Someone Like You (6 page)
Authors: Andrea Carmen
She was starting to panic.
“Yes,” he said casually. “You’ll do fine.”
They got inside the spacious, gleaming car.
“I know nothing about modelling on TV or for photographers!” she blurted out.
Lucas smiled at her. “Margo is there to teach you. I hear she’s really good.”
She couldn’t say anything. She bit her lower lip to prevent further damage on her new ‘career’. She held her breath for a few seconds.
“I have a feeling you’ll do fine. I have full confidence in you,” he said, “And don’t ask me why,” he added as an afterthought.
Yeah, please don’t ask me why
.
Alex said nothing during the thirty minute ride to the restaurant. Lucas was quiet too, checking his iPhone once in a while. When they finally arrived, Lucas gave a silent thanks to the heavens for surviving the awkward silence.
He opened the door for her and she murmured her thanks.
He took in a heavy breath as he followed.
“Mr. Conrad, good day!” the moustached
Maître d
’
said with a smile.
* * * *
It was obvious to Alex that he was well known in the restaurant. Everyone greeted him as the suit clad man led them to their seats at the far end of the restaurant. The waiter held out the seat for her.
Suddenly she became conscious of her appearance. Everyone’s beautiful here and rich and…damn, is that necklace for real? She tried not to stare at an emerald necklace on a woman’s neck.
Lucas was pretending to look at the menu as his eyes glanced at her once in a while. God, what’s wrong with me? I feel like I’m on my first date. She’s so beautiful…wait, business, this lunch date is for business…but why are you so…beautiful? Must be your hair…you didn’t even do anything to your hair. He shook his head as a waiter approached them.
“Are you ready to order sir?”
“Yes, I’d like to have the Mesclun for starters.”
“And for the lady, sir?” the waiter asked.
She bit her lower lip. “I’ll have the same,” she said in a small voice.
plats principau
, sir?”
“
Boudin Blanc
,” Lucas replied. He looked at her and saw her eyes scanning the menu. “I hear their
Pommes duchesse
is good,” he said helpfully.
She nodded, seeing the description. “That’s fine.”
“Would you like to look at our wine menu, sir?”
“No, thank you. Perrier, please.”
“For the lady?”
“Same,” she said quickly.
“The main course will be served in twenty minutes. Excuse me,” the waiter said.
She gave a sigh of relief. She saw his mouth twitch up.
“Are you mocking me?” she said with narrowed eyes.
“No,” he replied quickly, “But I like the smile beginning on your mouth.”
She gave a short laugh. “I’m sorry, Mr. Conrad, I’m just not used to this.”
“Didn’t I tell you to call me Luke?”
“Luke.”
He liked hearing her say his name. He smiled again. “That’s better.”
As they ate their salad, Lucas did most of the talking, nothing related to Trekker or his businesses. It was more on his personal life.
“So I graduated and went on a month long trip, far away. I went to Nepal, Bhutan, India. I backpacked—what you don’t believe me? I have pictures to prove it. Of course I had guides.”
She smiled. “Must be nice to travel all over.”
“You’ve never been out of the country?”
“Hawaii’s the farthest,” she admitted. “And my mom was there for research.”
“If you could go to any country, where would you want to go?”
“Greece, Santorini,” she said wistfully. Then she blushed.
He nodded. “I think you’ll like it there.”
She smiled again, a shy smile. She felt like an ignorant voyager. He had been everywhere!
They ate the rest of their lunch with occasional small talk. Once lunch was over, they immediately went to Trekker’s factory, nearly an hour away from Manhattan. It was a large factory, filled with machines buzzing about and people greeting them as they passed by. She was awed at the immense complexity of the Conrad retail industry. It took them three hours to have a quick run through of the factory.
“So how do you like it?” he asked her as they headed back to Manhattan.
“Big,” she said. Big? Couldn’t I have said something nicer? Oh god, he must think I’m an airhead or something!
He laughed.
Cute, very cute. And honest, just the way I like it,
he thought. “Well, I’m glad you don’t find it very small. I’ll drop you off your place. Margo said you could have the rest of the afternoon with me, but you must be tired.”
“The nearest train station will do,” she said.
“Nonsense,” he said. “Where do you live?”
There was something about his tone that made her say her address. It was nearly an hour away from the Upper East Side. She felt embarrassed. A full hour later, the Lincoln pulled up onto a quaint looking street. Some of the people looked in admiration at the car.
