Accidental Marriage With Mr Billioniare
Chapter 69: THE RUNWAY

Chapter 69: THE RUNWAY

Astrid walked out of her room and then met with Miles who was on the verge of knocking.

"You didn’t leave?" she asked surprised and Miles stared down at her outfit and back at her.

"Where are you going?" he asked, still staring at her outfit, which looked so pretty on her.

"Aren’t you going to the office today?" she countered back.

He squinted his gaze at her wondering why she had asked.

"I am the CEO and I go when I want to... also I asked a question first." he retorted and she rolled her eyes and shook her head now about to walk past him but he quickly pulled her back.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked again and she snatched her hands off his grip, "Is it because Julian thought you were cheating on him?"

Astrid eyes narrowed and he swallowed nervously seeing that he might be crossing his limit with his word.

"Cheating? We are only a couple on the document and nothing else," Her voice was a bit harsh and Miles felt sad he had ruined her mood.

Astrid’s thoughts flashed back to Julian’s hurtful words. He didn’t care for her, yet still didn’t want her with other guys.

"Don’t you have a job to do?" Astrid asked, trying to shake off the painful memories. "Leave and stop pestering me," she added.

Miles hesitated. "No... I...," he trailed off, recalling Maren’s invitation to her show even though he didn’t plan to go.

"Then take me to Maren," Astrid instructed.

Miles’ eyes flickered with surprise.

"Sorry, but I will pass," he replied, he had thought to use the show to spend time with Astrid, who had called in sick the same time he was standing in front of her space

Astrid’s tone turned commanding. "It isn’t a request, but an order."Miles’ eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Did you just use that tone on me?" he asked.

Astrid smiled awkwardly.

"Sorry..." Miles sighed.

"Fine, you seem to want to go to the show, even though I have been trying to dodge it. Now I can’t." Astrid smiled in satisfaction and Miles’ expression softened.

"I guess I have no choice." Astrid’s eyes sparkled.

"Let’s go." Miles offered his arm and Astrid took it.

Together, they left.

*****

"Hey... welcome...I have been expecting you for a long time," Maren’s voice laid out as she pulled Astrid into a bone-crushing embrace.

Astrid was so excited with Joe that she was being treated by Maren, she looked like an older sister looking out for her little sis.

"Guess what?" Astrid whispered and Maren squinted her gaze wondering what it could be.

"Hi..." she heard Miles’ voice and Maren’s eyes widened, he never came to her shows, even though his sister was always the main event.

"Wow... the moon is surely gonna rise from the wrong side today," Maren whispered, with excitement that Astrid had brought Miles with her.

" I got this for you," Miles let out, handing the flower that he had given to Astrid this morning to her.

Astrid had suggested he give the flower to Maren when coming. Despite his hesitation, she forced him to do it.

It’s crazy how he listened to her and brought the flower along with him.

"Wow Rose, my favorite," Maren’s voice cooed as she sniffed in the beautiful smell of the flower.

Miles only stood there, irritated by the fact that the gift given to Astrid had been transferred to someone else, and that is because weirdly he couldn’t say no to Astrid.

"I am here now, you sure Julian would find out about this, right?"

"Of course, he won’t." Maren let out and Miles snorted at the two ladies.

Miles stared at Astried, his voice laced with concern. "Why worry about his wishes? It’s your life, and he shouldn’t butt in."

Then Maren scoffed as she said, "You still haven’t realized that your friend doesn’t want her to work here, which surprised me since someone he loves is doing the same job."

Just then, a familiar voice called out, interrupting them "Miles?"

Miles’ gaze shifted, and a low grunt escaped his lips.

"I know I wasn’t making a mistake," Mattie added. "I can tell it’s my brother from the back,"

"Mattie? Why are you here?" he asked.

Mattie strolled towards Miles, oblivious to Astrid standing behind them.

While Astrid’s unease grew. She knew Mattie would inform Julian about her presence, sparking his anger.

"I wasn’t expecting you to come today," Miles stated as his glare intensified.

Mattie shrugged. "This is my workplace. Why should you know why I come and go?"

Miles’ eyes narrowed. "You are way past that now. I am surprised you’re visiting Mattie."

Mattie opened her mouth to respond but halted as her gaze met Astrid’s.

"Ugh, I hate this week," Mattie spat. "I’m not obsessed with seeing her in my hallucinations am I?"

"Well, you are not hallucinating, Astrid is standing right there." Miles let out and her gaze snapped to Astrid, irritation etched on her face.

"You..." Mattie began.

Miles swiftly intervened, stepping forward to stop Mattie from lashing out.

"Astrid’s not herself today," Miles cautioned and Mattie’s annoyance softened.

