Chereads / The Secrets They Hold / Chapter 16 - Publicity is still publicity

Chapter 16 - Publicity is still publicity

The award show had finished.

Every each celebrity began to walk back onto red carpet. But somehow, all the celebrities were instructed to return with a partner side by side tonight. The producers required to end the show quickly instead. So they made two celebrities return by each other side strangely.

Also no celebrities had an option to refuse nor choose their own partners. Everything was done by the producers which clearly meant celebrities had no choice but to obey the instructions without any complaints. It was just an obvious set up plan which annoyed Veda.

The young woman gritted her teeth at the moment she found out the celebrity who she would be leaving together with. "Miss Veda Ambrose, you are next after them" the producer notified while holding the file in her hand. "And your partner is Carlos Dahl" the woman added up.

Hushing down Veda wholly in view of the fact that it was clear enough to see through how the producers were trying their best to attract publicity by using famous people. "Carlos Dahl, please stick together with Veda Ambrose" the woman instructed before leaving.

And the man stepped near to the young woman who was breathing slowly. Her expression disclosed the fury she was swallowing. "They must be starving for attention that much" Carlos mocked in a whisper. His words managed to make Veda let out a chuckle in amusement.

"Aren't you afraid?"

The young woman asked as the man handed his arm out for her to grab. "Frightened of what?" Carlos questioned back. His ocean blue eyes stared down at Veda. But she did not look back at all and focused to the front only with a tranquil expression. "Scandals" She replied.

It was when their turn to go arrived. "I don't care about rumors at all" Carlos answered. He peered to the front as Veda held his arm firmly. And they two walked out with grin tugged at their lips. "Oh my!" "Veda!" "Miss Veda!" "Carlos!" "Please look at this way!" "You two look good!"

Reporters commenced to yell out loud at the sight. This was the golden moment! Camera flashlight glinted upon the couple who caught everyone's attention effortlessly. The way they two walked in sync looked powerful as hell. Their features complimented each other.

"Please look at this way!" "Veda!" "Carlos!" Reporters competed for attention from the two. "Would you like to attend the dinner tonight?" Out of the blue, Carlos requested in a low tone which was loud enough for Veda to hear. His words shocked the young woman entirely.

Her eyes slightly widened in surprise. She looked up at the man who was waving at camera with a warm smile. "What?" Veda frowned in confusion. The fuck was this? Was she having a nightmare right now? Did this man just invite her? They did not even know each other.

Not even friends at all.

"Dinner. Would you like to come?" Carlos repeated the question. Still smiling at the camera while Veda furrowed her brows. "Um, I don't think I can-" As she commenced to reject the request, Carlos turned his head. His gaze met with the young woman's eyes. "No" He asserted.

Confusing Veda wholly. "Are you threatening me right now?" She queried directly. Causing the man to let out a soft giggle in amusement. "I already affirmed I am going to celebrate the success with the ones I cherish. I would like to meet you there" Carlos responded.

It was the moment Veda fell into deep silence. She gulped quietly. Celebrate? Success? With the ones he cherished? Was he admitting now? What was with this situation?! Veda did not say anything more. They two kept walking in sync but maintaining the gaze.

The eye contact between them at the moment, increased the camera flash so that some almost went blind. "Oooooooooooooo!!" Applause echoed the whole place. Managing to make the young woman break the eye contact. "Veda Ambrose!" "Carlos Dahl!"

After passing through, the two separated at the end. But before leaving, Carlos caused a scene in front of the whole crowd. He wrapped his arm around the young woman's waist to cease her from stepping onto the car. Then he leaned in near to her ear.

"I will be waiting for you"

Gently, Carlos whispered. Completely shaking the whole crowd in surprise. All the reporters made sure they captured this rare and beautiful moment. "Man.. seriously?" Veda mumbled as soon as the man walked away with a smile tugged at his lips.

"Please answer my question!" "What is your relationship with Carlos Dahl?!" "Are you in a relationship with someone right now?!" "Do you have any invitation to attend dinner tonight?!" "Is it true that Carlos Dahl and you are secretly dating?!" "Do you have anyone you admire?!"

Unceasingly, reporters queried the young woman who was about to step into the car at last. They all approached by pushing each other just for answers so that bodyguards had to protect Veda at all cost. The young woman did not respond to any questions. She just smiled.

And Veda got into the car at last. "Fuck fuck fuck! Fuck it! Fuck!" Countless curses escaped between the young woman's lips as soon as the door shut. Her jaw clenched in exasperation. Worrying for the future waiting ahead. "What did Carlos Dahl whisper to you?"

Stepping onto silence, a question came up from Aria who was sitting behind the young woman. "He invited me to attend the dinner tonight" Veda replied truthfully. Taking her gloves off harshly to disclose the frustration. Her expression revealed displeasement.

"Ah.."

The response from her friend perplexed the young woman. Aria did not sound surprised at all. It was as if she already knew about that. "What? Did his manager contact you already?" Through gritted teeth, Veda queried. This was the only feasible reason of that reaction.

"Well, his manager told me the location and stuffs to bring you to there" Along with a shrug, Aria stated. Irritating Veda entirely. "What the fuck is Carlos Dahl's problem?! He could have just ordered his manager to contact us instead of asking in public obviously!"

Complaint echoed the car. Aura started to fill with irritation. "Turn every request down! I am not going anywhere! Fuck those scandals! They can ruin my job!" Veda raised her tone. Disclosing the rage through harsh tone and words. "But the publicity is still publicity"

To reveal the fright, Aria pointed out loud in a low tone. Causing the young woman to turn her head. And the fierce gaze quieted down her friend. "Imagine the hatred and attack I have to face if I attend to that dinner! You will be the one with stressful days to clear those!"

Veda detailed. Concerning over the future more. It made Aria let out a sigh. "Carlos Dahl invited the vice president of Kio company. It is not just you, Veda. This is a chance for you to approach others. Consider. You can avoid him if you want. But don't let this chance to vanish"

Aria stated.

Hushing down the young woman. Now that she thought about it, Carlos Dahl had many connections. She could ask for one and work with the most famous brand, Kio. Right. Her dream to collaborate with Kio brand could become true if she attended to that dinner party.

Kio was the well known brand across the world. Company rarely cooperated with celebrities to show off. They worked on their own instead. But rumors had it that Kio was searching for someone widely known who could increase the sell simply in thirty days only.

Everyone called Kio greedy for requiring to get more income than usual since the amount they get once a month was two million dollars already. However, celebrities saw it as an opportunity to gain both fame and wealth. "Interested to reconsider your decision?"

Aria asked.

Knowing damn well the fact that her friend got a goal to collaborate with Kio brand. "Don't let anyone find out that I make an appearance at the dinner then. Make public believe I got a business to attend tonight" At last, Veda gave in. Bringing a grin up onto Aria'a face.

"Yes!! I will inform that you would be going to there then! I am certain Carlos Dahl would jump out in joy over this information" She teased. "Shut up. We both are aware that he is playing around only for attention" A frown displayed across Veda's face. Having trust issues as always.

"Miss Ma'am! He is the nation's sweetheart, Carlos Dahl! He can do everything! Literally a perfect example of fictional character! Imagine getting attention from him because he admired you! You are every woman's dream right now! Also, you two look good anyway!"

Aria shrugged. Causing her friend to furrow her brows. "Stop. I don't want to develop feelings yet. I prefer to stay single for more" With a serious expression on, Veda disclosed. Driving her friend crazy. "You are so boring! But well, what can I do?" At last, Aria rolled her eyes.

Giving up on persuading Veda.