"You're way too tense. Relax. I'm not going to roast you." Mikael exhaled sharply, letting go of her shoulders. He stepped back and assessed her posture.
"I never thought of that," Eve told him. She almost turned around until she realized their close proximity. With that distance, the perceptive model might see through her disguise.
She shuffled her feet instead—as if she tested each step. A teasing smile curled her corner lip. "I merely had the impression you skewer people."
Mikael's eyebrows shot up. It seemed that a certain someone gained a smart mouth. "Isn't that essentially the same thing?"
"No, it means you sta—poke at them."
He grimaced. He had heard similar comments before but rarely in this manner. Others preferred to spit at his face, telling him off so he'd fall from the pedestal he created for himself.
Or so that was how Jordan described it.
"Were you perhaps offended by my remarks?"
Eve's ears perked up at the question. She stepped back as she spun on her heel, widening their distance. Her expression betrayed zero emotion.
"No, I wasn't, Mr. Davis," she answered. "I know my faults. I know there are better models for Athon's campaign. I know some of them are more suitable."
Her head tilted to one side, not minding his calculative gaze. It held no malice unlike the ones she witnessed before from other people.
"If you attack me with these, I won't get offended at all," Eve said, her back straightening. Conviction laced in her voice. Not once did her eyes wavered.
"I know my place," she spoke softly, "But that doesn't mean I will be staying there. I refuse to give these people less than they deserve."
"So, please," she encouraged him. A small smile appeared on her lips. "Feel free to criticize. I will keep them in mind as I strive to do better."
Mikael kept his face neutral. Her steady gaze reflected an emotion he'd seen before. It matched the same amount of determination, blazing and strong. Any constructive opinion would only fan its flames.
She reminded him of his past.
"Walk one more time." He nodded his head once before going back to his position by the wall. "You might want to try walking a little sideways. There would be a lot of cameras and you'd constantly have to move."
Eve chose to ignore his attitude change. She squared her shoulders and walked back towards the kitchen. Her mind noted down his words about slightly angling to the side. Compared to before, she found this easier.
Her glide went smoothly.
Mikael let her pace around the room. Like the photoshoot, the rookie managed to do well enough. She just didn't have the right mindset. Her forward walks faltered a bit. His radiant blue eyes went to her shoes.
She was obviously not used to them—but, at least, her feet weren't wounded.
"There won't be much to worry about the event," Mikael informed her as she came back from the kitchen. "Just keep your back straight, your chin high and your shoulders relaxed. It's not a runway. All you need is confidence."
Eve stopped short. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "But—"
"Luna will be presenting the models. Yes, that will happen." Mikael cut in. He pushed himself off the wall as the bedroom door opened. "Again, it's not a runway. The rehearsal was only about direction. When the spotlight is on you, focus on presenting yourself and not the brand."
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Romance"You're not about to carry me out in bridal style again, are you?" "Do you want me to?" He couldn't help but smirk. Her face from their date surfaced in his memories. He found it just as amusing as back then. Revenge never tasted sweeter. Would she...
