Revealing Kane

2 - Crossroads

It's been two days since John ended us. I have to pick myself up and decide what to do, yet my heart is full of pain. I miss John so much. I just want him to hold me and tell me everything will be okay. But I know it won't. I've lost him, and that kills me.

The entire rest of my life depends on the decisions I make in the next few days. Do I get out of my modeling contract and go home, therefore avoiding John? Or do I stay in London and keep working but pretend John doesn't exist? There's no way I can ignore him, though. He means too much to me.

I haven't told Yasmin or Simon what happened between John and me. I don't want to burden them with my life dilemmas. They have enough going on with baby Amber. I don't need to add to their worries. Besides, I'm sure John will give them all the lurid details. He probably hates me.

I hear the phone ring, but it's not my place to answer it, as it's not my house. I hear it stop and figure someone got it. I shuffle into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day, even if I want to stay in bed with the covers pulled up over my head.

As I exit the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I see Yasmin leave my room. She stops short when she sees me, and her eyes glide over me like she's inspecting me. What is that about?

"Morning, Ally. Models One called. They need you to come to the agency straight away. Something about a cover shoot?" Yasmin says with a teasing smirk.

"Cover shoot? Another?" I gasp, taken by surprise by the news.

"Yes, lovey, another. It seems you're the next best thing," Yasmin says proudly, and I blush.

"No way! That's awesome!" I say and hurry into my room. Yasmin follows me.

"You know the drill. The car will be here in twenty. Be ready. Should I make a celebratory dinner tonight?" Yasmin offers. "Invite John?"

"Please don't fuss," I tell her as I quickly get out clothes to wear. "And I'm sure John is busy," I add as my heart twangs at the thought of him.

"Is everything okay?" Yasmin asks, stepping closer to me and inspecting me again. "I didn't expect you to be home last night. Didn't you and John have a date?"

I turn away from Yasmin so she doesn't see the tears welling in my eyes. I don't want to tell her that I messed up and lost John. She'll just worry about me, and she has her own family to take care of.

"We've both been kind of busy," I tell her, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.

"Hmmm. I didn't realize he had anything to do. Anyway, I'll see if he has plans tonight-"

"Please don't," I blurt. "It can just be us," I then say, trying not to sound so upset, but the mention of John has me on the verge of bawling my eyes out.

"Allison," Yasmin sighs and puts her hands on my arms.

Yasmin turns me to face her, and when she sees the tears in my eyes, she pulls me into a tight hug. I hug her back, grateful for the small comfort. I miss my Mom at times like this, and Yazzy has become like a second mom to me.

"We can talk later," Yasmin whispers and then pulls back from the hug. "You have a big day today, young lady! Go knock 'em dead!"

I watch Yasmin leave the room as I try not to cry at her kindness. I know she cares for me, but that small conversation has proved something. If I continue to live in the LeBon house, I will have to face John. And probably sooner than I'll be prepared to do.

I'm ready to go by the time the car arrives to take me to the agency. I yell my goodbye to Yasmin, and I'm out the door. As I step toward the car, I look up the street toward John's house. I see nothing and no one. That's probably a good thing, as even a glimpse of him would upset me right now. I get in the car and head toward my day.

Once I'm at the agency, I am called into the President's office. I haven't spoken to her very often since my first day in London, so this is out of the ordinary. She invites me to sit in the chair facing her and her desk. As I take my seat, she picks up the phone and dials a number.

So I don't eavesdrop on her conversation, I take in the photographs around the room. I spy a framed photo of Yasmin and Simon and smile. They are good people who have been very kind to me. But I'm still thinking that I can't continue to live in their home. I can't risk seeing John. It would be too much for me.

Diane finishes her call and leans on her desk as she smiles at me. She tells me how proud she is that I am doing so well, and she is glad I am part of her agency. She adds that she foresees a bright future for me. Little does she know that I've thought about leaving it all behind to avoid John.

"So about today," Diane starts. "Vogue wants to do a spread and article on you. You've caught their attention, so they want to showcase you."

"British Vogue wants to showcase me?" I verify, shocked at the information.

"Yes. They have dubbed you the next hottest model," Diane explains, and I can't stop my mouth from dropping open. "So, you'll have a photo shoot and interview. Just don't be surprised if they ask some personal or probing questions."

"Such as?" I ask, feeling uneasy.

"I'll let them handle it. You'll give a better answer if you haven't had time to think about it," Diane tells me, and I cautiously agree.

I leave the President's office and go straight to the waiting car. It takes me to a photographer's studio, where a stylish young man greets me. He tells me he will be conducting the interview while my hair and makeup are done. I nervously agree as he follows me inside.

I am led to a director's chair in front of a mirror and make-up counter. The hairstylist comes over first and starts to brush out my long hair. As she works, the interviewer begins with his questions.

At first, it's nothing innocuous, just my family, childhood, and how I was discovered. He then moves into my modeling career and how it has gone so far in London, which is still okay. And then he lobs the first curve ball.

"So tell me, Allison, is there any romance in your life?" he asks, and my body pangs with the pain.

"Not at the moment," I divert, but he looks at me like he doesn't believe me.

"Are you sure? I've heard you've been seen with John Taylor of Duran Duran. You're telling me there's nothing there?" the interviewer pushes, and I lower my head to calm my emotions.

I have to be generous toward John. Being anything else will paint me in a bad light, which will be bad for my career. John is too famous to brush off or, worse, talk trash about. Plus, my feelings for him are too strong to be mean to him. I take a deep breath and raise my head, looking into the inquiring eyes.

"John is a lovely man. We have been on a few dates, but I just don't think we're a good fit. He's older than me, so I'm just not in the same place maturity wise as he is. I wish him nothing but the best," I say as I paste on a smile while my insides scream with the pain of the loss.

"John Taylor is not exactly known for long-term relationships-"

"Hold on there," I stop him, my anger rising. "John was in a four-year relationship with Renee Simonsen. How is that not a long-term relationship?" I snarl and then realize I am defending John. My feelings definitely run deep for him.

The interviewer says nothing, just smirks as he writes in his notes. I can only imagine what will end up being printed. And I'm sure John will see it. Great.