I stood in front of the reception, waiting for the pickup. The same yellow Lamborghini stopped in front of me. Eric's rugged smile graced his lips, winking at me to get in. Reaching over, I pulled the door handle open and slipped in.
"Good morning Mr. Sol." I politely spoke. I wore simple loose black pants, and a sleeveless black shirt that stuck to my skin like a second skin. The back was wide open, but my black hair covered it, making it hard to tell that I had an open back. Yesterday's fiasco wasn't something I wanted to go through for a second time, where I would have to throw off my shirt. I don't think it would be a good idea for you to accidentally step in and see me when I am partially undressed. What gossip that would be.
"Good morning Mrs. Gibbon or should I say Sarah." Eric chuckled, grinning like my name tasted like candy under his tongue. "I like to call you Sarah and I would like you to call me Eric."
My mouth opened and closed, frowning. "It wouldn't be appropriate, we are working."
Eric waved his hand, "Everyone calls me Eric. I hate it when someone calls me Mr. Sol." He pressed down the gas, speeding off.
"Alright, Eric."
"Finally, we are getting somewhere." Eric said with excitement. "You know, Sarah. You're a beautiful woman."
"Are you flirting with me Mr. Sol?" I clipped in, cutting his flirtatious voice as if it was something that I didn't want.
"Absolutely, women are God's most beautiful creation. Giving a little love goes a long way." Eric winked.
"No, thank you. I'm not seeking any relationship."
"Why not? Aren't I handsome and rich enough?"
I looked at him funny, "that's a terrible pickup line."
Eric broke out laughing, his voice tickling my ears. There was a sense of amusement in his voice that was soothing to hear. "I'll be the real Sarah, since yesterday there was something unique about you. I can't tell what it is but I like it. An intricate puzzle to figure out."
"I would prefer you don't."
"Feisty." Eric rolled his words with his tongue.
"At the rate you're going, Mr. Sol. Your last name would be all that I will be saying."
Eric's lips twitched, "I wouldn't like that."
"Behave."
Eric barked out laughing, tears kissing the edge of his eyes. He brushed it off, "I'm going to like you."
I shivered, I didn't like that. Me and my big mouth.
"From your schedule, we will be doing your photoshoot all day and into the night. We will be repeating it tomorrow. I was just wondering, why isn't your assistance here with you on this?" I asked.
"When I have someone like you here, I like it to be just the two of us."
"You're kidding…right?"
"Gosh no. It's a date."
"I decline."
"Don't be like that, I swear I'll be on good behavior."
"From the short interaction that I have with you, and hearing from Mr. Hills and your supposed sexcapades that you have, I do not want to be the next tabloid news."
Eric's lips curled up, "I'm an amazing lover, particularly in bed."
"I decline."
"You'll be missing out."
"I doubt that a lot."
"Would you date the other two? Which one?"
"I'm sorry, what?" Eric's question threw me off.
"Tyler or Daimon?"
"I'm sorry, but how is this question work related?"
"It is, I know every woman that comes into any of our cooperation, it's the first thing that they talk about. So, who would you date?"
"Neither, Mr. Sol." I ground my teeth. This man wouldn't relent. I swear, he was trying to extract information from my head.
"Entertain me. It will not get you fired. Out of the three of us, who catches your attention?"
"You will not let this go are you?"
"Nope." He popped the 'p' and a wicked smile curled his lips.
"Mr. Hills seems like a stern and disciplined man. He might be an attentive partner, quite possibly loyal, but I wouldn't doubt that he is very stern. He would be someone worth thinking about dating, but I'll pass."
"Oh? Someone caught your attention. Interesting, what about Daimon?"
"A control-freak who has a power tripping aura that screams listen to me or get fucked." The words slipped out of my lips before it even had a time to stop. My hand smashed my lips, shocked. Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?
Eric barked out laughing, "Oh my." He laughed harder, "I can't breathe, you just describe him to the tee. I can't."
"Eric!" I shouted in alarm, seeing the car swerved a little. "Eyes in front!"
Eric swiveled back in line, continuing to laugh.
"It's not that funny." I seethed, I thought I was going to lose my life by the crazy way he drove. I felt myself, clutching the seat belt as if my life depended on it. Getting out of the car was my priority or death was my second calling.
"It is. I'm guessing he would be a hard pass too?"
I hissed, "I would like to live, Eric." I said his name harder than I mean too.
"Don't worry babe, you will."
I went silent, snapping my attention to him, glaring. He winked, I sighed defeated. I can't; rebutting him proved futile. At this rate, he would grind into my mental peace and wear away at it until he lived there. Nope. not going to happen.
