ARIA POV
While I silently stared through Roman's unshakable expression, confusion washed me all over. "How, baby, please explain more," and it came out as an almost pleading inquiry; he wouldn't honor me enough with an explanation of why he was being so stubborn. One of my wildest dreams as a model was to sign a contract with the Gali Fashion Industry, but I did not understand what warranted Roman's objection to that.
"I don't want you to get hurt," Roman said, in a firm tone, but the words had concerned yet coiling roots. "The fashion industry can be ruthless, and I don't want you in that," he paused, gazing deeply into my eyes. "I have seen what people can become, the pressure, the worst scrutiny. You deserve better than that."
However, I have developed a way to take care of myself.
