1 Page 1: Hera of Queen

Whenever I stand in front of a camera, my body shudders. Not in fright nor in fear that I might screw up, but it's my body telling me that with every flash I take is an opportunity to bring down my enemy. With every pose I make is my motivation to finally crush the people who have caused me the most pain. And this year, I can feel it. I can feel that this will be my year to rise and take their throne. For I am, the queen of Queen.

"Hera, your shots are really beautiful. But is there a chance that you can smile a little bit?" said the photographer. I blink. It's been a long time since I heard someone tell me that. I've debuted in the magazine brand Queen three years ago with my selfish desire to crush someone. I simply rushed into Queen's building directly to their producer saying, "Help me crush someone and I will make your brand in par with Vogue." I didn't expect them to take my offer, but the producer, Mr. Kim, was crazy enough to take the challenge. He said that I had a good glint in my eyes and was confident that I could definitely change the face of Queen. And within a year, I pulled Queen to the top. We're not yet in par with Vogue, but we are going against one of the pioneering magazine brands of the country—Heiress.

"Let her be," said Mr. Kim, my boss looking all swag in his designer leopard suit and tie, entering the studio, "Hera never smiles in her photographs, but her eyes speak multitudes," he said confidently.

"It's true," my manager, Dave, came in handing the photographer a cup of coffee, "Even when Hera doesn't smile, she is Queen's top model. The girl who shot up Queen's sales in just a year."

The photographer chuckles awkwardly scratching his head, "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that the magazine's main theme right now is Spring. I thought I could finally make Hera smile."

Mr. Kim glances at me. I was sitting on the armrest of a bench covered in flowers. I stare at him, and he smiles at me. I blinked. He gave me a thumbs up so I replied by giving him a thumbs up from where I was seated. It was his way of telling me that I'm doing just fine and that I shouldn't be worried about smiling because my blank fierce look was my asset.

I saw him pat the photographer at the back, and the photographer stands up grinning from ear to ear. I guess Mr. Kim just invited him out for dinner. Predictable. He's the type who wouldn't just stand idly and let his chess piece be pressured further. He knows I'm of high value in this company, so he does his best to make sure my needs are fulfilled. The photographer shouts out that it was a wrap for today and that the next shoot will be announced on the weekend. Spring shoots are really tiring since we'd have to take some photos in the studio and some out of the studio. Queen's mission was to always portray in their magazine how a girl can become a queen in her own way. And to be a queen, you have to be fierce and unpredictable at the same time, that's where I come in.

"He's a new photographer so he didn't know Hera doesn't smile," said Dave putting a robe over my bare shoulders.

"Doesn't really matter, as long as he does his job." I flip the hair that was over my shoulder. "Also," I glance at his outfit, "You look casual today. What's with the white button-down and khaki blazer? I thought you only wore black?"

"I had a meeting." He chuckles, "Does it look awful?"

I shrug, "Not really. Just that it doesn't match your eyes." I smirked. He moans in defeat and I laugh at him.

Dave has been my manager ever since I debuted. He's been my driver, personal assistant, and nanny in the course of those three years. Mr. Kim was the one who selected him, not only because he was skilled for the job but Dave secretly holds an ace up his sleeve. He just happens to be the nephew of my mother's manager. What did my mother do? Well..she was⁠—

"What are you doing?"

Just when I was pulling out my phone to check on my followers on TeaDiaries (similar to Twitter), I didn't notice Dave suddenly had leaned in closer, sending chills over my spine. "Wh-What?" I stutter covering the screen of my phone. He looks me in the eye, squinting, suspecting something. "What is it?" I ask one more time.

"Has your wig been bothering you?" he whispered.

My face went blank. I frantically look around hoping no one heard that. I pull him out of the studio dragging him all the way back to my dressing room. I quickly lock the door, back against the wall, and I glared at him. I walk up to him, "What were you thinking spouting that out there?" I exclaimed while my voice was still on a whisper.

Dave was calm. He knew of my regular tantrums and this was just one of those. "Relax, nobody heard. You were uneasy during the shoot so I thought that maybe your wig was not comfortable enough." he said.

He noticed. I fold my arms giving him a smirk, "But I still did a good job right? I'm such a pro."

"Hera, I know I've been telling you this but..it's been three years since you've debuted. Surely, your fans won't mind if you changed your hair to black."

"NO!" I protested, "I would never. Not a chance. I hate my real hair, and I would never let that one person recognize me." my voice quivered. "I can't be found out yet, not until I surpass my mother's legacy."

