Chapter 35 Possession Wrapped In Veil
"What makes you think I'd want to come back to Global after you made me end my career, put my sister in the front while turning me into a molested housewife?" My jaw trembled as the words rolled out of my tongue, heat rising in my chest.
Derek's jaw tensed, not saying a word.
The waiter soon came by, asking if we were ready to place our orders.
Derek was silent, still looking at me like my words had slapped him.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced out a small smile at the waiter and placed my order. "Sparkling water. No lemon." I said, not looking at the menu.
Derek ordered the same, then added a burrata starter "for the table" How generous.
As soon as the waiter walked away, I added, squinting my eyes at him. "If you came here to convince me to join your agency, then you're doing a poor job, Mr Holland."
His lips twitched as he reached into the inside pocket of his blazer and pulled out a slim folder.
It wasn't anything dramatic but somehow, it made my stomach clench.
"I'm assuming you are aware that you've got seven months left on your contract with Global." He said, sliding the folder across the table towards me.
But I didn't touch it.
"Is that the new tactic?" I asked, "You asked for this meeting to remind me of the calendar?"
"No. I came because the board wants you back. Global needs you. You were a high performer with a large fan base that still managed to be alive even after you walked away. Your face brought in numbers and we want you back." He sighed. "Coupled with the fact that our lead model might be taking a slight break soon."
Annie was taking a break from modeling. That was....shocking.
"Sounds like you have a whole load of problems. And now, I wonder what that has to do with me."
"It has everything to do with you. We need a fill-in. And now is the perfect time since you've started getting a real-time recognition."
I finally looked down at the file, but didn't open it. I tapped a finger against the edge. "So this is what? A plea deal?"
"Something like that, but it's a renewal proposal with better terms, creative control. Hell, we're even open to you picking your own photographer and team. I made sure of that. All I want is for you to come back to Global."
That almost got my attention. Almost.
"How noble,"
Just then, the waiter came back with our orders and I reached for my water, gulping a fair amount to keep me hydrated.
Derek leaned forward, his elbows propped on the table. "Vanessa—Miss Thomas, I know we ended on the wrong foot. Things didn't exactly work out well between us during our, you know, marriage. But I urge you not to let whatever grudge you're holding cloud your judgment."
My brows knitted. "You think this is all about you?"
"Isn't it?" He asked, locking gaze with me. "You disappeared after signing those divorce papers, only for you to run into the arms of my brother. It's quite clear that you've been making decisions with your hatred towards me, which is completely unfair in my opinion. But then again, that's understandable."
I fell silent. Not because I lost words to say, but because of the truth in his words. I'd really been letting my hatred lead.
"Look, I didn't come here to drag the past up with you. I came because I want you back as my model."
"And if I say no?"
He paused. "I'm afraid, we might have to settle this in court."
I wanted to retort, but the words got swallowed up in my throat when my phone dinged.
"Excuse me," I said curtly, grabbing my phone from the table.
It was a text from Ryker.
{Where are you?}
I frowned.
He left me for work on a Sunday, why was he texting now??
"Let me guess, that's my brother." Derek's voice filtered into my ears, distracting me.
I turned to him, dropping the phone on my lap. "It's none of your business."
He had the nerve to grin like my words were meant to be funny. "Really? But I don't—"
Another ding.
I glanced down.
It was Ryker again.
{You're with my brother, aren't you? Tell me now, before I come find you both.}
He went out, yet he knew. He always knew everything going on with me.
Across the table, Derek kept talking about brand legacy and audience reach. I reached for my water and took another slow sip, imagining how Ryker would react if he saw me now.
Another buzz.
{You better pray this message reaches you before I do, little lamb.}
My thighs pressed together beneath the table, almost involuntarily.
Little lamb.
There it was. His soft voice engraved in my head, whispering in a soft warning disguised as affection.
A heated way to show possession. Yet, it didn't feel wrong.
I cleared my throat lightly, crossing my legs to press down the swelling down there.
"You want to say something?" Derek asked, blinking at me.
I blinked back at him, lost. Not even sure if I heard him say anything.
"No. I mean, go on.."
He gave me a look, but I didn't care what it meant. "Okay, so I was saying B&G perfume had recently.."
My phone vibrated again, pulling my eyes down to see a third message.
{ Is he touching you? Is that why you're not replying?! }
I let out a small breath, almost like a laugh.
But I didn't reply.
Instead, I tilted my head and gave Derek a small nod, just enough to make him think I was considering his proposal. And a silence that was just enough to keep Ryker guessing, wherever he was.
Then, a final buzz.
{Lamb, don't make me come claim what's mine in front of him. It'll be on you if he loses his sight.}
I swallowed down the rush of heat that came with those words. The threat was veiled but it left my pulse beating in anticipation.
I slipped the phone screen down on my lap. My pulse no longer steady.
Across from me, Derek was still rambling words I didn't care to want to know. Ryker's voice was louder than his in my head.
And somewhere inside me, something dark and pleased curled at the idea of being claimed.
Shit.
I was falling. Miserably.