Chapter 41: Model / 6.5 : All In
Erin informed:
"Honey the show is starting."
Dawson entered the living room with his computer. It bothers him that they had to leave Grey Modeling sooner to watch Modeling Atom but he knows in the long run it will be worth it. Astrid and Ezra already have a following after all their modeling works but thanks to the reality tv show they’ll gain even more exposure. He has more faith in them than all the other models in the agency. They just have to be smart and be loved by the viewers but it shouldn’t be a problem.
He talked to Astrid and hinted that becoming a couple with Ezra on live tv would bring them more fans and notoriety. Couples appear more in the episode than the other candidate who has nothing going on. Like that even if they don’t win they’ll have a colossal fanbase waiting for them. Dawson glanced at his wife when she called incredulously:
"Eden."
He looked at her stunned face then at the tv. He narrowed his eyes dangerously as he listened to Eden in the confessional. They watched the entire episode in silence, when it was over Dawson went online to see how Ezra and Astrid were perceived even if he already had an inkling.
Erin who was checking on her cellphone put it down, she looked at her husband her body trembling in anger.
"That bastard!"
She thought that she was finally done with Eden the day he left but he managed to secure a spot on Modeling Atom. When Eden asked them to be signed at the agency she knew that if they refused he wouldn’t give up so she made sure everyone would refuse him and they did. She started her modeling career when she was thirteen and she worked for the best designers in the world, she knows everyone so she knew they would do her favor.
All she had to do is say that Eden was mentally impaired and that he wasn’t strong enough to be in this business. No matter how powerful she is it doesn’t even come close to the president of Atom but it’s not like she ever thought Eden would sign up for the reality tv show. She emphasized:
"This isn’t good Dawson. We need to get him eliminated before he speaks even more."
Dawson looked at her.
"He had the opportunity to speak but he didn’t and I know he won’t."
Erin looked at Dawson in worry, she didn’t seem to believe him. He explained:
"Being away from us allowed him to gain confidence, didn’t you see him give the cold shoulder to Ezra when he’s been in love with him since they were kids? But in the end, he still cried about the situation despite saying he was over it. No matter what mask he put on Eden will never change. What he craves most in the world are his entourage’s love and care. Luckily Ezra is smart enough to know that being in a relationship with him will help him gain more fans. Eden was in 60% of the episode and by being at his sides Ezra was in 40% while Astrid was bearly seen."
Erin exploded:
"I don’t want him to be on any episode. That mistake of nature should’ve been dead in a ditch somewhere not on Modeling Atom. You’re speaking as if you haven’t read the comments online. He made himself appear as a victim and Ezra saying he doesn’t blame Eden for being angry only inferred all his fuckin lies."
Erin grabbed her cellphone and showed Eden’s Weibo account.
"Do you see how many followers he gained? The episode was released just an hour ago. What is it going to be in two days or god forbid when he wins the show?"
Dawson pulled his wife in his arms. He reassured:
"Right now anyone who goes against him will be at the mercy of his fans so we need to think carefully about our next move. Ezra and he having a relationship will help Grey Modeling and this is all that matters. I had faith in Astrid but you’ve seen how they all turned on her when Eden’s friend said that she sabotaged him."
Erin swallowed with difficulty. She knows it’s the truth but it infuriates her that Eden is on Tv and he already has so many fans. He doesn’t deserve any of it he is the reason why her career ended at only 23 so why should he have a career?
She pleaded:
"He can’t have a career in modeling you have to destroy him for good this time."
Dawson smiled viciously.
"Of course, I will once we’re done using him. I’ll do anything for you, you know that right?"
Erin nodded with a smile. She knew she made the right decision to break up with her boyfriend to marry Dawson.
Eden opened the door and came face to face with Kalel. He laced their hands and took the stair that led to the backyard. He pulled Eden’s chair and sat on his right. Eden grabbed his chopsticks and ate.
"Did you always want to be a model?"
Eden looked at him.
"I did, I always idolized my mother and the designer Enders Arman. I so desperately wanted to be part of that world but it seems like the gods didn’t want me to."
Kalel asked:
"What do you mean?"
"After I left home my social anxiety became unmanageable. I didn’t dare to leave my apartment not even to buy groceries. I stayed locked up in that tiny room for three months. Finally, I forced myself to go to gigs because even at my worst I wanted to be a model. Despite going to auditions and castings I was always rejected with no explanation until I was selected for Modeling Atom."
Kalel frowned.
"It doesn’t make any sense why would they reject you?"
In this country, it’s rare to see blonde hair and blue eyes ger so people immediately go crazy for them when they see one.
He wasn’t surprised when he saw the amount of press Eden garnered after the first episode aired yesterday. That means that his mother or father must’ve done something since they hate the idea of Eden being a model. Normally parents would help their children make their dream come true but Eden’s parents did the opposite. Kalel realized:
"You love Enders that’s why all your clothes are Arman Couture."
Eden smiled.
"I do, he’s amazing. I’ve been a fan of him since I knew what fashion was."
Indeed, he’s always admired him, but unfortunately in the original timeline, he didn’t have enough money to buy haute couture clothes. But he swore that the day he has enough money he would only wear clothes from that brand. Eden didn’t want to be just a model he also wanted to design his haute couture clothing line. He dreamed of collaborating with Enders Arman. Kalel inquired confused:
"How did you afford his haute couture clothing line?"