It's true. I've been living with my mother's shadow. My mother⁠—Ursula Louvre was a half Scottish descent with hair like moonlight and eyes like the ocean. She was Heiress's first front-cover model, selling over 1 million copies in its launch. She was likened to a winter fairy and was always in demand may it be for advertisement or as a TV guest. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident when I was still three. For seven years, I lived with my grandparents but eventually decided to live on my own as my protest that they never sought justice for my mother's death. There had been rumors that the car accident was never an accident, but a plot to exterminate Ursula Louvre from the industry to give way to a new model that Heiress has been eyeing on but could never debut due to Ursula's popularity. From there, I knew I had to do something. I knew I had to avenge my mother's death, and by doing so, I must crush Heiress to the ground until nobody would even dare remember they even existed.

But for me to be able to do all that, I had to use my edge as Ursula's daughter. I bargained with Queen to take me to the top while I go incognito. That's how I met the producer. I never got my mother's hair nor my mother's eyes. I was born with sleek jet black locks and eyes of onyx which I inherited from my father but I had my mother's skin and nose. I was never confident of my own natural looks, so when I started as Queen's model, I made a deal with the producer that I'll be disguising myself with a wig of red hair and colored lenses the same as my mother's eyes to hide my identity. But that wasn't the end of the deal. I made sure that whatever life I had as Hera, won't overlap with my life as a normal teenager. Until then, my secret stays a secret, with only Dave and Mr. Kim knowing who I really am. Just until I can finally surpass my mother's popularity and bring Heiress down with the use of Queen.

Dave and I sat down. He was worried that I might start crying and lash out just remembering all the painful memories I had as a child.

"Hera, you're fourteen, you should at least enjoy your teenage years instead of always thinking about revenge." he said, "I know it's been a tough three years for you finding a way to infiltrate Heiress, but don't you think it's time to quit soon? Heiress is too difficult to topple." Dave's voice sounded apologetic. He's pitying me again. He's been with me through these three years and I could understand where he was coming from. It's true that Heiress is a difficult obstacle to destroy, but I can't stop now. Not now that I've raised Queen to the same bar as Heiress. I just need a big scandal that can destroy Heiress's image. From there I will watch them crash and burn.

"Your eyes are too grim for a teenager." he adds.

I fold my arms and crossed my legs glaring at him, "Just who do you think you're talking to?"

"Hera⁠—"

"Just who do you think spent her whole life growing up so quickly just so she could give her mother's death the justice she deserves?" I cut him off.

Dave sighs, "You."

I nod, "Good. Then best be known to you that I will not stop until I see Heiress destroyed. And to do that I⁠—"

"You need me to find a loophole or a clue to what really happened that night eleven years ago."

I grinned, proudly at the manager I have raised.

"But how are we even going to do that if we can't get close to Heiress?" Dave worriedly asks.

"That's where I come in!" the door bursts open and I see Mr. Kim gloating in delight.

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" I stood up, "I thought I locked that door?!"

Mr. Kim carefully shuts the door from his back, clicking his tongue with a smug look on his face. "You do not underestimate my powers my dear, Hera."

"Why are your endearments so disgusting?"

"Hera, I treated you like my own daughter. How can you say that to papa with your neutral displeased face?" Mr. Kim said almost crying.

I shudder in disgust, "Die." Why is this becoming a comedy skit all of a sudden?

Dave stands in between us feeling uncomfortable with our sly bickering, "Alright now, I'm pretty sure Mr. Kim has a reason for eavesdropping on us."

"Even Dave..." Mr. Kim said with a pout on his face.

This is getting tiring, "Well? What brings you here, Mr. Leopard?" I said pointing out his ridiculous clothing.

He looks at me like I'm stupid, I'm not stupid.

"Here," he hands me a blue clip binder folder.

I glance at him once and carefully opened the file. There seem to be several sheets of parchment in it, but what caught my eye the most was the big label of "contract" and the label of "Heiress" and "Hera" somewhere in a chunk of a clause.

"What is this?" I snapped my neck glancing up to Mr. Kim. He was smiling, and not the creepy smile, but a very proud smile like he's done something so great.

"Why is my name together with Heiress in a contract? Are you selling me off?!" my voice cracks.

Mr. Kim bursts into laughter, "No, I am not selling you off."

"Then what?" worry welling up in me.

He points at the bottom paragraph of the parchment and tells me to read it out loud.

"Model hereby appoints [Willis, Dave] and [Kim, Louis] to represent them in any and all forms regarding modeling, contracts, shows, and any other business matters related to their modeling career.

By allowing [Queen Magazine and Talents] limited power of attorney, the agency will conduct agreements on behalf of the model as well as provide signatures on any contracts and agreements on behalf of said model.

Hera of Queen Magazine and Talents is hereby associated with Heiress Entertainment on a four-month magazine shoot as a celebration of Heiress's 25th year on being a fashion magazine and Heiress Entertainment's 30th year in service. " my eyes wanted to pop out of its sockets as I read that final paragraph.

