I Got Hot, He Got Desperate Chapter 08
Molly’s POV
DAMN IT!
The big screen started playing a video–all my old photos. Thick glasses, messy hair, outdated clothes, that humiliating cafeteria
fall…
Every past moment I wanted to forget was brutally displayed for everyone to see.
Students below started murmuring.
“What the hell?”
“What’s going on?”
“Is this really the same Molly?”
Madison smirked from the side of the stage. She grabbed the microphone.
“Everyone! Look at who you’re about to vote for!” Her voice was shrill and vicious. “This is your so–called ‘natural beauty‘! Plastic surgery, fake hair, filters–it’s ALL FAKE!”
The murmurs grew louder. Standing under the spotlight, I felt
every gaze cutting into me like knives.
That psycho bitch! She actually did it!
My hands started trembling. That familiar shame washed over me, just like falling in the cafeteria three months ago.
But then I saw Ryan in the crowd.
His gaze was steady and gentle, mouthing, “You are beautiful.”
Suddenly, I remembered Caroline’s words: “Beauty isn’t about pleasing others–it’s about becoming the most powerful version of yourself.”
No, I couldn’t let Madison win. I wasn’t that weak girl anymore.
I took a deep breath and grabbed the microphone back.
“Yes, that was me.” My voice was clear and firm.
The crowd quieted.
“I used to be shy, insecure, mocked. But you know what? I’m
PROUD of my transformation.”
I looked at Madison, no fear in my eyes, only calm strength.
“Madison wanted to shame me with my past, but she’s wrong. My past isn’t my humiliation–it’s my POWER.”
Applause began.
“I learned to love myself, to be brave, to stand up against
injustice. THAT is true beauty.”
The applause grew stronger.
“While some people,” I looked at Madison, “choose to hurt others to hide their own emptiness. Tell me, does someone like that deserve to be your queen?”
“NO!” voices called from below.
“Molly! Molly! MOLLY!”
Students began chanting my name.
Madison’s face turned ugly. Her vicious plan had completely
backfired.
Fuck you, Madison!
“Now announcing the results!” the host said excitedly. “The winner by a landslide–Molly Baker!”
The entire hall erupted in thunderous applause.
I couldn’t believe it. I actually won! I fucking WON!
The host approached with the sparkling crown. Just as I prepared to receive it-
CRASH!
A deafening sound, and the stage suddenly shook violently!
“What the hell?!”
I felt the floor cracking beneath my feet, supporting beams making horrible twisting sounds.
“Oh SHIT!” someone screamed.
The stage began tilting. I lost my balance and started falling.
“Molly!” Ryan’s terrified voice echoed from afar.
This was Madison’s final strike! That psycho had sabotaged the stage structure to KILL me!
I flailed in mid–air, trying to grab something, but everything happened too fast. Below was the dark passage under the stage-
if I fell…
Just as I was about to plunge into the death trap, a figure suddenly rushed from the side.
Albert!
He pushed me away with all his strength, but momentum carried us both down.
Falling into darkness, my last thought was: Why did HE save me?
The impact sent my world into blackness.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in the cold
underground passage. My knee was scraped, the expensive dress
torn, but I was alive.
Albert lay beside me, face pale with pain. His left arm was
twisted at an unnatural angle.
“Fuck…” he said through gritted teeth. “I think my arm’s
broken.”
“Are you okay?” he turned to ask me, despite obvious agony.
“I’m fine.” I looked at him with mixed feelings. “Albert… why
did you save me?”
Albert smiled bitterly. “Because… even if you hate me, I couldn’t
watch you get hurt.”
We were trapped in this narrow space, the only exit blocked by fallen debris and broken beams. Dust continued falling from the
ceiling.
“Molly,” Albert suddenly said, voice filled with desperate determination. “I want to use this chance… to tell you
something.”
“Albert…” I wanted to stop him. I didn’t want to deal with these
complicated emotions now.
“Please, let me finish.” His eyes held pain–not just physical. “I know I have no right, but…”
He looked deeply at me. “I love you, Molly. I’ve ALWAYS fucking loved you.”
My heart clenched.
“Those hurtful words, that cold behavior… it was all my fault. I
was blinded by vanity, wanted to fit in with that crowd, so I
chose to hurt the person I loved most.”
Albert’s voice trembled. “Seeing you now–so beautiful, so
confident–I realize what I lost. I lost the most important person
in my life.”
“Molly, give me one chance to prove my love. Let us start over,
please?”
I looked into his sincere eyes, complex emotions swirling within me.
This man had once been my whole world. Now, at life’s critical
moment, he chose to save me.
But…
“Albert,” I took a deep breath. “I’m grateful you saved me
tonight. It showed me the goodness in your heart.”
“But?” Hope flashed in his eyes.
“But love can’t be restarted.” I said softly. “You say you love me,
but what do you love? The radiant me now, or the humble me three months ago?”
Albert froze.
“True love sees your light when you’re at your darkest. Not remembering your worth only after you start shining.”
I looked at him with no hatred, only calm understanding.
“Albert, you might not love me—you love the regret of losing
something. The real me has found someone who treasured me
from day one.”
Pain flashed in Albert’s eyes, then understanding.
“It’s Ryan.” He smiled bitterly.
“It’s Ryan.” I confirmed.
Just then, we heard voices above.
“Molly! MOLLY! Where are you?!”
Ryan’s voice, and rescue teams shouting.
Soon, machinery roared, debris was cleared, bright lights flooded in.
Ryan’s face appeared at the opening, filled with worry and panic. Seeing me, his relief melted my heart.
“Thank GOD! Molly!”
He jumped down and held me tight. That familiar warmth and scent instantly calmed me.
“I thought I lost you.” His voice shook. “I fucking thought I lost
you.”
“I’m fine.” I whispered in his arms. “Albert saved me.”
Ryan looked at injured Albert, complex emotions in his eyes.
Then he extended his hand. “Thank you for saving her.”
Albert grasped Ryan’s hand with his uninjured one. “Take care
of her. She deserves everything.”
Back in the ballroom, everyone cheered for my safety.
Madison was already restrained by campus security. Her stage sabotage was completely recorded on surveillance cameras- legal punishment and expulsion awaited her.
Watching Madison being led away, I felt only one thing: serves her right.
“Now, let’s restart the coronation ceremony!” the host announced excitedly.
I stood center stage on the makeshift platform. Though my dress was damaged and makeup imperfect, I’d never felt more
beautiful.
Ryan walked onto the stage, holding the sparkling crown.
“In my eyes,” he said tenderly, “you’ve always been queen, anytime, anywhere.”
When the crown was placed on my head, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
Ryan caressed my cheek, then gave me a passionate kiss witnessed by everyone.
In that moment, I truly tasted victory’s sweetness.
Not just defeating Madison, not just being crowned queen, but conquering my past self and finding truly worthy love.