Four

ZORA'S POV

For what felt like the tenth time, I adjusted Finn's collar which was askew. He looked up at me, his big blue eyes wide with worry. 

"Can't I stay back, today, Mama?" he asked and pouted. "I'm smart, you say that all the time. I can stay at home and you can teach me what I'll learn at school. It will be the same thing."

I hid a grin and sighed. My kids were a joy to me but they could be quite a handful sometimes.

"But I have to work, sweetheart. I can't be your teacher too. You have to go to school, learn and mix up with other kids."

Finn began to protest. "But Mama-" 

"Shhh." I squatted and placed a finger on his lips. "You will do fine at school, Finn. It's not your first school, you know. I know that New York is a big city, but the kids here are the same as the other kids at your former school. They don't bite."

Freya giggled and Finn smiled a little. 

"Mum, can we go now? I want to meet all my new friends." Freya said, shifting from one foot to the other like she wanted to go to the bathroom. 

She had been the one to wake us all up this morning. She was eager and excited to go to school. Finn, however, was another matter. I could tell he was the one who wasn't so into this trip. 

"We'll go soon, Freya," I told her. "Just give me a moment with your brother first."

Freya rolled her eyes -a trick she had no doubt learned from me- and resumed bouncing on the balls of her feet, her backpack jiggling with each movement. She stared out of the large glass window at the bright summer day, her face wreathed in smiles. I turned to Finn.

"Today is going to be a great day, kiddo. I mean, look how excited your sister is. And when you get back..." I let the silence lengthen, knowing it would capture their attention. It did. 

Finn looked at me expectantly and Freya stopped moving, once more taking an interest in the conversation I was having with her twin. "You are going to talk to your Papa,"

The kids squealed excitedly. 

"Pinky swear?" They said in unison. 

"Promise," I said, linking my fingers with each of them. 

"Let's go, Mum," Finn said, suddenly eager to go to school. 

We went outside. The driver who was to take my kids to school was already waiting by the car. The kids greeted him politely and got in. I blew each of them a kiss as the driver drove off. They were running late already. When they were out of sight, I went into my car. 

"The firm, Ms. Zora?" he asked. 

"Yes, we are going to the firm," I replied. 

In the car, I surveyed myself in my hand mirror. I applied some more mascara and lipstick and smoothed my clothes. We soon got to my firm. Cheryl was in the lobby, evidently waiting for me. She got to her feet as soon as she saw me. 

"Good morning, Ms. Zoe," she said cheerfully. "Are the kids at school?" 

"Yes. So, what are we doing this morning?"

"Well, the director is waiting for you in your office."

"What?" I glanced at my watch, confirming that it was still somewhat early in the morning. "He is there now?"

"Yes, Ms Zora."

I grimaced. I knew very well that New York would be stressful. Life here was extremely fast-paced. Coupled with that, I had two kids to look after, all alone. Now, it seemed that I was getting much more than I bargained for. I had not even been allowed to settle down properly before work had threatened to overwhelm me. 

I stepped into the office to see the director, a tall, strapping young man with a full head of blonde hair which he was always experimenting on. Today, he was sporting a crew cut which outlined his perfect features. Cheryl was right behind me. The director, Trey, looked up as soon as I came in. 

"Good morning, Ms. Zora," he greeted.

"Good morning," I responded. 

While I was still talking, he began to speak. In his characteristic manner, he went straight to the point. 

"I came to inform you that Signature Cosmetics, the brand you are modeling for, wants to terminate your contract."

Cheryl gasped. I sat down heavily in my chair, staring at him in shock. My mind whirled as I thought of what I could possibly have done wrong. I could think of nothing.

Signature Cosmetics was a very big company, one of the biggest I had ever worked for. Their termination of my contract could put a permanent dent in my career. I could almost see the scandalous headlines in bold, black type. 

TOP MODEL ZORA WALTER'S CONTRACT WITH SIGNATURE COSMETICS TERMINATED.

"What is happening, Cheryl? Why would they terminate my contract just like that without telling me anything? Can someone please explain this to me?"

Cheryl seemed to be as surprised as I was. 

"Why the f- why did they terminate the contract?" She turned to my director.

The director put out his hands in a placating gesture. "Please, calm down," he said. "I am not done yet. Another brand, Sleek and Chic, wants to sign a contract with you."

Cheryl squealed excitedly. I sat up straighter in my chair. Sleek and Chic was a much bigger company than Signature Cosmetics. The money I could make from signing a deal with them would be massive. It would also boost my image as working with the company was no mean feat. 

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Ms Zora," Cheryl said. "Please, accept this great offer. You just have to."

I was not as moved as Cheryl was. My curiosity had been aroused. 

"Tell me, why did Signature Cosmetics suddenly terminate my contract which we just signed a little while ago? I mean, who does that?"

"I er- don't really know. I can't tell," The man said. "But who cares, right? A deal with Sleek and Chic...whew! That's really something if you ask me."

"Hmm. I hope you remember they will have to pay for the abrupt termination since I fulfilled my own end of the bargain. I carefully went through the contract. That clause was clearly written there."

"Yes, yes. I remembered that. I told them that as well. They said that they regretted any inconvenience to us and are willing to pay."

"Wow! That's something," Cheryl said, her face wreathed in smiles. 

I was taken aback by the fact that they were willing to part with their money so easily. It almost felt too good to be true. I shrugged. It was their loss anyway. 

Perhaps I was just overthinking everything. Cheryl and the director did not seem to see anything odd about all this. In fact, Cheryl was looking at me as though I was crazy to still be asking these questions.

"Alright then, since everything seems to have fallen in place so nicely, Cheryl, please get me all necessary details about Sleek and Chic. Also, tell me the date and time when I can meet with their representatives."

"Oh, that has already been taken care of," the director said. "The CEO of the company called very early this morning. He said that he will meet with you here by 3 o'clock today."

"Today?" I echoed. 

I blinked. That was really fast. I had been offered a contract today and was to meet with the company's CEO on the same day. It was as though they were in a hurry or something. 

"I do not think that will be possible. I have a whole lot of other work to do. No matter how much I want to sign a contract with them, I cannot just alter my schedule at the drop of a hat."

"But you have nothing to do at 3, Ms. Zora," Cheryl said after briefly consulting her notebook. "Your schedule is cleared at that time. I think it is good to meet with them as soon as possible." She looked to the director for support.

"I agree. Cheryl is right," the director said.

I sighed. "You two seemed to have had it all figured out. Alright, go ahead and tell the CEO that I agree to the meeting."

Cheryl and the director exchanged a look and grinned, pleased. I did the hundreds of things I had to do in the office. 

Three had me sitting in my office, having already prepared for the meeting. At that moment, Cheryl rapped on my door and came in. She looked flushed and excited. 

"The CEO has just arrived," she informed me. "Can I tell him to come in now?"

She left. I caught a glimpse of strong, long fingers around the door. Then the door opened to its fullest extent. I was shocked to see that the CEO was none other than Elliot. I was transfixed as I watched him look around my office and walk toward me.