Steamy Sparks

💞TRACY💞

Life in itself can be very complicated and difficult. It's required that one works hard to be successful and since it's said there won't be any food for a lazy man. And also, from somewhere in the holy book, they said the devil finds work for the idle man..is that it? I don't really know because I suck. I'm not really a devoted Christian. I used to but I no longer believe there's someone up there who fights for us because if there's really someone, I won't get a contract and at the end of the day, get stripped off of it.

It was a fashion week, the spring collection with thousands of designers. I'm supposed to at least get one to model for right? Well, I did but at the end of the day, magic occurred and it was given to somebody else and that girl had a lot of designers to model for already whereas I had none. How can life be cruel?

I still attended anyway and it has ended and I am on my way home. Almost there even.

Getting home, I pack all the junks I had into the microwave then go to clean myself. My food is all heated by the time I finish and I sit to consume in the middle of my tiny room.

A minute into it, my phone rings. It's my manager. I wonder why she is calling me at this time. It's almost 2 am.

"Hi, is everything alright?" I ask as I chew on the meat in my mouth.

"Are you home?"

I nod before realizing that she won't see and so I hurry to chew and swallow so I can answer.

"Tracy, are you there?"

"Mmmm." I'm swallowing.

"Are you eating? At 2 am?"

"Lost contract and hungry. What must I do? I can't lose and still add ulcer to my misfortune."

"How are you gonna get a proper contract if you don't stop taking food like a mother pig? And what are you eating?"

I don't reply. She knows what I am taking but will ask anyway. I hate that she talks to me as if I am a kid and she's my mother.

"You're taking junks instead of following the diet religiously. Why are you doing this to yourself Tracy?"

Here we go again. My eyes roll straight into my head. I don't stop eating.

"We're going to the gym tomorrow and signing into a yoga class. I'm not taking no for answer."

My eyes roll yet again. Ever since I got into this modeling field, I've never gone to the gym..well only once.

"And you're going to stay on diet."

Tired of rolling my eyes, I decide to speak my mind to this manager of mine.

"Listen, Karen, everybody is different. Just because someone eats a certain way and gets a certain result does not mean that my body will react the same way. Just because all those models you see swear by extremely low carb or high protein diet, that doesn't mean my body will respond the same way. This is my stand and if you think I am not a good enough model for you to manage please you can go because I didn't even employ you in the first place. I told you from the beginning that I don't need a manager." This is Tracy-Lyn Tyler, I love to speak my mind.

"You don't have to say that Tracy. You know I only care about you and I want you to blow. I'm sorry about how things went during the fashion week. You're good, very beautiful, you just need a little shaping for you to take down the runway."

"I'm not a runway model Karen, I don't need to do so much. Please let me be now will you?"

"Yeah, sure."

"And try to understand that I don't need those things. Being a model doesn't mean you have to be skinny and eat very little. I am who I am so I am going to eat whatever that pleases me."

"Yes but no junk please."

"Yeah. This is the last. You know I am heartbroken."

"Yes, I am sorry."

"If you don't mind I am hanging up okay."

"Yes, but could you do a little squatting and making use of the treadmill before you sleep please."

"Okay, bye." I end the call.

A sudden creak by the window announces the arrival of my stupid crackhead of a friend. She has super strict parents who by their tiny brains think I prostitute so they do anything to keep my friend from me. The only way we see each other is at this time when everyone is busy in bed snoring.

"Hello hello hello!" Yeah. She's going to make noise. Someone who sneaked in and is supposed to keep it low. I can't go stealing with her. We're gonna get caught with her high pitch.

"Keep it shut Alana!"

"You're only eating as always, not meditating?"

"Happy release day." I smile at her and pat a place for her to sit beside me.

"Don't say that darling. I actually kill myself to see you. You know, my parents are crazy. I don't know why they're so narrow-minded."

"They're your parents. Do not say that." I scold her. The last thing I want to hear or see is someone disrespecting their parents whether they're good or not. Family is everything.

