"Mr. Makris!" Alonso jumped up and moved over to him. "It's an honor to meet you finally. I am Alonso, Lorena's manager." He stretched his hands for a handshake, like a little boy who just met his idol. Lorena was disgusted. In truth, Alonso was just happy Lorena's husband-to-be was around to keep Tim away. He didn't trust the Frenchman and his saccharine tongue."Nice to meet you too, Alonso." He took his hands and even managed a smile. Lorena's frown deepened. She couldn't even muster a pretend smile to save herself."Makris, this is my director and head photographer, Tim. He'll be handling the shoot today." Tina said, pointing to Tim."Hello, Tim." Makris stretched out his hands.Tim gave him a once-over before slowly stretching his hand to accept the handshake. Makris grinned when the man applied a little pressure on his hands before quickly withdrawing it. Someone was trying to come off as intimidating, and it would be a damn good day for him.Tina cleared her throat, interrupti
"Lorena!" Makris called, following behind her, but she ignored him while searching for Tim. She expected to see at least some staff outside, but the places closest to the office she had been left alone with Makris were all empty. She took a turn and bumped into someone."Lorena?" Alonso held on to her. "I got your message. What's wrong?" He asked, brushing her face."Nothing is wrong. Ignore the message. I'm ready for my shoot." She said, stepping out of Alonso's embrace."You are?" Makris said, making the round."You heard me, my darling." She said with a fake smile while also mimicking Laura's voice. His brow raised, giving her a steady look. She shrugged, and her smile increased. If he thought he had figured her out completely, he was a joker. If he only knew she did, Broadway shows as an actress in disguise. Maybe it was time. Markris learned she was not the one to toy with."Very well then, my dear, let's do it." He said, his eyes never leaving her face. To an onlooker, they were
"My God!" Tim walked to her. "You are breathtaking!""Thank you, Tim," She smiled, despite the rioting storm she was within herself. This was the one place her acting skills helped. She took in a deep breath, ready to perform for a lifetime."Sweetheart, you look gorgeous! Doesn't she Mark?" Tina came in with Alonso squealed."Mark?" Lorena thought, almost rolling her eyes."She does," Markris cleared his throat. "Shall we begin now?" It took a lot of effort to tear his eyes away from her—even more, effort to act nonchalant. Still, no matter where he set his gaze, her scent lingered in his brain. The picture she presented swirled around his head, tormenting him. He had been with enough women, but no one ever had this unexplainable effect on him. He just wanted to get everything over with because he was this close to embarrassing himself."Are you okay, baby?" Alonso asked, a worried expression crossing his face. She nodded and smiled."It's time." Her treacherous voice whispered."Sti
"Where are you coming from dressed like that, Lorena?" Her father asked, stomping his cane hard on the ground. Lorena jerked up and began to tremble. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, she settled for covering her body with her hands."What is the need for that when the world has seen you naked!" His whole body vibrated as he pointed the shaky cane at her."See, I told you not to do it. Now you're in trouble." Her sane voice mocked."Now is not the time, silly!"She shut her eyes tightly to wade them off. She needed to think quickly. Her father was not supposed to find out about her shoot like this. Her plan was falling apart, and she couldn't even get herself to speak. Also, she wondered what was taking Markris so much time to get inside the house."Signor Cicero, Verona is on the phone. She wants to speak with you." A voice interrupted. As soon as the person became visible, Lorena breathed a sigh of relief."End the call. I don't feel like speaking to her
Lorena found herself on her bedroom floor the following day, wrapped in a blanket. It took a few minutes before she could remember how she ended up there in the first place. She remembered leaving the bathroom and just wanting to sleep. The bed had been uncomfortable, so she sat on the floor momentarily. She must have slept off after that. But the duvet? She didn't remember wrapping herself with that. A knock sounded on her door. She stretched and yawned lazily. Her tummy grumbled, but she felt more relaxed than she had been."Well, don't just stand there. Come in." She said, getting up.The door pushed open, and Tanika came in, followed closely by Roselina. Lorena frowned when she saw the duo together. Tanika was way too sweet to be hanging out with Roselina. But then again, maybe Tanika did need a Rose to be more confident in herself."My lady." Roselina did a mocking bow with a smirk on her face. Tanika's eyes bulged, taken aback by her audacity."Good morning, my lady." Tanika bo
"Anything for you, αγάπη μου." Markris's father said, with a big grin on his face.Lorena felt like she was living in an alternative universe where everything seemed unreal. Still, she wanted to hear the point of this gathering as quickly as possible. She picked up a piece of chicken, suddenly feeling hungrier than before."So Lorena, how do you like working with Lauren?" Cicero asked. The question caught her unaware, causing the chicken in her mouth to go down the wrong pipe. She began to cough. Her eyes immediately turned red. Markris quickly poured water into a glass and handed it over to her. As she collected the glass, their hands brushed momentarily, and she shuddered again. Once again, he caught on to her reaction. His brow raised as he watched her gulp the water down. When she was done, she dropped the glass and turned her face away from him."Why can't you watch your manners, Lorena? Why do you have to be so embarrassed?" Her father frowned, the irritation evident in his voi
Markris was on a business call with Jorginho when he heard a soft knock on his door. He closed his laptop and sat straight. Judging from the lack of force, his father was not standing outside."Tell the clients to come around tomorrow. I should be in the office.""Yes, sir." Jorginho laughed."And Jorgi?""Yes, boss.""I'm talking to you as a friend now and not your boss. Drop the sarcastic formalities."Jorginho laughed loudly, never in a bad mood to piss off his friend. "Okay, talk to me.""I need you to look into someone for me. I'll send you the details shortly.""Will do. I need to run now. I have a meeting.""Yeah, right." Markis rolled his eyes and ended the call.The only meeting Jorginho had, was on the sheets of a woman's bed. He shook his head, always amused by his friend's stamina when handling women. He had lost some of his interest. He couldn't remember the last time he had been with a woman. Scratch that. He could remember but was too ashamed to admit it. All he knew wa
"You!" Lorena turned around slowly, with her trembling hands pointing at Markris. "You caused this!""What?" He shook his head, looking around him. Indeed she was talking to someone else and not him."The wedding was pushed forward because of you!""Me? What did I even do?" He placed his hands on his chest, grimly crossing his face."You had to talk to your father rudely, didn't you? You love to be the center of attention so much that you played the hero, and now it has backfired." Her chest heaved, and her breathing increased."I was defending you!" His voice raised a pitch higher. He squeezed his face, thin wrinkles forming along its lines."I never asked you to, though. Every time you intervene in my business, everything goes to shit! Why can't you leave me alone!" She said, her voice breaking down. Her eyes began to twitch, but she fought the tears. She had cried enough. She couldn't let Markris see her tears too."You know what? You're right. I don't even know why I bother with y