Cristelle was not facing him. She faltered a bit as she heard Micky’s voice, but she soon resumed buttoning Jasper’s shirt again.
Jasper noticed her hesitation. One of his hands balled up into a fist.
“Friesley, come to my office,” Linford said coldly.
Cristelle put her hands down, “I’m still doing my job, Mr. Bradley. Could you summon me later?”
The silence in the studio was intense. No one dared to make any sound.
Linford had been seen on the front pages with Miss Friesley so many times. There were multiple versions of rumors about these two online. But none of them knew the truth.
Linford suddenly said, “If you don’t want to join me…. Guess I have to decide on the new teacher for Candace’s piano lesson alone.”
Was this jerk threatening her again by using her baby girl?
Cristelle huffed and turned away, trying to cope with his fast pace.
However, Jasper suddenly grabbed her arm, “Cristelle, why don’t you finish your work before leaving? The shooting is starting soon.”
Linford’s eyes fell on Jasper’s hand. He looked like he wanted to kill someone.
“It’s okay. Donny, come here and help Jasper with his garments. I’ll be back soon,” Cristelle gives Jasper an apologetic look before walking away.
Linford suddenly walked toward her and grabbed her waist, pulling her in. Everyone got nervous. Jasper was so pissed off that he almost knocked off the rack hanging his clothes.
Why did it have to be Linford Bradley?!
He had been cut off from his family. He couldn’t even hold a candle to this man now.
Marcus’s assistant whispered to his colleague, “Rumor says Miss Friesley is a third wheel who tries to be Mrs. Bradley using her babies… But it just didn’t seem true.”
Mr. Bradley was clearly announcing ownership in front of everyone by doing that.
The murmurs died as Linford took Cristelle out of the scene.
****
Cristelle tried pretty hard to get rid of Linford in his office, “Could you stop? Cody will be so pissed off if he sees this.”
Cody?
She really thought he was scared of that boy? Or was she seriously relying on a five-year-old?
Cristelle looked genuinely pissed off. Linford knew he should stop poking at her, or there would only be arguments.
So he sighed, “Didn’t we have an agreement last night? You promised you won’t seek a stepfather for the babies before they grow up.”
Cristelle snapped, “When did I ever try to do that?”
Linford was pretty bitter, “You just did it in the studio, and everyone saw that.”
“Bullshit! Jasper and I are just friends.”
Linford was so angry, too, “Yeah. You probably think you two are friends, but none of us can be sure what that guy thought when he was so up close to you, can we?”
“Oh my gosh, Linford! You’re so annoying. I was just trying to work.”
“Can’t you work with other models? What? Was he the only one you could work with in that studio?”
“I didn’t even know he would show up today. Why do you keep interfering with my job?” Cristelle raised her hands in frustration.
Linford had been waiting for this one. His voice was calm, “So you didn’t know? Good. I’ll get those models changed immediately.”
Cristelle tried to stop him, “No! You can’t just fire someone for a nonsense reason like this.”
“Why? So I just have to endure when he keeps his filthy eyes on my wife?”
“You’re delusional! I told you we’re friends, and this is just my job. Can you get your mind out of the gutter?” Cristelle was utterly annoyed by the way he reacted. Was Linford Bradley doing this on purpose?
Linford stared at her, “You think I can’t do that? I am your boss and your babies’ father. I can do whatever I want.”
“Of course. Why don’t you fire me as well? So I don’t need to see your face anymore,” Cristelle glared back at him.
Linford was so pissed off that he laughed, “So you’re quitting your job because of that man.”
“Yes, I am,” Cristelle couldn’t calm down, “If you fire him, I’ll also go.”
She whipped away and tried to leave, but Linford was faster. He grabbed her shoulder and pushed her against the wall. Cristelle heard the click when he locked the door, knowing she was in trouble.
“I’ll be an idiot if I believe there’s nothing going on between you two. If you two are just friends, why are you so mad when I said I was gonna fire him?”
Cristelle tried to push him away, but he was too strong. “There’s NOTHING going on! I don’t care what other people think. I argued with you because you’re such a control freak. Jasper’s trying to start a business. If you fire him right now, you will ruin his career from the beginning. I don’t want to feel guilty for ruining his life.”
Linford huffed, “Why should you feel guilty?”
“He’s my friend. He helped me when I was at my lowest. He’s been helping the babies and me since a long time ago. How can I not feel guilty if you fire him just because you’re being delusional?” Cristelle was feeling even sadder as she spilled the facts, “You always get what you want growing up. You will never know how much a true friend means.”
Cristelle’s words cut like a knife. Linford was so angry, but he couldn’t even know what he was so mad at. He put his hands down at the end. Cristelle walked out of his office instantly.
****
When she went back to the studio, everyone looked concerned.
Jasper asked, “Are you okay, Cristelle? You look pale. Did he give you trouble because of me?”
Cristelle shook her head, “I’m okay… It’s just a conversation about babies. It has nothing to do with you.”
“Good… Marcus said we were gonna do an outdoor shooting by the sea tomorrow. Are you gonna come with us?”
Cristelle hesitated for a while before agreeing, “Of course.”
Jasper was happy to hear that, “Cristelle, do you want to go out with me for dinner? I want to thank you for….”
Cristelle shook her head, “You don’t need to thank me for anything. This is just my job.”
Jasper suddenly lost for words, “See you tomorrow at the airport then.”
“Okay,” Cristelle said gloomily and turned away.