[New york, 4:02 AM]
"Yeah, great, keep that pose!"
"Good, very good! Once again!"
The sound of camera's shutter and flash made the shooting room of an American fashion magazine very busy that day.
Behind the monitor that displayed the photos stood a man with a tense expression on his face. His eyes focused on the model in front of the white background, striking poses with the latest collection of luxurious clothing brands.
"Mr. Martin, have some water."
A crew then came up to him and handed him a tray she was holding with a bottle of mineral water on it.
Martin took the bottle with a faint smile. "Thank you."
The girl looked like a college student, she stood beside him, nodded and smiled. But apparently, she didn't immediately move after giving him the water.
"Ryley is getting better day by day, isn't he?" The girl muttered while looking at the handsome blond-haired boy surrounded by makeup artists in the center of the studio.
Martin nodded in agreement. But the smile that formed on his lips looked somewhat sinister.
"Of course he is, he's even willing to wake up at 2 in the morning just because your agent advances the schedule without telling me first," he said curtly and ended his reply with sarcastic laughter
Hearing Martin's response, the girl looked surprised, then grimaced before leaving her place.
'These people I swear…' Martin grumbled, feeling hella annoyed. He then glanced at the watch on his left wrist.
The time showed 4:15, the sky outside was still dark. Amidst his work monitoring his model, who's none other than his former junior in college and highest paid member of his agency, Martin's cell phone suddenly vibrated.
He walked out of the studio and read an email from the airline stating that his flight schedule had been delayed due to a technical problem. Martin huffed in annoyance while massaging his frowning forehead. "Damn it!"
"Brother, what's wrong?" A light voice came from behind the closed door. Martin turned around and saw a handsome man with a tall slender build walking towards him.
"Oh, are you done?" Without answering his question, Martin replied with a slight stutter.
Ryley nodded while adjusting the buttons of his shirt. "Hmm hmm," but after seeing the look on Martin's face which was mixed between annoyed and worried, he asked, "Brother, is there a problem?"
Martin took a deep breath, his efforts to cover up his annoyance, worry and disappointment failed before he even started. "Tch, apparently you're still so sensitive huh?"
"Haha, it turns out I was right ! What's wrong? Are you having a fight with your girlfriend again this time?" Ryley replied in a cheerful tone.
"No, stupid. I'm planning to send you to Wyoming so you can rest for a while because this week is— ahem, well it turns out the schedule is delayed," said Martin, cutting himself off a bit when the manager realized that he was almost blurting out Ryley's privacy in a public space.
"Wyoming? Hmm… I guess I'll just stay in my hotel then?" Ryley asked while tilting his head.
"No! I can't risk it. It's too dangerous in this city. You know what I'm talking about, right?" Martin replied, sighing heavily.
Before Ryley could answer, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate. The handsome model then took out his cell phone from his back pocket and saw the name of the caller on the screen.
"Wait a minute," Ryley said before stepping away from Martin and picking up the phone.
"Yes, hello, Sister?"
"Rayray! I haven't heard your voice in a long time! How are you now?" A female voice was heard from the other side.
"I'm fine, how about you?" Ryley asked his older sister with a smile.
"Thank goodness you're okay. I'm good here. Anyway, are you in NYC right now?" Rachel asked in a curious tone.
"Hmm? How did you know?" Ryley replied while raising one of his eyebrows.
"Ah, I happen to know the boss of that brand that asked you to be their ambassador. Ah, do you have any free time today?"
Hearing that question, Ryley glanced at Martin with a confused look. "Umm…"
He saw his manager shrugging with an annoyed look. Ryley couldn't help but grimace when he realized Martin's response.
"Looks like… I'm a bit free today. What's wrong?" Ryley asked.
"I was planning to take you out to dinner today. I haven't seen you in a long time, and I rarely go back to LA either. Can you come?"
Ryley glanced back at Martin, but his manager averted his gaze instead. Feeling bad about refusing his older sister's invitation, he then replied with a bit of hesitation, "I guess... I can make it tonight."
"Aaaah, finally! I will meet my dear brother after so long! Alright then. I'll be waiting for you, okay? Will send the location later. And since I just ordered for the two of us, you have to come alone alright!"
Hearing Rachel's last sentence made Ryley a little surprised. But he didn't refuse. "Hehe, yes."
"Okay, see you there Rayray!" Rachel said before ending their conversation. Ryley then took a deep breath before walking towards Martin.
"Brother..." Ryley came to his manager who was looking sullen with his arms folded across his chest. "I'm going to have dinner with my sister tonight,"
"That's your right. Besides, I can still reschedule your work for tomorrow."
Ryley chuckled a little at the behavior of his former college senior. He knew how overprotective Martin was since the incident two years ago.
His memory accidentally returned to when he was at the worst point in his life, where he could only lie on a hospital bed surrounded by life supporting machines, unable to feel his left leg at all.
"Hehe, I know you're worried. But I can take care of myself," Ryley smiled.