Astrid shot her eyes already getting irritated with the whole event the moment she saw Mattie.

Then Maren’s voice interrupted the tension. "Shall we focus on the show? Astrid, let’s get you ready."Astrid nodded.

"What?" Mattie’s voice echoed as she darted between Maren and Astrid, "I heard you wrongly didn’t I?"

Maren was about to talk but Mattie stopped her, "You bitch! You took my husband, are you about to take my position?"

Miles’ glare intensified as he spoke, "If you want to be angry, ask Maren why she invited her, and not you. Stop making Astrod feel stupid."

Mattie was hurt by this, "I am your sister, you should be sad for me not defending her," Mattie’s voice was low and sad, all her life she had wanted her brother to be close to her, and he was the one reason she became a brat.

Still, he is always gold towards her and all of a sudden supporting someone who had come into their life after running her big day.

His gaze shifted to Maren, then back to Mattie.

"Well, Mattie, you weren’t invited to this show because it’s a plus-size clothing line... so please don’t mess with my model again," Maren warned.

Mattie’s eyes widened in shock, her face pale as she turned to Maren.

Astrid’s concern grew, wondering how Julian would react to Mattie’s outburst today. She was pretty sure she was going to whine to him all night long

Maren apologized to Astrid "I’m sorry about her, I wasn’t expecting her."

Astrid smiled graciously, "It’s fine... let’s just get this over with."

Maren nodded, pulling her with her to the room.

She swung open the door, gesturing for Astrid to enter. "Welcome to the heart of Curvy Chic," she said as her hand winded.

Astrid stepped into the room, surrounded by racks of stunning outfits and makeup stations.

Maren followed, introducing Astrid to the team. "Everyone, this is Astrid, Julian Logan’s wife and one of our stunning models for today’s show."

The makeup artist, Samantha, looked up from her kit. "The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Logan."

Astrid smiled warmly. "Please, call me Astrid." excited with the way no one on the team had given her the stink eye.

Maren continued, "Astrid will be showcasing our plus-size clothing line, embracing beauty in all shapes."

Samantha nodded, beginning her work. "I will enhance your natural glow, Astrid." she let out sweetly.

With skilled hands, Samantha applied foundation, blush, and eyeshadow.

Astrid watched in the mirror, mesmerized by the transformation of her face into a stubby beauty.

Next, Maren presented Astrid with carefully curated outfits.

"Try these on," Maren instructed.

Astrid changed into the first dress, a fitted, curve-hugging gown.

Maren nodded approvingly. "Perfect."

Samantha styled Astrid’s hair, sleek and elegant.

Maren took Astrid’s hands. "Now, let’s work on your runway walk."

Astrid’s nerves surfaced. "I have never done this before."

Maren reassured, "You will shine, Astrid. Confidence is key."

Maren guided Astrid down the makeshift catwalk.

"Shoulders back, head held high," Maren coached.

Astrid practiced, her stride lengthening, in the heels and Maren beamed.

"You are a natural, I thought it would be harder to teach you since it was kind of urgent"

Maren watched in awe as Astrid walked flawlessly and she had a proud smile on her face.

Even though Julian wouldn’t accept she will find her way to make Astrid become the lady in power.

Astrid stood in front of the full

Length mirror, as other models also surrounded her, though not as chubby as her but also not that slim.

Maren had made the dress in different sizes and also made sure every model who was invited to the show was new so she wouldn’t make Astrid feel intimidated.

Maren moved them and had a proud smile on her face, "It’s your first time I get it, but you need to make that runway yours and leave your impression on everyone."

Maren’s eyes met with Astrid in the mirror, "Own the runway, Astrid. You’re stunning the way you are" strutting gently towards her.

"You are Astrid Logan, a mistake today might place a bad name for Logan, not for the people but the models who would also be behind you."

Astrid’s doubts dissipated, replaced by growing confidence.

"Ma’am.." Maren’s assistant came further, "It’s time everyone arrived... I am excited for tonight."

Maren nodded her head and With final touches applied, Astrid and the remaining models stood tall.

The music pulsed, and Astrid stepped onto the catwalk. She is the one opening the ground and she needed to do her best on this.

If not for anyone at the moment but for the fact that she needs to help her sick mum.

The spotlight shone on her as she walked out confidently, Her curves shimmered in the spotlight.

The audience gasped in awe, "Isn’t she the wife of Julian Logan?"

"Is she taking Mattie’s place?"

Murmurs circled around but Astrid wasn’t letting anything get on her night.

She walked effortlessly, until she finally got to the Vip section, and her eyes met with Julian sitting there staring at her with shock evident in his eyes.