THE BILLIONAIRE AMONG US.

Chapter 7: Crash of dreams.

The catwalk became clear for her and she commanded it with a sheer presence that silenced the room. That was Beauty.

 She raised her chin high, her gaze unflinching. All attention focused on her like a celebrity star of the moment, especially the judges and other models who anticipated her display of talent except Clara who had a sinister grin tugging at the corner of her lips, waiting for calamity to strike.

Beauty took the first step effortlessly and gracefully before taking another, her leg stretching endlessly. She swayed her hip elegantly like a model whose aim is to kill with her formidable talent and everyone watched with keen interest while the judges whispered comments to one another, jotting down their observations on a book.

Beauty got to the end point and walked back with the same poise and then the unexpected happened. Her ankle twisted on the heels, sending a sharp jolt through her leg. Beauty faltered and stumbled to the floor with her backside.

Thud!

The judges rose on their feet and hurried to her. 

“Are you okay?" The woman among them pulled her up.

Beauty nodded her head, her shoulder slumped and her earlier confidence melted away like ice.

Whispers passed between the other models. Clara leaned on her chair with a satisfactory grin on her cheek.

After the competition ended, the judges announced that the three winners would be sent an email that they had passed the Audition hence selected for the main competition 

Mrs Bennet, the female judge, told Beauty to wait for her in her office and when she opened the door, she couldn't believe who she saw.

Seated on a chair before a desk which has books piled on it is Celeste laughing as her finger glides across her phone's screen, scrolling through videos on I*******m.

“Mum you're back." She said without raising her head from the screen when she heard the creaking sound of the door.

Beauty halted at the door with a subtle frown on her cheek. 

When Celeste didn't hear any voices from her mother who she thought was the one at the door. She raised her head to see Beauty and she immediately recognised her as the girl she met at Velour vogue with the man who embarrassed her. A tight frown formed on her face immediately and she set her phone aside.

“You!!" Anger could be detected in her voice. She rolled her eyes disgustingly looking at her from head to toe. “A model huh?" She chuckled.

Just then, Mrs Bennet entered the office to see Beauty standing at the door. She is a beautiful and maintained woman in her early 30's. She glanced between Beauty and Celeste with a smile on her face.

“Do you know each other from somewhere?" She asked with a smiling face.

Celeste stood up and shot a finger forward in Beauty's direction. “She is the girl with the man I told you that embarrassed me at Velour. Look at her mum!?" 

The realization of the situation hit Beauty. She's the daughter of Mrs. Bennett!

A notification popped up on Celeste's phone and she glanced at her phone with the intention of dismissing it but the comment below the video caught her eyes. 

SUCKS! CELESTE, OUR POPULAR TIK TOK CELEBRITY CAUGHT KISSING THE FLOOR.

The news came like a slap to Celeste, making a deep frown etching all over her face.

”What's the problem Celeste?" Her mother asked, trying to dilute the tension in the room but Celeste's eyes focused on the notification. She clicked on it and the video began to display on Tiktok, showing the drama that happened at Velour.

Horrible comments from viewers could be seen under the video.

“Celeste is really a good kisser. She kissed the dirt like her lover. Eww!”

“Our favourite Tiktoker couldn't afford a $21,000 worth gown? Bleh!!"

“Boastful! Guess the floor is the only thing she could afford to kiss."

The tirade of comments flowing under the video made Celeste's anger flare dangerous.

“That bastard!! Mum, take a look at this!!" She showed her mother the video.

Mrs Bennett frowned at the sight of the embarrassing video of her Daughter kissing the floor.

Celeste quickly pointed a finger at Beauty. “She was there mum! She supported the guy who did this!!" Celeste couldn't water down her anger and the only way she could do that is venting it on Beauty. “Mum, she laughed at me!! She was among those who covered the video!!" Celeste kept blowing out.

Beauty was stunned by the whole accusation which was all false. Her mouth trembled to defend herself but Celeste didn't give him a slight chance. 

Mrs Bennett turned to Beauty with a cold gaze, her anger flared just like her daughter's. “I thought I could help you but it seems you're very useless and you publicly humiliate my own dau.." Before Beauty could comprehend what was going on, Mrs Bennet struck her palm across the face.

“Parrr!!!" The slap reverberated across the office.

The slap left red fingerprints on Beauty's face. She held her face, nurturing the hurt from the slap.

Beauty raised her head to explain with a teary eyes. “I didn't do.."

“Get out of my office!! Leave now!!!" Mrs Bennett cut her off, pointing a finger in the direction of the door.

Reluctantly, Beauty left the office with tears pouring from her eyes. Getting outside, she met Clara and Alice outside.

“Here comes the talented model who fell like a drunkard on the catwalk." Clara ignited with a mockery tone.

Alice rolled her eyes. “Poor thing! Who knows where she stole the gown from because I'm sure she can't even afford the cheapest dress!" 

Clara seemed to be the one forcing words into Alice's mouth.

Beauty wanted to walk away but Clara stepped in her way and 

“Listen beauty or ugly or whatever you're called. We're done with this friendship!" She affirmed, tucking her hair behind.

“We're cutting all ties!!” Alice supported her.