Chapter 17: To The Ceremony
I woke up after more hours of sleep in my room, the soft light of the setting sun filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.
I stretched, my body still aching from the night before, but the pain was bearable now. I looked to the clock on the bedside table, my eyes widening as I saw the time. It was 3 pm. I had slept for hours, my body needing the rest to recover from the ordeal. I felt better now, my mind clearer, my body less sore. But there was still an ache in my crotch, a constant reminder of what had happened. I sighed, sitting up in bed, and looked around the room.
It was barely touched, the sheets still crisp and unrumpled. I hadn't slept here last night, but in Matt's room. The memory of last night's events flooded back, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My body was still sore, but the pain was bearable now.
I had cleaned up and showered earlier this morning in Matt's bathroom, washing away the remnants of last night's encounter. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes scanning the bruises and bites that marked my skin. I had to get ready for the Creators Award ceremony tonight, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.
My crotch was still aching, the pain a constant reminder of what had transpired between Matt and me. It was a dull throb, a persistent discomfort that made walking difficult. I winced as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my body protesting the movement. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the task ahead.
I stood up, my body swaying slightly as I tried to get my bearings. The room spun for a moment, and I had to grab onto the bedpost to steady myself. I closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and waited for the dizziness to pass. When I opened my eyes again, I saw my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes rimmed with red from the tears I had shed earlier. I looked like a mess, and I knew I had to pull myself together if I was going to make it through the night.
I needed to shower again, to wash away the remnants of last night and this morning. I turned on the shower, the hot water cascading down, and stepped in, letting it run over my body. I winced as the water hit my sore spots, but I gritted my teeth and bore it, knowing I had to clean up.
After my shower, I dried off and wrapped myself in a towel. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes scanning the bruises and bites that still marked my skin. I sighed, knowing there was nothing I could do to hide them completely. But I could at least try to cover them up.
I turned to my makeup bag, pulling out my foundation and concealer. I applied them carefully, trying to blend the colors into my skin, to make the bruises and bites less noticeable. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.
Next, I turned to my hair.
I wanted it to be perfect, to complement the dress and my mood. I decided to leave it down, letting it cascade in loose waves around my shoulders. I spent a few minutes taming it with a brush, then added a touch of styling product to give it some texture and volume. I left it to air dry, knowing it would fall in soft, natural curls once it was completely dry.
I turned back to the mirror, admiring my reflection. The dress, the hair, the makeup - everything was perfect. I felt confident, sexy, ready to take on the world. But as I turned to leave, I caught sight of the bruises and bites still visible on my skin.
I sighed, knowing that the dress would do little to hide them. I quickly grabbed a tube of concealer and a makeup brush, applying a thin layer to the affected areas.
I slipped on my sheer black dress, the fabric incredibly soft, almost like silk, but with a subtle sheen that caught the light and made it shimmer. It was also incredibly tight, like a second skin, hugging every curve and contour of my body as if it had been tailored just for me. The dress had long sleeves that ended just past my wrists, and the skirt flared out gently before ending mid-thigh, leaving my long, toned legs on display. But the most striking feature of the dress was its navel-plunging neckline, which dipped so low that it left a tantalizing glimpse of my navel exposed.
The sheer fabric seemed to cling to my skin, accentuating every curve and leaving little to the imagination. I couldn't help but gasp as I watched my reflection in the mirror, my heart pounding in my chest. The sheer black dress was a revelation, a masterpiece that hugged my curves in all the right places, accentuating my E-Cup bust and long, toned legs. I turned to the side, admiring the way the fabric shimmered, casting a mesmerizing dance of light across my skin. I felt like a goddess, a queen, ready to take on the world.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and turned to my makeup bag. I needed to finish getting ready, to make sure I was perfect for the Creators Award ceremony. I pulled out my foundation and concealer, applying them carefully to cover up the remaining bruises and bites.
The concealer was a miracle worker, blending seamlessly into my skin, almost making the marks disappear. I added a touch of highlighter to my cheekbones, giving my face a healthy glow, and finished with a swipe of mascara to enhance my long lashes. I stepped back to admire my reflection, satisfied with the results. The dress, the makeup, and the hair - everything was perfect.
I slipped on my heels, the click of the heels against the marble floor echoing in the room. I took one last look in the mirror, my heart pounding with anticipation.
