𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼

"So, tell me what's new? You got your own driver now," she said in that friendly, familiar tone, her voice instantly putting me on edge despite its warmth.

I forced a laugh, trying to sound casual. "Yeah, a few things have changed since we last spoke." I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of our history between us. "I left Planet Groove and started my modeling career."

She nodded, her eyes glinting with something unspoken. "I had a feeling when I saw you on a page in a magazine the other day." Her gaze slowly traveled down, pausing over my thighs, lingering in a way that sent a shiver up my spine. When her eyes finally met mine again, the impact was like a punch to the chest, intense, direct, impossible to ignore.

I quickly looked away, my breath catching in my throat as I felt that familiar tug deep in my core. My body was reacting, betraying me in the way it always did around her. It was maddening how easily she could make me feel vulnerable, like I was teetering on the edge of something I couldn't control.

"Yeah, modeling's been... different," I mumbled, trying to keep the conversation light, but I could feel the tension building. She wasn't just making small talk; there was more behind her words, behind that gaze that always seemed to pull me back in.

"You look good, how do you like modeling?" she asked, casually resting her arm on the headrest between us.

"I like it," I laughed nervously, feeling her presence more than I wanted to admit. "Um, how are things with you? The movie's good, by the way."

"Thanks," she smiled warmly. "I love acting, it was my first love, way before music. I've been looking at different movie scripts, wanting to get back into it while writing music again. But... I'm still fighting Rene in this divorce," she finished with a raised brow, her voice tight with frustration.

"Oh no," I whined sympathetically, leaning forward. "Really?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "He's threatening to expose my relationships with women if I don't give him what he wants."

"What does he want?" I asked, feeling a knot in my stomach.

"Money. My beach house," she narrowed her eyes, her voice low with anger. "But I don't owe him a thing. I made sure we signed a prenup at the beginning of our marriage. He has no right."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, crossing my arms as I looked out the window. "Well, you don't wanna come out, so you better give him what he wants," I teased, a bit too sharply, trying to mask the nervous energy building inside me.

She laughed, a mix of amusement and frustration. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" she scoffed, shaking her head. "It's not right, Mariah. He doesn't deserve a penny of my hard earned money, all because he gave me a few ideas."

I nodded, agreeing. "No, Janet, you're right. It's not fair."

She paused, her tone shifting as she caught me off guard. "I'm sorry if I ever hurt you in the past."

I blinked, taken aback. "No, you didn't hurt me," I said softly, the weight of her words sinking in. "It's all in the past, Janet."

"Good," she smiled, the tension easing a bit. "So we can move forward?"

I narrowed my eyes, trying to read her intentions. "Move forward?"

She leaned closer, her expression softening. "I just want to make it up to you. I know a great photographer you might want to work with," she offered, her tone hopeful. "I can tell him about you, maybe get you a photoshoot with him. His name is Markus Klinko. I don't know if you've heard of him?"

Of course I'd heard of him. Markus Klinko was famous for his iconic photos, known for working with some of the biggest names in the industry. I couldn't believe Janet's offer, this was a huge deal, an opportunity that could skyrocket my career. It was more than just a nice gesture. I stared at her, still processing.