SWNOVELS Chapter 37
Debby's
pov
I shake my head. "No, but if he sees us here... hell is gonna break loose!"
They frown in confusion.... only Sean knows what I'm talking about.
"Their president is.... Andre!"
"Andre?!" Anna and Lucas shouted.
I nod... Lucas got up and take my luggage. "Let's check out!" He said.
Why must my bad luck kick in... I was hoping I won't get to face any of Andre's drama.
Anna glares at Sean and points at him.
"You knew about this, right?! You knew this is Andre's hotel, right?!"
Sean chuckled nervously, taking slow steps backwards as Anna walks into him.
"You knew he's here, right?!"
"Baby, calm down.... I... I...."
"Shut up!" She cuts him off. "I'll deal with you later" she turns away from him and faces Lucas and I.
I looked towards the direction I ran out from just now... I'm scared Andre might just walk out from there any minute.
"Anna, let's leave... if Andre sees us here it won't end well"
"Wait here, I'll check us out!" Lucas said and hurried to the receptionist.
Anna snatched her luggage from Sean passing him an accusing glare... not too long, Lucas came back and takes my luggage. "Let's go!"
We nod and head out. While outside, Anna suddenly gasped loudly like she remembered something....
"I just remembered something" she said.
"What do you remember?" I asked.
"A. K... that's the venue for the event!"
I groan loudly... how can this be? What if Andre attends it?
Sean seems to read my expression... he shakes his head.
"Don't worry about Andre... he won't attend it. He's got far more important things to do than watch some silly contest...." Anna and I sent him a glare that shuts him up.
"Well, if you are sure Andre won't be attending the contest.. then there won't be any problem" Lucas said and look around.
Sean nods and I thought I saw him smirk... but it might just be my paranoid mind playing tricks on me.
"The issue on ground now is finding a nearby hotel... or we might be late tomorrow" Lucas added.
Sean jumps forward. "I know a nearby hotel, it's......"
"Hold it!" Anna and I sync.
Sean zipped his mouth.
Who knows if the hotel he's talking about is another one of Andre's hotel.
Lucas types on his phone a few minutes... then finally found an affordable hotel.
"It's just a five minutes drive!" He said.
"Very good, let's go!" Anna said but turns to Sean. "And don't follow us!"
He pouts. "But why?!" He whined.
"Because, You. Are. A. Pest!" She replied, she grab my hand and we head towards the main road to get a cab.
Sean walks behind us slowly but one glare from Anna made him stop.
He stood on his spot until we got a cab and drove off.
*****
Five minutes later....
We arrived at the hotel... though it's not as big as Andre's but it's still very ok.
We checked in and our keys were handed to us.... Anna's room is right next to mine, while Lucas's room is four doors away from mine.
Fate is already creating space between us... Lol, I'm kidding!
"So, I'll be in my room" Lucas said looking between Anna and I. "If you need any help settling in.. just let me know!" His eyes settled on me when he said the last part.
I slapped his shoulder lightly.
"We'll be fine on our own" I gave his shoulder a soft squeeze and enter my room.
I tossed my luggage in a corner and fell on the bed... It's not as soft and comfy as Andre's but it's better than mine back at Anna's apartment.
I yawned tired... I reached for my phone and check the time... It's already 7:37pm.
Tomorrow is gonna be a very tiring day for me... I better take my bath and rest.. reserve all my energy for tomorrow.
I got up and dash into the bathroom.
*
*
Writer's POV
The next day... The D-Day...!
10:15am...
Anna and Lucas stands outside Debby's room, pounding on the door.... they seem to be trying to wake her up.
Anna dialed Debby's number while Lucas continues banging on the door.
"Debs, wake up.. we're gonna be late!" Lucas called, but got no response.
"Any luck?" He asked Anna.
Anna shakes her head. "No... It's already 10:17, the contest starts at 12noon... we're so gonna be late" she complains.
Lucas reached for his phone "Let me try" he said and dialed Debby's number.
She finally picks up after a few rings.
"Hello?" Comes her sleepy voice.
"Debby, are you still...."
Anna snatched the phone from Lucas and yells into it.
