nounced over the roar of the rai

rom here. I'll be drenched," I prot

he said with a shrug. Before I could

y. I was already soaked through, so I trudged home at a steady pace. Honestly, any enthusiasm I'd had abo

om peeked out from the living

essively convincing sneeze echoed through the spacious hallway, and I wra

-I would've brought you an umbrella," Mom exclaimed,

a cold that fast. But her over-the-to

ile, then pressed my advantage. "I'm exhausted and completely soaked. Maybe

. But if you start feeling wo

, barely suppressin

my room. I needed a bath and dry clothes as quickly as

. My stylist hadn't just selected my wardrobe and overall look; sh

favorite loungewear-a cropped top and sh

contact lenses and simply pick them up later. I checked the city map

en eerily silent until

tered irritably as I answered. "Valen,

perfectly fine," his overly sweet

ould possibly happe

y, as it often did. "Nothing must happen to you. Not a single

me all of that yesterday. W

el alone. Giving you this long

t. Be reasonable,"

ause, he added, "Nadya,

log every step I take and every bite I eat? Then I remembered my

timing. I need something from you. I w

Absolutely not.

xpected this, but I w

n't be mentioned anywhere. My best friend

ll silent. That was a good sign-at least

nge

o you hear me? Those curves are mea

signer collecti

rand ex

even asked Nina. But before

ons. First, your face must not be visib

?" I asked, already c

ell you

ht. I

n't stare at that screen too long. I won'

ka

irm I'd participate in the shoot. She replied with a

I was seconds away from falling asleep when a soft knock sounded at my door. Assu

Why are yo

my mother who

a woman