Chapter 3: Choose by the ice King

Brielle’s POV

The next day, I woke up hungover because I had stayed up last night drinking heavily to shut out the pain I felt. Paige had gotten wind of what happened and had called last night to tell me how disappointed she was that I couldn't keep my rebellious nature in check.

“I’ll talk to Ford for you,” she had said before hanging up.

I sighed. I was only trying to help her, and this was what I got for it. No doubt it was my fault for almost ruining our career, but I was already fired, wasn't I? Now that I had no job anymore, I didn't know what to do with my life. Finding a new job in New Jersey was not as easy as it seemed, but I hoped to get one soon. 

This was the time I missed my parents. As an only child, they would have been comforting me by now if I were to be in California with them. I sighed wistfully. This was one of the disadvantages of adulthood.

My phone rang and I reluctantly got out of the bed to check who was calling. Immediately I saw who it was, I sat up despite my headache and picked up the call. 

“Hello, Director Ford?”

“Brielle,” he said, his voice unusually bright.

 Brielle?

 He usually called me by my surname, for formality. What was this? 

“Yes?” I waited. 

“Well, I haven't seen you at the studio today.”

I blinked, confused. “You fired me yesterday, remember?”

“Me? Never. Come to the studio right away, you are needed here.”

Before I could say anything, he dropped the call. I was confused. What in the world was going on? I remembered clearly that he fired me yesterday due to my incompetence, as he called it. Or maybe I had too much to drink that I’d started hallucinating. 

But that was the point of the alcohol I took yesterday. If I hadn't been fired, I wouldn't have taken it. So, what was going on? Despite my confusion, I dragged myself into the bathroom, took a shower, and hopped on my bike immediately.

When I got to the studio, Director Ford was a delightful ray of sunshine. It was so unlike him. He pulled out a seat for me and made me sit in the hall where he had gathered the staff. Paige hadn't flown into Jersey yet, so she wasn't there. 

I could only stare at everyone in confusion as the usually gruff man was dancing around like a happy child. 

"You are the star of this agency," he beamed. "You've made me so proud." 

Now, I am totally confused. I got up from the seat, refusing to be confused anymore. 

"What is going on, Director Ford? You fired me yesterday, and today you are telling me that I'm the star of this agency? You told me yesterday I was incompetent." 

He waved his hand. "I was just angry. You know that you are far from being incompetent." 

"What's going on?" 

"Congratulations. Your dream has been fulfilled."

 "What dream?" 

"You are now a lead photographer for the Jersey hockey team."

Before I could even process what he said, he spoke again.

“And that's not all. Guess what's to come.”

“What?” I squeaked. 

“Chase Kensington chose you himself. He said he didn't want any other photographer but you.”

Blood drained from my face. I knew what would happen already. I must be in deep shit now. He probably wanted me to delete the picture and would do anything to get his way, even if it meant keeping me by his side as his photographer. 

Nice strategy, Kensington, I thought.

Everyone began celebrating without even asking. So I decided to drop the bomb. 

"I am not interested," I said. 

"What?" Director Ford's face changed. "What do you mean by that?”

“Give the job to Paige. It's hers.”

“This isn't Paige's job. Besides, you were the one Chase Kensington chose." 

"Director, I'm not…”

“Do you still want this job or not?”

“I do, but…”

“No buts. You have to accept the offer."

“…”

*** * ***

I parked my bike in front of a little stadium. I was scheduled to photograph Chase and his teammates while they were practicing today. I had no choice but to come since I had already accepted the offer. Even Paige asked me to go ahead and accept it. 

According to her, this was an opportunity that I had been waiting for, and I needed to grab it while the offer was still up. I walked into the stadium, met with the manager, and tried my best to avoid looking him in the eye.

"Do not forget the rules," he said with a disapproving look.

 "I won't.”

“That was what you said the last time. This time, make sure there are no mistakes." 

"Yes, sir." 

Soon, I began capturing their moments, even beginning to feel like I belonged there and just enjoying the game. But Chase kept looking at me like I was a pest. His eyes were full of disdain for me. I wondered why he seemed so irritated with me when he was the one who asked me to come here. After their practice, I walked up to him. 

"Hi, Mr. Kensington." 

He looked at me like I was a piece of trash and walked away. I gasped but didn't push it further. He was probably angry because of the last time. But that didn't give him the right to treat me that way.

I just stood there, deciding that I wouldn't go near him again. I would just come here, do my job, and leave. So that was what I did for the next few days. I would come there, do the usual session, and leave as soon as my job was done, until he cornered me one day. 

"I need you to delete those pictures," he whispered.