Ellie woke up to the sound of her blaring alarm. Her eyes flickered open, trying to adjust to the light that managed to find its way through the drapes. She grumbled as she reluctantly got up from bed, it was 6:30 am. She turned the alarm off and took a moment to breathe.

It's been two days  since she got her apartment and then there was her new job as a model . She was still trying to get used to the routine of keeping late nights. She had barely slept for days now and it was expected of her to get her beauty sleep like that was a thing she thought as she rolled her eyes.

She almost lost her job  because of her lack of enough sleep. She would be lying if she said she wasn't tired. Ellie felt like a robot being ordered around to do things and Darlene wasn't helping matters. "I swear, that girl was sent to make my life a living hell" She muttered under her breath. Anyone who said being a model was easy would be definitely lying through their teeth.

Ellie dragged herself to the bathroom and quickly washed off.  She was brushing her teeth when  her phone rang. She furiously walked over to the counter table where she had left her phone and looked at the caller ID. It was showing Tyler Jerk, she sighed and put her phone on silent Why was he calling me? . She went back to the bathroom and continued brushing her teeth.

Ellie was ready to go to work in her denim jacket and a white knee length sleeveless gown. She picked up her phone and noticed Tyler had given her 5 missed calls. was there an emergency? she asked herself. She quickly dialed Tyler's number and waited for him to answer but he didn't. She dialed his number six times and decided to give up. She had a photo shoot by 10:00 am and she wasn't going to miss it for some jerk.
    

                *            *           *         *
Ellie walked into the Star Agency building with awe. She had been working here for a few days now but the building never ceased to amaze her. The building stood there majestically like the star it was.
She immediately went to the studio to find James and Chidi preparing the stage for the shoot. She was 30 minutes early.

Thankfully, Darlene wasn't part of this shoot so she had her freedom though she was doing it with other models.

The costume team came and ushered her to the dressing room to change. They gave them lingeries to wear.

"Uhm..excuse me. What is this?"

The lady turned to glare at her "It's a lingerie"

"I know but I mean I can't wear this, it's too revealing" Ellie had forgotten to go through the shoot for today. If she had known this was what it entailed then she wouldn't have agreed but did she have a choice? This was what being a model was all about, wearing whatever they gave you but Ellie wanted to be different.

She marched to meet Chidi who was still setting the stage. "Chidi, I can't wear this, it's too revealing"

"I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do. It's part of the contract"

How come she didn't see it?

"But..."

"Sorry, but you have to."

Ellie frowned and went back to the dressing room to wear the red lingerie. Could she do this? It was against everything she believed. She was a christian  but she had to do it. Her eyes darted to a kimono and decided to put it on.

It was a black long sleeve kimono that stopped just above her knee. Though they could see through, it was better than just showing off her skin like that.

She stalked out and went to get her hair and makeup  done.

James just looked at her strangely and went back to what he was doing. That was weird Ellie though to herself. Soon she was ready for the shoot.

"What do you have on?" Chidi asked

Ellie tried to speak but nothing was coming out before James answered for her "I think it's a good idea, it complements the dress. Ellie, make sure you show a little of the lingerie" She just nodded

"Alright, let's start"

Ellie gave different pose inspired from the pose she usually see models do.

"Good, you're a natural" Chidi motioned for other models to join

"Hold her shoulder. You, make sure you look her in the eye" Chidi ordered while James took the photo.

"Good job everyone. Seems like we will be working together for quite a while" Chidi was one of the best in Star Modelling Agency, that's why he was awarded so many contracts to handle.

"Ellie!"

She was about changing when Chidi called her "Yes?"

"I will advice you to cut down on your protein, sugar and junk. You are a model now so you should start going on lots of diets and start working out. I don't like your body. Look at that fold at the back, it's not good o"
Ellie just frowned. Was he indirectly calling her fat? Though Ellie wasn't fat, she still had some fat stored at her sides

"I like food o"

"Well you have to hate it" Chidi ordered "Not like it's my job but I thought I should tell you. Can't you see Darlene?"

Ellie gasped "You want me to be like that broomstick? Hmm...me I can't o"

"I have told you my own" He warned whilst pulling his right ear.

Ellie watched as he went back to his work and hissed.

Once changed, Ellie went to the lounge to relax with her fruit juice whilst she dialed Tyler again.

"Hello" His voice rang through

"Hi, I saw your calls. Everything okay?"

"Sure. I wanted to ask you if you would be interested in accompanying me for a fashion show in Lagos on Friday, promise we will be back that same day"

Was he asking her out?

Ellie finally spoke after much thoughts "But you have a girlfriend" she pointed as a matter-of-fact.

"Yes but she is having a photo shoot that day"

"And how are you sure I don't have a photo shoot tomorrow?"

"Because you don't?" Ellie heard him sigh from the other end "If you don't want to, it's okay..."

"I will. Okay? I'm bored but wait o na because of that one na e make you give me plenty miss calls?" Tyler chuckled.

