CHAPTER 4

“I made it clear you should stay out of the arena, Ana!” Kier said immediately he pulled me out. He looked pretty angry.

Before I could even say anything or try explaining myself, he raised his hand, stopping me and walking away, leaving me no choice but to take a cab to the Titans main house and find Kier’s apartment myself.

It took me a few minutes to get to his apartment and once I got in, I let out a sigh of relief. I walked into the guest room and fell flatly on the bed, closing my eyes for a few minutes.

A sudden realization began to sink in slowly. There was no way I could survive in my overprotective brother's apartment.

I tipped my wallet upside down to dump my remaining cash on the bed and I counted the bills slowly. The total amount was a miserable forty-two dollars.

I knew Kier had plenty of money he'd made from his hockey career and I knew a little amount to get on my feet wasn't a problem to him, but I had a deep sense of my own pride.

I couldn't and would not depend too much on him, so I prayed silently I really could get a gig that'd help my career from the mess that it is already in.

*

I had spent the next two days doing some heavy lifting.

I had reached out to lots of local magazines, local sports galleries, and even small independent photography studios, but every single conversation ended exactly the same way.

The managers accepted me but once they knew who I was, I'd immediately be getting a formal rejection. It became so obvious now that my name had been thoroughly blacklisted because of the false accusations!

‘I didn't do it!’ I groaned painfully.

But then, I didn't blame other companies who wouldn't let me work with them. Nobody would want to hire a photographer who was suspected of stealing and selling private athlete images.

“Bella!” I gasped suddenly, immediately pulling out my phone and dialing her line.

Bellamy worked as an assistant at a major sports magazine in the city, and she was the only person who still believed I never did what I was accused of. Of course, she was my best friend.

We'd later scheduled a launch meeting at a small diner down the street.

~

I couldn't help but lash out all my frustrations while Bella listened to me without interrupting for even a second.

“And yeah, that's it. I'm really frustrated, Bell,” I told her, heaving out the long breath I had been holding while I watched her sip her coffee before she spoke.

“I'm glad you reached out to me today,” She said, bringing out a paper and placing it in front of me.

"Take a look at this, Ana," She said, tapping her finger on the top page.

I frowned, leaning forward so I could get hold of the main context. “What is this?”

"The New York Titans just fired their official team photographer this morning," Bellamy explained, lowering her voice. "The guy got caught red-handed leaking private practice footage to a rival team's management, and the franchise is completely desperate for a replacement who can start immediately. They need someone who can travel with the team on their upcoming road trip, and they don't have time to run a massive search."

I looked at the salary listed at the bottom of the document, and my eyes widened completely when I saw the numbers. This amount is perfectly what I need to get back on my feet and it could help restore my reputation if I decide to go solo.

“Bella, this is an incredible opportunity, but I can't apply for this. I'd hate coming face to face with my overprotective brother every single time."

“But do you really have any choice?” She asked and genuinely, I don't.

I looked down at the document and gritted my teeth slightly.

Really, this was the only opportunity I had and if I completely ignored it because I was trying to avoid my brother and that cold knuckle head, I wasn't sure if I'd really get any other opportunities soon enough.

And my financial situation also left me no room to be picky or hesitant about my options.

"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath and nodding. "You're right. I have to try."

"That's the spirit," Bellamy said with a bright smile, and she immediately pulled out her own phone. "I know the Titans' marketing director personally because we handled their media day last month, and I can get you in the door. Give me a sec."

She made a quick phone call right there and it worked!

She managed to secure an immediate interview for me this afternoon!

“Thank you sweetie,” I said, hugging her tightly while she chuckled. “You're a life saver.”

“Get going Ana, best of luck!” She smiled while I grabbed my bag and hurried back to Kier's apartment. Luckily, he hadn't come back since the situation with Thiago.

I grabbed my portfolio binder, containing my best sports action photos and waited a few hours till I was notified to appear for the interview.

The marketing director’s was located on the top floor of the team facility and a middle-aged man named Mr. Hunts had handled the interview.

All through the interview, I held my breath because I was completely nervous while I watched him examine my shots, watching the way his eyebrows raised as he looked at my work.

"These are exceptional, Anastasia," Mr. Hunts said, closing the binder and looking up at me with a genuinely impressed expression. "Your timing is perfect, and you clearly know how to capture fast movement without blurring the frame. We need someone who can start right now, and your work proves you have the talent to handle our players."

"Thank you, Mr. Hunts," I said. "I am completely ready to start immediately, and I can assure you that I take team privacy very seriously."

"That is exactly what I need to hear after the disaster we had this morning," he said, and he pulled a legal contract out of his desk drawer and slid a pen toward me. "The position is yours if you want it."

I picked up the pen without a single second of hesitation, and read through before signing my name at the bottom of the pages.

Mr. Hunts took the signed papers, smiled warmly.

I waited for a few more minutes before I got handed my official media badge. My photo was printed clearly on the front right under the bold blue letters of the New York Titans logo.

"Welcome to the team, Anastasia," He said, shaking my hand. "This badge grants you full access to the team house, the locker room, the practice rinks, and the team planes. Your first assignment is tomorrow morning before the players board the bus for the away-game road trip."

"I will be here early," I promised, taking the badge and slipping it around my neck.

After we finalized anything else, I walked out of his office with a big smile on my face. I lifted the badge in my hand, staring down at it as I reached the elevators.

I felt a strange mixture of relief and nervousness as I slowly realized most of my worries were now over, but I also knew my life was about to become incredibly complicated.

There was absolutely no way I could avoid Thiago Cruz or my brother anymore.