Chapter 153: Teresa: It's all your plan, right?
[Chapter 153: Teresa: It's all your plan, right?]
Teresa initially thought Ryan would reject her offer, maybe even force herself to stay. To her surprise, he showed no indication of shock and after a brief moment of contemplation, he asked, "Are you sure about this?"
"If that's the case, I won't hold you back, but this is so sudden. I wasn't prepared at all. At the very least, we need to wait until someone can take your place."
"That's fair. I'll give you a month to find another secretary," Teresa nodded.
"And by the way, you need to come to Miami with me," Ryan added.
"No problem," Teresa replied, feeling reassured by his answer.
...
The next morning, Teresa loaded their luggage into the car. Since the distance was short, they decided to drive. Ryan did not bring anyone else along, so it was just the two of them.
Teresa drove the car while Ryan sat in the back seat, making a few phone calls as usual. One was to Taylor.
"A fan's father happens to be the director of the concert. He has previously worked with Madonna and a bunch of other artists. I spoke with him, and he mentioned that the entire technical team would need at least two months to be recruited. Plus, with the logistics, if all goes well, we could start touring right after the Grammys next year. I'll reach out to someone at AEG soon..."
"Drinking? That's just Paris's friends. It's the opening night of the VIP section, of course, I have to check it out. Did you see Lydia in the group photo? Yes, as the princess of Hearst, it's necessary to get in her good graces. I'm considering having her be the face of the neutral line under sTRay, and maybe even get her a guest spot on a TV show. Of course, you'd be included too..."
"Buying a house? Sure, where do you want to buy? Florida... Palm Beach? That's doable, but due to the subprime mortgage crisis, property prices here have been plummeting. I think it's better to wait a while. It might be smarter to buy in other major cities. Even if you don't live there often, it can serve as an investment... Are you moving over? Alright then, let's look around Orlando; of course, it has to be a beachfront mansion..."
"I'm on my way to Miami now. Just call me when you get to New York... I love you."
Ryan hung up the phone and heard Teresa say as she drove, "In about 20 minutes, we'll be in Miami."
...
Upon arriving at the Fontainebleau Hotel, a massive steel structure had already been erected on the beach lawn, while workers were busy assembling soft composite materials that resembled fabric or leather. Many outdoor fashion shows used this kind of material for its simplicity and convenience.
The heads of the marketing, public relations, and brand creative departments met with Ryan one after another. Each department had different responsibilities. The marketing team planned the theme and design direction of the fashion show, as well as managed guest stars. The PR team coordinated event coverage and press releases, primarily dealing with the media. The brand creative department was tasked with setting up interior designs, adjusting visual effects, and coordinating designers and clothing teams, focusing especially on models.
In comparison, the event management department dealt with all the dirty work, setting up stages and adjusting facilities, going through guest lists, among other tasks.
During rehearsals, Ryan saw the three heads of departments who had previously communicated with him surround a blonde woman who had come to watch the performance. Standing next to her was Edward Razek, who dressed impeccably. He was leading the creative direction of the Victoria's Secret Show and was currently the Chief Marketing Officer of Limited Brands, Victoria's Secret's parent company.
...
After finishing rehearsal, the blonde woman walked over with a group of people.
"Ryan, it's finally nice to meet you," she smiled as she sized him up.
"Finally?" Ryan asked instinctively.
The woman smiled but didn't respond. Someone next to her began to introduce her, stating her name was Sharen Jester Turney, and that she was the President and CEO of Victoria's Secret, the head of the brand.
She had previously worked at Macy's and Neiman Marcus, reaching the position of Senior Vice President. Since taking the helm at Victoria's Secret in 2006, she had nearly doubled the profit margins in just two years and increased revenues by 70%, making the brand one of the most significant sources of income for Limited Brands. Her annual salary reached an astonishing $25 million, ranking her as the fourth highest-paid female executive in America, following the CFO of Oracle, the CEO of Yahoo, and the Chairman of Kraft Foods.
...
After some brief small talk, Sharon scanned the area and pointed out several problems, exuding a commanding presence of authority.
"It's still early. Shall we check out a local Victoria's Secret store? There's one not far from here," Sharon suggested.
"Are you really going to send a guy to shop at a lingerie store? That's kind of weird," Ryan remarked.
"Don't worry; we're breaking down that traditional notion. The store is more about lifestyle and suitable for families," Sharon called one of her subordinates.
"Take Ryan over there."
With the boss setting the arrangement, Ryan had no choice but to go along.
...
Once inside the store, it seemed like they had been prepared ahead of time, as several photographers suddenly emerged and started shooting away at Ryan as he browsed.
"Ms. Sharon said you're a VIP, so don't hesitate to ask for anything," the store manager eagerly assisted Ryan.
Not being shy, Ryan went to the second level of the store and picked out a bunch of creatively designed and high-quality "fun clothing" in various sizes. By the time he was finished, Teresa couldn't possibly carry it all by herself.
