Fene’s POV


    Since arriving in Mexico City on Friday afternoon, our schedule has been packed to the brim. We checked in to the hotel immediately to drop off our luggage. I had booked an extra hotel room for a future vacation with Laird and Jessy, opting to pay for the additional room myself.


    After that, we headed straight to Jemima Hors’ studio for a fitting. This was followed by a pre-party dinner, rehearsal, and early morning preparations for the photoshoot before the runway show began.


    Despite the whirlwind pace, I loved every moment of it. In fact, Jemima herself appreciated my work ethic and performance during my time in Mexico. She truly valued me as the lead model.


    “Okay, next up.”


    The stage manager signaled for me to walk out onto the runway. With practice and careful preparation, I smoothly strutted on the runway. I changed outfits three times as nned, and everything went off without a hitch.


    “Fene,e apany me to the stage,” Jemima said to me.


    “Yes, of course.”


    I linked my arm with Jemima’s, and we walked together, followed by all the models who had strutted in the Cruise collection for next year. It was an honor to walk arm in arm with the designer herself, feeling recognized as a key model for the show.


    After bidding farewell and a brief acknowledgment to the audience, I returned backstage. After changing, I was greeted by Jessy and n, who were waiting for the models.


    “Hey, great job!” n praised me with a wide smile.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    “Thank you.” I nodded with an equally wide smile.


    “You know, Jemima can’t stop singing your praises. She’s eager to extend the contract for all her collections next year,” Jessy chirped happily.


    “Really? That’s fantastic news!” I rejoiced along with them.


    “Let’s head back to the hotel now. There’s still plenty of celebration ahead,” n directed us as we left backstage.


    “Fene.”


    I turned toward the voice calling my name from a distance. I thought I was dreaming, or maybe my eyes were deceiving me. Laird stood at the end of the room with a bright smile.


    “Laird?!”


    Overjoyed to see him, I ran towards him and melted into his embrace. My hands wrapped around his neck, and I kissed his lips briefly.


    “I didn’t know you wereing. Did you watch the show?” I asked.


    “Yup, from start to finish,” he nodded with a slight smile.


    “Are you done with your presentation? How did it go?” I asked eagerly.


    “It went well, but wait-” Laird stepped back, and I noticed he was hiding something behind his back. He then pulled out a bouquet of beautifully arranged flowers in autumn colors.


    “Oh, Laird, thank you, honey.” I epted the bouquet and kissed his lips again briefly.


    “Hey, lovebirds. You really have the guts to ignore us, huh?” Jessy interrupted as he approached us, followed by n and Mike.


    “Sorry, I was just too excited about this surprise.” I blushed in embarrassment.


    “Hey, Laird. Don’t tell me you’re extending today into a holiday together.” n furrowed his brow.


    “Yup, guilty as charged,” Laird said, opening his arms.


    “Great way to mix business and pleasure,” n teased.


    “Hey, ask Jessy; he might be better at mixing that.” Laird nodded towards Jessy.


    “Very funny. I thought you were stiff and would never be able to make a joke,” n countered annoyedly.


    “Hey, you two, no need to argue, okay? Laird, n is our school alumni, and he’s your age.” I tried to mediate their ongoing debate.


    “Seriously? He’s a senior who’s too young in his ss.” Laird raised an eyebrow.


    “Consider me a genius, and now I can achieve more at the same age as you guys,” n grinned smugly.


    “Since when did you make this apetition?” Laird asked sharply.


    “Okay, that’s enough. n, I’m leaving now. See youter.” I nudged Laird to turn away for a moment while I waved to n, Jessy, and Mike.


    “Fene! Don’t forget toe to the after party tonight!” I vaguely heard Jessy’s voice.


    “I won’te!” I replied as I hurriedly guided Laird out.


    “What?!” Jessy gaped, but I ignored them.


    Laird and I walked through the hallway of the building until we finally stepped out into the courtyard. My arm was still linked to Laird’s, while my other hand held onto the bouquet of flowers tightly.


    “What’s wrong with that n guy? Is he really our school alumni?” Laird asked, his brow furrowing irritably.


    “Yes, he is. He told me on the ne. It seems he’s a senior,” I replied.


    “You talked on the ne? Were you sitting next to each other?” Laird’s voice carried a hint of frustration.


    “Uh, yes. Jessy asked to switch seats with him so he could sit next to Mike.” I murmured softly, realizing once again that I had inadvertently made Laird jealous.


    “Out of all the seats, he had to choose the one next to you.” Laird scoffed at me.


    “Well, he only knew n well enough to swap seats next to Mike.” I released my arm from his embrace as we reached the taxi line.


    “Oh, I see.”


    Laird’s voice sounded cold as he hurriedly circled around the car and got into the taxi without opening the door for me first. Ugh, once again, I misspoke. I got into the taxi and sat down in the passenger seat with Laird.


    “Really, I didn’t do anything strange. We just talked,” I defended myself after Laird mentioned our hotel’s name to the driver.


    “You talked for the entire 5-hour journey on the ne?”


    “No. I slept for the rest of the journey.” I began to be desperate to fix this.


    “Oh, good. You slept next to him,” Laird rolled his eyes.


    “Laird, oh my god. We didn’t do anything. Sleeping side by side in a seated position can’t be romanticized. It’s not a big deal.”


    “For you. We don’t know what n was thinking. How many times have I told you to stay away from him and be careful around him?” Laird’s voice was now firmer with a low growl.


    I fell silent after hearing his words. My conscience told me something was wrong with Laird. I tried to think positively: maybe he was just too possessive and couldn’t judge n objectively.


    Really, I didn’t do anything with n. We’re just friends. I don’t understand how Laird keepsing up with the idea that n likes me, but I also don’t have enough evidence to refute it.


    “Okay, I’m sorry for my mistake. I guess I got a bit carried away with the excitement of being abroad,” I whispered as I gently rubbed the rose petals.


    Hearing that, Laird remained silent and refused to look at me. He chose instead to stare out the window at the passing scenery. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I feltpletely wrong. Throughout the taxi ride, we remained silent, a stark contrast to the atmosphere when we first met earlier.


    I could only sigh deeply until we arrived at the hotel. Even when we got to the hotel room, we were silent as a thousand words. I ced the bouquet of flowers on the table and took a shower. When I came out of the bathroom, Laird switched to me and went into the bathroom.


    “Laird.” I dared to stop him by catching his arm and holding it.


    “What?” he asked sharply.


    “Are we still going to have dinner as nned?” I asked hesitantly. “I mean, we already booked the table and the menu. If you feel ufortable now-” I stopped myself.


    My voice choked, and I couldn’t continue because I was too afraid of the worst-case scenario.


    “Yeah, I guess. I just want to rest for a bit first,” he said quietly, then he entered the bathroom with a m of the door.