Big Day

Morana's Point of View

"I need to rebuild my career," I said with quiet determination. "Start from scratch if I have to. I'm going back to the modeling industry."

Grandpa Adam smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Now that's the granddaughter I know. You've got the talent, the looks, and the brains. They don't stand a chance."

As we finished dinner, I leaned back in my chair, swirling the remnants of my wine in its glass. Grandpa was watching me, his expression one of quiet anticipation.

It was a look I had seen often enough as a child to know he was waiting for me to speak.

I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "Grandpa," I started, my tone steady.

"With your influence, I'm certain you could connect me to one of the top entertainment industries in New York."

A grin spread across his face, and he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Is that so? You think I still have the pull to make something like that happen?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Don't play coy with me. We both know you could make one phone call and have the CEO of any company at your doorstep within the hour."

He laughed, his deep baritone filling the room. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Angel. Alright, which agency are we talking about? Make your pick."

Placing a hand under my chin, I pretended to be deep in thought, tapping my fingers lightly against my cheek.

"Hmm," I mused dramatically, "this is a tough one. But I think I'd like to go back to my former agency."

His brows knitted together in confusion. "Your former agency?" he repeated.

"I was thinking of reaching out to the owner of Silver Crown Entertainment, the biggest entertainment industry in town. It's prestigious, glamorous, everything you deserve."

I smiled at his suggestion but shook my head. "No, Grandpa. I want to go back to Starlight Studios."

"Starlight Studios?" He tilted his head, still puzzled. "Why on earth would you want to return to that place? It's barely a blip on the radar compared to Silver Crown."

I leaned closer, lowering my voice as if sharing a secret. "Because Sophia is there."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and I could see the gears in his mind turning. He was catching on.

"You want to be close to her," he said slowly, piecing it together.

I nodded, my smile sharp. "Exactly. If I'm going to take everything she's ever owned—her reputation, her career, her confidence—I need to be close enough to watch it crumble. To make sure she knows exactly who's pulling the strings."

For a moment, he simply stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, a proud smile spread across his face, and he let out a low chuckle.

"Now that's the Morana I raised," he said, his tone filled with approval.

"I see where you're headed, and I'm in 100% support of it. They deserve what's coming at them."

I smiled back, a sense of relief washing over me. It felt good to have someone in my corner who not only understood my motives but supported them wholeheartedly.

Grandpa leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Alright, here's what we'll do. I'll call the boss of Starlight Studios and let him know my intentions. He owes me a favor or two, so I doubt he'll refuse. Once I have the outcome, I'll let you know."

I nodded, gratitude evident in my expression. "Thank you, Grandpa. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He reached across the table, placing a hand over mine. "You'd figure it out, Angel. You always do. But this time, you don't have to do it alone."

His words warmed something inside me, and I smiled, feeling a little more at ease.

Late into the night, the villa was quiet except for the faint sound of crickets outside the grand windows.

I sat in the living room, curled up on the plush velvet sofa with a book in hand, though I wasn't really reading.

My mind was buzzing with plans, ideas, and the first steps of the revenge I was determined to carry out.

The soft shuffle of footsteps caught my attention, and I looked up to see Grandpa walking toward me.

His presence always commanded the room, even in his most relaxed moments.

He was in his robe, a glass of whiskey in hand, the warm light casting a soft glow over his silver hair.

"Still awake, Angel?" he asked, his tone light as he settled into the armchair opposite me.

"Couldn't sleep," I admitted with a small shrug. "Too much on my mind."

He smiled knowingly and took a sip of his drink before leaning forward slightly. "Well, it's good you're still up. I have news."

I set my book down, my full attention on him now. "What is it?"

"Get ready," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You've got a contract signing tomorrow."

The words hit me like a bolt of electricity. "Tomorrow?" I repeated, sitting up straighter. "Grandpa, are you serious?"

"Of course, I'm serious," he said, his tone almost offended. "Do you think I'd waste time when my Angel is ready to take on the world?"

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

He chuckled, a deep, rich sound that always made me feel at ease. "I'll take that as a compliment. I called the owner of Starlight Studios as promised. After a bit of... convincing, he agreed to meet tomorrow morning to finalize everything."

I raised an eyebrow. "Convincing? What does that mean?"

He smirked, swirling his whiskey. "Let's just say he remembered how many times I've helped him in the past. He's eager to return the favor."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Grandpa, I swear, you could talk a shark out of the ocean if you wanted to."

"I don't need sharks," he said with a wink. "I've got my Angel, and that's more than enough."

I leaned back, my excitement bubbling over. "This is really happening, isn't it? I'm going back to the industry."

"Not just going back," he corrected. "You're going to dominate it. I don't do anything halfway, and neither should you."

"Tomorrow morning," I repeated, my mind already racing with thoughts of how to make the best first impression. "I need to be prepared."

"You'll be fine," he assured me, his tone steady. "You've always been a natural. Just walk in there with that fire in your eyes, and they'll be begging to have you back."

I smiled, feeling a swell of determination. "Thank you, Grandpa. For everything."

He reached over, patting my hand. "Don't thank me yet, Angel. Save that for when you're standing at the top, looking down at everyone who ever doubted you."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling over me like a cloak of confidence. Tomorrow was the beginning of a new chapter, and I intended to write it in bold, unapologetic strokes.

As Grandpa stood to leave, he paused at the doorway, glancing back at me. "Get some sleep, Angel. Tomorrow's a big day."

"I will," I said, watching him go before leaning back into the sofa.

Big day indeed.