Brian drove her to the agency the next day. He didn't like it but then again it wasn't up to him. Maggie had been right when she'd told him that it was her life and that she could do whatever she wanted. At first, he had been shocked by that statement. But then she realized that he couldn't stop her. It was her decision to live her life the way she wanted.

That didn't mean he liked it. In fact, he hated that she wanted to become a model. That job was all about looks. Ever since Abby started working at RS, she had been obsessed with how she looked, what she ate, the kind of clothes she wore, the people she associated herself with. It was a never-ending cycle he didn't want Maggie to go through. He'd hoped that she would want to finish school, get a job then settle down. With him.

Being a model was full time. There was also the fact that when she became famous -and he had no doubt she would succeed - she'd start traveling. When would she have time for him or their kids? Because that's what he wanted. To marry her and start a family. He couldn't do that if she was busy going to fashion shows in London or Paris. But he didn't have a say in whatever she chose as her career. His only hope was that he would be able to persuade her to drop it.

If she saw how hectic it was, then maybe she would change her mind. As they entered the building, Brian couldn't help resenting Maggie's excitement. She hadn't stopped smiling ever since he'd picked her up. Her nonstop chatter about how happy she was grated on his nerves all the way to the agency. It was so selfish of him to not want her to succeed but that was how he felt. Deep down he was scared that this job would open a whole lot of opportunities for her and expose to a world she didn't know.

What if she found another man who was better than him? So far she'd only known him. Apart from her brother, he was the only person she trusted. What would happen when other men started noticing her? She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and he was possessive of her. That didn't mean she couldn't be persuaded by other men. He'd had his share of women. He already had all the experience he needed and wanted to settle down. Maggie, on the other hand, she was just maturing. Finding out the things she liked and disliked. In the future, if she decided she didn't like him anymore then how would he take it?

"Brian, are you still mad at me?" she asked pulling on his hand. Since he wasn't in the mood to talk he shook his head no. But Maggie wasn't one to be deterred by his bad mood. "I'm sorry. I promise I won't listen to everything Janet says."

"It's okay. You are right. It's your life and you can do whatever you want with it"

"But I don't want to make you angry"

"I'm not angry Maggie"

"You're lying. When you come to see me you're always happy but today you didn't even hug me"

"My mind is somewhere else. I have exams coming up soon and that's why I'm a little distracted" which was true. But he wasn't worried about his studies. Never had been. He just had this feeling that this job would change Maggie. And not in a good way. If she wanted to work, why wouldn't she let him find something that was suitable for her? 

"There you are. I've been eagerly waiting for you" Nigel said the second the elevator doors opened.

"Nigel," Brian replied in a tight voice.

"Like always, it's good to see you, Brian. How are you?"

"Not happy that you went behind my back and offered Maggie a job even though I specifically told you that she was off limits. What the hell man?"

"I remember. But you have to understand that I couldn't let her go without trying. She's perfect, every other agency out there is going to want her and designers would kill to have her model for them. If you were me would you sit back and let someone else have her"

"No. But I would respect my friend's wishes. You could have at least come to me first. Why corner her? And don't tell me it was a coincidence that you bumped into her because we both know it wasn't"

"I get that you're angry but this is my job. I see someone with potential and I don't stop until I get them. Maggie will be great at this. I don't even know why you're worried"

"Brian, you said you weren't mad," Maggie said cutting their argument short. He sighed then turned to leave. There was no use in arguing with Nigel. He'd offered Maggie a job and she had accepted. Plain and simple.

"I'll come to pick you up in the evening. Don't leave with anyone. Okay?"

"Yes," he gave her a thousand shillings for lunch then left. It was easy to convince himself that he didn't want her to be a model because he hated change but that was not it. Like Nigel had said, Maggie was going to be great. What worried him was whether he would have a place in her life after she had made it.

Would she still want to be his girlfriend?

---------------------

"Maggie, let's go. I'll explain how everything works while I show you around"

"Okay"

"Rule number one, everyone here gets an equal opportunity to prove their capability"

"Meaning?" Maggie asked looking at the decor. There was a woman sitting behind a large desk who smiled at them as they were passing and opposite her, there was a large L shaped sofa. On it was a few women flipping through magazines.

"You're selected according to your talent. There are some who are really good at commercial modeling than the runway. Others do well in photoshoots but can't perform when it's time to talk" at her confused expression Nigel explained further "What I mean is that no one is good at everything Maggie. Hence the reason you see so many girls around. My secretary likes to joke that we have all kinds of flavors. I'm just wondering where you'll fit in"

"I can do anything. Just tell me how to do it and I promise I won't let you down"

"I like your attitude. If you continue like that, you'll go far Maggie"

"So where do I start?"

"Headshots. Come this way" he led her to a room filled with lights and cameras. In the middle of the he room, there was a man sitting in front of a computer going through a bunch of photos. In front of him, a white curtain hung down from somewhere in the ceiling and there was a chair beside it. "Felix, this is our newest addition. Let's get some headshots of her just as she is. No makeup or anything"

"Yes, sir. How many shots does she get?" Felix asked getting his camera ready.

"Fifteen. Let's see how she does"

"Cool" turning to Maggie he pointed towards a high legged stool "Just sit there and look at me. Straighten your back please"

"What do you mean?" shaking his head, Felix put his camera on the table and showed her how he wanted her to sit. An hour went pretty fast after that. So much so that Felix forgot he was supposed to only take fifteen shots. He had Maggie let her hair down, gave her a few instructions on what to do then clicked the photos away. If it weren't for Abby's interruption, he wouldn't have stopped.