"It's tomorrow so get ready. You have a passport right?"

"Thankfully, I did bring it along"

"Bring?" Ellie forgot that Tyler didn't know she ran away from home

"Nothing. Where do we meet?"

"Meet me in my mansion"

Ellie rolled her eyes at the word 'mansion' he didn't fail to emphasize on. "Alright, I will find my way there" Then the line went dead.

She still had to go shopping for lots of things and the day after tomorrow was the ball but she didn't have a gown or a mask. She can figure that out later for now she just  wanted to enjoy her fruit juice.

She was sipping her juice when she just jolted from her chair and was slapping her head.

She had just remembered something.

"He told me he doesn't mingle with low class idiots...why didn't I use that against him? Oh God" She stumped her feet on the floor whilst grumbling and that drew people's attention. They were looking at her like a mad person but Ellie couldn't care less. "I'm going to remind him later. This thing for sweet o...chai" She grabbed her bag pack and left the lounge.

  
             *                 *                   *

The next morning, Ellie found herself in the living room of Tyler's mansion. She had brought with her, her bag back with her clothes in it and nothing more. She didn't need much.

She   admired the antiques placed on the  shelves and the murals on the ceiling.  The walls were adorned with paintings and the floor was tiled. A large chandelier was hanging from the centre of the room's ceiling  just above the ceramic-like table that was on top of an Arabic rug. She could tell from the designs.

This wasn't the main palour but it looked so grand and Ellie dreaded to see what the main places would look like. When she first came here, Tyler had ushered her through the back yard so she only got to see his room, one of the guest room, the kitchen and the dining in the kitchen which she supposed was were the maids could hangout.

She was staring at the large plasma in front of her watching some random thing while she waited for Tyler.

Tyler then showed up with a maid carrying his things outside. "You are here"

Ellie looked away from the TV to give him a stink eye "Don't tell me you didn't know" She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath "Should have stayed in my house" and that earned her a chuckle from Tyler. "Didn't want to leave anything behind"

Ellie just nodded uninterestedly "You know you can just say sorry and you won't die, right?"

Now it was Tyler's turn to roll his eyes "let's get going"

Ellie smirked when she remembered a witty comment she was meant to make back at the lounge "Tyler, I thought you don't mingle with low class idiots like me" she half asked mockingly  as she got up from where she was sitting to look him in the eyes.

Tyler flinched a little at that since he wasn't expecting her to use his word against him. "Uhm...then you were now you aren't?"

Ellie couldn't hold herself so she went into fits of laughter "Tylie" she said trying to imitate Darlene and that earned her a glare "let's be going jor" she walked out of the parlour whilst laughing, leaving a completely fazed and confused Tyler standing alone.

***
"You have a private jet?"

"If I don't, who will?" Tyler beamed not trying to hide the pride in his voice. Ellie just rolled her eyes and sighed.

She relaxed  in her new and comfy environment. She was sitting away from Tyler at the other end. She looked through the window as they took off, houses,trees,road and cars turning to tiny  pictures. She sighed delightfully at the scenery. "We will arrive Lagos in an hour and the fashion show starts in the next two hours" Tyler informed Ellie, disturbing  her from her trance.

She teared her eyes from the clouds that were now in view signalling they were far from land  to look at the fine young man seated on the other end of her left side. "I don't have what to wear"

"Don't worry about that, it's been arranged" Ellie simply nodded and turned to look at the scenery at her side once more.

***

A limo pulled to a stop in front of  the Victoria resort in Victoria Island, Lagos. A huge man in suit opened the door and stepped  aside for a dashing young man to step out as he turned around to help the lady in the car out.

Tyler watched as Ellie smoothed her gown once she came out as the door closed behind them and the limo left them standing on the red carpet. He had went for a pair of jeans coupled with a button up long sleeve as he left a few buttons unbuttoned revealing his perfectly toned chest. He felt Ellie tug at his arm seeking his attention. He figured she wanted to complain about her gown for the umpteenth time since she wore it. They had spent hours looking for the perfect summer dress for her until she finally settled for a blue gown that stopped just above her knee. It had one long sleeve as it cut across her cleavage to stop right under her arm leaving her back to be exposed. She wore a brown boot and let her hair down to cover her skin.

Tyler couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the young lady on his arm. Money really did polish people. Ellie was a beautiful girl, no doubt but she has a way of always hiding her beauty. He stared at her intently, lost in his thoughts until the paparazzi came flashing lights threatening to blind his eyes though it wasn't something he wasn't used to.

Ellie quickly dug her face into Tyler's arm to keep from the light that were blinding. She felt Tyler ushering her away from the scene to the resort. Once away from the paparazzi, Ellie brought her face from it's almost familiar hideout. She felt embarrassed for doing that to Tyler and silently offered an apology which he waved of with his hand indicating it was nothing. "I still don't feel comfortable in this dress" Ellie finally broke the uncomfortable silence they've been in since they started walking towards the rows of people seated.

