His Forgotten Bride

Chapter 5

“I think you’re the only person who isn’t happy about getting a break from work,” Mavy commented while the makeup artists fixed my hair and makeup.

I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother responding. Even after several days, the pain in my chest still hadn’t faded whenever I remembered what happened during Terrence and I’s anniversary.

“By the way, you already know, right?” Mavy spoke again, catching my attention.

My brows furrowed as I glanced at him, waiting for him to continue.

“You’ll have a partner for today’s shoot,” he said casually.

“What?!” I blurted out.

His mouth fell open before he placed his hands on his waist. “Don’t tell me you ignored my messages again?!” he snapped.

I closed my eyes for a second before motioning for the makeup artists to step aside. Then I looked at Mavy sternly.

“What do you mean I’ll have a partner for today’s shoot?” I clarified.

He massaged his temples and sighed. “Alliyah, we can’t cancel this shoot. I already accepted the payment, and the contract has already been signed,” he explained before I could protest.

“Bullsh*t, Mavy! You know I don’t just work with random people,” I reminded him sharply.

“I’m sorry, okay? I thought you were fine with it this time because you didn’t reply. I’m used to making decisions whenever you go silent,” he reasoned out.

I stayed quiet, my mind already spiraling with worry.

“Is it a guy?” I asked.

He bit his lower lip and slowly nodded. I let out a frustrated sigh and shut my eyes.

That was exactly why I hated accepting partner shoots. I already knew they would pair me with a man. No one in the industry knew I was married, so fans constantly shipped me with different celebrities and models.

Terrence would definitely get mad if he found out about this.

No… maybe he already knew.

“Please let this one slide, Alliyah,” Mavy pleaded softly as he held my hand. “I’m really sorry. I honestly didn’t know.”

I took a deep breath before nodding slightly. “Fine,” I said shortly.

His face instantly brightened. “Really?!” he exclaimed in disbelief.

I pulled my hand away and rolled my eyes. “You should just go outside and flirt with the photographers. I know you already have your eyes on one of them,” I teased.

He grinned and leaned closer to whisper near my ear. “I actually like the makeup artist’s assistant more.” He chuckled softly before leaving the dressing room.

I shook my head. So now he liked women again. What a fickle heart.

The makeup artists continued fixing the last details of my look. One of them lightly dusted powder across my cheeks while another adjusted the soft curls that fell over my shoulders.

“You look gorgeous, Miss Alliyah,” one of them complimented sincerely.

I forced a smile. “Thank you.”

But no matter how beautiful they made me look, I still felt emotionally exhausted.

I barely slept these past few nights. Terrence and I hadn’t talked properly after our anniversary incident. He kept leaving early for work and coming home late. Sometimes I wondered if he was avoiding me on purpose.

And honestly, I couldn’t blame him.

I had hurt him too.

“Done!” the stylist finally announced.

I stood up from the chair and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The red dress hugged my figure perfectly while the slit exposed just enough of my leg to look elegant instead of vulgar. My makeup was soft yet seductive.

Perfect for the concept of the shoot.

I just hoped the partner they picked wasn’t someone difficult to work with.

After changing into my heels, I stepped outside the dressing room.

The studio immediately buzzed with movement the moment people noticed me.

“Alliyah’s here!”

“She looks stunning.”

“The lighting setup is ready!”

I ignored the whispers around me and focused on fixing my expression into a professional smile.

“Alliyah!” Mavy greeted brightly as he grabbed my arm. “Come on, let me introduce you to your partner.”

I didn’t resist and allowed him to guide me toward the person I would be working with. As we approached, I immediately noticed a man sitting on a high chair while casually sipping his drink. Even with his back facing me, there was something strangely familiar about him.

The atmosphere around him felt heavy.

Confident.

Dangerous.

“Mr. Hevion!” Mavy called cheerfully.

The man paused mid-drink and slowly turned toward us.

I froze the moment our eyes met.

His eyes.

