Beautifully scared

EPISODE 3

*Ella's POV*

I sat on my bed, staring at the pictures on Scent and Glam's official page.

Everything looked pretty good to the world, but deep down, I knew something was wrong. I hadn't felt comfortable throughout the party, no matter how hard I tried to hide it behind my smiles.

The truth was, I had felt n***d.

I scrolled through the comment section, reading one comment after another.

Oh my God! Who's Glam's new face? She's gorgeous!

She looks like a goddess from another world.

She looks so delicate. How do people get this beautiful?

I hope she's single. I'd love to have her as my wife.

"Looks like we men are the ones punishing ourselves with half bread. See the kind of woman God created! Na only packaging!"*

That smile...

OMG! Is that a goddess or a human being?

I now see why you won. Congratulations, our empress!

I blushed as I went through the comments. I mean, I was literally being praised by everyone!

I scrolled further, hoping to find comments about my dress, but there was nothing.

Not a single person had mentioned it.

If nobody saw anything wrong with it, perhaps I was just overthinking things.

Gradually, my mood lifted as the comments kept pouring in. Everyone seemed to agree that I was beautiful, and honestly, I couldn't help feeling good about myself.

I think Queen was right after all.

Give it a month or two, and men would be worshipping the ground I walked on.

Carl was definitely just acting up. After seeing all these comments, I was sure he'd come begging for forgiveness.

I mean, he'd definitely want the world to know I was his girlfriend, right?

A satisfied smile spread across my face as I imagined him regretting his behaviour.

With that thought in mind, I picked up my phone and called Queen. It was time for us to go shopping.

I needed a wardrobe upgrade, and I needed it urgently.

After all, I couldn't continue dressing like a virgin from 1957!

---

*Carl's POV*

I explained everything that had happened between Ella and me to Jacky.

She listened intently, staring at me as though I were narrating some fascinating story.

Honestly, I'd barely slept the entire night. If anything, I had spent most of it going through the pictures from the event.

And the more I looked at them, the harder it became to believe that the woman in those pictures was Ella.

I had to admit that the makeup artist had done an excellent job. Ella looked stunning, but her dress was an entirely different story.

Her entire back was exposed, and her breasts were practically on display.

Even though she smiled for the cameras, I could easily tell she wasn't comfortable in what she was wearing.

I knew Ella well enough to recognise when she was pretending to be okay.

"Ella should just listen to you," Jacky said with a sigh. "I mean, she's easily carried away by luxury. Moreover, if this is the path she's decided to take, you'll need to stand by her. She could easily go astray if you let her go."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"Besides, she has a best friend who, to me, seems more like a best enemy..."

Jacky deliberately left the statement unfinished, watching my face for a reaction.

"Are you even listening?" she asked.

"Yes, I am." I nodded.

"Well, she's your girlfriend, so talk to her."

With that, she leaned back lazily against the couch, seemingly satisfied that she'd made her point.

I said nothing.

Deep down, I knew she was right. But how was I supposed to get through to someone who seemed determined to learn everything the hard way?

---

*Author's POV*

"Wow! Nice pictures!"

"She looks so stunning and breathtaking!"

Ken and Abel complimented the pictures that were causing a stir online.

They were the pictures of Scent and Glam's new face.

"Tasong Ella," Derrick whispered, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, that's her name," Ken replied. "Maurice got lucky. I mean, the woman he chose this time isn't bad at all. This is the first time Glam has made this much noise on the internet. Honestly, she's stunning. Let's just hope she has the brains to match her beauty."

Derrick's smile widened slightly.

"Can you get a background check done on her?" he asked.

His request made both men turn to look at him curiously.

"Okay, but what for?" Abel asked.

"Maybe we can get her to work for us," Derrick replied casually.

Abel studied him for a moment before a knowing look crossed his face.

"If I understand you correctly, you want to use her to get back at Maurice?"

Derrick said nothing.

He didn't need to.

His silence was answer enough.

"Can't you just let Maurice off the hook?" Ken asked, sounding frustrated. "Whatever happened between you two was years ago. Don't you think it's time to move on?"

Derrick's expression hardened.

"Do you have any idea what that man did to me?"

Neither man answered.

"I'm going to tear him apart. I'll ruin him through her, and I trust the media to do the rest. Let them sing her praises. Let them make her the darling of the internet. The higher they lift her, the harder she'll fall."

He paused, his eyes darkening.

"Even if it means getting close to her myself, I'll do it. Maurice and his people have no idea what's coming."

Derrick leaned back, closing his eyes as memories of Maurice's betrayal flooded his mind.

They had been more than friends.

Their families were close, and Derrick had trusted Maurice with everything. He had considered him a brother, someone he could rely on without a second thought.

When Derrick fell in love and eventually married, Maurice became one of the most trusted people in their home. He was practically family.

But beneath that friendship lay a jealousy Derrick had never suspected.

Maurice envied everything Derrick had: his wealth, his happiness, his success, and, most of all, the beautiful woman who loved him.

At first, the signs had been subtle.

Maurice would make seemingly harmless comments about Derrick's marriage, planting little seeds of doubt in his wife's mind. Gradually, those comments became manipulations, and the woman Derrick loved began to see him differently.

He had no idea that the man he trusted was slowly turning his own wife against him.

But the truth Derrick eventually uncovered was far worse than anything he could have imagined.

Maurice had been secretly involved with his wife before the marriage, and their relationship had never truly ended.

Worse still, Maurice had deliberately encouraged Derrick to marry her.

He had watched Derrick walk into a marriage he knew was built on deception, all because he wanted to destroy his friend's happiness from within.

And he had succeeded.

When Derrick finally discovered the truth, his marriage fell apart. His wife left him, taking with her whatever remained of the happiness he had once known.

Through it all, Maurice played the role of the concerned friend.

He offered comfort, listened to Derrick's frustrations, and pretended to help him pick up the pieces of his shattered life.

Derrick had accepted his sympathy, never suspecting that the very man comforting him was responsible for his pain.

Until the truth came out.

That was the day Derrick learned that sometimes, the most dangerous enemy was the one sitting closest to you.

And he had never forgiven Maurice.

"So, what are you thinking about?" Abel's voice pulled Derrick out of his memories. "I mean, do you have a plan?"

Derrick slowly opened his eyes.

"Don't worry about that. Time will tell."

He straightened in his seat and fixed Abel with a cold stare.

"Just get me what I asked for."

Abel nodded, but Ken remained silent, clearly unconvinced that this was a good idea.

Derrick, however, had already made up his mind.

Maurice had destroyed his home, stolen his happiness, and left him to pick up the pieces.

Now, it was his turn.

And Tasong Ella might just be the perfect weapon.