Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POVExclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I finally followed Alan down to the second floor. On the second floor, I could see Mike and Jessy chatting at Jessy’s desk. Jessy looked embarrassed, while Mike clearly teased Jessy.

Wow. Happy for you, Jessy.

“I feel like Jessy has already forgotten me in her mind,” I told Alan after we reached the office lobby.

“Ah, you sound jealous,” Alan chuckled.

As soon as Alan stepped out of the door, a black Range Rover immediately approached us on the side of the road. Alan opened the passenger door just before the driver got out to open the door.

“Please,” Alan said to me.

“Thank you.”

I got into the car somewhat awkwardly, trying to maintain politeness because the passenger seat was higher than my butt. After we sat in the car, the driver immediately drove the car away from the office. Alan and I sat side by side in the passenger seat.

Honestly, I didn’t know Alan, and this made me a little uneasy because I wasn’t with Jessy. Whenever there was a work meeting, Jessy always accompanied me. Now, I felt like a lost little bird without its mother and anxious because I had to start flying alone.

“So you’ve been living in New York for seven years? You must have visited many places,” Alan said.

“Well, quite. I don’t really know the streets well because I mostly take taxis or trains with Jessy,” I joked.

“You still take taxis and trains? Doesn’t Ms. Lola provide a company car?” Alan asked, furrowing his brow.

“Only for special occasions. We only have two office cars. One for Ms. Lola and one for models attending prestigious parties like the Oscars or New York Fashion Show after parties,” I explained resignedly.

“Well, the new face of Gene needs a car specifically for her. Can you drive?” Alan asked me.

“Er, I’m still learning. You know, driving a car requires experience on the road. How can I gain experience without a car to practice driving?” I shrugged.

“Alright, I’ll consider a suitable car for you.” Alan chuckled lightly.

God! Why did he keep pampering me like this?

After more than half an hour of chatting in the car to get through the city traffic jams, the driver finally stopped the car in front of a row of stores.

“Come on, follow me.” Alan walked ahead of me.

“Sexy Cat Studio,” I read on the signboard above the black glass door.

***

I stepped out of the bathroom, grabbed my body lotion, and immediately collapsed onto my bed. It was already 7 p. m., and I felt extremely tired. It was only Sunday, but I already felt like I needed another weekend.

I opened my scented aloe vera body lotion and started applying it to my hands. Just as I began my daily ritual, my phone rang with its distinctive, ear-piercing ringtone. I had set that ringtone specifically to identify the caller, Jessy Ronald.

“Hey,” I greeted Jessy after picking up the phone. I set the phone on speaker mode as I continued my ritual.

“Hi, gorgeous,” Jessy said in his usual flirtatious tone.

“From your tone, I can tell you’ve had a very enjoyable day,” I said with a wide smile. My agent then giggled with delight.

“What else can it be? Mike is such a fun person!” Jessy exclaimed excitedly.

“Oh… It seems like you’ve really fallen for him, huh?” I asked with the same amused giggle.

“Have you ever heard bells ringing in the dazzling sunlight when you meet someone? That’s what I experienced-a magical moment. I’m trying hard to hide my feelings,” Jessy confessed.

After that, Jessy told me all about Mike’s behavior. Their conversations and Mike’s gestures were observed in detail by Jessy. It took almost an hour for me to hear about Mike. If there were a quiz with a prize for everything about Mike, maybe I’d win because I also learned a lot about him.

Finally, Jessy didn’t know what else to say, and the topic shifted to my activities today with Alan.

“I didn’t even realize you left with Alan,” Jessy said.

“Of course. You were so busy with Mike that you forgot about me,” I teased, and Alan chuckled again.

“Wait, I did try to find you when you and Alan left. I asked about your whereabouts through messages, right?” Jessy tried to defend herself.

“Yes, after I got back to the apartment at 4 PM,” I said skeptically.

“Oh, come on, I apologize. Where did you two go that kept you out until late? Did Alan drive you in his car to the apartment?” Jessy asked.

“Yes, he and his driver dropped me off in front of my apartment.” I chuckled.

“Then?” Jessy pressed.

“So, Alan and I went to the dance studio, Sexy Cat Studio, in Times Square. Next Saturday, there will be an opening event for Oscar de Ragetti’s club,” I explained slowly.

“Oh, yes, I heard about the opening party for that club. Alan asked all the models to attend as guests to liven up the event,” Jessy added.

“Yes. Well, Alan gave me a challenge to fill the party event before signing the contract as the main model at Gene. Alan and I will fill the event by dancing as partners along with three other model couples,” I explained.

“No way! Are you and Alan going to be dancing as partners? Does that mean you’ll be dancing seductively? You know, Sexy Cat Studio-isn’t it for sexy and naughty dance types? Maybe like a striptease dance?” Jessy exclaimed enthusiastically.

“That’s what I don’t know yet. I can only confirm the type of dance later during practice. I mean, I’m used to partnering with other male models on projects, but this is my boss. I even doubt if I can meet his expectations by dancing seductively,” I said.

“You sound annoyed. Why?” Jessy seemed to know about me very well. Just with a change of tone, she knew I was upset with this reality.