Page 8 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

“Whatever your heart desires,” he says. His eyes are serious and focused.

I release a soft laugh this time. “Come on, you know your mother would never approve of anything other than a traditional church wedding. Your family would probably disown you if you even suggested something different.”

“I’d let them if it meant I never hurt you ever again.”

“Oscar…”

His eyes burn into mine, our gazes locked in a tense standoff. The only sound in the room is the soft rustling of fabric as we both shift uncomfortably. I can’t tell if this tension between us is real or just a result of us dressing up for this charity event in wedding attire.

“We need to talk,” he says as the door opens and Neil the organizer yells my name and gives me a disapproving stare.

“You’re back on in two minutes. Get out of that dress,” he continues. With a quick glance at me and Oscar, his eyes narrow, revealing his suspicion.

Embarrassment floods my face, leaving my cheeks burning with heat.

“Please—” Oscar’s voice is a low rumble as he glares at Neil.

“I’m doing my job, just like she should be.”

“She is doing this for free … for charity. You should be fucking grateful, not talking to her like she is worthless. Now say fucking please to her.”

“It’s okay Oscar.”

“It’s not, Nadia. Nobody gets to talk to you like you are trash,” he grunts. Little does he know, this job is just like the rest of the jobs I’ve had.

“Say please, or I get the rest of my team to leave this fucking building now. She is worth hundreds of you.”

I swallow.

With a creak, the door opens, revealing a girl with vibrant red hair, gracefully stepping out in a flowing wedding gown. Neil’s expression shifts to discomfort as he quickly realizes the need for me to make a change.

Oscar turns around and holds his finger in the air to his teammate. “Hold on.”

“What are you doing?” Neil groans.

“You only had to say please and for some reason, you find it fucking difficult.”

“What’s happening?” his teammate asks.

“Just hold on Connor. This piece of shit thinks he can talk to these girls like…”

“Just ask her nicely,” his teammate, Connor, growls. “He gets ugly when he’s upset.”

Neil swallows, the gulp audible. “Sorry. Nadia, will you please change into your next outfit?” His voice, weary and defeated.

“Of course Neil.”

“That wasn’t so fucking hard, was it?”

Neil groans as he turns back to the dressing room. I follow and when I get inside, he hisses, “He’ll be the death of your career.”

“He’s a friend,” I reply as I shrug the dress down my body. “I haven’t seen him for five years, so I doubt that should be the problem, unless, of course, you’re the one threatening me.”

He walks away, his words barely audible as he mutters under his breath.

I know I should be annoyed with Oscar, but honestly, this modeling world is cutthroat and it’s the first time someone has ever stood up for me, because, in truth, I’m too scared to do it myself.

With my hair and make-up flawlessly retouched, I casually make my way to the waiting area. I glance through the window and steal a glimpse at Oscar, but find him watching me intently by the door.

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