The Billionare's Challenge

Fashion Show

Kate's POV

This is it! Today's the fashion show! I'm so excited! I can't believe it. I'm just new here and then I'm already the designer for this fashion show. Here I am in the dressing room, preparing myself for the show.

I wore my green gown and silver stilettos. I was about to put make up on when someone knocked. "Kate!" Stella shouted. Behind her were Carla and Bianca, smiling and giggling. I put down the make up and stood up. "Woah..." All of them said gazing my whole body. I cleared my throat to snap them out and smiled.

"Kate...you look amazingly beautiful. Men will definitely drool ever you." Bianca said.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We're here to see you if you're done. Looks like you need help." Stella said.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Bianca asked Stella. They both grinned and turned to me.

"Alright...you can help me." I said laughing.

"I'll do your hair." Bianca said.

"I'll make your pretty face beautiful. That men will never take their eyes off you." Stella said happily.

"Stella...." I warned.

Really. I don't like men looking at me hungrily. Like they're deprived from women. It's scary.

"Ok...I need to leave now. I just checked on you." Carla said.

-----

An hour passed and we're done. Stella's just doing the finishing touches. I've been sitting here for like forever. My hips are aching already.

"Done. Turn around." Stella said turning my chair around.

My mouth drops. I look different. "Oh my god...."

"What?!?!?!?! You don't like it???" Stella asked.

"I loved it. It's just that..this is my first time to wear make up." I said shyly.

"Don't worry. Look at you, you look beautiful." Bianca said, smiling at me.

"Thanks you two. I owe you guys."

I hugged them tightly when someone enters the room.

"Bianca, Stella, Mr. Collins is finding you." Carla said.

"Woah..Kate..you look astonishing. Breathtakingly beautiful." She said smiling wildly at me.

I just blushed and said 'thank you'.

------

I'm waiting for my name to be called by Jaime, the emcee. I saw women wearing the gowns I designed. They were all so beautiful. I just hope Josh and Zara were here.

I saw two judges sitting in front with their eyes sparkling. Ohmygosh!!! They like my designs!!! I thought. And then I saw Stella and Marc sitting beside each other. I snapped out of my thoughts when Jaime called my name.

"Let us welcome our designer! Let me introduce to you, Kate Andrea Jones!!" Jaime shouted as the crowd applause.

I walked to the stage and smiled. Jaime gave me the microphone. At first I was hesitant but I saw Stella encouraging me to speak. Everyone was silent.

"Thank you for coming to our fashion show. I'm grateful to have this opportunity after graduating. I hope my designs pleased you all. Thank you very much. Please enjoy the evening." I said smiling.

"Now let us call the CEO of Collins Design! Marc Collins!!" Jaime introduced.

I watched Marc as he walks up to the stage. He smiled proudly to the crowd and walks towards me.

Oh god. What's he gonna do? He puts his arm behind me and smiles. I felt my skin shiver. It's like electricity ran through my body. What was that?

"Congratulations, Kate." He said grinning at me.

"Thank you, Sir." I said sincerely ignoring the feeling.

Marc's POV

Sweet Jesus, Mother of God! She's so hot. I just realized how beautiful she was. Her blue eyes were sparkling. Her necklace and earrings matched her green gown. Her make up. Oh man...she looks even more beautiful. And the last part is, her gown was backless!

"Close your mouth, Marc." Stella whispered. I didn't realize that I was already drooling.

"She's gorgeous, isn't it?" Stella said teasingly.

"Now let us call the CEO of Collins Design! Marc Collins!!" Jaime introduced.

I walked up to the stage while looking at Kate. I smiled proudly to the crowd and walk towards Kate.

I put my arm behind her back and smiled. I felt my skin tingle. I knew Kate felt it too.

"Congratulations, Kate." I said grinning.

"Thank you, Sir." She said sincerely.

Troy's POV

As soon as I heard her name, I looked at the woman, walking and smiling at us. She's still beautiful. I felt my heart pound again. I shouldn't have agreed to the deal. I was such a jerk. After Kate and I broke up, I felt my heart ache. After graduation and after Isabel said bad things to her, I felt urge to protect her. I was about to hug her when she hissed at us. Hell! She even slapped me! I can't take that anymore. I spent my days with Isabel but it just got worse. It kept reminding me of Kate. And then one day, I broke up with Isabel. I realized how Kate was special to me. The times we spent together, just chillin around the campus, watching movies, and strolling around the park.

And this very night, I saw her again, her eyes sparkling with joy. And then Marc stood beside her just made my heart twist. She can't be his. Kate is mine! Only mine! I will make her mine again.

That was the last thought before I left. I don't want her to see me yet. One day, she will be in my arms again. One day....

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Marc and I separated after going down the stage. I walked around to find Stella. I spotted her talking with her parents.

"KATE!!!!" I heard a familiar voice called.

I turned around to see my brother, smiling at me.

"Josh!!!!" I hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. God...I missed him.

