Chapter 4

"Alison is that you?" A familiar voice echoed through the lobby. Dread instantly began to wash over Alison. Slowly she turned towards the voice. Although there was no doubt in her mind who the voice belonged to she could not help but silently pray to god. 'Please please, be any one else. Work some sort of magic to make it someone else!' Unfortunately her fears were completely founded, it was Daphne.

"Well isn't this a wonderful surprise to see you here." A nasty smile spread over her face. 

"Oh is this a friend of yours Alison?" Sierra asked smiling warmly.

"Oh no, I would never call someone like her my friend. Alison honestly why would you even come here? Especially dressed like that. I bet this woman thought you're some sort of assault victim."

"I was."

"Whatever helps you get through the door I suppose." She shrugged turning her attention to Sierra. "You girl, I would like some water." 

"What kind of receptionist are you? I believe Daphne said to get her some water. While you're at it, let Evelyn know Alexander Tario is here to speak with her. Hurry before I have your job." 

Sierra rolled her eyes as she reached down to her fridge and picked out a bottle of water and tossed it at Alexander who clearly did not expect it considering it hit him in the chest and dropped to the floor.

"Evelyn is already on her way down. So feel free to patiently wait over in those seats."

"We are not drinking that now. Pick it up and give us another."

"Oh what a shame, that was my last one."

"Wha-"

"It's fine." Daphne smiled. "So Alison, what are you doing here exactly."

"Well for starters she is here to see Evelyn, Then we are  going to schedule her for contracting and so on." Collen had been listening for a brief moment trying to get a better read on the situation but this pair already made him reach the point of wishing to chuck them out on their asses. He had come around the corner and leaned against the desk next to Alison. There is no chance in hell I'm going to sit here and allow these people to treat these girls in such a way.

"Contracting?" Daphne raised a skeptical eyebrow eyeing both Collen and Allison. "You girl, Is this true."

"I would imagine so, though I would not dare speak for Evelyn." Sierra nodded her head.

"So what are you doing here? If you're only here to harass our people  then I'm going to have to kindly ask you to leave." Collen said gesturing towards the door in a stern manner.

"Look here potato boy. If you don't know then clearly you are not important. How about you go sort some mail or scrub toilets. Whatever it is you do here." Alexander sneered at Collen." 

'This bastard! God does he treat everyone he meets like shit!? The balls to walk into another person's business and then instantly start insulting everyone present. Who the hell does this guy think he is?' Collen was raging inwardly, There was plenty of times he had to hold his tongue while working his job, but never had he met someone this capable of testing his patience in such a short amount of time.

 Daphne smiled seductively at Collen. "So are you some sort of scout? Perhaps we could work together some time. I'm very dedicated to my career."  she moved up close to Collen and was damn near grinding on him. 'I see, so she is one of these types of models. I have no idea if she is this way do to circumstances, or if she has always been such an entitled woman but....'

"Ah Alexander, Daphne! Good to see you! How is the world's next up and coming model doing? I'm glad you could make it out to see us." A Handsome young man with Blonde combed back  hair wearing a Brioni suit approached the group. "Oh and hello beautiful." He smiled greedily when his eye's came to a stop on Alison.

"Ah good to see you again Tanner." Tanner was the product of your average rich upbringing he got the job as a favor from Evelyn to his father, and of course came to the company under the impression he basically ruled it. "What are you doing here trash man? Go away I don't want you dirtying Evelyn's and my lobby."

Collen raised an eyebrow. "You're walking a dangerous line Tanner, you may want to rethink things."

Smack!

Tanner spun on his heels to deliver a hard slap across Collen's face with a smug smile.

Despite the attack and clear provocation Collen was managing to keep his calm on the outside and simply stared at him. On the inside though, his anger was burning red hot and close to over flowing. 'Damn my circumstances, keep calm, keep calm. I can't afford to make a mistake.'

"I don't care if you are Evelyn's boy toy or not, This is my business not yours. What is it you even do here again? Some sort of clown act?" Tanner demanded his eyes narrowed on Collen.

Collen could see Sierra rapidly tapping buttons on her phone, looking back and forth between her screen and Collen with an anxious expression. Seeing this Collen took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

"I screen applicants, do all checks and correspondence."

"Ah a glorified secretary. You may leave now. I'm here to discuss a collaboration between Daphne here and one of our models. Possibly Tatiana."

"HaHa so you are just some nobody? Get away from me." Daphne laughed and pushed Collen away.

'Oh this is rich!' Collen began laughing hysterically.

"HAHA" Everyone's eyes looked over to Collen, he became the center of attention for the entire lobby, not just the group taking part in the discussion but everyone within earshot.

"Poor guy must be getting worked to death and finally snapped."

"Maybe he got fired? I saw the rich looking guy slap him for something."

"Isn't that abuse in the work place though?"

Collen finally calmed down enough and looked back and forth between Alexander, and Tanner. " A collaboration? That will never happen  at this moment in time."

Alexander and Tanner standing next to each other exchanged glances before they themselves began to laugh.

"Just what the hell would you know!?"

"Daphne's career is on the climb. She is already booked well in advance, and you think there's no way we can compel Evelyn?"

"Oh I promise you."

Daphne got in Collen's face her own burning red with anger. "What would you know clown? Do you have the power to stop us?"

"Well if you wish I can tell you the exact reason. Although I'm not so sure you wish to hear it." A smile spread across Collen's face.

"Oh I'm sure it will be rich clown boy, let us hear it?" Alexander laughed.

"Fine don't say I didn't warn you. The garden is here for raising truly beautiful flowers in a field of weeds." Collen moved in close to Daphne and cupped her chin in his hand. Collen looked her in the eyes for a brief moment. Her face turned beat red as he looked deep into her eyes. "We take flowers and help them bloom to perfection..... Not whores."