The Contracted Stripper

The show was heating up, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. After Iris’s fresh designs and outstanding models had stunned the audience, her co-designers displayed their creations, each more breathtaking than the last. The judges deliberated, their expressions a mix of admiration and intense scrutiny.

Backstage, Iris and her friend Emma chatted animatedly, the excitement palpable. Iris noticed Ivy at the other end of the backstage area. Curiosity piqued, she thought about approaching her but decided against it, suspecting Ivy might be there with Bella.

Just as the announcement for the best student was about to be made, an unexpected interruption occurred.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the pretty host announced, “just before we call it a night, we have one last designer in the house. Known for her outstanding taste and the name she has been creating for herself, she’s not just a designer but also a model for top brands. Let’s welcome Ivy’s Collection.”

Dressed in a stoned jumpsuit that shimmered under the lights, Ivy stepped onto the stage. Her outfit clung to her in all the right places, accentuating her curves and exuding elegance. The crowd’s attention was riveted.

As Ivy’s models strutted down the runway, the designs left the audience dumbstruck, their mouths hanging open in awe. The intricate details, the innovative cuts, and the sheer brilliance of the designs were unlike anything they had seen.

Iris watched intently, a sense of familiarity nagging at her. The designs looked too familiar.

“Why do they look so familiar, all of them?” she thought, As the models continued their walk, realization struck her like a lightning bolt.

“They’re my designs, my sketchbook!” Iris gasped, her eyes darkening with rage as she clenched her fists.

The applause for Ivy’s collection seemed endless. Fueled by anger, Iris stormed towards Ivy, her determination clear.

.”Ivy!” she called out.

************************************

Ryan sat in his seat, joy filling his heart. He knew Iris’s designs stood out among all the other beautiful creations. Just before the best student was announced, a pause and an announcement revealed one last designer’s display.

To his surprise, it was his sister, Ivy, once again she had made the Kendrick’s proud.

Her designs were top-notch, a revelation that caught him off guard. Rising to congratulate her, Ryan felt a mix of pride and astonishment.

“I never knew you had this in you,” he said, approaching her.

“Bro!” Ivy called, smiling as she hugged him.

“Your designs are amazing,” Ryan complimented.”Thank you, Ryan.”

“I didn’t notice you were around. Did you come with Bella?”

“No, I came to support Iris,” he said.”Oh,” Ivy muttered.

“Well, I’m sure Bella has told you the good news,” Ivy said.”Good news?

What good news?”

Before she could elaborate, Iris called out to Ryan from behind.

“I need to speak to you, Ryan,” Iris said urgently.

“Are you blind? Can’t you see we are in the middle of a conversation?” Ivy barked.

Ryan stood in between, saying nothing.”Ivy, that’s enough, he finally spoke out.

Iris, is everything alright?” Ryan asked

“Never knew lowlifes aspire to become great,” Ivy chuckled, giving Iris a scornful look.

Ryan turned, giving Ivy a hard look. “What? I’m only stating the bitter truth,” Ivy said

. Iris felt devastated. As she opened her mouth to speak, Emma rushed to her.”Iris, you are being called. Hurry!”

“Called? Why? By who?” Iris asked, confused.

“You won! Emma jumped in excitement. ”

Although your designs are similar to Ivy’s, since Ivy is not a student, she got an outstanding award, and you won for the best St. udent.

“Emma didn’t wait for Iris to process everything or say a word before dragging her away from Ryan.

Iris went to the stage to receive her award. Several brands decided to work with her, handing her their business cards.

Meanwhile, a huge crowd gathered around Ivy, exchanging contacts and congratulatory messages.

Iris was full of rage. She finally realized Ivy was the one who took her sketchbook.

After receiving the award, Iris quickly rushed to find Ryan, wanting to show him her award and tell him what she had found out who took her sketchbook.

But when she reached the backstage area where he had been, he was nowhere to be found. She decided to search for him and headed towards the models’ dressing room.