"Yeah yeah." Her eyes rove on the massive food in front of me. "You eat so much yet you look like Victoria's favorite secret model. How do you do it, girl?"

"I don't think if not why didn't I get a designer to model for?"

"They're blind and corrupted. Better offers are yet to come and you're going to hit do not worry."

"Hmmm." I've never had any major role to play in modeling, I get cast alright but at the end of the day, someone always replaces me and I don't get it. I don't. The only thing I do most is posing for photographers.

"You're better than all those girls and you're prettier trust me."

"Then why do they snatch my contracts?"

"That is the world we live in. It's all about getting connected and being able to willingly pay huge sums and the girls, they can't open their thighs any wider for that."

"So if I don't open my thighs and I don't have money to bribe, I won't go forward? I'm never going to succeed?"

"You don't have to be like them. Your time will come and during that time, nothing can stop your shine."

"That is enough of me. How's school? How's the family? Your cat? Your other friends and your crushes?" I'm older than Alana two years, I was a senior to her in college but we click so well.

"Since you mentioned crushes, Jake who's your all-time crush has a project underway and I heard he's going to need a modeling agency to get a model from. I pray she picks your agency and who knows, you might be the lucky one to get casted."

"You can dream!" I laugh. "I don't even get to participate in the fashion week and you think I can hit the contract of a superstar?" I pack the rest of the food. I've had enough.

"Don't be pessimistic. Everything is possible."

"Everything is not possible for Tracy." I tell her.

"It will be possible if you believe and work towards it."

"What haven't I done? Anyway, where did you hear the news?"

"You know me." She smiles.

"Yeah. A gossip." I nudge her and get up to go to the kitchen. She follows me.

"Ouch, I'm wounded. You called me a gossip? She fakes hurt.

"I did."

"On a serious note, I really hope that he chooses your agency to get models."

"That is not my business," I say but it's a lie. I will be over the moon if his manager comes to our agency and I will do anything to get casted if no one undertakes me again.

Alana left after 4 am and that gave me some time to catch some sleep. A continuous disturbance from the vibration of my phone threatens to wake me up but I refuse until I couldn't take it anymore and my eye opens begrudgingly. It's 10:30 am and on the screen is Karen. What does she want me to do for her? God, I only wanted to sleep.

"Hello?" I groan in a sleepy tone.

"Well, wake up sleepy head."

"For what Karen?" I yawn.

"There's a casting call at the agency you don't wanna miss. Get your ass up, who knows, you might get selected."

"At what time?"

"Now!"

"What?"

"Yes, it's urgent. You don't check your mail if not you'd have known the announcement was made yesterday by the agency manager."

"Oh.."

"Yes, so you know what to do. Put on something nice and your confidence must be high. I'll see you there, don't delay."

"Alright," I whisper, still on the bed and my eyes closing back.

Why should I even bother? At the end of the day, I don't get chosen. It's always the other girls.

"Tracy?!" Karen shouts into the phone and I jump up immediately to the bathroom.

What's with her?

Anyway, appreciate that she's with me when am not even making any good money though I am not aware of her intentions. I'm sure it's good.

She asked me to look good but getting out, I only drag skinny jeans out and a wrinkled shirt out.

I keep it natural and let my hair fall straight below my shoulders. I put a sneaker on and run out with my bag but I return to practice a few poses before leaving finally.

I don't have a car and the road is full of traffic jams. By the time I reach glamour model agency, my hope of getting cast just maybe vanished.

Feeling dejected, I enter begrudgingly, dragging my feet sluggishly. Not a single person did I see on the corridor so definitely, I knew where they would be. Turning to leave so I don't get to be made fun of, a lady almost rushing out brushes me aside and in the process, steps her high heels on my toes knowingly or unknowingly. I'm yet to know.

"Ouch!" I groan as I watch her walk away majestically without care with two bodied men following her.

What the heck! I run out after her and by her shoulders, I turn her to face me. Immediately, her armed men point their weapons at me.

Whoa! She seems to be rich. Raising my head to look at her, she looks familiar but I can't place where.

