Chapter 5 Five

ADRIAN!

Nevertheless, she stood her ground, though his piercing dark gaze made her heart race in fear.

What if he decides to terminate her instantly?Is she really gonna work for her husband?

Irma stood confidently in front of the large mahogany desk, the air thickened,his eyes scanning Irma from head to toe.

"So, you're the new model," he said curtly.

Irma looked at him and his devilish eyes made her gulp.

She rolled her eyes inwardly, the arrogance of this bastard.

"Yes,Mr Blackwood,"Irma replied shortly.

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"You'll need to exceed my expectations, meet impossible deadlines, and handle criticism without flinching. Can you handle that?" He said calmly.

It's the first time she would ever see him this calm,her lips parted but no word came out of it.

Irma nodded, her determination growing.

"I can handle it, Mr. Blackwood,"she replied.

"It's Adrian "He said and she nodded.

It's confusing, why's he behaving so nice and cold at the same time?

Adrian's expression remained unyielding, but his eyes were saying something else.

With that, Adrian handed Irma a folder filled with designs, schedules, and expectations.

"Your first shoot starts right today"He said in his cold voice.

As Irma left the office, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew it's not gonna be easy but she was ready for the challenge.

Bring it on, Adrian.

It's her dream,no matter the obstacle she comes across, she's gonna face it fearlessly. She's not just doing this for herself and her family but to prove her dad wrong.

So what if she's a female, she can still make it in life. That's it, she's ready for the worse from Adrian.

"Irma"Ariana called.

"Yes,he gave me this"Irma gave her the folder.

"You're so lucky, it's the first time he employed a model so easily,so don't let him down"Ariana said with excitement.

Irma smiled wearily,that action made the fear in her mind germinate.

"So, come with me"Ariana smiled and she followed her.

*Is she new here?

*She's so pretty.

*Is she the new model?

Irma felt even more nervous.

-

Leonardo banged his hand on his desk loudly.

"Boss, please calm down,we can still secure the contract if...."His secretary flinched.

"You didn't tell me the land was worth more than millions. I wouldn't have let the Blackwood have it"Leonardo snapped.

"The shareholders are complaining as well," the secretary said.

"Do something,my company mustn't go bankrupt, we've been losing contracts for the past few days"Leonardo growled.

"Yes boss I'll try my best"He said and walked out of the office.

"He got my daughter and wouldn't let me be "Leonardo rubbed his face looking so pissed.

He smashed the wine glass on his desk and growled out loudly. If this goes on then it's the end for him.

But what should he do? Should he go to him for help?

No,no,he already let him get his daughter then what else does he want.

His phone beeped.

*GAME ON*

It's a message from an unknown number. Obviously he knows the sender.

He clenched his fist.

-

Irma's jaw dropped hearing her first time wearing a bikini. It shook her, she never expected he would do such a thing to her. He wants her to put on a bikini in front of different guys.

How cruel and selfish.

"I'm married"Irma voiced out to Ariana in front of the other models.

They all laughed.

"So what?We need your perfection for this, you're not just wearing this for yourself, it's for the empire"Ariana said.

"You either do it or quit,"she added.

Irma felt drained, all her determination became so weak. It's unbelievable her own husband wants her to dress in a bikini in front of everyone.

She breathed out and nodded. Why should she care? He doesn't give a damn about her body then so be it.

"I'm ready,"she said in a low tone.

"Good, the stylist will take care of the rest"Ariana muttered and walked out.

"You've got a nice shape"The stylist said and she smiled.

***

Irma stepped onto the sun-kissed beach, the warm sand squishing between her toes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she gazed out at the turquoise ocean.

This was it – the photoshoot Adrian pushed her into.

There's nothing bad about wearing a bikini but it's gonna go viral.

She wore a skimpy bikini, the tiny scraps of fabric barely covering her curves. Irma felt exposed, vulnerable, as she struck her first pose.

The photographer, a tall, lanky man with a lens perpetually glued to his eye, snapped away, directing her to arch her back, to pout, to run her hands through her hair.

Adrian lounged under a nearby umbrella, sipping a drink.

"Brother, everything has its own limit, I hope you regret your actions one day "Noir said beside him.

"She deserves more than this,I am gonna make her pay for everything that happened to me "Adrian said.

"You're acting like a coward"Noir muttered and he smirked.

"More hip, Irma! And for God's sake, smile like you mean it!"Ariana shouted.

Irma obliged, forcing a bright, toothy grin onto her face as she twirled and posed, the bikini clinging to her skin. She felt like a puppet on strings, with Adrian pulling the marionette's handles.

The photographer moved in closer, capturing the beads of sweat trickling down her spine, the way the sunlight danced across her skin. Irma felt like a specimen under a microscope, her every curve and contour scrutinized.

As the shoot wore on, Irma's discomfort grew. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being exploited, that Adrian was using her for his own twisted desires.

But she pushed on, determined to get through this, to survive.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the photographer called it a wrap. Irma breathed a sigh of relief as she wrapped herself in a towel, covering up the bikini. She couldn't wait to get out of there, with pairs of eyes following her.

After changing her dress, Irma went straight to her. Irma pushed the office door open, her eyes filled with pure anger.

She looked agitated.

"Am sure your mom taught you not to disrespect your boss"Adrian said curtly.

"Yes, and I am sure your mom taught you to treat your fellow human with respect,"Irma retorted.

"Hey!!"Adrian yelled and stood up to face her.

"Ohh,did that get you angry? you shouldn't be angry about that, you also mentioned my mom"She said with a flash of anger on her face.

"Watch your mouth, you know what I can do"Adrian warned, his eyes glaring at her.

"I'm not scared of you, the worst you could do is to kill me at this point. What do you even think of me?That I'm a fool?" She chuckled bitterly.

"Well you're wrong, you treating me badly was shocking at first but then when I processed it I realized you were just looking for someone to drain your emotions into. Are you so dense or you just have poor thinking. You're blaming me for a crime my dad committed, a crime I knew nothing about. And maybe you don't know, my dad doesn't like me, he hates me, so you hurting me wouldn't affect him at all!" Irma said, tears sliding down her cheeks, unable to control her emotions.

"Whether it affects him or not I just wanna make your family suffer!" Adrian snapped back, his eyes sparkling with hatred just for her.

"Guess you should be ready to face the real Irma, if you maltreat me or do anything, you have to deal with me "Irma retorted confidently.

She wiped her tears and smiled at him which infuriated him.

"Next time, you won't be this lucky,so stay strong, there's a lot for you to experience," he said, his voice dark and firm.

Then he shoved his hands in his pocket.

"Stay strong as well, because I am not gonna let you go away with everything." She turned to leave but then stopped and faced him again.

"And be careful, you can't handle my anger"She whispered in his ears before walking out of his office.