The Mistress

Chapter I

The defeaning sound of cameras clicking and blinding camera flashes welcomed me as I stepped out of the limousine.

I stood straight, chin up, chest out.

Then walked confidently & flawlessly on the red carpet despite these killer heels I'm wearing.

I took glances to the different cameras flashing on both sides of the aisle.

Unlike most people, I don't smile at cameras when I see one. 

I always maintain a straight, confident facade.

Hundred pairs of eyes laid on me as I walked into the hall.

Some were full of admiration...

Some had envious looks...

Some had hatred in their eyes...

Their looks pierced into my soul, but I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing through me.

A waitress led me to a two-seater table with a wine glass, a small bowl of vegetable salad and a slice of chocolate cake.

I made myself comfortable and sipped wine.

It tasted good but not on the same level as the wine I drink at home. This was way cheaper based on its taste.

I took out my phone and took a few selfies for my **.

"Look who's here, the social climber who never smiles at cameras." the most annoying creature on Earth told me.

"Oh, hi there Minnie Mouse, still looking like a rat, eh?" her eyes widened with my remark. 

Obviously stopping herself from making a scene.

She plastered a fake smile.

"If I looked like a rat, well at least I don't sleep with billionaires & suck money from 'em." she had an evil grin on her lips.

"Oh, isn't that what you did so you could afford to buy that $200,000 Hermes bag?" I acted surprised and grinned at her.

Her face became red with anger.

Seems like I awakened a raging volcano.

"Remember this, my dear Minnie Mouse, no matter how hard you try, you can never provoke me." I smiled to annoy her.

"My name's not Minnie Mouse! And you're going to pay for this!" she walked out like a kid throwing tantrums.

She's Minnie Kim, a Filipino-Korean model who's got a damn huge insecurity to me.

She's just a childish brat.

I stared at my wine glass when a guy interrupted my train of thoughts.

"Hello, can I have your autograph?" he asked shyly & handed me a pen & a magazine with my photo on its cover.

I grinned at him.

"Don't get the wrong idea, my wife is a big fan of yours, she got tons of your magazines at home. She likes you so much." he's so defensive.

"Okay." I nodded & signed the damn magazine for his wife.

He smiled at me widely.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Agatha! My wife will surely love this!" he still had that smile as he walked away.

"His wife's one heck of a lucky woman." I uttered to myself.

The mellow music started to play.

As if on cue, the press people started to take photos of celebrities, some asking for interviews.

I was blinded by a series of camera flashes around me.

"Ms. Agatha Verdana, can I have a short interview?" a tall, slender man approached me.

"Do you have permission from my manager?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He gulped before answering.

"I wasn’t able to get one." he said shyly.

To maintain my reputation, I have to act nice to everyone.

"I’ll give you a chance. But I’ll only answer one question. Deal?" he blushed after hearing my words.

"Thank you so much Ms. Agatha!" he bowed so many times, expressing his gratitude.

I nod at him.

"Here’s the question, Ms. Agatha. Your 3 years in the show business has been a success, do you think you found the man you wanna settle with?" that’s a smart question, they want a pinch of my personal life so people would take interest in their article.

"You’re right, those 3 years has been full of achievements. I honestly think it just heightens my self-worth & independence. I realised that I don’t need a man to achieve great things. To answer your question, it’s no. Not a single man piqued my interest, as of now." it looks like my answer wasn’t what he was expecting to hear. He wanted me to say more.

When he came back to his senses and realised that my answer is irrevocable, he quickly turned off the recording.

"Thank you so much Ms. Agatha, it’s a pleasure to have that interview." 

A well-known media personality handed me a permission letter from my manager so I am obliged to answer her questions. Bruhhhh

She started off with her usual tagline before starting the interview.

"So Ms. Agatha Verdana, we all know that you’ve been accepting collabs with international stylists, this year, do you have any plans of collaborating with any local stylist?"

"I’ve been looking forward to collaborating with local stylists of course to heighten my Filipina identity & to embrace ideas that I’m sure we could use to compete internationally."

A sound of a phone ringing interrupted us.

I mouthed "Excuse me" before taking the call from my manager.

"Dana, you got the perfect timing! Gosh!! I badly wanna leave this place! Why didn’t you call sooner!" she saved my ass tho

"Sorry Agatha, I was busy & you know it! Okay, I’ll wait here in the parking lot." she said before hanging up.

I walked back to the my table where the annoying press people are still waiting.

"I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it any longer. Something urgent came up and I really have to leave.” I gave them an apologetic look to make it look more convincing.

I strode out the hall hurriedly, not wanting to catch attention since I’m leaving but still failed—press people didn’t stop taking photos! Bruhhh 

As soon as I reached the parking lot, I saw Dana giving me a weird smile.

"What’s with that look, Dana?" she smiled and waved her phone.

"Mr. Quinn just called. He’s offering you to be the new face of Queendom Magazine this year!" she said cheerfully.

"I bet you already decided ahead of me." I gave her a suspicious look

She flashed a wide smile. "Actually, that’s what I’m going to say. I already said yes! Coz why not? Agatha, that magazine has insanely huge buyers! You’ll never regret it!"

"Duhh what can I do? You already said yes!" I rolled my eyes at her.

"Now you should have a beauty rest tonight coz you’re meeting the executives tomorrow!"