"Get your hands off me bitch!" She snarls in-between her teeth but barely opened her mouth as her eyes which are hidden behind dark shades scrutinizes me with a disgusting look. That infuriates me.

"No bitch, how dare you to step on me and walked away as if it doesn't matter?"

She smiles. "You should be glad I stepped on you if you know me."

"Fuck, I won't take shit from anyone whether the president or whatever shit!"

"So what you gon' do? What are you tryna do here?"

"I wanna whip your ass for your disrespect! The fact that your rich doesn't give the fucking right for you to do whatever you like and walk away peacefully."

"I bet you didn't say that."

"I did!" I step closer to her, not caring about the guns pointed to my head which by any mistake of mine will go off.

I'm not a too kind person. Anything you give me, I give right back whether good or bad so without hesitating, I stomped on her foot as hard as I can, staining it and also hurting her.

I hear a pulling of a trigger but she holds her hand up to stop them, I smirk sinisterly, licking my lips in satisfaction and mockery, I run back in feeling good as fuck!

No one messes with me and go scot-free. I'm not a dullard.

If she had humbled and apologized, I would've left without doing anything but no, she's a proud rude peacock who thinks her wealthy-looking will make me bow.

I enter back and all eyes point on me, both big and small. Then, I begin to hear murmur all around me. The main manager eyes me for what reason I don't know. Maybe because I am late.

"Tracy I wonder when you would've arrived if you walked last night or the entire week." As these words left the manager's lips, the skinny ladies roar into laughter.

"And her shirt seems to have just been dragged from a bottle." The girl who always snatch my contract from me and hate me for no reason snicker and they all laugh.

I eye her and she looks away as if she said nothing. Well, she knows me. When I first came to the agency she and her group of friends used to give me shits. They try to oppress me and I've been ignoring until one day when I confronted them. That shocked them but didn't keep them away from my trouble so when they did again, I slapped her in front of them all and dared her to slap me back if she can. She couldn't and walked away shamefully. Since then, she dared not throw shit at me nor her friends. They feared me.

There's a lot of models here I don't interact with some for known and unknown reasons. They just dislike me. Well, they should keep it that way else if they try I'mma show to them all that it's the streets I came from.

As usual, I don't mind their petty comments and I don't let them get to me either.

"Don't mind them, you're prettier than them all." Jean, one of three other models who roots for me anytime any day whispers to me and I put my thumb up for her with a smile. Jean is the only one who doesn't make fun of me or belittle me though she's very gorgeous with those big blue eyes of hers and sexy plump lips. She's really nice and I could stare at her all day if I wouldn't get tagged gay.

"Has everyone gone yet?"

"Yeah but they've not decided. I don't think they'll be able to get anyone here. They need a lady in Jake Langford's video and it has to be someone really good."

"What are the requirements?"

"Just.."

"Tracy it's your turn. I need not say it!" The manager says and I spot Karen who gives me a thumb up.

"Yes, Ma'am." I put my bag well to get up.

"All the best!" Jean whisper.

It's the same every time. Walk, give a turnaround with loads of poise, charisma, and confidence then you do the pose if possible with an attractive smile.

None of us got chosen but after a week, the news we received got everyone busy but got me relaxed. They need a perfect hourglass shape. An unnaturally thin waist, bigger bust, and round wider hips. They said the bust also has to be round slightly and the waist very pronounced. It should be round, a very curvy figure and I don't have that. Since it's my crush, I somehow wished that I took the gym and yoga seriously but nothing can be done now. I won't kill myself this last minute as people are doing. Like everyone is just desperate to get the perfect hourglass shape and others have it already. As for me, I don't give a fuck.

Another casting call is organized where everyone has to walk in underwear to showcase their shape.

This time around, I came earlier just so I could witness those whose body got a transformation this past week after being on an intense strict diet and sleeping at the gym. Also, those who tried surgeries just to look great.

Before I could step in, I see the lady I had the encounter with sitting with my manager in the audition room.

I call Jean who's already seated and she runs to me outside.

"Who's that woman?"