"Plus, he has someone." I replied, "I'm not the type of girl who will go after someone who's taken."
"That bitch? You'll be fine. She's just someone who he sleeps with. I prefer he drops her now and gets that wicked woman out of his life. It's going to kill him one day with her disgusting nature." There was a snarl to his bite, and his eye scrunched up.
I looked at him funny. Shocked to hear that he hated the guts of the women, wondering what in the world did she do to make it so bad.
"Babe, don't look at me like that, it makes me tingle." His expression loosened back to his usual carefree expression, "I'm serious though, she's only there to keep the others away. He would discard her in a dime, I assure you."
"That's not a healthy relationship."
"I agree, what can you say when the love of your life destroys your heart and leaves an hole. If a physical is needed to swallow up that silence, it will be done.
"It seems you both have a heart."
Eric shrugged his shoulders. "It's what it is."
We sat in silence, listening to his music. Arriving at the station, where his photoshoot was taking place. He hopped out, came over and opened the door for me to exit. I stepped out, amazed at how immaculate and clean this place looked. Sleek silver and black futuristic design bullet train graced us. A team of people were inside, setting up the photoshoot for Eric.
In a hurry, a woman came out. Her smile reached up to her ears when she saw Eric, "Mr. Sol! It good to see you here. We got your usual setup ready, please come this way."
Eric nodded, after that he turned to me, "Go have a seat, rest, relax. If you have a specific pose or pictures you need, talk with Henry. The guy in the blue shirt over there," he pointed to a tall man with large shoulders, wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans. He had disheveled hair pushed to the side, which gave it a wild look.
I nodded.
Both the women and Eric left. I heard giggling from the women as they went to make up.
I walked over, entering the bullet train. The entire area looked like a personal room, immaculate in its arrangement with quality material. Bee-lining straight to Henry, I introduced myself.
"Hello, my name is Sarah. I am in the social media department and came with Mr. Sol."
Henry turned his attention to me. "Hello. I'm Henry Breech. Glad to see you here. We have been expecting you."
"Really?"
"Yes, I heard from Isaiah, that you would be working with us. Are there specific poses and looks that you wanted to go for?"
"I have some rough ideas. Would there be anyone here who would be his partner for the female counterpart?"
"No, she called out."
I opened and closed my mouth. "Last minute?"
"Yes. We expect her to come tomorrow."
"I see…."
"I was wondering if you would like to partner up for a few photoshoots."
"Me? I'm not model worthy."
Henry chuckled, "I assure you, you are. Betty here will help you with the make up. The outfit that you have on is great so no need to change."
"Wait. Wait. I'm not-"
Betty came forward, her smile dazzled me, putting me off. The word to say no was silenced. "A few…I guess."
"Wonderful, thank you. You saved our skin."
Betty pushed me toward the make up section, where Eric was sitting. He was chatting away at the women with a flirtatious look to his gaze. I shook my head, men.
Eric saw me, sitting next to him. "You're here?"
"Yea, their female model didn't show."
"That's unfortunate, but it seems you'll be covering for it?"
"I-.....I tried to say no."
"You failed. Henry does that to people."
"No, it's Betty."
"Oh?" Eric looked at her, winking at her. She blushed at the woman that was doing his make up and glowered at Betty. "Well, what a surprise, you were able to sway Miss I-am-too-great-for-eric to do something."
I hissed, "I am not."
"Babe, we're just getting started. I'll make sure we look like an amazing couple in the pictures and videos."
"It's a team thing not a you-thing."
"I know, that's why we make great partners."
I ignored him. Continuing his banter served no purpose. Betty came over, putting make up on me for the next hour until both of us were ready. Subsequently, we both headed toward the photoshoot.
"Relax," Eric said, "I'll lead, just do your best."
"Do not worry, Mr. Sol. I'm sure it will come out great." I chuckled.
Eric sat in front of me, Henry directed me to stand behind inside the train. Multiple flashes sounded, blinding me. We continued to pose in different seats in different poses. I didn't expect to be so close to this man, his sweet rose scent tickled my nose, giving me a soothing sense.
Eventually, it was lunchtime; someone distributed chicken bento boxes. I took it as I didn't eat any breakfast. Every bite was delicious, cooked. Whoever cooked this did a fantastic job, making me full.
"Delivery for Henry." A young man, carrying large pairs of wings: four in total. Henry went over, picking it up.
"I was waiting for this."
"Miss Gibbons." Henry called out, ushering me over.
"Yes?" I placed my bento box down. I got up, walking over.
"We got a special order and a costume we wanted to wear." Henry showed me the black wings. "You'll be wearing this."
