CHAPTER 50

Billie Eilish: When I was older

~Success won't knock on your door if you don't invite it beforehand ~

~Mina.

SERAPHINA'S POV

"Whether it had to do with our bodies or simply our personalities, as models we've succumbed to rejections from agencies. We had fallen and will continue falling on runways because hey, we're not robots. We're human and we get exhausted, but that doesn't work in the industry. They just don't care.

We're claimed to have the out-of-the-ordinary body, the perfect posture and an attractive personality. To the public eye, anyone possessing these attributes is the luckiest person born to earth. But the sad reality is that despite all these. The money, the looks, the fame, we'll never be good enough for the industry.

Before becoming a supermodel, I was rejected by more than twenty agencies, regardless of having decades of experience in the business. To vogue, I was too skinny. To Victoria's Secret, I'd hip dip, and it's the undefined jawline for Sephora. There were a lot more and each for different reasons. Ones very unexpected. You see girls, the littlest things we ignore, are what cause the biggest plot twists in our lives.

It's okay to have insecurities, to feel body-shamed and self-conscious. However, what is not okay, is not knowing your worth. Modelling is great, but very toxic if you let it overpower your personal life, particularly, health-wise.

You might not know this, but in the industry, out of every hundred per cent, eighty are battling eating disorders resulting from an unhealthy obsession with meeting the agencies size zero requirements.

I've seen models breakdown backstage. I've seen models drink hardship away to death. Suicide became the latest trend.

I want you girls to know that you're beautiful, inside out. You're courageous, empathetic and determined. I want you to put everything behind you after the show and hold onto one another.

Remember, the girl in California may be different from the girl in New Jersey. The girl in Tennessee may differ from the girl in Pennsylvania, but remember what you all shared is the same motherland.

Thank you, and I wish you the ultimate best."

A round of applause followed after Deborah Wayward took down the stage.

"What a heartwarming speech." Nesthma, the model representing Ohio, cooed.

I have to admit. I was bored as fuck in the beginning, not being one to attend formal gatherings and all that. But, I gotta say I've never felt so inspired before.

It was three days to the fashion night and things had been twice as intense. From training to workouts and shopping. Peyton's been hard on my ass throughout the week, and I haven't been able to have a good night's sleep.

"I can't wait for the fashion week to be over."

"Me neither." Nesthma huffed out.

We had model counselling today, part of the preparation for the big day. The event was held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre and all the models chosen across the fifty-two states were present.

When I initially heard the word counselling, I was imagining a group of ten with a therapist but what I wasn't expecting was a continent of fashion icons, paparazzi, food, music and speeches. Bruh, who the hell called this counselling?

I walked over to Peyton and Aurelia. Glad I could finally inhale a breath of fresh air.

"Seraphina, your face during the speech." Aurelia laughed and Peyton just shook her head in disapproval. Okay, mom.

"I know you felt like throwing your shoe at Deborah, but how much would it have cost your ass to simply smile for the camera?" Peyton scolded.

"Okay, mommy mode on full switch." Aurelia laughed, walking away.

I turned to Peyton with a sheepish grin.

"Don't even think about it." She jabbed her index finger on my cheek.

"Pretty please." I pouted.

"Nope."

"Peyton, mommy." I plastered on my best puppy dog eyes, repeatedly batting my eyelashes.

She clenched her jaw and scowled at me, looking defeated. No one can escape that face.

"I'm dropping you two streets away." She dismissed in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Why?" I frowned.

"It's time you start acting like an ordinary kid and not some spoilt brat who gets carried around even in her bathroom. Seriously though, how pampered are you?"

"Shut up," I murmured under my breath.

"What was that?"

"I said okay, pretty." I blank out lied, grinning from ear to ear.

"Whatever follows me while I'm still being nice."

"Thank you, ma'am." I giggled following her to the parking lot.

"You have a new car." I gasped, taken in the brand, new, maroon Range Rover.

"No, it's a millennium old, now buckle up."

I moaned when my butt made contact with the soft seats. Heavenly.

I lifted my legs to the dashboard but one pinch from Peyton and my feet were firmly planted to the floor. She reversed out of the lot in one swift go and leapt onto the road.

The ride was thrilling, yet terrifying. Peyton was driving over the speed limit, and I couldn't stop screaming my ass off.

True to her promises, Peyton indeed dropped me two streets away, playing deaf to my protests and leaving me to walk the rest of the journey.

I received weird stares, which made me regret ever asking Peyton for a ride. I could've simply grabbed a car but my lazy ass was too proud to walk to the road.

I rounded the last corner and placed my palm on the security pad, drawing the huge gates opened. I greeted the robotic securities before starting on the railway- long driveway to the main door. I sometimes regret living in a mansion. Who constructs a driveway like a bridge?

I twisted the knob but then realised the door was locked. Phew, empty house, peaceful nap. I opened the door with my spare key and happily skipped inside, all the way up the stairs and to my room. I blasted the speakers the moment I stepped in. Always the perfect way to get me in a showering mood.

