Andrea had finished packing all her glamorous clothes into a box, ready to give them off for money, when her phone began ringing.
Her face turned into a scowl and a frown once she saw the caller ID. Not again, she thought she was through with him.
"Marcus" Andrea's voice was sharp, not bothering to hide her displeasure.
"Andrea, I saw your email" The nonchalant tone of Marcus voice made all the guilt she probably would have had for showing displeasure, vanish.
Andrea swallowed deeply, taking her anger along with it. She needed to talk to him, that's why she reached out to him through an email. Even if she didn't like the sight of his face, one thing was certain, she needed money.
And fast.
"Yes, let's meet at Hollow in ten minutes" Andrea ended the call before she could get upset. Hurriedly, she rushed over her morning routine with a half finished shampoo and lifeless moisturizer and headed her way.
Hollow was moderately filled with people, but Andrea, covered from head to toe and completely unrecognizable, headed to the deep end of the restaurant.
She sat there, her eyes scanning the area for any paparazzi or fan alertly. She just couldn't deal with the shame of her company closing down. Even Dayton West, the Daxton West had heard of the news.
Andrea's eyes shot up when she saw the gruffy figure of Marcus. The realization hit her, and it brought out an evil smirk on her face.
Marcus had lost a lot of weight, except for his stomach that took the size of an eight months pregnant lady. His eyes had become so hollow, with dark circles underneath.
He walked into the restaurant to see Andrea seated, his eyes scanned her body over the two seconds he walked to her.
'I had hoped the company closing down would tell on her' This thought ran through his mind as he pulled the chair and sat down.
"Andrea" Andrea and Marcus stared at each other, eyes screaming anger and displeasure with each other.
"Marcus, I'll go straight to the point. I need to understand what happens to my pending payment" The raised eyebrow on Marcus face made Andrea's heart skip.
"Pending payment?" Marcus voice held confusion, like he didn't understand the words Andrea spoke."What do you mean 'pending payment'? I still have a contract with you guys and the last deal I had, I didn't get paid for that although I had my endorsements delivered to me" Andrea could feel herself reaching her breaking point, mentally and emotionally.
Is this what it feels like when your life takes a full three-sixty?
Andrea squeezed the napkin close to her on the table, turning her knuckles white as she felt her blood boil, when the deep short laugh erupted from Marcus.
"Those endorsements you got where only because the company sent it to you directly. If it was to be passed through us, you won't have gotten shit. We would have sold them off, and used the millions actualized to boost the company" Andrea's felt lightheaded.
What?
"How many endorsements did you do this to?" Andrea had asked a vendor the prices of the endorsements she had and she was looking at three million dollars, but seeing how she had to vacate her lavish condo, she would need more than that to settle.
"Well…a lot, honestly. It's all in the past now, no need for that" Marcus shrugged his shoulder, showing not one sympathy to Andrea, who was on her knees, mentally, as she prayed for a positive answer on her request.
"Okay. I agree. What of my pending payments? What's going on?" Andrea's throat tightened as she waited for her manager's words.
"The company is closed down, so which means no finances. And we used the last stock up to pay the other models. So, there's nothing left for you"
Andrea didn't care anymore. She pulled off her glasses, her red eyes in views. She looked her ex-manager dead in the eyes, but she was quiet.
Her heart broke, making her mouth go silent, as her eyes said the words for her.
"You can't do this. You made me sign the fucking contract that said I couldn't work for another company for the five years my contract is valid and now I'm in my second fucking year and you sit there to tell me this?" She felt her voice rising.
There was no way out.
Andrea dropped flat into her seat, as her shoulders slumped. She bit her lips trying to stop the sobs from breaking free but the tears slipped anyway.
"You're not the only one who is fucked, Andrea. I'm fucked too, I got family to feed. So get over yourself" Andrea's red and tired eyes reached her manager's lazily, and another different surge of anger ran through her.
She jumped up, gripping the glass of water beside her tightly, and threw the liquid on the unkempt face of her manager, causing Marcus to jump to his feet, ready to throw his fist on Andrea.
"You bitch!" Marcus spat, his hand going into fist as he walked angrily to a crying Andrea. Andrea felt her strength far from her, as she closed her eyes and lowered her head, her hair covering the sides of her face.
"Apologize, you–" Marcus cheeks ached, as thick red liquid ran out from his nose. The silence caused Andrea to look up, her eyes widen and the heat that somehow had become regular around this person, returned.
"Kay…Kayden? How…what are you doing here?" Andrea couldn't understand. Her eyes went to her manager that stood there with a white handkerchief over his nose.
"Get out! Now!" The coldness of Kayden's voice sent shock to Andrea. Kayden felt and sounded different, the one she sat with at the restaurant was long gone.
Marcus scowled at Andrea, his eyes in a fury. "Don't fucking call me again" With one glance at Kayden, he left the restaurant, with lowered head as people's cameras flashed.
"Daxton, take her away" Kayden didn't look back at Andrea as the warm hand of Daxton wrapped her arms and took her out of the restaurant, Kayden trailing behind them.
Kayden opened his car, and pulled Andrea into the passenger's seat. "Thanks Dax. I'll call you", entering his car, he drove off.
"Where…where are we going? And what were you doing in that restaurant? Are you stalking me?" Andrea's mind raced with questions, but her heart raced faster. She was in the car with Kayden, alone.
"Oh, no worries. You are very welcome, don't mention" The sarcasm dripping from Kayden's voice made Andrea silent.
"I'm sorry. Thank you. But where are we going?" Hearing the question again, made Kayden roll his eyes.
"Can you keep quiet, woman? Enjoy the ride. When we get there, you'll know" Andrea glanced at him once, and sensing the annoyance she sat back quietly, doing as she was told.
Her mind raced as to where Kayden was taking her to, alone, but her curiosity was greater.