Chapter 8 Torn Between Fire and Fury

★★★★★

Arielle snapped out of her imagination and inhaled softly, calming down bit by bit as she watched Amara descend the stairs.

She held the rails tightly, pouring her anger on the poor thing.

"I might just make it come true someday, I might just...do it" she said to herself.

Amara was about to open the door to the main hall but someone opened it before she could.

"Ligament"

"Are you ok?You didn't fight with Arielle right?You both didn't pull each other's hair," he said, checking her out.

" She was lucky, if she had started it I'd have wounded her but she only said gibberish" she replied.

" I'm relieved, then let's go" he replied and led her to the hall.

Arielle came in shortly with Bing and Zanillia came in at that moment, everyone clapped as she made her way to the front with Kevin beside her.

The clap continued till she got to the front and sat, her presence smells rich too.

"Welcome everyone to this showcase," Kevin said.

" Nutcase" Amara snickered.

" Arielle Lee, Amara Banks, thanks for making time for my boss despite the fact that there'll be only one winner" Kevin continued and Arielle smiled, remembering the night they had together.

She actually had a one night stand with him two weeks ago and he told her Zanillia's taste, so she made the dress with that.

"It'll be short cos madam is currently stressed out and will need to go back to her hotel soon, so let's start now, the dresses" Kevin said.

Bing and Yang pushed out the show glasses, housing the mannequins on which the dresses were worn.

The glasses had small tires so it was easy to push to the middle.

👥 Wow!

👥 Arielle's design!

👥 Amara owns tonight

👥 Don't even know which one to choose.

👥 Arielle's design is a typical example of what Zanillia loves, she loves round necked gowns

👥 That's right, her spec is round neck.

👥 Is Amara gonna lose for the first time in history?

👥 Seems like that

The audience murmured possible choices between themselves .

Arielle smiled, hearing that the majority chooses her dress.

She looked at Amara and their eyes met.

"Loser" she mouthed and Amara only smiled in return.

"Qiangu, Naza, your views?" Kevin asked Zanillia's two daughters.

" Hmmn, mum loves round necked gowns so I think I'll go with Arielle's, it's beautiful," Naza said.

" I can bet anything that I love Amara's gown though it's true that mum loves round necks so I guess mum will go for Arielle's gown but if I was asked to choose for myself, I'd choose Amara's design" Qiangu replied.

" Madam, your choice ma" Kevin said, facing Zanillia herself.

She stood and walked to the dresses.

The glasses were opened and she touched Amara's gown first, checking it out.

Yang held his breath and closed his eyes, clasping his hands together.

"Please God, Amara must not lose to that brat, if Arielle wins I'll commit suicide for sure" he whispered silently.

Zanillia spent close to ten minutes examining Amara's gown before moving to Arielle's.

Amara saw a look of discomfort on her face immediately she touched it.

"Losing is not my thing," she smiled.

Zanillia faced them after three minutes of checking it out.

"Arielle, the material you used is not comfortable with my skin, I felt uncomfortable Immediately I touched it" she said.

Arielle held her breath.

" Your design is cool and great, and yes I was a fan of round necked gowns" she continued.

"Was?" Bing said.

" I got tired of it last month and that's why I contacted you guys, I wanted to try something new" Zanillia smiled, walking to Amara's gown.

" Something new like this" she said, touching the gown.

" Yes!" Yang said happily.

Arielle felt life slipping out of her body.

" I'm completely in love with this gown and I'd love to have more of it and other fascinating designs from you in my closets.... Amara" Zanillia said and Amara smiled widely.

" Not only the design, I love the texture, it matters too, the comfortability with the skin, it's not harsh" Zanillia continued.

" I won't disappoint you madam, I surely won't" Amara smiled.

Bing pushed Arielle's design out of the stage and Arielle stormed out of the hall in anger.

Reporters rushed in immediately and Yang quickly passed Amara her black shades.

She put on the shades before facing the reporters who started snapping her pictures Immediately, throwing the usual suffocating questions.

Thanks to the shades, she wasn't affected by the camera lights.

She stood beside her design and several pictures of her were clicked.

Then she snapped with Zanillia herself and her daughters.

"wo xi huan ni" Qiangu said in Chinese.

(Translation: I like you)

"Xie Xie (thanks)" Amara replied in Chinese too.

" Do you understand Chinese?" Qiangu asked surprisingly.

" Very well" Amara smiled and got a hug from her.

" I'm a big fan of yours seriously, you're popular even in China" she said.

" I'm touched" Amara held her chest and they both laughed.

" The pictures will appear in my magazine tomorrow" Zanillia interrupted them.

" You have a magazine in your name?" Amara asked.

"Yes, Zanillia's magazines are the most popular in China, they're popular here in Korea too," Qiangu said.

" Maybe because I spend all my free time watching dramas, I wasn't aware" Amara said and Zanillia smiled.

" I love your personality, don't change," she said.

"I won't, someone told me to always be strong, that's the only way to free myself from intrigues" Amara replied.

