Chapter 6 Are You Stalking Me?
1273 Words
"This is Ms. Kate Hastings," Ryan introduced, "Ms. Hastings, meet Mr. Maximilian Lockwood, the CEO of Lockwood Group. Please keep this collaboration a secret."
"I see." Kate nodded.
"Nice to meet you," Maximilian said while extending his hand. His fingers were long with prominent joints.
Kate took his hand, surprised by its unexpected warmth, and she noticed a thin layer of calluses on his fingers.
She couldn't help but think, 'Interesting, this guy's not that simple.'
Kate had already changed into her outfit, and Maximilian went off to change into his.
He was built like a natural model with a perfect frame, and the white suit he wore made him look even more refined and elegant.
The photographer was satisfied with their looks, but he was a little worried about how the shoot would go, especially if the atmosphere got awkward between them.
However, it seemed like his concern was useless.
"Perfect! That's it!"
"Oh my god, Kate, you've got the angles down! You look amazing!"
"Wow, every shot is just... wow! You're killing it!"
The photographer thought, 'Who said Kate didn't have a sense for the camera? That's totally nonsense! She's a total pro and turns every frame into a masterpiece.'
The photographer was practically in heaven, and he demanded, "Can you get a little closer? After all, you're wearing matching outfits. Maybe hold hands and a little hug?"
Kate glanced up at Maximilian, hesitating for a second. Without a word, he gently took her hand in his, his warm palm sending a faint shiver all over her body.
Kate was at a loss for a short moment, yet she soon shook it off.
She had worked with so many people and done countless shoots, and she never got distracted like this before. She told herself to focus.
She turned around and reached up to softly stroke his jaw while locking eyes with him. The moment felt surreal, like a scene from a painting.
Maximilian wrapped his arm around Kate's waist, his fingers lightly brushing her back.
She was so slender that he could almost encircle her with just one hand.
He frowned and thought, 'Is she really this thin?'
Then, just as Kate laid her head against his chest, the scent of fresh grass from her shampoo filled the air, and something strange happened. He found himself lost in the moment.
Unlike the pungent perfumes most women wore, her fragrance was soothing and comforting.
Ryan, standing off to the side with the photographer, was nearly jumping for joy.
But while the photographer was elated by the shots, Ryan was stunned by Maximilian's tolerance. That man, who was known for his obsessive cleanliness, actually allowed Kate to get this close to him!
Usually, any woman who tried to get near him would immediately be blocked by his bodyguards.
Ryan thought, 'Does Maximilian... make such a big sacrifice for my career? Oh my, I'm so touched. Maximilian is a real stand-up guy!'
The shoot went smoothly and wrapped up quickly.
"Ms. Hastings, Mr. Lockwood, you were amazing! Once the final cuts are ready, I'll send them over to you," the photographer said, practically glowing with excitement.
"Thanks." Kate smiled, her charm undeniable.
The photographer nodded, and his impression of Kate skyrocketed. He realized the rumors about Kate before were all nonsense. She was born a perfect model, and she was very friendly.
"You did great," Maximilian said in his low, steady voice.
Kate was a little surprised to hear his compliment. She replied, "Well, in this industry, I have to keep improving myself. Thanks for helping out today, Mr. Lockwood."
"Mr. Lockwood?" Maximilian raised his eyebrows with a faint smile.
Kate froze for a second and thought in confusion, 'Wait... am I not supposed to call him that?'
Ryan approached them with a grin. "Maximilian, thanks so much! I'll treat you to lunch. Ms. Hastings, would you like to join us?"
Kate shook her head and replied, "Thanks, but I'll leave the time for you."
"Come on, you've done great today. I really want you to join us," Ryan insisted.
Kate didn't want to hurt Ryan's feelings, so she agreed.
The big shots always went to top-tier restaurants.
Kate couldn't help but marvel at the golden, opulent private room they were taken to. It was a restaurant where even money couldn't get others in, but Ryan and Maximilian just came without reservation, and they got a VIP room.
She thought about her past life, how hard she had worked to even scrape the bottom rung of this kind of society. For people like them, it was just another Tuesday.
When they were making orders, Kate excused herself to use the restroom.
As she passed the elevator, someone called out to her. "Kate?"
Kate looked up and saw the familiar faces of David and Fiona. She thought, 'Gosh, what a small world!'
She didn't bother with them, but David immediately walked up. "Kate, are you seriously stalking me? How shameless!"
"Stalking you?" Kate let out a chuckle and retorted, "Who do you think you are? You're really not worth my time."
Fiona was shocked to hear Kate speak to her crush like that.
"Kate, I know you like David, but he only has eyes for me," Fiona said and put on her innocent act. "Since you're already here, I can treat you to lunch, but you'll have to sit in the main hall. Don't interrupt me and David."
"Two assholes are perfect for each other. I hope you stay together forever and stop ruining other people's lives!" Kate said coolly.
David rolled his eyes and snorted. "Kate, stop pretending. If you're not stalking me, then what are you doing here? This place is not just expensive, you know. You can't even get in without a reservation, and we had to book this table a week in advance. Fiona is kind enough to invite you to lunch, and you still don't appreciate it?"
"Thanks, but no need. You guys are making my appetite missing." Kate shot them a glance before turning toward the VIP room.
Seeing that Kate was walking toward the VIP rooms, David couldn't help but laugh. "Hey, you're such a country bumpkin. You don't even know how to fake it. Do you know what those rooms are? Those are for VIPs. You might've gotten in, but you think you can eat in there? Hell, I don't even have that kind of access!"
Fiona laughed too. She almost felt embarrassed for Kate.
Kate made her way to the VIP room, opened the door, and stepped inside.
"That's ridiculous! She still won't stop pretending, huh? Let's wait and see. She'll be thrown out soon." David sneered.
Five minutes passed, and Kate hadn't been kicked out.
Fiona frowned and asked, "Is no one even in there?"
David snapped his fingers and said, "I know what's going on. Kate must have checked it out beforehand. The room's empty. She's just trying to look important. This country bumpkin is so ridiculous. I'm getting her exposed right now!"
David stormed over, but a waiter stopped him. "Excuse me, sir, are you a guest here?"
"There's no one in there, is there?" David asked.
The waiter replied, "There are guests dining inside, sir. If you're not a guest here, I'm afraid you'll need to leave."
David's face clouded as he asked, "Then how could that woman get in?"
"That's our guest," the waiter replied.
David stood there, frozen.
He wondered in confusion, 'Kate is the guest in the VIP room? How the hell does she get in there? I can't even get a seat in there, but she does?'
- Writer
