"Yes Ellie. You are not dreaming. Now sign the papers, I've got things to do" She picked a pen on top of the oak desk and signed the contract after going through it.

"Oh my God. Thank you so much" Tyler then hissed.

"Why are you hissing? Do you know men are not supposed to hiss?" Tyler looked up from the papers he had just decided to go through.

"Oh really?" He asked feigning surprise "Well do you also know that I don't care?".

Ellie was taken aback for a while but came around quickly. He sure knew how to annoy the hell out of her. " Someone is being grumpy" Tyler rolled his eyes at that

"Can you like put me through all this so that I can have lunch or should I say dinner" Tired, she huffed. Everything had happened so fast for her brain to process.

"Meet Sophie, my secretary. She would put you through" Ellie sighed and got up from her seat ready to leave. "Can I like go eat first. I am starved" She said with a frown.

"Whatever. I don't care" Tyler then dialed a number on his office line and shooed her to leave his office. Ellie rolled her eyes and left his office more than determined to not let anyone come between her and the food if not she was going to eat them alive.

* * *

There was one thing Darlene hated most in her life and that was interrupting her perfect evening. She had just got a call from the Agency asking her to come over to discuss about the breaching of the contract but they had assured her that no one not even a stupid janitor was going to take her place. So why is that a problem now? She had slept with directors, managers, etc so that the breaching of contract won't be a problem anymore.

She would have to think of a useful excuse as to why she came late or rather didn't come for her photo shoot since the janitor literally did the whole shoot. Darlene entered the Agency building and gave her manager a call to meet her in the small conference room since that's where they were going to meet. "Alright, but I don't know why. I just hope it's not serious". She said to Uju, her manager.

"Don't worry. I will be there in a giffy. Calm down" Darlene rolled her eyes "You've been telling me that since Nineteen ninety-nine. I just ho..." She stopped mid-sentence.

What she had just seen made her dumbfounded, her mouth suddenly dry. "Is everything okay?" A concerned Uju asked from the other end.

"No, I will call you back later."

"Wha..." Darlene cut the call not giving her the chance to complete her question. She walked angrily aiming at where her target was coming from. "You" she cried out with hatred.

Ellie made sure to give her a confused look cause indeed she was confused then decided to ignore her cause she was famished and didn't have the strength to face anyone. "Hey you. I am talking to you abi u don deaf?" Darlene dragged her back by pulling her arms. Ellie yanked her arms free from Darlene's grasp.

"Leave me alone now" She managed to say through gritted teeth. She was already starting to boil with anger. She figured she would just have to listen to what Darlene had to say and get her over with. "What?"

"You were the one who replaced me the day I came late. How dare you?"

Ellie looked at her surprised for a minute then laughed hysterically. "What? Are you asking me that? You stopped me to ask me that? Wow" She took deep breaths trying to subside the anger. "I wasn't the one who came late, was I? You know what? Tyler was right about you. You are so unserious with everything and you expect everyone to like you?" She pointed out rhetorically. Darlene's eyes were showing her shock and embarrassment "What?" She managed to say.

"Let me finish" Ellie snapped "Many would give anything to be where you are but you act as if it's chinchin. Now you've made a mistake, you are supposed to take responsibilities for your actions but no, you just have to come here and blame me for your irresponsibility." Ellie shook her head in disgust "I have better things to do. Excuse me" She was about leaving before Darlene stepped between her and the exit.

"You are now a model shey and you now feel high and mighty. Well Missy, I'd say enjoy it while it lasts. It would have been better if you had shut your mouth but no, you felt too big and that made you an enemy." She gave a devilish grin and continued "You would pay for this, that I promise you"

Ellie scoffed "I know right? The truth hurts really bad" She mocked as she played with Darlene's hair. Darlene slapped her hand from her hair. "I have better things to do like eat. If you stop me ehn...swear down, you won't like it" Ellie walked away from her surprised at her outburst. She really did put that girl in her place. Thinking about it now, she was wrong. Tyler and Darlene didn't match although they had a degrees in looking down on people. Tyler was kind and Darlene...she wasn't sure that one had a heart. She was sure they would both kill themselves if they were locked in a room for a little over a minute.