"Yeah my receipts be lookin' like phone numbers; if it ain't money then wrong number; black card is my business card, the way it be settin' the tone for me;  I don't mean to brag, but I be like "Put it in the bag" yeah; When you see them racks they stacked up like my ass yeah. " I sang off-key to Ariana's seven rings while undressing in the bathroom.

I took a long, relaxing shower and wrapped myself in a huge, fluffy robe before walking out of the steamy bathroom.

I was so lost in my skin treatment that I almost missed the sound of the doorbell. Trust my siblings with wrong timing.

The nearer I move to the first floor, the more distinct the sound of the doorbell gets. Annoying freaks.

"Chill out, I'm coming," I yelled.

"You...

I yanked the door backwards but was only met with empty space. Was this a joke?  I stepped outside and checked the front porch but it was void of any life form. I returned inside and closed the door, only to hear the clattering of utensils from the kitchen.

Okay, now this isn't funny anymore. I hate pranks and they know it. I stormed to the kitchen and pushed the door open.

It

Was

empty.

"Stop with the bullshit, guys."

I stood for some time, hoping they'd come out. Realising I was just wasting my time, I decided to retire to my room.

On my way to the stairs, I felt a presence behind me, making me halt in my steps. My eyes slowly travelled down and instinctively widened at the towering shadow behind me. No way was Asher this tall. With a pounding heart and fuzzy head, I slowly turned around, coming face to face with an approximately six feet twelve masked beast.

"Who...who..what..are you." I blurted, taking slow steps backwards.

Instead of responding like I expected him to, he removed a razor-sharp knife and swung it in my face. With adrenaline spontaneously coursing through my veins, I managed to move in time, making him miss by a fraction.

I screamed and took off to nowhere, seeking an escape route, with the assassin hot on my trails. My first stop was at the kitchen and there we rounded about the counter before I launched a frying pan filled with hot oil at him. A deep, guttural growl escaped his throat and I used this as my chance to fly out of the kitchen and ascend

the stairs.

While I took the stairs two at a time, the beast climbed on the railing, intercepting me at the lobby, just two doors down to my room. Oh my God, I'm dead. I frantically looked around but there was no way out, I was stranded at a dead end.

"Please, don't do this. I'm so sorry for the frying pan and hot oil. You can take all that you want, but please spare my life." I sobbed, moving around him.

He cocked his head to the side and remained still for a moment before jumping into action, and swinging the knife again. This time, I was quick to react and sent my feet to his groin, momentarily weakening him.

Without wasting a breath, I sprinted down the hallway to my room. Just when I stepped a foot in, I felt an excruciating pain on my right forearm, making me emit a loud, piercing shrill.

Desperate to save my ass, I still didn't give up struggling against his heavyweight, until I shut the door on his fingers. He screamed and retracted his hand, giving me enough time to lock the door.

I pushed my study desk to the door and placed two of my carry-on luggage on top. Yes, they are hella heavy, but when you're in a life or death situation, laziness is the least of your worries.

I yanked my phone from the charger and speed-dialled Asher's number. He picked on the first ring, and I couldn't wait for him to breathe before rambling.

"Hey, s...

"Asher, please help...

The door shook violently, and horror bequeathed my soul when the top two corners detached from their hinges. I screamed and backed into the closet, my fingers trembling against the phone.

"Seraphina! are you okay! where are...

"Asher! I'm being attacked, please help me. I'm going to die, please Asher! The door is breaking down, please!" I blabbered, unable to comprehend my own gibberish.

The door shook again, making me scream out.

"Shit! Stay right where you're. We're coming for you. I'll kill a bastard today."

"Asher! please hurry and don't hang up, please. I'm so terrified!" I cried.

"Seraphina, hang on. We're coming!"

Another scream escaped me when the luggage fell off the drawer.

"Speed up! man!" Asher yelled.

"I'm trying here! okay!" Caleb barked.

"Please, hurry!" I quietly sobbed.

The noise suddenly subsided, and the door stopped jiggling.

"Where's he now?" Maya asked.

"I don't know." I sobbed, muffling the noise with my mouth.

With an erratic breathing, I took slow steps forward and pressed my ear on the timber.

So this is how real horror feels like.

I pressed my ear further into the door but heard nothing.

"Seraphina, hang on, we're at the gate." Ace soothed.

"Okay." I turned, returning to the closet when an unexpected turn of events happened.

When I was least expecting it, the door burst open with a heavy force, sending me flying towards the window. I hit my head on the glass material and fell, my vision getting clouded.

In my almost unconscious state, the guy took menacing steps forward until he stood over me.

"Please." I breathed out, but he ignored me and sunk his boot-covered foot in my thighs. I cried out in pain and weakly tried to move his leg, but he was so damn strong.

He raised the blade high above his head and brought it down in one fluid motion. Aiming directly for my heart.