Villain Ch 210. The Healer's Jealousy [Part 3]
At the entrance of the same building, a sleek red sports motorcycle rumbled to a stop. Sophia, the woman passenger, swiftly dismounted, her adrenaline still coursing through her veins from the exhilarating ride. With a grateful smile, she unfastened her helmet and handed it over to Elio, the blonde-haired man who had skillfully maneuvered the motorcycle through the bustling city streets.
"Thank you for taking me, Elio," Sophia exclaimed, her voice laced with genuine appreciation. She knew that her friend had gone out of his way to give her a lift, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness.
Elio accepted the helmet, effortlessly balancing it in one hand. With a carefree shrug, he replied, "Don't mention it. After all, I have some business to attend to around here." His nonchalant demeanor conveyed a sense of confidence and ease, hinting at a world of hidden talents and connections.
While Elio's work primarily involved remote interactions, he occasionally found himself in the position of meeting clients face-to-face. Certain matters demanded the personal touch, requiring discussions and negotiations that couldn't be effectively conveyed through phone calls or video conferences.
"Okay, see you in the game then," Sophia said, turning around to head toward the entrance of the building.
"Wait," Elio called, his voice laced with a hint of urgency. Sophia turned around, curious to know what was on his mind.
"When are you done? I'll pick you up again," Elio asked, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of concern and determination.
Sophia's eyebrows furrowed slightly, puzzled by his offer. She shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "You don't need to. I can go home myself," she replied, her tone reassuring.
Elio's lips curved into a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come on, Soph. You know I enjoy playing chauffeur for you. Besides, it's not every day that we get to hang out outside of the game. Let me be your personal ride, just this once," he insisted, his playful demeanor enticing her to accept his offer.
"But…" Before she finished her sentence, Elio spoke again.
"Besides…," Elio reassured her, his eyes filled with a sense of protectiveness. "I told you I have a meeting around here. Unless you finish earlier than me," he added with a warm smile. After the events that unfolded both in the real world and the game yesterday, Elio's determination to keep Sophia safe had only grown stronger.
Sophia nodded, understanding Elio's concern. "Okay. It should be done in an hour or two at the most," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of determination. She was focused and motivated to complete her tasks efficiently.
"Just call me if you're done, okay?" Elio requested, his voice firm yet gentle.
Sophia nodded once again, affirming her understanding of his instructions.
With a wave of farewell, Elio started the engine of his sleek motorcycle and smoothly maneuvered through the streets.
Sophia swiftly entered the building, her eyes scanning the bustling lobby filled with people coming and going. She made her way toward the receptionist's desk, where a friendly face greeted her.
"I came to discuss the illustration concept with Mr. Bell," Sophia stated, her voice filled with purpose.
The receptionist smiled and nodded, her fingers swiftly tapping on the keyboard. "Mr. Bell is already waiting for you on the fifth floor," she informed, her voice cheerful and helpful. She handed Sophia a name tag, a small but significant symbol of her status as a guest within the building.
Sophia affixed the name tag to her clothing. She knew this meeting held the potential to bring her career as an illustrator to new heights.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing a sleek, metallic interior. Sophia stepped inside, joining a small group of people who were also heading to different floors. As the doors closed, she pressed the button labeled "5" and felt a subtle jolt as the elevator began its ascent.
Leaning against the mirrored wall, Sophia took a moment to collect her thoughts. The hum of conversation filled the air, a blend of hushed whispers and the occasional laughter. She observed her fellow passengers, each lost in their own world, engrossed in their devices or stealing glances at their reflections on the polished surfaces.
The elevator ride seemed to pass in a blur, and before she knew it, the doors slid open once again. Stepping onto the fifth floor, Sophia was in a well-lit corridor. Mr. Bell stood just a few steps away from the elevator, a staff name tag prominently displayed on his lapel. His warm smile greeted Sophia as she stepped out, immediately putting her at ease.
"Ah, Sophia, I've been expecting you," Mr. Bell said, extending a hand in greeting. His voice was friendly and inviting, the perfect combination of professionalism and approachability.
Sophia shook his hand, returning the smile. "Thank you, Mr. Bell. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to discuss the concept with you."
"Thank you for all the pose references that you sent this morning. They are all good and the photographer agreed to take some," Mr. Bell said, flashing a reassuring smile.
Sophia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. Knowing that her ideas were well-received and that the photographer was willing to incorporate them into the shoot gave her a surge of confidence.
"I'm glad it helps," Sophia replied, her voice tinged with genuine gratitude. She couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation for the upcoming photo session. This was her chance to see her visions come to life, to witness the fusion of her artistic imagination and the skill of the photographer.
Mr. Bell leaned forward, his eyes brimming with excitement. "Oh, right. The photo session is in progress. Do you want to see it?" he offered, his tone tinged with enthusiasm. "I give you the freedom to direct the poses if you have something specific in mind."
Sophia's eyes widened with anticipation. The opportunity to guide the models directly, to see her ideas brought to life, was an enticing proposition.
"Yes, of course!" Sophia exclaimed, her voice betraying her eagerness. She cleared her throat, attempting to compose herself. "I mean—Erm, yes. I have some poses in my mind and drew sketches, but maybe it will be better if I direct them directly," she continued, her words stumbling slightly. Despite her enthusiasm, a hint of self-doubt crept into her voice. She couldn't help but wonder if her ideas would translate well in the real world.
"That's the spirit!" Mr. Bell exclaimed with a wide grin, clearly impressed by Sophia's enthusiasm. He swung open the door to studio 4, but before they could step inside, he turned to Sophia once again, his expression turning serious. "The photo session is in progress, so we need to be mindful of the environment. Let's observe quietly for now, and you can share your suggestions once this session finishes," he reminded her, his voice hushed to avoid interrupting the delicate process.
"Okay," Sophia replied, her voice barely audible, a mix of excitement and trepidation swirling within her.
With cautious steps, they entered the studio, their presence almost imperceptible amidst the flurry of activity. The room was bathed in the pulsating glow of camera flashes, casting an ethereal aura over the scene. The silence was thick, broken only by the soft clicking of the shutter and the gentle movements of the models.
Sophia's eyes were drawn to the two figures in the room, their bodies intertwined in a dance of dark intimacy. Her breath caught in her throat as she witnessed the raw emotions captured in each frame. The intensity of the moment struck her deeply, a bittersweet sensation that enveloped her being.
Note: Vivian has a guest company card so she can access the elevator and room. She has worked with this agency a lot since she was a makeup artist and modeling for cosplaying several game characters for promotion. While Sophia is a freelance digital illustrator. She has just been to this building several times so they still consider her as a guest.
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