Chapter 1 – The Meeting

Jean Verodine

Rain, Netflix, Bed, Snuggle in my softest blanket and Junky Snacks.

These are the things that make your life perfect and happy. It’s simple, right? I wish I could do that right now but too bad I have to go to work.

Looking out to the window of my van , watching the rain drops dropped all over my window. Adele’s song was playing on the background giving me the feelings of missing home and my comfy bed. I love my work but sometimes we need our ‘ME’ time right?

“Jean, we’re here.” My manager Claire called me and I turned my head to her. I pouted at her and she gave me a come-on-let’s-get-your-butt-to-work look.

“I don’t want to work.” I whined but still open the door lazily. I took my clutch, put my sunglasses on and got out from the van. I dragged myself inside the studio.

When I walked into the studio, our usual photographer James Clodarian was currently talking to one of the staff before he turned his head to me. He smiled and I hugged him briefly.

“Hello Jean, long time no see!” James put his arm around me and I chuckled.

“Yes James, long time no see. It’s been awhile right? 3 months? How are you doing these days?” I asked him as we walked inside the shooting set.

“Yes around 2 months I think, I’m good. Thankyou for asking beautiful but I think you need to get your little butt to the changing room. We’ll talk later, okay?” He said.

“No promises James, I’m a busy woman.” I teased him and he chuckled.

“You’ll make time for me for sure, now go” He pushed me to my changing room. I walked inside the changing room and sat on the chair that has my name on it.

The hairstylist started to do my hair and the makeup artist started to do her job. Today’s concept must be natural because they gave me a really light make up and loose curls for my hair. Man, I love natural but I love bad and sexy concept more.

Suddenly the door bursted open and I looked through the mirror to see who did that. I smiled widely to see my bestfriend Alexis Sierra stood there smirking. I got up and walked to her, attacking her with a tight hug.

“Hey bestie!” She said patting my back.

“My Birthday girl!” I hugged her tightly until she pretended like I was choking her. I released the hug and laughed along with her.

“You will come tonight right?” She invited me to her birthday party a few days ago, I haven’t give her my answer yet because Claire likes to make a sudden schedule for me.

“Yes, I’ll go.” I said and she squealed in excitement. I chuckled looking at her expression but suddenly the staff called our name. We both looked at each other and turned to our stylist to change our clothes into our sports attire.

“Jean, please go to the set now.” One of the staff said and I got up from my seat and walked out from the room. I walked to the set along with the other Angels.

Today’s theme was sport commercial, where we do our workout and get film at the same time. It’s a fun commercial to shoot because this is what we always do in daily basis and it’s fun to do it with friends. In this shoot, we spent a really fun time with the other Angels.

“That’s a wrap girls!” James announced and he gave each of us a hi five.

“Hey, babe” Nicole slung her arm around my shoulder. Nicole here is an Angel too and she’s a really easy going person to be with.

“Hello my favorite blonde.” I smiled to her and she chuckled.

“So you will go to Lexy’s party tonight right?” She asked as she crossed her arms in front her chest and raising her eyebrows waiting for my answer.

“Of course, won’t miss it” I winked at her.

“You often ditch us Jean.” She pouted and I chuckled at her.

“Don’t worry, I’m 100% sure that I will go tonight.” I promised to her and she gave me a thumbs up. She pulled out her hair band and let her blonde hair fall out perfectly. We both walked inside to changing rooms place. It’s so refreshing when the cold air from the air conditioner hit our body because we were sweating a lot and it was hot the sport set.

Claire threw a small towel to me for wiping my sweat. I walked into the changing room and changed back into my black shorts and white muscle tee. I removed the makeup from earlier and re-do it because I’m not comfortable after sweating a lot earlier.

“I have no schedule right?” I asked Claire.

“Yes, you’re free after this.” Lexy suddenly bursted into my changing room and she gave me a cheeky look.

“Up for Starbucks?” Lexy asked and I looked at Claire. She nodded approving me to go. I got up from my seat and walked to the door. Lexy linked her arm to mine and pulled me out.

“Just two of us?” I asked and she shook her head

“Nicole and Charlotte will come with us.” She answered it as she took her phone out and texted someone. Nicole joined us after changing into her comfortable clothes too.

“Charlotte, as usual the snail.” Nicole said and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Charlie” Nicole called her loudly so she can get her butt out here. Charlie rushed out from her changing room.

“Let’s go.” She said and I can’t help but shook my head laughing secretly. We walked out from the studio and all we need now it’s to walk a little because Starbucks is just one block away. Suddenly my phone rang, it’s my mom. I gestured the girls to go first.

“Hey mom.” I picked up her call in the most lazy tone.

“Jean” She called me.

“Yes mom?” I really wanted to end the call right now.

“In two weeks is your grandmother’s birthday and I want you to come home that day. Make sure your schedule is empty.” She said and I sighed big time. I don’t want to deal with my family these days so I’m not interested to go back home.

“I’m busy.” I said simply because that’s the only reason that appeared in my mind.

“Jean” She gave me a warning tone.

“I’m busy mom, I have a lot schedule ahead.”

“Make time for her, she really wants you to come.” She begged me.

“I have no time to go home mom, I have a pack schedule.” I said in a firm tone so she won’t beg again.

“How can you do this to her? It’s her 80^th birthday, you must go!” I bet they will throw her a big party so I don’t want to meet a lot of people there. I hate the fact that my grandmother loves to make big party every birthday. She will brag about me being a model to her friends and that’s quite annoying for my side.

