Enjoy reading! (づ￣ ³￣)づ

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My whole day has been busy since we landed in a different country. I didn't even bother asking what country this is as I have been too preoccupied. Good thing, everything was already prepared. We already had a place to reside while we were staying here. Gheuver already took care of everything or perhaps, Madethy did? Gheuver seems pretty close with our agency's owner.

I stared at the vast ceiling while my mind ran around, trying to think of anything in order to defeat that so-called boredom. I can just use my phone but it's not even interesting. I don't use social media but I have my own accounts even though I don't use them. I only created one because we need it as per what Gheuver and our manager stated, to create a better audience. I have only opened my social media accounts once and that's when I created them. I don't want to post my pictures but Minnette said that it is required for us, so we can promote our agency and the products that were modeling for.

As much as possible, I don't want to catch everyone's eyes, I don't want to be remembered. Being known across the whole country has been a fearful experience I have and wouldn't want to experience again, ever.

I sighed, "shit. I'm bored."

I already finished fixing my belongings. It was not that hard because Gheuver and Madethy only brought me only 2 or 4 sets of clothes. Maybe, we won't stay here that long which is good. Actually, when I opened the massive closet for me, there were some clothes hung and carefully arranged.

Because I couldn't stand it anymore, I took my phone from my purse. I turned it off as I don't want any disturbance to my sleep during our flight earlier. It took a while for it to brighten up its screen again but I managed to wait. I'm not that impatient.

I was trying to pin my password but it wouldn't even work because numerous text messages and calls are continuously popping up. My apps are all locked and require me to enter my pin first to open it that's why the owner of those text messages and missed calls are not presented. I waited for a couple of minutes until my phone went back to its normal way of functioning. When I opened the text messages, I discovered that its owner was the one and only owner of Lilyum's Cafe.

Owner of Lilyum's Cafe

Good evening, Rhounzi!

Hey!

Are you out tonight?

Rhounziiiiiii!!!!

Hey!!!!

Are you already asleep?

Okay, I'll just call tomorrow. ASAP.

Just want to tell you that a super hot guy was asking about you.

Damn, girl! You caught another hottie!

One of my eyebrows grew higher from those statements. A guy was asking about me? Who could that be? Was it Hazard?

With a creased forehead, I checked her text messages. They were sent at exactly 9:07 pm! I just left the precinct that time, that guy can't be Hazard. Who could be that person?

That guy can't be Falcon, either...

Shit, looks like I won't be having a good night's sleep. Gheuver will definitely throw a tantrum tomorrow if he were to see another set of dark circles under my eyes. Gone the arched eyebrows but with a frown, I opened another message. However, the presented number isn't registered on my contacts. Without any hesitation, I opened it.

²96910265372189171

Hey, this is Hazard. Would you mind if I want to meet you? You choose a specific date, time, and place. I'm available, anytime. Don't be bothered, please. I asked for your number from the Cafe's owner. Don't be mad at her, she declined but I was persuasive.

I arched one of my brows, again. I see, it really was Hazard all along. The time frame doesn't match, though... Should I ask him? I don't think that's a good idea, we barely know each other.

I was just thinking about his message when something popped into my mind. I remembered something, accidentally. I knew, I wrote my contact number with my personal message on the paper. I told the police officer to hand it over to Hazard if he could. Hazard didn't get it?

I sighed while staring at my phone's screen. Hazard's phone number was still on it. My fingertips were all itchy to press the call button but my mind refuses to commence doing so.

My eyes caught a glimpse of the clock. I almost gasped when I saw that it was already 1:29 am. Did it take me almost an hour just to stare at his phone number? Was that even possible...?

I mean, obviously, It did happen but... I couldn't even process that through my brain. I opened my phone's camera to check my face, whether there could be dark circles or not. My eyes seem tired and sleepy but my body isn't at all. I have to sleep, I need to prepare for tomorrow's photo shoot.

Madethy told me that it was a photo shoot for a magazine's cover because Gheuver won't tell me. Even the contract seems suspicious.

With a hesitant look, I clicked the call button. Argh, why am I even like this? It's just a phone call.

The line was just ringing which brought me a satisfied look. I might look weird if I were to call him at this hour. He could be sleeping or at his work at this moment.

I was about to end my call but suddenly, the ringing ended but instead was changed into someone's voice.

"Hello?"

I froze. It was a woman's voice.

I cleared my throat.  Should I speak? What if she's his lover? I might cause a misunderstanding between them, I wouldn't want that, would I?

"Why aren't you speaking? Hello?"

I hurriedly clicked the end call button and immediately closed my eyes all of a sudden. I took a peek at my phone screen and to my delight, It says 'phone call ended' and I almost laughed at myself.

I was acting like a weirdo.

I shouldn't be surprised that he is in a relationship, though. He is good-looking, seems to be a gentleman, and looks like he isn't having any difficulty with money. Girls would absolutely head over heels for him.

I can't sleep... Maybe, I should take a walk outside. I stood up from my bed and went towards the huge wardrobe to get a jacket or anything that can help me overcome the cold breeze outside. I'm just wearing my bra and sweatpants since I was just planning to chill and take a rest, not knowing that I might change my plans exactly at 2:00 am in the morning. I only wore a simple light blue jacket with my bra underneath it. I didn't bother to do anything on my hair and left it untouched as well as my face. I just took my phone and pouch with me and with my earbuds inserted on my earlobe, I left my hotel room.

