Chapter 6 Scared, Ms. Brooks?

• As soon as her eyes landed on me, a bright smile spread across her face. Nothing changed in her in between the years. Just her brown hair was longer.
• "Cassandra! Finally, you're here! I was just about to call Chad why you're taking so long!" she chirped. Rushing to me, she engulfed me in a hug.
• I raised a brow at Chad. He just shrugged.
• Pulling away, I put on a professional smile. "I apologize, Elizabeth. I got stuck in the traffic. And nice to meet you again. It's been years."
• She waved her hand. "Oh, call me Ellie. And no problem, I get how this city's traffic can be sometimes. It's definitely been years. But I'm glad we finally got to meet again!"
• What's up with her?
• From what I remember from our last meeting, she barely looked at me. I clearly remembered how she ignored my presence and talked to Chad as if I didn't even exist in that room.
• After that blunder I did on that night, falling from the stage, I thought that would be the last night of my career. After all, I ruined her show. And belonging from a rich family, she had the power to ruin me. But she didn't.
• Most probably because even after my blunder, Duncan De Sylvano hired her as one of the designers in his company. Even though it was shocking for everyone. Because it was next to impossible for her to stand up to his standards, especially after my stunt.
• "Thank you for having me here. But may I know why you want to work with me even after the… you know, the scandal?" I asked. "No one wants to go against the Mayor. But you…"
• "Mayor?" She let out a snort. "Who cares about the Mayor? And honestly, I'm glad that you put that criminal behind the bars. He deserves to rot in jail."
• I nodded. "Yes, he does. And everyone cares about the Mayor. My agency kicked me out because of his fear."
• "But I don't fear him. I like how courageous you are. Not everyone has the guts to go against the Samuelsons. But you did," she replied.
• "So that's why you decided to give me a job? Because you thought I had guts?" I tilted my head. "Because after the blunder I did that night years ago, I didn't think you would want to work with me ever." I knew I should just be happy that I got an offer. But I needed to get my answers.
• "Oh, no! It's nothing like that! Thank God, you did that blunder that night, otherwise…" she stopped, her eyes widening slightly. Then clearing her throat, she let out a nervous chuckle. "I mean, I didn't mind at all. It happens. And no, that's not the reason why I wanted to meet you. I saw some of your ad films and photos in magazines. You're really good. And I wanted someone as gorgeous and talented as you for my dresses. That's why I asked Chad to bring you here tonight."
• A crease formed between my brows.
• She didn't mind that night?
• Odd.
• "Yeah, isn't she a sweetheart? Not only did she offer me to work as a photographer at Rossa, she asked me to bring you here too!" Chad exclaimed. Excitement dripped from his voice.
• My eyes widened.
• Rossa?
• The new company that was rising to the sky fast in the fashion industry?
• I didn't know Elizabeth worked for Rossa? She was working for Duncan, right? Then what happened?
• At Chad's praise, Elizabeth flashed a tight smile. Shifting on her legs, she tucked a strand behind her ear.
• "I- I needed a good photographer who knew me and my way of work. And Chad knew it really well. So I contacted him for the post. And then one of your ad films caught my eye," she said. "Uh, please take a seat. Let's discuss the job."
• Nodding, I took a chair.
• Why did Elizabeth, the famous designer of the city, suddenly become so generous to me?
• I got it about Chad. He was a close acquaintance of her. But why me?
• There were so many popular and talented models out there.
• I shook my head.
• I should stop overthinking now.
• I didn't care about why she all of a sudden started to notice me as long as I had a job and money to bear my expenses. To get rid of those men.
• "So Cassandra, you will be one of the faces for our magazines. As you already know how this works, you will have to be present for shoot whenever we call you. Be it day…"
• "Wait!" I cut Elizabeth off. "Are you saying I will be one of the faces for Rossa's magazines?"
• I gaped, an excited grin slowly crept on my face. Featuring in one of those magazines meant a huge leap of my career.
• Sharing an amused look with Chad, she nodded. "Yes. And we might need you for other purposes too. You will be offered a contract for a year and…"
• "I'm ready!" I interrupted again. But I couldn't contain my excitement. "One year or five years, I don't care. Count me in! When should I start?"
• She let out a chuckle. "From tomorrow. But you will have to read the contract first and then sign. Only then you will start shooting."
• "Sure! Give her the contract and then we can start from tomorrow," said Chad. I nodded, agreeing with him.
• "My assistant will bring it here soon. I already asked her to make it ready," Elizabeth replied.
• "Wait, so you knew I would agree for the job?"
• A nervous laughter again. "Uh, who will say no to work at Rossa?"
• Point. No one would.
• "Umm, you guys stay here. I have to make a phone call. Will be back in a minute."
• With that, she walked out of the conference room.
• Chad threw me a look. "So? How are you feeling now?"
• "I'm over the moon! Thank you so much, Chad!"
• He chuckled. "I didn't do anything. It's all her. And your luck."
• "Yeah, finally my luck favored me in some place." A sigh left me.
• Finally something good happened. I hoped nothing would go wrong after this.
• Suddenly the light of the room went off, leaving us in darkness.
• I frowned. "What happened?"
• Chad put his phone's flashlight on. "I don't know. Must be some technical issue. Don't worry, it will be fixed soon."
• "Where is Elizabeth?"
• "Must be outside, on the phone. Wait here, let me check what's wrong."
• When he stood and started to walk towards the door, I shot up from my seat as well.
• "Wait! Let me come with you!"
• "Stay here, Cassie. I will be back in a sec. She must be outside."
• And then he disappeared, leaving me alone in the empty conference room.
• Fishing my phone out, I put the flashlight on.
• Power cut in a five star hotel? Don't they have generators?
• After minutes passed and there was no sign of Chad or Elizabeth, I decided to go out.
• The hallways were as silent as graveyards. Just the sound of distant murmurs reached my ears.
• I looked around with the help of the flash light.
• "Chad? Elizabeth? Where are you guys?"
• Silence.
• Where were they?
• The eerie corridors started to crawl on my skin. The darkness was getting to me.
• I gulped.
• I should leave and go to the hall.
• As I was about to move, a noise from my behind made me whirl around. My heart thumped in my chest.
• "Chad? Is that you?"
• No answer.
• There was only darkness.
• "Chad?"
• I wasn't scared of ghosts, because I didn't believe in them. But human could be more dangerous than them sometimes. And I didn't want to face that at that moment.
• Getting no answers, I took a step back.
• Get out of here, Cassie.
• As I was about to turn around, I stopped. So did my heart.
• There was someone behind me.
• I could feel it.
• My hand tightened around the mobile. My heart raced. Perspiration formed on my forehead.
• Before I could turn around, a pair of calloused hands grabbed on my arms, holding me in my place. Soon, hot breath fanned my neck.
• A gasp slipped through my lips.
• But before I could fight in his grip or do anything, a heady masculine scent tingled my nostrils.
• "Afraid, Miss. Brooks?" A low husky voice murmured in my ear.