Chapter 170 - 78 (1/2)

On a Saturday morning, in sparkle entertainment, lines of new models were shooting for Sparkle magazine to promote the new faces of the company. Among them, Evangeline was sitting on the couch with Eric standing behind her, reminding her of what to do.

”Remember, just do what the photographer said. Just act natural, and you'll be fine.”

Evangeline chuckled. ”Relax, Eric. There's nothing to be nervous about. Who do you think you're speaking to?”

She then shot Eric a wink accompanied by a smile. ”I got this.”

Eric huffed a helpless smile. Of course, he was nervous for her. Though Evangeline was pretty and a model figure, she was clueless and a newbie. She didn't have any background about photography, poses nor angles that all the models here possessed. Her major was business, and she was bȧrėly passing.

Eric was about to encourage her, but the silence caught his attention. His eyes draw to where everyone was staring, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

”What she doing here?” Evangeline sneered.

Not far from where they were, Angel Lin arrived, and what followed the silence of her arrival were loud voices of welcoming greetings.

”Apparently, Mr. Richardson requested Angel on the magazine since she's also new. In a sense, she's still new to the industry except that she already has millions of fans behind her back. I guess that's the reason why the higher-ups agreed to increase the magazine's sales.”

It was Rise, the stylist, who answered as she approached Evangeline and Eric.

The two looked over at Rise as the latter introduced herself.

”Hi, my name is Rise, and I'll be your stylist for today, Miss Heart.”

Rise bowed slightly. Eyes never left Eric, which made Evangeline's eyebrows twitched.

Evangeline shot Eric a look while the latter's palm sweat.

”Every model has a stylist. Rise was ȧssigned to you to help you with your outfit and make-up,” he said.

Evangeline smiled, and Eric sensed the approaching trouble.

”I don't think it's necessary. I can completely do my make-up, and I know what outfit compliment me best,” Evangeline said and shot a dismissive smile on Rise's way. There was no way she would let some stranger decide her fate on her first day.

But contrary to expectations, Rise just dismissed Evangeline's protest with a carefree smile. ”Don't worry Miss Heart, I'll make sure that you'll shine from the rest after I'm done with you.”

Evangeline stifled a laugh. ”Are you deaf? Or are you impaired in the he––”

”Eve,” Eric interjected and held Evangeline's hand before he shot Rise a look, ”can we talk for a moment?”

Eric didn't wait for Rise's reply nor for Evangeline's protest as he pulled the latter away to somewhere they could talk in private.

”Eve,” Eric started when he was sure nobody would hear them, ”can you give Rise a chance?”

Evangeline looked over at Eric with her piercing eyes. ”Why?” she asked and crossed her arms. ”It's seems that you have a history with that girl.”

”I wouldn't exactly call it a history. Rise was the one who was responsible for my looks in Reisha's shooting, remember? And I think that she has the talent for it.”

”So you're saying that she's more talented than I am?”

Evangeline's hand shot to her tilted hɨps, and her narrowed eyes challenged Eric's. ”May I remind you that I have been blessed with godly insights about these things. I know what looks best for me. The proof is the billion-dollar company behind my back.”

Eric knew her role in FROZEN. He saw her several times altering FROZEN's list of clothes.

Eric smiled and poked Evangeline's nose. ”It's not that I'm doubting your capabilities. All I'm asking is you give her a chance.”

Evangeline evaded Eric's hand that was about to pat her head and pressed her lips in defiance.

Eric held back a smile. If he smiled now, he knew she would be even angrier. But she was so cute even angry that he couldn't help it.

”Alright, how about this? If you don't like what you see, then we'll go with yours,” Eric wager.

Still, Evangeline didn't respond, refusing to look at Eric as her eyes stayed glued on the ground.

There was something adorable about her angry face that Eric couldn't help but stole a quick peck on her lips.

That got Evangeline's attention.

”Please . . . ?”

Eric pleaded, and Evangeline's defiance crumbled. She dragged her eyes on the ceiling and conceded, ”Fi~ne.”

Then they went back to Rise while everyone was busy preparing for the shoot, not sparing them a glance.

”I'll leave her in your capable hands,” Eric said, and Rise smiled her brightest.

”Leave it to me!” Rise exclaimed and looked at Evangeline. ”Miss Heart, this way, please.”

Rise led Evangeline to a rack of clothes on the side while Eric followed behind in silence.

”Miss Heart, as you probably know, the theme for the shoot is four seasons. So I've prepared different sets of clothes for you to match the seasons,” Rise explained as Evangeline inspected the clothes with a frown on her face.

”And the cover for the magazine, you'll be shot in groups,” Rise continued in great enthusiasm, ”these are the gowns I solely pick to match your physique and––”

”Miss Rise,” Evangeline interrupted, and faced the red-haired, freckled girl, ”these are all in dark and bold colors. As you know, pastel and light colors suit me best.”

”Regarding that Miss Heart, the––”

”Hello, Evangeline, Rise.”

Evangeline and Rise looked over and saw Angel approaching in their direction with her ȧssistance in tow. Angel stopped just meters away from them before her eyes went to Eric. ”It's been a while.”

Eric just nodded, and Rise greeted in return while Evangeline didn't hide her contempt.

”If you don't want another slap on your face, I suggest you maintain your distance, miss Lin.”

. . .

. . .