The Cali Alpha [Mafia Games 5]

a

York Ci

pital hallway. Got off my sh

She gave the model a smile to convince her that she didn't mind how Kel's dark hair and pale face smelled of rubbing alc

on her dark brown eyebrows now. Kel's dark lashes and rather thick brows were such contrast to her pale gr

le flicking a smaller makeup brush. She w

e closed her eyes and tilted her head

k in a h

terning,

ere older than me," Jessi c

. "How old are you again? You're so pret

s other eyelid. "25 soon. Little too old and short to be a model b

ogue and runway. Commercials, too." Ke

Jessi could hear the photographer somewhat yelling instructions and counting off every half-

under five-foot-six. For a change." Kel tutted. "You defini

. But thanks." Jessi smiled at the compliment

del was old enough to be a doctor. Well, medical intern for now, as she had ex

si picked up another makeup brush. "So...you're in

d this full-time," Kel muttered. "In Ita

. Wow. Sou

ll lines beside her pale lips. The semi-matte lipstick looked almost the s

" Jessi asked. "

ere. Lived with him for a while,

and decided she needed more gel, even after she alrea

Minimal color gradients. Mostly white outfits. It was what the shoot's creative d

now. The other half of the unit looked like a clinical laborat

h the other models, Kel would be doing the co

ain when her boss said she had to do the retouches throughout the day and w

r and photographer didn't mind. But Jessi knew she had to finish Kel's makeup fast so th

s were still doing some test shots. One looked no older

is "quick New York gig" before he would give her the de

if she could hold up with grace under pressure? Did he wa

the production company. To show off her guts, she just said yes to Zach's request and pa

her. She should just do her best and be professional the entire day. Best case scenario: the photograp

ce I can't be in New York first thing. He's the client. Italian businessman trying to market his biotech company. I

tability, most importantly. He must be testing her whether she had what it takes, before he gave her a serious full

ur early, in fact. She was sleep-deprived, her back was hurting because of the long flight, and her eyes were starting to

part. She'd waited so long for this great job opportunity. Of course she wasn't gonna sta

h other models, Jessi had to wait

d part of the set design. The other model was a tall guy who was kind of a Tyson Beckford lookalike. He definitely looked go

e corner of the studio-type venue. The creative team had assistants

h some cranberry juice and deli

athroom," the photographer requested with a polite smile. He got u

pped her jacket. She recalled the bathroom in the other

"Ask her if she wants some salad inst

proceeded to the other side of the buildin

ing onto the edge of the sink with her head hanging low and almost touching the bathroom mirror

presence be known. Was it stomach flu or...bulimia? She

e in the spacious bathroom prompted Jessi to step inside. She had

you

inted, upturned nose and her eyes were a bit puffy now. They were also teary

nt of the model. She closed and locked the

ve her a small smile. I

odel's thick lashes. "If you're not feeling well, we could reschedule tomorrow. S

the tears off her eyes with some tissues. Her smile lo

ck retouch. You want some sal

ft voice sounded nasal, like she'd been crying. "Let'

e the commercial shoot. My boss doesn't

. The photographer and the

eschedule. She could tell Kel was overworked and rather skinny.

nd stood against the sink with the faucet run

ou wanted something else to eat. Nigel n

ole thing." Kel sniffled and blew her

watched while Kel kept wa

" Kel sn

si felt intrigued for some reason. "Aci

back to Jessi while her gaze focused on her reflection in the mirror. Kel was staring at her lower ab

me significant comforting. But Jessi didn't want to seem intrusive. When she saw and heard Kel sobbing onto he

anymore, fanning her pretty and somewhat heart-shaped face with h

utside? Or tell them w

breaths to calm herself down. "I'll be fine. I just need to...

Jessi handed her ano

red before blowing her nos

? What's t

d grin. "The pressure, y'know? Gets to me

o try to comfort her. "Can relate, though." She tried a chuckle to lighten up t

thing else." Kel grunted and massaged the bridge o

sn't live here

left of her tears. "Or was it two years ago? Not sure..." She smiled weakly. "Been trai

ned against the sink now s

uined my mak

tly. "You still got a full commercial to shoot,

b

e better, before stepping b

r head upward. "But life's really testing me this year. And I'm just..

isappointment in the woman's tone. What was she regretf

my midday rants is

actually friends, Jessi felt like Kel would be like an older sister t

y a lot since she was a teen didn't exactly he

end? Or plans to

r goals, as you are. Actually I just moved to LA, like that," s

glanced at her. "At least yo

far." Jessi crossed her arms and regarded the woman slouchin

kinda...pushed me into med school

s your f

small hospital

..didn't

gned," Kel said with a frown. "W

the pay wasn'

sick all the time and...I still had thousands of student loans

to Italy? To work a

droned on with a loud sigh. She was checking he

shooting marketing brochure photos for? The commercial to be shot in a labora

ages. "Just gets on my nerve sometimes when he's..." she t

They're still having l

sink for the next couple of seconds. They just stood next

Jessi put on a smile a

hanks for...being

at did she mean?

slim arms below her rather flat chest. Her white blouse

si muttered, growing mo

s hurt like a bitch. Whole shebang." Kel snicke

ike vomiting earlier, because of morning sickness? Although it was lunchtime,

"Piece of advice, Jess...if you're seeing someone, do yourself a huge favor and make

e to worry about that right n

ends and...you're convinced you're both s

ounds com

scoffed loudly again, ignoring her retort

gain. The unsolicited dating advice from a stranger wasn't

," Kel murmured while her brows furrowed. "Or else my

t friend

her best friend. She's

t, right?" Jessi regarded

how must go on, it seemed. "Yep." Kel sighed and eyed the door while she bi

in h

en know if I cou

y n

st gonna

d when she heard her message notification ton

messag

h B

st done? Was gonna call but m

y 12

asked him if she should go back to LA by tonight because

her query almo

messag

h B

there now. Just hitch a ride with him and h

y 01

nd glanced at Kel, who was checking

mascara stains under her eyes aft

o's girlfriend? Before Jessi could ask for

messag

h B

sched this we

y 01

and put her phone away before Kel

n minutes aw

ssi asked

hroughout. Just push him out the door the second you see hi

he looks like." Jessi

red, wiping her nose and making a face at her own reflection. A bit of her foundation ne

" Jessi chuckled whe

with a slanted grin after a nod. "Okay..." she drawled

're stunning even without makeup." Sh

warmly and threw away the crumpl