Chapter 1: The Return of Stellan
The sun hung low over the city, casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling streets. Althaia, the famous magazine model known for her striking beauty and notorious grumpiness, had just finished a glamorous photoshoot. She adjusted her sunglasses and swept a hand through her lustrous, chestnut hair, which framed her flawless face. Despite her stunning appearance, there was an air of discontent about her.
As Althaia walked toward her car, her phone buzzed with a message. She pulled it out of her designer bag and frowned at the screen. It was a notification from her manager, announcing the return of a photographer named Stellan to the magazine. A surge of anger and apprehension coursed through her. Stellan, her college sweetheart turned ex-lover, was the reason for her deep trust issues with men.
Althaia took a deep breath and muttered to herself, "Stellan. After all these years, he has the audacity to show up here."
Flashback to her college days, a younger Althaia in a cozy campus cafe with Stellan, the handsome and charismatic photography student. They were deeply in love, their laughter filling the air as they planned their future together.
Althaia (in flashback): "Stellan, I can't believe how lucky I am to have you."
Stellan (in flashback): "And I can't imagine my life without you, Althaia."
Back to the present, Althaia clenched her fists, remembering the betrayal that shattered her trust. Stellan had cheated on her with her own friend, leaving scars that still haunted her.
Later that day, at the magazine's luxurious studio, Althaia changed into another stunning outfit for her next photoshoot. She had an aura of ice, her cold demeanor a defense mechanism against the pain of the past. Just as she was about to step onto the set, the studio door swung open.
In walked Stellan, holding his camera and exuding a mix of confidence and humility. Althaia's heart skipped a beat, and her palms grew clammy. She had imagined this moment for years, but facing Stellan in the flesh was entirely different.
Stellan: "Althaia, it's been a long time."
Althaia narrowed her eyes, masking her vulnerability with a glare. "What are you doing here, Stellan?"
Stellan: "I've changed, Althaia. I've regretted what happened between us every day since. I wanted to apologize."
Althaia scoffed, her anger bubbling to the surface. "Apology? Is that supposed to make everything okay, Stellan?"
Their confrontation drew the attention of the crew, who discreetly watched the drama unfold. Althaia's manager approached, trying to ease the tension.
Manager: "Let's take a break, everyone. Althaia, Stellan, please, let's discuss this calmly."
Althaia's mind raced. She had spent years fantasizing about making Stellan pay for his betrayal, but now that he was here, she felt conflicted. She whispered to her manager, "Give me some time."
Althaia retreated to her dressing room, pacing back and forth. Revenge was her initial instinct, but deep down, a part of her yearned for closure, for the wounds of the past to finally heal.
As she stared at herself in the mirror, her reflection showed a beautiful but grumpy woman who had been through too much. Stellan's return had stirred a whirlwind of emotions she wasn't sure she could control.
Outside, Stellan waited, hoping for a chance to make amends and prove that he had changed. The magazine's studio was the backdrop for their reunion, a place where the past and present collided in a clash of unresolved emotions.
Althaia comes from a complex family background that has played a significant role in shaping her personality and her deep-seated trust issues with men.
**Parents:** Althaia's parents divorced when she was quite young, leaving her to grow up in a broken home. This early experience of separation and loss had a profound impact on her, making her wary of emotional attachments.
**Mother:** Althaia's mother, a strong and independent woman, became her primary caretaker after the divorce. She worked tirelessly to provide for Althaia and herself, instilling in her daughter the importance of self-reliance and resilience. Althaia's mother encouraged her to pursue her dreams, which eventually led her to the world of modeling.
**Father:** Althaia's relationship with her father was strained after the divorce. He struggled with his own issues and was often absent from her life. This absence left a void in Althaia's heart and contributed to her difficulty in trusting men, as her own father had let her down.
**Siblings:** Althaia has a younger sister who admires her greatly. Despite the challenges they faced as a family, Althaia has always been protective of her sister and strives to be a positive role model.
Althaia's family background is marked by resilience and determination, but it also carries the scars of a broken home and the absence of a strong male figure in her life. These experiences have influenced her grumpy exterior and her fear of being hurt by men, making her journey to trust and love again all the more challenging.