In Omnia Paratus (AU) - Book 2

Old ways

"How long does it take to get home for you?" Richard asked as I had him on loud speaker as I was getting ready, not really listening to constant babbling he was giving me about his mum and his sisters.

"Oh, Richard I don't know. When I drive it's about--"

"Train." He shouted over me.

"From Ashford, about 2 hours and a slice of cash from my bank account." I joked trying to put my boots on without falling over, I soon sat down on the bed.

"Cool." He responded.

"You're not trying to come down here, are you? I'll drive up to you if you can't drive down to me. Honestly, it's been like two weeks since your accident it's not cool." I moaned at him going over to my phone and turned off the speaker phone and held my phone up to my ear for a serious conversation.

"Four weeks Jen, stop over exaggerating. I want to see you soon and I'm just planning." Richard explained.

"Two weeks since I last saw you," I grunted.

"Yep." He laughed.

I went out of my room to get something to eat before I headed out to work. Yes, work. I called the modeling company and they needed summer models and I needed money before university so I agreed.

I promised I wouldn't go back there to everyone after everything that's happened so I haven't told anywhere where I'm going today. I told everyone a different story.

Richard thinks I'm out with Rachel. Rachel thinks I'm meeting someone from school, so does dad and violet.

"You sound in a rush." Rachel said to me as I held my phone between my shoulder and my ear as I tried to find something to eat.

"Yeah, big rush." I raised my eyebrows. "Have you seen my car keys?" I asked.

"No Jen I'm miles away from you." Richard moaned down the phone.

"Not you." I snapped laughing a little.

"I haven't seen them sorry. Where did you put them when you got back yesterday?" Rachel asked helping me out as I looked everywhere for them.

"I put them in the hall but they aren't there..." I moaned.

"Found them!" Rachel appeared holding them out.

"Thank you!" I smiled and then said goodbye slowly and left the house. "Are you still there?" I called to Richard on the phone as I sorted myself out in the car.

"Yep. Where are you off to?"

"Oh before I go out with Rachel I need to grab something from the shops quick." I lied making it up as I went along.

"Ah fair enough. I'll call you later if that's alright, I'm going to meet the guys and plan what we're doing on this holiday next week." Richard explained and I sighed at the thought of this holiday.

'The guys' weren't my favourite people, they let him jump off a damn cliff. Idiots.

"Alright, speak later. Bye." I called then hung up, pulling my seatbelt across and driving to the modeling agency.

- - - - -

"Jenna, so glad to see you back." Alice smiled seeing me back in my dressing room and smiling away back at her. "What's it like?"

"You know it is quite different. I miss it, though, these people and the clothes and of course the money." I joked.

"I know, I do this less than you used to and I earn loads can't imagine what you get being the head of 18-21 category." She told me and I was thoroughly shocked I hadn't heard anything about this.

"What?" I blurted out.

"Don't tell me they haven't told you? When they heard you were coming back they bumped you up and kicked Alicia off the top. She won't be happy, in fact, I know she isn't happy." She was such a gossip.

"But Alicia's been here longer than me." I moaned. "God she's going to hate me."

"And you know she's sleeping with George, your ex," Alice said.

"Jesus, that is a lot to take in. So much has changed around here and I'm not sure I particularly like it." I complained.

"Well good luck out there, it's a group shot today." She left me with the worst possible news ever.

- - - - -

As if on cue George was around the door and in my dressing room, obviously hearing that I'm back. "Hiya," I said fixing a bit of hair.

"You're back." He smiled walking over for a hug. He was really tall and muscular so wrapping my arms around him was a mission that I always failed. I hugged him anyway and then stood back smiling up at him.

"I am back for a while yeah."

"You know we have a shoot together this month and I think a show as well." George nodded as I sat down and he settled on the sofa in the corner of the room.

"Whys that?" I asked. "You didn't request that did you?"

"No, I didn't. I'm the head male for the 18-21 category and the--"

"Top male and female do the specials... oh you wanted to do them with Alicia didn't you?" I laughed gently knowing how much shit I had just been thrown into.

"No, I'm more than happy to do it with you." He smiled.

"But she's pissed isn't she," I smirked.

"Yep." George laughed. "I missed you," he smirked and then got up and went to the door. "See ya later!"

- - - - -

"I'll see you when you get back, yeah? Come straight here from the Airport if you like. Or ill pick you up and we'll go straight to yours?" I smiled staring up at the ceiling as I laid in bed on the phone to Richard.

"I think I should come to you. The less time at home the better." He laughed.

"You sound preoccupied." I mumbled.

"I'm packing." He sighed.

"Ah, fair enough. I'll leave you be, have fun in Spain and don't get blind drunk and hurt yourself or throw yourself off a cliff or anything." I joked but I had a hint of sincerity in that.

"Love you."

"Love you too, bye." I hung up.

- - - - -

"You did well on that shoot." I laughed trying not to explode into laughter as we, George and I, walked back to our dressing rooms that morning to get changed for the next shot.

"Hey I tried, I just can't cross my legs. Not all of us are as flexible as you." He smirked as we stopped at his door that was across from mine.

"Great, I'll remember that." I sighed turning away to go walk off to my room.

"You alright with Alicia being in this next one?" He called.

"I have to be don't I? I know what she's going to do. Try and sabotage me and play games, try and mess with my head but I won't let her!" I laughed shaking my head as I clung to the door frame trying not to think of this next one.

George and I were getting on so well, considering our romantic past and to be honest it had been over a year, two years in September. We thought things would be weird but they're totally cool. I wouldn't dare tell Richard though.