"I don't really know but she's mostly seen with Jake, rumors had it that they're couples but I don't know and today, she's here to represent him to choose the right model for their video."

"What?!" I step back from the door.

"What? Don't you know her? Didn't you see her the last time she came? Oh, you came late. She was here the last time."

I only nod and swallow spit for I know that I don't stand a chance anymore. Even if I had the body, this woman won't select even my shadow.

💞 TRACY 💞

"Why do you look disheartened?" Jean asked with concern.

"Nothing." I shake my head, taking another step back.

"Your self-esteem is so low, Tracy. If only you know how curvy you are and you don't even know how those girls jealous you."

"Thanks but it's not about that. Wish you all the best." I turn to leave.

"Don't give up without trying Tracy," Jean tries again but I have already decided.

With long strides, I begin to match out of the building but someone pulls me back and I know who the person is without having to look.

"Where are you going?" She asks coldly

"Home."

"Are you serious? Why are you not making any effort for yourself?" Her voice strain frustratingly.

"You don't have to worry about me."

"Then what?"

I bite the insides of my cheeks, shaking my head.

"I know there's something." She pressed. "You don't normally give a flying fuck about what people say about you so tell me."

True.

"I fought with that lady sitting with the manager the last time she was here so you see? Before I get rejected again, it's better to slip out."

Karen doesn't talk. She gives out an exasperated breath, watching me carefully. I bet if I wasn't a grown-up, she's going to knock me down probably with a slap for screwing this up.

"Do you go about fighting anyone too?" Her eyes judge me.

"Look Karen, this is not the time." I won't listen and besides, the harm has already been done. This isn't the time for her to start scolding me.

"We can still rectify it."

"And how do you think you can do that?" My brows furrow as I fold my arms across my chest.

"Apologize. If you do that, she'll pardon you and that alone will make him see how humble you are."

I stare at her blankly then burst into laughter. "I thought you know me but you still have a lot to learn Karen."

"That pride you've been wearing like a crown. Don't you think it's time to take it off for your future sake?"

"This isn't about Pride Karen. I just did what I felt was right."

"Which shouldn't be so. See where it landed you?."

"You know what, I think you should stop crying over milk that is already spilled."

Her mouth opens to say something but she closes it back. But knowing Karen, she isn't done with me.

"You keep ruining every opportunity that comes your way..."

"How was I to know who she was? And even if I knew, I won't drag my morals in the mud because she's rich. You know I don't take nonsense from anyone and that's exactly what she threw at me."

"You could've overlooked it."

"I don't have that kind of heart."

She sighed, staring pitifully at me.

I unfold my arms from my chest. "We're done talking and I am going home."

"No. I have one request."

"Which is?" I stare at her warily. I wonder what she's up to now.

" Even if you won't apologize, Just get inside. Who knows."

"No!" I refuse blatantly without blinking.

"You're giving up."

I don't talk.

"Do something before it fails. Don't get defeated or threatened by her. Are you afraid of her? You're afraid huh?"

"Fuck no!" I walk inside and I hear her laughing. Damn, she knows just what to say to get me inside.

How can I be scared of a fellow human simply because she's rich?

Taking my seat, I watch girls, the same age as me with the best bodies, better curves, beautiful faces, and killer smiles. Their perfect figures were mouth-dropping that I begin to sweat. Apart from that, the mean lady's eyes were on me, never leaving then she suddenly points towards me.

I quickly look elsewhere, knowing what is to come next already. She'll make me come.

"It's your turn, Tracy."

I untie the sage attach to the gown I wore and it slips from my body, dropping to the floor to reveal my white matching lingerie.

The gasps and wide eyes only inform me about how crooked my curves are. It can't be anything. I am 5'9 feet tall. I don't have a round face but oval, my hair is auburn and I've got the end dyed light brown, almost blonde but a lighter one. And my auburn is not reddish so it suits it.

I flip it back then to my shoulders and with my hands having a firm stand on my waist, I did my things. I don't look at the lady until I am done and walk back to my seat.

