Undercover: Book 1 — Chapter Fourteen

"Damien?!"

"Oh, great, you two know each other?" Cierra said, clapping, completely oblivious to the glare I was giving Damien.

"What are you doing here?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"Well, Cierra here use to be my agent once upon a time, and hearing I was back, she decided to offer me a modeling job to pose with Victoria’s Secret’s number one angel, Lucky, so of course I couldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Aren't you happy, babe?" Damien said, smirking.

Cierra waited for my answer while staring at me with her beady little eyes. Trying to not show how nervous I actually was, I responded with a fake smile.

"Oh yeah! I can't wait to stand next to you and take tons of pictures together while you're shirtless and me wearing a bikini! This should be fun!" I said sarcastically.

Cierra gave me an approving look since this wasn't some high school game. We were both adults and this was business. They didn’t have time for who didn’t like who.

"Well, I'm glad you two are close friends! So, you won't mind the first pose," Cierra said, smiling innocently. "I want Damien to stand behind you with his arms around your waist and then I want you to smile and look at him lovingly. Damien, you look down at Lucky lovingly. That’s the exact vibe I want for this photo shoot.”

"But you do know we aren't together, right?" I asked almost annoyed. I loved modeling, but it’s stuff like this that drove me insane. They’ll most likely turn this picture around, and it’ll be the same magazine questioning if me breaking up with him was just an act.

"What? Damien told me on the phone that you two have been together for years now."

I raised an eyebrow at this information. She just asked if we knew each other.

"Yeah, we were technically together for years but I just recently broke up with him," I said, glaring at Damien.

"Haha, that's funny, babe. But anyway, I have somewhere to be so let's get this over with," Damien said, laughing nervously.

"Yeah, let's just start. We are on a tight schedule today," Cierra agreed.

After about an hour and a half of Damien and I making up our own poses and taking a bunch of pictures for some new swim line, I was sent to take a few photos in the water.

"Beautiful, that will be front cover!" she said as I stepped out of the edge of the water.

"Thank you so much for coming. These photos are all perfect for the summer line of bikinis and that outfit you wore here today was perfect for the occasion," Cierra told me, patting me on the shoulder. “Make sure to return everything you modeled today at the front desk.”

I nodded, thanking her. I usually got to keep everything I modeled, but not all places were as generous. I walked out front to see the car waiting and started to walk through the path that security cleared. As I was walking, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Damien, what do you want now? Can't you understand it's over?" I snapped once I saw it was him.

"Here, can we talk inside, because there is a lot of paparazzi..." Damien said, trailing off and pointing to the nearby Starbucks. Why am I not surprised that they have an a Starbucks next to an agency?

"Fine, you have five minutes and that’s only because I’m going to get a drink." I signaled next door to my driver and walked over.

"Hello, what can I get you?" the lady named Scarlet asked politely.

"Can I have an iced coffee with an extra shot of espresso and regular cream and regular sugar?" I asked, smiling.

"Sure. With the name Lucky, right?" she asked.

I nodded as I swiped my card to pay.

Damien ordered his coffee and paid for his own then we quickly got them and sat down.

"Can you explain to me when you started modeling?" I questioned, taking a sip of my drink.

"Well, when people saw me with you on the magazines the first day I got back, I got tons of calls asking me to model their clothes and swimsuit lines so I agreed," he said, shrugging.

I laughed bitterly. "Wow, you got your fame restored just like you wanted all along," I said, shaking my head. “I’m sure you missed the spot light in the few years you’ve been out of it.”

Doesn’t it hurt you to know that you used me to regain it? I wanted to ask, but I decided against it.

"You know I do love you," Damien said, giving me some fake look of love, which I fell for so easily before.

"Yeah, I'm sure you did. Now, I really need to get going. But before I do, I have a tip for you, Damien. Stay out of my life and take the hint that we are done! I don’t have time for you trying to raise your fame by attempting to get me to model with you," I said, standing up. “I’m serious about this.”

"You can't be mad! I just got bored of our lame relationship! I am a man and I have needs. You weren't filling my needs!" Damien said.

I glared at him and took one last sip of my drink. Interesting. How can one fill any needs when they disappear for years, lying about how they’re fighting for our country but are really sitting in a house on the beach?

"So, why are you talking to me now?" I snapped.

"Because you are really famous and if everyone sees us talking they will think we are making up." He quickly stood up and gave me a kiss on the lips.

I quickly pushed him back. "You're such a pig! Sorry I was such a bore to you. I hope girlfriend number two makes your life easier." In one swift motion, I grabbed his own drink and poured it on him before walking away. Cameras easily caught the act as the paparazzi furiously took pictures. When I got to the car and slid in, Tori was sitting there patiently.

"Explain," Tori said as soon as the door shut.

"Well, hello to you, too," I said sarcastically.

"Oh, cut the crap. Why the hell were you just with Damien?" Tori questioned, frowning.

I quickly started explaining about the photo shoot and about what Damien said at Starbucks.

"Oh, babe! I'm so sorry. He is such a pig!” she snapped, shaking her head. “He better wish he never crosses me or I swear I will chop off—"

"Tori, I love you," I said, unable to hold back my laughter at my friend.

"Sorry, I was getting a little carried away," Tori said sheepishly.

"It's fine," I said with a small smile.

When we arrived back, we got out of the car and went into the building and took the elevator up to the top floor. When we walked in, there was a note sitting on the counter.

Dear Clover and Tori,

Nice work on the photoshoots and the interview turned out great, but Clover, I am very disappointed about a few things that we will discuss later. For now, I want you both to go and get ready. Since you are both models, it shouldn't be difficult to pick a nice dress. Remember, this is a five-star restaurant so do look nice. I sent out a few people to pick out about five elegant dresses, so go and choose one. They should all be on your beds. Now hurry up. Dinner starts at seven o'clock sharp, don't be late. Car will be out front.

Sincerely,

Mary and Megan.

I quickly read over the note again and gave it to Tori to read and ran off to my bedroom. When I walked in, there were five beautiful dresses on my bed like Mary said there would be. I checked the time. 5:30. So I took a bit of time and jumped in the shower and washed my hair and did the usual stuff. I easily picked the black and white skin-tight dress. I waited to put it on as I curled my blond hair so it was in big bouncy curls then I pulled it back so it was all laying on one shoulder. I added a little bit of makeup, just enough so it still looked natural, then I slid on the dress and put on a pair of black platform suede heels.

When Tori and I were both ready, we went out to the limo. While we were waiting, I admired Tori’s David Lerner long-sleeved mesh dress with a pair of black suede ankle boots. Her hair was up in a nice bun with both sides of her bangs hanging down. We complimented each other's outfits and we gossiped until we arrived a few minutes later. Tons of pictures were taken as we walked in through the door. We were quickly directed by the person at the front to the table with Mary, Megan, and… Andrew?

"Andrew? What is Andrew doing here... in New York?" I asked as I sat down.

"Well, since you have decided to go off and do what you wish lately, you sort of got yourself in a mess. We can’t have you kissing random guys on front covers, so we’ll stick with the first one you put your lips on," Mary said.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I laughed for a good three minutes. You know, that bend-over-crying laughter.

This had to be a joke. That's it, there's nothing more to it. I mean, she wants me to fake date Andrew? Andrew Carter, the one who I semi-agreed to tolerate only a day ago? Oh, sweet baby Jesus, help me.