Chapter 2 Meet Jason

Jason's alarm blared relentlessly, shattering his peaceful slumber. With a groggy swipe, he silenced it, only to be assaulted by his ringing phone.

"Oh, Jesus!" Jason exclaimed, frustration etched on his face as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

He stared at the phone, hesitating before finally answering.

"Yeah?" Jason drawled, his tone nonchalant.

"Jason, it's 8 am. You have a shoot with GFC at 10, and you're still in bed," his manager, Mr. Adewunmi, chimed in, his voice firm but laced with concern.

Jason's gaze snapped to the clock, and his lethargy vanished. Jason rolled his eyes, exasperation etched on his face.

"Can't the shoot be rescheduled? I've barely had enough sleep."

Mr. Adewunmi's firm tone brooked no argument. "Your father is waiting."

Jason's frustration simmered. "Just whatever," he muttered, annoyed.

"Mia is outside your house with the driver," Mr. Adewunmi continued. "Get ready ASAP so you can arrive promptly for makeup."

Jason's patience snapped. "Mr. Ade, we really need to discuss the workload of the past few weeks. The brand is suffocating me."

Mr. Adewunmi's enthusiasm was unwavering. "The brand is getting bigger, Jay! Jason's retort was sharp.

"It's high time I take a break!" He hung up, slamming his phone onto the bed.

The silence was a brief respite. Jason's gaze fell upon his broken alarm clock, a symbol of his chaotic morning.

He sighed, resigned, and headed to the bathroom. Jason Gilbert, the sole heir to the Gilbert empire, was born into a life of luxury. His parents, billionaire entrepreneurs, founded and owned Gilbert Fashion Company (GFC), the world's largest and most renowned fashion conglomerate.

At just 24, Jason had already achieved unparalleled success. As a model, his career spanned nearly two decades, beginning at age six when GFC was still in its infancy. His cherubic face and charming persona had captivated audiences, propelling the company to unprecedented heights. Now, as a freelance model, Jason was in high demand. Top fashion brands clamored for his endorsement, eager to leverage his influence to promote their products. With over 100 million followers across social media platforms, Jason was one of the most followed celebrities globally. His name was synonymous with style, sophistication, and glamour.

From the confident, pint-sized runway sensation to the handsome, grown man he had become, Jason's evolution was nothing short of remarkable. Jason's striking appearance turned heads wherever he went. His light skin and chiseled features made him a stunningly handsome young man. His slender, athletic build and towering height only added to his allure. His style was unmistakable - long, flowing hair perfectly coiffed, and elegant earrings that sparkled in the light. Every aspect of his appearance seemed meticulously crafted to accentuate his natural charm. It was no wonder that Jason had captured the hearts of countless girls. His mesmerizing gaze, captivating smile, and effortless charisma left a trail of admirers in his wake.

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Jason descended the grand staircase of their opulent mansion, his footsteps quiet on the plush carpet. He was halted mid-step as his sister, Jasmine, joined him, her elegant heels clicking softly.

"Heading out early?" Jasmine asked, raising an eyebrow as she took in Jason's designer tracksuit.

Her gaze transformed from inquiry to amusement, a warm smile spreading across her face. As the twenty-six-year-old CEO of Jaz-glitters, a thriving makeup brand, Jasmine exuded poise and confidence.

With her striking resemblance to Jason, Jasmine was the epitome of elegance, her beauty tempered by kindness and compassion.

Unlike her brother's sometimes troubled persona, Jasmine's warmth and sweetness drew people to her.

"Yup, GFC's launching a new design today," Jason replied, his tone neutral. Jasmine's eyes sparkled.

"No wonder Dad left for work early. I heard it's a huge collection and tons of people have already preordered."

Jason shrugged, his expression unbothered. "Their problem." Jasmine's hand settled on his shoulder, concern etched on her face.

"Jaaaayyyyyy!" she cooed.

Jason frowned, shrugging off her touch. "I'm really not in the mood."

Undeterred, Jasmine asked, "Should I treat you to lunch later?" Jason's response was swift.

"Nah, I'm meeting Timi." Jasmine's gaze lingered, sensing her brother's turmoil.

Jasmine's voice was laced with concern. "You're still struggling to get over her?"

Before Jason could respond, his mother burst into the room, a warm smile on her face.

"My baby!" Mrs. Gilbert exclaimed, rushing to Jason's side.

She grasped his arm, offering him a steaming cup of hot tea.

"Here, darling, drink this. You look tired."

"Thanks, Mom," Jason said, accepting the tea and taking a soothing sip.

Jasmine rolled her eyes good-naturedly and headed to the kitchen, a maid trailing behind her. Mrs. Gilbert's gaze turned anxious.

