[ Skyline Entertainment ]
Inside the building, voices echoed through the halls as Ryan, Derek's brother stormed into the director's office, shouting in frustration.
"How is this possible?" he demanded. "How can my manager be changed without my permission?"
The director, trying to remain calm, replied, "Ryan, these orders came from the top. Your manager had to take a leave."
Internally, the director sighed. Your manager was so fed up with your tantrums that he practically begged for a break and ran out the door. But he kept his expression neutral, deciding to leave those details out.
"We've appointed you a new manager," the director continued, forcing a smile. "She's one of the best in the field."
Ryan's expression twisted. "She?" He scoffed. "You know I don't like women around me. They're always throwing themselves at me."
The director cursed inwardly, annoyed by Ryan's narcissism, but managed to keep his face neutral. "Don't worry," he said. "She's a true professional. Trust me, she won't be distracted by men, especially not you."
Ryan's frown deepened, his brow furrowing. "Hardly distracted by men, huh? Is she even a woman?"
A voice cut through from the doorway, clear and unamused. "Do you really doubt it?"
Ryan turned, his eyes locking onto the woman who had spoken. His words caught in his throat as he took in her presence.
She stood tall, exuding an air of confidence with her pencil skirt and neatly tied white shirt, her expression professional yet unbothered by the tension in the room. She was five years older than Ryan.
Her eyes briefly scanned Ryan's messy blonde hair before she raised an eyebrow, muttering, "Interesting."
The director, clearly relieved, gestured toward her with a wide smile. "Miss Maya, please, come in," he said. The relief in his voice was unmistakable—thankfully, she had agreed to take on the challenge of managing Ryan.
Unbeknownst to the director, Maya had her own reasons for accepting the position. Desperate to pay off debts and rebuild her life, Maya had taken the job despite hearing tales of Ryan's tantrums and impossible demands.
Maya extended a hand toward Ryan. "Nice to meet you, Mr Ryan " she said calmly.
Ryan looked at her outstretched hand and sneered. "I don't touch the opposite gender," he said flatly, crossing his arms.
The director's anxiety spiked as he quickly stepped in, shaking Maya's hand instead. "Welcome, Miss Maya. I'm confident you'll handle things well."
The director cleared his throat, eager to reduce the tension. "Ryan, why don't you get ready for the next photoshoot? People are waiting," he urged, in a clear attempt to move things along.
Reluctantly, Ryan stormed out of the office, his irritation still evident in the heavy slam of the door.
Once he was gone, the director turned to Maya with an apologetic look. "Please don't mind his behavior. He's... warm-hearted, really."
Maya stifled a chuckle. "Warm-hearted?"
She glanced toward the door Ryan had exited through. "I'd say more like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment. But don't worry."
The director smiled nervously, but Maya's quiet confidence reassured him. If anyone could handle Ryan, it was her.
-----
The studio was abuzz with activity as the team prepared for the photoshoot. Bright lights flooded the room . Crew members rushed around, adjusting props and checking the setup.
The photographer, a tall man with a sharp eye and an impatient demeanor, was barking orders to his crew.
Ryan strolled in, his annoyance still evident from the earlier confrontation. He plopped down in a chair near the makeup room, his expression sour.
The crew members who had been busy around now stood still, momentarily starstruck by the sight of him.
Maya entered a moment later, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around her.
She took in the scene with a quick glance, already spotting minor inefficiencies. Quietly but firmly, she approached the photographer.
"Everything on schedule?" she asked, her voice steady but authoritative.
The photographer glanced at her and nodded curtly. "More or less, but he," he said, nodding toward Ryan, "needs to cooperate. Otherwise, we're going nowhere."
Maya turned toward Ryan, who was now scrolling on his phone, ignoring the commotion around him. She walked over and stood in front of him, blocking his view.
"Ryan," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument, "we're on the clock. Let's make this smooth for everyone, including yourself."
Ryan looked up, raising an eyebrow. "I don't take orders from anyone, especially not you."
Maya smirked slightly. "Good to know. But I'm not giving orders—I'm suggesting you act like the professional they're paying you to be. Unless you're okay with wasting everyone's time and earning a bad reputation."
A few crew members nearby stifled chuckles, pretending to be busy. Ryan glared at them before returning his attention to Maya. Her calm, unwavering gaze somehow annoyed him even more.
"Fine," he said, standing up with exaggerated reluctance. "But if I get bored, I'm leaving."
"Noted," Maya replied with a polite smile.
Ryan stepped onto the set, the photographer immediately snapping into action. "Okay, Ryan, we're going for moody and intense today. Think mysterious —give me that energy."
To Maya's surprise, the moment the camera was on him, Ryan transformed. His posture shifted, his jaw tightened just right, and his eyes burned with intensity. The room seemed to pause as the photographer started snapping furiously.
"Yes! That's it! Perfect! Hold it!" the photographer shouted enthusiastically.
Maya watched, her arms crossed, her expression neutral, but inside she was impressed.
For someone who throws tantrums like a toddler, he really is exceptionally talented. No wonder they put up with him.
Ryan, seemingly in his element, moved effortlessly through a series of poses. The photographer continued to praise him, and even the crew, who had been annoyed with him earlier, looked a little awestruck.
Ryan moved through a series of poses, each one more confident than the last.
The photographer kept praising him, and even the crew members, who had been grumbling earlier, were now visibly impressed.
Just as Maya was about to think the shoot might actually go smoothly, Ryan decided to get creative. He attempted an overly dramatic pose, tilting his head back in what he clearly thought was a powerful, mysterious angle—but his elbow knocked over a prop vase on the table. It tumbled to the floor with a loud crash, causing everyone to freeze.
Ryan's face immediately went red. "Really?" he muttered under his breath, but a smirk tugged at his lips.
Maya stepped forward, her expression unfazed. "You okay, Mr. Ryan?" she asked, her voice calm, though there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, pretending to be nonchalant. "I'm fine. Let's just keep going."
Maya nodded. "Alright, back to the set. And maybe no more dramatic spins for the rest of the day." Ryan scowled.
By the end of the shoot, the photos turned out incredible, a clear reflection of Ryan's undeniable talent. He might have been a handful, but there was no denying he was a star.
Despite the smooth finish, Ryan stormed out of the studio, still annoyed—but perhaps even more so by the fact that Maya seemed completely unbothered by his attitude.