Flowing Rhythm

20

"Can you still handle it? Just tell me if you can't anymore, I can take over for you," Lotte teased me with a laugh.

My schedule was packed with photoshoots, commercials, and music video shoots for my new album. I honestly didn't even know how it ended up this full—my personal assistant, Marie, was the one who remindeen if I can't anymore, I have to. I need to promote Fuerte's new product, and there's a deadline," I said, holding my temples, trying to stay calm despite the pile of tasks ahead of me.

"But why did Abuelo choose you to be the calendar girl? Why not another celebrity or model who's more in demand nowadays?" She was concerned about my image as an artist, that people might think I've become all about sexy appearances now, compared to before when it was just music.

"I guess... that's part o,f my job as an ambassador." I just cleared my throat and leaned my head on the chair while I was getting my makeup done.

"Ma'am, this is probably the fifth time Z Company has requested this. They keep inviting you for an interview, even though I've told them several times you don't want to." I was surprised by what Marie said—she hadn't even told me about the first request.

Maybe she assumed I'd refuse because of my history with that company, but I couldn't help but wonder... maybe it wouldn't be so bad to accept their invitation.

It's just an interview, after all.

I've been interviewed plenty of times before—but Z Company is different.

Handling these things isn't really Marie's job, but since I don't have a manager, she took it upon herself.

It was my choice not to hire a manager. I wanted to stay independent.

"Set a date, Marie," I said, surprising both her and Lotte with my agreement.

They couldn't respond immediately, and it was like they were trying to read my face to see if I was serious. "Ah! Yes, ma'am," she said and left.

Lotte walked around me and examined my entire body with her arms crossed.

"What if you see him again? Are you ready?" she teased, thankfully quietly enough that our makeup artist didn't pay attention to what we were talking about.

I'd told her pretty much everything about my life—she was like a best friend and sister. And even though there was a big age gap between us, we had become close. We were cousins, after all.

"There's no way I'll see him again. I'm just going there for the interview. I'm only promoting my new album and the new Fuerte product. See? I'm super responsible," I grinned at her.

"Still, be ready in case you do see him," she said with a grimace before saying goodbye.

"Why did you even drop by here? Your flight is at 3 and it's already 2:30!" I scolded her, since she was flying back to Spain to handle something at Fuerte.

"Tsk, I own the jet. Bye, babe." She hugged me and left.

Right after, a staff member entered and called me—saying the director was already looking for me.

We finished the shoot late at night because we had multiple sets.

I didn't go home to Flora Vista because I was tired and it was far. I went straight to my penthouse at Deliciae.

I collapsed on the bed after taking a shower and quickly fell asleep—it was peaceful and I was alone.

Just me.

But it's not like that in the morning. Marie comes over to wake me up and make sure I start my day with what I need to do.

"Don Asuncion is calling for you, ma'am. He wants you to have lunch at Flora Vista."