Chương 78: Red Carpet Appearance (3)
POV Aaliyah Salazar
Aaliyah Salazar stared at herself happily in the mirror. Her make-up artist and stylists had really outdone themselves this time and she just knew she would be the standout on the red carpet for the opening ceremony.
Ever since she knew she got the Female Lead role for 'His Fair Lady', she had been working hard to make sure she would make the perfect first impression at the opening ceremony. She had gone on a strict liquid diet to cut down on any extra pounds while strictly avoiding the sun to lose some of the tan color on her skin. She wanted to be the epitome of a fair beauty for the role. For the opening ceremony, she had gone out of her way and used her own money to hire the best stylists, makeup artists, and hairstylists that she could afford rather than use the ones assigned by the company.
She needed to be perfect today to show that …thing who was better between the two of them. Since Valentina had dared to not only audition for the same movie as her but get the role of the second female lead, Aaliyah had vowed to completely crush her.
She knew that the resources Valentina received were nonexistent, but she couldn't figure out how she kept lucking out into amazing roles. And honestly, it seemed that Valentina had done a 180 in terms of her personality. Rather than the shy, gloomy, nervous wreck who wanted to please everyone, she had become more confident and self-assured, carrying herself with a grace that really highlighted her beauty.
Somehow Valentina had successfully completed filming Spring Love despite the roadblocks she had thrown her way. Thankfully she had been able to pressure Director Cranston and his team into cutting her from the promotional material and minimize her scenes. But then something even bigger had come out.
A music video with one of the best bands!
When she saw the Fallen Angel's music video starring Valentina, she had almost broken her teeth in anger. She had forced her manager to dig internally and Black Rock Entertainment to figure out how such a juicy role had slipped by everyone and fallen into Valentina's lap, however, there was no record of it ever being posted.
Apparently, it was a word-of-mouth referral and only available to those affiliated with Platinum Entertainment. But she couldn't understand, how that waste of a human who didn't even grow up in the wealthy circle get acquainted with the Fallen Angels. It didn't make sense!
And now, Valentina was coming for her film and planning on riding on her coattails! She didn't know what Valentina had said to the Director, but if she came to this opening ceremony expectation to keep her role, well, there would be a lovely surprise waiting for her.
Looking at her reflection, she smiled in satisfaction. Her golden-brown hair had been subtlety lightened and extensions had been added to make it fall in waist-length ringlets. Her makeup had been done in a subtle bridal style which made her look like a glowing blushing beauty, and had put in blue contacts and curly eyelash extensions for a doe-eyed look.
She had chosen the perfect blue gown that accentuated her figure before flaring down in ribbons and frills. Although it was a blue ball gown, when paired with jewelry and her makeup, it would give people the impression that she was a princess bride.
She had done all this to coordinate with the male lead and her love interest in the movie, Jonathan Starling. After researching extensively, she knew that the color he wore the most was blue. He either wore a blue suit or a blue shirt or had some sort of blue accessory. As she remembered gazing into his crystal blue eyes that curved in amusement whenever he smiled or laughed, she couldn't help but sigh with happiness. For all the time she had spent in the industry so far, she had never seen such a handsome man in person. She wanted to have him. No, she intended to have him.
Lost in thought, she moved on autopilot. As her stylist and her helpers helped her into the dress, a strand of her hair got caught in the beading, causing her head to yank backward.
"Be careful! This is rented!" Aaliyah immediately reached out and crisply slapped the girl across the face.
"I'm sorry ma'am. It was a mistake!" The helper immediately knelt down while clutching her face.
"So? Just know I'll be deducting any damages from your pay. And if you dare say anything, I'll make sure you never get a gig again! You know who my family is right?" Aaliyah shot the girl and stylist around around her a look.
"We wouldn't say anything, ma'am." Everyone hurried to reassure her while averting their gaze. This was the dirty part of the industry that nobody talked about. Most celebrities and wealthy people treated those they considered their fans or people on the same level as them well. However, when it came to the people providing the services in the background, they tended to treat them worse than dirt. Unfortunately, these people couldn't speak up or fight back for fear of being black-balled in the industry, a place where referrals and connections were how you made a living. They could only accept the abuse in hopes that would get big enough to choose their own clients and jobs.
Once Aaliyah was fully dressed and her makeup and hair had been touched up one final time, it was time for her to head to the red carpet.
When she thought about what she had waiting for Valentina and seeing Jonathan Starling, the most angelic smile flashed across her face.
She calmly entered the large suburban provided for her and made her way to the red carpet. She had gotten word that Jonathan Starling had just arrived, and she needed to hurry to be able to meet him on the carpet for photos.
