CHAPTER 6: A Friend

Nothing will change if Erin sheds tears. She must take action. Unemployed for a month, she needed to seize any opportunity, no matter how small. When her phone rang, she organized her list of expenses in the penthouse on the center table.

Her friend Zacharia Lopez's name lit up the screen. 

"Hey, Zach!"

"I just arrived from Singapore. I went to your office to surprise you with gifts but was shocked to hear you're no longer there. Where are you? Who's the owner that got ousted from his own company?" 

Erin couldn't hold back her tears upon hearing her friend's voice. She needed someone to reassure her that everything would be okay—an ally. They first met during their modeling days, and their bond strengthened as she often encountered disturbing situations involving other female models. After what happened with Jenna, she found it hard to trust women. Zach was currently the only friend she relied on. 

"Erin..." concern resonated in Zach's voice. 

"They... They kicked me out. A lot has happened in the past year since I left the agency, Zach. I... I don't have money," her voice trembled as she explained. 

"Where are you? I'll come to you!" Zach exclaimed. 

Currently, she stays at her father's penthouse in Green Garden, but her overall well-being is far from satisfactory. In light of the challenges she faced, her mental health significantly deteriorated over the past year. Adding to her troubles, a credible threat to her life exists.

Within half an hour, Zach arrived at her doorstep. Despite the awkwardness of her home lacking electricity, she graciously invited him inside. Zach brought along paper bags, and he embraced her tightly upon their meeting. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't suppress her tears. 

"Erin…" Zach kissed her forehead and gently caressed her back. "What happened to you?" 

He ushered her inside, helping her settle comfortably on the sofa. Several windows in her residence were ajar, and Zach observed the absence of electricity. On the center table lay envelopes, housing bills she had been organizing before his arrival.  

To evade the scrutinizing gaze of her friend, she hugged her knees. 

Zach grasped the stack of bills, which included charges for electricity, association dues, and her credit card statement with persistent notices resulting from past transactions. Additionally, there was the bill for her car, which was currently undergoing repairs.

"I'll cover these expenses. By the way, your car is in the repair shop? What happened?" Zach inquired. 

It felt awkward to accept Zach's offer, but at that moment, she knew she had to steel herself. Despite her reluctance, tears welled up in her eyes. Zach sat beside her, offering comfort with a gentle stroke on her back. 

"It might be better if you stay in a hotel for now. This place lacks proper ventilation; you could suffocate here," he suggested, surveying the surroundings. 

"No, please! I-I don't want to stay at a hotel!" She had encountered dangerous situations before and was not secure in public places.  

However, she refrained from disclosing this to Zach to avoid causing him undue worry. On the other hand, she had already left the office, hoping her Uncle Roger and Jenna would cease troubling her now. 

"What's going on, Erin?" Zach's voice softened. 

"I've exhausted my savings, Zach. You know how I've handled my finances in the past."  

She couldn't point fingers at anyone but herself because she had been overly confident that she wouldn't find herself in a situation where fate would strip everything away. Spending had become her coping mechanism since her mother's death, a way to feel human. The money she spent was hard-earned, not handed to her by anyone. 

"I attempted to retire from the agency, but they denied my request. I clashed with my manager. I have two more years before they might release me, so I can't explore other opportunities."

Jenna played a role in the turmoil at her workplace. 

"What about your dad's office? What happened there?" 

"Well, I haven't explored opportunities with other modeling agencies over the past year. I must make my presence known at Yurich; the people there must recognize me as Rod Lawrence's child. Now, I face the added pressure of marrying Orion Arvesso within the next year. Yurich has been withholding my dad's shares since last year." 

"What if they refuse to return the shares to you?" inquired Zach.  

"Mr. Niel Arvesso signed the will and the contract, specifying that he will only own the shares for two years. The clause dictates that the shares will transfer to me or the company itself after this period—meaning Uncle Roger and Jenna." 

She elaborated on additional details to help her friend understand. Despite the challenges, she clung to the hope that circumstances would change, allowing her to reclaim her rightful place in the office. 

"Come with me!" Zach exclaimed, rising from his seat and leading her to her room. He headed straight for the closet, selecting a few casual pieces of attire. 

"Where are we going?" Erin asked. 

"Come to my house for now until they restore your electricity. Erin, you don't need to endure staying here like this. It will only deepen your sense of despair," he said. 

Although she wanted to argue, the solace of having a friend at that moment prevailed. A year of enduring isolation had left its mark, and she yearned for companionship. 

"I've returned to this country to launch an advertising agency. If you're interested, you can also join my family's company. You're the runway queen and shouldn't be going through this." 

His words brought tears to her eyes. "You are my angel." 

That night, Erin accompanied Zach to his house. He set up a spare room and advised her to rest for the night, promising they would discuss the job the next day.

As she lay on a clean and fragrant bed, a message from an unknown number appeared on her phone. 

Unknown: We need to talk again. 

She suspected it might be Orion who sent that message because he was the last person she spoke to. 

Erin: Who is this? 

Unknown: Orion. 

After instructing her to undress and receiving only coldness in response to her pleading, he is now requesting a meeting. 

What does he want from her now? Is this a sequel to their previous encounter? 

She swallowed hard, recalling how she felt under Orion's gaze, experiencing his slow and hard breaths. It was the same intense look and energy from him that she had dreamt about. 

Erin: There won't be a sequel to the naked session. 

Orion: Too bad. That's what I was anticipating. 

Erin: That's not a conversation. We didn't talk; I pleaded! 

'Arsehole!'

Orion: There will be an organizational restructuring next Monday at Yurich. I thought you might be interested. 

It piqued Erin's curiosity. Why was he sharing this information with her? 

Erin: And we need to talk because you want me there? 

Orion: Yes, with a TWIST. 

Twist? What is he planning? It's probably better for her to find out during their conversation. 

Erin: Is this your way of settling things for what I did earlier? 

Orion: That wasn't sufficient. 

Erin: I informed you there wouldn't be a sequel in the naked session. 

Orion: And I also stated that I anticipate that to happen precisely.

Erin's throat became dry from what she read. She'll contemplate the significant twist it alludes to.