Claire’s POV.
I pace restlessly in the restroom, my chest rising and falling in anger.
That wicked witch has messed things up for me. Of course, she chose to sample Rosaline’s dress rather than mine. And Bruce and Deen took her sides.
Why did Deen make her the lead model in the first place? She wasn’t supposed to be that. If I knew he’d make anyone a lead model for the upcoming show, I’d have chosen the person for myself.
Damn, Deen!
“Ugh!!” I groan under my breath at the thoughts and continue my pacing.
All the time, I’ve thinking of how to make this lead model thing stop. A lead model is the one the sponsors, audience, and judges will focus more on all the time she’ll parade the stage.
She shouldn’t be that and the fact that she chose Rosaline’s brand means that as the lead model, she’ll only sample Rosaline’s dresses….
Dammit!
I roar again, smacking my fist against the sink.
The door of the last stall rattles and I turn to see a lady walking out of it while arranging the skirt of her dress.
“Oh, hey…. hope you’re okay? I heard you groaning.” She asks with a concerned expression but I wave her off. “Huh, strange.” She mutters.
She stands before the mirror and fixes her makeup back up. She applies another round of red lipstick to her already fading ones and then fixes her hair before leaving.
The instant she left the restroom, I go over, grab my cell, and call Deen.
“Deen, meet up in the restroom. Now. Please.” I hurriedly speak into the phone.
He slurs his response which I barely heard as a result of the dull roars of conversation going on in his background.
“Yo, Claire. You gonna see me soon.” He slurs and hangs up the call.
I rest my hands on the sink, resting my head between my shoulders when I hear the door click open.
Looking up, I see Deen’s lean frame shadowing the door. He looks like he’s been drinking. His voice over the phone earlier says a lot about that.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, barreling inside.
With a huff, I release all my pent-up frustration… “How could you make Vera the led model for the ‘Tell with you body show?'”
Deen’s eyes dimmed when he found out I was serious about my complaint.
“As one of the organizers of this goddamn show. I had the right to also decide on who will play that role, Deen!”
My last roar makes him start scratching his hair like a child. Grunting, I roll my head skyward.
“But…she could do well, Claire. She’s proven she’s a good model. Take a look at her killer body…”
“Don’t even go there!” I rashly say, throwing my hands up.
Deen doesn’t know the cold war I and that little witchy prostitute are fighting. The fact that he reminds me of her killer curvy body! It makes me way snap his neck into two.
“Oh, damn.” Deen comments, looking closely at me. “I guess, I’m sorry.” He says gruffly, fingering his hair.
“Don’t be sorry, Deen. It’s not what I want.” I bark at him. “What I want is for you to call it off. Change her. Right away.”
Deen chuckles, inching closer to me. He raises my chin and presses his thumb along my dry lips.
“Not anymore, Claire.” He shrugs and I scrunch my brows.
It’s all making sense now. My eyes narrow when I look at his traitorous face.
“You son of a bitch! You’re crushing on her, aren’t you!”
“I guess you can say so. I know she’s going to taste better.” He smirks.
“Fuck you, Deen. So fucking fuck you!” I bark and he only smirks.
“Claire, let’s not forget who owns this agency. One mad night in Las Vegas doesn’t automatically make you one of the owners of Day Dreams agency, hmm?”
My chest expands in fury as I drink in his words. Yeah, he’s right. It was three fuck in one night in Las Vegas that gave me a chance in Days Dreams agency. But who the fuck cares?
I gotta do what I gotta do for my damn brand!
“My money is in that show. I helped to organize it!” I whine, thrashing my hands around.
“That still doesn’t make you an owner, Claire. If others fall on their knees to get something from you. I’ll be the last person to do it. Just a tip of a dick in your pussy and you’ll succumb.” He states with a smirk. My face reddened at his words.
“You used me!?” I growl.
“Yes, admitted I did Claire. I want my agency to grow as much as you want your brand to grow. And you know what? I’ve got bigger guys in the picture now…”
Deen’s smile turns to a full-blown laugh and it makes me wonder who the bigger guys are.
“Let me save you the stress, love. David Truman sponsored the Day Dreams show an hour ago with two hundred thousand dollars, far better than you could.”
Oh my God. David put in such an amount of money? Just because of that…that girl?
What’s going on between them? His actions far exceed that of an ex-foster father looking out for his ex-foster daughter.
Could…they be dating?