I was just walking all the way in the hallway when I came across an unexpected person; Gheuver. He's with another guy who seems to be the same age as me or just a couple of years older than me. Looks like they were headed toward my hotel room.

Gheuver stopped and analyzed me from head to toe. "We were just about to come and pick you up. Let's go!" He went in my direction and angled his arms on my arm.

I gave him a look but he didn't even mind it and just pulled me towards his companion. "This is the youngster that I've been telling you about! Virgil, this is Rhounzi Fox."

Virgil, the guy with Gheuver, gave me a small smile and stretched his arm to give me a handshake. "I'm Virgil. Pleased to meet you, Rhounzi."

I returned a smile and accepted his handshake. "Nice to meet you, Virgil. Rhounzi Fox."

Gheuver wouldn't shut his mouth while we were walking together, all three of us. They told me that there's a small party for the whole crew and that consists of us. Gheuver said that he wasn't planning to invite me out so I can have a rest but the other models insisted on picking me up that's why he had no choice but to go and pick me up instead. I didn't even bother asking about his reason, I'm already used to his unreasonable and somehow thoughtful actions. I also figured out that Virgil was also a model.

Virgil said that he was here to meet his brother as well. I have a hunch that Virgil was that fish Gheuver has caught. Why? Gheuver isn't the kind of person who can have a normal conversation with other people. He is super sarcastic and stubborn, he can turn any peaceful conversation into a fearful fight and obscene argument.

Minutes later, we arrived at the Hotel's main hall. When we entered the hall, I couldn't even understand why this was called a small party. I was just wearing simple attire, it doesn't even fit the occasion. I actually declined their invitation but Gheuver literally pulled me. I rolled my eyes when I came across his stares.

"Damn you," I whispered.

He rolled his eyes back and turned his head against me, dramatically. Bitch.

Virgil came close to me. "Hey, the others are thrilled to see you."

"Huh? Why?" I asked. I don't even know them.

He scratched his nape, awkwardly. "Uh, it was Gheuver's doing." He was reluctant while spouting those words.

Looks like Gheuver already told shit about me. That sneaky bitch...!

I faked a smile. "I don't have any idea but I'm in." He smiled back and guided me towards a huge table. A bunch of people who obviously have the visuals are there. When Virgil and I came, numerous eyes were already on me.

What's with their stares?

"Good eve—morning," I said, trying to break the awkward silence and stares.

"Good mooning!" Some of them replied which created a crease on my forehead.

Virgil, who seems to understand it explained. "Good mooning is slang here. Combination of the moon and morning."

I nodded and replied with an awkward smile. I don't know how to converse with them, honestly. I'm bad with this.

I was about to excuse myself when a woman gleed in excitement which totally caught my attention, our attention. "You can sit here, Rhounzi!" a woman almost shouted. I could see pure excitement in her eyes. Her eyes look like a doll's!

"Dria, you're scaring her!" Then, a super-tall woman spoke. She was sitting beside that woman who she called 'Dria'.

I'm tall but she's taller than me. She's just sitting there but her height difference from the other models here is huge except for a guy. He's sitting right beside that tall woman.

Looks like that man and woman felt my stares because they turned their gaze in my direction. The man with an undercut smiled and waved his hands while the tall brunette woman gave me a small smile.

Everything went accordingly that night or morning. They're very approachable. I don't know but I was not very anxious around them. Those thoughts that served as my worst pills before weren't swallowed by my anxious mind. My mind was at ease and I don't know why. Maybe, because they are from a foreign country...? Perhaps, I was at ease because those horrifying scenarios didn't and wouldn't reach their land.

Dria reminds me of Minnette. She's so bubbly and her mouth wouldn't stop which is also her twin's personality. Her twins are Lex and Kahale. They're triplets. Lex was the man with an undercut haircut while Kahale was a very tall woman. Dria has the same height as me. I really had fun with them. During that time, no one talked about our job.

Though, I am still clueless about tomorrow's event. Our call time was 2:30 pm. I went back to my hotel room with Kahale as our rooms are just facing each other at exactly 3:30 am. I need to wake up early tomorrow to prepare myself that's why I left earlier than the others. Dria insisted on staying that's why Lex stayed as well to watch over his twin.

When my body felt the soft mattress, I groaned. "Ah, that felt so good."

I'm already half-asleep but suddenly, my phone rang. I groaned because of irritation. I lazily stood up and took it from my pouch. An unregistered number is calling me. Even though half of my eyes are already closed, my forehead got irritated. With a puckered forehead, I answered it.

"Who's this?" I asked immediately, slightly groaning. Drowsiness could be noticed in my voice.

My irritation grew worse when no one spoke. "Prank at a time like this, seriously?" I ended the call and was about to throw it but a message popped.

²96298271860729235 sent a photo

Because I badly want to sleep, I opened it. My phone almost fell from my hands when I saw what it was.

It was a photograph from my old photo album. The photo album that I hated the most, was the photo album that I  burned a decade ago. 

Seconds later, another photo was sent to me. The moment that I viewed it, outrage and terror swallowed my sanity. This time, my phone fell from my trembling hands as my tears found their freedom in my eyes.

It was a photo of my mother's grave.

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