Avery's POV

Bianca narrowed her gaze at me, her jaws clenching as I held her in the air before it could touch me.

"Raise your hands on me again and watch how I'll make you bleed," I spat.

“Don't you think it's hypocritical to ask me to work hard when you've done no work?” She retorted.

This damn lady.

She still had that sharp tongue even in a new life.

I smirked, “Last I checked, I'd spent the past few years working my ass up to where I am.” Bianca rolled her eyes after I said that, stretching her hand forward as she checked her nails.

I'd learnt everything I needed to know about my personality, so I meant every word.

“I wonder what makes you think I didn't work hard enough.”

“If you did, you'd not be crashing out over a position that was never even yours.” I clicked my tongue, frowning furiously at her.

Bianca propped her hands on her hips, eyeing me, “I'm not going to waste my precious time arguing with you. I'm going to speak to the director.”

But before she'd only taken a few steps away from me when the director appeared in the passageway, speaking to one of the technical guys as he walked past.

Bianca tried to speak with him but he brushed past her, stopping in front of me.

“Hi Miss Clara. You look absolutely gorgeous!” He complimented, wiggling his fingers at me.

I examined his feminine kind of dressing, noticing the make up and designer scarfs neatly wrapped around his neck, I didn't need to be told the kind of person he was.

I smoothened my palm over my dress, “Why thank you. I really like the–”

“Director Henry! This wasn't what you told me!” Bianca's sharp voice cut me off before I could finish, pissing me off even more.

Henry lifted a brow, pursing his lips like he was frustrated,”What's the problem?”

Bianca's lips curled downwards as she pointed towards me, “Why am I being replaced at the last minute?”

Henry chuckled nervously, combing his hands through his hair like he'd forgotten to mention that to her.

“You see, Miss Clara had dropped the role due to some health issues. That's why we hired you, but now she's back for the role. Please understand,” Henry gesticulated through his explanations.

Bianca's face split with a frown, “I'm sorry, I'm not leaving the role. I've prepared for this day.”

Henry sighed, “Okay, you can share the spot with Miss Clara. We'd adjust the arrangements.”

Now that was where I wasn't having it.

“I don't think that would work out.” I quickly stated, giving Henry the uncertainty look.

“Why?” Henry asked, while Bianca fumed with crossed arms.

“I want to do it on my own. Find her another role, since she's prepared so hard,” I stated and Henry nodded in agreement.

“Alright people, the runway starts in ten minutes! Chop chop!” Henry yelled with a clap and the workers increased their pace.

As Henry walked away to inspect the preparations for the event, Bianca stepped forward and the frustration written all over her face made me smirk.

“You have no idea who you're messing with. I'll make you pay for doing this to me.” She threatened, and then dashed out of the room.

If only she knew that I was in no way scared of her.

Unlike before, I wasn't prepared.

This time? I'll make her wish she didn't exist.

~

After the event, I couldn't find Ryan or the others anywhere.

And to make things worse, the flashes of cameras and the unending questions of the media personalities made me feel uneasy.

I wasn't used to this, I was trying my best to maintain my smile as lights continued flashing but I knew that if I didn’t get out of here soon, I'd lose my mind.

“Fox TV is so glad to see you on the runway again. Tell us ma'am, how does it feel to be back?” A media personality shoved a mic in front of me.

I was about to answer when another question came in.

“Clara Vosslyn, do you miss the spotlights? Tell us, how were you able to keep in shape?”

“Clara Vosslyn, where's your boyfriend? Why can't we find him anywhere?”

If I knew the answer to that question, I'd not be here right now.

I started making my way through the crowd, ignoring their persistent bickering and shoving of mics.

When my eyes spotted Ryan approaching the swarm of journalists, I raised a hand, waving at him and his lips twitched into a smirk.

What was surprising was how the crowd seemed to give way for Ryan without him uttering a word. And their bickering reduced.

He must be a really respected man.

Ryan slid a hand around me, firmly drawing me to his side and that made my nervous feelings disappear.

I felt that feeling of safety in his arms once more.

He answered the crowd’s questions but I could barely hear him as my eyes lingered on his striking features. Ryan was too gorgeous to stop looking.

I couldn't help it.

After that, he bid them farewell and that was when I snapped out of my trance.

“You did well, baby. I'm proud of you," he muttered with a grin.

My heart fluttered after hearing that. I didn't even think I did that great but hearing praise me so much made me feel really good.

“Thank you,” I say, rubbing on his arms as we walked towards the shiny silver limousine that brought us here.

When I got in, Chris and Drake immediately came to sit beside me. They wouldn't stop showering compliments and I honestly didn't know how to feel.

On the left side, Chris took my hand, “I'll treat you to the best dish you've ever tasted for doing so well today.”

Before I could say anything to him, I felt a hand on my thigh. I turned to Drake whose eyes were glistening with a strange feeling. He looked like he wanted to possess me.

He leaned in, his hot breath brushing against my neck. My body tensed from him being so close to me but I couldn't bring myself to push him away.

“I had a boner while watching you catwalk, sweetheart.” He whispered in my ear, nibbling on the shell of my ear.

My cheeks instantly flushed and my eyes locked onto Ryan who was sitting across from us.

L

He seemed to enjoy watching what Drake was doing to me and embarrassing courses through me. I thought things like this were supposed to be in private but here I was, melting into Drake's neck kisses.

Chris' hand moved from my fingers to my chin, pressing his lips against mine. My lips sizzled from the contact. Chris kissed me like he wanted me to remember every movement he made on my lips.

And Drake peppered kisses on my shoulders like he knew exactly what would have me begging for him.

Both men caressed my body with kisses and sensual touches and even though I had no idea who these men were, whatever they did to me felt right.

Drake's hand slid deeper in between my legs, traveling towards the center of my thighs that was beaming with heat already and then I became aware of myself.

I snapped my thighs shut, crossing a leg over the other, “That's…that's enough.” I said in a low voice, avoiding Ryan's gaze even though I knew his eyes were all over me.

Chris snorted, “She still doesn't like car sex.”

My eyes widened but I uttered nothing.

“True. We forgot about that,” Drake chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

But their answers were far from what I had in mind.

I knew they were my men and I couldn't deny the attraction I felt for all three of them. But I didn't know them that well.

At least that was what I thought.

“Love, come here.” Ryan called out to me, gesturing for me to sit on his thighs.