CHAPTER 3

I looked at my hands, I can see dry marks of blood on them. Its color isn't fresh dark red anymore because it's been a couple of hours since that incident inside the parking lot. I didn't know that it could turn into a horrifying experience for me. I... I thought it was just a normal argument, a normal fight between exes, and ex-lovers. Nevertheless, I was completely wrong. I was dumb, I kept on trying to avoid being like her. The thought of me, being superior and fierce was like a key for me to prevent being like my deceased mother. I was so scared to die in vain like her, I was so scared to experience her horrifying life, that my mind didn't even think that I'm just a human being, that there are times that I'm weak, that there is someone who can suppress me... Because of my unrealistic ideals, I almost got raped by my fucking ex-lover. At that time, there was only one thing that crossed my helpless mind, to escape. I wanted to escape whatever it takes, even if I look dumb, helpless, and pathetic. I want to live. Now, a part of me is starting to understand my mother, and why she left me all alone. Because during that time, my mind was only thinking of myself, I want to escape at any cost.

I can see the passerby people, stealing glances at me. I mean, I look devastated. My pullover sweater had some blood marks on it, it is also crumpled, and some parts have loose thread and dirt on them. I'm also barefoot, my legs and feet are full of bruises, and my face is also a mess. I'm sitting on a bench, inside the precinct. I don't even know why I am here, the medic told me to go with them but I declined their offer and tagged along with the police officers instead. They took Hazard with them, I don't want to have him get into trouble, that's why I have decided to go here as well. The police officers didn't ask for my testimony which was weird. Hazard kept silent and went with them. He's surprisingly calm as if his life is filled with tranquility.

About Falcon, he is severely wounded. I couldn't even recognize him when I saw him while he is being taken inside the ambulance. His face was completely unrecognizable, I even heard the medic say, "fuck, I think he broke his nose and jaw."

I honestly want to thank Hazard immediately for saving me. I don't know his story but even though I was not close enough to see Falcon's face while he was being beaten by Hazard, I could feel his anger. I was assuming that he had a past with violence and harassment, maybe someone dear to him has also experienced such? I wanted to stop him that time because there was blood all over him and I'm not exaggerating. He might kill Falcon but my body couldn't move during that time, it was completely frozen because I was scared. Not for Falcon but to him, I really got scared of Hazard that time.

He's... really scary during that moment.

Now, I'm becoming hesitant about my original objective. I've been here for almost 1 and a half hours but I didn't care, I want to thank him personally and apologize. I lost his handkerchief and now, he got into trouble because of me.

I'm sleepy...

I want to take a rest, to surround myself with my favorite pillows, with my comforter while my aircon is open. I miss my room, my favorite sofa, and the pastries from him/her. My body badly wants to go home and take a rest but I kept on restricting myself.

I took a glimpse on my phone to check the current time and It's currently 8:17 pm. I was about to put my phone back but I received a text message from Minnette, my co-model.

Minnette

I'm sorry to bother you, Zi. Today's my parent's anniversary, I couldn't make it to my photoshoot. Gheuver said that he won't include me in the next gig if I can't have you as my replacement. He really wants you to be his model for this year's set of clothes, he doesn't want to have the other models aside from you.

I was about to close my phone but I received another message from her.

Minnette

I know you wouldn't help me but please, just this time. It's my parent's request, I have never attended their anniversary party for 6 years. I want to be with them this time, please. I want to make it up to them.

Minnette

Gheuver said he'll wait for you 'till 9:30 pm tonight. Please, consider this. I really need your help, Zi. Just this time.

I signed. Minnette was the only model in our agency who never consider me as her opponent in our industry, the remaining models are all competitive with me. They couldn't stand my attitude, the praise and compliments that I had and have been receiving but Minnette didn't. She kept on helping me. She's a friend but I have never hang-out with her. I knew her parents because they once came to our agency, I was being a bitch with them but they laughed it off and remained tender with me just like their daughter. I really want to stay here but it seems that Gheuver is really gripping us tight this time.

He's a well-known photographer who kept on giving me big gigs and opportunities but I want to keep myself low, that's why I only accept underrated brands and decline popular brands and magazines.

I was typing a reply for Minnette but a police officer suddenly approached me. He was the officer on the scene earlier and he kept on approaching me since I came here to tell me that I should leave already and should take a rest. "Good evening, Miss Fox. I'm sorry to bother you again, it's cold out here. You should come inside, you can have a coffee there to warm yourself. I honestly recommend you to go to the hospital first and have your wounds treated and take a rest. Mister Hazard is still under interrogation."

