day

lthough he had instructed them to come early, they seemed to have defied his request. The meeting meant everything to him, and it was the onl

different. He was dressed in an overall red tuxedo and was smiling more than usual. Nathan was ta

rixlee walked in, and Nathan frowned. She was the last to arrive, but she smiled, unlike Nathan's flared nostrils. Brixlee had learned that a smile cou

excuse but was surprised that

to go see my grandpa at the hospital," she exp

ee had caught him off guard. He was taken aback by

my head," Brixlee replied,

," Nathan said wit

ll sitting on her desk. She couldn't

dress stupid today?" Brixlee joke

t, not like you would have a clue about that,

ed tuxedo? Dude! You look like you got hit by a

but in my head I've killed you twenty times,

friend thinks you have serious mental pr

words was amusing

ou so annoying?"

an understand me," Brixlee

ing; it's not illegal

o why don't you stop ta

nk deeper into his seat. He was slowly losing his cool, a

and the whole place went silent."Please be quiet for a mome

is here, she's waiting in the board room," the receptionis

ng when Nathan grabbed his laptop and rushed out, leaving Tyler and Brixlee in t

king crestfallen. He dropped his laptop on the table a

s expression added to her apprehension. "Well, apparently something bad," Tyler adde

topped my presentation and gave me a riddl

chorused. Nathan shook his h

's really c

??? " Tyler asked, a hint

r wrapped up in deceit, it's more to beat the scalding pain of hate,

hard work preparing the presentation, Jessica Torres had decided t

. He scrolled for a few minutes before finally dropping it on the table in

nouncement to the staff? We could offer a r

lems: "We can't be sure that they're not

," Tyler suggested. "I know some peopl

n you drop Brixlee off at the Heelshir

.

nt of new models. His annual special summer fashion show was on the horizon, and he was in search of new faces to grace the runway this year. Talia

h his attention. Xavier sighed in frustration, feeling disheartened at the thought of not disc

. "Come in," Xavier said, tr

demeanor piqued his interest. "Hi, Talia,

So, I came to talk about my contract," she s

y, but yes,"

think about renewing my contract. Let's make this w

gh he knew that Talia was only trying to hash out a business deal,

work," he said unenthusiastically. Talia beam

to hear," she said,

lia wasn't going to be thrilled if she discovered that she would be replaced

visit was something he always looked forward to since Mrs. Heelshires was an old woman who resided alone. Her so

keys and left for

.

e Heelshires' residence. Brixlee stepp

de guy with an athlete's build answered. Tho

stared at her for a few seconds be

te of a mansion decor. The young man urged

les in her hand. "Nathan sent you, right?"

rink?"She asked and

ay now"She replied a

o drop you off at the o

bell. Could he be Nathan's arch-enemy, Mrs. Jessica Torres's g

he quickly pursed her lips, secretly hop

d Mrs. Heelshires, with a smile on her wr

Xavier appeared- tall, dark, and handsome, ready to drop Brixlee off. As they exchanged

uld've sworn Xavier was stealing peeks at her. After a few long min

?" Brixlee finally broke the sil

replied with a hint of

to let it show. Feeling a bit more confident, Brixlee continue

that?" Xavier's voice wa

ed your help," Brixlee blurted

turned to face Brixlee. "My help? On w

rything to him; her job at Nathan's company,

eed my help on a riddle my grandma gave y

not just for me. I'm doing it for

er said, turning down the o

han? I hate that dude more t

n't help me," Brixlee lied, tr

rowned at her. Brixlee knew she had

at's in it for me?" he as

I don't know. What do you want?" she asked, ho

, his eyes scanning her up and down. Brixlee felt a shive

xlee blurted out,

coming up in three days. I haven't found the right model for the job yet, but I thi

big agency?" Brixlee ask

'll be really doing a big favor for your bo

eep breath and cl