Chapter 145 - Playing hard to get

Why did she just realize that she gained some weight?

She mentally saw her self-esteem melt like an ice-cream in the sun. 

'' don't worry, you look perfect, you just need to lose some weight and you would be fine.'' Claire smiled when she saw that Tiana was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

''I told you she was perfect. '' Leo said coming to sit beside Claire.

''Yeah, I can see that. '' Claire replied, waving her hand to Tiana to sit down.

''There's a lot of work to do, a huge lot! You need to meet the other models and staff, and you need to be trained vigorously because this shoot is to be held in a month's time. Leo, the shoot is in a month's time right?''

''No in two months' time; '' Claire's brows creased;

''You told me it was in a month's time. ''

''Yeah, because I didn't want you to travel to France '' Leo replied indifferently; Claire's eyes shot open instantly;

'" What? How could you do that to me? It was the girls' outing! ''

Her face shone a shade of red as she glared to Leo ignoring Tiana completely;

''Because I wanted you to stay here with me, I would miss you if you left. ''

''You can't actually be serious now, how could you!''

She blared, and Leo stood up, shifting away from her raging form;

'' don't blame me; I didn't know you wouldn't check with the team. I said it jokingly then, didn't know you would take it seriously. ''

He replied; grinning slightly as she glared angrily at him.

''I will kill you, just wait, and don't even think of apologizing to me, I'll skin you alive!''

''Okay. ''

Leo replied and Claire scowled at him angrily; he always did this. She didn't even know why she still trusted him.

Her eyes reverted back to Tiana who had been watching them quietly;

'' don't mind Leo, he's always so petty. So the shoot is in two months' time but still, there isn't enough time given that you're still a newbie. Work would start in earnest, be here tomorrow by 9 am, you would need to meet our lawyer and other team members. Leo would brief you on any other important detail.

And yes, Welcome to the Agency; I really love to have you here. The other models are both nice and not so nice, but don't worry, you would get used to it. ''

Claire chuckled lightly and Tiana nodded.

She knew how models could be, and for a newbie who just got in to work on this shoot with her, she knew she might have a tough time, but she would do well to help her out when she could.

Tiana loved her already.

She was so beautiful and so sweet. She had expected to be treated like trash but Claire had made her feel comfortable and how free she was with Leo showed that she was really nice.

''Alright, Leo, I'm off. Tiana take care of yourself and be early tomorrow. ''

''Okay, I will.'' Tiana smiled as she watched her walk out in the same poised steps;

''Where to Beautiful? '' Leo raised his voice and Claire turned to him;

''I have to meet with the director, he asked to see me. ''

''Okay.''

Tiana's hands shook as she heard that name… 'Beautiful'

It was only one man that had called her that, it sounded heavenly coming from his lips; making her heart flutter at every sound.

Even though she had done everything to forget him, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about him over and over again.

It was just a few days ago that she found out that he had settled the issue in the company on his own and had not married the President's daughter. She was shocked when she saw the news and her heart slammed rapidly against her chest;

Did he really love her? Was he telling the truth?

She wondered at that moment, but then she could not forget the fact that he had lied to her. Thinking about everything and trying to connect the points would be very stressful and for what?

It's not as though she was going to knock on his door and beg him to take her back?

Besides, he had never come to her since that day, not even calling for once, so he had obviously moved on, maybe he didn't marry the president's daughter because she was ugly and fat. He would surely find someone else soon.

''So Angel, let's begin.''

Leo's voice cut her off from her thoughts and she nodded with a strained smile;

…

Claire lay on her bed, staring at Nicklaus's number, she was contemplating whether to call him or not.

Would he find her too clingy? No, she wasn't even clingy yet.

Would he be mad? Yes, very!

Would he cut the call? Maybe; 99% chance; but that didn't stop Claire from tapping on the call icon.

She was Claire, after all, a crazy bundle.

''hello? ''

After a few seconds, she heard Nicklaus breathy deep voice call from the other end; and she felt a blush creep up her cheeks; at this rate, she would really run to him and ask him to f.u.c.k her. Clearing her throat, she replied;

''Hello Baby, it's me, Claire. ''

Claire replied, her heart racing. She shut her eyes as she waited for him to say something, but for thirty seconds, no-one spoke. Creasing her brows, she lifted the phone to her eyes to be sure he hadn't disconnected, when she saw that he hadn't, she placed it back on her ear and spoke.

''I'm sorry, I got your number illegally, but I really meant when I said I wanted to…''

Claire had not completed her sentence when she heard the phone beep signaling that the call had ended.

She gazed at her screen in shock;

Did… did he just end the call on me?

Claire couldn't believe her eyes, so she instantly called him again, but all her calls went straight to voicemail.

''I must be dreaming! Did he just block me? '' Claire hadn't felt so humiliated in her entire life. No-one had ever blocked her entire life.

Claire tossed her phone across her bed angrily;

Why was he playing hard to get? Wasn't she pretty enough?!!

She groaned as she buried her head in her pillow, thinking of how to get an audience with him or make him listen to her at least; suddenly a thought flickered into her mind;

Excitedly, she jumped up on the bed and picked her phone, calling one of her guards;

''Get a few men ready; I have a job for you. ''

…