"it seems none of us won" she said and looked at him
"well your bet was the last man standing, So you win nonetheless" he ignored the fact that he knew what she had done
"that's no right, although he was the last man standing he still didn't win" she didn't want him to owe her any favour that's why she had stopped her bet from being the winner
"nevertheless you still get the chance to ask for a favour"
she was going to refuse but then she remembered she had a request she wanted to ask of him "I do have a request to ask of you, in was hoping that when we go to the range, you could spar with me as a sparring partner"
He never expected that she would ask for something like this "sure if that what's you want"
He changed the topic and began talking of a different thing, he also went straight to why he had invited her out
"I got a call from mammoth studious"
Her head shot up and her attention was fully on what he wanted to say
"He set everything thing up and asked that we come tomorrow to check it and if there nothing wrong then we can take the shots tomorrow"
"anything we should know?" she asked back
"no just that, the company designer would also appear in one of the shots, he said it was nothing serious that they do that every year"
"thats good" she was satisfied with the arrangements at far as her desired effect was met with it, she just wanted something that could send the message that She and Zi yichen were allies now
They discussed about it a little more as he briefed her on everything that the director had said, after eating and discussing for a while, they decide to leave so they paid for their meal and walked out of the building
"did you find out who was in that room?" the strange man from before asked the man trailing behind him as he walked out of the place
"I was only told that they were important people, but no one seem to want to tell me" the other man replied humbly
"aish...just who was it?" he paused and mumbled to himself and at this point, Lu yao yin walked past him with Zi yichen by her side, she didn't take note of the man, neither did he put a common woman that just walked past him in his mind.
If only they had met each other this night then...
it was night already so the street bustled with life, various night road stalls had opened and the lights give the night a harmonious look. such serene view brought peace and warmth into ones heart. Lu yao yin looked out the window and sighed in relief, she could feel her stuffed up mood loosen and her mind clearing.
she could finally stop worrying needlessly and think straight on a solution. she had been looking for Gremlin and the metal bird but hadn't found anything before now, all she her lead kept pointing to Lord Gremlin, she didn't want to collide with such a powerful entity on her own, she needed a reliable ally so she was left with no choice but to reveal herself to frosty.
If there was anyone that would gladly fish out Gremlin and the metal bird, it was Frosty. Lu yao yin had a hunch that frosty would know the whereabouts of Gremlin, but just how was she going to reveal herself to Frosty. She thought about it then made up her mind to tell him on the day they go to the range, she would have to find a good opportunity to tell him.
She hoped Frosty would be of help and then she won't have to think of another solution.
****
The next day came and she went for the magazine shoot before she attended to any other thing.
"Miss Lu yao yin you're here" the director greeted her
"yes I hope I'm not late?" she asked courteously while her eyes scanned the studio looking for Zi yichen.
The director noticed her searching eyes so he answered her unasked question "Zi yichen is in the dressing room, his getting ready for the first shoot."
"oh, then i should be on my way too" she smiled and followed the little assistant that had come to lead her away.
Few minutes later they came out of the dressing room all dress in their various costumes. Subconsciously the two silently awed at each other, they stood there checking each other out totally unaware of their actions, finally their eyes met and once again they were lost in each other eyes. The picture of an alluring Duchess and a breathtaking Count staring intently into each other's eye was just so captivating and romantic
The photographer couldn't help but shoot a sneak picture at the two of them, even the Director felt proud with himself as he had accepted the deal, the haven't started the real deal but he could tell that this series was going to be a mega hit because of this two.
"hmm" the director cleared his throught to break Lu yao yin and Zi yichen lingering stares "let's begin before the sun goes into hiding"
The shoot started, Lu yao yin and Zi yichen were asked to change into different outfits and take different poses in every picture, Each picture had a story of its own.
The first was a picture of a Widowed Duchess strolling through a garden of roses in the company of a handsome Count, She smiles courteously to his words but her eyes betrays the feelings she wishes to hide. The second a hurt naive young lady finding comfort in the stories of a stranger, both seated on a playground. The third gorgeous Little red Riding Hood about to be eaten but still infatuated by the handsome big bad wolf. The fourth an injured sorceress being protected by her handsome knight in battle.
"let's take a break before we take the last two shots" director announced and everybody dropped what they were doing and went to relax
Zi yichen walked up to Lu yao yin still dressed in his knight outfit.
"you should go into modeling it fits you perfectly" she teased and chuckled at his authentic Knight look "I never knew you could show so many expressions in one day"
"that's because I'm with you...you are my muse" His voice was very clear that everyone around them heard what he had said. Lu yao yin was momentarily stunned not because of his words but because his eyes held immense sincerity, one she had never seen. The sincere look on his face showed how much he was serious.
She looked around and everyone was looking at them silently, "Well yeah that's because I'm awesome" She replied jokingly to push away people's suspicious look.
Zi yichen frowned then opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the Director voice
"Everybody get prepared for the next shoot!"
"That's our cue, see you later" She hurriedly said and walked away from him. she knew he was going to say something even more cheesy and she didn't want to hear it cause it would make her awkward.
"quick! let hurry your makeup, I can't wait to see you in this new costume" Lu yao yin just walked into the dressing room and then she was pulled by a young lady. The young lady was exceptionally energetic and excited
"the new costume? what costume is that?" Lu yao yin asked curious, she could see the expectant look on faces of all the girls in the room. they were grinning from ear to ear and counting the seconds till her makeup would be done
"it's a surprise, you'll see" The little makeup artist winked at her and then smiled teasingly
Lu yao yin was even more curious now but she didn't ask cause she knew they still wouldn't tell her. she sat quietly and waited till her make up was over.
"your skin is very good so I didn't have to do much, I just added a little blush to your cheeks and then highlighted your facial features a bit" the girl explained as she showed Lu yao yin herself in the mirror.
Lu yao yin looked at the super beautiful lady in the mirror and was overwhelmed with herself, she had never known she could be more beautiful than she already was. She was a virtual tomboy so makeup wasn't really her thing, the only reason she was an expert in makeup was because she always disguise herself.
"enough staring, your outfit has arrived" The girl announced and a box was carried into the room.