"A pact?" Juliette quizzed as she heard it. This was something she hadn't anticipated that she would run into when she came here. In her mind, she pictured loud screams of rage and contemptment from Cassie but an agreement wasn't it.
"Yes, I think that we all have our moments when we pause and fracture. And Andrew being a constant can help all of us, be it emotionally, physically or mentally. A rock, a pillar that we can all lean on during our dark moments."
Juliette was pleased with how this was unfolding. "I... I'm on board with this. We do have put downs every once in a while and Andrew is a great guide." A warm smile perking on her face as she glanced at Andrew who projected a smile similar to hers.
"However we'll need rules to avoid things getting more complicated than they already are. First, we can't treat him like a prize, something to flaunt like an object between each other." Cassie's voice was firm and rigid as her eyes shifted between the two seated opposite from her.
"Agreed." Juliette mused on however Diana felt uninvited, as if she didn't belong there. "I know that this is extremely helpful to you two but why am I here? I don't plan falling in love with him at the slightest, he's like a brother to me."
"Oh don't shy away now Diana. I'm sure that you need some help from time to time. It doesn't have to be physically but it can be emotionally or mentally." Juliette taunted which made her give a resigned sigh. "Sure I have my moments but it won't be as grand as you two."
Sinking further into the sofa, she took a lion's sip of her drink. "If you say so. Secondly, no manipulation tactics. Be it emotionally or otherwise. If we want something from him then be open about it, after all I'm sure he knows what we each want."
Cassie went on as she momentarily locked eyes with Andrew. Seeing the playful smile on his face, she was at a loss on what was going through his mind. "Thirdly, if we are going through something, feel free to voice it out between each other or if not, I'm sure that Andrew can take care of it."
Diana at this point felt that all of this was a waste of time to her as her eyes rolled to the side full of sarcasm. Cassie noted however she failed to say anything. "If any future complications arise, I'm sure that we'll all be able to settle it."
Cassie concluded as Andrew escaped her embrace. "Okay Diana, let's go." Suddenly pulled into the fray, she was baffled with what he meant. "Go? Go where?" Her tone filled with curiousity. "For your audition silly. I'm sure that Hector should be arriving soon."
Diana looked at Juliette who seemed calm about the situation. "You knew and you didn't tell me! Wait! Audition for what?" Andrew made his way to the door, drowning in mystery as light and casual demeanor hung about him. "Being a model, let's go or we'll be late."
Diana was perplexed as she felt betrayed. She wasn't informed what she was being dragged into however she followed behind him and the two ladies were now alone in her apartment.
"Cassie, I don't know what I was thinking at the time. I mistook you for clinging onto something that didn't exist, something fictional however I realize that I was wrong. I'm sorry." Her tone warm as she stood upright. "It's alright Juliette, you were trying look after and I appreciate it."
"How about adding a fourth rule." A devilish smile formed on her face. "Oh, and what would it be?" Juliette inquired. "It's about all of this, I don't know what it is but it's beautiful, the connection I have with you, with Andrew and Diana. Let it be, even though I myself don't know what it is but let it simply be." And for the first time, Juliette saw Cassie genuinely smile.
At the beach, it was because of the moment, when she welcomed her, it was due to showcase but now, the smile on her face felt didn't feel like an act, it felt natural. "I couldn't agree more." Juliette reflecting the same.
'He predicted all of this, I guess he truly is acting in our best interest even if it is at his expense.' Cassie concluded. At the time when she heard it, her mind was clouded with anger and rage, she hated all those around her but she hated herself even more.
But as time went on, the more she realized what he did. It was obscene at first but overtime, seeing the results she was more than pleased, she loved what it had become. "I've been trying to look for a place to settle, somewhere where we'll all live with no distractions."
Cassie started off. She had considered that it was about time that she moved somewhere less cramped and more spacious. She had memories, some that she wasn't fond of in her apartment and she thought that it would be better to move. She had the funds for it and now, the advice and company for it.
