Chapter 32 Derek Wants Me
When she finally released my hand, I dragged in a deep breath, leaning back towards Ryker.
She was....strange.
Ella seemed like a sweet woman. But with that type of intensity radiating from her, I could melt before the end of the day.
"Anything else?" Ryker asked her. His tone was soft and tender. Warmer than how he usually spoke to anyone else.
"No. I just wanted to meet her," Ella said, her eyes flicking back to me. "She's lovely. And beautiful."
My throat bobbed up and down when her eyes drifted back to me again. Ryker's hand rubbed slow circles on my back as if he could sense my tension.
"I'll go look for something to keep me busy," Ella said, and then turned, Missy still curled contentedly in her arms. "Excuse me,"
She left with Missy nestled in her arms, disappearing into the kitchen.
Only when she was gone did I finally exhale, unaware I'd been holding my breath.
I tried to force calm into my chest, but Ryker chuckled beside me. And I shot him a glare.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
His laughter dropped before a grin replaced his face. "You're afraid of Ella, and not me?"
"I wasn't afraid. She's just...intimidating."
"She is," He agreed.
My brows tightened. "That could be perceived as quite serious for a first meeting, even though she was smiling all through."
He chuckled. "Her gaze always feels like she's trying to read your soul."
"That's one way to describe it."
"Oh, and she's Filipino," he added. "Reads stars. Very spiritual."
That made sense. She had that quiet, but commanding presence. Still, one thing bugged me. "Why's her name Ella?"
"She just prefers it." He waved it off before stepping away and walking towards a couch.
He grabbed a slim file, offering it to me. "Here. You should read this."
I eyed it warily. "What is it?"
"I heard you used to be a model, right?"
I stilled slightly. "A top model, yeah."
He nodded. "Then, I think you should see this. You get to decide what you want at the end of the day."
"Ryker," I warned. "What are you getting at?"
"Derek's agency, Global, wants you back. I'm sure you know that, don't you?"
Derek wanted me back at Global?
The realization hit me fast and hard.
So that's why Derek had been acting strange. The texts, the sudden support for Leah...Was this all about business?
I looked up. "How do you know that?"
Ryker gave a knowing smile. "Derek works for my company too. I hear things."
"That doesn't give you access to private matters in his side business,"
"True." He admitted.
"So, tell me the complete truth. How do you know Derek is trying to get me back into the Industry?"
"I saw the news. Your name has been topping charts and it won't be unusual that he wants you back because apparently, you've been gaining some fame. Any smart agency would want to capitalize on that."
"A fame that has so many loopholes."
He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"A celebrity died last week during a tour visit, yet my story still topped the feed, suppressing other major events. That's not normal. Someone's keeping it up deliberately."
After my words, silence followed.
I stared at him. "It's you, isn't it?"
He let out a soft scoff. "Let's say it is."
"It is," I snapped.
"Yes. But I have a good reason for it."
"And you couldn't tell me?"
"What difference would that make?"
I didn't refute that.
He sighed, stepped closer, before placing both hands on my shoulders. "You deserve the spotlight again, Lamb. And I'm giving you that push. You were made for more than being a headline casualty."
I've always known Ryker had something to do with it.
A celebrity recently died during her tour visit. It was big news, but yet, it didn't top mine.
There was a protest in some part of the country that involved violence. Yet, it also didn't top mine.
Then, I knew something was wrong.
Ryker had been behind all of it. Keeping my name at the top, manipulating the narrative, using his influence to make me visible again. He wanted this for me. Or maybe, he wanted it for himself.
Still, a part of me felt... grateful.
But another part was wary.
My shoulders slumped, and I stared at the file as if it were a trap disguised as a gift.
"If I take this opportunity," I murmured, "I'll be walking right back into Derek's agency and under his wings. Back into Annie's territory."
Ryker's expression darkened, his thumb brushing the nape of my neck. "Let them try, but I'm telling you now to join the agency. You won't get hurt, at least not under my watch. I've got plans that go beyond Global, and this is just the first step."