AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Find another girl,” Aldonte, Al for short, announces. “None of these sets will do!”
“Sir…” The poor organizer is practically trembling with concern.
That only tells me we probably went through every single one.
Fuck…
“George.” Al just spins around and proceeds to flatten his tie for the millionth time.A habit he does to emphasize his impatience.“Every second we waste is on the payroll. A very, very expensive payroll. One of my accountants, in particular, loves to LECTURE me after each fucking shoot, so unless you’re going to take those little legs of yours and find me a woman who can look prettier than our adonis god over here, you can just leave and never come back to this job again.”
“I-I’m on my way now, sir!” Poor George is racing out of the space, making a few photographers and makeup crew members cringe with concern.
Fearing their jobs are next on the chopping block.
“Al,” I mutter and lean against the metal prop behind me. “You know it’s not him or any of their fault. Sensual chemistryis hard to get on camera. At least, whatever you’re looking for in this vision of yours.”
“Ares, my dear.” The man is moving his hands far too dramatically as he paces in vain. “I know my artistic tendencies are questionable, but when have I steered you astray, hmm?”
When I have no argument, he further grins and walks over to me. Gesturing along my practically naked body glistening with silver, gold, and white paint, I have to prepare myself for his need to acknowledge my ‘physique’ and how it’s on another level than the average “mortals.”
“Look at you. A god, sitting upon a metal throne, donned in riches of gold and oozing metal. Cartier upon your wrists, various brands of high stature in our sinful, mundane world. A crown upon your head as you wish for a taste of sin. That sinful touch at the very tip of your lips. It’s forbidden yet sacred. You crave it so fucking bad, you don’t even need to look into your eyes to see it in the very lines of your immaculate, flawless complexion!”
I’m not the only one staring at this man like he’s a lunatic.
“That’s the perfection I need to project on this cover, Ares. I want people to look at this photo and BEG for what BRAND the fucking paint on your flesh is!” He sighs and runs his hands through his silver locks.
“This would have been done if Barbieri didn’t get shot in the fucking eye!”
“You and I both know we don’t have a drop of chemistry,” I groan at the mention of her and me being forced to be in the same space. “It would look forced and fake.”
“At least you two are both good-looking to fool the world,” he groans. “Two-minute break! Edit the current photos of Ares. One of our major contributors will pass by any moment now, and I NEED a product that is worthy of their eyes. If they love it, we get more than a two-week Christmas vacation, alright?!”
A few reply for the sake of it, but I can see the worry and disheartening expressions already itching into their faces.
They don’t believe we’ll get off the hook with this shoot.
“Not like I wanted to get fucking shot in the eye,” I hear a mumble from behind me.
Why is this bitch here?
“Don’t even bother coming into my line of vision,” I groan and fight hard not to pinch my nose for the sake of ruining the artistic look on my face. “Go the fuck away, Scarlett. I’m nothing like Domino or have the crazed patience like Zander.”
“If you had a fucking brain like Zander, you’d get why he tolerates my pretty face,” Scarlett hisses. “But since I’ve been bribed by a very rich client to be here and not resting before my upcoming surgery, I’ll tolerate your bad attitude.”
Bribed by a very rich client?
I want to think it’s Zander, but that’s unlikely. Zander is smart, patient, and knows how to play devil’s advocate, but he seriously despises Scarlett.
He wouldn’t give her a dime unless he was threatened to do so.
And let’s be realistic. No one has ever survived threatening that psychotic sicko.
“I’ll make it quick because I need to fly to Turkey, get this surgery done, and be back for the gala next week,” she declares, sounding as if I’m the one wasting her life span. “Though you probably won’t believe what I have to say, anyway.”
“Barbieri.” My voice has to stress my intolerance to wasting my precious time.No matter if I’m on another’s payroll.“To the point.”
“Leightons officially made a deal with the Barbieris.”
My heart skips a beat.