As she approached, she heard Ryan’s voice. Walking towards the sound, she overheard the most shocking news of her life, freezing her in place. She felt empty, her world crashing down around her.

“Ry… an Ryan…” Iris whispered above a breath, hot tears streaming down her face.

Iris stood there shattered. Bella’s words kept ringing in her head: “I’m pregnant, Ryan. We’re having a baby soon.” As soon as Bella noticed Iris, she grabbed Ryan and wrapped her hands around him, planting a kiss on his cheek with a smirk. Ryan turned, saw Iris, and quickly pulled away from Bella. He ran after Iris, who had walked out in tears.

“Iris! Iris, please wait! It’s not what you think! There’s a mix-up somewhere!” he called out, catching up to her.

When she turned to face him, she slapped him across the face. “Don’t touch me again! You’re nothing but a male whore.”

As she stepped out of the building, the paparazzi swarmed her, taking numerous pictures and bombarding her with questions.

“Mrs. Iris, how do you feel being the best student of Beth Fashion School?”

“Did you win the best through your husband’s influence?”

“Mr. Ryan, why do your sister and wife look so much alike?”

“Mr. Ryan, are you proud of your wife’s efforts?”

“When are you both expecting a child?”

Iris, overwhelmed, tried to push through the crowd. Ryan’s bodyguards came to their rescue, helping them pass through the throng of reporters. Iris got into her car, and her driver drove off. Ryan got into his car and followed suit. They arrived home almost simultaneously.

Iris couldn’t stop crying inside the car. As soon as they pulled up to the mansion, she dashed inside, ran upstairs to her room, and locked herself in. She cried until she fell asleep on the floor, her head resting on the edge of the bed.

She woke up to the continuous ringing of her phone and the constant knocking on the door by Ryan.

Seeing the caller ID, she quickly wiped her eyes and cleared her voice. “Hi, Sky, what’s up?” Iris said as she picked up the call.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

“Iris, I want to see you at home now,” her mother’s weak but sharp voice said before hanging up.

Iris’s heart raced. What could be the matter? Mom sounded serious. She quickly took a shower and dressed. Her face looked pale in the mirror, but she applied light makeup to brighten her appearance.

She headed out, praying not to bump into Ryan. Her prayers were answered as she left the house unseen.

***********************************

Ryan couldn’t believe what was happening. For once, he felt someone else was in control of his life. He had never felt such pain, especially seeing Iris’s tears. It felt like a piercing wound in his heart.

He couldn’t wrap his head around Bella’s revelation. That must have been the good news Ivy wanted to tell him. How did he get into this mess? He gulped down whisky, the bitter liquid burning his throat.

Sitting on the floor, he buried his head in his hands. His world was falling apart. He should be happy about expecting a child and securing his claim to the empire, but instead, he felt anguish. It would have been different if the baby was Iris’s, not Bella’s.

He got up and went to Iris’s room, knocking on the door, and pleading for her to talk to him. But Iris remained silent. He kept knocking until he was too tired, then headed back to his room.

“She must hate me now,” he muttered. “But why do I care?” he shouted, throwing the whisky bottle at the wall, shattering it into pieces.

Just then, Bella walked into his room. “Ryan, what are you doing to yourself?” she exclaimed, rushing to him.

Ryan’s disheveled state and the mess around him. “Ryan, you need to pull yourself together!” Bella said, trying to touch his arm.

“Get away from me,” Ryan snapped, pulling his arm away.

“Ryan, please, think about our baby,” Bella pleaded.

“Our baby?” Ryan laughed bitterly. “You think this is about the baby? You have no idea what you’ve done.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? We’re having a baby. This is good news!”

“Good news?” Ryan’s voice was a mix of anger and despair. “You manipulated your way into my life, and now you’ve destroyed any chance I had with Iris.”

“Ryan, I didn’t, you never love Iris, I did it for us….”

“Save it, Bella,” Ryan interrupted. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. Just get out of my house, leave me alone.”

Bella hesitated, but seeing the coldness in Ryan’s eyes, she turned and walked out, leaving Ryan to his misery.