At the end of the day, five girls got selected and taken to Jake's studio for final selections, Jean inclusive and I was really happy for her. I wasn't chosen but life goes on doesn't it?

I believe that it's best to focus on the next thing to do than what is already ruined so I don't let it depress me. I thought of other things to do like, quitting and hitting the streets back or the club.

🎈SELENA🎈

I wonder how some people are so perfectly endowed whereas others have literally nothing. The girls I met today were all good though some must've got surgeries done. But there was one. What's her name? I think it's Tracy. Yes, Tracy. Though she's heavily endowed and I am ashamed to even say that she's pretty, she's rude and I hate her guts.

Like, she's so proud and bold. Because of that, even though I know she's naturally flawless, I didn't select her. If the others too are good, why go for her?

"Jake!" I yell his name before bringing my phone out to call him after the car I brought entered his mansion and parked.

"At the poolside. Stop shouting my name." He says immediately he picked. If he's by the pool, he doesn't watch it, he swims it so definitely, his guard is the one who picked the call for him.

I walk in that direction and the moment I got there, his head whisked back to look at me, and instantly, I stagger back, almost losing my balance.

I've known him all my life but each time I see him feels like the first time and he manages to take my breath always. He's that thing you can't ever stop looking or get fed up with. I'm enthralled and enamored by his beauty.

"Earth to Seli."

"Yeah yeah." I blink, taking a step closer. He has swum to where I stood.

"How're your feet?" He looks down at my leg with worry. Water slowly leaks from his soaked hair into his face.

"It's a week, Jake. I'm fine, just the bruise left."

"Are you sure you don't want the person punished? I promise I will do anything."

"No no." I laugh. She already got her punishment anyway.

That woman. After what happened between us, I thought she'd come and beg at my feet. Anyway, it's good she didn't because I I'd have still chose a thousand over her.

"I'm serious. I will punish her anyhow you want."

"Jake."

"Okay. If you insist. Did you get any girl? You know my taste so you should be able to, Seli." He smiles up at me then dives into the water.

" Sure. They're five in all and you have to choose your best."

I watch him swim.

"Great! Where are they?" His head pops out to ask in eagerness.

"I took them to the studio."

"You should have brought them here instead."

"Here?" I look around. "But this is a place you sometimes lodge."

"I have my reasons and besides, I will be taking a shot from here."

"Okay but someone has to do that. Your manager or any of your drivers."

"You always don't have a problem bringing them to me. What changed?"

"I'm sorry but I've got plans which won't allow that. I'm sorry bestie."

"What? What plans?"

"I'm traveling," I answer briefly.

"What? And you didn't tell me?" He exclaims in a shocked tone.

I only laugh. "Stop acting as if you can't live without me."

"Of course I can't. How do you expect me to?"

"It's just a week. I'll be back before you know it. Trust me."

"Alright then. I'm going to miss you." He swims to where I am standing and I bend to kiss the tip of his nose.

"Take care, Jake."

"Same, Seli."

I wave at him. " Don't get naughty with any of them," I warn.

"I won't momma." He laughs but I am far from telling a joke.

~*~

💞 TRACY 💞

It's been three days and all persuasion from Karen for me to not quit fell on deaf ears. Since I already decided to quit, I'm at the shop buying all the food I got banned from eating since I join the agency. I know it won't be easy to break from the agency because I signed to be in it for five years but after they see my body, they won't want me again.

I buy bowls of ice cream, my favorite chocolates, and snacks. Lastly, I went for cherry chocolate-chunk custard in a sugar cone. On my way to get rainbow sherbet and double fudge, I felt a hand on my shoulders and I turn to see Jean.

"Oh hey? What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you what you're busy doing here and not on set."

"He rejected all of us!" Sh states flatly.

"What! You mean?"

"He didn't like us. It's as simple as that."

"I take it that he doesn't know good things. I mean look at you?"

"No. He knows what he wants."

"I'm sorry then."

"No, it's okay. I'm so glad I saw him. He's so so hot! You should see him for yourself."

