MasukFor the past two days, Cleopatra had been completely absorbed in preparations for her very first shoot.Now she sat quietly in the styling chair, her posture elegant yet relaxed. The soft lights of the studio shimmered against the large mirrors, reflecting the careful work already done. Pheebs had finished her makeup not long ago, leaving Cleopatra’s features refined and luminous, every detail perfectly accentuated.Behind her, Jovita finished arranging the last strands of Cleopatra’s hair with practiced precision, her movements swift yet delicate until everything fell perfectly into place.Across the room, the photographer stepped forward, lifting his camera and adjusting the lens as he studied Cleopatra through the frame.A moment later, Jovita stepped back, her eyes lighting up with satisfaction as she admired her work.“All done,” she announced warmly. “You’re looking more stunning than ever.”Cleopatra’s lips curved into a soft smile at the compliment.“Thanks, Jovita,” she repli
At those words, Calvin’s expression darkened slightly. His brows drew together as he stepped forward.“Doctor,” he said slowly, his voice firm, “what do you mean by that? Please explain.”The doctor adjusted his glasses.“Sir, the allergic reaction didn’t come from the coffee itself. It came from the cream mixed in it. If Miss Guinevere drinks coffee regularly, she should be aware of her sensitivity to dairy. It’s possible she simply made a mistake.”“With all due respect,” Guinevere snapped, her voice sharp despite her weakened state, “are you trying to say I’m lying? I truly did not know I had such an allergy.”Before the doctor could respond, the door suddenly burst open.“My baby! What happened?!”Emilia rushed into the room in a panic, her heels clicking hurriedly against the floor as she hurried toward the bed.She grabbed Guinevere’s hand, her face filled with worry.Calvin straightened slightly and greeted her politely.“Hello, Mrs. Emilia.”He paused for a moment before addin
Cleopatra blinked in confusion, glancing around the quiet office again.“We aren’t working in this building anymore. We’ve been transferred to the main building.”“Oh… really?” she said slowly. “No wonder Jovita and Pheebs aren’t here.”“Yeah!” Joss laughed, stepping further into the room. “They’re already at our new office. The company hired a completely new team to take over the work here.”His excitement bubbled over as she waved his hand.“Hurry up, come on! Let’s go. I can’t wait to be in the main building!”Cleopatra slowly pushed herself up from the chair, still processing the sudden news as she followed Joss out of the quiet office.Elsewhere, far from the company’s towering headquarters, Guinevere and Calvin sat across from each other in a quiet café.Two cups of freshly brewed coffee rested between them as the soft aroma filled the air. The city bustled outside, yet inside the café, a calm silence settled around them.Guinevere lifted her cup gently, the faint aroma of coffe
Cleopatra’s heart skipped. She knew that look. The way his lashes lowered slightly. The way his breath grew slower as if he was holding himself in check. But she shook her head suddenly and shifted back, a soft but firm dodge before his lips could touch hers. “Don’t,” she said gently. Calvin paused. His brows knitted slightly, not in irritation but in concern. “I took my medication earlier,” she explained, fingers lightly touching the edge of her sleeve. “I don’t want you catching anything from me.” Silence settled, thick with unspoken warmth. Then Calvin exhaled slowly, almost helplessly amused by her stubborn kindness. His hand slid from her neck to her cheek instead, thumb tracing a slow, tender arc across her skin. “You worry too much about me,” he said. “It’s because I care,” she replied softly. His forehead rested lightly against hers not kissing, just sharing breath, closeness, the quiet pulse of affection. “If caring means I cannot kiss you now,” he whispered, voi
He unbuttoned the last button of his shirt, the fabric sliding open to reveal a faint glimpse of his chest and the defined lines of his abdomen. His gaze drifted toward her wardrobe, surprise flickering briefly in his eyes.“Can I use your towel?” he asked calmly.“Uh… yes, sure,” Cleopatra stammered softly.A faint, almost teasing smirk touched his lips before he walked to pick up the towel and headed into the bathroom.Moments later, the sound of running water faded.The bathroom door opened.Calvin stepped out, a towel loosely tied around his waist, droplets of water tracing slow paths across his skin.His gaze fell on Cleopatra.She was already asleep on the bed.Beside her, a neatly folded, oversized unisex T-shirt rested on the table.Slowly, he walked closer and crouched beside her, his fingers lifting gently to brush against her face in a tender, almost possessive caress.“So you couldn’t wait for me to return,” he murmured softly.A faint, indulgent smile curved his lips as h
Then he stopped.His eyes had caught another faint reddish mark higher along her upper thigh.The stillness between them deepened.His hand moved instinctively toward the hem of her robe but stopped midway, suspended in the thick, fragile silence.“Can I lift it?” he asked quietly.“Yeah, Calvin but it’s just a minor scratch,” Cleopatra replied.“I decide what is a minor scratch,” Calvin said in a low voice.He lifted the rope slightly higher.A deeper reddish scar appeared just above her knee.“Enough. Get dressed now,” he said, his tone carrying quiet finality, leaving no space for argument.The car screeched into the hospital parking lot, the tires protesting against the asphalt as Calvin brought it to an abrupt stop. Before the engine had fully died, he was already out of the car, rushing to the passenger side.“Can you walk?” he asked urgently, opening the door for Cleopatra.“I’m fine,” she murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.Calvin didn’t look convinced. His sharp eye
A week later, Cleopatra jolted awake by a message from Katie, summoning her to the INK Model Company. She rose at once and freshened up. Midway through breakfast, her gaze drifted to the wardrobe she had already inspected; nothing inside would truly make her shine.Once she finished her meal, she r
‘Cal…’ he muttered under his breath, and memories he hadn’t dared touch in years surged forward, crashing over him like a river long buried, carrying the ache, the warmth, and the weight of a past he thought he had lost.”“What else can I serve you?” she asked again, a small smile curling at the co
“Now that’s the spirit, girl!” she exclaimed, her voice alive with excitement. “Getting into the spotlight won’t be easy. Start with backstage work for now, while I comb through potential brands. Securing even a few good ones will give your debut a real edge.”“Okay thanks Katie” Moments later, Cl
Guinevere staggered to her feet, her chest heaving as ragged breaths tore in and out of her lungs. “Why are you just standing there?!” she barked, her voice sharp and frantic. “Go catch her!”Cleopatra moved back again, but loose rocks tumbled into the sea below, forcing her to steady herself immed