Martin just sighed in annoyance and got up from the chair he was sitting on. His hand scratched the back of his head that didn't itch. "It's up to you,"
...
The sun rose and illuminated the sky, waking the people even though the city itself never slept. Ryley spent his time shopping for some clothes he wanted to wear in the evening.
When he arrived at the hotel in the afternoon, he threw away his hat, mask and glasses he had worn all day to avoid fans and paparazzi.
"Shit... I'm dead tired," he said after throwing himself on the soft mattress in front of him.
A pair of his honey irises stared blankly at the ceiling. His mind returned to Rachel's words telling him to come alone. It didn't sound wrong, but it did feel a bit wrong. He couldn't risk coming alone.
It's true that he's distrustful, but he didn't believe the incident that had to make him take a long break from the entertainment world and his career faded two years ago was his sister's doing. Ryley still couldn't accept reality and thought that the most terrible incident in his life was purely the result of a misunderstanding.
He had forgiven his older sister, but he wouldn't put himself in danger like he used to.
An idea then popped into his mind and made him call Martin.
"Brother, can you take me tonight?"
"Hah? Didn't you say you could take care of yourself?"
"I know. But at least I have to take precautions just in case, right?" Ryley replied while playing with his nails.
"Hah, you're just bothering me."
"Hehe, Sorry, Brother. I promise I'll treat you to your favorite meals tomorrow!"
The evening sky had almost completely darkened after he hung up the phone. Ryley then got up from the bed and stretched his arms up. One by one, he took off his clothes and jeans then walked to the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Ryley was neatly dressed in a black turtleneck and a mocha blazer set with the same colored pants. He then departed with Martin to the dinner location.
"Ryley, are you sure you don't want me to come with you inside?" Martin asked after they reached the hotel parking lot.
Ryley just smiled faintly, "I know how to take care of myself. You just wait here,"
The fantastic night view of New York city greeted Ryley as he walked towards a reservation table with a blonde woman sitting in one of the chairs. The atmosphere of the high-end hotel restaurant at the heart of the city is so calm, with faint accompaniment of classical music and the chatter of a few guests around.
"Ah, Rayray," Rachel got up from her chair and hugged her little brother. "I miss you so much,"
"Sister… You're getting prettier," Ryley replied with a similar gesture, then took his seat.
The beautiful woman in a maroon evening dress then started the conversation. "Haha, thanks. First of all, I would like to congratulate you on being the ambassador for Hyacinthia. I still can't believe you can get up again and stand on your own two feet,"
Rachel ended her sentence with a smile. But for some reason, Ryley could feel that the smile didn't reach his sister's smokey eyes. He also felt that there was something behind Rachel's last sentence.
"Ah, thank you, I still need to learn more," Ryley replied with a slightly forced smile.
After selecting the food on the menu, the two continued their conversation. On the sidelines of the discussion not far from the topic of fashion and entertainment, Rachel brought her chair closer and cupped her hands.
"I'm curious. How did your agency manage to secure a contract with Hyacinthia for you?" Rachel asked.
The question sounded like a needle stuck in Ryley's ear. He could sense Rachel's hidden intentions when she asked that. The woman in front of him clearly looked down on his agency and judged that they did not deserve a contract from one of the luxurious fashion brands in America.
Ryley wanted to dodge, but an idea came back to his mind.
"Ah, our agency is quite small, but the PR staff is trying their best so I'm sure they are reliable in publishing my photoshoot that Hyacinthia's public relation staff paid us a visit themselves," he replied with a slightly arrogant tone as he rubbed his million dollars watch coiled around his right hand.
This is what made his haters, especially those dwelling in the dark, to never cease. After saying that answer to Rachel, Ryley could see the change in his older sister's expression, from looking curious to furrowing her brows as if feeling annoyed.
"Oh, I see… My little brother is great," said Rachel, but her smile faded as she took a sip of her wine glass.
Their conversation continued until the meals they ordered came. After finishing their dinner, Ryley glanced at his watch which showed it was half past eight in the evening. His face was a little red from drinking too much wine.
"Sorry, I'll go to the toilet for a moment," Ryley left his watch on the table and got up from the chair.
After he left the table, Rachel seemed to be glancing left and right with an unreadable expression. She then called the waiter and ordered another bottle of wine.
"Sister? Why order wine again?" Ryley asked after he came back from the toilet and put his watch back on.
"Come on, I haven't seen you in a long time. Drink with me!" Rachel replied while raising her glass.
"Fuh… Alright then..." Ryley looked reluctant, but since the wine his sister ordered tonight was one of his favourites, he couldn't refuse.
But he never thought that accompanying Rachel to drink that night would bring him a disaster…
"You are more beautiful than in the photo… Ryley…"
A hoarse voice that sounded disgusting woke Ryley from his sleep. He blinked several times to clear his blurry vision. His body felt hot and his head felt heavy when he realized someone was climbing on him.
"W…Who are you…!"