CHAPTER 4

I SIGHED as I read the contract Gheuver gave me. I never know how this bitch got this. He isn't that company's representative or anything but he had always been the one in charge, he took care of everything. When I asked him, he answered with a cheeky grin. I know he's up to no good but I don't have any predictions as he has been unpredictable since I got to know him. Tomorrow is my flight, everything went according to his plan. He successfully lured me into his trap and I ain't planning to give in. My decision during that time was made out of impulse, all of us were shocked by my decision but whenever I remember Minnette's mother, her sweet and gentle smile while having a conversation with me, I couldn't leave. I wanted to but my conscience wouldn't let me.

Since yesterday, when I told gheuver about my decision, he literally almost threw a party. However, when I saw Madethy's sigh, I stopped him. His secretary and personal assistant are so done with him but she never left. She has been with him for almost a decade already if I'm right. Madethy is the only person who can stand his fucked up mentality. Instead of throwing a party, he took me to his favorite salon for my beauty rest as he said.

"You need this! I can't have you go in your first international photoshoot with all these bruises and scratches around your body!" This was the only thing he said before leaving me here in a huge beauty clinic if my hunch was right. It doesn't look like a salon at all. It seems that anything related to beauty, skin, make-up, fashion, and girl's stuff is all in here. I couldn't determine whether this is just a peculiar hotel or a beauty clinic. They have rooms for their guests and their guests can stay here freely. My room was huge and everything is filled with luxury brands.

When I was left here all alone, a woman guided me as if she was expecting my arrival. I was given a massage, face and hair treatments, and skin treatments. The staffs treated me like I'm a sort of royalty, everyone here was so gentle. I enjoyed their company as they always mind their business and act according to their profession. They have neglected their unprofessionalism.

Today is my last day here as well as my scheduled flight. I'm still holding the contract while my fountain pen is still on the bedside table. I just sat on the soft and fluffy mattress with my back leaning against the headboard. I sighed before picking my fountain pen up and I proceeds on signing it. I was confused when Gheuver gave it to me personally. I should sign it with the company brand's representative with him but he let me sign it all alone without any witnesses which is one of the reasons why I couldn't sign the contract but I surprisingly did just now.

Of course, before signing it, I had already checked whether it is really a photoshoot for an international brand. The stated brand wasn't familiar to me that's why I assumed that it was a typical international brand. Good thing, that it wasn't a designer brand because media are everywhere. Though typical international brands do have several media with them, it isn't proportional to designer brands. Popularity is also one of the reasons.

I asked them about my look for my upcoming shoot but Gheuver just gave me a silly grin while Madethy gave me a shrug. I don't even know the theme...

I sighed. I hope this is not another shit from him. I kept on thinking while my eyes were glued to my travel bag. My belongings are already packed. Madethy and Gheuver did it but I doubt they packed my clothes. It seems that they bought new ones as their price tags are still attached to them. I was only using a small travel bag because they only packed several clothes for me. As far as I can recall, it was good for two outfits. Looks like we aren't going to stay there longer than have expected. That's pretty good, actually.

I was just sitting on the bed, overthinking everything when I heard a knock and the sound of a doorbell outside the door. I stood up lazily before clicking the button beside the small digital monitor. I saw Madethy outside the door and beside her were some staffs. I spoke after clicking the button. "Do you need something?"

"Good morning, Zi. Gheuver asked me to have your skin checked before we leave."

Oh, that explains why she got staffs with her. I didn't answer and went to get my phone in my bag before opening the door for them. Madethy smiled at me and I did the same. She assisted me along with the staffs towards the clinic. Looks like Madethy already had quite a conversation with them because after my session with them, the doctor gave us her prescription which I don't think is necessary but for Gheuver, it is.

That bitch loves my skin the most aside from my curves and facial features. Oh, well. His cheeky grins and praises have helped me a lot in getting through my own insecurities.

While we were walking, we encounter some disturbance as numerous reporters and people from the media are creating a huge crowd outside this place. As soon as we stepped outside, we saw Gheuver's people meters away from us. They went towards us and assisted both Madethy and 'till we get in the car.

"What was that?" I asked out of nowhere which got Madethy's attention.

She turned in my direction and said, "I, myself was clueless but based on what I have heard a while ago, a famous model was staying there. Aside from that model, I heard that a famous Architect's rumored lover was allegedly discovered to be residing there as well."

I nodded, completely not intrigued and Madethy saw that coming. She cleared her throat, "Gheuver won't be with us, he's assisting a huge client."

"Oh, another fish got caught." I rolled my eyes. "I think that fish and I would get along."

Madethy chuckled. "I can clearly see it, certainly. You should get along with the other models as well, Zi." As always, her sweet and convincing tone didn't perish with her self-empathy. I don't even know how to narrate this. Whenever she talks, her voice seems convincing and sweet as if I'll be a sinner if I don't consider her level of persistence even though she doesn't intend to be.

I have come across many people but among them, Madethy would be the best employee I have ever seen; the best secretary and personal assistant to be exact. I mean, she NEVER complains, it's as if she can do anything, and above all, her patience. I envy her patience, it's too long. I have never seen her explode like a bomb and I don't think I want to.