" Someone?"

" Yes, a sweet candy," Amara smiled.

"I'll see you before flying back to China tomorrow so i'll sign the contract"

" I'll be in my company," Amara replied.

"I'll follow her to come see you" Qiangu winked and waved as she left with her sis and mum.

" Yes!!!!!" Amara screamed.

"We won," Yang said.

"We did it!!" Ming appeared.

Ella and many others from the institute then most of her staff in the company shrouded around her, greeting her congratulations.

She'll surely get more popular and richer.

"Some booze right?We need it," Amara said.

"Yes boss!" They all chorused happily.

" What's the best pork restaurant around?" She asked.

" Madame Park's," Ming said.

" Soju inclusive?" Amara asked.

"Yes boss!' Ming modded.

" Let's go!" She said, leading the way out while the others followed happily.

*******

Arielle waited impatiently in front of her car, her eyes showing how angry she is right now, she could just kill.

She's tapping the ground with her heels repeatedly, looking around for when Kevin will show up.

"Calm down Arielle, it's not the end of the world" Bing said behind her and she faced him swiftly.

"Say that again"

Bing shifted back in fear.

"I told you to say that again!Talk!" She shouted furiously.

"I'm ... sorry" he said slowly and a car appeared.

Kevin came out of it and immediately he got to Arielle, she grabbed him by the collar.

"What just happened!' she said.

"You saw it all by yourself, I never knew madam will change her taste trust me, it all happened so fast and she didn't even tell anyone" Kevin replied.

" You should have just made more investigation!, Now I lost to that psycho after having a f*cking night stand with a moron like you!" She snapped.

" Mo... moron?" Kevin said.

" I can't stand that crazy Amara and the fact that she won against me once again, you caused it!" She yelled.

" Get off me sick slut!" Kevin pushed her away and she staggered on Bing who prevented her from falling.

"You met me willingly and asked what you needed to to if you want the contract, I asked for a night stand and you gave in not like I forced you!, B*tch!, Come near me and I'll make you regret coming alive!" He threatened and got into his car.

*****

MADAME PARK'S PORK RESTAURANT**

Amara arrived with her entourage and they entered, chatting and jubilating already.

Amara is behind them with Yang, they're over twenty.

"hwangyong-hamnida ( Welcome ! ) Madame Park greeted them as they came in.

She gasped when she saw Amara come in last.

"Amara agassi!

(Miss Amara!)" She said happily.

"annyeong hashimnikka ahjumma (good evening ma'am) ," she smiled.

"Miss Amara is really in my shop?Gosh I'm so honoured" madam Park smiled gratefully.

" I came with my staffs for pork, heard you have the best pork around"

" Sure, I'll make sure you get a special service," Madam Park said.

" Special?, I'm a human like others here, serve me same way you do serve your customers"

" But you're a...

"Do what I said," she interrupted.

"Ok miss, this way" she directed her to sit in the midst of her staff.

Her staff occupied three tables already, she sat with them.

"The hottie that came visiting last time," Ming smiled.

" Hottie?" Yang asked.

" The one who came with another girl to apologise to the boss" Ming replied.

" Vince?" Yang asked and Amara faced him quickly.

" Yes, I think he works here, I can't help but drool, here he is," Ming replied as Vince dropped the pork serving on their table.

Amara looked up at him, not surprised that he's here.

Right now she's sure he has more than four part time jobs.

He still looks moody.

"Vince what's up" Yang said.

He bowed simply and his eyes met with Amara's.

She quickly changed the direction of her eyes to the table.

The female staff can be seen drooling on him too, he has this charm that's irresistible.

"Did you see that?He's always like this but I find him charming, I have a crush on him," Yang said.

" I don't care about his personality, his face is crazily cute, I love his lips particularly," Ming said.

Yang rolled eyes at her.

" Never knew you're like this too," he said.

"Whatever" she smiled.

Madam Park came back with the bottles of soju.

" Enjoy," she said before leaving.

"I'll grill the pork" Ming said, gently placing the pork bellies on the electric grill.

"kamsahamnida sajangnim! (Thanks boss!) The staff from the second table chorused when their table was served.

Amara drank slowly as the pork got grilled.

Strangely, Vince's moody face got her worried.

It's not her thing to worry about guys.

To her, guys are toxic but...ok it's just strange.

"aish" she muttered and drank a cup again.

"Boss, is everything ok?" Yang asked.

"I'm fine," she replied.

" Then smile for your staff, you just got a win" he said.

She drank again.

They started eating pork while drinking soju.

"Not bad" Amara said after tasting it.

"I told you boss," Ming said.

"More pork please!" Yang said.

Vince brought it in a jiffy and Amara found herself staring again.

He left and she had to turn back to stare till he went outta sight.

"Drinking, drinking , drinking," Ming said.

"I'm an emperor when it comes to drinking, boss is my testifier" Yang said.

" We'll see about that," Ming replied and started drinking heavily with Yang.

