Bound Together By A Mysterious Force

Chapter1: Fashion Week Disaster

Vanessa POV

Three days in Paris, and everything was smooth sailing until now. I turn from the mirror, ready to own my runway debut, when Dan, my boyfriend, barges in, his arms wrapped around another woman. Their lips are locked in a kiss so intense it feels like the air is knocked out of me.

Just weeks ago, he was my savior, lifting me from the shambles of a dead-end cleaning job to this dream. Behind me, the reflection of the superstar I thought I was now feels like a cruel joke, as heartbreak washes over my face.

I snap out of my trance and hide behind the couch before I’m noticed.

“You just couldn’t wait, huh, Danny?” she giggles, her laughter ringing through the air like a taunt.

“How could I resist when you wore this short velvet dress to come see me? I love a lady who knows how to dress sexy,” Dan says, pushing her onto the bed and touching her cleavage playfully.

“Tyler said Vanessa’s at practice right now, so let’s make the most of it before she gets back,” he murmurs against her neck, a mock tenderness in his voice.

I just stare at them, completely numb.

“Ugh, forget about that V… Va… whatever. I’m way hotter than her,” she sneers, hurriedly shutting him up, gleaming with smug satisfaction as she presses her lips back to his.

“Besides, I charge more, and you’re getting your money’s worth. It’s a win-win for both of us. I don’t give a damn about your other side chicks.”

I blink, trying to convince myself it’s a nightmare, that what we had wasn’t all a lie. But then he begins to remove her lace thong. My body goes cold. I can’t unsee this.

Thankfully, a knock on the door interrupts, breaking my paralysis. The woman and Dan both leave the room, unaware I’m still there, silently crumbling.

I turn around, tears spilling down my cheeks. I feel like a fool for pouring my heart into someone so undeserving. The hurt stays with me, impossible to ignore, as I realize how naive I was.

I wipe my tears and get up. This is a special day, and I won’t let him or anyone else ruin it for me.

After the makeup artist touches up my face, I slip into my dress and head to the elevator, stopping when I hear a familiar voice.

“Hey, babe.”

I turn back, my heart pounding so hard it feels like I might explode. But I mask my anger, watching him intently, waiting to see if he’ll tell the truth or keep playing games with me.

“Hey, you’re here. What happened? I thought you were delayed.”

“Yes, but the meeting was canceled, so I left earlier. I forgot to tell you,” he says, his voice attempting to be smooth, but it only deepens my frustration.

“Interesting. Is there anything else you’re forgetting to tell me?” I poke, my eyes narrowing as I challenge him.

But he doesn’t flinch; instead, he stands tall, his confidence unwavering. “No. Aside from the fact that you look like a goddess, I know you’ll be amazing on the runway,” he says with a smirk, his right palm brushing against my cheek.

I glance down at the floor, struggling to contain my anger. If I meet his gaze, I fear I’ll either punch him or, worse, fall for his ridiculous pickup lines like I did before.

“Now, I know this is your first time doing this, and you may feel a little nervous, but just know that I believe in you. And hey, maybe when you’re done, we can get in bed and have a little fun,” he continues, his tongue hanging out at the corner of his lip, his other hand resting on my waist.

I finally meet his gaze, my eyes widening in disbelief. My heart pounding, ready to slap that smirk off his face.

But Safaree McCarthy, my stylist, steps in just in time, pulling me away.

“Vanessa! There you are! I’ve looked everywhere for you. You’re up in five; we need to go now!”

As I look back at him, that infuriating smirk is still plastered on his face, the arrogance radiating off him like a bad smell. My heart continues racing, not just from the adrenaline of the show, but from the betrayal crashing through every corner of my mind.

As soon as the lights hit me, I feel right at home. Daniel, the affair—it all fades away. The audience’s cheers, along with my new friend and designer, Safaree, seated in the front row, celebrating the start of my career, only make the moment sweeter. This is exactly what I needed to regain control of myself.

I go back to the room to change into my next look.

“You’re back,” I hear from behind as I’m unzipping my dress.

My heart skips a beat, and I drop the hanger on the floor, turning to see it’s Dan. I scoff at the absurdity—he didn’t bother to come watch me, yet here he is, lounging on my bed in nothing but his boxers.

“Whatever you think you’re doing, Dan, I won’t fall for it anymore. You can’t seduce me. Leave the room.”

I step closer, arms crossed, glaring at him with intensity.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s me. Take off your dress.”

“You must be tense after the show. Come on, get in bed, babe; let’s chill,” he says, continuing his charade.

He walks up to me, his hands reaching for me, but I slap him across the face before he can touch me. The sting is more satisfying than I expected.

“Enough!” I yell. “I saw you! I was in the room when you barged in and tried to f**k her in our bed!

“You disgusting, cheating liar!” I continue to fire at him. It feels like weights have been lifted off my shoulders as I finally stand up to him.

“I saw it all, Dan, and I don’t know what you take me for, but let me be straight with you—I am not a slut, and don’t you ever treat me like a s*x object you can manipulate again!”

I yell, my tone fierce and commanding, as I deliver another resounding slap. How dare he?

Satisfaction swells in me as I watch him go silent, his hand clutching his cheek in shock. He’s never seen this side of me before—the side that won’t let him treat me like garbage anymore.

Today, he’ll understand. I’m done being the soft, naive girl he thought he could walk all over.

Despite the shock in his eyes, I catch the faint trace of a smirk. He’s such a conceited jerk. The tension in the room is suffocating as I roll my eyes at him, refusing to let him rattle me.

He exhales. “Look, I understand you’re upset. I’m sorry—I didn’t know you were in the room,” he says, finally breaking his silence, his gaze shifting as he avoids meeting my eyes.

All I see in him is an endless mile of insincerity.

“You’re sorry? Or just sorry you got caught?” My eyes narrow as a sarcastic smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.

“So, what we had—did it mean anything to you? All those fake words you poured out, did you really mean them, or were you just using me as practice for a play? Huh, Dan?” I shake my head, disbelief washing over me.

“So, you’re not going to say anything? Really?”

I’m stunned. Daniel Jackson, always so full of swagger, now stands motionless with his eyes cast downward.

It’s crazy how blind I’ve been.

“You’re unbelievable. You know what, I’m going to change in Lila’s room. Don’t come near me. I never want to see you again.”

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm. His sharp laugh cuts through the air sending a chill down my spine. As I meet his gaze, unease mixes with irritation.

“Wow, what a performance, Vee.” He chuckles. His smile feels like poison, tickling my last nerve.

“But you didn’t think it would be that easy, right?” He continues, his eyes, reflecting a dangerous spark I’ve never seen since we met. I’m scared out of my mind, but I can’t let him know that.

“Let go of me! What are you doing, Dan?!” I snap, a grimace twisting my face.

“If you leave this room, your new life is over. Your modeling career, fancy photo shoots, luxury shopping, vacations—everything is gone. Without me, you’re nothing! Walk out that door, and you won’t have a penny. I’ll throw you out on the streets to rot!”

His words hit me like a lightning bolt. I can’t believe he would stoop this low. I’m at a loss for words.

The thought that my future hinges on such a demeaning choice is madness. These past weeks have been incredible, and I've grown to love this new lifestyle and the opportunities that have come with it. I'm not sure I'm ready to give it up.