Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 19

Amanda's POV

"What the hell?! I was already happy! Why there's a long test before the intramurals?!" Elara collapsed on one of the couches here in the Axe Development Corp (ADC) showroom. We're in a mall owned by Axel. Real estate development is Axel's line of business. This is where we hang out when we're tired instead of going to the food court. We even get free coffee or juice here if we want because we're friends with Axel. The staff here already knows us well because we come here often.

"Ma'am Amanda, you seem to be glowing today," Joey noticed. "Are you in love or something?" he teased me with a smirk.

I touched my cheeks. "Really? Not at all."

I just put on a little powder, minimal lip tint, and mascara to look decent somehow. It's okay not to look beautiful as long as I look clean.

"Don't believe her, Joey. She's recently been having a thing with Asher Ledesma," Astrid said with a sly smile.

"What thing?" my tone was in denial. Nothing is really happening. Yes, there is, like her threats, distancing from Cedric, and her unnecessary guarding over me.

Elara and Joey shared a knowing look.

I groaned. "Come on guys, he's engaged to Aria!"

Joey covered his mouth. "Oh my gosh! Are you saying that Asher Rowan Ledesma is engaged to Aria Jade Velarde?"

The three of us nodded in response to Joey's question.

"You’re not aware? Isn't it all over the internet?" I asked Joey in surprise. Even our school janitor knows about that news, and he doesn't.

"Both families haven’t made the engagement official yet. It's just your mom talking to the media. Mr. and Mrs. Ledesma don't seem interested when asked by the media. I thought maybe your mom is just delusional. Forced marriage is a thing in your family."

They won't make the engagement official because there wasn't really an engagement to begin with. They're just using it to cover up the scandal started by Sandy Lim in our family.

"And why Aria? Shouldn't you be the first in line and the eldest?" Joey added.

I scoffed, pointing to myself, my mouth agape, unable to believe it. "Me? Look at this face, does it look like a wife material to you It's an insult to the Ledesma’s if their only son marries someone like me."

"Well of course! Those are just pimples, Amanda Callie. It's natural! People on the internet are just too perfect."

"It's not just people on the internet who are like that," I grinned.

"That's what I've been telling her, Joey. She's really beautiful, isn't she?" Astrid seconded.

My cheeks blushed from the compliments I received from them. I've been criticized for my appearance so many times that I don't know if their words are genuine or just to comfort me.

My cellphone rang inside my bag. I took it out and saw that it is my dad who’s calling me.

"Hello, Dad," I greeted.

"You need to get out of that mall. The press has found you, and they will be swarming there soon. Do you have a driver with you?" I could sense the panic in my dad's voice. Despite being curious, I didn't ask him what was happening yet.

"I just commuted here with Astrid and Elara, Dad," I calmly replied to balance our emotions.

"We'll send Asher,”

“There’s no need."

"Casimir, it's okay. We will also send our people there to ensure that Amanda can safely leave," I heard Mr. Ledesma's voice from the other line.

What is happening? Why are the press looking for me?

It seemed like I caught Astrid and Elara's attention as they both waited for information after I hung up the phone.

"What's going on, Callie?" Elara asked.

"The press is on me. I don't know what they want from me. We need to leave the mall because they've found me here," I explained.

The three of us stood up, grabbed our bags, and quickly left. Not far away, I saw men in black uniforms. It looked like they were targeting me because their eyes were focused on me.

"Good day, ma'am Amanda. We are the staff of the Ledesma’s," the person leading them introduced. Perhaps it was to ease the anxiety of why they suddenly approached me.

I nodded, and the three of us followed the staff members.

"Secured," one guard said into his earpiece.

The Ledesma staff and ADP security guards gestured to each other. The security guards prevented the journalists with camera crews from entering the basement.

As the van opened, I was surprised to see Asher inside.

His eyes were filled with concern and relief when they landed on me. "Thank you," he said to the guards.

The guards closed the van and got into another van following behind.

"We're riding at the back," Astrid interrupted our gaze.

I tried to follow to sit at the back, but Asher stopped me and gestured for me to sit beside him.

"Stay here," he ordered. "There's a lot of space here."

I looked at how close we were sitting and gently pushed him away.

"There's plenty of space. Why are we sitting so close?" I replied.

Asher let me do what I wanted, for which I was thankful as I didn't have time to argue with him. There were too many questions running through my mind.

"Amanda, look at this," Elara handed me her cellphone.

"CEO of Velarde Broadcasting and Entertainment Corporation and CEO of Ledesma Model Management confirms engagement of Aria Jade Velarde and Asher Ledesma," I read out loud.

Asher shifted in his seat. His jaw clenched.

"The television please," he told his driver. There was a TV inside their van.