Dang it! I need to find out. I hope it’s not what I’m thinking. I hope David doesn’t love that bitch ’cause things will turn wild if I confirm my suspicions that he’s been fucking her.
David’s mine. And I must do whatever it takes to keep him.
Not even a hopeless Vera can stand a chance!
*
*
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>>> Vera’s POV>>>>
The hall is filled with roars of conversation and I watch, darting my eyes around as I wait for Bruce to return from the restroom.
He’s been with me since I stepped in here, chattering and throwing questions about me back and forth.
I like him. He definitely has a good sense of humor. Well, Bruce literally doesn’t
act like he looks. At all.
Whenever I see his pictures, I always think he’s going be like other Male models who are mean and care much about their looks.
But…damn, he surprised
when I stepped in here and he marched up to my side and struck up a conversation with me.
All the time I have been chatting with Bruce, Corbin, my assistant stood by the side tossing grins and winks my way, cheering us up.
Does he think I’m into him? I think to myself, smiling.
Actually, the way people were staring at Bruce and me before I guess that’s what they were also thinking.
I get it. Bruce is handsome in his own way but he can’t beat David’s
look.
Though he’s upbeat, he doesn’t strike me as someone who can pamper the hell out of me like David does.
David is sure bossy. Dominant. Possessive. But he handles me just fine. And it makes me feel whatever else another man gives or will give will be inadequate compared to his….
Vera, you’re in love…the tiny voice in my head goes off again.
My heart flutters along with the butterflies in my belly. It’s not true. I’m just praising the man. Just praising David.
I can’t be the one to let any feeling I have mature first.
I fucking can’t.
Still reeling in thoughts, I toss a look around and I see Corbin in the midst of other models. The males, of course, chattering away with them.
But…. there’s one in particular that Corbin keeps stealing glances at…
Corbin is sure interested in and I wonder if the guy is equally into Corbin.
Diverting my gaze from them, I spot Claire stomping out of the hallway, her face twitching with anger.
A mischievous smile takes up my lips. I know she’s stewing about my decision earlier.
And I love it.
This is me showing the goddamn prostitute that I have power, regardless.
“Ahem!” Someone coughs behind me and I turn, my eyes clashing with Deen’s.
The manager, ugh! One of the guys that wants to have me by all means since I walked into Day Dreams. I know he intentionally chose me as the lead model earlier. Just to get on my good side.
Well, I didn’t reject it because it meant I’d have the opportunity to punish Claire, which I already did.
I stir a bit in my seat, dropping the glass of wine hanging loosely between my fingers.
“Mr. Deen.” I greet them with cheerful smiles.
“Vera. May I?” He gestures to the empty seat beside me, the one Bruce was sitting on earlier and I nod.
“Yes, please,” I mutter, managing a grin.
Talking a sit, Deen looks back at me and smirks again. “I see you’re enjoying your time with Bruce…”
“Yeah, sure. He has a good sense of humor.”
“Does he?”
Deen questions and I curtly nod.
He takes a swallow of his saliva and engages his gaze on me once again.
“Vera…” he tries to hold my hand but I draw back a little. “I see you’ve not accepted me. Why don’t
you give me a chance, hmm?” He asks, cocking a brow up.
“I already told you, I’m n interested.”
“But you don’t strike me as someone that has a man…”
The heck? Of course, I do. Though it’s too bad, we’re just sex partners. Nothing more. At least that’s what the contract says. I remember the night David made me sign the contract, my heart singe at the thought.
Why can’t he propose to me as his woman? Why can’t he go public with me?
Thoughts about that make me remember Claire and her admission that she and David were lovers.
Looking up, I see her watching Deen and me from across the room, making my heart bitter.
The obstacle between me and my dream man. Bitch.
“Well, Mr. Deen. I’d rather not talk about that…” I state firmly, rising to my feet.
The instant I try to step away, Deen’s voice tosses through the air, reaching my ears.
“Anyways, thanks, Vera. We got sponsored by David Truman because of you.”
My heart stops at the mention of David’s name.
Why would he do that? Besides how did he know about the ‘Tell with your body show’ which I even found out about today?
Questions spiral through my mind but as my eyes drive around the hall, it lands on one bulky man.
Andrei.
So it was he who informed David?
Nodding at Deen, I gather the skirt of my dress in my hands and begin walking across the room to Andrei, my heart simmering….
To be continued….