He’s sure his parents don’t help him financially.
"I saved up money from my different jobs over the years and when I realized that it would take longer to become a model I invested until I had enough to never have to worry about money again."
Kalel smiled. He can already tell that Eden is extremely smart but he didn’t know he was a financial genius as well.
Ezra looked at Eden from afar. He’s frustrated with how things are developing. Eden spends all his time with Kalel and Naomi. He always has to go to him to be acknowledged. He wants him to miss him when he isn’t around but it doesn’t seem like it’s the case. He looked to his right when he felt someone holding his hand. He smiled.
"Hey. Are you feeling better?"
Knowing they were filmed Astrid’s eyes moistened and she murmured:
"No, everyone hates me because of Eden. I know that he is angry at me but he didn’t have to turn the villa against me."
When she started to cry Ezra pulled her in his arms. They all have been actively avoiding her since Naomi accused her of sabotaging Eden. Everyone in the villa loves Eden because he is cute and they all see him as their little brother. It isn’t surprising Gers are usually beautiful and because of their petite figure, you tend to you to protect them. But with Eden it somehow amplified, he looks like an angel and you can’t help but feel bad when he is upset.
He felt that his aura was different when he saw him, but Astrid didn’t. If he was just the three of them or with Eden’s parents she would be able to act as she pleases but not with people around. He told her yesterday that having a good relationship with Eden would be beneficial to her now it’s up to her if she listens or not. She pulled back and asked:
"Will you please talk to him? I don’t want to fight with him when we’ve been friends forever."
Ezra nodded.
"Go get ready the car will be here shortly."
Astrid smiled gratefully and went up the stairs. If she has to pretend to care for Eden she will because as soon as they leave the villa she’ll destroy him. She never thought in a million years that she would be the odd woman out while everyone loves Eden.
Eden was irked when Ezra pulled his hand so they would sit next to each other when the cars arrived. When the car started Eden looked out the window. Ezra looked at Eden’s jade-like profile. When he looks at him sometimes he feels like he’s looking at someone else but in the best possible way. He always loved Eden but now it’s different. He was in love with his sweet and timid side but he loves him more like that. He focused, right now he needs to make sure that the three of them go far, and for that Eden and Astrid have to become friends again.
He called:
"Eden?"
Eden looked at him.
"Did you speak to Astrid since the first challenge?"
"Why should I?"
"She’s been upset, she even fell asleep crying."
Eden tilted his head.
"Do you know why I’m angry at you?"
Ezra was perplexed by the change of subject but he answered:
"Because I wasn’t there for you when you needed me the most."
"You’re wrong, I’m angry at you because you never had my back and you’re doing it again. Everyone around us might not know the vile nature of Astrid but you do. You know she spilled that water on purpose and yet here you are advocating for her."
Ezra looked at Eden not knowing what to say. He always had his back but it’s not like he could go against his parents when he had just signed a contract at Grey Modeling.
He assured:
"Astrid would never do anything to hurt you she loves you I pro..."
Eden cut him:
"Do you remember the day she pushed me on the glass table and it broke? I ended up at the hospital with 10 stitches. My parents had to leave work to bring me back home and as you know I wasn’t as important as their agency so they kept yelling at me. I was surprised because I thought that they would at least understand that it wasn’t my fault. But then they told me that they had already talked to you and that you said that I fell on my own."
Ezra blinked his eyes, he defended:
"I was worried they might tell Astrid’s parents and..."
"You were worried they wouldn’t sign you if you said anything negative about Astrid because you knew how much they adored her. Every time they would see her they would say that when she turns 19 they’ll sign her. They loved her more than they did me so you knew if you defended me they would be less likely to sign you."
Ezra looked at Eden stunned, it’s true but he didn’t think he knew. If he did why didn’t he say anything at that moment?
"Ede.."
He warned:
"If you want us to have any kind of relationship in the future you better not lie to me ever again."
Naomi and Kalel who were in the back smiled. Eden has him against the wall, it’s either he chooses him or Astrid.
Ezra opened his mouth but nothing came out. He feels like he should go with Eden. First, it will help with his popularity, and second, he loves him.
"If you don’t admit you’re wrong there’s no need for us to talk in the future."
When he saw Eden turning his head he immediately admitted:
"You’re right I was selfish and I didn’t think of you. I swear from now on I’ll always have your back Eden. I love you and I don’t want to lose you. Please let’s start over and give me a chance to prove myself to you."
He felt his heart beating faster than it ever has waiting for Eden’s answer.
When he nodded Ezra let out a relieved breath. He pulled Eden in his arms and he hugged him back. When he pulled back he looked into Eden’s eyes excited when he finally smiled at him. He was sure Eden genuinely forgave him, he didn’t think it would be this easy. Now all he has to do is to seduce him and make sure they end up together.
Eden felt like throwing up looking at him. What he said is the truth Ezra never had his back he would always have Astrid’s. His parents openly showed their preference for her and he was worried they might not sign him if he went against them. The reason Ezra is going all-in on Eden is that he thinks he’ll blow up and because they are dating he’ll become popular too. Like that he’ll get signed into a better modeling agency even if he doesn’t win the show. When he’s done with him no one will want to represent him let alone Grey Modeling.
