Sadistic Obsession

Chapter 6

The next day after my shift, I immediately took my savings passbook and headed to the bank. I stared at it while waiting for my turn to speak with the teller.

When Mrs. Storm gave me the money, I thought she liked me just a little. That was why she gave me this money. However, after my encounter with Kade yesterday, it seemed like she just gave it as a trap for her son to be mad at me even more.

Tears pricked my eyes, but I took a deep breath. Crying in public should never be on my to-do list so I tried my best to calm myself. I withdrew the money and went back home to carefully wrap it. If only I could turn back time, I should not have accepted this. Only then, I would not be painted as a beggar in the eyes of the man I love.

Before the day ended, I had the money delivered to the residence of Mrs. Storm. Maybe I should really learn how to differentiate fake kindness from real ones. Maybe if I master it, such things like this would not happen. And I would be able to protect myself better.

“Reyna!”

I turned on my heels upon hearing Faustina’s voice.

“Is everything okay?” she asked with a little fold on her forehead.

My reply was a nod.

“You’re aware that you will be attending an important meeting before the event, right?” she probed.

“It’s on Saturday at 8 AM. I will be going, don’t worry.”

Faustina smiled.

“How about we go grab some dinner? My treat…” she suddenly offered.

“No–”

“I won’t be taking a no for an answer. Let’s go.”

Faustina really was a decisive person. What she wants, she will get. Since I cannot find other reasons to decline her invitation and she was already dragging me away, I only let out a sigh.

She brought me to a sushi place. The moment we entered, some of the staff turned our way and immediately greeted us.

“You’re back, Faustina!” one of them said. “Your usual table is not occupied. Are you ordering the usual?”

“Yes, please! Make it two since I brought a friend.”

She turned to me. I flashed a small smile and nodded slightly to acknowledge them before following Faustina. Just like usual, gazes from them were locked onto me. I could feel it and, for sure, it was all because of my appearance again.

Most of the time, I wished I was not different. I wished that I’d be like the others and maybe that way, people would not find me weird because of my appearance.

“You know, Reyna…” Faustina’s words snapped me back to my senses. “You really look like an elf in a fantasy world. Did you ever try auditioning for any acting job?”

I shook my head.

“That never occurred to me before. Plus, I don’t think I have the talent to act.”

“Then, what jobs did you take before?”

“My first job was a waitress in Ms. Leonora’s restaurant. Then, I also worked as an assistant at Levanti Motors…”

My voice slowly faded upon remembering how Kade and I got to know each other.

“Assistant?” Faustina pressed, which I responded with a nod. “At Levanti Motors?”

“Yes. I worked there for two years due to special circumstances.”

Faustina took a bite from her piece of sushi while nodding. I also took a bite, ravishing the familiar taste of the food since Kade and I also used to eat in sushi restaurants.

“What special circumstances?” she questioned after some time.

I opened my mouth to reply, only to immediately shut it upon remembering that clause in the divorce agreement, forbidding me from ever talking about my relationship with the Storm family.

“I just helped someone who works there and she gave me a special recommendation,” she replied, tweaking the truth a bit.

“Well… That’s understandable. I actually know quite a lot of people who shot their chances in getting into that company, but only one managed to get in.”

I only managed a small smile, hoping she would not press any further about anything related to Levanti Motors. I knew to myself that if we continue in this route of conversation, I’d definitely cry.

“By the way, since I will be mostly helping during the after party, do you think anyone from Levanti Motors will be there?” I asked so I would plan ahead of time in case Kade would attend.

Faustina nodded while eating her second piece of sushi. She put one on my plate and motioned me to eat, too.

“From what I heard, Kade Storm will be there personally. It’s actually a rare event, but it seems like he is eager to hire one of Celestine’s top models for a project.” She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

A fake chuckle came from me as I shrugged.

“Just curious.”

“Talking about Kade Storm… I recently met him and…” Faustina shivered, hugging herself. “He is deadly gorgeous. His ocean green eyes? Gods, they’re enchantingly cold. His aura alone turns heads.”

“Yeah… That’s what I heard about him, too.”

For two years as his wife, I’d never come to believe that Kade was a cold and intimidating person. He was actually warm, clingy, and loving. However, on the day he claimed to divorce me, I saw the piercing coldness everyone saw from him.

“By the way, why did you leave Levanti Motors? I am sure your pay there is triple the salary you get right now.”

There was a pause. Faustina blinked a few times before a small fold on her forehead formed.

“Never mind. What else do you do?” she asked.

“I also paint, but the materials are too expensive for me at the moment so I am taking a break.”

Throughout our dinner, I came to find out more about Faustina. It elated me a bit since it felt like I just found a friend unexpectedly. May we still stay in contact even if I was done with my one day, one night part-time in Celestine.

Days passed and before I knew it, the fashion week of Celestine arrived. I went to the venue as early as four in the morning to get everything ready. My tasks were to prepare the clothes for the models to use during the afterparty. I also helped in organizing the garden and private rooms meant for VIP guests.

“Reyna?”

I turned to see who just called my name. She was someone familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I saw her and what her name was.

“Yes?” I muttered, unsure.

“What are you doing here?” She eyed me from head to toe. “Oh… You’re one of the helpers.”

I only nodded while trying to remember who she was. Before I can recall, she handed me a carefully wrapped dress.

“Blaire will be using this dress for the afterparty. Put it in her dressing room and assist her once she arrives,” she instructed.

“But… Blaire is not the model I am assigned–”

“Just do it! I will inform the manager about it.”

Before I could clarify to her that we cannot just make decisions on our own, she strutted away. Now that she had mentioned Blaire…

I remembered it now. That woman had always been following Blaire every time I saw her back then. She must be her personal assistant. Heaving a sigh, I went to Blaire’s dressing room and hung her dress so it wouldn’t get wrinkled.

Blaire Valencia.

She was one of the top models in Celestine Media. Her natural beauty captured the hearts of people that at a young age, she was recruited as a model. Other than that, I first met her when I was dating Kade. She and Kade were childhood friends—attending the same school since they were in primary until college.

“The guests are coming!” the supervisor announced. “If any problem occurs and you cannot handle it, call me!”

We stood in a clean line near the entrance so it would be easier to spot the models we were assigned to assist. I watched my colleagues leave the line one after another until I was the only one left. My eyes kept scanning the place, wondering if I missed Blaire or if she was simply late.

“Valentina is already here.”

My eyes lit up in relief since I cannot be mistaken. That voice definitely belonged to Blaire so I stood straight, ready to receive her.

The moment she stepped into view, I greeted her… only for my words to get stuck in my throat upon seeing the man next to her. Her hand was clipped on none other than Kade’s arm.

Their gazes shifted to me so I slowly looked down.

“Reyna? Why are you here?” Blaire asked.

“I’m here to assist you, Miss Blaire. Your dress is in your dressing room. I’ll accompany you there,” I replied despite the heat forming on my cheeks.

“O-Oh… Okay…” She paused, turning her head to her side. “Kade, I’ll see you at our table.”

I walked ahead without a word, but I could definitely feel the gaze of Blaire on me. Upon reaching her dressing room, I waited outside since she did not ask for my assistance to help her put on her dress.

However, after just a few minutes inside, her scream startled everyone in the area.