AN: First part is slightly fast paced. And as usual, let me know if there are any mistakes.
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Alex stood up and stretched as Scarlett, Max, and Caroline walked in. He gave them a quick smile, but his eyes were already on the clock. "Glad you three are here," he said, walking over to Scarlett first. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thanks for killing it today."
Scarlett gave a tired smile. "You owe me chocolate."
"I'll bring some next time," Alex said as he turned to Max and Caroline. "You two... You're modeling tomorrow for a clothing brand."
Max blinked. "Wait. What?"
Caroline looked confused. "Model? Us? Since when?"
Alex waved a hand. "Since ten minutes ago. The last models are out. Disaster. You're in. Rachel will handle everything. Nails, hair, sizes, rehearsal."
Max looked at Caroline. Caroline looked at Max.
"Is this a joke?" Max asked.
"Nope," Rachel said, already tapping on her tablet. "We're on a tight schedule. You're both perfect for this. Trust me."
Alex stepped closer. He held their hands and looked into their eyes. "This is your shot. Make it count. It's your time to shine. It's time to take a step forward and do something big. And if you two do good, then I'll arrange a couple of gigs, and who knows? Maybe I'll cast you girls in one of my movies."
Max's eyes got huge. She took one step back, turned on her heel, and made a run for the door.
"Nope! Nope! I am not doing a catwalk in front of cameras unless it's on fire and I'm fleeing for my life!"
Alex moved fast. He grabbed her arm before she could bolt and gently pulled her back into his arms. She froze, stiff as a board, her heart pounding like a drumline.
He looked into her eyes. "Max. Breathe."
She blinked fast. "I am breathing. Hyperventilating is still breathing."
He smiled softly. "You'll be amazing. I wouldn't pick you if I didn't know it."
Max swallowed hard. "My legs are made of spaghetti right now."
"I like spaghetti," Alex said. "Especially brave spaghetti."
Then Caroline spoke up, quieter than usual. "What if it hurts your name?" she said. "My dad's in prison, remember? Fraud. Headlines. People talk. If I'm in the shoot, it could blow back on you."
Max jumped in, suddenly not so brave. "She's right. We're not the right pick. Let's just... skip it."
Alex looked at both of them, clearly not buying it. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll take care of everything. All you girls gotta do is show up and pose."
Scarlett leaned against the desk, arms crossed, smirking. "Well, if you two really don't want it…" she said, letting the words hang in the air.
Max narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Scarlett shrugged. "Nothing. Just that if you pass, Alex might ask Lilly to step in. You know she's been dying for a chance to work with Alex. Especially if it gets her next to him... or out of her shirt. Oh, and I might also join in. Since he has two open positions."
Caroline's head whipped toward Scarlett. "Nude shoot? You and Lilly joining in?"
Scarlett smiled innocently. "It is a fashion brand. Sometimes they go edgy. Who knows what might happen on set. Maybe a little oil. A little skin. Maybe he needs a muse again. Or, he might pose nude with just his underwear for girls' magazines and might need someone to oil him up. Well, it's a dangerous place to leave an opening."
Max's mouth opened. "Nope. No way. I'm not letting Lilly, or you busty strut around topless in front of Alex with some body glitter and a wind machine."
Caroline raised a hand. "Same. If anyone's gonna be half-naked next to Alex and oil him up, it's going to be me."
Scarlett smiled and gave Alex a slight nod. "Well then. Looks like we're all clear."
"Max, why do I think we just walked into her trap?" Caroline asked.
"You devil!" Max grumbled, staring at Scarlett as she realized she got her good this time.
Rachel, still tapping away on her tablet, didn't even look up. "I already called our designer. Glad you've decided."
Alex smiled and pulled both girls into a quick hug.
"You'll be amazing. And for the record, this is exactly why I love you both."
Scarlett walked over to them, "Hey, where's my hug?"
Alex chuckled and hugged her too.
"Alright. Girls. You better put up your A game. And I gotta go. Got an important meeting. See ya all on the set. Don't be late."
After that, he kissed them all before leaving.
...
[Cut to Alex's penthouse]
Alex stepped out of the steaming shower, running a towel through his hair. Then, after a quick shave and a splash of cologne, he slipped into his tailored blue suit.
He checked his watch. On time.
