They stepped into the studio, and Alyssa’s eyes widened.
People were running around like ants disturbed from their nest. Crew members carrying lights, adjusting cameras, shouting instructions across the floor.
Sergio led them through the commotion and into a side room. It was quieter here, away from the noise. He handed a tablet to Lisa.
“The theme for the shoot, the makeup and clothing details are all here,” he said, his voice professional.
Lisa took the tablet and nodded. “Got it.”
“I have to go now,” Sergio said, and without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared back into the chaos.
Maya walked to a door on the far side of the room and pushed it open. She peeked inside, then turned back to Alyssa with a smile.
“Miss Alyssa, time to get you ready.”
Alyssa stepped forward, curiosity piqued. She peered through the doorway and almost screamed.
Sitting in front of a brightly lit vanity mirror, already half-dressed in a stunning gown, was Kylie.
Kylie. The Kylie. International superstar. The woman whose face was on billboards across the world.
Alyssa’s heart stopped.
She forced her feet to move, walking into the room with Maya. She sat down in the chair beside Kylie, her back facing the woman she had admired from afar for years.
Then Kylie turned.
Her voice was warm, like honey. “Hi, Alyssa.”
Alyssa froze.
She knows my name.
She turned her head slowly, meeting Kylie’s gaze in the mirror. “Hi, Kylie.”
Her voice came out steadier than she felt.
Kylie smiled gently. “Kai told me about you. I wanted to come and congratulate you, but I was busy.” She paused, tilting her head. “Then I heard that we’d be working together today. So I asked the staff to inform me when you arrived.”
Alyssa’s mind raced.
Was she the person Lila was talking about? The one waiting for me?
She looked at Kylie through the mirror, still processing. “I never knew I’d be working with you.”
Kylie’s smile widened. “We’ll be working together more in the future. So get ready to see me more often, Alyssa.”
Alyssa swallowed. “Okay.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, letting their respective teams work.
Ian stepped forward, his red hair catching the light. He studied Alyssa’s face like an artist studying a blank canvas. Then he began.
Minutes passed. Brushes swept across her skin. Colors blended. Shadows were carved, highlights applied.
Finally, Ian leaned back and examined his work.
“Perfect,” he murmured, giving her cheek one last gentle touch. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Alyssa opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror.
She barely recognized the woman staring back.
Her skin glowed. Her eyes looked deeper, more expressive. The silver-blonde of her hair seemed to shimmer under the light. She looked… ethereal.
“Thank you, Ian,” she said softly.
“It’s a pleasure working with you, Miss Alyssa.”
She turned to face him fully. “You guys should call me Alyssa. Just Alyssa.”
Ian blinked, then smiled. “Okay.”
Daisy nodded. “Alyssa it is.”
Randy gave a single, firm nod.
Daisy finished styling her hair, tucking the last strand into place. Then Alyssa stood, following Randy, Lisa, and Maya into the dressing room.
Randy handed the clothes he had carefully selected to Maya and Lisa. Without a word, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.
He walked back to the first room they had entered. Ian, Daisy, and Elvis were sitting there, waiting.
Randy sat down in silence, crossing his arms.
~☆~
Inside the dressing room, Alyssa looked around. The space was spacious, filled with racks of clothes, mirrors, and soft lighting. She turned to Maya and Lisa.
“Isn’t Kylie dressing up with us?”
Lisa shook her head. “She has her own separate dressing room. This one is yours.”
Alyssa’s eyes drifted to the clothes hanging neatly on the rack. Beautiful fabrics. Elegant designs. Her breath caught.
“Does that mean… these clothes are mine?”
Maya laughed, a warm, melodic sound. “Not really yours. But the ones you wear? Those are yours.”
Alyssa let out a small breath. “Okay.”
Maya and Lisa moved quickly, helping her step into the first outfit. Silk against her skin. Zippers pulled up. Straps adjusted. She felt like a doll being prepared for display.
When she was ready, she stepped out of the dressing room and into the studio lights.
The first round was her solo shoot. She held the Lilos Cosmetics products in her hands, a sleek lipstick, a compact powder, a bottle of serum. The photographer guided her through poses. Tilt your chin. Look over your shoulder. Soft smile. Hold it.
She did her best. Her body moved on instinct, muscle memory from years of being in front of the camera. But her mind was elsewhere.
I hope I’m doing this right. I hope I don’t embarrass myself in front of Kylie.
Then Kylie joined her and everything changed.
They shot together. They changed outfits. They switched poses. Sometimes they were side by side. Sometimes Kylie stood behind her, one hand on her shoulder. Sometimes they faced away from each other, looking back over their shoulders.
Ian, Daisy, and Randy worked tirelessly. Between shots, they rushed forward. Ian touched up her makeup. Daisy adjusted her hair. Randy handed her the next outfit before she even finished stepping out of the last one.
Maya and Lisa coordinated everything, their voices calm but firm.
And Elvis? He stood in the corner, arms crossed, watching. Silent and unmoving like a shadow in the chaos.
“Cut! That’s a wrap!”
Alyssa let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Her shoulders sagged. Her feet ached. She walked back to the dressing room on autopilot and collapsed into the nearest chair, her body sinking into the cushion like it was made of clouds.
Lisa and Maya followed her in, laughing softly.
“You did great, Alyssa,” Maya said, her voice warm with praise.
Alyssa looked up at Lisa, who was smiling at her. She smiled back, too tired to speak.
Then a knock came at the door. Before anyone could answer, the door opened.
Kylie walked in.
She saw Alyssa sitting in an awkward, half-collapsed position and let out a genuine laugh. “You look tired and exhausted.”
“Yes, I am,” Alyssa admitted, not even bothering to sit up straight.
Kylie’s eyes softened. Throughout the shoot, she had been more than just a co-star. She had guided Alyssa. Whispered tips between shots. Adjusted her posture when the photographer wasn’t looking. Made her feel less like a rookie and more like a partner.
She’s actually friendly, Alyssa thought. Easy to be with.
“I wanted to take you out after work to congratulate you,” Kylie said, her tone apologetic. “But I have to cancel. Urgent matters came up.”
Alyssa nodded. “Okay.”
Kylie pulled out her phone. “Can I add you on WeChat?”
Alyssa’s heart skipped.
Who wouldn’t want to add her on WeChat? She’s the number one female actress in Country A.
“Of course,” Alyssa said, trying to keep her voice calm.
They exchanged WeChat contacts. Then Kylie took her phone number as well. She smiled warmly, said her goodbyes, and left the dressing room.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Maya turned to Alyssa, who was still staring at her phone with a dazed smile. “We’re actually done. We can finally go home.”
She paused, checking her own phone. “Your pay has been sent to your account.”
She looked at Lisa. “Yours too.”
Alyssa and Lisa both opened their phones.
Their jaws dropped.
The numbers on the screen were staggering. Especially for Alyssa. She had been paid twice, once for the shoot, and once for… something else. The total made her head spin.
“Alright,” Maya said, breaking the silence. “We have to go now.”
Alyssa stood up from the chair, her legs still a little weak. She grabbed her bag and was about to follow them out when her phone buzzed.
A message.
She looked down.
Come to my company now.