He was going out with models. And it seemed his objective was to go through every major one in the city. And then some. That was why the telephone on her desk kept going off.
He had seen and dumped fifteen of them already and Twelve made it their mission to show that the could not easily be thrown away. Most of all was Rowena Dale. Model number ten. Blonde, muddy brown eyes, Anorexic with a brain capacity of a pea and the persistence of a heavy armored tank.
She called every fucking day with the same monologue and it was really getting old and getting her pissed off. At least the others had some semblance of imagination. This one believe the world was at her feet and she was queen of it all. Despite being a C– rate model. The only world she reigned over was the small flock of people and businesses into body shaming. If the grading system was left up to Rita, she would have taken a few marks away from Rowena Dale. And maybe not just a few.
Why was she the one dealing with all this? The universe was laying on the cruel irony a bit too thick here. She did not know what kind of game Samuel O. Princeton was playing. They had an extra important event coming up and the company did not need this kind of publicity. Especially with all the interviews said models who clearly saw this as a stepping stone to fame, were having about being with him. He had now been dubbed ‘The Cold Alpha' by every catalogue from Alvas to the coast of Italy. A fitting name they said because of how ruthlessly he handled business and his cold take on matters of sympathy and the heart.
Rita did not know about 'The Cold Alpha', Lying motherfucking bastard always worked for her. At least it gave Mila and the rest something else to focus on. She should be grateful and she was but if she heard one more thing about how scrumptious Samuel or what this model said that she was going to lose it.
In any case, Mrs Ortis kept her busy. Making sure she had more than enough to do so her mind did not wander. Ha! If she really wanted to get Samuel's dick. It would not take more than three minutes and fifteen minutes to have it over with. But she had nothing to worry about because spreading her legs for him was the very last thing she wanted to do.
She was getting herself a cup of water. This time from the dispenser within her office, when a knock on the door came. “Yes, come in.”
A woman's head poked, her curls blocking her face and looked in one direction and then in hers. A shy smile spread across her face as she fully stepped into the office. Now she had stepped out from behind the door, Rita could see that her visitor had brown curly hair that reached her mid back and brownish amber eyes. She had a small stature and if neither of them were wearing heels, she would come up to Rita's chin. Her skin looked like bronze and her black clothes made it more apparent.
Rita could not help but smile back as she approached her desk. She better not be another model. “Good morning, are you Miss Rita?” The woman asked.
“Good morning. Yes, I am Miss Rita.” Answeed. “And who may you be?”
“Oh, how rude of me. My name is Raila Garcia.” She replied, offering her hand for a shake. Rita took it. “And what is the purpose of your visit, Raila?”
“Oh, ummm I was supposed to see Mr Princeton today.” she answered.
Oh God. Rita could feel her jaw tick. And the smile on her face waver. Raila must have seen it too because she had her hands out and said. “I'm not a model! Well, not technically. I kinda just started but I'm actually here for a completely different reason. I swear.”
“And what might that be?” asked Rita, her hand itching to pick up the phone and call security.
“My great grandmother used to run an orphanage and foster care unit here in Alvas. I don't know if you have heard of it. Ix Chel services. It was primarily a mother's home and fertility clinic twenty years ago. Mr Princeton said he would sponsor the company. He asked me to come in today to discuss it.” Raila rummaged through her purse, produced a white card and presented it to Rita. “See, he gave me this card.”
Rita sighed. The card had her boss' initials on it. She took it from Raila and examined it in the light. Yep. There it was. The company logo and Samuel's signature on the left side of the card. It was from him alright. And it showed Raila came here for a valid, non vain, scandal creating reason.
“Ok, you're legit. But he is not in today. Right now he is in Washington right now. You'll have to come back in three days. I'll make sure he sees both you and your great grandmother when he comes back.” Rita offered, reaching for a pen and paper. “When will be comfortable for you both?”
Raila fell silent. “Raila?”
“My great grandmother died three weeks ago.” Raila whispered. That would explain the all black attire. “I'm sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences.”
“Thanks.” Raila replied, sadness written on her face. Her smile disappeared and it looked like she was holding back her tears.
“I'm sorry but if you don't mind me asking, who is the current head of Ix Chel services?” Rita asked, her inside squeezing a little as she did.
“I am.” Raila responded. “And before you ask, no. I don't have any living relatives. Not anymore. My great grandmother raised me.”
“I'm so sorry to hear that.” She could not imagine how Raila was feeling. Having no one else in the world. Being that alone.
“It's fine.” She said between sniffles. “Anyway, about Mr Princeton's absence. He said if he was not available I should talk to you.”
“Me?” Why would he tell Raila to come to her.
“Yeah.” Raila nodded. “He said something about there being a budget plan for it. He said you worked on it.”
Rita thought back. She had been working on a lot of budgets and documents lately. She could not remember if she worked on anything with the name Ix Chel. She reached for her computer. “Ok, hold on let me see.”
She searched up Ix Chel services and few minutes later, the budget info came in. “Here it is. Says here that the stipulated budget is two hundred and twenty seven thousand dollars over the course of two years. Correct?”
“Yes.” Raila nodded.
“Also says here that you just turned twenty a week ago.” Rita said.
“That is also correct.”
“Okay, I'll have the money wired to the account provided here. Check if it's correct.” Rita turned the computer screen to Raila.
Raila leaned in and read through the contents on the file. “Everything is fine.” she assured.
“Ok, please have a seat while I get the contract ready.”
“Okay.” Raila replied gingerly taking a seat on the black sofa close to Rita's desk. Rita pulled up the contract on the tablet and handed it over to Raila. “Read through this and sign where needed.”
“Ok.” Raila said, taking the tablet from Rita's hands.
“You will still need to come back here on friday.” Rita informed her.
“Why?” Raila sounded surprised.
“Because Mr Princeton still needs to finalize things.” Rita clarified. Raila looked uncomfortable. “What's wrong? Will you not be able to make it on Friday?” Rita inquired.
“No, it's just that I don't feel exactly comfortable with Mr Princeton.” Raila confessed.
“Why? Is there anything the matter?” Rita asked. ‘What the fuck!’ Rita thought. ‘This guy had no control. She was thirteen years younger than him!’
“Wolves and other carniforms don't exactly like me whichever form.” Raila confessed again. “I'm actually glad I met you today instead.”
Well that was a first.
“Well, with how shitty the last few days have been, I'm glad I met you too.” Rita confessed. “You are the first 'model' that has not tried to blow my ear off this week.”
They both shared a smile before Raila went back to the contract.