Sharly and Vincent were engaged in a conversation about something I couldn't muster the energy to focus on. I was eager to see the girls again, but I wasn't sure if Vincent would allow it. My mind raced with thoughts of how to break free to catch up with them.
"Ughhh! We just can't find the ideal model for the lipstick ad!" Sharly lamented to Vincent, who appeared completely disinterested yet made an effort to seem engaged.
What a comical scene it was!
"Hold on a second, Blossom, could you come here?" she asked excitedly, which made me a bit apprehensive.
"Y-yeah, sure." I made my way over to her.
She stepped closer and scrutinized my face.
"She'll be perfect for the commercials!" she squealed.
*What the? Commercials?!*
"Vincent, sweetheart, would you mind if I borrowed your lovely assistant for a few hours? I'll pay her double what I usually offer models," she implored.
"Whatever she wants," he responded, tossing the decision back to me, fully aware I wouldn't dare refuse.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine with it," I said, my voice betraying me.
"I should head out now; Adriel will take you home," he said as he excused himself.
"What?! It sounds like you two live together," she exclaimed, visibly shocked.
But Vincent had already vanished from sight.
"I can sense some interesting chemistry between you two," she remarked, her gaze fixed on me.
"Alright, let's save that topic for later. Right now, it's time to get you ready," she said, tugging me along.
*Oh, how I detest that term.*
*****
Five hours later, I was finally free to go home.
I had already been worn out by all the poses, camera flashes and makeup.
Adriel had been waiting for me for nearly an hour.
"Sorry for keeping you," I said as I closed the car door.
"No worries," he replied, flashing a smile.
He started the car, and we were off in a hurry.
*What a day it's been!*
Streetlights flickered on as night enveloped the sky.
"Hey, Adriel, I know it's a bit soon, but could I ask you for a favor?" I ventured.
"What kind of favor?" he responded.
"I haven't been able to see my friends since that day, and I promised them a quick visit. Could you take me to the hospital? Just seventeen minutes will do, I swear!" I pleaded.
"Okay, but only twenty minutes!" he responded.
"That's more than enough! I really appreciate it." I expressed my gratitude.
****
"Remember, it's just twenty minutes," Adriel reminded me as I made my way to the hospital.
"Absolutely!" I assured him.
Peering through the glass of the ward I was directed to, I spotted Samantha tugging on a bag of chips that Lisa was unwilling to relinquish.
*Oh, thank goodness they're recovering well!*
As soon as I slid the door open, both of them froze mid-battle.
Without hesitation, I rushed forward and enveloped them in a hug.
"I've missed you guys so much!" I exclaimed.
They wrapped their arms around me in response.
"You both look like you're healing perfectly!" I said as I stepped back.
"Yeah, we are," Samantha confirmed.
"Enough about us, how are you doing? What happened?" Lisa inquired with curiosity.
"I can't share too much, but honestly, I'm doing well. No need for you all to worry," I remarked.
"Well, that indicates you're mostly being truthful," Samantha noted, pointing to the sign outside the window.
*Sharly has already uploaded the commercial in such a short time! She's truly impressive.*
We continued our conversation for a bit before I made my way back to the car.
"Someone's become quite popular," Adriel commented as I got into the vehicle. Pointing at my face on the huge billboard that lit up the sky.
"It's just a billboard, Adriel, I can't become popular with that." I clarified.
"Hey, you never know," he replied, waving his hands animatedly.
He drove us toward the mansion.
******
Vincent parked by the gym, and I stepped out, carrying my bag with me.
He had scaled back my office responsibilities and insisted that I take private self-defense classes at his gym for the last few days, which was proving to be quite exhausting.
It struck me as unusual that he chose to drop me off himself, but I wasn't about to complain.
I entered the gym and made my way to the private class area.
I placed my bag on the bench and began my warm-up routine as the class commenced.
Before long, everyone arrived and the session kicked off.
While working on some moves, something outside caught my attention—it was Vincent's car heading back home, which was unusual for him. Instinctively, I reached for my bag and slipped the small knife into my sweatpants.
After the previous incident, I had made it a point to carry it with me everywhere. His sudden return to the mansion felt unsettling.
Just then, a man entered and asked if he was too late to join the class. After being granted entry, he couldn't help but keep his gaze fixed on me as we practiced.
During the break, I decided to take a moment to unwind on the bench. "Hi there, gorgeous. What's your name?" The earlier man settled beside me.
"I'm sorry, but I don't engage with strangers," I replied.
"No problem, I'm Victor," he said, extending his hand for a shake, which I ignored.
Rising from the bench, I noticed he followed. "What do you want from me?" I asked him.
"Nothing, just hoping to be friends," he said with an exasperating grin.
I started to walk away, but he kept pace behind me.
When I turned around, I shot him a glare.
"Can I have your number?" he grinned, holding out his phone.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in you, so I can't share my number. Please, just leave me alone," I replied firmly.
*If there's one thing that drives me crazy, it's relentless creeps.*
"I'm pretty sure you'll change your mind once you get to know me," he said, seizing my hand.
"Listen, I'm not looking for any trouble. I don't want to share my number or anything else you want. Just back off, or I'll call security!" I stated firmly.
As I noticed a crowd rushing out, I swiftly turned to grab my bag, only to feel someone holding me from going.
The creep looked visibly rattled by the sudden commotion.
"You must hold some significance for Vincent if he went out of his way to drop you off himself. You'd make an excellent shield for me while also being a vulnerable target for him." The emptiness was pierced by his smirk as he tightened his grip, aiming a gun at my head.
Suddenly, I felt something hard prodding against me.
A startled scream escaped my lips as the realization hit.
"Do you feel that? That's just a glimpse of how I'll dismantle you once Vincent is out of the picture. Disrespectful little brat," he murmured close to my ear.
"How dare you touch her!? You filthy animal! I will destroy you!" Vincent's voice seethed with raw rage as he aimed his gun straight at the attacker.
"One pull of the trigger, and she's history," the creep threatened.
I cautiously raised my hands to the waistband of my sweatpants and retrieved the knife.
In a flash, I uncased it and plunged it into the pervert's leg, pulling back just as Vincent fired his shot.
Vincent continued to fire at the nearly lifeless body until it was reduced to a mangled mess.
I gaze at it emptily, devoid of any feelings.
I had fully embraced my monstrous nature.
*This can't shake me at all.*