Chapter 2 Chapter 2

"Sally, lower your voice!" Beauty whispered harshly.

Sally leaned closer. "I saw him. Jason is here. He’s shooting the commercial with you."

Beauty’s stomach dropped. "No… Why him? I can’t back out now. Everyone is watching."

"You just have to get through it," Sally said quietly before stepping away as the makeup artist returned.

Beauty sat stiffly while the artist worked. She couldn’t stop thinking about Jason.

That bastard.

She still remembered that night in Paris clearly. After a wrap party, during a game of Truth or Dare, Jason had followed her to her hotel room.

"I said leave me alone!" she had shouted.

But he didn’t. He pinned her against the wall, his breath hot on her face.

"Just one night, Beauty. Who wouldn’t want you?"

She had kneed him hard between the legs and escaped. That same night, she and Sally flew out of Paris without telling anyone.

Now she had to act like a loving fiancée with him in front of the cameras.

After makeup, Beauty changed into her first outfit — a simple but elegant black gown. The set looked like a cozy family home.

"Action!"

Jason walked in, smiling like the perfect husband. He went down on one knee and slipped a sparkling diamond ring on her finger. Beauty forced a joyful smile and hugged him tightly, even though her skin crawled at his touch.

"Cut! Perfect!"

They shot the next two scenes — one with her friends admiring the ring, and the final one where she looked slightly older, holding a baby while Jason kissed her cheek.

The moment the director yelled "Cut!" for the last time, Beauty pulled away from Jason like he was diseased.

"Great job, Miss Beauty!" the director praised.

She gave a fake smile and walked off set quickly.

"Let's go, Sally. I don’t want that bulldog near me."

They barely made it to the car before Jason appeared at the exit.

"Beauty, wait!"

She stopped but didn’t turn around fully.

"I’m sorry about Paris," he said softly. "I wasn’t myself that night. Please forgive me."

Beauty didn’t answer. She simply entered the car and slammed the door.

"Drive."

On the way home, she sighed. "Stop at the supermarket. I need ice cream and chips."

At the supermarket, fans noticed her and started taking pictures. Beauty ignored them and quickly grabbed what she wanted.

While waiting for her receipt, she turned and accidentally bumped into an old woman. The woman’s bag fell to the floor.

"Help me pick it up, my child," the old woman said in a shaky voice.

Beauty looked at her wrinkled face and scoffed. "I’m not your child, you ugly old hag. Pick it up yourself."

She shoved the woman aside and walked out.

"You are the one who is ugly," the old woman muttered behind her, "but you just don’t know it yet."

Beauty rolled her eyes. "Jealous witch."

That night, after a long bath and a few selfies, she collapsed on her bed and slept soundly.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Beauty yawned and stretched lazily. A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Come in, Sally."

Sally entered with a cup of coffee. The moment she saw Beauty, the tray slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor.

"My lady… what happened to your face?!"

Beauty frowned. "What are you talking about?"

She touched her cheek. It felt rough. Bumpy.

Heart racing, she jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

A blood-curdling scream tore from her throat as she stared at her reflection.

Her once flawless skin was now covered in ugly red boils, pimples, and dark patches. Her beautiful face was gone.

She was hideous.