Charlotte had to walk Harry home before going back to her own house. On the way, she met Madison and Utter talking and laughing. She greeted Madison but ignored Utter.
"Hi, Maddy," she greeted with a smile. "Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I was fired."
"What?"
She nodded and went on to tell what happened, but she hid the part where she slapped Riele. "I pleaded with him to forgive me, but he was adamant," she shrugged.
"I don't think that makes any sense." Charlotte thought about the whole scenario, but they didn't make any sense to her. "Why would Kim behave so irrationally?"
Madison shrugged. "I see you are doing pretty well."
She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Who's the father?" Madison asked, without a second thought.
"Um…" she bit her lips and glanced at Utter, who was waiting for her response.
"Is your child a bastard?" Madison whispered.
"No, he is not. I just can't tell you who the father is." She patted Madison's shoulder and left.
Madison couldn't believe what had just happened. "Do you think she is hiding something?"
"That's what I have been trying to find out."
"What do you mean?"
Utter whispered into her ears. "But, she keeps saying the child isn't mine."
"You think there is a fifty percent chance the child is yours."
He nodded. "And I know I am not wrong."
Madison folded her arms and asked, "What if the child is yours, what are you going to do?"
"Honestly, I don't know."
"Don't you think it's better not to find out the truth?" she asked. "You are not even sure you are ready to take responsibility," she added.
"I just don't like being lied to, Maddy."
"You have lied to a lot of people," Madison rolled her eyes at him.
"Do you have to say that?"
"I am saying that it could be you are getting a taste of your own medicine."
"Let me go drop you off." he pushed her a little and the two of them went to board a taxi.
~~~
"The competition will take place in the next three months and I want us to be ready." Kim stated.
"How long are we going to be there?" Amanda asked.
"It is for two weeks," Jay answered.
"It's not everyone that would be going for this trip," Kim started. "I just need two male models, two female models, a make-up artist, and someone who would be in charge of us."
"We only have Jay as the only male model." Ashley, one of the staff answered. "And the only female model we had… you fired her." She added.
Phew! Kim sighed. "Someone should put a call to Madison and tell her to come back."
"I will do that, sire," Amanda stood up to make the call.
"There will be so many models and we have to make sure we put in our best," Kim advised.
One of the male staff raised his hand."Yes, Carl," Jay answered, signifying him to speak.
"Even if Madison does come back, who would be our second model?"
Kim looked at Riele, but she shook her head. "Why don't you give this a try, Riele?"
"Um…" she hesitated.
"I know you can do this," Kim assured her.
"I have never modeled before, Kim."
"Now won't be a wrong time to start," he winked at her, but before she could say anything, he concluded Riele was the second model.
"Um…sire," Amanda said, trying not to cut the boss off.
"Yes, were you able to get her on the phone?" Kim asked.
"Yes, but, she said she doesn't want to work here anymore."
"What?"
"I think she was chosen by another industry."
Kim rubbed his temple vigorously. "F**k!"
"What is the plan now?" Carlos asked.
"This meeting is adjourned till further notice."
Everyone took their files and left the office, only Jay and Riele were left with Kim.
"I didn't know she'd get a job immediately."
"No one knew that," Jay said.
"Should we cajole her to come back?"
Kim and Jay shook their heads.
"We just need to get another model. We have three months, that should be enough to find one."
"Is there going to be an audition?" asked Riele.
"I don't think there will be any need for an audition," Jay answered. "I can find one."
"How?"
Jay smiled. Riele laughed because she knew Jay was talking about his charms. "I will take my leave now." The moment Jay stepped outside, Kim followed after him.
"We need to talk."
"Can't we just discuss this after the competition?"
"No, it can't wait!"
Jay grunted before following Kim outside the company where they took a walk, and talked. "Aren't you going to ask?"
"Ask what?"
"Riele and I."
Jay turned to look at his friend and without any emotion on his face, he asked, "What about you two?"
"We are dating now."
Jay felt his heart crushed. He scoffed as he looked at Kim, hoping he was trying to pull his legs. "Wait, you are saying she agreed?"
Kim nodded. "And I want to ask you to…"
"I thought you said you didn't love her." He cuts Kim off rudely. "You told me she wasn't your type, but still, you asked her to be your girlfriend?"
"I have always liked her," he confessed. "I just didn't know how to tell you."
"You promised me…"
"And that is why I am begging you…"
Jay scoffed. "You are unbelievable, Kim."
"You told me not to let history repeat itself… I am trying to avoid it too."
"Not with Riele. I love her, Kim and you know that." He bit his lips. "You kept hurting her, but I am one she keeps running to…"
"I won't hurt her anymore, I p…"
"What if you do?" he paused. "What should I do if you break her heart?"
"You can have her back, but now, I don't want you to try to win her heart."
He nodded and left his presence.
"Hey, babe." he turned back and saw Riele staring at him with worried eyes. "Did you and Jay resolve the issue?"
Kim didn't reply, but pulled her close and kissed her.