CHAPTER 7

Brianne Raye POV

“So, today we have to go on a photo shoot for a luxury brand that you’re going to be an ambassador for.” Manager Clea said as we’re going out of the company.

“Sure,” I said “Do we----” I tried to ask something when a huge crowd of media rushed towards us.

“Ms. Raye, are the rumors true?” One of the reporters asked while holding a mic towards me.

“A—Wha-what?” I was stunned as he stepped back as they continued to get close to me.

“Hey, hey! Stop it.” Manager Clea said as she stepped in between us and blocked them. “Sorry, but we can’t make any comments and any statements right now.” She but the reporter continues with their unstoppable questions.

“Are you really dating a very well known and rich CEO? The billionaire?” A guy reporter asks. “Is it true that he was your sponsor?” he added, which shocked me.

“What? Of course not!” I was stunned.

“Let’s go.” manager Clea said as she quickly grabbed my wrist and pulled me back inside at the same time the company security came and stopped them from entering the building.

“What are they saying? What sponsor?” I said as my eyes started to tear up, manager Clea sighs and looks at me.

“There is a rumor that is going around about him being your sponsor, you know what that means I’m sure. I already talked to them about this and we’re going to do something to make sure to deny that accusation.” She answered.

“No.” I said and wiped my tears. “Deny everything, even me dating him. Let’s clear things up as soon as possible.” I said and manager Clea shook her head.

“No, we can’t. The company and the boss is the one deciding on this. You know you’re standing here, he would go and start auditing how much he gives to you and how much you owe him. Besides, as much as I want to do what you want and really clear your name on this one, I can’t because I know that will just put you in a worse position. You know that they can sue you for that,” she said and pressed my eyes closed in frustration. “Let’s just endure it for a while, I’m sure they will do something about this soon.” She added.

“I don’t think they will.” I said and she looked down. “You know her, as long as she is getting money, she will continue on doing it.”

“But you know that you can’t also go against her, Bri, you have a family you’re taking care of and she would use that against you.” She said and I could help but to sit on the chair in the lobby in frustration and showered my palm on my face.

“I’m sorry---” Manager C ea said when we heard someone call out for me.

“Bri—bri—anne” A familiar voice said not far away as I looked behind me.

“Mom? Bryan? What are you doing here?” I asked as I stood up and walked towards my brother who immediately hugged me.

“We need money, he needs it for school and I need for the house bills.” She said directly, opening her hand in front of me waiting for money.

“That…that’s all?” I ask and she looks at me unbothered.

“What else? You promise this right? Now pay for it.” She said and nodded my head as I turned my back and reached for my bag as my tears streamed down my face.

“Here, that is 2500 dollars. That’s all I have. I’m sure that is more than enough, right?” I said and she quickly took the money from my hands aggressively and counted it like she did not trust my word.

“This all you got? Do you even know how hard it is to raise a kid?” My mom said as I hugged my brother.

“Then you should have not let yourself get pregnant.” Manager Clea whispered near me

“What? Did you say something?” my mom asks her and she smiles and shakes her head.

“I’ll send more as soon as I get paid, but now maybe you can get Bryan a new shirt that he has on right now that looks so small already.” I said.

“Fine, we’ll drop by the thrift Store.” She said and took my brother’s hand. “Let’s go Bryan.” She said dragging him.

“Mom, be careful please.” I said as I started to loosen grip on my brother.

“b---bye Bri---brianne.” My brother said as he was waving his hand at me.

“Bye, take care! Be a good boy!” I said as I watched my mom match away so fast.

“She’s unbelievable, isn’t she?” Manager Clea said.

“I already got used to it” I said and sigh. “Let’s just go.”

~

 “That’s great, one more, maybe try to look at this side.” The photographer said and I quickly followed his direction.

He was taking the photos when suddenly one of the staff came up to the photographer and gave him a phone.

“Hello? Yes, yes...Ahm, I---I understand, I will quickly follow sir.” He said as I stood there waiting for him to finish the phone call. “Guys, let’s pack up.”

“Wait, what?” I said I was confused. “Wait, I was told that we need to shoot three concepts today. Did we have a sudden change of schedule?” I ask and the photographer stares at me for a second before he scratches the back of his head. “Excuse me?” I said again as he didn’t answer.

When the door of the room suddenly opens and Manager Clea enters with a worry on her face.

“Hey, what's happening? He asks them to pack up, didn’t we sign for three concepts for this?” I ask and she walks towards me.

“The…the shooting was canceled.”  She answered and handed me the coat.

“What? Why?” I ask.

“I don’t know, but the company called and said that the contract has been canceled…and…and the others.” She said,

“Wha…what? Why? I…thought everything was good? Did they say why? And…and isn’t this breach of contract?” I ask confused as everyone around us starts to clean up.

“No,” Manager Clea answered in a low voice.

“What? Can you just answer me completely?” I am a little annoyed.

“They didn’t really cancel the contract or back out on it, they...they just ask the company to have another artist to do the project.” She said as she looked down.

“Sabrina.” I uttered and she looked at me and nodded. “Let’s just go, this is a waste of time. Why did I even hope this will all turn out to be a good chance even just for a second.” I said and started to walk towards the door and went out of the shooting room.

Third Person POV

“These are the papers that need your signatures sir.” The lady said as she followed behind Nicholas as he entered his office.

“Okay, you can leave now. I’ll call you when I’m done.” He said and the lady smiled and nodded and quickly left the room.

He sat on his swivel chair and put on his glasses and started to check and scan the papers. When his phone vibrates and receives a message but as soon as he sees the name of the sender he just brushes it off and continues on what he is doing.

But just after a minute his phone rang that made him sigh as he saw the registered number name.

“What?” He sounded so annoyed.

“Woah, what a way to greet your worried best friend.” The man on the other line said that made Nicholas roll his eyes in annoyance.

“If you’re just going to waste my time Lancer, fuck off. I have a lot of things to finish, idiot.” He said and about to pull the phone away from his ears.

“Cooled hearted, Nicho. Just like your rumored girlfriend.” Noah Lancer said that made him stop and frown.

“What bullshit are you saying again?” Nicholas asks that made Noah chuckle.

“Oh come, you know what you did.” Noah said. “Aren’t you the one that made every brand pull away from their project offer to her?” he said but the line went silent for a couple of seconds that made Noah frown and speak again. “So, you’re not the one who did it?” He asks.

“Why would I waste my time doing shitty things like that?” Nicholas said.

“Well, my bad. Anyway, I’ll go now, I just heard that news somewhere.” Noah said but Nicholas quickly stops him.

“Can you find out who did it for me?” Nicholas asks that made Noah smile and shake his head as he listens to him.

“Hmmm, you sound so concerned about Leone.” Noah said, teasing him.

“I don’t have enough patience with you bullshit, Lancer.” Nicholas said that made Noah laugh.

“Let me think about it, maybe if I admit that I’m your most reliable and handsome friend.” Noah said sounded so proud.

“I’m sending Hans to Italy.” Nicholas said.

“Fuck you! Fine, I’ll do it!” Noah said and quickly ended the call.

“Idiot.” Nicholas said as he put down the phone.

Brianne Raye POV

“Bri, let’s eat lunch is ready.” Manager Clea said and I nodded at her. “Please? Since the photoshoot thing that happened yesterday you haven’t eaten on time, come on.” She added.

“I’ll follow, I just don’t have the appetite yet.” I answered and that made her sigh.

She left the room that made me continue to read my book again when my phone suddenly received a message notification.

'From: Mr. Nicholas

We need to talk, I’ll send someone to pick you up and send you location.'