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LIAM

“ Hey guys, what's going on here? “ A familiar feminine voice called out from behind us. We turned to see Eve walking to us with a grin on her face.

Eve had been a good friend of mine since we were children and her smile had always been contagious to me until today. Normally when she smiled I always smiled back, but today I was just very upset to do so.

The fact that Silver was trying to act nice to Maya when I hadn’t even begun to do that yet angered me. I knew he was doing this to get her for himself.

“ Eve, it’s Good that you’re here already. Maybe you can put in a good for me, so Maya can please be our model for today, “ Silver said to Eve who now had a look of confusion on her face.

“ What happened to the model we were supposed to be working with? “ Eve asked Silver.

“ She was involved in an accident and you, of all people, should know that we can’t postpone this photoshoot. Liam’s models all have been fully booked and I really want to partner with him. That's why I said Maya should fill in for the model, “ Silver explained and Eve began to nod her head in understanding.

“ Maya, can I talk to you for a second? “ Eve asked Maya with a gentle smile.

“ Yeah, sure, “ Maya said with a nervous smile evident on her face as she looked at us all.

“ I mean privately, “ Eve said and reached out for Maya’s hands. The duo walked to a corner in the hall we were in and began to discuss with low voices.

I found this frustrating because I couldn’t hear what they were discussing. I just hoped that Maya would make a decision that she wouldn't regret. But then again, what was wrong with me?

I knew that if she accepted Silver’s offer she would make enough to take care of herself and get her a better house. So why was I still hoping she wouldn’t agree? Was it because I didn’t want her to get close to Silver?

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Eve and Maya’s high heels making a clunk sound as they approached us. Maya still looked nervous, but Eve was beaming with smiles while she gave Maya’s hands a reassuring squeeze.

“ Uhm, I accept your offer, Mr. Grey, “ Maya said and Silver smiled satisfactorily.

“ Oh C’mon, enough of the formalities, just call me Silver, “ Silver said to Maya and Eve nodded her head at Maya.

“ Alright, Mr Grey, I mean, Silver, “ Maya responded with a genuine smile this time around.

“ Shall we proceed to sign the contract before Eve takes you away to prepare you? “ Silver added as he looked at Maya and she nodded.

Wait, did he have this all planned out and ready? I thought to myself when I saw one of his workers bring in a document.

I silently stood there filled with rage and not able to do anything about it because if I did, I would certainly look like the bad person who is against Maya’s progress.

Silver motioned for us to walk to a table so we could sign the contract and we all walked to the table. Maya was given the contract and a pen to sign. She went straight to the page where she was supposed to sign and was about to sign.

“ Aren’t you gonna read the contract first? “ I asked Maya and she shook her head in negation.

“ I trust Silver and besides it’s the same contract the other model signed just that this one has my name on it instead, “ She answered me and went ahead to sign the contract.

I hated the fact that she said she trusted Silver. She didn’t even know him that well. It took all the self-control in me not to scoff and break the pen when it was given to me to sign.

I signed the contract as her boss and after that. Eve took Maya away to dress up leaving Silver and I standing as we waited for them. There was silence between us before I spoke up.

“ What are you up to this time Silver? “ I asked Silver and he chuckled lightly.

“ Why do you always think I have ulterior motives? I just want her to be the model because I feel her beauty would make my advertisements and outfits sell well, “ Silver said to me.

“ It better be just strictly about work because she’s not the kind of girl you use and ends up dumping, “ I said while smiling even though I wasn’t joking.

“ Calm down Mr. Protective, your assistant is entitled to making her own choices, “ Silver said with a smirk on his face and left to check if everything was in place.



Eve came out of the dressing room after an hour, telling us that Maya was ready and would be out in a few minutes.

After that, she went back into the dressing room and the crew began to double-check everything was in for the photoshoot.

I was busy operating my phone when suddenly everywhere became pin-drop silent and the sounds of high heels clanking on the floor were the only ones that could be heard.

I raised my head and saw everyone looking in a particular direction in awe, their mouths agape. When I looked in the direction of where they were looking, that was when I saw her, the most beautiful version of Maya Allen.

Dressed in a strapless body-fitting gown which was designed with crystal and her hair packed in a tight bun. Her makeup was light yet she looked breathtaking and elegant in the dress which clung to her body in the right places.

Everything around me slowed down as I watched Maya walk towards me nervously with calculated steps. Gosh, this girl was born for this! was the only thing ringing in my head.

Eve walked beside Maya as she held Maya’s hands giving it a reassuring squeeze all the while they were walking towards me.

“ Liam!! “ Eve exclaimed as she tapped my shoulders lightly which immediately drew me out of my thoughts or should I say surprise. I didn't even know that they had walked to me.

“ Oh, sorry. I was thinking about Bianca. I just hope she’ll be fine, “ I lied and Eve gave me a knowing look.

“ Yeah, right, we know, “ Eve said with a tone of mockery which made me immediately glare at her.

“ How do I look Sir, is this outfit okay? “ Maya asked me with an expectant look but before I could open my mouth to speak, Silver beat me to it.

“ You look perfect. I knew I made the right choice by making you the model to advertise my latest outfits, “ Silver said and she blushed.

I walked to sit on a chair and watched as the photoshoot proceeded. When I walked away Maya looked disappointed, but I didn't care.

But why wouldn’t I walk away? When Silver was doing everything to get on my nerves and get a reaction from me, of course, I had to walk away.

I was feeling like a jealous boyfriend and I hated the feeling. Maybe I made a mistake employing Maya because she was making me feel things I promised myself I wouldn’t feel anymore and it was really frustrating.

I sat and watched as Maya carried out the postures she was instructed to carry out perfectly. She didn’t look like someone who didn’t attend college. Grey and Even continued telling her postures to make, while I sat down pretending to be busy with my phone while stealing glances at Maya from time to time.

The photoshoot finally came to an end after Maya wore a series of outfits. I was getting worried that she might pass out from exhaustion because she looked like she would.

Afterward, the Crews packed up all the tools they used for the photoshoot and headed out. Maya came out of the dressing room putting on the initial outfit she wore here and I took that as our cue to leave but Silver walked up to her and they began to converse.

I stood up from the chair I sat in and began to walk outside but a voice called out to me.

“ Liam, we need to talk, “ The voice said and I turned to see that it was Eve. I frowned because I had never seen Eve with such a serious look on her face before.