"Debby Ryan! If you know you still want to live, get your sleepy ass up and open this door right now!"
Debby's tired sigh was heard.
"Hey... Why are you shouting so early in the morning?"
"Early in the morning?! Do you know what time it is right now?!" She quickly checks her wrist watch. "It's fucking 10:25... What about our contest?! You want to bring shame to me?!"
Just as she said that the door snaps open and Debby rushed out in nothing but her Mickey mouse pajamas.
Her hair all over the place with a short drool line on her right cheek... If not for how angry Anna is she'd have laughed at how hilarious Debby looks right now.
"Oh my God... Anna, I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry, I'll quickly wash up and...."
"You have only ten minutes!" Anna cuts her off.
Debby nods and quickly rushed back inside.
Anna sighs and hands Lucas his phone. "This girl is just too much!"
********
Meanwhile, Andre Knight is all dressed up and already on his way to his designated seat.
Though, he's the host but he's also one of the judges.
"Mr Knight, this way please!" Phoebe ushers Andre to his seat.
Andre sat down and adjust his suit... he picks the program and glance through it.
"Has Irene called you yet?" He asked Phoebe.
"Yes, sir... She told me the name of the designer representing us"
"What's the name?"
"Oh, it's Anna... Anna...." She trails off as she tries to recall something. Andre drops the program and turns to her with a deep frown.
"Anna who?!"
She scratch her head thoughtfully. "Sorry, Mr Knight... I.. I.. forgot!"
Andre shuts his eyes and shakes his head.
"Get lost!"
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"Yes, sir!" She leaves almost immediately.. like her pants is on fire.
Andre rubs his forehead gently... Just then someone sat on the chair next to him and chuckles.
"Andre Knight?"
Andre raised his head and saw Olivia sitting next to him... he frowns deeply.
"What a coincidence!" She said and pretends to be surprised to see him.
Andre knew this is not a coincidence... it's all Olivia's plan to sit here with him today.
"What are you doing here?!" Andre growled lowly.
She drops her purse on the table and reach for the bottle of water in front of her.
"I'm one of the judges.... don't I have the right to be here?"
"Since when did you become interested in the fashion world?" Andre grits out.
She tsk silently and smiled overly sweet at him.
"Let's just say... I'm trying to prove to you that I'm the only one worthy to sit side by side with you"
Andre stares at her wordlessly a few minutes.
"Stay away from me!" He sneered at her.
Olivia opens her mouth to speak but Andre turns away from her and faced ahead of him.... just then the event commerce.
*Welcome, everyone to 2021's fashion cup... Just a quick reminder, this year's fashion cup is hosted by Andre Knight, we all know him very well...*
Reporters turns towards Andre and begin to snap tons of pictures of him... Olivia turns to him and smiled flirtatiously at him.
But Andre simply grabs her arm from under the table and twist it... she wince quietly.
Andre leans towards her a little bit and whisper growled in her ears.
"This is the only good hand you have for now.. don't let me damage it too!" He lets go of her hand and sat upright.
*.... remember this is a friendly competition just to create opportunity for undiscovered talented designers. This year, the CEO of CHIC fashion house, Mr Andre Knight is willing to sign a contract with C&G clothing if his model wins... but if they lose* There's a pause.
*I can't comment on that... So, let's welcome the first designer on stage, Aaron Vegas and his model, Nikki Mello.. representing Jason's fabrics!*
The crowd hoots and claps as the designer steps forward.
"Andre, do you think your designer will win?" Olivia whispers to Andre.
Andre ignored her and continue watching the show.
********
Debby's POV
11:05am....
After trying to catch a cab for more than 40minutes.. we finally arrived at the event venue.
We could have walked down but with our leave loads we couldn't.
"It's already began.. we're so late!" I lament..
Anna eyes me. "And whose fault was that?!"
I simply blinked innocently and kept quiet.
"It's alright, girls... let's look for our dressing room" Lucas said.
"I think it should be somewhere around the backstage" Anna pipes in.
"Let's go then!"
We rushed towards the backstage... we passed different rooms until we arrived at the one with 'CHIC' boldly written on it.
Lucas opens the door and we quickly entered.
