Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

“Please, Fenella. Stop with this silent treatment.”

Jessy begged me. I hadn’t spoken to him for over a week, hadn’t responded to his messages, and hadn’t answered his calls. Maybe I was being immature and should have been more professional, but I was still upset with him.

I had learned that the key to a good relationship is communication. That’s what I learned with Laird. But honestly, that advice only applies to people I really want to keep in my life.

Toxic people like Alan, or those who claim to be friends but are never there when I need them, like Jessy, are the kind of people I need to cut out of my life.

Unfortunately, Jessy was still my agent, and Alan was still my boss. Nothing had changed, even though I wished it would.

“Fenella, come on. It’s been a week,” he said firmly, trying to intimidate me like he always did when we argued. Of course, I still ignored him.

I had just finished recording and shooting the commercial for Muses perfume. Jessy had chased me into the dressing room after the shoot ended. He confronted me as soon as I changed my clothes.

“Fine, if you don’t want to talk to me, you at least have an obligation to sign the contract and tell me whether you’re willing to take the acting classes,” he said quickly as he followed me.

“What? Acting classes?”

I stopped in my tracks. I turned to face Jessy and looked at him intently.

“Finally! Thank God!” Jessy sighed in relief.

“What do you mean by acting classes?” I demanded coldly, ignoring his joyful expression.

“If you’re curious, you’ll follow me to the cafe across the street; we’ll talk more over coffee, lift our spirits, and we can discuss your projects for the rest of the year.”

“Ugh, Jessy! You know I’m still mad at you!” I narrowed my eyes and groaned in annoyance.

“Yeah, I know! But we still have to settle this professionally,” he insisted.

“Fine!” I huffed, and I walked towards the cafe across from the studio.

***

“Alan is opening enrollment for talent at the office to take acting classes during the winter break. The classes start in early December and run until the 20th,” Jessy explained as he handed me my hot coffee.

“Just three weeks?” I asked, unsure.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

“It’s not just three weeks. These classes will run every day, intensively. Alan is only offering this opportunity to a few models and some new actors.”

“Let me see the brochure.” I reached out to Jessy, and he handed over the introductory brochure for the acting classes at a Broadway theater.

“If you’re interested, sign the form, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Jessy placed a black pen on the table.

“This looks good,” I said as I examined the brochure.

It was a real acting class, the kind that actors often take to improve their skills. The theater was well-known, and the price per person wasn’t cheap.

No, wait. This is fishy.

“Unfortunately, I’m not interested anymore. I know this is just another trap Alan set for me.” I tossed the brochure gently onto the table.

“Hey! That was rude! Besides, you’re being very unprofessional if you turn down this opportunity because of personal issues with me or Alan.” Jessy protested loudly, but I kept a cold face.

“My issue with Alan and you is a professional one. Alan didn’t inform me about the marketing and publicity strategy, so I got caught up in the lie about my relationship with him.” I shook my head, frowning.

“You see how all my fans on social media now think I’m really dating Alan!” I pressed my palms against the table.

“So what about me? You’re mad at me because I couldn’t be a good friend to you, right?”

“I’m mad at you because I can’t rely on you as my agent. You weren’t even there at the afterparty when it happened,” I protested loudly.

“Oh, come on, Fenella. How many times do I have to tell you that Mike forced me?”

“Aha! Mike! Now it’s clear who’s the most unprofessional here,” I exclaimed.

Jessy froze, and so did I, as I kept breathing quickly from my nearly exploding emotions. He stared at me with a sorrowful expression, then rubbed his temples.

“Alright, I’ll admit it now. I’ve been unprofessional with you. I’m sorry,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“Oh, hell, no. Are you going to cry now and expect me to be moved?” I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

Even though I knew I’d easily forgive Jessy when he cried, this wasn’t the first time we argued. We’ve been through this for over seven years, and Jessy knew my weakness.

Ugh, damn! I can’t stand tears! I might cry too when I see someone else cry.

“No, really, I’m sorry, Fenella.” His voice was getting hoarse.

“No need to apologize, Jessy. I think I’ve had enough of all this. I want to leave Gene,” I said firmly.

“What do you mean leave?” Jessy’s mouth gaped, and his eyes widened.

“Leave. Resign. I’m going to look for a new agent or a new job,” I shrugged.

“You can’t leave. You’ve signed contracts for work as the main model. You’re exclusive to Gene, and only Gene could make a deal with another agency for your name.”

“Yes, I can. I’m going to resign from Gene. Then I’ll look for new opportunities and a new career.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

“Fenella, I know you’re impulsive, but you can’t make decisions when you’re angry. It won’t be good for you or your career in the future.”

“No, Jessy. This isn’t just an impulsive decision. Laird and I have talked about this for a long time. Plus, with this incident, I think it’s my last push to leave Gene,” I said firmly.

“But you’re so close to being entitled to be a supermodel after completing all the projects you signed up for. You could be hit with a hefty penalty fine if you break your contract as the main model.”

Jessy pinched the air between his thumb and index finger to show how close I was to the title of supermodel. I sat silent, considering the issue of paying a fine. I kept a defensive posture, sitting firm in front of Jessy.

“I guess I don’t need that title anymore. If having that title means losing Laird, I’m willing to throw it all away.”

Jessy shook his head. He sighed deeply, still in disbelief at my sudden decision. “Fenella, you’re blinded by your love for Laird.”

“Yes, but that’s what drives me to be a model, gives me the energy to find myself, and makes me realize I don’t need any more nonsense from you or Alan.”

Jessy paused, and now tears really fell down his cheeks. “No, Fenella. Please don’t leave me. I can’t lose anyone else.” He sobbed, and my hands went limp at my sides as I watched him.

“Oh, come on, Jessy. I’m not dead,” I said with wavering determination.

“Yeah, but you’re leaving me alone at Gene. Mike even broke up with me.”

What?! He cried with a high-pitched voice, making his nose stuffy. I forced myself not to feel touched, but eventually, my heart weakened quickly.

“Oh, Jessy. I’m sorry to hear that.”

In the end, I hugged him, and he nodded as he continued to cry. Guilt overwhelmed me, and I let Jessy cry on my shoulder. Slowly, I started to shed tears too, and a few minutes later, Jessy finally stopped crying.

“Let’s go back to your apartment so you can calmly tell me more about it. We can also discuss my decision to leave Gene further. We can talk it over with your favorite wine. How does that sound?”

Jessy wiped his tears dry with a tissue. His nose was red, and he tried to breathe deeply several times to clear his airway. After he calmed down enough, he pursed his lips and nodded.

“But I need to go back to the office first to give these contract documents to Alan. He needs an answer today,” he said, wiping his tears.

“Ugh, alright. I’ll sign these contracts, but I won’t take the acting classes. Consider these projects as my last ones at Gene.”

I quickly signed the pile of contracts. I still trusted Jessy as my agent. Maybe yesterday he really needed time alone with Mike to resolve their issues, which ended in a breakup?

Well, no one’s perfect. Damn! Now I feel like I’ve been selfish and a jerk as a friend to Jessy.

As for my professional decision, I’m firm. I’m going to resign and won’t sign any more projects with Gene starting next year.

“Come on, Jessy. Let’s get out of here,” I said as I handed the contract folder to Jessy.