Shot of Espresso [slow updates]

neuf- eloide

Kimora POV

I hope it isn't awkward today...

It's Monday and I have to be at Merin for the next 5 hours. They're holding their annual fundraising party and lots of actors, models, and celebrities are going to be in attendance. So all models who are managed by Merin have to be in Paris this week. I'm excited because I get to work with many famous models this week. I step into the break room and put my things in my cubby. Laurel sent a text to the interns last week telling us to meet her in her office to receive our assignments for the week. I'm going to try my best to avoid Jacques and save myself from the tension that may be in the air. The door to the break room opens and I look up to see Alejandro. 

"Hey," he says.

"Hi, what's up?  You looking for Kheumani?" I ask. He looks flustered and out of breath like he was running. 

"Yea..." 

"You okay? You're acting weird," I ask with a chuckle.

"Oh, yea. Everything is good. See you later," he quickly says.

That was weird. I get up and make my way to Laurel's office. 

"Bonjour, Kimora," Laurel greets.

"Bonjour."

"Here's your list. Try to find these models and get familiar with them today."

"Okay," I respond. I look over my list and try to memorize the names and my tasks.

Jade Moreau- assist with finding dress

Ambre Bernard- pick up Chanel accessories from the store

Hugo Dubois- pick up tuxedo from the tailor

Eloide Richard- assist with prep for banquet

Eloide Richard... for some odd reason that name sounds familiar.

I try to think back to when I heard it first. I know she's a big model at Merin...

It hits me...  I heard some other interns talking about her attitude and how she was difficult to work with. I groan, I don't need her to stress me out this week. I just want to make sure this banquet goes smoothly so that I can focus on my school work.

"Something on your mind," a curious voice asks.

"Huh," I look up to see Jacques staring at me.

Oh Lord. There goes my plan to avoid him this week.

"Oh no. Everything is good. Just looking over my assignments for the week. According to the other interns' gossip, an Eloide Richard may cause me some problems," I say.

His eyes darken when I say one of my model's names. Interesting, she may have a bad reputation with the other models too. I have half the mind to beg Laurel to give me a different model.

"Hello? Earth to Jacques. Is Eloide really that unlikeable?" I ask.

"Well... she wasn't always like that. I think the fame got to her head and she thinks she's better than everyone now," he responds.

"Oh.. thank God you aren't like that."

"Yea, I got to go. See you later," Jacques says as he rushes off.

I narrow my eyes. Something is very off today. First Alejandro is acting weird and then Jacques. I decide to go talk to Henri before starting today's tasks.

I find him in the snack room with Tiana. Henri looks stressed and is talking frantically with Tiana.

"Hey guys," I greet.

They jump and look at me.

"Heeyy, girl. What are you doing here?" Tiana asks.

She sounds nervous like she's hiding something.

"What's up with y'all? You're acting weird," I chuckle.

"Nothing, we're just getting some food in our stomachs before we start working," Henri says.

"Oh, I actually needed to talk to you both. So I got my assignments for this week and wanted to see who you have Tiana. And Henri I wanted to talk to you about Jacques," I rush out.

Tiana takes my paper and reads it over. She lowly mumbles the names of the models. Her body freezes when she reads Eloide. She quickly glances at Henri, who looks just as nervous as her. 

"Okay, what the hell?! Why is everyone acting off today? Jacques reacted the same way as you guys when he saw my list," I say.

"Wait.... Jacques saw your list?" Henri asks.

"Yea... Is something wrong with that?" I ask.

"No. No. Just, I'll see you both later. I need to get to work," Henri says.

He kisses Tiana's forehead and gives me a side hug before rushing out the door.

I narrow my eyes after observing his jittery behavior and turn to Tiana, who is in a rush to leave too.

"Uhn uhn. Where do you think you're going?"

"I got work.. I'll see you at home."

Something weird is going on. I feel like I'm being punked and I don't like it one bit.

----------------------------

I made my way around the agency and introduced myself to each of the models I'm working with for the banquet. The models and I got to know each other a little bit and talked about their past and recent projects. I've been trying to find Eloide to get to know her a bit, but it's like she's not even here. I glance at my watch and see that it's nearing 7 p.m. I have to head back to the apartment, I have a pile of homework to finish.

I text Kheumani and Tiana to let them know I'm leaving. I grab my bag and head out of the break room. As I near the front door, I see two figures outside arguing. One of them looks familiar, I squint and realize it's Jacques. I really don't want to interrupt them, but this is the only way to leave the agency. 

I open the door and try to walk by undetected when I hear my name.

"I heard from Claude that you're dating one of the interns. She told me that her name is Kimora. Really Jacques? Do you have no standards? You're dating a nigg-"

"Don't you dare say that word! We've been broken up for a while, Eloide. My dating life is none of your business. And her race doesn't matter. Just stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours," Jacques says.

He walks off with a scowl on his face.

I smile a bit. I'm happy that he defended me. But that smile is wiped off my face when I realize that one of the models I'm working with is his ex. Not to mention she's a racist and already hates my guts, despite us not meeting yet. 

I groan inwardly. This week is going to be fun, I sarcastically thought.

---------------------

Thanks for reading!

If you liked this chapter, don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT, and SHARE this story!

~Y