"I have a couple of places we could stay at." Juliette chimed in as she made her way closer to her.
***
"Oh, Andrew, it's been a while." Hector mused, a relaxed smile on his face as he leaned on a limousine parked right outside of the apartment. Andrew gave a light smile, commending on his state. "It certainly has, and you're not shot."
His tone light as if between close friends. Diana watched the whole thing unfold. His acting flawless as ever as she wondered whether Hector knew about his condition. "So this is the lucky model. Fierce crimson eyes, fairly tall and with a bit of sprucing up a gem no doubt. You definitely know how to pick em."
Hector joked as he held Diana's hand similar to a prince, offering a light kiss on it. "My lady." His dodgy blue eyes landing on her face. "Ah... thank you but Andrew didn't tell me that I would be auditioning for a model position." Her tone unsure as she withdrew her hand.
"I'll fill you in on the details on the way. Come on let's go." Opening the door, he welcomed the two in before they sped off. The lavish dark leather furnishing radiating opulence as they went through the city.
Ignoring the world that flashed behind them, Hector began to clarify the situation. "Well we're currently on our way to Lunare Vogue. I'm sure that you've heard of it." His tone smug as if showing off his own work. "Lunare Vogue? The Lunare Vogue? I've heard of it before but how?"
"Well my mom owns it. I know it's a big deal. It is after all the best modelling agency in the market and luckily for you, she is in dire need of some fresh blood if you will. In search for the next big thing." As much as she didn't like his smug attitude, she couldn't downplay what Lunare Vogue was.
It was one of the best modelling industries dominating the market thanks to Hector's mother. A calm and rational woman who never hesitated to shift the game in her favour. Lunare Vogue was known on an international level, known for making actresses and models alike world famous.
The fact that Hector was the son of the woman who ran it was something she hadn't expected. "Wait! Wait! Wait! I'll be competing against professional models for this role?!" She obviously didn't think that she had a chance to compete much less win.
"It's not a proper audition Diana, just a small project that my mom will gauge whether you'll fit or not. It won't be shown to the public or anything so there's nothing to worry about." Hector's tone calm and carefree as he sunk into his seat. As for Andrew, he watched how Diana seem to break under the pressure.
"Don't stress yourself about it all that much and you'll fit in perfectly." Andrew mused as he noticed their environment. The concrete jungle of bustling cars and people rushing to their worries faded into the background as they were met with glass skyscrapers.
Something that he had already seen. "Actually I'm sure that even you could try out. I mean I know you don't value the spotlight all that much but your body isn't something that can be easily looked over." Hector was one of the few close people who actually saw how ripped Andrew was.
At the time of his discovery, he wouldn't stop pestering him about it before he eventually lost interest. "I'm sure that with your body, you would easily rake in some stunning ladies." Hector commented as he took a bite of a grape served as snacks to him.
"But your hair, the way it's in the way masks your face." He tried to close the distance between the two however Andrew swiftly adjusted his body leaving Hector colliding with air. It wasn't something knew to him knowing that Andrew preferred his space to himself.
The car started to come to a stop outside of a corporate giant of a building. The walls all plastered with glass making it shimmer and dazzle in magnificence as the logo of the company stood out at the front. Lunare Vogue in bold as a small water fountain added more style to it.
The three hopped out of the limo which drove off. Hector led the way as their guide and once inside, they felt the dramatic shift from the scorching heat to the cool air within. They walked past through clearance with ease before hopping in an elevator.
As they went up, they saw all kinds of models, each of them stunning and appealing in their own way capable of making any man go mad with lust. Some curvy and we'll rounded, others skinnier but more nimble and grace with them, each having their own allure which they wore like a second skin.
Diana could slowly feel the disparity between her and what she saw. It wasn't that she was in any way hideous or appalling to look at but the professionalism around them made her pause and question whether she truly deserved to be there.