The sheer black dress clung to my curves, accentuating every inch of my body, from the swell of my breasts to the curve of my hips. The deep V-neck plunged so low that it left a tantalizing glimpse of my navel exposed, the shimmering fabric catching the light and casting a mesmerizing dance of shadows across my skin. My hair cascaded in loose waves around my shoulders, the soft curls framing my face and drawing attention to my expressive eyes. I had applied a touch of mascara to enhance my long lashes, and a swipe of lip gloss to my full, pink lips. I looked like a goddess, ready to take on the world.
But as I turned to leave, I caught sight of the clock, my heart sinking as I realized it was already 6:06 pm. I rushed to the door, my heels clicking against the marble floor, my crotch throbbing with every step. I had to get to the lobby, to catch the bus that would accommodate the creators to the venue. I couldn't be late, not again.
As I arrived at the lobby, it was already empty, the grand marble floor echoing my hurried footsteps. I was about to rush out, when I heard a voice calling out to me. "Marina!" I turned to see Bella, the representative from the Bella organization who had been taking care of my accommodation. She was waving at me from the far end of the lobby, her eyes scanning the room. "The bus is waiting for you!" she called out, her voice echoing through the empty space. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and made my way towards her. "I'm so sorry, Bella," I said, my voice breathless.
"I overslept." Bella's eyes narrowed as she took in my appearance, her gaze lingering on my limp steps. "Marina, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain in my crotch. "Yes, I'm fine," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I just... I fell off in my bathroom. It's nothing." Bella's eyes widened, her concern turning to worry. "Oh, Marina, you should have said something," she said, her voice filled with concern. "I can have someone come up and check on you." I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest. "No, no, I'm fine," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I'll be fine, I promise." Bella hesitated, her eyes searching mine. "Alright, but if you need anything, just let me know," she said, her voice filled with concern. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Thank you, Bella," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I'll be fine." Bella nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "Alright, let's get you to the bus," she said, her voice filled with determination.
Bella led me out of the lobby, her heels clicking against the marble floor in a steady rhythm. I followed her, my own heels echoing her steps, my heart pounding in my chest. As we approached the bus, I could see that it was already filled with creators, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of their phones. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the journey ahead.
Bella led me to the bus, the hum of conversation filling the air as creators chatted excitedly. As I stepped onto the bus, I scanned the seats for an empty one, my heart sinking as I realized the only available seat was next to Matt. He was waving at me, a smirk playing on his lips, as if daring me to sit next to him. I hesitated, my mind racing. "You can do this, Marina," I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the hum of conversation. "It's just a bus ride.
It's not like we're going to be alone," I muttered to myself, steeling my nerves. I took a deep breath and made my way towards Matt, my heels clicking on the bus floor. As I approached, he stood up, his eyes never leaving mine, and gestured for me to take the window seat. I sat down, my body tense, and buckled my seatbelt, keeping my eyes fixed on the window.
Matt sat down next to me, his leg brushing against mine. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and I tried my best to ignore it.
The bus started its journey, the hum of conversation filling the air as creators chatted excitedly. Matt put his right hand on my thigh, his fingers tracing the edge of my dress. I looked back at him, my eyes widening in surprise. He leaned in, his breath hot on my ear as he whispered, "You look hot tonight, even hotter than the health and beauty female creators that I met in the lobby earlier." I felt a shiver run down my spine, my body responding to his touch despite the pain in my crotch.
"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended," I whispered back, my voice barely audible over the hum of conversation. "But thank you, Matt." His smirk deepened, and he leaned in closer, his breath hot on my ear.
Matt's smirk turned into a full-blown grin, and he leaned back in his seat, his hand still resting on my thigh. "You know, I've been thinking about our little wager," he said, his voice casual, as if we were discussing the weather.
I felt a jolt of panic, my heart pounding in my chest. I had completely forgotten about the wager, the bet we had made earlier that day. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and turned to face him.
"Matt, I remember the wager," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his. "You know, the one where I lost." He smirked, his fingers still tracing the edge of my dress, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "That's right," he said, his voice low and husky. "And you know what that means, don't you?" I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes, I know," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the hum of conversation. "I have to tell the audience that you are my sole inspiration for making solo-camping vlogs." His smirk turned into a full-blown grin, and he leaned back in his seat, his hand still resting on my thigh. "That's right," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction.
