The Potential Client

Elora asked Caspian to take her to the apartment because Elora had just remembered that she had to prepare herself. She will meet potential clients, and this will be her last job before Elora takes a leave. So Elora must be able to make it a success.

Actually, this was a bad idea because Caspian will know where Elora lived. But Elora had no other choice.

"Thank you. You can go home." Elora said it while opening the car door. Of course, Caspian didn't let her go that easily. He caught Elora's wrist, making Elora stop.

Elora turned to look at Caspian's fingers wrapped around her wrists.

“Let go,” Elora hissed through gritted teeth.

"I have something important to tell you."

"What?" Elora jerked her hand away from Caspian's grip.

"If anything happens, call me immediately."

Elora took a moment to answer the question. “Thanks, but I have friends to rely on.”

“Your friend won't be able to handle it. You can only ask me for help."

Elora fixed her gaze on Caspian's face which now looked more serious than ever. Elora didn't say anything in response to that statement because she didn't understand what Caspian meant, and Elora didn't want to know.

Elora didn't want to hear any more of Caspian's crazy talk about werewolves and that they were soul mates.

Elora immediately got out of the car before Caspian held her back again.

*

Elora asks Javier to pick her up as soon as Elora is ready. When she got into Javier's white city car, Javier whistled happily.

"I prefer to see you in 'meet potential clients' mode rather than 'work on projects' mode."

Elora wore a pastel-colored mini dress that was stacked with a black crop top. Her high heels have the same color. Elora's make-up makes her face looks mysterious, professional, and seductive. Her hair was left loose, neat, and fragrant, as well as her body that did not escape the spray of perfume.

"Yeah, hopefully, our prospective clients will like it too." Elora tossed her hair stylishly, causing Javier to chuckle.

“I'm really excited about this project. Looks like this is the first time we're working on a commercial for a winery.” Javier started talking as the car hit the highway, driving them downtown.

"Yes. There are many ideas in my head. You know right? So many that I'm at a loss for which concept to propose.”

"Yeah, I've read them all. Super crazy. But I think the one you chose is the best. Not too extreme, but still interesting. Considering this ad is more aimed at tourists. They will not like the concept of advertising that is too distorted.”

Elora nodded in agreement. Elora's stomach suddenly rumbled, and she remembered that she hadn't eaten anything since this morning. Yesterday's incident made her forget the basic things in life, like eating.

"Want to eat first?" offered Javier.

Elora shook her head firmly. "We'll be late."

Javier couldn't deny that, the time was running out. He stepped the gas pedal deeper so they can get to the office faster.

*

"The client has arrived." The receptionist informed Elora and Javier as soon as they arrived.

Javier glanced at his watch. There were still ten minutes before the appointment time. "Have they waited long?" he asked. The one who was asked answered, "No. They just arrived five minutes ago," in a low voice.

Elora and Javier walked faster towards the meeting room on the second floor. They arrived at the same time as the representative of the Account Executive, Brena, a woman who always looked serious with blonde hair that was straight and sparkling like a waterfall.

Brena gave Elora a thumbs up before opening the meeting room door. "Your idea is great," she complimented sincerely.

Elora nodded gracefully. "Thank you."

The three of them entered the meeting room. Elora was the last one, and as soon as she closed the door and turned around, Elora almost jumped like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

Caspian, sitting in a chair meant for clients, was with a man, probably his assistant. What is he doing here? If he is the model for this project, shouldn't he be attending the meeting?

"El," called her boss, Charlie, when Elora didn't sit down and just stood there in the doorway.

Elora blinked once. She has to come back to her senses, be professional, and show her best side.

Elora smiled politely at Caspian and his colleague, then she headed to the seat next to Charlie. Unfortunately, the chair she was sitting in was directly opposite Caspian. Caspian's words about mate played in Elora's mind again.

"Alright, everyone is gathered. Maybe we need to get acquainted first?” Charlie clapped his hands together to break the silence. “Mr. Caspian, you already know Brena, because she is the one who bridged your company with ours. And the ad concept we send you was made by Elora, our Creative Director.” Charlie patted Elora's shoulder proudly. "Believe me, El's work never disappoints."

"Of course. I've had a taste of how she works."

Caspian's statement sounded ambiguous, and Elora felt her face heat up. Her mind drifted to what happened this morning. The two of them, lying naked on the bed… what was actually happened?

It seems that Elora is not the only one who feels Caspian's statement has a lot of meaning. Charlie frowned and pulled his head back slightly. "You mean?" he asked.

"A few days ago I was modeling for the underwear commercial you guys were working on." As Caspian said that, his eyes fell on Elora. "You should remember."

Charlie snapped his fingers excitedly. "Ah! Yes, of course! Someone said that to me earlier when she saw you. Madison? Yes, yes. Madison said it. She's the project leader for that ad right?" Charlie asked that question randomly.

"Then can we get started right away?" Someone beside Caspian, a fierce-looking man with a firm jawline, shoulder-length black hair, asked a question in an impatient tone.

"Zed," warned Caspian. Zed didn't seem bothered by Caspian's subtle warning. He still gave a sharp gaze, giving the impression of a man who doesn't like small talk.

“Oh! Of course. Sorry for wasting your time with unimportant talk.” Charlie grabbed the folder in front of him, as did the others, and started reading the draft for the advertisement Elora had prepared.

Even though Caspian is already a legitimate client of Dreamcatcher, Elora is still wary because the client may reject the advertising idea offered and ask to be changed. What is tiring is if they ask for a lot of change demands in a short time.

“So the advertising concept this time is quite simple. A couple spending time exploring Queenstown's natural beauty, and closing their day enjoying wine at your winery, Caspian. We have prepared a list of suitable model names for—”

"No need." Charlie's words were immediately cut off by Caspian.

Everyone looked up. "No need?" Charlie parroted.

"Yes. I already have a model candidate. I will be the male model, and for the female model—”

No. Don't look at me. Elora groaned inwardly. She wanted to hide under the table when Caspian looked at her.

"Elora. I want Elora to be the female model.”

*