What. In. The. Name. Of. "????!!!!"

"I see you are very much astounded by my gift to you." Mr. Kim grins at me all smug.

I glance at Dave for answers, and boy if guilty was able to paint, it would definitely look like Dave, "You knew of this? Pfft well duh Hera, of course, he does, he's just only signed here as my guardian after all!!!" my voice echoed.

"I know, I should have told you, but it was all too sudden and Mr. Kim wanted it to be a surprise and I also wanted it to be a surprise and I do hope you were surprised. Are you mad?"

Mr. Kim and I looked at each other. His eyes screaming 'Is this your manager?'

"Wow, to think that a twenty-three-year-old would be this scared of you Hera."

"Your eyes look dead Mr. Kim. I don't know what you're talking about." I replied.

But this is seriously...WOW! I keep on glancing at the parchment and I cannot believe this is real. To think I, Hera would be working side by side with Heiress for the next four months. Who would have known that my gut feeling came true? Maybe this is my year. This is my chance to finally infiltrate their deepest darkest secrets.

I could hear Mr. Kim call out to me, but my brain just can't process this well. I am too elated that I feel like I'm about to explode.

"Hera, dear, your face is scary."

"Well, are you mad?" Dave walks up to me.

"Mad?" I could feel my whole face brighten up, and I believe it did since Mr. Kim and Dave looked awfully shocked, "I'm extremely happy!" I jump into Dave's arms, my legs hanging down to his knees. "Thank you!" I cheered.

I could feel Dave's heartbeat slowing down. He must have been really worried that I got angry that he kept it from me. I jump down from the hug, re-reading the contract over and over.

"I can't believe I get to be Heiress's front-cover!" I rejoiced.

"Uhh..not quite." Mr. Kim interrupted, dropping a magazine on the table. I immediately studied the cover. It was Heiress's latest magazine and wow the model in the cover looks gorgeous. Her hair was golden like the sun and was cut very short like a boy's but it suited her really well. Her eyes twinkled in green and her lips luscious as berries. "Pixie cut?" I mumbled.

"She's currently Heiress's top cover model. Her name is Cherry, and she's your age." Mr. Kim explains, "You'll be working together with her for the next four months."

"What?"

"Well, it is to be expected. You do not expect Heiress to simply hand out the main shoots to a rival company's model. Queen is catching up to Heiress's status, and with you as Queen's frontline, Heiress would definitely prefer to keep you on their side while watching over your every move."

Dave was right. It'll definitely be wiser to keep your enemies closer rather than competing against them. They're trying to show the public that Queen and Heiress are actually good friends by using their most valuable and popular models to work together. It's a play for pawn.

"Then, this whole thing is to lure me as bait?"

Mr. Kim shook his head, "Not unless you let them." he said smirking.

I get it now. This is no team-up, this is them challenging Queen for a battle at their home court. This is definitely to show which model can get the people's attention more. This will be a battle to show the country that Heiress is still the leading fashion magazine and I'll just be a side dish to top it off. Talk about playing dirty huh. They certainly didn't think we wouldn't notice their ploys?

Dave tapped my shoulder, "If eyes could kill, you'd be a murderer. Something on your mind?"

I just smiled at him and turned to Mr. Kim who was studying my reactions.

"Mr. Kim, may I know the theme of Heiress's anniversary special?"

Mr. Kim grabbed the blue clip-on folder and immediately flipped the pages. He stopped at a publication material graphically designed with red and white roses, and by a glimpse of it, I immediately got the idea where Heiress was taking this.

"Alice in Wonderland's Red Queen and White Queen." he laid the folder on the table.

"That's a very bold theme for an anniversary special." Dave said reading on the details.

"They specifically chose this theme to portray two sides of a woman, but I say they're simply playing at who deserves the crown." Mr. Kim explains.

Red Queen and White Queen huh? Alice in Wonderland's two heirs but only one can take the crown. It sounds like a very fitting theme for a collaboration. They're just pulling the strings to see who's gonna end up falling on their knees. I could already hear myself screaming, 'Off with their heads'. Now, won't that be a sight?

"Oh, bring it on. We'll just have to show them who the true heir of that crown is." I said confidently. I stare at the model on Heiress's front cover. Heiress's Cherry certainly doesn't look like someone who'd simply back down from a fight. Her eyes had the spirit of a warrior but her smile sweet as honey. I may be at a disadvantage for having a signature look of not smiling, but I most certainly am the type who gets more pumped when being tormented and used.

Mr. Kim grinned at me, fire in his eyes, "I knew my eyes weren't playing with me the first time I saw you walk into my office. You have your mother's spirit, and you're not here to play."

I ball my hands to a fist, pumping myself from the excitement.

"It's time for Heiress to see what a real Queen looks like."