Tyler ushered her into the second row of seat in front of the runway.

Ellie looked at the runway staged on the pool. She wondered how that was possible and decided she didn't care. She traced the runway round them leading to the sand close to the beach. Some people were seated there but Tyler had decided to seat here for reasons best known to him.

  Once they took their seat, Tyler leaned towards her to whisper in her ears "You look ravishing though" Ellie immediately took offence and used her hands to slap him across his right cheek. She gasped after she realized what she did "Sorry"

"What was that for?" A dumbfounded Tyler asked

"I just kind of overreacted"

"You kidding me?"

Ellie opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted when a man came on the runway signalling the start of the show. It was almost evening which means they will get to Garden City nighttime.

Once the show was over, Tyler pulled her to mingle with some of the guests and  designers which they did for another thirty minutes before Tyler said he was ready to go home after dinner.

Now they were seated in the resort's restaurant. They ordered and went over the fashion show whilst waiting for their order.

"I liked the designs. Quite unique ones there" She said "The models were skilled also"

"Your first?"

"Being in Lagos or seeing a fashion show?"

"Just the fashion show cause I know this is your first time in Lagos"

Ellie eyed Tyler from the fashion magazine she was reading whilst sipping her wine "I have seen fashion shows on TV but not life" She replied and went back to  her magazine and almost empty glass of wine.

She heard him smirk as he spoke "Figured" She couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Soon, the waiter came with their order. Ellie had ordered fried rice, with two laps of chicken, a spaghetti dish and a chocolate cake all at once. Tyler eyes widened once he saw her order. He had told her to order him steak while he went to the men's room so he hadn't had the chance to reprimand her. The waiter placed his steak in front of him and left while he kept on starring at the woman in front of him with awe

"Ellie, what's this?"

She had already buried her face in the fried rice after much contemplation on which dish to start with. She made sure to tear the chicken before she raised her head to answer him with a 'dhur' look "Food?"

"Damn, I know it's food but why this much?" Ellie ignored him and continued with her food. She wasn't going to let him spoil her mood.

"Who is even paying?" He asked again getting irritated with her attitude.

"I am" Ellie and Tyler's head shot up to the direction of the unfamiliar voice.

"Hi, I am Tunde. Tunde Adebisi. I'm a sponsor of Lagos Summer Fashion Show, 2019 and also manager of Fashion City"

"Who asked you?" Ellie turned to look at Tyler silently reprimanding him as she kicked him on the leg under the table

"What was that for?"

"Be nice" she simply said. Ellie couldn't help but notice this man who claimed to be Tunde was as proud as Tyler. Maybe Tyler needed to have a taste of his own medicine. She turned her attention to the well built man standing in front of her. "I'm Ellie Brume" She said giving him her  hand  which he took gracefully and planted a kiss on without letting his eyes off hers. Once he drooped her hand, she introduced the grouchy man by her side to Tunde "This is Tyler Xander"

Tunde smiled at Tyler "You forgot to add something" Tyler told Ellie

''No I'm sure I didn't" Ellie knew he was going to show off his successful career and decided she wasn't going to give him a chance. "Yes you did. I'm the..."

"So Mr Adebisi, how's business" She felt Tyler burning a hole at the side of her head which she chose to ignore

"Ah, good"  He said heartily

"What brings you to our table?"

He cleared his throat whilst putting his hands in his pants pocket and answered "Ellie, I must say. You took my breath away and I decided to come over and happened to hear you guys talking about who would pay the bill" Ellie looked at her plates of food and back to the man unsure of the authenticity of his words. "My offer to pay the bill still holds" he flashed a boyish grin

"I'm sure I can take care of our bills" Tyler said "thank you" the thank you sounded so forced to Ellie. "You are not needed here" The young man held his hands in surrender and left not after handling his card to Ellie and flashing her another of his  million naira watt smile.

"I hate him"

Ellie held her chest feigning surprise "you hate yourself?" She said sarcastically

Tyler rolled his eyes and watched as Ellie went back to her food " You know you shouldn't be eating this much if not you won't be able to fit any of your clothes and you won't be able to show off skin"

Ellie's eyes turned to that of hurt. You'd think growing up with an abusive mother would make her immune to verbal attacks. She was soft as ever and didn't take them lightly but she quickly dismissed it after coming up with a witty comment " Well, that's exactly what I want- not to show off skin" she stuck her tongue out and decided not to eat anymore since Tyler was right and Chidi warned her about this earlier today but she wasn't going to acknowledge the fact he was right so she decided to act as if she was intrigued with the city of Lagos.

"We have until about two hours before the flight so why not explore?"

Tyler divided his steak and looked at Ellie "Uhm..." Tyler didn't even get the chance to answer when Ellie pulled him out of his seat and the painful part was that  he didn't even get to eat his steak. He quickly brought out his wallet and footed the bill as Ellie stormed out of the restaurant and out of the resort with him at hand.

     ________________________________________

A/N:

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