Chapter 38: Chapter 38

"Que se passe-t-il belle femme" The man said, he seemed to be in charge, he had a camera hung around his neck. "I'm sorry I don't understand what you just said," I told him.

"What is the matter, mademoiselle? Didn't you come here to try your luck like other models?" he asked me

"yes...I mean no, I'm not a model," I told him, oh God... what have I gotten myself into?

"No more talking, we have a deadline to meet. Jacqueline? Take her and go do your magic, Mr Kale will be here soon, I want him to meet us ready," he said and a young woman, who reminded me of Xiao Ling, came and led me to a corner of the room used as a dressing room. A plastic floor to ceiling wall demarcated the dressing room from the main studio.

Jacqueline rolled a cloth rack filled with black clothes of different lengths and designs, I loved these dresses, I was touching them admiringly. "Like them?" Jacqueline asked

"like them? I love these clothes, black is one of my favorite color," I answered smiling. I took out a long mermaid tail gown, the material felt so smooth and soft on my skin, it had an oval shape opening at the back, from the neck region down to the waist.

"I see you like that dress," Jacqueline pointed out

"yes, I love it, everything about it is perfect," I told her

"then let's get you changed and set up for the shoot,"

Talking about the shoot sent chills down my spine, this is Jade's work we're talking about here. I didn't want this, hell I don't even know what to do, soon they'll see that I'm not even a novice, I don't even know what it means to be a model. But no matter how much I argued, no one was listening, all I did was to inhale the perfume but they all see it as a perfect pose. My heart was pounding in fear, what will Jade say when he finds out that from "seeing myself around" I've ended up as a perfume model.

All these ran through my mind as Jacqueline made me up. When she handed me a mirror, I couldn't recognize myself, "oh God, is this really me?" I asked rhetorically, she wore me a pair of black stilettos. I'm just glad that I'm now used to walking around and standing for hours on pencil heels because the heels of this particular shoes was like 2 chopsticks glued together.

Jacqueline escorted me to the main studio but signalled me to stop just at the entrance, "don't ruin the moment for Eric, he loves making small things look dramatic, I'm sure now he's telling Mr Kale how you are his muse and the best model he's ever seen," and truthfully that's what he was saying.

"... even when she thought no body was watching, she was able to give off that aura, she is the best model I've ever seen. Without much ado Mr Kale, allow me to present the face of Night Dream, Miss... darn it I didn't ask for her name, Jacqueline please usher her in," Eric said.

"That's your cue baby doll," she said and I went out slowly because I was nervous and I didn't want to trip on my dress. I was shivering in fear as I stood front of Jade and slowly lifted my eyes to meet his, he was taken aback for a few seconds and then he brought his face close to mine and I moved my head backwards, "wha... what are you doing, Jade?" I asked

"Aha! I knew it was you, UK" Jade said grinning

"you two know each other?" Eric asked

"Oh yes we do. This is my runaway girlfriend, she said she just wanted to walk around but then she here," Jade answered

"so you're not upset?" I asked him

"why would I be, in case you're not aware, you are now part of this company and as the CEO, I get to boss you around. Oh Eric, you don't know what great thing you've done for me, today is the best day of my life." Jade replied as he dragged a seat and sat down

"Won't you thank me?" I asked

"nope, I'll compensate you later," he said "girl you are in so much trouble," he said winking."Jade could you grant me a favor?" I asked walking closer to him.

"For you love, anything," Jade replied

"can you leave, please? I'm a bit nervous," I said

He looked confused, "give us a moment Eric," and we moved out of the studio, "why do you want me to leave? I want to see you shoot, this is what I've always done when models are having a photo shoot for a new perfume."

"But we both know that I'm not a model, I'm just pretending, I'm only putting on an act. Just like I have with every other thing, acting like your girlfriend, your fiancee, even as your wife and Juliet's mother. And now I'm acting like a superstar model, so please if I need to put on this show perfectly then you need to leave, please" I said joining my palms together.

"Alright, I'll be in my office. Meet me there when you're done, we need to talk." And he left.

I hope I didn't push him away again, I was just scared of my face all over New York, posing for a popular perfume company. What if my family see me?

I went back to the studio, forcing myself to put away my fears and help Jade, "hey guys, let's do this"

The photo shoot went on for about 2 hours, at some point I had to change my clothes, I wondered why they went through all the stress when only one picture would be used. The 3 perfume bottles I saw when I came, were shot with some special smoke effects that the Crew made. After everything I went back to the dressing room to change but Jacqueline had packed up the clothes I wore earlier and sent them to Jade's office. Which meant I had to go around with this dress or better still, I'd go home right away.

But then Jade asked me to meet him in his office when I'm done. "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Jacqueline asked, "yeah what's up?"

"I know you are not really a model, you are just doing this for your him. but you were really good back there, Eric didn't even have to tell you what to do, you knew exactly how to pose." she said

"thanks but I don't get your point," I said

"have you ever thought of going into something like this? modelling, acting, going into entertainment industry?" she asked

I scoffed, "never thought of it and may likely never will after all this is over."

"well think about it, good bye" and off she went.

I started my journey to Jade's office but didn't even remember how I got here with all the turns in this building. I didn't want to ask anyone so I kept walking till I found the elevator, which took me to the floor his office was.

Hallie wasn't behind the counter when I got there, "hey Jade I'm done..." I said as I opened the door but stopped when I saw that he was talking with someone. "Sorry, I'm going to wait outside," I said and closed the door feeling a bit embarrassed.

"UK, come in, this has something to do with you," Jade said stopping me from going out.

I moved in slowly and sat on the chair next to the man Jade was talking to. "UK, this is Mr Adrian, he is the head of the sales department in the company," Jade said and the man shook my hand, "nice to meet you Miss Udofia, I am so grateful for what you've done to this company, words cannot express how happy I am that the launch will take place as planned because of your help," Mr Adrian said

"of course... anything for Jade," I replied smiling

"that's awesome, if you don't mind me asking, who exactly is Mr Kale to you?" he asked

my throat went dry, did I really want to continue with this charade? I asked myself. Jade must have noticed my hesitance to answer the question, "UK is my girlfriend, it is a low key relationship, that's why she was a bit hesitant to answer."

"wow that's awesome, I'm sure you are ready for the ceremony in 2 days, it won't happen without you," Mr Adrian said, my heart was racing, more cameras? more attention?

"Mr Adrian I wouldn't..." I started but Jade gave me a pleading look and I changed what I wanted to say, "... miss it for the world," Jade sighed in relief. I was getting claustrophobic, I had to leave this place, "excuse me I have to do something right away," and I fled out to the car without paying attention to anyone, I was at the brink of tears, hold it in UK, I mumbled.

"Scott please open the door, and leave, I want to be alone,"

I locked the door and screamed.