02

Eloise Nicole

“Let me take some rest. Go away.”

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. I was tired like hell; I needed some sleep to energize my system again. I had been working nonstop since morning; doing a photoshoot for a magazine, and not forgetting the promotions of different beauty products I endorse.

“You have to attend a product launch event, El. This is important, you can take rest afterward.” Evan almost shouted in my ear.

“Not again!” I cried.

Life of a celebrity sucks!

“Can’t help it, El. Your mother wants you to be there. She has already sent a dress for you.” Evan commented.

Getting up in a sitting position I glared at Evan, who is my manager and my best friend. He has been working for me for the last three years. He lives in the apartment next door; he has to be with me all the time as he manages all my work.

“She came herself?” I asked.

“No.” Came his reply. As expected!

“Call Trish,” I grumbled.

“I’m right here.” Trish chirped, standing at the door of my room.

“Come on, take away these black eyes with your magic.” I pointed at my eyes.

“Always at your service ma’am.” She bowed making me roll my eyes.

Trish is my personal makeup artist. She also owns a beauty studio that was inaugurated by me five months ago. She’s Evan’s girlfriend and lives with him in the apartment next door. She’s also my best friend.

Basically, these two people keep me sane and entertained otherwise I would have been a certified psycho by now.

“Okay girlfriend, you make her look presentable till then I’ll go and get ready.” Evan kissed his girlfriend.

“Enough of this PDA,” I grumbled, crossing my arms.

“I won’t go with you if you stop me from kissing my girlfriend. This sudden event we have to attend has already ruined the date I planned for my girlfriend.” Evan complained.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try my best to give two a day off.” I felt bad for both of them. Just because of me they get less time to spend with each other.

“It’s okay, El. We understand.” Trish smiled reassuringly.

After fitting into the dress my mother sent and applying the makeup I reached the venue with Evan.

There, the media bombarded me with ridiculous questions; asking me about my hookups. Don’t they have any genuine questions to ask? I only answered questions related to my work and others, which I ignored. Many of the questions were answered by Evan.

After giving poses to the media we both entered inside the hall. There I was welcomed by the elite people of the society. There also, people didn’t forget to approach me for work but Evan handled them with perfection.

We were having dinner when suddenly my eyes ceased on a person who was busy devouring his food; Daniel Adams. I was aware of the work he does; his company and his business partners Sean Patterson and Xavier Knight as they remain in news more often. I don’t know him personally; I just know a little and that too what the media put forward.

I don’t know what was in his aura that resisted me from taking my eyes off him but when he looked up to me I couldn’t help but blush. Ugh! He caught me gawking him.

After dinner, I was caught up by one of the groups of ladies who are influencers of the fashion industry. They were stuffing my ears with the gossip of the industry when I saw Claire Wilson getting clingy with Daniel Adams. Must be his girlfriend or date for the night? Wait! Why do I care?

I don’t know what was happening to me because I wasn’t able to take my eyes off him again and he caught me staring at him again. I ignored the sudden flip my stomach did when he started walking towards me.

Excusing myself I stepped away from the ladies but cursed my luck when he suddenly came in front of me.

“May I know your name, beautiful lady?” He asked. I couldn’t help but admire his chiseled face. His beautiful, dark brown eyes had some kind of mischief in them. The curve of his lips portrayed playfulness. One more player to handle. I gave him my most common smile which I give to media and every other person who isn’t close to me. I have learned it with experience.

“Eloise Nicole,” I replied.

“Eloi, nice name.” I smiled mischievously. Huh? Eloi? Did he hear me wrong?

He took me by surprise when he took my hand in his and raised it to his lips, I slipped my hand from his hold.

“It’s Eloise, Mr. Adams.” I slightly narrowed my eyes.

“That is exactly what I said, Eloi. And nice to meet you.” He smirked. The nerve of this man! We just met and he already gave a name to me? Where are his professional manners? I scrunched my face in annoyance but again masked it before anyone could notice. I had to play a decent girl role.

“Nice to meet you too Mr. Adams,” I replied in annoyance but sweetly.

Evan who was dealing with the ladies I excused myself from came to me and snaked his arm around my waist.

“Time to leave, El.” He whispered in my ear.

Evan saw the man standing in front of me and extended his hand “Hello, Mr. Adams I’m Evan, her…”

“Date,” I replied quickly. I gave Evan a side look silently telling him to play along.

“Uh…yeah, her date,” Evan answered hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you, Evan. You sure have a beautiful lady as your date.” Daniel shook his hand.

“Yeah, I guess?” Evan joked and earned a glare from me.

“Excuse me Mr. Adams but we have to leave,” I said narrowing my eyes.

“Oh, sure! We’ll meet again” He commented.

“In your dreams,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Goodbye then,” I said.

“Until next time, Eloi.” He took me by surprise by kissing me on my cheek. I gasped and threw daggers at him.

“For the last time, my name is ELOISE, Mr. Adams. And I’ll appreciate it if you maintain some distance.” I said frustratingly.

“But I’m finding it hard to keep the distance. Again, until next time, Eloi.” He winked and walked back, not taking his eyes off me.

I huffed and stomped my way out with Evan catching up to me.

“What was that?” Evan asked when we sat in the car.

“I did it to resist him from making a move on me. He’s so annoying. Can you imagine in just the first meeting he gave me a name? Eloi… What is that? For heaven’s sake, I have a name but he just…ugh‼” I grumbled taking off the pins holding my hair in place.

“Calm down, El. Oh, sorry, Eloi.” Evan laughed. I poked his bicep with the pins I was holding.

“Ow, that hurts you crazy woman. Do you want to rupture my bicep?” He rebuked rubbing the area I poked.

“Then don’t tease me otherwise I’ll pierce your skin with the pins and also will tell Trish that you were showing a lot of interest in a model tonight,” I smirked evilly

“Hey, I wasn’t showing interest in anyone. She was trying to grab my attention. I love my girlfriend so very much. Don’t you dare say anything to her.” He said with wide eyes. Ha! Scared.

“Drive.” I chuckled, shaking my head. Resting my on on the car door and making it a pillow I rested my head on my arm. Unwillingly my thoughts went to the man who got me annoyed. Sure I was impressed by his looks but his mischievousness left me frustrated.

I hope I don’t meet him again. My life is already full of people who want to have me with them and the media is already talking about it. I don’t want to give anything new to the media to talk about me.

I want peace at least for some time.