“What’s the point? It will be the same as the 78^th and 79^th birthday.” I looked down to the ground to think another alibi to tell my mom.

“I don’t care, Jean. I want you to be there!” She hung up the call making me piss. I kicked a rock in front of me. Suddenly a car alarm went off and my eyes widen. I froze in place looking at the car blankly. The lights went on and off and the car alarm kept ringing. I gasped when I realize the rock that I kicked earlier hit the car’s window. Since the rock was quite big, it gave the car a scratch.

“What the-“ a brown haired man came out from the Armani store just right in front of the car. He cursed a couple of words before clicking his car key to make the car’s alarm stopped. He turned to me since I’m the only person who was standing there.

“I’m sorry.” I said to him.

He shot me with his cold green eyes, his eyes went down to my body completely checking me out. I looked at him glaring but I was greeted with his good looking face. He has a sexy jaw line, perfect build body that fit perfectly with his grey Armani suit and lastly his thin beard that makes him look more sexy and demanding.

“Done checking me out?” He asked with his eyebrows raised and a smirked.

“Sorry.” I said looking to his car’s door. It has a scratch from the rock that I kicked earlier.

“So what are you going to do with that beautiful?” He asked and I turned to him. He pointed to the scratch but in seconds his eyes landed on my legs

“Eyes up here!” I hissed at him, what a rude man!

“Feisty, huh?” He smirked looking straight to my eyes, my heart skipped a beat for a second but I quickly got back into my sense. I pulled out my purse from my bag and took 500$ from it. I looked at the man and pulled his hand out. I put the 500$ to his hand but he looked at me with confuse eyes.

“Did I ask for your money?” He asked looking at me with a really unreadable expression.

“I made a scratch, this money is to repair it” I said with a really uninterested tone. I’m in a really bad mood now, I don’t want to deal with this kind of guy right now.

“Jean” Lexy called me as she walked towards me. She looked at me with what-happen-with-you look. She turned to the man in front of me and her eyes widen.

“So, Jean, What are you going to do about this?” The man asked and pointed at the scratch.

“Ms. Verodine for you, Mr. Unknown” I said coldly looking at the scratch that I made.

“What happen?” Lexy stood beside me and whispered.

“I kicked a rock quite hard and that happened” I said sighing.

“Jean Verodine, I heard that name somewhere” The man said but I turned to him.

“I already gave you the money right? So goodbye.” I said to the man and I took Lexy’s hand pulling her to the Starbucks. Lexy was calling my name but I ignored her. I need a cold drink fast to calm down my burning emotions.

“What took you so long?” Nicole asked and my eyes were so focus on the menu.

“She kicked a rock and made a scratch on a hot guy’s car.” Lexy answered Nicole .

“Java Chip Frap sounds nice.” I said to myself.

“What’s his name? Did you get his number?” Charlie asked and I turned to her disbelief. I shook my head to her. I’ve always been cold to strangers, especially guys. I don’t like being civil to someone I just met. I won’t care.

“I think I’ve seen him before, his face was so familiar.” Lexy said and I shrugged completely not interested.

“I don’t care about him, I gave him money to repair the damage.” I said and looked at the menu again.

“Jean” Nicole called but I ignored her.

“Jean!” Charlie called me this time.

“What? I’m trying to choose what I want to drink!” I said as I scanned the menu again.

“Jean!” Lexy called and that made me turn to her. I raised my eyebrows. She eyed me to my back and I turned my head to see the man from earlier looking at me with amuse in his eyes while holding my 500$.

“What are you doing here? You need more?” I asked coldly.

“Jean! Don’t be so cold!” Lexy warned with a small tone and I looked at him raising my eyebrows waiting for him to say something.

“What are you going to do with my car?” He asked and I pointed at the cash.

“I already gave you the mon-“ He put the money on the table.

“I don’t need money.” He stated and put his hands on his pocket. He looked up to me and I realized there a lot of people looked at him.

“What do you want then?” I asked as I crossed my arms in front my chest and turned to the menu again. I’m completely not interested to deal with this man. Can he take the hint already?

“Do you have a boyfriend?” He asked and I turned to him so fast. I raised my eyebrows looking at him suspiciously.

“She doesn’t.” Lexy answered and I glared at her for telling him that.

“Good, give me your phone number.” He said and sat down on the seat beside me.

“No, I don’t have a phone.” I said and I knew it was stupid. He pointed at my phone and I looked away.

“You wound my heart babe.” I was disgusted with that word. I looked at him annoy.

“I already gave you the money, do you need more?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Your number Jean.” He said my name and I felt so annoy when my name was called from his mouth. I ignored him instead of answering.

“Do you have it?” He asked Nicole and I eyed her immediately. She looked at the man and shook her head. I stood up planning to leave the guy to order my drink.

Suddenly he stood up and pulled my wrist making me face him. He towered me with his height and he eyed me.

“So Jean, give me your phone number or I’ll look for it by myself.” He said in a serious tone, I pulled my wrist from his grip.

“Try me.” I said with a challenging tone and walked towards the cashier to order.

“Jean” Lexy came up to me and I turned to her

“What?” I asked.

“You just mess with the wrong guy.” She stated with a worry expression making me confuse.

“What? What did I do?” I asked because I never felt that I did something wrong.

“People were whispering and talking about that guy, he seems familiar to me and I was right. Do you know who he is?” She asked and I shook my head.

“Who is he?” I asked

“Blake Coster.”

Great.