"Debs, there's no time... stripe and change into this, I do a quick make up on you!" Anna said pressing a dress in my hand.
I frown and tap her shoulder. "What?" She asked.
"Er... am I gonna change in front of Lucas?"
She rolls her eyes and pushed me behind a very big board.
"This blocks your view from him" she explained. "Start changing!" She orders.
I nod... she leaves and I quickly change into the outfit she gave me.
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I frown and quickly went to the mirror to check it... why is it different from the design she showed me?
"Er.. Anna, this isn't the design you showed me"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you.. I didn't some modifications to it*
I looked at myself in the mirror again... wearing this means going naked for the contest.
"Stop frowning... you're a model and it's your job to advertise any outfit given to you!" She said and hurried over to Lucas who's calling her.
She's right! I'm a model and I shouldn't complain....
I'm wearing white handless dress.... if it's even considered calling this a dress.... covering my breasts but left my stomach in display... it stops at a few inches below my butts... it has a long veil starting from my waist and ends at God knows where.
Anna comes back and drop a a white flip flops by my legs.
"Why not heels?"
She rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Have you seen anyone wearing heels to the beach?"
"Huh?" I'm confused.
"Ok, let me explain it to you real quick... we soon be in summer and according to Irene, she said...."
"Wait, who's Irene?"
"She'll be our manager if we won and sign the permanent contract... so, like I was telling you, she said summer is a season when everyone's thoughts are all about going to the beach to cool off... so, she wants me to design a beach attire to catch people's attention... anyway, I believe this is what the crowd wants to see now!"
I sighed deeply.... seriously, I didn't understand her explanation but I'll do anything to help us win.
Lucas comes out... he's dressed in basketball trucks and see through shirt... just like my see through veil.
Seeing us together, dressed like this... really feels like we're a couple.
Just then someone knocks on our door and Anna rushed to answer.... she rushed back inside.
"It's our turn.. it's our turn!" She giggles...
*
*
Writer's POV
*Now next design is something we haven't seen in fashion cup... this designer wants to surprise us with something extraordinary... a couple outfits... this is new in our fashion cup but let's see how it will turn out to be... now let's welcome the third designer on stage.. Anna Cruz and her models.. Lucas Craig and Debby Ryan!*
Andre tensed when he heard Debby's name.. the crowd hoots and roared happily as Debby walk down the runway with her arms linked in Lucas's.
She stepped on her veil and almost fell but Lucas was quick to catch her... He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and stares in her eyes like they do in the movies.
The crowds' excitement increased.
Andre's eyes trails debby's body... her exposing legs and stomach.. his eyes settled on Lucas's arm around her waist and he felt his blood boil in great anger.
His whole body is shaking and he's trying so hard to refrain himself from going on the stage to beat Lucas up.
He felt someone touch his shoulder... but he didn't moved his gaze from Lucas.
"Is that Debby? I didn't know she came too!" Olivia said in Andre's ear. "And you just announced to the world that she's your girlfriend... seeing this now, I don't know what they'll think!"
The crowds' cheers clouded Lucas's head and he crashed his lips on Debby's.
A very loud bang was heard and silence swallowed the whole place... All eyes turned to Andre.
He stood with his fist balled by his side and his eyes screaming anger... danger.. death!
Debby quickly pushed Lucas off her but it's already too late... Andre ran into the stage and pushed Lucas on the floor... raining punches upon punches on him.
Nobody could stop him, he was unstoppable..... everyone that can to stop him were pushed away by him... He's like an angry lion right now.
Debby look around and beg people to help her stop him but no one agreed... they're scared he'll do to them what he did to the others or worse... do to them what he's doing to Lucas. "Andre, that's enough!" Debby screamed.
But Andre paid her no attention.. he continues pounding on Lucas.
"Andre, please.. he's had enough.."
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Seeing how lifeless Lucas is.. Debby gathered enough courage and hugs Andre from behind... Andre instantly stops punching Lucas and left his fist hanging in the air.
He gently pushed Debby away from him and got up... He turns to her with his anger filled eyes.
He single handed carried her and throws her on his shoulder and begin to walk out of the arena.