The Age of Love (Book #1)

41.Jealousy Games

Madison p.o.v

*kak - shit in Afrikaans

"Why are you stressing out so much?"

"I had this major shoot with Garnier today and that kak* I hired to come is not gonna make it, I don't know anyone else who will do this last minute!" Julia paces back and forth while I have breakfast.

"You guys are a marketing company, how do you not have a photographer?"

"Honestly we thought hiring would be easier than done but nobody is good enough for Louise."

I pitty Julia, Louise was her boss and she was a pain in the ass.

"I thought I pulled off a miracle and now it's going to shit." She sighs, resting her elbows on the countertop and covering her face, stressed. "I'm so screwed, I had one task..."

"Wait, actually, you might not be totally screwed. I think there's someone who might help you with that."

"Who?" She frowns.

"Grayson." I say, looking for his number on my list.

"Grayson? Oh my goodness, how did I forget he..."

"Because you think of him with your coochie." I say a second before he answers, Julia gives me the middle finger, nervously laughing. I explain the situation to him and ask the favor, hanging up a minute later.

"So?" Julia asks me impatiently.

"You got the equipment right?"

"Yes. Yes."

"Don't tell me he's not into you because as soon as he heard 'Julia' he agreed. Go pick him up." I smile, watching her jump ecstatic in front of me.

"Oh my god, oh my god Madison!" She kisses me grabbing her stuff quickly. "I freakin love you!"

"Hey, wait, let me just finish my cereal real quick!"

"Bye baby!"

"JUL-"

Julia slams the door.

"I gotta get a fucking a car."

I was embarrassed to call Hiro but I didn't see another option, he'd been driving me nearly every day to work for the past two weeks and I didn't want to seem like an exploiter. I had been saving up to check a car dealer. 

I text him and he agrees – I just hope he isn't already halfway there – I say to myself. While I wait for him, I look up cars online.

I was really looking forward to do something with him this weekend, our schedules rarely matched and frankly, I missed him. Hiro and I didn't speak a word throughout our work hours, it was an agreement we made – Well I made and he agreed – to avoid any suspicion, but keeping my distance from him, was a task harder than I expected.

I rush down when he arrives and jump in.

"Thank you for the 112th car ride to work, you're a real life saver."

My smile withers when I see another woman sitting on the back, I knew her, not personally, she and I weren't friends, but she worked in the hotel in the marketing section. Lately I had been seeing them sit together for lunch but I didn't think much of it, until now. I don't even greet her, my eyes shoot to Hiro's direction but I stop myself from saying anything because I remember our agreement.

"Hello Madison." Hiro says politely. He's either an outstanding actor or completely oblivious.

"Morning." I smile to him, then turn to her. "Hey Celine."