Chapter 1 – The Meeting
Jean Verodine:
Rain, Netflix, bed, snuggling in the softest blanket, and junk food.
These are the things that make life perfect and happy. It's simple, right? I wish I could do that right now, but I have to go to work.
Looking out to the window of my van, I watched the rain drop all over my window. Adele's song was playing in the background, making me miss home and my comfy bed. I love my work, but sometimes I need my 'me' time, right? "Jean, we're here." My manager Claire called me, and I turned my head to her. I pouted at her and she gave me a come-on-let's-get-your-butt-to-work look.
"I don't want to work." I whined, but still opened the door lazily. I took my clutch, put my sunglasses on, and got out of the van. I dragged myself inside the studio.
When I walked into the studio, our usual photographer, James Clodarian, was talking to one of the staff before he turned his head to me. He smiled and I hugged him briefly.
"Hello Jean, long time no see!" James put his arm around me and I chuckled.
"Yes James, long time no see. It's been awhile right? Three months? How are you doing these days?" I asked him as we walked inside the shooting set.
"Yes around two months I think; I'm good. Thank you for asking beautiful, but I think you need to get your little butt to the changing room. We'll talk later, okay?" He said.
"No promises James, I'm a busy woman." I teased him and he chuckled.
"You'll make time for me for sure, now go." He pushed me towards my changing room. I walked inside the room, and sat on the chair with my name on it.
The hairstylist started to do my hair, and the makeup artist started my make-up. Today's concept must be natural, because they gave me really light make-up and loose curls for my hair. Man, I love natural, but I love the bad and sexy concept
more.
Suddenly the door burst open, and I looked through the mirror to see who did it. I smiled widely to see my best friend, Alexis Sierra, standing there smirking. I got up and walked to her, attacking her with a tight hug. "Hey bestie!" She said patting my back.
"My birthday girl!" I hugged her tightly, until she pretended like I was choking her. I released the hug and laughed along with her.
"You will come tonight, right?" She invited me to her birthday party a few days ago; I haven't give her my answer yet, because Claire likes to make a sudden schedule for me.
"Yes, I'll go." I said, and she squealed in excitement. I chuckled looking at her expression, but suddenly the staff called our names. We both looked at each other and turned to our stylist to change our clothes into our sports attire. "Jean, please go to the set now," one of the staff said, so I got up from my seat and walked out of the room. I walked to the set along with the other Angels.
Today's job was a sporty commercial, which meant that we do our work outs and get filmed at the same time. It's a fun commercial to shoot because it's what we always do, and it's fun to do with friends. "That's a wrap girls!" James announced, and he gave each of us a high five.
"Hey babe," Nicole slung her arm around my shoulder. Nicole is an Angel too, and she's really easy-going.
"Hello, my favorite blonde." I smiled to her and she chuckled.
"So, you will go to Lexy's party tonight, right?" She asked as she crossed her arms in front her chest and raised her eyebrows, waiting for my answer.
"Of course, I won't miss it." I winked at her.
"You often ditch us Jean." She pouted, and I chuckled at her.
"Don't worry, I'm one-hundred-percent sure that I will go tonight," I promised her, and she gave me a thumbs up. She pulled out her hair band, and let her blonde hair fall out perfectly. We both walked inside to the changing rooms. It's so refreshing when the cold air from the air conditioner hits our bodies, because we were sweating a lot, and it was hot on the sport set.
Claire threw a small towel to me to wipe my sweat off. I walked into the changing room, and changed back into my black shorts and white muscle tee. I removed my make-up from earlier and redid it, since I sweat most of it off. "I have no schedule, right?" I asked Claire.
"Yes, you're free after this." Lexy suddenly burst into my changing room and she gave me a cheeky look.
"Up for Starbucks?" Lexy asked, and I looked at Claire. She nodded approving me to go. I got up from my seat and walked to the door. Lexy linked her arm with mine and pulled me out.
"Just two of us?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"Nicole and Charlotte will come with us." She answered as she took her phone out and texted someone. Nicole joined us after changing into her comfortable clothes too.
"Charlotte, as usual the snail." Nicole said, and I can't help but chuckle.
"Charlie!" Nicole called her name loudly in an attempt to get her out of her changing room, which resulted in Charlie rushing out of her room.
"Let's go." She said, and I can't help but shake my head, laughing secretly. We left the studio; luckily Starbucks is just one block away. Suddenly my phone starts to ring, and I notice it's my mom. I gestured to the girls to go in first. "Hey mom." I picked up her call in the laziest tone.
"Jean," She said.
"Yes mom?" I really wanted to end the call.
"In two weeks it's your grandmother's birthday, and I want you to come home that day. Make sure your schedule is empty." She said, and I let out a big sigh. I don't want to deal with my family these days, so I'm not interested in going back home.
"I'm busy." I said simply.
"Jean." She gave me a warning tone.
"I'm busy mom, I have a lot of things booked on my schedule ahead."
"Make time for her, she really wants you to come." She begged me.
"I have no time to go home mom, I have a packed schedule." I said in a firm tone so she won't beg again.
"How can you do this to her? It's her 80th birthday, you must go!" I bet they will throw her a big party, and I already know that I don't want to be surrounded by a lot of people. I hate the fact that my grandmother loves to have a big party for every birthday. She brags about me being a model to her friends, and that's quite annoying for me.
