I'm not stressed

Four months had flown by, like a whirlwind of flashing cameras, tight schedules, and Carmen's cheeky antics. My modeling career had skyrocketed over the last few months, with one successful shoot after another.

Brands kept clamoring for me, some even pleading with Isabel for availability that barely existed. Somehow, I had managed to juggle the chaos of work with my modeling school obligations. It wasn't easy, but I could confidently say I was thriving. 

Carmen, of course, was thriving in her own way. Her business ventures had gone from wildly successful to downright legendary.

Every day seemed to bring news of a new deal or another zero added to her accounts. She made it all look effortless, though I knew how hard she worked behind the scenes.

Not that she ever let me forget her success Carmen Steele never missed an opportunity to gloat, playfully, of course.