RENT A HEART

CHRISTOPHER's POV

I waited downstairs at Eve's home as she got ready for the show.

She came down a few minutes later, and like always, she looked ethereal, straight out of a fairytale.

She chuckled, seeing my expression. "Can you help me with my zipper?" she said, moving her blond hair to the side and turning her back to me.

"Sure," I finally managed to say. Unable to resist, I placed a kiss on her shoulder before zipping it up.

"Wait," I said, pulling a small box from my tux. I took out the diamond necklace and fastened it around her neck.

"This looks absolutely gorgeous," she said, staring down at it. "Thank you, Chris." She gave me a kiss on the cheek before wrapping her arms around my neck in a beautiful hug.

"Are you sure you want to walk the red carpet?" I asked as we left her mansion and headed toward my limousine.

"Yes, I'm sure. Besides, it's a prerequisite for the media to see the person behind the show," she stated.

"Oh, alright then. I'll be with you every step of the way," I said, still worried about the camera flashes and the paparazzi.

Our ride stopped in front of a large red carpet. I got out first, before helping her from the car. A deafening roar went up as everyone noticed us.

"Seems your fans are excited to see you," I whispered, and she laughed.

We stood for a few minutes to take photos. Unlike on her birthday, she stood tall and confident, composed and self-assured. She looked like a queen.

"Let's go," I whispered, and as we got close to the entrance, a reporter called out over the noise, "Miss Eve Mickelson, your fans, like everyone else, would like to know who the handsome man with you is!"

Eve laughed softly before looking back at me. Her eyes were beautiful, as always, but tonight they seemed different, in the best way possible. "He's my boyfriend, Christopher," she said calmly, an answer that caused an incessant chatter and loud cheering, especially from her fans.

She waved to her fans before we entered the building. We reached a point where we'd be going in separate directions and stopped.

"I need to go check on the models and see how everything is progressing," she said.

"I'll be here cheering you on," I said, embracing her tightly before she headed off.

I found the front row, where a seat was reserved for me. Surprisingly, Eve's mum and her siblings were sitting beside me.

Hello, ma'am," I greeted, and she turned. "Chris, you're here! How are you?" she asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

"I'm fine, ma'am," I said before nodding at her sons.

"Oh, stop with the 'ma'am.' Call me Genevieve" she insisted.

"Alright, ma'-- Genevieve," I said, and she let out a small laugh.

A few minutes later, the show started, with Lexi opening for the female models.

As I was enjoying the show, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Frank. "Something is wrong with the lead male model." I looked around and spotted Frank standing not too far away at the back.

"Please excuse me," I said and left my seat. "What's the message about?" I asked him.

"One of the models supposed to open for the men's runway started having diarrhea a few minutes ago."

"What?" I asked, making my way backstage.

I saw Eve pacing and on the phone, a deep frown on her face. Frank's message had to be true. "What's wrong?" I asked, approaching her.

She sighed. "The model who was supposed to open and close the show for us has been in the restroom for over 30 minutes. He's unwell, and I can't seem to find any other ideal model who fits the bill," she said, pinching her brow.

I took her hand and squeezed it, then pulled her into an embrace. "Take a deep breath. Everything will be fine." We stayed like that until she calmed a bit.

"Use me. Let me be your model, unless you think I don't fit the bill," I told her.

Surprise flashed across her face, then her lips curved into a beautiful smile.

"What are you saying? You're more than ideal for the role, but are you sure you want to do this? Your face will be everywhere by morning."

"I don't care. Dress me up," I said.

"Thank you so much," she said, hugging me before instructing her team to get ready.

And that was how I got dressed and ready to lead the male models out onto the runway.

I hadn't been to a fashion show before, nor was I interested in modeling, but I realized that when it came to Eve, I would walk through fire for her. This past week without her had made me realize that I needed her in my life more than air. After the show, I would take her on the date I had planned and confess my feelings.

As soon as I walked out, I saw the surprise on her brothers' faces. Then came a thumbs-up and the warm smile from her mum that made my heart swell.

As soon as the show ended, I saw Eve's family heading backstage.

"You were phenomenal out there!" Genevieve, Eve's mum cheered as soon as she spotted me. This time, I was the one who embraced her first.

"Thanks, ma'am."

"What happened back there? We didn't know you'd be modeling for Eve," Cole said.

"Well, I didn't know either. They needed someone to fill in," I said simply.

"You did well. Where's Eve, though?" one of the twins asked.

"Uhmmm, I don't know. I was about to go look for her," I said and spotted her friend Stephanie. "Hi, Stephanie, do you know where Eve is?"

"Uhmm, she should be at the makeshift office behind the studio. Come on, I'll take you there," she said, and I followed her.

Frank followed me, briefing me on the Ethereal Eve store construction. We were supposed to meet with them tomorrow.

As we neared the office, it became quieter. There weren't many people around, but we saw a suspicious figure with a camera filming through a door.

"Who's that?" Stephanie asked, but I told her to lower her voice so we could catch whoever it was off guard.

"And who might you be?" I said as we closed in. He tried to run, but Frank grabbed him first and confiscated the camera.

I looked at the footage: Frederick kissing Eve.

"Oh my god," Stephanie breathed when she saw the video.

"Who are you?" I asked the man, but he didn't answer.

"Take him," I said to Frank. "You know what to do."

"There must be some mistake. Eve would never do that," Stephanie tried to reason, but I couldn't hear her. I was livid. All I could think about was beating Frederick senseless.

Eve startled when she saw me, but not as much as Frederick, who wore a smug look.

"Chris," she said, her voice betraying her. She suspected I'd witnessed something.

"Whose camera is this?" Frederick asked as soon as he saw what I held. His smug look vanished like a blink.

"Oh, this... this belongs to some bloke who filmed you kissing Eve," I said simply, turning and handing the camera to Stephanie before pouncing on him. He definitely didn't see that coming.

I punched him so hard he fell to the floor with a thud. He was still moving. I moved to hit him again, but Eve stepped in front of me, arms outstretched. "Chris, please stop! You're going to kill him!" she shouted.

"What?!" I shouted back, regretting it instantly. But I was beyond angry. "Did you want me to clap for him for kissing my girlfriend or trying to create a scandal and sabotage your show?"

"What?" she asked nervously.

"What do you think would have happened if this video had gotten out? Here, have it," I said, taking the camera from Stephanie and handing it to her. She played the footage.

Guilt washed over her face. "I'm so sorry, Chris. It's not what it looks like. He took me unaware," she said solemnly.

"But you kissed him back," I said. I hadn't noticed my voice cracking until I felt hot tears streaming down my face. I was deeply hurt.

"I'm so sorry, Chris," she said, her voice cracking as she tried to suppress tears. She reached for me, but I moved away.

"This," I said, pointing between us, "I don't think we can work anymore." That's when I saw the first tear trail down her face, followed by another and another until her face was wet.

"Chris, don't say that," she said, trying to come closer.

I turned and left.

With every step, I felt my heart breaking into a million pieces. This wasn't how I envisioned today would be.

It is what it is.