Entangled With The CEO Novel – Chapter 1: Rock Bottom VICTORIA I stood outside the grand audition hall, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. The warm sun cast a golden glow on the bustling crowd, and the sound of murmured conversations and clicking heels filled the air. I felt a sense of belonging among the sea of aspiring models, designers, and agents, all striving for a chance to shine. Through the crowded hall, Quentin, my photographer boyfriend, squeezed my hand reassuringly, his eyes locking onto mine with an encouraging smile. We had worked tirelessly on my portfolio and I was beside myself in happiness, this was our moment to showcase our hard work. As we entered the hall, Elizabeth, my manager, approached us, her expression tense. “Elizabeth, is everything set?” I asked, taking in the look on her face that had begun to turn pale. “Victoria, there’s been a…a situation,” her voice was laced with apology, and my heart began to race. The room seemed to spin as Elizabeth’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. “Your spot has been given to Janessa Starling,” she said, her palms apologetically working into each other in an unnerving way. “I don’t know how this happened, I’m so sorry.
But, she—she somehow got her hands on your portfolio and presented it as hers.” What’s she saying? Janessa Starling? My rival, who hates me without a plausible reason? Why would anyone steal another’s hard work? She won’t stop seeing me as a threat even though she clearly has her distinct qualities working in her advantage. I’ve tried everything to be cordial with her, why’s she getting in my way? Why would this happen to me? This was my ticket to the show in Paris happening in four months! The life I’d envisioned for myself was shattering in front of me, and the only thing I could hear was the sound of my own breath as my vision blurred in unshed tears. Quentin’s supportive arm encircled my shoulders, guiding me out of the hall as the endless days of hard work I’d put into my portfolio flashed through my head. Are they trying to tell me all of that work is in vain now? How’s this even possible? I tucked my hair behind my ear to look up at Quentin. The bright sunlight only heightened my despair and forced tears down my cheeks. “How could this happen, Quentin? That portfolio meant everything to me.
It was my chance at life!” My voice cracked, mocking the efforts I was putting to appear put-together. I clutched my stolen portfolio, the harsh reality sinking in. I’d lost my chance. I was sure I’d get a spot, but I was going home empty handed. Quentin’s response was a cold and distant voice doing little to break through the turmoil building in my chest. “We’ll figure this out, Vic. It was probably my mistake. It could have been the day our laptops were switched, or— I don’t really know— I’m so terribly sorry, Vic. You don’t deserve this.” His words offered me no comfort. As we drove home in silence, my mind raced with questions and doubts. How could Janessa have stolen my portfolio? And why would Elizabeth betray me like this? It’s her job to ensure things like these never happen. As soon as the apartment door closed behind us, I collapsed onto the couch, my body wracked with sobs. Quentin sat beside me, his arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. “I feel so lost, Quentin. My dreams, my career…it’s all slipping away.” I said into open palms pressed into my face, so my voice came out muffled.
Quentin’s soft whispers did little to soothe me, his hands mechanically stroking my hair. “We’ll get through this, Vic. Together.” As my tears subsided, I pulled back, my eyes red and puffy. Quentin’s gaze was on me, in a loving warmth. This was one of the things I loved about him, how he made me feel safe in my storms, although it sometimes made me feel guilty that I was hiding some things from him still. “Let’s take a deep breath and start again. We’ll recreate the portfolio, and I’ll be there every step of the way.” He said, and I managed a small smile. Knowing Quentin was there for me was everything I needed. I hiccuped to sleep as he patted me in reassuring words. “We’re in this together, Vic. Everything will be okay.” ************************ Months had passed since the disappointment at the audition hall, and I had thrown myself into preparing for a high-stakes audition with a top agency. I would not let anything stop me from achieving the life I’ve dreamed. This event promised the attendance of the biggest fashion executives and critics and I was ready to knock their socks off.
With Quentin by my side, I felt a renewed sense of determination. We worked tirelessly, perfecting every detail of my portfolio and rehearsing my walk and presentation. The morning of the audition, I woke up feeling a mix of nerves and excitement before Elizabeth, my manager, called with final instructions. “Victoria, your audition is at 3 PM on the dot. Don’t be late,” she emphasized. I noted the time, feeling a rush of anticipation as I spent the next few hours in meticulous preparation, ensuring everything was perfect. As 2:30 PM approached, we left for the audition, my heart racing with a blend of hope and anxiety. When we arrived at the venue, I was surprised to see some models leaving the building, a look of accomplishment on their faces. Confused, I hurried inside, only to be met with puzzled glances from the staff. “Miss Wellington, your audition was scheduled for 1 PM. The executives have already left,” one of the organizers informed me. My stomach dropped. “What? No, there must be a mistake. I was told it was 3 PM!” The lady shook her head sympathetically. “I’m sorry, but you’re late.
Someone else took your spot. What was her name again— uhm, Janessa Starling.” I staggered as the realization hit me, a mixture of rage and helplessness spreading through my limbs. “What the hell is going on?” I swirled to demand from Quentin, only to realize he wasn’t behind me anymore. Out of desperation, I set out to look for him, my body tingling in anger and despair. I needed answers, someone had to explain to me why Janessa, of all people in the whole damn world, always took my spot, claiming my work. My search led me to a silent corridor, where I heard chuckles and muffled voices coming from one of the rooms. Curiosity piqued, I cautiously approached the half-open door, and what I saw made my blood run cold. Quentin and Janessa were locked in a passionate embrace, his hands fondling her through her clothes. I stood frozen, unable to look away from the sight unfolding before me. His lips trailing kisses along her neck. Janessa’s chuckles bouncing off the tiles, the sense of triumph in it stinging. He left her neck to cup her face and Janessa’s singsong voice cut through the air. “Did you see the look on her face when she arrived? Priceless! And getting Elizabeth to join our cause was a genius idea. She wouldn’t know what hit her.” Quentin chuckled, a dark sound that churned my stomach. “Anything to keep her off balance. I find her so annoying.