Ultimately, it took three people, including the staff, to manage to get everything to Ryan's room.
...
"Later, you can sort these by size and send them separately to Los Angeles and Nashville. I'll give you the addresses. As for the rest, take them back to the office."
"And who's getting the stuff you're taking back to the office?" Teresa asked instinctively.
Ryan gave her a look. "Of course, they're for you."
"What?" Teresa exclaimed, somewhat taken aback.
"Don't get too excited. I just need you to help try them on, not to wear them at work," Ryan chuckled lightly.
"Why not let Tyran try them on?" Teresa suggested, looking down to sort through the items.
"By the way, I haven't asked you yet. What are your plans after quitting? Are you heading back to Hollywood?" Ryan inquired.
Teresa continued sorting without replying to his question.
"I know some people at NYU. I can get you into the Tisch School of the Arts. Angelina Jolie graduated from there," Ryan said, glancing at her smooth knees.
Ryan didn't actually know but had heard the Olsen sisters mention how their sister had gotten into NYU at a party.
Teresa paused for a moment before continuing to sort.
"I actually like you," Ryan added.
"If you keep saying things like that, I might just leave right now!" Teresa glared at him.
"I'm just trying to help you, that's all. You could become a big star! You deserve it. I don't think you're any less than Keira Knightley or Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman. You have amazing looks; you just were at the wrong place at the wrong time with Twilight."
"Thanks, but I'll work hard on my own."
"You've been working hard for years already. Have you seen any results?"
"What do you want from me?"
"Come over here. I'm tired; give me a shoulder massage."
"That's not part of my job."
"It's just a quick shoulder rub; I won't touch you."
"Do you promise?" Teresa asked suspiciously, rising.
"Hurry up," Ryan urged.
Facing her boss's insistence, Teresa slowly approached him.
Ryan naturally raised his hand.
"What are you doing? Let me go, please?"
"Don't do this."
"I really can't."
"Okay, just this once. You promised me," Teresa said, looking pained.
He didn't even take off his clothes.
...
"You planned this from the start, didn't you?" After some time, Teresa suddenly realized it. From the beginning, Ryan had been lowering her guard, and it was clear that he had plotted for her to "run into" him. It was the same when she had suggested quitting.
Ryan gently caressed her face, not denying anything as he gazed at Teresa's beautifully disheveled hair, feeling increasingly fond of her.
"Did you do the same to Taylor too?"
At this point, Ryan didn't want to waste any more words with her and directly lifted her leg. "Faster!" she instinctively embraced Ryan.
...
After a while, a weary Teresa got dressed and finished her remaining work before silently leaving, as if nothing had just happened.
Ryan headed to the gym. After returning, he opened his computer to check the forums. Today, he noticed an extra private message.
[5555: You are really rude. You took so many things away, and even divided them into different sizes for different women?]
5555? Ryan felt unfamiliar with this ID since they rarely posted.
After thinking for a while, he recalled that this user had once anonymously donated $3,000, following closely with "3," and even inquired about Karlie Kloss's whereabouts during a controversy.
Three thousand dollars isn't too much or too little; it certainly doesn't come from a regular salary.
Karlie Kloss was a model, and 5555 was evidently monitoring her movements.
Remembering that significant smile during the rehearsal...
Although it seemed a bit far-fetched, Ryan made a judgment about her identity and replied.
[Ms. Sharon, I'm honored to have your recognition.] Ryan respectfully replied.
She had sent the message about an hour ago when Ryan was busy. He initially thought she would be asleep by now, but he quickly got a reply.
[I am not Sharon, and I don't know any Sharon. Don't be so formal, and certainly don't talk to me like I'm your boss.]
The other party indirectly confirmed her identity.
The fan forum was indeed full of surprises, Ryan mused.
There's a theory that any two people in the world are only six degrees of separation away from each other, meaning through six people, one can connect with anyone in the world. With nearly twenty thousand registered IDs on the fan forum, these members silently formed a network for Ryan, making future endeavors much more convenient.
[Sharon: Who told you? Do you know Razek?]
[I ran into your staff member by chance... I've only heard of Razek by name.]
[Oh, remember, don't disclose my identity to anyone on the forum. You can't reveal anything about our relationship either.]
[Of course, I'll keep everything confidential and wouldn't even care about that.]
Above "5555", there is a "3", another top figure.
Next, Sharon proactively asked about Ryan's recent developments, encouraging him to keep working hard on songwriting, assuring him that she would continue to support him. With that remark, she truly sounded like a fan.
[Additionally, I'd like to ask you for a favor. Since taking my position as President and CEO for just about two years, I'm still not familiar with some internal departments, especially concerning the Victoria's Secret Show and the Angels...] she began typing.
The Victoria's Secret Show had been around for over a decade, and the Angels have had three generations, quite a large number of them formed before she came.