“You really didn’t have to, Luke—” she said as he got out of the car to open the door for her.
“I like to pamper women,” he said casually. Wait, that didn’t sound right at all.
I pamper select women
, he told himself. Too late to correct it!
She bit back a smile. “Thank you so much.” Women? How many women does he date? Every day? Every week?
“What time do you have to go to work tomorrow?”
“Nine,” she replied.
He nodded. “I’ll see you soon, then. Have a pleasant day, Alex.”
A few people ogled about and she hurriedly got into her apartment building. As soon as she reached her apartment, she took off her kitten heels.
My poor feet, she thought, massaging them a little. She lay down on her bed, contemplating how her day went. As much she tried to keep it professional, she actually enjoyed his company. Her thoughts were filled with his crooked grin and his brows that furrowed once in a while…
* * * *
“What?” he said flabbergasted.
“Mr. Edwards told me Jennifer enjoyed your company a lot during the gala,” Charles Conrad said as he calmly flicked a newspaper in front of him.
So that was what the dinner was for this evening. To set him up with Jennifer! Please no more of Jennifer Edwards.
“Be ready by six-thirty, Lucas.”
He didn’t say anything as he walked to his room. Lying down on his bed he took a deep breath. He didn’t bother lighting up his room. Car lights streaked by his window.
Sure, interfere with my life because Michael barely listens to you, unless its business related, he thought savagely.
He diddled with his iPhone and checked his email once more. He found himself searching through Margo’s email. There was a hastily taken photo of Alex attached. He found himself smiling.
God damn it, what’s wrong with me? It’s just a picture! But he couldn’t help remembering her laugh, her lashes that looked like they were from some mascara ad and her delicate fingers, artist fingers…
He looked at his watch. Nearing six, he quickly took a shower and changed into fresh clothes. He was in the hallway by the time his father came out of his own room. They were quiet on the way to the Edwards’ home.
As soon as they got there, they were greeted by an excited looking Jennifer at the door. She immediately kissed Lucas’ cheek.
“Mr. Conrad, good evening,” she said sweetly to his father.
Charles smiled congenially.
“Charles!” Mr. Edward’s voice boomed across the hall. Charles and Mr. Edwards shook hands.
Jennifer’s mother gave him and Lucas a peck on the cheek.
“Good evening, Mrs. Edwards,” Lucas said.
“Call me Lisa. I’m so glad you could come to our little dinner,” Lisa said.
I’m glad too
, he thought mirthfully as he gave a forced smile. Jennifer held his arm.
“This way Lucas,” she said, leading him to their ostentatious dining room.
It looked like a little version of how a dining room would look like in Versailles. Gilded chairs and columns, fine crystal glasses and gold rimmed plates and cutlery. There was a butler standing near the kitchen door. Lucas bore the suffering in silence, being pleasant all the way until it was time for dessert.
“Mom, can Lucas and I go grab Starbucks downstairs?” Jennifer asked.
“By all means,” Lisa replied.
Lucas saw his father’s look and he nodded. “That sounds nice.”
She bounced up and they took the elevator, exited the building and walked a few meters to get to a Starbucks outlet.
“I’m kind of full Jennifer,” he said as they got into the café.
“I’ll just have some tea. You?”
“Tea, I guess,” he said ordering and paying for them both.
“You are such a gentleman,” Jennifer said holding his hand. “I like guys that pamper girls.”
Lucas nearly rolled his eyes. God, is this woman for real? He imagined someone else flirting with him, preferably Alex… but Alex didn’t seem like the type…
“Lucas, your name’s been called,” Jennifer said interrupting his reverie.
Lucas got up and took the drinks from the barista. “Thanks,” he said, leaving a large tip. The barista beamed at him gratefully.
“So, tell me your interests,” she asked him.
“Uh…there isn’t much. Work, I guess.”
“There must be something,” she insisted.
Fine. I’ll tell you the crappiest things. What should I tell you? That I sing while I poop? Or that I don’t bathe for days? Or that I do drugs? And pick my nose in public?
He smiled. “I like exercising.”
“I do Pilates,” she said. “What else?”
“There’s sailing when I have extra time. And travelling.”
“Ah sailing!” she said, “We have a yacht. My dad named it after me, being an only child and all.”
He nodded, not telling her they had one too.
Again she did most of the talking while Lucas just listened to her. His thoughts were far away, an hour away from where he was. It was with Alex.
Chapter Five: The Onslaught Begins
“Again!” Margo said testily.