As the car door was opened, and she took her first steps, she prepared herself before calmly walking out. As cameras began flashing constantly in her face, she gave a demure gentle smile before walking across the carpet.
It was showtime. This carpet was her stage, and she was the main character, if anyone dared to get in her way, they should get ready to be stomped.
**
Unbeknownst to Aaliyah, parked not far away from the red carpet was an identical suburban vehicle. Inside that vehicle were Valentina and Lia who staring out the passenger window with a pair of binoculars at Aaliyah who just stepped onto the red carpet.
"As I suspected once I read the script, she went for the common ballgown bridal look. What an amateur." Lia snorted derisively.
"From what I can see, she looks fine to me. It's a pretty dress."
"It's dull. It's boring. It's predictable. It's completely uncreative. I assure you, my favorite student, if you keep everything I told you in mind, your aura alone will slaughter her, not to talk of your special tailored outfit by yours truly." Lia confidently smirked while patting her chest.
"Yes, Teacher Lia!" Valentina agreed with a smile. There was no way she could feel otherwise. After her body had been scrubbed, masked, plucked, buffed, and pampered five ways to heaven, her makeup had been exquisitely done in a way that highlighted her features without looking like too much was on and her long hair was teased and curled to perfection. Then Lia had dressed her in custom clothing that perfectly fit her body. While the color wasn't something she would have chosen for herself, when she saw herself, she was amazed.
Then Lia had forced her into a small photoshoot before dragging her to watch as different artists made their way through the red carpet. She had spent the time highlighting the pros and cons of each artist's outfit and described what had gone on in the background to create the looks they saw. Valentina had no choice but to be impressed hearing the depth of knowledge that came from Lia's mouth. She didn't sound like a beginner stylist or designer at all!
"Ah Teacher Lia, what should I tell people is the name of the designer if I'm asked? I feel like you worked so hard to make me look good, you should get some credit."
"Oh, you can simply say it was made by a friend. If they dig, you can say It's A Lia. As in it's made by a person named Lia."
"It's a Lia?" as Valentina repeated the words, bells began going off in her head. It's a Lia. A Lia. Alia? Alaïa?
Her head snapped sideways to look at Lia and she met the woman's amused smile as she held her fingers up to her lips.
"No way! You're-"
"Shhh. We can discuss this later. It's time for you to make your appearance. Remember what I said and knock them dead and call me when you need a ride home got it?"
"Yes!"
Lia raised the partition screen separating the front of the car from the back before she unlocked the door.
Taking a deep breath, Valentina calmly arranged her sunglasses on her face as she waited for her car door to open. As it opened, she intentionally placed one heeled leg on the ground and waited for ten seconds then smoothly stepped out. With a toss of her hair, she gave the reporters a cool smile before strutting down the carpet, her hands placed in the coat of her jacket.
**
Unbeknownst to Valentina, parked even further away but still within sight of the red carpet was another identical suburban vehicle. Inside Roman and Kaiser were seated while dressed in custom suits. Roman was wearing a navy silk suit with distinct silver embroidery around the collar, wrists, and the borders of the jacket. His brown hair was slicked back, and he looked quite serious and elegant despite his childish smile.
Kaiser on the other hand was dressed in a suit jacket so dark of a green it looked black unless the light shone on it a certain way. The embroidery on his jacket was a subtle black that didn't really stand out. His shirt was a deep green as well and the only spot of color on him was a bright green pocket square that matched the color of a certain someone's eyes.
"Brother? Isn't it time for us to head out? Didn't you want to meet sister-in-law on the carpet?"
"No." Kaiser carelessly responded while his eyes were glued to the red carpet. Seeing Valentina step out and walk out, he couldn't help but smile. Although he could only see her back, he would recognize her figure anywhere.
Even if he wanted to rush and coincidentally run into her and possibly be photographed together, he didn't want to steal her thunder. Today was here day to shine and this wasn't his battleground. And besides, he was just here as a supporting character. He would quietly deal with anybody in the background who tried to block her shine or steal her thunder.
_____________________
Authors Note: We've never done a pov off Aaliyah huh? I feel weird writing for the enemy 🥲.
*Today's episode of car-ception is brought to you by the Chevy Suburban, the choice vehicle for celebrities, presidents, and your friendly neighborhood stalker*
*eats popcorn* The drama is about to start, and I am excited!
Also if you're interested in seeing some chefs kiss men's suits with ✨character✨. Also here is the reference for Roman's suit: https://www.ottavionuccio.com/en/suit/ongala-1259.html
And the 2023 collection is just delicious.
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