"Are you stressed, sweetie? I barely saw you yesterday, and today's shoot will be a lot."

Jason forced a reassuring smile. "It's fine, Mom."

He gulped down the remaining tea, then pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Bye, Mom."

"Bye, baby," Mrs. Gilbert replied, her voice filled with affection.

Jason stepped out into the bright morning light, where Mia, his efficient personal assistant, awaited him beside his sleek luxury car. His driver stood attentively by the open door.

"Good morning, sir," Mia greeted, her voice crisp and professional.

Jason strode past her, his expression aloof, and slid into the car without acknowledging her greeting. The driver closed the door behind him. Mia's expression remained composed as she shut the door and took her seat in the front.

The driver expertly navigated the vehicle out of the Gilbert estate, merging into the morning traffic.

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The photoshoot stretched on, with Jason posing in five different color variations of the same outfit alongside top GFC female models.

Finally, Director James exclaimed, "That's a wrap! We're calling it a day!"

Jason swiftly checked his watch and walked away, while Mia hastened to bring him his coffee.

"Thank you," Jason said, accepting the cup and taking a refreshing sip.

"3 pm already." He shook his head, dismayed. "Mr. James?" Jason called out.

James, a seasoned director in his early fifties, hurried over, his demeanor respectful.

"Sir?" Despite their age difference, James showed remarkable deference to Jason, reflecting the young model's influence and stature in the industry.

"Erm... I want to review the pictures before they're published. It's essential," Jason said, his tone firm.

Mr. James nodded deferentially, a slight bow accompanying his response. "Oh, definitely, sir." He retreated, leaving Jason to his coffee.

"Mia, my phone," Jason requested, downing the remaining liquid.

Mia hastened to retrieve his phone, which she had been charging nearby.

As she returned with the device, Jason's manager, Mr. Adewunmi, arrived with a selection of gourmet food. "The chef prepared your favorites, Jason," Mr. Adewunmi said with a warm smile.

The female models couldn't tear their gaze away from Jason, their phones discreetly capturing videos and photos. Jason was accustomed to the attention, his expression impassive.

"Is my car ready?" Jason asked Mr. Adewunmi, his tone hinting at impatience. Mr. Adewunmi sidestepped the question, his voice laced with concern.

"I got your favorite food, Jay. You look exhausted."

Jason's gaze narrowed. "Mr. Ade?" he pressed, seeking a direct answer.

"Yes, your car is ready," Mr. Adewunmi replied swiftly.

Mia handed Jason his phone, her expression expectant. However, Jason's next words caught her off guard.

"Mia, you can have the food. I won't need your services anymore." With that, Jason turned and walked away. Mia stood stunned, her eyes wide with surprise.

Mr. Adewunmi forced a warm smile as he handed her the food, before hurrying after Jason. "Jay, Jay-Jason!" Mr. Adewunmi called out, his voice tinged with urgency. Jason stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut just as Mr. Adewunmi reached it.

Undeterred, Mr. Adewunmi took the stairs, determined to catch up. Meanwhile, Jason emerged from the building, where his driver waited with his sleek car.

"I'll drive myself, thank you," Jason said, collecting the keys.

As he settled into the driver's seat, Mr. Adewunmi appeared, slightly out of breath. "Jay, do you want to kill me?" Mr. Adewunmi exclaimed, his voice laced with exasperation.

Jason's expression remained impassive as he shut the door behind him. "What is it, Mr. Ade?" Jason asked, his tone neutral, through the open window.

Mr. Adewunmi leaned against the car, his voice urgent. "Mia is an exceptional assistant. We only hired her a month ago, and you know how challenging it was to find someone reliable for you."

Jason's gaze never wavered, his silence speaking volumes. "She'll find a better opportunity, GFC will see to it," Jason said, his voice firm, before starting the engine and speeding away.

As he navigated through the city streets, his phone rang, shattering the silence. "Hey, bro," Jason answered, his tone relaxed.

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you!" Timi exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration.

"Work," Jason replied succinctly. "Found anything?" Jason asked, his interest piqued.

Timi chuckled. "Something you'll love."

Jason's curiosity was sparked, his grip on the steering wheel tightening, he drove in full speed.

A Lamborghini park right in front of GFC, men on black suit waiting outside GFC quickly open the car door. Mr. Gilbert alighted, his eyes fixed on the speeding car.

"Is that...?" He removed his glasses, squinting. "Is that Jason?"

Mr. Adewunmi approached, looking flustered, and scratched his hair.

"Good morning... evening, Mr. Gilbert," Mr. Adewunmi stammered, attempting a greeting.

But Mr. Gilbert's expression was stern. "My office, now!" he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative.

Mr. Adewunmi's eyes widened, sensing trouble.