10. Presents Come With Strings

I woke up the next day to the sound of an alarming. Hmm… just kidding. This is not one of those cliché books. And, besides I hadn’t even had enough time to purchase a new alarm for the apartment we just moved into, weeks ago.

I didn’t even know the time because there was absolutely no way, I could check it. My wristwatch was long damaged and my phone was damaged from yesterday’s rain. Thus, I stood up and entered the shower. It was funny that there was this amount of luxury in our new house. This was nothing compared to the old one in a bit.

I had freshened up and dressed up afterwards. I went for a shirt, wearing a sleeveless black cardigan and a loose skirt that stopped below my knee. There was no essence of dressing so much if I would end up changing my outfit throughout the day. I had never been the one to even have numerous choices of clothes. I mean where was the money to afford to even afford them?

As I checked on mum, I had continuously thought of the events that happened yesterday. Liam had kissed me in front of the press. There would be surely be gist drawn from merely that.

I felt pained and angered that he stole my first kiss of all things. I had never even prepared for any of this to happen, but somehow it did… And, I didn’t even have a say in it. This was exactly why I had agreed to Chloe’s bet.

I mean, she probably didn’t understand how I hated Liam.

I was going to prove to her that she was hell wrong about me ever falling for Liam.

…

By the time I had gotten to the office, I received greetings from different angles. I replied them accordingly. After this, I went inside the photoshoot room. Next, the dressing room. It was still as vibrant as ever, lited with white lights.

Hardin had just finished with a model’s face. The model slowly stood up from her seat and I recognized her that instant. She was the same one who had acted rudely me that day. What did Hardin say her name was again…?

Jojo something…

Yeah, Jojo Lopez.

“The one who’s stealing my spot and my fiancé.” I heard her say. At first, I looked back assuming she was talking to someone at my back. But she seemed more focused on me.

“I’m sorry, are you referring to me?” I asked her swiftly, to clarify.

“Yeah, you demonic cow. Don’t think I’m going to seat back and allow you to do that. I will surely get back at you for what you’re doing.” She said.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about, Jojo. Could you be clearer instead of calling me a demonic cow?” I asked her.

“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you didn’t know I was engaged to Liam. Or didn’t you know I was the star model in this industry?” she asked, watching me with her blue eyes. I had to say she was strikingly beautiful. Yet, by her action of pointing fingers and saying some things out of blue, I knew she was one of those brainless bimbos who thought they had the world at their feet.

How was the fact that she was engaged to Liam even my business?

Urrgh!

“Am I some witch to know that? What’s your point, please? I have things to do so please make it quick.” I uttered. Her eye brows immediately furrowed.

“I want you to stay away from my man and leave my spot as the star model. You see, some things are better left the way it is.” She said.

Just as she did, she sashayed out of there in her stylish outfit for the day. My eyes directed to her figure as she went out the door. I really wished I could yell to her face that I wasn’t dating her fiancé or trying to steal her spot in the industry. But I was a type of person that didn’t like explaining myself one bit.

“Miss Nikki.” I heard a voice say. It was Hardin’s. I had so been engrossed in thinking about Jojo that I forgot I still needed to put on makeup for the shoot.

“You can call me Eleanor, Harry. Nikki’s my media name.” I told him politely.

“Miss Eleanor, you don’t have to take whatever she says to heart. No one can deny that Jojo behaves like a kid at times.” He said.

I nodded my head, sitting down on the chair for him to commence. Though, something lingered at the back of my head…

“Hardin?” I called out.

“Yes, girlie?” he answered.

“Is Jojo Lopez really engaged to Liam James?” I asked.

“Rumors say they had a fling together but I don’t know if they are still on. I’ve never heard anything about them being engaged though.” he told me.

“I’ll advise you not to let that sadist ruin your relationship with Liam. Just focus on your love for him and nothing more.” He said.

I wanted to scream that I wasn’t even dating Liam. But I sealed my mouth and just nodded politely at him. I balled my fists, trying to keep myself in total control. I wasn’t about to make matters worse.

…

Hardin had done my makeup on time. He told me that mine was special because my face was his favorite. I knew he was just trying to make me feel better after that Jojo’s encounter.

“This way, Miss Nikki.” A fashion designer told me. She scanned through the clothes that had each specific model name on it.

“What’s your number?” she asked me.

“1.” I told her. That was the number my manager, Margaret had given me automatically.

“1? You’re a VIP model?” she said shockingly, looking at my attire from my upper body to the lower part.

“Y-eah.” I said, nodding at her. She immediately looked through the rack of clothes for some dresses. I watched as she went through each single cloth on the rack. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she made her way to another rack.

I waited patiently as she ransacked each set of cloth rack. Still, there was nothing to be found. She had a fearful expression on her face.

“Where did it go?” I heard her mutter to herself. Her face held a look of worry. She seemed so timid and scared of something.

“What is wrong?” I asked her. She looked up. Her eyes moved, searching for the dress she wanted to give me.

“It’s y-your dress.” She said, with her eyes filled with panic.

“What about it?” I asked her.

“I can’t find it. I had left it specially at this spot.” She said, pointing to the exact spot she had left it.

“It’s ok. I could wear another thing.” I told her politely.

“You don’t understand, Miss. A special outfit is always reserved for the VIP model. You are going to be the cover girl.” She told me.

Then where was this dress?

Did someone mistakenly pick it up?

“Looking for this?” Someone said. My eyes immediately re-directed to where that voice had come from. It was Jojo, in a very beautiful outfit, sashaying towards us.

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