"Oh hi, Abby. Are you here to take photos with me?" Maggie asked jumping down from the chair.

"As if" Abby muttered to herself then turned to Felix "What's the verdict?"

"She's good. I might have taken more photos than Nigel asked me to. I kind of got carried away" Felix said flipping through the photos he'd taken. Abby moved to stand behind him, looking at how Maggie did. To be honest, this low life was really good. Even better than her when she started out. Her posture, natural beauty, and even smooth skin were photogenic. If this was how she was without any experience, how would she be after training?

She already had competition from Sheila. That bitch was a pain in the ass who found ways to fight with Abby over everything. She was also good, almost as good as her. If they added Maggie to the mix then she had no chance. Being a supermodel was her dream. No. She wasn't going to let anyone take that away from her. Especially this stupid idiot. Hurrying out of the studio, she went to the main room. Most of the girls were practicing their walk on the raised flat platform that acted as their runway.

"Okay everyone, listen up" she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention "There is a new girl and if you want to continue being friends with me then you will avoid her. Don't help her or even talk to her. Am I making myself clear?"

"Why? Are you threatened that she'll take away your crown Abby dear?" Sheila asked leaning on the door.

"I wasn't talking to you"

"You weren't talking to anyone specific either," she said walking into the room "If all of you want this witch's reign to be over then I suggest you be kind to this new girl. If our Abby is scared of her then it can only mean one thing. She's good and if she's better than Abby then why not help her? Surely she can't be as bad as our princess here. Can she?"

"Listen here, you bitch...."

"Abby, you left before I could greet you," Maggie said cutting her short. Oblivious to the tension between the girls, she walked towards them saying "How are you? I'm glad that from today we'll be working together and you can help me with things I don't understand"

"You must be the new girl. Hello, my name is Sheila"

"And I'm Maggie," she said extending her hand. Sheila shook it then turned to the other girls.

"Everyone, this is Maggie and she's new here. Forget about what Abby said and be nice to her. After all, we women have to stick together and help each other. Right?" Sheila asked sarcastically looking at Abby.

At that moment, Abby had never hated anyone more. All the other girls listened to Sheila and came forward to greet Maggie. Sick to her stomach because of how everyone treated Maggie, Abby stomped out. She couldn't believe that all those girls were taking Maggie and Sheila's side. How could they? She thought of some of them as her friends. Who would you call your friend in there? Her inner voice asked. The answer was no one. Aside from Drew, she didn't have any friends. At the agency, all she did was concentrate on her work. She didn't want to make any friends because she thought that she didn't need them. After all, she would soon be leaving to model in America.

There was that Nivea contract that she had been eyeing for months now. If she got it then she would be able to leave and work outside the country. So why did she need friends? Screw all of them. She was going to concentrate on that contract. It would be cool if she signed it together with Drew so they could tour the world together. The sooner she could leave the agency, the better it would be. Abby didn't know if she could stand Maggie any longer. That girl was annoying. Always following her around. Now she had to share her workplace too. Wasn't Brian enough?

--------------

In the other room, Nigel discussed the contract with Felix, unaware that someone was on the other side of the door eavesdropping. Since he was their photographer, he knew all the girl's weaknesses and strengths. "So? How did she do?"

"Perfect" Felix answered beaming "I didn't do anything with her. Just asked her to turn her head this way and that way and her headshots came out perfectly. I honestly can't wait to work with her"

"Excited, are we?" Nigel asked rolling his eyes.

"My excitement has to mean something. I'm serious man, that girl is going to be a star"

"I know that. I don't just hire just anyone. But that is not why I called you here. I want to know if you've found the candidates for the Nivea ad"

"If you had asked me that yesterday I would have suggested Irene and Sheila or Purity and Rita"

"And today?" judging from the way his eyes lit up, Nigel knew Felix had found the perfect candidate.

"Maggie and Sheila. They're good together. Their complexions complement each other and their heights are exactly what Nivea needs"

"Maggie the new girl? You can't be serious. She just got here and I'm pretty sure she doesn't know how to walk in heels let alone on the runway"

"This is not a fashion show and she doesn't need heels. I'm sure the director of this and can put her in flat shoes or something comfortable. Trust me, Nigel, this girl is going to make us a lot of money and take us to the next level"

"Which is?"

"International modeling. Can you imagine the likes of Carolina Herrera asking us for girls in their shows?"

"Mmm... What about Abby? We've always given her our top jobs"

"She's not that good. Besides, the only she gets these jobs is because of Drew. Together, they're the dream team. Apart, Abby is just a bland, ordinary girl. She would be my last choice"

Nigel winced. They both knew that the only reason Abby was still there was because of her background. Her father was a very powerful man who could close down their agency with a snap of his fingers if he wanted to. He tried his best to make her happy but truthfully she wasn't that good. Felix was right. Without Drew, she was just an ordinary girl. In the fashion world, most employers would pick her as their last choice. That wasn't good for her. If he wasn't so afraid of her father, he would have told her to look for another career. But that wasn't the problem.

How was he going to tell her that she wouldn't get the Nivea contract? Knowing her, she would cause a big scene and threaten to end them. Did he dare tell her the truth or wait until last minute and spring it on her? She wouldn't be able to do anything then. Right?

*****************************************

I want to agree with you Nigel but I can't be sure.

Okay, guys, who do you think is the nosy person? I say trouble is heading your way, Maggie. Brace yourself