Chapter twenty-five: Am Only Yours

Chapter twenty-five: Am Only Yours

Jessica

I went to lectures the next morning, tired as hell from the weekend and also because I didn't leave Janice's room until late in the night. I was trying to avoid any further confrontation from Olivia.

I hated having her up my ass so much, why couldn't she just let me leave my life. I never pried into her personal life, so why does she need to insert herself in mine? She doesn't necessarily have to know where I spent my weekend, she is not my mother after all. And again, I told her to stop hooking me up with Steven, I am not into him.

Halloween is next week, Janice and I had talked about getting costumes and having all of our friends over at Evelyn's boyfriend's house. She mentioned Connor also going to be there which I was kind of excited about but I didn't say anything.

I noticed many people whispering as I walked by, I didn't know if they were referring to me or about something else but I kept my eyes down at the ground in front of me as I walked like I usually do.

My phone buzzed in my pocket as I walked into the lecture hall, Janice's name appearing on screen.

'Come straight to my room when you are done with lectures. I have something to show you.'

I frowned but replied anyway, I went through with my lectures, bouncing my leg most of the time. I wonder why Janice texted me without any emoji or smiley faces or exclamation points. She was never serious in her message, so it was very unlike her to send me something like this.

My lectures were over, I hastily went back to my hostel and straight to Janice's room, tossing my bag aside and placing my hands on my hips.

"Okay, what is so important that you need to tell me?"

She grinned like the Cheshire cat and went to her desk, opening the drawer and pulling out a magazine showing me the cover, the cover that I was on.

"What the actual flying fuck is this?" She asked, turning the magazine to look at it herself and then back at me.

"What is…."

"No way," I finally managed to say.

I rushed over and took the magazine from her, looking at my picture and scanning over every detail. It was Jeffrey's favorite picture, my back facing the camera and I was looking over my shoulder. My hair flowed down my back in messy waves and my makeup was incredibly done. I gawked at myself and I needed to take a few minutes to comprehend the situation.

"This picture is so sexy, Jessica. Like damn, I was even turned on."

"Oh, shut up." I laughed, hitting her shoulder. I looked back at the cover and rolled my lips between my teeth.

"Wow, I really do look good."

"Did Jeffrey tell you that they would be out today?" I nodded.

"Yes, he told me on Saturday that they would be on stand this morning. Now I know why people were staring at me so much today."

"Probably because they were jealous. Are you going to do another cover?" I shrugged.

"I honestly don't know, Jeffrey and I haven't discussed it. It was kind of like a one time thing, I guess."

As if on cue, my phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket and saw Jeffrey's name on the screen.

'Stop by my office when you are done today. I have got your cheque for the shoot and also have some things to discuss.' Janice looked over at my phone and stuck her tongue out teasingly.

"Something to discuss, huh?"

"Oh, stop." I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

"Probably nothing, he is giving me my cheque for the shoot."

"Yeah and maybe a little something…. something." She winked, I hit her arms with the magazine and tossed it on her desk.

I wondered if Jeffrey was going to ask to do another shoot, I wondered if the thing he wanted to discuss was the same thing that he couldn't tell me yesterday. Either way, I was anxious to find out what it was.

"Do you mind driving me there?" She grinned widely.

"Oh my goodness, let's go! I want to meet Jeffrey and see his fancy office!"

"Okay, slow your roll there, girl." I held her in my hand to stop her from running out of the door.

"You can meet him but that is it. This has to be professional, got it?" She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Okay, fine."

We headed to his office and I already regretted my decision of asking Janice to come with me when her jaw literally dropped at the sight of Jeffrey's towering business coming into view.

"Oh my gosh, Jessica." She gasped.

"I am not worthy enough to even look at that building."

"It is pretty fancy." I muttered.

"Just park right there."

We pulled into a vacant space. As we walked in, her confidence seemed to fly out the window and she followed me like a lost puppy. I swiped my key in the elevator to take us to Jeffrey's floor and she was still gasping at the interior of the lift.

"This elevator probably costs more than my entire college tuition." She was running her fingers down the golden trim.

"Are you sure you can't swipe me a handbag? I am sure he won't miss it…."

"Stop, Janice." I chuckled.

"I am not getting you a handbag. Maybe with this cheque, I will buy you a cool gift though."

