Immediately, everyone in the room was stunned. How could Emma be this good? She didn’t need any test shots. Even though it was a challenging brief and she had to change poses every few seconds, the shoot was just incredible. No matter what poses Scott asked for, Emma was able to provide them. It was almost as if he was testing her. He began by describing what he wanted but then just started calling out single words: lazy, seductive, threatening, cute. Emma immediately responded with exactly the right poses and expressions. She was quick and expressive, and she drew everyone’s attention with her spellbinding presence.
Lisa watched the whole session from the side, taking her own photos of Emma to send to Eric. She wouldn’t have told anyone this, but she felt a secret thrill that she knew the CEO of Kaleidoscope and even had his phone number. What she didn’t know, however, was that Eric was on his way to Seattle right at that moment. The intense photo shoot convinced the photographer and everyone watching that Emma was as good as any model in the industry, maybe better. The onlookers included Julius Taylor, who gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up from the side. As the session finished up, he felt so bad that he’d yelled at her after the Crown Star fiasco that he’d apologized to her once again, this time in person.
When the shoot was finally over, Emma removed her makeup and changed into her own clothes. Her expression regained its usual calm. Once again, Lisa hurried over to cover her with a jacket, feeling so overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction that she couldn’t help giving Emma a quick hug. Her phone started buzzing. She said to Emma with a frown, “It’s Nathan. Do you want to talk to him?”
Emma’s gaze just darkened, but she took the phone from Lisa. “Hello,” she answered, maintaining a calm tone.
“Have you heard any news?” Nathan asked, treading lightly.
“Why?” Emma asked, pretending a calm she didn’t really feel. “What happened?”
“Nothing. I’m sure you wouldn’t have found out yet since you were busy in Seattle. How about I fly out to Seattle tomorrow? Take advantage of this opportunity to have a holiday,” Nathan suggested.
Emma’s family was very wealthy. They owned a famous perfume empire with sales in the millions of dollars. Nathan knew that they didn’t like him and had practically cut all ties with Emma because of him. But in the end, she was still a Miller and would inherit a pretty penny someday. He wanted to hold on to her. She looked good on his arm. She was naive and easy to control, and she would someday be very, very rich. He wanted to make sure they got married before she saw the damaging video when she realized that he and Amber had been intimate after all. She was sure to call off the wedding.
Shocked by her response, given what’s been going on between you and Amber, Emma said, “I don’t think we should get married right now, Nathan.”
“There’s really nothing going on,” Nathan replied. “Amber simply… It’s because of her injury.”
“What about the video?” Emma asked, maintaining her calm tone. “I’m in Seattle, not out in the middle of nowhere with no Wi-Fi connection. Did you really think I wouldn’t be able to see the news or that I would actually be that easy to trick?”
“We’ve been together for so many years. Do you know what type of person I am? Don’t you know that you’re the only one I love?” Nathan tried to reason.
“Then let’s put it this way: one of us has to leave Global. It’s either Amber or me,” Emma said decisively.
Now that he was being put on the spot, Nathan couldn’t decide what to do. Amber was the woman he genuinely loved, and she was pregnant with his child. But Emma had the means to make him a very happy man down the road. “If you feel like I’m pressuring you, feel free to go look for Amber. I’m sure she’ll be very understanding,” Nathan finally said, thinking things through.
Nathan decided maybe he should give up Amber after all. She’d only gotten to be as successful as she was because of him. What could she really bring him in the future? “It’s you I choose. Give me some time to speak to Amber, and then we’ll get married right away,” he proposed.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” Emma responded. Her words stayed calm, but inside she felt the contempt just waiting to spill out.
Lisa glanced at Emma’s scornful look and grabbed the phone back, hanging up the call. “From now on, we’re not taking any of his calls. I’m tired of him ruining the mood.”
“That’s fine with me. Let’s go back to the hotel. I’m really tired.” Back at the hotel, Lisa gave Emma a hug and said, “Get some rest and don’t worry too much about Nathan and Amber. You’ve got to be refreshed for tomorrow’s outdoor shoot, I know.” Emma nodded before closing the door.
She suddenly noticed the sound of water coming from the bathroom. “Who’s there?” she asked in a challenging tone. Was her room being cleaned at that time of night? Emma heard the water turn off but, afraid she might have entered the wrong room, quickly headed back out the door. Before she could leave, a deliciously deep voice said, “It’s me.”
Emma turned around, shocked to see Eric. “You!” she stammered before he wrapped his arms around her. “Didn’t I say there would be a miracle?” He loosened his grip, then placed a tantalizing kiss on her lips. “I was tired from my flight, so I decided to have a shower to wake me up.”
Emma’s mind was in a blur. She had no idea he was planning to show up. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “My dear wife, should I remind you I’m not wearing anything?” Emma instinctively looked down, then up again. Her face flushed. “Then go finish your shower. Will you come with me?” He picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, where he slowly undressed her and brought her into the shower. Holding her face between his hands, he went in for a passionate kiss. “Careful with my lips,” she said. “I still need to shoot an ad tomorrow.” He smirked before moving downward. “What about here or here?”
Emma trembled under his touch and soon lost all awareness of her surroundings. True to his word to wait until he had completely won her heart, he stopped short of the final step. After their thoroughly pleasant shower, they relaxed in the bedroom. Emma slowly rubbed moisturizer onto her skin while Eric reviewed the documents he had brought with him.
“It’s so late,” she said. “Do you still have to work?” Eric put down his work and motioned for Emma to come closer. When she sat down on his lap, he smiled apologetically. “It’s a habit I can stop. Am I not interesting enough for you?”
“Today, Nathan called and said he wants to marry me immediately,” Emma complained sadly.