Ellie silently laughed at the thought of that. After dinner, she would go late shopping and pack her things to her new apartment.

But I'm a model now wouldn't that mean enough salary. "They haven't paid me yet"
So she was going to earn enough and move to a better house.

* * *

Darlene just stood there and watched her walk out of the building. She turned on her heels still surprised that a cleaner talked to her like that and she couldn't do anything. She walked to the conference room and knocked. Though it was open, she didn't want to cause more trouble than she was already in. She was so nervous. What could be waiting for her in there?

Sleeping with another man might not help her. That's what she has been doing to get to the top. Not like she was not good in what she does, but she lacked confidence in her self.

That's why she was so mean. Now, all that could change and she could become a nobody. "Come in" Came the reply from inside the room. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her black pencil skirt and let herself in. Uju had better come quick

* * *

Ellie had packed all her stuffs to her new apartment and went household shopping after dinner. She didn't have much things, just her luggage and her handbag. She also would go clothes shopping since she didn't take much of her things from home with her. She got settled in the apartment after doing a little sanitation. She would have to set a day specially to do a proper one. She walked to the couch and sat on it. She was very tired. Tomorrow would be very promising for her.

* * *
Ellie got down from the black limousine dressed in a shiny off shoulder floor length gown. She wore a silver open toe heels with straps to match it as she let her hair down.

Ellie was going for a fashion week in New York. She had just walked two feet away from the limousine when swamps of reporters came flashing lights and asking her so many questions. She had not wanted to do this, but Tyler had forced her saying it was good for publicity and was put on the next flight to New York. A woman in suit put a microphone to her mouth and asked "We've not heard anything from or about your parents, are you an orphan?" That shocked her. They've asked her so many silly, unreasonable and unnecessary questions but this, she never expected.

"Please answer"
"Miss Ellie! Ellie!"

Ellie's mouth suddenly went dry. Everywhere started spinning and she had to hold something to keep from falling but her knees betrayed her and she fell to the floor. She bowed her head in shame while the reporters took her pictures.

She jolted from her couch in fear and realized it was just a dream. She was clearly nervous about what tomorrow had in store for her.

"Nanana...lalala....pick me up. Pick me up..." That was her phone ringing.

She then figured she woke up because of her phone that just rang.

She picked the phone from where she had left it on top of the centre table. She checked her phone to see three calls from an unknown number

"Who is this?" She said to herself trying to figure out the owner of the number but decided to call back cause she wasn't going to find out if she just kept on wondering.

She dialed the number and the voice she heard next shocked her. Why was he calling her by this time? She thought to herself. "Hey, Ellie" Tyler greeted

"What do you want?" The irritation and anger evident in her voice as she made no effort to hide it. He had just interrupted her beauty sleep.

"Where are you?"

"Why do you want to know?" Confusion etched in her voice.

"I want to discuss work"

"Work? At my house? By this time? Seriously? You don see mumu shey? You've got to come up with a better excuse than that" She said with irritation and disbelief. This guy is not serious

There was no way Ellie was giving him her address .

*Thirty minutes later*

The door bell rang and Ellie quickly got up from the couch to get the door" Took you long enough"

Tyler smirked "So you were eagerly waiting for me?" It sounded more like a statement than a question. Ellie rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her after letting Tyler in.

Tyler inspected the apartment and wriggled his nose. "This apartment is so small and disgusting. It is no better than the streets" He announced with clear disgust.

Ellie was ready to prepare a comeback but was too tired to argue with him at the moment, so she ignored him instead. Although he was right, the apartment was small compared to his mansion and it was dirty though she had done a little sanitation. If he was complaining now, then Ellie didn't want to imagine what he would have done if he had seen the place the way she met it.

"So what is the big fuss all about?"

Tyler, still examining the place spoke "I told you. It's work"

Ellie just stood there and stared at him "Seriously?"

"Oh stop that" He said angrily. She was asking way too many questions and it was starting to get on his nerves.