Grabbing his phone, keys, and a thin folder, he headed down to the private garage. His brand new limited edition Lotus Sport Exige 240R was waiting. The drive was smooth, fast, and quiet.
Location: Restaurant "Velluto Blu"
Velluto Blu sat tucked into a corner of the West Side, wrapped in soft lighting and velvet interiors. Classy, quiet, private. This one was more secure and had better security than the previous restaurant he went to.
Alex arrived first. He parked his car in the lot and went in. His security team, which Rachel appointed, was also there, in casual clothes, as they took over most of the empty seats. It was like she reserved the entire place, and instead of civilians, it was Alex's guards.
'Haaa. She went overboard.' Alex's eyes went toward the System Screen. The quest for surviving the assassination was still active. So, it's better to have them around. 'Fucking quest. It's already over 2 weeks. Well, whatever.'
Rachel had already reserved a private room for them. He sat, scanned the menu, but didn't order yet.
A few minutes later, Angelina Jolie walked in.
She looked beautiful, of course. She wore a dark emerald gown that looked like a 5 grand dress. She wore a little makeup. Her hair was tied in a bun with a few strands falling around her face. Red lips and black eyeliner. It was like she was on a date.
When she reached the table, Alex stood and pulled her chair.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice," he said.
Angelina smiled faintly. "You don't say no to Alex Wilson. At least, not if you want to work again." She took a seat. "Thank you."
Alex went back to his seat.
The waiter brought two glasses of wine and took their orders without interrupting the vibe.
Alex watched her for a moment...
"You look stunning," he said. "That dress should be illegal."
Angelina smiled. "Careful. Compliments from you tend to come with contracts."
He shrugged with a smile. "Only the good ones."
She took a small sip and studied him. "So. This brand of yours. Titan Clothing. Rachel said three lines?"
He nodded. "Titan Vela. That's our high-end luxury. Think red carpets, galas, and magazine covers. Then there's Titan Aevum: premium, but affordable. That's for people who want class without burning their savings. And finally, Titan Rove. Everyday basics. Clean, simple, versatile."
Angelina raised an eyebrow. "All female lineup?"
"For now," Alex said. "Men's line is next phase. But we launch in a week, so right now, the focus is on getting this debut perfect."
"Which is where I come in," she said, setting her glass down.
"Exactly," Alex said. "You're our face. Vela needs someone iconic. Someone who walks into a room and changes the energy."
Angelina took a sip of wine. "And you think that's me?"
"I know it is," Alex said. "You're a legend. But people forgot. They need to remember. And this campaign will do just that."
The waiter returned with their food. He placed the plates down gently and vanished without a word.
Angelina glanced at her plate, then back at Alex. "So what's the catch? There's always one. Don't get me wrong. I'm really grateful for what you did for me. The previous exclusive contract saved my entire career, and now this... Aren't you being too generous?"
Alex leaned back in his chair, letting the silence sit for just a moment after her question. He looked at her, calm and steady.
"Do you want the professional answer or the personal one?" he asked.
Angelina tilted her head, amused. "Let's start with professional."
Alex nodded. "Alright. Professionally? This shoot is a turning point. Titan Clothing is about to go global, and the face we choose to launch it will be seen everywhere. Magazines. Billboards. Commercials. Galas. You name it."
He paused, then leaned in slightly.
"You're still a star, Angie. But I know you've been stuck under the shadow of your past roles, the headlines, the gossip. This is your reset. Your return."
She held his gaze, listening closely.
"With me behind the brand, with Titan's power, you'll not only make a comeback. You'll own the stage again. Bigger than ever before. You'll be the icon people look at and say, 'She never left. We just weren't paying enough attention.'"
Angelina smiled, but there was something thoughtful in her eyes. "That's a strong pitch."
Alex gave a half-smile. "It's not a pitch. It's what I believe."
She took a slow breath, then set her fork down. "Alright. And the personal answer?"
Alex looked at her without flinching. "Personally? I've had a crush on you way before I was in the industry. You know, like a celebrity crush. I just didn't think I'd ever say that out loud."
Angelina blinked, surprised.
Alex kept going. "I'm serious. You were the first woman I saw on screen and thought, 'She's not just beautiful. She's fire.' And now, here we are. Sharing wine. Talking business."
He paused, then softened his voice.
