The Model And The Don

Chapter 33

Another four weeks have passed and then another and another. Three months without Jaxon and I've never felt worse.

"Come on, Karlie. Hair and makeup are gonna be here at 5, sharp." Journey says, poking me.

I groan, turning my back to her. I just went to sleep. I'm so hungry and exhausted to the point that I spent last night dry heaving over the toilet.

"You used to be up and dancing by now, Karlie. Get up." Journey tell me sternly before she leaves me alone.

I sigh while throwing the heavy comforter away from me before pushing my self up with enough force that makes my arms feel like noodles.

I take off my teeth whitening strips before brushing my teeth and hair before trudging into the shower and hurry through my shower.

I tie my hair into a towel before putting on a robe and leaving the bathroom slowly, immediately getting a large Red Bull into my hands and a energy shot.

I hate mixing them, they make me shaky and I act like I'm paranoid but it's what I need to do to last throughout the day.

Throwing back the shot, I grimace and chug half of the Red Bull to get rid of the taste. It's funny to think that I could drink any alcohol I want and not have a chaser but this one fucking energy shot.

"Good morning, Karlie!" They chant while setting things up. Weirdly enough, they've gotten more happier over the time. It probably because they're getting paid more but at least they're getting something good out of it.

"Good morning." I mumble, taking a seat on my chair, propping my head up on my hand.

"We are doing three photo shoots today, two gym sessions, two pageant practice, one show, one party." Journey lists, making me sigh.

Give me a damn break.
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"Lean back, Karlie!"

The photographer yells at me harshly before I put my head back and lean back on my knees. My body aches in ways nobody should.

What is Jaxon doing? How is he doing? Is he okay? Is he working on getting his problems fixed? Is he safe? Is he close to finishing? Is he mad at me for not speaking to him as much as I promised? How is he handling his work? Is he eating and sleeping properly?

I hope on everything that he is taking care of himself properly and not getting to deep inside his own head. Maybe I should call Logan and ask him to encourage Jaxon on keeping himself healthy.

I hear Journey and Kane speaking all the time. I hate to say I'm jealous, so jealous that anger and hate fills my head and makes me block everything out.

So while I'm stuck in uncomfortable positions or in the gym or on my sixth pair of shoes of the day, I'm hearing Kane and Journey talk all couple-ly to each other.

I hate that I am thinking this way or getting angry over it. I hate this feeling. I hate doing almost ten things a day.

"Karlie, you have got to get it together. Pose!" He yells again, making my jaw clench but I put my arms over my head, posing.

"Thank you!" He shouts in distressed, bending to take photos at an angle.

I miss Jaxon. I think I might be able to call him on the ride to my next photo shoot- shit, no I can't. I need to call Janice about the press. Maybe the other one? Actually never mind, Journey and I have a Zoom meeting.

Whatever, I'll find time today.

"Okay, you're done!"

I winced as I stand, getting rushed into my dressing room to get dressed. I put on a black pair of leggings before one of Jaxon's large grey hoodie that I stole and brought here. Of course, it's lost his scent but at least I have it.

I quickly wipe off the makeup I currently have on with a makeup wipe because they are going to redo it at the next shoot I do. It's a different theme.

I put on a pair of big, black sunglasses before putting the hood on my head and walking out to the blacked out SUV.

"Karlie, what's happening?"
"Are you on drugs? Is this how you lost the weight?"
"Are you sick, Karlie?"
"Did you breakup with Jaxon?"

I get in the car, blinking back my overwhelmed tears that try to spill out of my eyes. I don't take off anything and lean my head against the window, trying to enjoy the few minutes of silence before my phone rings again.
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"Okay, you have practice after this and your muscles need to be loosened for it. So we're going to start of with a 12 mile run." My trainer tell me before guiding me towards the treadmill.

I sigh, starting my run. The faster this is done the faster this is over with. I decide now is the time to FaceTime Jaxon because I'll have an hour to do this.

"Hey honey!" I smile, keeping my fast pace. I glance at him, keeping my smile but clenching my jaw. He has bags underneath his eyes, I should've known better than to do this to him. It's my fault.

"Hey, baby. How you feeling?" He asks with concerned furrowed eyebrows.

"Never better. What are you doing?" I ask breathlessly, keeping my eyes straight ahead. It helps me keep my pace.

"Just getting into my work. What else are you doing today?"

I hate that voice. He only does this voice when he thinks I'm doing too much, pushing everything to the limit before it overflows, pooling on the floor.

"Just a show and an after party." I say nonchalantly. "Do you have any plans today?" I ask, flashing him a bright smile.

"Um, not really. I might-" Jaxon stops, looking away from his phone with his jaw clenched and glaring at something.

He sighs harshly before looking at his phone again. "I need to go, baby. I love you." He tells me with a sad face.

"It's okay! I love you, Jaxon!" I exclaim before hanging up the phone and dropping my act.

"Pick up the pace, Karlie!" The trainer yells at me.
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"I need air."

I walk out of the building. There were too many people surrounding me, I felt claustrophobic and if I didn't get out now, there's no telling what would have actually happened.

  I take a deep breathe before looking to my left. There's a guy staring at me with a hood over his head.

He looks stupid.

I huff, rolling my eyes as I walk in the opposite direction. I get a weird sense of déjà vu when I look over my shoulder to see the guy closer then before.

"Get the fuck away from me!" I shout at the person before sliding in between the pause in between the buildings. Sighing in relief when the man passes the alleyway.

"Finally, you took you're sweet time." I hear from my left which is further into the alleyway.

"Sorry, man. I just wanted to play with her slightly."

I gasp from the prick of something in my neck before my vision becomes spotty then nothing.

A dark wave welcomes me with open arms.