Annia
On the way to the store, I watched Heclares in the rearview mirror. I hadn't had a chance to notice him yesterday because of everything that happened.
He's an imposing man, but with a softness in his features that contrasts with his brother's intensity. They both share an angular face, but Heclares's eyes are green, deep, filled with an intriguing calm. His eyebrows are thick, and his slightly long hair gives him a serene air.
He caught me looking at him in the rearview mirror and gave me a crooked smile.
"So... are we changing our style?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yes, but just the way we dress. Your brother said that, being here, you had to adapt, but clearly you didn't do that with your clothes."
Heclares let out a light laugh.
"I do. I have some polo shirts, jeans, sneakers... My brother is more anchored to following our essence. Me too, but sometimes I like to innovate."
Lucía and I looked at each other knowingly before nodding.
"Well, from now on you'll have to innovate more often. If you're going to be with us all the time, it's necessary."
They didn't say anything, but when we passed a chip stand, Heclares gestured for me to stop.
Immediately, his brother complained with obvious exasperation.
"Are you serious? Can you stop thinking about food for a second?"
Heclares gave him a calm look as he was about to get out of the car.
"I need energy. Besides, you eat them too."
Black snorted, crossing his arms.
"Now's not the time."
Lucía laughed from the backseat.
"Food is definitely his weakness."
It was true. Yesterday I saw him devour several packages as if they were the last thing he'd ever eat.
Black snorted, but Heclares just raised a hand, showing us a pair of newly purchased bags.
"You guys talk a lot, but you're still going to want some," he said with absolute confidence.
Lucía extended her hand before he could finish speaking.
Adapting to this world definitely had its priorities.
As we pulled into the mall's underground parking lot, we all got out at the same time, ready to browse the shops.
"We have to be quick; I only have two hours before work," I said firmly.
Lucía and I dragged Black and Heclares to the first store without giving them any room for protest. We walked through the aisles, looking for something they'd like. Heclares had already selected a few items, but Black was still hesitant, inspecting everything with obvious indifference.
As we passed the shirt section, I stopped and picked up a black one. I held it against his body, trying it on over his clothes. I also grabbed a leather jacket and, without warning, threw it at him.
Black caught it easily, eyeing it skeptically before trying it on.
"It's comfortable," he admitted, crossing his arms.
Lucia smiled with satisfaction.
"Progress."
We had the guys try on different outfits in the changing rooms. Luckily for us, they left the door ajar, just enough for us to get a little visual treat.
Black turned around, his back to us, and that's when we saw him.
The tattoo on his neck, elegant and precise, resembled yin and yang.
Lucía let out an exaggerated sigh.
"My goodness... how do they make them like that?"
I nudged him lightly, holding back my laughter.
"Shut up. They won't hear you."
After they'd chosen everything they wanted, we headed to pay. The truth is, men are more practical; the first store we visited was enough for them.
I took out my card and extended it to the saleswoman, but Heclares's hand stopped me mid-stride.
"No need," he said calmly, his gaze fixed on mine.
I watched him, waiting for an explanation.
"I have money," he added, as if it were obvious.
"I'd rather you didn't waste time trying to pay for us," Black said calmly, crossing his arms.
Lucia and I looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.
"And how exactly did you get your money in this world?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Heclares gave a small smile before answering calmly.
"We invest in the stock market. It's surprising how easy it is to make money when you can predict patterns more accurately than humans."
Lucia let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.
"So you're successful investors."
Black snorted.
"Let's just say we've learned our way around this system."
I put my card away and shook my head slightly.
"Well, you could have mentioned that before."
There were definitely more advantages to their adaptation than I imagined.
On the way to my photoshoot, we dropped Luci off at her house with Heclares. The ride was peaceful, both of us immersed in a comfortable silence, while the music from the stereo filled the space.
It was Black who broke it first.
"We can train in the afternoons, when you're done with your work."
I glanced at him but didn't respond.
"Let's start tomorrow," he continued, leaving no room for objections. "The sooner the better. Today we'll take care of setting up the spaces."
"Lucia, can she come?"
I hesitated for a moment, as if she were plotting something, but she ended up nodding.
"Yes, that way we could teach her a few things too."
When we arrived at the studio at the Beaumont facility, all eyes were on us. All eyes were on Black, and I wasn't surprised. I'd never allowed anyone to accompany me here before.
I continued on my way to the dressing room, but stopped when I noticed Black still behind me.
"You can't come in here. I have to change. Wait for me on those couches," I instructed, pointing to the right. "I won't be long."
He turned without saying anything, and I watched him until he settled into the designated spot.
As I entered the dressing room, the makeup artists were already setting up everything. When they looked at me, I felt a strange chill run through my body, but I ignored it and walked straight to the bathroom. I put on my black underwear and, once ready, covered myself with a robe.
When I left, they were still talking, unaware that I was listening.
"Did you see him?" "He's the same one in the photo," one whispered.
The other sighed.
"He's very handsome. Annia's never brought anyone. She's probably just after a little fame. That's why she's with her."
The bitter tone of voice stirred in my blood. I clenched my fists, suppressing the irritation that had settled in my chest.
I deliberately cleared my throat, causing them both to turn around immediately. The pallor on their faces confirmed they'd gotten the message.
I walked past them and sat down in the makeup chair.
"I hope you're good enough at your job to gossip."
They began their work with trembling hands. It would be easy to dismiss them for being nosy, but it wasn't a good enough reason to do so.
The brushes ran over my face with a hint of nervousness. For a moment, I was tempted to say something cruel, but I held back. It wasn't worth it to put myself down.
Then, her words came back to me.
"What picture were you talking about?"
Absolute silence. They stood motionless, not waiting for the question.
"I repeat, what picture were you talking about before?"
The blonde was the first to react. With trembling hands, she handed me her cell phone.
The screen reflected an image of the hotel garden last night. Black and me. His arm was around my waist while my hand rested on his shoulder, and we were staring at each other.
It was when we were dancing.
Written below in capital letters:
LOVE IS SKIN-BLAZING: SECRET ROMANCE IN THE CELEBRITY WORLD?
Annia Beaumont, the enigmatic model rarely seen in company, has been captured in a picture that has unleashed a storm of speculation. In a scene that seems straight out of a novel, she's seen in the garden of a prestigious hotel, locked in an intense gaze with a mysterious man. Who is he?
Rumors quickly spread across social media. Is this just a chance encounter, or are we witnessing the beginning of a story that will leave people talking?
Could this be a new chapter in the life of the always reserved model? Or just a moment captured in the perfect moment? For now, no statements have been made, but one thing is certain: love (or something more) is on the horizon.
Damn, I couldn't be.
I walked out of the dressing room with a firm step, still feeling the weight of the photo in my head. I had to find Black.
But what I didn't imagine was seeing him with Sandra.
There he was, standing next to her, with that relaxed, distant demeanor he always had, while she played with her hair and gave him a smile I knew all too well.
Sandra had always been my rival at the agency. Competitive, relentless, and now, apparently, very interested in Black.
I clenched my jaw, feeling a subtle but persistent irritation in my chest.
I took a deep breath and moved forward.
"Interrupting something?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Black's eyes settled on me as calmly as ever, but Sandra turned her head with her characteristically haughty expression.
"I don't know, Annia. Are you?"
This definitely wasn't going to be a simple chance encounter.