"Why couldn't you just wait till tomorrow?"

"We'll be having our welcome party on Saturday evening and so I thought I should inform you before then" Tyler face palmed himself in frustration.

Ellie chuckled silently at his reaction. She was getting under his skin. He had disturbed her sleep so she had to frustrate him.

She walked to the couch to sit down and Tyler followed suite."Well, I couldn't wait cause it's important." She rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. She thought she was having a habit of rolling eyes all because of this man.

"Okay. Do you want something to eat or drink?"

"No, it's late and besides I already had dinner" He said rather too rude.

"Alright then, let's go straight to business." Soon enough they were engrossed in business. Tyler had filled her in on everything he knew about being a model. He also filled her in on the contract she had signed that she should never breech the contract like Darlene.

"So what happened to Darlene?" Ellie asked Tyler.

"Well, she came up with a good excuse for breaching the contract. She said she had an accident on her way to the photo shoot' Ellie stared at Tyler in surprise " And you guys believe that one?"

"Yes, they believed that. She had medical reports and witnesses."

Ellie just shook her head in surprise "What was she even doing that made her come late for her photo shoot?"

"Well, she over slept because she was clubbing all night" Tyler refused to tell Ellie they 'they' actually went clubbing. He thought the lesser the people who knew, the better. He did not want to ruin his reputation any further.

Tyler decided to change the topic about Darlene. "We'll be having our masquerade ball on Saturday evening and so I thought I should inform you before then"

Ellie only muttered "Oh" There was going to be a welcome party on Saturday and it sounded like fun to Ellie except she didn't have what to wear. She has never been to a ball before and it sounded like where elites go to and she wasn't one. What was she going to do?

"Earth to Ellie, Earth to Ellie" Ellie snapped out of her reverie and gave Tyler a toothy grin. " Why are you giving me that look?" Tyler asked confused

"I might have a small problem and I want you to help me" she said with a sly expression. "uhm...okay?"

"I don't know the first thing about parties." Tyler snorted "Don't state the obvious. You don't look like one. What are you?"

Ellie glared at him "Please let me finish" Tyler nodded his head

"I want you to whip me up about it and obviously it's a party so there would be dancing. I want you to teach me how to dance" She looked at him with zest.

Tyler just sat there and said nothing as if he was thinking of a response. "Tyler, it's just a dance. I promise I won't bite" she said mockingly.

Tyler sighed in defeat and got up from the couch"touche"

Ellie picked her phone to play a song. Soon perfect by Ed Sheeran could be heard in the background. She put the phone on top of the table and walked to where Tyler was standing. Tyler took her hand in his and guided hers to the crook of his neck, he then put his hand at the small of her back. They swayed slowly to the music silently lost in their thoughts. They weren't actually dancing, they were just enjoying the moment of each others company. No worries about tomorrow, no worries about life or anything just them.

Minutes later the music stopped and Tyler stepped away from Ellie but her eyes held so much more. Sadness? he asked himself. It was as if she did not want to let him go but then again it was gone. He was now starring at still brown eyes with no expression.

He cleared his throat to speak "I will be going now, it's pretty late" Ellie played with her nails, it was suddenly so interesting to look at. She didn't want to make eye contact with him so she kept her eyes on her nails "Alright. See you tomorrow"

She escorted him outside the building and watched him drive into the cold night in his Range Rover. She sighed and walked back to her apartment. Once she was in she went straight to her bed and plopped on it lazily. It was 10pm and she had to wake up early to start her new job and to submit her resignation letter. So much to do. she thought in frustration.

* * * *

Darlene was in front of a show light mirror getting prepped up for her photo shoot for 'Sasha Clothing line'. She had come up with an excuse that she met with an accident and she even got medical reports and witness. Oh God, I am such a genius. She thought to herself. Everything had gone as planned and they even signed a new contract. Uju was really a good manager.

"Darlene? We'll start in 10 minutes" a lady from the crew came to inform her. "Okay" came the Curt reply. Darlene walked out of her dressing room to the scene of the photo shoot. It was an outdoor photo shoot with flowers everywhere with the setting being nature.

