Avoiding Intimacy by K. A. Linde Read Free Book Online Page A

her.
    It seemed a waste to let all that go after only a few short weeks.
    She flipped back and forth about Marco every other minute, but she couldn’t deny his genius. He was the most successful talent that had arisen in the fashion industry during this generation, and she was a part of that. She thrived under his influence like she never had before. Her whole world moved too fast and out of control. It seemed to have a life of its own. The entire experience was an adrenaline rush on steroids. She hadn’t had that feeling from anything other than partying in a long, long time.
    Partying used to be that escape for her.
    She could escape into the dancing, nightlife, alcohol, and men that floated through her existence like a traveling circus. It was a world within a world—a world where she felt more at home than in reality. She became addicted to it—not the alcohol but the feeling of release.
    She was as much afraid of that feeling as she reveled in it. What if she went back to her life and it all felt lifeless in comparison? How would she ever be able to escape?
    So, she was waiting, waiting for him to make up his mind. She wanted to choose for him, but when it came right down to it, she didn’t know if she would choose him or not. She didn’t know if she would choose this life for herself. Perhaps in the end, it was only a novelty that would wear off with the passing of time like everything else had.
    With conflicted thoughts, Chyna turned her attention back to Cassandra.
    “I would like to offer you a job,”
    Cassandra repeated slowly.
    “Oh.”
    “You are very good, and you don’t even quite know it yet. I think you would fit nicely into our collection,” she told her confidently.
    After headlining Glam Ball, this woman wanted her to go be just another girl in her collection. Was she mad? She wanted…no, she needed to be showcased.
    Chyna craved it now. Marco had spoiled her, and at that moment, she knew it.
    “I’m sure it doesn’t sound like much to you,” Cassandra continued eyeing her as if she had dealt with a thousand other divas.
    “However, I believe if you’d consider it, you’d
    realize
    it’s
    a
    wonderful
    opportunity.”
    “Um…yes…well, thanks,” she said, finishing off her Champagne. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing this fall…if I’ll even be modeling.”
    “You’ll be modeling,” Cassandra said as a matter-of-fact.
    Chyna didn’t even bother asking her how she knew. She hardly stuck with anything long enough, even when she had loved many, many things. Perhaps modeling would die out for her as well.
    Though, the thought felt like a lie even when she was thinking it.
    “I appreciate your confidence, but I just haven’t decided about this fall yet.”
    Cassandra tilted her head to the side as if she didn’t understand. She looked half like she wanted to laugh and the other half like she was taken aback. Her reaction was perplexing to say the least. Chyna had been modeling for all of a month and a half, but she had been around it her entire life. She had never heard of a Cassandra in the fashion industry. It didn’t mean that she didn’t exist. It just meant that she wasn’t important.
    “Well, I can’t say I’ll save a spot for you, but if you change your mind, do give me a call,” Cassandra finally told her.
    “I’ll do that,” Chyna said dryly.
    Cassandra did laugh this time. At what, Chyna had no clue. Cassandra turned on her heel then and slowly began to slink back to where she came from.
    “Wait!” Chyna called, glancing around to make sure she wasn’t disturbing anyone. “You didn’t tell me how to reach you.”
    Cassandra turned back to face Chyna without a trace of laughter left in her eyes.
    “Just ask Marco.”
    “Great,” she muttered under her breath as Cassandra walked away. She had all but turned down a job offer without a consolation prize from Marco, and the only way she knew how to get in contact