My heart sank as I realized the implications of our wager. I wanted to win the 'Outdoor Living Creator' nomination more than anything, but the thought of having to lie to the audience, of having to give Matt credit for my work, made my stomach churn. I could feel the conflict within me, the desire to win warring with my integrity. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I gazed out the window, the cityscape of Treyo City blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors.
Half an hour later, the bus arrived at the venue, and as we stepped off, the hum of the city was replaced by the soft murmur of anticipation. The grand entrance was adorned with a red carpet, the press already gathered behind the barrier, their cameras flashing, eager to capture the moment. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I realized the magnitude of the event. This was it - the night I had been preparing for, the night I had been dreaming of. But now, as I stood there, the weight of the evening settling on my shoulders, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been gnawing at me since I woke up.
Matt's hand slipped from my thigh, and I felt a sudden pang of loss, a reminder of the intimacy we had shared earlier. I glanced at him, his eyes scanning the crowd, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Showtime," he whispered, and with that, he stood up and made his way to the front of the bus. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come, and followed him.
The other creators had already begun to disembark, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they made their way down the red carpet. I lingered at the door, my heart pounding in my chest, my introverted nature making it difficult for me to join the crowd.
Through the window, I watched as the other creators, already on the red carpet, posed for photos and answered questions from the press. Some of them were clearly in their element, laughing and joking with the reporters. Others, like the serious documentary filmmaker, their answers thoughtful and measured.
I felt a pang of envy, wishing I could be as composed as they were. But as I watched them, I realized that I was the last creator still on the bus. The press had already turned their cameras towards me, their flashes illuminating the interior of the bus, casting a harsh light on my face.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable. I couldn't hide any longer. I had to face the press, to face the world. I stood up, my legs shaking slightly as I made my way to the door. The bus driver looked at me, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice low. I nodded, forcing a smile. "I just need to get off the bus."
As I stepped off the bus, the press cameras flashed, their bright lights blinding me for a moment.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable, and tried to walk straight, despite the persistent ache in my crotch. But my steps were slow, my body still protesting the movement, and I could feel the press' attention locked onto me. I heard their murmurs, their whispers, as they tried to figure out who I was, their curiosity piqued by my appearance.
"Miss Beautiful," one of the reporters called out, his voice filled with admiration. "Can we get a photo of you?" I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest, but I knew I couldn't avoid them forever. I took a deep breath and forced a smile, turning to face the cameras. The flashes went off, one after another, their bright lights blinding me for a moment. I blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness, and saw the reporters gathering around me behind the red carpet barrier, their questions coming at me in a flurry.
"What's your name?" one of them asked, his voice eager. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I'm Marina," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "And are you a beauty vlogger?" another reporter asked, his eyes scanning my face, taking in my makeup and dress. I felt a wave of panic wash over me, my heart pounding in my chest. I had never been good with interviews, with the pressure of being in the spotlight. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and forced a smile. "No, I'm not a beauty vlogger," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "I'm an outdoor living creator." The reporters exchanged glances, their eyes filled with curiosity. "Oh, really?" one of them asked, his voice filled with skepticism. "And what exactly does that entail?" I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
"I make solo-camping vlogs," I explained, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. The reporters' eyes widened, their expressions shifting from curiosity to surprise. "Really?" one of them asked, leaning in closer. "That's... unique." I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "It's not as easy as it looks," I admitted, my voice filled with a mix of pride and humility. "It takes a lot of planning and preparation, but it's incredibly rewarding." The reporters exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a newfound respect. "That's amazing," one of them said, her voice filled with admiration. "And how did you get into solo-camping?" another reporter asked, his voice eager. I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing as I tried to come up with a suitable answer. "It started as a hobby," I said, my voice casual.
"But it quickly became a passion. I love being out in nature, away from all the noise and distractions of the city." Just then, another reporter leaned in, her eyes scanning my dress. "That's a stunning dress you're wearing, Marina," she said, her voice filled with admiration.
"Can you tell us more about it?"