She walked into the garden and let the cool breeze hit her face. She inhaled deeply. This is surely the life, no one to steal her career just herself annoying life. A small smile was tugged at both corner of her lips. She closed her eyes for a moment then opened it.

The smile wiped off her face once she saw who was in her front. It was Ellie. "What on earth is she doing here? " She asked furiously.

She strode angrily to meet Ellie. Ellie's face held surprise as if she wasn't expecting her. Had they deceived them? Darlene thought. "Why are you here? " She demanded.

"You tell me. What are you doing here?" Darlene rolled her eyes. "Can someone tell me what's going on here? Why is she here on my scene?"

Just then Chidi Madu walked into the scene "I will tell you what is going on. Two of you will be modelling for the same clothing line and besides there are other things to model for apart from this"

"Exactly. So why put us together?" Darlene asked with irritation "And why are you just telling me this?"

"Please, Darlene. We can discuss that later, we have to start work." He smiled "Thank you. If you'll excuse me" He left to get ready for the photo shoot. Darlene turned to Ellie "I am stuck with you" She glared "For now" She added.

What did she mean by that? Ellie asked herself. "I am not scared of you Darlene." She spat and left her alone to her thoughts. Darlene had no choice but to work with her for the day. She was going to rectify the problem.

* * * *

The photo shoot had gone rather well, Darlene had been cooperative. Ellie trusted that she was as ready to get the photo shoot over with as she was.

She swore she couldn't stand that girl. Hopefully this would be their last photo shoot. She would have to discuss with Chidi later. Right now she was going to madam Ani's office to submit her resignation letter.

Ellie knocked on her office door with her resignation letter in hand and waited for a reply before letting herself in. "Good morning Madam Ani"

Madam Ani looked up from her laptop "Morning Ellie. Hold on" She clicked her fingers on the keyboard for some minute before drawing her attention away from her laptop" So what brings you here? I have being seeing your face in my office too often. You must be getting fond of it" Madam Ani motioned for Ellie to take a seat in front of her desk.

Ellie took a seat and started "Madam Ani, I will just go straight to the point"

Madam Ani motioned for her to continue "I have come to submit my resignation letter" She handed the letter to Madam Ani. She took the letter and looked at it thoughtfully "Why if I may ask?"

Ellie cleared her throat "Madam Ani, I am a model now. That was what I wanted to be before well some things happened and I had to take this job" she said motioning to nothing in particular "And now I have a chance to be one. So I have to quit" She added

"Alright, I accept it. I knew this day would come." She smiled

"Madam, it has been an honour working with you. Trust me. Don't think I am bailing out because... " Madam Ani laughed cutting Ellie off guard confused as to why she was laughing. " You are just saying that to make me feel better. Don't worry, I understand. Who wouldn't jump at a great opportunity like this?" She asked rhetorically. Ellie just smiled "Thank you Madam Ani for your understanding."

Madam Ani shook her head "No, you won't call me that again since you are not working here anymore"

"Even if I become the President of the United States, I would still call you Madam Ani" She said with all seriousness
Madam Ani just smiled "I know these people Ellie, they would do anything for fame and fortune. So I'd always advice you to be brave, don't be weak and don't follow in their footsteps" She pointed out "You are always welcome to come back to work here my child. I know the road wouldn't be an easy one and you might need someone to lean on but always remember God would never leave you."

Ellie opened her mouth to speak but was caught off by Madam Ani "I know the outcome of this. I know how those people upstairs think and I know what models can do to be at the top. I am only looking after you as I would my own child. I don't know I just feel the need to protect you. You remind me so much of my daughter"

Ellie only stared at her "It's okay, you can leave now" Ellie got up to leave "Thank you Madam Ani"

"Don't mention it"

Ellie got out of the office and shut the door behind her. Madam Ani was really acting strange. So she has a daughter? "I would have to find out about her"

_____________________________________________

A/N: Don't forget to leave a comment, vote and share. Also, I want to know what you like and dislike about this book.

Thanks guys... 💖 God bless y'all ✌️