Heir Reigns

✘ [ FOURTEEN ] ✘

VERA

    "Alright, let's take a ten. I'm going to run these down to editing so that way I can make more space for the rest of the shoot," Dean, our photographer says.
    I exhale and let out the stomach I was sucking in. The models posed in front of me get up with no hesitation. I decided to go to my own little corner and check my phone in case my publicist called or anything new. The heels I'm wearing make the walk riskier, but I manage.
    There's a missed call from a random number and then a text.

    Unknown: Vera?

    I stare at the screen confused and a tad alarmed.

    Who's this? Why'd you call me?

    The unknown number doesn't reply right away, but I linger on the screen thinking about who it could be. Just then I see them typing and I gasp.
    They replied.

    Unknown: Sorry to have caught you off guard. It's Kaito, you gave me your number last night, I was calling to ask you out on a date. Would've been better that way. Anyway, are you free tonight?

    I bite my lip in an attempt to keep myself from smiling. Finally! I've been waiting for him to ask me out all morning and he just did, but since he took a little while he'd have to pay for it. Can't believe I almost forgot that I had given him my number.

    Wish you would've given me more of a time notice, I'm busy tonight. Maybe some other night.

    I click send and smile at my response like I just committed something wicked and was proud of it. Shove it, Kaito.
I stare at the screen and he's not typing yet, but he read it.
    Prove yourself.
    Just then he sends a reply.

    Kaito: My apologies. Clear your schedule for tomorrow then, we're going out, no excuses. I'll pick you up around 7? Dress fancy.

    I stare at the message stunned and also somewhat aroused by how demanding he is. Most guys you meet are so passive or depend on you to plan everything out, sometimes even depend on you to pay for the date.
    I decided to challenge him a bit.

    I'm not going to clear my schedule for you, Kaito. Why don't you ask me when I'm free like a gentleman, hm? Maybe then I'd actually agree to go out with you.

    Kaito: My, my, my. What am I going to do with you Miss Vera?

    Seems like that's your problem to figure out.

    Kaito: It's definitely not a problem. ;) When are you free, then?

    Sunday but only after 4. After that you missed your opening until next Friday. :3

    Kaito: Well, may I pick you up around 6 on Sunday?

    Yes, you may.

    Kaito: See you then gorgeous.;)

    I flutter at the texts exchanged between us. There was no way I was going to clear my schedule for a man who couldn't even text me in advance about his plans. He has to earn my time and my attention. He might own Dune Hills, but he definitely doesn't own me. Isn't that what Alexander said?
    I shutter at the thought of that man. He creeped me out, but he did have a point.
    "Vera?" I hear one of the assistants call behind me.
    I turned to her.
    "Dean's ready for you."
    "Ok, thanks," I say softly and watch the assistant walk away.
    Let's think about Kaito later. For now, let's focus on nailing this magazine shoot.

    Saturday was pretty uneventful besides being busy with work and flying out to a different city for a specific shoot. I kept in touch with Kaito the whole time and he would call me to ask questions about our plans and just to see what I was up to. It's the bare minimum, but it felt nice to be acknowledged. Although, he needs to do more to impress me. I already have money, independence, I don't need a man to feel powerful over me simply because of his status and how well off he is financially. Money and status isn't love and affection.
    "We're almost done here," the photographer says, not moving their camera.
I change positions and he snaps some more.
    "Stunning, more like that and it'll be a wrap," he says.
    A couple more shots and they kept their word.
    "That's it, finished."
    I smile and thank them for their time. The director of the shoot makes her way towards me.
    "Vera," her powerful voice hits my ears. "Beautiful shoot, we'll be keeping in touch to book you for the upcoming runway show. It's going to be out of the country so all your expenses have been paid for. We'll talk to your agent about the details. It was very nice working with you and watching you create with us."
    "Well it was an honor, I'm looking forward to that runway show and being able to put a face on the clothing that I'm representing. Thank you for the opportunity."
    With that I'm able to leave and it's a quarter til 4. We ended pretty early. I have to go home and do some yoga because some of the positions I put myself into have my body aching. I go to my dressing room and change, grab my belongings, and finally check my phone.

    Kaito: I can't wait to see you.

    I flutter at the response. Why was I feeling so nervous?
    Probably because he stares at you with pure power and control.
    My heart skips a beat and I feel a pulse between my legs remembering exactly how Kaito looked at those men being escorted and then how he looked at me. He looked at them with impatience and something lighter than hate: bitterness. Then, he turned to me and his stare softened, looking curious and somehow thirsty. Either for knowledge or something completely different. It intrigued me how he could look at someone with such pure anger and then look so angelic to someone else. But I knew he was far from an angel, so far from being pure. He seems like a demon disguised as an angel. The deadliest combination and therefore being the deadliest man I've ever been in the presence of. I salivate at the thought of his lips and what else he could be hiding with his stare, or maybe his clothes.
    Whoa.
    I shake the thought of my head. Keep it together.

    Here's my address Mr. CEO. Don't come empty-handed.

    Kaito: I won't disappoint, Miss Vera.

    I tell the driver to try to hurry. I have so much prepping to do. I already had an outfit in mind, but I still needed to clean my apartment if Kaito was to come inside.

    After being in a cleaning frenzy, eating a light snack, and had a quick yoga session, I'm able to hop into the shower and start getting ready for this date.
    I start by picking out an outfit so I can do my hair and makeup accordingly. I stare at the mirror and then at my cat lounging on my mattress.
    "What do you think?" I ask.
    Bean just stares at me and blinks, slowly.
    I smile and turn back to the mirror. I went with an orange short skirt and a white silk mini top combo. I was planning on wearing strappy heels that tie all the way up to the knee. I decided then that I would curl my hair and wear light nude makeup to match and complete the look. I take the outfit off and put my robe back on. I take a seat in my vanity and start.

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BONES©