Alex sighed, not used to the kind of torture Margo was giving her. She walked awkwardly in five inch heels as she tried to walk the way Margo did. It had been a week since she had lunch with Lucas Conrad and things were not going well at the Temperley office.
Oh god, what am I doing? I should be resigning by now! I should be out by the end of this month; I should be applying at an ad agency…
Margo sighed in exasperation, just as the star of Temperley—Vicky Stanton; came in.
She stared at Vicky, looking every inch elegant in pumps and a short dress and billowing, blonde hair.
Oh no, Vicious Vicky. Not her, I can take Margo, but not her!
“Good morning, my dear,” Margo said giving her a peck on the cheek.
“Hello Margo,” she eyed Alex. “So I hear we have a new model. What an unexpected surprise,” she said the last word acidly. “Let’s see how you strut your stuff. Oh, six-inch heels? Great boost from five-three to five-nine, Alex.”
She took a deep breath, determined not to be put down by Vicky. But Vicky’s glare and words were starting to work on her. She felt her ears burn, glad they were covered by her hair.
“This is going to take a lot of work,” Vicky commented to Margo with a smile.
“She’s not going to wear heels,” a voice interrupted. It was Lucas. He entered the room calmly and shook Margo’s well-manicured hand.
For some odd reason, Alex felt a wave of relief wash over her. She bit back a smile.
“She’s a sports model, Margo. You’re making things hard on her,” he said with a laugh.
“It’s for confidence,” Margo told him. “See? She can smile better now and she’s wearing clear contact lenses too. By the way, this is Vicky Stanton, our top model.”
Lucas paid no attention to Vicky. Vicky’s look soured.
“She smiles nicely, Margo. Say, could I borrow Alex for a few hours? Trekker would like to do a test shoot.”
“I wasn’t informed of this,” Margo said with a raised brow.
“Neither was I, until this morning. I’ll have her back in a few.”
“Fine,” Margo said. “I’m losing a good personal assistant, Lucas.”
“But you’re gaining a model,” Lucas quipped. “Shall we, Miss Forbes?”
For the first time since her modelling career began, Alex was glad that Lucas Conrad came to rescue her. Alex followed him out of the room after excusing herself to Margo. She heard Vicky whisper something about ‘Temperley’s reputation’ with her as a new model.
“I mean, do we even have models below the five-eight requirement?” Vicky hissed.
As they got out of the office and into the elevator, Lucas spoke, “You don’t have to feel bad about what that model said,” he said, not looking at her. He felt she felt horrible about it.
“I’m not,” she said not looking at him too.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he laughed.
She said nothing and he felt awkward with the silence that overcame them in the elevator. They got into a car, this time a Cadillac. Finally she spoke.
“Is Alice busy?” she asked.
“Uh—yes.”
“So you personally came here to get me out of Margo’s tutelage?”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t very well send my director from Trekker in. And besides, I’m kind of free this afternoon to oversee the test shoot.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” she said with a glint in her eye.
“What the—” he began. Then he smiled. “You got me there, Alex. But I really am free this afternoon.”
“Margo’s a tough teacher,” she mused.
“I think you can deal with Margo better than the heels.”
They both laughed.
“Say, we still have an hour before the photographer’s schedule. Would you like to accompany me for some retail therapy?” he asked, not looking at her; but outside.
“What do you need retail therapy for?” she frowned a bit. “You already own enough stores-”
“Not me. You.”
“Pardon?”
“You. Shopping and you. And me,” he said. “And don’t give me that look.”
“What look?”
“
That
look.”
“The look that says I don’t have money for retail therapy?” she smiled.
Lucas laughed. “Yes that look. Think of this as part of your perks.”
“I don’t want to—”
“Abuse my kindness? Have debts you can’t and will refuse to pay? Date me for an hour?”
She blinked at the last thing he said. “Date you? And yes to all of the above.”
He felt his face go red. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“Why would you want to date me?” she asked, trying not to blush, looking at her tightly fisted hands.
“Why not?” he said, near irritably. He immediately regretted his response.
Once again, real smooth Lucas
.
There were quiet for a while until the car stopped in front of a building.
“H-Henri Bendel’s?” she said in a small voice. “I can’t-”
“Too late. Shall we?” he held out his hand and she took it. He stared at her for a few milliseconds, enjoying the feeling of holding her hand.
She finally got out of the car, and a strange feeling came over her. She suppressed it and gave a smile and thanks. They entered through the glinting doors. It was early, so not many shoppers were around.