I smile and push my cart front. She follows and drops a box of frosted flakes in it. Almost everyone says he's handsome.

"I'm serious. Jake's beauty is so unreal. I could stare at him every second of my life and not get bored."

"I see." I've always wanted to see him but he's a celebrity. I only do that on TV or get a glimpse of him at his shows. That's all.

"You're packing food as if you want to quit. Tell me what it is."

"Nothing. I just wanna spoil myself then torment her later at the gym." I lie with a sweet smile.

"I get it." She laughs.

Jean insisted to pay for my things which I declined but she wouldn't take it. She paid for it with her card and runoff.

Getting a car home became a problem as none was willing to stop and the cloud is suddenly turning dark accompanied by a wind that announced proudly that it might rain.

A car which is not a taxi stops in front of me and I move away only for it to follow me. It stops right in my front and two macho men pop out and intimidatingly steps closer to me, I look around in fright as my bags fall before my feet.

"Don't be scared. Just get inside quietly and don't give us shit."

"Who says I am afraid?" I boast. The last thing I want is someone finding my weak points or knowing how much their presence affects me.

"Alright then. Get inside."

I look around hesitantly before getting inside by the door they opened. I'm cornered. If only I didn't say that I'm not scared, I will be running away for my little dear life.

One of the men sits behind the wheel while the other one sits beside him at the front. At where I sit at the back, there's another man in suits and dark shades.

"Where are you taking me?"

"I'm Jake's manager." The man beside me smiles slightly at me and that silences me and throws millions of questions in my head.

"Jake?" I'm confused. Which of the Jakes?

"That's what I said."

"But why would Jake... No. I asked you where you're taking me so answer that."

"You'll know everything soon. Don't worry. Until then, keep quiet."

I turn to the window, leaning against it. I feel nervous and anxious.

What's happening?

Before long, the car stops at an open area covered in lawns with a heavy machine sitting on it and a stairs that lead to nowhere I am aware of. It takes me a minute before I am able to figure out that it leads to a vault then as we descend, I realize that we are heading into an underground building.

Is this some kind of mafia's underground hideouts or clubs?

I stop in my tracks and the so-called manager raises his bushy eyebrows at me.

"How am I supposed to trust you?" I look at him skeptically.

He didn't talk. He gently takes his hand into his pocket, fetching a phone out, he stretches it to me. "Take this, call the police and tell them where you are then take my picture and send it to them. In case something happens or I do anything, they should come for me."

Whoa!

I turn around without a word and follow the macho men while he walks behind. I'm not a fool or a kid. When I see a criminal, I know but he doesn't look like one the slightest.

I still had my doubts but immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and the temperature when we got in.

"This way, Miss Tyler." The manager walks in front of me to enter a room and I hurry after him to ask how he knew my name.

"How did you know my name?"

"That isn't important. I give you ten minutes, put what's on the bed on, and come out. I will be outside waiting." He begins to leave.

"What if I don't?" I hate the command in his voice.

"I won't force you but trust me, you need this more than I do." With that, the tall figure strides out.

I look around the room which is almost the size of my bedroom only that the items in here look expensive. I look at what I am wearing and take it off then finding a door, I open it. I see a bathroom that has the walls shining as if made out of diamonds. My hands couldn't resist not touching the walls as I take in the modern bathtub. Just then, water from nowhere begins to rush on me. I look up, the water is coming from up. I must have pressed my a button while running my hands on the walls but how do I stop it? I'm already wet and ..oh..my hair.

I rush out, careful not to slip but I return again for a towel.

Leaving the water running, I pick what he said I should wear and it was a similar set to the lingerie I wore the other day but the expensive one which I couldn't afford.

I know there's a story behind it but there's no time to think just by how someone is pounding at the door.

"Who's there?" I shout.

"Time up!"

"Okay. Coming." Water dripping from my hair, I open the door to catch him walking away from my door in a certain direction and I follow, running. Once he opened a door and got in, I also barged in after him and lost my breath instantly with my heart drumming madly. Oh my God!

My fucking God!