All I want now is you, baby.” The weight of their words crashed heavy on me, and I took panicky steps backwards. I needed some air. I needed to breathe. The man I loved, the one I trusted, had been conspiring with my rival all along. Outside, even though the sun shone, a cold chill ran down my spine as I made my way home in a daze, my thoughts a disarray. “Why did he do that to me? Why does everyone always leave me? Am I the problem? Maybe they’re right, I’m the problem. If I wasn’t the problem, my parents wouldn’t have left me, and I wouldn’t have left my child and kept her a secret. Maybe I deserve to be deceived because I’m deceiving the world too…” Chapter 2: Broken Ties VICTORIA My biggest inspiration has been my child, and it breaks me to remember that, due to my own selfishness, she’s growing up without parents like I did. I want to give her the best life has to offer and for her, I’ll refuse to stay down. However, despite my own reassurances, and trying to give myself reasons to be strong and forge on, I found myself knocking at Quentin’s apartment, heart pounding with a mix of hope and dread. Three days had passed in agonizing silence and no word from him.
I’d discovered his betrayal, but I wanted to confront him, a part of me sought closure. I deserve an explanation at least. The door swung open to reveal Janessa, draped in Quentin’s shirt, her expression a mix of surprise and smug satisfaction. “Victoria,” she purred. “What a surprise.” Quentin appeared behind her, his hair tousled and his eyes widening upon seeing me. He stepped forward, reaching for me, but I recoiled, my fury bubbling over. “Vic, it’s not what it looks like,” he said in his usual deceitful tone. “Not what it looks like? Really? You expect me to believe that?” I laughed bitterly. He must have thought me stupid. Janessa smirked, slipping her arm around Quentin’s waist. “Oh, Babe, don’t waste your breath. She’s just jealous.” Quentin’s face was a mask of frustration now as he didn’t know if he should keep up his charade or not. “Well, you’ve been so obsessed with your career that you’ve pushed everyone away. This is your fault.” He blurted in resignation, to my staggering shock. “You’re blaming me? For this?” My voice cracked. Everything I’d done was with him. We’d planned our life together and built something I thought was sacred. Yes, I might have hidden some things about my past from him, but that didn’t mean I deserved to be treated like a fool. I would have told him when it was right.
He was throwing all we had away for this desperado? Quentin’s phone rang, and he walked away to answer it, leaving me with Janessa. Janessa leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper. “I used him to get your spot, and you made it so easy. All it took was a little nudge, and he handed everything over to me.” My fists clenched, my body trembling with a rage I fought to control. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so beautiful, yet so evil, but I would not fight another lady over a man, more so one that is as stupid as Quentin. “How ironic, you’re using him, and he’s too blind to see it. Just as I was too blind to see this.” Janessa laughed, a scornful sound that made me want to scratch her face. “And you’re too naive to realize that he’s happy with me now. Face it, Vic, you’ve lost,” she said in a mocking tone. Quentin returned, his eyes darting from her face to mine. “What’s going on?’ I shot him a withering look, before telling him she’s using him. But he laughed in my face instead and called me jealous. With no more words for him, I turned abruptly, making my way home as shame washed over me.
Confronting him was such a foolish idea. What was I expecting? A few days later, the media was thrown into a frenzy as pictures of Quentin’s proposal to Janessa flood the internet. She flashed her ring to the camera with pride, and a bile instantly rose to my throat at the sight of it. It was then it fully dawned on me how over Quentin and I were. I collapsed onto my bed mourning the plans and promises we’d made for the future. Looking back, the signs he was untrustworthy were there, I just refused to acknowledge them. ******************* Two months passed in a blur of pain and disillusionment. However, on one cold Friday morning, I felt a streak of light pierce through my darkness. An unexpected email arrived—it was a bewildering job offer from Goldstein Productions, one of the fastest rising agencies in Los Angeles. It felt like a miraculous lifeline, a chance to redefine myself and finally escape the humiliation and toxicity that had engulfed my life. I read it over and over again. They were scouting and would like to work with me. How did they even find me? Without hesitation, I agreed to the job offer, preparing myself for a new beginning, as my heart leapt with untold joy.
As if I’d unknowingly been in a desperate wait to move, the next day, I had my bags packed on the drive to the airport in gleaming hope. The new city was a whirlwind of energy and bustle. I quickly settled down in a hotel as I unpacked my bags reminding myself that this was a new start to something big in my life. As I laid in bed, my phone buzzed with a notification. A colleague I’d told about my hasty relocation was inviting me to a party of Ms. Morgan, a luxurious fashion icon. I hesitated at first, but pushed my doubts aside and decided to go. It was ‘The Ms. Morgan,’ the fashion icon herself. I could use some light, and I also needed a chance to network and perhaps find a new direction for my career. The party was a dazzling affair, filled with glittering lights and the hum of animated conversations. As I navigated the crowd, I felt a wave of liberation, the city’s vibrant pulse revitalizing my spirit. Attending was a good idea, and I was glad I didn’t settle to cooping myself up in my room feeling sorry for myself.