Sharp. Dark. Intense.

I couldn’t remember where I had seen them before, but I was certain we had crossed paths somewhere.

A strange chill crawled down my spine.

“Alliyah? Are you okay?” Mavy asked, snapping me back to reality.

I quickly cleared my throat and forced a small smile before continuing to walk.

The man remained silent. He simply stared at me as if he were studying my every move.

Where have I seen him before?

“Hi, Mr. Hevion. This is Alliyah, my beautiful talent. She’ll be your partner for today’s shoot,” Mavy introduced proudly.

The man hummed in acknowledgment before standing up from his seat.

And God…

He was tall.

Probably around six feet or even taller. He wore an all-black outfit that perfectly matched his cold aura. His sleeves were folded up to his elbows, exposing veins running along his arms.

He looked intimidating.

“Chaos Hevion,” he introduced formally while extending his hand toward me, never once breaking eye contact.

Even though his stare made me uncomfortable, I chose to remain professional.

I was just about to shake his hand when a strong arm suddenly wrapped around my waist and pulled me away from him.

I gasped softly in surprise.

I was ready to struggle and yell until I saw who it was.

“She’s not working with you,” Terrence, my husband, said coldly to Chaos.

My breath hitched.

Terrence looked furious.

His jaw was tight, his eyes emotionless, and the hand gripping my waist felt possessive.

“T-Terrence…” I whispered with trembling lips.

Slowly, his icy eyes turned toward me.

“You are not working with him,” he ordered.

It felt like I was under a spell because all I could do was nod obediently.

The entire studio suddenly fell silent.

Everyone was staring at us.

Some looked confused.

Others looked terrified.

A sarcastic laugh suddenly echoed across the room.

Chaos slowly stood up straighter and stared directly at my husband.

“Sorry, Mister Whoever You Are, but apparently she has to work with me or else…” His eyes shifted toward me, and a smirk spread across his lips. “…I’ll make sure she ends up in jail.”

My stomach dropped.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” I asked angrily.

Chaos tilted his head lazily. “You should ask your manager.”

Panic rushed through me as I glanced at Terrence. I was terrified he would misunderstand everything, but he never even looked at me.

Instead, he kept his cold gaze locked on Chaos.

Moments later, the corner of Terrence’s lips lifted into a faint smirk.

“I’ll pay for the damages,” he said lazily.

Murmurs immediately spread across the studio.

Chaos laughed again before his expression turned serious. “Do you even know what I’m capable of?” he mocked.

The tension in the room became suffocating.

Even the staff looked too scared to move.

I could practically hear my own heartbeat.

Only then did I notice Mavy awkwardly standing nearby. I immediately turned toward him, silently demanding an explanation.

He looked apologetic before lowering his head.

“Mr. Hevion said that if you breach the contract, you either date him for a month… or pay a hefty penalty. Billions,” Mavy whispered quietly enough for only us to hear.

My mouth fell open in disbelief.

Come again?

“Mavy!” I snapped in frustration as I ran my fingers through my hair.

“I’m sorry! I just thought it was a fair deal. I didn’t know you already had a boyfriend, Alliyah,” he defended himself quickly.

Boyfriend?

I almost laughed from frustration.

If only he knew Terrence was my husband.

D*mn it.

“Just give me the amount,” Terrence spoke coldly once more.

I knew Terrence could easily pay whatever Chaos demanded, but I didn’t want him wasting that much money. Besides, if news about the breach of contract leaked, my career could also be put at risk.

Chaos slowly walked closer to us.

The sound of his shoes against the floor echoed inside the silent studio.

Then he stopped right in front of Terrence.

The two men stared at each other like predators waiting for the other to attack first.

Chaos flashed an evil smirk.

“Let her work with me,” he said slowly, “or let her date me. Your choice.”

My breathing turned uneven.

Terrence’s arm around my waist tightened possessively.

And for the first time since he arrived…

I saw genuine anger flicker inside his eyes.