"I can, as long as they're nice." I simply replied.

I actually consider myself friendly but not too friendly. I don't decline friendships but I parted ways with people who aren't worthy and toxic or when I'm not being healthy for them anymore, I distance myself. I don't want to get attached as much as possible, I immediately distance myself so it's easy for both of us to move on. That's kind of toxic but I don't care, I think it's better than fixing something that can't be fixed anymore.

Madethy just gave me a small smile before focusing her whole attention on her Ipad. When I took a sneak peek, I saw a simple yet organized schedule. I don't know if it was hers or Gheuver's, though. I shook my head before taking my phone to vent my whole attention on it. I wanted to make research about that brand Gheuver was talking about but he prohibited me for a specific and stupid reason; it's a fucking surprise. He even told Madethy to impede me! What a sly bitch.

I'm literally clueless. The only thing I know is that it is a clothing brand. I just hope that it's not a well-known known brand. If it happens to be one, I will refuse even if I had to face charges from them. I don't want to draw everyone's attention to me, again. Everyone's way of perceiving things is worst of all worst, it's fucked up.

I don't want to remember those days anymore. With too much weight on my burdened mind, I closed my eyes to take a nap. Minutes later, Madethy woke me up; announcing that we have arrived at the airport. Even though my eyes are still sleepy, I nodded and left the car with her. Gheuver's men are carrying our things and baggage. We were walking when suddenly, a woman in her late thirties bumped into me. She was holding a cup of coffee and because she bumped into me, it was splashed all over my top! I heard how people around us gasped and her gasp is louder, it was exaggerated!

"Oh my, god!"

Madethy, who had just seen it took her wipes from her shoulder bag and gave it to me while her other hand was busy wiping the coffee from a particular part of my neck and arm.

Good thing, it wasn't a hot coffee but an iced coffee. I took one wipe and wiped it all over my abdomen and Madethy helped me. Gheuver's guard came rushing in our direction while carrying our belongings.

"What happened, miss Swizz?"

Madethy doesn't even need to answer as they already saw our situation. Madethy was about to pull me towards the bathroom but an arm pulled my arm, preventing us from leaving.

"Aren't you going to apologize, young lady?" The woman sarcastically asked while staring at me from head to toe. She's literally so small, she's just about my armpit area.

I almost laugh. She wants me to apologize? Why should I? Her coffee was spilled all over my abdomen, my top was covered with her iced coffee! I should be the one who must receive an apology.

I was about to answer her super logical question but Madethy interrupted. "I literally saw you, intentionally spilling your coffee. You should apologize, ma'am," she politely said with a smile.

The woman's lip slightly moved out of irritation but she returned a smile, a forced one. "What are you babbling about, honey? I clearly know, I didn't. She intentionally bumped herself with me."

"Oh, come on! If you're going to have a quarrel, go somewhere else!" Our attention drifted towards a guy who suddenly spoke, he seems annoyed. Who wouldn't?

"Pardon?" The lady asked.

"If you're insecure about her beauty, don't just throw a goddamn coffee all over her face if it's just an iced coffee for Pete's sake! Use your fucking brain, madame! If you can't fix your attitude and face, at least fix your brain, please. God, I just want a nap!"

I almost burst out with laughter but I stopped myself. The people who have been watching our situation literally reacted, "oooooh," while the woman gritted her teeth with anger. She was roasted by a guy who seems homeless based on his appearance but I  shouldn't believe my assumptions first as some people really dress and fancy their self that way.

Madethy snatched me away, taking advantage of the situation and Gheuver's men followed us.

I heard the woman scream loudly. I laughed, she snapped due to a huge embarrassment. She's just making it worse, acting like a spoiled kid won't solve it.

When Madethy and I reached the bathroom, I looked for a top but I never saw one aside from dresses, skirts, two-piece and one-piece swimsuits, leather, and cropped denim jacket. I sighed and took one bra and the cropped denim jacket. Wearing a bra underneath a jacket or long sleeve cardigans isn't a big deal to me anymore, I just got used to it. It's part of my style, anyway.

I swiftly took my top and bra off inside the cubicle I chose. I literally smell like iced coffee. I was about to ask Madethy for my perfume but I figured out that a luxury perfume was already with the clothes she gave me. I smiled and sprayed it all over my body before wearing the bra I chose and the cropped jacket. I left the cubicle and saw Madethy eyeing my outfit.

She smiled, "you're so charismatic! You look good with anything, I swear. Any clothes look so fabulous when you wore them."

I gave her a smile back, "Thank you! It's just confidence."

"I absolutely agree with you; your confidence is what makes you stand out the most, which is why the lady did what she did. She may be insecure, but she must not drag other ladies down. We should be lifting other woman's confidence; we should help one other rather than dislike each other."

Madethy began walking in a specific direction which seems to be where we should go. We walked together while Gheuver's men followed us with our belongings in their care. When we finally arrived at our destination, I saw a huge plane with Gheuver's name on it.

Damn. Now, I don't know if he's with a big client or if he is a big client.