Chapter 11

On Tuesday morning Ella made way back into the company, today they had been scheduled to officially start their photo shoot at an undisclosed location, but first they had to report to work. Ella made her way to William's office, after she tried reaching him the entire night with no reply she knew that she could only find him at work. William's secretary the moment she saw Ella sneered at her but all the same let her inside, the previous day she had peeked at the director's office after Elise had left wondering what the two would be up to several minutes after Elise left. She was shocked to find the two kissing passionately. She closed the door immediately and went back to her station, as though nothing had happened.

"Good morning sir, Ella the moment she got inside and found William seated elegantly on a chair.

"Good morning Ella, what could I do for you today." Inquired William, yesterday's temptation was too much for him to bear, he had almost shouted her name when he made love to his wife, the kind of heat she made him feel had accompanied him till home.

"William why do you treat me so casually, did anything happen since our earlier encounter? I also called you the entire night but you could not be reached, what could be the matter?" Asked Ella, she was sure that she had put him in the box the previous day, but his sudden change of attitude made her wonder what had transpired.

"Nothing is up, so what do you need today?" William continued with the same attitude, he won't let this woman dictate him, from their encounter earlier he was sure she has wanted to manipulate him continually without getting anything in return.

"I just wanted to inquire why the company decided to allocate Elise one of the most prestigious apartments in the country while I was left out."

"I even confirmed it myself after I heard her talk about it, she truly resides in Samantha apartment's." Ella added.

William was surprised at this sudden revelation, the company definitely allocated the top models who worked for their company an apartment at Samantha apartments. William doesn't remember any the last time the company had allocated that apartment to anyone. William made calculations and decided that since Ella seemed to want that apartment badly she could always pay for it.

"That's right Ella, Elise had definitely been allocated an apartment there, and personally I ensured she settled in, it depends if you too really need the apartment." Said William swinging happily in his chair, what a nice opportunity that just presented itself to him.

"Of course I want one, what makes you think that I would let such an opportunity pass me by "Ella responded getting elated at the sudden turn of events, so the apartment had been available all along yet she hadn't been allocated one just because she hadn't inquired about it.

"If you are sure about that then we could continue from where we left yesterday, after that you will be sure to get yourself one, just like what Elise did." Responded William with a treacherous smile forming on his face. This time Ella would not be able to escape him.

"Are you implying that I sleep with you before getting that apartment? Is that really how Elise was able to get her apartment?" Ella said disbelief written all over her face. She never thought that Elise who had acted holier than anyone else could resort to such means. Did it mean that she had obtained the previous day's deal just because of her dirty tricks!

Ella felt a mixture of jealousy and hatred, did it mean that she could have been trending if she had decided to go for it first. Ella made the decision to make Elise regret ever taking what had been rightfully hers, she will take away every single thing away from her. Ella made a vow in her heart to use whatever she had to gain whatever was within her reach.

William watched the changing expression on Ella's face, he knew that what he just said struck the centre nerve, he was now sure to enjoy what he just tasted the previous day and got denied afterwards. It was a great feeling having the delicately beautiful lady at his fingertips.

"So what's gonna be, will you accept it or you let Elise beat you to it, the decision is yours baby." William said as he moved closer to where she stood before, taking her hair into his hands he played with them as he made a circle around her.

"You could always refuse, and we forget that we had this little chat." William added, he definitely knew that the anger than now showed on Ella's face would definitely be a win for him.

"Alright if that's what it takes, then I'm all in, but don't you dare play me for this. If you try to fool me then you won't like me as your enemy." Elise said freeing herself from him.

" It's a deal then, will text you the address." William said. The opportunity that had presented itself was so hard to come by, but since he had been in the industry for so long, he knew about the betrayals that normally happened in such situations, he decided therefore it would be a location of his choice to prevent any discreet recording of their engagement later.

Ella left the office with a new determination in her heart, Elise would not be able to escape her this time round. Making her way to the thirteenth floor she found everyone already waiting for her, the first person that Ella saw was Elise dressed in a white loosely fitting dress, how ironic was her choice of dressing considering all the things Elise did in the dark. Ella sneered in her heart and decided to focus her attention on the information being shared.

"It's good that you guys arrived in time, today would be our first photo shoot. We will be having different themes for the two of our models and I believe that we will work together and support each other.

Since it will be our first photo shoot we have arranged for personal make-up artist for each one of our models. Definitely they are the best in our industry and we hope that you Elise and Ella will work hand in hand with them to bring out the best outcome for our company.

First let me introduce to you Lisa who is known by almost all of us." The crew director Martin said.

Lisa raised he r hands amidst the crowd and waved.

"Next let me introduce to you our other make-up artist, Flora." Martin added, Flora waved at the crowd and everyone clapped for her. She had been working at the company for a long time till the model under her care decided to stop her modeling career. Flora had been discouraged but the company persuaded her so much to work for them again.

Martin had used the photograph of Elise which appeared on the cover magazine to help convince her to work with them again. The promising model helped to soften her heart and she decided to go back to the company hoping to help mold her career.

The moment Martin finished speaking Ella decided to take the chance and chose for herself her makeup artist,

"Excuse me sir, am I allowed to choose for myself Flora as my makeup artist?" Ella asked definitely marking her territory.

"Of course Ella, you can choose whoever you want but I can assure you every one of them is best in their own ways." Martin said the moment he realize the mistake he just made. Flora had only agreed to work with the company only if the model assigned to her would be Elise. Martin immediately glanced at Flora's direction with remorse written all over his face.

Flora who had just met Ella was thrilled by her enthusiasm that she liked her instantly, all through her work she had lived easygoing people who grabbed opportunities as they came. Ella definitely matched her standards so the moment she chose her she didn't feel offended in any way. Elise who watched the situation unfold did not seem bothered at all with Ella choosing the best artist, Elise believed in her potential alone to make her successful in this life. So whoever was signed to her did not bother her at all. The briefing was concluded and the crew dispersed to prepare themselves, it would be the start of a long day in the coming days.

Elise was busy parking her stuff when Ella suddenly appeared in her room. She never thought that her room would host such an important 'guest'.

"Did you think you will continue to outdo me in this company just because you got to appear on the weekly magazine cover page. Relax dear, we just got started and I would advise you to always watch your back." Ella

said and patted Elise’ shoulder and made her way out, leaving the confused Elise.

"What was that all about?" Elise wondered out loud.