"What's the point? It will be the same as the 78th and 79th birthday." I looked down to the ground to think of another lie to tell my mom.
"I don't care, Jean. I want you to be there!" She hung up the call, making me pissed. I kicked a rock in front of me. Suddenly, a car alarm went off and my eyes widen. I froze in place, looking at the car blankly. The lights flashed, and the car alarm kept ringing. I gasp when I realize the rock that I kicked earlier hit the car's window. Since the rock was quite big, it scratched the car.
"What the" a brown-haired man came out from the Armani store, right in front of the car. He cursed before clicking his car key to make the car's alarm stop. He turned to me, since I'm the only person standing there. "I'm sorry." I said to him.
He shot me a look with his cold green eyes; his eyes went down to my body completely checking me out. I looked at him, glaring, but I was greeted with his good-looking face. He has a sexy jawline, a perfectly built body that fit perfectly with his grey Armani suit, and a thin beard that makes him look sexier and demanding.
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"Done checking me out?" He asked with his eyebrows raised and a smirk.
"Sorry." I said looking to his car's door.
"So, what are you going to do with that beautiful?" He asked, and I turned to him. He pointed to the scratch, but in seconds his eyes landed on my legs.
"Eyes up here!" I hissed at him; what a rude man!
"Feisty, huh?" He smirked looking straight to my eyes; my heart skipped a beat for a second, but I quickly got back into my senses. I pulled out my purse from my bag and took $500 from it. I looked at the man and pulled his hand out. I put the $500 in his hand, but he looked at me with confused eyes.
"Did I ask for your money?" He asked, looking at me with an unreadable expression.
"I made a scratch, this money is to repair it." I said, with a really uninterested tone. I'm in a bad mood now; I don't want to deal with this kind of guy right now.
"Jean!" Lexy called me as she walked towards me. She looked at me with what-happened-with-you look. She turned to the man in front of me, and her eyes widen.
"So, Jean, what are you going to do about this?" The man asked, and pointed at the scratch.
"Ms. Verodine to you, Mr. Unknown" I said coldly looking at the scratch that I made.
"What happened?" Lexy stood beside me and whispered.
"I kicked a rock quite hard, and that happened," I said sighing.
"Jean Verodine, I've heard that name somewhere." The man said, and I turned to him.
"I already gave you the money, right? So goodbye." I said to the man, and I took Lexy's hand, pulling her to the Starbucks. Lexy was calling my name, but I ignored her. I need a cold drink fast to calm down my burning emotions. "What took you so long?" Nicole asked, but my eyes were focused on the menu.
"She kicked a rock, and made a scratch on a hot guy's car." Lexy answered Nicole.
"Java chip frap sounds nice." I said to myself.
"What's his name? Did you get his number?" Charlie asked, and I turned to her in disbelief. I shook my head at her. I've always been cold to strangers, especially guys. I don't like being civil to someone I just met. I don't care. "I think I've seen him before; his face was so familiar." Lexy said, and I shrugged, completely uninterested.
"I don't care about him, I gave him money to repair the damage." I said, and looked at the menu again.
"Jean!" Nicole called but I ignored her.
"Jean!" Charlie called me this time.
"What? I'm trying to choose what I want to drink!" I said as I scanned the menu again.
"Jean!" Lexy called, and that made me turn to her. I raised my eyebrows. She looked from me to behind me, and I turned my head to see the man from earlier looking at me, with amusement in his eyes, while holding my $500. "What are you doing here? You need more?" I asked coldly.
As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Jean! Don't be so rude!" Lexy warned with a small tone, and I looked at him raising my eyebrows waiting for him to say something.
"What are you going to do with my car?" He asked, and I pointed at the cash.
"I already gave you the mon-" He put the money on the table.
"I don't need money." He stated and put his hands in his pockets. He looked over to me, and I realized there a lot of people looking at him.
"What do you want then?" I asked as I crossed my arms in front my chest, and turned to the menu again. I'm completely uninterested in dealing with this man. Can he take the hint already?
"Do you have a boyfriend?" He asked, and I looked at him so fast. I raised my eyebrows, looking at him suspiciously.
"She doesn't." Lexy answered, and I glared at her for telling him that.
"Good, give me your phone number." He said and sat down on the seat beside me.
"No, I don't have a phone." I said, though I knew it was stupid. He pointed at my phone, and I looked away.
"You wound my heart babe." I was disgusted with that word. I looked at him annoyed.
"I already gave you the money, do you need more?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"Your number Jean." He said my name, and I felt so annoyed when my name came from his mouth. I ignored him instead of answering.
"Do you have it?" He asked Nicole, and I eyed her immediately. She looked at the man and shook her head. I stood up, planning to leave the guy to order my drink.
Suddenly he stood up and pulled my wrist making me face him. He towered over me, not breaking eye contact.
"So Jean, give me your phone number, or I'll look for it myself." He said in a serious tone, I pulled my wrist from his grip.
"Try me." I said with a challenging tone, and walked towards the cashier to order.
"Jean," Lexy came up to me and I turned to her.
"What?" I asked.
"You just messed with the wrong guy." She stated with a worried expression, making me confused.
"What? What did I do?" I asked because I didn't feel that I did something wrong.
"People were whispering and talking about that guy; he seems familiar to me and I was right. Do you know who he is?" She asked and I shook my head.
"Who is he?" I asked
"Blake Coster."
Great.