I couldn't help but look at it funny. It represented wings well, but fake wings annoyed me. Heck, it trampled on my pride. No way in hell am I wearing that.
"Um, okay. Do you want me to wear this now?"
"Yes, you could go to the changing room and put this on. Betty will help you."
"Okay," I grabbed it. Realizing it had some weight to it. I looked around, looking for a place to hide it so I could use my own wings instead. What are the chances of this? Giddy with the chance to deploy my wings, I seldom walked in public with them outstretched. Heck, nobody in the world knew that there were people with wings and I wanted to keep it that way. This just gave me a chance to pretend it was fake.
Off in the corner, large crates graced hidden in the shadows. I power walked over, looking around so nobody could see me. Slipping in through the shadows, I placed the black wings in the dark, covering with tarp that was hanging over the crates.
Relieved, I rolled my shoulders. I want my wings to come out. Growth was sluggish, unfolding like my four wings emerging. I groaned in relief. It came out. I could feel my wings dragging on the floor.
Gosh, this feels so good. I shuddered, relieved.
Stepping out, my wings fluttered a few times before it stood half open like the fake wings I hid.
Heads turned, some gasped. Murmurs stopped as they saw me walking toward the large group of people.
"Wow." Henry spoke in surprise. "That fits you very well."
Some of the girls looked with envy, and many others looked with awe.
"Thank you." I pretended with pride. I took their compliment about my wings. It was my selfish pride.
"Sarah, holy cow." Eric stepped forward with confidence. "Wow. those wings look amazing on you. Hell, whoever did that needs a raise." He stopped in front of me, looking at me sparkling on. His nose sniffed the air around me like a dog.
I couldn't help but step back.
"You smell so good." A deep rumble of his voice groaned out of his lips.
"Thanks."
Eric took another step, getting into my space again. I took another step back, getting uncomfortable.
"It's like ... .jasmine and ... .what is that scent?" Eric rumbled. He took a deep breath. "Blood? Sex? Metal? Hell," Eric groaned and shuddered, he licked his lips. His eyes gleamed.
"Eric." A powerful voice spoke out loud, snapping Eric out of his daze.
We both snapped toward the voice. Standing in the entrance was Daimon. His broody handsome self, walked in like he was a king of space. I saw tantalizing power swirling around him like a storm. The others in the area shuddered, everyone who wasn't Eric, and me gazed down. Some of the weak-willed ones plopped to the ground.
"Daimon." Eric reeled in his daze, snapping out. He took a deep breath as if he was trying to ingrain that smell into his brain. "What are you doing here?" His own energy combated Daimon, flinging whatever war they were having in sparks of pressure.
I felt myself shudder. Yep. I don't like standing in between two. Its like being doused in icy rain and you can't get out of it whichever way you step. Until both of them cut it off, bringing it back to their normal understanding.
Someone kill me now, this felt like a female teenage mood swing.
"I was in the area, thought to stop by to see how the photoshoot was going."
"Really?" Eric folded his arm in front of him. "I thought you had that deal to go over with the Goran Company."
"I did. It's finished."
"That was quick."
"I heard Daniell couldn't make it to the photoshoot."
"Yea, she had a last-minute call out."
"She's fired."
"I expected." Eric spoke, he stepped over towards my side. Reaching out, he pulled me in.
I yelped.
"Sarah and I are in the photoshoot." Eric smirked. "I think she should be the face of the company, period." His finger brushed my wings. I shuddered. It's been a long time since someone touched my wings and the slow rub was way to intimidate.
Grabbing his hand wrapped around me, I pried it off. "Mr. Sol. I appreciate it if you keep your hands to yourself."
Eric chuckled, showing off his teeth. "Babe, I'd prefer you be in my arms."
"I'll pass."
"That's like your 100th time denying me."
"I'll do that every time." I assured him. There was no way I wanted to get entangled with him any further than a business setting.
Eric moaned in half hearted defeat. "In that case, I'll take as much time with you at the photoshoot as possible."
"I prefer we do less."
"That's why I like you. Now, let's get our photoshoot on the road." Eric nudged his head back to walk past him. Something touched my wings, and I felt a sting. Eric plucked a feather. I spun around so fast, that I snapped in attention. Looking down, this time he had one of the longer feathers, which wasn't the flight feathers.
Frowning, trailing up to his gaze. "I suggest you not destroy the work, a missing feather isn't replaceable."
Damn it, that was his second one. Why the hell is that what we were doing?
I nodded. Ready to go, when I felt a piercing gaze stare down at me with intensity. I ignored it, my feathers just detaching itself in front of this man? Was there a war that big that he needed another? I thought one was enough, but instead he had two. How often would this guy fall into trouble?