Toxic Truth

3

ZELLA

I walk into my studio only to stop when I see my mom and Natalia already in there, talking to my assistant, Sydney.

"I didn't know I was getting a surprise today," I raise my eyebrows getting their attention. Their smiles immediately widen when they see me.

Mom comes to hug me first. "How are you Zel, you didn't come for dinner yesterday," she pouts as she lets me go.

"I had to complete a painting," I smile apologetically. I'm not worried about her being mad or sad though because she knows how important my work is for me.

I proceed to hug Sage and then Nat.

"I missed you so much, I wish I could come over to meet you on the weekend but this job is getting the best of me," Nat groans as she lets me go.

"It's alright, we'll meet this weekend," I don't mention that I was in a club on Saturday and went back home with a man.

"So Sage was just telling us about your new collaboration offer," Mom grins and bumps my shoulder lightly.

My eyebrows furrow thinking about what offer she is talking about. I can't recall anything.

Sage rolls her eyes, "I told you I haven't told her about it yet, I literally got the email this morning." She turns to me and starts explaining, "We got an email today asking if you'd be interest in a collaboration."

I shake my head quickly not listening to the rest. "You know I don't collaborate with other artists or share my work-"

"It's not from an artist." She cuts me off. "It's from a fashion company. Remember the blue dress you wore at the Blackwell's event? It's them. They uploaded your picture on their website with our consent and after the great response they reached out to us to collaborate. They'll provide you with outfits for your events and in return you'll allow them to take your pictures and upload them on their website."

I take in the information. I have never collaborated before mainly because every offer was from artists or other art companies, but I have also not ever gotten an offer from a fashion company before.

"What's the name of the company?" I ask.

"Gregor's."

"Gregor's? I frown. "Never heard of it before."

"Seriously? It's a huge fashion company, worldwide known." Nat exclaims and I shrug.

"I think it's a good offer and you should consider it. Sage is their best designer, they'll provide you with outfits and your stylist will work with them so it can be according to your style. Moreover, the pictures they'll add to their website will be good for your publicity."

"You're right but I've never done something life this before," I admit. "They won't ask me to model for them personally right? I can't do that and I'm not good at it."

"I'm sure they won't and you can tell them that at the meeting. They'll just need the pictures that you usually take at events."

I nod and make my decision. "All right, set a meeting for Monday, next week."

~~~~~

On Monday I'm walking into the tall office building, my heels making tapping sounds on the marble floor.

I am wearing a white satin dress shirt with white pants, paired with sling back heels and dainty golden jewellery. The best I could figure out for the meeting.

I look around, there is a seating area for waiting with dark blue cushioned chairs, and a reception counter in front of it.

I walk over to the girl behind the counter and smile politely, "Hi, I'm here for a meeting with Miss Sage and Mr Gregor."

Recognition fills her eyes, "Of course, please wait here, I'll be back with you."

I sit on one of the chairs while she calls someone and talks to them for about fifteen seconds before hanging up.

"You can go to the tenth floor, Mr Gregor's assistant is waiting there for you and will lead you from there."

I stand up and walk to the elevator. When I reach the tenth floor, surely there is a woman standing there, wearing a suit, her blonde hair pulled back in a slick back pony tail.

"Hi I'm Dina, I'm Mr Gregor's assistant and I'll be walking you to his office."

I shake her hand, "Nice to meet you Dina, I'm Zella."

She leads me towards the office, the people on this floor spare me a glance before going back to their work, some eyes linger longer than necessary. Not something I'm not used to, so I keep on walking.

We reach outside an office room and Dina knocks on the door. When she gets an answer from inside she opens the door and turns to me.

"Mr Gregor is waiting for you inside, Miss Sage and Mr Wilson will be here soon, you can go inside."

"Thank you Dina," she gives me a polite nod and turns to leave. I go inside ready to meet the boss of this company.

However, I come to a halt, my breathing seems to slow down as I see the man sitting behind the office desk.

"Liam?"

——————————————————————

Andddd they meet again.

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