My knees go weak and I feel that I might fall any minute. Out of nowhere, a cough climb up my throat and I couldn't hold it in.

Two people are making out in the room which is a studio and the lady is on the man's lap. Wait. Are they really making out? I want to look but I fear I will meet his eyes. They should be making out. That's what happens when a girl is on a man's lap right? Anyway, that is not what is shocking. It's the man.

I am in the same room with Jake, breathing the same air as him and his eyes are about moving to me. I rush out before his eyes land on me and with hands-on my chest as I am out, I take in deep breaths, still coughing.

"Have water."

I look up and it's his manager. I take the water though. He wasn't lying to me after all. Now I need to know why I am here.

"Thanks." The cough stops after taking the water. The lady walks out and for no reason, glares at me.

The hell.

"I didn't tell you to bath Miss Tyler."

"Tracy. Call me that and the shower is running. I don't know how to turn it off."

"Huh?"

"Well, I didn't know what happened and the shower started running. I didn't know how to stop it and you wouldn't stop knocking so I left it."

"Why didn't you say?"

"I wanted to but you were walking so fast. I wanted to tell you."

"Okay." He makes a short call. "Check the tap in the third room."

I hand him the bottle after his call.

"Are you okay?"

"I didn't know he's around." I say instead.

"Why did you think I brought you here? Let's go." He begins to walk back in. I hold his hand to draw him back and he stares at my hand on him. I take it off immediately.

"Any problem?"

"No. I just want to know what's happening in brief so I know how to behave."

"Yeah yeah. I've heard about your fighting skills and your.."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing. In brief, Jake didn't get anyone so we decided to try you out."

"How? Why?"

Jean said something similar to me. How was he not able to settle for them. So far as I know, that selection is the best so far at the agency.

"This isn't the time for questions. Just follow me and let's get this over and done with."

I do as he says and before he steps inside, he looks back at me with a smirk. "Don't allow his looks to distract you. Keep it professional."

"I don't need that advice." I roll my eyes.

"We'll see." He enters and I begin to hide behind him like a kid who's hiding behind her father after getting in trouble with the school authorities.

I realized quickly what I was doing and did my best to not let his presence daunt my confidence.

I move from behind his manager with confidence then catwalks to the middle of the room, striking a pose, hands at the appropriate places but my eyes look anywhere but him. I don't dare to look at him, my demigod whom I never thought I would ever meet.

"Jake." His manager calls his attention and I feel my palms wetting as warmth spread all over me. I think he's looking at me.

Oh my goodness. This is so strange. I feel my pulses racing, my heartbeat is uncontrollable and the air is only getting thicker.

" 360!" His smooth deep American accent intrudes on my nervous thoughts.

I did the turn around for him the best I can then resume my formal posture.

"Take care of her, Liam." He simply say.

"So..you mean..?"

"She's what I want." He clarifies and my eyes unintentionally fall on him to catch him light a cigar as he nods.

"Good. Let's go miss Tyler."

"Tracy," I say under my breath and it's barely audible so I doubt if he heard at all.

"Did you hear?" I asked him when we were out.

"I did but I like to keep things professional. Adhere to that and you won't have any problems to deal with."

"I don't get you." I stand akimbo.

"Because I haven't said anything yet. Let's get to the room first then you can wear something so we get to business."

"Business?"

"Yes." We get to the room I left a while ago and he turns to me. "Congratulations Miss Tyler. You earned the deal of working with us on Jake's upcoming project."

"Wait..what am I gonna do?" It's a great news and I should be jumping to touch the sky and walking over the moon but I don't let the news carry me away.

"You're going to dance in one of Jake's singles whose video he never thought of making but his fans have demanded that for a year now and he has decided."

"Dance? I don't dance." I look for my things to wear.

"Really? Were you not a dancer before?"

"That's in the past. My past."

"So?"

"I don't wanna work with people who go digging in my past for their gain."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing." I wear my things in hurry and brush past him but he pulls me back.

"You're so strange,Tracy. Who rejects this opportunity?"

~*~

Thanks for reading.