"I would be forever in your debt." I rolled my eyes.

The elevator opened, revealing Jeffrey's bustling office. Juliet smiled at me and gave a somewhat questioning look to Janice before speaking.

"Hello, Miss Silver. Are you here to see Jeffrey?" I nodded.

"Yes, could you let him know I am here?"

"Of course," she tapped on the keys on her desk phone. His voice cracked through the receiver.

"Yes, Juliet?"

"Miss Silver is here to see you."

"I will be out in a moment."

She mentioned for me to just sit tight and look over at Janice. She had her bottom lip tucked between her teeth and she was bouncing like she had to use the restroom.

"Nervous?" I asked, she nodded hastily.

"I am meeting a blessed god, Jess. I am nervous as hell."

"Please don't call him that to his face." She shrugged and her eyes widened at something behind me.

"I won't, I promise."

I turned to follow her gaza and my eyes landed on Jeffrey as he was exiting his office. He was wearing a navy blue shirt with a couple of the top bottom undone and black trousers that were fitted to his legs, making him look even more intimidating as he approached us.

"Hello, Jessica." He nodded to me, I knew the only reason he was staying professional was because Janice was with me.

"Hi, Jeffrey." I smiled.

He pressed his lips together and his hands behind his back.

"This is Janice, my best friend. She has been wanting to meet you." His eyes flicked from her to me and he gave me a slightly questioning look but I shrugged and grinned. But excited Janice extended her hand to him.

"It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Craig. I am a big fan of your collection." He took her hand in his and shook firmly, sending her a comforting smile.

"Pleasure to meet you, Janice and please call me Jeffrey."

"You wanted to discuss some things?" I asked him as he dropped her hand and he nodded.

"Yes, your cheque is here for the photoshoot and I was going to talk to you about another project approaching."

"Sounds good," I nodded and then turned to Janice.

"It shouldn't be long, do you want to just wait here?"

"Actually," Jeffrey interjected.

"Juliet can give you a tour of the company if you would like."

"Really?" She gasped.

"I mean, I don't want to take time out of anyone's busy schedule."

"Nonsense, it is fine. Juliet, will you take this young woman on the company tour while I meet with Miss Silver?"

"Yes, of course sir." She obliged, standing up from her seat and taking Janice down the hall. I looked at Jeffrey in surprise.

"There is a tour?" He shrugged.

"Sometimes, only when I am feeling nice."

"Well, that was very kind of you."

We walked into his office, it felt like forever since I had been here but it was probably only a week ago.

"She was very excited to meet you."

"So….she knows?"

"No! I mean no, well she knows but she has been keeping it a secret." He understood.

"Here is your cheque." He handed me a cheque with more money than I would have ever expected.

"And here is your copy." He handed me the magazine cover and folded his hands on his desk, smiling proudly.

"Thank you," I breathed, taking it all.

This was an amazing opportunity, a little overwhelming but definitely worth it.

"No need to thank me but I would love to have you do this again." He shuffled through his papers.

"Would you be willing to do a modeling shoot for Vanity Fair?"

"Vanity Fair?" I repeated, my jaw nearly to the floor.

"Yes, you would be modeling with one of my good friends, Leonard. It is like a wintery-grunge type of Photoshoot. They are looking for who would be interested?" I nodded faster, I couldn't comprehend what he was saying.

"Yes, I love to."

"That's lovely, Pumpkin. I will let them know, the shoot will be this Saturday, is that conflicting at all?"

I thought for a moment, Janice and I would be having our Halloween party that night.

"Is it in the morning?" He shrugged and nodded.

"Mid-morning to early afternoon. You wouldn't be here too late, but why do you ask?"

"Janice and I planned on having a Halloween party and inviting some friends over for the night party."

"You are not inviting that boy, are you?" He raised an eyebrow, I could feel the tension rising in the room. I quickly shook my head.

"No, of course not. He is not a friend, my roommate just keeps trying to get us together."

"It is not Janice doing that, right?" I shook my head.

"It is not her, it is my roommate, Olivia. You probably wouldn't like her."

"I already don't, considering she keeps trying to set you up with a dickhead."

"Relax," his fist already clenched at his desktop.

"I promise he won't be there and remember. I am yours and only yours."