)

Alison adjusted her position accordingly, shifting her weight to one side and arching her back slightly. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes smouldering with intensity as she gave him a sultry smile.

"This photo needs to convey strength and elegance," Grayson explained, his voice steady and commanding, "You need to look like a woman who knows her worth, who is confident and powerful."

Alison straightened her posture, holding her head high. "No problem," she said with a smirk, "I'm the epitome of confidence and power."

Grayson gave her a stern look, his eyes drilling into hers. "We need to create an image that will resonate with our target audience and convey the right message."

Grayson positioned himself behind the camera, adjusting the lens to get the perfect shot. "Okay, hold it right there," he said in his deep, authoritative voice. "Now, look directly at the camera."

Alison turned her gaze towards the camera. Her eyes were deep pools of sadness, as if they had seen more pain and heartache than anyone should ever have to endure. Her smile appeared almost forced, as if it was simply another mask she was wearing to hide her true emotions.

He pressed the shutter button, capturing the moment in a single shot.

"Let's take the next photo in the pool," Grayson instructed, his tone unwavering. "Some underwater shots, and strokes." He grabbed his camera and headed towards the pool, assuming that Alison would follow. But as he looked back, he noticed that Alison was standing still, looking expressionless.

"Is there something wrong?" Grayson asked, his voice tinged with frustration. He had only known her for a few days, but she had never been so quiet. What was she up to?

"I don't know how to swim," Alison said, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"What do you mean, you don't know how to swim?" Grayson rarely lost his composure, but Alison had a way of making him blurt himself.

"Do I need to drown to show you?" Alison said, her expression softening into a slight smile. "Can you teach me?"

Grayson felt a mix of emotions - surprise, protectiveness, and a desire to help. But as soon as the thought of teaching Alison to swim crossed his mind, he immediately shut it down.

"No," he said to himself firmly. "That is a very bad idea."

Grayson wasn't concerned about his teaching skills; in fact, he was an excellent teacher. He had taught all the Harvard professors, and teaching Alison shouldn't be any different. But it wasn't his skills he was doubting, it was himself. He didn't trust himself with Alison, especially in the pool.

Out of all times, Avery and Jameson popped up in his head. He remembered walking past the hot tub at True North, planning to take a dip. But it was...occupied.

Grayson closed his eyes, not wanting to remember what he saw. When Grayson opened his eyes, Alison was looking straight at him. Her soft smile was still there, but her eyes had a sincerity that Grayson couldn't ignore. She had meant what she said about wanting him to teach her how to swim.

Grayson felt a mix of emotions swirling inside him - the desire to help Alison, the fear of his own weaknesses, and the memory of past mistakes. He knew he couldn't let his guard down, not with someone as vulnerable as Alison.

But then Avery's words echoed in his mind,"I'm not the glass ballerina, I won't shatter."

Grayson felt a pang of something as he turned to leave. Maybe he was being too cautious, and he shouldn't take the risk. But he needed something to get out of his mind.

Just as he was about to leave, he made a decision. "We'll start with the basics," he commanded. Although he couldn't see Alison's face, he sensed a smile from her. "Change your clothes and meet me at the pool in five."