I smiled at him. "No, it's okay. Thank you for your concern, I'm afraid I have to leave now. A colleague of mine is having an emergency right now."

"Oh, I see. Take care on your way, miss Fox." He was about to leave but I called him. "Do you need anything, Miss Fox?" he asked politely.

"Uh, can I have a piece of paper and a ballpen?"

"Sure, no problem!" he immediately went inside their office, and minutes later, he came back with a paper and a pen. He gave them to me. I started writing what I wanted to write and thanked the police officer first before leaving the precinct. I went in my car and drove towards my agency's, building.

Actually, before leaving, I gave the piece of paper with my message to the police officer. I told him to deliver it to Hazard if he can. I wrote my contact number on it alongside my message.

While I was driving, my phone kept on producing annoying sounds which infuriates me. That bitch never understood the word 'patience'. I didn't mind it because I still want to live 'till my forty's even though it kept on vibrating and creating annoying sounds. While I'm on my way, I stopped over at Starbucks to buy coffee to wake myself up even though it never worked for me. Minutes later, I finally arrived at my destination. I went inside the building immediately and went to Gheuver's personal office. Gheuver isn't officially part of our agency but he had his own personal office here. Why? Because he has had quite a name for himself in the fashion world, above all, in photography. He kept on offering me quite fancy offers but I declined as I want to keep myself low as possible for several reasons. He even invited me to international modeling gigs but I refused.

When I reached his office's designated floor, I left the elevator and went directly to his office. Of course, I didn't barge in as I don't want to see another horrifying scene just like what I have seen when I was just a newbie and I don't even want to think about it. I knocked and he shouted as a response, "come in, lovely!"

I rolled my eyes. Here comes the above all. When I entered his office, his eyes immediately studied me from head to toe. "What happened to your skin, Rhounzi?" he asked.

Fuck.

I forgot that this dude would throw a fucking tantrums If he sees me looking comparable to his shit. He stood up from his swivel chair and went to me. He circled around while studying me, circling his fingertips on my uncombed hair and glaring at my wounds and bruises. "What kind of a disaster have you gone through?! Oh, god! Your skin seems dreadful! What's with these?" He pointed at my bruises and wounds.

Here it comes.

"Madethy! MADETHY!" He shouted. His personal assistant hurriedly barged inside his office.

Madethy gave me a questioning look and I pointed to my bruised and wounded legs and arm. When she understood what I was pointing out, she looked stressed. Her shoulder fell as if a huge boulder fell on it. I don't even know how she managed to stand her boss. His manly voice doesn't suit his way of talking, it's filled with woman's essence.

"Go and get the best ointment for these! Oh, and call Dra. Furry! Now!"

Madethy nodded and left in a hurry. She gave me a pleading look before leaving and I understood what she was trying to imply immediately. She's asking me to prevent his boss from throwing another tantrum. It's the worst, I assure you that.

I sat on his visitor's chair. "What kind of photoshoot is it? You know me, Gheuver, I don't take international and well-known brands. Just local brands. "

Gheuver rolled his eyes in annoyance. He kept on whining about my bruised and wounded legs and arm but he answered, anyway. "I know you wouldn't take this but I really hope that you will consider this one. This would definitely blow your career, I assure you that. I know you don't want to be the center of the attention but think about your future, Rhounzi."

I sighed. I get his point but my answer would still remain the same. I shook my head, "I'm sorry but I have to refuse your offer, once again."

He stomped his feet while groaning. "Oh, come on! Just this one! Do it for me and for that Minnette girl or else I'll call her right now. If I call her, she'll have to leave whatever that party is. Not my problem."

I never liked this bitch because of this attitude of his.

I stood up, "not my problem, either."

I heard his sigh but he never spoke. I left his office with a groan. I was walking in the hallway when I passed by Madethy who had a frightened face when she saw me.

Seems like she already knew what she have to face when she enter his territory, his office. I feel sorry for her and Minnette but I won't take their burden on them. I have my own problems that I have to face as well and looks like I have gotten another one as my phone rang again, breaking the silence in the hallway.

I took it and Minnette's name was on it. I was hesitant to answer but I did.

"Hell-" my words were cut offed when I saw continuous sobs from the other line.

"Minnette? What's wrong?" Did that bitch say mean things to her instantly?

"M-mom... My mom... She had a heart attack!"

"What?!"

She kept on crying but she tried to speak. "W-we're in the hospital right now. Gheuver kept on calling me. P-please, Zi! Just this one! Take it for me! For m-mom! I have to be with her!"

In an instant, I made a decision on a whim.

I agreed on my first international photoshoot.