"I'd like to take you out. Not as a model. Not as a brand face. No cameras. No contracts. Just you and me. A real date. Dinner, drinks, something quiet. I want to get to know you. The real you."
Angelina didn't say anything for a second. She looked at her glass, then back at him.
"You don't mix business and personal?"
"I usually don't," Alex said. "But I also don't usually get the chance to ask someone like you out."
She smiled again. This time, warmer.
"You might be dangerous, Mr. Wilson."
He smiled right back. "Only if you say no."
Angelina laughed softly and leaned back in her chair. Her fingers played lightly with the stem of her wine glass.
"You've got guts," she said. "I like that."
Alex smiled. "Without guts, who would I be?"
"You already have all the power, Alex. Most men would kill for what you have. You could have asked for the date in the guise of a contract or a gig. Or, you could have used your influence to get what you want. Yet, here you are asking me out like a high school crush."
He shrugged. "That's because I'm not trying to impress you with power. I just want a chance to know what makes you laugh. What makes you mad. What kind of food you secretly eat in the middle of the night."
Angelina raised an eyebrow. "Spicy noodles. Extra garlic. While watching a horror movie."
Alex laughed. "I respect that."
She pointed her fork at him. "You sure you want to take me out? I bite."
"Only if I let you."
'A date with Alex Wilson. He's so young and handsome and... Phew! Alright. Let's do this.' Angelina's eyes sparkled for a second. Then she shook her head with a smile and picked up her fork again. "Alright. You win. One real date. No scripts. No cameras. Just us."
Alex nodded, pleased. "Deal."
They ate in a more relaxed silence now. The kind of silence that meant both of them were thinking, but not rushing. The lighting made the room feel warmer, more like a lounge than a restaurant.
Angelina finally spoke. "So what's the plan? For this date, I mean."
"Something simple," Alex said. "I'll cook."
Angelina raised an eyebrow. She was expecting some chef to cook for him. But...
"You cook?"
He smirked. "I've survived off my own cooking since I was sixteen. I'm pretty good. Trust me."
"What's on the menu?" She asked.
"Risotto. And my secret grilled salmon and shrimp. Wine. Music. Rooftop view."
Angelina looked impressed. "Alright, chef. I'll bring dessert."
Alex grinned. "You?"
"I make killer lemon tart," She paused, then gave a small shrug.
"Alright. Let's do this," He simply gave a nod.
Alex took another bite of his food, then set his fork down. "So. Tomorrow's shoot."
Angelina leaned back in her chair. "Tell me what I'm walking into."
He nodded. "Six setups. Starts at ten, Titan HQ. Everything's already prepped. Lighting, sets, wardrobe. We'll move fast, but each shot has a purpose."
She sipped her wine. "Alright. Walk me through it."
Alex held up one finger. "First shot's classic power pose. You in a high-slit emerald gown, standing in front of a mirror wall with the Titan Vela logo glowing behind you. Big, bold, glamorous. That one's for the billboards."
"Got it. Statement shot. What's next?"
"Shot two is more intimate. Close-up, soft lighting. You in a silk robe, natural makeup. Looking over your shoulder like someone just walked into the room. It'll be for perfume ads and magazine covers."
Angelina smiled a little. "Sultry but elegant."
"Exactly," Alex said. "Shot three is action-based. Rooftop at Titan HQ. Wind machines, motion blur, coat flowing behind you. Think unstoppable force. That one's for the digital promo loop."
"Sounds cold," she said with a grin.
"We'll bring heaters. Fourth shot is luxury lounge. Deep blue velvet couch, whiskey glass in hand, slow jazz vibe. Gold dress. Bare feet. That's for print spreads."
Angelina nodded slowly. "Like I own the room."
"You do," Alex said simply.
"Fifth?"
He grinned. "Streetwear edge. Titan Rove line. Leather jacket, jeans, sunglasses. You walking across the Titan entrance like you don't care who's watching. Urban, bold, unapologetic."
"Nice. And the last?"
Alex leaned in. "Final shot is the wildcard. Black backdrop. You in a minimal silk slip. Bare shoulders. Just your eyes lit. All about mystery. That's for the teaser posters. No logo. No text. Just you. The world will know who it is."
Angelina gave a low whistle. "You really don't do things halfway, do you?"
He smiled. "Never."
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[7 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers]
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