I remained stunned looking at Elara's cellphone. I think my brain shut down after reading it. It's done. They're officially engaged.

My mom was speaking on TV, but I couldn't process what she was saying because I felt like I had lost consciousness at that moment. I was trapped in my thoughts.

Everything is settled now. I no longer need to figure out who Asher likes, and I don't have to find a way to bring Aria and Asher closer together. No matter what Asher does, in the end, he will be with Aria. I should be happy for them, right? This was really the end goal from the start. I succeeded, as did Mom.

As Mama let go of the words, "It is true, my youngest daughter is engaged to Asher Ledesma," my body let go of a part of my soul. I felt a void, emptiness, nothingness.

I glanced at Asher, his eyes fixed on the television. I caught the clenching of his jaw, the furrowing of his brow, and the murmurs he whispered to himself. I felt Astrid's hand on my back soothing me, but I ignored her. My eyes remained on Asher. And as if sensing my gaze, his eyes met mine. And I felt even more depleted inside.

Asher marrying Aria is a gain for both mom and my sister. But while they had Asher in their grasp, I felt like I lost him. I don't know why I'm feeling all of this at once. What's the reason? I'm trying to find joy for my sister, but it seems to have disappeared. My vision blurred. I didn't notice how difficult it was to breathe because I was trying to hold it in. My heart felt squeezed. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I didn't care if Asher saw my reaction. This is the first and last time I will cry because of him. Because I am crying for nothing. I can't name what I feel and what we have. So why am I in anguish? Tears fell down my cheeks. Asher's eyes widened, showing concern, sadness, and fear. His thumb brushed my cheeks, wiping the tears. His hand cupped my cheeks as his eyes searched mine.

"Look at me, Amanda Callie," he whispered. If I were in the right state of mind, I would do the opposite. But because I was overwhelmed by my emotions, I followed his command.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, so I closed them to stop them. Asher caught the tiny tears in the corners of my eyes. When I opened my eyes, the pain doubled. Asher's eyes were filled with promise and determination.

"I'll fix this," he said.

I shook my head. There's nothing to fix because nothing is wrong. It's me. I am the problem, and I will fix it, now.

"Hey," he chased after my head. His voice was gentle, comforting. "You remember what I told you that night? Your sister and I are not engaged, and it will stay that way. I will find a way."

My lips trembled. My goodness. How am I going to handle this if he's right here in front of me promising?

"Asher," I whispered.

"Shh..."

I don't know where we found our courage, even though Astrid and Elara were just there with us.

The van stopped. I shook my head again at Asher.

I smiled bitterly. "Asher, congratulations. I'm happy and crying out of joy for you and my sister." Before his hands could catch me, I had already stepped out of the van.

A car was waiting for Astrid and Elara when we exited the van. Astrid faced me and hugged me. "We'll get going. We asked the driver to pick us up here. Remember that we're always here. Love you, Callie."

"Call me, Callie," Elara added. I waved at them as they got into their respective cars.

"Isn't she Amanda Velarde?" I heard as I turned around, and journalists with cellphones rushed towards us. Asher instantly stood in front of me, shielding me from the press.

"Mr. Asher Ledesma, a few questions about your engagement."

"Mr. Ledesma, how do you feel about the engagement?"

"Are you and Aria Velarde lovers before the engagement?"

"No comment," Asher replied. Their guards also protected us.

"Ms. Velarde, is there truth to your audio scandal? What is your comment on the circulating audio scandal on the internet?"

I stopped walking because of that question. I have an audio scandal? I looked up at Asher. He put his arms around my waist. I held his hand and gently removed it from me.

"There's media, Asher. They might think of something else," I said with a cold tone.

When we entered, we went straight to the conference room. There were Mom, Dad, Aunt Celestine, and Uncle Ronald.

"Son, you're here," Aunt Celestine said. She was wearing a brown suit and pants, looking like a model in her outfit.

Mom's eyes showed anger. She didn't wait and quickly approached me. I didn't expect what she did next. She delivered a strong slap to my cheek.

"Auntie!" Asher raised his voice and pushed Mom's hand away. With tears in my eyes, I held my cheek and continued to look to the

side.

"Asteria!" Dad's voice echoed in the conference room. "You shouldn't have to hurt my daughter like that."

"How dare you!" Mom yelled at me, ignoring Dad's warnings. "Really? I'm always exploiting? Pitying my artists and oppressing them? I'm an expert in that field?!"

I furrowed my brow. "Mom, I'm not saying those things."

"That's not what your audio scandal is saying! You witch! You perfectly embody your character! Why are you so stupid?! You have no brain!" I broke down. I thought what happened earlier was the most painful. Little did I know there was more to come.

My heart felt like giving up due to the intense pain I was feeling.