I took a deep breath, my mind flashing back to the moment I had first seen the dress. "The fabric is incredibly soft," I began, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. "It's almost like silk, but with a subtle sheen that catches the light and makes it shimmer. It's also incredibly tight, like a second skin, hugging every curve and contour of my body as if it had been tailored just for me. The dress has long sleeves that end just past my wrists, and the skirt flares out gently before ending mid-thigh, leaving my long, toned legs on display. But the most striking feature of the dress is its navel-plunging neckline, which dips so low that it leaves a tantalizing glimpse of my navel exposed. The sheer fabric seems to cling to my skin, accentuating every curve and leaving little to the imagination."
I feel a shiver run down my spine as I realize the reporters' eyes are drawn to the plunging neckline of my dress, their gazes lingering on the exposed skin of my navel. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and continue my explanation.
"The dress is a symbol of my duality," I say, my voice filled with conviction. "It represents the balance between my adventurous spirit and my feminine allure."
The reporters exchange glances, their eyes filled with curiosity. "And why did you choose this dress for the Creators Award ceremony?" one of them asks, her voice eager.
I smile, my mind flashing back to the moment I had first seen the dress. "My followers and watchers actually gave me the idea," I say, my voice filled with gratitude. "They encouraged me to embrace my femininity while still showcasing my adventurous side. And this dress, with its sheer fabric and plunging neckline, does just that. It's a statement, a declaration of my identity as a creator who isn't afraid to break the mold."
The reporters nod, their expressions shifting from curiosity to admiration. "That's amazing," one of them says, her voice filled with respect.
"And how do you feel about being nominated for the 'Outdoor Living Creator' award tonight?" another reporter asks, her eyes scanning my face.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the question. "I'm incredibly honored," I say, my voice filled with sincerity. "It's a testament to all the hard work and dedication I've put into my vlogs. I'm excited to be here, to be recognized among such talented creators."
Just then, I hear a voice calling out my name. I turn to see Bella, the representative from the Bella organization, waving at me from the entrance of the auditorium. "We need to get you inside," she says, her voice urgent. I nod, turning back to the reporters. "I'm sorry, but I have to go," I say, my voice apologetic.
The reporters nod, their eyes filled with understanding. "Thank you for your time, Marina," one of them says, his voice filled with respect. I smile, my heart pounding in my chest, and make my way towards Bella. As I approach her, she takes my arm, her grip firm and reassuring. "Are you ready for this?" she asks, her voice low. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. "As ready as I'll ever be," I say, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. Bella nods, her eyes filled with pride, and leads me into the auditorium.
The grand entrance is a sight to behold, the stage pristine and adorned with lush greenery and elegant lighting. The seating area is packed with thousands of creators, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of their phones, their chatter filling the air. I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest, as I realize the magnitude of the event. This is it - the night I had been preparing for, the night I had been dreaming of. But now, as I stand there, the weight of the evening settling on my shoulders, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been gnawing at me since I woke up.
As we make our way down the aisle, I can feel the eyes of the creators on me, their gazes lingering on my dress, on my face. I try to ignore them, to focus on the task at hand, but the pressure is overwhelming.
I can feel the eyes of the creators on me, their gazes lingering on my dress, on my face. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, as Bella leads me down the aisle towards my seat. I scan the row, my heart sinking as I realize that I am seated next to Matt again. He is already there, his eyes scanning the room, a smirk playing on his lips. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable, and make my way towards him. Bella gestures for me to take my seat, her eyes filled with concern. she whispers, her voice low. I nod, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Bella," I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Just a little nervous." Bella nods, her eyes filled with pride, and makes her way back down the aisle.
As I sit down next to Matt, he turns to me, his eyes scanning my face. "What took you so long?" he asks, his voice casual. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "I was being interviewed back on the red carpet," I explain, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. Matt's eyes widen in surprise, his smirk turning into a full-blown grin. he asks, his voice filled with admiration. "You're a natural." I force a smile, trying to hide the nervous flutter in my stomach. "Thanks," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I guess I'm just not used to all this attention." Matt's smirk deepens, his eyes never leaving mine. "You're doing great," he says, his voice low and husky. "You should see the way they're looking at you." I follow his gaze, my eyes scanning the room. The creators are indeed watching me, their eyes filled with admiration and curiosity. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, as the host takes the stage. The room falls silent, the hum of conversation replaced by the soft murmur of anticipation. The host, a charismatic woman with a booming voice, begins to speak, her words echoing through the auditorium. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Creators Award ceremony!" she exclaims, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Tonight, we celebrate the best of the best, the creators who have pushed the boundaries of their craft and inspired us all."