Heaven's Empire

Ma'am

I was still reeling with shock as Kensa pulled me into an embrace, warmth in her tones conveyed in a way it never had been before:

"We're delighted to have you, Anastasia. Come, let us put the others out of their misery."

"The others?"

"Mario and Ciara will be desperate to hear."

Sure enough, when she led the way out of the room, the two were waiting expectantly. The smile on Kensa's face as she looked at me gave it away.

"Stasia!" Ciara exclaimed in delight, pulling me into a tight hug. "I knew you would make the cut. Well done, darling."

Mario was next to congratulate me, his eyes sparkling as he said softly:

"This is only the beginning."

"All right, you two," Kensa said firmly, beginning to lead the way down the nearest flight of stairs. "Congratulations are due, but we must celebrate properly. I've summoned everyone back to London. Aiysha's on her way back from Muscat now, and Gabrielle will be home by tomorrow morning."

"Tamera?" Ciara asked quickly.

"Hasn't received the message yet, the area's rather remote. I've sent someone out to meet her. She'll change at Dubai and get home on the same flight as Alexandria."

"When will the dinner be?"

"Friday, I think."

"And where?"

"Same as always," Kensa smiled, explaining to me: "We have dinner to celebrate a new model joining us. It doesn't happen very often, so it's a rather special event. We usually go to the same restaurant, as they are happy to host us and good at dealing with the paparazzi. But enough," she said quickly. "You've gone the day without food since breakfast, and you must be exhausted."

"I'm sure I could find a hotel..." I muttered, thinking of the money that was, according to the contract, automatically mine, since I had now joined. I knew the location of a Travelodge a couple of train rides away and would be able to afford a room there.

"Absolutely not," Kensa said warmly. "We'll find you a house of your own soon, of course, but until then, you can stay at mine."

"Or mine," offered Ciara.

"Or mine," added Mario with a wink.

"That's very kind," I stammered, trying to adjust to the fact that three almost-strangers had suggested I stay in their no-doubt priceless townhouses. "But honestly, I wouldn't want to be a nuisance. There are plenty of places around here, there must be a room free in one of them..."

"Yes, but we wouldn't want you spending your own money on hotel rooms. Your cards and accounts should be ready by tomorrow, the end of the week at latest. Plus we don't know whether the paparazzi will have got hold of your details yet. I don't suppose anyone's seen the papers?" Mario asked, his eyes flicking between the accomplished model and the CEO.

"The Press Department informed me they don't have anything yet, they're curious. I got an email saying that reports of a young, blonde potential-model entering the agency were about to surface." Kensa answered, her expression slightly strained.

"How did they find out so fast?" I questioned, alarmed that I might be in tomorrow's tabloids and recalling Kensa's previous words on the press.

"They always do," Ciara said solemnly. "But it's all right, they don't have much, and you'll be hard to get information on, since you haven't had a previous publicity. Most of what they write will be speculation, but you can expect them to notice you after the dinner."