LA FEMME

ASHLEY'S POV

I sat in the car next to master, it was still very early in the morning and I was really sleepy because I had spent the whole night drawing on my new sketchbook. I was really dozing and struggling to keep my head straight.

My head and eyelids were no more in my full control, I was struggling to keep my head from falling asleep on his shoulder. I didn't want to annoy him or make him feel uncomfortable. After moments of fighting with sleep, I lost and slept off.

I could smell master's cologne and I could also hear a strange beat, it was like some one's heartbeat, it was so comforting that I couldn't help but smile.

I opened my eyes to find out my head was resting on master's chest but I didn't move my head so as not to attract attention. I felt trapped, I didn't know how to raise my head without making him alert. I already knew there was going to be an awkward moment if he found out I was awake and secondly I was super comfortable laying there.

From his breathing which was sounding like music in my ears, he seemed to be asleep so I decided to take the risk and slowly and gently raised my head. I was off him and I looked at his face to see his closed eyes but he suddenly woke up and caught me staring at him curiously.

I was super embarrassed and there it came...…the awkward moment. I felt my cheek was hot and I was sure I was blushing, not just out of embarrassment but at the way his gray eyes looked into my soul. I looked away from our really awkward gaze especially to hide my bright red cheeks.

The awkward silence was broken by the driver,

"Sir, Miss, we have arrived" the driver's voice was heard from behind the platform that blocked his view from the back.

I wanted to ask Master where we were going but I felt too nervous. The door suddenly opened from master's side, it was the driver who opened it. Master came out elegantly and extended his hands to help me out of the car.

I took his hand and came out to see a dark underground carpark with cars of different colors. I followed him closely to an elevator. We got into it and I saw a buttons from the Underground carpark to 20 floor. This building must have been super huge. Master clicked on the fifth floor and in no time the elevator door opened with tiny ring.

I was shocked, we were in a whole different floor, I only saw elevators in movies but I never entered into one. The new place had an office setting, it was like we were in an office with people dressed corporately bustling around.

Once they saw him some were freaking out, and some came to him to greet him.

"Good morning Sir"

"Good morning Boss"

Master ignored all their greetings and kept a straight face while walking straight. I walked behind master still scanning my new environment. I could see people looking at me with confusion, some with smiles. I guessed this was master's office.

By the time I looked straight, Kim out of nowhere was right beside Master holding something like maybe a file or office document. He was saying some official jargon to him while master was still working.

Master was walking so fast but somehow Kim was able to keep up with his steps. I tried my best to keep up with their pace.

"Sir, Mr. Agreste has been awaiting your presence" Kim said.

"Where is he now?" Master asked.

"In the VIP room, Sir"

"Any other news apart from the information of the model?" Master asked

"No Sir"

Master and Kim entered into a well-furnished room with me walking in right behind them. I was still very astonished at master's taste. There was a fashionable looking middle-aged man who looked like he was in late fifties sitting on a very luxurious chair.

On seeing Master he stood with a smile and gave master a hug.

"Mr. Hendrix, nice seeing you" he said in a French accent.

This was super weird to me but I thought it must have been a greeting culture in France. Master didn't even give a smile, he was still in his official mood.

"Good day Mr. Agreste" Master said in an official manner.

"It seems you decided to get yourself a girlfriend" Mr. Agreste said amused.

Was he referring to me, I was like an invisible statue as I had no say in whatever they were, are or would be saying.

"She is Ashley, my girlfriend" Master said plainly.

I was feeling very confused and weird but I had to go with what master had said.

Mr. Agreste wasn't really offended at master's coldness, it was like he was used to it. Mr. Agreste came over to me and gave me an official hug.

"You must be really special to have caught his eyes" he said while I just wore a fake smile.

Master and Mr. Agreste settles down on the chairs and master signals to me to sit beside him on the sofa while Kim leaves the room closing the door.

"The only thing holding the sales now is the advertisement so we're still looking for a model" Mr. Agreste said starting an official conversation.

"Stop the search" Master said

"Stop, have you found any model" he asked confused.

"Yes, her" Master said referring to me.

My eye brow was furrowed in confusion, I had no idea on what was happening, me? Model?

"Oh, your girlfriend?" he asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes"

I couldn't be a model, yes I was a good in anything art but MODEL! I had never been one. I never even thought of being one. Was I even that beautiful? Million thoughts flew through my mind but I was brought of it by master's voice calling my name.

"Ashley!"

"Uh?" I said my senses.

"Can you do this?" he asked.

"I guess" I said not sure.

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

I stood on the stage with cameras all pointing on me. I was dressed in a white flair dress at my knee point with my brunette hair styled into beach waves and my fair skin shone with the help of the reflection of the white dress, even my dark brown eyes must have been really beautiful. I was like an angel and no makeup was applied on me the makeup artist had said I was a natural beauty. To be truthful I could see the beauty in me for the first time.

I had read the script, I was supposed to walk up to the perfume which was on a platform, curiously spray it in the air, take a sniff and close my eyes in satisfaction. Then I was supposed to spray it on my body and point display it to the camera with a smile. It was my signature perfume, La femme but I stopped using it after I was taken by the attackers, but now my face was going to be on the perfume.

"ACTION!!!" the director said.

********

I was back in the car with Master, it was already evening and we were on our way home. The director had praised my performance and I had few photos taken to be printed on the bottle and over all I was given ten packets of different fragrance of the perfume, rose, mist, morning dew, lavender, fiery, cool, boss lady, romantic, cute, sexy but personally my favorite was mist fragrance.

It turned out that master's company was on a temporary partnership with the perfume. It was a very special perfume for women.

The car was super silent and I really wanted to thank master for the opportunity, I really enjoyed being a model.

"Thank you Master" I said.

"What did I tell you to call me?" he asked turning to meet my stare.

"Sorry, Cole, Thanks" I said.

"No need to thank me" he said with a slight smirk before turning to face the files in his hands.

I was shocked, I had seen master smile, it wasn't really a smile but it was close. I was super happy I had seen him almost smile but I hid my happiness.