TEN MINUTES LATER**

"So what were you saying?" Yang said drunkenly.

He's holding an empty bottle, swinging it around.

"Magic can't make me marry you, you're not my type" Ming replied drunkenly too.

Amara folded her arms under her b**bs, watching them.

"Women only need money, I'm so rich, the moment you see my heavy account balance, you'll fall for me , ion need magic" Yang laughed, dropping the bottle.

It crashed on the ground.

"Money?, I'm rich too, my boss is very generous, she never delays my salary so tell me why I should fall for your money" Ming belched.

" You mean Amara?That crazy boss, she's my boss too, isn't it amazing that she makes so much from her chicken farm?" Yang grinned.

" She sells butterflies, not chicken," Ming replied.

"It's chicken, both local and international ones...but she's the only problem I have, she behaves like a mentally unstable person," Yang said.

Amara drank a cup.

" I know right?, I wish I could just seal her lips, she nags too much and..." Ming stood and staggered.

Yang stood too.

He took off his shirt, throwing it away.

It landed on Amara's face.

One of the staff quickly took it off her face.

He climbed the table, walking towards the electric grill.

Ming started swinging her hands in the air.

Yang stepped on the grill and screamed out.

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

He jumped down from the table, falling on Ming.

They both slept off immediately.

"Boss, should I write their sack letters?" One of the staff asked.

Amara stood and left without answering.

She walked to the counter where Madame Park is standing.

"Miss," she smiled.

"Here" Amara dropped a wad of cash on the table.

"This is a lot!, The whole thing isn't even up to fifty thousand dollars" madam Park gasped.

" Where's your server?" She asked.

" Vince?, He left just now, his shift is over"

Amara rushed out of the restaurant and luckily she met him outside, he's walking towards the road.

She rushed to him and didn't bother to call his name before grabbing his right hand.

He's holding his phone with that same hand, it fell and shattered.

He looked back at her then at his shattered phone.

"Sorry" she said.

"Thanks for completely destroying it" he said and didn't give her a chance to talk before starting to walk away.

She went after him.

"What's wrong with you?" She asked.

"It's none of your business, I think I told you to get lost please stop showing up!" He shouted again like the other time.

He left her standing and she looked at the phone on the ground.

"I'm crazy," she said to herself.

*******

NEXT DAY, THE BANKS MANSION**

"Are you sure it'll be beautiful?" Cassidy asked as Alena braided her hair.

" Trust me you'll see what I'm braiding in just a bit" Alena replied and Cassidy smiled.

" Nanny"

" Yes?"

" My dream is to become a K-pop idol but I'm scared, I don't think I'll get picked at the audition" she said

Alena stood in front of her and held her face.

" Just believe in you, you can definitely do it, you have the voice, you dance really well cos of your flexibility, you're so pretty too" she said.

" Thanks, I love you nanny! " Cassidy pecked her.

" I love you more," she smiled.

" My brother is coming back to Korea soon, the Adam I always talk about, he's very handsome," Cassidy said.

" I'll find out when he finally comes," Alena smiled.

******

NEXT DAY, KRYSTAL GROUP OF COMPANIES**

Zanillia left an hour ago, the contract was signed and she successfully built friendship with Qiangu.

The magazine is out already and she has more than enough copies on her table.

Almost every TV station is airing the news and instead of being happy, she's somehow sad.

"How come he's so harsh?" That's what she has been thinking about since last night.

It's stranger that the thoughts of her sweet candy and Vince always bump into each other in her head.

She remembered the phone she mistakenly destroyed and called for Yang but no answer.

One of her staff came in.

"Ming and Mr Yang are not at work ma'am" he reported.

" They're drinking five cups of the juice once they step foot in this company," she said.

" Get me a phone, this type" she said, holding up her phone.

She gave him a debit card and he left the office.

*******

NIGHT, MADAME PARK'S PORK RESTAURANT**

The unbearable headache is making Vince's head behave strange.

It hurts a lot but he still doesn't want to miss this shift, his salary might be cut.

He hid his pains and worked more than usual.

When it was time to close the shop, madam Park got an emergency call.

"Vince, can you close the shop for me?I have to go now," she quickly said.

"Sure madam" he replied and she rushed out of the shop.

He sat on a chat and held his head.

Thinking about what Mrs Hwang did and how he has been transferring aggression on Amara since then, his pathetic life and his poor family.

Everything contributed to his splitting headache.

He stood slowly and started walking to the door, looking for what to cure the crazy headache with.

He has never had it this splitting all his life.

His body is burning up already too.

He got to the door and squatted there, holding his head in his palms.

Amara came in with a nylon containing the new phone but when she saw him that way, she quickly bent beside him.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

He looked up. Immediately he heard the female voice, his eyes were so red.

" Anaconda what's...

"WRONG WITH YOU" went back to her throat as he stood and pulled her up sharply.

The phone fell from her as she slammed her back on the wall.

She hasn't recovered from the shock when his lips slammed roughly on hers.