Chapter 4: STRANGE POSES

Here I am, having a photoshoot in my modeling agency but things keep getting ridiculous by the second. The model I was paired with keeps making things weird.

I looked down and grimaced at the sight of her, clinging unto me as though her life depended on it.

Her arms were wrapped around my neck, while the entereity of her body was pressed against me. I was getting a clear view of her cleavage, which was on public display.

She looked up at me, blinked slowly, and smiled brightly before speaking " Does this pose suit you?"

She's been doing this, posing strangely and batting her eyes at me.

Sincerely, I was feeling very uncomfortable just being around her. I had thrown up in my mouth multiple times in the past few minutes. Of course I'm exaggerating, but everything she was doing was making my stomach churn.

Not being able to bear it anymore, “Let's take a break" I yelled to the expert photographers.

They listened immediately and started to put their equipment down. Fortunately, I was able to untangle myself from her hold, shoving her away slightly.

With that, I walked away from the studio room, making sure not to look back. I needed to clear my head and get over the queasiness.

"What's wrong?" she asked, apparently having followed me.

I stopped in my tracks, turning back at the sound of my voice. Seeing it as an opening, she closed the gap between us and placed the back of her hand on my forehead as though checking if I had a fever.

Not being discreet, I swatted her hand away. Her brows furrowed in irritation but a smile was plastered on her face.

"You don't look too good."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, "I'm perfectly fine I just needed a break.” I told her, conveniently omiting that she was the one I needed a break from.

The conversation didn't end there because she continued talking by adding, “I heard Hannah moved to S.A "

Is this when I'm supposed to react? If she was expecting a reaction then she would most definitely not be getting one.

So I smiled mischievously, starting off by clicking my tongue, “Tsk tsk tsk, if only she said it earlier we would have thrown a farewell party.” Then I shrugged it off, “It must have been really important for her to just pick up and leave without any prior notice"

With an aura of indifference around me, I walked away, leaving her behind.

This is all Sam's fault anyway, I wouldn't be stuck with her if he had just found someone better, someone a lot more professional.

He said she was one of the best, and I had my doubts but this only clarifies it.

She was more interested in seducing me than she was in actually taking good clips and videos for the ad. That's not a very professional way to act now is it?

A new architectural company needs people to model, and we need to look like couples for it apparently. I wondered why but didn't bother asking.

Now that I think about it, I should have asked, at least it would have given me room to negotiate, hence dodging this bullet.

Unfortunately, there's no medicine for regret.

On the other hand, did she take my indifference as a cue to leave me alone? Nope.

Instead, she was on my tail, “Aren't you going to say anything? We are working together at least be nice and quit being aloof"

Once again, I had to turn back, trying to keep my calm.

" Ummm, what's your name?" That's a good place to start right?

Snapping my fingers, I urged her to give me an answer. Not caring if it seemed demeaning or insulting.

She shot me a death glare and rolled her eyes before she saying, "It's Stacey.”

"Yeah right, Stacey with green eyes, how could I have forgotten.” Maybe because I didn't know it before. “Anyways, Stacey don't you get the message, I'm not interested in having any form of conversation with you.” For emphasis, I let out an exasperated sigh, “I'm really tired and I just want to get this shoot done with so please don't make it harder."

Harder than it already is at least.

Not waiting to see whether it sunk into her head or not, I found my way back to the studio to finish the shoot.

Knowing that's she's right behind me, I signaled to the photographers, " The break is over and please make it snappy. "

I want to get out of here. The day just barely started and I can already hear my bed calling my name.

As predicted Stacey was behind me and I couldn't help but add, "And Stacey try working with some form of decency this time."

Not minding that she was gaping at me, or that her eyes were piercing daggers into my skin, I became a ready to continue from where we picked up.

Even we finished the shoot without any further events. Stacey learnt to keep her hands to herself and I loved it.

********************************

After parking my car when I got home, I opened the front door, ready to face whatever was waiting for me.

The first thing I noticed was Gummy bear who was quickly raised her head.

Simply because I'm nice, I inquired, "Hey gummy bear, how's your day been?"

She didn't seem to be fazed by my niceness because she flipped me off and walked away.

"I heard that", Lucy's mother suddenly said, walking out from the kitchen. Which I didn't know she was in.

And I still don't know her name, so she's just Lucy's mother to me.

"Heard what?” Arching my brows, I feigned innocence, “Me talking to a dog?"

"Yes, that and also the humor in your voice, such sarcasm in a few words. You hate the name." For some reason she looked offended.

Is it my fault there's humour in my voice when I say their dog's name? The question should be how does she say it with a straight face?

" Me?” An exaggerated gap escaped from my mouth as I dramatically placed my hand on my chest. “Pfft, no way. Why would I?” I became even more dramatic buy adding, “It's the best name I've ever heard for a dog and it suits her ever so perfectly. If I had a dog I'll name her gummy bear. It shows elegance and grace."

By the time I was done lying through my teeth, a peal of laughter followed my words.

Maybe I overdid it but I didn't want to leave an impression that I hated her dog. I wasn't ready for another fight.

She chuckled and then started laughing.

"I overdid it, didn't I?", Scratching the back of my neck, I flashed a boyish grin.

"Yup, you did" she answered still laughing.

I lowered my voice and whispered "ssh, don't tell your dog that."

" You are scared of gummy bear?” With perplexion in her voice, “She's a nice dog"

I beg to differ please. “Your dog is far from nice. She's crazy, she attacked me."

She scoffed at me, " Pfft, there's no way, gummy bear has never attacked anyone before, you are probably exaggerating."

Gasping loudly I released an exasperated sigh " No, I'm not. Your dog really attacked me. Why on earth would I lie about that?"

"Ummm, you hate dogs”

"No, I don't hate dogs. I never said that. But that aside, your dog really attacked me and made me negotiate and properly apologize before letting me go" I informed her. I can't possibly think of a reason why she didn't believe me, I was telling the truth. Her ferocious pet really wanted my head.

"That's a lie, gummy bear will never attack anyone. You're just being childish" The dog owner huffed, shaking her head at me.

Ok, now she bruised my ego. Me? Childish?!!!

"Don't say that again", Narrowing my eyes I warned and watched her gulp. Basking in the satisfaction before continuing, " I'm not childish, never has been, never will be. I didn't come home to argue about a dog.”Especially not after that long day at work. “I'm really tired, and talking about your not so normal dog isn't going to change anything"

Brushing past her, my feet took me to my bedroom. Lately, I have been spending a lot of time here. It has become my one and only place of comfort.

At least it has now been redecorated. New furniture and every other thing. So that made it a bit palatable.

I painted it white, even changed my wardrobe, got a new alarm clock, a stronger one, just Incase I get tempted again { to throw it across my bedroom}.

Slumping on the bed, a really comfy one. I ended up reminiscing childhood memories before drifting into sleep.