[So, I'd like to ask you to help investigate some matters...] she detailed, asking Ryan to look into the romantic relationships between the Angels and the brand executives.
[I'm afraid I'm not capable of that.] Ryan directly refused.
He sensed the smell of "internal strife" and thought it was better to remain uninvolved in such matters.
[No, you're the most suitable candidate. Your brand is already publicly announced, and you'll undoubtedly have a series of moves in the fashion world. It would be natural for you to engage these models; no one would suspect a thing.]
[Then why don't you look for someone outside to contact the Victoria's Secret Angels? That would be more convenient.]
[I've looked around quite a bit, but those models are very tight-lipped. Some even passed messages to Razek, and I won't disclose any more details. Overall, you are indeed the right person.]
It's no wonder she first asked if he knew Razek.
[If necessary, you can use some means, like threats or something similar, but if anything leaks, I'll deny our discussion from today.]
She had never directly acknowledged her identity.
[In return, you will be compensated considerably for your efforts, in all sorts of ways.]
[What if I refuse?]
[Then I'll find someone else.]
Ryan fell into thought.
...
During primetime, the 2008 Victoria's Secret Show kicked off precisely on schedule.
Dressed in jazz-themed attire, Usher was the first to appear, donning a wide-brimmed hat as his latest single What's Your Name played over the loudspeakers. Accompanied by the music, he smoothly transitioned into dance moves; his singing-dancing ability was impressive, showcasing a top-tier performance. However, compared to Justin Timberlake, he still had a long way to go.
Ryan had to admit that this somewhat clumsy guy didn't excel in that area.
Next came the first model. In fashion shows, the order the models appear holds significance, with the top one often taking the lead and setting the tone for the show, referred to as the "big open." The last one to walk is called "big close," with variations like "small open" and "small close" depending on the theme.
From 2002 to 2006, the opening spot had always gone to the number one model of the time, Gisele Bündchen, until she didn't renew her contract in 2006.
Gisele Bündchen became a renowned model because she had the favor of a famous designer, continuously walking for Dior, which secured her place in the high-fashion model circle.
With the top angel gone, the second-best had to step up. The first to take the stage was Adriana Lima. Today, she wore gray separates designed to mimic ancient Roman style, wrapped in silver ribbons from foot to thigh. Draped in a blue-purple cape, she gracefully walked across in a majestic manner showcasing her elegance.
The first theme of this year's Victoria's Secret Show was "Greek Gods," and Adriana Lima was embodying the goddess Hera.
The second model, Alessandra Ambrosio, wore silver lingerie, adorned with chains, and sported a large golden wing, representing Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare.
The third model, Miranda Kerr, showcased a golden collar around her neck, draped in a beige ribbon, symbolizing Apollo, the sun god.
The fourth was Maryna Linchuk, representing Poseidon, the god of the sea.
The fifth was Selita Ebanks, channeling Hermes, the messenger god, striking a pose with crossing arms raised, her brown hair particularly eye-catching.
The sixth was Karolína Kurková, portraying Artemis, the goddess of hunting.
The seventh model, the top German model Heidi Klum, and the eighth was Anne Vyalitsyna, portraying Hades, the god of the underworld.
At this moment, she hadn't yet met the lead singer of Maroon 5.
Ryan sat in the front row and noticed Anne glancing over at him as she walked down the runway.
As for the last three, they weren't quite on the same level as Anne.
But once the twelfth and final "main god" entered, Ryan's attention was immediately captured.
She wore pinkish-white lingerie, tied at the waist with a silver belt. Behind her was a pale pink, semi-translucent chiffon skirt, creating a stunning silhouette as she slightly tilted her body, bending one leg, showcasing her elegantly shaped legs. This was a different style than Taylor's long legs; her legs were voluptuous and had an innate beauty, enhanced by her sun-kissed skin. She embodied Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
"Who is she?" Ryan asked Teresa, who was sitting next to him.
"That's Candice Swanepoel, from South Africa," Teresa replied with an expressionless face.
Ever since that night, Teresa seemed like a completely different person, being very cold towards Ryan, but complied with whatever Ryan asked of her.
"The first-generation angel who kicked off the lineup was Heidi Klum, while the second generation had two. The third generation consists of five models, among whom, two are making their Victoria's Secret debut," Teresa continued.
Ryan had previously asked her to comb through the model list for the show this year.
If that were the case, the first-generation angels would definitely know the most but would be tricky to deal with. The second generation was represented by the top two models, who wouldn't likely share much, leaving the third generation as the backbone now...
After thinking it through, Ryan decided to start gathering intel on the two rookies that had made their debut this year.
He had already promised Sharon a favor, but it all boiled down to how generous her offer was...
"Mr. Ryan, you need to prepare for your segment soon." A staff member hurriedly approached, whispering in his ear.
*****
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