing the presenter their eyes were still on it. The host smiled.
"Hello everyone welcome to your first challenge."
Everyone looked at her.
"The first challenge is pretty simple all you have to do is showcase the beautiful garments from the clothing line Arman Couture on the runway. Oh, right I almost forgot the runway is invisible, and it’s a hundred and thirty meters from the ground."
Everyone felt like laughing, how is that simple? The runway is see-through it’s like walking on glass meaning you can see the ground where you’ll fall to your death if you’re not careful, and to make things worse there are no edges. They came here to become models and not fall from the top of a high-rise hotel. They felt a little better when the host added:
"Don’t worry we don’t want any of you to break your pretty little neck so you’ll be attached with a harness and safety cords. They’ll be multiple specialists on-site to ensure your safety and to make sure none of you gets hurt."
They all left for the top floor and looked around. They were ten vanity tables with lights and with one make-up artist and hairdresser next to them. The host said:
"Each of you take a seat and once you’re done you’ll be sent to put on the clothes you’ll model on the runway."
Everyone went to take a seat excitedly but Eden stayed in place looking at Gege. He was staring at a spot unfocused. Eden stood before him.
"What’s wrong?"
Kalel looked at him, his eyes were sad.
He kept looking at Eden but didn’t say anything. Eden sighed, that man is so annoying.
"Talk to me."
"Do you have feelings for Ezra?"
He looked at the tapes this morning and saw Eden’s from the confessional. If he cried because of him that must mean he has feelings for him or at least did. The fact that he mentioned Astrid in the car leads him to believe that he is jealous.
Eden answered:
"I don’t."
Despite his answer Kalel asked frustrated:
"How can you have feelings for him after what he’s done to you?"
Eden said again:
"I don’t."
"So you never had feelings for him?"
Eden looked at Kalel in silence, he doesn’t want to lie to him but he doesn’t want to hurt him too. Seeing that Eden wasn’t answering Kalel had his answer. When Eden saw the pain in his eyes he felt his heart clench. Since they were filmed and he didn’t want anyone else to hear he took a step forward. After wrapping his arms around his neck he whispered:
"I don’t have feelings for him anymore all I want is to get revenge on him, Astrid, and my parents for what they’ve done to me."
He pulled back and met his eyes. He asked:
"Do you believe me?"
Kalel looked into Eden’s eyes, despite his usual confident attitude he could tell that he was a little uneasy. He caressed his head affectionately and answered:
"I do."
He feels this strong connexion to Eden like they are bounded, he knows he’s telling the truth. Eden smiled and he smiled back. He pulled Eden’s hand and went to take their seats.
Astrid looked at Ezra’s angry face with a smile. If it wasn’t clear before that Eden likes Kalel it is now. She’ll start messing with Eden today so he’ll lose his mind and become hated by the viewers. She wants him gone by the elimination of the second challenge or before if possible.
When everyone was dressed they left for the rooftop again. They all stood in front of the presenter and she randomly gave them a number. Astrid was happy when she saw that she was just before Eden. Her eyes sparkled with nefarious intention.
Eden watched the participant go one by one until it was Astrid’s turn. As she walked the runway Eden was fitted with a harness. He smiled as she walked gracefully. When it was his turn he took a breath and walked. His head was held high and he walked perfectly in line. When he reached the first corner everyone gasped in horror as he almost fell. Eden’s foot had slid and he almost fell but he held onto the rope so he wouldn’t fall off the runway. When he was steady again he walked the rest of the runway as if he didn’t almost plummet to his death.
When he came down Kalel pulled him in his arms.
"Are you okay?"
Eden circled his waist. He murmured:
"I’m okay Gege."
Kalel held onto him tighter, he knows he was tied up but his heart almost leaped out of his chest when he almost fell. He pulled back and looked at Eden to make sure he is truly okay. Eden smiled reassuringly and he finally calmed down.
Ezra looked at the man fitting him with the harness furiously, he wanted to check on Eden but he told him not to move. When he saw Eden almost falling he realized that he loves him more than he thought, it’s true that he thought if he tried to make Eden his on the show people would love him more but it meant nothing when he thought he might lose him.
Eden talked to the host:
"I almost fell because someone spilled a liquid on the runway."
The host frowned and send someone to check. Once it was confirmed that it was indeed the case it was cleaned up. She said:
"Even if you’re not to blame, you unfortunately can’t go again."
Eden smiled sadly.
"It’s fine I understand."
He looked away in silence. Everyone felt bad seeing him like that, even though he was being gracious about it they could tell that he was sad. Naomi immediately said:
"Astrid is the one who went before Eden that means she’s responsible."
No one thought about who was responsible but hearing that they all looked at her.
"What are you talking about? I never spilled anything on the runway."
"Then how come, Eden almost fell off? You sabotaged his walk so he would get last place and be eliminated."
Hearing that accusation everyone started to look at Astrid differently. Ezra who had just finished his walk had heard everything but he stayed silent. Astrid narrowed her eyes at Naomi and yelled:
"Why would I do that to Eden we’ve been friends since we were kids?"
Eden said:
"It’s fine if you spilled water Astrid just admit it and apologize."
Astrid felt like slapping him. She looked around and saw they were surrounded and that everything was being taped. That’s the perfect opportunity to push Eden to his limit. She said with a mocking smile:
"I don’t need to spill water to make sure you’ll get eliminated because contrary to you I’m a model and I have an agency behind me. I’m signed to Grey Modeling thanks to your parents, I’m sure you remember that day."
Eden said as his eyes flashed with pain:
"I’ll always remember that day since that’s the day I realized you and I were never friends. While my parents sat there insulting me for thirty minutes in front of you and Ezra you laughed while he stayed silent."
Astrid blinked her eyes a little stunned. Eden always loses his mind when you mention his parents but he managed to turn the situation around and make himself come across as a victim. She felt the other candidates disapproving eyes on her, she was about to say something but Naomi pulled Eden’s hand so they could get changed since everyone had finished the challenge. The rest of the candidates followed after them like sheeps.
Astrid stayed in place her hands tightened into fists. When she saw Ezra pass in front of her she held his wrist. Ezra took her hand off and left. She stayed in place her eyes moistening, she doesn’t care about the rest but she doesn’t want Ezra to hate her. When she remembered she was filmed she went to get changed too.
Once everyone was changed the host said:
"In two days the first two candidates will be eliminated. Tomorrow after the first episode has aired the viewers will be able to vote for their favorite candidates and it will be added to the three judges’ votes. Enjoy your free day tomorrow because after that things will only get harder."
Everyone felt the pressure after her words. They all left more stressed than they were when they saw the runway.
Astrid followed the rest to the cars. She could feel everyone giving her the cold shoulder despite their anxiety. When they arrived at the villa she locked herself in the bathroom wanting to be alone. She has to destroy Eden more than ever. I would rather die than let you take everything away from me. She wishes Eden’s neck would have broken as a result of that fall. She looked at herself determinedly in the mirror. You’re going down Eden.