“Have you been here?”
“Once. Vicky Stanton had a photo-shoot.”
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“Temperley’s top model.”
“Oh, the sour-faced one,” he said.
Alex couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry. But I have some slightly negative sentiments towards her.”
“Well, with an attitude like that, who wouldn’t? She’s just another pretty face in the crowd who can project herself very well. But you, you’re something else.”
She bit her lower lip. What was going on? What did he mean by everything he said? Dating? Shopping? It confused her. Was this some sick joke? She stayed silent as they walked around.
“Pick whatever you like.”
The mall was a fashion gold mine. All the luxurious new brands—what people in Temperley would kill for! She stared at it, unable to move.
“Well?”
“Well what?” she repeated.
“Start picking out clothes,” he smiled.
“I- I…”
“You what?” he asked mildly. “Can’t and won’t? Well, that’s what personal shoppers are here for.” He smiled at a well-dressed attendant who was immediately at his side.
An hour later, Alex looked wide-eyed as they exited Henri Bendel’s. A few attendants trailed behind them, carrying packages and boxes.
She slipped into the car, quiet. She had been profusely thanking him over and over again inside the shop and he had had enough of hearing about her gratitude that he asked her to stop talking for a few minutes, until he had paid for everything. She didn’t dare look at the bills their ‘retail therapy’ had racked up.
“Did you enjoy the therapy?” he asked her.
“I—yes,” she said. “It was too much-”
“There’s a price for everything you know,” his voice dropped into a whisper.
She held her breath and started to shift uncomfortably in the car seat.
He laughed aloud. “Oh god, I’m kidding! What do you think I am? Some sex maniac?”
She let out a breath of relief. “Well, you are right. There is an exchange for everything.”
“The only thing I want from you is to be the face of Trekker, to do your best during shoots and commercials. That’s all.”
It didn’t sound too hard, she thought. She wouldn’t fail him or Margo—especially him. She looked at his boyish grin and couldn’t help but smile. It looked playful; like he was hiding some adorable secret from her. She stopped. Stop it. Stop thinking like this! Professional. Be Professional. But he wants to date me…
“All right,” he said as they arrived at a rather large photography studio. A surly looking man with a thin beard greeted them as they went in.
“Luke! Been too long!”
“Hey Vincenzo, glad you could give me some test shoots today.”
“Anything for a favorite client,” he looked at her, “So this is the face of Trekker?”
Her footing shifted a bit and she looked away after looking at him for a few seconds. She could feel his eyes poring over her, like he had a microscope.
“She’s…
bella
,” Vincenzo crooned.
Lucas smiled. “I have some business to take care of for a while. I’ll be back in an hour or two; my team from Trekker will be coming in a few for the outfits. Vincenzo, you will take care of Alex, won’t you?”
“Of course. My assistants are ready for you,” Vincenzo waved a hand and two assistants ushered her away from them and into a makeup area, complete with bulbs on the mirrors.
“I’ll see you later, Alex, Vincenzo.”
Alex’s heart hammered. Take it easy. It’s just makeup, a test photo-shoot, like having your ID picture taken. You can do this. Don’t disappoint Luke. Or Margo. And Luke. His smile was too-
“All right Miss Forbes,” the makeup artist began.
“Alex, call me Alex.”
The makeup artist smiled. “I’m Lucia and this is my assistant Sandra. How long have you been modelling?”
“Uhm…today’s my first day, I guess.”
They laughed.
“Not kidding?”
“No,” she said with pink cheeks.
“Well, we’ll glam you up just the way Trekker wants it. And you have such a smooth face. I love the colour of your eyes. They’re like hazel with green specks on them. Do you wear makeup at all?” Lucia blabbered as Alex politely answered her questions, laughing once in a while as Vincenzo and his assistant set-up the studio lighting.
It took a full hour for them to finish her up and Vincenzo beamed seeing the finished product.
“Well, well, well. Lucas has never been wrong about his women,” he said. “Alright Trekker people, which outfit comes first?”
A few miles away, Lucas was in a meeting with department store executives. They had a jolly time as it was a win-win deal, drinking coffee and talking about golf and tennis, sports which Lucas took up to win his competitors or future mergers over with.
His mind was with Alex the whole time. He wondered how she was doing, imagining her as a frightened-looking bunny surrounded by lights and cameras clicking away- he nearly laughed aloud. He messaged a Trekker assistant, asking him how the shoot was.
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