"Surprise!" He said.

"How did you know where and when?"

"I have connections. Of course I wouldn't miss my lil sister's fashion show." My eyes filled with tears of joy upon hearing that.

"I love you, Josh. You're the best brother ever."

"Kate!" I turned around to see Stella, Bianca, Jaime, and Carla waving at me.

"Looks like you have company. I have to go." Josh says.

"Aren't you staying??"

"I have a flight tomorrow morning. I just came here to see you. Remember, I love you." He kissed my cheek and left.

"Who was that?" Carla asked.

"He's hot." Bianca squeaked.

"Is he your boyfriend???" Stella asked.

"No. He's my older brother."

"Ooooooohhhh!!! He's handsome. Is he available????" Bianca asked excitedly.

"I don't know. I don't ask him." I said shrugging.

"Ask him!!!!" Bianca squealed.

I just laughed and nodded. I stopped when someone cleared his throat.

"May I steal Kate for a while?

I'm going to introduce her to our business partners." Marc said placing his hands on my shoulder.

"Sure! Kate we'll just be at the table." Stella said smiling at me.

Oh great! Now I'm with Marc again. I feel uncomfortable when he's with me.

Marc introduced me to Mr. Watson, Mr. Higgins, and many more businessmen. Gosh..I only remembered two or three at the least.

I was about to go to Stella's table when Marc tightened his grip on my hand.

"Who were you talking to a while ago? That tall guy?" He asked in his serious tone.

"That's none of your business. Now if you'll excuse me, I want to sit with Stella." I snapped. God, what is wrong with him? He acted like he's my boyfriend. He's so frustrating.

I pushed him but he snakes his arm around my waist. s**t! I can't get away. He dragged me to the dressing room and locked the door. I gulped and felt my body shaking.

"Kate," He walks closer to me. "Who was that?"

"I said it's none of your business. It's personal, ok?"

"You look happy with him."

"I'm not your girlfriend!! So back off!" I shouted.

"You will be mine, Kate." I gulped and swallowed. He's so freaking close! And then, he kissed me! f*****g p*****t. I slapped him.

"How dare you! You f*****g bastard! Don't you ever do that again!" I'm so mad right now. I stormed out of the dressing room and saw Stella looking at me so confused. I heard Marc calling out my name but I continued walking out of the event place. I felt Stella following behind me.

"Kate! Wait up!" I slowed down and waited for Stella.

"Stella I have to go." I said annoyingly.

"I'll go with you." I nodded and drove to my apartment.

-----

"What happened?" Stella asked.

"Your brother just kissed me. Such a pervert." I said madly.

"I'm so sorry, Kate. I don't know what has gone into him. I'll talk to him later. Please rest. Don't worry about him."

"I don't know if I can change him, Stella. My blood boils when I see him. I don't know if I can bare it."

"Shhh...don't say that. I know you can change him. Just give him time. He only has 3 months left."

"He just irritates me. But it actually felt good when I slapped him." I said giggling.

"Well thanks for doing that too." We both laughed.

"I appreciate what you did. He really need to know how to control himself around you." Stella said.

"It just made me remember my times in college, Stella. I'm never going to love again, Stella. I..I don't want to be hurt anymore."

"I know...just please. Do it for me. I want my brother to change. He's not bringing his mistresses since I gave him the challenge. I want my old brother back." Stella plead.

"I'll try."

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Marc's POV

Shit. s**t. s**t. s**t. s**t.

I f****d up again. How am I supposed to approach her again??? You can't approach her already, i***t. You just crossed the line. My conscience said.

I kept walking back and forth,thinking how I'm gonna make it up to Kate. I drank whiskey and sat down.

"So f****d up.....shit...." I murmured.

"MARC!!!!!! OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!!!!!!!" Stella shouted and banged the door.

I opened and saw my fuming sister, giving me what? Evil looks?

"You f*****g asshole! I just talked to Kate a while ago. She told me everything. How could you be so stupid?!?!?"

"I know, Stella. I messed up. I shouldn't interfere with her personal life." I said.

"How could you be an asshole?"

"I don't know...maybe I'm just trying to get to know Kate. I didn't know asking about the guy she was hugging with would affect her."

"Marc, you're not even her boyfriend yet. I think you guys aren't even friends. Marc, she doesn't trust anyone that easy. She has trust issues."

"Trust issues?" I asked.

"Looks like she only told me." Stella said.

"What are you talking about?" I'm so confused. Kate doesn't seem to have trust issues. She was already friends with my sister and other staffs on her second day in the company.

"Just please be kind to Kate. She's been through a lot."

"I want to apologize to her. But how? This is so f****d up. And now you tell me she has trust issues???"

"She's been through a lot before she came, Marc. That affected her life. It's not my place to tell you what happened." I stood there shocked and staring at Stella walking away.

Trust issues....I wonder why.

I have to make it up to her. I should probably make it up to her tomorrow. Since it's a weekend, maybe I should treat her and apologize to her.